A DESCRIPTION OF NEW-ENGLAND IN GENERAL: With a DESCRIPTION of the Town of BOSTON IN PARTICULAR.  Published by JOHN SELLER. 
NEw-England was first Discovered by John Cabota, and his Son Sebastian, in Anno Domini 1514. A further Discovery was made by the Honourable Sir wall. raleigh, in Anno 1584. All which Part of America, that now bears the Names of New-Scotland, New-England, New-York, New-Jarsey, Maryland, Virginia, and Pensilvania, were known by one common Name, and called by the Indians, Wingandicoa. And in Anno 1602. was further  
The first English that Planted here, set down not far from Nara●anset Bay, and called their Colony Plimouth-Colony.  
The whole Country is bounded on the North with Nova Scotia, and other unknown countries of the Indians; on the West with Hudsons River, and New-York Colony; on the South and East, with the great Western Ocean, and is now divided into these three great Colonies, viz. Plymouth, Massachusets, and Connecticot.  
On the West cost of New-England, by the Sea-side, are many English Towns; as first Westchester, about 20 Miles from New York: To the Eastward of this is Greenwich, then Chichester, Fairfield, Stratford, Milford, all Sea Towns; Eastward of Milford, is Newhaven, Brainford, guildford, and then Connecticot River, on which is situated 13 Towns; at the Mouth of the River on the West-side, is the Lord Say, and Brooks Fort, called Say-Brooks-Fort; beyond this Northward, is the Town of Middletown, Wethersfield, Hartford; about it low Land, well stored with Meadows, and very Fertile; then Windsor, and Pinsers House, all which are situated on the West-side of the River: On the East-side of the River are situated these Towns, Hadley, Harfield, Dearfield, Springfield, which Towns are all in the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets Colony; the last of which hath been infamous, by reason of Witches therein; Pistol-Point is also situated on the East-side of the River, and is in Plymouth Colony; New-London is seated by a small River, called Pequet River, which lies to the Eastward of Connecticot River.  
From Connecticot River to Hudsons River, lieth Long-Island, stretching itself 120 miles, but is but narrow, and about 16 miles from the Main; the considerablest Town upon it is Southampton, built on the South-side of the iceland, toward the East end: Opposite to this on the North-side is Feversham, West-ward is Ashford, huntingdon, &c. The iceland is well stored with Sheep and other Cattle, and Corn, and is reasonable Populous. At the East-end lieth three small Islands called Plumb-Island, Shelter-Island, and Gardiners-Island, and due East from the Point of Long-Island, lieth Block-Island, and near the Main lieth Fishers iceland.  
The next place of Note on the Main, is Narragansets Bay, within which Bay lieth Rhode iceland, which by the Bostoners is uncharitable Christians, besides Quakers; who are forced to fly from their violent Persecutions, for no other Reason, but because they dissent from them in their Worship; as witness their Imprisonments, Fines, Whippings, and Banishments.  
Further Eastward lieth Monument Bay, and at the entrance of which, on the East-side, lieth Elizabeth Islands, and to the Eastward of them lieth Martins Vineyard, and to the Eastward of that lieth Nantoket iceland. Now we strike off from these Islands to the Main, and arrive at the Wood-land of Monomoy, and from thence to scape Cod,( so called at first by Captain Gosnold, and his Company, because they took much of that Fish there.) The first place to be taken notice of on the South-side of the scape, is West's Harbour; the first Sea-Town, Sandwich: Doubling the scape, we come now into Barnstable-Bay, on the West whereof is New-Plymouth Bay, the first English Colony that took firm Possession in this Country, which was in 1620. and the first Town therein, was built nine years before any other Town; since which time of the first Building thereof, there hath been the increasing of forty Churches in this Colony, but many more in the rest; and the Towns have increased since to the number of 120. for the most part near the Sea-Coasts: The other Towns of Note in this Colony, are Green Harbour, to the Eastward of Plymouth, towards the Point of the scape, therefore somewhat Inaccessible by Land: here is excellent Timber for Shipping; then Yarmouth, Rehoboth, Bridgwater, Warwick, Taunton, Eastham, by the Indians called Namset.  
The first Town north-west from Green Harbour, is Sittuate, in the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets Colony; more Northward of Sittuate, is Conchusset, and Hull, a little Town lying open to the Sea; from thence we come to Merton Point, over against which is Pulling Point. Upon Mertin Point( which is on the Larboard side) is a Town called Nautascot, which is two Leagues from Boston, where Ships commonly come to an Anchor. Pulling Point is so called, because the Boats are haled against the Tide, which is very strong; it is the usual Channel for Boats to pass into Massachusets Bay.  
