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HISTOKY 
 
 OF 
 
 SHEKBURNE, MASS. 
 
 FROM ITS INCORPORATION, 
 
 M DC LXXIV, 
 
 TO THE END OF THE YEAR 
 M D C C C XXX; 
 
 INCLUDING THAT OF 
 
 FRAMINGHAM AND HOJLL.ISTON, 
 
 so FAR AS THEY WERE 
 CONSTITUENT PARTS OF THAT TOWN. 
 
 BY WILLIAM BIGLOW, 
 
 AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF NATICK. 
 
 1SG7 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY BALLOU & STACY. 
 1830. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 This Pamphlet is compiled chiefly from the Records of tte Town 
 of Sherburne, in possession of the present Town Clerk. These re- 
 cords, from the beginning of the settlement to the present time, have 
 been made and preserved with a care, which deserves commendation. 
 They exhibit the transactions of a community of the most independ- 
 ent class of inhabitants, and of that, on which all other classes depend 
 for subsistence ; namely, the cultivators of the soil. Though there 
 is nothing found, in their transactions, to excite wonder, or astonish- 
 ment, yet there is not a little, which may afford amusement and in- 
 struction ; especially to the descendents of the worthy persons, who 
 redeemed this part of our land from the wilderness, who bave " ac- 
 complished, as a hireling, their day, and whose sepulchres remain 
 with us." 
 
mR^^(Bm'^ (Qw ^mmmm^TJi^i^^ 
 
 BOUNDARIES, TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION, Ac. 
 
 SHERBURNE is situated on the extreme south point 
 of the County of Middlesex, south-westerly from Boston. 
 The ancient milestone at the foot of Meeting-house 
 hill, and within an 8th of a mile from the centre of the 
 town, was marked in olden time, " Boston 22 miles.'' 
 The distance, as the road now runs, is about 19; and 
 when this shall be straitened, as has been proposed and 
 laid out, it will not exceed 18 miles from the centre of the 
 town to the city. 
 
 Sherburne is bounded N. by Framingham ; N. E. by 
 Natick ; E. by Dover and Medfield ; S. E. by Medfield ; 
 S. by Medway ; S. W. and W. by Holliston ; N. W. by 
 Framingham. It contains about 10,000 acres, 200 of 
 which are covered with water. According to a plan, ta- 
 ken by Joseph Ware, Esq. its extreme length, from N. to 
 S. is 6 miles and 30 rods ; and its extreme breadth, from 
 E. to W. 4 miles and 154 rods. A new survey is begun 
 by Dalton Goulding, Esq. from which a map will ere long 
 be delineated, according to a late act of the General 
 Court. 
 
 Principal Road, Mails^ &c. — The only mail road 
 through this town is that, which has been called the " Hart- 
 ford road,'' from " time which the memory of man run- 
 neth not to the contrarv." It leads from Boston to Hart- 
 
4 HISTORY OF SHERBUllNE. 
 
 ford, ill Connecticut. Mail, stage and accommodation 
 coaches are doing a large and increasing business on this 
 route. For their number, names and other particulars the 
 reader is referred to Badger & Porter's Stage Register? 
 published periodically in Boston. There is a post-office 
 kept, on this road, near the centre of the town, where tl^ 
 mail is opened daily, Sundays excepted. The other roads 
 are numerous and generally kept in good repair. 
 
 The only tavern in town is near the center and situated 
 on this road. Its owner, Captain Daniel Paul, is the 
 only person in town licenced to sell liquors by the glass. 
 Here travellers and others may find every desirable accom- 
 modation. 
 
 On this road there are four or five "variety stores," as 
 they are called in New England, where groceries and dry 
 goods are retailed. 
 
 Surface of the Country, Soil and Productions. — 
 The land in most parts of the town is very hilly, rocky 
 and stony ; but the soil is rich and productive. It amply 
 compensates the husbandman for the labour bestowed on 
 it. Pasture, tillage and upland mowing grounds are hap- 
 pily proportioned throughout the township ; and valuable 
 meadows, some abounding in peat, are interspersed in the 
 vallies. There are still remaining many valuable wood- 
 lots, which not only furnish the inhabitants with fuel ; but 
 also firewood, charcoal and timber for ship-building and 
 other purposes, for the city market. The inhabitants, like 
 those of many other towns, m this region, are adopting a 
 method to prolong and perpetuate the growth of forest trees, 
 sufficient to supply the present and future generations with 
 this necessary article. They clear a parcel of land entirely 
 of the wood, and leave it to grow up again immediately ; 
 
 1 
 
11 1 STORY OF SMERCURNE. O 
 
 calculating to have it cut down once in about 30 years. 
 The soil is peculiarly well adapted to the growth of the 
 apple and other frait trees ; and the owners of it have; 
 availed themselves of this advantage to an extent, which 
 deserves and receives commendation. The apples, cider 
 and vinegar, with which Sherburne furnishes the market, 
 do not suffer in comparison with those of any other town- 
 ship in the commonwealth. The butter from the dairies is 
 highly prized ; but the superiority of this deducts from the 
 goodness of the cheese, which is made here ; and induces 
 the dealers in this article to purchase that, v^'hich is brought 
 to market from a greater distance, where the skimming 
 dish is not so fashionable. ludian corn, rye, barley, oats, 
 and all the culinary roots and vegetables, which in the 
 Yankee dialect are called sauce, are raised here jn al)un- 
 dance. There is a meadow washed by Sewal brook, 
 •which has afforded, in one season, 2000 bushels of cran- 
 berries, which have been converted into a very palatable 
 sauce, in the English sense of the word. 
 
 But few of the hills are distinguished by proper names ; 
 and indeed if tliey were, they are so numerous, that a 
 catalogue would occupy more space, than could well be 
 spared in a pamphlet of ordinary size. The most remark- 
 able is Brush hill, about a mile from the centre of the 
 town, in a northerly direction. This is of a beautiful coni- 
 cal shape, entirely cleared of wood, as elevated, as any 
 other, withm many miles of it, and seen at a great distance, 
 m every direction. The prospect from the summit is ex- 
 tensive and variegated. Standing on this, one looks down 
 on the handsome villages of Framingham,Natick, I^iedfield, 
 Medway and Holliston; and in a circle outside of these, the 
 church in Jjiiii;yln, and the hill above it, Prospect hill in 
 
6 IIlSTORy OF SHERBURNK. 
 
 Waltliam, Blue lull iii Milton, the churches and highlands 
 ill [lopkinton, .Shrewsbury and other towns, the church in 
 Princeton, the Watchusett, Monadnock and many other 
 Mountains, which appear like clouds rising in the hori- 
 zon. In every point of compass, a tract of country 
 presents itself, exactly suited to an agricultural and man- 
 ufacturing community. Peters hill is about a mile from 
 Brush hill, in a northeasterly direction. This is remark- 
 able for its steepness, presenting on its westerly side, for 
 about 100 rods in lengtJi, a ledge of rocks, almost per- 
 pendicular, excepting (me place, which is known by the 
 name of the Devil's cart-way, from its resemblance to an 
 artificial road. The perpendicular height on this side is 
 from 40 to 60 feet. At its base a fine thrifty growth of 
 young forest trees hides its ruggedness from the eye of 
 the passenger on the road, that runs parallel to it. Meet- 
 ing-house hill, about a mile distant from Brush hill, in a 
 south easterly direction, is remarkable only, as the place 
 devoted to public worship from the first settlement of the 
 town. City hill, lately so named, about a mile S. W. 
 from Brush hill, is little else than a pyramid of rocks^ 
 piled up by the rude hand of nature. When the magnetic 
 needle is brought near this, there is a local attraction,, 
 which causes it to vary about five degrees. A similar 
 attraction is observed in a swamp, through which the- 
 boundary line runs between Sherburne and Framing- 
 ham ; ard in a less degree in other parts of the town. . 
 
 At the north west corner of the town, next to Framing- 
 ham, the land is flat, moist, free from stone and of.' 
 good quality, about a mile square. There is considerable. 
 plain sandy land, round Farm pond in the easterly part, and' 
 so free from rocks and stones, that the inhabitants cannot 
 
HISTORY OF SIIERBIRNE. / 
 
 pocuie a sufiiciciicy for fLMicing their grounds, v, iihoiit 
 going to a distance, which rendcM's it inconvenient, laborj- 
 ons i-;nd expensive. In the soutii part there is a plain, 
 elevated considerably above the waters of Clinrk;s river, 
 on the easterly side and a hollow on the oj>po.sito. Tlic 
 road, leading from Meeting-house hill to the east pavisli 
 in Mcdway, passes throngh nearly the middle of tliis plain, 
 which is about 11-2 miles in length and 1-1. of a mile 
 in breadth. Edwards Plain, about 1-2 a mile in length 
 and 1-8 in breadth, lies S. E. of Meetiiig-honse 'lil!, com- 
 mencing about 100 rods distant from its base, on the road 
 from Hartford to Boston. 
 
 Ponds, Brooks, River. — There arc two considerabio 
 ponds, in the easterly part of the town. Farm pond cov- 
 ers about 160 acres and is well stored witsi ipickercl, perch, 
 pouts and other fish. There is a beautiful island within 
 it, to which anglers fref^uentiy resort to cook and fc^ist on 
 their prey, beneath the shade; of tlie forest trees. This 
 pond has no visible inlet ; but a p(;rennial rivulet, whic'i 
 empties into Charles river, at the di^^tance of a wvAc, is 
 constantly supplied by it, and serves to irrigate the lands, 
 through which it passes. Little pond, about 3-4 of a mile 
 north from the above, covering from 40 to 50 acres, con- 
 tributes to Charles riv<^,r through Sawin's brook. Tliis af- 
 fords some sport for the angler. On tlm south margin* of 
 this pond is a mineral spring, which was highly j)rized by 
 the Indians in former days, for its mtedicinal qualities ; and 
 some white peo[>le are sup})Osed to have received csen- 
 tial benefit from it. I know not that its waters liave 
 ever been analyzed. 
 
 There are three streams, in this itown, on ^vhich mills 
 are erected; but these arc supplied, with a suflicieucy ot 
 
is III STORY OF SIIERIirilXK. 
 
 water to move the in;iciiinerv, only in tlu^ wiiilcr srnson. 
 Mr. Isaac Cozens has a saw mill on Chestnut brook, in the 
 north westerly part of th.e town, and Mr. Jonathan Hol- 
 brook on Sewal brook, in the soutlr-easterly section, has 
 a saw mill and corn mili. On Dirty meadow brook there 
 are two sawmills; one owned by Col. Daniel Lciand, the 
 other by James and Samuel Leland. The town, however, 
 IS well watered with springs and rivulets, and possesses 
 many convenient situations for conveying water by 
 aqueducts into dwelling houses, barn yards and wherever 
 else it is wanted. Of this the inhabitants have availed 
 themselves. 
 
 On th,-) southerly side of the dwelling house of Isaac 
 Wliitney, Esq. near Holliston line, a number of springs 
 iniiting form a rivulet called, in the ancient records, 
 Doppin broo!:, which rmis in a southerly direction, the 
 waters of which are continually accumulating, till they fur- 
 nish a supply for several mill seats, and finally unite with 
 Charles river, in Medway. On the northerly side of this 
 house, at the distance of a quarter of a mile, similar springs 
 unite and form a like stream, which falls into Sudbury 
 river. On the southeasterly declivity of Brush hill, near 
 the dwelling house of Mr. John Perry, the springs con- 
 tributing to Chestnut brook, called also Coarse brook, 
 which empties into Long pond in Natick, and eventually 
 into the Merrimack, are only about ten rods distant from 
 those, which unite, in an opposite direction, with Sawin's 
 brook, a tributary stream of the Charles. These wa- 
 ters, of course, min:^ le with the ocean, at a long dis- 
 tance from each other; namely, at the mouths of the 
 Merrimack, Charles j md Neponset. Charles river sepa- 
 rates Sherburne from :Medfield and Dover on the south and 
 cast, and forms the h Qundary line for nearly five miles. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 llEMVRKABr.E Trees.— An Elm on the farm of Mr. 
 John Lchiud, in the westerly part of the town, planted 
 there by one of the first English inhabitants of the place, 
 now measures, on the smtUce of the ground, twenty-seven 
 and a half feet in circumference; at the height of 6 feet, 
 the girth is 14 feet. It tapers very gradually to the height 
 of 20 feet, where its branches spread to all points of the 
 compass, resembling very nearly the celebrated tree of 
 the same kind, on Boston common. There are many 
 other stately elms in all parts of the town. On the farm 
 of John Twitchel, in the N. W. part, there is a cherry tree 
 of the Mazzard species, which measures, at the height of 
 three feet from the ground, eleven feet in circumference. 
 Tho stone, from which this tree sprung, was brought from 
 tlie east part of Watertown, near Cambridge line, A. D. 
 1762. The fruit produced by it in one season, has l)een 
 sold, in Boston market, for ^'30. Though it is now 
 decaying, its annual produce is considerable. The 
 inhabitants of this vicinity believe this to be the largest 
 tree of the kind in this Commonwealth. This is the 
 parent of several others, in the town and vicinity, which 
 do honour to their progenitor. The first apple seed, plant- 
 ed in Sherburne, was brought from England in the pocket 
 of the first Mrs Leland, who settled in the place. This 
 became a large tree and produced abundance of fruit, 
 of the kind, known by the name of English spice apple, 
 till A. D. 1815, when one half of it was blown down in 
 the great September gale. The rest of it gradually decay- 
 ed' and fell down about three years since. From the 
 stump another tree has sprung up, which now measures, 
 at 18 inches from the surface of the ground, 2 feet in cir- 
 cumference, and has produced this year two bushels of 
 
It) HISTORY OF SHERBUR.NE. 
 
 apples. Scions from tliis have been ingrafted in many otlier 
 places. The origin of the Porter apples, so called, which 
 are highly valued, wherever they arc known, is said to 
 be as follows. A tree was found growing spontaneously 
 on the farm of Rev. Mr. Porter, which produced no fruit 
 for several years. At length Mr. P. discovered on it a 
 single apple, which he tasted and found to be of very 
 agreeable flavor. He then paid particular attention to 
 the tree, which became very large and productive ; and 
 scions were carried from it, in all directions, and ingrafted 
 on other stocks. TIk; stump of the parent tree is still re- 
 maining, on the farm of Hon. Calvin Sanger. Mr. Ga- 
 lim Bullard, not long since, conveyed several sprouts, with 
 part of the parent roots, to his farm, where he set them 
 out. All are now alive, and one of them, at least, bids 
 fair to become a large and fruitful tree. Between 40 and 
 50 years ago, Rev. Mr. Brown began to procure scions of 
 the best sorts of fruit, and ingrafted them on such stocks, 
 as he found on his farm. In front of his late dwelling 
 house, on the opposite side of the road, the land was over- 
 run with scrub or shrub apple trees, made and kept so by 
 the cattle browsing upon them. Part of these he caused 
 to be removed, and part to be pruned and sawed off, at a 
 suitable distance from the ground, and ingrafted with 
 scions as mentioned above. This is the history of a 
 flourishing and productive orchard. Many of Mr. B's 
 parishioners have, in this particular, followed his laudable 
 example, with equal success. Many trees, bearing excel- 
 lent apples, have apparently sprung up spontaneously, in 
 various parts of the town. 
 
 A large black oak , called the W. tree, from its having 
 this letter carved upon it, served for a landmark, on the 
 
HISTORV OF SHERBURNE. 11 
 
 line between Sherburne and Framingham, for a long series 
 of years. It is mentioned in Sherburne records as far back 
 as Jan. 1683. Its decayed remains were removed, A. D. 
 1822, and a large stone erected in its place, bearing the 
 same mark ; whicli bids fair to answer the same purpose, 
 as its predecessor, to very remote generations. 
 
 Inhabitants. — The inhabitants of this place, from its 
 first settlement, have been and still continue to be indus- 
 trious, frugal and generally skilful cultivators of the soil. 
 A large proportion of farms are owned, occupied and im^ 
 proved by the fifth, sixth and seventh generations, de- 
 scended from those, who first redeemed them from the 
 wilderness. Among these the name of Leland is most 
 prevelent. Of 165 legal voters, on the list for 1830, no 
 less than 29 bear this name. All the other names, which 
 appear on the list of those, who first " assembled for the 
 ordering the affairs of Shearborn, in 1674," are still found 
 in Sherburne, HoUiston, or that part of Framingham, 
 which was set off from Sherburne ; viz, Morse, Fairbanks 
 Babcock, Adams, Holbrook, Bullard, Hill, Perry and 
 Fames. As early as 1679, we find other names, which 
 are still prevalent in these towns ; viz. Twitchel, Whit- 
 ney, Cozens, Learned, Breck, Coolidge, &c. 
 
 Among the farmers are interspersed a due jji-oportion of 
 the most common and useful kinds of mechanics. — 
 In this class of citizens, Messrs. Partridge and Babcock 
 rank high, as skilful manufacturers of edge tools and elas- 
 tic forks, for moving hay, or manure, and Mr. Lemuel 
 Leland, as an ingenious gunsmith ; his rifles and smooth- 
 bored muskets, either with flint or percussion locks, being 
 much celebrated. The late Silas Stone Esq. was the in- 
 ventor of a truss, for the relief of persons afflicted with 
 
12 HISTORY OF SHERIJURNK. 
 
 H-crnia, which has been highly appiovcd by gentlemen of 
 the medical and surgical professions, and for which he ob- 
 tained a patent. This valuable article is still manufactur- 
 ed by his son, who bears the name and inherits the in- 
 genuity of the father. A number of hammerers of stone 
 are constantly employed, on an inexhaustible quarry of 
 granite, or sienite, owned by Isaac Whitney Esq. and ly- 
 ing partly in Sherburne, but chiefly within the bounds of 
 Holliston. 
 
 Till within the last twenty years, the people hrre gen- 
 erally manufactured their own clothing. Their domestic 
 music was the sound of the spinning wheel and the loom. 
 This, since the introduction of great manufactories, ])ut 
 in operation by water power, has given place to the more 
 silent employment of braiding straw, or palm leaf. vSomt 
 of the bonnets and hats manufactured here, were they 
 "dear bought and ffir fetched," would be deemed fit for 
 any ladies or gentlemen in the land. 
 
