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The life of Rev. Stephen Bachiler
Biography
Stephen Bachiler was already about seventy when he crossed the Atlantic in 1632. His long career had begun in England: he entered St. John's College, Oxford, in 1581, received his degree in 1586, and became vicar of Wherwell in Hampshire, in southern England. He lost that living in 1605 during the campaign against nonconforming clergy.
He arrived in New England aboard the William and Francis and began preaching at the Massachusetts coastal settlement then called Saugus, later Lynn. Disputes with church members and colonial magistrates followed. When he attempted to continue with a separate congregation, the authorities intervened, and he eventually agreed to leave the town. A subsequent attempt to establish a settlement at Yarmouth on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, also failed.
In 1638 Bachiler and his company settled at Winnacunnet, soon renamed Hampton, on the coast of present-day New Hampshire. He served as the church's pastor, with Timothy Dalton joining as teacher. Their association became deeply contentious. Bachiler was excommunicated in 1641 and restored to church membership in 1643, but not to his pastoral office. His surviving complaint blamed Dalton's use of church authority; the controversy divided the community.
After leaving Hampton, Bachiler lived at Strawberry Bank and successfully pursued a claim for unpaid ministerial wages. He eventually returned to England. His burial was recorded at All Hallows Staining, London, on October 31, 1656. His life encompassed repeated efforts to build congregations, as well as repeated conflicts over who should govern them.
The Lane Memorial and Piscataqua Pioneers accounts identify Nathaniel Batchelder Sr. among Stephen’s children by his first wife.
A separate burial listing places him at Bedlam Burial Ground in London. An All Hallows register reference and a Bedlam burial listing give different accounts of his burial; the precise location is uncertain.
Images & documents
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Children · other parent not recorded
A life in dates
18 events
- Education
Entered St. John’s College, Oxford, according to the biographical account.
Oxford
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Received his Oxford degree before his ministry at Wherwell in Hampshire, southern England.
Oxford
Show on map → - Loss Of Church Living
Lost the Wherwell living during the campaign against nonconforming clergy.
Wherwell
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Crossed the Atlantic aboard the William and Francis and began ministry at Saugus, later Lynn, Massachusetts.
North Atlantic Ocean
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Late English residence — South Stoneham.
South Stoneham, England, United Kingdom
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Settled with his company at Winnacunnet, soon renamed Hampton, on the New Hampshire coast, serving as pastor alongside teacher Timothy Dalton.
Hampton, New Hampshire, United States
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Residence and land — Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts.
Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts
Show on map → - Church Discipline
Excommunicated during the Hampton church conflict.
Hampton, New Hampshire, United States
Show on map → - Church Restoration
Restored to church membership, but not to pastoral office, according to the Hampton account.
Hampton, New Hampshire, United States
Show on map → - Residence
Probable reported residence — Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts.
Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts
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Settlement and ministry — Hampton, New Hampshire.
Hampton, New Hampshire, United States
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Probable burial ground — New Churchyard / Bedlam burial ground.
New Churchyard / Bedlam burial ground, England, United Kingdom
Show on map → - Return To England
Stephen Bachiler returned to England after his years in New England.
England
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Notes & sources
Family records
- DNA consolidated biography and timeline evidence and decisions
- Location evidence: person 675
- Lane Memorial Library / Piscataqua Pioneers: Rev. Stephen Bachiler