There is an iceland on the South-side of the Passage containing eight Acres of Ground, upon a rising Hill. Within this iceland is mounted a Castle, commanding the Entrance; no stately edisice, nor strong, built with Brick and ston; kept by a Captain, under whom is a Master-Gunner, and others.  
The Bay is large, made by many Islands; the chief is Deer-Island, which is within a flight shot of Pulling Point: Great store of dear were wont to swim thither from the Main; then bide iceland, Glass-Island, Slate-Island, the Governours Garden, where the first Apple-Trees in the Country were Planted, and a Vineyard; then Round-Island, and Noddles-Island not far from Charles-Town; most of these Islands lye on the Northside of the Bay.  
The next Town to Nautascot, on the South-side of the Bay is Wissagusset, a small Village, about three miles from Mount-Wolleston; about this Town the Soil is very Fertile,  
Within sight of this is Mount-Wolleston, or Merry-Mount, called Massachusets Fields; where Chicatabat, the greatest Sagamore of this Country, lived before the Plague. Here the Town of Braintree is seated, no Boat nor Ship can come near it, here is an Iron-Mill; to the Westward of this Town is Naponset River.  
Six miles beyond Braintree, lieth Dorchester, a Frontier Town, pleasantly seated, and of large Extent into the main Land, well Watered with two small Rivers; her Body and overflowings filled somewhat well with Houses, to the number of 200 and more, beautified with rare Orchards and Gardens; having also plenty of Corn-Land, and store of Cattle, counted the greatest Town heretofore in New-England, but now gives way to Boston; it hath a Harbour to the Northward for Ships.  
A mile from Dorchester, is the Town of Roxbury, a fair and handsome Country-Town, the Streets large, the Inhabitants Rich, replenished with Orchards and Gardens, well watered with Springs and small Freshuts, a Brook runs through it, called Smelt-River; a quarter of a mile to the North-side of the Town, runs Stony-River. It is seated in the bottom of a shallow Bay, but hath no Harbour for Shipping, only Boats come to it; it hath store of Land and Cattle.  

A Description of the Town of BOSTON.  
IN the bottom of Massachusets Bay, is Boston, and is the Metropolis of Massachusets Colony, or rather of the whole Country, situated upon a Peninsula, about four miles in Compass; almost square, and environed with the Sea, saving one small Isthmus, which gives access by Land to other Towns: On the South-side, the Town hath two Hills of equal height, on the Frontier part thereof next the Sea; the one well Fortified on the Superficies with some artillery mounted commanding any Ship as she Sails into the Harbour, within the still Bay: The other Hill hath a strong Battery built with whole Timber, and filled with Earth. At the descent of the Hill, in the extremest part thereof, between these two strong Arms, lies a large Cove or Bay, on which the chiefest part of the Town is built; to the north-west is a high Mountain, that out-tops all with its three rising Hills on the Summit, called Tramount; this is furnished with a Beacon, and great Guns,( as may be seen in the Prospect of the Town, hereunto Annexed:) from hence you may overlook all the Islands in the Bay, and descry such Ships as are upon the cost. The Houses are, for the most part, raised upon the Sea-Banks, and are Wharfed out with great Industry and Cost, many of them standing upon Piles, close together on each side, as in London, and furnished with many fair Shops; their Materials are Brick, ston, Lime, handsomely contrived, with three Meeting-Houses, and a Town-House built upon Pillars, where the Merchants may Confer; in the Chambers above, they keep their Monthly Courts. Their Streets are many and large, Paved with Pebble-stone; and the South-side adorned with Gardens and Orchards. The Town is Rich and very Populous, much frequented by Strangers; here is the Dwelling-House of their governor.  
On the north-west and north-east, two constant Fairs are kept for daily traffic thereunto: On the South there is a small but pleasant Common, where the Gallants a little before Sun-set walk with their Marmalet Madams,( as they do here in Moor-fields) till the Nine-a-Clock Bell rings them Home to their respective Habitations; when presently the Constables walk their Rounds to see good Orders kept, and to take up loose People.  
Two miles from the Town, at a place called Muddy River, the Inhabitants have Farms, to which belongs rich arable Grounds and Meadows, where they keep their Cattle in the Summer, and bring them to Boston in the Winter. The Harbour before the Town is filled with Ships and other Vessels, for most part of the Year.  
Hingham is a Town situated upon the Sea-Coasts, Southeast of Charles River; there is great store of Timber, Deal-boards, Masts for Ships, white Cedar, and Fish is here to be had.  