 In 1764, there were 113 families and 630 inhabitants. 
 The number, according to the census of 1820, was 811^ 
 and according to that of 1 830, it is 900 ; the increase in 
 10 years 89. One reason of this slow increase is that, 
 too many of the farmers, like their ancestors, jud"^e of 
 the value of their farms, according to the number of acres 
 instead of the state of cultivation and amount of po^wce. 
 Hence, instead of dividing a large farm into two, or three 
 to accommodate as many sons, and setting each to culti- 
 vate his portion in the best, which is the easiest and the- 
 cheapest manner; the whole homestead is inherited by 
 one ; and the rest, taking the portion of money, which 
 falleth to them severally, emigrate to a place, where they 
 can purchase much land for little money, half cultivate a 
 
IIISTOllY OF sHF-Rm-llM-:. 
 
 13 
 
 jinrt of it , aiul lot the rest lie un})roductivc. Odicrs be- 
 take thcinsclves to our l;u-«e towns and cities, where they 
 enter into mercantile, or other employmenls in those places. 
 This j)ractice, however, is growing less prevalent, than 
 it ^\as formerly ; improvements are constantly made in 
 the methods of cidlivation; and it is believed, that the 
 (piantity of the most importimt articles, now produced 
 annually, is double Nvhat it was twenty-live years ago. 
 
 Education, &.c. — The inhabitants of this towTi front 
 its first settlement appear to have been sensible of the 
 importance of literary instruction. So early as 1684 it 
 seems that land was granted for this i>urpose. In 1694, 
 Edward West was chosen Schoolmaster for the town, — 
 A. D. 1718, twelve ])ounds, 1719, eighteen pounds Avere 
 granted for the support of a school for the teaching of 
 children and youth to read, write and cypher. The town 
 has been divided, from the date of earliest grants for this 
 purpose, into from three to six districts ; and the sums 
 appropriated have been gradually increased from the" day 
 of small things" to the present time. Thy first appro- 
 priation for building a school house was made A. D. 1727 ; 
 aad the house finshed A. D. 1728, or 1729. 
 
 The town is now^ divided into six school districts, each 
 of which is accommodated with a convenient school 
 house, and ,<(700 a year granted for hiring teachers, and 
 other expenses. Female teachers are employed in the 
 waj;m, and male, in the cold season of the year. 
 
 In the year 1825, a large and commodious house was 
 erected by subscrii)tion, in which an academy, or scliool 
 for the higher branches of education, has been and 
 continues to be kept ; and which has been of no small 
 advantage to the youth of this and some other towns. 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF SIIERBLRNE. 
 
 A company for the purpose of purchasing a social li- 
 brary was formed A. D. 1808. TJiere are now belong- 
 ing to this establishment 250 volumes, and provision Is 
 made for its gradual increase. 
 
 A Debating Society has been in the practice of meet- 
 ing for discussing interesting topics, for a number of years ; 
 and a Lyceum has been recently established under favor- 
 able auspices. Sunday schools have been kept and well 
 attended here, for several years past ; and money has been 
 frequently and liberally granted for the defraying the ex- 
 penses of schools, for the teaching of sacred music. 
 
 Sherburne has furnished its full sliare of students in our 
 universities, some of whom have displayed and are dis- 
 playing superiour talents, both natural and acquired. In 
 the following catalogue, H. U. stand for Harvard Uni- 
 versity and B. U. for Brown University. Those, whose 
 names are printed in italics, are, or have been ordained 
 ministers of the gospel. Those, with this mark * pre- 
 fixed, are not living. 
 
 College Graduates. 
 *Adam Bullard, H. U. 1742. 
 
 * William Phipps, IL U. 1 746. Minister in Douglass 
 Mass. "= ' 
 
 *Hezekiah Coolidge, E. U. 1750. 
 
 * Joseph Perry, H. U. 1 752. 
 
 * Eliab Stone, H. U. 1 758. Minister in Reading, Ms. 
 ""Zedekiah Sanger, H. U. 1771. S. T. D. Minis- 
 ter in Duxbury, and afterwards in Bridgewater, Mass. 
 
 "" Enoch Whipple, H. U. 1779. 
 
 * Samuel Kendall, B. U. 1782. S. T. D. Minister 
 
 of Weston, Mass. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBL'RNE. '^ 
 
 Htnru Ware, H. U. 1785. • S. T. D. Minister in 
 llinghani, Mass. and now Professor of Divinity in Har- 
 vard University. 
 
 •=^ Aaron Gardner, B. U. 1799. Schoolmaster on 
 
 Long Island, N. Y. 
 
 * Elijah Brown, H. U. 1804. Died July 28, 1805 ; 
 
 aged 24. 
 
 * Henry Brown, H. U. 1804. Died August 5, 1810; 
 aged 27. Attorney at law. 
 
 Amos Clarke, H. U. 1804. Minister of the first Con- 
 gregational Church and Society, in his native town. 
 
 Ashur Ware, H. U. 1804. Judge of District Feder- 
 al Court for the State of Maine. 
 
 Moses Holbrook, H. U. 1808. Physician in Charles- 
 ton, S. C. 
 
 * Artemas Johnson, B. U. 1808. Physician in Paw- 
 
 tuckot. 
 
 Ebenezer Stone, B. U. 1820. Physician, in Wal- 
 
 pole, Mass. 
 
 Dexter Leland, B. U, 1822. Chaplain and School- 
 master U. S. Navy. 
 
 Elbridgc Sanger passed two years in B. U. having en- 
 tered, A. D. 1822. He left on account of a dcikency 
 in the organs of hearing. 
 
 Auiiustin Leland entered B. U. 1830. 
 
 Physicians.— The first physician, in this place, ac- 
 cording to tradition, was a Dr. Robinson, who resided m, 
 or near the stone fortified house, at the south end, and was 
 drowned in Charles river, while returning in the night on 
 the ice, from a visit to Medfield. Dr. Hill, who settled 
 near City hill, was celebrated in former days, for his skill 
 
u 
 
 IIISTOKV OK SIIKIICl'R.Ni:. 
 
 in iniulicino ciiid sur^L^iMT, as was Iiis wW'c, for Iut skill in 
 the obstetric art. 
 
 Drs, Linr:olii, SliojiiKMil, L(;\\)t, Flaii^-, Wise and 
 Wi^^jit are nionlioiicd, as having hecii residiMit here ; but, 
 at Viimt timo they made tiieir entrance, or their exit, is 
 not ascertained. 
 
 Dr. Jonathan Taj l)ecanie a resident here about the 
 year 1772, and died, in January, 1827, at an advanced 
 age. Samuel Locke, son of the ibriner minister, oi' the 
 same name, entered on the practice of medicine here, 
 l)ut died in the year 1788, at the age of 27 years. 
 
 'iai)k!y Wyeth, a native of Cambridge, and a graduate 
 of Harvard University, in 1786, came to the town 1789^ 
 and die(] 1813, aged 48. William Sweetser, a native of 
 Ijoston and graduate of IJ. U. 1815, practiced here a 
 considerable tim.c, and is now a professor, in the medical 
 department of the University of Vermont. Oliver Ev- 
 (M-ett, a native of Dedham, Mass. and graduate of 13 rovvn 
 [Jniver.sity, 182J, took up his al)ode here in 1825, and is 
 now tkt; only physician in the town ; and such is the sal- 
 ubrity of tlie situation and the good habits of the inhabi- 
 tants, that one is amply sufficient. 
 
 Lawyf.hs. — The celebrated Fisher Ames commenced 
 tlie practice of law in this town, but soon returned to his 
 native Dedham. 
 
 " A lawyer, by the name of Daniel Warren, came to 
 Sherburne about A. D. 1812; but his fees were insuf- 
 licient for his maintenance, and he soon left the place. 
 Since that the town has been ^\ holly free from lawyers, 
 and generally from lawsuits. Several young gentlemen 
 of the green bag have inquired of the inhabitants, if it were 
 
HISTORY OF 3HERBUR-NE. 17 
 
 Jin (!lioiI)lc situation foi'one of that prdfessio^, and hajVte' 
 Iwcii iiiiiionnly and rriily assuved, that it is an excelled 
 l)lace for a lau'jor to starve in, but not one in winch he can 
 g;wn a living. 'L'liey have believed' this and kept them'- 
 selves away." Thus writes a native of the town. 
 
 Public Buildings. — There are two houses for public 
 worship and a building for an Academy, near the centre 
 of the town, and six school houses for the accommGdation 
 of t'»e free schools, in the several districts. Further par- 
 ticulars, resepcting the houses for worships wiil' be found* 
 in other parts of this pamphlet. 
 
 Burying Grounds. — The old south burying ground is 
 probably the oldest, in the town, as the first settlers Ib- 
 cated themselves in its immediate vicinity. It lies un- 
 feiiced in a pasture, is overun with svhortle berry, fern and 
 other bushes, and many of the gravestones are prostrated 
 and exposed to the trampling of horses and cattle. A 
 number of tlie stones have the following inscription ; 
 '• died in the memorable mortality, A.D. 1754." Though 
 the dilapidated state of tliis repository cannot be suppos- 
 sed to be injurious to the dead, it is calculated to wound 
 the feelings of the living, who are possessed of com- 
 mon humanity, and who may ehance to (^cover iH- in their 
 solitary rambles. 
 
 The Farm grave-yard is undoubtedly nearly, if not quite, 
 as ancient as the Old South, as that part of the town be- 
 gan to be settled almost as early, as the south end. This 
 was unused for many years, after a few had been de- 
 posited in it, and was suffered to be overrun with wood. 
 About forty years ago the inhabitants again began to 
 3 
 
18 HISTORY or SHERBURNE. 
 
 appropriate it to the use, for which their ancestors design- 
 ed it, and since that time it has been cleared, inclosed 
 with a substantial stone wall, and now makes a very de- 
 cent appearance. A number of the ancient graves aye 
 covered in their whole length, with rough stones, which 
 is said to distinguish those, which contain the remains of 
 persons, who died of the small pox. 
 
 The Central grave yard, near Mr. Joseph Sanger's 
 store, is the third that was laid out. In this are deposit- 
 ed the remains of the first four ministers of the place, — 
 Gookin, Baker, Porter and Locke. 1 insert the follow- 
 ing epitaphs, as curiosities ; one determining the time, 
 when this ground was first used as a burying place, and 
 both showing the quaintness of the style of writing, which 
 was fashionable a century and half ago. 
 Elizabeth 
 
 Daughter of Moses and Lydia Adams. 
 
 Born, Sept. ye 18, 1686. Died June ye 
 
 17, 1689. Her body was ye first grain sown 
 
 in this ground. 
 
 Alone in empty bed it was laid down, 
 
 With many saints to rise and take her crown. 
 
 Under thi« stone there lies the dust 
 Of Thomazin Collicut, & just 
 Besides her her Granddaughter dear, 
 Bethiah Gookin lieth here. 
 To threescore years & fourteen more 
 The one attains, or seventy four. 
 
 August 22, 1692. 
 The other near thrice seven weeks 
 Beholds the light, the Grave then seeks. 
 
 March ye 1st. 1693-4. 
 
 A grave stone, found near the dwelling house of Mr. 
 
 Isaac Cozens, and preserved in a faced stone wall, which. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 19 
 
 incloses his door yard, it is said was intended to be erect- 
 ed in the central yard, in memory of the person whose 
 name it bears ; but it was not procured till her friends 
 had forgotten where they had laid her. It bears this in- 
 scription. 
 
 Here lycs ye Body 
 Of Grace 
 
 BULLEN Who 
 
 Died August 1 1 
 1689 & in ye 26 
 Year of Her 
 Age. 
 There is a burying yard on the north side of Brush hillv 
 in which the first person interred was Luther Perry, 
 who died Feb. 22d. 1785. 
 
 The next ground appropriated to this use is the New 
 South grave yard, in which Mrs. Hannah Ware and her 
 infant child were first deposited. They died, March 2d 
 1790. 
 
 The Western burying yard received for its first deposit, 
 Mrs. Hannah Twitchel, who died Sept. 29, 1791. 
 
 In the Plain burying yard Miss Rebecca Newell was 
 the first, who was buried. She died, June 29, 1792. 
 
 Civil History. — The following is the Act of Incor- 
 poration, transcribed from the Records of the General 
 Court of Massachusetts. " At a General Court, held at 
 Boston, May 27, 1'674. — In answer to the Petition of the 
 Inhabitants and proprietors of Land near Bogestow, the 
 Court granted the Petitioners the quantity of Six miles 
 square, not exceeding eight miles in length, to take in as 
 many Farms with the vacant Lands adjoining or inter- 
 
3© HISTORY OF SHIJIJBIJIIXE. 
 
 mixed ttherewith as that qimntity of Land will aduiitt ; 
 j>ix)\'ided that none of tlve Farmers sliall have any part of 
 the aforesaid vacant Land now granted by this ('omt ; — 
 but the said Land to be distributed amongst such other 
 persons as will come t«) inhabit in the said Town as the 
 major part of the Farmers think meet : provided that 
 there be a Farm of 200 Acres of meet Land reserved^ 
 and by Captain Fisher laid out for a Farm for the Conntry; 
 and that no Man shall have allotted above fifty Acres, till 
 there be twenty new families settled there, and then the 
 whole that is free to be disposed of as the major part of 
 the Inhabitants, capable by law to vote, shall judge \iieet. 
 And the name of the Town to be called Shcarboru. 
 A true Coppy attested, Edward Kawson, Secrciury. 
 
 By a plan of the township, delineated on parchment, A. 
 D. 1701, now in the possession of the town clerk, it ap- 
 pears that Sherburne originally extended as far north, as 
 Sudbury river, in Framingham, near the Old burving 
 ground, including part of Gieat pond in that town, so cal- 
 ed on the plan, now known by the name of Fa,rn» pond ; 
 and the whole of Washacum pojid. N.W. it was boundiul 
 hy Sudbury river and Cold Spring brook, including that 
 part of Hopkinton. called Maguncook, Magunkoog, 
 or Maguncog, as the spelling is various, in Natick and 
 Sherburne records. S. W. it extended to Deer brook, in- 
 cludiiig pait of what is now^ Milibrd, then Moidon ; and 
 the whole of Holliston, as it was bounded previously to 
 1829. S. and E. the line, between it and Medwa} , Med- 
 iield and Dover, varied but little from that, whidi now 
 separates it from these towns. 
 
 Natick, the aboriginal word for, a place of hills, em- 
 braced, at that time, Peters and Brush hills, and that part 
 
II'STOUY OF SHERBURNE. H 
 
 of Sherburne,' wliicli is vulgarbj called Dirty Meadow. — 
 These lands were purchased of the iXatick tribe, in ex- 
 change for their Maguncook lands and other considera- 
 tions, as will be (binid in the sequel. It is also stated, in 
 \V^orthi»io:ton's History of Dedliaai, that three iliousaiid 
 four hundred acres, in the east part of Sherburne, once be- 
 longed to the grantees of that township, by a grant to tliem 
 of live miles square, north of ('har!es river, A. D. 1636. 
 By the map, or j)lan, abovenientioiicd, it is ascert;'ine,d 
 that the first iiihabitants of Sherburne located thcmsehes, 
 at the southern extremity of the town-hi]), on the margin:^ 
 of J3ogestow poiid and Charles river. Here a stone hou?e 
 VA'as erected, and occupied as a garrison house, on inter- 
 vale Laid, '.ilnch, by a late running of the boundarv liiie, 
 between tliis tow ii and Medway, falls a few rods within 
 the latter. This spot is orC of the last, which would be 
 chosen, \\\ the.-e days, lor a fortiiied place, as it is com- 
 pletely o'.erlooked and commanJed by a steep hill, within 
 a few rods of it. FJiis house hns beCii taken down, nitli- 
 in the n)ejnory of maj-y now living. 
 
 Notwithstanding tliO unfavoitrable situation of this 
 building, it seems to have been of no little importance to 
 our ancestors, as a place of defence. When Medfield in- 
 cluding what is now ]\Ied\\ay, was nearly destroyed by 
 the Indians, Feb. 21, 1676, it is said that a nun:ber of 
 the inhabitants of that town fled to this garrison. Eev. 
 Dr. Sanders of Medfield observes, in his Historical Ser- 
 mon, that, " on tlie 6tli of May following, the Indians 
 met with a notorious rfpiihc, at this stone house. On 
 the 2d of July, there was near this a new conflict, in the 
 woods, and more execution was done upon the enemy.*' 
 There was another garrison house, near Holbrook's mills, 
 and a third at Dirty meadow. 
 
n 
 
 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 Tliough it is not known that any of the inhabitants 
 were either ivilled, or captivated, or any of their property 
 destroyed by the Indians, witliin the settlement ; tliey 
 must have suffered many deatiis in apprehension. Three 
 of the adjoining towns were nearly depopulated ; name- 
 ly, Mediield, Mendon and Sudbury ; and, in the last men- 
 lioncd, the brave Capt. Wadsworth, and his company 
 were entirely cut off and sacrificed to savage barbarity. 
 The Natick tribe also, adjacent to them, were suspected 
 of being hostile, though without any real foundation for 
 gsuch suspicion. 
 
 Since writing the above, I have been made acquainted 
 with a tradition, which is handed down very directly, that 
 on the morning, on which Medfield was attacked by the 
 l-ndians two brothers, Jonathan and Eleazer Wood of Sher- 
 burne, were sent to the former place, to fetch a pair of 
 oxen. They entered the barn, wh^re the beasts were kept, 
 at day break, heard a noise in the barn, which they mistook 
 for that of swine, let out the cattle, and, while in the act 
 of yoking them, were assailed by a party of Indians, 
 who rushed from the barn, knocked them on the head 
 with their tomahawks and left them for dead. 
 
