,i%\"M: r,'-- ', ■:■;■..•■ ;^i:-.*:r:.^';r':f^::' „ f ! . ^ . ■,-t'-.t!.ir. ,■/■ : ;r ; .:,,ft';w','r/::;i'.0'-..'l »'■ ■ -f: I. •: •^ , '!',.■.'» .-.. 1' ..J. , Qass r 6 ^ A" I i HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, BEING A GENERAL COLLECTION OF INTERESTING FACTS, TRADITIONS, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ANECDOTES, &c., RELATING TO THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES EVERY TOWN IN MASSACHUSETTS, WITH GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS. ILLUSTRATED BY 200 ENGRAVINGS. BY JOHN WARNER BARBER, AUTHOR OF CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, ELEMENTS OF GENERAL HIS- TORY, ETC. [The Seal of the State of Massachusetts.] [By the sword he seeks peace under Liberty.] 4 WORCESTER: PUBLISHED BY WARREN LAZELL. 1844. iv PREFACE. To the various gentlemen, throughout the commonwealth, who have furnished Inibr- mation for the work, the author would here return his grateful acknowledgments, particularly to the venerable T. M. Harris, D. D., librarian of the Historical Society, and to Maturin L. Fisher, Esq., formerly librarian, and also to Samuel F. Haven, Esq., the present librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, for their readiness to afford every facility in their power in accomplishing the object of the work. The statements respecting the business done in each town were copied from the " Statistical Tables," published by the state in 1837. With regard to the title, it being somewhat similar to that of the volumes published by the Historical Society, it was, at first, not thought advisable to adopt the one now selected ; upon further reflection, however, as the work could not, with propriety, be called a History of Massachusetts, but is properly a col- lection of materials ; and as the title is in fact different from the volumes above men. uoned, it is believed that no just grounds of complaint are given by adopting the present title of the book. In giving the ecclesiastical history of the several towns, it may perhaps be thought, by some, that an undue prominence is given to the Congregational denomination. In reference to this, it is to be remembered they are the most ancient, as well as most numerous, denomination in the commonwealth ; that almost all the town histories •which have appeared have been written by clergymen of that order ; and of course it is to be expected that the religious history of their owti denomination would receive their first attention. In this publication, impartiality has been attempted ; and whenever authentic accounts of other denominations have been obtained they have been inserted. Owing to prescribed limits, there has been an absolute necessity of being brief on many subjects of importance : many things have been omitted which it was desirable to have inserted. There are materials enough to have extended this publi- cation far beyond its present limits ; but to have extended it to more than one volume •would have rendered it too expensive for general circulation. The drawings for the numerous engravings interspersed throughout the book were, with few exceptions, taken on the spot by the author of this work. Before deciding upon the correctness of these representations, he wishes his readers to remember that the appearance of any place will vary considerably as it is viewed from diflerent points : thus a north view will appear quite different from one taken at the south. A person not being used to see a place from the point from which the drawing is made, it may not at the first sight be readily recognised. Before any view is condemned as being incorrect, it will be necessary, in order to form a correct judgment, to stand on the place from whence the drawing was made. In giving notices of distinguished individuals, a limited number only could be inserted. In some instances the information respecting some to-wns may have been defective. The history of some important towns may apparently not have received that attention to which they are entitled. This is owing to two principal reasons: one is the failure to obtain the desired information after the attempt was made ; the other is the fact, that of some important places but little can be said which would be of general interest. Amid such a number of names, dates, Arc, it is probable some mistakes may have occurred. A certain writer defines all history to be merely "an approxima- tion towards truth." Though this humiliating statement cannot be fully allowed, yet, when the imperfection of every thing human is considered, it cannot be denied but that it may have some foundation in truth. APEit, 1839. ^- ^' "• CONTENTS, Page. Page. Paga. Abington, . 494 Dalton, . . 68 Hawley, 259 Acton, . . 346 Dana, 562 Heath, . . 260 Adams, 61 Danvers, . 171 Hingham, . 503 Alford, . . 65 Dartmouth, 116 Hinsdale, . 75 Amesbury, . 157 Dedham, . 455 Holden, 572 Amherst, , 310 Deerfield, . 245 Holland, . 281 Andover, . 159 Dennis, . . 40 Hollistoa, . 392 Ashby, . . 347 Dighton, . 117 Hopkinton, . . 393 Ashburnham, 551 Dorchester, . . 463 Hubbardston, 573 Ashfield, . 233 Douglass, . 562 Hull, . . 509 Athol, 551 Dover, . . 467 Attleborough, . 110 Dracut, 386 Ipswich, 191 Auburn, 553 Dudley, . 563 Kingston, . 509 Dukes County, . 146 Barnstable County, . 32 Dunstable, , 387 Lancaster, . 574 Barnstable, . 33 Duxbury, . 498 Lanesborough, . 76 Barre, . . . ■ . 553 Lee, . 77 Becket, 66 East Bridgewater, . . 500 Leicester, . 578 Bedford, . 34S Eastham, . 42 Leominster, 581 Belcherlown, 313 Easthamptou, . 318 Lenox, . . 79 Bellinsham, . . 450 Easton, 119 Leverett, 260 BerkleV, . 115 Edgartown, . . 151 Lexington, . . 397 Berlin, . . 555 Egremont, . 69 Leyden, Lincoln, 261 Bernardston, 234 Enfield, . 320 . 401 Berkshire County, 60 Erving, 253 Littleton, . 402 Beverly, 165 Essex, . . 175 Longmeadow, . 281 Billerica, . : . 349 Essex County, . 156 Lowell, 404 Blandford, . 276 Ludlow, 283 Bolton, . Boston, . 555 532 Fairhaven, Fall River, . 120 121 Lunenburg, Lynn, . Lynnfield, . 581 . 193 Boxborough, . . 352 Falmouth, . 44 199 Boxford, 168 Fitchburg, . 565 Boylston, . 556 Foxborough, . . 468 Maiden, . 409 Bradford, . 169 Framingham, 387 Manchester, 200 Braintree, . 451 Franklin, . 469 Mansfield, . • 125 Brewster, . 37 Franklin County, 233 Marblehead, 201 Bridpwater, . Brighton, . . 495 Freetown, . 125 Marlborough, . 411 352 Florida, 70 Marshfield, 511 Brimfield, . 276 Marshpee, Medfield, . . 46 Bristol County, . 110 Gardner, . 568 471 Brookfield, . . 557 Georgetown, 176 Medford, . 413 Brookline, . 451 Gill, . . 253 Medway, . Mendon, 474 Buckland, . 240 Gloucester, 176 . 582 Burlington, 354 Goshen, . 321 Methnen, . 206 Grafton, . 568 Middleborough, . 512 Cambridge, . . 354 Granby, . 320 Middlefield, 328 Canton, 453 Granville, . 280 Middleton, . . 207 Carlisle, . 363 Great Barrington, . 70 Middlesex County, 346 Carver, 497 Greenfield, 256 Milford, . 587 Charlestown, . 364 Greenwich, . . 321 Millbury, . 586 Charlemont, 240 Groton, 389 Milton, . . 475 Charlton, . 561 Monroe, 261 Chatham, . 38 Hadley, ... . 322 Monson, . 284 Chelmsford, . . 374 Halifax, . 501 Montague, . 262 Chelsea, . 549 Hamilton, . 181 Montgomery, . 286 Cheshire, . 67 Hampden County, 275 Mount Washington, 82 Chester, . 279 Hampshire Couniy, . 310 Chesterfield, . 316 Hancock, . 73 Nantucket County, . 445 Chilmark, . 143 Hanover, . 502 Natick, 415 Clarksburg, . . 67 Hanson, 503 Needham, . 477 Cohasset , . 454 Hardwick, . 571 New Ashford, . 83 Coleraine, . 242 Harwich, . 45 New Bedford, . 126 Concord, . 377 Harvard, . 571 New Braintree, . 588 Conway, . 244 Hatfield, . 326 Newbury, . . . 208 Cuirumngton, 317 Haverhill, . 1821 Newburyport, . 210 vitl INDEX. Mallefuild, J., epitaph, . Mann, Bazaleel, ana Dr., epitaph, Marine Hospital, Chelsea, . Marblehead, description of, 1720, Marriage, first, notice of, Massnsoit, sickness of, . Massachusetts, Fort, Massachusetts patent, . Mather, Cotton, notice of, Mattapoisett village, Mayhew, Gov., McLean Asylum, Monument mountain. Monument at Concord, . Monument at Bloody Brook, . Monument at Bunker Hill, . Monument at Danvers, . Monis, Ratibi Judah, . Mountain Miller, account of, . Mt. Holyoke Fenuile Seminary, Mugford, Cajit. James, . Murder of Miss McKinstry, . Nahant, account of, Nashoba, Indian town, . Navy yard, Charlestown, Newman, Rev. Mr., remarkable death. Newspaper, first in America, Nonantum, Indian settlement, Old colony seal, Oldtown £arbor, . Ordination at Woburn, . Ordination, at Salem, Ossian, quotation from, . Otis, James, notice of, . Page, " Old Governor," . Paine, Robert Treat, notice of, Paper-mill, first in N. E., Parsons, Theophilus, notice of, Paskhomuch, Indian attack on. Pear tree, ancient, Eastham, Perkins, Jacob, notice of, Philip's war, Philip, King, draught by, Pickering, Timothy, epitaph, Pilgrim Society, . Pilgrim Hall, ' . Pilgrim Fathers, landing of, Pirates at Saugus, Plymouth settlers, names of, Pool, Miss, monimient of, Powder mill explosion at Lee Pratt, Mr., great age of, Prentice, Capt. T., epitaph, Punkapoag, Indian town, Puritans, account of, Pynchon house, Springfield, Quakers, laws against, Quincy Market, Boston, Quiucy, Josiah, epitaph, Quinsigamond lake, Regicides. Goffe and Whalley; Robbins. Dr., library, . Rock, fractured, Sunderland, Rocks, sacrifice, Plymouth, Rock, writing, at Dighton, Roijers, Rev. E., epitaph, Rolfc, Rev. Mr., killed hy Indians, Russell, Rev. J. and Mrs., epitaph, Rutland, incursion of Indians, Pa?e. 298 . 115 549 , 203 15 16 64 15 548 524 , 154 366 72 335 247 373 174 590 336 339 210 , 144 , 197 , 402 ; 365 , 133 . 544 , 419 , 522 . 152 . 443 . 220 . 259 35 . 565 , 145 . 477 . 215 , 318 . 42 , 216 , 24 , 526 , 227 . 521 . 519 . 13 . 230 . 12 . 143 . 78 . 272 . 421 292 23 543 481 603 323 525 273 522 117 218 187 326 601 Saddle Mountain, view of, . Salt, manner of making, Samoset, account of, Scammel, Gen. Alexander, . Sea serpent, account of, . Seal of Massachusetts, &c., . Sergeant, Rev. John, Shaker village in Hancock, . Shays' defeat at Springfield, . Sheffield, remarkable occurrences in, Sherman, Rev. J., epitaph, . Shipwreck of the pirate Bellamy, Skeleton, &c., fouml at Fall River, Snake attack on Nauhaught, South Boston, view of, . Spurzheim, monument of. Stamp Act, .... Standish, Capt., notice of, State prison, Charlestown, . Slale-nouse, Boston, Stockbridge Indians, account of, Stoddard, Kev. Mr., preservation of, Stone, Capt. J., epitaph, " Striped Pig," &c. Superstition of an Irishman, . Swamp fight, Xarragansetts, Swift, Rev. J., epitaph, . Tappan, Benj., epitaph, Tea, destruction of, Thatcher, Col. J., notice of, . Thompson, E., epitaph, Thomas, Isaiah, notice of, Tornado at Salisbury, . Townsend, Daniel, epitaph, . Treat, Rev. Mr., burial of, . Turner's falls. Turner, Capt., killed, . Tuttle, Mr., killed by mistake, Ursuline convent. Van Rensselaer, Mr. remarkable preservation of, . Vale of West Boylston, Walker, J., epitaph, Ward, Judge, intrepidity of, . Ward, Artemas, Hon., epitaph, Wachusett, Mt., view of, Wadsworth, Capt., killed, . Wamesit, an Indian town, Warren, Gen., notice of, Washington elm, . Webster, John, epitaph, Webster, Hon. Daniel, residence, Wesleyan academy at Wilbraham, Weld, Rev. Mr., notice of, . Wells, J., escape from the Indians, Whale fishery, Whaling song, by Dr. Osborn, Whitman, Eliza, notice of, . Whiteficld, notice of, monument, &c., Willet, Capt. Thomas, notice of, Williams. Hon. I., epitaph, . Williams, Mrs., killed hy Indians, Williams, Rev. S., epitaph, . Witchcraft at Andover, Witchcraft at Danvers, . Witchcraft, notice of. Witchcraft, Cotton Mather's account. Wood's hole, Falmouth, Wood, Capt. David, epitaph. Woodcock, John, notice of, . MASSACHUSETTS. OUTLINE HISTORY. Massachusetts, =^ the oldest of the New England states, and the first in population and resources, was first permanently settled by Europeans at Plymouth, on the 22d of December, 1620. There is good reason to believe that the first civilized people who visited the territory now comprised within the limits of the state, were the Norwegians, who emigrated from Iceland, and formed a settlement on the coast of Greenland in A. D. 986. From this place, in A. D. 1000, a ship, with a crew of thirty-five men, proceeded southward on a voyage of discovery. From the account of their voyage, which is still preserved, it appears highly probable that they sailed as far south as Narragansett bay, near the head of Avhich it is supposed they passed the winter. It also appears that after this period they made other voyages along the coast, and even attempted settlements, of the fate of which we have no information. About the period of the commencement of the seventeenth century, the English sovereigns maintained a despotic power over the con- sciences of their subjects. All who dissented from the national creed established by law were persecuted with great rigor. The avowed maxim in that age, adopted by religious as well as political rulers, was, that uniformity in religion was essential to the peace of society ; and that it was therefore the right and duty of every sovereign to maintain it in his dominions, by the force of law and punishment. In 1602, a number of religious people in the north of England, called Puritans, (so called from their efforts to preserve purity in divine worship,) were so persecuted on account of their religious sentiments, that they were compelled to take measures to find refuge in a foreign land. A little band of these brethren entered into a solemn covenant with each other "to walk with God and one another, in the enjoyment of the ordinances of God, according to the primitive pattern," whatever it might cost them. A number of ministers entered into this association, among whom was Mr. Robinson, a man of eminent piety and learning. Mr. Robinson, and as many of his congregation as found it in * This word was the name for an Indian tribe Avho lived around the vicinity of Massachusetts Bay. The word Massachusetts, according to Roger Williams, signifies, in the Indian language, Blm-Hilh. 2 10 OUTLINEHISTORY. their power, left England in the years 1607 and 1608, settled in Amsterdam, in Holland, from whence, in 1609, they removed to Leyden. Here they lived in great friendship among themselves and their neighbors, until they removed to New England. As early as 1617, Mr. Robinson's people meditated a removal to America. The reasons of their removal were, to preserve the morals of their youth, which were in danger of being corrupted by the dissolute manners of their neighbors, the Dutch ; the desire of perpetuating a church which they believed to be constituted after the simple and pure model of the primitive church of Christ ; and a zeal to propagate the Gospel in the regions of the new world. These reasons having been duly considered by the church, after seeking divine direction by humiliation and prayer, they agreed to come over to America, and settle in a distinct body, under the general government of Virginia. They also agreed that their pastor, Mr. Robinson, should remain with the greater part of the church, whether they chose to remain at Leyden, or to come over to America. In 1617 tiiey sent Mr. Robert Cushman and Mr. John Carver to England, to treat with the Virginia Company, and ascertain whether the king would grant them liberty of conscience, if they removed to their territory. The Virginia Company were very desirous to have them settle within the limits of their patent; the king, however, woidd grant no public recognition of religious liberty, but promised that if they behaved peaceably he Avould not molest them on account of their religious sentiments. In February, 1619, Mr. Cushman and Mr. Bradford were sent to England, Avhere, after a long attendance, they obtained of the Virginia Company a patent of the northern parts of Virginia. This patent was taken out in the name of John Wincob, a religious gentleman in the family of the Countess of Lincoln, who intended to accompany them, but was providentially detained. This patent therefore was never used, but carried, however, to I^eyden, with proposals from Mr. Weston, and several other respectable mer- chants and friends, for their consideration, with a request that immediate preparations should be made for their voyage. After a day of solemn prayer, in accordance with their custom previous to their engaging in important concerns, the congregation of Mr. Robinson concluded to remove to America. As it was not convenient for all of them to go at once, it was agreed that part of their number should go, and make preparation for the rest. After due consultation, it was determined that Mr. Robinson and the greater part of the congregation should remain at Leyden. The other part, with Mr. Brewster for their elder and teacher, agreed to be the first adventurers. A small ship, of about sixty tons, called the Speedwell, was now purchased and fitted out in Holland ; another of about one himdred and eighty tons, called the May- fiowe)\ was hired at London. " All other matters being prepared, a large concourse of friends from Amsterdam and Leyden accom- panied the adventurers to the ship, which lay at Delft Haven ; and the night preceding their embarkation was spent in tearful prayers, OUTLINEHISTORY. 11 and in the most tender and friendly intercourse. The next day- fair wind invited their departure. The parthig scene is more easily felt than described. Their mutual good wishes, their affectionate and cordial embraces, and other endearing expressions of christian love and friendship, drew tears even from the stran- gers who beheld the scene. When the time arrived that they must part, they all, with their beloved pastor, fell on their knees, and with eyes, and hands, and hearts lifted to Heaven, fervently com- mended their adventuring brethren to the Lord and his blessing. Thus, after mutual embraces, accompanied with many tears, they bid a long, and many of them a last, farewell." Having a fair wind, they arrived at Southampton about the 2d of July, and found that the Mayflower had arrived at that place from London, and immediate preparations were made for embarka- tion. They divided themselves into two companies, one for each ship, and, with the approbation of the captains, each company chose a governor, and two or three assistants, to preserve order and distribute provisions. They sailed from Southampton on the 5th of August. They had not proceeded far, before the smallest ship proved so leaky, that they were obliged to return and refit. On the 21st of August, they sailed again, and proceeded about one hundred leagues, Avhen they were obliged to return again, when the smaller ship was left behind as unfit for service. Leaving a part of the company which had embarked in the smaller vessel, the remainder went on board of the Mayflower. On the 6th of Septem- ber, they set sail from Plymouth. After a boisterous passage, they arrived at Cape Cod on the Dth of November, and the next day they anchored in the harbor which is formed by the hook of the cape. This however was not the place of their destination ; neither was it within the limits of their patent. It was their inten- tion to have been landed at the mouth of Hudson river ; but it appears the Dutch, intending to plant a colony there of their own, secretly hired the master of the ship to contrive delays in England, and then to conduct them to these northern coasts, and there, under the pretence of shoals and winter, to discourage them hi venturing to the place of their destination. Finding that they Avere not within the limits of their patent, and consequently not under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, they concluded it necessary to establish a separate government for themselves. Accordingly, before landing, having devoutly given thanks to the Almighty for their safe arrival, they formed them- selves into a body politic by a solemn contract, to which they all .subscribed, and Mr. John Carver was unanimously chosen their go- vernor for the first year. The following is a copy of this contract, with the names of the signers, the number in their families, &c. " In the name of God, Amen. We vhose names are under written, the loyal sub- jects of our dread sovereign Lord Kins James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, iScc, having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one another, covenant and com 12 OUTLINE HISTORY, bine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preserva- tion, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid ; and bj' virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws and ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to lime, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due subjection and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names, at Cape Cod, the 11th day of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini 1620." This compact was subscribed in the following order by No. in Family. John Rowland, (of Car- ver's family,) Mr. Stephen Hopkins,! 8 * Edward Tilly,t 4 * John Tilly,t 3 Francis Cook, 2 * Thomas Rogers, 2 * Thomas Tinker,! 3 * John Ridgdale,t 2 * Edward Fuller,f 3 * John Turner, 3 Francis Eaton,f 3 * James Chilton, f 3 * John Crackston, 2 John Billington,! 4 * JMoses Fletcher, 1 No. in Family. * John Goodman, * Degory Priest, * Thomas Williams, Gilbert Winslow, * Edward Margeson, Peter Brown, * Richard Britterige, George Soule, (of Edward Winslow's family) * Richard Clarke, Richard Gardiner, * John Allerton, * Thomas English, Edward Dotey, Edward Leister, (both of Ste- phen Hopkins' family.) No. in Family. Mr. John Carver.f 8 Mr. William Bradford,! 2 Mr. Edward Winslow,f 5 Mr. William Brewster,f 6 Mr. Isaac Allerton. f f> Capt. ]Miles Standish,t 2 John Alden, 1 Mr. Samuel Fuller, 2 * Mr. Christopher Mar- tin,! 4 * Mr. William Mullins,t 5 * Mr. William White,! 5 (Besides a son born in Cape Cod harbor, and named Peregrine) Mr. Richard Warren, 1 This brief, and comprehensive, and simple instrument established a most important principle, a principle which is the foundation of all the democratic institutions of Ame- rica, and is the basis of the republic ; and, however it may be expanded and compli- cated in our various constitutions, however unequally power may be distinguished in the different branches of our various governments, has imparted to each its strongest and most striking characteristic. Many philosophers have since appeared, who have, in labored treatises, endeavored to prove the doctrine, that the rights of man are inalienable, and nations have bled to defend and enforce them, yet in this dark age, the age of despotism and supersti- tion, when no tongue dared to assert, and no pen to write, this bold and novel doctrine, which was then as much at defiance with common opinion as with actual power, of which the monarch was then held to be the sole fountain, and the theory was univer- sal, that all popular rights were granted by the crown, — in this remote wilderness, amongst a small and unknown band of wandering outcasts, the principle thai the will of the majority of the people shall govern, was first conceived, and was first practically exemplified. The pilgrims, from their notions of primitive Christianity, the force of circumstan- ces, and that pure moral feeling which is the offspring of true religion, discovered, a truth in the science of government which had been concealed for ages. On the bleak shore of a barren wilderness, in the midst of desolation, with the blast of winter howling around them, and surrounded with dangers in their most awful and appall- ing forms, the pilgrims of Leyden laid the foundation of American liberty. — Baylies, vol. i. p. 29. Government being thus established, their next object was to find a convenient place for a settlement. On the same day sixteen men, well armed, with a few others, were sent on shore to fetch Avood and make discoveries. They returned at night without having found any person or habitation. On the 15th of November, Miles Standish, and sixteen armed men, in searching for a place for set- tlement, saw five or six Indians, whom they followed for several ! Those with this mark brought their wives. * Those who died before the end of the next March are distinguished by an aste- risk. OUTLINEHISTORY. 18 miles, until night ; but, not overtaking them, were obliged to lodge in the woods. The next day they discovered heaps, one of which they dug open ; but finding within implements of war, they con- cluded these were Indian graves. In different heaps of sand they also found baskets of corn, a quantity of which they took away, to the amount of about ten bushels. This was a fortunate disco- very; it gave them seed for a future harvest, and probably saved the infant colony from famine. They made diligent inquiry for the owners of the corn, whom they found, and afterwards paid them to their entire satisfaction. Before the end of November, Peregrine White, the son of William and .Susanna White, was born, being the first child of European parents born in New England. On the sixth of December, the shallop was sent out with seve- ral of the principal men. Carver, Bradford, Win slow, Standish, and others, and eight or ten seamen, to sail around the bay in search of a place for a settlement. The next day the company divided; and some travelled on the shore, whilst the others coasted in the shallop. On the morning of the eiglith, those on the shore were surprised by a party of Indians, who shot their arrows at them; they however instantly fled upon the discharge of the mus- kets of the English. On the night of the ninth, being Saturday, they reached a small island, (since called Clark's Island). They reposed themselves, and on the next day on this spot they kept the Christian Sabbath. The day following, December 11th, O. S., they sounded the harbor, and found it "fit for shipping." A part of their number landed and went some distance into the country. They also examined the land near the shore, and found it hai been planted with Indian corn two or three years before. A beau- tiful brook was near, and a number of springs of pure water; and judging this to be a good place for a settlement, they returned with the welcome intelligence to the ship. This day has since been considered as the day on which the Pilgrim Fathers landed on the Rock of Plymouth. The day which has been annually cele- brated in commemoration of this momentous event, is the twenty- second of December, N. S., which has been supposed to correspond with the eleventh, 0. S. On Saturday the 23d, they began to cut timber and provide materials for building. This business found them employment, when the weather would permit, till about the 19th of February. The whole company, consisting of one hundred and one souls, were divided into nineteen families, who each built their own house or hut ; they all, however, engaged in building a storehouse twenty feet square for common use. From the time of their arrival on the coast, till the day of their permanent landing, the weather was often stormy and severe. The men who were employed in exploring the coast, were exposed to great hardships from watchings and fastings, wet and cold. During the month of December, six of their number died, and many others sickened of grievous colds, of which they never recovered. On the Lord's day, December 31st, they attend- 14 OUTLINE HISTORY. cd public worship for the first time on shore, and named the place Flymouth; partly because the harbor was so named by Capt. Smith, who visited this coast in 1614, and partly from gratitude for the kind treatment they had received from Christian friends at Plymouth, the last port in England Avhich they had left. The colonists, on the 9th of January 1621, proceeded to the erection of their toAvn, which they built in two rows of houses for greater security. On the 14th, their common storehouse took fire from a spark that fell on its thatched roof, and was entirely consumed; but providentially, by the timely exertions of the peo- ple, the contents of the building, so necessary for their support, were preserved. On the 17th of February they met for settling military orders, and Miles Standish was chosen their captain. The settlers sutfered extremely this month by sickness and death, and no less than seventeen of their number died. Their sufferings were much increased by the want of well persons to take care of the sick ; there being at one time no more than six or seven in tolerable health. In March, 1621, fifty-five only survived of the one hundred and one who came in the Mayflower. On the 16th of March, an Indian came into Plymouth alone, and surprised the inhabitants by calling out in broken English, '■^ Welcome, Englishmen! Welcome, Englishmen!^' He was the first of the natives who visited them ; his name was ^Smnoset, and was a Sagamore who had come from Mo7ihiggon, (a place now in the limits of Maine,) where he had learned something of the English tongue from the captains of the fishing vessels who resorted thither. He informed the Plymouth people that the place where they were seated was called by the Indians Patuxet ; that all the inhabitants died of an extraordinary plague about four years since ; and that there was neither man, woman nor child remaining. No natives, therefore, were dispossessed of their land to make room for the English, exceptmg by the providence of God, before their arrival. Samoset Avas treated with hospitality by the settlers, and M'as disposed to preserve an intercourse with them ; and on his third visit brought Sqnanio, one of the natives who had been basely carried oil' by Capt. Hunt in 1614, and afterwards lived in England. These Indians informed tlie English that Massasoit, the greatest king of the neighboring tribes, was near, with a train of sixty men. The meeting between him and the English was conducted with considerable formality and parade. They entered into a friendly treaty, wherein they agreed to avoid injuries on both sides, to punish offenders, to restore stolen goods, to assist each other in all justifiable wars, to promote peace among their neighbors, «fcc. Massasoit and his successors for fifty years invio- lably observed this treaty. The prudent and upright conduct of the Plymouth settlers towards their neighbors, the Indians, secured their friendship and alliance. On the 13th of September, 1621, no less than nine sachems declared allegiance to king James, and Massasoit, with many sachems under him, subscribed a writing acknowledging the king of England as their sovereign. O U T L I N E H I S T O R Y . 15 The first marriage in the colony was solemnized on May 12th, 1621, betAveen Mr. Edward Winslow and Mrs. Susanna White. The first duel in New England was fought on the ISth of June, between two servants, both of whom were wounded. For this disgraceful oft'ence, they were formally tried before the whole com- pany, and sentenced to have " their heads and feet tied together, and so to be twenty-four hours without meat or drink." Such, however, was the painfulness of their situation, and their piteous entreaties to be released, that, upon promise of better behavior in future, they were soon released by the governor. The colonists planted twenty acres with corn, of which they had a good crop. They were instructed in the manner of planting by Squanto; but were unsuccessful in their first trial with English grain, by reason, as is supposed, of the lateness of the season, and bad quality of the seed. Governor Carver was taken sick on the fifth of April, while engaged in planting corn, and died in a few days. His death was greatly lamented, as he was a man of great piety, humility, and benevolence. He possessed a considerable estate, the greater part of which he expended for the good of the colony. Soon after his death, Mr. William Bradford was chosen governor, and by renewed elections continued in oflice for several years. On the 3d of November, 1620, king James signed a patent incor- porating the Duke of Lenox, the Marquises of Buckingham and Hamilton, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, with thirty-four others, and their successors, styling them " The Council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for planting, ruling, ordering, and governing of New Eng- land in America." To this council he granted that part of Ame- rica which lies between the fortieth and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude. This patent was the great civil basis of all the grants and patents by which New England was afterwards divided. The Plymouth Council retained the power vested in them by the crown until the year 1635, when they resigned their charter. Previous to this, however, the council had made several grants of land to adventurers who proposed to settle in New England. They granted New Hampshire to Capt. John Mason in 1621 — the Province of Maine to Sir R. Gorges in 1622 — and Massachnsettc Bay to Sir Henry Roswell and five others in 1628. In 1622, Mr. Weston, a merchant of London, having procured for himself a patent for a tract of land in Massachusetts Bay, sent two ships, with fifty or sixty men, at his own charge, to settle a plantation. This company attempted a settlement at Weymouth, but, "being a set of rude, profane fellows, regardless of justice, provoked the Indians by stealing their corn, and other abuses, to become their enemies, and occasioned much trouble, both to them- selves and the Plymouth settlers." The Indians soon entered into a conspiracy to destroy the settlement, which they would have effected, had it not been for the interposition of their Plymouth friends. The Plymouth settlers having received information that the 16 OUTLINEHISTORY. sachem Massasoit was sick and apparently near death, and that a Dutch ship was driven ashore near his house, the governor sent Edward Winslow and John Hambden to visit him, and speak Avith the Dutch. Having Hobamack for their guide, they reached the residence of Massasoit, whom they found extremely ill, but, by the timely assistance of Mr. Winslow, he recovered. The following is an account of this journey as narrated by Mr. Winslow. " The next day, ("March 1623) about one of the clock, we came to a ferry in Con- batant's country, wnere, upon discharge of my piece, divers Indians came to us, from a house not far off. There they told us that Massassowat was dead, and that day buried ; and that the Dutch would be gone before we could get thither, having hove off their ship already. This news struck us blank ; but especially Hobbamock, who desired we miglu return with all speed. I told him I would first think of it, consider- ing now that, he being dead, Conbatant was the most like to succeed him, and that we were not above three miles from Mattapuyst, his dwelling place. Although he were but a hollow-hearted friend toward us, I thought no time so fit as this to enter into more friendly terms with him, and the rest of the sachems thereabout; hoping, through the blessing of God, it would be a means, in that unsettled state, to settle their affections towards us ; and though it were somewhat dangerous, in respect of our personal safety, because myself and Hobbamock had been employed upon a ser- vice against him, which he might now fitly revenge ; yet, esteeming it the best means, leaving the event to God in his mercy, I resolved to put it in practice, if mas- ter Hamden and Hobbamock durst attempt it with me; whom I found willing to that or any other course might tend to the general good. So we went towards Mattapuyst. " In the way, Hobbamock, manii'esting a troubled spirit, brake forth into these speeches: 'Neen ivomasu Sagimvs, 7ieen womasu Sagimus, &:c.,-— My loving sachem, my loving sachem ! Many have I known, but never any like thee.' And, turning to me, he said whilst I lived I should never see his like amongst the Indians ; saying he was no liar; he was not bloody and cruel, like other Indians. In anger and pas- sion he was soon reclaimed ; easy to be reconciled towards such as had offended him ; ruled by reason in such measure as he would not scorn the advice of mean men ; and that he governed his men better with few strokes than others did with many ; truly loving where he loved ; yea, he feared we had not a faithful friend left among the Indians ; showing how he ofttimes restrained their malice, ikc; continuing a long speech, with such signs of lamentation and unfeigned sorrow, as it would have made the hardest heart relent. "At length we came to IMaltapuyst, and went to the sachimo comaco, for so they called the sachem's place though they call an ordinary house ivitco ; but Conbatant, the sachem, was not at home, but at Puckanokick, which was some five or six miles ofi'. The squa sachem, for so they call the sachem's wife, gave us friendly entertainment. Here we inquired again concerning Massassowat : they thought him dead, but knew no certainty. "Whereupon I hired one to go, with all expedition, to Puckanokick, that we might know the certainty thereof, and withal to acquaint Conbatant with our there being. About half an hour before sun-setting the messenger returned^ and told us that he was not yet dead, though there was no hope we should find him living. Upon this we were much revived, and set forward with all speed, though it was late within night ere we got thither. About two of the clock, that afternoon, the Dutchmen departed ; so that in that respect our journey was frustrate. " When we came thither, we found the house so full of men, as we could scarce get in, though they used their best diligence to make Avay for us. There w^ere they in the midst of their charms for him, making such a hellish noise as it distempered us that were well, and therefore unlike to ease him that was sick. About him were six or eight women, who chafed his arms, legs, and thighs, to keep heat in him. AVhen they had made an end of their charming, one told him that his friends, the English, were come to see him. Having understanding left, but his sight was wholly gone, he asked who was come. They told him Winsnow, for they cannot pronounce the letter /, but ordinarily n in the place thereof. He desired to speak with me. When I came to him, and they told him of it, he put forth his hand to me, which I took. Then he said twice, though very inwardly, Kceyi Winsnow ? which is to say. Art thou Winslow ? I answered, Ahhe, that is, Yes. Then he doubled these words : Matta neen wonckauet namen, Winsnow ! that is to say, Winslow, I shall never see thee again. OUTLINEHISTOKY. IT " Then I called Hobbamock, and desired him to tell Massassowat. that the governor, hearing of his sickness, was sorry for the same ; and though, by reason of many busi- nesses, he could not come himself, yet he sent me with such things for him as he thought most likely to do him good in this extremity ; and whereof if he pleased to take, I would presently give him; which he desired; and having a confection of many comfortable conserves, on the point of my knife, I gave him some, which I could scarce get through his teeth. When it was dissolved in his mouth, he swallowed the juice of it ; whereat those that were about him much rejoiced, saying he had not swallowed anything in two days before. Then I desired to see his mouth, which was exceedingly furred, and his tongue swelled in such a manner as it was not possible for him to eat such meat as they had, his passage being stopped up. Then I washed his mouth, and scraped his tongue, and got abundance of corruption out of the same. After which I gave him more of the confection, which he swallowed with more readiness. Then he desired to drink. I dissolved some of it in water, and gave him thereof. Within half an hour this wrought a great alteration in him, in the eyes of all that beheld him. Presently after his sight began to come to him Then I gave him more, and told him of a mishap we had, in breaking a bottle of drink, which the governor also sent him, saying, if he would send any of his men to Patuxet, I would send for more of the same ; also for chickens to make him broth, and for other things, v,"hich I knew were good for him ; and would stay the return of his messenger, if he desired. This he took marvellous kindly, and appointed some?, who were ready to go by two of the clock in the morning ; against which time I made ready a letter, declaring therein our good success, the state of his body, (Sec, desiring to send such things as 1 sent for, and such physic as the surgeon durst administer to him. " He requested me that, the dav following, I would take my piece, and kill him some fowl, and make him some English pottage, such as he had eaten at Plymouth ; which I promised. After, his stomach coming to him, I must needs make him some without fowl, before I went abroad, which somewhat troubled me ; but being I must do some- what, I caused a woman to bruise some corn, and take the flour from it, and set over the grit, or broken corn, in a pipkin, for they have earthen pots of all sizes. Whea the day broke, we went out, it being now March, to seek herbs, but could not find any but strawberry leaves, of Mhich I gathered a handful, and put into the same ; and be- cause I had nothing to relish it, I went forth again, and pulled up a sassafras root, and sliced a piece thereof, and boiled it, till it had a good relish, and then took it out again. The broth being boiled, I strained it through my handkerchief, and gave him at least a pint, which he drank, and liked it very well. After this his sight mended more and more ; a iid he took some rest ; insomuch as we with admiration blessed God for giving his blessing to such raw and ignorant means, making no doubt of his recovery, himself and all of them acknowledging us the instruments of his preservation. That morning he caused me to spend in going from one to another amongst those that were sick in the town, requesting me to wash their mouths also, and give to each of them some of the same I gave him, saying that they were good folk. This pains I took with ^villingness, though it were much oftensive to me, not being accustomed with such poisonous savors. " The messengers were now returned, but finding his stomach come to him, he would not have the chickens killed, but kept them for breed. Neither durst we give him any physic, which was then sent, because his body was so much altered since our instructions ; neither saw we any need, not doubting now of his recovery, if he were careful. Many, whilst we were there, came to see him ; some, by their report, from a place not less than a hundred miles. Upon this his recovery, he brake forth into these speeches : ' Now I see the English are my friends and love me ; and whilst I live, I will never forget this kindness they have showed me.' Whilst we were there, our entertainment exceeded all other strangers." — Good News from New England. Massasoit, gratefully impressed with the kind offices performed by Winslow, revealed a plot of the Massachusett Indians against Weston's people at Wessagnsset, and, lest the English at Plymouth should avenge their countrymen, they were also to be destroyed ; and he advised them to kill the conspirators, as the only means of security. The governor, on receiving this intelligence, which was confirmed by other evidences, dispatched Capt. Standish with eight men, in order, if a plot should be discovered, to fall on the 3 18 OU TI, IN E H IS TO R Y. conspirators. Standish sailed to the Massachusetts, where the natives, suspecting his design, insuhed and threatened him. Watching his opportunity, when four of the principal conspirators were in a room with about the same number of his own men, he attacked them, and, after a dreadful struggle, succeeded in kill- ing the whole. This sudden and unexpected execution so terrified the other natives, who had intended to join with the Massachusetts in the conspiracy, that they forsook their houses and fled to swamps and desert places, where they contracted diseases which proved mortal to many of them, among whom were a number of sachems. The fame of the plantation at Plymouth being spread in the west of England, Mr. White, a celebrated minister of Dorchester, in 1624, excited some merchants and other gentlemen to attempt another settlement in New England. They accordingly, on a common stock, sent over several persons, wlio began a plantation at Cape Ann. In March of this year, Mr. Winslow, agent for the colony, arrived in the ship Charity, and, together with a good sup- ply of clothing, brought a bull and three heifers, which were the first cattle of the kind in this part of America. At the close of this year (1624) the plantation at Plymouth consisted of one hun- dred and eighty persons, who lived in thirty-two dwelling-houses. Their stock was a few cattle and goats, and a plenty of swine and poultry. Their town was pallisadoed about half a mile in compass. On a hill in the town, they had a fort well built of wood, and a watch-tower. This year they freighted a ship of one hundred and eighty tons. The year 162.5 is distinguished by the death of the Rev. Mr. Robinson. He died at Leyden, in March, 1625, in the fiftieth year of his age. He was truly a great and good man, and highly esteemed. After his death, his wife, children, and most of his congregation, came and joined their brethren, the colonists at Ply- mouth. In 1630, when the plantation consisted of about three hundred souls, a patent was taken out in the name of William Bradford, his heirs, associates, and assigns. This patent con- firmed their title to a tract of land bounded on the east and south by the Atlantic ocean, and by lines drawn west from the rivulet Connohasset, and north from the river of Narragansett, which hues meet in a point, comprehending all the country then called Pokanokit. In the same patent was granted a large tract border- ing on the river Kennebec, (now in the state of Maine,) where they carried on a traffic with the natives for furs. This patent passed the king's hand, but, on account of the agents of the colony inserting a clause without their advice, the patent was never finished, and they remained without a charter until they were incorporated with Massachusetts in 1691 or 1692. rVotwithstanding this, Plymouth was a government de facto, and considered as such by king Charles in his letters and orders which were sent them at various times, previous to their incorporation with Massachusetts. On the 19th of March, 1628, the Plymouth Council sealed a patent to Sir Henry Roswell and five others, of all that part of OUTLINEHISTOHY. 19 New England included between a line drawn tliree miles south of Charles river, and another three miles north of the river Merrimac, from the Atlantic to the South sea. A royal charter, giving pow- ers of government, passed the seals March 4th, 1629. At this period a few scattering settlements only had been made in Massa- chusetts Bay. In the summer of 1628, Mr. Endicott, one of the original planters, with a small colony, was sent over to begin a plantation at Naumkeag, (now Salem). The June following, about two hundred persons, with four ministers, came over and joined Mr. Endicott' s colony ; and the next year they formed them- selves into a church, being the first church gathered in the original colony of Massachusetts, and the second in New England; the church at Plymouth being gathered eight years before. In 1630, seventeen ships came over to Massachusetts from different ports in England, with more than lifteen hundred passengers, among whom were many persons of distinction. Many of these persons were from illustrious and noble families. Having been accustomed to a life of ease and enjoyment, their sufferings for the first year A\nere very great, and proved fatal to many ; among others to the lady Arabella, who "came from a paradise of plenty and pleasure, in the family of a noble earl, into a wilderness of wants." She died at Salem, where she first landed, and Mr. Johnson, lier husband, overcome with grief, survived her but a short time. About this time settlements were made at Charlestown. Dorchester, Cam- bridge, Roxbury and Boston. The first General Court of Massa- chusetts was held October 19th, 1630, at Boston, by the freemen of the corporation at large. At this court it was agreed that, in future, the freemen should choose the assistants, and that the assistants should choose from among themselves the governor and deputy-governor. The court of assistants were to have the power of making laws and appointing officers. Being desirous of esta- blishing a religious conmionwealth, they ordained " that none but church members should be admitted to the freedom of the body politic," or enjoy the privilege of voting. In 1632 and 1633 great numbers of emigrants came over to New England. Such was the tide of emigration, that the king in coun- cil issued an order in February, 1633, to prevent it. Notwith- standing this order, Messrs. Cotton, Hooker, and Stone, three emi- nent ministers, who were considered the most famous pillars of the churches, came over this year, with two hundred emigrants, and landed at Boston. Mr. Cotton settled at Boston, the other two at Cambridge. Mr. Hooker, with one hundred others, re- moved in 1636, and settled Hartford in Connecticut. In 1634, it was found so very inconvenient for all the freemen to assemble in one place and transact their business, the mode of legislation was altered by the general consent of the towns. They delegated to twenty-four representatives the authority granted by the charter to the whole body of freemen. The appellation of General Court, which had been applied to all the freemen v.^hen assembled, was now transierred to their representatives. It was during this year 20 O U X L I .N E H I 6 T O K Y . (1634) that Roger Williams^ the minister of Salem, having occa- sioned disturbances by tenets considered not only heretical, but seditious, and being found irreclaimable, was ordered to leave the colony. He retired to Rehoboth, which was then within the juris- diction of Plymouth. In 1635, there came to Massachusetts a large number of inhabitants from England, among whom were Hugh Peters, who was afterwards chaplain to Cromwell, and Mr. Vane, afterwards Sir Henry Vane, who acted a conspicuous part during the Commonwealth of England. Mr. Vane was made governor of the colony the year after his arrival. His popularity, however, was transient. During his administration, in 1636, Mrs. Hutchinson, a woman distinguished for her eloquence, held weekly meetings for persons of her own sex, in which she commented on the sermons of the preceding Sunday, and advanced mystical and extravagant doctrines. These spread rapidly among the people, and many became converts, among whom were (jovernor Vane, Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wheelwright, two distinguished ministers. Great excitement was produced among the people, the final result of which was, a synod was appointed to be held at Cambridge in August, 1637, where were assembled both ministers and messen- gers of churches, and magistrates, who, after three weeks' disputa- tion, condemned as erroneous upwards of eighty opinions, said to have been maintained by persons in the country. In consequence of this, Mrs. Hutchinson and some of her principal followers were sentenced to banishment. She, with her husband and family, removed to Rhode Island, where, in 1642, Mr. Hutchinson died. She, being dissatisfied with the people or place, removed to the Dutch country beyond New Haven, where she was killed, with all her family, being sixteen in number, except one daughter, who was carried into captivity. The year 1637 was distinguished by the Pequot war in Con- necticut, in which were killed five or six hundred Indians, and the warlike Pequots were mostly destroyed. This first war with the Indians struck such a terror into the surrounding tribes, that for forty years afterwards they never openly conmienced hostilities with the English. In 1640, the tide of emigration from England ceased. Persecution having ceased in England, the motives for coming to New England were removed. They who then professed to give the best account, say that in two hundred and ninety-eight ships, which were the whole number from the beginning of the colony, there arrived iwenty-one thousand two hundred passengers, men, women, and children, perhaps about four thousand families. After this period it is supposed that for a long time afterwards more persons returned to England, than came from England to the colonies. " Such, however. Avere the character and virtues of the emigrants, such the power over difiiculties, which their reso- hite minds, and bodies hardened by labor, had imparted to them, that they continued to increase with astonishing rapidity in wealth and numbers." In 1643, four of the New England colonies, Massachusetts, Con- OUTLINKHISTOKV. 21 necticut, Plymouth and New Haven, united in a confedcrHcy foi mutual protection and assistance. The articles of union and con- federation were signed at Boston, on the 19th of May. The rea- sons assigned for this union, were, the danger from the Indians, from the Dutch at New York, and from the French ; also the impossibility of obtaining aid from the mother country in case of any sudden attack. By the articles of the confederatioa. each colony was to appoint two commissioners, Avho were to assemble by rotation in the respective colonies, and were empowered to enact ordinances of general concern: and in case of invasion each colony was bound to furnish a stipulated proportion of men and money. The commissioners who formed the unioU; declared, that, as in nation and religion, so in other respects, they be and continue one ; and henceforth be called by the name of The United Colonics of New England. TJiis union rendered the colonies formidable to their enemies, and secured the peace and rights of the country. The first instance on record in Massachusetts of a trial for witch- craft, was in 1648, when Margaret Jones, of CliarlestoAvn, was indict- ed for a witch, found guilty, and executed, in accordance with the laws of England against this crime. " >She was charged v/ith having such a malignant touch, that if she laid her hands upon man, woman, or child, in anger, they were seized presenthT" with deafness, vomiting, or other sickness, or some violent pains." Since the year 1634, committees, consisting of ministers and prin- cipal laymen, were appointed almost every year, for twelve or fourteen years, to prepare a code of laws for the colony. Mean- while, laws of the greatest necessity had been successively enacted. This year (1648) the whole were collected, ratified by the court, and printed. In civil actions, equity, according to the circum- stances of the case, seems to have been their rule of determining. In punishing offences, they professed to be governed by the judi- cial law of Moses, but no farther than those laws were of a moral nature. Many of their sentences previous to their having a regu- lar code of laws, seem to be adapted to the circumstances of a large family of children and servants, as will appear from the fol- lowing, which, from among many others of the same sort, are taken from the public records. Josias Plaistowe, for stealing four baskets of corn from the Indians, is ordered to return them eight baskets, to be fined five pounds, and hereafter to be called by the name of Josias, and not Mr., as formerly he used to be.* Captain Stone, for abusing Mr. Ludlow, and calling him justass. is fined one hun- dred pounds, and prohibited from coming within the patent, without the governor's leave, upon pain of death. Serjeant Perkins ordered to carry forty turfs to the fort for being drunk. Edward Palmer, for his extortion in taking two pounds thirteen shillings and four- Eence for the wood-work of Boston stocks, is fined five pounds, and ordered to sit one our in the stocks. * They were very careful to give no titles where they were not due. In a list of one hundred freemen you will not find above tour or five distinguished by Mr., although they were men of some substance. Goodman and gnodwife were the common appella- tions. 22 O U T L I N E H I S r O K Y . Capt. Lovel admonished lo take heed of light carriage. Thomas Petit, for suspicion of slander, idleness and stubbornness, is censured to be severely whipped ancl to be kept in hold. Catharine, the wife of Kichard Cornish, was found suspicious of incontinency, and seriously admonished to take heed. Daniel Clarke, found to be au immoderate drinker, was fined forty shillings. John Wedgewood, for being in the company of drunkards, to be set in the stocks. John Kitchin, for showing books which he was commanded to bring to the governor, and forbidden to show them to any other, and yet showed them, was fined ten shil- lings. Hubert Sliorthosc. for swcarins: by the blood of God, v>'as sentenced to have his tongue put into a cleft stick, and to stand so for the s])ace of half an hour. Great numbers of the like kind might be added. — Hutcliinso/i' s Hist, of Mass., vo\. i. p. 43(3. About this period, the custom of wearing long hair, "after the maimer of Russians and barbarous Indians," as Gov. Endicott and others termed it, was deemed contrary to the word of God, which says "it is a shame for a man to wear long hair."' The rule in New England was, that none should wear their hair below their ears. In a clergyman it was peculiarly offensive, as they were required to go with open ears. A few years before this, tobacco was prohibited under a penalty, and the smoke, in some manuscripts, is compared to the smoke of the bottomless pit. Some of the clergy fell into the practice of smoking, and tobacco, by an act of government, "was set at liberty." The trade of the colony increasing, especially with the West Indies, where the huainecvs or pirates at this time were nmiierous, and part of the wealth they took from the Spaniards, as well as what was produced by the trade, being brought into New England in bullion, "it was thought necessary, for preventing fraud ni money," to erect a mint for coining shillings, sixpences, and three- pences, with no other impression at first than N. E. on the one side, and XII., VI., or III. on the other; but in October, 1651, the court ordered that all pieces of money should have a double ring with this inscription, Massachusetts, and a tree in the centre, and New England and the year of our Lord on the other side.* The annexed cut is a representation of one of these coins. * The first money being coined in 1652, the same date was continued upon all that ^^as struck for thirty years afterwards. No other colony ever presumed to coin metal into money. A very large sum was coined, and the mint-master made a large fortune by it, as he was allowed to take fifteen ])ence out of every twenty shillings for the trouble of coining, A:c. It was commonly re]iortcd that Mr. Sewall, who married his only daughter, received with her thirty lliousand pounds in New England shillings.- Jlutchinsonh Hist. vol. i. p. 178. OUTLINEHISTORY. 23 In the year 1656 began what is generally called the persccutiou of the Ciuakers. The first who openly professed their principles in the colony were Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, who came from Barbadoes in July of this year. In a few weeks after, nine others arrived in a ship from London. Being brought before the court of assistants on the 8th of September, they affirmed they were sent by God to reprove the people for their sins. Being questioned how they could make it appear that God had sent them, they. after a pause, replied, that they had the same call that Abraham had to go out of his country. To other questions they gave rude and contemptuous answers, which is the reason assigned for com- mitting them to prison. A great number of their books, which they intended to circulate over the country, were seized and re- served for the fire. Soon after this, as the governor Avas going from public worship on the Lord's day, several gentlemen accom- panying him, Mary Prince called to him from a window of the prison, railing and reviling him, saying. '• Woe unto thee, thou art an oppressor," and denouncing tlic judgments of God upon him. She also wrote him a letter, filled with opprobrious language. The governor sent for her twice from the prison to his own house, and, with a number of ministers, endeavored with much tenderness and moderation to convince her of her errors. She, however, railed upon them, calling them hirelings, deceivers of the people, Baal's priests, the seed of the serpent, And udiid proviaioiis aliu'od. 54 TRURO Wo Tiew the monslers of Iha deep, Great whales in numerous swarm* ; And creatures there, that play and leap Of strange, unusual forms. Cape Cod, our dearest, native land, We leave astern, and lose Its Hiiikinc clifls and lessening sands, While Zephyr gently blows. Bold, hardy men, with blooming age, Our sandy shores produce ; With monstrous tish they dare engage, And dangerous callings choose. Now towards the early dawning ea.st We speed our course away. With eager minds, and joyful hearta, To meet the rising day. Then as we turn our wondering eye», We view one constant show, Above, around, the circling skies, The rolling seas below. When eastward, clear of Newfoundland, We stem the frozen pole, We see the icy islands stand. The northern billows roll. As to the north we make our way, Surprising scenes we find ; We lengthen out the tedious day. And leave the night behind. Now see the northern regions, whers Eternal winter reigin ; One day and night fills up the year, And endless cold maintains. When in otir rtation vre are placed, And whales around us play, We launch our boats into the mala And swiftly chase our prey. In haste we ply our nimble oars, For an assault design'd ; The sea beneath us foams and roara, And leaves a wake behind. A mighty whale we rush upon. And in our irons throw : She sinks her monstrous body down Among the waves below. And when she rises out again. We soon renew the fight; Tlirust our sharp lances in amain, And ail her rage excite. Enraged she makes a mighty bound ; Thick foams the whitened sea ; The waves in circles rise around, And widening roll away. She thra!!hes with her tail around, And blows her redd'ning breath ; She bre-iks the air, a deaf 'uing sound, While ocean groans beneath. From numerous wounds, with crimson flood She stains the frothy seas, And gasps, and blows her latest blood, While quivering life decays. With joyful hearts we see her die, And on the surface lay ; While all v/ith eager haste apply. To save our deathful prey. TRURO. The settlement of Truro commenced about 1700. Its Indian name was Pamet, and appears to have been purchased in 1697. In 1705, it was erected into a town to be called Dangerjield ; in 1709 it was incorporated by the name of Trnro. The first minister, Rev. John Avery, was ordained in 1711. He was a physician as well as pastor, and was greatly beloved by his people. He died in 1754, and was succeedecl by Rev. Caleb Upham, who died in.] 786. Mr. Upham was succeeded by Rev. Jude Damon, who was ordain- ed in 1786. Truro is situated on the northern extremity of the peninsula of Gape Cod. The length of the township is about 14 miles, and the breadth in the widest part three. Excepting the salt marshes, the soil is light, sandy, and free from stone. Hardly any part of it produces English grass fit for mowing ; and it can scarcely be said to be clad with verdure at any season of the year. The face of the township is composed of sand hills and narrow valleys between them, running principally at right angles with the shore. The top of some of the hills spread into a plain : from some of these in the northern part of the town but few objects can be discerned but the ocean and one wide waste of sand. A traveller from the in- terior part of the country, where the soil is fertile, upon observing the barrenness of the northern part of Truro, would at the first T R U K O 55 thought wonder what could induce any person to remain in the place ; he will, however, upon reflection and observation, find that the inhabitants here, who derive their principal subsistence from the sea, are as " well oif " as any people in the commonwealth. There are four houses of worship, all in the south part of the town : 3 Congregational, one of which is Unitarian, and 1 Methodist. . Population 1,806. In 1837 there were 39 esta- blishments for making salt, of which 17,490 bushels were manufactured : 63 vessels were employed in the cod and mack- erel fishery ; 16,950 quintals of cod-fish and 15,7.50 barrels of mackerel were taken, and 512 hands employed. Eastern view of Pond Village, Truro. The above is a representation of part of what is called the Pond village, and is a characteristic specimen of the scenery of this part of the Cape. The hills, which rise in regular and graceful swells, are of a light gravelly loam and covered v/ith short grass ; they are des- titute of trees and shrubbery, and are peculiar in their aspect. Not- withstanding the general appearance of the barrenness of the land in Truro, it is believed that all the inhabitants of the town might be sustained from the produce of its soil, were proper attention paid to its cultivation. The fisheries however at this time bring surer and better returns than the cultivation of the earth, throughout most parts of the Cape. The following engraving is a view of the ancient church now standing in the central part of Truro, about 8 miles from Province- town, 42 from Barnstable, and by land 109 from Boston. The " Clay PoiindsJ' a great body of clay, forming the high banks by the light-house, near the residence of James Small, Esq., are about a mile northward. This church is on one of the highest elevations in the town, a short distance southerly from the Pond village, and is seen at a great distance from almost every direction. Provincetown ■with its hills of sand is .seen to the north-west : and the waters of the wide Atlantic on every side. This building shows that — 8 K WELLFLEST. Ancient Church in Truro, (south-eastern view). " The dark brown years " have passed over it. It stands alone, and on the hill of Btorms ! It is seen afar by the mariner as he passes by on the dark rolling wave! The following inscription is copied from a monument standing by the ancient church on the elevation near the Pond village : — Here lie the Remains of ys Revd. Mr. John Avery who departed this life ye 23d of April 1754 in the 69th year of his age and 44th of his ministry the first pastor ordained in this place. In this dark cavern, or this lonesome grave Here lays the honest, pious, virtuous Friend Him, kind Heaven to us as Priest k. Doctor gave As such he lived, as such we mourn his end. WELLFLEET. This town was incorporated in 1763. Before this, it was called the North Precinct in Eastham, and was originally included in the Indian Skeckeet and Pamet. The first inhabitants of the place attended public worship at Eastham. When their numbers and property were sufficient, they built a small meeting-house, in which the Rev. Josiah Oaks preached a niuiibcr of years. The Rev. Isaiah Lewis succeeded Mr. Oaks, and was ordained in 1730; the next minister, Rev. Levi Whitman, was ordained in 1785. The town of Wellfleet is situated on the northern section of the peninsula of Cape Cod, and is bounded on the east and west by the ocean. The soil is a sandy barren. From the table lands in Eastham, to Race Point, is a large range of high hills, all of them sandy, except one large hill or mountain, which is of solid clay, in Truro, called the Clay Pounds, because vessels have had the misfortune to be poiinded to pieces against it, in gales of wind. Within these hills in Wellfleet is a range of fresh ponds, where sea-fowl obtain fresh water : such as have outlets, receive ale- wives, which go up in the month of May. From the harbor there are many salt creeks, which are surrounded with salt marsh. WKLLFLKBT. iT The harbor, called the Deep Hole, is good for small vessels, and is about thirty miles north-easterly from Barnstable. Northern view of Wellfleet Harlots The above shows the appearance of Wellfleet Harbor, as it is seen from the north. It is surrounded by sand hills of different sizes, but mostly forming obtuse cones, smooth, regular, des- titute of verdure, and quite novel in their general appearance. The village of Wellfleet contains two Congregational churches, and is stated to be one hundred and five miles from Boston by land, and by water twenty leagues, and from the Plymouth light eight leagues. Population of the town, 2.303. Most of the inha- bitants follow the seafaring business. In 1837, there were thirty- nine establishments for manufacturing salt, and 10,000 bushels were made; sixty-two vessels were employed in the cod and mackerel fishery; 3,100 quintals, and 17,.500 barrels of mackerel, were taken ; and in this business 496 hands were employed. " No shipwreck is more remarkable than that of the noted pirate Bellamy, men- tioned by Governor Hutchinson, in his history. In the year 1717, his ship, with his whole fleet, were cast on the shore of what is now Wellfleet, being led near the shore by the captain of a snow, which was made a prize the day before, who had the pro- mise of the snow as a present, if he would pilot the fleet in Cape Cod harbor ; the captain suspecting the pirate would not keep his promise, and that, instead of clearing his ship, as was his pretence, his intention might be to plunder the inhabitants of Provincetown. The night being dark, a lantern was hung in the fhrouds of the snow, the captain of which, instead of piloting where he was ordered, approached so near tlie land, that the pirates' large ship, which followed him, struck on the outer bar : the snow, being less, struck much nearer the shore. The fleet was put in confu- sion ; a violent storm arose : and the whole fleet M'as shipwrecked on the shore. It is said that all in the large ship perished in the waters except twu. Many of the smaller vessels got safe on shore. Those that were executed, were the pirates put on board a prize schooner before the storm, as it is said. After the storm, more than an hundred dead bodies lay along the shore. At times, to this day, there are king William and queen Mary's coppers picked up, and pieces of silver, called cob-money. The violence of the seas moves the sands upon the outer bar ; so that at times the iron caboose of the ship, at low ebbs, has been seen.'' — 3d vol. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc, p. 120. " For many years after this shipwreck, a man, of a very singular and frightlnl •spect, used, every spring and autumn, to be seen travellings on the Cape, who wiu 58 YARMOUTH. supposed to have been one of Bellamy's crew. The presumption is '.nat he went to some place where money had been secreted by the pirates to get »uch a supply as his exigences required. When he died, inany pieces of gold were found in a girdle, which he constantly wore. Aged people relate that this man frequently spent the night in private hotises, and that, \vhenever the Bible or any religious book was read, or any family devotions performed, he invariably left the room. This is not impro- bable. It is also stated that, during the night, it would seem as if he had in his cham- ber a legion from the lower world ; for much conversation was often overheard which was boisterous, profane, blasphemous, and quarrelsome in the extreme. This is the representation. The probability is, that his sleep was disturbed by a recollection of the murderous scenes in v.'hich he had been engaged, and that he, involuntarily, vented such exclamations as, with the aid of an imagination awake to wonders from the invisible regions, gave rise, in those days, to the current opinion that his bed- chamber was the resort of internals. ■■ — Alden's Coll. Epitaphs, vol. iv. YARMOUTH. The peninsula of Cape Cod may be well represented by a man's arm bent into a certain position. Yarmouth is situated about mid- way from the shoulder to the elbow of the Cape. It was incorpo- rated in 1639. The early records of this town have been lost. In Mather's Magnalia, it is stated John Millar was a minister of Yarmouth. It is probable he v/as the first, and a Mr. Mathews (of whom some traditions remain) was the second. Mr. Millar is represented in the Slagnalia as one of the seventy-seven ministers wlio had been in the ministry previous to their embarkation to America, and who are represented as some of the first ministers in New England. If the above is correct, the Rev. Thomas Thorn- ton, from England, was the third minister of Yarmouth ; his name being found in the town records, which are preserved as far back as 1677. He continued in the ministry till about the year 1692, and was succeeded by Rev. John Cotton in 1693. Mr. Cotton died in 1705, and was succeeded by Rev. David Greenleaf in 1708. The following ministers here were ordained as follows : Rev. Thomas Smith, in 1729; Rev. Grindall Rawson, in 1755; Rev. Joseph Green, in 1762: the Rev. Timothy Alden, the ninth minis- ter, was ordained in 1769. This township extends across the Cape, and has a harbor both on the north and south shore, and its soil is similar to the other towns in this part of the Cape, mostly light, sandy, and barren. There are 5 houses of worship : 2 Congregational. 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 for Friends or Quakers. Population 2.454. Dis- tance, 3 miles east of Barnstable, and 72 S. E. of Boston. The cut shows the appearance of the eastern termination of Yarmouth village. From the church which is seen in the engrav- ing, to Barnstable court-house, whicli is upwards of four miles dis- tant, the road is lined with houses on both sides. From this spot the peculiar scenery of Cape Cod may be said to commence. As you proceed eastward, much of tiie land is \uienclosed, often pre- sentuig to the view, a drearv and wide waste of sand. There are YARMOUTH. $n two cJiurches in the village, a Congregational and Methodist, one newspaper establishment, and the " Barnstable Bank,"' with a capital of $150,000. South YarnwvtJt is situated about four miles south of the north village. In this place the salt-works are very extensive, and cover a tract of ground about a mile in length and one fourth in widtli. In 1S37, there were in the town 52 esta- blishments for making salt, and 365,200 bushels were manufac- tured- 13 vessels were employed in the cod and mackerel fishery; 4,300 quintals of cod-fish, and 2,287 barrels of mackerel taken. Eastern view of Yarmouth. As late as the year 1779, there Avas a cluster of wigwams about a mile from the mouth of Bass river, in the south-eastern part of the town, inhabited by the remains of the PawkunnaiDkut Indians. About this time the small-pox was prevalent, and the most of them died. A little to the south-west of this Indian town., is a pond called Swan's Pond : on its north-eastern side, just above a spring, about eighty years ago, there stood an Indian meeting-house. Some anecdotes are preserved of Joseph Navhaiight^ a very pious and worthy Indian deacon, of which the following appears to be Avell authenticated : — " Deacon Nauhaught was once attacked by a number of large black snakes. Being at a distance from any mhabitants, he was, to be sure, in a very precarious situation ; for, unfortunately, he had not even a knife about him for his defence. To outrun them, he found utterly impossible ; to keep them oft", without any weapon, was equally so. He iherelore came to the determination to stand firm on his feet. They began wind- ing themselves about him ; in a little time, one of them had made his way up to the Indian's neck, and was trying to put his black head into his mouth. Nauhaught opened it immediately. T/ie black serpent thrust in his head, and Nauhaught. putting his jail's together, bit it of in a 'moment! As soon as the blood, streaming from the behead- ed, was discovered by the rest of the snakes, they left their intended prey with great precipitation, and Nauhaught was liberated from the jaws of impending death." Colonel Joseph Thacher, who died in this town in 1763, was a popular character, and through his influence principally a company of forty, thirteen of which were Indians, was raised, all except sis or eight, in Yarmouth, his native town, to go on the CO BKRKSHIRBCOUNTT. Cape Breton expedition, in 1745. A condition of their embarking in this bold enter- prise was, that Mr. Thacher should be their captain. It is remarkable that of the Indians, three only lived to return, two having been killed by the enemy, and eight, probably in consequence of a mode of living to which they had not been accustomed, dying of disease ; and that the rest of the company, though exposed to great hardships, were providentially all spared to see their native places again, and to participate with their fellow-countrymen in the joy which pervaded the land, on tht '•eduction of the strongest fortress in America. The following anecdote is related of him, by 3Ir. David Matthews, one of Thacher"s company, who is still living. It exhibits the unfeeling disposition of the American savage. Through the treacherous conduct of a certain Frenchman, a party of twenty provincial soldiers had been ambuscaded, nineteen of which were killed. The Frenchman was taken, and at first was given up to the Indians, to be destroyed by them as they might see proper. Isaac Peck, a blood-thirsty Indian, began immediately to sharpen his knife, and, thinking it too good for the traitor to die at once, said he was going to begin with his fingers, and would cut off one joint first, then another, and so on till he had separated all his bones, from head to foot. He would probably have executed his purpose, had not the crimmal been rescued from his hands. One of Thacher"s Indians, hired by Colonel Vaughan, for a bottle of brandy, was the first of the provincials who entered the grand battery at Louisburg. He crawled in at an embrasure, and opened the gate, which Vaughan immediately entered, the enemy having withdrawn from this battery, thoughj at the time, this circumstance was not known." — Aldeii's Collec- tion. BERKSHIRE COUNTY. The county of Berkshire is the western part of the state of Massachusetts, and extends entirely across it from north to south. It originally belonged to the county of Hampshire, or to what was designated the " Old county of Hampshire,'" until its divison in 1812 into the three counties of Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden. It was separated, and made a distinct county, by an act of the general court of the province at their May ses- sion in 1761, in the first year of the reign of George the Tliird. According to the report of the survey of the boundary line between this state and that of New York, the west line of the county is .50 miles 41 chains and 79 links in length. The width of the county on the north is 14 miles, and on the south 24. This county is rough and hilly in many parts, but there is a considerable quantity of fine land, mostly in the interval of the Housatonic. It produces mu.ch wool, and all sorts of grain, and exports great quantities of pork, beef, butter, cheese, A:c. It is the most elevated county in the state. The Green and Taconic mountains cross it from N. to S., the average height of Avhich is about 1200 feet above the level of the sea. The Housatonic and Hoosic are the two prin- cipal rivers in the county ; the former empties into Long Island, between Milford and Stratford, in Connecticut, and the latter into the Hudson, about ten miles north of Troy, N. Y. The county possesses in rich and inexhaustible abundance three very important articles of commerce, ?/-on, marble, and lime, and its wood and water power are sufficient to enable it to fit them for useful purposes. The following is a list of the towns in thi» county, which are 30 in number : — ▲ DAMS 61 Adams, Alford, Becket, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dallon, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Mount Washington, New Ash ford, New Marlborough, Otis, Peru, Pittsficld, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, West Stockbridge, Williamstown, Windsor. The population of this county by the census of 1800 was 33,835; in 1810 it was 35,797; in 1820 it was 35,720; in 1830 it was 37,825 ; and in the official returns in 1837 it was 39,101. ADAMS. The tract comprehended in this township was formerly called East Hoosic. It was explored and surveyed, and the limits traced, by a committee appointed by the general court of Massa- chusetts in 1749, and was laid out 7 miles in length from north to south and five in breadth. In 1750, Col. Williams, the founder of Williams College, obtained from the general court a grant of 200 acres, on condition that he should reserve 10 acres for the use of the fort, and build a grist mill and saw mill, and keep them in repair 20 years for the use of the settlers. On the 2d day of June, 1762, nine townships in the north-west corner of the state were sold at auction by authority of the general court. Of these, East Hoosac was No. 1. It was purchased by Nathan Jones, Esq., for the sum of £3,200, who after the purchase admitted Col. Elisha Jones and John Murray, Esq., as joint proprietors. These proprietors, in October of the same year, employed a sur- veyor to lay out 48 settling lots, containing 100 acres each. A line was drawn through the length of the township, dividing the best of the land into two equal parts, and on each side of this line was laid out a range of lots. E]ach lot was 160 rods long from west to east, and 100 rods wide. These 48 lots, occupying the valley through its whole length, comprised the heart of the town- ship. Four years after, Isaac Jones, Esq., who then resided in the township, was authorized to survey a further number of lots, not exceeding 20, of 100 acres each, and, as agent of the proprietors, to admit settlers to the number of 60. This number was men- tioned because it was required by the conditions of settlement, fixed by vote of the general court, that when the actual settlers should amount to that number, they should build a meeting-house, and settle a " learned gospel minister." The rest of the land was laid out in 1768 into lots of 200 acres each, and divided among the proprietors according to their shares in the property of the town- ship. 62 ADA !H S-. During the French wars, the Indians traversed this region, but they appear to have had no permanent habitation here. No remains of Indian settlements have existed within the remembrance of the earliest wlhte inhabitants. Most of the first settlers of this town were from Connecticnt. Of these Abiel Smith. Gideon and Jacob, his sons, John Jvilbourn, his son-in-law, and John ^IcNeil. were from Litchfield ; Reuben Hinman and Jonatlian Smith came from Vroodbury. There were also the names of Parker, Cook, and Leavenworth from Walling- ford; and Rev. Samuel Todd, from Lanesborough, was previously from Woodbury. These people settled in the north village. The first settlers mostly disposed of tlieir lands to purchasers from Rhode Island, many of whom belonged to the society of Friends, and the population gradually clianged till nearly all liad sold out and removed from the town. The settlements of Friends became extensive and prosperous. Several other families, also irom Rhode Island, came in about the same time, and these two classes of inhabitants and their descendants have since occupied the greatest part of the town. The first settlers formed themselves into a Congregational church and society. Their first minister was the llev. Samuel Todd, from North Haven, Conn. The first meeting-house was built of logs, and was situated near the center of the tov.'u. The Friends' society was formed in the year 1781. David Anthony, Isaac Killy, Isaac Upton, Joshua Lapham, George Lapham, and Adam Hart- ness, with their families, constituted the societfy at its first organi- zation. They worshipped in a log dwelling-house till about the year 1786, Avhen they erected a meeting-house about half a mile north of the south village. The building lot, with land for a burying-ground, the whole containing about four and a lialf acres, was given to the society by Daniel Lapham. In 1819 the society numbered about 40 families. A Baptist churcli of 35 mem- bers was organized in 1808, under the ministry of Elder George Witherel. About 1785 a body of Methodists Avere located in the south part of the town. The society in the north village construct- ed their meeting-house in 1828. A second Baptist church was organized in 1826, in the south village, with 14 members, under the ministry of Elder Elnathan Sweet, of Cheshire. The present Congregational church was organized April 19, 1827. This town was incorporated October 15, 1778, and named Adams, in honor of Samuel Adams, afterwards governor of the state. The natural bridge on Hudson's Brook in this town is a curi- osity worthy the notice of travellers. The waters of this brook have worn a fissure from 30 to 60 feet deep, and 30 rods in length, through a body of white marble or limestone, and formed a bridge of that material 50 feet above the surface of the water. There is a cavern in this town containing a number of rooms, the longest of which, as far as it has been explored, is 30 feet long, 20 high, and 20 wide. The following is a western view of the central part of North ADAMS. 