Dedham, an Inland Town, ten miles from Boston, in the County of Suffolk, well watered with many pleasant Streams, and abounding with Garden-Fruit; the Inhabitants are Husbandmen, more than a hundred Families, having store of cattle and Corn.  
The Town of Waymouth lies open to the Sea, on the East Rocks and Swamps, to the Southward good store of dear, arable Land and Meadows.  
On the North-side of Boston, flows Charles-River, which is about six fathom deep; many small Islands lye to the Bay-ward, and Hills on either side of the River, a very good Harbour; here may forty Sail of Ships ride. The Passage from Boston to Charles-town, is by a Ferry, worth forty or fifty Pound a year, and is a quarter of a mile over: the River mystic runs through the North-side of the town, and by its near approach to Charles River, in one place makes a very narrow Neck, where stands most part of the town. The Marketplace not far from the Water-side, is surrounded with Houses, forth of which issue two Streets, orderly built and beautified with Orchards and Gardens; their Meeting-House stands on the North-side of the Market, having a little hill behind it; there belongs to this town 1200 Acres of good arable Land, 400 Head of cattle, and as many Sheep: these also provide themselves Farms in the Country.  
Higher up in Charles River Westward, is a broad Bay, two miles over, into which runs Stony River, and Muddy River.  
Towards the S. W. in the middle of the Bay, is a great Oysterbank: towards the N W is a Creek: upon the shore is situated the Village of Medford, it is a mile and half from Charles Town.  
At the bottom of the Bay, the River begins to be narrow, half a quarter of a mile broad; by the North-side of the River, is New-Town, three miles from Charles-Town by Land, a League and a half by Water, it was first intended for a City; the neatest and best compacted Town, having many fair Structures and handsome contrived Streets, the Inhabitants rich; they have many hundred Acres of Land paled with one common Fence, a mile and a half long, and store of Cattle: It is now called Cambridg, where is a college for Students, of late; it stretcheth from Charles River to the Southern part of Merimach River.  
Half a mile thence, on the same side of the River, is Water Town, built upon one of the Branches of Charles River, very fruitful and pleasant; Springs of a large extent, with many small rivulets, the Inhabitants live scattered: Within half a mile is a great Pond, divided between the two Towns. A mile and a half from the Town is a Fall of Fresh-waters, which convey themselves into the Ocean through Charles-River; a little below the Fall of Waters, they have a Wair to catch Fish, wherein they take store of Bass, shades, Alwives, Frost-fish, and Smelts; in two Tides they have gotten 100000 of these Fish. They have store of cattle and Sheep, and near upon 2000 Acres of arable Land. Ships of small burden may come up to these Towns.  
We will now return to Charles Town again, where the River mystic runs on the North-side of the Town, where on the N. West-side of the River is the Town of mystic, three miles from Charles Town by Land, a League and a half by Water, a scattered Village. At the head of this River are great and spacious pounds, full of Alwives in the Spring-time; the notedst place for this sort of Fish. On the West of this River is Merchant Craddocks Plantation, where he hath Impaled a Park.  
Upon the same River, and on the North-side, is the Town of Malden.  
The next Town is Winnisimet, a mile from Charles Town, the River only parting them; this is the last Town in the still Bay of Massachusets.  
Without Pulling-Point, six miles N. E. from Winnisimet, is Cawgust, or Sagust, or Sangut, now called Linn, situated at a bottom of a Bay near a River; which upon the breaking up of Winter, with a furious Torrent, vents itself into the Sea. The Town consists of more than one hundred dwelling-Houses; their Church being built on a Level( undefended from the N. W. wind) is made with steps descending into the Earth: Their Streets are straight, and but thin of Houses; the People most Husbandmen. At the end of a sandy Beach, is a Neck of Land called Nahant, it is six miles in Circumference. Black William, an Indian Duke, out of his Generosity, gave this to the English. At the Mouth of the River runs a great Creek into a great Marsh, called Rumney Marsh, which is four miles long, and a mile broad: This Town hath the benefit of Minerals of divers kinds, Iron, led, one Iron-Mill, store of cattle, arable Land and Meadow.  
To the Northward of Lin, is Marvil, or Marble Head, a small harbour, the shore Rocky, upon which the Town is built, consisting of a few scattered Houses: Here they have Stages for Fishermen, Orchards and Gardens; half a mile in the Land good Pastures and arable Land.  