 After the Indians had completed their work of destruc- 
 tion and retired to such a distance from the place, that the 
 surviving Enslish ventured to attend to the dead and 
 wounded, the brothers were found. Jonathan had expired, 
 but Eleazer was alive and survived several years. The 
 former left a wife and children, the latter was afterwards 
 
 married and had children. 
 
 A number of families, in the town, can trace their pedi- 
 
 s^rec back to those men. They owned the farm now be- 
 
 Jongiiig to Major John Gould ing. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERUURiNE. 23 
 
 1674-.5, Jail. 4th, — Assembled for the ordering the af- 
 fairs of Shearborii, Daniel Morse, George Fairbanks, 
 Robert Badcock, Henry Adams, Thotnas Holl)rook, Ben- 
 jamin Bullard, John Hill, Henry Laland, Joseph Morsr^ 
 Obediah Morse, Daniel Morse, jr. Joiiatlian Morse, John 
 Perry, Jonathan ■ — , [surname not legible.] Thom- 
 as Eames is accepted as an inhabitant of Shearborn. 
 
 At this meeting Committees were appointed, to take 
 a Tiew of the Land for the laying out of the Courts 
 grant ; to agree with Thomas Thurston, Survcyor.foft the- 
 laying out that Tract of Land — and assist the measurer 
 about laying out the Land, &c. Also, Henry Adams, 
 Robert Badcock & Thomas Eames are required to treat 
 with Capt. Gooken and whom it may concern else, for 
 the purchasing of someNatick Land to the accommodating 
 the Plantation, and to make return to the Company. 
 
 1675. — March 8th — Assembled for the ordering the af- 
 fairs of Sherborn. " Voted to raise fifty shillings for the 
 Surveyor for his work." (At this Meeting Committees 
 were chosen) " to take a view where to add to the grants 
 of Land what is yet wanting to make up the complement 
 and to take a view of Natick Land, for the exchanging 
 with them." 
 
 1676-7. —March 15th — Then was Obediah Morse, 
 chosen to keep the Records of Sherborn. It was the 
 mind of the Inhabitants and their desire that Capt. Fish- 
 er should be treated witb, that He would be helpful, or 
 undertake the settlement of the Plantation. 
 
 1677. — 2d m. 13th day — Assembled to prepare for the 
 exchange of Land between Natick and Sherborn, as en- 
 couragement has been givep at the Court by Mr. Eliot 
 and Major Gookin. 
 
24 HISTORY OF SIIERBURNF.. 
 
 3d month, 9th d;iy — At a meeting of" the Inhnbitants 
 of Sh('r!)orii, Th(; Comiiiittc^e clioseji bv the General 
 
 Court hei ig" ihei) v.itli us The Committee eiiquiniij^ 
 
 where was the ])l;ic(; inttujded for a Meetijighoiirbe. It 
 was then voted a jd agreed on that the phice intended lor 
 a Meetinghouse slio'idd be on a parcel of Land joining or 
 bordering on the Land of Nicolas Wood and Capt. liulFs 
 Farm. — Capt. Hull's house is supposed to have stood a 
 few rods West of Capt. James Bickford's. 
 
 Voted that propositions should be made to Maj. Goo- 
 kin and Mr. Eliot and to the Indians in referring to the 
 exchange of Lands between Natick and Sherborn, as to 
 give Fifty Pounds in current pay and as much l^and as a 
 Committee of the General Court shall think meet. 
 
 July 3L — Voted and agreed to by all of us from this 
 time to improve the Liberty of a Town in a Civil Body 
 that the honored ('ourt and Laws of our Country gives to 
 us. At this meeting it was voted that Edward West, as 
 Sergeant, should take the care of the Military in Sher- 
 born. 
 
 7 mo. — Voted If any of the Inhabitants shall neglect 
 to attend Town meetings appointed and being warned of 
 it, shall be under the penaltey of 3s. 4d. for every such 
 offence, to be for Town use. 
 
 '78 — 11 mo. — 1 day. — At a meeting of the Inhabitants 
 of Sherburn 17 persons were j)resent. It was voted that 
 five men be chosen as Selectmen, Daniel Morse, sen. 
 George Fairbanks, Edwd. West, Thomas Eames, Obe- 
 diali Morse chosen to keep the Records or as a Clark.. 
 N. B. This was the first time the Town chose Select- 
 men. Voted That the first second day of January should 
 be from year to year held to be a public meetmg for the 
 public affairs of Sherburne. 
 
}tI3T0RV OF SllERBURNE. 25 
 
 167"9. — " For as much as for the further promulgation of the Gospel, 
 Ihf t;ubdueii)g this part of the Earth among tlie rest given to the 
 Sous of Adam, and the enhirgemcnt of the bounds of the habitations 
 formerly designed by God for some of His people in this wilderness- 
 It hath pleased the Lord to move and direct the much Honoured Gen. 
 Court to grant a tract of land in the land adjoining to or near the place 
 called Bogestow with the Farms there in laid as is judged a meet place 
 for the erecting and settleing of a Town." 
 
 " We the persons whose names are next under written, for the pre- 
 vention of questions and mistakes, disorders and contentions that 
 might otherwise arise, do order and determine and resolve as fol- 
 loweth." 
 
 1. " That all persons whatsoever, that shall receive lands by grant 
 from the said Town now called Sherborne, shall become subject to all 
 such Orders in every part and point of Town Government, as are at 
 present, or hereafter by the authority of the said Town shall be made 
 and appointed for the ordering, regulating, or governing thereof : Pro- 
 vided they be not repugnant to the Orders, or any Orders of the 
 general Court from time to time. And that every such Grantee shall 
 for the firm engagement of himself and his successors, thereunto sub- 
 scribe his name to our Town Book, or otherwise, his grant made to 
 him shall be of none effect." 
 
 2. " That if questions, differences, or contentions should fall out or 
 arise in any manner or way in our Society, or betwixt any party therein* 
 that they shall really endeavour, to resolve and issue the same in the 
 most practicable way and manner, by Refference, Arbitration, or some 
 other like means before it shall come to any place of publick Ju- 
 dicature except it be in our own Town." 
 
 3. " That we shall all of ua in the said Town faithfully endeavour 
 that only such shall be receired to our society and Township as we 
 may have sufficient satisfaction that they are honest, peaceable, and 
 free from Scandal and erroneous opinions." 
 
 4. " That none of the inhabitants aforesaid or our successors at any 
 time hereafter for the space of seven years from the date hereof 
 upon any pretence whatsoever without the consent of the Selectmen 
 for the time being first had and obtained, shall alienate, Let, assign or 
 set over for the space of sven whole years any part or parcel of Land 
 formerly granted to him or them by the Town, except to some formerly 
 
 4 
 
26 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 accepted of by our Society ; always provided that this shall in no sort 
 prejudice or hinder any Heirs at common Law." (signed) 
 
 Edward West, Daniel Gookin, EphrairaJ3ullen, Benjamin Bnllard, 
 William Sheffield, Moses Adams, Jolm Holbrook, Joseph Morse, 
 Benj. Twitchell, Jonathan Whitney Jr. Thomas Holbrook, Joseph 
 Twitchell, Eleazer Wood, Jonathan Morse, Abraham Cusanes, 
 Thomas Holbrook Jr. John Death, Walter Shephard, William Rider,, 
 John Perry, Benoni Learned, Eleazer Fairbanks, Hopestill Lealand, 
 Nathaniel Morse, Obediah Morse, Thomas Sawin, Wlliam Goddard^ 
 Thomas Breck, Benjamin Whitney, Ebenezet Lealand, Nathaniel 
 Johnson, John Coolidge. 
 
 Mutilated Report of a Committee of the General Court, 
 2d. " As to the farmes adjacent we conceive all those, in Medfield 
 bounds that were granted by this Court and received nothing froiu 
 Medfield, shall be accounted and liable to all charges and take up 
 priviledges in Sherborn : those in Natick bounds, all the Petitioners 
 Lauds shall be accounted Inhabitants in" Sherborn : and all other 
 Farms that are nighest Sherborn Meetinghouse, shall be likewise in 
 the bounds of Sherborn, and do duty and receive privelidges therein : 
 but we doubt whether they be like^to be a Town, if some considerable 
 tract of Land be not procured from the Indians, either by exchange 
 or purchase or both. 
 
 Your Honors humble Servants 
 
 DANIEL FISHER, 
 RICHARD ELLICE, 
 THOMAS THURSTON. 
 2—23 (77) 
 The Court approves of this Returne provided always, that the tract 
 of waste Lands, situate and lying indifterently accommodable for Sud>- 
 bury and Marlborough as well as Sherborn and are now belonging to 
 Thomas Danforth Esq. Dep. Governor, be excepted. 
 
 A true Coppy Attest EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary. 
 
 ;15'79, — Articles of agreement between Daniel Morse, 
 sen. Thomas Eames, Henry Lealand and Obediah Morse 
 in behalf of the Town of Sherburne on the one part. 
 Wabon, Pimbow, Thomas Tray, John Awonssamage sen. 
 Peter Ephraim and Daniel [Takawombpait] on behalf of 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 27 
 
 the Town of Natick on iho other })ait, coiicludecl a»d 
 agreed upon this sixteenth day of April 1679. 
 
 Whereas, It hatli pleased the general Court by their 
 Order bearing date May 12th 1675 to give leave to the 
 People of Sherborn to purchase by way of exchange, 
 from the people of Natick, a quantity of Land belong- 
 ing to Natick for their furtherance and promoting of Sher- 
 borne Plantation. 
 
 2. The people of Sherburne above named in behalf of 
 the rest, do desire about four Thousand Acres as it is 
 Plotted, described and bounded on the Northeast with 
 Natick : on the Southeast, South West and West by 
 Sherborn, on the West, and Northwest with a Farm be- 
 longing to Mr. Danforth. 
 
 3. In compensation for the same they agree to give by 
 way of exchange the like quantity of Land be it 4000 
 Acres more or less, lying and being adjoining to Maugun- 
 coog Indian Hill, which Land was granted unto Sher- 
 born by the general Court of the Massachusetts; moreover 
 they do promise and covenant to pay unto the persons 
 above named, their Heirs or Assigns, the full and just 
 quantity of 200 bushels of Indian Grain to be paid one half 
 in hand or at demand, and the other half the last of March 
 next ensuing. Moreover, they are willing that Peter 
 Ephraim do enjoy the Land he hath broken up within 
 that Tract of Land they are to have of Natick, at a place 
 called Brush Hill, and to add thereunto so much more as 
 may make the Lot 12 Acres, with an equal }>foportion of . 
 Meadow, to enjoy to him the said Peter Ephraim and his 
 Heirs and Assigns forever; but to be under the government 
 of the Township of Sherburne as the English Are. 
 
 4th, Also we agree & consent that on the Lauds wc arc 
 
28 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 to have of Natick there be a Lot of Fifty Acres selt out 
 where the Commissioners of the Colonies, Mnjor Gookin 
 and Mr. Eliott, and Indian Rulers shall choose within 
 that Tract of Land, to be appropriated forever to the use 
 of a free School for teaching the English and Indian 
 Children there the English Tongue & other Sciences. 
 
 In witness whereof &.c. 
 Witnessed by DANIEL GOOKIN, 
 NATHL. GOOKIN, 
 EDWD. WEST. 
 
 Signed as above. 
 Coppy attested by DANIEL GOOKIN, Senr. 
 In answer to a motion in behalf of Sherborn Inhabi- 
 tants this Court does ratify and allow of the exchange of 
 Lands made as above said. 
 
 Attest, EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary. 
 At the same General Court held at Boston 2oth of May 
 1679. 
 
 We whose names are subscribed being appointed by the 
 Genl. Court to consider the case referring to the petition 
 of Sherborn about exchanging of Lands with the Indians 
 and other things contained in that Petition in pursuant 
 whereof & obedience whereunto being desired by Sher- 
 born the I St. of the III. mo. 1677 when we expected 
 major Gookin & Mr. Eleot with some Indians : but wait- 
 ing some time only two Indians came with a paper from 
 Mr. Eliot, by which we understood nothing was like to 
 . be done. But taking notice of the order referring to the 
 purchasing the Plantation. We find there is but little or 
 no Country Land near the place where they intend to sett 
 their Meetinghouse. 
 
 '79. — At a meetting of the Inhabitants of Sherburne 
 
HISTORY OF fiHEUijUUNi:. ^9 
 
 in icfcreiK'c to cx(:li;in;2;c of Land with Natick : for the 
 jjajiiig- of 200 biiylicls of Corn to boot &c. 18 persons 
 pruseiit. 
 
 Daniel Morse for his Farm do engage 25 bushels of 
 Indian Corn tliis year. Thomas Eamcs and that Corner 
 of the Town 2.3 I)nsiiels. Henry Lealand 25 bushels, 
 otluMs assisting him — and in case the other quarter cannot 
 be defrayed, then (Jbediah Morse do eniraiic for the other 
 ijiiarter upon tiie desire and promise others to bcji^ him 
 out in either Corn in wheat or money; to be ])aid ^^■hcat 
 at 5s. ])er bushel money at reasonable abatement." 
 Ensign Bullen and Henry Lealand arc chosen a Com- 
 mittee with the Selectmen to grant home Lots to those that 
 are come amongst us. 
 
 Sherburne granteth to such as shall make a sawrnill on 
 a Brook about half a mile on this side the corner rock 
 that was Natick bounds, the sum of 50 Acres of upland 
 adjoining to that brook, and 3 or 4 Acres of Meadow if it 
 may be found upon that Brook as may be convenient — also 
 10 acres of Swamp, the Cedar timber excepted. This 
 Sawmill to be built by the end of 12 months, and be con- 
 tinued three years, or as the Selectmen then in being and 
 the owners shall agree. So the Land to be settled to t!ie 
 owners. 
 
 '79 — 9mo. 29 — Thomas Sawin is accepted as one of 
 the new Inhabitants at Chestnut Brook to take up a first 
 Lot as may be convenient for building a Sawmill on it. 
 This is where Mr. Galim Bullard now lives. The mill 
 stood a few rods below where Mr. Isaac Cozens's now 
 stands. Some of the timber, placed there by Sawin, yet 
 remains in the brook. 
 
 I here take the liberty to correct an error, in the His- 
 
30 IIISTOIIY OF SHEUCLIUNK. 
 
 torjof Natick. Tiiis Thomas Sawin jjurchasud a tract 
 of land at Natick, and the mill seats on the brook, which 
 bears his name, and built the first corn mill there, in 1686. 
 He, or his son John built a saw mill on Charles river, 
 which was the second in that town, and which was after- 
 wards moved up to the brook. 
 
 1679. — Ensign Saml. Bullcn & George Fairbanks re- 
 fusirg to take the oath of Tytheingmen, the Selectmen 
 in ol^^dience to the Law do choose Thomas Ilolbrook to 
 have inspection over those families at the widow Leland, 
 Hopestill Lelands &:c. 10 Families. And Joseph Morst 
 as tjtheingman to inspect over Eleazer Fairbanks and 5 
 other Families. N. B. — No Officers of that discription 
 have taken the Oaths of Office in this Town for many 
 years past ! 
 
 1630. — June 2d — At a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
 Sherburne to attend the consultation of the honord Com- 
 mittee, Major Savage Mr. v/ith the other Gent, of that 
 
 Committee — did then agree before them and engage to 
 lay down of their lands for needftd highways for the use 
 of the Town, and to choose a Committee to lay them out. 
 
 October 12th. — Reckoned with Thomas Sawin for his 
 work about the Meetinghouse For framing the Meeting- 
 house and provideing Boards, Shingles and Clapboards, 
 and making Windows and Doors according to bargain 
 about the Meetinghouse. - - £. 50 . . 
 
 For Boards and his work laying the Floor of do. 3 . . 
 
 Daniel Morse, sen. John Hill, Benj. Bullard, John 
 Death with the Selectmen are chosen to seat the Mect- 
 \u9: when seats are made. 
 
 O 
 
 1681. — July 4th — George Fairbanks proposed to re- 
 sign up to the Town all his rights and Interests in 
 
HISTORY OF SJIERBIRNT.. 31 
 
 Slicrboni with alibis Ibniier charges from tiic fust po- 
 titioniii^; provided they would free him from Sherburne. 
 
 1681. — 8 mo. 27 — Voted by the Inhabitants that there 
 shall be a division of so much of our common Land as is 
 Judged meet ft^r a dividend by Daniel P'.Iorse, Thomas 
 Holbrook, Jonathan Whitney, John Death and Jose{)h 
 Morse, If our honored Coaitnittec approve of it. Also 
 a Committee was chost^n to acquaint the Iionored Com- 
 mittee v/ith the state of the Town as to the accommoda- 
 tion of the new Inhabitants, and intreat tiieir power ar.d 
 advice which way this Dividend shall be laid out. Also 
 the Committee to obtain a Sm*vey to lay out this Land. 
 Each man shall choose his Lot : and if 2, S, 4 or more 
 shall pitch upon one place, then they to draw Lots who 
 shall have that Lot. Each Man that shall take up Land 
 shall pay the charges of the laying out his Lot. W any 
 Man do mislike his Lol : then he to choose his Lot out 
 of any part of any of the Towns upland without circum- 
 ference. 
 
 Boston, Nov. 3c], 1681. 
 
 Having perused and considered the first vote a])ovc 
 written concerning a division of common Land in Sher- 
 borne. We the Committee for that Town do aj)prove and 
 confirm the same, And for the way therof We advise that 
 it be first divided into 4 parts, to lye to each quarter of 
 the Town according as they shall find it most convenient 
 as to vicinity, respect being had to the quality of the land, 
 that there may be an equality in each quarter as much as 
 may be ; Then each quarter or squadron of the Tow'n to 
 divide their part amongst themselves by lot. We further 
 order, that before any division be made of upland, such 
 new Inhabitants as have not had proportionable meadon 
 
fjo 
 
 ITlSTOnV OF SIlF.RniRNr:. 
 
 alroad}' allowed llunn, sha!! iuive due sliaics allotcd and 
 laid or.t to them. And according to a former vote of the 
 Town, we adjudge the new Inhabitants to })ay l\\ o sliii- 
 lings ]}er Acre upon their liome lots towards public 
 charge?, and then for future to be etp'.alJy rated u ith the 
 rest. 
 
