of them clergymen were leaving for the mother country. Whitfield received invitations to return to England and he subsequently communicated to his parish his intentions to leave. [18] A public meeting was held on February 20, 1649, in Guilford. Whitfield's reasons for wishing to leave were read in public. Attendees voted to approve inducements to encourage him to remain, including increasing his salary and exempting his two sons from guard duty (night watches to protect the town) for one year. In the end Whitfield decided to return in spite of his flock's objections. [12] It has been speculated Henry Whitfield returned due to the improved political and religious conditions for Puritans under the reign of Oliver Cromwell's reign. However, factors such as the rigors of colonial life, his age and failing health, and economic hardship may also have factored into Whitfield's decision to leave Guilford. George Hubbard, a founding member of Guilford observed that Whitfield was not suited to life in the wilderness. His fragile body could not handle the harsh winters and physical labor and these factors affected his health. Hubbard noted Whitfield lost money on the Guilford venture and colleagues in England were urging him to return. Whitfield left the colony and his followers on August 26, 1650. [12] His son John accompanied him. [18] Dorothy and the majority of their children remained in Guilford.[5] Dorothy Whitfield continued to live in their stone house in Guilford and looked after their property. Three daughters were married in New England. Three children would ultimately return to England. Whitfield was reinstated in the Church. He died in 1657 and was buried in Winchester Cathedral on September 17. The entirety of his estate was left to Dorothy who returned to England in 1659. She died in 1669. [13] Owners and Residents The first residents of the house were Henry Whitfield, his wife, and their children, for whom the house was originally built. Throughout their occupancy, they extended their welcome to travelers, church-goers, and the rest of the citizens in the community. When Henry Whitfield returned to England in 1650, his wife, Dorothy, and some of their children continued to live in the house. It is suggested by historical records that during this time John Winthrop the Younger, son of the founder of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and future Governor of Connecticut, expressed interest in purchasing the house. However, he ended up moving