63 Adams, taken from the western side of the south branch of the Hoosic river. The building appearing on the left, is the principal one connected with the Phenix factory. This manufacturing vil- lage is the largest in the county, containing, it is estimated, 2,000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by lofty hills and mountains in every direction, excepting the narrow interval through which the Western view of the Center of North Adams, Hoosic passes. It contains 3 churches : 1 Congregational, 1 Bap- tist, and 1 Methodist; the " Adams Bank," with a capital of $200,000, and a printing-office. This village is about three miles south from the Vermont line, 27 miles from Lenox, 5 from Wil- liamstown, 34 from Greenfield, 40 from Troy, N. Y., and 120 from Boston. The village of South Adams is six miles south of the north village. It has 3 churches : 1 Baptist, 1 for Friends, and 1 for various denominations. This is also a manufacturing village, having 8 cotton mills. In 1837, there were in the town, 19 cotton mills, having 20,800 spindles, which consumed 799,536 lbs. of cot- ton ; 4,752,567 yards of cotton goods, valued at f 334,649, were manufactured; males employed, 194; females, 434; capital invested, $295,725. Four woollen mills, with 7 sets of machinery ; wool consumed, 175,000 lbs. ; cloth manufactured, 215,000 yards ; value, $137,000; males employed, 51 ; females, 41 ; capital im^est- ed, $86,000. Two calico print works, which printed 4,56L680 yards of calico, employing 93 hands. The population of the town exceeds any other in the county, being 4,191. The following shows the appearance of Saddle Mountnin. as seen from the Williamstown road about one and a half miles from North Adams village. The elevated peak seen on the left is called "Grey Lock," from its hoary aspect during winter. It is stated 10 be 3,580 feet above the tide water at Albany, and is the highest land in the state. The other peak of this mountain, seen on tlie right, is called the " Saddle Ball." The depression between the 9 64 ADAMS. two peaks is called " the Notch," and comprises several valuable dairy farms. The "Massachusetts Fort" so famous during the North-eastern vierv of Saddle Mountam, {Adams). French wars, stood near the barn represented in the fore part of the engraving. The following is from the History of Adams, by Rev. John W. Yeomans, in the History of Berkshire County. About 1741 or 2, Fort Massachusetts was built in a narrow part of the valley leading towards Williamstown. This was a part of the line of defence erected to frotect the northern and western settlements of New England against French and ndian hostilities. The enemy directed their principal movements towards Connecticut river. In general, they came down from Canada in the direction of the Connecticut. and were repelled by Fort Constitution, at Brattleborough, Vt., Fort Dummer, at Hinsdale, N. H., and Fort Wentworth, N. H., further up the Connecticut, all in connection with each other on the same line. But some came down the Hudson, and, proceeding eastward up the Hoosic, came upon this fortification, and several bloody skirmishes took place. They repeatedly appeared in smaller or larger bodies about the fort. The following facts are taken principally from the Appendix to the " Redeemed Captive," by the Rev. John Taylor, formerly of Deerfield. On the 6th of May, 1746, as serjeant John Hawks and John Miles were riding out from the fort, they were fired upon by two Indians and wounded. Miles made his escape to the fort ; Hawks fought for some time, and might have taken them both prisoners, had he understood their language, as appeared afterwards ; for they asked for quarters before he turned to make his escape. A party of the enemy appeared again at the fort on the 11th of June following, and attacked a number of men who were at a distance from the fort, and a skirmish ensued. After sustaining the fire a few moments, the enemy fled, having lost one of their men. Elisha Nims and Gershom Hawks were wounded, and Benjamin Tenter was taken captive. On the 20th of August, in the same year, an army of about 900 French and Indians, under Gen. De Vaudreuil, made an attack upon the fort. Col. Hawks, who commanded the fort at that time, had only 22 effective men with him, and but 33 persons, men, women, and children, and was miserably supplied with ammunition. Notwithstanding these unfortunate circumstances, he defended the fort 28 hours, and probably would never have given it up, had not his ammunition failed. He was finally necessitated to capitulate, and offered such articles as were accepted. One special article was, that none of the prisoners should be delivered into the hands of the Indians. The next day, however, Vaudreuil delivered one half of them to the Indians, on the plea that there was danger of mutiny in his army, the Indians being irritated that they were cut off from the profits of the conquest. The savages imme- diately killed one of the prisoners, because, being sick, he was unable to travel. In the siege Col. Hawks lost but one man ; while the enemy, as near as could be ascer- tained, lost 45, who were either killed outright or died of their wounds. The prisoners were carried to Canada, where 12 of them sickened and died. The residue, with other prisoners, were sent on board a flag of tnice to Boston, where they arrived A L F O R D . 65 ?n the 16th of August, 1747. The chaplain of the fort at the time it was taken, the Rev. John Norton, wrote an account of his captivity, which was published. He after. wards settled in the ministry at East Hampton, a parish in Chatham, Conn. Another of the captives was Benjamin Simonds, who afterwards became a distinguished iaha. bitant of Williamstown, and a colonel of militia. While the fort was rebuilding, on the 25th of May, 1747, there being several hundred people present; an army of the enemy came with the design of hindering the under- takmg. About 100 men had been sent to Albany a few days before for stores of provisions and ammunition. As these were approaching the fort on their return, a scout was sent forward, who, coming within sight of the fort, discovered the enemy and began an attack, which gave alarm to the people at the fort, who had not as yet discovered the enemy. A few issued out and maintained a small skirmish, until the enemy fled. The people remaining at the lort, and the commander of the party with the wagons, were much blamed for not affording assistance, and were charged with cowardice. In this action three persons were wounded, and a friendly Indian from Stockbridge was killed. On the 1st of October following, Peter Burvee was taken captive near this fort. On the 2d of August, 1748, about 200 of the enemy appeared at the fort. It was then under the command of Capt. Ephraim Williams, afterwards Col. Williams, whose grant of 200 acres has been already mentioned. A scout was fired upon, which drew out Capt. Williams with about 30 men ; an attack began, which continued some time ; but, finding the enemy numerous, Capt. Williams fought upon the retreat, until he had again recovered the fort. The enemy soon withdrew ; but with what loss was unknown. A man by the name of Abbot was killed, and Lieut. Hawley and Ezekiel Wells were wounded. In 1755, in the second French war. Col. Williams was sent at the head of a regiment to join Gen. Johnson at the north, and was killed on the 8th of September in that year, near the southern extremity of Lake George. After the death of Col. Williams, the oversight of the fort was committed, it is believed, to one Capt. Wyman. He is known to have lived in the house within the pickets, and to have occupied the land reserved for the use of the fort. June 7, 1756, a body of the enemy came again to this fort, and Benjamin King, and a man by the name of Meacham, were killed. The Rev. Stephen West, afterwards Dr. West, minister of Stockbridge, was chaplain in 1758, and perhaps in 1757. The location of the fort is still indicated by the print of a cellar, and the horse-radish, which was planted by the soldiers, arid still grows upon the spot. ALFORD. This town is of irregular form. It is about 5 miles in length, and its greatest breadth is a little more than 3 miles. The south- west part, bordering on Egremont, called the Shawenon purchase, was bought of the Stockbridge Indians about 1736. The time when the settlement commenced is not exactly known. There were not many families here before 1750 or 55. Among the early settlers were Dea. Eleazer Barret, Ebenezer Barret, Dea. Robert Johnson, John and Simeon Hurlburt, and the ancestors of the Sperry, Wilcox, Kelsey, Hamlin, and Baker families ; most of them, perhaps all, from Connecticut. There were also families, who were early settlers, by the name of Brunson, Fenton, Hunger, and War- ner. This place has been remarkable for changing its inhabitants. The first settlers were Congregationalists, and a flourishing church of that denomination formerly existed here. The Rev. Joseph Avery was settled over it about 1780, but, owing to the tumults which occurred in the Shay's rebellion, he was dismissed in 1787, and the church and society soon after became extinct. A portion of the people early became Baptists, and about 1787 a number became Methodists. In 1817, the different denominations united 66 B E C K E T . and built a meeting-house by subscription, 46 feet by 34, which they agreed to call the " Union Meeting-house." The Methodists were to occupy it half of the time, and the other denominations the other half The west part of the town is mountainous. The soil of the val- leys is generally good. The people are mostly engaged in agricul- ture. Population of the town, 441. The center of the place is 24 miles east of Hudson, 14 S. by W. of Lenox, and 125 miles from Boston. BECKET, This town was granted to Joseph Brigham and 59 others in 1735, and a few persons came into the town for the purpose of set- tling in it as early as 1740, but for fear of the Indians soon return- ed, but not till they had erected a saw-mill in the east part of the town, and some other buildings. The first permanent settlement was made in 1755, by people who emigrated principally from the eastern part of Connecticut. The first settlers were of the name of Birchard, Goss, King, Kingsley, Messenger, Wadsworth, Wait, and Walker. The descendants of these men, except Goss, yet re- main in the town, and those of Wadsworth are, in particular, numerous. The first white person born in the town was Jabez Wadsworth, in Dec. of the year of the settlement, who, after sus- taining a respectable and christian character, died in April, 1826. The first church was gathered and organized Dec. 28, 1758. Mr. Ebenezer Martin, a graduate of Yale College, was ordained their pastor, Feb. 23, 1759. He was dismissed Oct. 12, 1764, and succeeded by Mr. Zadoc Hunn, a native of Wethersfield, Con., June 5, 1771, He was dismissed in Oct. 1788. The first meeting- house of this society was built in 1762, and stood about 40 years. This society have a fund, raised by the subscription of 60 indi- viduals, (who were incorporated as the "First Congregational So- ciety in Becket," Feb. 17, 1798,) which now amounts to upwards of $5,500. In 1800 the society built a new meeting-house, which was dedicated Nov. 19. Rev. Joseph L. Mills was ordained pastor June 5, 1806. The Baptist church was organized in Sept., 1764. Their first pastor was Elder Robert Nesbit. The Baptist meeting-house was erected in 1815. The town was incorporated by its present name June 21, 1765, and the first town meeting was held on the 5th of the succeeding month. The town lies on the Green mountain range. The surface is hilly, broken, and rocky, the soil hard and cold; very little clay or sand is found. When well cultivated the ground yields rye and corn in moderate quantities, but wheat will not succeed. The winters in that lown are usually very severe, during which season, high piercing winds prevail, yet it is generally healthy, and the lon- gevity of the inhabitants is uncommon even in New England. The center of this town is 15 miles E. S. E. of Lenox and 110 W. of Boston. Population, 957. CLARKSBURG. 67 CHESHIRE This town was originally included in the towns of Lanesbo- rough, New Ashford, Adams, and Windsor. The form is very- irregular, as the line in passing round it takes 21 different courses. It was incorporated by its present name March 14, 1793. The settlement of the town commenced in 1767. Some of the principal settlers were Joseph Bennet, Esq., Col. Joab Stafford, John Buck- land, Esq., John Lippet, Samuel Low, Simon Smith, Amos Smith, Stephen Carpenter, Shubael Wilmarth and John Wilmarth, from Rhode Island ; Jonathan Richardson, Isaac Warren, and Charles Saben from Con. The inhabitants from the beginning have been generally of the Baptist denomination. There are two houses for public worship belonging to them in the town; one at Stafford's Hill, and one at the Four Corners. The first Baptist church was formed at Stafford's Hill, Aug. 28, 1769. Elder Peter Werden was the first pastor, from Warwick, R. I. The second Baptist church was formed at the Four Corners of 17 members, under the care of Elder Nathan Mason, from Nova Scotia, Sept. 21, 1771. From this church was formed a third, of 15 members, under the ministry of Elder Elnathan Sweet, Jan. 15, 1824. There is a society of Metho- dists in the town, which was formed in July, 1823. The center of the town is a rich and fertile valley. To the E. and W. of this the ground gradually rises into hills and moun- tains. The township is well adapted to grazing, to which the atten- tion of the inhabitants is principally given. Large dairies are kept, and the Cheshire cheeses are widely and deservedly celebrated. The famous Mammoth Cheese presented to President Jefferson, Jan. 1, 1802, had no small influence to bring these into notice. On a day appointed the dairy women sent their curds to one place. The quan- tity sent proved to be too great to be pressed even in a cider-mill press, so that besides "the monster" three smaller ones were made of 70 lbs. weight each. The mammoth cheese weighed about 1450 lbs. Mr. Jeflerson sent back a good-sized piece of this cheese to the inhabitants, to satisfy them of its excellence ; and he also sent pieces of it to the governors of the several states. The town is situated 16 miles N. by E. of Lenox and 120 W. N. W. of Boston. Number of inhabitants 924. CLARKSBURG. This town is seven miles in length and about two and a half in breadth. It received its name, it is supposed, from the numerous families of Clarks who settled there. The settlement was com- menced in 1769, by Capt. Matthew Ketchum, his son Matthew, and his cousins Epenetus, Daniel and Samuel. These came from Long Island. Nicholas Clark and his brothers Aaron, Stephen and Silas moved in about the same time from Cumberland, R. I. The 68 D A L T O N . town was incorporated March 2, 1798. The petitioners desired to have it incorporated by the name of Hudson, from a man of that name who was supposed to have cut the first tree in the town which was felled by a white man. This man continued in the place only two or three months. Why the name inserted in the petition was changed, the inhabitants never knew. Hudson's brook yet bears the name. The surface of this township is uneven, and the soil is hard and stony. About two thirds of the town lies on the Bald and Hoosic mountains. The mountain land is cold and rocky. Its principal commodity is lumber ; considerable quantities of spruce and hem- lock timber being annually carried to Adams and Williamstown. The people are Baptists and Methodists, there being about an equal number of each. Situated 27 miles N. by E. of Lenox and 125 miles W. by N. of Boston. Population, 386. DALTON. This town began to be settled about 1755. Among the first set- tlers were the Chamberlains, the Cadys, the Boardmans, Gallups, Lawrences, Merrimans, Parks, &c. Dr. Marsh, a graduate of Harvard College, and a judge of the county court, was also one of the early settlers. The venerable Dea. Williams moved into the town some years after from Hatfield. He was a leader and guide to the people for many years, and an ornament and glory to the town. He was a trustee of Williamstown College, and a senator in the state legislature. He died March 1, 1808, aged 74. The town was incorporated in 1784, and named Dalton, after the Hon. Tristram Dalton, then speaker of the house of repre- sentatives. The length of the township is about 9 miles. The rich and beautiful vale of Dalton is in the center of the town. The eastern branch of the Housatonic runs through it, and, by a cir- cuitous route, encloses as on three sides an elevation of land of more than 100 acres in the center of the whole vale. Here are two meeting-houses, 1 Congregational and 1 Methodist, and about 25 dwelling-houses in the vicinity. From this elevation it is esti- mated may be seen three fourths of the houses in the town. The land is generally productive. Spring wheat is more easily raised than in many towns in the county, and the soil is suitable for In- dian corn. The meadows on the Housatonic river are not so ex- tensive as on many towns below. The Congregational church in the town was formed Feb. 16, 1785. Rev. James Thompson was the first minister, ordained in March, 1795. The society have a parsonage-house, Avith 70 acres of land, purchased by the avails of lands lying in the town devised them by Col. Israel Williams and Dea. Obadiah Dickinson, of Hatfield. The present meeting-house was built in 1812. There are a few Baptist families in the town, and a society of Methodists. The center of the town is 10 miles northerly of Lenox, and 120 miles W. of Boston. Population 830 EGREMONT. 69 There is a woollen mill, and two paper-mills, which manufacture paper to the value of between 30 and 40,000 dollars annually. EGREMONT. The regular settlement of this town commenced about 1730, though it is said some Dutch people, supposing it belonged to the colony of New York, settled in it at an earlier period. Between 1730 and 1756, many families moved into the place from New York and from the New England colonies. Among the first set- tlers were Nicholas Karner, Jacob Karner, Cornelius Spoor, Ebe- nezer Baldwin, Aaron Loomis, Josiah Phelps, John Perry, Timo- thy Hopkins, Elias Hopkins, Nehemiah Messenger, Benjamin Trumain, Samuel Colver, Samuel Younglove, William Webb, Jon- athan Welch, Samuel Welch, Robert Joyner, Gideon Church, Ebenezer Smith, Aaron Sheldon, Israel Taylor, William Roberts, Joseph Hicks, Edward Baily, Abraham Andrews, and John Fuller. The township is about five and a half miles in length and four and a half in breadth. It was incorporated as a district in 1760, and called by its present name. It was invested with full town privi- leges, except the right of sending a representative to the general court, which right was to be held in common with the town of Sheflield : some years after, this right was granted. The soil of the township is various, but generally productive. Most of it is better adapted to tillage than grazing. The inhabitants erected a house for public worship in 1767, and raised money for the support of the gospel. Feb. 5, 1770, they invited the Rev. Eliphalet Steele, a native of West Hartford and graduate of Yale College, to settle with them. On the 20th of the same month, the Congrega- tional church was organized, and Mr. Steele ordained on the 28th of June following. The people were generally united in their pastor, until the time of Shays' rebellion. As he was supposed to be friendly to the government, the malcontents became his ene- mies and opposers. On one occasion, several armed ruflians vio- lently entered his residence in the night, and, after treating him in an insolent and abusive manner, took away his watch and various articles of clothing. Difiiculties continuing to increase, Mr. Steele was dismissed by a council on the 29th of April, 1794, and removed into the state of New York. The church gradually decreased by deaths and removals until 1814, when it was considered to be extinct. In 181 6, the present Congregational church was organized. It was begun with 14 members. Rev. Gardner Hayden was ordain- ed their pastor Nov. 23, 1820. A Baptist church was formed in the north part of this town in 1787 ; the society obtained their act of incorporation in 1808, and in 1817 erected their meeting-house. There is a Methodist society in the south-west part of the town, who hold their meetings in a school-house. This town is 15 miles southerly of Lenox, and 128 W. of Boston. Population, 968. 70 GREATBARRINGTON. FLORIDA. This town began to be settled about 1783. Dr. Daniel Nelson settled in it in that year, and in the course of two years he was joined by Paul Knowlton, Sylvanus Clark, Nathan Drury, Esq., Jesse King, Esq., and Stephen Staples. Soon after 1795 there was a considerable accession of inhabitants. The length of the town- ship on an average may be about 4 miles. It was incorporated in 1805. It being situated on the height of the Green mountain range, the surface is broken and the climate cold and severe. The people derive their support chiefly from their stock and dairies. A Congregational church was formed May 4, 1814, consisting of 11 members. A Baptist church was organized in 1810, with about 20 members. Their meeting-house was built in 1824. There are a few Methodists in the town, living mostly on Deerfield river. Situated 27 miles N. N. E. of Lenox, and 120 W. by N. of Boston. Number of inhabitants 457. GREAT BARRINGTON. The settlement of this town commenced about 1730. The lower part of it was settled in connection with Sheffield. Some families it is said were located above the bridge before 1730. Of these were Laurens and Sydney Suydam (supposed to have been brothers), from Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Some of the first settlers were Dutch, others were English. Among the latter were Joshua White, Moses IngersoU, Moses and William King, Thomas Dewey, Heze- kiah Phelps, Israel Orton, and Joshua Root. This town is formed of parts of the upper and lower Housatonic townships, sur- veyed by authority of the general court in 1736. There were 30 proprietors of the upper Housatonic township. House or home lots were laid out for them on both sides of the river from the bridge to Monument mountain. Here improvements were begun. From the house lots, long parallel lots were laid out to Tyringhara line. The Hop lands (so called), in the north-east part of the town, in the region of Hop brook, were laid out in a similar manner. The land on Monument mountain and part of the north plain was laid out in equalizing lots, that is, in lots so proportioned as to render the preceding divisions equal to the particular right of each individual. The tract em- braced in the present town was formed into a parish about 1740, and called the second parish of Sheffield. In 17(J1 it was selected as the seat of justice for the county of Berkshire, and in the course of that year it was incorporated a town by the present name. County buildings were afterwards erected in the town, and courts held here till 1787, when they were removed to Lenox. The town is about 7 miles in length, and fi in breadth. About 1755, in the second French war, a block-house was built, about a mile above the bridge on the west side of the river, as a place of security to which the inhabitants might flee in case of an attack. In 1743 (when there were only 30 families in the place) the people employed the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, afterwards Dr. Hop- kins, to preach with them, and after a short trial settled him the same year in the ministry. He was ordained the 28th of Dec, on which day the church was organized. He was dismissed at his own request on the 18th of Jan. 1769. GKEATBARRINGTON. 71 He was born at Waterbury, Con., and was a direct lineal descendant of Stephen Hop- kins, one of the pilgrims who landed at Plymouth in Dec. 1620. He graduated at Yale College in 1741, and studied theology with the first President Edwards, then minister at Northampton. His mental powers were strong, and fitted him for deep and thorough investigation. While at Great Barrington, and Newport, R. I., (where he settled after he left Mass.) he published a number of sermons and books on subjects of doctrine Avhich excited considerable controversy. In 1793 he pub- lished his System of Divinity, the sentiments advocated in which were highly Calvin- istic, and are generally termed Hopkinsinian. The village of Great Barrington, which extends about three fourths of a mile on the western borders of the Housatonic, con- sists of upwards of 50 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 1 Episcopal and 1 Congregationalist, a printing-office, and various mechanic shops. The village is weM built, and deeply shaded by elms and other trees. It is 6 miles from Sheffield, 14 south of Lenox, 25 eastward from Hudson, and 125 from Boston. In 1837 there were in the town 4 cotton mills, which consumed 170,000 lbs. of cotton ; 920,000 yards of cotton goods manufactured, valued at $64,600 ; there were 2 woollen mills, which consumed 32,000 lbs. of wool, and 52,500 yards of cloth manufactured. There were in the town 2,657 merino sheep, which produced 6,642 lbs. of wool, the value of which was $3,321 ; one furnace for the manufacture of pig iron, employing 20 hands ; ISO tons of pig iron were made, valued at $7,200. Population, 2,440. The Episcopal society in this town was formed about the year 1760. The church was instituted by the Rev. Solomon Palmer, then a missionary at Litchfield and New Milford, Con., from the society in England for propagating religion in foreign parts. The society have a parsonage-house and lands, and besides the church they have a chapel in Van Deusenville to accommodate the people in the north part of the society. The Congregational and Episcopal societies were incorporated by the legislature in 1791, There are some Methodist people in town, who mostly reside in the east and north-east parts. The most noted mountain in this section of country is Monu- ment mountain, in the north part of this town, which rises up directly from the east bank of the Housatonic, and extends into Stockbridge. The engraving shows the appearance of this, as it is seen from the south-east on the road towards Stockbridge. It derived its name from a rude monument of stones on the south- eastern point, a short distance from the county road, which it is to be regretted is now demolished. The pile was six or eight feet in diameter, circular at its base, and raised in the form of an obtuse cone over the grave of one of the aborigines. It was a custom of the Indians whenever an individual passed by the tomb of his countryman to cast a stone upon it. By this slow method of accu- mulation, the heap in question rose in a series of years to the size just mentioned. According to tradition " the person buried here was a female, who had thrown herself from the cliffs of the moun- tain through the influence of a passionate love for a cousin, whom the religion of the natives would not allow her to marry, because 10 72 GREAT BARRINOTON Sovth-faitirn virn- nf Monummt Mountain. the connection was deemed incestuous." Some ^^-ears since a poem was written on this tradition, entitled Monument Mouniain, by- William C. Bryant, a native of Cnmmington, then an inhabitant of this town. The following extract from the first part of the poem correctly delineates the scenery of this mountain, and in most re- spects the description is equally applicable to much of the mountain scenery in the western part of the state. Thou who woTildst see the lovely and the wild Mingled in harmony on Nature's face, Ascend our rocky mountain. Let thy foot Fail not with weariness, for on their tops The beauty and the majesty of earth Spread wide beneath shall make thee to forget The steep and toilsome way. There as thou stand'sl, The haunts of men below thee, and above The mouniain summits, thy expanded heart Shall feel a kindred with that loftier world To which thou art translated, and partake The enlargement of thy vislim. Thou alialt look Upon the green and rolling forest tops, And down into the secrets of the glen And streams, that with their bordering thicket-i strive To hide their windings. Thou slialt gaze at once Here on while villages, and tilth and herds, And swarming roads, and there on solitudes, That only hear the torrent and the wind And eagle's sliriek. There is a precipice That seems a fraement of some mighty wall Built by the hand that fashioned the old world To separate its natioi\«, and thrown down When the flood drowned (hem. To the north a path Conducts you up the narrow biittlement. Steep Is the western side, shaggy and wild, With mossy trees and pinnacles of flint, And many a hanging crag. But to the ea^t Sheer to the vale go down the bare old clitTs, — Huge pillars, that in middle heaven uprear; Their weather-beaten capitals here dark Witli the thick moss of centuries, and there Of chalky whiteness, where the thunderbolt Has splinler'd them. It is a fearful thing To stand upon a beetling verge and see Where storms and lightning from the huge gray wall Have tumbled down vast blocks, and at i^he base Dashed them in fragments, and to lay thine ear Over the dizzy depth, and hear the sound Of winds, that struggle with the woods below', Come up like ocean murmm-s. But ihe scene Is lovely round ; a beautiful river there Wanders amid the fresh and fertile meads, The paradise he made unto himself. Mining the soil for ages. On each side The fields swell upward to the hills; beyond, Above the hill, in the blue distance, rise The mighty columns with which earth props heaven. That there were anciently Indian settlements in this town, is evident from various circumstances. In addition to utensils and weapons of Indian manufacture, which have been often found, it is known that, as early as 1726, the river used to be cros.sed half a mile below the bridge, at what was then called the " Great Wigwam." This place was sometimes called the " Castle," or rather, perhaps, the great wigwam stand- mg upon it. There is also a tradition that there was a considerable Indian settlement at this spot. Indian graves have also been found three fourths of a mile above the bridge, on the east side of the river. One man, in digging thirteen post-holes to secure his barn-yard, discovered the remains of six bodies. This settlement must have been abandoned before the autumn of 1734 ; for at that time there were no Indians in the county, except at Stockbridge and Sheffield, and perhaps a family or two in New Marlborough. But in the two -winters following, the HANCOCK. 73 Indians were collected from Stockbridge and Sheffield, somewhere in this town, for the purpose of receiving instruction more conveniently from the missionary and school- master sent among them, previous to the final establishment of the mission in Stock- bridge. They may have been collected at the Great Wigwam, but were probably further north. ' The following circumstance is related by Dr. Dwight as having occurred at the great bridge in this town. It is too remarkable not to be introduced here. " A Mr. Van Rensselaer, a young gentleman from Albany, came one evening into an inn, kept by a Mr. Root, just at the eastern end of the bridge. The inn-keeper, who knew him, asked him where he had crossed the river. He answered, ' On the bridge.' Mr. Root replied, that that was impossible, because it had been raised that very day, and that not a plank had been laid on it. Mr. Van Rensselaer said that it could not be true, because his horse had come over without any difhculty or reluctance ; that the night was indeed so profoundly dark as to prevent him fi'om seeing anything distinctly ; but that it was incredible, if his horse could see sufficiently well to keep his footing anywhere, that he should not discern the danger, and impossible for him to pass over the bridge in that condition. Each went to bed dissatisfied, neither believ- ing the story of the other. In the morning, Mr. Van Rensselaer went, at the solicita- tion of his host, to view the bridge, and, finding it a naked frame, gazed for a moment with astonishment, and fainted." HANCOCK. The first and principal grant in this town was made by the legislature, in 1760, to Asa Douglass, Esq., and Timothy Hurl- bur t, of Canaan, Con., Col. John Ashley of Sheffield, and Josiah Dean. The first grantee became a settler in April 1762, with whom were soon associated John Clothier, Jesse Squire, Amasa and Martin Johnson, Benjamin Davis, Samuel Grippen, David Sprague, Samuel Hand, Esq., Capt. Caleb Gardner, David Vaughan, Reuben Ely, Henry Hazard and Jonathan Hazard, Esq. They were mostly from Connecticut and Rhode Island, and settled about the north village, and northward towards Williamstown. In 1761, Charles Goodrich, Esq., of Fittsfield, obtained a grant of land on the south end of the town, and in 1764 his nephew Daniel Goodrich settled upon it; and the following year Benjamin Goodrich, the father of Daniel, settled there, with all his other sons, viz. Benjamin, Samuel, Nathan, David, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, and Enoch. Jeremiah and Hezekiah Osborn, father and son, and Israel Talcot, settled there about the same time The Goodriches and Osborns were from Ridgfield— Talcot from Wethersfield, Con. Soon after the grant to Charles Goodrich, small grants were made in the north part of the town to Dea. Samuel Brown, of Stockbridge, and Col. Farrington. The remainder of the town was sold by a committee of the general court to the actual settlers in 1789, at different prices per acre, according to the quality. The place was first called Jericho, on account of the high natural walls on each side, that is, the mountains. At the time of its incorporation in 1776, it was named Hancock m honor oi John Hancock, then president of the continental congress, and afterwards governor of the state. The township is nearly 16 miles in length, and about two in breadth. It was formerly wider, but when the line was finally established between Massachusetts and New York, in 1787, a tier of fine lots, upward of half a mile in length, were thrown into the latter state. A narrow valley extends south about 7 miles from the line of Williamstown to the north village of Hancock, along which is a succession of good farms extending from the valley to the right and left on to the sides of the mountains. For several miles south from this village, the township is so broken and mountainous that no highway has been cut through it. The Shakers have a village in the .south-east part of the town, 74 HANCOCK which extends into the edge of Pittsfield. They sprung up in this town about 1780. Some persons about that time began to visit mother Ann and the elders at Escuania, near Albany. Approv- ing of the tenents of the Shakers, they immediately set up their meetings according to the customs of that sect. They built their meetinff-house in 1784. Sliaker Village in Hancock. The above is a view of some of the principal buildings in the Shaker village, which is 4 miles from Pittsfield, 7 from Lenox, and 5 from New Lebanon Springs. The large three-story build- ing seen in the central part of the engraving is constructed of brick, is 102 feet long, and 53 feet wide. There are six families, as they are termed, in the settlement, containing in the whole about 130 or 40 persons. The circular stone barn seen in the engraving in distance, a short distance southerly from the three- story building, was built in 1826, and is something of a curiosity. " It is 270 feet in compass, with walls laid in lime, rising 21 feet above the underpinning, and from three and a half to two and a half feet in thickness. The mast and rafters are 53 feet in length, and united together at the top. On the lower floor, immediateiy with- in the walls, are stables, 8 feet high, occupying 12 feet in length, with the manger, which is inwards, and into which convenient places are left for throwing hay and feed from above. In these stables, which open to and from several yards, a span of horses and 52 horned cattle may be stabled. The covering of the stables forms the barn floor, on to which from an offset there is but one large doorway for teams, which make the circuit of the floor, and pass out at the same place. Eight or ten can occupy the floor at the same time ; and the hay is thrown into the large area in the center. For simply laying the stone of this building the masons were paid 500 dftliars and boarded." Most of the inhabitants of the town have ever been of the Bap- ,f,ist denomination. A congregation was early formed, which held HINSDALE. 75 their meetings for a time in a log house about a mile and a quar- ter above the north village. Their present meeting-house was built in 1797. Elder Clark Rogers, from R. I., was their first minister, and was settled over them in about 1770. The town is 15 miles N. by W. of Lenox, and 129 W. of Boston. Population, 975. Agricnlture is the principal business of the inhabitants. HINSDALE. The settlement of this town was commenced about the close of the second French war, probably in the year 1762. The first who settled in the town were Francis, David, and Thomas Miller, brothers, from Middlebury. Francis Miller was a man of conside- rable note. He was employed as a surveyor by the government, and surveyed the road from Boston to Albany, and run the line between Massachusetts and New York. Other of the first settlers were Nathan and Wilson Torrey, from Rhode Island, and Joseph Watkins and 5 sons from Hopkinton. About 1771, Nathan Fisk, who was among the first settlers, built a grist and saw mill, for which he received a premium from the government of 250 acres of land. In 1774 and 75 Nathaniel Tracy, Abner Bixbe, James Wing, and two families by the name of Frost, settled in the town. In 1781 Richard Starr, from Groton, Con., came into the town, and was of great service to the religious interests of the people. This town originally belonged to Peru on the east aiid Dalton on the west. In 1795 they Avere incorporated as a parish, by the name of the west parish of Partridgefield (now Peru), and in 1804 they were mvested with town privileges and incorporated by the name of Hinsdale. In the year first mentioned the Rev. Theodore Hins- dale, after whom the town was named, (came from Windsor, Con.) and settled in the part of the town which then belonged to Dalton, and was very active, in connection with Dea. Starr, in gathering and organizing a Congregational church. This church was formed in Dec. of that year, consisting of 23 members. In 1797 a Baptist church was formed, of which Elder Eleazer Smith was the first minister. They have a meeting-house, built in 1818. There are 3 churches in the center of the town, 1 Congregational, I Baptist, and 1 Methodist. This township is situated on the west side of the Green moun- tain range, and is 7 miles in length, and from 3 to 4 in breadth. It is 15 miles N. N. E. of Lenox and 124 W. of Boston. Population 832. In 1837 there were 2 woollen mills, which consumed 57,000 lbs. of wool ; 25,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $74,000. There were 2,000 Saxony and 8,920 merino sheep, and the value of the wool produced in the town was $19,266. 76 LANESBOROUGH. LANESBOROUGH Southern view of Lauesburough. In January, 1741, Samuel Jackson, with seventy-five others, inhabitants of Framingham, Middlesex Co., petitioned the general court to grant them a tract of wilderness land, situated near an Indian town on the Housatonic river. The grant Avas made, and they were authorized to survey and locate a township, which was done the same year. The settlement was commenced about 1754 or 5, by Capt. Samuel Martin and two other families, which were driven off by the Indians in the second French war. Of these, Capt. Martin was the only one who returned. Among the earliest settlers were Nathaniel Williams, Samuel Tyrrell, John, Ephraim, Elijah and Miles Powel (brothers), Lieut. Andrew Squier, James Loomis and Ambrose Hall, William Bradley, James Goodrich, Thaddeus Curtiss, Ebenezer Squier, Benjamin and Joseph Farnum. They all settled here as early as 1760. A fort was built for the protection of the settlement from Indian assaults. On the approach of the Indians, on one occasion, the settlers fled to Pittsficld. A scout was sent after them from Massachusetts fort, who, following tracks which they found, discovered two Indian chiefs, who were stooping down, tying their moccasons. Each of the scouts selected one, and both chiefs were killed on the spot. The scouts escaped to the fort, though closely pursued by the Indians. A party shortly after set out from the fort in search of the bodies of the slain chiefs, who found them buried in their war costume. The town was incorporated on the 20th of June, 1765, and then com- prehended a large part of the present town of Cheshire. The pre- sent length of the town is 6 miles, and the average breadth about 5 miles. There are beds of iron ore in the town, and several extensive quarries of valuable marble. The above shows the appearance of the village of Lanesborough AS it is entered from the south. It is situated on the eastern side LEE. 77 of a branch of the Hoiisatoiiic, which passes through the central part of the town, and runs through Lanesborough Pond, which hes partly in this town and Pittsfield. The meadows on this stream are hixuriant and beautiful. There are 3 churches : 1 Congrega- tional, 1 Baptist, and 1 Episcopal. The Congregational church is the one seen in the central part of the engraving ; the Baptist is the one standing a little south. The Episcopal church, a Gothic building, stands about three fourths of a mile northward. The Congregational church in this town was organized March 28th, 1764, by Rev. Samuel Hopkins, of Great Barrington, and Rev. Stephen West, of Stockbridge. It consisted at first of eight members. Their first pastor. Rev. Daniel Collins, was ordained April 17, 1764. He was a native of Guilford, Con., and a gra- duate of Yale College in 1760. The Episcopal church (called St. Luke's church) was instituted by the Rev. Samuel Andrews, of Wallingford, Con., Oct. 2, 1767, and their first house of worship Avas built in 1783. The Baptist church was formed in 1818, Avith 12 members. Elder Augustus C. Beach was their minister. Their meeting-house was built in 1828, This town is 11 miles N. of Lenox, and 125 W. by N. of Boston. Number of mhabitants, 1,090. The following is from the " Statistical Tables," 1837, published by the state: "Saxony sheep, 7,814; merino sheep, 4,235; other kinds of sheep, 284 ; Saxony wool produced, 28,193 pounds ; merino wool, 13,510 pounds; other kinds of wool, 786 pounds; average weight of fleece, 3 pounds ; value of wool, $26,100; capital invested, 1335,500." LEE. This toAvn was incorporated in the year 1777. The eastern part was taken from the town of Washmgton, called Hartwood ; the south-western, called Hopland, was taken from Great Barrington ; the remainder was made up of certain provincial grants, as Glass- works grant, Williams grant, &c. The town was named in honor of General Lee, then an active officer in the army of the Revolu- tion. The first white man who settled in the town was Mr. Isaac Davir,, in the year 1760, in quite the south part of the town, on the side of Hop brook. Most of the early inhabitants Avere from Tol- land, in Con., and from Barnstable, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Great Barrington, in Mass. One of the first settlers, Mr. Jesse Bradley, came from Ncav Haven, Con., another, Mr. .Jonathan Foot, from Colchester. The Congregational church in this town was organized on the 25th of May, 1780, by the Rev. Daniel Col- lins, of Lanesborough, consisting of 30 members. For the basis of their union, they adopted the same confession of faith which is acknowledged by the church at the present time. On the 3d of July, 1783, Mr. Elisha Parmelee, of Goshen, Con., a graduate of Harvard College, Avas ordained their pastor. 78 LEE. The township is 6 miles in length and 5 in breadth, and pre- sents a very diversified appearance. It embraces a part of the interval which lies between the Taconic and Green monntain ranges. The Green monntain range runs partly within the eastern limits of the town, and presents mnch picturesqne scenery. These monntains are, for the most part, of gentle acclivity, and in some places are cultivated qnite to their summits. From the base of these mountains the surface is uneven, but, upon the whole, descending, until we reach the plain on the banks of the Housa- tonic. In this town is good marble and iron ore. This town is 5 miles S. E. of Lenox, and 120 W. of Boston. Population 2,095 South-ivestcrn view of Lee, (^central part). The above shows the appearance of the central part of the prin- cipal village in Lee, as seen from the heights a few rods from the Stockbridge road. The principal part of the village is on the east side of the Housatonic, surrounded by lofty hills and mountains. South Lee is about three miles south-west from this place, near the Stockbridge line : it is much smaller than the central village, con- taining a number of ]iaper-mills, a church, and about thirty dwelling-houses. In 1837, there were 12 paper-mills in the limits of the town, which manufactured 1,200 tons of stock, producing paper to the value of ,^274.500. There was also a woollen mill, cotton mill, and forge for manufacturing bar iron. The first paper- mill in the town was built by Mr. Samuel Church, in South Lee, about thirty years since. In September, 1824, a scene of most appalling desolation was exhibited in this town. It was the explosion of an extensive powder factory, o-rnied by Messrs. Laflin, Looinis &' Co. At the time, it was estimated that there were about 5 tons of powder in the different buildings. On a very pleasant morning, when the workmen thought all things were going on securely, in a moment every building was razed from its foun- dation M'ith a tremendous explosion. Three of the unfortunate workmen were mstantly killed, and a fourth, who was thrown into the river, lingered for a short time, till death, like a friend, relieved him from his pains. Every house and building m the neighborhood was more or less injured, and every breast was shocked. Such LENOX. 79 was the consternation produced in the minds of the inhabitants, that they universally- protested against the rebuilding, and. the feelings of the proprietors coinciding, the site and water privilege were soon after sold^ and an extensive paper-mill erected. LENOX. The Indian name of the greater part of the tract embraced in this . township was Yokwi, so called after an Indian sagamore of that name. Some small individnal grants united ; the town was incor- porated in 1767, and called Lenox, (the family name of the Duke of Richmond). Its length is about 6 miles, and its mean breadth 4. The first Enghsh inhabitant of this town was Mr. Jonathan Hinsdale, from Hartford, Con. He moved into the place in 1750, and built a small dwelling about 50 rods south of Court-house hill, on the east side of the county road. A Mr. Dickinson soon after built a house just north of Mr. Hinsdale. In 1755, these, with some other families who had settled in the vicinity and in Pitts- field, removed to Stockbridge, through fear of the Indians, who were instigated to hostilities by the French in Canada. While the few families north of Stockbridge were hastening to that place for safety, a man by the name of Stephens, while passing a ledge of rocks in the south part of the town, was shot by the Indians, and fell dead from his horse. The horse was also killed, but a young woman by the name of Percy, who was on the horse with Mr. Stephens, by the aid of Mr. Hinsdale, escaped unhurt. Among the first permanent settlers were Jacob Bacon, Messrs. Hunt, McCoy, Gleason, Steel, Waterman, Root, Dewy, Miller, Whitlocke, Parker, Richard, Collins, Treat, Andrus, Wright, and others. A majority of the familes who first settled in the town, moved from West Hartford and Wallingford, Con. The first town officers were chosen March 5, 1767. The inhabitants about this time began to make preparation for the organization of a church and the settle- ment of a minister. The church was formed in 1769, by the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, then of Great Barrington. Rev. Samuel Munson, of New Haven, a graduate of Yale College, was ordained pastor November 8, 1770. Soon after his settlement, a house for public worship was erected near the place where the present Congrega- tional meeting-house is located, and was occupied till Jan. 1, 1806, when the present one was dedicated. The first burying-ground was more than a mile north of the village, and west of the county road. Soon after the first meeting-house was built, a piece of ground near it was marked out for a grave-yard. It has since been enlarged, and is now the principal burying-place in the town. The land on which the meeting-house stands, and for the burying- ground, was given to the society by a Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Mun- son was a man of good abilities, of ardent piety, sound in the faith, and zealous in promoting the cause of religion, but he lived in times of trouble. The revolutionary war occasioned very bitter animosities among the people ; and, subsequently, what is called 80 LENOX the Shays' insurrection was productive of much evil in the town. There has been an incorporated Episcopal society in the town since 1805. They have a handsome church, standing a few rods east of the court-house. There are also in this town a few fami- lies of the Baptist and Methodist denominations. Lenox academy was incorporated in 1803. At the time of the incorporation, the legislature made to it the grant of half a township of land in the state of Maine, which at that time belonged to Massachusetts. This land, for a number of years, was wholly unproductive, but it was sold a few years since, and produced a respectable fund, the avails of which are appropriated to the support of the institu- tion. Lenox is the shire town of Berkshire county. It is situated 130 miles W. of Boston, 6 S. of Pittsfield, 42 from Springfield, 56 from Hartford, 30 from Hudson, and 34 from Albany. Popula- tion, 1,275. The judicial courts have been held here since 1787, Northern vietv of Lenox. The above is a representation of Lenox village, as it is seen from near the Congregational church, which is situated on an eminence at the northern extremity of the village. On this spot the observer has a fine prospect of the village ; beyond which, are seen various ranges of lofty hills and mountains, and, far in the distance, is seen, towering above all others, the lofty summit of Mount Wash • ington. The village is uncommonly beautiful in its situation and general appearance : it consists of about forty dwelling-houses, 3 churches, (1 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist,) a court-house constructed of brick, in a handsome style of architec- ture, a hotel, academy, printing-office, and other public buildings. The refined state of society in this place, the fine mountain air and scenery, and the superior accommodations at the hotel now kept by Mr. Wilson, all render Lenox a most desirable place of jresort during the warm season of the year. bo d g n:^^ 01 o W P- &< r! u w LENOX, 81 The following, termed "the Covenant signed in Lenox, 1774," was, by a unanimous vote of the town, in 1828, ordered to be put upon the town records, " at the special request of Hon. William Walker and Col. Elijah Northrup, the only persons now living in the town whose names are in the following list." Whereas the Parliament of Great Britain have of lat« undertaken to give and grant away our money, without our knowledge or consent, and, in order to compel us to a servile submission to the above measures, have proceeded to block up the harbor of Boston ; also have or are about to vacate the charter and repeal certain laws of this province, heretofore enacted by the General Court, and confirmed to us by the king and his predecessors : therefore, as a means to obtain a speedy redress of the above grievances, we do solemnly and in good faith covenant and engage with each other, — 1st. That we will not import, purchase, or consume, or suffer any person for, by, or under us, to import, purchase, or consume in any manner whatever, any goods, wares, or manufactures which shall arrive in America from Great Britain, from and after the first day of October next, or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the American Congress; nor any goods which shall be ordered from thence from and after this day, until our charter and constitutional rights shall be restored, or until it shall be determined by the major part of our brethren in this and the neighboring colonies, that a non-importation or non -consumption agreement will not have a ten- dency to efiect the desired end, or until it shall be apparent that a non-importation or non-consumption agreement will not be entered into by the majority of this and the neighboring colonies, except such articles as the said General Congress of North Ame- rica shall advise to import and consume. 2dly. We do further covenant and agree, that we will observe the most strict obe- dience to all constitutional laws and authority, and will at all times exert ourselves to the utmost for the discouragement of all licentiousness, and suppressing all disor- derly mobs and riots. 3dly. We will exert ourselves, as far as within us lies, in promoting peace, love, and unanimity among each other, and for that end we engage to avoid all unnecessary lawsuits whatever. 4thly. As a strict and proper adherence to the non-importation and non-consump- tion agreement will, if not seasonably provided aigainst, involve us in many difficulties and inconveniences, we do promise and agree, that we will take the most prudent care for the raising of sheep, and for the manufacturing all such cloths as shall be most useful and necessary, and also for the raising of flax, and the manufacturing of linen , further, that we will, by every prudent method, endeavor to guard against all those inconveniences which might otherwise arise from the foregoing agreement. 5th] y. That if any person shall refuse to sign this or a similar covenant, or, after having signed it, shall not adhere to the real intent and meaning thereof, he or they shall be treated by us with all the neglect they shall justly deserve, particularly by omitting all commercial dealing with them. 6thly. That if this or a similar covenant shall, after the first day of August next, be offered to any trader or shopkeeper, in this county, and he or they shall refuse to sign the same, for the space of forty-eight hours, that we will, from thenceforth, pur- chase no article of British manufacture or East India goods from him or them, until such time as he or they shall sign this or a similar covenant. Witness our hands, dated at Lenox, this 14th dayof July, A. D. 1774. Israel Dibbell, Samuel Guthrie, Lazarus HoUister, Moses Miller, Bildad Clark, Jared Ingersol, Elisha Bangs, Moses Wood, John Adams, Amos Stanley, Timothy Way, Jcdidiah Cruttenden, Jesse HoUister, Isaiah Smith, jr., Samuel Northrup, David Clark, Joel Goodrich, Joseph HoUister, Isaac Bateman, John Root, Prosper , Timothy Steel, Noah Yale, Mathias Hall, Silas Blin, Paul Dewy, Timothy Cruttenden, Isaiah Smith, Titus Curtiss, Thomas Tracy, Enos Curtiss, Joseph Dwight, Rozel Ballard, Joel Blin, Moses Hyde, Charles Mattoon, Jehiel HoUister, James Richards, Ephraim Gary, Reuben Root, Elijah Northrup, Samuel Munson, David Clark, jr., Eleazer Barret, Rufus Branch, Solomon HoUister, Job St. Leonard, Uriah Cross, Thomas Gates, Samuel Jerome, Thomas Benedict, Charles Dibbell, 82 MOUNT WASHINGTON. Thomas Steel, Oliver Beldin, Caleb Hyde, John Paterson, Ephraim Smith, Edward Gray, Elias Willard, Allen Goodrich, Alexander Mackay, Thomas Landers, Abraham Northrup, Thomas Baleman, William Maltby, Luther Bateman, Israel Dewey, Elias Willard, jr., Matthew Miller, Ashley Goodrich, Reuben Sheldon, James Guthrie, Jonathan Foster, William Walker, Samuel Whedon, Jonathan Hinsdale, William Marti ndale, Simon Willard, Caleb Bull, Samuel Bement, Lemuel Collens, Thomas Foster, Ebenezer Turrill, David Root, Jacob St. John, Daniel Keeler, Stephen Cruttenden, David Hinsdell, Gorden Hollister, Amos Benton, Ephraim Hollister, Samuel Wright, Jeremiah Hull, Neheraiah Tracy, John Gray, Samuel Goodrich, Zenas Goodrich, Gershom Martindaie, Titus Parker, Ashbel Treat, John Treat, James Richards, jr.,* Stephen Titus, Asa Bacon, Hopson Beebe, Caleb Culver, Samuel Pond, Elisha Osborn, David Perry, Enos Stone. f MOUNT WASHINGTON. As early as 1753 or 4, a few families moved into the town. George Robinson, Joseph Graves, Thomas Wolcott, and .Tohn Dib- ble, were among ihe first settlers. In 1757, the Indian right to the land, whatever it might have been, after the sale of the two Hou- satonic townships, was purchased for £15. Soon after this, John Dibble, John King, Nathan Benjamine, Peter Wooden, Benjamin Osborn, Charles Paterson, and others, petitioned the legislature to grant them a township here ; and in 1760 the township was actu- ally surveyed, under the direction of the legislature, into 50 lots, though the grant prayed for was not made until 1774. The town was incorporated in 1779. The form of the township is irregular ; its length is about six miles, and its average breadth three and a half. It was formerly called Tagonic or Taconic Mountain. Its surface is uneven, and is very elevated, the center being nearly 2,000 feet above the neighboruig towns, while a mountain ridge around this center rises nearly 1,000 feet higher. This ridge con- sists mostly of broken ledges of rocks, and but few trees of much size grow upon it. There is only soil enough intermingled with the rocks to support shrubs from one to four feet high. The whortleberry-bush abounds, and the inhabitants in the vicinity resort to it in the months of August and September, to gather the fruit. This town is 22 miles S. S. W. of Lenox, and 135 W. by S. of Boston. Population, 377. In 1835, it is stated in the "Mas- sachusetts Directory," that this town " has no minister of any denomination, no doctor, no lawyer, no postoffice, and no tavern." Since this period a house of worship has been erected in the cen- tral part of the town. * Mr. R. adds this to his signature : " I, James Richards, jr., do sign the whole of this paper, except these words put in, ' particularly by omitting all commercial dealing with them :' these words I refuse. J. R." t One of the first principal settlers of Rochester, N. Y. NEWMARLBOROUGH. 83 NEW ASHFORD. This town began to be settled about 1762, by emigrants from the eastern part of the state, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Among the early settlers were Nathaniel, Abel, and Gideon Kent, Uriah, Peter, and Eli Mallory, William Green, Jacob Lyon, Samuel Grid- ley, Jonathan Beach, Samuel P. Tyler, Abraham Kirby, William Campbell, Amariah Babbit, Evans Rice, Capt. Martin, and a Mr. Mason. This place was incorporated as a district Feb. 26, 1781, and enjoyed all the privileges of a town, except that it could not elect a representative to the legislature. A small, neat house, for pub- lic worship, was erected here in 1828, and dedicated in Jan., 1829. Most of the inhabitants are Methodists, who enjoy circuit preach- ing about half of the time. This town is about 4 miles square, and is situated principally on the steep and rugged hills which make from Saddle mountain on the east, and the Taconic range on the west, and which here approach each other. In the narrow valley between these hills, along the rise of the western branch of the Housatonic and the eastern branch of Green river, are some small tracts of more feasi- ble land. Valuable quarries of blue and white marble were opened in this town about 1822, which furnish a considerable branch of business. This toAvn is 18 miles N. of Lenox, and 130 W. by N. of Boston. Population, 253. NEW MARLBOROUGH. This township was originally called No. 2, and was granted in 1736 to 72 proprietors, mostly belonging to Marlborough and its vicinity, in the county of Middlesex, by " The Great and General Court or Assembly of his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, held at Boston." The proprietors obtained the township of the Indians and took a deed, which was confirm- ed by the general court. Among other divisions of land into which the township was surveyed, were house lots consisting of 60 acres each, to the number of 63, besides one for each grantee. The first improvements were made in 1739, by Mr. Benjamin Wheeler, from Marlborough. During the hard winter of 1739-40, he remained the only white inhabitant in the town. The Indians, though in most respects friendly, forbade him the use of the gun, lest he should kill the deer, and thus withheld from him part of the means of his support. His nearest white neighbors were in Sheffield, a distance of 10 miles, some of whom came on snow- shoes to see him. In the following summer he visited Marlborough and returned with his family. Among the other first settlers were Noah Church. Jabez Ward, Thomas Tatlow. Elias Keyes, Joseph Blackiner, Jesse Taylor, John Taylor, William Witt, Philip Brookins and Samuel Bryan, from Marlborough or the vicinity, in 84 NEW MARLBOROUGH. 1741 ; Joseph Adams, Moses Cleaveland, Silas Freeman, in 1744; and Charles Adams, Solomon Randsford, Nathan Randsford and Jarvis Pike, in 1745, from Canterbury, Con. Families by the name of Sheldon, Wright and Allen, from Northampton, Mass. and Shel- don, Norton, and Harmon, from Suffield, Con., moved in about 1745, and William Alexander and John Thompson the succeeding year, from Dedham. The first born in town were twins, children of Mr. Brookins. The first church ia the town was organized on the 31st of Oct. 1744, with 5 members On the following day, the Rev. Thomas Strong, a native of Northampton and graduate of Yale College, was ordained pastor of this church. His salary was £50. The first meeting-house was erected in 1743. The expense of building it was defrayed by the proprietors of the town. The second meeting-house of this society was built in 1793 In consequence of some disagreement concerning the location of this house, anothei house was built the same year, and in 1794 the town was divided by the legislature, and a new parish, called the south parish, incorporated. On the 25th of April, 1794, the second or South church was formed, of 21 members, from the first church. The first pastor of this church. Rev. John Stevens, a native of Danbury, Con., and graduate of Yale College, was settled over the society Oct. 22, 1794. This parish has a ministerial fund, obtained by subscription in 1794, amounting to about $3,150. This town was incorporated in 1759, is eight and a half miles in length and 5 in breadth. The surface is generally uneven and hilly, and, like most of the more elevated towns in the county, stony ; though at the time of the settlement, the stones were so deeply covered with vegetable mould that the first inhabitants are said to have expressed their fears that they should not find stone enough to answer the purposes of building. Their fears were removed by finding a quarry of white stone, split by nature into blocks of dif- ferent sizes nearly square, on an elevation called Dry Hill. In the north-west part of the town is Six-mile pond, first so called by some Indians who lived six miles distant from it in Great Harrington, and who resorted to it, for the purpose of fishing. The outlet from this pond is called Konkapot, from the circumstance that an Indian family of that name lived by its side in the borders of Sheffield, A stream called Umpachene rises in the east part of the town, and passing by the center, runs S. W. and empties in the Konkapot. This stream also derives its name from an Indian. In the S. E. part of the township is a pond nearly two miles in circumference, called Hermit pond, which is the source of a stream, which runs S. W. into Canaan. This pond derived its name from the circum- stance that a hermit lived for several years on the south-eastern side. The name of this hermit was Timothy Leonard. He came from Fredericksburg, Dutchess county, N. Y., five or six years before the revolutionary war ; and though he purchased a farm, he led a solitary life till his death. He died June 13, 1817, from infirmity and old age, being, as was supposed, in his 70th year. Unwilling that any one should remain with him during a single night, he died as he lived, alone and un attended. The cause of his leading a solitary life is supposed to be explained by the fact that he was an inveterate hater of woman. His description of them was, " They say ihey will, and they won't ; What they promise to do they don't." " Let none smile at the history of Timothy Leonard, for he is not a solitary instance in which disappointed hope and mortified pride have been suffered tc blot out the social ftffections, and produce uselessness, wretchedniess and ruin." OTIS, 8» In the west part of the town is a cave of some httle note. It has several apartments of various dimensions, whose sides and roofs are hmestone, on which stalactites are continually forming. About one fourth of a mile S. W. of the south meeting-house is a rock judged to weigh 30 or 40 tons, so equally balanced on another rock, that a man may move it with one finger. This town is 20 miles S. by E. of Lenox, and 130 S. W. by W. of Boston. Popu- lation, 1,570. OTIS. This town consists of the former town of Loudon and the dis- trict of Bethlehem. Loudon was incorporated in 1773. Previously it was called Tyr'mgham Eqidvalent^ because it had been granted to the proprietors of that town to compensate them for some losses which they had sustained. Bethlehem was incorporated in 1789. This was originally called the north eleven thousand acres, in refer- ence to Southfield, which was called the south eleven thousand acres. The settlement of Loudon commenced probably about 1750 or 55. Some of the earliest inhabitants whose names can be ascertained were David Kibbe, Stephen Kibbe, Isaac Kibbe, Dan. Gregory, Larkeom from Enfield, Con., Jeremy Stow, Eldad Bower, E. Pelton, George Troop, Ebenezer Trumbull, Jacob Cook, Timothy Whitney, Jonathan Norton and Samuel Marcy. The vote to build the first school-house was passed in 1774. The town settled but very slowly. Bethlehem began to be settled several years after Loudon. The names of some of the first settlers were Thomas Ward, Daniel Sumner, Phineas Kingsbury, John Plumbe, Adonijah Jones, Ebenezer Jones, Miles Jones, James Brackenridge, John Spear, and Robert Hunter. Most of these, and the subsequent in- habitants who moved into the district, came principally from Con. In June 1809 the district of Bethlehem was united with the town of Loudon, the town still bearing the name of Loudon. At a town meeting held in May 1810 it was proposed to have the name of the town altered at the discretion of P. Larkeom, Esq., then representa- tive at the general court; and in June he obtained for it the name of Otis^ in honor of the speaker of the house of representatives, the Hon. H. G. Otis of Boston. It appears from the records of the town that money was voted from year to year to hire preaching. About 1772, before the incorporation of the town, a person came into it by the name of George Troop, who asserted himself to be a candidate for the minis- Xvy, whom the inhabitants employed several years ; though it appeared finally that he had no license to preach. On a time appointed some of his hearers undertook to ordain him, and he on his part to form them into a church, after which he led them to the choice of deacons. The people at length becoming dissatisfied with him, an eccle- siastical council, convened in 1775, decided that he had no authority to preach or to organize a church, and that his church was not a regular church of Christ. He left the town in 1776 and joined the United States army in the character of chaplain, and his church separated and dissolved. On the 2d of Feb. 1779 a regular church was formed of 7 members. The Bethlehem church was organized Sept. 14, 1795, of 8 members. At a conference of these churches, held June 5th, 1810, it was mutually agreed to become one church. No house of worship was ever built in Loudon, though different attempts were made for the purpose. Before the union of the town and dis- trict in 1809,the united society agreed to erect a meeting-housC; and procured timber and 86 PERU. fixed upon a place to set it. This house was built by subscription, and was dedicated in the autumn of 1813. For a while after, the society had the services of Rev. Aaron Kinne, and some other clergymen. In Nov. 1814, the Rev. Jonathan Lee was invited to preach in the place, and was ordained pastor June 28, 1815. When Shays' insurrection broke out in 1786, a number of people who lived in the north part of the town, and attended meeting at Sandisfield, became alienated from their minister, the Rev. Mr. Storrs, on account of his opposition to the party of Shays. They withdrew from his ministry and professed themselves Baptists, and united with some inhabitants in the western part of Bethlehem in forming a Baptist church. They built a meeting-house, which stands in the south-western corner of this town. In the south-eastern section is a Methodist society, who have a meeting-house, which was erected by subscription in 1816. There is an Episcopal society in the center of the town, which was organized on the 1st of Jan. 1828. The general aspect of this town is uneven and broken. It abounds with granite rock, which renders the tillage difficult and expensive. At the distance of half a mile west of the center is a rock, with an opening or cavity in it, near the surface of the ground, where crystals of quartz and iron pyrites have been found. In the early settlement of Bethlehem, Daniel Sumner, while hunting for deer near by this rock, heard a sudden loud explosion, which much surprised and alarmed him. Curiosity leading him to exam- ine from what source it proceeded, he found an unusual appear- ance of the rock, which was discolored, where a fissure had been made, from which he concluded that the sound had proceeded from that place. It was probably produced by the combustion of hydrogen gas. This town is 15 miles S. E. of Lenox, and 120 W. by S. of Boston. Population, 1,077. PERU. This township included the greater part ot Hinsdale until 1804. The whole was purchased at auction, at Boston, June 2, 1762, for £1,460. This was denominated No. 2 of the nine townships which were sold at that time. It went into the hands of Oliver Partridge and Elisha .Tones, and, in honor of the former gentleman, was called Partridgefield from its incorporation in 1771 until 1806, when it received its present name. It is about 6 miles long and four and a half broad. Within these limits the settlement commenced about 1764. Between this time and 1768, Henry Badger, from New Jersey, Nathaniel Stowell, from Connecticut, Peter, Daniel, and Nathan Thompson, brothers, from the eastern part of this state, set- tled in it, and Ebenezcr Pierce shortly after. This town, occupying the height of land on the Green mountain range, has a cold, severe climate. The surface is uneven, and the soil hard and stony, and best adapted to grazing. There is a limestone quarry, from which lime is made of the best quality. The first team is said to have crossed the mountain in this town in 1767, over which a turnpike road now passes. The inhabitants of this place have been distinguished for their zeal in supporting the institutions of the gospel. They are mostly Congregationalists, though there are some Baptists and Methodists .TTP. PITTSFIELD. 87 belonging to societies in the adjoining towns. The church was organized with about 35 members, in 1770, and the Rev. Stephen Tracy, from Norwich, Connecticut, was ordained their pastor in April, 1772. The first meeting-house was erected in 1780, and the present one July IS, 1807. It is a remarkable fact, that the rain from the east roof of this house flows into Connecticut river, and from the west into the Housatonic. This town is about 15 miles N. E. of Lenox, and 111 W. of Boston. Population, 656. PITTSFIELD. The settlement of this town was commenced in 1752, by Solo- mon Deming, who moved with his family from Wethersfield, Con., and settled in the east part of the town. Charles Goodrich and a number of others soon followed. Mrs. Deming was the first white female who came into the town, and was often left alone through the night by the necessary absence of her husband, when there Avas not another white inhabitant in the town, and the wilderness was filled with Indians. She was the last, as well as the first, df the settlers, and died in March, 1818, aged 92. Mr. Goodrich (who died in 1815, in the 96th year of his age,) drove the first cart and team into the town from Wethersfield, and was obliged to cut his way through the woods a number of miles. In the year 1753, Simeon Crofoot, Charles Goodrich, Jacob Ensign, Solomon Deming, Stephen Crofoot, Samuel Taylor, and Elias Willard, obtained an act from the general court, incorporating them by the name of " The proprietors of the settling lots in the township of Poontoo- suck." This was the Indian name of the place, which was retained until 1761, when the town was incorporated by the name of Pitts- field, in honor of the celebrated statesman William Pitt. The pro- prietors were driven off once or twice by the Indians in the time of the second French war. Three small forts were erected in dif- ferent parts of the town, as places of safety against the Indians. The first meeting-house was erected a little south of the present Congregational church. The Rev. Thomas Allen was ordained the first pastor, April 18, 1764. He continued in that relation till his death, which occurred Feb. 11, 1810. Owing to political differ- ences this church was divided from 1808 till 1817, during which time the minority were a separate church, and settled Mr. Thomas Punderson their minister, but Avere again united in the last-men- tioned year, and Rev. Heman Humphrey installed their pastor. Pittsfield is finely situated at the junction of the principal branches of the Housatonic river, and occupies a beautiful expansion of the valley between the Taconic and Green mountain range. The soil of this township is of a superior quality, and is divided into farms exhibiting fine specimens of agriculture. The village in the central part of the town is one of the largest and best built in the county. There is a public square in the center, containing about 88 RICHMOND. four acres : in the center of this square is a large elm, which was left standing when the original forest was cleared away. It is 126 feet in height, and 90 feet to the hmbs. It is a striking object, and never fails to attract the notice of strangers. There are in the village 4 churches : 1 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, 1 Bap- tist, and 1 Methodist; the Berkshire Medical Institution, and a number of other public buildings. There is also a bank, the " Agricultural Bank," incorporated in 1818, with a capital of $100,- 000 ; a printing-office, an academy, and other seminaries of learn- ing. The Berkshire Medical Institution was incorporated in 1823, and is connected with Williams College, at Williamstown. There is a Lyceum of Natural History connected with this institution, formed by its trustees, according to act of the legislature. Pitts- field is 6 miles from Lenox, 33 E. S. E. from Albany, and 125 W. from Boston. Population, 3,575. In 1837, there were in the town 2 cotton mills, consuming 125,- 000 lbs. of cotton ; 500,000 yards of cotton manufactured ; 6 woollen mills, consuming 315,000 lbs. of wool; 233,000 yards of cloth manufactured, valued at $547,000. There were 2,135 Saxony sheep; 10,534 merino sheep; other kinds of sheep, 293 ; the value of the wool produced, $19,443 ; capital invested, $349,974. The value of muskets manufactured, ,$24,000 ; and 30 hands employed. Value of carriages manufactured, $20,000 ; hands employed, 30. Beside the above, various other articles are manufactured, such as buttons, brooms, hats, leather, chairs, &c. RICHMOND. This township was first purchased of two chieftains of the Stock- bridge tribe of Indians, by the agency of Samuel Brown, jr., Esq., of Stockbridge, in or about the year 1763. The consideration for the purchase was £1,700. It appears that by a resolve of the general court, passed Feb. 17 of the same year, the purchase was confirmed to the several proprietors on condition of their paying the stipulated sum of money to the Indians, and that they should, within five years' time, have 50 settlers residing within the limits, who should each have a good dwelling-house, and that they should have a learned Protestant minister settled among them within the time specified. The settlement of the town commenced in 1760. In the summer of that year, Capt. Micah Mudge moved his family into the place, and in the succeeding autumn Mr. Ichabod Wood, from Rehoboth. These two families settled about 3 miles apart, and remained alone in the wilderness through a long and gloomy winter. In the year 1761, several families moved to this place, viz. Elijah and Isaac Brown, John Chamberlain, David Pixley, Joseph Patterson, and Daniel, Timothy, and Aaron Rowley, who fenerally settled in the south and west parts of the town. In 1762, oseph and Paul Raymond, and John and Daniel Slosson, from SANDISFIELD. »y Kent, Con., moved in, and some others. From that time, the set- tlement advanced rapidly, until every part of the town was inha- bited. The most part of the first settlers were from Connecticut and Long Island. The church was formed in Richmond about 1765. In that year, the Rev. Job Swift, afterwards the minister of Bennington, Vt., was settled as their pastor. He was a native of Sandwich, Mass., and a graduate of Yale College in 1765. President D wight says, " Dr. Swift was one of the best and most useful men I ever knew. To the churches and ministers of Ver- mont he was a patriarch : and wherever he was known he is remembered with the greatest veneration." The present Congre- gational meeting-house was built in 1794, at the cost of f 4,000. The Methodist society have a neat and convenient meeting-house, which was built in 1825. This town was incorporated on the 20th of June, 1765, by the name of Rlchmo7id^ (after the Duke of Richmond). In the year 1766, on the 26th of February, the township was divided by an act of the legislature, and the easterly part incorporated by the name of Lenox. The tract included between the mountains is a pleasant and fertile valley, averaging about 3 miles in width, enclosed by hills on the east and west, commanding delightful prospects. An intelligent gentleman, who had spent many years in foreign countries, after passing through this town, and viewing the valley from the hill on the west, observed that in natural scenery it excelled the view from the famous Richmond Hill, in England. This town joins Lenox : distance from that place, 5 miles, and 135 W. of Boston. Population, 820. There is a fur- nace in the town for the manufacture of pig iron, which in 1837 employed 40 hands, who manufactured 600 tons, valued at $26,400. There were 4,835 merino sheep, whose fleeces averaged 3 pounds and valued at $8,703 ; capital invested, $90,000. SANDISFIELD This town, in connection with others, was granted to a company who petitioned for the same in 1735. It was called No. 3. The proprietors mostly lived in the county of Worcester. The patent of the town was granted in 1736, and soon after the location of town lots was made. No family moved into the place till 1750. Thomas Brown was the first. Soon after, his father, Daniel Brown, Esq., moved in with his numerous family. He was one of the principal men ; was born near Boston, but had lived for some time in Enfield, Con. The settlement of the town advanced rapidly. A large number of families came in from Wethersfield, Con., and the adjoining towns, and also a considerable number from the towns below Plymouth, on Cape Cod. The first white child born in the town was named Lot Smith, Aug. 7, 1757, because the pro- prietors, meeting on the day he was born, proposed giving him a lot of land. The town enjoyed the preaching of the gospel within 90 SAVOY. 5 or 6 years of the first settlement. The first meeting-house was erected m 1757, and stood till 1796, when a new one was built. The site is nearly in the center of the town, and the house is lite- rally founded on a rock. The church was formed in 1756. Rev. Cornelius Jones, a native of Bellingham, and a graduate of Har- vard College in 1752, was the first minister in the place. He was ordained at the time the church was organized. The place of the transactions of the day, for the want of a more convenient place, was a bcum. The first President Edwards, then settled over the Stockbridge Indians, was moderator of the council, and preached the ordination sermon. There are two Baptist churches in this town, though the meeting-house of the second society is in the N. W. corner of Otis. The first was organized Aug. 21, 1779. Their first pastor was Elder Joshua Morse, who was ordained Oct. 2, of the same year. The second Baptist church, consisting of 19 mem- bers, was constituted April 25, 1788. Mr. Benjamin Baldwin, a native of Otis, was ordained over this church June 9, 1790. This town was incorporated in 1762, and now includes the original township of Sandisfield, and the tract formerly called the south 11,000 acres. This tract was incorporated as a district in 1797, and annexed to Sandisfield in 1819. The length of the township is about 9 miles and the breadth six. The surface is hilly ; the hills rise to a considerable height, but not abrupt, they being mostly large swells. A considerable mountain rises, however, on the western bank of Farmington river, in the S. E. section of the town, known by the name of Hanging mountain. It is 450 feet in height above the bank, and presents to the S. E. a mural perpen- dicular front. This town was originally Indian hunting-ground. In clearing a piece of wood-land a few years ago, a large number of arrow-heads of stone were found carefully deposited between two rocks, probably placed there ages ago. It does not appear that the town was ever an Indian settlement. This town is 20 miles S. E. by E. of Lenox, and 112 W. by S. of Boston. Popu- lation, 1,493. SAVOY. The general court, in 1770 or 71, granted to Col. William Bul- lock, of Rehoboth, agent for the heirs of Capt. Samnel Gallop and company, a township of land 6 miles square, in consideration of the services and sufferings of the said Gallop and com- pany in an expedition into Canada in 1690, in King William's war. The greater part of this grant composes the present town of Savoy. The first family settled in this town in Sept., 1777, and within 10 years from that time 35 families were located in the place. Some of these were Lemuel Hatheway, Daniel Wetherell, William Wilbore, Zachariah Padelford, and Joseph, William, Thomas, and Joseph (jr.) Williams, from Taunton, John SHEFFIELD. 