 (Signed) Thomas Savage, John Richards, William 
 Stonghton. 
 
 1682. — Granted to Jolui Awasamug 20 acres of Land 
 to clear all Indian Titles that concern the Land ex- 
 changed between Natick & Sherburne. 
 
 A list of persons admitted to be Inhabitants of Sher- 
 
 born since its incorporation with the dates of admission. 
 
 Ensij?;!) Samuel Bnlleu 
 Edward West 
 fos. Morse 
 folm Perry 
 William Allen 
 
 Thomas Eames Jan. 4 1674 
 
 .Tnhn Death 11 mo. 1 IGTT 
 
 Thomas Gleason, 8 mo. 5 1G78 
 llopestiU Lealaiid 11—1 1G7S 
 Kbenezer Lealand " " IGTS 
 .Joseph Twitchell " " 1678 
 I'^omas Pralt sen. 2 mo. 1679 
 William Shefiield May 1679 
 
 1684. — Decern. 8 — Voted by the Inhabitants of Sher- 
 l)urn being assembled that the difference that is now be- 
 tween John Hill, J. Eames ^ John Death for catching: 
 Wolves it shall be referred to the Hond. Deputy Gover- 
 nor and Major Gookin to issue the Cause between them. 
 
 1694. — June 4 — Edward West wast chose School- 
 master for Sherburn. 
 
 1693. — Feb. 3d — At a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
 Sherburne for to consider and conclude of a inlardgment 
 of our Town bounds by our of some of Natick. 
 
 Zacry Paddleford 2 mo. 1679 
 
 John Eamcs " " 1679 
 
 Isaac Learned " " 1679 
 
 Thomas Pratt Jr. " " 167Sf 
 
 Thomas Sawin 9 mo. 29 1679 
 
 Jonathan AVhitney " 
 Will. Goddard " 
 Bononi Learned " 
 Will. Rider " 
 
 1679 
 1679 
 1679 
 1679 
 
HISTORY OF* SHERCURNi:. 33 
 
 hind thai joins to the farm of Henry Kice to make one 
 ToWnsliip. 
 
 It was concluded by the Inhabitants met this day that 
 We shall go on to lay that tract of land that is taken in 
 platt with a inlargemcnt to the farm of Henry Rice, and 
 t hose Farmers that are willing to join in our Township 
 according as offers have been made to themselves as also 
 to procure a surveyor to run a straight line from the south 
 Corner of Henry Rice's Farm to the Cartway crossing 
 Cochituate Brook near where Course Brook meets with 
 Cochituate Brook the charges of the whole to be borne by 
 the Town of Sherburne. The Selectmen are chosen a 
 Committee to see this work carried on for the benefit of 
 the Town. 
 
 1 700 — June 25 — The town of Framingham was incor- 
 porated and seventeen Families belonging to Sherborn 
 were annexed to that town. A copy of the Grant of Fra- 
 mingham is preserved in a queer pamphlet, recently pub- 
 lished, purporting to be a history of that town. This Pam- 
 phlet mentions " a controversy between Sherborn and the 
 new town, respecting certain rights and privileges, which, 
 without legal proscess, was at last settled to the mutual 
 satisfaction of the parties." 
 
 1705 — 6 — Jan. 8th. — Then was granted by the In- 
 habitants 20£, money for the repairing and better fin- 
 ishinjr our Meetinehouse. The Committee chosen are 
 Sergt. Sawin, Lt. Morse, Deacon Benoni Learned, 
 Corpl. Isaac Learned and Richard Sanger. 
 
 1707._May 28th— It was Ordered, That whosoever 
 shall take bring or convey any Cattle from other towns 
 to feed on the Commons in Shcrburn, and such Cattle be- 
 ing taken up ; the Person or persons who conveyed the 
 
34 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 said Cattle into Town, or the owner of tlie Cattle, shall 
 pay a fine of 5 shillings per head, the one moietv to the 
 person who took up said Cattle and the other moiety to 
 the use of the Town. 
 
 These orders were allowed of by the Court of quarter 
 Sessions at Concord, June 17th 1707, till further order. 
 
 1708. — At a me(;ting of the Selectmen. Then was 
 chosen and appointed widdow Mary West to take the care 
 of and keep the Pound in said Town. 
 
 1708-9. —March 7th — At a Town meeting ^c. It was 
 then manifested to the town what had been offered to the 
 Hon. General Court by our Representative Saml. Bullard 
 concerning the seventeen Families on the north part of 
 the Town : with the acceptance and Concurance of the 
 Court therewith ; and was consented to by a general 
 vote. 
 
 N. B. In consequence of the loss of the Sevente&R! 
 Families which were incorporated with the Town of 
 Framingham, the General Court granted 4000 Acres of 
 Land lying westward of Mendon as an equivalent. These 
 Lands were called " Sherburn New Grant." 
 
 1709. — Dec. 5th— Voted that the Selectmen should 
 agree with a Man or Men to keep School in three parts 
 of the Town viz. Plain, Southend ^ Dirtymeadow^ 
 three months ; and granted Eight pounds for its support. 
 
 1715. — June 17th — At a meeting &c. To state a 
 Rule whereby the 4000 acres of Land late granted and 
 conjfirmed to the said Town by the General Court in lieu 
 of the 17 Families sett off to Framingham, may be or- 
 derly and regularly divided to and among the said free- 
 cholders ^ Inhabitants, and choose a Committee ^^c. 
 Voted, That the Invoice of Polls and ratable Estate 
 
HISTOTlt OF SHERnURNE. 35^ 
 
 taken in August 1714, sliall be the Rule whereby the said 
 4000 Acres of Land shall be proportioned to and among 
 the present Inhabitants of the said Town being Freehold- 
 ers and such other Inhabitants that haye lived upon hire 
 in the Town for some years past. 
 
 The abovementioned New Grant was divided amongst' 
 105 Persons " being Freeholders and such other Inhabi- 
 tants that have lived upon hire" ^c. 17 of whom were 
 of the name of Morse. December 29th 1721, the pro- 
 prietors granted to Ephraim Hill and his heirs forever, 20 
 acres of Land in the said 4000 acres, in consideration of 
 his being the first settled Inhabitant there. 
 
 Two further grants of Land 6700 acres were obtained 
 of the General Court by purchase. In 1730, these 
 Lands were divided among tlie Inhabitants of said Town 
 in the same manner as the other Grant had been. They 
 are described as being situated " at a place called New- 
 Sherburne lying westward of Uxbridge." These lands 
 retained this name, till they were incorporated, as a town- 
 ship, A. D. 1746. 
 
 1718. — Sept. 26 — A Committee was chosen to inspect 
 the timber at Badluck Swamp, within the late grant of 
 3000 acres of land, made' by the general court to the town, 
 and to impower them to prosecute any person, or persons, 
 that shall presume to cut, make strip or pillage of any 
 wood or timber upon said premises. 
 
 1720--1. — Feb. 20 — A commitee viz. 3 from the west 
 and 3 from the east part of the town, were chosen to con- 
 sult together and report at the next meeting, respecting 
 the building of a new meetinghouse near dirty meadow 
 bridge, and to diliberate and make report of what they 
 may think may be for the best for the town to act upon 
 
36 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 in the premises ; and to propose any metliod, that may he 
 likely to conduce to tlie peace and well being of the town 
 refering to the concern of the meetinghouse, &:c. 
 
 March 20. The report of the above committee was 
 not accepted. It was then voted to run a direct line from 
 Framingham corner to Dopping brook, and then the brook 
 to be the bound till it come into Bogestow brook, and 
 then that to be the bound till it come to Med way line. 
 
 1721—2. — Feb. 5. Voted by a majority that mopcy 
 be raised by way of rate, (sufficient with the old meet- 
 inghouse) to build a new meetinghouse within and upon 
 that spot of land that the town formerly set apart for that 
 purpose, near or upon the place the old meetinghouse is 
 now standing. 
 
 1722. — Nov. 12. It being moved to reconsider and 
 nullifie the above vote, the motion was negatived by a 
 considerable majority. 
 
 1722-3. — March 6. The qaalified voters met at the 
 meetinghouse, and immediately adjourned to meet at "the 
 platt seventy or six score Rods Easterly from Dirty mead- 
 ow Bridge, or Thereabouts," when and where it was 
 voted unanimously by all present, " that a meetinghouse 
 be built for the town to worship God in, on Lord's Days 
 upon a certain hill by the road side, where was laid a 
 heap of stones to know the place by, ^c. and made null 
 and void and of no effect the former vote of the town 
 above, and bearing date Feb. 5th, 1721—2, so that the 
 town remain together for the strengthening thereof." 
 
 1723.— Nov. 18th. The inabitants " voted to nullifie 
 and make void the above vote of March 6, in considera- 
 tion that the Form and Situation of the Town is so ill 
 Convenient, that one Meeting house Cannot be so placed 
 
IHSTORV OK SlIKnciKrHE. 37 
 
 MS to Suit llio Whole town, but tliat in time there will be 
 need of \\\o to necommodate the Inhabitants.'* Also 
 voted to build on or near the spot where the old meeting 
 house is standing a new one, "ye Demensions to be about 
 I'ourty foot in length, about thirty two foot in bredth and 
 about twenty foot post." Also voted " that the sum of 
 one himdrtul and sixty pounds be Levied on ye Inhabi- 
 tants by way of Rate upon Polls k. Estates to be Em- 
 proved towards the defreying the Charge of the said 
 Building." A committee of five was chosen to carry the 
 above vote into effect. 
 
 *' At said Meeting after Sundry votes had passed, re- 
 lating to the building, or rebuilding of ye publick Meet- 
 ing house in Sherborn, Sic. The following motion was 
 made by Sundry of ye Principle Inhabitants of ye said 
 town, Who are DwelUns on ye West side of Dopping 
 Brook, in behalfe of themselves and others, on ye west 
 side of the town of Sherborn, now Convened, The re- 
 quest of us the Subscribers in behalf of Our Selves and 
 the Other Western Inhabitants of ye town on the West 
 Side of Dopping Brook ; Do desire that the following ar- 
 ticles may be put to vote, viz. Whether they will not be 
 free to Grant us ye Liberty of Having that part of yo 
 Sheffield's Farm Lying on ye East Side of Boggestow 
 Brook and Edmond Morses Land and possessions on ye 
 East side of Dopping brook aforesaid over and above ye 
 Dividing line projected between the Eastern and West- 
 ern parts of the town from Colonel Buck ministers Cor- 
 ner, ^c. Then We will do all publick Duty to the town 
 as heretofore 'till the Genii. Court Shall Set us off Ex- 
 cept in yc Cost of Building or rebuilding the meeting 
 
38 HISTORY Ol" SHERBURNE. 
 
 lionsc, as it has boon this day voted. And if so We'll 
 ask for a Dividing line no further Eastward." 
 
 Jonathan Wliitney John Goulding 
 
 Timothy Lealand Joshua Underwood 
 
 Aaron Morse Thomas Jones 
 
 Moses Adams jr. Isaac Adams 
 
 Joseph Johnson John Twitchell 
 
 Ebenezer Pratt John Larnit. 
 Gershom Eames 
 
 On the above the following vote is recorded. " The 
 town by their vote do save to the said Western Inhabi- 
 tants over Doppin Brook whensoever they are sett off, 
 their proportion in ye £160 this day granted towards ye 
 Building ye publick Meeting House where it now stands.'' 
 The remainder of the above motion passed in the affirma- 
 tive, '•■ for the sake of future peace and good Neigh- 
 bourhood." 
 
 1724. — Dec. 3 — " The Dwellers on the west side of 
 Dopping brook, Sic." were incorporated, as a town, by 
 the name of Holliston. For an account of this town, since 
 its incorporation, see Rev. Charles Fitch's Century Sermon 
 delivered Dec. 4, 182G. 
 
 1725. — Sept. 13. " One hundred and fourty pounds 
 was granted to Defray ye Cost & Charge of Building ^ 
 finishing the Meetinghouse in Sherborn." 
 
 Dec. 6th. Voted that " the room round the sides of 
 the meetinghouse below (except the alley room) be Em- 
 proved for the building of Pues, and that Such persons 
 unto Wliome the Town Should See reason to grant 
 the liberty of the room for pues, Should do it at their own 
 Cost." This grant was on condition that if any one, 
 who had built a pew, should remove with his family to 
 
HISTORY OF SHKRBURNE. 
 
 31} 
 
 dwoll out of town, tho room should revert to the town ; 
 and if miy to whom this liberty v»';is granted should neg- 
 loet to build a pew, within one jear, then the place 
 granted lor that purpose should revert to tlie town. 
 
 1726. — Sept. 26. Leave was granted to all jjcrsons 
 in ye said town that arc disposed to build stables or 
 Houses for their conveniencies on Lords Day, to build on 
 ye sides of ye Meetinghouse C'ommonj so as not to Dis- 
 commode the Same. 
 
 1726--7 — Jan. 27— Voted that what persons payed in 
 ye last Meetinghouse rale be a rule to seat ye meeting 
 house by allowing but one head to an Estate ijaving respect 
 to old age; that the third seat below and ye fere front be 
 equal in dignity and ye fourth seat below and ye stn-ond 
 front be equal in dignity. Deacon Hopestill Lealand, 
 Deacon Bcnoni Lerned and William Clreenwood ch.osen 
 a committee to seatthe meetingiionse. 
 
 1727. — Dec. 29. A vote passed to build a schoolhouse 
 18 feet wide and 20 feet long, and to set it on Meetting- 
 house Common on the South easterly side of the Meeting 
 house. 
 
 1728— April 16— A committee was chosen to sell ye 
 school land in the town towards defraying the Charge of 
 building and finishing the school house. 
 
 1 723-9.— Jan. 6. The school lands were sold to 
 Obediah Morse and Deacon Bcjioni Learned, the former 
 paying forty and the latter ten pounds. 
 
 1731. — Dec. o. Voted and granted that ten shillings 
 be assessed in the next town rate to repair the old, or 
 bnild new stocks. 
 
 1733. — Dec. 7th. Granted to Capt. Death the sum 
 of ten shillings which is now in his handr to pay the 
 
40 HISTORY OF SHr.RurilNF:. 
 
 Caust he was out for Entorlniz: a petition at the Ginni- 
 ral Court on tho towns hrhalf relateinii to th(;ir heinsT 
 Dooind for Not sending a representatives 
 
 Granted to Mrs. Rebecca Baker the sum of titret' 
 pounds to make up a Deficiency in the kite reverd. Mr. 
 Bakers salary. 
 
 1738.— May 18. Several other grants were made to 
 indi\ idnals, " to he paid out of the fine the Genlk Court 
 sent hack to tlie town." 
 
 1737.— -May 18. Several etiier grants made to indi- 
 viduals to he paid out " of the fine the Genii. Court re- 
 lumed to the town." 
 
 1751.— Sept. 10. Then the town granted G shillings 
 to j)urchase a hook for the town's use to record births and 
 deaths hi. 
 
 1752.— May 19. Isaac Coolege^ Esq. was Chosen 
 to serve for and re})resent the town of Sherhnrne in a 
 Great and General Court or Assembly ap])ointed to be 
 Convened held and kept for his Majesty's service at Con- 
 cord, upon the twenty Seventh day of may 17 52, and so 
 De die in diem during their session and sessions. 
 
 1758.— -March G. Granted thirteen pound six shillings 
 and Eight pence to Keerutet he town stock of Ammu- 
 nition. Granted to Elisha Kendal for ye Locks to Lock up 
 the amunkion eight pcnse. Granted to the Selectmen that 
 Ware at Expence in Geting of a fine for the towns not 
 sending a Representative at the Last year 13s» 4d. 
 
 1754.— This year is particularly remarkable, for the 
 prevalence of an uncommon disoiiler, which prevailed in 
 this town and llolliston, denominated in the latter place, 
 the Great Sickness, and, in Sherburne, the Memorable 
 MortaUty. The number of deaths recorded in January 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 41 
 
 is 12 ; February, 6 ; Marcli 2 ; April 5. During the next 
 six months no deaths arc recorded. November 3, Dec. 
 .5. For a particular description of the " symptoms, which 
 peculiarly marked the; disease," the reader is referred to 
 the " Century Sermon, delivered in Holliston, by Rev. 
 Charles Fitch, December 4, 1826." 
 
 The whole number who died of this fatal malady 
 in Holliston, was 53; in Sherburne, between 20 and 
 30. This visitation upon Holliston has been considered 
 by some, as a special judgment of Providence upon the 
 inhabitants, for the litigious spirit, which was then preva- 
 lent among them, which fled before the pestilence, and 
 which, since that time, has seldom made its appearance. 
 What was the crying sin in Sherburne, that brought a 
 similar visitation on the people of that place, I have nev- 
 er heard conjectured. 
 
 1767. — Oct. 17. Granted to be assessed on Polls and 
 Estates to pay ye fine and Cost of a Presentment for not 
 Having a Gramer School in said Town Nine Pounds. 
 
 1768. — Granted to Esqr. Perry 6s. & to Jos. Twitch- 
 cll 18s. for the cost and charge they ware at in Giting a 
 fine granted by sessions to the town to be spent in a 
 Gramer School. 
 
 1768. — Feb. 15. Gave order to the Treasurer to pay 
 Mr. Thomas Prentice, ye School Master and the several 
 Persons that Borded him at the Several Parts of the 
 Town their Proportion of Eighteen Pounds — the School- 
 master to Have after the Rate of twenty six Pound 
 thirteen shillings and four pence a year, and those that 
 Borded him four shillings per week. 
 
 1769. —May 22. Voted to put in twenty feet in the 
 
 length of the Meeting house, and that the Peace be put 
 6 
 
4^ HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 in the tniddle. Granted one hundred pounds for this pur- 
 pose : Chose a committee of five to See How thej would 
 Git it Done. 
 
