When their brethren had gone from Holland to America, they bethought themselves that they likewise might find refuge from persecution there.

Several gentlemen among them purchased a tract of country on the coast of Massachusetts Bay, and obtained a charter from King Charles, which authorized them to make laws for the settlers.
In the year 1628 they sent over a few people, with John Endicott at their bead, to commence a plantation at Salem.

{Foot Note: The Puritans had a liking for Biblical names for their children, and they sometimes gave names out of the Bible to places, Salem means Peace.

The Indian name was Naumkeag.} Peter Palfrey, Roger Conant, and one or two more had built houses there in 1626, and may be considered as the first settlers of that ancient town.

Many other Puritans prepared to follow Endicott.
"And now we come to the chair, my dear children," said Grandfather.
"This chair is supposed to have been made of an oak-tree which grew in the park of the English Earl of Lincoln between two and three centuries ago.