91 Bourn, Joseph Bishop, Comfort Bates, Abiel Dunham, Michael Sweet, and David Matthews, from Attl-eborough, and families of the names of Babbit, Shearman, Reed, Bennet, Ingraham, Nelson, Rogers, Fuller, Putney, and Heath, from other places. Public worship was early established in this town. Most of the people ire Baptists, though there are some Methodists and Congregation- alists. The Baptist church was organized June 24, 1787. Their first minister was Elder Nathan Haskins, a native of Shutesbury, ordained in 1789. The society built their meeting-house half a mile north of the hollow, in 1804. Savoy is a mountainous town- ship, and a large portion of it too broken for cultivation. The best lands are in the north and east parts. The inhabitants are mostly farmers, who raise stock and keep large dairies. The vil- lage called ^Savoy village is in the south part of this town, on the north branch of the Westfield river. This little village consists of 2 churches, (1 Baptist, 1 Methodist,) 2 taverns, 2 stores, and about 15 dwelling-houses. Distance, 25 miles from Lenox, 7 from South AdamSy 28 to Northampton, 29 to Greenfield, and 44 to Troy, N. Y. SHEFFIELD As early as 1722, Joseph Parsons and 176 other persons within the county of Hampshire, petitioned the general court of Massa- chusetts for two townships of land on the river Hovsatonic or Westbrook. This petition was granted Jan. 30, 1722-3, and a committee appointed for the purpose of making the purchase of the Indians, dividing the tract, granting lots, admitting settlers, &c. On the 25th of April, 1724, the committee made the par- chase of the Indians and received from them a deed, " in conside- ration of £460, three barrels of cider, and thirty quarts of rumV This deed was signed and sealed by Konkepot and twenty other Indians at Westfield, before John Ashley, justice of the peace. The Indians in this deed reserved to themselves two small tracts, which on their removal, about 10 years after, they exchanged for land in Upper Housatonic, Avithin the present town of Stockbridge. There were two or three small Indian settlements in this town, though but a few traces of them are now to be found. On a gravelly hillock in the north part of the town, in a tract which they reserved, it is supposed was their burying-place. Human bones were discovered in making the turnpike road through the tow)i two and a half miles south of the meeting-house, on the rise of ground a few rods south of the turnpike gate, which led< to the conclusion that this spot too was an Indian burying-place. In 1725, Capt. John Ashley and Capt. Ebenezer Pomroy, two of the committee, made a general division of the lower township, especially of the part lying upon the river ; and soon after the place began to be settled by individuals from the county of Hamp- 13 92 SHEFFIELD, shire, and mostly from the town of Westfield. In 1726 the settlers were subjected to much inconvenience and vexation by some of the Dutch inhabitants of the province of New York, who con- tested the titles to the lands. They were also subjected to priva- tion through fear of the Indians, and were obliged for safety to picket in two or three dwellhigs in different parts of the town, to which they resorted to spend the night. tlhirii view of Sheffield, (central part). In 1733 the lower township Housatonic was set off and incorporated as a town, eight miles long on the river, and wide enough to include 7 square miles ; and was named Sheffield, pro- bably from Sheffield in England. It extended north to Great Barrington bridge. In 1761 the town was reduced to its present limits, 8 miles in length and 7 in breadth. Among the first settlers of this town were those of the name of Noble, Austin, Westover, Kellogg, Pell, Callender, Corban, Huggins, Smith, Ingersoll, Dewey, Root, &c., hi all about 60, who had their lands, from 250 to 1,000 acres each, confirmed to them by the committee. Mr. Obadiah Noble, from Westfield, was the first white man who resided in the town. He spent the first winter here with no other human being than the Indians. In spring he went back to Westfield, and in June returned with his daughter. The first church in this town was organized on the 22d of Oct., 1735. Mr. Jonathan Hubbard, of Sunderland, and a graduate of Yale College, was ordained their pastor on the same occasion. The people had built a meeting- house the summer previous, 45 feet by 35. This house stood till 1762, when a new one was erected. The engraving above is a view of the Congregational church (the only church in the town) and some other buildings in the central part of the town, with the east mountain in the distance. The first meeting-house stood about half a mile north of the pre- sent house, near the house of Mr. Hubbard, the first minister, which is still standing and occupied by his son. This place is 20 miles from Lenox, 28 from Hudson, 28 from Litchfield, 48 from Hartford, and about 125 from Boston. Population, 2,308. SHEFFIELD. 93 A Baptist church was formed in this town on the 7th of July, 1825, with 15 members. There are a few Episcopahans and Methodists in the town. The town includes an extensive vale, and, except on the east, is generally level. In that part there is an extensive chain of con- siderable hills, extending from one end of the township to the other. On the west it is mountainous : Taconic, or Mount Wash- ington, as this part of the Taconic range is more generally called, is about 2500 feet in height, and presents a magnificent spectacle. A part of this mountain is within the limits of Sheffield. This town affords great abundance of wliite marble, and much of ex- cellent quality. The soil of the township is generally productive, and in the vale easily tilled. Large quantities of hay are easily obtained from the extensive intervals lying upon the river. The Housatonic, which passes through the length of the town, is here a silent, sluggish stream, from 6 to 8 rods in breadth. From this town it passes into Connecticut, and, flowing through the western part of the state, empties into Long Island Sound between Mil- ford and Stratford, 13 miles west of New Haven. The following singular occurrences are said to have taken place near the boundary line between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Part of these occurrences took place in this town, aiid part in the adjoining town of Salisbury, in Connecticut. The relation of these circumstances was obtained from Mr. S. Sage and his family, who are still living on the spot, (June, 1836,) and could be corro- borated by great numbers of people now living : — " These occurrences commenced Nov. 8th, 1802, at a clothier's shop. A man and two boys were in the shop ; the boys had retired to rest, it being between 10 and 11 o'clock at night. A block of wood was thrown through the window ; after that, pieces of hard mortar, till the man and boys became alarmed, and went to the house to call Mr. Sage, who arose from bed and went to the shop, and could hear the glass break often, but could not discover from whence it came, notwithstanding the night was very light. He exerted himself to discover the cause without success. It con- tinued constantly till day-light, and then ceased till the next evening at 8 o'clock, when it commenced again, and continued till midnight ; then ceased till the next evening at dusk, and continued till some time in the evening, and then ceased. The next day it commenced about an hour before sun-down, and continued about an hour, and then it left the shop and began at the dwelling-house of Mr. Ezekiel Landon, 100 rods north, in the town of Sheffield. It continued several hours, and ceased till the next morning: when the family were at breakfast it began again, and continued two or three hours, and ceased till evening, when it began again and continued several hours, and ceased till the next morning, when it began again and con- tinued all the forenoon, and then ceased altogether. The articles thrown into the shop were pieces of wood, charcoal, stone, but principally pieces of hard mortar, such as could not be found in the neighborhood. Nothing but stones were thrown into the house of Mr. Landon, the first of which were thrown into the dooi. There were 38 panes of glass broke out of the shop, and 18 out of the dwelling houses ; in two or three instances persons were hit by the things that were thrown. What was remarkable, nothing could be seen coming tilt the glass broke, and whatever passed through, fell directly down on the window-sill, as if it had been put through with a person's fingers, and many pieces of mortar and coal were thrown through the same hole in the glass in succession. Many hundreds of people assembled to witness the scene, among whom were clergymen and other gentlemen, but none were able to detect the source of the mischief. The more credulous readily believed it to be witchcraft, but it was generally thought to be some slight of hand, effected by a combination of individuals, as the windows were broken on different • •'!»<; of the buildings nearly at the same time." 94 STOCKBRIDGE. The following inscriptions are taken from monuments in the grave-yards in this place. Sacred to the memory of Jonathan Hubbard, and Mrs. Rachel Hubbard his consort, this monument is erected. The Rev. J. Hubbard was the first pastor of the church in Sheffield. He was blessed with a lively genius and solid judgment. His public dis- eources were judicious, and his conversation instructive. He departed this life July 6th, 1765, in the 62d year of his age. Our Fathers where are they ? and do the Pro- phets live forever ? Beneath this stone lies the body of the Rev. John Keep, A. M., pastor of the church in Sheffield, who died Sept. 3d, A. D. 1781, JElat. 36, et ministerii 13, calmly resign- ing his mortal life in hope of a blessed immortality thro' the atonement of Jesus Christ. He was blessed with natural genius improved by education, and a benevolent heart, and was illustrious as a Divine, a Preacher, a Friend and a Christian. When Suns and Planets from their orbs be hurl'd And livid flames mvolve this smoking world ; The Trump of God announce the Savior nigh And shining hosts of angels crowd the sky Then from this tomb thy dust shall they convey To happier regions of eternal day. Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Ephraim Judson, Pastor of the church in Sheffield. He died on the 23d of February, A. D. 1813, in the 76th year of his age, and 23d of his ministry in Sheffield, having been previously the pastor of the church in Norwich, and also in Taunton. Mr. Judson was esteemed as a learned divine, an acute logician, and an evangelical preacher. He was mild, courteous, and hospitable. By his numerous friends he was deemed a w ise counsellor, an active peace-maker, 6c a sineerfi christian. What he was in Truth, the Great Day will disclose. Here lies deposited the body of Major General John Ashley, who died Nov. 5, 1799, in the 64th year of his age. Make the extended skies your tomh. Let stars record your worth ; Yet know vain mortals all must die, As natures sickliest birth. This monument is erected to perpetuate the memory of Col. John Ashley, who departed this life Sept. 1st, 1802, in the 93d year of his age. Virtue alone has majesty in death, And triumphs most when most the tyrant frowns ^ Earth highest station ends in Here he lies And dust to dust concludes her noblest song. STOCKBRIDGE. This town was originally laid out by the general government of the state in 1735, for the accommodation of the Indians. In the year previous a mission was commenced among the Housa- tonic Indians by Mr. John Sergeant, then a candidate for the ministry, assisted by Mr. Timothy Woodbridge as schoolmaster, under the patronage of the board of commissioners for Indian affairs in Boston, of which his excellency Jonathan Belcher, then British governor of Massachusetts, was an active and influential member. At that time about half of these Indians lived in the STOCKB RIDGE. 95 great meadow on the Housatonic in this town, called by them Wnahktukook. Here Konkapot the chieftain resided, who had just before been honored by Gov. Belcher with a captain's com- mission. His cabin stood on a knoll a few rods north of the Konkapot brook, on the east side of the county road. The other Indians lived on their reservation in Sheffield, called by them Skatehook. For the better improvement of their moral condition it was soon found desirable to have these united and settled in one place, with such other Indians in the vicinity as might be disposed to join with them. Being made acquainted with their situation, the legislature, on the 17th of March, 1735, granted them a town- ship 6 miles square, to be laid out on the Housatonic river, immediately north of Monument mountain, provided the proprie- tors and settlers of the Upper Housatonic could be induced to give up their right to that portion of their lands on which the new township would partly fall. It was wished to include the fine alluvial ground at Wnahktukook, where the chieftain resided, and, which, to some extent, was under cultivation. The committee met with but little difficulty in performing the duties assigned them, and in April, 1736, they laid out the town in a square, which inclu- ded the present townships of Stockbridge and West-Stockbridge. Early in May of that year the Indians began to move into their plantation, and by the last of June there were more than 90 persons in the settlement. In Jan., 1737, the subject being laid before the legislature by the governor, they ordered that a meeting-house 40 feet by 30, together with a school-house, should be built for the Indians at the charge of the province. On the 7th of May in this year, the grant of the town was confirmed to the Indians, their heirs and assigns ; and in 1739, the town was incorporated by the name of Stockbridge, after the town of that name in Eng- land. Their meeting-house was first opened for public worship on the 29th of Nov., 1739, the day of thanksgiving in the commonwealth. It stood a few rods north-east of the site of the present south meeting-house. The settlement gradually increased for many years, until they numbered, at one time, nearly 500, though it is probable that their average number, while they remained in the town, was about 400. A short time before the revolutionary war, a to\niship, 6 miles square, was given them by the Oneidas, in the state of New York. After the close of the war, in 1783, some of them removed, a large proportion of them in 1785, and the residue in 1788. In 1810, they are represented to have numbered more than 600. In 1822 these Indians began to move to Green Bay, on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, on to a tract of 5,000,000 acres, purchased for them and other Indians in the state of New York, for $500, of the Menominie and Winnebago tribes. The head of Green Bay is near the center of their purchase. The residence of Capt. Konkapot has been mentioned ; that of King Ben [Benjamin Kokkewenaunaut] was on the elevated ground back of the Housatonic, half a mile west of the plain. In 1771, being then 94 years old, this chieftain told his people that they must appoint another king, and king Solomon [Solomon Unhaunnauwaunnutt] was chosen his successor. His house was on the south bank of the Housatonic, opposite Little Hill. He died in Feb., 1777, aged 50. King Ben lived till April 1781, being 104 years old. Some of the Indians' houses were on the plain, some on the meadows near the river, and a few about Barnum's brook. These Indians at first were called by the English Eiver Indians, afterwards more generally Housatonic Indians, until the incorporation of this town ; since which they have more generally been called Stockbridge Indians. They have also some- times, as well as the tribe at Norwich, Conn., been called Mohegans, which is a cor- ruption of their proper name Mahhekaneew or Muhhekaneok, signifying "the people of the great waters, continualhj in jnotion." One very important effect which this mission produced was, that the friendship of these Indians was eflectually secured to the English. They performed numerous kind offices for the early settlers of the county ; in time of war they were spies for the English, and often fought and sometimes shed their blood for them in the army. 99 STOCKBRIDGE. Though Fort Massachusetts was repeatedly attacked in the time of the first French war, and terror was spread through all this region, yet, in consequence of the well-known friendship of the 3Iuhhekaneews, no hostile Indians ventured down into the vicinity oJ I his place, and the southern section of the county was saved from such calamities as befel some of the settlements on Connecticut river, and others to the west, in the state of New York. Though in the second French war a few families in different parts of the county were disturbed, yet the mischief was small compared with what probably would have been done, had it not been for the friendship of the Stockbridge tribe. In this war many of the Indians were received as soldiers in the service of Massachusetts, and showed their fidelity by fighting for the whites. In the revolu- tionary war a part of the company of minute men under the conmiand of Captain Goodrich, of this town, was composed of these Indians. A company went to White Plains under Capt. Daniel Nimham, where some were slain, and others died with sickness. Numbers served at other places. At the close of the war General Washington directed the contractors for supplying a division of the army at West Point with provisions, to give the Indians a feast, in consideration of their good conduct in the service. An ox weighing 1,10U lbs. was roasted whole; the whole tribe partook of it; the men first, and then the women, according to custom. The Fiev. John Sergeant (the younger) and a Mr. Deane presided at the table, and the principal men of the place attended. The feast was kept near the residence of King Solomon, and after this was over the Indians buried the hatchet in token that the war was past, and performed some other ceremonies in their own style for the gratification of the com- pany. The school commenced among these Indians by Mr. Woodbridge, in the autumn of 1734, was kept by him many years, and was regularly kept afterwards (for some time by Mr. John Sergeant, Jun.) until the Indians emigrated to the region of the Oneidas. The following account of Mr. Sergeant's labors is taken from the History of Stockbridge, by the Rev. David D. Field. In 1741, Mr. Sergeant projected the plan of a boarding-school, which M'as summa- rily this : That a tract of land of about 200 acres should be set aside for the use of the school, and a house erected upon it ; that a number of children and youth, be- tween the ages of 10 and 20, should be received, and placed under the care of two masters, one of whom should take the oversight of thein in their hours of labor, and the other in their hours of studij, and that their time should be so divided between the hours of labor and study, as to make one the diversion of the other; that the fruit of their labors should go towards their maintenance, and to carry on the general design ; and that a stock of cattle should be maintained on the place for the same piu"pose. It was also proposed to take into the number, on certain conditions, children from any of the Indian tribes around, that by their means the principles of virtue and Christian knowledge might be spread as far as possible. This project was very popular among the Indian and English inhabitants of this place, and much was eventually done by them, considering their circumstances, for promoting it. It was also popular with the commissioners and their friends in Boston. But before much was done, the first French war commenced, which rendered it neces- sary that the actual establishment of the school should be postponed for a season. In the mean while, as the Corporation for Indian Affairs, under which the coinmissioners acted, existed in London, the project attracted the favorable notice of such blessed men there as Dr. Isaac Watts and Capt. Thomas Coram, who exerted themselves to raise funds for the support of the .school. The Prince of Wales headed a subscription with 20 guineas, and a lew others high in rank and office subscribed for it. Mr. Isaac HoUis made provision at first for supporting 12 boys, and afterwards for supporting 24, and was so anxious that the children should be instructed immediately, that Mr. Sergeant took 12 under his care in the beginning of 1748. But as it was not alto- gether safe for them to remain here during the war, he procured Capt. Martin Kel- logg, of Newington, in Wethersfield, Conn., to take them in May, and instruct them for a year. In 1749, the war being closed, a house for the hoarding-school was erected, which stood on the southern end of the garden belonging to Mr. IJenoni C. Wells. The heart of Mr. Sergeant was drawn exceedingly towards this school. His suc- cessor, President Edwards, thought much of it, and, directly after his settlement in this place, a large council from the Six Nations sat here to consider the subject of sending their children to the school. After it was opened, the Rev. Gideon Hawley, afterwards missionary at Marshpee, it is understood, instructed it for a time. " He taught a few families of Mohawks, Oneidas and Tuskaroras." The Rev. Cottoa STOCKBRIDGE. 97 Mather Smith, who afterwards settled in Sharon, Conn., also instructed it for a season. But arrangements for managing the school were never very thoroughly made ; and admirable as was the plan, and as much as it promised, the occurrence of the second French war nearly destroyed it. Notwithstanding this unhappy issue, however, in this school, in connection with the common school, a considerable number of Indians received a good education. A few also were instructed at the Indian charity school at Hanover, N. H., and Peter Poli- quonnoppeet was graduated at the college in that town in 1780. This Sir Peter, as he was commonly called, was a man of good talents and character, and connected with Joseph Quanaukaunt, Capt. Hendrick Aupaumut, and Capt. John Konkapot, in a council, which, after the decease of King Solomon, regulated the affairs of the tribe. The regal power, it is said, belonged to Joseph Quanaukaunt ; but being a very modest and unassuming, as well as sensible man, he chose not to be king, but wished the tribe to be governed by a council. Many of the Indians were fitted for the transaction of all ordinary business. A part of the town offices were uniformly sustained by them while they remained in this place. The speech of one of the chiefs to the Massachusetts congress in 1775, in Bingham's Columbian Orator, tendering his services in the revolutionary war, may be taken as a specimen of the talent at oratory which some of them possessed. As to religion, it is evident that the Spirit of God was poured forth under the minis- try of Mr. Sergeant, and that his labors were blessed to the conversion of many souls. The Lord's supper was first administered here on the 4lh of June, 1738 ; but as a number had made a profession years before, the church must be considered as pre viously existing, although we have no express account of the time and manner of its organization. About 100, from first to last, made a profession of Christianity ; and though it is not certain all these were genuine converts, yet we have no authority for restricting the operations of grace entirely to those who became professors, nor indeed to the members of this tribe ; for considerable numbers from other tribes occasionally listened here to the instructions of the gospel. But the extent to which they were civilized and christianized, will be more fully un derstocd by attending to the labors of the successive missionaries. At the time Mr Sergeant received his appointment, he was a tutor in Yale College. He visited the Indians in the autumn of 1734, and again in the spring of 1735, and in July in the latter year, having relinquished the duties of the tutorship, he took up his residence with the Indians for life. On the 31st of August following he was or- dained at Deerfield, where Gov. Belcher had made an appointment to meet some In- dian tribes about that time, for the purpose of making a treaty with them. The or- dination took place on the Sabbath, in the presence of the congregation usually wor- shipping there, of the governor and a large committee of both houses of the legisla- ture, of the Indians collected from several tribes, and of some of the Housatonic Indians, who sat by themselves, and formally received Mr. Sergeant as their mis- sionary. In the winters of 1734 and 5, and of 1735 and 6, the Indians were instructed in Great Barrington, and in the intermediate summer in Sheffield and Stockbridge. Upon their removal to this town in May in the year last mentioned, Mr. Woodbridge removed here and boarded with Capt. Konkapot. Mr. Sergeant boarded with a fami- ly in Great Barrington until January, 1737, when he moved into town, and boarded with Mr. Woodbridge, who had settled in a family state. The first residence of Mr. Woodbridge was on the " Hill," eastward from the house of Dea. Josiah Jones. He afterwards built a house on the farm now owned by Mr. Samuel Goodrich. In the course of 1737, Mr. Sergeant built the house on the " Plain," occupied at the present time by the widow of Gen. Silas Pepoon, and which is now the oldest house in town. He afterwards built the house on the Hill, now occupied by his grandson, Maj. Sewall Sergeant. In this he died. Ignorant of their language, Mr. Sergeant at first instructed the Indians, of neces- sity, by the aid of an interpreter. In this way he translated into their language some prayers for their daily use, and Watts's first catechism for the benefit of children. But as the disadvantages of this mode were many, he applied himself diligently to the study of the language, and in August, 1737, began to declare unto them in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. Afterwards he made such proficiency in it, that the Indians were accustomed to say he spoke their language better than they did. The effect of his labors upon the Indians was very happy. From 8 or 10 families they had increased to more than 50, during his ministry, had been reclaimed from many errors and vices, had assumed a stable character as a society, regularly attended public worship, had 20 houses built after the English manner, and paid considerable STOCKBRIDGE. attention to the cultivation of the earth. In singing they were great proficients. Fifty or sixty who had become hopeful converts were admitted to full communion by him ; some of whom died in the faith before him: 42 survived him. He baptized 182 na- tives, adults and infants. His services were also greatly useful to the English who settled here. Ancient House in Stockbridge. Tlie above is a south-eastern view of the house of Mr. Daniel B. Fenn, in the central part of Stockbridge village. It was built by Mr. Sergeant in 1737, and is the oldest house in the town. This house was occupied by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards while he resided in this town, and within its walls he completed his cele- brated production, " The Freedom of the Will," which is thought by many to be the greatest production of the human mind. His study was on the lower floor in the south-west corner of the build- ing, and was quite contracted in its limits, being but about five feet by four, as it appears by the marks of the partition still remain- ing. The walls of the house are lined with brick. After Presi- dent Edwards left it was occupied by Jehiel Woodbridge, Esq., then by Judge Sedgwick, then Gen. Silas Pepoon, and now by Mr. Fenn. Mr. Sergeant was a native of Newark, N. J,, and graduate of Yale College 1729. In stature he was rather small, but possessed a very intelligent, expressive countenance. He died on the 27th of July, 1749, and was succeeded in the labors of the mission by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards. He entered upon the same general course of instruction which his predecessor had pursued, and dis- charged his dtities with his wonted faithfulness, and to the good acceptance of both the people and commissioners. Besides per- forming his ministerial duties, he here wrote some of his greatest works. Mr. Edwards continued here till Jan., 1758, when he was dismissed, to take the presidency of Princeton College. At the time of his dismission, the number of Indian families were reduced to 42. Rev. Stephen West, of Tolland, Conn., and a graduate of Yale College, was ordained the next pastor of this church, June 13th, 1759, and continued over them until the removal of the Indians to the state of New York. STOCKB RIDGE. 99 This town was gradually settled by the English, who bought out the Indian rights one after another before their emigration. Some of the earliest white settlers, next to Mr. Sergeant and Mr. Woodbridge, were Col. Williams, .Tosiah Jones, Joseph Wood- bridge, Samuel Brown, Samuel Brown Jr., Joshua Chamberlain, David Pixley, John Willard, John Taylor, Jacob Cooper, Elisha Parsons, Stephen Nash, James Wilson, Josiah Jones Jun., Thomas Sherman, and Solomon Glezen. Families by the name of Ball, Hamilton, Cadwell, and Lynch were in the west part of the town, of Curtis and Churcliill in the north, and of Bradley and Williams in the east, at an early period. The great body of the people in this town have ever been C'on- gregationalists ; though there are some Episcopalians, a few Bap- tists and Methodists. The principal village, about half a mile in extent, is beautifully situated on the Plain, a tract of level land between " the Hill" and the Hoasatonic, moderately elevated above the river. It consists of about 40 dwelling-houses, a Congrega- tional church, a bank, and academy. The scenery of the town has been much admired by strangers. It is situated 6 miles S. of Lenox, 44 from Springfield, .59 from Hartford, ?>2 from Hudson, 34 from Albany, and 130 W. of Boston. Population, 2,036. There are in the town a cotton mill with 3,780 spindles, 2 woollen mills with 8 sets of machinery, and 2 furnaces, one of which is for the manufacture of pig iron, of which in 1837 thirteen hundred and thirty-seven tons were made, valued at $53,480. [From the Boston Post Boy, Sept. 3, 1739.] "In a letter from a friend in the country, dated Aug. 21, 1739, we have the follow- ing passages. I have lately been to see my friends at Housato?inoe, (now called Stock- bridge,) and was well pleased to find the Indians so well improv'd, particularly in hasbandry, having good fields of Indian corn, and beans, and other sorts of grain, as oats, &c. They liave good fence about their field, made with their own hands. Some of them live in houses built after the English manner, and Capt. Concopot has built a barn that is well shingled, &c. They have several horses among them, and some cows, hogs, &C. They are many of them grown industrious and diligent in busi- ness ; I observed several young women sewing cloth, making shirts, &c. But I was in special gratify'd to find them improv'd in learning ; several of them have made good proficiency, can read in their Testaments and Bibles, and some of them can write a good hand : the children are in general as mannerly as you find in any country town. There are about 20 families of Indians that live there ; and now the great and general court have taken such effectual care, and put them in possession of the land, they have designed for them, (which hitherto they have been hindered from possessing,) I make no doubt but they will greatly increase in number ; for several Indians have been with them, and manifested a desire to tarry with them, could they have land to work upon. There is a church gather'd and fourteen Indian communicants ; the number of the baptiz'd is near sixty. While I was at Stockbridge, the Rev. Mr. Ser- geant (the minister there) was married to Mrs. Abigail Williams, a virtuous and agreeable young gentlewoman, daughter of Ephraim Williams, Esq. There were ninety Indians present at the marriage, who behaved with great gravity while the prayers were made, yea, during the whole solemnity ; and seem'd exceedingly well pleased that their minister was married ; they show him great respect, (Sec. And 1 hope he may prove yet a great blessing among them, and be instrumental of turning many of them from darkness to light. lam your^s, (f-c" The following is the inscription on the monument of Mr. Ser- geant, in the grave-yard near the Congregational church. 14 J 00 T Y R I N G H A M . Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. John Sergeant, who dy'd the 27th day of July, A. D. 1749 in the 4(3th year of his age. Where is that pleasing form I ask. thou canst not show, He's not within false stone, there's nought but dust below ; And Where's that pious soul that thinking concious mind, AVilt thou pretend vain cypher that's with thee inshrin'd ? Alas, my friend's not here with thee that I can find, Here's not a Sergeant's body or a Sergeant's mind: I'll seek him hence, for all's a like deception here, I'll go to Heaven, and I shall find my Sergeant there. TYRINGHAM The settlement of this town commenced in 1739. In April of that year Lieut. Isaac Garfield, Thomas Slaton, and John Chad- wick, moved into the place. In August following, Capt. John Brewer, from Hopkinton, moved into the town and put up a house ; and erected mills for the use of the inhabitants, agreeably to a contract with the proprietors, on the site of the present Lang- don mills. Concerning Capt. Brewer, it is worthy of notice that he was the father of 13 children, and his youngest child, Col. Jo- siah Brewer, (born in 1744,) had exactly the same number. In the French war beginning in 1744, several houses were fortified, and the fortifications were rebuilt upon the alarm produced by two or three murders in the vicinity, in August, 1755. The first and principal of these fortifications was around the house of Capt. Brewer, at which some soldiers were placed by the provincial gov- ernment. Among these were William Hale, Avho had assisted in building Fort Massachusetts, in Adams. He became a settler here as early as 1747, and was afterwards a deacon in the church. About 1750, John Jackson moved into the town from Weston, and persons by the names of Thomas and Orton ; and four brothers by the name of Warren, with their father Joshua, (the first person born in Watertown.) moved into it about the same time. The south part of the town, sometimes called South Tyringham, was generally settled at an early period ; but Hopbrook, or North Ty- ringham, was left as an insalubrious marsh for more than 20 years. The first log house in this section of the town was erected by Dea. Thomas Orton, about 1762. The first settlers were Congregational- ists, and in 1743 they erected a meeting-house. The church was formed of S members, Sept. 25. 1750, and on the 3d of October fol- lowing Rev. Adonijah Bidwell, a native of Hartford, Con., and graduate of Yale College in 1740, was ordained its pastor. In 1796, the society built tlie second meeting-house near the old one, which was dedicated July 4, 1798. In 1782, a portion of the peo- ple became Shakers, and set up meetings at each other's houses, according to the customs of this sect. In 1792, they collected together in a body, and formed themselves into what they denominate church order. Their settlement is in the north part of the town, at Hopbrook, where they own nearly 2,000 acres of land. The spiritual concerns of the three settlements at Tyring- WASHINGTON. 101 ham, Hancock, and Enfield, in Con., are superintended by a presid- ing elder, assisted by a subordinate elder in each settlement. After the close of the revolutionary war some Baptists moved into the town from Rhode Island, and there are also some families of Methodists. These denominations have meeting-houses in the north part of the town. This town is 7 miles in length and 5 in width. It was incor- porated by the general court May 18, 1762. It is said the name was given at the suggestion of liord Viscount Howe, who owned property at Tyringham in England, and who passed through this town a few days before he fell near Ticonderoga, July 6, 1758. This town is 14 miles S, E. of Lenox, and 116 W. of Boston. Population, 1,288. WASHINGTON This town was purchased of the Indians, in 1760, by a com- pany, most of which lived in Hartford and Suffield, Con. Some of the proprietors settled on their lands the same year. These were George Sloan, Andrew Mumford, William Milekan, Elijah Crane, Amos Beard, William Beard, .Toseph Knox, Nathan Ingraham, Joseph Chaplin, and Matthew DeWolf. After the settlement was commenced, the proprietors met with some difficulty by the pro- vince authorities claiming a right to the township ; whereupon Nathaniel Hooker, John Townly, and Isaac Sheldon, of Hartford, in behalf of themselves and 57 others, proprietors, in the begin- ning of 1762 petitioned the general court of Massachusetts to grant them the township. This grant was made in February of the \ following year, from which time till 1777 it was called Hartwood. -^ The church in this town was formed as early as 1772. After two unsuccessful etforts to settle a pastor, the Rev. William G. Ballan- tine, of Westfield. was ordained, June 1.5, 1774. The first meet- ing-house was built ill 1773, which stood till 1792, when a new one was erected. An Episcopal church, called St. .John's church, was formed here in 182.5. There are a considerable number of Baptists and also of Methodists in the town. This town was incorporated by its present name April 12, 1777. It being situated on the Green mountain range, the surface is uneven, diversified by hills and valleys. The township is well watered by pure springs and brooks, and furnishes in every part good farms for grazing. A few years since a considerable number of the principal farmers exchanged their improved farms in this place for new lands in Ohio, on the St. Lawrence, in New York, and elsewhere, and removed, by which the population and prop- erty of the town have been much diminished. This town is situ- ated 8 miles E. of Lenox, and 120 W. of Boston. Population, 758. T02 WEST STOCKBRIDGE. WEST STOCKBRIDGE. mm^^m^zj^-^^^'^^ North-Tvestern vieiv of West Stockbridge Village. This town originally belonged to the Stockbridge Indians, and was sold by them in parcels to individual purchasers. The first person who settled in the town was Joseph Bryan, from Canaan, Conn., in 1766. In the fall of the same year Col. Elijah Williams, from Stockbridge, settled in that part of the town now called West Stockbridge village. Between this time and 1774, about 40 families settled in the town, among whom were the families of Increase Hewings, Elisha Hooper, Lemuel Burghardt, Christopher Brazee, John Mmkler and Samuel Boynton, from different places in this state, and Ichabod Miller, Samuel Mudge, Elijah Slosson, Josiah Arnold, John Deming, Matthew Benedict, Roderic Messen- ger, Benjamin Lewis, John Ford, Ambrose Collins, and Amasa and James Spencer, from Connecticut The early settlers generally planted themselves down in the north part of the Xovra, where the lands are the most feasible and productive. The first meeting-house in this town was built in 1788, and the church organized June 4, 1789. Their first minister was the Rev. Oliver Ayres. The Baptist church was organized in 1792, and the society incorporated and a meeting-house built in 1794. The Rev. Samuel Whelpley, from Stockbridge, preached to them lor a number of years from the time the society was formed. This town was incorporated in 1774, and its name was derived from its relation to Stockbridge. Before its incorporation it was called Queensborough. A collection of rugged hills occupy the center of the town. Near the south-west corner is a mountain called Tom Ball, extending into Great Barrington and Alford, while Stockbridge moun- tain is on the eastern side. The south and south-eastern parts consist generally of rough, broken land. Lime quarries abound. There is much valuable marble in the town, of various colors ; some hardly less inferior in whiteness to snow, some parti- colored, mostly with blue; some is dove-colored, some is gray, and some is black. In Boynston's quarry, near the village, (in 1828.) an opening or fissure in the rocks, about 15 feet deep and from 18 to 4 inches in diameter, was charged with 204 pounds of powder. Upon firing it a mass of marble was raised, about 60 feet square on the surface and 8 feet thick, and at least twice that quantity was loosened. West Stockbridge village is situated near the north line of the town, on Williams' river, a mill stream passing through the whole extent of the town. It consists of about 30 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Methodist, (erected in 1838,) and a number of mills for sawing marble. Stockbridge mountain rises immediately eastward of the village, and is the boundary between the towns. This place is 3 miles from Lenox, 5 from Stockbridge, 47 from Springfield, 63 from Hartford, 28 from Hud- son, 30 from Albany, and 135 from Boston. Population of the town, 1,244. W ILLI AI\1 STO W N. 103 W I L L I A M S T O W N This town is in the north-west corner of the state. It was ex- plored, together with the town of Adams, and the hmits traced, oy a committee of the general court, in 1749. The committee con- sisted of Col. Partridge, of Hatfield, and Col. Choate and Capt. Nathaniel Dwight, of Belchertown. Both towns were intended to be 6 miles square, but for some reasons they were laid out 7 miles in length and 5 in width. This township was called West Hoo- sic and the adjoining one East Hoosic. This was the Indian name of the tract embraced in these towns. The first meeting of the proprietors of which any record is preserved was held Dec. 5, 1753, by virtue of a warrant of William Williams, Esq., of Pitts- field, " issued in pursuance of a vote of the general court of Mas- sachusetts Bay," Sept. 10,1753. But " the house lots" in the north part of the town were laid out previous to this meeting. The settlement of this town, like that of others of that day, was retarded by Indian hostilities. Nehemiah Smedley, William and Josiah Hosford, and some other young men, came to prepare for themselves and families a settlement here, it is beheved, in 1751 or 52. But they were interrupted by the increasing hostility of the Indians in those years. Returning to Connecticut, they enlisted in a company raised to protect the frontiers, and came again with others to this place and garrisoned a fort, which stood a few rods north of the present meeting-house, and also a block-house near the west college. A few soldiers were kept here in garrison till 1760. But the inhabitants were exposed to frequent alarms. Some were carried into captivity, and in an attack July 11, 1756, Capt. Chapin and two persons by the name of Cliidestree were killed. The dangers nearly ceased at the close of the French war. The following are most of the early settlers from the first, till about 1770. Capt. Nehemiah Smedley, William Hosford, Josiah Hosford, Col. B. Simmons, Seth Hudson, Richard Stratton, Jonathan Meacham, James Meacham, Thomas Train, Thomas Dunton, Wilson Webb, Derrick Webb, Elkanah Paris, Capt. Isaac Searle, John Newbury, Elisha Higgins, Dea. Nathan Wheeler, Mr. Seely, Elisha Baker and Son, William Hine, Seth Lewis, David Nichols, Stephen Davis, Titus Harrison, Isaac Ovitt, Thomas Ovitt, Josiah Wright, Jesse Ryan, Samuel Birchard, Joseph Wheeler, Asa Johnson, Robert Hawkins, Derrick Smith, Joseph Talmadge, Elisha Higgins, Stephen Olmsted, Nathan Smith, Isaac Stratton, Daniel Burbank, Robert SIcMaster, John McIMaster, Moses Rich, Bartholomew Woodcock, Nehemiah Woodcock, David Johnson, Samuel Sloane, Alexander Sloane, Thomas Roe, Ichabod Southwick, Jesse Southwick, John Torrey, William Torrey, Capt. Samuel Clark, Moses Young, Andrew Young, William Young, Zebacliah Sabin, David Johnson, 2d, Asa Corben, Amasa Corben, Joseph Corben, Samuel Mills, Jonathan Sherwood, Samuel Sherwood, Isaac Sherwood, Deming, Lieut. Sampson Howe. Capt. Smedley (at the head of this list) had five brothers who settled in the place. 104 WILLIAMSTOWN. The town received also a large number of inhabitants at differ- ent times, between 1770 and 1800, from Colchester, Con., among which were all the Buckleys, Bridgeses, Chamberlains, Days, Fords, J adds, Northams, Skinners, Tylers, Judah and Elisha Williams, Elijah, Thomas, and Solomon Wolcott, At a meeting of tlie proprietors, March 10, 1763, it was voted, "that for the future'' tiiey " would have preaching," and accordingly a call was given to Rev. Moses Warren to preach on probation. Two years after tliis, and immediately after the incorporation of the town, the proprietors called Mr. Whitman Welch " to the work of the min- istry in this town," July 26, 1765. His settlement was £80, ($267) to be paid one half the first year, the other half the year following. His salary was at first £40, and was to be increased £3 annually, until it should amount to £70, and he was to have the use of the ministry-house lot. He was ordained the latter part of the year 1765, and continued the pastor of the church nearly 12 years. Mr. Welch was a native of Milford, Con., and great-grandson of Thomas Welch, one of the 53 " first planters" of that town. His father dying early, the care of his education devolved on an uncle, with whom he went to reside in New Milford. He graduated at Yale College, in 17(32. He was a man of intelligence, and was social in his habits, and at suitable times gay and sportive. He was an animated preacher, and attentive to the duties of his otfice. In the winter of 1776, he went with the American army to Canada as chaplam, in a regiment to which a party belonged, commanded by Lieut. Zebadiah Sabin, of Williamstown. Mr. Welch died of the small-pox in March of the same year, near Quebec. The first proposal to build a meeting-house was in 1766, in De- cember of which year it was voted to build a house 40 feet by 30, and to raise £180 for this purpose. The house was erected in 1768, and was occupied by the congregation for 30 years, when it was removed and fitted up for a town-house, and a new meeting- house erected, 76 feet in length and 55 in width, at the cost of about $6,000. The meeting-house at the south part of the town was erected by subscription in 1812, by the united exertions of Con- gregationalists and Baptists. There was early a small Baptist ■congregation in this town. In May, 1791, the town refused " to incorporate MatthcAV Dunning and 14 others into a Baptist socie- ty," according to their petition. The next year " Isaac Holmes was chosen tythingman for the Baptist society in this town," {to7on 7'ecords). This church included some members from Han- cock, but was always small, and was dissolved in 1811. In 1814, another Baptist church was organized, which is now in a flourish- ing state. The principal street in WilliamstoMm passes over the highest part of three eminences ; on the first of which stands the east college and the chapel, on the second the west college, and on the third the Congregational church, from which the drawing for the engraving was taken. There are about 50 dwelling-houses near the colleges, standing compactly enough together to be called a village. This place is 20 miles from Pittsfield, 45 from Northampton, 14 from Bennington, 34 from Troy, and 135 miles from Boston. WILLIAMSTOWN 105 Williams College, in Williamstown, was founded in 1790, was incorporated June 22, 1793, and held its first commencement in 1795, on the first Wednesday in September, which is still its anni- versary. It was thus called in honor of Col. Ephraim Williams, a native of Newton, near Boston, and eldest son of Col. Ephraim u vttir vj Williams College and otktr buildviL Williams, who was afterwards one of the first settlers of Stock- bridge, and a justice of the court of common pleas in the county of Hampshire. The following account of Williams College, and of Col. Williams its founder, is by the Rev. Chester Dewey, and is extracted from the History of Berksire County. " Col. Williams, the younger, led for a number of years a seafar- ing life, but was induced to relinquish it by the persuasion of his father. In his several voyages to Europe, in which he visited England, Spain, and Holland, he acquired graceful manners, and a considerable stock of useful knowledge. In the war between England and France, which continued from 1744 to 1748, he dis- tinguished himself as commander of a company in the army rais- ed in New England for the Canada service. After the peace, he retired a while to Hatfield, but was soon appointed commander of the line of Massachusetts forts on the west side of Connecticut river, and resided principally at Fort Massachusetts, which stood not far from the north-eastern end of Saddle mountain, on the north border of the Hoosic, in the edge of Adams, three and a half miles from Williamstown. Under the protection of this fort, and a small one in Williamstown, which stood a few rods north- west of the present site of the meeting-house, the settlers in this section of the county began their improvements. Col. Williams, who owned considerable land among them, was much conversant with them, witnessed their dangers, difliculties and hardships, and, for the purpose of encouraging them, intimated an intention of doing something liberal and handsome for them at a future time. In the second French war, in 1755, he was colonel of a regiment, 106 W I L L I A M S T O W N . and was ordered to join Gen. Johnson at the north. On his way to that station, on the 22d of July in that year, he made his will at Albany. On the morning of the 8th of September following, he was ordered out at the head of a scouting party, 1,200 strong, and was shot through the head by an ambush party of French and Indians, near French mountain, a little east of that point of Lake George on which Fort George was built in 1759, in the 42d year of his age. His detachment returned to the main army, which the same day obtained a memorable victory over the enemy. In his will, after several bequests to his relatives and friends, he directed, " that the remainder of his land should be sold, at the discretion of his executors, within five years after an established peace ; and that the interest of the monies arising from the sale, and also the interest of his notes and bonds, should be applied to the support of a free school, in a township west of Fort Mas- sachusetts, forever; provided said township fall within Massachu- setts, upon running the line between Massachusetts and New York, and provided the said township when incorporated shall be called Williamstown :" otherwise it was to be applied to certain other pious and charitable uses. Both of these conditions took place. The executors of the will sold the land agreeably to the direc- tions of the testator, and by their provident and faithful manage- ment the fund was annually increased. In the year 178.5, they applied to the general court for an act to enable them to carry into effect the benevolent intention of the testator ; and an act was ac- cordingly passed, incorporating a free school in WUliamstown. Nine gentlemen were appointed trustees of the fund and of the school, viz. William Williams of Dalton, Theodore Sedgwick, Woodbridge Little, John Bacon, Thompson Joseph Skinner, Esquires, the Reverend Seth Swift and Daniel Collins, Mr. Israel Jones and Mr. David Noble, who voted in 1788 to erect a building for its use. The legislature granted them a lottery, which yield- ed about ,^3,500, the inhabitants of the town raised by subscrip- tion $2,000 more towards the building, and in 1790 the brick edifice, now the west college, was built on the middle eminence in the principal street, 82 feet long, 42 broad, four stories, contain- ing 28 rooms and a small chapel. The expense of the building was about ,^11,700, and the funds then remaining at interest amounted to about the same sum. The school was opened in October, 1791, under Mr. Ebenezer Fitch, a native of Canterbury, Conn., who had been a tutor at Yale College. It consisted of two departments, an academy or grammar school, and an English free school : and, under the direc- tion of this gentleman, immediately became prosperous. A con- siderable number of students resorted to it from Massachusetts and the neighboring states, and even from Canada. Upon the de- sire of the people of Williamstown and others, and to effect more perfectly the object of the donor, the legislature, in June, 1793, WILLIAMSTOWN. 107 erected this into a college, and accompanied the charter with a grant of ^4,000. The trustees of the original school, together with Henry Van Schaack, Esq., of Pittsfield, Elijah Williams, Esq., of Deerfield, and the Rev. Stephen West, were constituted trustees of the college. In the charter it was provided that the trustees might be seventeen in nmnber, (of whom the president ex officio is one,) that they might fill their own vacancies, and hold property, the annual income of which shall amount to ,'$20,000. Mr. Fitch, now the Rev. Dr. Fitch, was elected president, and the college be- gan its operations in October of this year, by the admission of three small classes. The English free school was discontinued, but the academy continued for some years in connection with the college. In 1 794, a lot was purchased and a house built for the president, which together cost $2,400. In January, 1796, the legislature granted to the president and trustees, two townships of land in the district of Maine, which were sold in May for about $10,000 ; which, with a considerable sum besides, were applied in 1797 and 8 to build the east college. This stands on the eastern eminence in the principal street, about 60 rods from the other col- lege, on the south side of the road. This is also of brick, 104 feet long, 28 broad, four stories, containing 32 suites of rooms. Both colleges front the east. Two townships have since been granted to the college, and sold less advantageously. The college also received from the com- monwealth three thousand dollars annually for ten years, begin- ning with 1814; the interest of one fourth of which ($7,500) is applied annually to the payment of the bills of such students as need assistance. Woodbridge Little, Esq., of Pittsfield, one of the first trustees, made a donation of $2,500 in 1811, and raised the sum to near $5,700 at the time of his death, in June, 1813; the interest of which is applied also to assist young men intended for the Christian ministry. In 1820, more than $17,500 were added to the funds of the college by subscription ; and in 1826, $25,000 more were raised in the same manner, for the establishment of a new professorship, and the erection of a new chapel. In the sum- mer of 1828, the chapel was erected, and on the 2d of September dedicated to the service of God. It is of brick, stands on the op- posite side of the road from the east college, facing the south, 93 feet long, 38 wide, and three stories high. It contains, besides the large and convenient room for the chapel, a chemical laboratory, lecture rooms, apartments for the philosophical apparatus, the mineralogical collection, the libraries, the meetings of the trustees, &c. In addition to the buildings already mentioned, the corpora- tion own a house and lot, designed for the accommodation of one of the professors, and a right in the meeting-house. The fast property of the college, with the library, apparatus, and cabinet of minerals, has cost about $44,000, and the produc- tive fund is $66,000. The college hbrary is a choice selection of books, amounting to little more than 2,000 volumes. The library of the students, 15 108 WILLIAMSTOWN. called the Adelphic Union Library, the Hbrary of the Theologi- cal Society, and a collection of class books, called the Franklin Library, for the immediate use of the indigent students, amount to about half that number. The philosophical and chemical apparatus is well selected. The immediate instruction and government of the college is placed in the president, professors and tutors, who compose the faculty. Besides the president and tutors, there is established a professorship of divinity, of law, of moral philosophy and rhet- oric, of mathematics and natural philosophy, of chemistry and natural history, and of languages, and a lectureship of anatomy. There was formerly a professorship of the French language. The terms of admission and the course of instruction are the same substantially as in the other New England colleges. With this college, the Berkshire Medical Institution, at Pittsfield, is connected. Williamstown was incorporated by the general court of Massa- chusetts in 1765. The township is nearly 7 miles in length and a httle more than 5 in breadth. The general character of the soil is clayey, though loam predominates in some places, and a few spots of some extent may be called gravelly. Some of the best lands lie along the Hoosic, particularly in the eastern part of the town, though not a very large tract can properly be called meadow. A tract of considerable extent in the south part of the town, about the junction of the two principal branches of Green river, and along up those streams, is also particularly fertile and beautiful. But the hills also, and generally the mountain sides, almost, and sometimes quite, upto their tops, have a good and in many places an excellent soil, suited both to grazmg and tillage, though generally best for the former. In 1837, there were in the town 2,000 Saxony sheep, merino sheep 5,800, other kinds of sheep 200; Saxony wool produced, 5,000 lbs., merino wool, 17,400 lbs. ; 1 cotton and 2 woollen mills. Population, 1,981. The following facts, though remarkable, are not solitary ; seve- ral similar cases are recorded. In 1806, a strong and beautiful biig eat out of a table made from an apple-tree, which grew on the farm of Maj. Gen. Putnam, in Brooklyn, Con., and which was brought to Williamstown when his son, Mr. P. S. Putnam, removed to that town. It was cut down in 178t). sixty-five years after it was transplanted, and if the tree was then fifteen years old, it was 80 years old when cut down. As the cortical layers of the /eo/of the table are about sixty, and extend within about /ye of the heart, as the inner ones are quite convex, about fifteen layers have been cut off from the outside. In 1814, a third bug made his way out, the second having appeared two or three years before. The last bug came forth from nearest the heart, and 45 cortical layers distant, on the supposition of its age, from the outside. The tree had now been cut down 28 years. Of course, the egg must have been deposited in the wood seventy-three years before. This bug eat about three inches along the grain, till it emerged into the light. The eating of the insect was heard for weeks l)efore its appearance. These /ac?5 were given by Mr. Putnam, in whose possession the table still remains, and were first pub- lished in the Repertory at Middlebury, Vt., in 1816. One of the bugs, preserved for WINDSOR. 109 some time by the Rev. Dr. Fitch, "was about an inch and one fourth long, and one third inch in diameter ; color, dark glistening brown, with tints of yellow."— Hist, of Berkshire, p. 39. WINDSOR This township was purchased at Boston, by Noah Nash, for £1,430, on the 2d of June, 1762, and called, among the townships purcliased at that time, No. 4. When it was incorporated in 1771, it was called Gageborough, in honor of General Gage, then British governor of Massachusetts. In 1778, at the request of the inha- bitants, the general court gave to it its present name. The first inhabitants of the town were Joseph Chamberlain and Ephraim Keyes, from Ashford, Con., Edward Walker, from Hadley, John Hall, .Tereraiah Cady, and Josiah Lawrence, from Plain field. Con. Though Mr. Hall has many descendants still living here, he soon moved to Castleton, Vermont, and was killed by a party of Indians, about the time of the capture of Burgoyne. The first child born in the place was a daughter of Mr. Lawrence ; born May, 1768. For many years the people had but one place of worship, and most of the inhabitants are yet Congregationalists. The first meeting-house erected was unfortunately burnt before it was com- pleted. The present brick meeting-house was built in 1823, and dedicated the next year, on the 7th of January. The first church was formed in 1772, and on the 25th of March, 1773, the Rev. David Avery, a native of Groton, Con., and graduate of Yale College, 1769, was installed their pastor, having been previously ordained an evangelist. He was dismissed April 14, 1777, that he might accept the office of chaplain in the army of the United States, during the revolutionary war. He was much esteemed by the people here, who were extremely unwilling to part with him. A second Congregational church was formed in the autumn of 1811, in the north-east part of the town, with 20 members, taken principally from the church in Windsor. A few families in Savoy united with them, and they held their meetings, for a time, in a dwelling-house, fitted up for the purpose, on the line between the two towns. The Rev. Jephthah Poole, from Plainfield, was ordained their pastor Oct. 11, 1811. There is a Baptist society in this town, who erected their meeting-house in 1819. Elder Noah Y. Bushnel preached to them for some years. This township is about 7 miles in length and 5 in breadth. The surface is uneven. A height of land lies a little west of the center, in a north and south direction, from which the descent is gradual, both to the east and west. On the east side rises Westfield river, and on the west the Housatonic. The origin and sources of these streams are but a few rods apart, a little south of the Congrega- tional meeting-house. On the Housatonic, in the south-west part of the town, near the line of Dalton, are falls, judeed to be about 110 ATTLEBOROUGH 70 feet. Though the quantity of water is not great, yet it is pre- cipitated down the rock with such violence that it affords a pros- pect truly sublime. The soil of the township is various ; in the eastern section it is sandy. In general it is well adapted to grazing and mowing. In 1837, there were in the town 7,157 sheep, pro- ducing wool to the value of $10,500. This town is situated 18 miles N. N. E. of Lenox, and 120 W. by N. of Boston. Popula- tion 887. BRISTOL COUNTY. This county was incorporated in 1685. The surface of the county is somewhat broken, but generally level and sandy. It has a maritime coast of considerable extent, and many of the inha- bitants of this county are engaged in navigation, and a large num- ber employed in manufactures. Iron ore is found in large quanti- ties in various parts. Taunton and Pawtucket rivers, both passing into Narragansett Bay, are the principal streams, and there is abun- dant water-power in many of the towns. The tonnage of the two districts in this county (New Bedford and Dighton.) is 75,188 tons. In 1837, there were 57 cotton mills, having 104,507 spindles ; 4,814,238 lbs. of cotton were consumed, and 18,382,828 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, the value of which was $1,678,- 226. Population of the county in 1837 was 58,152. The follow- ing is a list of the towns. Attleborough; Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Mansfield, New Bedford, Norton, Pawtucket, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansey, Taunton, Westport, ATTLEBOROUGH. In 1661, Capt. Thomas Willett, of Rehoboth, having been em- powered by the court, purchased of Wamsitta, a sachem of Poka- noket, a tract of land, which was called the Rehoboth North Pur- chase. It was bounded west by Pawtucket river, now the Black- stone ; north by the Massachusetts colony, or the Bay line ; east by the Taunton North Purchase ; and south by the ancient Rehoboth, This purchase included Attleborough, Cumberland, R. I., and a tract extending east and west a mile and a half The land was divided into seventy-nine and a half shares. The following are the names of the purchasers.* * This list is copied from the History of Attleborough, by John Daggett, Esq. It is to this work the autiior is almost entirely indebted for the history of this town. ATT LEKO ROUGH 111 Capt. Thomas Willett, Mr. Stephen Paine, Mr. Noah Newman, Lieut. Peter Hunt, Mr. James Browne, Samuel Newman, John Alien, sen., John Woodcock, Thomas Estabrooke, Thomas Willmot, Sampson Mason, Anthoney Perry, John Butterworth, Philip Walker, John Ornisby, Kichard Martin, Stephen Paine, Rober Joans, Obadiah Bowen, John Pecke, James Redeway, Samuel Carpenter, John Titus, Mr. John Myles, William Carpenter, Joseph Pecke, Thomas Cooper, Ensign Henery Smith, Thomas Cooper, sen., Samuel Pecke, William Buckland, Joseph Buckland, Benjamin Buckland, John Reade, sen.. John Reade, jr., Nicholas Pecke, Elizabeth Winchester, Hannah Winchester, Lydia Winchester, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Bliss, Rice Leonard, William Saben, John Perrin, sen., George Kendricke, George Robenson, John Doggett, John Fitch, Richard Bowen, Elizabeth Bullucke, John Miller, Robert Fuller, Robert Wheaten, Ester Hall, John Miller, sen., Jaret Ingraham, John Tiingsiey, Gilbert Brookes, Thomas Reade, Thomas Grant, Jonathan Fuller, James Gillsoii, Samuel Luther, Nicholas Tanner, John Allen, jr.. Preserved Abell, Francis Stephens, Nicholas Ide, Richard Whittaker, Nathaniel Pecke, Israel Pecke, Jonah Palmer, Robert Miller, Nathaniel Paine, Jeremiah Wheaton, Joanna Ide, ,Iohn Savage, Thomas Ormsby, Jacob Onnsby, John Policy, William Allen, John Lovell, Eldad Kingsley. The first settlement in the town was commenced by Mr. John Woodcock and liis sons, in the neighborhood of the Baptist meeting- house, where Hatch's tavern now stands : it was soon after the division in 1669. He built a public house on the Bay road, and. laid out about 300 acres of land for his farm. He took up in seve- ral parts of the toAvn about 600 acres, some on his own shares, and the rest on rights which he purchased of Roger Amidowne, James Redeway, Andrew Willett, &xj. His house was occupied for a garrison. It was licensed in 1670, according to the following record: "July 5th, 1670. John Woodcock is allowed by the court to keep an ordinary at the Ten-mile river (so called), which is in the way from Rehoboth to the Bay ; and likewise enjoined to keep good order, that no unruliness or ribaldry be permitted there." Woodcock was a man of some consequence in those days. His name often appeared in town offices and on committees. In 1691, he was chosen deputy to the general court from Rehoboth, and at several other times. He was shrewd, hardy, and brave. He did not much regard the rights of the Indians. On one occasion, he took the liberty of paying himself a debt due to him from an Indian, without his consent, for which act the court passed the following sentence upon him ; an example of the strict justice of the Puritans. " 1654. John Woodcock, of Rehoboth, for going into an Indian house, and taking away an Indian child and some goods, in lieu of a debt the Indian owed him, was sentenced to sit in the stocks at Rehoboth on a training-day, and to pay a fine of forty shillings." Woodcock died in 1701, at an advanced age. After his death the 112 ATTLEBOROUGH scars of seven bullet-holes were counted on his body. He was a strong and implacable enemy to the Indians. His garrison was well known as a place of rendezvous in the great Indian war. It was part of a chain of fortifications extending from Boston to Rhode Island. There was one in Boston, one in Dedham, one in Rehoboth, and one at Newport, on the island. This stand, now owned and occupied by Col. Hatch, is the oldest in the county of Bristol : a public house has been kept on the spot without intermis- sion nearly one hundred and seventy years. It is located on the Boston and Providence turnpike. In 1S06, the old garrison was torn down, having stood one hun- dred and thirty-six years. The greater part of the timber was said ro be perfectly sound, though pierced by many a bullet in king Philip's time. A large and elegant building has been erected on the spot. There was another early settlement at the Falls, now the Falls Factories. The advantage of a fine fall of water attracted many to the spot. John Daggett, of Rehoboth, was the West view of Atthborough. first person who laid out lands at the Falls. In 1677, he sold 50 acres of it to his brother, Thomas Daggett, of Martha's Vineyard. Edmund Hall also owned 50 acres here, which he gave to his son John, who sold it to John Stevenson and Samuel Penfield, in 1686. Penfield sold it to Thomas Daggett, of Edgartown, and Joseph and Nathaniel Daggett, of Rehoboth. The first mill built at the Falls was a corn-mill, owned and occupied by Joseph Daggett. The south-east part of the town was early settled by people from Rehoboth. The borders of the Bay road that passed through the neighborhood of Newell's and the City, were occupied by some of the first settlers. This was the first road in town. The above is a view taken in the principal village in Attlebo- Tough. The Boston and Providence railroad passes through it, AT TL EB ORO U GH. 113 and is but a few rods eastward of the Congregational church seen in the engraving. The " Attleborough Bank," in this village, is the first building westward of the church. This place is 11 miles from Taunton, 11 from Providence, and 21 from Boston. Popula- tion of the town, 3,396. The foUowhig is from the statistical tables, published by the state in 1837. Cotton mills, 8 ; cotton spindles, 13,078 ; cotton consumed, .510,680 lbs. ; cotton goods manufac- tured, 2,500,811^yards; value of the same, $229,571; males em- ployed. 157 ; females, 220 ; capital invested, .$259,000 ; manufac- tory of metal buttons, 1 ; metal buttons manufactured, 37,560 gross ; value of the same, $90,000 ; males employed, 42 ; femaleSj 21 ; capital invested, $90,000 ; value of jewelry manufactured, $92,000; hands employed, 112; capital invested, $50,000; value of planing machines manufactured, $40,000 ; hands employed, 15 ; capital invested, $18,000 ; value of boots and shoes manufactured, $10,000. The Rev. Matthew Short was the first settled minister in this town; he was ordained in 1712. Difficulties between him and his people soon conmienced, which resulted in iiis dismission in 1715. According to the agreement made with Mr. Short, he was to be paid £50 a year, for the first six years, one third in money, and the other two thirds in grain, beef, pork, butter or cheese, at the cur- rent price. =^ " At the 7th year, his salary was to be raised to £60, payable as above, and then to continue until there should be 100 families in town capable of paying public taxes, in the judgment of the selectmen, and then it was to be £70 per annum." The second minister was Rev. Ebenezer White ; he was the pastor for 11 years, and died in 1726. He was succeeded by the Rev. Habijah Weld. He was distinguished for his usefulness in the ministry, and highly respected as a man, both at home and abroad. He united, to an uncommon degree, the affections of his people, for a period of 55 years, during which he was their pastor. He was a man of talents and respectable acquire- ments, and was extensively known. He was ordained in 1727, and died 1782, in the 80th year of his age. " Mr. Weld was below the middle stature, and, in the latter part of his life, corpu- lent. His constitution was vigorous, and his mind almost singularly energetic. The stipend he received from his parishioners consisted of an annual salary of two hun- dred and twenty dollars, and the use of a parsonage-lot, which furnished him with wood and a little pasture. With his patrimony, he purchased a farm of about 70 acres, of moderately good land, and a decent house. He had fifteen children, ten of whom were married during his life, and one after his death. The remaining four died while young. This numerous family he educated, with the means which have Deen mentioned, in a manner superior to what is usually found in similar cir- cumstances ; entertained much company in a style of genuine hospitality; and was always prepared to contribute to the necessities of others. For the regulation of his domestic concerns, he prescribed to himself and his family a fixed system of rules, which were invariably observed, and contributed not a little to the pleasantness and prosperity of his life. His children, laborers, and servants, submitted to them with * These articles were then valued as follows. Corn, 2s. 6d. per bushel ; rye, 3s. 6d. per bushel ; pork, 3d. per lb. ; beef, 2d. per lb. ; butter, 6d. ; and good new milk cheese, 4d. per lb. 114 ATT L EB ROU GH . cheerfulness; and his house became the seat of absolute industry, peace, and good order. Breakfast was on the table precisely at six o'clock, dinner at twelve, and sup- per at six in the evening. After supper he neither made visits himself, nor permitted any of his family to make them."' From the death of Mr. Weld to the settlement of Mr. "Wilder, in 1790, nearly 8 years, the first parish was destitute of a settled minis- ter. Rev. John Wilder was dismissed Nov. 28, 1822, having been settled upwards of 32 years. The first meeting of the East Parish was on the 6th June, 1743. On the 20th a meeting was called "to consider and see what the parish will do in order to placing a meeting-house for the public worship of God." This is the first record of an attempt to build a meetinghouse in this part of the town. The Rev. Peter Thatcher, their first minister, was ordained in 1748. The second meeting-house was built in 1825. The North Baptist Church was constituted in 1769. Its existence may be traced back as early as 1747. It was a small and feeble church, and of the Congregational order, though differing from that denomination in some respects. In 17tJ9, they, by a vote, changed their constitution from a Congregational to a Baptist church, in what is called open communion. Previous to this, in 1767, the church moved Mr. Abraham Eloss from Sturbridge to Attleborough ; he preached to them till his death in 1769. He was succeeded by Elder Job Seamans, of Sackville, Cumberland county, then in Nova Scotia ; he requested a dismission in 1788, which was granted. His successor was Elder Abner Lewis, who was settled 1789, and continued until 1795, when he was dismissed. After this, Mr. Laben Thurber preached two years, and then gave up the otfice of the ministry. He was followed by Elder James Reed, who commenced preaching here in 1800. He gave so much satisfaction, that in December of the same year the church invited him to settle, which invitation he accepted. He was installed in 1801. He died in 1814, universally respected as a man. His successor was the Rev. Stephen S. Nelson, who settled in 1815, and was dismissed in 1820. The first meeting-house was not finished till 1784. The present house was built in 1817. South Baptist. The records of this church cannot be found. In 1789, the first and second churches in Attleborough met and agreed upon fellowship as sister churches. Elder Eiihu Daggett was the first preacher. The next in succession was Elder Eli- sha Carpenter, who settled in 1780, and continued till 1798, when he removed to Pro- vidence. This church is now extinct. First Universalist Society was incorporated in 1818. The first minister was the Rev. Richard Carrique, who was ordained 1818, and dismissed in 1822. His successor was the Rev. Robert Kilham, who commenced preaching in 1822, and was dismissed in 1828. Hebronvilh Church was gathered by Rev. Thomas Williams, after his dismission from the west parish in 1827. A small but neat house was built on the line between Attle- borough and Seekonk, half in one town and half in the other, to which and the neigh- borhood was given the name of Hebronville by the founder. Mr. Williams' connec- tion with the church was dissolved in 1832. Rev. Naphtali Daggett^ D. Z>., president of Yale College, a native of this town, was born 1727. His ancestor, John Daggett, ancestor of all the Daggetts here and in Connecticnt, came to Attleborough from Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, in 1709. Rev. Naphtali Daggett entered Yale College in 1744, and graduated in 1748. He was settled as minister of Smithtown, on Long Island, in 1751. In 1755 he was elected Professor of divinity in Yale College, which he accepted, and removed to New Haven. After the resignation of Mr. Clap in 1766, he officiated as president till 1777. During the barbarous attack on New Haven in July, 1779, he distinguished himself for the part he took in the defence of the country. He had made himself obnoxious by his bold opposition to the British cause. In the pulpit and in the lecture-room, he inculcated upon the students the duty of resisting British oppression; consequently he incurred the marked displeasure of the invaders. What he preached, that he practised. When the enemy landed, he shouldered his musket to repel them. He was taken pri- soner, and treated with all possible indignity. His clerical character did not exempt him from their most outrageous abuse. When asked by them who he was, he imme diately replied, ^'^ My name is Naphtali Daggett; I am one of the officers of Yale Col- lege. I require you to release me." " But we understand that you have been pray- ing against our cause." " Yes, and I mver made more sincere prayers in my lifi.'' He BERKLEY 115 was saved by the courage of the lady into whose house he had been conveyed. The enemy having retired, they sent back an officer and file of soldiers to convey him as prisoner on board their fleet. They came to the house, and were refused admittance by the lady, who pleaded the excuse that he was so badly wounded that it would be impossible to convey him on board alive. "My orders," said the ofticer, " are positive to take iiim with me." But she pleaded that he was in the agonies of death. After continual demands and refusals, the officer left to report the case, but never returned. He died in 1780, in consequence of the wounds he had received in his engagement with the British. He held the office of professor of divinity twenty-five years, and presided over the University about eleven years. The following inscriptions are from monuments in this town. Bezaleel Mann, mort. die Octo. tert. 1796, an. setat. 74. Early imbued with the prin- ciples of moral rectitude, he sustained through the diversified concerns of a long and active life, the character of an honest man. As a physician, he commanded, during the period of ne.ar 50 years, that unlimited confidence and respect which talents alone can inspire. The features of his mind were sketched by the glowing pencil of nature, filled up with qualities that adorn huinauity, and shaded with few infirmities, the fre- quent attendants on mental excellence. "Bebe Mann, his wife, mort. die Octo. tert. 1793, getat. 61. She was a person of bright genius, of few words and much reserved in mind. From early youth, she marked all her paths with virtue, and timely took the advice Christ gave to his disci- ples, and made to herself a friend of the mammon of unrighteousness, and, when she failed, could with christian confidence say, that her witness was in heaven and her reward on high." This stone is erected by the grateful hand of filial piety to protect the awful dust of revered parents. In memory of Dr. Herbert Mann, who with 119 sailors, with Capt. James Magee, mas- ter, went on board the Brig General Arnold in Boston Harbor 25th Dec. 1778, hoisted sail, made for sea, and were immediately overtaken by the most tremendous snow storm with cold, that was ever known in the memory of man, and unhappily parted their cable in Plymouth harbor, in a place called the Cow-yards, and he with about 100 others was frozen to death ; sixty-six of whom were buried in one grave. He was in the 21st year of his age. And now Lord God Almighty, just and true are all thy ways, but who can stand before thy cold ? The following is an epitaph on the negro slave Csesar, who was given to Lieut. Josiah Maxcy by his mother when he was a child. He was a member of the Baptist church, honest and faithful. He survived his first master, and after his own death was buried in the same grave-yard. A decent stone was erected to his memory by his younger master, Levi Maxcy, with this inscription, which may be seen in the north-east corner of the burying-ground, near Hatch's tavern. Here lies the best of slaves Now turning into dust; Csesar the Ethiopian craves A place among the just. His faithful soul has fled To realms of heavenly light. And by the blood that Jesus shed Is changed from Black to White. January 15, he quitted the stage, In the 77th year of his age. 1780. BERKLEY. This town, situated on the east side of Taunton river, was for- merly a part of Dighton. It was incorporated in 1735. It is 5 miles S. of Taunton, 18 E. of Providence, and 37 S. of Boston. Population, 878. In five years previous to 1837, there were 13 16 116 DA R TBTOUTH . vessels built ; tonnage of the same, 1,267 ; valued at $-38,010. This place has about ten sail of coasting vessels, and some iron ore. The celebrated " Dighton" or " Writing Hock " is in the limits of this town, being situated on the eastern shore of Taunton river, which divides tliis town from Dighton. For a description of this rock, see Dighton. D A R T M () U T H This town was incorporated in 1664, and formerly included -within its limits the present towns of Westport, New Eedford and Fairhaven. During Philip's war a great part of this town was laid desolate and many of the inhabitants killed. The most of the Plymouth forces were ordered thither. In coming to Russell's garrison at Ponaganset or A/Jonaganset, in this town, they met with a number of the enemy th H?^ C/3 H S sr o ft ^ 0-21 m W5 P < ^ « s M B 2: ® ^ £5- 5-3 O ^ §• 5 0* td s p p W ^■^ o ^ S-' 3 ►^ ■Si o w S- P* w P • g •<5 t> *^ p 00 C/3 3.« * o NORTON. 127 clous, and well secured from winds, A wooden bridge and cause- way, the whole of which extends about three fourths of a mile, connects the town with the village of Fairhaven. The almost entire business of the place is the whale fishery and other branches of business connected with it : this business was commenced before the revolutionary war, and has gradually risen to its present impor- tance. In 1838, the number of vessels belonging to New Bedford, en- gaged in the whale fishery, was one liundred and seventy, employ- ing four thousand hands. There are seventeen candle houses and oil manufactories. In 1837. there was imported into the United States 181,724 bbls. of sperm oil, and 219,138 bbls. of whale oil: of this quantity 75,675 bbls. of sperm oil, and 85,668 bbls. of whale oil, was imported into the New Bedford district. There are 4 banks. The Bedford Commercial Bank, with a capital of $400,000, was in- corporated in 1816 ; the Merchants Bank was incorporated in 1825, with a capital of $400,000 ; the Mechanics Bank incorporated in 1831, capital $200,000 ; and the Marine Bank, incorporated in 1832, with a capital of $300,000. There are three insurance offi- ces, whose united capitals amount to 350,000 dollars. The " New Bedford Institution for Savings" has an amount invested of about 220,000 dollars. There are 14 churches : 3 Baptist, 2 of which are Christian societies; 3 Congregational, 1 of which is Unitarian; 2 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Episcopal, 1 for Friends, 1 Universalist, 1 Bethel, 1 African and 1 Catholic. Few towns in Massachusetts have increased more rapidly than New Bedford. By the census of 1790, the population of the village was about 700 ; in 1820, it was 3,947 ; in 1830, it was 7,592 ; and in 1836, it was 11,113 ; making an increase of nearly 47 per cent, in six years. Distance 52 miles S. of Boston, 52 N.' W. of Nantucket, 24 from Taunton, and 214 north-easterly from New York. During the revolutionary war New Bedford was a place of resort for American privateers. In order to destroy them, 4,000 British troops, under Gen. Gray, landed upon Clark's Neck, the western boundary of the river at its mouth. From this point they marched to the town, and burnt houses, wharves, &c., to the amount of £11,241. They also destroyed English and West India goods, provisions, naval stores, shipping, &c., to the amount of £85,739 ; amounting in the whole to £96,980, or $323,266. NORTON. Norton was incorporated as a town in 1711. It was originally a part of Taunton, and when incorporated included in its limits the present towns of Easton and Mansfield. The first settler within the limits of the town was a cabin-boy, named William Witherell, who received a tract of land by the gift of his master, and built a house upon it in 1670.=* A settlement was made in 1696, by * Spofford's Gazetteer of Massachusetts. 128 PAWTUCKET. George Leonard, Esq., a name which has been identified with much of the public and mechanical business of the town. He was led to the settlement by the discovery of iron ore, and finding water power suitable to its manufacture. The iron manufacture has been continued in the family of the Leonards till the present time. Several of this name have been distinguished in civil life, and are persons of wealth and respectability. " The soil is not of the first quality, though equal to the adjoining towns. Much of this town is occupied by tenants, greatly to the disadvantage of its agriculture; there being 148 freeholders, and 107 tenants under lease."