 1770, — Jan. Joseph Bacon was engaged to enlarge 
 the meeting house, and £150 lawful money granted to 
 him, as a full compensation. J'his was done by sawing 
 the house in two in the middle, moving the western half 
 to the distance desired, and connecting the two parts to- 
 gether by a new piece. 
 
 1774. — May 19. The following men were chosen 
 a committee of correspondence , l\ev. Samuel Locke, 
 Capt. Richard Sanger, Capt. Joseph Tvvitchell, Mr. 
 Samuel Bullard, Mr. Daniel Whitney, Mr. Benjamin Fas- 
 set and Mr. Jedediah Phipps. This Mr. Pliipps was 
 employed by the provincial government, at the commence- 
 ment of the Revolutionary war, to manufacture 
 
 " Villainous salt petre 
 
 Which many a good tall Briton hath laid low." 
 
 July 8th. — The Selectmen and commissioned officers 
 examined and tried the Town's stock of Ammunition and 
 there is 200 lbs. of Powder, 150 lbs. of Bullets and 295 
 flints. One cask of powder bought A. D. 1702, one do. 
 1722, one do. without date, two do. 1774. Lead 20O 
 lbs. bought, Sept. 1774. 
 
 August 24. — Chose Capt. Richard Sanger, Mr. Samu- 
 el Bullard and Mr. Benjamin Fasset to iiieet committees 
 of the several towns in this county, on the 30th instant. 
 
 iSeptr. 20. — Mr. Samuel Bullard and Mr. Jonathan 
 Lealand were chosen a committee to send to Concord — • 
 Voted to git a six pound field piece, or cannon, and chose 
 Joshua Lealand, Daniel Whitney and Benjamin Bullard to 
 procure it. Granted £18 to procure said piece and ne- 
 cessaries. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBUpE. 43 
 
 Oct. 18. — Voted to accept the three pieces of cannon, 
 whicli the committee procured instead of a six poundpr, 
 that the committee prove them at the town's expence, 
 and fire the biggest, as soon as may be, with all the' ne- 
 cessaries that ma} be needed. 
 
 1775. — Jan. 9. Chose Mr. Benjamin Fasset and 
 Capt. Richard Sanger to represent the town in Congress 
 at Cambridge, on the 1st day of Feb. next. Voted l,a 
 consent to the Resolves of the Continental ^nd Provifi- 
 
 cial Congresses to give a bounty to encourage the 
 
 raising of sheep and flax— that the Constables pay the 
 Province money to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow — to 
 choose a committee of Inspection, to see that the He- 
 solves of the Congress be complied with. 
 
 Feb. 6 — Chose a Committee of five to receive dona' 
 tions and subscriptions for the poor people of Boston. 
 
 March 6. — Voted that those that have and shi|ll inlist 
 as minute men, to the number of fifty three be a company 
 intire by themselves — to grant eight pound to provide 
 ammunition for the cannon — that the cannon be under 
 the care and direction of the militia ofticers of this town; 
 that the cannon be shot three times with powder and ball 
 at the cost of the town. 
 
 May 24 — Chose Daniel Whitney Esq. to represent 
 the town in Congress at VVatertown, to be held on STist 
 instant. 
 
 Oct 2d» — Granted £30 for the support of the popr of 
 Boston. 
 
 1776. — March 5. Voted to choose a committee pf fiye 
 to procure places for the poor of Boston to live in. 
 
 May 21. — Voted, that if the Hon. Continental Con- 
 gress should in the.ir wisdom declare the Colonies ifl' 
 
44 HISTORY OF siip:ri]ijrne. 
 
 dependent of great Britain, vvc, x\^e inhabitants of the 
 town of Sherburne will, with our lives and fortunes, en- 
 deavour to support them in that measure; and we do here- 
 by instruct Mr. Daniel Whitney, now Chosen our rep- 
 resentative for the year ensuing to act in conformity to 
 the above said vote. 
 
 July 5. — Voted to give £7 per man, in addition to the 
 bounty that is given by the colony, to twenty one men 
 that shall inlist to go to Canada. 
 
 August 26. — The last vote was reconsidered. Voted 
 that the Selectmen procure a hospital for inoculating for 
 Small-pox, if they can get liberty from the court. 
 
 1776. — Nov. 28. Voted that the present General 
 Court of this State should form such a Constitution and 
 form of Government, as they jndge will most conduce to 
 the happiness, peace and safety of the Inhabitants there- 
 of, and that the same be made publick for the inspection 
 and approbation of the Inhabitants of this State, before 
 the ratification thereof. 
 
 The votes of the Inhabitants of this town, during the 
 whole of the revolutionary struggle, prove that they were 
 animated, to a high degree with that spirit, which achiev- 
 ed our independence. These votes are too numerous to 
 be published in a pamphlet of this kind, and there is in 
 them so much sameness, as to render them to most read- 
 ers uninteresting and tiresome. They relate to hiring 
 men for the army ; granting money to pay them, and 
 maintain their families in their absence ; procuring arms, 
 ammunition, clothing and provisions for those in service, 
 and for promoting all the great and good objects, which 
 presented themselves in those times of perilous magna- 
 nimity. 
 
HISTORY OF SIIEUCURNE. 45 
 
 As soon as the news ronchod them of tlic m.issacrc at 
 Lexington, on the 19th of April 1775, the minute nieii 
 ])roveci themselves worthy of their title, by marching im- 
 mediately to meet the assailants, and the rest of the able 
 bodied men, of all ages, followed with all possible alacri- 
 ty, lint the distance was so great and the route of the 
 enemy so uncc^rtain, that they had not the satisfaction of 
 meeting and helping to chastise them. They, however, 
 furnished their ouota to assist in the besie2;ino; of Boston ; 
 ano a number of them dis])layed their heroism, in the bat- 
 thj of Bunker hill. Four of these are living, viz. Capt 
 Benjamin Bullard, now of Hopkinton, John Ware, now 
 of Deerfield, Deacon William Clarke and Mr. Barak 
 Lcland, still residing in Sherburne. 
 
 How many were engaged in actital service, in the va- 
 rious campaigns, during this arduous and successful con- 
 test, and who they all were, 1 am not able to ascertain. 
 Two of them are worthy to be particularly mentioned 
 with honour and commiseration. Jonathan Holbrook and 
 Joseph Ware were wounded at the battle of White 
 Plains. The same cannon ball deprived the former of 
 his right arm, and the latter of his left. Holbrook sur- 
 vived but a short time, and was buried near the scene of 
 action. Ware returned home ; has been a very useful 
 citizen, as a teacher of youth, surveyor, town oflicer and 
 magistrate ; and is now living, at the age of 80 years. 
 
 1786.— This year was remarkable on account of an in- 
 surrection, in the western counties of Massachusetts, in 
 oppositon to the government of the Commonwealth; com- 
 monly called " Shays's rebellion." On this occasion tlie 
 inhabitants of Sherburne proved themselves to be firm 
 ixieuds of libei.tj and order, by readily furnishing their pro- 
 
46 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 poitioa of officers and privates, to join the troops under 
 the command of General Lincohi, who marched on a 
 winter campaign, and speedily gained an ahiiost bloodless 
 Victory. 
 
 Mr. John Ware acted as adjutant in this expedition. 
 Being sent with orders to a distance from Lincoln's 
 army, he stopped for refreshment, at a tavern in, or near 
 Brookiield, where there happened to be a small party of 
 insurgents, who took him prisoner and confined him in an 
 upper room of the house, while they kept guard below. 
 In the course of the day, Ware saw from his prison a 
 company of cavalry approaching, which he soon recognized 
 as being on the side of government. He hailed them 
 flom a window of his apartment and made them acquainted 
 with hii> ^ituation. The house was inunediately surround- 
 ed, the Shay sites surrendered at discrestion, and W. was 
 enabled to accouipIis>h the object of his mission. 
 
 1787. — Dec. 10. Daniel Whitney, Esq. was chosen 
 a delegate to represent the town in the convention, to be 
 iholden in Boston, on the 2d Wednesday of January next, 
 for the purpose of approving, or disaj)proving the Consti- 
 tution, or Frame of Government for the United States of 
 America. Voted, to give the delegate instructions, which 
 conclude thus. 
 
 "But, sir, we mean not to give you positive instruc- 
 tions, relative to your voting for or against the reported 
 Constitution. When assembled, you will have the collect- 
 :ed wisdom of the State before you ; will hear all that can 
 •be said on the subject, and conse(|uently be able to form 
 a judicious opinion. And, having the fullest confidence 
 in your political wisdom, integrity and patrotism, we cheer- 
 fully, on onr part, submit the all important question to* 
 
HISTORY OF SIIERBURNi:. 47 
 
 your decision. And we beseech the Allwisc Governor of 
 the world to take the Com cntion under his holy influence, 
 that so tlie result may be the best good of the people of 
 the Uiited States of America." 
 
 This tndy honorable member was one of the majority, 
 who voted in favour of this invaluable instrument. 
 
 1793.— Pec. 2d. A vote was asked whether the town 
 will accept of the bell, on the terms proposed hy the sub- 
 scribers, viz. That the town shall hang- the said bell 
 handsomely, and cause it to be vu'ig, as usual in towns; 
 then said bell to remain for the use of the town, so long 
 as then" sh;ill 'emain a religious society. Passed in tlie 
 
 aftiri.iativ e. 
 
 1797.— Nov. G. Voted to mike .ip the wages of the 
 
 militia, thai; shall be detached from this town, according 
 
 to a resolve of Coiigre.-s, ten dollars a month, provided 
 
 they march, and also one dollar bounty, whether they 
 
 march or not, for non-commissioned officers and privates. 
 
 Also to give them two dollars more bounty, if they march 
 
 out of the Commonwealth. 
 
 1807.— Voted to give the officers and soldiers, that arc 
 or may be detached, as onr proportion of one hundred 
 thousand militia, ordered by the President of the United 
 States, to be detached and held in readiness to mai?ch at 
 a moment's warning, at the rate of twelve dollars per 
 month, including the pay allowed them by the U. S. pro- 
 vided they are called into actual service. 
 
 1808. — Dec. 11. Voted to allow and pay to the of- 
 ficers and soldiers, that were detached, in the course of 
 the present month, as our pro})ortion of one hundred 
 thousand militia, &c. such sums, as shall, together witlt 
 the pay allowed them by the U. States, be equal to twelve 
 
48 IIISTOKY OK SHERCl RNF.. 
 
 dollars per month, during the time lliev shnl! he in actu- 
 al service. 
 
 1814.-— Voted to allow arid pay to the soldiers that are 
 or may be detached from tliis town, previous to the lirst 
 Monday of March next, to serve in the arjnies of the U. 
 S. such sums as shall, together with the pay allowed them 
 by the State and General government, be equal to 3 15 
 per month, during the time they shall be in actual service. 
 Also voted to pay the commissioned and non-commission- 
 ed officers, the same sum granted to the soldiers, in ad- 
 dition to the pay allowed them by the State and General 
 government. 
 
 1820.— Hon. Calvin Sanger was chosen a delegate to 
 meet in convention for the purpose of revising the Con- 
 stitution of this Commonwealth. 
 
 N. B. The compiler has been much more particular 
 in making coj)ious extracts from the ancient records, 
 which are now scarcely legible, and ere long must be 
 wholly obliterated, than from those of more modern date, 
 which bid fair to last fer centuries, and to enable some 
 historian, yet unborn, to glean from them such facts, as 
 shall be interestmg, when they shall have become an- 
 cient. 
 
 EcLESiASTicAL 11 iSTORY. — There are no Church Rec- 
 ords found, separate from those of the town, previous to 
 the settlement of Rev. Mr. Porter, their third minister. 
 These commence October 27, 1734. At what time a 
 church was formed here does not appear in any document, 
 which I have examined. Some have supposed, on per- 
 using the. town records, that the church and congrega- 
 tion formerly voted in convention, in ministerial matters. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 49 
 
 However this may have been, the church members seem 
 not to have considered themselves as " chosen out of the 
 world/' as the primitive disciples were, but acknowledged 
 themselves to be a jjart of the world ; and did not con- 
 fine the congregation merely to hearing, believing and 
 paying the pastor ; l)ut permitted all, who contributed to 
 his support, to have a voice in his election. I have ex- 
 tracted most of the votes, relative to the settlement and 
 maintenance of the several ministers, which have come 
 into my possession, and here present them to the reader 
 in chronological order. 
 
 1677— 8th. Month 2Gth day. Then was consultation 
 and consideration in way of preparation for a Minister ^c. 
 
 Voted to raise thirty pounds per year by the present 
 Inhabitants, one third part to be paid in money, and two 
 thirds to be paid in current country pay as may be raised 
 by us. N. B. Only 15 persons were present at the meet- 
 ing when the above vote passed. 
 
 1779.— 13th. mo. In reference to the settleing a 
 Minister; Voted, that we shall pay to the Maintainance 
 of the Minister £40 per year by the Inhabitants ; £20 
 in money ^ £20 in good country pay as is most suitable 
 to the Minister and to build a suitable house. 
 
 Voted, that Daniel Morse, sen. Thomas Eames, Henry 
 Lealand, and Edward West be chosen as a committee to 
 act as the town for the settleing the Minister amongst 
 us, Mr. Gooking or some other Minister as God shall 
 direct. 
 
 Voted, to Ewd. West that in case he do stay in Sher- 
 burn one year from the date hereof then' he shall have 
 that land and meadow formerly granted to him by the 
 Town, in the same state as the Petitioners land is ; if 
 
50 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 the Town have not a Minister settled. If there he a 
 Minister settled, then to be in the same state ^nd con- 
 dition with other Inhabitants. 
 
 • July 18th.— At a meeting ^c. to choose a Committee 
 to treat with Mr. Nathaniel Cookings to settle amongst 
 us. Then was chosen this Committee, Daniel Morse, 
 sen. George Fairbanks, Thomas Eames, Ensign Bullen, 
 to act representing the Town to engage k settle a Mhi- 
 ister amongst us. 
 
 7 mo. 18th.— Voted, That this Committee Capt. Pren- 
 tice, Deacon John Stone, & Mr. William Bond which are 
 chosen by the Councell 12th present month to act accord- 
 ing to the Law published since the last session, in 19th 
 this present month this Committee conserning the place- 
 they have determined for the settled place for the Meeting 
 house. For their satisfaction desiring should be voted by 
 the Inhabitants of the town, the place voted was and 
 thereby determined on a hill. Mr. the Committee and 
 the Inhabitants made a second stand to look about on that 
 account near Edwards Plain. 
 
 8 mo. 29.— Then was chosen four Men to be under- 
 takers for ourselves in building a suitable House for a 
 Minister, viz. Edward West, Thomas Eames, Joseph 
 Morse ^ John Hill, these 4 to call others to assist in that 
 work as they shall see meet, and as Men are capable to 
 help. Also, that all shall bear equal charges on their 
 house Lots according to their proportion of Acres. 
 
 And concerning the Ministers House that is to be built 
 it is voted and concluded that it shall be built according 
 as is agreed with the 4 Men chosen as undertakers to see 
 it done. The length 38 feet the breadth 20 feet. 
 
 It was also concluded that the undertakers shall see 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 5f 
 
 that this House be covered and inclosed by the last of 
 May next ; and that tliis House be thoroughly finished by 
 the last of September next. 
 
 Also, that the place concluded upon by the Committee 
 for the Meetinghouse near Edwards plain be reserved for 
 the accommodation thereof to the quantity of 20 rods 
 square as may suit. 
 
 1680. — 9th mo. 15. The Committee that formerly 
 was chosen and impovvered to act as the town for the 
 settling Mr. Gookin or some other Minister as God should 
 direct, making their return to the town that except the 
 Inhabitants do agree to what was done by that Com- 
 mittee in '79, 7 mo. they see no likelyhood of obtaining 
 Mr. Daniel Gookin to settle among us. 
 
 Voted, that John Hill, Thomas Holbrook ^ George 
 Fairbanks is desired to assist a Committee to settle a gos- 
 pel Orthodox Minister on the place obtained for a Min- 
 ister according to what is voted by the town for Minis- 
 ters maintenance fee. Edward West chosen Town 
 Clerk. 
 
 1681. — Voted, that Daniel Morse, senr. Joseph Morse 
 and Edward West are chosen to treat with Mr. Cusheoii 
 or some other Minister to settle in Sherburne. And 
 Thomas Holbrook was chosen to go to speak to Mr. 
 Cusheon for an answer from him in reference to his set- 
 tleing in Sherburne. 
 
 1681. — April 29. Whereas we the Inhabitants of Sherborn having 
 formerly applied ourselves to the Rev. Daniel Gookin to be our set- 
 tled Minister of Sherborn, he was pleased to give us his mind and 
 word and writing to be willing to come amongst us, provided that we 
 could agree to have the Meetinghouse on that place appointed by Capt. 
 Prentice, but some not willing for it, did put us upon further trouble 
 and the impeding that work amongst us wherefore having a meeting 
 
52 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 of the Inhabitants & proposals being made if would adhere to the 
 settling a Minister on that place commonly amongst us called the Lot 
 place, we, being desireous of not only the settleing a Minister amongst 
 us, but also peace and concord, did yield to the motion, and made 
 choice of some of th6se (that did oppose our former proceeding) to 
 act accordingly : but now we perceiving their fruitless endeavors in 
 that respect, and being desireous, if God permit to have one amongst 
 us to break the bread of life to us and ours, and especially the Rev. 
 Mr. Daniel Gookin, do if authority permit of it, bind ourselves to 
 these particulars under written in the full sum of Ten pounds Sterling 
 to be paid by us upon every wilful neglect or refusal. 
 
 1st, That application be made to the Rev. Mr. Daniel Gookin, to be 
 the settled Minister of Sherborn, by those three Men the town have 
 lately made choice of to Settle a Minister in Sherborn viz. Daniel 
 Morse, senr. Joseph Morse & Edward West, with as much speed as 
 may be. 
 
