West Bridgewater in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Home of Rev. James Keith
Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 26, 2022
1. Home of Rev. James Keith Marker
First Minister to Bridgewater
Built in 1662
The generous gift of
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Anderson
to the old Bridgewater
Historical Society
For tours and information,
Visit www.oldbridgewater.org
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1662.
Location. 42° 0.847′ N, 71° 0.938′ W. Marker is in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is on River Street east of Forest Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 199 River Street, West Bridgewater MA 02379, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Home of John Cary (approx. Ό mile away); West Bridgewater World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); West Bridgewater World War II Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Deacon Samuel Edson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bridgewater Purchase (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pulpit Rock (approx. half a mile away); West Bridgewater Civil War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Tory House (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Bridgewater.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Reverend James Keith Parsonage (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 4, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Rev. James Keith (1643-1719) Find-a-Grave.
Rev. Keith was educated at Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland at the age of 15 in 1657. He immigrated from Scotland in 1661 or 1662 and was introduced to the town of Bridgewater (now known as West Bridgewater)(Submitted on March 28, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)in 1664 by his friend, Rev. Increase Mather. He became the town's first permanent minister, and stayed there in the ministry until his death in 1719, when he was 76.Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 26, 20222. Home of Rev. James Keith Marker
3. Letter from Rev. James Keith to Rev. John Cotton. In 1676 towards the end of King Philip's war, Rev. James Keith wrote a letter to Rev. John Cotton Jr. appealing to spare the lives of King Philip's wife (Wootonekanuske) and one of their sons, who were held under his care briefly in Bridgewater.
"In the case of the capture of Philip's wife and son, when the question as to what should be done with the son was in agitation, and the opinion of grave divines desired, Mr. Keith's opinion, stated in a letter to the Rev. Mr. Cotton, in favor of mercy, and differing from most others, had great weight, if indeed it was not decisive on the occasion...."(Submitted on April 17, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
4. Colonial Society of Massachussets: Volume 79 The Corespondence of John Cotton Jr. (Index). To review multiple letters of John Cotton from or referencing Rev.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 4, 2026
3. Home of Rev. James Keith
Bridgewater Octob 28, 1678 - Reverend & Deare Sir, I have much desired but have been denyed opportunity, to Salute you by any Letter since the receit of your last which is now some moneths ago. I return you many thanks for your kinde remembrance of me, in the papers you sent me, deare Sir I do blesse god for his grace towards you in yt you are yet continued in such a comfortable capacity for his work & service when others are removed & Laid aside...(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
5. History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater. Philip's War (letter from Rev. Keith) and Ecclesiastical History.
"April 17, 1676 God hath now begun to pour out upon us the cup of trembling; yet the Lord doth remember us still with mercy, yea very great mercy. The 9th of this instant, being the Lord's Day, as we were assembling in the forenoon, we were alarmed by the shooting of some guns from some of our garrisons upon discovery of a house being on fire, which was Robert Latham's"...(Submitted on April 22, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Additional keywords. Reverend James Keith House Parsonage
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 541 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 3. submitted on April 4, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