* Norton is 8 miles N. W. of Taunton, 30 S. of Boston, and 17 N. E. from Providence. Population, 1,.530. In 1837, there were in this town 4 cotton mills, 1,993 spindles; cotton goods manufac- tured, 290.376 yards; value of the same, $53,167 82; males employed, 53 ; females, 35 ; one air and cupola furnace, which made 375 tons of iron castings, valued at $37,500 ; twenty-five hands were employed ; eight air and cupola furnaces for rolling and refining copper ; 500 tons of sheet copper and copper bolts were manufactured, valued at $280,000 ; thirty-three hands were employed ; capital invested, $226,000. P A W T U C K E T . This town was formerly within the limits of Seekonk. It was incorporated as a distinct town in 1828. It is two miles square, lying on the east side of Pawtucket river. The village of Paw- tucket is centrally divided by the river ; that part lying on the west side is within the limits of the town of North Providence, in Rhode Island. The cut shows the appearance of the village as it is entered from the south on the Rhode Island side of the river. It is said that the first manufacture of cotton cloth in this country, by water power machinery, was commenced at this place. The water power is very great, and the fall of the river within a short dis- tance is fifty feet. There are in the village 12 cotton factories, with 35,000 spindles and 1000 looms. The Franklin calico printing works do an extensive business. There are also 5 machine shops and a number of iron works. About 2000 operatives are employed in these establishments. The river is navigable to the village ; it runs 4 miles S. by W. to Providence river, at India Point — one mile below the center of the city of Providence. The river above the village takes the name of Blackstone. This place is 4 miles N. of Providence, 16 from Taunton, 38 S. E. of Worcester, and 36 from Boston. The whole village is said to contain about 6,000 inhabitants. There are 7 churches : 2 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Catholic on the Rhode Island side ; 1 Congrega- * Spofford's Gazatteer of Massachusetts. PA WTUCKET 129 South view of Pawtucket, Mass. and R. I. tional and 1 Freewill Baptist on the Massachusetts side. In the town of Pawtucket, according to the Statistical Tables published by the state of Massachusetts, in 1837, there were 6 cotton mills, with 15,317 spindles; 2,156,266 yards of cotton goods manufac- tured ; 125 males and 243 females employed. One print works, which printed 4,894,597 ^mrds of cloth, employing 196 males and 28 females. The " Pawtncket Bank," Math a capital of $100,000, is in this town. Population, 1,881. [From the Commercial Advertiser, 1838.] " Evasion of the Laws. — Follo^nng in the footsteps of Massachusetts, Rhode Island has prohibited the sale or vending of ardent spirits in less quantities than fifteen gal- lons. These prohibitory laws in both states am producing great excitement, and we should not marvel were they to result in violent political action. Meantime the great inventor of the alembic is teaching his followers every possible device for evading the laws, as will appear from the following law report from the Providence Journal. "' The Ark.'' — At the present session of the supreme court in this city, evidence was brought before the grand jury to obtain an indictment for a violation of the license law. It appears that some person or persons had procured a raft or scow, erected a shanty thereon, and moored the same on Pawtucket river, where it was regularly fur- nished with a " great variety of choice liquors." Attached to the scow was a platform, which, W'hen lowered, enabled persons from the shore to walk to the ark, as the float was designated, and the vessel was moored .so that this platform could be used on either side of the river, as profit or policy might dictate. On gaining it, there could be seen faticets variously marked, R, G, B, itc, from either of which, on being turned, gushed forth the beverage its initial represented. This place of resort became very soon as popular as any watering place in the country ; as at it glasses were ahvays ready, although no attendants were at hand. Those who partook of the refreshing streams, as a matter of course, left something as satisfaction for trouble, which, by some legerdemain we could not comprehend, and therefore cannot describe, was taken possession of by some spirit unseen and unknown. As the dividing line between Rhode Island and Massachusetts is at high-water mark on the east side of the river, it will be perceived that customers from our sister state, by the platform being placed on their side, could be accommodated without violation of Massachusetts laws. Not so, however, with the laws of Rhode Island. Against these laws there was an offence committed, but establishing the identity of the offender was a very difficult matter. Witnesses in abundance were produced, who testified that they had drunk deep of the waters of the ark, but whom they obtained them of, they had neither desire or ability to say. One person in Pawtucket testified that he furnished from $75 to $100's 18 130 EAYNHAM. worth of liquors per week ; that he charged it to "the ark ;" that he delivered it somC' times to one and sometimes to another, who were employed to do chores ; and, finally, he identified one person who had at one time received it, against whom the grand jury returned a true bill, and whose trial will take place at the present term of the court. It is surmised that, as none of the brood were preserved in the ancient, it was from this modern ark came the "striped pig"* which has so recently been astonish- ing the natives of Boston. Notwithstanding the cloud of mystery in which the operators envelop themselves, one thing is very certain, the parties have been stimulated in their course by evil spirits." RAYNHAM. This town was formerly a part of Taunton, and was incorpo- rated as a distinct town in 1731. It originally made a part of those lands known by the name of CoJtanet, in the colony of New Ply- mouth. They were first purchased of Massasoit, the Indian chiei', by Elizabeth Pool and her associates. It appears the first settle- ment made in the town was about the year 1650. The first meet- ing-house was built in 1730. At this period there were about thirty families in the place. This house stood for forty-two years. The second meeting-house was erected in 1771, nearly in the center of the town. The first minister ordained here was Rev. John Wales ; this was in 1731. Mr. Wales died in 176.5, and was succeeded by Rev. Peres Fobes, LL. D., who was ordained in 1766. The lands in Raynham are in general level and the soil light. Taunton river washes the southern border of the town ; there are also a number of ponds, which produce a water power. There is a large shovel factory, a wire mill, a furnace, and a nail factory, which has produced eleven tons of nails daily. Iron ore is found here. There are 3 houses of worship : 1 Unitarian, 1 Orthodox, and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,379. Distance 3 miles N. E. of Taun- ton, 24 E. of Providence, and 30 miles S. of Boston. The following cut represents the original Leonard House in this town, "where tradition says that Philip's head was deposited for some time. It is still occupied by one of the family, of the sixth generation from the builder, and, so far as we are informed, is the oldest mansion now standing in this country. The vane at one of the gable-ends is inscribed with the date 1700; but there is little doubt of the house having been erected at least thirty years previous. The worlaiianship, especially within, is remarkably massive and sound. It is apparently modelled after an English * Reference is here made to the exhibition of a " striped pig" in Dedham, or some other place in the vicinity of Boston, on a day of general military muster. The exhi- biters of this curiosity, having obtained permission of the proper authorities, gave notice that this strange animal could be seen at the low price of .siz cents. This pig drew quite a number of visiters. Those who visited the exhibition, state that they found the pig as represented ; the stripes, however, were laid on with a painter's brush. They found also a choice variety of liquors, a glass of M'hich was allowed gratis to each visiter, in addition to the privilege of seeing this remarkable pig. There was somethmg so attracting about the animal, that quite a number of individuals, not satis- fied with one sight, were known to visit the exhibition a number of times the same daj. EA YNHAM 131 Ancient Leonard House in Raynham. fashion of the eighteenth century, with some modifications proper for defence against the Indians. It was garrisoned during the war. The Fowhng Pond, still so called, has become a thick swamp. An aged gentleman was living not many years since who in boy- hood had frequently gone otf in a canoe, to catch fish in its waters. Indian weapons and utensils are still found on its borders."* The first iron forge in America was set up in this town. On the banks of one of the ponds in this place, the celebrated King Philip had a hunting house. The followuig is taken from the Rev- Dr. Fobes' description of Raynham in 1793. " The first adventurers from England to this country, who were skilled in tfee forge iron maniifscture, were two brothers, viz. James and Henry Leonard. They came to this town in the year 1652, which was about two years after the first settlers had plant- ed themselves upon this spot ; and in the year 1052, these Leonards here built the first forge in America. Henry not long after moved from this place to the Jerseys and settled there. James, who was the great progenitor, from whom the whole race of the Leonards here sprang, lived and died in this town. He came from Ponterpool in Blonmouthshire, and brought with him his son Thomas, then a small boy, who after- wards worked at the bloomery art, with his father, in the forge. This forge was situ- ated on the great road ; and, having been repaired from generation to generation, it is to this day still in employ. On one side of the dam, at n smuU distance from: each other, stand three large elms and one oak tree. Two of the elms are near 'three feet in cir- cumference, and nre still flourishing. These trees are now nlmost a hundred and twenty years old ; whi'^h, with the ancient buildings and other objects around, present to the eye a scene of the most venerable antiquity In the distance of one mile and a quar- ter from tliis forge is a place called the Fowling Pond, on the northerly side of which once stood King Philip's house. It Avas ciilJ-eiUPIviiip's hunting house, because, in the season most favornble to hunting, he resided there, but spent the winter chiefly at Mount Hope, probably for the benefit of fish. Philip and these Leonards, it seems, long lived in good neighborhood, and often traded with each other ; and such was Philip's friendship, that as soon as the ^^■ar broke mit, which was in lti75, he gave out strict orders to all his Indians nev.'^r to hurt the Leonards. During the war, two houses near the forge were constantly garrisoned. These buildings are yet strmding. One of them was built by James Leonard, long before Philip's war. This house still remains in its original gothic form, and is now inhabited, together with the .same pater- nal spot, by Leonards of the sixth generation. In the cellar imder this house, was deposited, for a considerable time, the head of King Philip ; for it seems that even * Thatcher's Indian Biography. — This interesting relic of antiquity, we regret te state, is now no more, it having been, as we are infoxmed, taken down, quite receutkr spy the proprietor. 132 PvEHOBOTH. Philip himself shared the fate of kings ; he was decollated, and his head carried about and shown as a curiosity, by one Alderman, the Indian who shot him. There is yet in being an ancient case of drawers, which used to stand in this house, upon which the deep scars and mangled impressions of Indian hatchets are now seen • but the deeper impressions made on those affrighted women, who fled from the house when the Indians broke in, cannot be known. Under the door-steps of the same build- ing now lie buried the bones of two unfortunate young women, who in their flight here were shot down by the Indians, and their blood was seen to run quite across the road ; but more fortunate was the flight of Uriah Leonard, who, as he was riding from Taunton to the forge in this place, was discovered and fired upon by the Indians. He instantly plucked ofl' his hat, swung it around, which staj'tled his horse, and in full career he reached the forge dam, without a wound ; but several bullets were shot through the hat he held in his hand, and through the neck of the horse near the mane, from which the blood on both sides gushed and ran down on both his legs. While deacon Nathaniel Williams, with some others, were at work in the field, on the south side of the road about half a mile from the forge, one of the number disco- vered a motion of the bushes at a little distance ; he immediately presented his gun and fired ; upon which the Indians were heard to cry, Cocoosh, and ran off; but soon after one of the Indians was found dead near the Fowling Pond. Near the great river are now to be seen the graves of Henry Andross and James Philips, who, with James Bell and two sons, were killed by a number of Indians, who lay in ambush. This happened in the place called Squabette. The place already mentioned, by the name of Fowling Pond, is itself a great curios- ity. Before Philip's war it seems to have been a large pond, nearly two miles long and three quarters of a mile wide. Since then, the water is almost gone, and the large tract it once covered is grown up to a thick-set swamp of cedar and pine. That this, however, was once a iarge pond, haunted by fowls, and supplied with fish in great plenty, is more than probable, for here is found, upon dry land, a large quantity of white floor sand, and a great number of that kind of smooth stones, which are never found except on shores or places long washed with water. There is also on the east side a bank of sand, which is called the Beaver's Dam, against which the water must formerly have washed up ; and if so, the pond must once have been of such amplitude as that above mentioned. Add to this, that a large number of Indian spears, tools, pots, &CC., are found near the sides of this pond. This indicates that the natives were once thick-settled here. But \vhat could be their object ? What could induce Philip to build his house here ? It was, undoubtedly, fishing and fowling, in this then large pond. But, more than all, there is yet living in this towm a man of more than ninety years old, who can well remember that when he was a boy he had frequently gone off in a canoe to fish in this pond ; and says, that many a fish had been caught where the pines and cedars are now more than fifty feet high. If an instance, at once so rare and w^ell attested as this, should not be admitted as a curious scrap of the natural his* tory of this country, yet it must be admitted as a strong analogical proof that many of our swamps were originally ponds of water : but, more than this, it suggests a new argument in favor of the wisdom and goodness of that Divine Providence which "cha7iges the face of the earth," to ■supply the wants of man, as often as he changes from uncivilized nature to a state of cultivation and refinement. REHOBOTH The original limits of Rehoboth were extensi\^e, comprehending the present town, Seekonk, Pawtiicket, Attleborough, Cumber- land, R. I., and part of Swansey and Barrington. The first pur- chase of land here for a settlement was made of Massasoit, in 1641, comprehending a tract of land about ten miles square, embracing the present towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket. The first white settler in the original limits of the town was William Blackstone, a non-conformist minister of England, who fled from persecution and sought an asylum in the wilds of America. He was the first white man who lived on tlie peninsula where the REHOBOTH. 133 city of Boston now stands. He sold his lands on the peninsula in 1634, and probably removed to Rehoboth the next year. He loca- ted himself in what is now Cumberland, R. 1., on the river which bears his name, about three miles above the village of Pawtucket. His house, which he named " Study Hall," stood near the east bank of the river, a few rods east of a knoll which rises abruptly from the meadow on the brink of the river to the height of 60 or 70 feet. His grave and the well which he dug are still to be seen. The celebrated Roger Williams for a short time, when driven from Massachusetts, first pitched his tent in the limits of Rehoboth, and resided there for a short period. Rev. Samuel Newman*^ may be considered as the founder of Rehoboth. He removed here with part of his church in Weymouth in 1644. The first meeting of the original planters to be found on record is dated at " Weimouth the 24th of the 8th month [October] 1643." The second meeting was held in Dec. following, when regulations were made as to the planting of corn. The teacher was to have a certain portion from each settler ; servants, after four years, to be inhabitants, and entitled to their privileges. The following appears to be a list of all the planters at Seekonk or Re- hoboth in July, 1644. It is prefixed in the following manner : — " This combination, entered into by the general consent of aH the inhabitants, after general notice given the 23d of the 4th month. We whose names are underwTitten, feeing, by the providence of God, inhabitants of Seacunk, intending there to settle, do covenant, (kc. Walter Palmer, Samuel Newman, Peter Hunt, Ralph Alin, Edward Smith, Wm. Cheesborough, William Smith, Thomas Bhss, Edward Bennett, Richard Wright, .Tohn Peren, George Kendricke, Robert Titus, Robert Martin, Zachery Rhoades, John Allen, Abraham Martin, Richard Bowen, Job Lane, WiUiam Sabin, John Matthewes, Joseph Torrey, Alex. Winchester, Thomas Cooper. Edward Sale, James Clark, Henry Smith, Ralph Shepherd, Ephraim Hunt, Stephen Payne, "Though the proprietors purchased their land of the Plymouth colony, yet it appears, from the compact signed by them, that they considered themselves independent of any jurisdiction but their own, though they were afterwards claimed by both Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. In 1645, they submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the Plymouth court, or rather were assigned to that by the commissioners of the United Colonies, and were incorporated by the Scripture name of Behoboth, — a name selected by Mr. Newman; for, said he, " the Lard hath made room for us."\ The town of Rehoboth in its present limits is formed from the * Mr. Newman was a man of great learning and piety. He compiled a Concor- dance of the Bible, a herculean labor, which M'as published in London in 1643, in folio. After his removal to Rehoboth (now Seekonk), he revised this work and greatly im- proved it, using in the evening, according to President Stiles, pine knots instead of candles. He died at Seekonk, in 1663. "The manner of his death," says Elliot, '• was peculiar. He had a certain premonition of it, and seemed to triumph in thr. prospect of its being near. He was apparently in perfect health, and preached a ser- mon from these words. Job xiv. 14 : ' All the days of my appointed time n'ill I wait till my change come.' In the afternoon of the following Lord's day he asked the deacon to pray with him, saying he had not long to live. As soon as he had finished his prayer, he said the time was come when he must leave the world ; but his friends, seeing no immediate signs of dissolution, thought it was the influence of imagination. But he turned round, saying, 'Angels, do your office,' and immediately expired." •f Bliss' History of Rehoboth, p. 31, 134 REHOBOTH, second precnct of the ancient Rehoboth. This was incorporated as a separate society in 1759. As early as 1711, the inhabitants of the south-east part of the town, called the "neighborhood of Palmer's river," petitioned for a division of the town into two pre- cincts. This was opposed by the western or older part of the town. In 1717, the general court granted permission to the people at Palmer's River to build a meeting-house in their part of the town. This house was commenced the same year, and stood on a small elevation about half a mile N. W. of the Orleans factory. Jethnial Peck, Capt. Samuel Peck, and Jonathan Bliss, gave each an acre of land for the site of the meeting-house. In 1721 a church was organized here, under the pastoral care of Rev. David Turner. Mr. Turner wa:s succeeded by Rev. Robert Rogerson, who was settled in 17.59 ; he died in 1799, and was succeeded by Rev. Otis Thompson, who was ordained in 1800. The second meeting-house was erected in 1773, "upon the plaine near Timothy Readways." There are at present in Rehoboth 5 churches : 2 Baptist, 1 Congrt- gational, 1 Reformed Methodist, and 1 Christian. There is a cot- ton factory, with 1,440 spindles. Population, 2,202. Distance, 10 miles S. W. of Taunton, 7 east of Providence, and 40 south-west- erly of Boston. South-mest view of Annawon's Rock, Rehoboth. The above is a representation of the celebrated rock, called Annawon's Rock, in the eastern part of Rehoboth, a few rods south of the new turnpike from Taunton to Providence, about eight miles from the former and ten miles from the latter place. The whole rock extends N. E. and S. W. 70 or 80 feet, and its height is 25 or 30 feet. It is on the northern border of a great swamp of nearly 3000 acres, called Squannakouk. by which it is rendered inaccessible except on the northern side. This place is rendered memorable by the capture of Anuawon, the last and bravest of King Philip's chieftains, on 28th of Aug. 1676. Annawon, after the death of Philip, Aug. 12th, with a few brave warriors, ranged die woods in REHOBOTH. 135 the vicinity of Rehoboth and Swanzey, much to the terror of the inhabitants. Capt. Church, so celebrated in this war, was sent for, who with his party immediately commenced upon the pursuit. Having captured a number of Aniiawon's company, one of them having his life spared olfered to conduct him to his chieftain's retreat. The following interesting account is taken from the account given in Drakes Hist, of Lid Ian Chiefs, published in Boston in 1832. Having travelled through swamps and thickets until the sun was setting, the pilot ordered a stop. The captain asked him if he had made any discovery. He said, "About that hour of tlie day Aanawon usually sent out his scouts to see if the coast was clear, and as soon as it began to grow dark the scouts returned, and then we may move securely." ^Vhen it was sufficiently dark, and they were about to proceed, Capt. Church asked the old man if he would take a gun and fight for him. He bowed very low and said, "I pray you not to impose such a thing upon me as to fight against Capt. Aniwn-on, my old friend, but I will go along with you, and be help- ful to you, and will lay hands on any man that shall offer to hurt you." They had proceeded but a short space, when they heard a noise, which they concluded to be the pounding of a mortar. This warned them that they were in the vicinity of Anna. Ivan's retreat. *=« ******** When they arrived near the foot of the rock, Capt. Church, with two of his Indian soldiers, crept to the top of it, from whence they could see distinctly the situation of the whole company, by the light of their fires. They were divided into three bodies, and lodged a short distance from one another. Annawnii's camp was formed by felling a tree against the rock, with bushes set up on each side. With him lodged his son, and others of his principal men. Their guns were discovered standing, and leaning against a stick resting on two crotches, safely covered from the weather by a mat. Over their fires were pots and kettles boiling, and meat roasting upon their spits. Capt. Church was now at some loss how to proceed, seeing no possibility of getting down the rock without discovery, which would have been fatal. He therefore creeps silently back again to the foot of the rock, and asked the old man, their pilot, if there were no other way of coming at them. He answered, " No," and said that himself and all others belonging to the company were ordered to come that way, and none could come any other without danger of being shot. The fruitful mind of Church was no longer at a loss, and the following stratagem was put in successful practice. He ordered the old man and the young woman to go forward and lead the way, with their baskets upon their backs, which, when Anna' tvon should discover them, would take no alarm, knowing them to be those he had lately sent forth upon di.scovery. Capt. Church and his handful of soldiers crept down also, under the shadow of those two and their baskets. The captain himself crept close behind the old man, with his hatchet in his hand, and stepped over the young man's head to the arms. The young Anncmon, discovering him, whipped his blanket over his head, and shrunk up in a heap. The old captain Annawon started up on his breech, and cried out "Hun-nh .'" which signified, "I am taken." All hope of es- cape was now fled forever, and he made no effort, but laid himself down again in perfect silence, while his captors secured the rest of the company. For he supposed the Eng. lish were far more numerous than they were, and before he was undeceived his company were all secured. One circumstance much facilitated this daring project. It has been before mentioned that they heard the pounding of a mortar on their api)roach. This continued during their descent down the rock. A squaw was pounding green dried corn for their supper, and when she ceased pounding to turn the corn they ceased to proceed, and when she pounded again they moved. This was the reason they were not heard a.s they lowered themselves down from crag to crag, supported by small bushes that grew from the seams of the rock. The pounded corn served afterwards for a supper to the captors. ******#*#* The two companies situated at a short distance from the rock knew not the fate of their captain, ur til those sent by Church announced to them that they were all pris- oners ; and, to prevent their making resistance, were told that Capt. Church had en- compassed them with his army, and that to make resistance would be immediate death ; but if they all submitted peaceably, they should have good quarter. " Now 136 S E E K N K . they being old acquaintance, and many of them relations," readily consented ; deb vering up their guns and hatchets, were all conducted to head quarters. Things being thus far settled, Captain Church asked Annarvun what he had for sup. per ; " for,'" said he, " I am come down to sup with you." Annaivon replied, " Taubut,'* with a majestic voice, and, looking around upon his women, ordered them to hasten and provide Capt. Church and his company some supper. He asked Capt. Church "whether he would eat cow beef or horse beef." He said he would prefer cow beef. It was soon ready, which, by the aid of some salt he brought in his pocket, he made a good meal. And here it should be told, that a small bag of salt, which Church carried in his pocket, was the only provision he took with him upon this expedition. When supper was over, Capt. Church set his men to watch, telling them that if they would let him sleep two hours they should .sleep all the rest of the night, he not hav- ing slept any for thirty-six hours before ; but after lying a half hour, and no dispo- sition to sleep came, from the momentous cares upon his mind, for, "The dead alone in such a night can rest;" he looked to see if his watch were at their posts, but they were all fast asleep. Anna- won felt no more like sleeping than Church, and they lay for some time looking one upon the other. Church spoke not to A?i7ia7iwn, because he could not speak Indian, and thought Annarvun could not speak English, but it now appeared that he could, from a conversation they held together. Church had laid down with Annawon to pre- vent his escape, of which however he did not seem much afraid, for after they had laid a considerable time Annawon got up and walked away out of sight, which Church considered was on a common occasion. But being gone some time, " he began to suspect some ill design." He therefore gathered all the guns close to himself, and lay as close as he possibly could under young Annmvnn's side, that if a shot should be made at him it must endanger the life of young Annan'on also. After lying a while m great suspense, he saw, by the light of the moon, Annawon coming with something in his hands. When he had got to Capt. Church he knelt down before him, and after presenting him what he had brought, spoke in English as follows: — "Great captain, you have killed Philip, and conquered his country. For I believe that I and my com- pany are the last that war against the English, so suppose the war is ended by your means, and therefore these things belong unto you." He then took out of his pack a beautifully wrought belt, which belonged to Philip. It was nine inches in breadth, and of such length as, when put about the shoulders of Capt. Church, reached to his ankles. This was considered at that time of great value, being embroidered all over with money, that is wampampeag, of various colors, curiously wrought into figures of birds, beasts, and flowers. A second belt, of no less exquisite workmanship, was next presented, which belonged also to Philip. This, that chief used to ornament his head with ; from the back part of which flowed two flags, which decorated his back. A third was a smaller one, "with a star upon the end of it, which he wore upon his breast. All three were edged with red hair, which Annawon said was got in the country of the Mohawks. These belts, or some of them, it is believed remain at this day, the property of a family in Swansey. He next took from his pack two horns of glazed powder and a red cloth blanket. These, it appears, were all of the effects of the great chief He told Capt. Church that those were Philiph royalties, which he was wont to adorn himself with when he sat in state, and he thought himself happy in having an opportunity to present them to him. The remainder of the night they spent in discourse, in which Annawon " gave an account of what mighty success he had had formerly in wars against many nations of Indians, when he served Amhimquin, Philip's father. Morning being come, they took up their march for Taunton. In the way they met Lieutenant Howland, according to appointment, at his no small surprise. They lodged at Taunton that night. The next day Capt. Church took old Annawon, and half a dozen Indian soldiers, and his own men, and went to Rhode Island ; the rest were sent to Plymouth, under Lieut. Howland. Not long after this, to the great grief of Capt. Church, Annawon was be- headed at Plymouth. It is true Church did not guarantee his life when he surrendered, but he had little doubt of his being able to save him, knowing how much the country was indebted to him in this war. SEEKONK In 1812, the west part of Rehoboth was incorporated into a dis- tinct township by its ancient name of Seekonk. This word in SEEKONK. 137 the Indian language is the name for the wild or black goose, and this place probably received its name from the circumstance that great numbers of wild geese used frequently to alight in Seekonk river and cove.=^ This town is properly the ancient Rehoboth, it being the place where the first settlement was made. Some account of the first settlers, and the names of some of the first planters, will be found in the account given in this work of the town of Rehoboth. The town, or first settlement, was built in a semi- circular form, around what is now Seekonk common, (the south extremity of the plain,) with the meeting-house and parsonage in the center ; the semi-circle opening towards Seekonk or Paw- tucket river. This circle was afterwards called "The Ring of the Town." Seekonk is washed on the west by Providence river, separating it from the state of Rhode Island. There are three cotton facto- ries in the town, running nearly 6,000 spindles, and about 150 looms. There are 2 houses of worship, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist. Population. 2,016. Distance from Providence 4 miles, 14 S. W. of Taunton, and 41 miles southerly from Boston. The Boston and Providence railroad passes through this town. In the spring of 1676, during Philip's war, the Indians, dispers- ing themselves in small parties, committed dreadful ravages both in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The country being alarmed, Capt. Pierce, from Scituate, with sixty-three Englishmen and twenty friendly Indians from Cape Cod, was ordered to drive the Indians towards Rhode Island. He arrived at Seekonk on the 25th of March. While in pursuit of the Indians, the next day, he was attacked and surrounded by an overwhelming force of savages ; after a desperate resistance, Capt. Pierce, with nearly all his men, were killed, after having slain, it is supposed, nearly double the number of their enemies. " Two days after Pierce's fight, a party of the Indians, crossing the river, laid the town in ashes, burning 40 houses and 30 barns." These houses were around the "Ring of the Town;" only two houses were left standing, — the garrison-house, which stood on the spot where the house of Phanuel Bishop now stands, and another house on the south end of the common, which was preserved by black sticks having been arranged around it, so as to give it at a distance the appearance of being strongly guarded. The houses were set on fire, as tradition informs us, early in the evening, and when the sun arose the next morning it beheld only a line of smoking ruins. It appears that only one person was killed ; he was an Irishman, a religious, but a singular and superstitious man. On the approach of the Indians, he refused to go into the garrison-house, but remained in his own house with his Bible in his hand, believing that while he continued reading it, nothing could harm him. He was, how- ever, shot through the window. * Bliss' History of Rehoboth. 19 139 fa B E K N K. There is a chair now in possession of Capt. Caleb Abell of See- konk, Avhich has been in possession of that family since the burn- ing by the Indians, and is dignified with the appellation of " King Philip's ChnirJ' According to the tradition preserved in the family, Philip was in the habit of frequently visiting the house of Preserved Abell, and whenever he came, this chair, being the "big armed-chair of the house," was brought forth as a mark of distinction for his seat. At the burning of the place in 1676, the Indians brought it out of the house for their chief (who is said to have been King Philip) to sit in, and enjoy the conflagration. When they left this house for another, an Indian threw a fire- brand into the chair, which consumed the bottom, but left the huge frame, with only scorching the parts to which the bottom was attached. Capt. Thomas Willet, who came over to this country in 1630, was buried in the limits of this town, at the head of Bullock's Cove. He was a very young man when he arrived, and was a merchant by profession. He first resided at Plymouth, and soon became a useful and distinguished man in the colony. When New York was surrendered by the Dutch, Capt. Willet was sent for by his majesty's commissioners to assist them in organizing the new government. After a residence of a few years in New York, he returned to his seat at Swansea, where he died in 1674. " The English mayor of the first commercial metropolis in Ame- rica, (says Mr. Daggett in his History of Attleborough,) lies buried on a lonely and barren heath, in the humble town of Seekonk, at a place seldom visited by the footsteps of man, with nought but the rudest monument to mark the spot." The following is the rudely carved inscription, still legible. 1674. Here lyeth the body of the worthy Thomas Willet, Esq., who died August y" 4th, in the 64th year of his age, Anno . . . who was the first Mayor of New York, and twice did sustain the place. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the burying-ground in this town. Here rests the body of Mr. George Allen, a native of Sherbum in Great Britain, who died Jan. 20th, A. D. 1774, aged 78 years. His ingenuity & application to study were such, that in early life he made uncommon advances in the principal branches of Literature, cV, at the age of 17 was employed as a writing master in his native town. At the age of 21 he arrived at Boston, where he opened a school for the instruction of youth, in which occupation (in that &c other towns) he spent the Prime of his life ; his latter researches were better calculated for the promotion of Science, than for the advancement of his private interest. His friendly disposition and mode- ration were conspicuous to all who knew him. A tribute of respect to Hosea Humphrey, Esq., who died June 30th, 1816, aged 59. He was a native of Connecticut, was highly esteemed there as a Philosopher, Physi- cian & Statesman ; was honored with a seat in the Convention for adopting the Federal Constitution, fc also of the Legislature ; and ever defended the rights of man with a liberal independent spirit. — Erected by the affec' onate regard of his afflicted widow. S W A N S K Y . 139 SOMERSET. This town is pleasantly situated on the western side of Taun- ton river, opposite tlie lown of Fall River. Previous to its incor- poration in 1790, it formed a part of Swansey, and was called the Shaimmet Pifrchase. Taunton river to this place is navigable for vessels of considerable burthen. This place is 13 miles from Taunton, 16 trom Providence, and 45 from Boston. Population, 1,063. In five years preceding 1837, there were 12 vessels built; tonnage, 69(). This town has about 1,200 tons of shipping, and 7 potteries, where stone and earthen ware are manufactured. There are 4 churches: 2 Baptist, 1 Friends, and 1 Methodist. SWANSEY. A PART of this town was originally comprehended in the ancient limits of Rehoboth. It forms a part of the tract called by the In- dians Wtifwamoiset, situated in this town and Barrington, R. I. Swansey was incorporated as a town in 1667, and comprehended in its limits at that period the present tov.ai, >Somerset, Barring- ton, and the greater part of Warren, R. I. The town derived its name from Sicansea in Wales, and was so spelled in the earliest records. In 1649, Obadiah Holmes and several others in Reho- both, having embraced the Baptist sentiments, withdrew them- selves from Mr. Newman's church, and set up a separate meeting of their own. The attempt to break them up, and the persecution they received, increased the number of Baptists. In 1663, they were much strengthened by the arrival of Rev. .lohn Myles, with part of his church, which he had formed at Wales, whence he had been ejected for non-conformity. In the same year of his arrival Mr. Myles formed a Baptist church in Rehoboth, the fourth formed in America. It was organized in the house of John But- terworth, and commenced with seven members, viz. John Miles (or Myles), pastor, James Brown, Nicholas Taimer, Joseph Car- penter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley, and Benjamin Alby. These and subsequent proceedings, were deemed such an evil by the rest of the inhabitants of the town and of the colony generally, that the court of Plymouth was called on to interfere. Each mem- ber of this new church was fined £.5, prohibited from worship for the space of owe- nwnth ; and they were advised to remove from Rehoboth to some place wliere they might not prejudice any existing church. They accordingly removed to Wannamoiset, and erected a house near Kelley's bridge, on a neck of land now in the limits of Barrington. They afterwards erected another about half a mile from '' Myles's bridge," on the east side of Palmer's river, a short distance from where the present house of worsliip now stands. The central village :of S^ransey contains about a dozen dwelling- 140 S W A N S E Y . houses, and a Union church for various denominations. Some of the inhabitants of the town are engaged in navigation and ship- building ; there is also a cotton factory, 2 paper-mills, and a wool- len factory. There are 3 Baptist churches. Population, 1,627. Distance, 14 miles S. W. of Taunton, 20 from New Bedford, 14 from Providence, 10 N. E. of Bristol, R. I., and 46 southerly of Boston. This town will be memorable on account of its being the place where the first English blood was shed in "King Philip's War." Philip having laid his plans for the extermination of the English, his warriors were so impatient that he was obliged to promise them that on the next Lord's day, when the English were gone to meeting, they should rifle their houses and kill their cattle. Ac- cordmgly, on Sunday, June 20th, 1675, he permitted his men to march out into the neighborhood of Swansey, and to annoy the English by killing their cattle, thus hoping to provoke them to commence the attack; for it is said a superstitious opinion pre- vailed among them, that the side which did the first execution would finally be conquered. The Indians were so insolent in their deportment and language, that an Englishman was so pro- voked that he fired upon one of them and wounded him. This, according to Mr. Hubbard, in his "Indian Wars," was the first gun fired. According to tradition, this Indian who was wounded, after killing a number of cattle in the field, went into the man's house and demanded liquor ; being refused, he attempted to take it by violence, and at the same time threatened revenge; this caused the Englishman to fire upon him. The Indians upon this commenced open war. The following is Mr. Hubbard's account of the first shedding of English blood: — "On the 24th of June, 1675, was the alarm of war first sounded in Plymouth colony, when eight or nine of the English were slain in and about Swansey ; they (the Indians) first making a shot at a company of English as they returned from the assembly, where they were met in a way of humiliation on that day, whereby they killed one and wounded others ; and then likewise at the same time they slew two men on the high- way, sent to call a surgeon ; and the same day barbarously mur- dered six men in and about a dwelling-house in another part of the town ; all of which outrages were committed so suddenly, that the English had no time to make resistance." At this period the house of Rev. John Miles was garrisoned. It stood a short distance west of Miles' bridge, probably near the site of the tavern of Mason Barney, Esq. Intelligence of the mur- der of the Swansey people having reached Boston, a foot company, under Capt. Henchman, and a troop, under Capt. Prentice, imme- diately marched for Mount Hope, and being joined by another company of 110 volunteers under Capt. Mosely, they all arrived at Swansey on the 28th of June, where they found the Plymouth forces under Capt. Cudworth. Mr. Miles' was made head-quar- ters. About a dozen of the troop went immediately over the TAUNTON. 141 bridge, where they were fired upon out of the bushes, one killed and one wounded. This action drew the body of the English forces after the enemy, whom they piu'sued a mile or two, until they took to a swamp, after having killed about half a dozen of their number. The next morning the troops commenced their pursuit of the Indians. Passing over Miles' bridge, and proceed- ing down the east bank of the river, till they came to the narrow of the neck, at a place called Keekamuit or Kickemuit, they found tlie heads of eight Englishmen that the Indians had mur- dered, set upon poles by the side of the way. These they took down and buried. On arriving at Mount Hope they found that Philip and his Indians had left the place. TAUNTON. It is believed that the first Englishmen who first traversed the soil of this ancient town, (called by the Indians Cohannet.^ were Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, on their visit to Massa- soit, in July, 1621. They found it depopulated and desolate ; the ravages of the great plague were every Avhere discernible. At Tetlqiiet and Namasket there were Indian villages. The territory of Taunton proper (which formerly included within its limits the towns of Berkley and Raynham,) was claimed by the sachem of Tetiquet. In this territory there were no Indian settlements except in a small part of Raynham. It appears, however, that the country bordering on the river had been thickly populated, and the land cleared on both sides for a considerable distance. When first visited many of the remains of the natives were discovered unburied. At the head of the list of purchasers of Taunton, stands the name of Henry Uxley : who he was, does not appear. His house and lot were sold to Richard Williams, who may in some measure be considered as the father of Taunton, as he was in the place before the purchase of Miss Pool. Mr. Williams was a Welshman, and it is not improbable that he was a relation of Roger Williams. A tradition has always existed amongst his descendants that he was related by blood to Oliver Cromwell, the original name of whose family was Williams, (which name was changed for an estate.) and one of Cromwell's ajicestors bore the name of Richard Williams.* The inland situation of Taunton prevented for some time much ac- cession to the number of settlers. The first settlers, with few excep- tions, were from Somersetshire and Devonshire, and many of them from Taunton, in England. The first purchase was made in 1637, and confirmed afterwards; this was called the Tetlqiiet purchase, this being the Indian name for the great river of Taunton. About the period of its settlement, Miss Elizabeth Pool, a lady of family and fortune, from Taunton, in Somersetshire, Eng., conceived the * Baylies' Hist. Memoir of Plymouth Colony, vol. i. p. 288. 143 TAUNTON. bold design of occupying the territory of Cohannet. It appears that an ardent desire of planting another church in the American wilderness, induced this pious puritan lady to encounter all the dangers and hardships of forming a settlement in the midst of the Indians. She died in 1654, and her kinsman placed over her grave a stone with an inscription which commemorates her virtues. The first and ancient purchasers stand in the following order Henry Uxley, John Dean, William Hailstone, Francis Street, Richard Williams, John Strong, William Parker, Hugh Rossiter, Joseph Wilson, Henry Andrews, John Parker, John Gilbert, Benjamin Wilson, Thomas Cooke, John Richmond, Thomas Gilbert, William Coy, John Smith, William HoUoway, Robert Hobell, George Hall, Mr. Thomas Farwell, The Wid. Randall, Richard Burt, David Corwithy, Edward Case, Francis Doty, John Grossman, Mr. William Pool, John Kingsley, William Dunn, John Luther, George Macy, Richard Paull, William Scadding, John Drake, William Harvey, Richard Smith, John Bryant, Mr. John Brown. Hezekiah Hoar, Mr. John Gilbert, Anthony Slocum, Walter Dean, William Phillips, John Gengille, In a pamphlet entitled " Plain Dealing or Newes from New England," written by Thomas Lechford of Clements Inn, Jan. 17, 1641, and published in London, 1642, the writer, speaking of Taunton, says — • Cohannet, alias Taunton, is in Plymouth patent. There is a church gathered of late, and some ten or twenty of the church, the rest excluded ; Master Hooke, pastor ; Master Street, teacher. Master Hooke received ordination from the hands of one Master Bishop, a school-master, and one Parker, a husbandman, and then Master Hooke joyned in ordaining Master Street. One Master Doughty, a minister, opposed the gathering of the church there, alleging that according to the covenant of Abraham, all men's children that were of baptized parents, and so Abraham's children, ought to be baptized ; and spoke so in publique, or to that effect, which was held a disturbance, and the ministers spake to the magistrate to order him ; the magistrate commanded the constable, who dragged Master Doughty out of the assembly. He was forced to go away from thence with his wife and children. Rev. William Hooke, who must be considered the first pastor of the Taunton church, was born about the year 1600. He married the sister of Edward Whalley, a major general in the Parliament's army, one of the regicides^ so called, from being one of the judges who condemned Charles I. to death. Mr. Hooke left Taunton about 1640, and removed to New Haven, Con., from whence in 1656 he returned to England. He was received in the family of the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, as domestic chaplain. After the restoration of Charles II., he was silenced for non-conformity, and died in London, in 1677. Taunton is a shire town; it is pleasantly situated at the head of sloop navigation on Taunton river. This place has great water power by the junction of Canoe and Rumford rivers with the Taunton, and is well improved for manufacturing purposes. There are about 30 sail of coasters of considerable burthen which ply between this place and the neighboring ports. A branch of the Boston and Providence railroad is extended to this place. TAUNTON, 143 There are 8 churches : 4 Congregational, 2 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 CathoUc. The center of the main village is orna- mented with an enclosed green with shade-trees, on one side of which is situated the court-house and other handsome buildings. There are 3 banks, the "Taunton Bank," with a capital of $250,- 000, the " Bristol County Bank," capital $100,000, and the " Cohannet Bank," capital $100,000. There are two insurance companies. This place is 32 miles from Boston, 20 from Provi- dence, and 32 from Newport, R. I. Population of the town, 7,647. In the Statistical Tables of the state, published in 1837, it is stated there were 8 cotton mills ; 3,043,887 yards of cotton goods were manufactured : males employed, 124 ; females, 468. One print works, which printed 5,869.860 yards of cloth ; males employed, 250 ; females, 40 ; capital invested, $200,000. Seven millions and one hundred thousand of bricks were manufactured, valued at $28,000 ; ninety-iive hands employed. Forty thousand straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $62,000. Three nail fac- tories, which manufactured 256 tons, valued at $60,500. One air and cupola furnace, which made 2,000 tons of iron castings, valued at $200,000; one forge, which manufactured 400 tons of bar iron, valued at $35,000. Besides these, there are various other articles manufactured, such as boots, shoes, hats, &c. Monument of Miss Pool, Taunton Cemetery. A cemetery has been recently laid out in the immediate vici- nity of the main village of Taunton, (called Mount Pleasant Ceme- tery,) upon the plan of that at Mount Auburn, in the vicinity of Boston. The ground is well calculated for this object, being agree- ably diversified with elevations and depressions, and the soil is superior to that of Mount Auburn. The engraving shows the ap- pearance of the monument of Miss Pool, at the entrance of the cemetery. The following is the inscription on this monument. The Females of Taunton have erected this monument in honor of Elizabjth Poc*. 20 144 TAUNTON. foundress of the tovni of Taunton, in 1637. Born before the settlement of America^ in England, 1589, died at Taunton, May 21, 16o4. The following account is taken from the pamphlet containing Mr. Conant's sermon at the execution of Bristol, an African boy, for the murder of Miss McKinstry. It is proper to state that some accounts say that this boy had been informed, that if he would kill some one, and run away, he would obtain his liberty. The bloody murder of Miss Elizabeth McKinstry, on June the 4th, 1763, which gave occasion for the preaching of the foregoing discourse, may Truly he placed among the astonishing Events of Providence and the alarming Frailties of human nature. One cannot call to mind the particular circumstances of this tragic scene ■without the deepest Emotions of Horror, Pity and Indignation. The Negro Boy who perpetrated this lamentable crime was born in Africa, and at the age of about eight years was brought to New England, where he lived about five years in the same family with I\Iiss ]McKinstry, at Windsor. His master then dying, he was purchased by her brother. Dr. fllcKinstry, of Taunton, where he had Hved three years ^\hen the murder was committed, the deceased having been also about two years in the same family ; so that from his childhood ^excepting one year) he had lived in the same Family with her, and during this time ne was treated with all the tenderness and Instruction that could be desired. He always appeared happy in his situation, and showed an uncommon Readiness to do his business and Faithfulness to perform what he undertook, without the least appearance of SuUenness or Blalice. After he had the fact he rode to Newport, never showing the least concern till he was apprehended ; he then made some artfi»l excuses, till he had been committed about twelve hours, when he confessed the whole fact ; the substance of which was, " that early in the morning. Miss McKinstry, a little Girl, and himself, being the only per- sons" of the Family that were up, and the little girl being gone up stairs, as Miss McKinstry was stooping over the fire, he catched up a Flat Iron that stood on the hearth, struck her on the head, and knocked her into the fire, which burnt her face ; he then gave her another Blow, and Immediately dragged her down the cellar stairs, where, seeing an old ax, he struck her with it on the head, and made ofi" as fast as iie could." After his commitment he appeared very penitent, and expressed his sorrow for the crime, particularly for the grief he had brought on his master's Family, in speaking of which he always seemed the most affected. He declared constantly, during the whole of his imprisonment, to his last moments, that he never had any anger against the deceased, nor any of the Family, and that he had never received any Treatment that deserved it ; and though he always appeared free to answer any Questions that were asked him, yet he never gave any reason for committing the crime, but that he was prompted to it by a Negro Boy of his acquaintance, who Threatened to kill him if he did not do it. This he persisted in to his dj'ing moment. At his trial he pleaded guilty, but showed no emotion at the pronouncing sentence of Death, nor at the public worship, where in his hearing several sermons besides this were preached on the occasion, nor even at the execution. This would naturally be construed to Stupidity or Sullenness, had not his discourse plainly shown that he had a true sense of his Crime and right notions of a future state. At the Gallows he made a long speech to the Spectators, particularly to those of his own color, which for Substance was pertinent and important. He expressed great concern for his master's Family, was very particular in thanking every Body that had taken notice of him while in Prison; he acknowledged his condemnation just ; he ex- pressed his sense of his guilt and the hopes he had of forgiveness and future happiness through the Mercy of God in Christ ; and then, after repeating the Lord's Prayer dis- tinctly, he was turned off". The deceased, who was the unhappy object of this unac- countable Malice, was a Daughter of the Eev. Mr. John McKinstiy, late of Windsor, a young Lady of cheerful disposition, an even, generous temper, and every way of a worthy character. After tarrjdng with her Brother, she was preparing to return to her Mother at Windsor, when, in a moment that she thought not of, she was hurried in this cruel manner to her long home. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the ancient burying-ground. TAUNTON. 145 Here rest the remains of Mrs. Elizabeth Pool, a native of old England of good Fam- ily, Friends & prospects, all of which she left in the prime of her life to enjoy the Religion of her Conscience in this distant wilderness. A great proprietor of the town ship of Taunton, a chief promoter of its settlement and its incorporation, A. D. 1639, about which time she settled near this spot, and having employed the opportunytys ol her virgin state in Piety, Liberality of manners, died May 21st, A. D. 1654, aged 65, to whose memory this monument is gratefully erected by her next of kin lohn Borland, Esq. A. D. 177L In memory of the Hon. Samuel White, Esq. Colonel of a foot Regiment of MiHtia, Barrister at Law and member of the Hon. his Majesty's Council, who often having been delegated to the olhces of Cxovernment, faithfully served his God, his king and his country, and exhibiting through an unspotted course of life, the virtues of the Patriot, Friend and Christian, lell asleep in Jesus, March XX, MDCCLXIX, in the LIX year of his age. This humble stone, small tribute of their praise Lamented shade ! thy weeping ofispring raise! O while their footsteps haunt ye hallow'd shrine, May each fair Branch shoot fertile as ye vine ; Not with thy Dust be here thy virtue's tomb But bright" ning still each Grace transplanted bloom, Sire, Sons and Daughters shall a like renowai ; Applauding angels ! a celestial crown ! Parentibus optitnus bene merentibus.* Zephaniah Leonard, Esq. who died April the 23d, A. D. 1766, in the 63d year of his age, & Hannah, his wife, who died the same day, in the 62d year of her age. To dust and silence so much worth consigned. Sheds a sad gloom o'er vanities behind. Such our pursuits ? proud mortals vainly soar. See here, the wise, the virtuous are no more. How mean Ambition ! how completely hate ; How dim the tinsel glories of the Great ! ***** & Death & hovering darkness hide us aU. Inscribed to the memory of the Hon"''- Seth Padelford, Esq., who deceased January 7th, 1810, aged 58 years and 1 month. For he was wise to know, and warm to praise, and strenuous to transcribe in human hfe Tue Mind Almighty. Robert Treat Paine, a poet of some celebrity, was born in this town, December 9th, 1773. His father was the Hon. Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In his eighth year his father removed to Boston. He was graduated at Harvard in 1792, with a high reputation for genius. He was soon after placed in the counting-room of a merchant, but left it for literary occupations, and published several poems and ora- tions, which at the time were highly popular. In 1S02, he began the practice of law, but failed of success for want of appli- cation ; and he spent the latter part of his life in poverty. He died Nov. 13th, 1811, aged 38. His national song, Adams and Liberty, is perhaps the most widely known ; of which the follow- ing is the first stanza. Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought For those rights, which unstained from your sires had descended, May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought, And your sons reap the soil which their fathers defended. * A worthy sou of worthy parents. 146 DUKES COUNTY. 'Mid the reign of mild peace May your nation increase, With the glory of Rome, and the wisdom of Greece ; And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves. WESTPORT This town, previous to its incorporation in 1787, was a part of Dartmouth. There are two small villages in the town, one at the head of East river, the other at Westport Point. The people are much divided in religious sentiments. There are 5 meeting-houses : 2 for Friends, 2 for Baptists, and 1 for Methodists. There is also a small society of Congregationalists. The village at the head of East or Nochacuck river is about 8 miles from New Bedford, 8 from Fall River, and 21 from Newport. Formerly considerable quantities of timber were obtained in this town. The whale fish- ery is now an important branch of business ; eight whaling ves- sels now go out from Westport Point. There is a cotton mill in this town, having 3,072 spindles, which in 1837 consumed 300,000 lbs. of cotton ; 270,000 lbs. of cotton yarn were manufactured, the value of which was ^67,500. DUKES COUNTY. This county is formed of the islands of Martha's Vineyard, Chappequiddick, Elizabeth Islands, and Noman's Land. The last- mentioned island is the southern extremity of Massachusetts. These islands lie off south of Barnstable county and Buzzard's Bay, and contain about 120 square miles. The principal island, Martha's Vineyard, is 19 miles in length from east to west, and its breadth in the widest part is 10 miles, and in the narrowest 2 miles : its mean breadth may be about 5 miles. Its usual Indian name was Capawock, though sometimes called Nope. (It is believed that Nope was more properly the name of Gay Head.) The greatest part of the island is low and level land ; though in the western part there is a range of hills, which begins a mile west of Lambert's Cove, where they are three quarters of a mile wide, and running in a chain parallel with the sound, rise to the height of 250 feet, expand to the breadth of three miles, and terminate at Gay Head. These islands were discovered by Bartholomew Gos- uold, in 1602. He landed at Noman's Land, which he called Martha's Vineyard, passed round Gay Head, which he named Dover Cliff, anchored in Vineyard sound, and landed on Catta- iiunk, which he named Elizabeth Island, in honor of Queen Eliz- abeth. Here he concluded to begin a plantation, and accordingly chose a site at the west end of the island. Here, on the north side, iS a small pond of fresh water, two miles in circumference ; in the DUKES COUNTY. 147 middle of its breadth, near the west end, is a small rocky islet. This they fortified, and upon it erected a storehouses^ AVhile the men were occupied in this work, Gosnold crossed the bay in his vessel, went on shore, trafficked amicably with the natives, and, having discovered the mouths of two rivers, returned to the island. One of these rivers was that on the banks of which New Bedford is now built. This storehouse was the first house built by the English on the New England shores. When Gosnold was prepar- ing to leave, discontent arose among those who were to have remained, so that the design of a settlement was relinquished, and the whole company returned to England. The next year, in June, Martin Pring entered the harbor of Edgartown, which he called Whitson's Bay, and anchored under the shelter of Chappequiddick neck, to which he gave the name of Mount Aldworth. Here he remained till the beginning of August, when he sailed for England. In 1619, Capt. Thomas Dermer landed at Martha's Vineyard, and was attacked by the natives. He and his companions gallantly defended themselves with their swords, and escaped. Several Indians were killed in the fray. Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands were not included in any of the New England governments. William, Earl of Sterling, in consequence of a grant from the crown of Eng- land, laid claim to all the islands between Cape Cod and Hudson's river. James Forcett, agent for the earl, in Oct. 1641, granted to Thomas Mayhew, of Watertown, and Thomas Mayhew his son, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and the Elizabeth Islands, with the same powers of government which the people of Massachusetts possessed by charter. The elder Thomas Mayhew had been a merchant at Southampton, in England, and when he first came to America he followed the same employment. The next year after he obtained the grant of Martha's Vineyard, he sent his son and several other persons to begin a plantation, who established them- selves at Edgartown. The father himself soon followed, and became the governor of the colony. In 1644, by an act of the commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, probably at the request of the inhabitants, Martha's Vineyard was annexed to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. In 1664, the Duke of York received from his brother, Charles II., a grant of New York, includ- ing Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the islands adjacent, which had been previously purchased of Henry, grand- son and heir of William Earl of Sterling, who previously resigned and assigned them to the duke. In consequence, these islands became a part of New York, but were left mostly to manage their own affairs. It was while Martha's Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands were connected with New York that, with Nantucket, they were made a county by the name of Dukes County. By the char- * The cellar of Gosnold's storehouse is yet to be seen, the stones of which were taken from the neighboring beach ; the rocks of the islet being less movable and 1 ying in .edges. This place is what Josselyn and other old authors call " old Plymouth planta- tion, begun in 1602." 1 48 C H I L M A R K . ter of William and Mary, which arrived in 1692, these islands were taken from New York and annexed to Massachusetts. In 1695, Martha's Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Noman's Land, were separated by the legislature from Nantucket, and made a dis- tinct county. These islands suffered much in the revolutionary war. The vessels of the inhabitants were all taken and destroyed, the young men were captured, and many of them died on board prison ships. They lost most of their cattle and sheep, which were taken off by tlie enemy. In the last war with England, the inhabitants of these islands, from their exposed situation, were obliged to remain neutral. In this county there are 3 towns, viz. Chilmark, Edgartown, and Tisbury, C H I L M A R K This township comprehends the west end of Martha's Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Noman's Land. The territory on Mar- tha's Vineyard is 10 miles in length, and from 2 to 5 miles in breadth. The Indian name of this part of the island was Nash- ou-oh-ka-muck, and it was the last settled by the English. There was, however, a village here before the close of the seventeenth cen- tury. Whilst it was under the government of New York, it was called the manor of Tisbury, but it was known by the name of Chilmark as long ago as 1698. The first town meeting was held in 1705, and in 1707 it first sent a representative to the general court. It was incorporated by the name which it now bears in 1714. The first minister in Chilmark was Rev. Ralph Thacher; the time of his ordination is unknown. He Avas dismissed at his request in 1714. In 1715 Wilham Holmes was ordained. He was a man of worth, and died in the ministry. In 1746, Andrew Boardman was ordained; and died of the small-pox in 1777. He was succeeded by Jonathan Smith, ordained in 1788, dismissed in 1827. Here are 2 meeting-houses, 1 Congregational, 1 Methodist. Distance 12 miles S. W. by S. of Edgartown, and 92 southerly from Boston. The surface of this township is more varied than that of the other towns in the county. Tlie northern and western part is uneven, having many hills, which afford an extensive prospect of the ocean, the sound, the Elizabeth Islands, the shore of Fal- mouth, and the country beyond the islands. The scene is enlivened by vessels which are continually passing. There are several pleasant and fertile valleys between the hills, about 2 miles from the sound, some of whicli afford iron ore. Considerable quantities of this ore have been exported to the forges on the main. Deli- vered at the sound it is Avorth about 2 dollars per ton. The stones and rocks which lie on these hills are granite ; many of them are large, and some of singular shapes. Several at a distance might C H I L M A R K . 149 be mistaken for houses. One has a roof Hke a bam, another is almost a perfect cone, and is called the Sugar Loaf; and others are hollowed out in the form of a bowl. The soil is clay, inter- mixed with sand, the clay predominating. There are several plains which are sandy. Both the clayey and sandy places are stony. The land, properly manured, produces good crops of Indian corn, rye, oats, and potatoes. There is more grass land hi this town than in other parts of the island. There are but a few brooks, and those small. Swamps are more numerous, lying mostly in the western part of the township, but are not very extensive. Several of them have been cleared and converted into meadows. The best land in the isliuid is at Gay Head, which is reserved to the Indians. There are a number of ponds in the town, the largest of which is Chilmark Great Pond, which consists of two parts connected by an artificial creek, the length of which is 2 miles, east and west. There is a small pond near the north-west corner of the township, covering about an acre of ground, and situated on land 70 feet above high water. It is so deep that its bottom has never yet Lighthouse at Gay Head, Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard. oeen found. Most of the shore bordering this township is formed of cliffs of clay, of blue and red colors, disposed in layers. At the west end of the town and island, is a peninsula of about three and a half miles in length and one and a half in breadth, containing 2,400 acres, the north-west point of which is Gay Head, about 100 feet in beight. This cliff is composed of clay and other substances, red, yellow, blue, indigo, black, and white; and to those who are on board a vessel sailing near the shore, especially after a rain, and when the snn shines on it, it is a brilliant and beautiful object ; hence it derived the name of Gay Head. A lighthouse which stands on it elevates a light 50 feet more above the level of the sea. At Gay Head is the. Devil's Den, which, notwithstanding the terror of its name, has nothing formidable in its appearance. It is a depression in the hill in the form of a 150 C H I L M A R K . bowl, except that It is open on the side next the sea, through which it is not difficult to descend to the strand. It is about 400 yards around, and 100 feet deep. If it was on the top of a mountain it might be called a crater. In this cavity, according to an Indiaa traditionary fable, many years before the English came to Martha's Vineyard, a giant, or tutelar deity, named Maushope, resided. Here he broiled the whale on a fire made of the largest trees, which he pulled up by the roots. Though a mahgnant spirit has now taken possession of his den, yet the first occupier was a benevolent being, and he kindly supplied the Indians with whales and other fish. After separating Neman's Land from Gay Head, metamorphosing his children into fishes, and throwing his wife on Saconet Point, where she still remains a misshapen rock, he went away, nobody knew whither. Perhaps the report that volcanic flames have been seen to ascend from the Devil's Den is as fabulous as the story of Maushope, as they have never been observed by any of the well-informed inhabitants. It has been suggested that the above story of the giant might have originated by the Indians finding fossil skeletons of large marine animals at that place, and from supposing the lignite which there abound to be the remains ot his fires. '' From Gay Head across to Cattahimk, a ledge of sunken rocks extends, known by the name of the Devil's Bridge, concerning the origin of which the Indians had the following tradition. The same famous giant Maushope undertook to build a bridge or cause- way there, and had thrown in the rocks and a shoefuU of earth, which he scraped out from the Devil's Den, but, one day, while working in the water, a crab bit his toe, which so vexed him that he abandoned his project. Gay Head is inhabited by descendants of the native Indians, who own there 2,4U0 acres of land, most of which is under good improvement. Their dwelling-houses, upwards of 35, are mostly one story, and are comfortably built. The number of their popu- lation is 235. Their church, which at present is of the Baptist denomination, is 148 years old, since the organization, and now consists of 47 communicants. Their present minister is Rev. Joseph Amos, an Indian, of Marshpee, entirely blind, but a preach- er of considerable ingenuity. Within a few years the condition of these people has much improved in point of temperance and gene- ral moral reformation. In this good cause, Simon Johnson, and Zacheus Hauwassowee are actively engaged. The Elizabeth Islands are separated from Martha's Vineyard by the sound, and from Falmouth by a strait called Wood's Hole. Begiiming north-east, the first island is Naimamesset, which is a mile and a quarter long, and half a mile in breadth. It is inha- bited by 3 families, and has salt-works. In the 8. W. part of the island is a high hill called Mount Sod. The next island, Onka- tomka, is three quarters of a mile in length, and half a mile in breadth. Between Nannamesset and Nashawn, towards the sound, are two small islands, called the Ram Islands. South-west from Nannamesset, anployed in the manufacture of shoes about 300 males and 200 females. The vakie of boots and shoes manufactured in 1837 was $60,000. Population of the town, 4,609. South -ivest view of Beverly. The above is a view of the southern part of Beverly village, as it is seen from near the bridge connecting it with Salem. The act for incorporating the proprietors of this bridge passed in 1787. It is 1,484 feet long and 34 wide. It is built on 93 wooden piers of oak timber, driven into tlie mud. It has a draw for vessels. The first pier was driven in May, 1788. The proprietors are authorized to receive toll seventy years from this date, after which the bridge reverts to the commonwealth. This is a large village, mostly built on a single street. There are 4 churches, 3 Congregational, 1 of which is Unitarian, and 1 Baptist. There is an academy, and a bank, " The Beverly Bank." There are two Congregational churches in the upper parish, and a Baptist at the Farms. The lamented Capt. Lathrop, and a number of his men, who fell in an ambuscade of the Indians at Bloody Brook, at Deerfield, were from this place. The first church was organized in 1667, and the Rev. John Hale, the first pastor, was ordahied at the formation of the church. The duties of the sexton of the church, about this period, as they appear on the town book, were -'to ring the bell at nine o'clock every night a sufficient space of time as is usual in other places," and " keep and turn the glass." An hourglass was kept near the pulpit, in view of the minister. He was expected to close his sermon in the course of an hour, and if he went over or fell short of the time it was a suflicient cause for complaint. Mr. Hale died in 1700. His successor was the Rev. Thomas Blowers, who was ordained in 1701, and died 1729. Rev. Joseph Champney succeeded Mr. Blowers, was ordained 1729, and died in 1773. His successor was Rev. Joseph VVillard, who was ordained 1772, and dismissed in 1781, he having been elected president of Harvard University. 168 B O X P O R D . He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph McKeen, who was ordained in 1785, and dismissed by mutual consent in 1802. In 1803 Rev, Abiel Abbot was installed, and died 1828. The second Congre- gational church was organized, and the first minister, the Rev. John Chipman, ordained, in 1715. The first Baptist church was organized in 1801. The third Congregational church was organ- ized in 1802. The society was incorporated in 1803. The second Baptist was of the Cliristkm denomination, and Avas formed in 1828. The Rev. Benjamin Knight was ordained in 1829. He has been dismissed, and the church have changed to the Calvinistic Baptist. B O X F O R D. BoxFORD was taken from Rowley in 1685, and incorporated as a separate town. For the last thirty years, the population has re- mained nearly stationary : in 1800 it was 852, in 1830 957, and in 1837 it was 964, The fertility of the soil is not very great ; but the inhabitants by their industry have overcome many natural deficiencies. The main business of the inhabitants is agriculture. There is a cotton factory in the place, which does some business in the preparation of batting. Shoemaking is also carried on to a considerable extent. The value of shoes manufactured in 1837 was $52,975, This place is 10 miles from Ipswich, 13 from Newburyport, and 24 from Boston. It contains 2 postoffices, one in the east, the other in the west parish. At the commencement of the Revolution, the inhabitants dis- played much ardor in the cause of freedom. At the battle of Bunker Hill, eight persons from the town were killed. The Hon. Aaron Wood, a native resident of this town, at his death, which took place in 1791, left a legacy of 2,061 dollars for the support of Latin and Greek grammar-schools. The town enjoys some useful water privileges, derived from seve- ral ponds, which form the head waters of Rowley and Parker rivers, and the source of a branch of Ipswich river. In 1680 the manufacture of iron was commenced here, but the business was soon discontinued. The first Congregational church was organized in 1702. The Rev. Thomas Symmes was the first pastor ; he was settled in 1702, and resigned 1708. The Rev. John Rogers was second pastor; he was settled in 1709, and left about 1743, and resided with his son at Leominster till his death, which took place 1775. His successor was the Rev. Elizur Holyoke, who was settled in 1759, preached until 1793, and died 1806. He was succeeded by the Rev. Isaac Briggs, who was installed in 1808, resigned Dec. 3, 1833. The second Congregational church was organized in 1736. The Rev. John Cushing was the first pastor. He was settled in 1736, and died 1772. His successor was Rev, Moses Hale, who was settled in 1774, and died 1786. The next pastor was Dr. Eaton, settled Uere in 1789. BRADFORD, 169 BRADFORD. This town was taken from Rowley. Its first name was called Merrimac. After that it was known by the name of Rowley Vil- lage. In 1673 it was incorporated by its present name. The lands of this town were granted by the general court to Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, first minister of Rowley, and others. In 1658, a commit- tee of Rowley laid out tracts of land for the Rev. Samuel Phillips, •John and Robert Haseltine, widow Mighill, widow Hobson, Thomas Kimball. .Joseph .Tewett, Joseph Chaplin, John Simmons, Abraham Foster, Jonathan Hopkinson, John Eastman, James Dickinson, and Maximilian Jcwett, had lands granted them. These divided the lands in various proportions in 1671, and were most of them the first settlers of the town. Bradford is very plea- santly located on the south bank of the Merrimac. The length of the town is about six miles, and from one to two and a half miles in breadth. It contains about 10,000 acres of land. The surface is uneven and the soil varied. Much of it is of the first quality, especially the upland, which is verdant amidst the droughts of summer. Many of the hills are considerably elevated, from which are fine views of rural scenery. There are extensive forests of oak, walnut, pine and maple, with beds of peat, that afford a supply of fuel for the inhabitants. The ponds in the town are well stocked with pickerel and perch. Salmon in small quantities are yet taken. Shad and alewives are taken in great abundance from the river. A handsome bridge of three arches connects this town with Haverhill. The width of the river is about 800 feet at the lower part of the town, but narrower at the upper part. The depth of water at low tide is from four to five feet. There are serious impediments to navigation, resulting from the short turn in the river and the shoals between the chain ferry and Haverhill ; but hulls of vessels built at Bradford and Haverhill, of the burthen of 400 tons, have passed down, while those of 90 or 100 tons have come up loaded. The scenery on the banks of the Merrimac, be- tween this town and Haverhill, is exceedingly beautiful. Ship- building is now almost totally abandoned, as easier labor and more profit is derived from the manufacturing of boots and shoes, of which it is estimated that about 360,000 pairs are made annually. The village in Bradford, on the opposite side the Merrimac from Haverhill, contains about 30 dwelling-houses and a church. Brad- ford is 30 miles N. of Boston. Population, 2,275. Bradford Academy, in the west parish, was established in 1803. Its location is on an elevated site, and commands a delightful view of the surrounding country, comprising the entire villages of Brad- ford and Haverhill. The names of Mrs. Judson and Harriet New- ell, who were pupils in this school, will not soon be forgotten by the Christian world. This academy is extensively known, and has been generally attended by a large number of pupils. Merri- mac Academy is located in the east parish, and was established in 1821, and is in successful operation. 170 BRADFORD. At the time of the Indian wars the people were much alarmed for their safety, and fortified three houses ; but they were not much molested by the savages. The following is from a discourse de- livered by Gardner B. Perry in 1820. He says : " I have found but one record of any violence experienced from them. This is con- tained in a note attached to one of the town books, by Shubal Walker, who was the town- clerk. He observes in this note that Thomas Kimball was shot by an Indian, the third of May, 1676, and his wife and five children, Joannah Thomas, Joseph, Prescilla and John, were carried captives. These, however, he observes in another note, re- turned home again the 13th of June, the same year. The house in which Mr. Kim- ball lived, stood on the road leading to Boxford, the cellar of which may still be seen. " It is traditionally reported," continues IMr. Perry, " that the Indians who committed this violence set out from their homes near Dracut with the intention of killing some one in Rowley who they supposed had injured them, but finding the night too far spent, they did not dare to proceed farther, and so revenged themselves on Mr. Kimball. There was also a ]Mr. Kehemiah Carlton shot from across the river, at the time of the .attack upon Haverhill ; and it is said, further, that one of the workmen employed in felling timber on the Haverhill side of the river was also shot. Besides these I have heard of no particular injury received from them.' The first burial in the east parish burying-place was in 1723, Mrs. Martha Hale. The following is taken from the foot-stone : " If you will look it will appear She was the first buried here." The most remarkable occurrence ever witnessed here was a great freshet in 1818. The snow had been melted by a violent rain, which rushed down the valley of the Merrimac with great fury, tearing up the ice, which was nearly two feet thick, with the noise and convulsions of an earthquake ; driven into immense dams, it rolled and flew about in every possible direction on its way to the ocean. The river was raised 21 feet above common high-water mark. The country aroimd was inundated, and in many houses the water was from two inches to five feet in depth. The ice was driven far upon the land, and pyramids of fragments were thrown up above the level of the flood. Buildings were removed and destroyed, cattle and sheep were drowned, and ruin spread on all sides. Mr. Penny says, in his historical discourse, "that the eels go up the river the beginning of May in a ribband or stream of about a foot wide upon the average, and three or four inches in depth, and every year in the same course. They are from two to six inches in length, move with considerable velocity, and continue to pass along without interruption for about four days. Almost an incon- ceivable number must pass during this time." They are said to be froiu the ocean, and are said to pass into the ponds and brooks connected with the river. The first Congregational church, located in the west parish, was organized in 1682. The first pastor was Rev. Zachariah Symmes, who was settled in 1682, died 1707. He was succeeded by his son, the Pvev. Thomas Symmes, in 1708, who died in 1725. The Rev. Joseph I'arsons succeeded Mr. Symmes, and was settled in 1726, and died in 1765. The next was the Rev. Samuel Williams, who was settled in 1765, and resigned in 1780. His successor was D A N V E R S . 171 R«v. Jonathan Allen, who was settled in 1781. The sixth pastor was the Rev. Ira Ingraham, who settled here in 1824, resigned in 1830, The seventh pastor was the Rev. Loammi J. Hoadly, who was settled in 1830, resigned January, 1833. His successor was the Rev. Moses C. Searle, who was settled in 1833, and resigned in 1834. The second Congregational church, in the east parish, was formed in 1728. The Methodist society was established ni 1832. DANVERS. Danvers was formerly a part of Salem, known by the name of Salem, village. It was settled by Gov. Endicott and his associates in 1628. The settlement was incorporated as a district in 1752, and as a town June 16, 1757. Tradition says it received its name from Earl D'Anvers, a nobleman in the north of England, but why his name was adopted does not appear.* The population of the town in 1837 was 4,804. There are seven houses of public wor- ship, viz., 2 Congregational, 2 Universalist, 1 Unitarian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. The principal village in Danvers is large and thickly settled ; its principal street joins the main street in Salem, forming but one continuous settlement. The Neio Mills village, situated at the head of navigation on Porter river, in the north- eastern part of the township, was settled in 1754. During the revolutionary war, four 20 gun ships, and eight or ten privateers, were built here. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 14,000 pairs of boots, 615,000 pairs of shoes; the value of boots and shoes was $435,900; males employed, 666; females, 411. There were 28 tanneries: hides tanned, 66.200; value of the lea- ther tanned and curried, ,$264,400; hands employed, 110; capital invested, .$203,700. There were 3 manufactories of morocco; skins manufactured, 98,000, valued at .$39,400; hands employed, 35; capital invested, ,$30,000. Nails, chocolate, bricks and various other articles are manufactured here. The center of the princi- pal village is about two miles distant from the central part of Salem, and about 15 from Boston. There are two banks, the Danvers Bank, incorporated in 1825, capital ,$150,000; the War- ren Bank, incorporated in 1832, capital $120,000; and an insu- rance company, incorporated in 1829. The inhabitants of Danvers have always been distinguished for their patriotism, and its citizens bore their full share in the great contest of the Revolution. Gen. Israel Putnam, so celebrated for his courage and his important services in the French, Indian, And Revolutionary wars, was a native of Danvers. Col. Hutchinson, another commander in the revolutionary army from this town, re- ceived the marked approbation of Washington for his services at the crossing of the Delaware. He also commanded a company at * The author is indebted to Mr. Poole for a number of particulars respecting the his lory of this town. 172 D A N V E R S the siege and capture of Quebec by Gen. Wolfe, and was at Lake George, and at tlie defeat of Ticonderoga, with Gen. Abercrombie. At the battle of Lexington he commanded a company of minute men. Jeremiah Page, another hero from this town, commanded a company at Lexington, and afterwards became a colonel in the army. Capt. Samnel Page also fought at Lexington, and com- manded a company in the revolutionary army. Gen. Gideon Fos- ter, another commander at the battle of Lexington, still survives, at the age of 90 years. Southern vzem of the Collins House, Danvers. As early as June 5th, 1774, General Gage, the royal governor, came here from Boston with two companies of the king's troops, from Castle William, belonging to the 64th regiment, and had his head-quarters at the mansion of Hon. R. Hooper, since the pro- perty of the late Judge Collins, of which the above cut is a repre- sentation. The troops were encamped about the house: but they had been there scarcely three months before the rebellious spirit of the people became so manifest that a large part of this force was kept under arms every night, to prevent a surprise, and on the 10th of September (Jov. Gage marched back to Boston. It was in tlie vicinity of this house that the witchcraft excitement of 1692 first manifested itself In Felt's Annals of Salem, it is thus noticed: [Feb.] "2.