 2d, That in case Mr. Gookin do agree to come amongst us, we do 
 engage to pay to him annually as the Town in general have voted 
 viz. twenty pounds in money, and twenty pounds in country pay, such 
 as we raise among ourselves, and such as the Minister wants, at such 
 prises as go from man to man amongst ourselves : as also when the 
 Minister hath a family or the people increase in the Town by the ad- 
 dition of new Families considerably, then to augment his allowance 
 and this to continue with the help of such as may by Law be brought 
 in to pay, during our abode in Sherborn. 
 
 3d, That the house for the Minister, in the place where it now 
 stands, be fitted and finished conveniently to dwell in, and one Acre 
 of Land to be broken up and fenced in a town charge ; and this 
 House and Land as it is now in part lotted out shall be given to him 
 the said Mr. Gookin, and his heirs forever, provided he do engage 
 himself to us to be our settled constant Minister together with his in- 
 terest in common Lands as other inhabitants. 
 
 4th, We do agree that when we do build our Meetingliouse it shall 
 stand where it was ordered and agreed, near Edwards Plain. 
 
 Finally, We do agree that all those above written charges shall be 
 raised according to the Town vote viz. by heads & estates ratable in 
 ihe country Invoice, and do also agree that all forfeitures that shall be 
 made as above said shall be paid to the Minister towards bis yearly 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 53 
 
 maiutenaiic(\ To these above said particulars we do bind us and our 
 heirs in the sum above said liraily and do make of the Men above 
 written to see to the execution of this agreement of ours according to 
 tlie true intent thereof. In witness whereof we have putt to our 
 hands, dated 29th April 1681. 
 
 Daniel Morse, Jr. 
 John Hill 
 Thos. Holbrook 
 Moses Adams 
 Ephraim BuUen 
 John Death 
 Thos. Sawin 
 John Eaaies 
 Isaac Lealand 
 Zachari Padleford 
 Obadiah Morse 
 
 Thos. Gleason 
 Edward West 
 Joseph Morse 
 Benoni Learned 
 Nathl. Morse fr. 
 Daniel Morse, Jr. 
 Ebenezer Lealand 
 Jonathan P,Iorse 
 John Perry 
 Jonathan Whitney 
 Ebenezer Fairbanks. 
 
 Benj. Bullard objected to the 4th Article. 
 
 I whose name is here subscribed do freely and fully engage to re- 
 main in the work of the Ministry at Sherborn so long as I can live in 
 said place so as to attend ray work without distraction. 
 
 DANIEL GOOKIN, Jr. 
 
 No date. Probably 1683 or 1GS4. 
 
 1707. — May 29. At a meeting of the Selectmen it 
 was oiderd, that each person in town, for the Pool or Pools 
 he or she is rated for shall cut and carry to the house of the 
 Rev. Mr. Gookin, one half Cord of wood per poll ; and 
 each and every person who neglect to perform as afore- 
 said shall pay a Fine of 2 Shillings per poll to the use of 
 said Minister. 
 
 Oct. 23. — Voted to hire a minister while March next 
 and that Mr. Baker be the man to supply Mr. Cookings 
 Pulpit, now in the time of his restraint, if he may be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 1710. — Dec. 11th. At a meeting of the Inhabitants 
 of Sherborn Capt. Joseph Morse, ^ Deacon Benoni Lcar- 
 «cd, Moderators. 
 
64 HISTORY OF SIinUKLRNE. 
 
 Then it was put to the Inhabitants by the said Moderators that in- 
 asmucli as the work of the jNIiiiistery is apparently two hard for our 
 ilev. and worthey Pastor Mr. Daniel Gooking, he being a Crazie and 
 infirm man and well stricken in years, whither they were willing to 
 give the Rev. Mr Baker a call or invitation to settle with us in this 
 Town in the work of Gospel Service as an assistant to our Rev. Pastor 
 aforesaid ; and after some debate on the matter it being put to try the 
 minds of the Inhabitants, it was voted verry fully on the affirmative to 
 .give the Rev. Mr. Daniel Baker a call to settle in Gospel Service 
 fi« laia assistant to our Rev. Pastor aforesaid. Voted on the alFirmative. 
 
 Also it was voted at said meeting To give the said Mr. Baker a 
 yearly salary of 50 pounds money during the life of our Rev. Pastor 
 and after his decease to augment Mr. Baker's Salary if need be. — 
 Voted in the affirmative. 
 
 Attest, Jos. Morse, Benoni Learned Moderators. 
 
 At aMeetieg of the Inhabitants of Sherborn April 2d, 1711. Then 
 Ihe Rev. Mr.Danicl Gookin was pleased to exhibit the following. 
 
 " I have formerly as is well known, and several of the leading Men 
 of the Town can testifie, yielded to sink ten Pounds of the country 
 part of my Salary for the encourageing of the Town to proceed in yt. 
 weighty design that they have been lately upon, and are not yet come 
 
 to a full conclusion about But it hath been signified to me that 
 
 ■what I did (and that freely) would not be accepted of by those to 
 whom the offer was made, or at least it would not be accepted by the 
 Town : but if I thought it would not be imagined that I had a mind 
 to force the Town to an acceptance of it, I would say that I do freely 
 give back to the Town ten pounds of the country part of my yearly 
 Salary, which they may improve for the encouragement of the Rev.. 
 Gentleman whom they are treating withall with reference to a settle- 
 ment : in case they can obtain him, otherwise if I must still carry on 
 the whole work, as formerly, I do desire, and it is best meet that it 
 should return to me and be paid to me as formerly — thus wishing 
 Heaven to guide you in what is this day before you, I take leave and 
 Test your assured friend. 
 
 DANIEL GOOKIN." 
 
 This being publickly read at the said meeting it was 
 gratefully accepted of by the Town. 
 
 Attest, \Vm. rider, Town Clerk. 
 
 1711 — Sept. 17th. At a meeting to consider upon 
 some proposals that the Rev. Mr. Baker hath made to 
 
HISTORY OK SHKRBURNE. 55 
 
 said Town about the advancement of liis sallary after the 
 liov. Daniel Gookins decease. Voted to advance Rev. 
 Daniel Bakers Sallary to the sum of seventy Pounds per 
 Annum immediately after the decease of our Rev. Pastor. 
 These with other inducements as 1st. tlie sincere con- 
 currance of ye Rev. Daniel Gookin with tiie church &. 
 Town in ye above mentioned affair ; as also ihe gen- 
 erosity of the good People of said Sherburne in subscrib^- 
 ing liberally towards building and settleing oftheRer. 
 Daniel Baker aforesaid toirether with the land yt is offered 
 to him for a settlement and the good Council and advice of 
 several of the Rev. Elders our common Friends and well- 
 wishers) hath prevailed with the Rev. Gentleman to give 
 the following Answer to the Invitation given him to settle 
 in the Gospel service in said town. 
 
 To tlie Committees of the Chinch and Town of Sherborn, To 
 be communicated to the Church and Town, Reverend and dearly be- 
 loved in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is now a considerahle time since 
 you have given me an invitation to settle with you in tlie glorious Gos- 
 pel of peace, and it is with no small importunity that you have for some 
 time pressed for an Answer to your desires. The weightiiiess of the 
 work you have asked me to engage in, with some other things I have 
 had uuder consideration, will atone for my ut'l-.sying an answer so long. 
 I hope I have not been backward in seeking direction from the All- 
 wise Counsellor, nor have I been wanting in asking the advice of seve- 
 ral of the Rev. Elders, our common Friends and wellwishers, whose 
 Counsel I highly esteem. I am at length, (though not without a deep 
 sense of the weightiness of the ^\ork you have called me unto, and 
 my own utter insufficiency therefor and to answer what possibly vou 
 may expect, for who is sufficient for these things !) persuaded to ex- 
 cept of and embrace your Invitation, acknoM'ledging the encourage- 
 ment you have proposed. And do signify to you my resolution (in 
 convenient time) to come and abide with you in Gospel service so lone^ 
 jis ywi shall afford me gospel Encouragement, which, as you will 
 doubtless conclude I should charitably believe you will not fail lo do, 
 so you will not take it amiss, that I assure you that I expect it. 
 
 Thus promising myself that you will not fail to ask for me at the 
 throne of Grace all suitable and seasonable enlargements of the holy 
 Spirit of Grace, that I may come to you in the fulness of the blessin<j 
 of the Gospel, and that all my ministrations amongst you may be oou- 
 
^6 HISTORY OF SIlERnrRNE. 
 
 tlnually accompanied with the ailpowcrfiill influences of God's Spirit 
 as a means lo the conversion and edification of Souls. To the gra- 
 cious guidance of tlie same holy Sj)iiit I conuiiend yoii, and rest 
 vours ill Gospel service. 
 
 DANIEL BAKER. 
 Dedhani, Dec. 29th 1711. 
 
 1711-12. — Jan. 1 kli. At a nicciing, Voted that Rcv. 
 Daniel Baker's Answer be vcrry gratefully excepted and 
 the Town renders thanks to him for his good intentions 
 towards them, and do freely concur and take up with his 
 said Answer. 
 
 At the same meeting a committee was chosen to 
 take care about what is subscribed towards the Building 
 for Rev. Daniel Baker, that it be regularly and orderly 
 performed. 
 
 1731. — June 16. A committee of three viz. Deacon 
 Greenwood, William Lealand and John Holbrcok to take 
 Care for the Supply of the pulpit untill ye Town Com in 
 to Sum otlier methord ; Then was granted the sum of 
 Fifty pounds for the Supply of ye Pulpit. 
 
 Sept. 27. — It was put to vote which of the Gentlemen 
 who had of late supplyed the pulpit, they wold here 
 further in ye Supply of ye Pulpit, if they might be ob- 
 tained, And Mr. Uarney had the majority of votes. 
 
 Dec. 10. — Granted the sum of Sixty Pounds for the 
 Support, and to pay those ministers which supply the 
 Pulpit with preaching. 
 
 1731.-2. — Jan. 26. It being tryed by a vote wheth- 
 er ye Town inclined to hire som other Gentleman in the 
 pulpit and it passed fully in the affirmative. 
 
 1732— April 25. The Churches Choice of Rev. 
 John Warren to be their Gospil minister was presented 
 to the Town for their Concurrance. And the Town by 
 
HISTORV OF SHERBURNE. 57 
 
 a full Vote Excepted of the Churches Choice ; And Lt. 
 .lose})!! Ware, Dea. Greenwood and Samuel Holbrook 
 ware Chosen a Conunittee to Treat with IMr. John Warren 
 and report what the Town has dim, ^-c At this meeting 
 twenty six voters entred their dissent to the above pro- 
 ceedings, said meeting being accounted irregular and Not 
 Legal. And they observe ; Further more We do not 
 Concur with the Choice the Churches this Day. 
 
 Oct. 12. — Then it was put to the town to know their 
 minds Avhither they would accept of the Churches Choice 
 of ye Rev. Mr. Ward Cotton to be their Gospel Minister, 
 and the town unanimously manifested their acceptance of 
 the Churches choice of the Reverend gentleman aforesaid 
 by written votes. The town made choice of a committee 
 to join with that of the church to treat with Mr. Cotton 
 ^c. Nothing further appears respecting Mr. Cotton on 
 the records. At this meeting the town voted one hundred 
 and twenty pounds, to supply the town with preaching, &,c 
 
 1733. — June 14. At said meeting Mr. Nathaniel 
 Walter was chosen the Gospel minister of said Church 
 and town by a majority of votes — Also a committee was 
 chosen to treet with Mr. W alter, &c. Nothing further 
 respecting Mr. VV. on record. 
 
 Sept. 28th — At a meeting of the Church in Sherborn 
 with the rest of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of 
 said Town Duly qualified to Vote in Town affairs And 
 to joyn Ishue or Concur ^V^ith the Church in the choice 
 of a Gospel minister — The Church and Town Unani- 
 mously voted and made choice of Ebenezer Hancock to 
 be their Gospel minister, and a committee was chosen to 
 Give him an Invitation or call to settle with us in the 
 W^ork and service, ^c. Nothing further on record re- 
 specting Mr. Hancock. 
 8 
 
58 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 1734.— April 25. The Church and Town by a Unan- 
 imous Vote made Choice of Mr. Samuel Porter to be 
 their Gospel Minister. And voted three hundred pounds 
 in Bills of Publick credit towards his Settlement. Also 
 voted one hundred and thirty pounds per annum for his 
 Salary in Bills of credit on this province according to 
 their present value : and to rise and fall as Silver money 
 doth With the Marchants of this province — Provided he 
 Settle with us, in the Gospel ministry and so long as he 
 Continues in the Same. 
 
 Mr. John Holbrook, Capt. John Death, Lieut. Isaac 
 Coolidge, Mr. James Whitney ^^ Ensign Eleazer Fair- 
 banks were Chosen a Committee to joyn with the Church- 
 es Committee To Treet with the Reverd. Gentlm. Cho- 
 sen as afore sd. And to give him an Invitation, or call to 
 Settle in Said Town in the Work and Service of the 
 Gospel Ministry. 
 
 July 16 — Voted that the Revd. Mr. Samuel Porter's 
 Yearly Salary Shall be one hundred and Thirty ounces 
 of Silver, or the amount thereof in Bills of Public Credit 
 And the Salary Annually to Rise and fall according to 
 the Standard of Silver money at Twenty Shillings per 
 ounce. 
 
 August 20 — The Church and Town Voted that the 
 fourth Wednesday in October next Shall be the Day ap- 
 pointed to ordain the Revd. Mr. Samuel Porter, and 
 granted Twenty five pounds to be Levied on Polls and 
 Estats by Way of vote, according to the rules prescribed 
 in the Law for the Support of the Ministers and Messin- 
 gers at the ordination, ^c. 
 
 1746.— Nov 12. Then ye town Voted to pay Mr. 
 Wilson, for Preaching (in the time of ye Revd. Mr. Por- 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 59 
 
 er's sickness) out of money returned to ye Town for not 
 sending a representative. 
 
 1749. — Octr. 31. Then the town voted that the 
 Kevd. Mr, Porter's Sallary for this present year Shall be 
 four hundred Pounds Old tenor. — Then a vote was asked 
 whither the women should sit with their chairs in the 
 alleys of the meeting house and it jiassed in the Negative. 
 1759. — Septr. 9. A certificate was sent from the Bap- 
 tist Church of Christ in Boston, declaring Mr. Jonathan 
 Partridge of said Shurburne to be a member of said 
 Church, under the care of Mr. Ephraim Bounde, Elder of 
 sd. Church. 
 
 Septr. 10. — Then the town voted that Mr. Porter's 
 Sallary should be tiiis present year 66 pound 13 shillings 
 and 4 pence. 
 
 1758. — Oct. 2d. Granted twenty seven pounds and 
 fifteen shillings to fulfil and Complete what remained due 
 from the town for the Sallary of the Kevd. Mr. Samuel 
 Porter Late Deced. At the said meeting the town gran- 
 ted £66 13s. 4d. to supply the town with Preaching for 
 time to Come. At the above said meeting the town 
 made Choice of Deacon James Whitney, Deacon Jona- 
 than Russell and Mr. Arthur Clark a Committee to sup- 
 ply the Pulpit in sd. town. 
 
 Deer. 18. — Voted that the committee Which Ware ap- 
 pointed to supply the Pulpit be Desird to Ingage Mr. 
 Minot for 1 or 2 months Longer to preach in sd. town. 
 1758-9.-Jan. 29. The Church and town unitedly made 
 Choice of Mr. vSteven Minot to be their Gospel minister 
 by a Unanemos Vote, and offered £133 6s. 8d. towards 
 his settlement ; and £66 13s. 4d. for his Sallary. 
 
 June 29. — The town Voted that the Committee allrea- 
 
60 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 d_y Chosen are desired to Ingage Mr. Lock to Supply the 
 town with Preaching, or Som other gentleman or gen- 
 tlemen Until there shall be another meeting on that af- 
 fair. 
 
 August ]5. — The town Concurred with the act of the 
 Church of Christ in Sherburne in Choosing Rcvd. Samuel 
 Lock for their Gospel minister, by a majority of Votes, 
 and voted £133 6s. 8d. for his encourgement to settle with 
 us ; also £73 6s. 8d. per annum for his salary, provided 
 he settle with us, in the Gospel ministry, and so Long as 
 he continues in the same. At the aforesaid meeting the 
 town chose as a committee to join with the churches com- 
 mittee Dr. Bela Lincoln and John Morse to treet with 
 Revd. Samuel Lock. 
 
 Revd. Samuel Lock by his answer in ye affirmitiue, on 
 September 23d 1759 manifested his Exceptence of the 
 choice above mentioned. 
 
 Octr. 11. — In town meeting voted that Wednesday the 
 7th day of November next be the day for the Ordenation 
 of Revd. Samuel Lock into the office and service of the 
 Gospel ministry in Shurburne by a majority of Votes. 
 Also at ye said meeting the town chose Capt. Edward 
 Learned, Capt. Amos Coollidge & Mr. Samuel Sanger a 
 committee to provide entertainment for the Revd. coun- 
 cel at ye sd ordenation. and voted that the selectmen 
 are desired to draw money out of the town treasury 
 so much as they Judge needfuU for ye sd. Entertainment. 
 
 1760. — Deer. 3d. The selectmen gave order to the 
 Town Treasurer to pay Mr. Stephen Minot's Heirs what 
 Remd due to Him for preaching. 
 
 1763.— March 7. Voted to pay Mr. Brooks for 
 preaching when Mr Locke was sick. 
 
 May 7. — Mr. Benjamin Whitney, Deacon Jonathan 
 
lIISTOxflY Oi' SHERBURNE. 61 
 
 Russell and EI)cnezor Twitcholl were chosen to supply 
 the town with proachlng, and voted that the committee 
 })rovide three vomiii: ministers to preach one month each 
 as soon as may be (\')nvenant. Granted £40 lor the pur- 
 j)ose. 
 
 Dec. 3. — Voted to pay Timothy Ililliard his account 
 for preaching" at SluMbnrn. 
 
 July ^.— -Voted to have the Committee lnj:;age 3[r. 
 Brown four Saborths more than they have already. 
 
 August 27.— Voted that tiie town ware determined to 
 <;ome to the choice of a minister before they Iieard any 
 more on probation ; and tiiat the committee Imploy Mr. 
 Broivn till the town come to the choice, and voted £30 
 to pay for preaching. 
 