Four miles North of Marble Head, is situated New-Salem( whose Latitude is forty two degrees, thirty five minutes) upon a Plain, having a River on the South, and another on the North side; it hath two Harbours, Winter Harbour, and Summer Harbour, which lieth within Darbies Fort: They have store of Meadow and arable Land. In this Town are some very rich Merchants.  
Upon the Northern scape( that is) scape and, a place of Fishing, is situated the Town of gloucester, where the Massachusets Colony first set down, but Salem was the first Town built in that Colony; here is a Harbour for Ships.  
To the Northward of scape and, is Wonnasquam, a dangerous place to Sail by in stormy Weather, by reason of the many Rocks, and foaming Breakers.  
The next Town that presents itself to view, is Ipswich, situated by a fair River, whose first rise is from a Lake of Pond, twenty miles up, breaking its course through a hideous Swamp for many miles, a Harbour for Bears; it issueth forth into a large Bay( where they fish for Whales). Due East, over against the iceland of Shoals, a great place of Fishing; the Mouth of that River is barred; it is a good Haven-Town: Their Meeting-House, or Church, is beautifully built, store of Orchards and Gardens, Land for Husbandry and cattle.  
Wenham, is an Inland Town, very well watered; lying between Salem and Ipswich, consisteth most of Men of judgement and Experience, in re Rustica; Well stored with cattle. At the first rise of Ipswich River, in the highest part of the Land, near the Head-springs of many Rivers, Shashin is one of the most considerable Branches of Merrimach River. And also at the rise of mystic River, and pounds, full of pleasant Springs, is situated Wooburn, an Inland Town, four miles square, beginning at the end of Charles-Town bounds. Six miles from Ipswich, N. E. is Rowley; most of the Inhabitants have been Clothiers.  
Nine miles from Salem, to the Northward, is Agowamine, the best and most spacious place for a Plantation, being 20 Leagues to the Northward of New Plymouth.  
Beyond Agowamine, is situated Hampton, near the Sea-Coasts, not far from Marrimach-River; this Town is like a Flower de luke, having two Streets of Houses wheeling off from the main Body thereof; they have great store of Salt, Marshes, and cattle. The Land is fertile, and full of Swamps and Rocks. Eight miles beyond Agowamine, runneth the delightful River Merrimach, or Monnumach, it is Navigable for twenty miles, and well stored with Fish; upon the Banks grow stately Oaks, excellent Ship Timber, not inferior to our English.  
On the South-side of Merrimach River, twelve miles from Ipswich, and near upon the wide venting streams thereof, is situated Newbury; the Houses are scattering, well stored with Meadow, upland and arable, and about 400 Head of cattle.  
Over against Newbury, lies the Town of Salisbury, where a constant Ferry is kept, the River being here half a mile broad, the Town scatteringly built.  
Hard upon the River of Shashin, where Marrimach receives this and the other Branch into its Body, is seated Andover, stored with Land and cattle.  
Beyond this Town by the Branch of Merrimach River, called Shashin, lieth Haverhil, a Town of large extent, about ten miles in length, the Inhabitants Husbandmen; this Town is not far from Salisbury.  
Over against Haverhil, lieth the Town of Malden, which is already mentioned.  
In a low Level, upon a fresh River, a branch of Merrimach, is seated Concord, the first Inland Town in Massachusets Patent; well stored with Fish, Salmon, Dace, Alewive, shed, &c. abundance of fresh Marsh and cattle; this place is subject to bitter Storms.  
The next Town is Sudbury, built upon the same River where Concord is, but farther up: To this Town likewise belongs great store of fresh Marshes, arable Land, and many cattle. It lieth low by reason whereof it is much endamaged with Floods.  
In the Centre of the Country, by a great pounds side, and not far from Wooburn, is situated Reading, it hath two Mills, a Saw-Mill, and a Corn-Mill; it is well stocked with cattle.  
The Colony is divided into four Counties, the first is Suffolk, to which Dorchester, Roxbury, Waymouth, Hingham, Dedham, Braintree, Sittuate, Hull, Nantascot, Wissaguset. The second County is Middlesex, to this belongs Charles-Town, Water-Town, Cambridge, Concord, Sudbury, Wooburn, Reading, Malden, Mistich, Medford Winnisimet, and Marble-Head. To the third, which is Essex, belongs New-Salem, Lin, Ipswich, Newbury, Rowley, gloucester, Wenham, and Andover. The fourth County is Norfolk, to this belongs Salisbury, Hampton, and Haverhil.  