^th. Tituba, an Indian servant of Rev. S. Parris, is complained of for witchcraft. Before this, John, her husband, another Indian servant of Mr. P., had been persuaded by Mary Sibley to make a superstitious experiment for discovering persons, who, they supposed, secretly atflicted Mr. P.'s daughter, Elizabeth, M. 9, and his niece Abigail Williams, iE. 11, and Ann Putnam, a girl of the neighborhood. March 1st. Sarah Osborn, Sarah and Dorothy Good, Tituba, servant of Mr. Parris, Martha Cory, Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Cloyce, John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth, all of Salem village, are committed to Boston jail, on charge of witchcraft. 11th. Mr. Parris and other ministers observe a Fast at Salem village because witchcraft had appeared there. — D A N V E R S . 173 Mary Sibley, having confessed that she innocently councilled John, the Indian, to attempt a discovery of witches, is permitted to com- mune with Mr. P.'s church. She had been previously disciplined for such council and appeared well." The following statement is from the records of the first church, where it appears in Mr. Parris' own hand-writing. " 27th March, Sab. 1692. Sacrament Pay. "After the common auditory were dismissed, and before the church communion of the Lord's table, the following Testimony against the Error of our sister Mary Sibley who had given direction to my Indian man in an unwarrnntable way to find out witches, was read by the Pastor. It is altogether nndenyable that our great and blessed God hath suffered many persons, in several Families of this little village, to be grievously vexed and tortured in body, and to be deeply tempted, to the endanger- ing of the destruction of their souls, and all these amazing facts (well known to many of us) to be done by Witchcraft and Diabolical Operations. It is also well known that when these calamities first began, which was in my own family, the affliction was several weeks before such hellish operations as Witchcraft was suspected. Nay it never brake forth to any considerable light until diabolical means was used by the making of a cake by my Indian man, who had his directions, from this our sister Mary Sibley, since which apparitions have been plenty, and exceeding much mischief hath followed. But by this means it seems the Pevil hath been raized amongst us, and his rage is vehement and terrible, and when he shall be silenced the Lord only knows." The First Con gregatlonal church was located in the north parish, and organized 1671. Rev. James Bailey was the first pastor; he was settled in 1671, and resigned 1680. His successor was the Rev. George Burroughs, who was settled 1680, and re- signed 1683, and on the 19th August, 1692. was executed for witchcraft on "Gallows Hill," Salem. He was succeeded by the Rev. Deodab Lawson in 1683, who resigned in 1688. The next in order was Rev. Samuel Parr is, who was settled in 1689, and resigned in 1696. It was in Mr. Parris' family that witch- craft excitement first made its appearance. His successor was the Rev. Joseph Green, who was settled in 1698, and died 171.5. The Rev. Peter Clark succeeded him in 1717, and died in 1768. His successor. Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, was settled 1772, and died 1826. The Second Co?igreq-at/onal chnrch^ located in the south parishy^ was organized in 1713. The Baptist society was organized 1793, located at New Mills. The Unitarinn ^ocA&Xy was incorporated in 1825. The Rev. Mr. Sewall was settled in 1827. This church is located at south parish. The First Universalist cliurch. located at New Mills, organized in 1829. Pastor, Rev. William Henry Knapp, installed 1834. {Second Universalist^ located in south parish. The Methodist society was recently organized. The public acts of the inhabitants of Danvers in those fearful times immediately preceding the open rupture with the mother country, as shown by their town records, display an ardor and de- termination in view of the great struggle before them, unsurpassed in any other part of the country. These acts were followed by prompt personal effori and the sacrifice of the best blood of her sons. Of those who fell at the battle of Lexington one sixth part 174 D A N V E Pv S were inhabitants of this town. A monument to their memory was laid in 1835, on the 60th anniversary of the battle, by Gen. Gideon Foster, one of the survivors, and captain of a company of minute men from this town, which fought on that day. Gen. Foster then addressed the muhitude assembled to Avitness the ceremony, among whicli were nineteen survivors of the revohitionary army ; after which religious services were performed, and an address delivered by Danl. P. King, Esq., in that ancient church where sixty years before religious services were liad over the remains of the slain. " The occasion will long be remembered, — as calculated to deepen our feelings of veneration for the events commemorated — for the exercise of generous feelings in the discharge of an honor due to the glorious dea.d, — and the ceremonies of the day will re- mind us of our obligations to those who spilled their blood in the first olfering at the shrine of liberty." Monument and Btll Tavern, Banvers. The above is a view of the monument, which is built of hewn sienite, is 22 feet in height and 7 feet broad at the base. It was completed in 1837, at an expense somewhat exceeding $1,000. The following inscriptions, carved in Italian marble, appear on two sides of the monument. [On the east.] Battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775. Samuel Cook, aged 33 years ; Benj. Daland. 25 ; George Southwick, 25 ; Jotham Webb, 22 ; Henry Jacobs, 22 ; Ebenr. Gold- thwait, 22 ; Perley Putnam, 21 ; Citizens of Danvers, fell on that day. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. [On the reverse.] Erected by Citizens of Danvers on the 60th Anniversary, 1835. In the back-ground is a view of an ancient building which was formerly much celebrated as the Old Bell Tavern, for many years kept by a Mr. Francis Symonds, who, besides being the landlord, claimed the honor of being the poet laureate of the village. A ESSEX. 175 wooden representation of a bell hung from his sign-post, on which he caused to be inscribed, " I'll toll you in if you have need And feed you well and bid you speed." To the business of publican he united that of chocolate dealer, and on a sign projecting from the post below the bell, was the fol- lowing couplet : " Francis Symonds makes and sells The best of Chocolate, also Shells." This house was formerly a place of much resort, it being on the great thoroughfare from the east and north to Boston. It was here that the Salem regiment, under the late Col. Timo. Pickering, halted for refreshment on their march to Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775. It may not be uninteresting to state that this ancient building was once the temporary residence of Elizabeth Whitman, whose singular history in fictitious narrative, and under the fictitious name of Eliza Wharton, has excited so much interest with read- ers of romance. It was here she lived a transient visiter, a mys- tery to all, and here, among strangers, she died. She is described by those who saw her as a lady of agreeable manners and con- versation, of strong mind, intelligent and accomplished. In form she was above the common height, and had considerable personal beauty. Her fate appears to have excited much sympathy in the village, and her remains were followed by a large number of the inhabitants to the village burial-ground, where the mutilated head- stone of her grave still remains. The foot-stone has long since been entirely demolished by the depredations of visiters, who make their pilgrimages to the spot and carry away some portion as a relic, and, unless some measures are taken to prevent it, the re- maining stone will also soon disappear. These monuments to her memory are made from a reddish freestone, and were placed at her grave by some unknown friends of the deceased. The head-stone bears the following inscription, which differs from that recorded in the book purporting to be her history, only in the name. " This humble stone in memory of Eijzabeth "Whitman, is inscribed by her weep- ing friends to whom she endeared herself by uncommon tenderness and affection. Endowed with superior genius and acquirements, she was still more endeared by humility and benevolence. Let candor throw a veil over her frailties, for great was her charity to others. She sustained the last painful scene far from every friend, and exhibited an example of calm resignation. Her departure was on the 25th of July, A. D. 1788, in the .37th year of her age, and the tears of strangers watered her grave." ESSEX. Essex was for 121 years a parish of the ancient town of Ipswich, and was called Chebacco. It became a separate town in 1819. The fishing business was formerly extensively carried on in this 24 176 GLOUCESTER. town. It is well situated for ship-building. During five years preceding 1837, there were 220 vessels built, the tonnage of which was 12, .500 tons ; valued at $337,500 ; hands employed in ship- building, 120. There were 14 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery. The timber for ship-building is rafted from the Merrimac into Plum Island Sound, and thence through a canal which has been cut across the marshes from Ipswich bay. The farms in Essex are good. Much fruit is raised, and many tons of hay annually sold in the Boston and Salem markets. Another source of profit, to some of the inhabitants, are the clam-banks of Essex. Upwards of a thousand barrels of clams are dug here annually, and sold (exclusive of barrels and salt) for .$2,50 to $3 per barrel. There is one fact which is indicative of the attach- ment of the people to the place : that of 196 families, of which the town consisted in 1820, fifty-two were of the name of Burnham, and a large proportion of the residue were of the names of Cogs- well and Choate. The village in the central part of the town consists of about 50 dwelling-houses and two churches, about 5 miles from Ipswich, and 25 from Boston. Population of the town, 1,402. A Cofigregatio}7al church, was formed here in 1681. The next year the Rev. John Wise was ordained pastor. His successor was Rev. Theophilus Pickering, who was settled in 1725. In 1745, the second society was formed, and in 1747 the Rev. John Cleave- land was ordained pastor. In 1774, the two churches united under Mr. Cleaveland. Rev. Josiah Webster succeeded Mr, Cleaveland in 1799. His successor was Rev. Thomas Holt, who was installed 1809. The Rev. Robert Crowell was settled 1814. The Christian society was organized in 1808, and their house erected 1809. A UniversaUst society was formed 1829. GEORGETOWN. This town was incorporated in 1838, previous to which it was the western part of Rowley, and called Neio Rowley. It appears that the first Congregational church in this town was organized in 1731, and the first pastor was James Chandler, a native of Ando- ver, who settled here in 1732, and died in 1788. The highest land in the county is " Bald Pate.''^ From this elevation an extensive and delightful view may be obtained, comprehending a portion of the valley of the Merrimac, and the adjacent settlements, toge- ther with the beautiful town of Haverhill. GLOUCESTER. Gloucester is a maritime town, comprising Cape Ann, and an inland parish. This promontory was named Cape Ann, by Prince Charles, out of respect to his mother. It is joined to the GLOUCESTER. 177 main land by a narrow isthmus of about fifty yards wide, called the Cut, over which the road passes into the harbor. The name Cut was derived from an early grant, in these words : " Upon the 26th of the 5th month, 1643, it is ordered that Mr. Richard Blynman, Pastor, is to cut the beach through and to maintaine it, and hath given him three ackers of upland, and hee is to have the benefit to himself and his forever, giveing the Inhabitantes of the town free passage." This afforded an easier and shorter passage to vessels bound to or from the eastward. In 1624, the Dorchester (Eng.) company commenced a fishing and planting station here. Thomas Gardner was appointed over- seer of the planting, and John Tilley of the fishing, that year. Ro- ger Conant, who had been appointed overseer of both departments, removed here the year after, bringing Lyford as minister, with others. But this settlement was broken up in 1626, and Conant, with most of the company, removed to Salem. A few years after, a permanent settlement was formed here by the Rev. Mr. Blynman, an ejected minister of Wales, with about fifty others. In 1639, the place was incorporated as a fishing plantation. In 1642, Glouces- ter was created a town by the general court. It was named after Gloucester, England, the native place of some of the first settlers. First Parish, or Harbor. — The first church was formed in 1642, and for many years its locatiou was in the Town parish. It was the 19th church gathered in Massachusetts Bay. In 1738, a new meeting-house was erected by the society at the Harbor. Its pastors have been, Rev. Richard Blyman, settled in 1642; Rev. John Emerson, in 1658; Rev. Jolm White, in 1703; Rev. Samuel Chandler, in 1751 ; Rev. Eli Forbes, in 1776 ; Rev. Perez Lincoln, in 1805 ; Rev. Levi Hartshorn, in 1815 ; Rev. Hosea Hildreth, in 1825; Rev. Luther Hamilton, in 1834; Rev. Josiah K. Waite, in 1836. This church is now Unitarian. The Universalist Society was formed in 1774, under the preaching of Rev. John Murray, the first teacher of that denomination. In 1792 it was incorporated as the Independent Christian Society. Rev. Thomas Jones, first pastor, was settled 1804 ; Rev. Daniel D. Smith as colleague pastor in 1838. since dismissed. The Baptist Church was organized in 18.30. Rev. Samuel Adlam settled in 1831 ; Rev. William Lamson in 1837; Rev. J. A. B. Stone in 1839. The Methodist Society was or- ganized in 1826 ; church built in 1827. The Evangelical Congregational Church was organized in 1829. Rev. Charles Porter was settled in 1S3I ; Rev. Christopher M. Nickels in 1835. Second, or West Parish. — The Congregational Society was organized in 1716. Pastors : Rev. Samuel Thompson was settled in 1716; Rev. Richard Jacques in 1725; Rev. Daniel Fuller in 1770. A large majority of the society having become Universalists, the meeting-house and other property of the society have since belonged to that denomination. The church has been revived by the addition of members to the few persons that remained of the old church, and a new meeting-house was built in 1834, and Rev. Isaac Brown was ordained in 1840. Thia is called the Trinitarian Congregational Church and Society. Third, or Squam Parish. — It was incorporated in 1728. Pastors : Rev. Benjamin Bradstreet was set- tled in 1728; Rev. John Wyeth in 1766; Rev. Obadiah Parsons in 1772; Rev. Ezra Leonard in 1804. Mr. Leonard was ordained as a Congregational minister, but in 1815 he embraced the Universalist doc- trine, and the society is now of that order. The Christian Society was organized in 1810. It has since become a Baptist Society. Rev. Epes Davis was settled in 1813. This society is now almost extinct. The Congregational Society at Lane's Cove, Sciuam Parish, was formed in 1828. Church organized in 1830. Pastors : Rev. Moses Sawyer was settled in 1831 ; Rev. David Tilton in 1840. Fourth, or Town Parish. — The oldest in the town, being the location of the first settlers, and the place of worship and seat of business for about a century. In 1742 the parish was divided, and the northern part was incorporated and set off as a separate parish, (the fourth.) Rev. John Rogers was ordained in 1744, died in 1782. Since that period there has been no regular ordained minister, and the society is now extinct. A Methodist church was set off from the Harbor church in 1838, and a meeting, bouse was erected the same year. The town of Gloucester comprises two villages. The Harbor^ 178 GLOl'CESTBR, SO called, is the principal village, and is finely located on the south side of the cape. The engraving shows the appearance of the vil- South-western view of Gloucester. lage as it is approached from the south-west. The settlement is compact ; many of the houses are built of brick. The sea views from this place are very extensive, and rarely equalled in grandeur and sublimity by any on the coast, and the inhabitants truly dwell at "the noise of the sounding surge! when the dark rolling wave is near, with its back of foam ! " The village of Sandy Bay is on the eastern side of the cape, about five miles from the Harbor. A pier and breakwater have been constructed here for the security of shipping. The village of Sqiiam is on the north side of the cape, about five miles from the Harbor. Opposite this place is the sand beach, which once supplied with sand all the towns from Portsmouth to Boston, at the time when it was used on floors instead of paint or carpets. The mackerel fishery is carried on to a great extent in this town. The following is an account of the business that has been done in this branch in the years 1S32, '33 and '34. The year 1835 was an unfortunate year to the mackerel catchers. There were inspected in 1S32, 8,13S barrels of No. 1, and 6,202 half barrels; of No. 2, 15,421 barrels and 7,163 half barrels; of No. 3, 15,010 barrels and 647 half barrels. In 1834, there were inspected of No. 1, 18,835 barrels, and 9,432 half barrels; of No. 2, 20,638 barrels, and 6^591 half barrels; of No. 3, 13,763 barrels, and 143 half barrels. The following is from the state Statistical Tables in 1837. Ves- sels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery, 221 ; tonnage of the same, 9,824; cod-fish caught, 55,181 quintals; value of the same, $186,516; mackerel caught, 43,934 barrels; value of the same, $335,566 ; salt used in the cod and mackerel fishery, 113,760 bushels; hands employed, 1,580; capital invested, $349,000. GLOUCESTER. 179 Immense quarries of light and gray granite are found in this town ; this is split into regularly formed blocks. It is of a fine grain, easily dressed, and can be loaded into vessels at little expense. There is an increasing demand for it. The quarries employ about three hundred men, who get out about 100,000 tons yearlv, and this is sold at an average price of ^2 per ton. Gloucester Bank commenced operation in 1796, with a capital of $40,000, and it was incorporated Jan. 27, 1800. Subsequent acts of the legisla- ture increased the capital to $200,000, its present amount. Here is an insurance company, with a capital of $100,000, and an institu- tion for savings. There is a newspaper printed in this place, called the Gloucester Telegraph. There are 14 churches in this town, of which 5 are Universalist, 4 Orthodox, 3 Baptist, 1 Unita- rian, and 1 Methodist. Five are located in the Harbor parish, 2 in the West parish, 3 in Squam, 1 in Town parish, and 3 in Sandy Bay. It has been stated in some ancient publications that lions have been seen in this section of country. William Wood, the author of " New England's Prospect," says, concerning lions, " I will not say that I ever saw any myself, but some affirm that they have seen a lion at Cape Ann, which is not above ten leagues from Bos- ton. Some likewise being lost in the woods, have heard such ter- rible roarings, as have made them much aghast ; which must be either devils or lions, there being no other creatures which use to roar, saving bears, which have not such a terrible kind of roaring." This place was visited by a severe storm in August, 1635, in which a melancholy shipwreck took place. There had been a strong wind blowing from the south and south-east for a week ; at midnight it changed to the north-east, when a tremendous storm set in. Trees were torn up by their roots, vessels were driven from their anchorage, and houses were blown down. The tide rose twenty feet in height. During the storm, Mr. Allerton's bark was cast away upon the cape, twenty-one persons were drowned, of which number was the Rev. Mr. Avery, of Wiltshire, (Eng.) with his wife and six small children. All were lost except Mr. Thacher and his wife, who were cast upon the shore of an island and saved. The island where the two were saved was afterward called Thach- er's Island. The rock on which the vessel struck is still called Avery's rock. In 1671, a whirlwind of about forty feet in breadth passed through the neck that makes one side of the harbor, bearing all before it with such power that a large rock in the harbor came near being overturned. In 1692, memorable in the annals of mystery, many strange oc- currences took place at Gloucester. The people thought they saw armed Frenchmen and Indians running about their houses and fields ; these they often shot at when within a short distance ; the shot ap- peared to take effect, so much so as to cause them to fall, but on coming up they rose and ran away. The " unaccountable troublers" in return shot at the inhabitants of the town, who said that they heard the shot whiz by their ears. One man heard the report of a gun, the bullet of which whizzed by him and cut off a pine bush near at 180 GLOUCESTER. hand, and lodged in a hemlock tree. Turning round, he saw four men advancing to- ward him with guns on their shoulders. There were others who saw where the bullet had lodged and cut ofl' the pine bush . For three weeks the alarm was so great that two regiments were raised, and a company of sixty men from Ipswich, under the com- mand of Major Appleton, was sent to their succor. The Rev. John Emerson, the cler- gyman of the town, says " all rational persons will be satisfied that Gloucester was not alarmed for a fortnight together by real Frenchmen and Indians, but that the devil and his agents were the cause of all that befel the towTi." Another writer asks " whether Satan did not set ambushments against the good people of Gloucester, with demons, in the shape of armed Indians and Frenchmen, appearing to a consideraljle number of the inhabitants, and mutually firing upon them for the best part of a month together." The following is taken from a pamphlet, entitled " Report of a Committee of the Linnsan Society of New England, relative to a large Marine Animal, supposed to be a Serpent, seen near Cape Ann, Massachusetts, August, 1817." The letter is from the Hon. Lonson Nash, of Gloucester. Gloucester, Sept. 9, 1817. Sir : Your favor of the second inst. has been received. The vote of thanks of the Linnaean Society for my services was highly gratifying to me, not simply on account of the high consideration I entertain for the members of that laudable institution, but likewise for the agreeable manner and respectable channel through which their vote of thanks was communicated to me. I have seen and conversed with the woman who was said to have seen the serpent dormant on the rocks, near the water, to whom you refer in yours ; but she can give no material evidence. Slie says that she saw something resembling a large log of wood on the rocks, on the extreme eastern point of Ten Pound Island, (a small island in our harbor,) resting partly on the rocks and partly in the water. The distance was about half a mile. She took a glass, looked at the object, and saw it move. Her attention was for a short time arrested by some domestic avocation, and when she looked for the object again it had disappeared. You request a detailed account of my observations relative to the serpent. I saw him on the fourteenth ultimo, and when nearest I judged him to be about two hundred and fifty yards from me. At that distance I judged him in the larger part about the size of a half bari'el, gradually tapering towards the two extremes. Twice I saw him with a glass, only for a short time, and at other times with the naked eye for nearly half an hour. His color appeared nearly black — his motion nearly vertical. When he moved on the surface of the water, the track in his rear was visible for at least half a mile. His velocity, when moving on the surface of the water, I judged M'as at the rate of a mile in about four minutes. Wlien immersed in the water, his speed was greater, moving, I should say, at the rate of a mile in two, or at most in three minutes. When moving under water, you could often trace him by the motion of the water on the sur- face, and from this circumstance I conclude he did not swim deep. He apparently went as straight through the water as you could draw a line. When he changed his course, it diminished his velocity but little — the two extremes that were visible appear- ed rapidly moving in opposite directions, and when they came parallel they appeared not more than a yard ajiart. With a glass I could not take in at one view the two extremes of the animal that were visible. I have looked at a vessel at about the same distance, and could distinctly see forty-five feet. If he should be taken, I have no doubt that his length would be found seventy feet, at least, and I should not be surprised if he should be found one hundred feet long. When I saw him I was standing on an emi- nence on the sea-shore, elevated about thirty feet above the surface of the water, and the sea was smooth. If I saw his head I could not distinguish it fi'om his body, though there were sea-faring men near me who said they could distinctly see his head. I believe they spoke truth, but, not having been much accustomed to look through a glass, I was not so fortunate. I never saw more than seven or eiglit distinct portions of him above the water at any one time, and he appeared rough, though I suppose this appearance was pro- duced by his motion. When he disappeared he apparently sunk directly down like a rock. Ciipt. Beach has been in Boston for a week past, and I am informed that he is HAMILTON. 181 still there. An engraving from his drawing of the serpent has been or is now making in Boston, but I have not been able to ascertain how far his drawing is thought a correct representation. Respectfully, Sir, your most ob't. Hon. John Davis. Lonson Nash. HAMILTON Hamilton was formerly a part of Ipswich, and Avas called Ips- viich Hamlet until 1793, when it was incorporated as a separate town. Agriculture is the principal employment of the inhabitants, though shoes are made to a considerable extent annually. In 1837, boots and shoes were manufactured to the value of $14,702. Population, 827. Distance from Boston, 26 miles. The town is pleasantly located, and the soil good : but the in- habitants are so much scattered that there is no compact village. Chebacco river takes its rise here, from Chebacco pond, and seve- ral other smaller ponds near the south-east boundary of the town. Wenhain swamp extends into the southern parts of the town. Ips- wich river runs along the western border. Hamilton has only one religious society ; this is Congregational, and was organized in '1714. as the third of Ipswich. The Rev. Samuel Wigglesworth, the first pastor, was settled in 1714, died in 1768. He was succeeded by the Rev. Manasseh Cutler, in 1771, who died in 1823. His successor was the Rev. Joseph B. Felt, who was installed in 1824, resigned in 1833. Mr. Felt is author of Annals of Salem, History of Ipswich, Ham- ilton and Essex. The following is an extract from his history of this place. " There are four families in this town called bleeders ; three of them are immediately and the other mediately related. The number of individuals so denominated are five. They are thus named from an unusual propensity in their arteries and veins to bleed profusely, even from slight wounds. A cut or other hurt upon them assumes at first the common appearance ; but after a week or fortnight the injured part begins and continues, for seve- ral days, to send forth almost a steady stream of blood, until this disappears, and it becomes nearly as colorless as water. A por- tion of the coagulated blood forms a cone, large or small according to the wound. The bleeding ceases when the cone, which has a minute aperture and is very foetid, falls off. The persons thus constituted dare not submit to the operation of the lancet. They often bleed abundantly at the nose, and are subject to se- vere and premature rheumatism. Some of their predecessors have come to their end by wounds which are not considered by any means dangerous for people in general. This hemorrhage first appeared in the Appleton family, who brought it with them from England. None but males are bleeders, whose immediate children are not so, and whose daughters only have sons thus disposed. As to the precise proportion of these who may resemble their grand- fathers in bleeding of this kind, past observation furnishes no data; it has been found altogether uncertain." 182 HAVERHILL. HAVERHILL. The precise time of the settlement of Haverhill is not known. Gov. Winthrop, in his journal, says, " Mo. 3, 1643. About this time two plantations began to be settled upon Merrimack river : PentKckett, called Haverhill, and CocMcheiolck, called Andover." The settlement, it is believed, was begun in 1640 or 41. The town is said to have been called Haverhill in compliment to Mr. Ward, the first minister, who was born in Haverhill, in Essex county, in England. " The town at first extended six miles north of the Merrimack, and was fourteen miles upon the river. It was inte- rested in the long dispute about the boundaries between the pro- vinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, which was at length settled by connnissioners in 1737. Col. Richard Saltonstall, Rich- ard Hazzen, and Dea. James Ayer, represented the town before these commissioners." The township formerly embraced within its limits a part of the towns of Methuen, Salem, Atkinson, and the town of Plaistow, in New Hampshire. The following is a copy of the Indian deed of the town. " Know all Men by these Presents, that wee Passaquo and Saggahew, with the concent of Passaoonnaway, have sold unto the inhabitants of Pentuckett all the land wee have in Pentuckett ; that is, eight miles in length from the little river in Pentuckett west- ward, six miles in length irom the aforesaid river northward, and six miles in length from the aforesaid river eastward, with the islands and the river that the islands stand in, as far in length as the land lyes, as formerly expressed, that is, fourteene myles in length; and wee the said Passaquo and Saggahew, with the consent of Passaconnaway, have sold unto the said inhabbittants all the right that wee or any of us have in the said ground, and islands and river; and do warrant it against all or any other Indians whatsoever, unto the said inhabbittants of Pentuckett, and to their heirs and assigns forever. Dated fifteenth day of November: Anno Dom: 1642. Witness our hands and seals to this bargayne of sale, the day and yeare above written, (in the presents of us.) Wee the said Passaquo and Saggahew have received in hand, for and in consi- deration of the same, three pounds and ten shillings." The two Indians above named signed the above by making their marks, each a bow and arrow, and is witnessed by John Ward, Robert Clements, Tristam Coffin, Hugh Sherrit, William White, and Thomas Davis. The following are the names of those persons who accompanied Mr. Ward, the minister, and began the first settlement of Haverhill. Those in italics were from Newbury. William White, Samuel Gile, James Davis, Henry Palmer, John Robinson, Abraham Tyler, Daniel Ladd, Joseph Merrie, Christopher Hursey, Job Clement, Johi Williams, Richard Littlehale. Before the town was settled, it was covered with a dense forest, except the lowlands or meadows. These were cleared by the Indians, perhaps centuries before the arrival of the English settlers, and they were covered with a heavy growth of grass, so thick and high, it is said, that it was impossi- ble to discover man or beast at a distance of five rods. On account of the grass, these lands were prized above all others by the settlers, on account of procuring hay for their cattle. The first house was HAVERHILL. 1&3 f^reeted near the old bnrying-groiuid, about ^one fourth of a mile cast of the Haverhill bridge. Eaitern view of Haverhill The above shows the appearance of Haverhill from the road on the northern bank of the Merrimac, as the village is entered from the eastward. Haverhill bridge, the one seen in the view, is hardly- excelled by any structure of the kind in New England for strength and durability. The location of the village is uncommonly beau- tiful. It is built on the south side of a gentle acclivity, which rises gradually from the river, Avhich winds before it in the form of a crescent. Water and Main streets, the principal streets in the village, are .somewhat irregular. Water street is a mih or more in length; it rims parallel with the river, and is thicldy built on both sides v/ith buildings of various kinds.. j\Iain street intersects with Water street opposite the bridge, and runs north. On it are a number of elegant buildings. Summer street, which was opened a few years since, on the brow of the hill, intersecting Main street, is the pleasantest in the village, and is adorned witli elegant dwelling-houses. The " Merrimac Bank," in this place, v/as incorporated in 1S14, with a capital of ,$270,000. There is an institution for savings, an academy, and two printing-offices, each of which issues a weekly paper. There are 8 houses of worj^hip in the town, viz. 4 Congregational, 2 Baptist, 1 Universalist, and 1 Christian. Population, 4,726. Distance, 14 miles from New- buryport, 15 from Ipswich, 30 from Portsmouth, and 29 from Bos- ton. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 12.003 pairs of boots; 1,387,118 pairs of shoes; the value of boots and slioos, $1,005,424 55; males employed, 1,715; females, 1,170. There were 4 tanneries ; hides tanned, 8,050 ; value of leather tanned and curried, $115,630, (part of the leather tanned in other towns) ; hands employed, 47. Six hat manufictories ; hats manufactured, 125,593: value of hats, ^75,365; males employed. 83; females. 25 184 HAVERHILL. 39. One woollen mill, which manufactured $78,000's worth n( woollen goods. For more than seventy years, Haverhill was a frontier town, and often sutFered the horrors of savage warfare. The following accounts are taken from Mirick's History of Haverhill^ published in Haverhill, in 1832. The accounts are evidently draAvn up with a good deal of care and accuracy. On the 13th of March, 11)97, a body of Indians made a descent on the westerljf part of the town, and approached the house of Mr. Thomas Dustin. They came, as they were wont, arrayed with all the terrors of a savage war dress, witli their muskets charged for the contest, their tomahawks drawn for the slaughter, and their scalping knives unsheathed and glittering in the sunbeams. Mr. Dustin at this time was engaged abroad in his daily labor. When the terrific shouts of the blood-hounds first fell on his ear, he seized his gun, mounted his horse, and hastened to his house, with the hope of escorting to a place of safety his family, which consisted of his wife, whom he tenderly and passionately loved, and who had been confined only seven days in childbed, her nurse, 3Irs. Mary Neff, and eight young children. Immediately upon his arrival, he rushed into his house, and found it a scene of confusion — the women trembling for their safety, and the children weeping and calling on their mother for protection. He iinstantly ordered seven of his children to fly in an oppo- site direction from that in which the danger was approaching, and went himself to assist his wife. But he was too late — before she could arise from her bed, the enemy were upon theln. Mr. Dustin, seeing there was no hope of saving his wife from the clutches of the foe, flew from the house, mounted his horse, and rode full speed after his flying chil- dren. The agonized father supposed it impossible to save them all, and he determined to snatch from death the child which shared the most of his affections. He soon came up with the infant brood ; he heard their glad voices and saw the cheerful looks that overspread their countenances, for they felt themselves safe while under his protection. He looked for the child of his love — where was it? He scanned the little group from the oldest to the youngest, but he could not find it. They all fondly loved him — they called him by the endearing title of father, were flesh of his flesh, and stretched out their little arms toward him for protection. He gazed upon them, and faltered in his resolution, for there was none whom he could leave behind ; and, indeed, what parent could, in such a situation, select the child which shared the most of his affections ? He could not do it, and therefore resolved to defend them from the murderers, or die at their side. A small party of the Indians pursued Mr. Dustin as he fled from the house, and soon overtook him and his flying children. They did not, however, approach very near, for they saw his determination, and feared the vengeance of a father, but skulked behind the trees and fences, and fired upon him and his little company. Mr. Dustin dismounted from his horse, placed himself in the rear of his children, and returned the fire of the enemy often and with good success. In this manner he retreated tor more than a mile, alternately encouraging his terrified charge, and loading arid firing his gun, until he lodged them safely in a forsaken house. The Indians, finding that they could not conquer him, returned to their companions, e.xpecting, no doubt, that they should there find victims, on which they might exercise their savage cruelty. The party which entered the house when Mr. Dustin left it, found Mrs. Dustin in bed, and the nurse attempting to fly with the infant in her arms. They ordered Mrs. Dustin to rise instantly, while one of them took the infant from the arms of the nurse, carried it out, and dashed out its brains against an apple-tree. After plundering the house they set it on fire, and commenced their retreat, though Mrs. Dustin had but partly dressed herself, and was without a shoe on one of her feet. Mercy was a stran- ger to the breasts of the conquerors, and the unhappy women expected to receive no kindnesses from their hands. The weather at the time was exceedingly cold, the March-wind blew keen and piercing, and the earth was alternately covered with snow and deep mud. They travelled twelve miles the first day, and continued their retreat, day by day, following a circuitous route, until they reached the home of the Indian who claimed them as his property, which was on a small island, now called Dustin's Island, at the mouth of the Contoocook river, about six miles above the state-house in Concord, New Hampshire. Notwithstanding their intense suffering for the death of the child — their anxiety for those whom they had left behind, and who they expected had been HAVERHILL, 185 cruelly butchered — their sufferings from cold and hunger, and from sleeping on the damp earth, with nothing but an inclement sky for a covering — and their terror for themselves, lest the arm that, as they supposed, had slaughtered those whom they dearly loved, would soon be made red with their blood, — notwithstanding all this, they performed the journey without yielding, and arrived at their destination in compara live health. The family of their Indian master consisted of two men, three women, and seven children ; besides an English boy, named Samuel Lennardson, who was taken pri- soner about a year previous, at Worcester. Their master, some years before, had lived in the family of Rev. Mr. Rowlandson, of Lancaster, and he told Sirs. Dustin that " when he praved the English way he thought it was good, but now he found the French way better." These unfortunate women had been but a few days with the Indians, when they were intbrined that they must soon start for a distant Indian settlement, and that, upon their arrival, they would be obliged to conform to the regulations always required of prisoners, whenever they entered the village, which was, to be stripped, scourged, and run the gauntlet in a state of nudity. The gauntlet consisted of two files of Indians, of both sexes and of all ages, containing all that could be mustered in the village; and the unhappy prisoners were obliged to run between them, when they were scoffed at and beaten by each one as they passed, and were sometimes marks at which the younger Indians threw their hatchets. This cruel custom was often prac- tised by many of the tribes, and not unfrequently the poor prisoner sunk beneath it. Soon as the two women were informed of this, they determined to escape as speedily as possible. They could not bear to be exposed to the scoffs and unrestrained gaze of their savage conquerors — death would be preferable. Mrs. Dustin soon planned a mode of escape, appointed the 31st inst. for its accomplishment, and prevailed upon her nurse and the boy to join her. The Indians kept no watch, for tlie boy had lived with them so long they considered him as one of their children, and they did not expect that the women, unadvised and unaided, would attempt to escape, when suc- cess, at the best, appeared so desperate. On the day previous to the 31st, Mrs. Dustin wished to learn on what part of the body the Indians struck their victims when they would despatch them suddenly, and liow they took off a .scalp. With this view she instructed the boy to make inquiries of one of the men. Accordingly, at a convenient opportunity, he asked one of thera where he would strike a man if he would kill him instantly, and how to take off a scalp. The man laid his finger on his temple — " Strike 'em there," said he ; and then instructed him how to scalp. The boy then communicated his information to Mrs. Dustin. The night at length arrived, and the whole family retired to rest, little suspecting that the most of them would never behold another sun. Long before the break of day, Mrs. Dustin arose, and, having ascertained that they were all in a deep sleep, awoke her nurse and the boy, when they armed themselves with tomahawks, and despatched ten of the twelve. A favorite bo}' they designedly left ; and one of the squaws, whom they left for dead, jumped up, and ran with him into the woods. Mrs. Dustin killed her master, and Samuel Lennardson despatched the very Indian who told him where to strike, and h(nv to take off a scalp. The deed was accomplished before the day began to break, and, after securing what little provision the wigwam of then' dead master afforded, they scuttled all the boats but one, to prevent pursuit, and with that started for their homes. Mrs. Dustin took with her a gun that belonged to her master, and the tomahawk M"ith which slie coinmitled the tragical deed. They had not pro- ceeded far, however, when Mrs. Dustin perceived that they had n-eglected to take their scalps, and feared that her neighbors, if they ever arrived at their homes, would not credit their story, and would ask them for some token or proof. She told her fears to her companions, and they immediately returned to the silent wigwam, took off the scalps of the fallen, and put them into a bag. They then started on their jour ney anew, with the gun, tomahawk, and the bleeding trophies, — palpable witnesse^5 of their heroic and unparalleled deed. A lonsr and weary journey was before them, but they commenced it Avith cheerful hearts, each alternately riAving and steering their little bark. Though they had escaped from the clutches of their imfeeling master, still they were surrounded with dangers. They were thinly clad, the sky Avas still inclement, and they were liable to be re-captured by strolling bands of Indians, or by those who would undoubtedly pur- sue them so soon as the squaw and the boy had reported their departure, and the ter- rible vengeance they had taken ; and were they again made prisoners, they well knew that a speedy death would folloAV. This array of danger, however, did not appall thern JSG HAVERHILL {(TV hoffie was thi^ir beacon-light, and the ilioughts o? their firesides nerved their hearts. Th-'V continued to droj) silently down the river, keeping a good lookout for stroUing Indians ; and in the ni?ht two of ihem only slept, while the third managed the boat. In thia mannir they pursued their journey, until they arrived safely, with their trophies, ri'f fheir homes, totally unexpected by their mourning friends, who supposed that they hid been butchered by their ruthless conquerors. It must truly have been an afl'ect- tag meeting for Mrs. Dustin, who likewise supposed that all she loved — all she held dear on earth — was laid in the silent tomb. After recovering from the fatigue of the journey, they .started for Boston, where they arrived on the 2'lst of April. They carried with them the gun and tomahawk, and ih'nr ten scalps — those witnesses that would not lie ; and while there, the general cjurt gave them fifty pounds, as a reward for their heroism. The report of their d.iring deed soon spread into every part of the country, a,nd when Colonel Nicholson, governor of jMaryland, heard of it, he sent them a very valuable present, and many presents were also made to them by their neighbors. The following lines, descriptive of the foregoing, were written by Mrs. )Sarah J. Hale, editor of the Ladies' Magazine, recently pub- lished in Boston, They contain much of the "soul of poetry." THE FATHER'S CHOICE. Nrr.v fly, as flies the rushing wind — Urge, urge lliy lagging sleed 1 The savage yell is tierce beliind, And life is on thy spjed. Aiiif fi'O'.n tli'«e deiir oaes make ihy choice ; The grmp he wildly eyed, When •'faliierl" bnrsl from every voice, And " child !" his heait replied. There's oae that now can share his toil, And one he meani fir fame. And o;ie thai we irs her mother's smile, Arid o.ie that liears her name ; And firjB will pr.atlla on his knee, Or slmnber on hfs breast ; And one whoje jo.s of infancy Are' still by smiles exp/essed. They fe'^l no fear vhile he is neir ; He'11'.shield ihirn from the foe; But oh ! his ear must thrill to heap Their shriekinijs, should he go. In vain his quiveriig lips would speak; No Words his ihimghis allow: There's huinin? tears upon his cheek — . Death's marble on his brow. And twice he stnote bis cle icticd hand — The,! bade his children fiy ! And lurried, and e'fn thai savage band Coue.ed ai his wrat.iful eye. Swift as the liirhtniii?. winged with death, Flashed foriu thi- ijiiiveriag flame! Their fiercest warrior hows beneath The father's deadly aim. Not the wild cries, that rend the skies, His heart of purpose move; He saves his children, or he dies The sacri.ice of love. Ambition goads the conqueror on, Hale points tlie murderer's brand — But love and duty, these alone Can nerve the good man's hand. The hero may resign the field, The coward murd'rer flee ; He cannot fear, he will not yield, That strikes, sweet love, for thee. They come', they come — he heeds no cry, Save the soft child like wail. " O, father, save !" ■' My children, fly!" Were mingled oa the gale. And firmer still he drew his breath, And sterner flash'd his eye. As fast he hurls the leaden death, Still shouting, " Children, fly!" No shadow oii his brow appeared, Nor tremor shook his frame, Save when at intervals he heard Some trembler lisp his name. In vain the foe, tlMse fiends unchained, Like famished tigers chafe, The sheltering roof is near'd, is gain'd, All, all the dear ones safe ! 'The 20th of August, 170S, a party of French and Indians, fr^nn Canada, felt \\])on HaA'-erhill, and killed and captured about forty inhabitants. The following is from Mirick's History of Haverhill. It is said that their first design was to attack Portsmouth, and then, marching rap'dly ynward to other settlements, spread terror and desolation along the whole frontier. But being unable to accQiuplish this on account of the unexpected desertions, they were obliged to compress their views. Their whole fofce was now about 250, a small number when compared with that which started from Canada. Probably tlie French olhcers felt ashamed to return without eiTecting something, after they had been at so much trouble and expense ; accordingly, Haverhill, a compact village, consisting of about thirty hou.«es, wa.s selected for the slaughter. Ar the break of day, on the 29th of August, they passed the frontier garrisons undis^- covered, and were first seen near the pound, marching two and two, by John Keezar, WuiiS'^ai remnling from Amesbury. He immediately ran into the Village and alarmecj HAVERHILL 187 the inhabitants, who seem to have slept totally unguarded, by firing his gun near the meeting-house. The enemy soon appeared, making the air ring with terrific yells, with a sort of whistle, which, says tradition, could be heard as far as a horn, and clothed in all the terrors of a savage war-dress. They scattered in every direction over the village, so that they might accomplish their bloody work with more despatch. The first person they saw was Mrs. Smith, whom they shot as she was flying from her house to a garrison. The foremost party attacked the house of Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, which was then garrisoned with three soldiers, and he, and a part of his beloved and accomplished family, were suddenly awakened from their slumbers, only to hear the horrid knell for their departure. Mr. Rolfe instantly leaped from his bed, placed himself against the door, which they were endeavoring to beat in, and called on the soldiers for assistance ; but these craven-hearted men refused to give it, for they were palsied with fear, and walked to and fro through the chambers, crying and swinging their arms. Had they displayed but half the ordinary courage of men, no doubt they would have successfully defended the house. But, instead of that, they did not fire a gun, or even lift a finger towards its defence. The enemy, finding their entrance strenuously opposed, fired two balls through the door, one of which took effect, and wounded Mr. Rolfe in the elbow. They then pressed against it with their united strength, and Mr. Rolfe, finding it impossible to resist them any longer, fled precipitately through the house, and out at the back door. The Indians followed, overtook him at the well, and despatched him with their tomahawks. They then searched every part of the house for plunder, and also for other victims, on whom they might inflict their savage cruelties. They soon found Mrs. Rolfe and her youngest child, Mehitable, and while one of them sunk his hatchet deep in her head, another took the infant from her dying grasp, and dashed its head against a stone near the door. Two of Mr. Rolfe's children, about six and eight years of age, were providentially saved by the sagacity and courage of Hagar, a negro slave, who was an inmate of the family. Upon the first alarm, she leaped from her bed, carried them into the cellar, covered them with two tubs, and then concealed herself. The enemy entered the cellar and plundered it of every thing valuable. They repeatedly passed the tubs that covered the two children, and even trod on the foot of one, without discovering them. They drank milk from the pans, then dashed them on the cellar bottom, and took meat from the barrel, behind which Hagar was concealed. Anna Whittaker, who was then living in the family of Mr. Rolfe, concealed herself* in an apple-chest under the stairs, and escaped unharmed. But it fared differently with the cowardly soldiers. They earnestly begged for mercy of their inhuman con- querors, but their cries were unheeded, and, when the massacre was over, their bodies were numbered with the slain. The family of Thomas Hartshorne suffered as severely as that of Mr. Rolfe. He saw a party approaching to assault his house, which stood a few rods west of the meeting-house, and escaped out of it, followed by two of his sons, to call assistance ; but airthree Avere shot dead immediately after leaving it. A third son was toma- hawked as he was coming out at the door. Mrs. Hartshorne, with that presence of mind which is a characteristic of her sex when surrounded with danger, instantly took the rest of her children — except an infant which she left on a bed in the garret, and which she was afraid would, by its cries, betray their place of concealment, if she took it with her — through a trap-door into the cellar. The enemy entered the house, and began to plunder it, but happily did not discover them. They went into the garret, took the infant from its bed, aiid threw it out at the window. It fell on a pile of clap- boards, and when the action was over it was found completely stunned. It lived, however, and became a man of uncommon statiare, and of remarkable strength. His neighbors would frequently joke him, and say that the Indians stunted him when they threw him from the garret-window. One of the parties proceeded towards the river, and attacked the house of Lieut. John Johnson. Mr. Johnson and his wife, with an infant a year old in her arms, were standing at the door when the enemy made their appearance. Mr. Johnson was shot, and his wife fled through the house into the garden, carrying her babe, where she was overtaken by the foe, and immedia,tely despatched. But when she fell, she was careful not to injure her child, and it seemed as if her last thoughts were for its safety. The enemy, it appears, did not murder it, and it is somewhat remarkable that they did not, for they always took great delight in torturing and dashing out the brains of innocent babes. Perhaps it was because the mother was not alive to witness its agonies. After the massacre was over, it was found at the breast of its dead jnotjier. 188 HAVERHILL. Another party rifled and burnt the house of Mr. Silver, which stood within ten rods of the meeting-house, and others attacked the watch-house, which was, however, suc- f-essfully dpfeiuled. Another party went to the house of Capt. Simon Wainwright, whom they killed at the first fire. The soldiers stationed in the chambers were pre- paring to defend the house till the last, when Mrs. Wainwright fearlessly unbarred the door and let them in. She spoke to them kindly, waited upon them with seeming alacrity, and promised to procure them whatever they desired. The enemy knew not M'hat to make of this; — the apparent cheerfulness with which they were received, and the kindness with which they were treated, was so different from what they expected to meet with, that it seemed to paralyze their energies. They, however, demanded money of Mrs. Wainwright, and upon her retiring " to bring it," as she said, she fled with all of her children, except one daughter, who was taken captive, and were not afterwards discovered. The enemy, so soon as they found out how completely thev had been deceived, were greatly enraged, and attacked the chambers with great vio- lence ; but the soldiers courageously defended them, and, after attempting to fire the house, they retreated, taking with them thi'ee prisoners. In the mean time, two Indians skulked behind a large stone, which stood in the field a few rods east of the house, where they could fire upon its inmates at their leisure. The soldiers in the chambers fired upon them, and killed them both. They were afterwards buried in the same field, a few rods soiuh, and but a few years since the water washed their skele- tons from their places of repose. Two Indians attacked the house of ]\Ir. Swan, wnich stood m the field now called White's lot, nearly opposite to the house of Capi. Emerson. Swan and his wife saw them approaching, and determined, if possible, to save their own lives, and the lives of their children, from the knives of the ruthless butchers. They immediately placed themselves agniiist the door, which was so narrow that two could scarcely enter abreast. The Imlians rushed against it, but finding that it could not be easily opened, they commenced their operations more systematically. One of them placed his back to the door, so that he could make his whole strength bear upon it, while the other pushed against him. The strength of the besiegers was greater than that of the besieged, and JMr. Swan, being rather a timid man, said our venerable narrator, almost despaired of saving himself and family, and told his wife that he thought it would be better to let them in. But this resolute and courageo\is woman had no such idea. The Indians had now succeeded in partly opening the door, and one of them was crowding himself in, while the other was pushing lustily after. The heroic wife saw there was no time for parleying — she seized her spit, which was nearly three feet in length, and a deadly weapon in the hands of woman, as it proved, and, collecting all the strength she possessed, drove it through the body of the foremost. This was too warm a reception for the besiegers — it was resistance from a source and with a weapon they little expected ; and, surely, who else would ever think of spitting a man ? The two Indians, thus repulsed, immediately retreated, and did not molest them again. Thus, by the fortittide and heroic courage of a wife and mother, this family was probably saved from a bloody grave. One of the parties set fire to the back side of the meeting-house, a new and, for that period, an elegant building. These transactions were all performed about the same time ; but they were not permitted to continue their work of murder and conflagration long, before they became panic-struck. Mr. Davis, an intrepid man, weiit behind Mr. Rolfe's barn, which stood near the house, struck it violently with a large club, called on men by name, gave the word of command, as though he were ordering an attack, and shouted with a loud voice, " Come on ! come on ! we will have them ! " The party in ]\Ir. Rolfe's house, supposing that a large body of the English had come upon them, began the cry of " The English are come ! " and, after attempting to fire the house, precipitately left it. About this time Major Turner arrived with a company of soldiers, and the whole body of the enemy then commenced a rapid retreat, taking with them a number of prisoners. The retreat commenced about the rising of the sun. Meantime Mr. Davis ran to the meeting-house, and with the aid of a few others succeeded in extinguishing the devouring eiement ; but it was mostly owing to his exertions that the house was saved. The town, by this time, was generally alarmed. Joseph Bradley collected a small party, in the northerly part of it, and secured the medicine-box and packs of the enemy, which they had left about three miles from the village. Capt. Samuel Ayer, a fearless man. and of great strength, collected a body of about twenty men, and pur- sued the retreating foe. He came up with them just as they were entering the woods, when they faced about, and though they numbered thirteen or more to one, still Capt. Ayer did not hesitate to give them battle. These gallant men were soon reinforced H A V E It H I L L 189 by another party, under tlie commatid of his son; and after a severe slvirmish, which lasted about an hour, they re-toolc some of the prisoners, and the enemy precipitately retreated, leaving nine of their number dead. The first minister of Haverhill, Rev. John Ward, is represented as a person of quick apprehension, facetious conversation, "an exact grammarian, an expert physician, and, Avliich was the top of all, a thorough divine ; but, which rarely happens, these endow- ments of his mind Avere accompanied with a most healthy, hard}', and agile constitution of body, which enabled him to make nothing of walking, on foot, a journey ns long as thirty miles together." He preached (says Dr. Mather) an excellent sermon in the eighty- eighth year of his age. He died in 1(593, and was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, who was killed in the descent of the Indians upon Haverhill, in 1708. The next minister was Rev. .fosluia Gardner, who was ordained in 1711. and died in 1715. Rev. John Brown, the next, was ordained in 1719, and died in 1742. His suc- cessor was Rev. Edward Barnard, was ordained in 1743, and died in 1774. The next minister was Rev. John Shaw, settled in 1777, and died suddenly 1794, and was succeeded in 1795 by Rev. Abie! Abbot, D. D., who was dismissed at his own request hi 1803, on account of an unhappy controversy Iiaving arisen on account of the insufficiency of his salary. Rev. Josiah Dodge, his successor, was ordained in 1808. Mr. Dodge was succeeded b3r Rev. Dud- ley Phelps, in 1828. The Central churcJi was organized in 1833, and Rev. Joseph Whittlesey settled as pastor the same year. The North church was gathered in 1728 ; the Third church \vas formed in 1735, and the East church in 1743. The first Baptist church in the county of Essex was gathered in this town, by Rev. Hezekiah Smith, in 1765. Mr. Smith conducted himself with great prudence, and gradually obtained general esteem and respect. He was an eminent clergyman, and in 1797 received a degree of D. D. from Providence college, of which institution he was a faithful friend and trustee. He died in 1805, and was succeeded by the Rev. William Bachelder. The following historical items were principally obtained from the records of the town : The first bell was purchased in 1748. Before that time there was a singular sub- stitute, as appears by a vote passed in 1650 : '• That Abraham Tyler blow his horn half an hour before meetine;, on the Lord's day, and on lecture days, and receive one pound of pork annually for his services from eacli family." In 1650, a vote was passed "that the freeholders attend town meeting within half an hour after the time notitied, and continue m. town meeting till sunset, unless the same is sooner closed, on penalty of paying half a bushel of corn." Johnson, iu his account of this town, says, -'The people are wholly bent to improve their labour by tilling the earth and keeping of cattel, whose yearly increase incou- rages them to spend their days in those remote parts. '^ So n-hollij bint were they upon liusbandry, as to suffer for the want of mechanics. There is iu the town records a contract signed by Mr. Ward, the minister, and nineteen others, dit<'d February 6, 1058, in which they agree to pay their proportion of 20 pounds for the purchase of a house and land for Mr. Jewett, provided he live here seven years. foUoivini( tin trade of a blacksmith in doing the t07ni's tvorl: ; " also the said Jewett doth promise to refuse to work f'lr any that refuse to pay towards this purchase, until they bring under the selectmen's liands that they will pay." The first meeting-house for the first church stood in front oi the grave-yRtd, half a 19@ H A V E R H I L . mile below the bridge. In this vicinity the settlement began. In 1666, John Hutch- ings had " liberty to build a gallarie at the west end of the meeting-house, provided he give notice to the town at the next training day whether he will of noe, so that any inhabitant of the town that has a mind to join with him may give in his name." In 1681, it was voted "to enlarge the room in the east end of it by making a gallerie therein for the women." The second house was built in 1699, and, after a great con- tention whether it should be built where the first stood, a majority voted to erect it about fifty feet in front of where the third church was built in 1766. Col. Nath. Saltonstall, one of the assistants of the colony, was the clerk or recorder of the town from 166S to 1700, and his records are in a very superior style, although he took the liberty occasionally of adding his own comments. In 1689, the town passed a vote " to pay Mr. Ward his full salary for the next year, provided that he, upon his own cost, do for the next ensuing year board Mr. Roife." The record begins, " The town then (Mr. Ward and his son Salstonstall being absent) voted, &;c. The mar- ginal reference is £20 taken from Mr. Ward for Mr. Rolfe's diet, in '9(1, without his consent." Three lines, which probably contained some severe remark are blotted out, and the marginal note says it was " blotted out by order of the town." Mr. Rolfe, the second minister, began to preach in Haverhill in 1689, and was ordained in January, 1693-4. Mr. Ward, the first minister, who died in 1693, agreed to abate all his salary except £20, half in merchantable wheat, Indian, &c, and half in money, and fifty cords of wood annually, upon condition that the town should pay all arrearages of his salary, and appoint a committee " to attend at his house upon a sett day to receive and take account of what shall be brought in, and sett the price thereof if it be not merchantable, that so it come not in by pitiful driblets as former- ly." Mr. Rolfe's salary was £60, half in corn and other articles. He was graduated at Cambridge in 16S4. This worthy minis- ter was killed in what since has been called the " great descent" of the Indians upon Haverhill. The following is the inscription on his monument : Claudittjr hoc tumulo corpus Reverendi pii doctique viri D. Beniamin Rolfe, ECCLESSIiE ChRISTI QUjE EST IN HaUERHILL PASTORIS FIDELISSIMI ; QUI DOMI SU^ AB HOSTIBUS BARBARE TRUCIDATUS. A LABORIBUS SUIS REQUIEUIT MANE DIEI SACR.ffi QUIETIS, Aug. XXIX., anno domini mdccviii., jetatis su^ xlvi. (Inclosed in this tomb is the body of the reverend, pious, and learned Benjamin Kolfe, the faithful pastor of the Church of Christ in Haverhill ; who was barbarously slain in his own house by the enemy. He rested from his labors early on the day of sacred rest, Aug. 29, 1708, in the 46th year of his age.) The following is the inscription on the monument of Dr. Smith, the first Baptist minister in this place. In memory of the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, D. D., who was born at Long Island, state of New York, 21 April, A. D. 1737, graduated at Princeton College, A. D. 1758. He was ordained as an evangelist, in Charleston, South Carolina, and was the first pastor of the Baptist church in Haverhill, and took charge of the flock 12 November, A. D. 1766. He departed this life 24 January, A. D. 1805, after forty years faithfully per- forming the pastoral duties. He was laborious and successful in his preaching, and an able defender of the christian faith. His discourses were delivered with fervency and a becoming solemnity. He was a vigilant watchman in the various stations of his ofiice. In his social circle he shone conspicuously. His deportment through life exhibited the humble christian and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. There's a hast'ning hour, it comes, it comes, To rouse the sleeping dead, to burst the tombs. And place the saints in view. IPSWICH. 191 IPSWICH. The Indian name of Ipswich was Agmeam, a word, it is said, which denoted a place where fish of passage resorted : it was ap- phed to several places in Massachusetts. This is said to have been the first place in Essex county known to have been visited by Europeans. In 1611, Capt. Edward Hardie and Nicholas Hobson sailed for North Virginia ; they touched at this place and were kindly received. In 1614, Capt. John Smith, in his descrip- tion of North Virginia, or New England, thus speaks of Agawam : " Here are many rising hills, and on their tops and descents are many corne fields and delightfull groues. On the east is an isle of two or three leagues in length, the one halfe plaine marish ground, fit for pasture, or salt ponds, with many faire high groues of mul- berry trees. There are also okes, pines, walnuts, and other wood, to make this place an excellent habitation." The first permanent settlement was commenced in March, 1633, by Mr. John Winthrop jr. and twelve others, among whom were Mr. William Clerk, Ro- bert Coles, Thomas Howlet, John Biggs, John Gage, Thomas Hardy, William Perkins, Mr. John Thorndike, and William Ser- jeant. The next year (1634) Agawam Avas incorporated by the name of Ipswich. Johnson remarks of Ipswich dwellings about 1646, " their houses are many of them very faire built, with pleasant gardens." In 1638, Masconnoment. the sagamore of Agawam, sold his right to Ipswich for £20. This chief appears to have died about 1658. He lived to see his people become almost extinct. He was buried on Sagamore Hill, now within the bounds of Hamilton. As late as 1726, there were three families, each having a wigwam back of Wigwam Hill, at the Hamlet. It is probable that not long after this year the tribe became entirely extinct. Ipswich is one of the three shire towns in Essex county. The principal village is compactly built on both sides of Ipswich river, a large mill stream. A substantial stone bridge was built over this stream in 1764, having two arches. It was built at an expense of £1000, and named Choate Bridge, from the Hon. John Choate, one of the committee intrusted with its erection. There are three Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian, and one Methodist. There is in the village a court-house, jail, a bank, incorporated in 1833, with a capital of ^100,000, and the Ipswich Female Seminary, incorporated in 1828. The central part of the village is uneven and rocky. The engraving shows the appearance of the Congregational church, court-house, and part of the Female Seminary, as seen from a building on the western side of open ground, or common, in the central part of the place. The manufacture of thread and silk lace was formerly carried on here to a great extent. As early as 1790, about 42,000 yards were made annually. The Boston and Ipswich Lace Factory was in- corporated in 1824, and the " New England Lace Factory" in 26 192 IPSWICH South-west view in Ipswich, (central part.) 1833 ; both have ceased operation, and the bnsmess has dechned. There is a cotton factory in the village, with 3000 spindles. Value of cotton goods manufactured in 1837, ^50,000. The value of boots and shoes manufactured in 1837 was $46,000. Population of the town, 2,855. Distance, 12 miles from Salem, 10 from New- buryport, and 27 from Boston. The following, extracted from the town records of Ipswich, and other sources, is taken from Mr. Felt's History of Ipswich, published in 1834. 1642. " Whosoever kills a wolf is to have and the skin, if he nail the head np at the meeting-house, and give notice to the constables. Also for the better destroying or fraying away wolves from the town, it is ordered, that 1st day of 7th mo., every householder whose estate is rated £500, and upward, shall keep a sufficient mastive dog; or £100 to £500, shall provide a sufficient hound or beagle, to the intent that they be in readiness to hunt and be employed for the ends aforesaid." Ifi48. " The heads of wolves, in order to receive the premiums, must be brought to the constable and buried." Josselyn infomis us, 1663, how such animals are taken. " Four mackerel hooks are bound with a brown thread, and then some wool is wrapped round them and they are dipped into melted tallow, till they be big and roimd as an egg. This thing, thus prepared, is laid by some dead carcass which toles the wolves. It is swallowed by them, and is the means of their being taken." Down to 1757, it was a common thing to hear them commence their howl soon after sunset ; when it wafi very dangerous to go near the woods. 1642. The " Seven men" are to see that children, neglected by their parents, are employed, learned to read and " understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of this country," and, if necessary, be bound out to service. 1661. As an inhabitant of Ipswich, living at a distance, absented himself wth his wife from public worship, the General Court empower the seven men to sell his farm, so that they may live nearer the sanctuary and be able more conveniently to attend on its religious services. Individuals are appointed to keep order in the meeting-house. 1670. Constables are instructed to prevent young persons from being out late in the evening, especially Sabbath, lecture, and training-day evenings. 1672. Laborers are forbidden to have intoxicating liquors. 1678. All persons in town are required to •have some employment. 1681. Single persons, who are under no government, are ordered to put themselves under the care of some head of a family. Daniel Weldron is required to return to his wife according to law. An inhabitant is complained of by a. tything man becaiise he had a servant many years and had not taught him to read. 1667. A man of this place is prosecuted for digging up the bones of the Sagamore, .und for currying his .>cull on a pole. LYNN. 193 The first Congregational church was organized in 1634, the same year the town was incorporated. The first regular pastor was Rev. Nathaniel Ward, who was born at Ipswich, England, and was a preacher near London. Having expressed himself against the " Book of Sports," and agamst some of the ceremonies of the church of England, he was suspended and required to make a public recantation. Rather than comply, he forsook his country and came to this. He arrived in 1634, and soon took charge of the Ipswich church. He appears to have possessed much legal knowledge, and aided the legislature of Massachusetts colony in forming their laws. He returned to England, where he died, 1653, aged 83. In 1647 he published the " Simple Cobbler of Agaimm," a satirical and witty performance. Besides this he published a number of other works. Nathaniel Rogers and John Norton were the next ministers. Mr. Rogers was a descendant of the mar- tyr ; he came to New England in 1636, and died in 1655. Mr. Norton and Mr. Rogers were settled in 1638. Mr. Norton was an able writer and a man of great influence in the colony. He died in 1663, aged about fifty-seven. Rev. William Hubbai'd was settled here in 1656 ; he was born in England. In 1677 his first historical work received the approbation of the colonial licensers, and was soon published in Boston. It contained " Narrative of the Troubles with the Indians in New England in 1676 and 1677, with a Supplement concerning the War with the Pequods in 1637, and a Table and Postscript ; also, a Narrative of the Troubles with the Indians from Piscataqua to Pemaquid. ' The same book was licensed in London, and was printed there under the title, " Present State of New England." What he thus gave to the public was after- wards thrown into the present form of his ''''Indian TFars." This history was long under the supervision of an intelligent com- mittee appointed by the general court. In 1682 the legislature voted him £50 for his History of New England, and the next year they order half this sum to be paid him now if "he procure a fayre coppie to be written, that it be fitted for the presse." Such a copy was obtained, and was amended by his own hand. The Massachusetts Historical Society, aided by a liberal donation from the general court, had it printed in a volume distinct from those of their Collections, which contain it, in 1815. Mr. Hubbard died in 1704, aged 83. LYNN. The town of Lynn, formerly Sangust, receix'^ed its present name in 1637. The name was given in respect to Mr. Whiting, Avho came from the town of Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn, in Norfolk, England. The record of the court on this occasion consists of only four words, " Saugust is called Lin." " The Indian name of the river which forms part of the western boundary of the town is Saugus. The easterji extremity was called Swampscot, which 194 LYNN. name it still retains. Nahant, an Indian word signifying an island, is the original name of the peninsula which has become so celebrated. Lynn is the oldest town excepting Salem in Essex county, and since its settlement, in 1629, nine other towns have been settled from it, viz. Saugus, Lynnfield, Reading, South Read- ing, Sandwich, and Yarmouth ; Hampton and Amherst in New Hampshire ; and Southampton on Long Island. The first white inhabitants of the town were Edmund Ingalls and his brother, Francis Ingalls. Edmund Ingalls came from Lincolnshire, in Eng- land, to Lynn in 1629. He was a farmer, and settled in the east- ern part of the town, near a small pond, in Fayette street. The spot where he resided is still pointed out by his descendants. The brother of Edmund was a tanner, and lived at Swampscot. He built his tannery on Humfrey's brook, where it is crossed by a stone bridge. The vats were tilled up in 1825. This was the first tannery in New England. The emigrants found the place inhabited by a tribe of Indians of a great nation, called A berginians. Their settlements extended from Charles river to the Merrimac, The name of the sachem who formerly governed them was Nane- pashemet, or the New Moon, who was killed about 1619. The government was continued by his queen, called " Squaw Sachem." Most of the tribes in JMassachusetts were subject to her. She had a second hus.band in 163.5, whose name was VVappacowet. Mon- towampate, son of Nanepashemet, sachem of the Saugus Indians, lived near the eastern end of the beach on Sagamore Hill, and had the government of Lynn and Marblehead. The proprietor of Na- hant was an Indian chief called by the English " Duke William," more commonly " Black Will." He was killed by some of the whites in 1633. The following is taken from Mr. Lewis' History of Lynn, published in 1829; a well-written work, full of interest- ing details respecting the history of this town. The first settlers of Lynn were principally farmers, and possessed a Iqrge stock of horned cattle, sheep, and goats. For several years, before the land was divided and the fields fenced, the cattle were fed in one drove, and guarded by a man, who, from his employment, was called a hayward. The sheep, goals, and swine were kept on Nahant, where they were tended by a shepherd. Nahant seems to have been sold several times, to different individuals, by Black William, who also gave it to the plan- tation for a sheep pasture. A f^nce of rails, put near together, was made across the reach near Nahant, to keep out the wolves, as it is said those animals do not climb. When the people were about building this fence, Captain Turner said, " Let us make haste, lest the country should take it from us." In autumn the swine were let loose in the woods, that they miglit fatten themselves on nuts and acorns. The people ol Lynn, for some years, seem to have lived in the most perfect democracy. They had town meetings every three months, for the regulation of their public affairs. They cut their wood in common, and drew lots for the grass in the meadows and marshes. These proved very serviceable to the farmers, in furnishing them with sustenance for iheir cattle, wliich was probably the reason why there were more farmers at Lynn than in any other of the early settlements. Mr. Johnson says, "The chiefest corn they planted, before they had Plowes, was Indian grain. — And let no man make a jest at Pumpkins, tor with this Ibod the Lord was pleased to feed his people to their good content, till Come and Cattell were increased." Their corn at the first was pounded with a wooden or stone pestle, in a mortar made of a large log, hollowed out lit one end. They also cultivated large fields of barley and wheat. Much of the for- mer was made into malt for beer, which they drank instead of ardent spirit. They f q,ised considerable quantities of llax, which was rotted in one ,of the ponds thenco I. Y N N 195 called the Flax Pond. Their first houses were rude structures, with steep roofs, covered with thatch, or small bundles of sedge or straw, laid one over another. The fire- places were made of rough stones, and the chimneys of boards, or short sticks, cross- ing each other, and plastered inside with clay. Beside the haste and necessity which prevented the construction of more elegant habitations, the people who had wealth were advised to abstain from all superfluous expense, and to reserve their moiicy for the pubUc use. Even the deputy governor, Mr. Dudley, was censured for wainscot- ting his house. In a few years, houses of a better order began to appear. They were built with two stories in front, and sloped down to one in the rear. The Avindows were small, and opened outward on hinges. They consisted of very small diamond panes, set in sashes of lead. The fire-places were large enough to admit a four-foot log, and the cliiUlren might sit in the corners and look up at the stars. On whichevei side of the road the houses were placed, they uniformly faced the south, that the sua at noon might "shine square." Thus each house formed a domestic sun-dial, by which the good matron, in the absence of the clock, could tell, in fair weather, when to call her husband and sons from the field — for the industrious people of Lynn, then as well as now, always dined exactly at twelve. It was the custom of the first settlers to wear long beards, and it is said that " some had their overgrown beards so frozen together, that they could not get their strong water bottells into their mouths." In very hot weather, " servants were priviledged to rest from their labours, from ten of the clocke till two." The common address of men and women was Goodman and Goodwife ; none but those who sustained some office of dignity, or belonged to some respectable family, were complimented with the title of Master. In writing they seem to have had no capital F, and thus in the early records we find two small ones used instead ; and one m with a dash over it stood for two. The following song, which appears to have been wi-itten about this time, exhibits some of the peculiar customs and modes of thinking among the early settlers. The place where we live is a wilderness wood, Where ^ass is much wanling that's fruitful and good : Our mountains and hills, and our valleys below, Being commonly covered with ice and with snow. And when the north-west wind with violence blows, Then every man pulls his cap over his nose ; But if any is hardy and will it withstand, He forfeits a finger, a foot, or a hand. But when the spring opens we then take the hoe, And make the ground ready to plant and to sow ; Our corn being planted, and seed being sown, The worms destroy much before it is grown. And while it is growing some spoil there is made By birds, and by squirrels, that pluck up the blade; And when it is come to full corn in the ear, It is often destroyed by raccoon and by deer. And now our old garments begin to grow thin, And wool is much wanted to card and to spin ; If we can get a garment to cover without, Our other ingarments ara clout upon clout. Our clothes we brought with us are apt to be torn, They need to be clouted soon after they're worn ; But clouting our garments, they hinder us nothing. Clouts double are warmer than single whole clothing If fresh meat be wanting to fill up our dish, We have carrots, and pumpkins, and turnips, and fish; And if there's a mind for a delicate dish, We haste to the clam banks, and there we catch fish. 