 Septr. 19.— The town concurred with the Church by 
 choosing Rev. Elijah Brown their Gospell minister by a 
 majority of votes. Granted £160 settlement; £73 Gs. 
 4d. pr. annum salary. Chose; a committee to Joyn with 
 tiie Churches committee to treat with Rev. Elijah Brown. 
 
 Nov. 8. ---Voted that the last Wednesday of this in- 
 stant Novr. be the day for the ordination of Rev. Elijah 
 Brown ; chose Dr. Lcavit to entertain the Counsel. Also 
 voted that the town will not make a publick entertain- 
 ment. 
 
 1771. — Jan. 21. Chose a committee to make appli- 
 cation to the Hon. and Rev. Board of Overseers of Har- 
 vard College for the necessary expence of the Resettle- 
 ment of a minister. 
 
 March 4.— Granted to Sam.ucl Sanger for keeping min- 
 isters horses £2 6s. to Dr. Josiah Lcvet for providing for 
 ordination £10 2s. 8d. 
 
 1772. — March 2. Voted to have the town Treasurer 
 
62 HISTORY OF SIIERDURNE. 
 
 let out tli<3 money granted by the Corporation of Harford 
 CoIIidge and the Province Treasuror to the town, on good 
 security ; being in all £51, 7s. 44. 
 
 1809. — August 22. From this time the " Parish Re- 
 cords" have been kept in a book, separate from the 
 TovVxN Records, from which most of the following ex- 
 tracts are made, 
 
 1814.— August 29. Voted to hire some person to as- 
 sist the Revd. Elijah Brown, in the discharge of his min- 
 isterial duties, during his feeble state of health, and gran- 
 led y^lOO for this purpose. 
 
 1815.— May 23. A vote, of the same tenor with the 
 last was past, and ;^240 granted for hiring Preaching. 
 
 1816. — March 4. A vote similar to the above was 
 past, money granted and a committee chosen to ^hire 
 preaching. 
 
 Septr. Monday the day of A vote was asked 
 
 whether the Parish would concur with the Church of 
 Christ in this place, in giving the Revd. Ephraim Randall 
 an mvitation to settle with them, as their Gospel minister, 
 and it passed in the negative. 
 
 Nov. 4.— Voted and granted ^Ib to defray the expen- 
 ces of the Funeral of the late Revd. Elijah Brown. 
 
 Biographical Sketches. — Daniel Gooldn, the first 
 minister in Sherhurne, was a native of Cambridge, and 
 son of the celebrated Superintendent of the Indians, who 
 Lore the same name, and was the indefatigable friend and 
 companion of the apostolic Eliot, in his missionary labors. 
 He was graduated at Harvard University in 1GG9. I 
 have found no account of the time of his ordination. He 
 is mentioned with respect by our early historians, as one, 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. ^ 63 
 
 who possessed the same zeal for civilizing and cvangeliz- 
 iii'i tiie Indians, which animated Eliot and his venerable 
 father. Eliot thus writes, respecting Rev. Daniel Goo- 
 kin, to the Hon. Robert Boyle, April 22. 1684. 
 
 Major Gookin hath dedicated his eldest son, Daniel 
 Gookin unto the service of Cjjj'ist ; he is a pious and 
 learned young man, about thirty three years old, hath 
 been eight years a fellow of the CoHese ; he hath tau;;iit 
 and trained up two classes of young scholars unto their 
 commencement; l-e is a man whose abilities are al)ove 
 e.\ce])tion, though not above envy. iJis fath.er, with his 
 inclination, advised him to Sherburne, a small villa<;e near 
 Natick, whose meeting house is about three miles, noro 
 or less, from Natick meeting house. He holdeth a Lec- 
 ture in Natick meeting liouse once a month ; which many 
 English, especially of Sherburne, do frequent. He first 
 preacheth in English to the English audience, and then 
 the same matter is delivered to the Indians, by an inter- 
 prefer, whom with much pains, Mr. Gookin hath fore pre- 
 pared. We apprehend this will '(by God's blessing) be a 
 means to enable the Indians to understand religion preach- 
 ed in the English tongue, and will much further Mr. Goo- 
 kin in learning the Indian tongue. 
 
 A humble stone, in tlie central grave yard, marks the 
 spot where his remains repose, and bears the following 
 inscription. 
 
 Here lyes ye Body 
 
 of ye Reverend DANIEL GOOKIN, 
 
 Pastor of ye Church of Christ at Sheruon. 
 
 Deed. Janry ye 8th. 1717-18, 
 
 hi ye 68th. year of his age. 
 
64 HISTORY OF SIIEnBURNE. 
 
 Daniel Baker, the second Riir.ister. wn.s a Batlvo of 
 Dedliam, and graduated at Harvard University in I TOG. 
 He was settled as colleague with Mi'. Gookin ; but tlie 
 precise lime of his ordination is not ascertained. M is com- 
 munication, accej)ting t!ie invitation of iha Church and 
 Town, is dated, Dec. % 1711. He died May 14th 
 1731. His age iy not mentioned on the register of deaths. 
 Allov/ing him to have been 20, when he was graduated, 
 he died at the age of 45. 
 
 A ku'ge stone shib, of the grindstone kind, was placed 
 over liis grave, in the central burying ground, supj)orted 
 by brick work. A slate with a suitable inscription, was 
 let into tlie slab ; but the brick work has crumbled away, 
 the slab has fallen, and the slate is lost, or destroyed. 
 
 By the side of this dilapidated monument, a modest 
 stone stands erect with this inscri])tion. 
 
 Here rests the precious dust of 
 
 Mrs. Mary Baker, 
 
 Consort of ye Reud. Mr. Daniel Baker, 
 
 Pastor of ye Church in Sherbourne and 
 
 Daughter of Coll. Edmimd Quincey, 
 
 late of Brantrey, Esquire. 
 
 D\cd, March mil. 1716, 
 
 in ye 32d year of her age. 
 
 The only publication of Mr. Baker, that I have seen or 
 heard of, is entitled, " Two Sermons, the First preached 
 at Dedliam, October 5th 1726. On a day of Prayer with. 
 Fasting there, to ask the Pourings out of the Spirit of 
 Grace on 77iem, and especially on their Children : — The 
 Other — Early Piety the Duty and Interest of Youth. As 
 it was shown in A Sermon preached at Sherbourn, on May 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 65 
 
 10, 1727. Being a day set apart there, for Prayer with 
 Fasting. To implore tlic Effusion of God's Spirit on the 
 Rising Generation. By Daniel Baker, A. M. Pastor 
 of tlic Church of Christ in Sherbourn. — Boston, Printed 
 for D. Henchman, 1728." 
 
 This is an 1 8mo volume of 1 64 pages. The first six pa- 
 ges are, occupied with an address "To the Reader," 
 signed by five venerable men, who were then ministers of 
 the several towns, annexed to their names — Joseph Bax- 
 ter, Me dfield ; Jon ATH. Town SEND, iVee^/iam; Samuei, 
 DEXTER, Dedham; (Nathan Bucknam, Medway ; Oli- 
 ver Peabody, Natick, 
 
 The next 48 pages contain the sermon preached at 
 Dedham, from Chron. XXVIII, 9. Then follows a ded- 
 ication, " To Those under my Pastoral Care,''"' occupying 
 6 pages,^and signed by Daniel Baker. The remaining 
 64 pages contain the Sermon preached at Sherbourn, from 
 Proverbs III. 1, 2. 
 
 I shall extract a few paragraphs from the Dedication 
 mentioned above, as a specimen of the author's style of 
 writing, and as throwing some light on the situation of 
 the minister and people of this town, at the time it was 
 written. 
 
 " Beloved Friends, — It is now more than Seventeen Years since you 
 first Invited me to Preach to you, and above Fourteen since my In- 
 auguratIon]into the Office of Pastor to you, as an Assistant to my wor- 
 thy Predecessor, the Rev. Mr. Gookin ; whose Company and Help in 
 the great Workl had undertaken, I so much prized, that might I have 
 yet enjoyed it, I have often thought that I could have been contented 
 with the small Salary you first gave me. But a righteous God has 
 ordered it otherwise : However much to My loss, yet undoubtedly to 
 His great Gain and'Advantage. It is now more than Ten Years that 
 I have had the whole Pastoral Care of you. And it has been in 
 9 
 
6g HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 Weakness and in much Fear that I have been with you. Yet I have 
 this to Comfort and Encourage me, that I have reason to hope that 
 my Preaching has not been altogether in vain to you. God has (and 
 to Him be all the Glory) since my coming amongst you, made a very 
 considerable Addition to His Church ; and I am billing to hope of 
 such as shall be Saved. Moreover, it has been no small Encourage- 
 ment to me that my Labours have found so much Acceptance with 
 you. One Instance of which you have now given, in your forward- 
 ness to be at the Charge of Printing those Sermons which were Preach- 
 ed on Days of Fasting and Prayer for You and Others. 
 
 It is well known that it is owing to the Repeated and Undeniable 
 Request of some of you (especially) that these Sermons are thus come 
 to Publick View. Might I have had my own Inclination, and if I 
 had no more regard to publick usefulness than my own private Inter- 
 est, or Applause, and had it not been a pain to me to deny you, they 
 had never seen the Light. * * * * 
 
 I have one Request to you, since I have granted you yours. I must 
 freely confess, I don't remember that ever I asked any thing of you of 
 an external nature, or on a worldly account, but you always granted 
 it. And now my Request is, that you would be earnest in your 
 Prayers to God for me, that I may obtain mercy to be Faithful to 
 God and Souls; that my ministry may yet be more successful among 
 you, and that I may save my own Soul as well as yours. I am FoMr 
 Aflectionate Friend and Servant of your Souls. 
 
 DANIEL BAKER." 
 
 Samuel Porter, the third ininister, was a native of 
 Brookfield, and graduated at Harvard University in 1730. 
 He was ordained on the foimh Wednesday in October, 
 1734. His remains were deposited in the central groinid 
 by the side of his two predecessors, in the pastoral of- 
 fice, Gookin and Baker. The inscription on his grave- 
 stone, which is subjoined, i^ supposed to describe his cliar- 
 acter justly and truly, as well as to inform us respecting 
 the duration of his ministry, his age and the time of his 
 departure.' • i^ 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 67 
 
 Sub hoc Marmoro Rcliquiec sunt deposita3 Reverendi 
 Samuelis Porter, Viri propter agiles mentis facultates 
 insignis ; pro Pietate et Prudentia, pro Benevolentia 
 niorumque comitate conspicui ; Pra^conis Evangelii ar- 
 dentis ; ornamenti Doctrinal effulgentisque Exemplaris 
 Christi VitcB ; Pastoris vigilantissimi et benignissimi Ec- 
 clesioe apud Sherbourn per aunos viginti quatuor. Eru- 
 ditione quoque humana sacraque Theologia versali, soci- 
 isque affectionibus et Virtutibus maxime proediti et or- 
 nati, qui ad Regiones coelestes ab hac Vita transivit, de- 
 cimo sexto Die Septembris, A. D. 1758, iEtat. 49. 
 
 Translation. 
 Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of the 
 Reverend Samuel Porter ; a man distinguished for ac- 
 tive powers of mind ; conspicuous for piety and pru- 
 dence, for benevolence and courtesy of manners ; a zeal- 
 ous preacher of the gospel ; an ornament of the doctrine 
 and a shkiing example of the life of Christ ; a most 
 watchful and affectionate pastor of the church at Sher- 
 bourn, during twenty four years. He was also well 
 versed in human learning and sacred Theology, and dis- 
 tinguishingly endowed and adorned with social affections 
 and virtues. He passed from this life to the heavenly 
 regions, September 16, 1758, in the 49th year of his 
 age. 
 
 Two stones, erected by the side of his, inform us that 
 he had been the husband of two wives, who were buried 
 before him, both of the name of Mary. What were 
 their surnames, previous to marriage, is not known. One 
 died August 10, 1752; the other August 8, 1758. 
 
 Samuel Locke, S. T. D. the fourth minister, was born 
 
68 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 in Lancaster, Mass. Nov. 23, 1732, and graduated at 
 Harvard University A. D. 1755. He was ordained Nov. 
 7, 1759. Being chosen President of Harvard Universi- 
 ty, he was inaugurated, Marcii 21, 1770; resigned that 
 office Dec 1. 1773, and returned to Sherburne, where he 
 died suddenly, January 15th 1777, in the 45th'year of his 
 age. 
 
 Mr. Locke was esteemed, as a worthy and useful min- 
 ter, and was much respected, as president of the college, 
 till the time of his resignation. Not a stone has been 
 erected to tell where he lies ; but the place may be known 
 by that at the grave of his son, Dr. Samuel Locke, who 
 died August 30, 1788. The sexton mentioned ; in the 
 hearing of the writer of this, that in digging the grave for 
 the son, he discovered some of the bones of the father. 
 
 Elijah Brown w^as born at Waltham, Mass. May 31, 
 1744, and graduated at Harvard University 1764. He 
 was ordained, Nov. 28, 1770. On this occasion the Rev. 
 Jacob Gushing of Waltham preached a Sermon from first 
 Corinthians, IV. 2. " It is required of stewards, that a 
 3Ian be found faithful." This was printed. 
 
 Mr. B. was twice married. His first wife was Susan- 
 na Biglow of Waltham, who presented him with two sons, 
 who were graduated at Harvard University, A. D. 1804, 
 and died in early life : namely, Elijah, July 28, 1805, 
 aged 24, and Henry who had commenced the practice of 
 law, and died August 3, 1810, aged 27. Mrs. Brown, 
 died May 1, 1807. His second consort was widow 
 Abigail Flagg, a sister of his first wife, who survives him. 
 He died, Oct. 24, 1816, after several shocks of Palsy, 
 which destroyed his mind, aged 72, in the forty sixth 
 jear of his ministry. He was respectfully interred jou 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. G9 
 
 the 'i8th cUiy of the same month, at the expense of his 
 ])anshioncrs. On this occasion the fnst prayer was of- 
 fered by Rev. Stephen Palmer of East Needham, a Ser- 
 mon was preached by Rev. Dr. Sanders of Medficld, 
 from Heb. VII. 23, 24, and the second prayer was made 
 by Rev. Thomas Noyes of West Needham. 
 
 The Hon. Judge Spragiic, formerly of Lancaster, Ms. 
 was a classmate of Mr. B. in College. He once observ- 
 ed to the writer of this, that, in his opinion, " there were 
 about a dozen real geniuses in the class, and that Brown 
 was one of them." In fact, in his conversation, in his 
 ])ublick, extemporoneous performances and in his writings, 
 he gave many proofs, that he was justly entitled to this 
 appellation, and that he had made respectable literary at- 
 tainments. 
 
 His sermons were generally practical, rather than doc- 
 trinal. That delivered at the ordination of Rev. Zede- 
 kiah Sanger, would now pass pretty well among those 
 styled orthodox. It is conclucd with the following dox- 
 ology. " Now unto God, the Father, to God the Son, 
 and to God the Holy Ghost be ascribed undivided honor 
 and endless glory in the church — Amen." But, as he 
 grew older, and paid more atteniion to his professional 
 studies, he grew more liberal, as it is called, and during 
 the latter part of his life, ranked with those who are now 
 excluded by many from their communion, as unworthy to 
 bear the name of Christians. 
 
 Mr. Brown was averse from controversy. One philoso- 
 pher may believe the sun to be an immtftise globe of fire ; 
 another, that it is an opaque mass, with a luminous sur- 
 face. One may suppose the moon to consist of land and 
 water, like our earth ; another, that it is a solid substance. 
 
70 HISTORY or SHERBURNE. 
 
 indented with deep, dark caverns ; a third, that it has an 
 atmosphere, and a fourth, that it has none. Yet all these 
 men may use the light of these luminaries equally to 
 their own advantage, and for the purposes, for which they 
 were designed by the Creator of the universe. So Mr. 
 B. conceived that Christians may differ widely in specu- 
 lative opinions, and yet rejoice in the light of the gospel 
 with equal sincerity, and walk by this light with equal 
 uprightness and safety. 
 
 He considered those points, respecting whichjthe bit- 
 terest contentions arise among theologians, as having but 
 little reference to the love of God, or man ; and he was 
 thoroughly convinced, that controversy, as it is generally 
 managed, is in a high degree unfavorable to both. He 
 was of the opinion that, if Christians would bestow half 
 the pains to find out how far they agree in sentiment, 
 that they do to discover wherein they differ, and walk 
 by the same rule, so far as they are agreed, it would 
 have a strong tendency to increase their happiness, both 
 temporal and eternal. 
 
 To the sick and the sorrowful his parochial visits were 
 acceptable and consoling. His feelings were quick and 
 tender, which led him to weep with those who wept, as 
 well as to rejoice with those who rejoiced. This same 
 sensibility, it was thought, rendered him too hasty in re- 
 senting a real, or supposed injury ; but it always caused 
 him to be easily reconciled to the object of his resentment. 
 He possessed a natural vein of wit and humour, which 
 requires much judgment to manage without giving of- 
 fence ; and in whicli he occasionally indulged, to a great- 
 er extent, than was consistent with the dignity of his pro- 
 fession. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 71 
 
 With these exceptions, he exhibited a good example to 
 his flock, and met with fewer difjiculties, either in his 
 church, or congregation, than are generally encountered 
 by those, who have a whole town for a parish ; and it is 
 believed by many that there was as much genuine virtue 
 and piety in the town, during his long and faithful minis- 
 try, as there has been at any time since his departure. 
 
 Mr. Brown, his first wife and their two sons lie buried 
 near the gate of the Plain burying ground. The follow- 
 ing is the inscription on his gravestone. 
 
 " Sacred 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 Rev. ELIJAH BROWN, 
 
 who was born at Wallham, 
 
 May 31, 1744; Gradua^d at 
 
 Harvard Universitv, 1 to4; 
 
 Orduned. Nov. 28, 1770; 
 
 Obit, Oct. 24, 1816: 
 
 Mt. 72. 
 