In the Year 1628. Mr. John Endicot, with a number of English People, set down by scape and, at that place called afterwards gloucester, but their abiding place was at Salem, where they built a Town in the Year 1639. and there they gathered their first Church, consisting but of 70 Persons, but afterwards increased to 43 Churches, in joint Communion with one another; and in those Churches were about 7750 Souls. Mr. Endicot was chosen their first governor.  
The 12th of July, 1630. John Wenthorp, Esquire, and the Assistants arrived with the Patent for the Massachusets. The Passage of the People that came along with him in ten Vessels, came to 95000 Pound. The Swine, Goats, Sheep, Neat, Horses, cost to Transport 12000 Pound, besides the price they cost them: Getting Food for the People, till they could clear the Ground of Wood, amounted to 45000 Pounds. Nails, Glass, and other Iron-work for their Meeting and Dwelling-Houses, 13000 Pound. Arms, Powder, Bullet and Match, together with their Artillery, 22000 Pound; the whole Sum amounts unto One hundred ninety two thousand Pounds. They set down first upon Noddles-Island, afterwards they begin to build upon the Main, in 1637. There were not many Houses in the Town of Boston amongst which were two Houses of Entertainment, called Ordinaries; into which if a Stranger went, he was presently followed by one appointed to that Office, who would thrust himself into his company uninvited; and if he called for more Drink than the Officer thought in his judgement he could soberly bear away, he would presently countermand it, and appoint the Proportion, beyond which he could not get one drop.  
The Patent was granted to Sir Henry Rosewel, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcoat, John Humphrey, John Endicot, and Simon Whitecomb, and to their Heirs, Assigns and Associates for ever: These took to them other Associates, as Sir Richard Saltonstal; Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey John Ven, Matthew Craddock, George Harwood, Increase nowell, Richard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vasel, Theophilus eton, Thomas Goff, Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vasel, William Pinchon, and George Foxcroft. Matthew Craddock was ordained and constituted governor by Patent, and Thomas Goff deputy-governor of the said Company, the rest Assistants.  
That part of New-England granted to these forementioned Gentlemen, lieth and extendeth between the great River Merrimach, and the often frequented Charles River, being in a bottom of a Bay called Massachusets Bay, and also those Lands within three miles to the South part of Massachusets Bay, and all those Lands which lye within the space of three English miles to the Northward of the River Merrimach, or to the Northward of any and every part thereof, and all Lands whatsoever within the Limits aforesaid, North and South in Latitude; and in Breadth and Length and Longitude of and within all the Main Land there, from the atlantic and Western Sea and Ocean on the East part, to the South Sea on the West part; and all Lands, Grounds, Places, Soils; Woods and Groves, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Waters, Fishings, and Hereditaments whatsoever, lying within the foresaid Lands, Limits, and every Part and Parcel thereof, and also all Islands lying in America, in the Seas aforesaid, or either of them on the Western and Eastern Coasts, or part of the said Tracts of Lands. Also all Mines and Minerals, as well Royal of Gold, Silver, holden of the East Mannor of Greenwich, in come. Kent, in free and common Soccage, yielding and paying to the King the fifth part of the Ore of Gold and Silver, which shall be found at any time.  
This Colony of the Massachusets, is a Body Corporated and politic in Fact, by the Name of the governor and Company of the Massachusets Bay in New-England.  
That there shall be one governor, and Deputy governor, and eighteen Assistants, of the same Company.  
That the governor, and deputy-governor, Assistants, and all other Officers, to be chosen from amongst the Freemen the last Wednesday in Easter Term yearly, in the General Court.  
The governor to take his Corporal Oath, to be true and Faithful to the Government, and to give the same Oath to the other Officers.  
To hold a Court once a Month, & any seven to be a sufficient Court.  
And that there shall be four General Courts kept in Term time, and one great General and Solemn Assembly, to make Laws and Ordinances; so that they be not Contrary and Repugnant to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm of England.  
In the Year 1646, they drew up a Body of their Laws, for the well ordering their Commonwealth, as they not long since termed it.  
The Military part of their Commonwealth is Governed by one mayor General, and three Serjeant-Majors. To the mayor General belongeth the Town of Boston, to the Serjeant-Majors belongs the four Counties, but with submission to the Major-General. The first privy-councillor chosen for the County of Suffolk was mayor Gibbins; for the County of Middlsex, mayor Sedgwick; for the County of Essex and Norfolk mayor Dennison.    

These and all other Maps, Maritime Charts, Draughts, Mathematical Books and Instruments, both of Sea or Land, are to be Sold by John Seller, at his House at the Hermitage in Wapping, and at his Shop at the West Side of the Royal Exchange in LONDON. 1682.