'Stead of pottage, and puddings, and custards, and pies, Our turnips and parsnips are common supplies; We have pumpkins at morning, and pumpkins at noon. If it was not for pumpkins we should be undone. If barley be wanting to make into malt, We must then be contented, and think it no fatdt ; For we can make liquor, to sweeten our lips, Of pumpkins, and parsnips, and walnut tree chips. Now while some are going, let others be coming, For while liquor's boiling it must have a scumming; But I will not blame them, for birds of a feather, By seeking tlieir fellows, are flocking together. Then you whom the Lord intends hither to bring, Forsalie not the honey for fear of tlie sling; But bring both a quiet and contented mind. And all needful blessings you surely will find. The following are the names of some of the persons who appear to have been inhabitants of Lynn in 1630. Joseph Armitage, Allen Breed, Wm. Ballard, Nicholas Brown, Edward Baker, Samuel Bennet, Nicholas Brown, Thomas Coldam, Clement Coldam, Thomas Chadwell, William Cowdrey Henry Collins, Thomas Dexter, William Dixey, Robert Driver, George Farr, Jeremy Fitch, Edmund Farrington, Adam Hawkes, Edward Holyoke, Edward Howe, Lieut. Danl. HowC; Ephraim Howe, WiUiam Halhorne, Thomas Hudson, Christopher Hussey, Christopher Lyndsey, Thomas Newhall, Robert Potter, John Ramsdell, John Taylor, Capt. Ed. Tomlins, Timothy Tomlins, Capt. Nath. Turner, Capt. Rich. Walker Thomas Willis, John White, William Witter, John Wood, WiUiam Wood, 196 LYNN, The following persons were also at Lynn as early as 1637, Abraham Belknap, Edmund Bridges, Jenkin Davis, Joseph Floyd, Christopher Foster, George Fraile, Nathaniel Handforth, Thomas Ivory, Richard Johnson, Thomas Keysar, Thomas Laighton, Richard Longley, John Pierson, Richard Roolton, Richard Sadler, William Andrews, Richard Brooks, Goodman Cox, Goodman Crosse, John Deacon, John Elderkin, William George, Francis Godson, Henry Gaines, John Gillow, Thomas Halsye, James Hewes, Robert Hewes, William Hewes, Jeremy Howe, John Hudson, Samuel Hutchinson, Thomas Hutchinson, Philip Kneeland, Thomas Paine, Robert Parsons, Thomas Parker, Joseph Pell, Nicholas Poor, Wm. Partridge, Thomas Read, Isaac Robinson, Jarett Spenser, Michael Spenser, Josias Stanbury, George Taylor, William Thorn, Mr. Walhin, George Welbye, Richard Wells, Edward West, Thomas Wheeler, Nathanl. Whiteridge, John Humfrey, Edward Howe. Lynn in its present limits extends nearly six miles on the sea- coast, on the northern shore of Massachusetts Bay, and extends Western entrance of the central part of Lynn. about four miles into the woods. From the center of the southern side a beach of sand projects into the sea nearly two miles, and terminates in a peninsula, called Nahant. The whole town con- tains 9,360 acres. The south-eastern part is a tract of excellent salt marsh : and the northern part is a range of wood-land and pasture. The inhabited part of the town is an extensive plain, gently undulating toward the extremities into graceful elevations, skirted on the south by the sea, and defended on the north by a range of rocky hills. A considerable degree of attention is given to agriculture. The farmers have much improved their lands by cultivation, and by procuring sea weed and rock weed from the beaches for manure. These substances have been freely mingled with the soil, and since their use the crops of English grass have been increased in nearly a tenfold proportion. The other princi- pal products are Indian corn, barley, and the common vegetable productions. The cold and damp sea breezes, which frequently prevail, have an unfavorable effect, and the soil appears to be uncongenial to the finer sorts of grain. LYNN. 197 The foregoing view was taken at the western entrance of Lynn. The entrance to the common is seen on the right. This is a level tract of about twenty acres. A handsome circular pond has been recently dug near the center, and other improvements have been made. The village is principally built on a plain, back of which are hills composed of rough rocks, partially covered with bushes and trees. On the side next the ocean and on Saugus river are salt marshes. To the south-west of the village the turnpike from Bos- ton to Salem passes over an extensive tract of marsh land. There are 8 churches in this place, 3 Methodist, 2 Congregational, 1 for Friends, 1 Baptist, and 1 Universalist. There are two banks, the Lynn Mechanics Bank, incorporated in 1814, and the Nahant Bank, incorporated in 1832, each with a capital of $150,000. There is a savings bank, incorporated in 1826, and three insu- rance companies. The Lynn Academy, an incorporated institution, was first opened in 1805. A newspaper is published here. Lynn is 5 miles from Salem, and 9 from Boston. Population, 9,323. In 1837 tliere were manufactured in this town 2,220 pairs of boots, 2,543,929 pairs of shoes; value of boots and shoes, $1,689,793; males employed, 2,631 ; females, 2,554. There were 6 morocco leather manufactories ; value of leather manufactured, $153,000 ; males employed, 90 ; females, 16. There were 5 vessels employed in the whale fishery, and 14 in the cod and mackerel fishery. A manufactory of India rubber cloth has been recently established. "Nahant is a peninsula on the south of Lynn. In the beauty and sublimity of its scenery, combined with its pecuhar advantages of health and pleasure, it is not sur- passed hy any place on the coast of America. It consists of two, elevated, rock-engir- dled islands, called Great and Little Nahants, united together by a beach, half a mile in length, and connected to the main land by another beach, one mile and a half in length. From the center of the town, the Long beach projects directly into the sea, and is washed by the waves of the great ocean on the eastern side, and on the western by the waters of the harbor. It is a gently curving bar, of fine, silvery, gray sand, rising so high in the center as generally to prevent the waves from passing over it, and almost imperceptibly sloping to the water on each side. It is unbroken by land, or rock, or shrub, for its whole extent, and the broad ridge of dry sand, which passes through its center, is interspersed with shells, and pebbles, and fragments of coral and other substances, which the storms have cast upon it, among which the white gull lays her spotted eggs, in little cavities scooped in the sand, and, soaring overhead, startles the traveller by her shrilling shriek. The portion of the beach which is left by the tide, is broad enough for fifty carriages to pass abreast, and presents a perfectly smooth surface of pure, line sand, beaten hard and polished by the constant breaking of the waves, on which the horse's hoof leaves no print, and the wheel passes, with- out sound or trace, like a velvet roller on marble. The hard sand frequently retains sufficient water, for an hour after the tide has left it, to give it the appearance of glass, in which objects are reflected as in a mirror. ********** " Little Nahant is a hill, consisting of two graceful elevations, rising eighty feet above the sea, and defended by battlements of rock, from twenty to sixty feet in height. It is about half a mile in length, and contains forty-two acres, seventeen of which are in good cultivation The outer portion of the peninsula, called Great Nahant, is about two miles in length, and in some parts half a mile broad, containing tour hundred and sixty-three acres. The surface is uneven, rising into elevations, from forty to one hundred feet above the level of the sea. The shores are extremely irregular, being composed, in many places, of huge precipitous rocks, in some places resembling iron, rising from twenty to sixty feet above the tide, with a great depth of water below ; and in others, stretching out into beautiful beaches, or curving into drlightful recesses and coves, filled with pebbles, of every variety of form and color, 198 LYNN. from burning rc.l to stainless white. The whole outline presents the most agreeable interchange of scener}^, from the low beach, that glistens beneath the thin edge of the wave, to lofty precipices, and majestic cliffs that rise Like moonlight battlements, and towers decayed by time. Nahant Hotel, Long Beach, Lynn. " Nahant is much visited by persons for the improvement of health, and by parties of pleasure, from the neighboring towns, for whom it furnishes every accommodation. Two steamboats are constantly running from Boston during the pleasant season, but a ride by land, over the beaches, is much more delightful. A spacious and elegant hotel has been erected, of stone, near the eastern extremity. It contains nearly a hundred rooms, and is rurrounded by a double piazza, commanding the most delight- ful prospects. Several other hotels and boarding-houses are situated in the village, and aboiu twent}' beautiful cottages, the summer residence of gentlemen of fortune, are scattered over the peninsula. There is also a neat stone building erected for a chapel, %vhich serves for a library and school-room." — Lewis' Hist, of Lynn. The cliurch at Lynn was gathered in June, 1632, and was the fifth in Massachnsetts. The first meeting-lionse was a plain small bnilding, witliout bell or cupola, and stood on the eastern side of Shepard street. It was placed in a small hollow, that it might be the better sheltered from the winds, and was approached by descend- ing several steps. Before this, part of the people of Lynn attended public worship at Salem. Rev. Stephen Batchelor, the first min- ister, on his arrival in Lynn in 1632, immediately commenced the exerci.se of his ministerial duties, Avithout installation. About four months afterwards a complaint was made of some irregularities in his conduct. He was arraigned before the court at Boston, Oct. 3d, when the following order was passed : " Mr. Bachelr- is re- quired to forbearc excerciseing his giftes as pastr- or teacher pub- liquely in of- Patent, unlesse it be to those he brought with him, for his contempt of authority, and till some scandals be removed." This v.^as the commencement of a series of difficulties which agi- tated the unhappy church for several years. The Rev. Samuel Whiting arrived from England in Jime, and was installed pastor of the church in November, 1636. The next year Rev. Thomas Cobbet who also came from England, was LYNNFIELD. IQQf installed a colleague pastor with Mr. Whiting. Mr. W. was styled the pastor, as being the principal, and Mr. Gobbet was called teacher, an office in some degree subordinate, though his talents were superior. Rev. .Teremiah Shepard was the first minister of Lynn who was born and educated in America. He was ordained in 1680, and died in 1720, having preached at Lynn forty years. He was distinguished for his unaffected piety and his untiring exertions for the spiritual welfare of his people. The following epitaph was transcribed from his grave-stone with difficulty ; hav- ing become greatly obliterated by the hand of time, for a periocl of more than one hundred years. Elijah*s mantle drops, the prophet dies, His eartlily mansion quits, and mounts the skies* ^^ i So Shepard's gone. His precious dust, death's prey, indeed is here, But's nobler breath 'mong Seraplis does appear; He joins adoring crowds about the throne. He's conquered all, and now he wears the cro\^^^. LYNNFIELD. This town Avas originally called Lynn End, having been granted to Lynn soon after the settlement of the town. A meeting- house was built in 1715. It was incorporated into a district in 1782. In 1814 it became a separate town. The town abounds with wild and romantic scenery, its surface being broken and uneven, and its hills clothed with dense forests. Farming is the principal employment of the inhabitants. In 1837 there were 100 pairs of boots and 54.000 shoes manufactured, valued at $40,250; males employed, 93 ; females, 80. Population, 674. Distance, 12 miles from Boston. Tlie Congregational church in this place was the second of Lynn, was formed 1720. The first pastor. Rev. Nathaniel Spar- hawk, settled here at the formation of the church; he resigned 1731. He was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen Chase in 1731, and resigned 1755. His successor was the Rev. Benjamin Adams, who was settled in 1755, died 1777. He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Motley in 1782, wlio died in 1821. The next was the Rev. Joseph Searl, who was settled here in 1824, resigned in 1827. There is also a society of Methodists in the town. The following is from the inscription on the monument of Mr. Daniel Townsend in this place, who was killed in Lexington, April 19th, 1775. He was born in 1738. Lie, valiant Townsend, in the peaceful shades, we trust Immortal honors mingle A\ith thy dust. What though tliy body struggle in its gore-? So did tliy Savior's body long before ; And as he raised his own by power divine, So the same power shall also quicken thine, And in eternal glory mayst thou shine ! 27 200 M A N C M fi o MANCHESTER. Manchester was once known by the name of Jeffrey's Greeks and formed a part of Salem. Upon the petition of several of the inhabitants it was incorporated, in 1645, by its present name. The surface of the township is rocky and uneven, and in many places is covered with extensive forests. Here is found the Mag- nolia, a low tree, bearing many beautiful and sweet-scented flowers. Here is a variety of soil, which is in a good state of culture. The Ashing business was commenced at this place at a very early pe- riod, but of late years this business has somewhat declined. Some of the most enterprising ship-masters of Boston and vicinity are natives of this town. There is about 1000 tons of shipping em- ployed. The vessels are of small size. The depth of water will not alloAv vessels exceeding 120 tons to come up to the town. The harbor is good, and aflbrds anchorage for vessels of any size. South-western view of Manchester. There is a Congregational society here, Avhich was gathered in 1716, under the ministry of the Rev. Amos Cheever. Before this year no church records of Manchester are found. The Universal- ists have a small society, which was organized in 1S20. The busi- ness of making cabinet furniture is carried on here with great activity, employing 150 men or more. In 1837 there were 12 manu- factories of chairs and cabinet ware ; value of articles manufac- tured, $84,500 ; hands employed, 120. There were 14 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery, employing 65 hands. Population. 1,346. The above shows the appearance of Manchester village as it is entered from the south-west upon the Beverly road. Coasters from 60 to 70 tons burthen can come up to this village, which consists of upwards of eighty dwelling-houses, built compactly together. Dis- tance, 7 miles from Gloucester, 9 from Salem, and 23 from Boston. The Ibllowing mscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard in this place : MARBLEHEAD. 201 la memory of Benjamin Tappan, late pastor of tlie clmrcli in Manchester, who ex- pired May 6, 1790, in the 70th year of his age, and 45tli year of his ministry. He was a sincere and exemplary christian, a tender husband and parent, a judicious and sound divine, a prudent and faithful minister. Oh ever honor'd, ever dear, adieu, How many tender names are lost in you. Keep safe, tomb, thy precious sacred trust, Till life divine awake his sleeping dust. Colo'- Benj-''- Marston lies here, who died May 22, 1754, being 57 years &c 3 mo. old. Art thou curious, reader, to know wh.it sort of man he was? Wait till the final day of Retribution, and then thou mayest be satisfied. Sacred to the memory of Capt. John Allen, who died Aug. 27, 1834, aged 59 years. Though Boreas' blasts and Neptune's waves I Now here at anchor I do lie, Have toss'd me to and fro, | With many of our fleet, In spite of both, by God's decree, I In hope again for to set sail I harbor here below. | My Savior Christ to meet MARBLEHEAD Marblehead was originally a part of Salem, from which it was detached and incorporated as a distinct town in 1649. At this time it contained 44 families, the heads of which were of the fol- lowing names : James Smith, Thomas Bowinge, Mr. Walton, John Deveroe, Rowland Smith, John Stacie, John Lyon, Abrm. Whitcare, Samuel Doliber, George Chine, Henry Stacie, John Bartoll, Edmund Nicholson, John Northy, William Chichester, Joseph Doliber Francis Nicholson, Nicholas Merrett, Samuel Corwithen, Robert Knight, John Gatchell, Thomas Pitman, Thomas Gray, John Bennett, William Barber, Timothy Allen, Richard Norman, F. J. Walsingham, David Thomas, Thomas Sams, John Peachy, John Norman, John Legg, Arthur Sanden, Richard Curtice, William Luckis, Peter Pitford, Isaac Allerton, John Hart, Chrisloph. Lattimore, Erasmus James, Moses Maverick, William Charles, John Goyt. The township is a rongh and very rocky* peninsula, extending between three and four miles into the sea, and it is inhabited prin- cipally on account of its convenience as a fishing port. The first settlers made their pitch on the eastern side of the town, taking advantage of a very good harbor, running north-east and south- west, and towards half a mile on an average. " At the south-west end of the harbor the town is connected with the Great Neck, so called, by a very narrow isthmus, separating the waters of Lynn bay from those of the harbor. About the year 1728, it was found that the sea was fast encroaching on the south-west side of this isthmus, so as to endanger the preservation and security of the har- bor. The government of tlie province at that time attended to the subject, as it respected not only the town in particular, but the trade of the province in general ; and ordered by an act the sum * As the celebrated Mr. Whitefield was entering the settlement late in the autumn, when no verdure was to be seen, he exclaimed, " Pray where do they bury their dead ?" It may be observed, that, notwithstanding the rough and forbidding aspect of the soil, it is very productive when cultivated. m2 M A R B L K H E A B of £1,328 to be paid out of the public treasury for necessary re- pairs. It seems that about the year 1762 some necessary repairs were made. In the year 1790, ahhough the town had carefully endea- vored to secure^ support, and kxep the same in good repair, the go- vernment of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, considering the preservation of the said harbor was a matter of public concern, &c., granted a sum of £1000 to be raised by a lottery" for this purpose. About 1742 this town was authorized to erect a fortijEication for the defence of the place ; the government, it seems, having granted £690 for this purpose. In 1794 it was ceded to the United States by a vote of the town. The fortification which defends the har- bor is now called Fort Sewall. North-eastern vieiv of Marblehead from Fort Savall. The above is a north-eastern view of Marblehead taken from Fort Sewall. The harbor in front of the tov/n is a mile and a half long from north-east to south-west, and half a mile wide. It is formed by a narrow isthmus at the south-west that separates it from Lynn bay, and connects the town with Great Neck. It is deep and excellent, capable of being entered at all times by ships of the largest size, and would be one of the finest in the country, were it not for its exposure to storms, which often render its anchorage unsafe. In 1837 the town of Marblehead contained .5.549 inhabit- ants : with the exception of about twenty farmers and their families, they are comprised within the limits of one mile by one quarter. The village is quite novel in its appearance, being compact and very irregularly built, owing to the very uneven and rocky surface of the ground on which it is built. There are five handsome churches in this place, viz. 2 Congregational, 1 of which is Unita' rian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. There are two banks, the " Marblehead Bank," incorporated in 1803, capital $120,000, and the " Grand Bank," incorporated in 1831, capitg-l ^100,000 ; there Are two insurance companies, each with a capi- Jtal of $100,000. There is an academy, incorporated in 1792, and M A R n L E H E A D . 203 has ever been a respectable and useful institution. Distance, 4 miles from Salem, and 16 from Boston. The shipping owned here amounts to more than eight thousand tons. In 1837, there were 55 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery, the tonnage of which was 4(H)3 ; codfish caught, 49,403 quintals: mackerel caught, 243 barrels ; 500 hands employed. In the same year were manu- factured 97 pairs of boots, and 1,025,824 pairs of shoes, the value of which was |;367,780; males employed, 503; females^ 655. In the Rev. Mr. Barnard's diary,* (early in the century, or before 1720,) when speaking of this town, gives the following statement : "There was not a carpenter, a tailor, nor mason, nor butcher in the town : nor any thing of a market worth naming. They had their houses built by country workmen, and their clotlies made out of town, and supplied themselves with beef and pork from Boston, which drained the town of its money. Some years after, the town abounded with artificers, good workmen of every description, and the market had a full supply. At the time before mentioned, there was not one foreign vessel, although the town always possessed every advantage for a free and extensive navigation. The people contented themselves to be slaves to work in the mines, leaving it to the merchants of Salem, Boston, and Europe, to carry off the gains, by which means the town was poor and in debt : — so much were they involved in debt to the merchants of other places, that very few families, not more than twenty, were independent in their circumstances. They were generally a rude, swearing, drunken and fighting crew ; but as they increased in numbers they made improvements in social life, in virtue and good morals. By the middle of the century, the manners of the people were so much cultivated, as to be remarkable for their civilities, and especially for their hospitality to strangers. There were not only gentle- manlike families, and pious and well-behaved people in the town, but the very fishermen rose superior to the rudeness of former gene- rations. When they were persuaded by individuals of public spirit to send their fish to foreign markets, they soon became conver- sant with the mysteries of trade, they soon became sensible of the advantage they should reap by it. And while individuals grew rich, the town also received the benefit." " Mr. Joseph Swett, a young man of strict justice, of great Indus-- try, enterprising genius, quick apprehension, and firm resolution, but small fortune, was the first man who engaged in it. He sent a cargo to Barbadoes^ and from the profits of the voyage found that he increased his stock, and went on building vessels, till he was enabled to send vessels to Europe, loading them with fish, and pointing out to others the path to riches. The more promising young men of the town follow cd his example ; and from this small beginr ning, Marblehead became one of the first trading towns of the Bay. In the year 1766, there were between thirty and forty ships, brigs, snows, and topsail schooners engaged in foreign trade." * Coll. Mass. Jiist. Soc, vol. viii, 204 MARBLEHEAD. About 1770 Marblehead was supposed to contain a greater num- ber of inhabitants than any other town of the province, Boston ex- cepted. During the revokitionary war this place sutfered severely, and the business of the place was almost wholly destroyed. The inhabitants were firm in the cause of American liberty, and this place alone furnished, of its own inhabitants, for the public service, one entire regiment, completely officered and manned. The value of this regiment at that trying period, composed of men inured to fatigue and danger, and not wasted by sickness in any one instance, is best determined by a recollection of their patience, bravery, and effective service. Captain .Fames Mugford, an inhabitant of this place, rendered an important service to the American army during the Revolution, by capturing, at a critical juncture, a British ship just arrived in the vicinity of Boston, richly laden with arms, am- munition, and other warlike stores. He was killed the same day he made the capture, January 12th, 1776, in attempting to return from Boston to Marblehead, while defending his little privateer from the attack of some boats sent from the British men-of-war riding at Nantasket road. Their object was to take him at the moment his vessel run ashore on a point of land, which makes the entrance of Pudding Point Gut. Captain Mugford fought for a considerable time. At length, one of the boats attempting to board him, he sprung to the railing of his vessel in order the better to repel the enemy ; he was mortally wounded by a pistol-shot. Falling back, one of his crew anxiously inquired if he was wounded. He said, " Ye5, but doiit let the enemy know my situation, and if I die act as if I were alive and were still commanding f after which he immedi- ately expired. His brave seamen made dreadful havoc of the limbs and lives of the enemy, beat them off, and got into Marblehead, where great respect was shown to the remains of Capt. Mugford. The Rev. Samuel Cheever, the first minister of Marblehead, was -ordained in 1684, having preached here sixteen years previous to his settlement. He died in 1724, aged eighty-five. He preached upwards of half a century without being taken off from his labors one Sabbath ; when he died, the lamp of life fairly burnt out, for he felt no pain even in his expiring moments. He was succeeded by Mr. John Barnard, who had been previously an assistant pastor with Mr. Cheever. He died in 1770, and was succeeded by Mr. William Whitwell. Mr. Ebenezer Hubbard succeeded Mr. Whit- well, was ordained in 1783, and died in 1800. Mr. Samuel Dana was ordained pastor in 18U1. The second church in Marblehead was formed when Mr. Barnard was assistant pastor with Mr. Cheever. Mr. Edward Holyoke, afterward president of Harvard college, appears to have been the first minister. He was chosen president in 1737. His successor in the ministry at Marblehead was Mr. Simon Bradstreet, who was ordained in 1738. Mr. Brad- street was succeeded by Mr. Isaac Story, in 1772. One of the first Episcopal societies in Massachusetts was planted in Marblehead. Their first minister was Mr. William Shaw; the next Mr. David Monsaiu, who was succeeded by Mr. George Pigot and Alexander MARBLEHEAD. 205 Malcolm. Mr. Peter Bours, their fifth minister, was highly es- teemed by Christians of all denominations. He was succeeded by Mr. Joshua Wingate Weeks. For several years after the Revolu- tion, the church was destitute. Mr. Thomas Oliver was their next minister ; he was succeeded by Mr. AV^illiam Harris. The next clergyman was Mr. James Bowers, who was ordained in Trinity church, in Boston, May 25, 1802, by the hands of the Rev. Bishop Bass. In 1789 a number of the inhabitants of Marblehead erected a meeting-house for those "whose opinions differed from the opinions of their neighbors." In 1800 a meeting-house was built for the Methodist denomination. The Baptist society was estab- lished in 1803. Jolin Glover, a brigadier general in the American army in the revolutionary war, was a native of this town. He had the command of a reg^iment from the beginning of the revolutionary contest He had the honor, with his brave otiRcers and soldiers, of forming the advance part ot the army which, in a bold and intrepid manner, crossed the Delaware in the night of the 25th of December, 1776, at a most inhospitable and hazardous juncture, and added much to the martial glory of the American forces by capturing, at Trenton, a thousand Hessians, under the immortal Washington. This propitious event inspired the conti nental army Avith confidence of the final happy result, and was followed with victories in every quarter, till Heaven sanctioned the justice of the American appeal with the dis- comfiture of the enemy and the freedom of the United States. General Glover had the honor of conducting Burgoyne's army, after its surrender, through the New England states ; and, ui various instances, during the war, he had the warm approbation and unqualified applause of his commander-in-chief. A want of documents prevents the aulhoi- of this work from paying a more full tribute of res- pect to the memory of one of the most brave, bold, and persevering officers of the revolutionary army. He, therefore, cannot better close this article, than with an extract from a letter, addressed to General Glover by General Washington, dated Morris, 2(3 April, 1777, soon after his appointment to the command of a brigade. " Diffidence in an officer is a good marii, because he will always endeavor to bring himself up to what he conceives to be the full line of his duty ; but, I think I may tell you Anthout flattery, that I know of no man better qualified than j'ou to con- duct a brigade. You have activity and industry, and as you very well know the duty of a colonel, you know how to exact that duty from others." — Alden^s Coll. vol. ill. '^ Hon. Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Marblehead, July 17, 1744, and from liis first election as representative of his native town in the legis- lature, he continued in public life, almost without intermission, fil- ling the most important ofiices, such as that of a member of con- gress, ambassador to France, governor of the commonwealth, and vice president of the United States, till his decease. His spirit was nourished by close communion with the Adamses, Hancock, Warren, . hundred years, but seldom in large quantities. Heaps of scoria or cinder banks are still to be seen near where the works stood. In 1658 there was a great earthquake in New England, con- nected with which is the following story, which is taken from Mr. Lewis' History of Lynn. Some time previous, on one pleasant evening, a little after sunset,, a small vessel was seen to anchor near the mouth of Saugns river. A boat was presently lowered from her side, into which four men descended, and moved up the river a considerable distance, when they landed, and proceeded directly into the woods. They had been noticed by only a few individuals ; but in those early times, when the people were surrounded by danger, and easily susceptible of alarm, such an incident was well cal- culated to awaken suspicion, and in the course of the evening the intelligence was conveyed to many houses. In the morning, the people naturally directed their eyes toward the shore, in search of the strange vessel — but she was gone, and no trace could be found either of her or her singular crew. It was afterwards ascertained that, on that mornuig, one of tlie men at the iron works, on going into the foundry, dis- covered a paper, on which was written, that if a quantity of shackles, handcufl's, hatchets, and other articles of iron manufacture, were made and deposited, with gecrecy, in a certain place in the woods, which was particularly designated, an amount of silver, to their full value, would be found in their place. The articles were made m a few days, and placed in conformity with the directions. On the next morning they were gone, and the money was found according to the promise ; but though a watch had been kept, no vessel was seen. Some months afterward, the four men returned, and selected one of the most secluded and romantic spots in the woods of Saugus, for their abode. The place of their retreat was a deep narrow valley, shut in on two sides by high hills and craggy precipitous rocks, and shrouded on the others by thick pines, hemlocks, and cedars, between which there was only one small spot to which the Jays of the sun at noon could penetrate. On climbing up the rude and almosi perpen- dicular steps of the rock on the eastern side, the eye could command a full view of the bay on the south, and a prospect of a considerable portion of the surrounding country. The place of their retreat has ever since been called the Pirates' Glen, and they could not have selected a spot on the coast for many miles, more favorable for the purposes both of concealment and observation. Even at this day, when the neighbor- hood has become thickly peopled, it is still a lonely and desolate place, and probably not one in a hundred of the inhabitants has ever descended into its silent and gloomy recess. There the pirates built a small hut, made a garden, and dug a well, the appearance of which is still visible. It has been supposed that they buried money ; but though people have dug there, and in several other places, none has ever been found. After residing there some time, their retreat became known, and one of the king's cruisers appeared on the coast. They were traced to their glen, and three of them were taken and carried to England, where it is probable they were executed. The other, whose name was Thomas Veal, escaped to a rock in the woods, about two miles to the north, in which M'as a spacious cavern, where the pirates had previously deposited some of their plunder. There the fugitive fixed his residence, and practised the trade of a shoemaker, occasionally coming down to the village to obtain articles of suste- nance. He continued his residence till the great earthqitake this year, when the top of the rock was loosened, and crushed down into the mouth of the cavern, enclosing the unfortunate inmate in its unyielding prison. It has ever since been called the Pirate's })ungeon. A part of the cavern is still open, and is much visited by the curious. TOPSFIELD. This town was at the time of its settlement called New Meadows. It was settled about 1639, but Avas not incorporated till 1650 The first settlers were from Salem and Ipswich. The names of some of the principal inhabitants were Bradstreet, Clark, Cum- mings. Smith, Town, Wildes, and Easty. Mr. Knight and Mr. Wm. Perkins were preachers here before the formation of a church. W E N H A M . 23 I Mr. Perkins died in 1682. A church was formed and Rev. Thomas Gilbert was ordained in 1663; he was dismissed in 1671, and succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Hobart the next year. Mr. Ho- bart was dismissed in 1680. Rev. Joseph Capen, his successor, was ordained in 1684. Rev. John Emerson, the next pastor, was ordained in 1728, and died in 1774. Rev. Daniel Breck, his suc- cessor, was ordained in 1779, and dismissed in 1788. Rev. Asa- hel Huntington was the next minister, in 1789, and died in 1813. Rev. Rodney G. Dennis was ordained in 1820. The Methodist society in this place was formed in 1830. The surface of the township is uneven, and there are some hills of considerable elevation. The plain on which the church stands, and the sides of the hills around it, present a pleasant prospect. There are some handsome buildings and an academy in the place. Newburyport turnpike passes a short distance from the meeting- house. Population, 1,049. Distance, 9 miles from Salem, 13 from Haverhill, and 21 from Boston. In 1837, there were 900 pairs of boots and 124,396 pairs of shoes manufactured in this town; 272 males and 269 females were employed in this business. The value of boots and shoes manufactured was estimated at $98,676. WENHAM. The first regular settlement in this town appears to have been made about the year 1639. It was then called JE)ion, and was within the limits of Salem. It was incorporated a town in 1643. The first sermon ever preached in the town was by the celebrated Hugh Peters, then minister of Salem, about the year 1636. It was on a small conical hill, on the bank of the pond, and the text was, " At JEiion, near Salem, because there was much water thereP The first church was gathered here in 1644, and the first pastor Rev. John Fisk. In 1656, he removed with a large part of his church to Chelmsford, and commenced the settlement of that town. The following is a list of the succeeding pastors of this church, with the year of their settlement : Antipas Newman, set- tled in 1663 ; Joseph Gerrish, in 1675 ; Robert Ward, in 1712 ; John Warren, in 1733 ; Joseph Swain, in 1750; Adonijah Judson, in 1792 ; Rufus Anderson, in 1805 ; John Smith, in 1817 ; Ebenezer P. Sperry, in 1820. A Baptist church was formed in 1831. There is no compact settlement in this town, the inhabitants heing mostly farmers, and live scattered about on their farms. The surface of the land is generally level, and the soil good. The township is about six miles in length, and but a little more than one in breadth. Wenham pond is considered to be one of the most beautiful sheets of water in the county ; it is large, and pre- sents an uncommonly romantic appearance ; about one third of it lies within the bounds of Beverly. Wenham swamp, so called, lies in the north-western section of the township, and extends into Hamilton. The Manchester woods extend over a considerable 232 WEST NEWBURY. part of the eastern end of this town. Population, 698. Distance, 6 miles from Salem, and 21 from Boston. In the journal of John Duntan, a gentleman who travelled in this country in 168b, this town is thus noticed : "Wenham is a delicious paradise; it abounds with rural pleasures, and I would choose it above all other towns in America to dwell in. The lofty trees on each side of it are a sufficient shelter for the winds, and the warm sun so kindly ripens both the fruits and flowers, as if the spring, the summer and the autumn had agreed together to thrust winter out of doors." The same writer, speaking of Joseph Gerrish, the minister, says — " 'T were endless to enter on a detail of each faculty of learning Mr. Gerrish is master of, and therefore take his character in short hand. The philosopher, is acute, ingenious and subtle. The divine, curious, orthodox and profound. The man, of a majestic air, without austerity or sourness ; his aspect is masterly, yet not imperious or haughty. The Christian, is devout, without morose- ness or starts of holy frenzy and enthusiasm. The preacher, is primitive, without the occasional colors of whining or cant ; and methodical, without intricacy or affectation ; and, which crowns his character, he is a man of pubUc spirit, zealous for the conver- sion of the Indians, and of great hospitahty to strangers. He gave us a noble dinner, and entertained us with sQCh pleasant fruits as I must own Old England is a stran- ger to." WEST NEWBURY. This town was settled at an early period, and was within the limits of Newbury. It was incorporated as a distinct town in 1819. The first church in this town was the second of Newbury. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Belcher, who was settled here in 1698. The succession of ministers in this church is as follows : John Tufts, settled here in 1714; Thomas Barnard, in 1739; Moses Hale, in 1752; True Kimball, in 1782; Samuel Tomb, in 1798; Ebenezer Hubbard, in 1809; Gilbert T. Williams, in 1814; Henry C. Wright, in 1826 ; Benjamin Ober, in 1834. The sec- ond Congregational church (the fourth of Newbury) was formed in 1731. Rev. William Johnson was the first pastor, settled in 1731; David Tappan, in 1774; Leonard Woods, in 1798; John Kirby, in 1816 ; Elijah Demond, in 1821 ; Paul Couch, in 1827. The Friends have a meeting-house in this town. The town occupies an elevated situation on the south bank of the Merrimac. The soil is excellent, and grain and hay are pro- duced in great quantities. The butler and cheese made in this town are held in high estimation. Fruit is also produced in abun- dance. The town is connected with Rocks village, Haverhill, by an excellent bridge over the Merrimac, one thousand feet in length. This bridge was built in 1828; the one previous was erected in 1796, but was swept away in the great freshet of 1818. From the elevated grounds in this town many fine prospects of the sur- rounding scenery are obtained. Population, 1,448. Distance, 6 miles from Newburyport, 20 from Lowell, and 34 from Boston. A S H F I EL » 233 FRANKLIN COUNTY. Franklin county was originally the north part of Hampshire county: it was incorporated as a distinct county in 1811. Con- necticut river passes centrally through the county from north to south, and Deerfield river passes from west to east centrally through the western, and Miller's river from east to west through the eastern part of the county. Few tracts of country exceed this for the extent and value of its water powers. The great body of the people are engaged in agricultural pursuits. The fine grazing lands found upon the verdant hills and fertile valleys, enable the farmers in this section to raise large droves of fat cattle for market. The manufacturing interests have received considerable attention of late years, and are increasing in value and importance. The following is a list of the towns, w'hich are 26 in number. Ashfield, Erving, Monroe, Shutesbury, Bernardston, Gill, Montague, Sunderland, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Warwick, Charlemont, Hawley, Northfield Wendall, Coleraine, Heath, Orange, Whately. Conway, Leverett, Rowe, Deerfield, Leyden, Shelburne, In 1820, the population of this county was 29,268 ; in 1830, it was 29,344; in 1837, it was 28,655. ASHFIELD. The territory comprising this town was granted to Capt. Ephraim Hunt, of Weymouth, as a compensation for services rendered in the Canada expedition of 1690. It was actually conveyed to his heirs forty-six years afterwards, and was settled by a few families in 1742. It was incorporated as a town in 1764 ; previous to that time it went by the name of Huntstoicn^ from the name of its ori- ginal proprietor. Richard Ellis, a native of Ireland, was the first permanent settler ; Thomas PhiHips, with his family, from Easton, was the next ; Chileab Smith, from South Hadley, was the third settler. These persons all settled in the north-eastern part of the town. Mr. Chileab Smith settled on the farm now owned and oc- cupied by his son Chileab, who is 96 years of age, and in good health at this time, (1837.) The first regular church formed in this town was of the Baptist denomination. It was constituted in July, 1761, and consisted of nine members. In the following August the Rev. Ebenezer Smith, the eldest son of Chileab Smith, was ordained its pastor. He was succeeded in 1798 by elder Enos Smith, who deceased about two years since. The Congregational church in this town was formed by an ecclesiastical council, Feb. 22d, 1763, and Rev. Jacob Sher- 234 BEKNARDSTON. ■will ordained its pastor the same year. Rev. Nehemiah Porter succeeded him in 1774, and died Feb. 29th, 1820, aged 99 years and 11 months. Rev. Alvan Sanderson was ordained colleague pastor in 18US. Rev. Thomas Shepherd succeeded Mr. Sanderson in 1819. Rev. Mason Grosvenor, the next pastor, was installed 1833; he was succeeded by Rev, Burr Baldwin, in 1836. In 1820 an Episcopal society was formed in this town, and they have a handsome church in the center of the place. There is also a small society of Methodists. Ashfield is a little over six miles square. The face of the toAvn- ship is une\^en and hilly, better adapted for grazing than tillage. There is, however, much good tillage land interspersed among the hills. The principal productions are corn, potatoes, oats, and of late wheat. Some of the farmers have large dairies. In 1837, there were in this town 8,021 merino sheep, which produced 24,063 lbs. of wool. There are four churches, 2 for Baptists, 1 Congregational, and 1 Episcopal. The central village consists of about twenty dwelling-houses, an Episcopal church, an aca- demy, and a number of mercantile stores. Distance, 18 miles from Greenfield, 18 from Northampton, and 105 to Boston. Population of the town, 1,656. BERNARDSTON. In 1735, the general assembly of the province of Massachusetts Bay granted a tract of land six miles square, north of Greenfield, inclu- ding the present towns of Bernardston and Leyden, and a part of Coleraine, to the officers and soldiers who were in the Fall Fight ^ an account of which may be found under the head of Gill. In consideration of the services and sufferings of these men, the tract above mentioned was granted to them or their descendants 59 years after the battle. From the fact that this battle took place at the Falls^ the town took the name of Fall Town, which it was called for nearly 20 years. The first meeting of the owners of this tract of country was held at Northampton, in .Tanuary, 1736, the next month after it was granted by the legislature. The proprie- tors were 97 ; among the names of these were the following : Ather- ton, Field, Hitchcock, Cook, Chamberlain, Alexander, Chapin, Connable, Dickinson, Edwards, Hoit, Lyman, Munn, Hunt, Smith, Wright, Pomeroy, Pratt, Rogers, Sikes, Smead, Scott, Wells. The town was first settled in 1738. The four first houses that were built in town were Major Burk's, Mr. Samuel Connable's, Lieut. Ebenezer Sheldon's, and Dea. Sheldon's. Major Burk's house was situated a little north of the present bark-house ; Mr. S. Connable's stood near the house now occupied by Mr. .Toseph Con- nable ; Lieut. E. Sheldon's house was situated a little west of Mr. Hatsell Purple's late residence: and Dea. Sheldon's stood near Mr. Seorin Slate's, on Huckle Hill. BERNARDSTON. 235 These houses, or forts, as they were called, were huilt of hewn logs, and served the double purpose of houses to live in, and a defence against the sudden, and often fatal, attacks of the Indians. They were built with port-holes through the sides, through which those within could fire, with elevated stands for a watch, where they could better see the approach of the enemy, and give the alarm. These houses were occujiied by those by whose name they were called, and the occupants were among the first settlers in this town. At a proprietors' meeting held in Deerfield, in .Tune, 1739, it was voted that a meeting-house should be built, 59 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 23 feet between joists. This house was built in two years after tlie first settlement of the town. It was situated on Huokle Hill, and was the first meeting-house built in Fall Town. In Oct. 1740, it was voted that there be £20 paid out for the support of preaching. And at an adjourned meeting it was voted that a committee be chosen to cut the brush and hum them tenrods round the meeting-house. Rev. John Norton, from Windham, Con., the first minister, was ordained in 1741, and was dismissed, on account of the unsettled state of the times, in 1745. In the first French war, he acted for a sea.son as chaplain at the fort which was kept at Hoosic, near Adams. He was there at the time that fort was surprised and taken by a party of French and Indians, M'hence he was carried captive into Canada. After his release, he was installed a pastor in Chatham, Con. From 1750 to 1761 there was no ordained preacher in Fall Town. The Rev. Job Wright, the next minister, was settled in 1761. About 1753, commenced the French and Indian war, in which the settlers in the town sufl'ered severely ; while -li continued, the people lived mostly in Burk's fort. Every man that was capable, bore arms, and, in some ca.ses, females were under the necessity of bearing arms to defend their dwellings from the attacks of a barbarous enemy. When the men went into the fields, they took their arms with them, and constantly had some one on guard. Agriculture and education were but little attended to. The Indians were almost constantly lurking in l;he woods, which kept them in a perpetual state of danger and alarm. Fall Town was incorporated into a township in 1762, by tlie name of Bernardston, after Governor Bernard, the provincial gavernor of Massachusetts. The first selectmen were Messrs. John Burk, Re- memberence Sheldon and Moses Scott. During the Revolutionary- war the inhabitants of Bernardston furnished their full quota-of men and means during tlie continuance of the struggle, and made many sacrifices for the American cause. In Jan. 1782. a vote was passed "that those persons who are professed Baptists, and have attended that particular form of worship, shall be free from the minister tax;" this appears to be the first account of the Baptist society in this town. The Rev. AmasaCook, the third settled minister in this town, was or- dained in Dec. 1783. In 1790, the first census was taken by Mr. David Saxton, of Deerfield, by order of the general government. The population of the town at that period was 691, being divided into 108 families. In 1789 the Baptist society wajs organized, and in 1790 their first meeting-house was built, and the same year Elder Hodge was ordained, and continued here about ten years. He was succeeded by Elder Rogers and Elder Green. The present Baptist meeting-house was built in 1817. In 1821 the Universal- ist society v.^as organized, and their meeting-house was -built in 1823, and the same year Dr. Brooks was ordained as minister. The first Orthodox Congregational society was organized in 1823. The following is a representation of the public buildings and Cushman's tavern, in the central part of the village, as they appear when passing through to the northAvard. The Universalist church is the one-story building with four windows, on the western side ; Cushman's tavern appears on the left. The distance between this tavern and the Universalist church is about 35 rods. In the engra- 236 B E R N A R D S T O N . .S'" /"/(-/;> s? citir «J litrnii,-il>in/i. [i-i./itrai part.) ving this distance is coiitraded, and some buildings are left out, in order to show Mr. Cushman's house, long known as an excellent tavern stand, and, with the elms standing south, is a very striking feature in the appearance of this village. Within the distance of half a mile from this place there are upwards of fifty dwelling- houses, which, though mostly small, are neat in their general ap- pearance. Distance, 7 miles from Greenfield, 13 from Brattlehoro', Vt., and 96 from Boston. Agriculture is the principal business of the inhabitants. Population. S7S. The following is a letter of Maj. John Burk, (one of the prin- cipal men of Bernardston,) to his wife, giving an account of the battle of Lake George. For this, and the journal of Maj. Burk, together with the materials for the preceding historical sketch, the author is indebted to the politeness of Henry W. Cushman, Esq., of Bernardston. Lake Sacrament, now called Lake George, Sept. 11, 1755. Dear Wife : I wrote to you yesterday, but was not allowed to say any more than that I was well, and that we have had a battle, &c. The particulars of the engagement I now send you by Capt. Wyman. On the 7th inst., our Indians discovered the track of a large body of the enemy east of us. On the 8th, Col. Williams, with a detachment 1000 strong, marched in pursuit, or to make discovery. They marched in the road 3 miles south, and being discovered by the enemy, (as we are told by the French general who is taken by us,) were M-aylaid by 1800 French and Indians. The French lay on one side the road on rising ground ; "the Indians on the other side, in a swamp. Part of the French were regular troops ; these lay south. Their scheme was to let our men march quite to the south end of the ambush, the regular troops to give the first fire, then all to fire and rush on ; which if they had done, they would have cut our men all to pieces. But the general says that a heady Indian, who was very eager, fired as soon as they entered the ambush. Then the enemy pursued and fired briskly, and, having the ad- vantage of the ground, obliged our men to retreat, which, the French general says, they did very regularly. We at the camp heard the gtins ; were not suffered to go out, but to make ready to receive the enemy, lest they should rout us and take our baggage, for we knew tliey retreated by the guns, (viz. our men.) The enemy drove on very furi- ously, but while they were coming we placed our cannon, felled trees and rolled logs to make a breast-work all round the camp, but it was a poor defence. The regulars marched along the road, 6 deep, till they got near our camps ; then all fired upon us, BERNARDSTON. 237 and we upon them \nth cannon and small arms. They made a very smart push, but we stood firm, and I believe there was never such firing before, and had not our can- non broke their regulars and affrighted their Indians, they might, perhaps, destroyed more of us, if not taken the camps. The battle began between 10 and 11 ; continued till between 5 and 6 afternoon, at which time we were so hot upon them, that they be- gan to draw off. Our men pursued some way ; we were so fast upon them that they left their dead and wounded on the spot. The enemy all drew ofl'to where they am- bushed our men at the first. While we were engaged, the peo])le at the other fort, at the carrying place, heard our great guns, and sent 200 New Hampshire and N. York men to relieve us. These met the enemy stripping our dead, engaged them smartly, drove them oti'the ground. They fought 3 hours, took 2 prisoners and 2 scalps. We have taken about 25 prisoners in all. One is the general of all the French forces in North America. Another officer, called aid-de-camp, who was stunned by a cannon- ball and lay till night, came in and surrendered himself. The French general is wounded in the knee and in the thigh, and hke to recover. Some of the captives are dead, others very badly wounded. One is Mr. Thos. French's sister's son, cousin to Lue., He says that Lue was killed in the engagement. We have had a very smart battle, but got the victory. The French general says we have broke his army all to pieces. We have been out and buried our dead, and got a great deal of plunder, guns, blankets, provisions, &c. We have lost some famous men in the battle, a list of which I send, belonging to our regiment, and also of the wounded and missing, as far as I am able. [Here follows a list of the dead and ivounded, cf-c] This is the best account I can get at present of the dead, wounded and missing. Let cousin Chapin know that her dear husband is certainly dead and buried. Joel and Hezekiah are well. I can sympathize with her, for it is a great loss to me, as we were friends and neighbors. Pray God to comfort her. Hope our friends will not be dis- heartened at this news, and so fail of coming to assist us. They that love their religion and liberty I hope will not fail to come to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Now is the time to exert ourselves. P. S, I have wrote in great haste, not so well as if otherwise. I received a letter from you last night. Pray send as often as you can. The army is in high spirits. Hope we shall have Crown Point sooner or later. We have done a good job toward it. Loving wife, since the scout is detained till to-morrow, I add something more. Yes- terday we buried on the road 136 dead corpses of ours ; to-day 4. I believe about 15 or 20 more buried at the camp. Several of our Indians are killed. King Hendrick is killed. The day after the battle, every captain carried in an account of dead, wound- ed and missing. The whole of the dead and missing was 191, and about 224 wounded in our regiment. Since this account several are come in that were missing. Col. Titcom is killed ; Capt. Regas is dead — killed. I mention those because some may know them. The account carried in was as Iblloweth : Col. Williams' regiment, 50. Col. Ruggles' regiment and others I must omit ; I cannot find the account. The French general is a very great man, has been an old warrior in Flanders. He says his army consisted of some of the chief men in Canada, a great many of which are killed. The chief man that headed the army at Ohio against Braddock, is killed here. This general had an exact account of all our proceedings, our numbers, and chief officers, and also a list of all his own troops and forces. Perhaps this may be of service to us. This is the best account I can send ; it is not altogether perfect. Your loving husband, John Burk. The following is extracted from the daily journal kept by Major Burk at this period, and will serve to show a soldier's life during tlie French wars. Thursday, 31s*, (1755.) I was ordered up the river with about 30 men to see what I could discover, but saw nothing. Tarried still at Saratoga. Our men went out to Sara- toga fort and dug out of the earth 1114 cannon ball. The men, about 300, went up the river to make the road. I tarried in the camp. Friday, Aug. 1st. The army all moved to the second falls above Saratoga, 4 miles. We drew thebatteaux up the first falls., load and all ; it was fatiguing, but the men worked like lions, some to the neck in water. We had about 180 batteaux. This day the men had half a pint of rum given more than allowance. Saturday, 2d. We tarried at the fills and got our batteaux by in the river. The Dutch came up with 32 wagons, carried all our provisions by, and some tents. Our guard that went up the river to make ready, saw 4 or 5 Indians 238 BERNAftDSTON. Sunday^ 3rf. We moved to carrying place, Col. Lydies' house, about 45 miles from Albany. It rained very hard this night ; some provisions got wet. Monday, ith. I was ordered to attend the court, which adjourned to this day. It was adjourned again to Friday next in the afternoon. I was ordered with 5 men to scout round the camps, but made no discovery. Tuesday, 5th. I was ordered to take 9 men and go to the Lake Sacrament. Lieut. May, Ensign Stratton and Ensign Stevens went to make the number. As we marched we saw .3 deer, 1 bear, and an old mare and a wolf, which was at the lake. We came a little back from the lake and camped. Wednesday, 6th. We returned to our camps, brought in an old mare, picked some huckleberries, brought some to Gen. Lyman. Made no discovery ; got back by 3 o'clock. This day the man confined for sodomy was whipped 100 stripes and drummed out of the company. Thursday, 1th. I tarried in the camps. The men got timber for a store-house and bark to cover it, &c. A scout was sent to the drowned land, at the place called by the Butch Ziaborter. Friday, 8th. Tarried at the camp ; help about the fort. Capt. Pat- terson set out for Wood Creek with 30 men. He was ordered to go to the mouth of the creek. Saturday, 9th. I tarried at the camps ; worked at drawing timber, &c. The scout thayt went fur the drowned land returned, but did not find it. Sunday, IQth. We work at fortmg our company ; set up 15 foot of stockades. Mr. Williams preached 2 sermons. The scout returned from Wood Creek ; they saw signs of Indians, viz. a piece of bread stuck up in the path. Maj. Hoar and Lieut. Nixson set out for Albany. Monday, llth. I help get some timber. I tarried at the camps. A scout set out for Crown Point, another for the So. Bay, and another for Lake Sacrament. The two last returned. They reported that they saw Indians, but upon examination it was their own men. Some men went to Saratoga, to kill some Dutch cattle. Tuesday, 12th. I tarried at the camp, and help get timber. Some went to clear roads. The men that went to Saratoga returned, brought some beef, and brought news that the rest of the army was coming near by. Wednesday, 13th. I tarried at the camps ; went over on the island afternoon to get gate timber. Gen. Lyman had an express from Gov. Fitch, and some newspapers, which gave an accotmt of the death of Gen. Braddock, and that the army was defeated. Thursday, lAth. Gen. Johnson, Col. Titcom, and Col. Williams, with a great num- ber of forces, came to the carrying place, with some Indians and 20 cannon, 2 of which were thirty-two pounders, and a great many wagons. The general was waited upon with a number of men, and on his arrival saluted by the officers and the discharge of field-pieces. Connecticut boys and Rhode Island all come. Friday, 15th. A coun- cil was held ; it was determined to send for more men to join us at our head-quarters. Little or no work done this day. A scout from Crown Point returned ; no news. Satitrday, l&h. I tarried at the camps ; did little or nothing. A scout came from Fort Massachusetts. I heard from home. Sunday, llth. I was ordered by Gen. .Johnson to scout, with 11 men and 7 Indians, to the Lake Sacrament. Capt. Passore, bound for the So. Bay^ with 30 or 40 white men and 6 Indians, marched 4 miles with tisy a"nd ttirned off". I marched 10 miles. Connecticut and New York forces arrived with women ; a man was drowned. Monday, 18th. We marched to the lake ; made no di.scovery of an enemy. Six of the Indians went farther westward. We sat out from the lake at one o'clock, and got home before dark. Tuesday, 19th. Tarried in the camps; did nothing. A general court-martial was held. Gen. Lyman, Cols. Ruggels, Williams, Goodrich, were ordered to be ready to meet at all hours. Wed- nesday, 20th. Tarried at the camps. A general court-martial was held in trial of Lieut. Noble and others. Capt. Ayres began to dig a trench. A great number was employed at digging. Thursday, 21st. Tarried in camp. Saw Nelly and Polly, in great taking for the women, — were all ordered away. Five Indians of the Six Nations came from Canada. General court-martial sat. About 120 men employed digging in the trenches. The Indians brought news from Canada, that 17 ships were at Quebec, (iOO regulars ; that 8000 were expected at Crown Point, 300 out. Friday, 22d. I tarried at the camp. A council sit ; determined to go by Lake Sacrament. I sent a letter to my wife. Trenching j^et, sawing boards. Saturday, 23d. Four hundred men were ordered to go upon the road ; I went pilot. Cleared 6 mile\,. The women were sent to Albany. When they went off" there was a great huzza. Trenchins and saMing with whip-saw yet. Sunday, 24th. I was not well ; I had a bad cold. Kept in the tent all day. Mr. Williams preached 2 sermons. A number of men went upon the road. Some Indians came to us ; informed of more coming. Lieut. Noble read his acknowledgment before the assembly. Monday, 25th. I tarried at home in the camps. A scout sent to Fort Massachusetts, — Serg. Avery, wh(> was one ordered to Deerfield. I Avrote to my wife. Trenching and sawing, and making & pcvvder-house. All going forward briskly. Tuesday, 2&th. Gen. John- BERNARDSTON. 239 son, Cols. Ruggels, Williams, Goodrich's regiments, and some of Rhode Island and York forces, about 1500 men and 200 wagons, marched forward for Lake Sacrament. March 6 miles and camped. Wednesday, 21th. We all marched 4 miles and camped. We had some clearing and large causeways to make this day. Thursday, 28th. We cleared the road 10 miles ; got to the lake. The men worked very hard this day. One of the men found a gun and Indian pack. Friday, 29th. AVent to clearing by the lake, making a causeway, &c. The wagons returned for more stores. About 20 Indians came to us. Saturday, "iQth. I was made captain of the guard. Hendrick, with about 170 Indians, came to us; they were saluted with a round of guns, and the men all drew up to receive them. The clearing went oif briskly. One man killed, 1 taken, 3 escaped. They were keeping cattle at the great carrying place. Sunday, 2>lst. A number of wagons and cannon came up, guarded by the Rhode Islanders and "i^orkers. Clearing carried on still. At night the Indians had a great dance. Mon- day, Sept. \st. Capt. Porter, with some Indians, marched to the So. Bay to intercept the enemy that did the mischief. Some canoes were seen by our Indians up the lake. I tarried by the camp and cleared for tenting. Alarm at night ; a sentry shot at a horse. Tuesday, 2d. Capt. Porter and men returned. The Indians marched forward. Five Indians that went out 5 days ago, that went to the carrying place at the north end of the lake, saw 15 of the enemy. Could not come to speech. Our scout returned from Fort Massachusetts. I tarried at the camps. Moved our tents. Wednesday, 2d. Gen. Lyman, Col. Titcomb, Col. Gilbert came to us at Lake George. Some Indians came and joined us. It is said they came 1100 miles. I carried the camps. 3 Indians went a-scalping to Crown Point. Thursday, 4th. I was ordered to go up the lake with Capt. Stoddard and Capt. Ingersoll, and 3 other white men, to carry 3 Indians, who were going to Lake West, and we sailed 15 miles. Landed the Indians ; returned by 11 at night. Began to build a fort. Friday, 5th. I was very bad with a cold ; tarried at the camps. No news this day. Saturday, 6th. I went to get a cask out of the stcre-house, &c. Heard that 8 or 9 of the sick were dead at the other forts. Batteaux, stores, daily coming up. Fort building, scows making. Sutiday, 1th. A scout of Indians came in who have been to Crown Point, and inform that they saw as they returned the signs of a large army marching south in 3 files ; designed, as they suppose, for our fort at great carrying place. A man who was thought to have deserted was found dead at the other fort ; killed by the fall of a tree, as is supposed. Monday, 8th. Col. Williams was sent out with 1000 men in search of the enemy ; determined to march toward the south bay. They marched so in the road 3 miles, when they were waylaid by the enemy and fired upon. The enemy, having the advantage of the ground, obliged our men to retreat to the camps ; killed and wounded a great number by the way. The enemy made a very smart attack upon the camps, but we stood ground and drove them back. Took the general and aid-de-camp, and about 25 prisoners. New Hampshire and York men at the other fort, at the carrying place, heard the great guns, came up and met the enemy stripping our dead; drove them from the ground and took 2 prisoners. They fought them 3 hours, and we fought them from between 10 and 11 till between 6 and 7 after- noon. No such battle before in North America. Tuesday, 9th. About 300 we sent out to bury the dead. I went with them. The men forward took a start, ran back; were stopped by the officers. Found it too late to do the business. Returned to the camps, brought one wounded man of ours, a great deal of plunder, &c. Wed7iesday, IQth. We went out again, buried 136 dead of ours, and some French. Brought in a great deal of plunder and French provisions, and one of our wounded, a scout from the other fort, and from Hoosuck, Capt. WjTnan. I sent a letter to my wife. All a-fortifying at the camps. Col. Willard, Capt. Symers, came up with a number of wagons with provisions, &,c. Thursday, llth. I wrote a large letter to my wife; sent it by Capt. Wyman. The wagoners went back, the Indians went off home. A great number of men went plundering ; found a great deal. Buried 4 more of our men. ' The following inscriptions are from monuments in the old bury- ing-ground in this place, about one mile from the center. In memory of the Hon. Maj'- John Burke, who died Oct^- 27th, 1784, in y* 67th year of his age. Were I so tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with my span, I must be measur'd by my soul, — The Mind's the standard of the man. 240 CHARLEMONT. To the memorv of Doctor Polycarpus Cashman, who died 15th December, A. D. 1797, jEtate 47. " Vain censorious beings little know, What they must soon experience below. Your lives are short, eternity is long, O think of death, prepare, & then begone. Thus art and nalures powers &; charms And drugs iNc receipts and forms Yield all last to greedy worms A despicable prey. Mors absque morbo vorax mortnlium rapuit medicum.* B U C K L A N D . This town was incorporated in 1779. A part of its territory was within the hmits of Charlemont. The first minister of this place was Rev. Josiah Spaulding, from Plainfield, Con. ; he was installed pa.stor in 17<)1. His snccessor, the Rev. Benjamin F. Clarke, was settled here 18:?4. The first settlement within the limits of the town Avas pro])ahly made on Deerfield river, about two and a half miles from the Congregational church in the center of the town. A Mr. White is believed to have been the first per- son who settled there. About the same time a settlement was made in the south part of the town by Capt. Nahum Ward. His son, .Tonathan Ward, Avas the first white child born in the town. Capt. Ward settled about one and a half miles westward of the center. Persons of the Baptist denomination settled about two miles south-ea.sterly from the center of the town at a very early period. The surface of this town is hilly and broken. Clesson's river, a mill-stream, passes centrally through the town. It was formerly noted for trout, and on its banks were fine hunting-grounds. A park for deer was built about tv\''o miles northerly from the center of tlie town, by Othniel Taylor. Agriculture is the principal business of the inhabitants. There are 3 houses of worship— 1 Congrega- tionalist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. Distance, 12 miles from Greenfield, 23 to Northampton, and 1U5 from Boston. Population, 1,051. The following is the inscription on the monument of ]Mr. Spaul- ding, the first minister : In memory of Rev. Josiah Spaulding, died May 8th, 1823, JE. 72. Rev. J. S. was born at Plainfield, Conn.. Jan. 10, 1751, graduated at Yale College 1778, hcenced to preach 1780, ordained 1782. Of the 41 yrs. of his ministry, 5 were spent at Uxbridge, ()i at Worthington, 28.^ at Buckland. Merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. CHARLEMONT. This town was incorporated in 1765. During the French and Indian wars, this being one of tlie frontier towns, it was open to * Rapacious Death, without disease, has snatched away the healer of mortals. CHARLEBIONT 241 their ravages. In the hmits of this town were three garrisons, Taylor's. Rice's, and Hawk's. These were of a cordon of fortifica- tions projected by Col. Williams in the year 1754. These works were either 'mounts, a diminutive kind of block-house, or stockaded dwel- ling-houses, bearing the names of the resident families, defensible only against musketry. In June, 1755, as a party of people were at work in a meadow in the npper part of Charlemont, near Rice's fort, they were attacked by a party of Indians ; Captain Rice and Phiiieas Rice were killed, and Titus King, and Asa Rice, a lad, were captured, conveyed to Crown Point, an.d from thence to Canada. King was some time afterward carried to France, then to England, and from thence he returned to IVorthampton. liis native place. The Congregational church in this town was organized in June, 1788 ; the Rev. Isaac Babbit, the first Congregational minis- ter, was settled here in 1796; he resigned in 1798. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph Field, who resigned in 1823. The next minister. Rev. Wales Tileston, was settled in 1825 ; he resigned in 1837. Eastern view in the central fiart of Charltniont. The above is an eastern view in the central part of Charlemont, showing the Baptist and Methodist churches ; 17 miles from Green- field, 16 from Adams, o^i from Troy, N. Y., and about 104 from Boston. The Baptist church is the nearest building in the view, having six windows on the southern side; the Methodist church, a small building, is seen farther northward ; it has a tower, and stands on an elevation of ground. There is a little village north- ward of these churches, which is but partially seen in t!ie engrav- hig. The highest mountainous elevation, seen in the distance, is called Mount Peak, and is upwards of 1000 feet in height. Deer- lield river, which flows at the foot of this elevation, winds through the whole length of the town. High hills and mountainous eleva- tions in many places rise immediately from its banks, affording many views of picturesque and delightful scenery. Agrictdture is 242 C O L E R A I N E the principal business of the inhabitants. In 1837, there were 3,355 merino sheep, and 1,398 of other kinds; the vahie of wool produced, $7,460. Population of the town, 994. In 1838, a large proportion of an unincorporated tract of mountainous and broken land, called Zoar, Avitli few inhabitants, on the western border of the town, was, by an act of the legislature, added to this town. C L E R A I X E , CoLERAiNE^ was incorporated in 1761. It was previously called Boston TouuisJdp. It was partly settled by emigrants from Ireland, who were Presbyterians in religious sentiment. The church in this place was Presbyterian till 1819, when it became Congre- gational. The first minister, Rev. Alexander McDowel, it is be- lieved, was from Ireland. Rev. Daniel McClallen was born in Pennsylvania, but educated in Ireland. A^ery little is known of the early state of the religious affairs of the people, as either no church records were kept, or if kept have been lost. Mr. McDow- el, the first minister, was settled in 1753 ; Mr. McClallen in 1769. The third minister. Rev. Samuel Taggart, was settled in 1777, and died in 1825 ; he retained his connection with his church and so- ciety till the close of life. He was a member of the house of representatives of the United States, from 1804, for 14 years. He is said to have remarked to a christian friend, that he had read the Bible through at Washington every year during the time he had served as a member of congress. Rev. Arctas Loomis succeeded Mr. Taggart in 1829. Coleraine has a larger population than any other town in Frank- lin county. It is finely watered by two branches of North river, a tributary stream of Deerfield river, affording water-power for a number of factories in various parts of the town, which are now in successful operation. After the union of the two branches of the North river in this town, in its course towards Deerfield river, it passes through a very narrow defile, with lofty elevations on each side, particularly on the north bank ; the road, in some places, passes at a great elevation from the bed of the river, and to a lover of natural scenery in its varied forms this place possesses uncom- mon attractions. The engraving is a western view of part of the village in the central part of the town. The Methodist church ap- pears on the riglit, and the Congregational on the left. This place is surrounded by lofty elevations on almost every side. It is 9 miles from Greenfield, 30 from Adams, 30 from Northampton, 70 from Albany, N. Y., and 100 from Boston. Population, 1,998. In 1837 there were 3 cotton mills, 5,000 cotton spindles ; 125,000 lbs. * It is said that this Xovm. wns named from Lord Culeraine, in Ireland. His lordship was so well pleased with the honor done him that he sent the inhabitants a fine bell ; but, through the unfaithfulness of the agent to whom it was intrusted, it never reached them. It is believed to be still in existence, and used in one of the churches in Boston (1 O I, !■ R A INK 243 Western vietv of Coleraiiie., (^central part.) of cotton were consumed ; 930,000 yards of cotton goods manufac- tured, valued at $59,500; 40 males and 120 females were em- ployed. There were 4,340 merino and 1,414 other kinds of sheep in the town: value of wool produced, $9,133 11 ; capital invested, $14,385. There were two air and cupola furnaces ; 150 tons of iron castings were made, valued at $17,500. Various other articles were also manufactured in the town* One of the first settlers in this town was Deacon Thomas McGee, a Protestant, from Ireland ; he located himself about tw<3 miles sovUh from the center of the town. James Steward, Avho officiated as town-clerk for a number of years, lived a little east fr-om Mr. McGee. Hugh McClallen located himself in the south-western part of the town ; he filled various public offices, and was the first acting magistrate. John Cochren, from Pelham. Hampshire coun- ty, located himself in the center. He built the whole or part of the Barber House, so called, near the Congregational church : this house is now standing. John Clark, of Irish descent, had a Iwuse about half a niile north of the meeting-house, on land which was given to his father by the proprietors of Coleraine. Mr. Clark's father was killed in the last French war. Hugh Morrison located himself about one and a half miles north of the center. He was a captain, and commander of the north or Morrison's fort. Dea- con George Clark settled about a mile easterly from the center. Capt. John Wood, from South Hadley, kept the first tavern, a bnild- ing now standing. The first meeting-house built by the proprie- tors stood about 80 rods north of Capt. Wood's tavern ; it was two stories in height, and was never completed on account of its loca-. tion. Rev. Mr. McDole, or Dowel, the first minister, lived about 80 rods north, in a building used as a fort. Besides the two forts men- tioned, there were two others: one, called the .east fort, was situated about two miles eastward of the meeting-house- the south fort was 33 244 CONWAY. near Deacon McGee's. Hezekiah Smith, from Woodstock, in Con- necticut, settled about two miles south-west down the North river. Thomas Fox and Deacon Moses Johnson were early settlers. Deacon Elliot Harroun and Joseph Thompson settled near Hugh McClallen, in the north-western part of the town. In May, 1746, Matthew Clark, with his wife and daughter, and two soldiers, were fired upon by the Indians. Clark was killed, and his wife and daughter wounded. One of the soldiers returned the fire and killed one of the enemy, which gave them a check, and the wounded were brought into the fort and saved. In July, David Morrison was captured by the Indians. In 1756, John Morrison and John Henry were wounded near Morrison's fort, but getting on to a horse, made their escape. The enemy burned a house and killed some cattle on North river. In 1759, John McCown and his wife were captured, and their son was killed. CONWAY. This town was incorporated in 1767. The first minister of the place was Rev. John Emerson, who settled here in 1769. At this time the town contained but 400 or 500 inhabitants. Mr. Emerson afterwards shrewdly remarked, that when he came " it was lite- rally John preaching in the wilderness." He lived to see a popula- tion of about 2000 souls. Mr. Emerson was eminently a prayer- ful and devoted minister of the gospel. " For several of his last years he had an impediment in his speech ; it was, however, scarce- ly perceptible in his devotional exercises, showing it was more natural for him to pray than to converse." Rev. Edward Hitch- cock was settled as colleague with Mr. Emerson in 1S21. Mr. Emerson died in 1826, aged 80. Mr. Hitchcock was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Crosby, in 1827. The following is a southern view of the central part of Conway, as it appears from the road passing over the elevated ground south from the village. The village, which consists of about thirty dwelling-houses and other buildings, lies principally in a narrow valley between two elevated hills, the one westward called Beal's Hill, the one eastward Billings' Hill. South river, a mill-stream, passing into Deerfield river, divides the village into two parts. There are two churches in the village, one a Congregational, the other a Baptist church. The Congregational church is seen in the engraving in the southern part of the village. The Baptist church is without a spire, and stands in the northern part, on elevated ground. Distance, 7 miles S. W. from Greenfield, and 100 from Boston. Population, 1,445. In 1837, there was one cotton mill, 924 spindles ; cotton con- sumed, 10,045 lbs. ; cotton goods manufactured, 151,140 yards, valued at $16,625 ; males employed, 8 ; females, 20 ; capital in- vested, $10,000. One woollen mill, which manufactured 3,500 yards of cloth, which employed 18 hands. There were in the town DEERFIELD. 245 Southern view of Conway. 2,415 merino sheep; other kinds of sheep, 2,415 ; merino wool pro- duced, 7,245 lbs. ; other kinds of wool, 7,245 ; average weight of fleece, 3 lbs. ; value of wool, $5,071 ; capital invested, $7,245. The following votes, passed during the "Revohitionary times," are copied from the records of this town. They will serve to show the process used against those who were disaffected towards the American cause, and who dared, like freemen, to let their senti- ments be known. The orthography is retained. At a legal meeting, held June 25, 1777, Voted to try the minds of the town with re- gard to the enemical persons that the selectmen have entered in a list and laid before the town as such seperately. Voted, the following persons are dangerously enemical to the American States, viz. Joseph Catlin, Elias Dickinson, Joseph Brunson, Elijah AVells, Elijah Billings, James Dickinson, Wm. Billings, John Hamilton, Jonathan Oaks, Capt. Consider Arras. Eben'r Bedfield, and David Field. Voted, that Capt. Alexander Oliver be the person to collect the evidence, and lay it before the court, against the above enemical per- sons. At a legal meeting, held August 27th, 1777, Voted, that we proceed in some mea- sures to secure the enemical persons called Tories among us. Then the question was put, whether we would draw a line between the Continent and Great Britain ; voted in the affirmative. Voted that all those persons that stand on the side of the Contanant take up arms and go hand in hand with us in carrying on the war against our unnatu- ral enemies ; such we receive as friends, and all others treet as enemies. Voted, that the broad ally be a line, and the south end of the meeting-house be the Continant side, and the north end the British side ; then moved for trial, and found 6 persons to stand on the British side, viz. Elijah Billings, Jonathan Oaks, Wm. Billings, Joseph Catlin, Joel Dickinson, and Elias Dickinson. Voted to set a gard over those enemical persons. Voted the toww clerk emmediately desire Judge Mather to issue out his warrants against those enimical persons returned to him in a list heretofore. DEERFIELD. Deerfield is the oldest town in Franklin county. In 1669, a tract of 8,000 acres of land was granted by the general court at Pocitmtuck to a company at Dedham, embracing most of 246 DEERFIELD". the interval lying on Pocumtuck or Deerfield river, and the plain southerly as far as Hatfield bounds. The proprietors first met at Dedhafti in 1670 ; at which time it was agreed to lay out the lots at Pocumtuck. By subsequent grants it comprehended within its limits the present towns of Deerfield, Conway, Shelburne, Green- field, and Gill. Whether the whole was purchased from the natives does not appear. A deed, however, of a part of the early grant, is still extant ; it was made to .Tohn Pynchon, Esq., of Springfield, "for the use and behoof of major Eleazer Lusher, Southern view of Deerfield, (central part.) ensign Daniel Fisher, and other English at Dedham, their asso- ciates and successors," by C/icmk, alias Chaqi/e, the sachem of Pocumtuck, and his brother Wapahoale, and is dated Feb. 24, 1665, prior to the grant by government. The deed is witnessed by Wequonock, who " helped the Sachem in making the bar- gain ;" and reserves to the Indians "the right of fishing in the rivers and waters ; hunting deer, or other wild animals ; the gath- ering of walnuts, chesnuts, and other nuts, and things on the com- mons." The first settlement at Deerfield commenced in 1670, and within fo\ir years a considerable number of buildings were erected. In 1686. the Rev. John Williams was settled as minister of the place, on a salary of £60, to be paid in wheat at three shil- lings and three-pence the bushel, pease at two shillings and six- pence, Indian corn at two shillings, aitd salted pork at two-pence halfpenny the pound. Deerfield is finely situated on the west bank of Connecticut river. Deerfield river, a large and beautiful stream, meanders through the center of the town, and on its banks are large tracts of interval land, the quality of which is equal to any in the state. The principal street runs north and south on a beautiful elevation above the meadows, which spreads out from the foot of East or Deerfield mountain. rtEERFIELD. 247 The engraving on the opposite page, is a view (looking to the iiorthward) in the central part of the village, showing the Unita- rian Congregational church, and some other public buildings. The ancient house, which escaped destruction at the tinie the Indians biu-nt the town in 171)4, is seen in the distance, standing a few feet westward of thfe church. Deerfield is principally an agricultural town. In 1837, there was one manufactory of cutlery, which employed seventy hands; the value of cutlery manufac- tured was .f 100,000. The value of palm-leaf hats manufactured was $7,800; the value of corn brooms made was ,f! 10,990; the value of pocket-books, &c., $11,000. Population, 1,952. Distance, 3 miles south from Greenfield, 18 miles north of Northampton, GO to Hartford, Conn., and 95 from Boston. Monument and Sugar-loaf Mountain, Deerfield. The above is a north-western view of the monument at Bloody Brook, erected in memory of Capt. Lathrop and his men, who fell on this spot, in an ambuscade of the Indians. This monument stands perhaps 30 or 40 rods southerly from the Congregational church. South-easterly from the monument is seen Sugar-loaf Mountain, a conical peak of red sand-stone, about 650 feet in height. In 1835, the 160th anniversary of the destruction of Capt. Lathrop and his men was commemorated in this place. The Hon. Edward Everett, now governor of Massachusetts, was appointed orator for the occasion, and General Epaphas Hoyt, of Deerfield, was appointed to make the address at the laying of the corner stone for the monument. About six thousand persons were present on this occasion. Governor Everett delivered his address under a walnut tree, a few rods eastward of the monument, the top of which is seen rising between the two mountainous elevations in the back ground. About forty years after Capt. Lathrop and his men were killed, a rude monument was erected to their memory, but the different occupants of the soil removed it so many times, that it was a matter of uncertainty where he or his men were 248 DEER FIELD. buried. In 1835, the committee of investigation, guided by the tradition of some aged people, found the spot where he and about thirty of his men were interred ; the grave was just in front of the door-yard of Stephen Whitney, Esq., and about twenty feet north- west of his front door. Their bones were in a state of tolerable preservation, but fell to pieces on exposure to the air. " A grave, probably containing tlie bones of the ninety-six Indians who were .slain ou that day, was hkewise found by accident about the same time, nearly one hundred rods west of the road leading from Bloody Brook to Conway, by Mr. Artemas Williams, and a httle more than half a mile south-west of the grave of Lathrop." The monument is six feet square and about twenty feo.t in height; it is constructed of marble, by Mr. Woods, of Sunderland. On its completion an address was delivered at its foot by Mr. Luther B. Lincoln, of Deerfield. The following is the inscription on the monument : — On this ground Capt. Thomas Lothrop and eighty-four men under his command, including eighteen teamsters from Deerfield, conveying stores from that town to Had- ley, were ambuscaded hy about 700 Indians, and the Captain and seventy-six men slain, Sept. 18th, 1675, (old style.) The soldiers who fell were described by a co- temporary Historian, as " a choice company of young men, the very flower of the County of Essex, none of whom were ashamed to speak with the enemy in the gate." " And Snnguimtto tells you where the dead Made the earth wet, and turn'd the unwilling waters red." This monument erected August, 1838. The bearing and distance of the grave of the slain (south 21 rods) is inscribed on the monument, and a stone slab placed on the spot. In order to defend the frontier settlements from the Indians in Philip's war, a considerable number of soldiers were posted at Hadley, and it became necessary to procure provisions xind forage for their subsistence. The Indians having burnt the principal part of Deerfield, it was abandoned by the inhabitants ; their grain, consisting of about 3,000 bushels of wheat, remained stacked in the fields, having escaped the conflagration. Deter- mining to avail himself of this supply, the commanding ofticer at Hadley detached Capt. Lathrop and his company, with a number :<)f teams and drivers, to thrash it and transport it to head-quarters. Having thrashed the grain and loaded his teams, Capt. Lathrop, on the ISth of September, commenced his march for Hadley. As no Indians had been seen in the vicinity, he did not probably appre- tiend any danger. The following accoimt of the fatal attack of the savages at Bloody Brook is taken from Hoyt's Indian Wars, published at (Greenfield in 1824. " For the distance of about three miles, after leaving Deerfield meadow, Lathrop's march lay through a very level country, closely wooded, Avhere he was every moment exposed to an attack on either fiank ; at the termination of this distance, near the south point of Sugar-loaf Hill., the road approximated Connecticut river, and the left was in some measure protected. At the village now called Muddy Brook, in the southerly part of Deerfield, the road .crossed a small stream, bordered by a narrow morass, from whieh DEERFIELD. 