 He was possessed of strong mental powers, improved 
 by science ; and an exquisite sensibility which peculiarly 
 qualified him for sympathizing with the afflicted. As a 
 friend, he was social and obliging ; as a husband, tender 
 and affectionate ; as a parent, kind and indulgent ; and 
 for many years, an able and attentive minister." 
 
 The publications of Mr. B. are — A Sermon preached 
 at tlie ordination of the Rev. Zedekiah Sanger to the 
 pastoral care of the church in Duxbury, July S, 177G. 
 Printed by T. k J. Fleet, 177(1. The texc irom Malachi 
 il. 7. For the priests lips should keep kiwuuAhe, and 
 they should seek the law at his mouth ; for he is the mes- 
 seno-tr of the Lord of Hosts. And " the right hand of 
 fellowship gi"ven to the Rev. Benjamin Green, at his or- 
 dination to the pastoral care of the first church of Christ 
 inMedway, in conjunction with Rev. Mr. Nathan Buck- 
 
72 ' HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 nam, June 28, 1788." Printed by T. & J. Fleet, with the 
 other performances. 
 
 No descendants of any of the deceased ministers are 
 known to be living. Mr. Savage observes in a note to 
 his edition of Winthrop's Journal, " that the family name 
 of Capt. Daniel Gookin is still perpetuated in New Hamp- 
 shire." — Vol. 2. p. 165. —But those, who bear this name, 
 are believed to be descended from a brother of the minis- 
 ter of Sherburne. 
 
 1816. — Nov. 25. Shearjashuh Bourne Townsend, a 
 native of Barrington, R. 1. and graduate of Brown Uni- 
 versity, 1814, was chosen by a vote of the church to be 
 their pastor. 
 
 Dec. 16. — The oarish voted to concur with the church 
 in calling Mr. S. d. Townsend to settle with them, as 
 their gospel minister. Three hundred Dollars were 
 granted to be paid him within one year from the time of 
 his settlement ; the further sum of ^300 in two years 
 from that time ; and ^600 annually. 
 
 1817. — June 9. The parish voted to concur with the 
 church in appointing the second day of July next for the 
 ordination of Mr. Townsend. 
 
 July 2d. — An Ecclesiastical Council convened at Sher- 
 burne, when the following pastors, with one or two dele- 
 gates from their respective Churches, were present. — 
 
 Revds. George Morey, JValpole ; Stephen Palmer, 
 Needham; Daniel C. Sanders, D. D. Medjield ; Thomas 
 Noyes, Needham ; John White, Dedham ; Ralph Sanger, 
 Dover ; Luther Bailey, Medway ; Martin Moore, Natick ; 
 William Cogswell, Dedham; Zedekiah Sanger, D. D. 
 Bridgeivater , David Kellog, D. D. Framingham ; Luther 
 V^ngXw, Barrington, R. L; Henry Edes, D. D. Provi- 
 iknce, R. I. ; Josephus Wheaton, HoUiston. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNU. 73 
 
 The public performances on this occasion were the 
 following, interspersed with appropriate music. 
 
 1. Introductory Prayer by Rev. Dr. Sanders. 2. Ser- 
 mon, Rev. Dr. Edes. 3. Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Dr. 
 Kellogg. 4. Charge, Rev. Mr. Morey. 5. Right Hand 
 of Fellowship, Rev. Mr. Moore. 6. Concluding Prayer, 
 Rev. Mr. Noyes. 
 
 1 828.— August 25. Voted that the Parish Committee, 
 in concurrence with Rev. Mr. Townsend be directed to 
 hire a minister, to supply the pulpit, during Mr. Town- 
 send's inability to discharge Ins mlnletRnal duties ; and 
 that they draw on the Treasurer for money to defray the 
 expense to an amount, not exceeding ^100. 
 
 1829. — July. 1. " Gentlemen, Selectmen of the Town 
 of Sherburne — 
 
 Having, after serious consideration, come to the, con* 
 elusion to resign my Salary at the close of this year of 
 my Ministry, I take this method of signifying my deter- 
 mination to you, and through you to the People, at a con- 
 venient opportunity. The occasion would prompt me to 
 say much ; but my strength admonishes me to leave my 
 motives to be chiefly interpreted by my past conduct and 
 my known sentiments. The People will not be insensible, 
 that I voluntarily remit what, if I live, I might long and 
 legally retain. I see no reasonable prospect t\a( I shall 
 within several years, if ever, be able to perfrtni the reg- 
 ular and necessary duties of the stated iiinistry, even 
 on the supposition that I should live anc^niy health be 
 much improved. 
 
 I deem it my duty to say that I hope it-vill be considered 
 one of my principal reasons for adopting the present meas 
 urcs, that the Church and People m-y liave an early op- 
 10 
 
74 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 portunity of concurring in the choice of a Christian Pastor 
 and Teacher, before discord shall invade and divide a 
 People hitherto noted for Peace. 
 
 If I make any sacrifice by this relinquishment, all I wish 
 for myself in return is the affectionate remembrance of 
 this People, and the permanent effect of my labors among 
 them. I am sensible of many errors and deficiencies; 
 I ask their forgiveness. And I shall cherish as long as 
 life a deep sense of their past generosity and friendship. 
 
 I am yours. Gentlemen, with respect and affection. 
 SHFRJASHUB B. TOWNSEND." 
 
 " P. S. As I h^ve delayed till this time to make this 
 communication, I have engaged Fiev. Mr. Clarke to 
 preach for three succeeding Sabbaths. 
 
 If any explanation of the above is required, it will be 
 understood, that I desire to retain a nominal relation to 
 this Society as Minister ; and a Person settled would 
 therefore be settled as colleague. But he would have all 
 the compensation to receive, and, except what might be 
 voluntary on my part, he would have all the ministertal 
 duties to perform." 
 
 JUy 20th. — Voted partially to discharge Rev. Mr, 
 Townsend from his official duties— upon the conditions 
 exprcssei! in the above communication. 
 
 In the jutumn of this year, Mr. Townsend and his wife 
 went on a '^^ourney for the benefit of his health ; first to 
 Charleston, H. C. and thence to St. Augustine, in Flori- 
 da, where the; still reside. 
 
 1*830.— Mardi 22. Amos Clarke, a native of Sher- 
 burne and a gra^iatc of H. U. 1804, was invited by a 
 vote of the churcV and congregation united, to become 
 the Associate Pasto^ with the Rev. Mr. Townsend, over 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 76 
 
 ihis Society, on the following conditions, to wit — 1st. 
 Tlie Society will give the Rev. Mr. Clarke ^$400 annually, 
 to be paid to him, so long as he shall officiate, as Pastor 
 of said Society. — The Society agree that the contract 
 shall be dissolved and determined, at the pleasure of eith- 
 er of the contracting parties giving six months notice to 
 the other party of their desire of having said contract dis- 
 solved. 
 
 IMarch 27. — Mr. Clarke, by a written communication, 
 " To the Inhabitants of the first Parish in Sherburne," sig- 
 nified his acceptance of their invitation. 
 
 May 20th. — An ecclesiastical council convened- at 
 Sherburne for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Clarke. This 
 council was composed of the following pastors of churches 
 with their delegates. 
 
 Revds. J. P. B. Storer, Walpole; John White, Ded- 
 ham ; Alvan Lamson, Dedham ; Ralph Sanger, Dover ; 
 William Ritchie, Needham ; J. W. Thompson, Nattck ; 
 J. Pierce, D. D. Brookline ; C. Lowell, D. D. Boston ; 
 J. Kendall, D. D. Plymouth ; J. Brazer, Salem ; J. Bart- 
 lett, Mqrblghead ; Samuel Ripley, Waltham ; J. Parker, 
 Soiithhorough ; Rufus Hulbert, Sudbury ; H. Ware, D. 
 D. Cambridge ; D. C. Saunders, D. D. Medjield. 
 
 Printed papers were distributed in the meetinghouse, 
 on this occasion, headed as follows—" Order of Exercises 
 at the Ordination of Mr. Amos Clarke, as Associate Pas- 
 tor with the Rev. S. B. Townsend, of the First Con- 
 gregational Church and Society in Sherburne." 
 
 The following exercises were performed, with appro- 
 priate music at intervals. 
 
 Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Ripley of Waltham ; 
 Heading of the Scriptures, Thompson, Natick ; Sermoii, 
 
76 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 Kendall, Plymoiith ; Ordaining Prayer, Ritchie, Need- 
 ham ; Charge, Pierce, BrooMine ; Riglit Hand of Fel- 
 lowship, Sanger, Dover ; Concluding Prayer, White, 
 Dedham. 
 
 June 7th. — Voted that the Parish Committee be re- 
 quested to write to the Rev. Mr. Townsend, our senior 
 Pastor, and express to him our sympathy and sorrow for 
 the continuance of his indisposition ; our gratitude for the 
 magnanimous sacrifice, he has made by relinquishing his 
 salary, to promote our union and harmony ; and our anx- 
 ious desire for his restoration to health and his early re- 
 turn to his People : — and also to make him particularly ac- 
 quainted with all the important circumstances, that have 
 taken place in the Parish during his absence. 
 
 August 18 and 19. — This Society raised a meeting- 
 ho-ase which was finished in December following. It is 
 83 by 48 feet, containing"j78 pews on the ground floor and 
 6 in the gallery, besides seats for musicians. The ar- 
 chitecture of this house exhibits a happy union of simplici- 
 ty and elegance. On Lord's day, Dec. 26, of the same 
 year, public worship was attended, for the last time, and 
 an interesting and instructive sermon preached by Rev. 
 Mr. Clarke, in the old meeting house, which had been 
 devoted to that purpose, for more than a century. On 
 Wednesday, the 29th of the same month and year, the 
 new house, erected within a few feet of the old one, was 
 solemnly dedicated to the worship of God. On this oc- 
 casion the following exercises were performed, with ap- 
 propriate music at intervals. Introductory Prayer, Rev. 
 Mr. Muzzy of Framingham ; Reading Portions of Scrip- 
 ture, Kendall, Medjield; Dedicatory Prayer, Ritchie, 
 Needham ; Sermon, Clarke, Sherburne ; Concluding 
 Prayer, Thompson, Natick. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 77 
 
 On the 10th of February, 1830, a petition to William 
 Farriss, Esq. or either of the Justices of the Peace, in the 
 town ofNatick, was signed by twelve of the male inhab- 
 itants of the town of Sherburne, in behalf of a majority of 
 the church, and a minority of the congregation, request- 
 ing that " a warrant may be issued, in due form of law, 
 for the purpose of forming a Second religious Congrega- 
 tional Society, in said town." A warrant was accord- 
 ingly issued, on the next day, by Samuel Fisk, Esq. of 
 Natick ; and, on the 22d of the same month and year, the 
 society was duly organized. 
 
 On the 8th of July following, this society raised the 
 frame of a meeting house, on a rising piece of ground, 
 about 40 rods, S. E. of Meetinghouse hill. This house 
 is 60 by 46 feet, contains 64 pews on the floor, and a 
 gallery for musicians. It is a pleasing specimen of plain 
 and neat architecture. 
 
 On the 30th of September 1830, the following votes 
 were passed by this society. 
 
 " At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Sherburne, 
 held at the house of Mr. Henry Pratt, in said Sherburne, 
 for the purpose of giving Mr. Samuel Lee an invitation to 
 settle with them, as colleague pastor with the Rev. S. B. 
 Townsend over said church : — Voted in the affirmative 
 unanimously. 
 
 AARON LELAND, Modr. 
 
 A true copy, attest, Daniel Lcland, Scribe.'''' 
 
 " The Evangelical Society voted, on the same day, 
 that they do concur with the church, in giving the 
 Rev. Samuel Lee an invitation to settle as above stated. 
 BENJAMIN DOWSE, Moderator," 
 
 October 16. — Mr. Lee accepted the above invitation. 
 
78 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 Nov. 4th. — An Ecclesiastical Council convened for the 
 purpose of ordaining the pastor elect, and dedicating the 
 meeting house, composed of the following pastors with 
 their delegates. Revds. Mr. Fitch, HoUiston ; Howe and 
 Phelps, Hopkinton ; Kellogg and Trask, Framingham ; 
 MooYc^ Natick : 'Noyes, Needham ; Greenough and Gil- 
 bert, Neioton; Bigelow, rValpole ; Wood, Upton; Bald- 
 win, Berlin; Smith, E. Sudbury ; Ide, Medway ; Hard- 
 ing, JVaWiam ; Southmayd, Concord, Ms.,; Emmons and 
 Smalley, Franklin ; Beecher, D. D. Boston ; Fay, 
 Charlestoivn ; Pond, Boston ; Taylor, D. D. professor of 
 Theology, Yale College, Neiv Haven. 
 
 On this occasion, hand bills v/ere distributed in the 
 meetinghouse, bearing the following superscription. — 
 " Order of Exercises, at the Dedication of the Meeting 
 House of the Trinitarian Church and Society, in Sher- 
 burne ; and Ordination of Mr. Samuel Lee, as their Pas- 
 tor. The exercises were — Dedicatory Prayer, by Rev. 
 Mr. Fitch of HoUiston — Introductory Prayer, for Ordina- 
 tion, Smith, E. Sudbury — Sermon, Taylor, New-Haven, 
 Con. — Ordaining Prayer, Wood, Upton — Charge, Beech- 
 er, Boston — Right Hand of Fellowship, Phelps, Hopkin- 
 ton — Address to the Church and Society, Pond, Boston ; 
 Concluding Prayer, Baldwin, Berlin. At intervals, dur- 
 ing the service, a number of appropriate Anthems, and 
 Hymns were sung. 
 
 Samuel ]jEe, pastor of the second Religious Congre- 
 gational Society, is a native of Middletown, Conn. He 
 was graduated at Yale College in 1B27, and pursued his 
 professional studies, in the Theological Institution, at- 
 tached to that semin-jry. He is to receive a salary of 
 ;^500 a year, and to be dismissed from his pastoral rela- 
 tion, on cither party giving six months previous notice. 
 
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 7? 
 
 Marriages, Births, Deaths.— It appeal's tliat the 
 inhabitants of Sherburne were more particular in record- 
 ing these, in former days, than they have been in later 
 times. From the records, which 1 have been permitted, 
 to examine, the following is the result — Marriages to the 
 end of the year 1827—693. Births 2774. Deaths 758. 
 
 Admissions to full Communion. — By Mr» Porter 158. 
 Locke 52. Brown 171. Townsend 90. 
 
 Baptisms.— By Mr. Porter 442. Locke 245. Browre 
 914. Townsend 132. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Townsend has written several letters to the 
 people of his former charge, of both societies, in which 
 he expresses the highelt solicitude for their temporal and 
 eternal welfjire. He earnestly exhorts them to avoid the 
 mistaking of sectarian bigotry and zeal, for a sincere de- 
 sire to promote the cause of truth, virtue, piety and holi- 
 ness. He urges them to let there be no strife amon^ 
 them, but an earnest endeavor to excel fn dealing justly, 
 loving mercy and walking humbly with G.od. 
 
 Ptespecting his ov/n relation to the two .societies, these 
 are his words. 
 
 " I was, it is well understood already by both ppaties, favorable to 
 the settlement of Mr. Clarke over both the church a od society, on the 
 supposition that both concurred. Whether I was iT-i.sta,ken, or not, 
 will be decided, in my mind, very much by the course, which both 
 my reverend brother and my beloved church shall be four.'d to take. 
 If they both strive to keep far away the demon of parly spi.-it, and by 
 zealous means to promote the salvation of souls, my heart shall re- 
 joice. But if the one becomes remiss and the other bigi :)tted, my 
 soul shall weep in secret places. 
 
 I have thought it important, that there should be no niista ke, as to 
 the relation, which I conceive myself to sustain, on the one pa rt to the 
 church, and on the other to the society. I confess, I hardl v know 
 Avhat language to use, in distinguishing between the bi'ethre n, who 
 are connected with the first parish and those connected > yith -the sec- 
 
80 HISTORY OF SHERBURNE. 
 
 ond; for I know not what either or both of you have done, in the way 
 of separation from each other, as forming a distinct church. If noth- 
 ing has been done on either side, then I am pastor of the same church 
 I always was ; for there has been no separation. But if there has 
 been a regular separation, then I consider myself pastor of that church 
 and minister of that society, wbich was a majority of the former so- 
 ciety ; not because I am especially fond of being with a majority, but 
 because such are my views of the nature of churches and societies." 
 
 Conclusion. — IMr. Townsend's relation to this people is uncom- 
 mon, if not unprecedented. He is claimed as senior pastor of two 
 churches, the one liberal, the other orthodox, in the phrase of the day ; 
 one styling themselves " the first church," the other " the church of 
 Christ" in Sherburne. He is also claimed, as senior minister of two 
 congregations of similar sentiments to those of the respective church- 
 es, with which they unite in public worship. He has a colleague, o"^ 
 associate pastor and teacher ordained over each society; and if the 
 wishes and prayers of both shall be answered, he will be speedily re- 
 stored to health, return to the scene of Ms former labors and be receiv- 
 ed by both, in the open arms of respectful and grateful affection. 
 
 May Divine Providence so overrule all their proceedings, that peace 
 and harmony may prevail, as heretofore for more than a century and a 
 half, under a succession of able and faithful ministers. May each so- 
 ciety allow the other, without molestation or censure, to enjoy the 
 liberty, wherewith Christ and the form of government, under which 
 we live, have made them free. And long after the agents in the trans- 
 actions, which are now taking place, shall have gone to render an ac- 
 count of the deeds done in the body, and the hand, that is now writ- 
 ing, shall have mouldered into dust; may the future historian, in ex- 
 amining the records of the present and coming generations, meet with 
 as little to excite a painful emotion, as has been found, in the archives 
 of this ancient and respectable town, by the compiler of this humble 
 production. 
 
 Errata. — In' revising these sheets, a few typographical errors 
 have been found and one or two instances of false grammar, in 
 the passages written by the Compiler, which he leaves to the reader 
 to discover aijid correct. 
 
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