REV. STEPHEN BACHILER--Page 2

[Rev. Stephen Bachier--Page 1] In 1638, they ended up at Hampshire, then known as Winnacunnet, and started a new church. In the spring of 1639, Mr. Timothy Dalton was associated with Rev. Stephen at the church, in the capacity of 'Teacher'. But the association was not a harmonious one. The ministers differed widely in practice, Rev. Bachiler being independent, and Mr. Dalton always acting in accordance with the magistrates and elders. Mr. Bachiler was charged with immorality, but whether justly or unjustly is "not proven." "Great American Eccentrics" devotes a chapter to him, and in it he is accused of using his influence as a man of the cloth to seduce female members of his congregation. This is mentioned again in The History of Lynn. That reference claims he apparently propositioned a married female member of his congregation, and he confessed his guilt after being confronted by the woman's husband. It seems hard to believe, given his advanced age at the time, but he was indeed excommunicated in 1641, and restored to the church in 1643, but not as pastor.

About this time some of the people of Exeter invited Rev. Bachiler to become the pastor of their new church, though by then he was more than 80 years old. For this purpose, they appointed a day, and gave notice to the magistrates and churches. The General Court interfered:

"Whereas it appears to this Court, that some of the inhabitants of Exeter do intend shortly to gather a church & call contentions which are among the inhabitants there are judged by this Court to be such as for the present they cannot comfortably & with approbation proceed in so weighty & sacred affaires, it is therefore ordered, that direction shall be forthwith sent to the said inhabitants to defer the gathering of any church, or other such proceeding until this Court or the Court at Ipswich (upon further satisfaction of their reconciliation & fitness) shall give allowance thereunto."

The people of Exeter complied, and did not organize a church. However, it should be noted that if Rev. Bachiler's morality was in question, the people of Exeter would probably have been aware of it, and also the courts did not mention anywhere that Rev. Stephen was unfit for the office of pastor.

After his excommunication, Rev. Stephen didn't stay in Hampton much longer. His house and nearly all of his belongings were destroyed by fire in 1644. He moved to Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth, NH) where he lived from 1647 to 1650. During this time, he sued the town of Hampton for wages due for his services and obtained satisfaction.

Rev. Stephen then married Mary Beedle, a widow with children. Family historians accuse Mary of having somehow coerced Rev. Stephen into this marriage. She is depicted as someone who entered an agreement to act as a sort of caretaker and housekeeper at first (remember his advanced age at this time), and soon Rev. Stephen married her.

In October 1650:

"George Rogers and Mrs. Batcheller were presented upon vehement suspicion of incontinency for living in one house together and lying in one room. They are to be separated before the next court or pay 40s. "

In October 1651:

"That Mr. Batchelor and his wife shall live together as man and wife as in this court they have publicly professed to do, and if either desert one another then hereby the Court doth order that the marshal shall apprehend both the said Mr. Batchelor and Mary his wife and bring them forthwith to Boston." So, it would appear Rev. Bachiler tried to obtain a divorce after the indictment for adultery, and was denied.

In 1655, he left New England, escorted by his grandson Stephen Sanborn, and went back to England. Although it was not unusual for Colonists to return to England--and it has been estimated that as many as one in six went back to these familiar surroundings--it seems from the synopsis of his life in the colonies that Rev. Bachiler had plenty of reasons to go back. Stephen Bachiler was buried on 31 October 1656 in the Allhallows Staining Church Cemetery, London, England. If there was a monument, it is long gone, but Allhallows Church records mention the receipt of payment for the 'tolling of the bells' for Rev. Stephen Bachiler. [Rev. Stephen Bachiler Page 3]