249 the village has its name ; though more appropriately it should be denominated Bloody Brook, by which it was sometimes known. Before arriving at the point of intersection with the brook, the road for about half a mile ran parallel with the morass, then, cross- ing, it continued directly to the south point of Sugar-loaf Hill, tra- versing what is now the home lots, on the east side of the vil- lage. As the morass was thickly covered with brush, the place of crossing afforded a favorable point of surprise. On discovering Lathrop's march, a body of upwards of seven hundred Indians planted themselves in ambuscade at this point, and lay eagerly waiting to pounce upon him while passing the morass. Without scouring the woods in his front and flanks, or suspecting the snare laid for him, Lathrop arrived at the fatal spot ; crossed the morass with the principal part of his force, and probably halted, to allow time for his teams to drag through their loads. The critical moment had arrived — the Indians instantly poured a heavy and destructive fire upon the column, and rushed furiously to close attack. Confusion and dismay succeeded. The troops broke and scattered, fiercely pursued by the Indians, whose great superiority enabled them to attack at all points. Hopeless was the situation of the scattered troops, and they resolved to sell their lives in a vigorous struggle. Covering themselves with trees, the bloody con- flict now became a severe trial of skill in sharp shooting, in which life was the stake. Difficult would it be to describe the havoc, barbarity, and misery that ensued ; ' fury raged, and shuddering pity quit the sanguine field,' while desperation stood pitted, at ' fearful odds,' to unrelenting ferocity. The dead, the dying, the wounded, strewed the ground in all directions ; and Lathrop's devoted force was soon reduced to a small number, and resistance became faint. At length the unequal struggle terminated in the annihilation of nearly the whole of the English ; only seven or eight escaped from the bloody scene, to relate the dismal tale ; and the wounded were indiscriminately butchered. Capt. Lathrop fell in the early part of the action. The whole loss, including teamsters, amounted to ninety." Capt. Mosely, who was at Deerfield with his company, between four and five miles distant, hearing the musketry, hurried on to the relief of Lathrop, but it was too late ; he found the Indians had done their bloody work, and were stripping the dead. Rush- ing on in close order, he broke through the enemy, and, charging back and forth, cut down all within the range of his shot. After several hours of gallant fighting, the savages were compelled to seek for safety in the surrounding swamps and forests. Lieuten- ants Savage and Pickering greatly distinguished themselves by their skill and bravery. Just at the close of the action. Major Treat, of Connecticut, who on the morning of this day had marched towards Northfield, arrived on the ground with one hundred men, consisting of English, Pequot and Mohegan Indians, and shared in the final pursuit of the enemy. Captain Mosely lost but two men in the various attacks, and seven or eight only were 25t* DEERFIELD. wounded. The loss of the Indians in the various attacks of tne day was estimated at ninety-six, the greatest proportion of which fell in the engagement with Mosely. On the approach of night, Treat and Mosely proceeded to Deerfield, where they encamped for the night, and the next morning returned to the field of slaugh- ter to hury the dead. The day after this disaster, the Indians appeared at Deerfield, on the west side of the river in that town, and, displaying the garments they had stripped from Lathrop's slain, made demonstrations of an attack on the fortified house, which then contained a garrison of only twenty-seven men. The commander held out delusive appearances of a strong force, — caused his trumpet signals to be given, as if to call in additional troops, which so intimidated tlie Indians that they withdrew with- out making an attack. This post, however, was afterwards abandoned by tlie garrison, and the place Avas soon after des- troyed by the enemy. During the French and Indian wars, Deerfield was often exposed to the incursions of the French and their savage allies. In the evening of the 29th of February, 1704, Major Hertel de Rouville, with 200 French and 142 Indians, all;er a tedious march of between 2 and 300 miles through deep snow, arrived at an ele- vated pine forest, about two miles north of the village, (now called Petty's plain,) bordering Deerfield meadow, where they lay con- cealed till after midnight. Finding all quiet, and the snow being covered with a crust sufficient to support the men, Rouville left his snow-shoes and packs at the foot of the elevation, and, crossing Deerfield river, began his march through an open meadow before daylight with the utmost caution, which, however, was unneces- sary, as the guard had retired to rest a little before daylight. Arriving at the north-west quarter of the fort, where the snow had drifted in many places nearly to the top of the palisades, the enemy entered the place, and found all in a profound sleep. Parties detached in different directions broke into the houses and dragged the astonished people from their beds, and wherever resistance was made they were generally killed. A party forced the door of the house of the Rev. Mr. Williams, who, awakened by the noise, seized a pistol from his bed tester and snapped it at one of the Indians who Avere entering his room. He was seized, bound, and kept standing in his shirt for near an hour. His house in the mean time was plundered, and two of his chil- dren, with a black female servant, were murdered before the door. They then permitted him and Mrs. Williams, with five other chil- dren, to put on their clothes. The house of Capt. .Tohn Sheldon was attacked, but as the door at which the Indians attempted to enter was firmly bolted, they found it difficult to penetrate. They then perforated it with their tomahawks, and, thrusting through a musket, fired and killed the captain's wife, as she was rising from a bed in an adjoining room. The captain's son and wife, awakened by the assault, leaped from a chamber window, at the east end of the house, by \viiich the latter strained her ankle, DEERFIELD. 251 and A\ras seized by the Indians, but the husbatid escaped to the woods and reached Hatfield. After gaining possession of the house, which was one of the largest in the place, the enemy reserved it as a depot for the prisoners as they were collected from other parts of the village. The whole number made prisoners was 112, and the number of killed Avas forty-seven. Having collected the prisoners, plimdered and set fire to the buildings, Rouville left the place when the sun was about an hour high. Every building tvithin the fort was reduced to ashes except the meeting-house and that of Captain Sheldon, which was the last fired, and saved by the English, Avho assembled immediately after the enemy left the place. This house is still standing near the center of the vil- lage, of which the annexed engraving is a representation. South-east view of Ancient House in Deerjield. The ground plan of the building is 42 by 21 feet. The timber used in the construction of this house is of a large size and firm texture, most of which remains sound even to the sills, and the primitive clapboards at the gables are in a good state of preserva- tion ; the walls are lined with brick. The door, showing the per- foration made by the tomahawks, still remains. Other parts of the building have been repaired, and the general appearance of the house does not exhibit so antique an appearance as its age would indicate. The night following the attack, the eiiemy encamped in the meadow, in what is now Greenfield, about four miles from Deerfield village, where, by clearing away the snow and construct- ing slight cabins of brush, the prisoners were as comfortably lodged as circumstances would admit. On the second day of their jour- ney Mrs. Williams, who had lain in but a few weeks previous, be- came exhausted through fatigue, and, proving burdensome, her Indian master sunk his tomahawk into her head and left her dead at the foot of a hill near Green river. The march of the captives on Connecticut river continued for several days without any inci- 34 252 DEERFIELD. dent of note, excepting now and then murdering an exhausted captive and taking off the scalp. At the mouth of White river, Rouville divided his force into several parties ; that which Mr. Williams accompanied proceeded down Onion river to Lake Cham- plain, and from thence into Cajiada. After his arrival there he was generally treated with civility, and often with humanity. In 1706 a flag-ship was sent to Quebec, and Mr. Williams and fifty- seven other captives were redeemed and brought to Boston. "^ All the surviving children of Mr. Williams returned, with the exception of his daughter Eunice, who was left behind, being about ten years old. She adopted the Indian manners, to one of whom she was married, and adopted the Catholic faith. She repeatedly visited her relatives in New England ; every inducement was offered to make her remain among her connexions, but she uniformly persisted in wearing her blanket and counting her beads. She left a number of descendants, one of whom, a grandson, was educated at Longm.eadow, and afterward became a missionary to the Oneida Indians. Twenty-eight of the captives remained in Canada, and, mixing with the French and Indians, adopted their manners and customs, and were thus lost to their friends. The journal which Rouville kept while on his expedition against Deerfield is said to be still in existence, having been preserved in one of the Canadian convents ; also a small church bell, which the Indians took from Deerfield, when it was destroyed. It was conveyed on a sledge as far as Lake Champlain and buried, and was afterwards taken up and conveyed to Canada, and is now hanging in an Indian church in St. Regis. [From the Boston Post Boy, Sept. Isi, 1746.] Friday sev'night some of our soldiers going from Deerfield to Colerain, were fired upon by a party of the enemy Indians, and one Mr. Bliss, a Connecticut soldier, wa3 kill'd, scalp'd and his body left inhumanly cut and mangled by them. And last Monday seven men and a young Avoman being in a field at Deerfield, mak- ing of hay, were surpris'd by about 40 of the enemy Indians, and five of the men were killed on the spot ; the young woman they struck three times, with their hatchets, and wounded her terribly on both sides of her head. The people of this town, being alarm- ed, went out after the enemy ; when they hastened off, leaving the wounded young woman, and the bodies of the men they had slain on the ground. The other two men escaped, and the young woman was brought into Deerfield, but is not like to live. The names of those kill'd were Samuel Allen, two of the widow Amsdel's sons, Elea- zer Hawkes, Jun., all of Deerfield, and one Gillet, a soldier from Connecticut ; the young woman wounded aforesaid was daughter to the atbresaid Allen. One of the Indians was kill'd upon their assault ; and some of them had thrown his body into a pond, which was soon after found and his scalp taken off and bro't in by our men. It is supposed another of the enemy is mortally wounded, as a Tract was discovered where one of them had been carried off who had bled a great quantity. The following are inscriptions copied from monuments in the old burying-ground in this place : * Mr. "Williams after his return published a particular account of his sufferings and those of his family and townsmen, entitled the Redeemed Captive, i^r. ; this work has passed through a number of editions. A recent work, by Stephen W. Williams, Esq., entitled " A Biographical Memoir of the Rev. John Williams," has been recently pub- lished in Greenfield. It contains many particulars respecting Mr. Williams and his family which never before have been published. ERVING. 253 Here lies buried the body of Lievt. Mehuman Hinsdell, died May y« 9, 1736, in the 63d year of his age, who was the first male child born in this place, and was twice cap- tivated by the Indian Salvages. — Math. 5th. 7th. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Here lyeth the body of Mrs. Eunice Williams, the vertuous &; desirable consort of the Rev"" Mr. John Williams, & daughter to y= Rev^i- Mr. Eleazer & Mrs. Esther Mather of Northampton. She was born Augt. 2, 1664, and fell by rage of y" barbarous Enemy March 1, 1703-4. — Prov. 31. 28. Her children rise up and call her Blessed. Here lyes y« body of the Reu'^- Mr. John Williams, the beloved & faithful pastor of this place, who dyed on June y' 12i'>. 1729, in the eS'"" year of his age. Reu. 14. 13. Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. ERVING The territory comprising this town was an unincorporated tract, called Ervi?ig^s Grant, lying on the north bank of Miller's river, bounded north by Northfield and Warwick. It was incorporated as a town in 1838. A Congregational church was organized here five or six years since, but there never has been any minister set- tled in the place. At this time the inhabitants meet occasionally in a school-house for public worship. In the Statistical Tables published by the state, it is stated that in Erving's Grant there was 1 woollen mill, which manufactured 25,600 yards of satinet, valued at $16,640 ; 12 hands, 6 male and 6 female, were employ- ed ; capital invested, $7,000. Two thousand and fifty pairs of boots and 744 pairs of shoes were manufactured, valued at $4,345. Population in 1837 was 292. There is a post-oflice in the town. Distance, 10 miles east from Greenfield, and 85 miles from Boston. GILL. This town was formerly a part of Deerfield ; it was incorporat- ed in 1793. It received its name in honor of Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill. The church records have been lost, but it is supposed that the Congregational church was organized in 1793. The first minister was Rev. John .lackson, who was settled in 1798 ; his successor, Rev. Jabez Munsell, was settled in 1802 ; the next minis- ter. Rev. Josiah W. Canning, was settled in 1806. The township is situated on a great bend of Connecticut river, and contains much fertile land. It lies on the west side of the Connecticut, and is separated from Greenfield by Fall river. There are two churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Methodist, both situated in the small vil- lage in the central part of the town. Population, 809. Distance, 5 miles E. N. E. of Greenfield, 15 S. of Brattleborough, Vt., and 86 westerly from Boston. Near the point where the boundaries of this town, Montague 2H G i L L and Greenfield meet, there is in the Connecticut tne most interests ing waterfall in the state. They were formerly called Miller's falls, but of late have received the name of Turnefs Falls, in commemoration of Capt. Turner, who surprised a body of Indians, in 1676, at this place, during Philip's war. A canal, three miles in length, in order to pass the falls, has been constructed in the town of Montague, on the eastern side of the river. An artificial dam has also been constructed at the falls, more than a thousand feet long, resting near the center upon two small islands. Over this dam the water descends more than thirty feet perpendicularly, and for half a mile continues descending rapidly and foaming in its course. From an elevation perhaps about fifty rods below the cataract, the observer perceives that he has a miniature resem- blance of the falls of Niagara before him. The country about these is but little cultivated. On the opposite side of the river, the Turne/s Fa/Is, vi Connecticut River. observer will, however, perceive a few dwellings and the head of a canal; but a little beyond appear elevations, which are princi- pally covered with evergreens, and terminate the landscape. The Indians during Philip's war resorted to the falls for the pur- pose of taking fish, as vast quantities of shad, salmon, and other fish ascended the river daring the spring season. Several hundred Indians took a station on the right bank of the river, on elevated ground ; a smaller party occupied the opposite bank ; and another was stationed at what is now called Smead's Island, upwards of a mile below. As the English forces at Hadley and the adjacent towns were not, at this time, numerous, the Indians appeared to have considered themselves but little exposed to an attack. Two lads, Stebbins and Gilbert, who had been taken prisoners and car- ried to the falls, fortunately made their escape, and gave informa- tion of the position and carelessness of the Indians. On the receipt of this intelligence, it was determined to attack them by surprise. About one hundred and sixty mounted men assembled at Hatfield, o I L L . 255 under the command of Capt. Turner of the colony troops. He was accompanied by Capt. Holyoke of Springfield, and Ensign Lyman of Northampton. Under the direction of two skilful guides, the English commenced their march for the falls, about twenty miles distant, in the evening of 17th of May. " Passing the ruins of Deerfield, and the river at the northerly part of the meadow in that town, they were heard by a lodge of Indians, seated at what is now called Cheapside, a small distance below the place where the English forded. The Indians immedi- ately turned out and examined the usual place of crossing, but, finding no trail, supposed the noise to proceed from moose wading the river, and returned to their lodge. Turner having passed Green river and a trackless forest of about four miles, halted on elevated ground, a small distance west of Fall river, about half a mile from the Indian camp at the falls, where his men dismounted and left their horses, tied to saplings, under a small guard. About the dawn of day the English crossed Fall river, and, climbing up an abrupt hill, went rapidly through an intervening wood, rushed upon the camp, and found the Indians in a deep sleep, without even a watch. Roused from their slumber by the sudden discharge of musketry, they fled towards the river, exclaiming, Mohawks ! Mohmoks ! verily believing this furious enemy was upon them. Many leaped into their canoes, some in the hurry forgetting their paddles, and, attempting to cross, were shot by the English or pre- cipitated down the cataract and drowned. Some were killed in their cabins, others were cut down under the shelving rocks of the river bank, where they had fled for shelter. One hundred Indians were left dead on the ground, one hundred and forty passed down the falls, but one of whom escaped drowning. Their whole loss, as was aclniowledged afterwards, was about three hundred men, among whom were some of their principal chiefs. Turner, who at this time had lost but one of his men, now returned towards his horses. By this time the Indians from the east side of the river, having joined those from Smead's Island, advanced on the left and rear of the English. Capt. Holyoke, who with part of the force formed a rear guard, often drove back the savages with great reso- lution. They, however, continued their attacks, being covered by a thick morass extending along the left flank of the retiring troops. By a captive which they took the English were informed that Philip was now approaching with a thousand Indians. This, with several attacks at various points, produced a panic among the men, and the main body at length fell mto confusion, and separated into several parties under different leaders. Two of these parties were cut off" by the Indians, and the prisoners of one party, as was after- wards ascertained, were burnt to death. Capt. Turner, at the head of the van, being enfeebled by a previous sickness, was unable to act with his usual vigor, and with m.uch difficulty reached Green river. The enemy came up as he was crossing over, and he soon fell by a shot. Capt. Holyoke, who then commanded, continued the retreat through the meadow bordering Green river, and, cross- 256 GREENFIELD. ing a pine plain and Deerfield river, entered the meadow in that town, hard pressed by the Indians, and after sustaining several furious attacks arrived at Hatfield, with the loss of thirty-eight men. ' The most fatal part of the retreat lay across the present town of Greenfield, to the north of the extended swamp, lying north of the old meeting-house. Capt. Turner is supposed to have fallen in Greenfield meadow, near the mouth of the hrook, on which now stands Nasirs mill, where his body was afterwards found by a scouting party of the English. The Indians followed Holyoke to the village, now called the Bars^ at the south end of Deerfield meadow.' "* GREENFIELD. This town was formerly a part of Deerfield. It was incorpo- rated as a town in 1753. Rev. Edward Billings, the first minister of the first Congregational church in this town, was a native of Sunderland ; he settled here in 1754. He was succeeded by Rev. Roger Newton, D. D., in 1761. Rev. Gamaliel S. Olds was settled as colleague in 1813; he resigned in 1816, and became professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in the University of Ver- mont and in Amherst college. His successor was Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge, who was succeeded by Rev. Amariah Chandler in 1832. Rev. Titus Strong, D. D., the present rector of the Episco- pal church, was instituted by Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, in 1814. The first pastor of the second church was Rev. Charles Jenkins, who was settled in 1820 ; his successors have been Rev. Wm. C. Fowler, Rev. C. S. Henry, Rev. Th. Bellows, and Rev. Saml. Wash- burn. The first minister of the Unitarian Congregational church was the Rev. Winthrop Bailey, who was installed in 1825, and died in 1835. He was succeeded by Rev. John Parkman Jr., in 1837. The principal part of Greenfield is composed of an extensive plain ; on the eastern part of the township runs a succession of eminences, of moderate height, which are a continuation of Deer- field mountain. The soil on and near these eminences is, for some extent, light and sandy ; that of the plain is moderately good ; and that along Green river, near the western border, is excellent. Greenfield is the shire town of Franklin county . The village is beautifully situated on an elevated plain, rising above the interval on Green river, and built on two intersecting streets. The village consists of 100 well-built dwelling-houses, 4 churches, 2 Congre- gational, one of which is Unitarian, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist, a court-house, jail, a bank, the " Cxreenfield Bank," with a capital of $150,000, 2 printing-offices, with quite a number of mercantile stores and mechanic shops. The "Greenfield High School for young Ladies " has a high reputation, and the buildings connected with it are large, extensive, and elegant, and add very much to the fine appearance of the village. The following statement of dis- * Hoyt's Indian Wars, p. 131. GREENFIELD. 257 tances was taken from a guide-board, (or a kind of pilaster,) stand- ing near the elegant hotel in the center of the place : 20 miles to Northampton ; 3 to Deerfield ; 7 to Bernardston ; 9 to Coleraine ; 4U to Springfield; 54 to Worcester; 20 to Brattleboro', Vt. ; 118 to Haverhill ; 66 to Hartford, Con. ; 255 to Montreal, U. C. ; and 88 miles to Boston. Population of the town, 1,840. In 1837, there Avas in the town 1 woollen mill, 4 sets of ma- chinery ; 36,000 lbs. of cotton and 150,000 lbs. of wool were con- sumed, and 180,000 yards of satinet were manufactured, the value of which was $;110,000; males employed, 26; females, 63; capital invested, .f 80,000. Merino sheep, 1,000; other kinds of sheep, 1,153 ; merino wool produced, 2,730 lbs.; other kinds of wool, 3,459 lbs. This town during the Indian and French wars was made the theater for some of the horrors of Indian warfare. The fall fight, so called, took place near the eastern l>order of this town. (See account of Gill.) The most fatal part of the action to the English took place within the limits of this town. The following case of individual suffering deserves notice : it is extracted from Hoyis Indian Wars. Mr. Jonathan Wells, of Hatfield, one of the twenty who remained in the rear when Turner began his march from the falls, soon after mounting his horse received a shot in one of his thighs, which had previously been fractured and badly healed, and another shot wounded his horse. With much difficulty he kept his saddle, and, after several narrow escapes, joined the main body just at the time it separated into several parties, as has been related. Attaching himself to one that was making towards the jiwamp on the left, and perceiving the enemy in that direction, he altered his route, and joined another party flying in a different direction. Unable to keep up with the party, he was soon left alone, and not long after fell in with one Jones, who was also wounded. The woods being thick and the day cloudy, they soon got bewildered, and Wells lost his companion ; and after wandering in various directions, accidentally struck Green river, and proceeding up the stream, arrived at a place, since called the country farms, in the northerly part of Greenfield. Passing the river, and attempting to ascend an abrupt hill, bordering the interval west, he fell from his liorse exhausted. After lying senseless some lime, he revived and found his faithful animal standing by him ; making him fast to a tree, he again lay down to rest himself, but finding he should not be able to remount, he turned the horse loose, and making use of his gun as a crutch hobbled up the river, directly opposite to the course he ought to have taken. His progress was slow and painful, and being much annoyed by niusquetoes, towards night he struck up a fire, which soon spread in all directions, and with some difficulty he avoided the flames. New fears now arose ; the fire, he conjectured, might guide the Indians to the spot, and he should be sacrificed to their fury. Under these impres- sions he divested himself of his ammunition, that it might not fall mto their hands — bound up his thigh with a handkerchief, and staunched the blood, and composing him- self as much as possible, soon fell into a sleep. Probably before this he had conjec- tured that he was pursuing a wrong course, for in a dream he imagined himself bewildered, and was impressed with the idea that he must turn down the stream to find his home. The rising of the sun the next morning convinced him that his sleeping impressions were correct — that he had travelled from, instead of towards Hatfield, and that he was then further from that place than the falls, where the action took place. He was now some distance up Green river, where the high lands closed down to the stream. Reversing his course, he at length regained the level interval in tne upper part of Greenfield, and soon found a foot path which led him to the trail of his retreating comrades ; this he pursued to Deerfield river, which, with much difficulty, he forded by the aid of his gun ; ascending the bank, he laid himself down to rest, and being overcome with fatigue, he fell asleep ; but soon awaking, he discovered an Indian making directly towards him, in a canoe. Unable to flee, and finding his situation desperate, he presented his gun, then wet and filled with sand and gravel, as if in the act of firing j the Indian, leaving his own gun, instantly leaped from his canor 35 258 GREENFIELD. into the water, escaped to the opposite shore, and disappeared. Wells now concii»deci he should be sacrificed by others, who he knew were but a small distance down the river; but determining if possible to elude them, he gained an adjacent swamp, and secreted himself under a pile of drift-wood. The Indians were soon heard in search of him, traversing the swamp in all directions, and passing over the drift-wood ; but lying close, he fortunately avoided discovery, and after they had given up the search and left the place, he continued his painful march through Deerfield meadows. Hunger now began to prey upon him, and looking about he accidentally discovered the skele- ton of a horse, from the bones of which he gathered some animal matter, which he eagerly devoured, and soon after found a few birds' eggs, and some decayed beans, which in some measure allayed the cravings of nature, and added to his strength. Passing the ruins of Deerfield at dusk, he arrived the next morning at Lathrop's battle- ground, at Bloody Brook, in the south part of Deerfield, where he found himself so exhausted that he concluded he must give up further efforts, lie down, and die. But after resting a short time and recollecting that he was within about eight miles of Hatfield, his resolution returned, and he resumed his march over pine woods, then smoking with a recent fire ; here he found himself in great distress from a want of water to quench his thirst, and almost despaired of reaching his approximated home. But once more rousing himself, he continued his route, and about mid-day on Sunday reached Hatfield, to the inexpressible joy of his friends, who had supposed him dead. After a long confinement, Mr. Wells' wound was healed, and he lived to an advanced age, a worthy member of the town. After the sacking of Deerfield, Rouville, the commander of the French and Indian.s, after the destrnction of the town, after a march of abont fonr miles, encamped in the meadows on the bank of the river. The second day's march was slow. At the upper part of Grreenfield meadow it was necessary to pass Green river, a small stream, then open, in which Mrs. Williams, the wife of the Rev. John Williams, plunged under water, bnt, recovering herself, she with difficulty reached the shore, and con- tinued her route. An abrupt hill was now to be surmounted, and Mr. Williams entreated his Indian master for leave to return and help forward his distressed wife; he was refused, and she left to struggle with difficulties beyond her power. Her cruel and bloody master, finding her a burthen, sunk his hatchet in her head, and left her dead at the foot of the hill. Her body was soon afterwards taken up and interred in the burial-ground in Deerfield. On the twelfth of August, 1766, a party of Indians attacked five men at labor at a place called the Country farms, in the northerly part of Greenfield. The Indians had secreted themselves on an adjacent eminence, and observed the people deposit their arms before they commenced their labor, and by a cautious approach placed them- selves between them and the men, and rushing furiously on, gave their fire ; but it proved harmless. Destitute of the means of defence, the people fled in diflferent direc- tions ; Shubal Atlierton leaped into a ravine, among thick brush, where he was dis- covered, shot, and scalped ; Benjamin Hastings and John Graves, dashing through Green river, outstripped the Indians, and escaped ; but Daniel Graves and Nathaniel Brooks were captured. The former being in years, and unable to travel with the speed of the Indians, was killed a small distance from the place of capture; Brooks was carried off, and never returned; whether he suffered the fate of his fellow-pri- soner, is not known. A party of people from Greenfield village hurried on to the spot, and followed the trail of the enemy some distance, and were soon joined by Major Williams with a party from Deerfield, but the enemy eluded their pursuers. The following is copied from a monument in the grave-yard in this place : — Sacred to the memory of Thomas Chapman, Esq., a native of Barforth, in York- shire, Great Britain ; and many years a resident at Cossim-buzar, in the East Indies. He departed this transitory life May 25th, A. D. 1819, aged 73 j and was a Gentlemao H A W L E Y . 259 of inviolable integrity, of great urbanity of manners, and a generous example of good old English hospitality. He was also an affectionate Father, an indulgent husband, a zealous friend of the primitive church, and a sincere follower of Jesus Christ. Hence he lived beloved, and died lamented, by a large circle of friends and acquain- tance, and the few sorrowing relatives who have erected this marble to perpetuate his remembrance. HAWLEY This town was incorporated in 1792. It has an elevated situa- tion on the Green mountain range, and is well watered by several branches of Deerfield river. Rev. Jonathan Grout, the first Con- gregational minister, was settled here in 1793; he died in 1S35, aged 72. His successor was Rev. Tyler Thacher. No regular minister has yet been settled over the second parish. The names of some of the first settlers were Deacon Joseph Bangs, Adjvtaiit Zebedee Wood, Daniel Burt, Samuel and Arthur Hitchcock, Timothy Baker, Reuben Cooley, Joseph Easton, Elisha Hunt, Abel Parker, Nathan West, Phineas Scott, Thomas King, Joseph Long- ley, William Mclntire, and James Percival. Part of the north part of the town is named from Bozrah, Con., from which place some of the first settlers came. Old Mr. Hale, one of the first settlers of this town, located him- self about half a mile from the South Hawley post-office. He is described as being a very singular sort of a man. He was never married, but lived by himself: with his own hands he cleared up land and raised a considerable quantity of grain. He used to talk much to himself, and was very much harassed by the appearance of "spirits," which he said very much troubled him: he, however, like Fingal," showed fight " with his tormentors. He has been seen armed with a pitchfork, and to all ai"»pearance, as far as he was concerned, engaged in mortal combat with his enemies. He would violently thrust the fork into the air in various directions about him, furnishing a kind of representation of Fingal's cele- brated contest with the spirit of Loda, thus described in Carric- Thura, a poem of Ossian : " The flame was dim and distant ; the moon hid her red face in the east. A blast came from the mountain ; on its wings was the spirit of Loda. He came to his place in his terrors, and shook his dusky spear. His eyes appear like flames in his dark face ; his voice is like distant thunder. Fingal advanced his spear in night, and raised his voice on high. " ' Son of night, retire : call thy winds, and fly ! Why dost thou come to my presence with thy shadowy arms? Do I fear thy gloomy form, spirit of dismal Loda? Weak IS thy shield of clouds ; feeble is that meteor thy sword ! The blast rolls them together ; and thou thyself art lost. Fly from my presence, son of night! call thy winds and fly!' '"Dost thou force me from my place?' replied the hollow voice. 'The people bend before me. I turn the battle in the field of the brave. I look on the nations, and they vanish ; my nostrils pour the blast of death. I come abroad on the winds : the tempests are before my face. But my dwelling is calm, above the clouds ; the fields of my rest are pleasant.' '"Dwell in thy pleasant fields,' said the king. 'Let Combal's son be forgot. Do my steps ascend from my hills into thy peaceful plains ? Do I meet thee with a speai on thy cloud, spirit of dismal Loda ? Why then dost thou frown on me ? why shake 260 H B A T H . thine airy spear ? Thou frownest in vain : I never fled from the mighty in war. And shall the sons of the wind frighten the king of Morven ? No : he knows the weakness of their arms ! ' « 'Fly to thy land,' replied the form ; 'receive thy wind, and fly ! The blasts are in the hollow of my hand ; the course of the storm is mine. The king of Sora is my son ; he bends at the stone of my power. His battle is around Carric-thura ; and he will prevail ! Fly to thy land, son of Combal, or feel my flaming wrath ! ' " He ILlied high his shadowy spear! He bent forward his dreadful height. Fingal, advancing, drew his sword ; the blade of dark-brown Luno. The gleaming path of the steel winds through the gloomy ghost. The form fell shapeless into air, like a column of smoke, which the stafl" of the boy disturbs as it rises from the half-extin- guished furnace." In 1837, there were in this town 2,716 merino sheep, which pro- duced 8,148 lbs. of wool, valued at .f 4,574. The value of leather tanned and curried was !|13,000. Population, 985. Distance, 20 miles from Greenfield, 23 from Northampton, 53 to Albany, and about 120 from Boston. HEATH. This town was incorporated in 1785. Rev. Joseph Strong, the first minister, was settled here in 1790. The church originated from that in Charlemont, at the close of the Revolutionary war, when Mr. Leavitt was the minister of the latter. " It was a period of some difficulty, owing, in part, to the state of the times." The number of original members was thirty-five. Rev. Moses Miller succeeded Mr. Strong in the ministry, in 1804. It is stated in the American Quarterly Register, Feb. 1838, as follows, viz. : "The church now consists of about 200. It has been diminished 100, by emigration. About 60 families attend Mr. Miller's meeting; of which 15 do not belong to the parish. About 350 persons attend meeting statedly ; 30 families attend the Baptist meeting ; 10 the Methodist ; and 20 are Unitarians. At one time one third of the persons in town were professors of religion." This is principally an agricultural town. The principal articles manufactured in the town are palm-leaf hats ; of these, in 1837, there were 30,000 maiuifactured, valued at |5,000. The number of inhabitants in 1830 was 1.199 ; in 1837 it was reduced to 953. Distance, 4 miles N. of Charlemont, 13 from Greenfield, and 125 from Boston. There are three churches in the town, 1 Congrega- tional, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist; and two post-oflices. One of the cordon of forts, built in 1744 for a defence against the Indians, was situated in this town, and was called Fort Shirley. LEVERETT This to\vn was incorporated in 1774. Rev. Henry Williams was installed pastor here in 1784. He died in 1811, and was succeed- LEY DEN. 261 ed by Rev. Joel Wright, in 1812, who continued pastor till 1820 ; Rev. Joseph Sawyer, the next minister, was settled in 1822. The next was Rev. Jonas Colbnrn, who was settled in 1824; and was succeeded, in 1832, by Rev. Freegrace Reynolds. This is principally an agricultural town. In 1837, there were two scythe factories, which manufactured 2,400 scythes, valued at $1,600. Palm-leaf hats manufactured, 30,400; the value of which was $4,590. There are two Congregational churches, one in the north, the other in the south part of the town ; there are two post- offices. Population, 902. Distance, 3 miles E. from Sunderland, 10 from Greenfield, and 85 from Boston. LEYDEN. This town Avas incorporated in 1809. It was formerly a part of Coleraine, and is now divided from that town by Green river, which, passing through Greenfield, passes into Deerfield river. There is one church in the town, which is situated in the central part, and belongs to the Baptists, the only regular denomination in the town. Agricultural pursuits is the business of the inhabitants. In 1837, there were 1,140 Saxony, 1,733 merino, and 269 other kinds of sheep in this town ; Saxony wool produced, 3,320 lbs. ; merino, 5,199 lbs. ; other kinds, 807 lbs. ; average weight of fleece, 3 lbs. ; value of wool, $5,129 30; capital invested, ,$7,855. Popu- lation, 656. Distance, 7 miles from Greenfield, and 100 from Bos- ton. The " G^Ze^i," a narrow rocky pass, through which a branch of the Green river passes, is much admired for its wild and pic- turesque scenery. WiUiam Dorrell, the founder of the sect of DorreUites, it is believed is still living in the north-west corner of this town. He is a native of England, and was born in Glou- cestershire, about 1750, and was the son of a farmer. He enlisted as a soldier when he was twenty years of age. He came to America and was captured with Burgoyne. He lived for a time in Petersham, where he married a Avoman by the name of Polly Chase ; he lived afterwards in Warwick, and then removed into Leyden. He was visited by a gentleman in 1834, from whom the above, and following particulars are derived. He was found living in a poor old house, situated in a blealc place, far from any travelled road. He was six feet or more in height. He did not believe in the Bible. He said the first revelation was made to him when he was chopping wood ; it was, " Ren- der yourself an acceptable sacrifice," or something similar. He began to have follow- ers in the spring of 1794, and at one time twenty or more families joined him ; some were from Bernardston. Dorrell held that all days were alike, and also to non-resist- ance, and would say that no arm of flesh could hurt him. Some of his followers wore wooden shoes and tow cloth. Dorrell jwssessed a good deal of firmness of mind, and it is said that the organ for this was very fully develojied in his cranium. He was in the habit of occasionally drinking too much : he was, hcn^'ever, very punctual in ful- fiUing all his engagements, whether drunk or sober. *he sect of which he was the head, it is believed, has become extinct. MONROE This town was incorporated in 1822. It is situated on the high lands north of Hoosic river. Distance, 23 miles from Greenfield, 262 MONTAGUE. and 130 N. W. of Boston. Number of inhabitants, 232. It is stated that no religious society has yet been formed in the place. In 1837, there were 400 Saxony, 600 merino, and 103 other kinds of sheep ; the average weight of whose fleeces were three and one fourth pounds. MONTAGUE. Montague was incorporated as a town in 1753. Before that time, the southern part belonged to the town of Sunderland, and the northern part belonged to the state. It is about 6 miles square. The general face of the town is uneven, the soil various ; a range of highlands in the easterly part of the town, the parts of which Nonn-wesi view of Moruague, i^cenirai pan.) are designated by different names, Harvey's Hill, Chesnut Hill, Bald Hill, Pine Hill, Quarry Hill, &c. South-westerly from the present center of the town there is a hill called Taylor Hill. The northerly part consists of pine plains ; on the west of the town, bordering upon the Connecticut, there is quite an extensive tract of meadow land, of a good quality for cultivation. There is also upon the Saw-mill river, which takes its rise from Lock's Pond, Shutesbury, considerable meadow land. This river enters the town of Montague near the south-east corner, and winds its way in a north-westerly direction, passing northerly of the center of the town, and empties itself into the Connecticut, about one mile from the south-west corner of the town. The town affords many excellent water privileges. Timber, clay, granite and other stone of a good quality for building, are abundant. The above is a view from the north-west of the central part of the town, on the bank of Saw-mill river, showing the two churches, and some other buildings in the vicinity. In 1837, there was $6,000's worth of scythe-snaiths and f3,000's worth of palm-leaf MONTAGUE. 263 hats manufactured. Population, 1,260. Distance, 7 miles from Greenfield, and 80 from Boston. In the north-westerly part of the town there is a canal 3 miles long, commencing at the head of Turner's falls, descent 70 feet, through which lumber and goods are conveyed in great abundance annually. There is a post-office at this place, called Montague Canal post-office. From time to time many traces of savage men are here discovered, such as points of arrows, stone chisels, &.c. The first ordained minister was the Rev. Judah Nash, as appears upon a slab of slate-stone over his grave ; was settled Nov. 17, 1752, died Feb. 19, 1805, having continued with his people 53 years. And it is engraven upon said slab, that " He was faithful to his God, a lover of the church, a friend to mankind. Ever ready to hear affliction's cry, And trace his Maker's will with a curious eye, He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds and led the w"ay. At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His look adorned the venerable place." The names of some of the first settlers are Ellis, Harvey, Root, Gunn, Taylor, Clapp, &c. The celebrated Capt. Jonathan Carver had his residence in this town for many years.* One of his daugh- ters married a Mr. Moses Gunn, who is still living in this place, and through the descent of his children by Capt. Carver's daughter claims an interest in what is called the Carver lands, granted him by the western Indians, situated in the Wisconsin Territory. The following was transcribed from a grave-stone in said Mon- tague, about one mile from the present center: — "In memory of Mrs. Olive, wife of Mr. Moses Gunn, and daughter of Capt. .Jona- than Carver of Montague, who died April 21, 1789, aged 30 years, leaving 4 children." That part of the town taken from Sunderland in early times was called Hunting-hill Fields, Tradition says that it was thick- ly inhabited by animals of the forest, such as bears, wolves, deer, and moose. From the many stories of hunters, one only is select- ed. " A Mr. Ebenezer Tuttle and his father, of this place, at the time of its first settlement, went out on a hunting expedition, agree- ing to continue out over night, designating the spot, about 3 miles from any house, in the easterly part of the town, in a gloomy forest. They separated for the objects of their pursuit. The son returned first to the place of encampment ; he had not been there long before he heard a noise, saw the bushes move, and, being somewhat frightened, he thought he saw a bear, levelled his piece and fired ; his father replied, ' You have killed me ! ' and soon expir ed. It was then almost dark. He took his father in his arms, with what emotions nor pen nor tongue can describe, and continued with him till day, and then went and gave information of what had taken place." In the grave-yard in said Montague there is the following inscription: — '*' Communication from J. Hartwell, Esq. 264 NEW SALEM. "In memory of Mr. Elijah Bordwell, who died Jan"? 26, 1786, in y« 27th year of his age, having but a few days survived y^ fatal night when he was flung from his horse and dra^vn by y^ sturrup 26 rods along ye path, as appeared by y^ place where his hat was found, and here he had spent y° whole of the following severe cold night tread- ing down the snow in a small circle. The Family he left was an aged Father, a wife' and three small children."' NEW SALEM. This town was incorporated in 1753. The first inhabitants were chiefly from Middleborough, and some from Danvers. The first minister was Rev. Samuel Kendal, who died in 1792, and was succeeded in the ministry by Rev. Joel Foster, who was settled in 1779 ; he resigned in 1802, and was succeeded by Rev. Warren Pierce. Rev. Alpheus Harding succeeded Mr. Pierce in 1807. The north Congregational society erected their meeting-house in 1836, about three and a half miles north of the south church. The church (called the Orthodox) was organized in 1824. Rev. Levi French was settled pastor the next year; he was succeeded by Rev. Erastus Curtiss, in 1834. There is a Baptist church near the southern line of the town. The south Congregational church and the academy, which was incorporated in 1795, stand on a very elevated hill, which com- mands an extensive prospect over the neighboring valleys. " The fogs of Connecticut river seldom rise above this place, while it covers the surrounding country ; and the towering Monadnock on the north appear like islands rising from a boundless ocean." This place is 19 miles from Greenfield, 12 from Montague, 35 from Worcester, 10 from Athol, and 73 from Boston. The Millington post-ofiice, in this town, is 3 miles distant from this place, in a little village in the south part of the town. Population, 1,255. Agri- culture is the principal business of the inhabitants. The manu- facture of palm-leaf hats, however, receives considerable attention. In 1837, seventy-nine thousand were manufactured, valued at $13,575. The following, relative to Revolutionary times, is copied from the Barre Gazette. " The news of the battle at Lexington flew through New England like wildfire. The swift horseman with his red flag proclaimed it in every village, and made the stirring call upon the patriots to move forward in defence of the rights so ruthlessly invaded and now sealed with the martyr's blood. Putnam, it will be recollected, left his plough in the furrow and led his gallant band to Cambridge. Such instances of promptness and devotion were not rare. We have the following instance of the display of fervid patriotism from an eye-witness— one of those valued rehcs of the band of '76, whom now a grateful nation delights to honor. "When the intelligence reached New Salem in this state, the people were hastily as- sembled on the village green, by the notes of alarm. Every man came with his gun, and other hasty preparations for a short march. The militia of the town were then divided into two companies, one of which was commanded by Capt. G. This company was paraded before much consultation had been had upon the proper steps to be taken in the emergency, and while determination was expressed on almost every countenance, »he men stood silently leaning on their muskets, awaiting the movement of the spin' NORTH FIELD. •• . 265 iH the officers. ' The captain was supposed to be tinctured \vith toryisni,_and his. present indecisioii and backwardness were ample proof, if n6t of his attachment to royalty, at least of his unfitness to lead a patriot band. ' Some murmms began to be heard, when the first lieutenant, William Stacy, took off his hat and addressed them. He was a man of stout heart, but of f(^w words. " Pulling his commission from his pocket, Ke said : '.Fellow-soldiers, L don't know exactly how' it is with the rest of you, but for one, I will no longer serve a king. that murders my own.countrytnen •;' and tearing the paper in a hundred pieces, he trod it un^.^r his foot. 'Sober as were ihe people by nature, they could not restrain a loud, wiM hurra *as he stepped forward and took his place m the ranks. G. still falterecl, and made a feeble endeavor to restore order ; but they heeded him as little as the Avind. The company was Summarily disbanded, and a reor- ganization begun on the spot. The gallant Stacy was unanimously, chosen captain, and ' with a prouder commission than was ever borne on parchment, he led a small but efficient band to Cambridge. He continued in sei'vice through the war, reaching, we believe, before its close, the rank of lieutenant-colonel, under the'command of Put- nam." . ' The following inscriptions are copied from monuments standing in the grave-yard near the south Congregational church. • Sacred to the memory of Rev"^- Samuel Kendall, who died Jan. 31, 1792, in the 85 year of his age. first minister of New Salem. Equal in dust we all must lie ; And no distinction we can make, But Faith forbids the rising sigh, And sees my sleeping dust awake. In memory of Mrs. Lucy Kendall, the late virtuous & amiable consort of Mr. Sam- uel Kendall, Jr., who died Oct. y" 22, 1784, in the 34'''year of her age. Tantum mors temporalem vastat felicitatem.* Nor art nor virtue could redeem from death. Nor anxious love prolong her lab'ring breath ; Conjugal bands asunder must be torn. And thou, surviving partner, left to mourn ; But let her virtue now your grief suppress, And wait reluctant till you meet in bliss. NORTHFIELD " In 1672, a township was granted to John Pynchon, Mr. Pearson^ and other associates, at Squakheag, now Northfield, on Cohnecticut river; and the following year a few people from Northampton^ Hadley, and Hatfield, began a plantation at that place. The township was laid out on both sides of the river, and included an area of six miles by twelve, extending several miles into the pre- sent states of New Hampshire and Vermont, including a valuable tract of interval land. The northern boundary of Massachusetts was at this time unknown, but the grant was supposed to be within the limits of the province. A deed to William Clark and John King of Northampton, agents for the proprietors o{ Northfield, covering the grant, was made August 13, 1687, by Nawelet Gon- gegua, Aspiambelet, Addarawanset, and Meganichcha, Indians of * Thus does death destroy temporal (happiness) felicity. 3G 266 NORTH FIELD the place, in consideration of 'two hundred fathom of wampum and fifty-seven pounds worth of trading goods.' It was signed with the marks of the grantors, and witnessed by Jonatlian Hunt, Preserved Clap, William Clark, Jr., Peter Jethro, Joseph Atherton, and Israel Chauncey." "The planters built small huts, and co- vered them with thatch ; made a place for public worship ; and built a stockade and fort." A great part of Northfield is excellent land, particularly several valuable intervals on both sides of Connecticut river. The village of Northfield is situated on an elevated plain, rising above the meadows on the Connecticut. The main street runs parallel with the river, and is about a mile in length ; it is wide, and ornamented with shade trees. The houses are handsomely built. There are two churches and an academy in the village. Southern view in the central part of Northfield. The above is a southern view in the central part of the village, showing the Unitarian church and some other buildings, with the shade trees ; the whole intended to give a characteristic view of the appearance of the village. This place is about 12 miles from Greenfield, 12 from Brattleborough, Vt, 16 from New Salem, 13 to Montague, 78 to Hartford, Ct., and 78 to Boston. Population, 1,605. Very little is done in the manufacturing business at present in this town. Northfield has suffered much from the horrors of Indian warfare and bloodshed. Upon the opening of Philip's war, Northfield, be- ing a frontier settlement, was much exposed to the attacks of the enemy. In the beginning of September, 1675, nine or ten people were killed in the woods at Northfield ; others escaped to the gar- rison-house. The day after this took place, and before it was known at Hadley, Capt. Beers, with thirty-six mounted infantry, was detached by Major Treat, to convoy provisions to the garri- son and people at Northfield. Beers' route led through the present NORTHFIELD. 267 towns of Sunderland, Montague, and the tract called Erving's Grant, then a continued forest, through which was an imperfect road, the distance of nearly thirty miles ; and though continually exposed to attacks, he passed several difficult places, and among others Miller's river, without seeing an Indian. Dismounting and leaving the horses, the march was continued on foot, and was ne- cessarily retarded by an accompanying baggage. At the distance of about two miles from the garrison at Northfield, the route lay over a deep swampy ravine, through which ran a considerable brook, emptying into Connecticut river. Discovering Beers' ap- proach, a large body of Indians formed an ambuscade at this place, and lay ready to attack his front and right. Without discovering the snare. Beers arrived at the point, and received the fire of the Indians from the margin of the ravine on his right. A considera- ble proportion of the party fell on the spot ; the remainder instantly broke, and, in scattered order, retreated over a piece of level ground, closely followed by the Indians. Beers, with a few of his men, gained an abrupt hill, about three fourths of a mile in his rear, where they bravely maintained their ground some time against an overwhelming force ; but at length he received a fatal shot, and the survivors were compelled to retire from the ground. Out of the thirty-six, only sixteen escaped back to Hadley, leaving the baggage and wounded in the hands of the enemy.^ Two days after this fatal disaster, Major Treat, with one hundred men, ar- rived on the ground where Beers was defeated, and witnessed the horrid barbarity of the savages. Several of the slain were behead- ed, and their heads were elevated on poles near the road ; one man was suspended to the limb of a tree, by a chain hooked to his un- der jaw, probably when alive, and the whole scene was appalling. Pursuing his march to the town, the major found the garrison safe, and brought them off with the inhabitants. The Indians soon after destroyed the fort, houses, and every thing valuable in tht; town. During the first part of " King William's war," which com- menced in 1690, Northfield was again occupied by a few settlers, pro- tected by small works, and a few troops, furnished by government ; but the people were at length compelled to abandon it, on which the Indians the second time destroyed the place. Immediately after the peace of 1713, the settlers of Northfield returned to their plantations, rebuilt their houses, and one for public worship; and in 1718, they settled Mr. Benjamin Doolittle, from Wallingford, Con., as minister of the place, which then consisted of about thirty families. The following is the date of the settlement of the cler- gymen succeeding Mr. Doolittle: .lohn Hubbard in 1750; Samuel * Hoyfs Indian Wars. The ground where this disaster took place is still called Beers! ylain, and the hill where the captain fell, Beers' mot(ntai?i. At a sandy knoll on the west side of the road, near the place where the attack commenced, the bones of the slain were a few years since to be found bleaching in the sun. The mail route from Montague to Northfield formerly passed over the ground ; it now runs a little to th« west. Janes' mill is situated a small distance north of the place of attack. 268 ORANGE. C. Allen in 1795 ; Thomas Mason in 1799 ; George W. Hosmer in 1830; Oliver C. Everett in 1837. The Trinitarian church was formed in 1825. Eli Moody and Bancroft Fowler have been min- isters of this church. The Methodist church stands in the south- ern part of the town. [From the Boston Post Boy, May 12, 1746.] •' By an express from the westward, we are informed, that the Indians kill'd a man who was going from Lunenburg to Northfield, about a fortnight ago, but was not found until last Monday. He had been to Boston, and was on his return home, with about four or five hundred pounds with him in paper bills, which he was carrying up to Northfield to pay the billeting of soldiers. — And that at No. 4, another man was killed last Friday sev'night, the circumstances of which are pretty remarkable. Maj. Willard with several soldiers went as a guard to some women, not far from the fort, who went out to milk their cows. Two of the party having separated to go to the barn, one of them seeing a door of the stable open, ran before to shut it, fearing the cat- tle might have got in there ; and just as he had got to the door, he saw 7 or 8 of them in the stable; upon which he cried out, ^/ie5Z«i/e is full of Indians ! They not minding it, the Indians rushed out and fired upon them, and shot this man. The major and guard hearing the gvins, called the men to arms, and advanced in haste toward the enemy ; but before they got nigh enough, they saw one of the Indians, a very stout fellow, run up to the man they had shot and strike him on the head, which entirely dispatched him ; but the major getting good aim, fired, and supposes to have struck him, as they were scouring off, this fellow being seen from the fort to drop at some distance, but was carried off by the others ; also much blood was seen at the place, and his blankets, very bloody, were found." The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the burial-ground in this place : Rev. John Hubbard, A. BI., second minister of this town, died Nov. 28, 1794, in the 69"* year of his age, and 45''' of his ministry. A man he was to all his people dear And passing rich with eighty pounds a year ; Remote from towns, he held his godly race. Nor ever changed, nor wish'd to change his place. In duty, faithful, prompt at every call. He watch'd, and wept, and prayM for all ; He try'd each art, reproved each dull delay, Allur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way. In memory of the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Doolittle, first pastor of the church in North field, who died Jan.''- y O"". 1748, in the 54"' year of his age & 30'h year of his minis- try. Bless'd with good hUelectiial pans, Well skilled in two important arts, Nobly he filled the double station Both of a preacher and physician. To euro men's sicknesses and sins, He took unwearied care and pains; And strove to make his patient whole Throughout, in body and in soul. He lov'd his God, lov'd to do good, To all his friends vast kindness show'd ; Nor could his enem'»s exclaim, And say he waa iiol kind to them. His labors met a sudden close, Now he en joys a sweet repose ; And when the just to life shall rise. Among the first, he'll mount the skies. ORANGE. This town was incorporated in 1783. The face of the township is generally rough and uneven. Miller's river, which now passes through the central part of the town, affords valuable water privi- leges. Mr. Emerson Foster and Mr. Chandler are the only minis- R O W E, 269 tcrs who have been settled over tlie old church in Orange, now in the northern section of the town. Mr. Foster was minister here about 1798. Mr. Chandler was in the place but a short time. In 1837 an ecclesiastical council convened and organized a church, called the " Evangelical Church of Orange." Southern vieiv of Orange, [antral part.) The above is a southern view of the flourishing little village of Orange, now in the central part of the town. Miller's river, which passes through the place, Avas formerly the southern boundary of Orange. The northern part of New Salem has been quite recently annexed to this town, so that this village is now in the central part. The forests have been recently cleared away in the immediate vicinity, and the place presents the appearance of a new settlement springing up in the wilderness. Population of the town in April, 1837, Avas 1,543. Distance. 75 miles from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 72,300 palm-leaf hats, the value of which was $12,050. R O W E . This town was incorporated in 1785. It has an elevated situa- tion, and was originally purchased by a Mr. .Tones. In 1838. the legislature annexed a part of an unincorporated tract, called j^onr, to this town. This tract comprised 1,875 acres of land, adjoining the south part of the town, on which were six families. One of the cordon efforts erected about 1744 for a defence against the French and Indians was situated in this town. The ruins of this fortifi- cation, called Fort Pelltam, are situated south-east of the Congre- gational church in the center of the town, on Pelham brook, a small stream, being the only one passing through the town. Rev. Preserved Smith, the first minister, was settled" here in 1787; his successor was Rev. Jonathan Keith, was settled in 1 808, and was 270 SHELBURNE. succeeded by Mr. Smith, who again settled in 1812. His successor was Rev. William D. Stearns, was settled in 1835. Rev. John C. Thompson was settled over the Trinitarian church in 1835. There are four religious societies and four meeting-houses in this town. Population, 688. Distance, 22 miles from Greenfield and 130 from Boston. There is a woollen mill in this town. In 1837 there were 302 Saxony, 1,630 merino, and 364 of other kinds of sheep, producing wool to the value of $4,249 80. SHELBURNE. This town was originally a part of Deerfield, called Deei^Jield North- West. It received its present name from Lord Shelbiir7ie, of England. It was incorporated a distinct town in 1768. The first settlement was made in the eastern part of the town ; the first meeting-house, which was built of logs and plastered, stood about half a mile north of the present Congregational church in the cen- ter of the town. The first Congregational minister was Rev. Ro- bert Hubbard, who was settled in 1773 ; he died in Middletown, Ct. in 1788, aged 45. His successor was Rev. Jesse Townsend, who was settled in 1792, and resigned in 1797 ; the next pastor was Rev. Theophilus Packard, D. D., who was settled in 1799; he was succeeded by his son of the same name in 1828. The Shakers came into this town in 1782; they continued here about three years, when they removed to New Lebanon : a Mr. Wood was their elder or leader. The oldest house now standing in Shelburne Falls village was built by these people. The first Baptist church in this town was formed in 1788, and their first minister was a Mr. Green ; in 1792 Rev. David Long became its pastor, and con- tinued his labors nearly forty years. The Unitarian society was formed in 1828. The Rev. Pliny Fiske, a missionary to Palestine, who died at Beyroot, in Syria, in 1825, was a native of this town. The following is a S. Eastern view of Shelburne Falls village, on Deerfield river, on the western boundary of the town. It consists of about thirty dwelling-houses, a church, an academy, and other buildings. The descent of the river at this place is forty-seven feet in the distance of forty rods, which affords abundant water power for several mills for different purposes. This village is uncom- monly neat and beautiful in its general appearance. The engra- ving shows the northern part. Deerfield river runs a few rods westward of the houses represented ; it bends round to the east- ward, passing over a rocky bed, falling in some places perpen- dicularly, foaming and roaring. This, with the elevated banks on each side, covered with forest trees, presents a wild and pictu- resque scene. The church seen in the engraving in the distance is the Baptist church, erected in 1836. The second Baptist church was formed in 1833, and the Rev. John Alden, Jr., was constituted pastor. SHUTBSBURY. 271 South-eastern view of Sheldurne Falls Village. The Franklin Academy, located in this village, was incorporated in 1823. Two buildings are connected with the institution : one, (the academy) is a brick edifice, 52 feet by 38, and three stories in height. It is seen in the engraving in the distance, with a small tower or steeple on the roof. The other is the house occu- pied by the principal, and others connected with the academy. It is 80 feet by 30, and stands about 60 rods east of the brick building. The average number of scholars for the last five years has been about 90 each term. Ever since its formation it has been under the charge of Mr. Alden, the Baptist clergyman mentioned above. This place is 4 miles from the center of the town, 9 from Greenfield, 25 from Northampton, and 100 from Boston. Popula- tion, 1,018. In 1837 there was one woollen mill; 1 scythe manu- factory, which manufactured 7,200 scythes, the value of which was $9,400. Fifteen hands were employed in the manufacture of scythe snaiths ; capital invested in this manufacture was $10,000. There were 6,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured, valued at $1,000. The value of wool produced in the town was $4,500 ; boots and shoes, $4,000. SHUTESBURY. This town was incorporated in 1761. The town was first set- tled mostly by people from Sudbury, in 1754, and was at that period called koad Town. The land is uneven, encumbered with stones, and the soil is generally of an inferior quality. The Rev. Abraham Hill, the first Congregational minister, was settled here in 1742. Imbibing political sentiments hostile to the American cause, Mr. Hill was alienated from his people, and was regularly dismissed, in 1778 ; the church was reduced to one member. It 272 SUNDERLAND. was reorganized in 1806 with 20 members. Rev. John Taylor was settled here, 1816 ; his successor was Rev. Martyn Cushman. Population, 816. Distance, 16 miles from Greenfield, 9 from Amherst, and 78 from Boston. In 1837, there were 22,000 palm- leaf hats manufactured. The following account of Mr. Ephraim Pratt, of this town, who hved to a vevy advanced age, is from the second volume of Dr. Dwight's Travels, page 358. "He was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts, in 1687; and in one month from the date of our arrival (Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 1803) would complete his one hundred and sixteenth year. He was of middle stature ; firmly built ; plump, but not encumbered with flesh ; less withered than multitudes at seventy ; possessed of considerable strength, as was evident from the grasp of his hand and the sound of his voice ; and without any marks of extreme age. About two months before, his sight became so impaired, that he was unable to distinguish persons. His liearing, also, for a short time had been so imperfect, that he could not distinctly hear common conversation. His memory was still vigorous ; his understanding sound ; and his mind sprightly in its conceptions. " The principal part of the time which I was in the house, he held me by the hand ; cheerfully answered all my questions ; readily gave me an account of himself in such particulars as I wished to know ; observed to me that my A'oice indicated that I was not less than forty-five years of age, and that he must appear very old to me ; adding, however, that some men, who had not passed their seventieth year, probably looked almost, or quite, as old as himself. The remark was certainly just ; but it was the first time that I had heard persons who had reached the age of seventy considered as being young. We were informed, partly by himself and partly by his host, that he had been a laborious man all his life ; and particularly, that he had mown grass one hun- dred and one years successively. The preceding summer he had been unable to per- form this labor. During this season his utmost effort was a walk of half a mile. lo this walk he stumbled over a log, and fell. Immediately afterwards he began evi- dently to decline, and lost in a considerable degree both his sight and hearing. In the summer of 1802, he walked without inconvenience two miles, and mowed a small quantity of grass. " Throughout his life he had been uniformly temperate. Ardent spirits he rarely tasted ; cider he drank at times, but sparingly. In the vigorous periods of life he had accustomed himself to eat flesh, but much more abstemiously than most other per- sons in this country. Milk, which had always been a great part, was now the whole of his diet. He is naturally cheerful, and humorous ; apparently unsusceptible of tender emotions ; and not much inclined to serious thinking. According to an account which he gave his host, he made a public profession of religion near seventy years before our visit to him ; but was not supposed by him, nor by others acquainted with him, to be a religious man. He conversed easily, and was plainly gratified with the visits and conversation of strangers. When he was ninety-three. years old, he made a bargain with his host, (who told us the story,) that he should support liim during the remainder of his life for £20. "He was never sick but once, and then wth the fever and ague. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that a man one hundred and sixteen years old, without religion, was a melancholy sight to me. " Three or four years before this time I saw in a newspaper an advertisement, written by a person who professed and appeared to be acquainted with him and his con- cerns, in which it was said that his descendants, some of whom were of the fifth generation, amounted probably to more than 1,500." SUNDERLAND. This town was originally a part of Hadley. It was incorpo- rated as a town in 1718, and the Rev. Josiah Willard Avas ordained the first minister the same year. Mr. Willard died in 1790, aged SUNDERLAND. 273 ninety years. The following ministers have succeeded him, viz. William Rand, who settled here in 1724 ; Joseph Ashley, in 1747 ; Asa Lyon, in 1792; David H. Williston, in 1804; James Taylor, in 1807 ; Henry B. Holmes, in 1833. The central village of Sunderland is pleasantly situated on a fine interval of land on the east bank of Connecticut river. It consists of about fifty dwelling-houses and a Congregational church. The village street is about three fourths of a mile in extent. The North village is about three miles from the center, and contains about fifteen or twenty dwellings, and a Baptist church. Plum Tree village is three miles south, and is about the size of the north village. At the central village there is a bridge over the Connecticut, 858 feet in length ; it was built in 1832, at an expense of $20,000. The village is handsomely built, and the scenery in the vicinity is uncommonly interesting : the Sugar-loaf mountain rises at about half a mile's distance, on the western bank of the river, in solitary and striking grandeur ; while Mount Toby rises to the eastward. Population, 729. Distance, 10 miles from Greenfield, 10 from Hadley, 5 from Montague, 29 from Spring- field, 70 from Albany, N. Y., and 85 from Boston. The value of corn brooms manufactured in this place in 1837 was $11,415. Mount Toby is a sand-stone mountain, elevated about a thousand feet above Con- necticut river, and lies partly in Sunderland and partly in Leverett, and is almost covered with forests. On the north-west side of this mountain, in the north part of Sunderland, are a cave and fissure which have attracted some attention. " The follow^ ing section will, I apprehend,"' says Prof. Hitchcock in his Geological Report, "reni der intelligible, not merely the form and situation of this cave and fissure, but also the mode of their production. They occur in a conglomerate rock of new red sand-stone, on the north-west side of Mount Toby, in the north part of Sunderland. The con-glome- rate strata are several feet thick ; and immediately beneath this rock lies a slaty micaceous sand-stone, which is very subject to disintegration ; as may be seen a little north of the cave, where the conglomerate projects several feet beyond the slate, whose ruins are scattered around. The spot is, perhaps, 300 or 400 feet above Connecticut river ; yet there is the most conclusive proof in all the region around, that water once acted powerfully, and probably for a long period, at various elevations on the sides of this mountain ; and not improbably this aqueous agency assisted in undermining the conglomerate rock by wearing away the sand-stone." At A and B, the rock is but slightly removed from its original position ; but in the space between these points, the slate appears to have been worn away, so as to cause the whole conglomerate stratum, which is from 50 to 60 feet thick, and consequently of immense weight, to fall down, producing the fissure a and the cavern b. The fis- sure is 9 feet wide at the top, and open to d, 40 feet ; below which it is filled with rubbish. The cavern is wider than this in some parts, though very irregular in this respect. Its bottom also is rendered very uneven by the large masses of rock that have tumbled down. In the deepest spot (56 feet) the rocks are separated to the surface, 37 274 WENDELL. SO as to let the light from above. The whole length of the cavern is 148 feet. Its general direction is nearly east and west ; but towards its eastern part it turns almost at right angles to the left, in consequence of the rock A having been broken in a north and south direction from the mass of the mountain." WARWICK The Indian name for this town was Shaomet. It was incorpo- rated as a town in 1763. The first church which \tas formed here, in 1760, consisted of twenty-six members. Rev. Lemuel Hedge, the first minister, was ordained here December 3d, 1760, on the day of the formation of the church; he died in 1777, aged 44 years. His successor was Rev. Samuel Reed, who was settled here in 1779 ; he died in 1812, aged 57. Rev. Preserved Smith, the suc- cessor of Mr. Reed, was settled in 1814. The church and society now worship in the third house that has been built for the society; it was erected in 1836. The Trinitarian church in this place was organized in 1829, and consisted at that time of thirty members. Rev. Samuel Kingsbury, the first minister, was installed pastor in 1833, and resigned in 1835. His successor was Rev. Roger C. Hatch. There is in the central part of the town an insulated, mountain- ous elevation, called Mount Grace^ from which there is a fine prospect. There is a scythe factory in the town. In 1837, there were manufactured here 47,000 palm-leaf hats, which were valued at $6,400. Population, 1,111. Distance, 14 miles from Green- field, 22 south from Keene, N. H., and 78 from Boston. In 1812, there was a glass manufacturing company established here, with a capital of $70,000. WENDELL. Thts town was incorporated in 1781. It is mostly a farming town, composed of scattered plantations, there being no considera- ble village in the town. The surface is uneven, but not much broken or precipitous. There are two houses of worship in the central part of the town, one a Congregational, the other a Bap- tist church. Rev. Joseph Kilburn, a Congregational minister, was settled here in 1783; he died in 1815, and his successors have been Rev. Hervey Wilbur, Rev. John B. Duncklee, and Pvev. Wil- liam Claggett. Miller river, which forms the northern boundary of the town, is here a fine stream, and adds much to the beauty and fertility of this part of the township. Population, 847. Distance, 14 miles from Greenfield, and 80 from Boston. In 1837, there were 37,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured here, valued at |5,000 ; the value of boots and shoes manufactured was $5,250. HAMPDEN COUNTY. 275 WHATELY. The territory comprising this town was a part of the original grant of Hadley, from wliich it was separated, with Hatfield, in 1761, with which town it remained one hundred years, till its incorporation in 1771. The Rev. Rufus Wells, the first Congre- gational minister, was ordained here in 1771 ; he died in 1834, at the age of ninety. Rev. Lemuel P. Bates, a native of Blandford, Scotland, was settled as colleague with Mr. Wells in 1822 ; he resigned in 1832, and was succeeded by Rev. John Ferguson in 1836. There is a small Baptist church in the western part of the town. There is a considerable quantity of interval land on Connecticut river, but it is not of the first quality. The town street, which passes by the Congregational church, runs parallel with the river about two miles westward ; between this street and the river there is an extensive tract of swampy land, called Whately Swamp, extending from north to south almost the entire length of the town. Westward of the street above mentioned, the township is hilly, and the soil in many places rich and fertile. In 1837, there were 3 woollen mills, which consumed 52,500 lbs. of wool, employing 36 hands, 13 males, 23 females ; 57,000 yards of cloth were manufac- tured, valued at $'37,000. The value of palm-leaf hats manufac- tured was $7,500 ; value of gimblets manufactured, $11,125 ; value of brooms and brushes manufactured, $6,877; value of pocket-books and wallets, $16,000; value of stone ware, $3,000. Population, 1,140. Distance, 11 miles south of Greenfield, 9 from Northampton, and 92 from Boston. HAMPDEN COUNTY. Hampden county was incorporated in 1812, previous to which it formed the southern part of the old county of Hampshire. The soil is generally quite fertile and well cultivated, particularly on Connecticut river, which centrally intersects the county. There are also fine lands on Westfield river. Chicopee river and its branches afford great water power; it flows westward, and passes into the Connecticut in Springfield. Agriculture has been the principal business of the inhabitants; of late years great attention has been paid to the manufacturing business. The New Haven and Northampton canal runs through the eastern section of the county, and promises great facilities for the transportation of various articles to, and from southern markets. The Western railroad from Boston to Albany is now in progress, and will extend through the whole length of this county from east to west. A range of the Green mountains lies along the whole western bor- der of this county, separating it from Berkshire. The Lyme range of mountains rises in the eastern part, and extends in a southerly line into Connecticut. The following is a list of the towns, which are 18 in number. 276 B R I M F 1 E L D . Blandford, Longmeadow, Russell, Westfield, Brimfield, Ludlow, Southwick, West Springfield, Chester, Monson, Springfield, Wilbraham. Granville, Montgomery, Tolland, Holland, Palmer, Wales, The population of this county in 1820 was 28,021 ; in 1830, it was 31,610; in 1837, it was 33,627. BLANDFORD This town was incorporated in 1741. The inhabitants to a great extent are descended from a company of emigrants, of the Presbyterian denomination, from the north of Ireland, by whom this town was originally settled. The Rev. Mr. McClenathan appears to have been the first minister; it is supposed that he was from Ireland. .Joseph Patrick and .Tames Morton appear to have been the next in order, Joseph Badger and Jonathan Keep the next. Mr. Badger was for three years a soldier in the revolutionary war. Rev. Dorus Clark was settled here in 1823, he resigned in 1835 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Charles J. Hinsdale, in 1836. This township is situated principally upon the eastern side of a range of the Green mountains. In this town commences the ridge of rocky hills which extend to Pittsfield, in Berkshire county. In 1837, there were in this town 1 woollen mill, with 2 sets of machinery ; 13,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $18,000; 1 paper-mill, which manufactured 60 tons of paper, val- ued at $2,500. There were 1,535 cows ; cheese manufactured, 230,000 lbs.; butter, 20,000 lbs.; value of cheese, $16,100 ; butter, $3,000; males employed, 200; females, 300; capital invested, $60,000. Population, 1,443. Distance, 15 miles from Springfield, and 116 from Boston. BRIMFIELD. This town was granted by the general court, in the year 1701, to a number of petitioners, inhabitants of Springfield. The town- ship as originally granted was 8 miles square, and was at first designated by the "Plantation adjoining Springfield;" but the committee, for the sake of convenience, as stated in the records, soon gave it the name of Brimfield. The first grants of land were made in December, 1701, to 13 persons. Very little seems to have been done towards the settlement of the place for a conside- rable time, owing probably to the embarrassments occasioned by the war with the French and Indians. In 1717, the proprietors' committee petitioned for an extension of the township 3 miles fur- ther east, which was granted. After this the settlement progressed rapidly. Among the early settlers who came from Springfield are found the names of Sherman, Lombard, Pynchon, Hitchcock BRIMFIELP 277 Brooks, Morgan, Burt, Charles, Collins, Keep, Scott, Stebbins, Warriner, Nichols, Graves and Bliss. The Thomson family came from Wobnrn, and the Blodget and Rnsscl families from Lexington, The first family which settled in Brimfield was of the name of Hitchcock, in 1714 or 1715. The principal settlers were from Springfield.* The town was incorporated in 1730, and inclnded within its original limits the towns of Monson, Wales, and Hol- land. In 1722, a meeting-house, 45 feet by 40, was erected, and stood more than eighty years. The records of the church were burnt in 174S, and some early interesting facts cannot now be ascertained. Rev. Richard Treat, the first minister, (a native of Milford, Conn.) was probably ordained in 1725 ; his successor, Rev. James Bridgham, was settled in 1736 : the next minister was Rev. Nehemiah Williams, who continued in the ministry nearly twenty-two years, and died in 1796, aged 47. Rev. Clark Brown, his successor, was dismissed in 1803, agreeably to his own request. Rev. Warren Fay, D. D., was settled here in 180S, and remained two years and eight months ; Rev. Joseph Vaill and Rev. Joseph Ful- ler have been the succeeding ministers. Most of the people of Brimfield, from its first settlement, have continued of one religious denomination. South-eastern view of Brimfield. The above is a south-eastern view of the central part of the vil- lage of Brimfield, which consists of about 40 dwelling-houses, a number of stores and mechanic shops. The manufacture of boots and shoes is an important branch of business in this place. A few rods south of the Congregational church, seen in the engra- ving, was the residence of Gen. Eaton, celebrated for his daring * Notice of Brimfield in the •• American Quartcrl)- Eegi^ter,'' vol. x, by B. B. Edwards. Mr. Edwards has drawn up a full list of all the Congregational minis- ters in the old county of Hampshire, with historical notices, evidently with much labor and accuracy, and the author of this work would here express his obligations to that valuable pubUcation for much historical information. 278 B R I M F I E L D . expedition through the deserts of Barca, in Africa. This town contains much good land, and is finely watered by Chicopee and Quinebaug rivers. In 1837, there were 10,000 pairs of boots and 3fi,000 pairs of shoes manufactured in this town, the value of which was $58,650 ; males employed, 125 ; females, 50. There were 12,780 palm-leaf hats manufactured, valued at $5,112. There was 1 cotton mill, with 1,332 spindles; 230,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $19,500. Distance, 19 miles from Springfield, 25 miles south-west of Worcester, and 70 from Boston. Population, 1,518. Gen. William Eaton spent the last years of his life in this town, where he died and was buried. He was born in Woodstock, Conn., Feb. 23, 1764. " At a very early period he disclosed strong indications of intellectual vigor, and of mental eccentricity. At the age of about Iti years, without the knowledge or consent of his parents, he went from home and enlisted into the army. This was in 1780, near the close of the revolutionary war; and young Eaton continued in the army until the close of the war, a considerable part of the time in the humble station of a pri- vate soldier ; but he attained the rank of a sergeant. After the peace, in 1784, he commenced the study of the Latin language, and the year after was admitted a member of Dartmouth college, where he graduated in 1790, the period of his colle- giate life having been protracted, from the circumstance of his having devoted a portion of his time to school-keeping, which his want of pecuniary resources rendered necessary. " In October, 1791, he was chosen clerk of the house of delegates of Vermont, resid- ing at that time in the town of Windsor, where he had been engaged in school- keeping. In March, 1792, he was appointed a captain in the army of the United States; and whilst in this situation, he performed various services upon the western and southern frontiers. He continued in the army until 1797, when he was appointed consul to Tunis. He continued in this difficult (and it may be added, perilous) situa- tion until 1803, during which period he discharged the consular functions with great firmness and ability. In 1804, Gen. Eaton returned to America and visited Washing- ton, where he disclosed the famous enterprise which he had planned to restore the ex-bashaw of Tripoli, and having obtained the sanction of government, he embarked in July of the same year, in the Argus sloop of war, with the intention of engaging in this bold and hazardous undertaking, and arrived at Alexandria, in Egypt, on the 25th of November following. From Alexandria he proceeded to Cairo, where he found the ex-bashaw, who approved of the enterprise, and after having made suitable arrange- ments, and recruited about 500 men, (100 of which only were Christians,) it was determined by Eaton and the ex-bashaw to cross the desert and seize the province and city of Derne. After a difficult and fatiguing journey, through a dreary. desert, pre- senting innumerable obstacles, they arrived within the province of Derne, and soon attacked and captured the city, having the assistance of the Hornet sloop of war. The boldness and desperate bravery of Gen. Eaton and his little party alarmed the reigning bashaw and his barbarian subjects, who almost thought they were something more than human beings; but the progress of Gen. Eaton was arrested by a peace which the American consul concluded with the bashaw. After this. Gen. Eaton returned to his native country, and was every where received with the most distin- guished applause, the grateful tribute of patriotic and heroic achievements. " Gen. Eaton was a very extraordinary character; he possessed much original genius, was bold in his conceptions, ardent in his passions, determined in his resolu- tions, and indefatigably persevering in his conduct. He possessed considerable lite- rary acquirements, and the style of his writings was characteristic of his mind ; bold, energetic, and decisive. His courage was equalled only by his resolution ; and the boldness of his enterprises, by his ability and perseverance to execute them."* His majesty the king of Denmark presented him with an elegant * Pease and Niles' Gazetteer of Connecticut. CHESTER. 279 acknowledgment, in a gold box, of services he rendered several captured Danes at Tunis, and he also received from Massachu- setts the gift of 10,000 acres of land, in token of the respect in which his talents and services were held by that state. Epitaphs copied from the burying-yard in Brimfield. This is erected as a faint expression of filial respect ; and to mark the spot where repose the remains of Gen. William Eatqn, who died June 1st, 1811, JE,. 47. In memory of Stephen Pynchon, Esq., who died Feb. 5, 1828, JE. 55. One truth is certain, when this life is o'er Man dies to live ; and lives, to die no more.' CHESTER. This town was incorporated in 1765. The Rev. Aaron Bascom and Samuel M. Emerson appear to have been the first ministers. Rev. Rufus Pomeroy was settled here in 1819 ; he resigned in 1827, and was succeeded by Rev. Saul Clark in 1829. Mr. Clark was succeeded by Rev. Alanson Alvord, in 1834. The above is a southern view of Chester village^ situated in the south-eastern corner of the town of Chester. This place is situated at the corners of four toAvns, viz; Chester, Blandford, Norwich, and Montgomery. The Methodist church seen in the engraving stands on the line between the towns of Chester and Blandford ; the house on the left is in Blandford. This little village, consisting at present [1838] of about 15 dwelling-houses, a cotton factory, and some other buildings, is situated in the gorge through which the Westfield river passes. The route of the Wes- tern railroad is laid out through the village. Part of the moun- tainous elevation seen in the back ground is within the limits of 280 GRANVILLE, Norwich. This place is 5 miles from the center of the town, 12 from Westfield, 16 from Northampton, 21 from Springfield, and 118 from Boston. The scenery along the Westfield river is wild and picturesque in many places. Population, 1,290. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills; cotton spindles, 1,690; cotton goods manufactured, 22.5.000 yards; value, $22,07-5; males employed, 13; females, 22. TJiere were 1,055 Saxony sheep. 2.495 merino, and 170 of other kinds of sheep ; average weight of fleece, 2 and three fourths pounds ; value of wool produced, i^5,817 38 ; capital invested, $11,347. There were 3 tanneries ; hides tanned, 33,500 ; value of leather tanned and curried, $10,900; the value of win- dow blinds manufactured, $15,000; males employed, 14 ; females, twenty-six. GRANVILLE. This town was incorporated in 1754, and included in its origi- nal limits the present town of Tolland. Rev. Moses Tuttle appears to have been the first minister. He was settled in 1747, and con- tinued pastor here about six years ; he was succeeded by Rev. Jedediah Smith, who was ordained in 1756. Mr. Smith Avas a man of uncommon piety, pleasantness, and affability. "After his dismission, in 1776, he preached his farewell sermon, and embarked at Middletown, Con., with his family, for Louisiana. In a long pas- sage up the Mississippi, being exposed to an intense heat and nox- ious atmosphere, he was attacked with a fever, and in a phrensy leaped into the river. Though rescued from the Avater, he soon after died, and Avas buried on the land. The riA'"er gradually encroached on the bank, till the grave Avas borne aAvay, and ' no man knoAveth of his sepulcher unto this day.' His family Avent on and founded a settlement in that remote country. The descend- ants comprise some of the most respectable citizens of Louisiana. The church Avas destitute of a pastor for 20 years, and the place Avas a moral Avaste. Divisions were prevalent in the church, and profaneness, horse-racing, and intemperance in the toAvn." The next settled minister after Mr. Smith Avas Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, D. D.. Avho Avas settled in 1796, and his labors have had a happy influence in the toAvn. The first minister of the Second church, or church in West Granville, Avas ReA^ Aaron J. Booge, Avho Avas installed in 1786, and dismissed in 1793. He Avas suc- ceeded by Rev. .Toel Baker, AA^ho Avas settled in 1797, and died in 1833; his successor, Rev. Seth Chapin, continued pastor till 1835. He Avas succeeded by Rev. Henry Eddy. The principal village in this toAvn is in East Granville. It is situated on a very elevated hill, about 17 miles from Springfield. This is situated in a mountainous region, and agriculture is the principal busmess of the inhabitants. In 1837, pocket-books were, the principal articles manufactured in the tOAvn ; the value of theso Avas $6,240. Population, 1,439. The church in East Granville LONOMEADOW. 281 organized from their own number a church to form a settlement in Granville, Ohio. This colony laid the foundation of one of the most respectable churches in Ohio, and now consists of about 400 members. The church in West Granville likewise organized a church which settled in Charlestown, in the same state ; this is also in a flourishing state. HOLLAND. This town was formerly a part of Brimfield. It was incorpora- ted as a town in 1796. The Rev. Ezra Reeve, the first Congrega- tional minister, was settled here in 1765. He died in 1818, at the age of 85. The next minister settled here was Rev. Enoch Burt. James Sandford, who succeeded Mr. Burt, was installed here in 1831. Besides the Congregational, there is a Baptist church in the place. In 1837 there was one cotton mill, having 1,024 spindles; it consumed 20,902 lbs. of cotton; 104,512 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $10,451 20 ; males employed, 12 ; females, 17 ; capital invested, $15,000. Population, 495. Distance, 20 miles from Springfield, and 70 from Boston. LONGMEADOW. This place was originally a part of Springfield ; itr, Indian name was Masacksick. It was incorporated as a distinct precinct in 1713, when there were a little less than 40 families. It was incor- porated as a town in 1783. "It is not known exactly at what pe- riod the settlement commenced in this town, but probably as ear- ly as 1644. Among the earliest settlers were Benjamin Cooley, George Colton, (known in the records by the name of quarter-mas- ter Colton,) and John Keep. These persons were the ancestors of all the families of their respective names in this part of the country. The original settlement in what is now Longmeadow began in the meadow near the bank of the river. In 1703 there was a pe- tition from the inhabitants to the town, that, on account of the danger which they were in from floods, and some other inconve- niences attending their situation, they might be permitted to move out of the general field, and build on the hill, about half a mile east of the river. This petition was granted, and the town voted to give them ' the land from Pecowsic brook to Enfield bounds, and from the hill eastward of Longmeadow, half a mile further eastward into the woods.' " The soil of Longmeadow is fertile, and the inhabitants are al- most exclusively devoted to agricultural pursuits. The principal village is pleasantly located near the east bank of Connecticut river. The following cut is a northern view of the first Congrega- tional church, and exhibits the characteristic scenery of this plea- 38 282 LONGMEADOW. North citw oj Cu/ig/-6gaUo/ial Church, Loiignitudurc. sant village. The village is bnilt on one wide level street, which passes through the town, following the course of the Connecticut, on the first rise of ground above the meadows, which extend the whole breadth of the town from north to south. The distance from the street to the river is generally about one mile. Distance, 4 miles south of Springfield, 22 north of Hartford, 97 south-wester- ly from Boston. There are 3 churches, 2 Congregational and 1 Baptist. The Baptist and one of the Congregational churches are in the eastern part of the town, called East Longmeadow. An ex- tensive range of forest lands extend from north to south through the town, a little eastward of the main road. The western part of the township is generally level and free from stones. Popula- tion, 1,2.51. The first minister of the place was Rev. Stephen Williams, who was ordained here in 1716. He was a son of Rev. John Williams, of Deerfield, and was carried captive with his father to Canada. He served as chaplain in three campaigns, and received the de- gree of D. D. from Dartmouth college in 1773. He died in 1782, in the 90th year of his age, and BGth of his ministry. Dr. Wil- liams was succeeded by Rev. Richard Salter Storrs, who was settled in 1785. Mr. Storrs died in 1819. The next minister was Rev. Baxter Dickinson, who was ordained in 1823. The first settled Baptist minister in this town was Rev. George B. Atwell, who was ordained in 1822. The Baptist meeting-house is in the eastern part of the town. " On the 26th of March, [1676,] a number of people from Longmeadow, being on their way to attend public worship in Springfield, escorted by a party of cavalry, were attacked, and tAvo killed and several wounded. As the attack was made from the woods bordering the road, the escort afforded little protection ; tAV(» women, with their children, falling from their horses during the confusion, were seized by the Indians, and dragged into a swamp in LUDLOW. 283 the vicinity. In the mean time the people in the van were safely convoyed to Springfield by the cavalry, who returned expedi- tiously to the place of attack; but the Indians had retired into the woods. The next day the captured women and children were found in the margin of the swamp, badly wounded by Indian hatchets, ^me of whom died after being conveyed to their places of residence." — Hoyfs Indian Wars, p. 125. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the ancient grave-yard : In memory of Rev. Stephen Williams, D. D., who was a prudent and laborious minis- ter, a sound and evangelical preacher, a pious and exemplary christian, a sincere and faithful friend, a tender and affectionate father and consort, and a real and disinterested lover of mankind ; departed this life with humble and cheerful hope of a better, June 10th, 1782, in the 90 year of his age, and 66th of his ministry. Softly with fainting head he lay I His maker kissed his soul away, Upon his maker's breast ; | And laid his flesh to rest. Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Richard S. Storrs, pastor of the church in Long- meadow. He was born at Mansfield, Conn., Aug. 30th, 1763, graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1783, ordained Dec. 7, 1785, died Oct. 3, 1819. In the private relations of life he eminently illustrated the graces of the christian. He was distinguished for his ap- propriate, perspicuous, and affectionate exhibition of evangelical truth, for propriety, richness and fervor in social prayer, and for his instructive coversation and christian sympathy in pastoral duties. In testimony of their affectionate remembrance of his personal worth and their regard for his ability, zeal and usefulness as their christian pastor, his mourning congregation erect this monument. Religion, her almighty breath, I Amidst that calm of sweet repose, Rebuked the winds and waves of death ; | To Heaven his gentle spirit rose. In memory of Capt. Isaac Colton, who died Jan^- 23^. 1757, in his 57th year. Capt. I. Colton had a military genius, commanded a company at Louisbourg, in 1745. "Was respected & useful at home. Was a man of prayer. Isa. 31, 3. For behold the Lord doth take away the Captain. How art thou fallen in the midst of the battle ; O very pleasmit hast thou been. In memory of Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt, who was slain in the memorable battle of Lake George, Sept. 8th, 1755, when his Colonel and other brave officers fell, yet a sig- nal victory was obtained over the enemy. Mr. Nathaniel Burt was a deacon of this church, an exemplary christian, a man of Public Spirit, & a good soldier ; well be- loved at home, and in y« army. A concern for pure religion caused his going into y" military service. He died in his 45th year. 2 Chron. 35 and 25. And Jeremiah la- mented over Josiah. Mr. Nathaniel Burt, a respectable and worthy father of the town of Longmeadow, was born A. D. 1636, and died Sept. 29th, 1720. This monument is erected by the inhabitants of said town, as a token of gratitude for his donation of lands made by him to them for the support of the gospel, and public school. Isaiah 32, 8. The liberal de- viseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand. LUDLOW This town was incorporated in 1774. The first Congregational minister settled here was Rev. Antipas Steward, who was or- dained in 1793. He resigned in 1803, and died in 1814, aged 80 years. His successor, Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright, settled here in 284 M O N S O N . 1819. Mr. Wright resigned in 1835, and was succeeded the same year by Rev. David R. Austin. Besides the Congregational, there is now, in tlie central part of the town, a Methodist church. This is principally an agricultural town ; the greater part of the inhabitants live scattered about on their farms. There is, however, a flourishing little village on the Chicopee river, which forms the southern boundary of this town, dividing it from Wilbraham and Springfield. Jenks' cotton factories, two in number, are at this place. The village lies on both sides of the Chicopee. In 1837, there were in this town 2 cotton mills, having 10,000 spindles ; 500,000 lbs. of cotton were consumed; 1,600,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $'160,000 ; males employed, 88; females, 200; capital invested, ,^100,000. Population, 1,329. D-istance, 10 miles from Springfield, and 84 from Boston. M O N S N This town was originally a part of Brimfield. About one ninth of the proprietors of that town settled in this part of the township. The first house east of Springfield was erected more than 140 years ago within the present limits of this town. The name of the man who first planted himself here was Fellia. The general court granted him 200 acres of land, on condition that he would erect and keep a house of entertainment for travellers passing between Springfield and Brookfield. The man continued awhile, but soon returned to Springfield on account of alarm from the Indians. Al- though he did not entirely fulfil the conditions of the grant, yet he held and sold the land. It afterwards came into the possession of Governor Hutchinson's family. Of the above-mentioned proprie- tors who settled within the present limits of Monson, were Robert Olds, (as early as 1715,) Ezra and Samuel King, Benjamin Munn, John Keep, .Tohu Atchenson, Mark Ferry, Daniel Killam, Obadiah Cooley, and Samuel Kilborn. On petition to the general court, this part of Brimfield was incorporated as a district in the spring of 1760. Previous to this, the name of Monson was given to it by Gov. Pownal. When the act of incorporation was obtained, there were only 49 families in the limits of the district. In the month of August fol- lowing, the first district meeting was held, at which all necessary oflticers were chosen. They immediately proceeded to make pre- paration for the public worship of God. In 1762, about 2 years from the incorporation, land had been procured and a meeting- house erected. During this period they had preaching in private houses, by candidates. The first who supplied them was Simeon Strong, afterwards judge of the supreme court. Rev. Abishai Sa- bin was the first pastor, ordained in 1762. His relation to the church continued about 10 years, when he was dismissed- The second pastor was Rev. Jesse Ives, a native of Meriden, Con., and M O N SON, 285 graduate of Yale college in 1758. He was installed in 1773, and continued with the people till his death, in 1805. The present pastor, Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., a native of West Springfield, was ordained in 1806. The amount of settlement and salary which the people offered Mr. Sabin is not known, though it is evident he had a settlement. Mr. Ives had a settlement of £100, and £65 and 30 cords of wood as an annual salary ; and the present pastor $500. The first meeting-house was taken down in 1803, having stood 41 years, and the same year the present one was built. There is no notice of the existence of any organized society of another denomi- nation till 1798, when " persons composing the first Baptist society were set ofi"." South-eastern view of Monson. The above is a representation of the centra part of Monson, as seen from the bridge, at the south-eastern extremity of the village. The academy is seen on the left, surmounted with a cupola ; the Congregational church is seen in the central part of the engraving ; the building standing northerly from the church, with a small tower, is the vestry. Monson Academy is well endowed, and is a very respectable institution. This town is about 8 miles in length, from N. to S., and about 6 miles in breadth. A narrow vale, interspersed with some small gravelly hills, runs from south to north through the center, bounded on each side by ranges of hills of moderate height. Through this vale flows for a considerable distance a small stream, which flows into the Chicopee river on the north. On this brook, within about 1 mile of the center, are 4 factories, 2 cotton and 2 woollen. The public buildings are a Congregational meeting-house, a vestry, an academy building and laboratory in the center, a Baptist meet- ing-house on the west border, and a Methodist chapel about 2 miles south of the center. Distance, 13 miles E. from Springfield, and 73 S. W. by W. of Boston. Population, 2,179. In 1837, there were in this town 3 cotton mills, 3,636 cotton spin- dles; 605,071 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at 286 MONTGOMERY. $67,500; males employed, 47; females, 73: capital invested, $39,000. There were two woollen mills and 5 sets of machinery ; wool consumed, 130,000 lbs. ; cloth manufactured, 170,000 yards; valued at $117,000; males employed, 43; females, 37; capital invested, $29,250. There were 2,712 merino, and 349 other kinds of sheep in the town ; value of wool produced Avas $4,892 ; value of boots and shoes manufactured, $5,600 ; value of spectacles manufactured, $7,060; straw braid, $2,100. MONTGOMERY. This town was incorporated in 1780. A Congregational church was organized here in 1797; it consisted at the time it was organ- ized of five male members. Rev. Seth Noble, the first pastor, was settled here in 1801, and resigned in 1806. He died in the state of Ohio, a few years since, whitlier he had removed. His succes- sor in the ministry was Rev. John H. Fowler, who was ordained in 1822 ; he died in 1829, aged 58. The next pastor was Rev. Solomon Edson, who was settled in 1832, and resigned in 1836. Rev. Caleb Knight, the next pastor, was installed the same year. This is a small agricultural town. Population, 497. Distance, 12 miles from Springfield, 12 from Northampton, and 100 from Boston. In 1837, there were 1,189 merino and 279 other kinds of sheep ; the average weight of their fleece Avas tAVO and three fourths pounds ; value of avooI produced, $2,220 35. PALMER This place was originally settled by emigrants from the north of Ireland ; many of Avhose descendants remain in the place. The records of the church and those of the town are scanty and defec- tive. The town Avas incorporated in 1752. A church Avas probably organized here in 1730 or 1731, throe years after the toAvn Avas settled. Rev. .Tohn Harvey, Avho Avas ordained by the Londonder- ry presbytery, Avas settled here in 1734, and Avas dismissed in 1748. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert Burns, in 1753. Mr. Burns Avas succeeded by Rev. Moses Baldwin, Avho Avas installed in 1761 ; he resigned in ISll, and died in 1813, aged 81. His successors have been Rev. Simeon Colton, settled in 1811 ; Rev. Henry H. P. Sweet, in 1825 ; Rev. Joseph K. Ware, in 1827 : and Rev. Samuel Backus, installed in 1832. Till the settlement of Mr. Colton, this church Avas Scotch Presbyterian. This town is Avell situated for agriculture, betAveen the forks made by Ware river with the Chicopee on the south, and the SAvift river on the north. It is fast rising into importance as a manufacturing town. In the central part of the town there is a SOUTH WICK. 287 little village of about a dozen dwelling-houses and a Congregational church. The village of Three Rivers is on the Chicopee, at the western extremity of the town, nearly three miles from the center; this is a factory village, consisting of about 20 dwelling-houses and a Baptist church. There is another village now erecting, about one mile from the center, called Thnrndike village. In each of these villages there is a large cotton mill. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 11.020 spindles; 1,020,000 5^ards of cotton goods man- ufactured, valued at $102,000: males employed, 100; females, 200. One woollen mill, with 2 sets of machinery ; 68,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $54,000. The value of boots and shoes manufactured was $8,956 ; value of scythes manufactured, $10,000; palm-leaf hats, $2,500. Population, 1,810. Distance, 16 miles from Springfield, 23 from Northampton, 7 to Ware village, 9 to Wilbraham, 31 to Worcester, and 71 from Boston. RUSSELL. This town was incorporated in 1792. It was formerly a part of Westfield, and Avas called the Neiv-addition. The first settlers in this town were two brothers by the name of Barber, and a Mr, Grey. They lived upon the road leading from Westfield to Bland- ford, by Sackett's, and up the mountain, then called Glasgow mountain. A Congregational church was organized here in 1800, by Rev. .Joseph Badger. The Congregationalists own a small well- finished meeting-house in connection with the Methodists. There is a small cotton mill in this town. Population, 475. Distance,. 14 miles from Springfield and 100 from Boston. SOUTHWICK. This town was formerly a part of Westfield ; it was incorporated as a distinct town in 1779, Samuel Fowler appears to have been the first settler within the limits of this town. About 1734, he located himself in the north part, then called Poverty, so called probably from the lightness of the soil in this section of Southwick. A Congregational church was organized in this place in 1773; the first settled minister was ordained the same year. His successor, Rev. Isaac Clinton, was ordained in 1788. Rev. Dudley D. Rossiter, the next minister, was ordained in 1816, but preached but a very few times on account of ill health. Rev. Calvin Foote, his succes- sor, was ordained in 1820. Rev. Elbridge G. Howe was installed here in 1831, and Rev. Thomas Fletcher in 1838. The first meet- ing-house was erected about one mile south of the village ; it was burnt in 1823; a new one was erected in 1824. A Methodist Episcopal church was erected in 1824, in the south part of the 288 S O U T H W I C K . town. A Baptist church was erected m the central village about 1822. The village in the central part of the town consists of about 25 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist, and an academy. Mr. Richard Dickinson, who died in this town in 1824, appropriated |^17,(300 in his will for the benefit of the schools. A sum not exceeding one half goes to the support of a grammar- school, and the remainder to the district schools. The interest only is appropriated. The grammar-school has been commenced, and is free to the youth of Southwick. This place is 11 miles from Springfield, 5 from Westfield, 6 from E. Granville, 22 from Harr- ford, Con., and 108 from Boston. Population, 1,291. In 1837, the value of powder manufactured in this place was ,^32,72.5 : hands employed, 13; capital invested $17,300; value of cigars manufac- tured, $6,350; hands employed, 10; capital invested, .f?l,000; value of whips manufactured, $5,400; value of whip-lashes, $3,850; males employed, 5 : females, 16 ; capital invested, $1,000. The New Ha- ven and Northampton canal passes through this town, and com- municates with several large ponds in the south-eastern section. It will be perceived, in all correct maps of Connecticut, that a tract of land, about two miles in length and breadth, on the west- ern boundary of this town, projects into what would seem ought to belong to Connecticut. This tract has been left to the jurisdic- tion of Massachusetts since the year 1800. It appears that the bounds of Springfield and Windsor were not defined with much accuracy in this section : the bounds at the north-v/est point of the projection, however, appear to have been clearly defined. The western bounds of Springfield, in which part of Sutfield was in- cluded, were supposed, but erroneously, to extend to this point. A Mr. Moore, living on the tract in question, was knowing to the facts in the case. Having received a warning to a militia training, he refused to appear, denying that he was within the jurisdiction of Connecticut. The case was carried to the general assembly of Connecticut, who, upon an examination of the facts in the case, were obliged to leave this tract to the jurisdiction of Massachu- setts. " The south line of Massachusetts, according to charter, runs west from a point three miles south of the most southerly branch of Charles river, and every part of it ; and the north line of Connecticut is the south line of Massachusetts. When Mr. Pyn- chon settled Springfield, and the first plantations were made in Connecticut, in 1635, it was not known whether the territory would fall within the limits of Massachusetts or not. But Mr. Pynchon at first considered himself as belonging to the jurisdiction of the Connecticut plantations. In Ui42, Massachusetts employed two surveyors, Woodward and Saffery, to run the line between the colonies. These pretended to a.s- certain the south line on Charles river, and then, sailing round and going up the Con- necticut, they attempted to fix the line there, in the same latitude But either through inattention or the use of bad instruments, they determined the line to fall in AVindsor, many miles south of the true line. Connecticut was dissatisfied with the determination of Woodward and Saffery, and made repeated proposals to Massachusetts for a mutual adjustment of the controversy, which were ineffectual. In 1694, a committee appoint- ed by Connecticut run the line, and found the former survey very erroneous. In this situation, the inhabitants of SufReld and Enfield, who settled under the claims and jurisdiction of Massachusetts, continued to encroach upon Windsor and Simsbury, which excited warm animosities. In the year 1700, further attempts were made tc SPEINGFIELD. 289 procure an amicable settlement of the dispute ; the line was run hy commissioners ot both colonies, in 1702, and found to fall far north of the former line ; but Massachusetts disagreed to their report. In 1708, Connecticut appointed commissioners with full powers to run the line, and establish the boundary ; and resolved, that imless Massa- chusetts would unUe to complete the business, they would apply to the crown. Mas- sachusetts did not agree at once to the proposal of Connecticut ; but in 1713, commis- sioners were appointed on the part of both colonies, who came to an agreement on the 13th of July. On rnnning the Une it was found to fall north of Enfield, Suffield, and Woodstock, which of course came within the jurisdiction of Connecticut. As an equi- valent for the land which had been taken from Connecticut by encroachments, Massa- chusetts granted a tract of land in the western part of that colony, which, in 1716, was sold for two thousand two hundred and sevcnty-lbur dollars, which sum was applied to the use of Yale college. This agreement, however, was not considered as conclusive and satisfactory ; nor was the boundary between the two states definitely settled till May, 1804."* The following inscriptions are from monuments in the grave- yard in this place : In memory of the Rev. Abel Forward. His talents & learning were great. Formed to benefit & instruct mankind, he vvas a pulpit orator, A pious &: benevolent divine, a wise and prudent councillor & skilful Guide, & believing & teaching the Religion of Jesus, died in faith & hope, Jan>'- y<= 15"'> 1786, in y^ 38 year of his age and 13"> of his ministry. Flere et meminiffe relict um est. In memory of Mrs. Keturah, wife of y Rev^. Suuth entrance of Chicopee Village, Springfield. The above is a view taken at the south entrance of Chicopee village, upon 'the Springtield road. A part only of the village is seen. The forest trees which are seen on each side of the road, stand in the position in which they originally grew ; the novelty and beauty of the scene arrests the attention of the traveller, and to the lover of nature, this irregularity is far more pleasing and attractive than any artificial arrangement. By far the greater part of the village is on the southern side of the Chicopee. The elevation seen in the extreme distance is Motuit Tom, on the west- ern side of Connecticut river. This village is estimated to contain nearly two thousand inhabitants. There are four cotton mills, run- 40 296 SPRINGFIELD ning 20,000 spindles. There is also an establishment for the manu- facture of machinery, saws, &c. This village is 4| miles from Springfield, and 87 from Boston, Nurtit view of Cabotville, Springfield. The above is a northern view of the central part of Cabotville, four miles from Springfield. The drawing from which t!ie above was engraved, was taken but a few feet from the road, on the side of the elevated heights which rise in some places almost perpen- dicularly from the road on the northern bank of the Chicopee. The village is built on the south bank of the Chicopee river, which is seen passing over its rocky bed in the engraving. This flourish- ing village is of quite recent origin. It was named from the Hon. George Cabot. It is estimated that at this time there are more than 2,000 inhabitants in this village. There are two churches, 1 Con- gregational, 1 Universalist, and a Baptist church now (1838) erect- ing. The following statements respecting the manufacturing business done in this town are from the Statistical Tables, published by the state in 1837. " Cotton mills, 7; cotton spindles, 35,000; cotton consumed, 3.49;">.000 lbs. ; cotton goods manufactured. 11,062,000 yards; value of the same, $1,089,500; males employed, 330; fe- males, 1,300; capital invested, $1,400,000." The following is a list of the articles manufactured, their value, and the number of hands employed. Articles. Vahte. Hands employed. Articles. Value. Hands '.mpli Boots and Shoes, $16,000, 56 Hard-ware, $11,000, 11 Leather, 10,200, 7 Cards, 40,000, 19 Hats, 4,800, 7 Joiners' Tools, 12,000, 19 Paper, 200,000, 225 Paper-machinery, 12,000, 10 Iron Castings 43,800, 30 Shuttle & Bobbin, 4,500, b Cutlery, 40,000, 60 Rifles, 18,000, 18 Chairs, &c., 16,000, 28 Stoves, 12,000, b Ploughs, 1,300, 2 Machinery, 60,000, 80 Tin-ware, 15,000, 14 Swords, &c., 50,000, '6b SPRINGFIELD. 297 Besides the above, there were five steamboats built in five years preceding 1837, valued at $18,000. There is also an establishment for the manufacture of brass cannon, employing 2.5 hands, lately commenced, which it is estimated will manufacture cannon to the amount of $.50,000 annually. In 1810, the population of this town was 2,767; in 1820, it was 3,914; in 1830, it was 6,784; in 1837, it was 9,234. In Shays' insurrection, in 1786, the judicial courts being ad- journed by the legislature to sit at Springfield on the 26th of December, Shays, with about 300 malcontents, marched into this town to oppose the administration of justice, and took possession of the court-house, and prevented the court from proceeding to business. In January, 1787, the movements of the insurgents were such, that the governor and council determined to raise a force of 4,400 men in order to put them down. Two thousand men of this force were ordered to rendezvous in the vicinity of Boston on the 19th of January, and Maj. Gen. Lincoln, of Hingham, was en- trusted with the command. " Before the troops under Gen. Lincoln marched from Roxbury, Gen. Shepard had been ordered to lake possession of the post at Springfield. He soon collected 900 men, and afterwards 200 more, the continental arsenal furnishing Ihem with a sufficient number of field-pieces, and such equipments as were wanted. It became an object with the insurgents to gain this post, if possible, before the arrival of Lincoln's army. Their movements, therefore, were towards West Springfield on the one side, where about 400 men were collected under the command of Luke Day ; and towards the Boston road on the other, where 1100 more were headed by Shays himself. Besides these, a party of about 400 from the county of Berkshire, under the command of Eli Parsons, were stationed in the north parish of Springfield. Shays proposed to attack the post on the 25th of January, and wrote to Day on the 24th to co-operate with him. In a letter which was intercepted by Gen. Shepard, Day replied that he could not as- sist him on the 25th, but would the day after. On the 25th, however. Shays, con- fident of his aid, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, approached the arsenal where the militia were posted, with his troops in open column. Gen. Shepard sent several times to know the intention of the enemy, ami to warn them of their danger ; and received for answer, in substance, that they would have the barracks ; and they immediately marched onwards to within 250 yards of the arsenal. Another message was sent, in- forming them that the militia were posted there by order of the governor and of con- gress, and that if they approached any nearer they would be fired upon. One of their leaders replied, ^That is all we want ;' and they immediately advanced one hundred yards. Gen. Shepard was now compelled to fire ; but, in hope of intimidating them, ordered the two first shot to be directed over their heads, which, instead of retarding, quickened their approach ; and the artillery was at last pointed at the center of their column, which produced its eflTect. A cry of murder was raised in the rear of the insur- gents ; their whole body was thrown into the greatest confusion, and, in spile of all the efforts of Shays to form them, the truops retreated precipitately about ten miles to Lud- low, leaving three of their men dead on the field and one wounded. Had Gen. Shep- ard been disposed to pursue, he might easily have cut many of them in pieces. But the object was not to destroy them, but to bring them to consideration and amendment. " Notwithstanding this retreat, there was serious apprehension of another attack from the insurgents ; for Day was now on the west side of Connecticut river with his men, and Parsons at Chicopee, whither the party of Shays repaired (after losing 200 men by desertion) on the 26th. This apprehension was allayed the next day, at noon, by the arrival of Lincohi's army." After the county of Hampshire was formed, in 1662, a part of the county courts were held in Springfield ; this continued to be the case till 1793, when they were all removed to Northampton. It was supposed that this would have an injurious effect upon the 298 TOLLAND. place. The armory was established here the next year, and which undoubtedly contributed to prevent any injurious effects from being apparent. Upon the organization of Hampden county, Springfield again became a shire town, and the courts were re-established here in 1S13. The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the ancient grave-yard in this place : Here lyeth the body of Mart, the wife of Elizvr Holyoke, who died October 26, 1657. Shee y'- lyes here was while she stood A very glory of womanhood ; Even here was sowne most pretious dvst, Which surely shall rise with the jvst. Here lyeth the body of lohn Glover, son of M'- Pelatiah Glover, who died y° 14th of lanuary, 1664. My body sleepes, my sovle hath sviet rest In armes of God, in Christ, who makes me blest •, The tyme drawes on apace when God the Sonne To see his face shall both vnite in one. Here lies interr'd the body of Mr. John Mallefuild, a French gentleman, who, pass- ing through the town of Sprmgfield, dying, bequeathed all his estate to the poor of this town. He died Nov. 26, 1711. Psal. 41, 1. Blessed is he that considereth the poor. In memory of the Rev. Robert Breck, A. fll., late pastor of the church of Christ in this place, who died on the 23d day of April, A. D. 1784, in the 71st year of his age, &c ia the 49th of his ministry. — This monument is erected by his affectionate and grateful parishioners, in addition to that in their breasts, to perpetuate the remembrance of his singular worth & long continued labors among them in the service of their souls. He taught us how to live, & Oh ! too high A price for knowledge ! taught us how to die. TOLLAND. This town was incorporated in 1810 ; it was taken from Gran- ville and Sandisfield, and what was formerly called Southfield. The Congregational church in this town was organized in 1797, and consisted of 70 members. The Rev. Roger Harrison was ordained here in 1798, and resigned in 1822. He was succeeded by Rev. Bennet F. Northrop in 1827, who resigned the next year. The celebrated missionary, Gordon Hall, was a native of this town. This township is on elevated land, which is adapted for grazing. Considerable quantities of butter and cheese are produced. It is watered by Farmington river, the western boundary of the town, which is here a beautiful and lively stream. In 1837 the value of shovels, spades, forks or hoes manufactured here was $3,500. Population, 570. Distance, 20 miles from Springfield, and 110 from Boston. WESTFIBLD. 299 WALES This town was formerly called South Brimfield. It received its name from James Wales, Esq., one of the principal men of the town. About 30 years since the population was divided between the Baptists, Universalists, and Congregationalists. A short time previously, the three denominations united in building a meeting- house, each to occupy it according to the amount of taxes paid by each. Rev. Mr. Coddington was the first Baptist minister ; the Rev. Mr. Eveleth was the next pastor. A Congregational church was or- ganized here in 1S19, which consisted of about 12 persons ; it is now (1838) about extinct. The Methodists have a meeting-house in the central part of the town. The village in the center of the town consists of about 25 or 30 dwelling-houses and two churches. It is situated at the northern extremity of a pond, about three fourths of a mile in length and about half a mile in breadth. In 1837 there was a woollen mill, with 2 sets of machinery ; 36,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $32,400. The value of boots and shoes manufactured (boots 6,230, shoes 9,053 pairs) was $27,743 ; males employed, 42 ; females, 5. The value of palm-leaf hats manufactured was $1,500. Population, 738. Distance, about 20 miles from Springfield, and 67 from Boston. WESTFIELD. The Indian iiame of Westfield was Warronoco, (or Kee,) and was incorporated in 1669, Edward Tyng being magistrate of the Massachusetts colony. It was first proposed to call it Streamiield, because situated between two streams, but upon further conside- ration it was called Westfield, because it was nearly wert from Boston, the metropolis of the colony, and also the most westerly plantation in New England. It is difficult to determine in what precise year the first permanent settlement was made in tliis town, though probably between 1658 and 1650. At a town meeting held in Springfield, Dec, 1658, a tract of land in Warrono'io was granted to Thomas Cooper, on condition he commenced improve- ments upon said land in twelve months and continued them five years. This tract was situated over West river, probably not far from the county bridge. A similar grant was made in 1660 to Dea. S. Chapman, of land adjoining Cooper's. In 1661, a grant was made to Capt. Pynchon, Robert Ashley, and George Colton, of a tract of upland meadow, probably lying between the rivers. It hence appears that Warronoco belonged to Springfield. It was included in the original grant made to the first settlers of that town by the king of England. It was first settled by families from Springfield. The following is among the early records of that town: "Feb. 7, 1664. At a general town meeting, Capt. Pynchon, Major Holyoke, and Messrs. Ely, Colton, and Cooley, were chosen a standing committee, to have the sole power to order matters con- 300 WESTFIELD. cerning Warronoco, both for admittance of inhabitants and to grant lands, or for any other business that may concern that place and conduce to its becoming a town of itself." Some to whom grants of land were made, forfeited their lands by a non-compliance with the conditions of the grantors. Lands were confirmed to those who continued their improvements five years. According to the re- cords, the following persons had confirmed titles : George and Isaac Phelps, Capt. Cook. Mr. Cornish, Thomas Dewey, J. TNoble, David Ashley, John Holyoke, John Ponder, and Johnlngersoll. These men lived near the confluence of Great and Little rivers. They took up their residence here about 1(366, as appears from the following facts. Meetings were first held here in 1667 on the Sabbath. The first English child born here was Benj. Saxton, who died in 1754, aged 88 years, and was therefore born in 1666. Mention is made of the establishment of a trading-house at the confluence of the two rivers, by three young men, some years pre- vious to a permanent settlement. They spent one summer here, and were never heard of afterward. It was supposed that they were cut olf by the Indians. Each inhabitant owned a separate tract of land, but seem at first to have lived to a certain extent in common. They had a fort near the junction of the rivers, as sup- posed, a few rods west of Harrison's tavern. In this they lodged every night, and fled to it by day in case of alarm. It seems from the records that a tract of land two miles in circuit about the fort was strongly enclosed. Within this enclosure they had all their dwellings. Houses were occupied as forts in different parts of the town until after the French war in 1757. Warronoco was at first nine miles long and three wide ; additions were made to it until it mcluded what is now Westfield, Southwick, and Russell. Westfield is situated eight miles west of Connecticut river, sepa- rated from it by West Springfield. Little river comes in from the west, and Westfield river from the north-west ; they unite half a mile east of the meeting-house. The central part of the town has the appearance of having once been a lake, and by geologists acquainted with the country is supposed to have been at some re- mote period covered wiiii water. It is surrounded by an abrupt bank, from 20 to 70 feet in height. The bank in some places is clayey, in others gravelly, and in others rocky. The lake must have been about seven miles in length, from north-west to south- east, and nearly three in width at the widest place. Westfield furnishes a greater variety of vegetable productions than most towns, on account of having such varieties of soil : sandy plains, mountains, meadows, and swamps. There are about 60 varieties of meadow grass, some of which have been found nowhere besides in North America. Alders, poplars, and willows, blossom about the middle of March. Chesnut fencing-stuff" is brought from the neighboring mountains, and lumber from the towns west and north. The elm, buttonwood, and maple grow luxuriantly in this valley. Westfield is a considerable village of about two hundred build- WESTFIBLD 301 Southern view m the central part oj Westjield ings, including stores and mechanic shops. The engraving shows the appearance of the central part of the village, as it is entered from the south. The building appearing on the extreme right is the Westfield Academy ; the two next buildings north are the old and new town-houses. The new one, which is surmounted by a small tower, was erected the present year, (1838). The Congre- gational church and the Hampden Bank, with four pillars, fronting the south, are seen beyond ; the spire of the Baptist church is seen in the distance. A small enclosed common, oval in its form, is in the central part of the area, around which the public build- ings are situated ; it is newly set out with shade trees, and will add to the beauty of the place. A range of stores, where a considera- ble part of the mercantile business of the place is done, is immedi- ately north of the Congregational church, fronting the common, but from the point where the above view was taken they could not be seen. This place is 9 miles from Springfield, 17 from Northampton, 28 from Hartford, Con., 60 from New Haven, Con., and 97 from Boston. The New Haven and Northampton canal passes through the village, a few rods eastward of the buildings seen in the engraving. The manufacture of whips is the principal mechanical business of the town. In 1837, there were thirteen whip manufactories ; value of whips manufactured was ,$153,000; 1;54 males and 410 females were employed in this business. Forty persons were engaged in the manufacture of cigars, the value of which was ,4^11,000. There were three powder-mills, which manu- factured 20,000 kegs of powder, the value of which was $50,000. Population, 3,039. Westfield Acaclemy was chartered in 1796, and opened for the admission of students in .Tan. 1800. The follov.nng gentlemen have been preceptors. Those in Italics became clergymen. Peter Starr, Henry C. Martendale, (since a member of congress,) Lyman 302 WESTFIELD. Strong, Alfred Perry, M. D., Horatio Waldo, Said Clark, Theodore North, Sylvester Selden, F?'ancis L. Robbins, Samnel M. Eriiersoii, Alfred Stearns, Charles Jenkms, Stephen Taylor, Flavel S. Gay- lord, George W. Beiidict, now professor of mathematics, 6cc. in Vermont University, Elnathan Gridley, now missionary to Pales- tine, Alvan Wheeler, M. D., Emerson Davis, and Parsons Cooke. All are graduates of Williams college except Elnathan Gridley, who graduated at Yale. The huilding has two school-rooms on the lower floor, and on the other a large hall and lecture-room. The institution is furnished with a sufficient quantity of chemical and philosophical apparatus for illustrating the general principles of those sciences. There is also a respectable collection of mine- rals for the use of the academy. Instruction is given in the depart- ment of natural history to those who wish. About 3 000 have been educated at this academy since its establishment. Meetings were first held on the Sabbath in this town in 16l^7. Mr. Holyoke, son of Major I. Holyoke. of Springfield, conducted them. After him a Mr. Fiske preached here as a candidate for settlement. People were called together on the Sabbath by the beat of the drum. A man was employed for that purpose, and was paid 25 shillings per year. The first meeting-house stootl near Jedediah Taylor, Esqr.'s. A second house was built in 1720, which was destroyed by fire. In 1678 permission was granted by the governor of Massachusetts colony to organize a church in Warronoco. Mr. Edward Taylor was a candidate for settlement. A council was convened on the last Wednesday of June, 1679, the church organized, and Mr. Taylor was ordained pastor. One of Mr. Taylor's daughters married Mr. Stiles, and was the mother of President Stiles, of Yale college. Mr. T. was a man eminently devoted to the work of the minis- try. Besides performing the duties of a pastor and managing his domestic concerns, he left in manuscript 14 quarto volumes, closely written, of about 400 pages each. He died June 29, 1729, in the 50th year of his ministry. On account of the infirmi- ties of age he had not preached for four or five years. His successor was the Kev. Nehemiah Bull, who was ordained Oct. 1726. During Mr. Bull's ministry a mission to the Housatonic Indians was commenced. Mr. Hopkins, of West Springfield, labored among them, but, being taken sick, Mr. Bull, of Westfteld, and Williams, of Deerfield, were appointed by Gov. Belcher, in 1734, to superintend the mission. They procured the Rev. J. Sargeant, then a tutor in Yale college. There was at that time, 1735, only one house between here and Sheffield. Mr. Bull, after having introduced Mr. Sargeant to the Indians, remained some days, and baptized the first Indian con- vert. The Rev. .Tohn Ballantine succeeded Mr. Bull, and was ordained in June, 1741. He died Feb. 1776. Rev. Noah Atwater, a native of Hamden, New Haven Co., Con., succeeded Mr. Ballantine ; was ordained in 1781. He died in 1802. He was a dis- tinguished scholar and learned divine. He never preached the same sermon to his people twice, always kept twenty sermons ahead, and completed his two sermons for the Sabbath on Tuesday evening. He always rose before sunrise at all seasons of the year. He was a man of a philosophical mind. Most of his papers fell into the hands of the late President Dwight. His successor was the Rev. Isaac Knapp, a native of Norfolk, Con. He was ordained over this church in 1803. The Baptist society of Wesifield was organized in 1784. Rev. Adam Hamilton was the first pastor of this church. He was a native of England, and for a long time highly esteemed. On account of misconduct he lost his reputation, and was rejected from the fellowship of the Baptist churches. He died at Chesterfield, and it is chari- tably hoped he was a true penitent for some years before his death. In consequence of Mr. Hamilton's conduct the church became nearly extinct ; but they revived again, and a new church was organized in 1806. In 1807, the Rev. Azariah Hawkes'was ordained pastor of the society, and continued his labors about two and a half years, then removed to Euclid, Ohio. After this, the Rev. Caleb Green preached for some time ; in 1819 he was dismissed. Rev. David Wright succeeded Mr. Green, and was ordained Nov. 1819. The following, relating principally to the depredations of the Indians upon this town, is copied from " A Historical Sketch of WESTFIELD. 303 Westfield, by Emerson Davis, A. M.;" to which pubUcation, the author is indebted almost entirely for the history of this town. No special harm was received from the Indians until the commencement of this war in 1675. I have compiled an account of the injuries received during this war from records kept by the Rev. Mr. Taylor. He remarks that they were sorely distressed, yet sovereignly preserved. " Our soil," he says, " was moistened by the blood of three Springfield men, young Goodman Dumbleton, who came to our mill, and two sons of Goodman Brooks, who came here to look for iron ore on land bought of Mr. J. Pyncheon, whp accompanied them, but they fell in the way by the first assault of the enemy. At the same time Mr. Cornish's house was burnt to ashes, and also John Sackett's house and bam with its contents, it being the first snowy day of winter. They also lodged a ball in Mr. Granger's leg. It was thought the enemy received some loss, because m the ashes of Mr. Cornish's house the bones of a man were found. Also in the winter some scattering rascals, upon a Lord's day, in the time of afternoon worship, fired Mr. Ambrose Fowler's house and barn, and in the week after Mr. Walter Lee's barn. On the last snowy day we had in the winter of 1675, we, discover- ing an end of the Indians, did send out a scout to make a full discovery of the same, designing only three or four to go with orders not to assault them, but, to our woe and smart, there going ten or twelve, not as scouts, but as assailants, run furiously upon them, and received from the enemy a furious charge, whereby Mr. Moses Cook, an inhabitant, and a soldier not an inhabitant, were killed." In the fall after, nine men from Westfield were at Deerfield, at the time of an attack upon that place, three of whom were killed. The few families residing here during the war were so impoverished and distressed that some left, and all more than once were upon the point of relinquishing their lands and uniting with other planta- tions for the purpose of protection. Thus their lives were in constant jeopardy ; tho» were few in the midst of savages, destitute of the luxuries and most of the comforts o; life, contented with such food as their own valley produced. Previous to 1675, a gri«t mill and saw mill were erected on a brook emptyi^ig into the great river just below the county bridge. These mills were erected by a company of four men, Mr. Whiting and three Dewys. The toll was regulated by a vote of the town. Debts were paid in grain or meat, the price of which was also regulated by a vote of the town. In 1716 the price of rye was three shillings, corn two shillings and four-pence, and wheat and peas four shillings and six-pence. When debts were paid in money a discount of one fourth was made by the creditor in all cases. The creditor was obliged to lake what was offered in payment, money or grain. Besides grain, tar and turpentine were also an article of traffic, being manufactured by the inhabitants. Persons paid inte the town treasury two shillings for every hundred boxes they employed in collecting turpentine from the white pine. There was an old Indian, whom they called Grey Lock, that produced considerable commotion among the people. He was constantly skulking about, waylaying them for the purpose of taking captives. He caught a young lad by the name of Loomis, who went out of the fort in the early part of the evening to get cherries. He was soon released. Mr. Bently, in the east part of the town, worked at ditching all of one sum- mer. He uniformly set his loaded gun one rod before him, and A'hen he had cut his ditch up to the gun would move it forward again, but the next year he was taken. Grey Lock said he had watched for an opportunity to take him all the year previous, but could not ; he might have killed him, but he wanted captives. Mr. Bently was afterwards released. Mr. Noble, who lived near where Mr. Ambrose Day now lives, was much exposed. One night during family prayers Grey Lock stepped up and pulled the string and let the door swing open ; some of the family shut the door, and as soon as all was quiet he would pull the string again. Mr. Noble was persuaded by his friends to move into town. Grey Lock said he had several opportunities of killing most of his children at a shot, but did not want scalps so much as captives. Mr. Phelps, who Uved in Shepard Lane, returning from work at Pochasuck, came to the fording place of Great river, and saw three Indians in the river. He considered his situation perilous. They were coming towards him. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, " Here they are, my brave boys ! rush on, we have them ! " at which the Indians took the alarm and escaped. Noah Ashley, of whom mention is made in another place, returning from work at Pochasuck, was met by an Indian near the Bancroft house. Both drew up their guns, but Ashley fired first and the Indian fled. He was tracked by blood through the brush to a place near by, but was never found. The plain has ever since been called " Indian Plain." 41 304 WEST SPRINGFIELD. A daughtei of the second wife of a Mr. Sackett (her name I do not know) was taken captive by the Indians and carried to the north-west part of New York, married an Indian, and remained among them as long as she lived. Her descendants have been here to see their mother's friends several times since the French war. Previous to that they used some exertions to make others of the Sackett family captives, but did not succeed. About the time of the French war a man was killed at the Farms while looking for his cow, and another at Southampton. He was in a barn threshing, with his gun standing near, but as he turned his back to the door he was fired upon by the Indian and killed. A signal was given on the discovery of Indians in the vicinity by twice firing a gun. An alarm of this kind was once given, and the central village was deserted by all the male inhabitants ; while absent, a company of Indians appeared on the bank south of the town, with the intention, as it aftenvards appeared, to make a hostile attack, but were deterred, on seeing the number of the houses and smoke curling from every chim- ney, through fear of finding the whites of superior strength. Thus the town was pro- videntially preserved, when four or five might have laid it in ashes. I have been informed that two tribes wandered about in this vicinity. The rivers afforded fish in great variety in those days, such as bass, salmon, shad, &;c., and the forests abounded with bears, deer, &cc., while on the meadows and plains maize was easily cultivated. A field on Little river, now called Squawfield, was probably cultivated by them. There arrow-heads and other Indian utensils were formerly found in abundance. There is a collection of their utensils in the academy, together with an Indian's head, the bones of the skull and face nearly perfect, said to have been dug up in the vicinity of Harri- son's tavern. Very few facts relative to the aborigines have been recorded, and there- fore I am able to give only a very brief account of them at this period. WEST SPRINGFIELD. This town was originally a part of Springfield ; it was made a parish in 1696, and was incorporated as a distinct town in 1773. It is supposed that settlements commenced in this town as early as 1654 or ^55, as there were in those years a number of house-lots granted on Chicopee plain, on the west side of the river. These grants were made to the following persons : — Francis Pepper, Anthony Dorchester, Samuel Terry, Hugh Dudley, John Dum- bleton. Miles Morgan, John Stewart, Obadiah Miller, and Simon Sacket. Thomas Cooper and Abel Leonard settled on the south- west side of the Agawam, about 1660, and in a short time Thomas Merrick was there also. A few years after this, house-lots were granted as far west as Paucatuck Brook, and among the settlers are found the names of Riley, Foster, Jones, Petty, Scot, Barber, Rogers, Parsons, Fowler, Ely, Bagg, and Day. In May, 1695, the inhabitants on this side of the river, consisting of thirty-two families and upwards of 200 souls, presented a petition to the general court " that they might be permitted to invite and settle a minister." This petition was granted ; a church was formed in 1698, and in 1702 the first meeting-house was erected. The first or " old burying-ground " is said to have been the gift of a person by the name of Foster. The oldest monuments to be found in it are those of Mr. Nathaniel Dwit, who died Nov. 1, 1711, and of Deacon John Barber, who died June 27, 1712. In 1750, a number of inhabitants in the north part of West Springfield united with a number on the east side of the river, WEST SPRINGFIELD. 305 and petitioned the general court that they might be incorporated into a distinct parish. This petition was granted the next year, and they were incorporated as the fifth parish in Springfield, and Rev. John M'Kinstry was set apart as their minister and a meet- ing-house erected the same year. Afterwards the part on the west side became the third parish in West Springfield, being thus incorporated in 1786. This place has been usually called Ireland, from the circumstance, it is said, that several Irish families were among the earliest settlers in this part of the town. The Congre- gational church in this parish was formed in 1799, and consisted originally of 9 members. The Baptist church here was formed, and Rev. Thomas Rand constituted its pastor, in 1803. In 1757 the southern part of the town was erected into a dis- tinct parish, containing about 75 families. It was then the sixth parish in Springfield ; in 1773 it became the second parish in West Springfield. In Nov., 1762, a church was formed here, and Rev. Sylvanus Griswold was constituted its pastor. In 1727, there were five persons baptized by immersion in the town, by Rev. Elisha Callender, pastor of a church in Boston. In 1740, they, with several others who had joined them, were formed into a church, and Rev. Edward Upham became their pastor. The prin- cipal field of Mr. Upham's labors was in the second parish. In 1800 this parish was divided by an act of the legislature, form- mg what are usually called the parishes of Agawani and Feeding Hills. The meeting-house, which had been built by the second parish, was removed in 1799 from its original site to where it now stands, in Feeding Hills. A meeting-house in Agawam, whicli the Baptists and Congregationalists occupied alternately, was erected in 1803. West Springfield extends along the west bank of Connecticut river the whole breadth of Hampden county. It is intersected by Westfield river, and the soil is generally very fertile, particularly on the banks of the rivers. There are high hills or mountains in the north part of the town, and sandy plains at the south. Great quantities of rye are annually raised. In 1837, there was in this town 1 cotton mill, 2,700 cotton spindles; 261,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured ; valued at $33,270. There were two woollen mills ; woollen machinery 2 sets ; 26,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $16,600. There were 80 Saxony, 1,881 merino, 1,413 other kinds of sheep; average weight of fleece, 3 pounds ; value of wool produced, $5,107. There are 7 churches, 4 Congregational, 2 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. Population. 3,227. Distance, 10 miles N. of Sufiield, and 93 westward from Boston. The following is believed to be a correct representation of the first meeting-house in this town, which was erected in 1702. The dimensions of this meeting-house, as near as can be ascertained, were 42 feet square on the ground, and 92 feet in height. The architect was John Allys, of Hatfield. Until 1743, tlie people assembled for public worship at the beating of the drum. This continued to be occupied as a place of worship till June 20, 1802, 306 WEST SPRINGFIELD. Ancient Church, West Springfield. when, the new one being completed, Dr. Lathrop preached a vale- dictory sermon, from Psalm xlviii. 9. The old house remained till 1820, when by a vote of the parish it was taken down- A large part of the timber was then quite sound, and some of it used in building the town-house. "The house in which Mr. Woodbridge [the first minister] lived," says Rev. Mr. Sprague in his historical discourse delivered at West Springfield in 1824, "stood a few rods north of the spot now occupied by the house of Mr. Aaron Day. There is a tradition that there was a cavern connected by a pas- sage with the cellar of the house, to which the women and chil- dren of the neighborhood fled for protection in case of alarm from the Indians. The present appearance of the ground is such as to give a high degree of probability to the tradition." " The following account of a singular incident, which took place,'' says Dr. Dwight, (vol. i. Travels,) "in the first settlement of this township, was communicated to me in the year 1798, by Captain Noble, a respectable inhabitant of Hoosac, N. Y., at Noble's Falls, who was then about 76 years of age. It was transmitted from his ancestor, one of the persons concerned. One of the first planters of Springfield was a tailor, and another a carpenter. The tailor had for a small consideration purchased of an Indian chief a tract of land in what is now West Springfield, forming a square of three miles on a side. The carpenter had constructed a clumsy wheelbarrow, for which the tailor offered to make him a suit of clothes, or convey him the land. After some delibera- tion he exchanged the wheelbarrow for the land. This tract contained the best settled part of West Springfield ; many an acre of which might now be sold, for the purposes of cultivation only, at the price of one hundred dollars. I will not assert that there is no error in the story ; yet on the face of it there is nothing improbable. When the fourth part of a township of the common size was sold by one Englishman to another for a wheelbarrow, it will be easily believed that it was of still less value to the aborigines. The small prices paid by the first colonists for the lands in this country, are no evidence that the bargains were fraudulent or inequitable. To the Indian without an English purchaser, the land was often worth nothing ; and to the colonist its value was created by his labor." The first minister in West Springfield was Rev. John Wood- bridge. He was constituted pastor at the formation of the first church, in 1698. He died in 1718, at the age of 40 years. His sue- WILBRAHAM. 307 cesser was Rev. Samuel Hopkins, who was ordained in 1720; he died in 1755, in the 36th year of his ministry. He has the reputa- tion of being an eminently prudent and faithful minister, though it appears that in the early part of his ministry he was suspected by some of being heterodox. A Mr. Jonathan Worthington, of Spring- field, was presented by the grand jury for making such an asser- tion, and was fined by the court, in 1722. Mr. Hopkins was suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph Lathrop, who was consecrated to the minis- try here in 1756, and died on the last day of December, 1820, in the 65ih year of his ministry. The Rev. Dr. Lathrop was a descendant of the Rev. John Lothrop, who came to New England with several sons in 1634, and was afterwards settled in Barnstable. Samuel, the youngest son of this progenitor, went to Norwich in Connecticut, and settled there ; and there Joseph, his great-grandson, was born, in 1731. In his 19th year he entered Yale college, where he was graduated in 1754, In 1756 he settled in the ministry in a parish in Springfield, Massachusetts, now the town of West Springfield, where he per formed the duties of the pastoral office upwards of 60 years. On the day which con eluded the 60th year of his ministry, 25 August, 1816, he preached to a large audience^ and the sermon was printed. His ministrations were still continued until the las'. Sabbath in March, 1818, when, on account of the infirmities of age and the imperfec- tion of sight, he declined the public services of the Sabbath, and requested his society to provide for him an assistant or colleague ; and in 1819, the 63d anniversary of his own ordination, he attended the ordination of his colleague, the Rev. William B. Sprague, and took a part in the public solemnities. Dr. Lathrop, to " an intellect of the first order," united the kindly affections. Benevolence marked his whole charac- ter. To all his other estimable qualities, he added a serenity and cheerfulness of tem- per, which gave to his old age a charm as rare as it was delightful. He was equally remote from the intemperate heat of enthusiasm, and that lifeless system, which excludes all exercise of the affections. He was exemplary in the observance of the duties of piety and devotion, and of the social and relative duties. As a Christian minister he was very conspicuous. To his comprehensive intellect and exalted piety was added the acquired knowledge necessary to constitute a great theologian. In his pastoral intercourse he was peculiarly attentive to the state and circumstances of his flock, and an eminent example of prudence. " He was cautious without being timid, fami- liar without sacrificing his dignity, condescending without abandoning what he believed to be principles of duty." In doubtful and perplexing cases of ecclesiastical concern, he was distinguished as a wise, judicious, and upright counsellor ; and great confidence was reposed in his judgment. To the truly evangelical principles which he delivered to others he steadfastly adhered, and he finished his course in the faith and hope of the gospel. His occasional discourses have been extensively read and highly approved, especially the " Seasonable Warning to the Churches;" and his other works have met with an uncommonly favorable reception. Four volumes of sermons were published during his life, and a fifth volume, with a memoir of his life, has been published since his decease." — Holmes^ Annals, 2d edition, published in 1829 WILBRAHAM. This town was originally a part of the ancient town of Spring- field. In May, 1731, Nathaniel Hitchcock removed from Spring- field, and built a house on the spot afterwards occupied by the house of Dr. Samuel F. Merrick. This was the beginning of the settlement of the town. Mr. Hitchcock and his family lived here one year alone. In 1732, Noah Alvord, with his family, removed here ; and in 1733, Daniel Warner and four others, with their fami- lies, also removed here. From that period, there was a gradual increase till 1741, when the number of families increased to twen- 308 W I L B R A H A M ty-four. In May of this year, the parish was incorporated by the name of the fourth parish of Springfield, but it usually went by the name of Springfield Mountains till 1763, wlien it was incor- porated as a town by its present name. It had not, however, the privilege of sending a representative to the general court till the adoption of the new constitution, in 1780. Rev. Noah Merrick, the first minister in this place, was ordained in 1741. The or- daining service was to have been performed under a large oak tree, but as the morning proved rainy the people assembled in a barn belonging to Mrs. Warriner, and there attended the ordaining solemnities. There were six male church members, viz., Nathaniel Warriner and David Merrick, (afterwards deacons,) Moses Burt, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Stephen Stebbins, and Samuel Stebbins. Weiterii vkw of the Wesleyan Accuhmy in Wilbraham. It appears that the council that convened to organize the church, determined that no less than seven could constitute a church, and were therefore brought to a stand in their proceedings. At length David Warriner stated that he had for some time wished to make a profession, but waited only for the ordination of a minister. Be- ing admitted to the number, the council were relieved from their difficulty. The first meeting-house in AV ilbraham was built in 1748. It stood 30 rods south of the house occupied by Mr. Mer- rick, the first minister. In 1783, the town was divided into two parishes. The above is a western view of the " Wesleyan Academy" in Wilbraham, taken from the boarding-house, a three-story building on the opposite side of the street. This institution was incorpo- rated in 1824, and is governed by a board of trustees. It has ever been in high repute ; it had during the last year (1837) upwards of 300 pupils, of whom 190 were males and 114 females. Scho- lars are received from 10 years old and upwards. " The course of study is systematic and extensive, and includes all those branches which are requisite to prepare the pupil for the common business WILBRAHAM. 30d of life, or for a higher course of collegiate or professional duties. The year is divided into four terms, corresponding, as nearly as possible, with the four seasons." The academy is 10 miles west of Springfield, 30 miles north-easterly from Hartford, and 83 wester- ly from Boston. There are in the town 4 churches, 2 Congrega- tional and 2 Methodist. Population, 1,802. In 1837, there were in this town 457 Saxony, 1,054 merino, and 781 other kinds of sheep, and the value of wool produced was $3,668 62 ; capital invested, $35,460. The value of boots and shoes manufactured, $8,498 75 ; value of straw bonnets and straw braid manufactured, $2,000 ; palm-leaf hats manufactured, 7,145, valued at $1,000 30. The following is from the Massachusetts Spy, (Worcester,) Nov. 20, 1805 : Mk. Thomas, Jun. Sir, — I have written the following at the earnest request of the relatives of the deceased. Please to give it a place in your paper, and you will gratify the public, and discharge a duty which humanity imposes. Your real friend, Z. L. L. Horrid Murder and Robbery. Mr. Marcus Lyon, a young man of peculiar respectability, about 23 years of age, left his friends in Woodstock, Con., last March, and went to Cazenovia, N. Y., and labored through the season. As he was on his return to his native place, mounted on an excellent horse, he was attacked by two merciless ruffians in Wilbraham, on the Spring- field turnpike road, between the gate and Sikes' tavern, on the 9th inst. about 2 o'clock, P. M., and there murdered in the most barbarous manner. The circumstances attend- ing the awful scene are almost too shocking to humanity to relate. It is supposed, from the best circumstantial evidence, that the unfortunate young gentleman was first shot with a pistol ; but the assassins, perceiving the wound not fatal, (as the ball was afterwards found on the outside of his ribs,) fell upon him like bloodhounds, and with a club and breech of the pistol lacerated and mangled his head in a most savage and barbarous manner. The upper part of his head over the cerebrum, and also over his left eye, was indented with wounds, evidently made with the cock of the pistol, and the back part, against the cerebellum, was all mashed to a pulp. They beat him till the guard of the pistol flew off" and the ramrod was knocked out, which were afterwards found lying on the fatal spot. Having thus far gratified their infernal disposition, they robbed him of his pocket-book, (how much money it contained we are not able to inform,) then threw him over the wall, dragged him a few rods to Chicopee river, and there deposited him, and placed large flat stones upon his head to prevent his rising. Without delay they next conveyed the horse through a small piece of wood to a sequestered enclosure, and then turned him loose, with saddle, saddle-bags and bridle on, and then went on. Soon after the horse was found and taken up ; the neighbors conjectured he had by accident gotten away from some place where his rider had hitched him, and supposed that inquiry would soon be made for him, it being Saturday in the afternoon. They waited till Sunday morning, but, alas! no rider appeared? The alarm spread. The woods, fields, and every bye corner were searched, and at even- ing they found the corpse close by the edgeof the river, with all his clothes on, mittens on his hands, and his great coat wrapped about his head, with a large stone pressing him to the bottom. The pistol was found on the brink, broken to pieces. The young man's hat, new and unharmed, was discovered under a small bridge near the spot. The corpse was conveyed to a neighboring house, and the inhabitants paid that pecu- liar attention which sympathy alone can dictate and gratitude reward. The remains were conveyed to Woodstock on Tuesday, and the funeral attended on Wednesday, when the Rev. Ahiel Ledoyt addressed the assembly from Mark xiii. 33. The giief of the mourners, the numbers convened, and the tears that profusely flowed, presented a scene which we conclude has never had a parallel in these our inland towns. The villains who perpetrated the awful crime are supposed to be two foreigners in sailors' dress, who were seen that day by a number of people making their way toward Springfield. One particular circumstance tends much to strengthen the suspicion. A lad, about 13 years of age, being sent after some hogs in the woods, near the place of the murder, happened to come out into the road, within two or three rods of two men in sailors' habit. He declared under oath before the jury of inquest, that before HIO A M H K R S T he got out of sight of them, he saw one mount the same horse which was aAerwarrls found, and ride him up the hill into the woods, while the other stood with a new cud- gel in his hand leaning upon the wall. The same persons, according to the descrip- tion, were soon after observed travelling m great haste towards Springfield. We are happy to learn that his excellency Governor Strong issued a proclamation offering a reward of Jive hundred dollars for the detection of the villains, and that the high sheriff of Hampshire county greatly interested himself \n taking measures to detect them, which we learn have proved effectual, and the murderers are both committed to gaol in Northampton. (See Northampton.) HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. Hampshire county was incorporated in 1662, and embraced at that time the three counties of the state which are centrally intersected by Cormecticut river. Before its division it was the largest county in the state, and Northampton, being in the central part, was a shire town. The county was divided into three by the legislature of 1811 and '12. Franklin county was formed from the northern section, Hampden the southern ; Hampshire, the central part, re- tained the original name. The surface of Hampshire is generally hilly, and in some parts mountainous. The land in the western part of the county gradually rises, and its western border lies on the summits of the Green Mountain range. The Lyme and Mount Tom ranges of mountains begin in this county, and continue to the ocean, on the southern shore of Connecticut. The soil is of very unequal quality, being best in the center, and growing less and less fertile towards the eastern and western extremities. There are, however, fine interval lands on the banks of the Connec- ticut, being some of the best lands in the state. The following is a list of the towns, which are 23 in number. Amherst, Granby, Northampton, Southampton, Belchertown, Goshen, Norwich, Ware, Chesterfield, Greenwich, Pelham, Westhampton, Cummington, Hadley, Plainfield, Williamsburg, Easthampton, Hatfield, Prescott, Worthington. Enfield, Middlefield, South Hadley, In 1820, the population of this county was 26,447; in 1830, it was 30,210; in 1837, it was 30,413. AMHERST. This town was originally a precinct of Hadley. called " Hadley East or Third Precinct." It was incorporated as a town in 1759. The first church was organized, and Rev. David Parsons, the first minister, was settled Nov. 7th, 1739; he died in 1781, and was succeeded by his son, Rev. David Parsons, D. D., who \vas or- dained in 1782. "The ministers who belonged to the council which ordained Dr. Parsons, were the Rev. Messrs. Robert Breck, AMHERST 311 of Springfield, Joseph Ashley, of Sunderland, John Hubbard, of Northfield, Samuel Hopkins, D. D., of Hadley, Roger Newton, D. D. of Greenfield, Simon Backus, of Granby, and Josiah Dana, of Barre." Dr. Parsons died suddenly at Wethersfield, Con., where his remains were interred. He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel A. Clark, who was settled in 1820, and continued here in the ministry till Aug., 1824. Rev. Royal Washburn next suc- ceeded, and continued his labors here five and a half years, and died in 1833. Rev. Micaiah T. Adam succeeded Mr. Washburn. He is a native of England, and passed a number of years a mission- ary of the London Missionary Society at Benares, in Hindoostan. Rev. Josiah Bent succeeded Mr. Adam, in 1837. North-western mew of Amherst College. The Second Parish in Amherst was incorporated in 1783. The church was organized the year previous, and their first minister, Rev. Ichabod Draper, was ordained in 178.5. He was succeeded by Rev. Nathan Perkins in 1810. The Sovth Parish was incor- porated in 1824. The church was organized in 1824, and Rev. Horace B. Chapin, the first minister, was ordained the following year. The North Parish was incorporated in 1826, and Rev. Wil- liam W. Hunt was settled as pastor of the church the next year. The above is a nortJi-western view of the Amherst College build- ings, which are four in number, constructed of brick. Three are occupied by students ; the one surmoimted with a tower is occupied as a chapel, library, and for lecture-rooms. These buildings stand on a commanding eminence, and overlook the valley of the Con- necticut to a great extent. " This institution was established in 1821. Its resources were comparatively limited at first, and its success, by some, considered doubtful ; but it is now in a highly prosperous state. It has a fund of |50,000, made up of the contributions of individuals. This fund is under the direction of five trustees, chosen by the subscribers ; and the interest is annually appropri- ated towards the support of the college. There are 7 or 8 pro- 312 AMHERST. fessors, including the president, 3 or 4 tutors, besides other officers ; and from 150 to 200 students. The yearly expenses of a student are from 90 to 118 dollars, including college bills and board. There are three vacations per annum ; the first for four weeks from commencement, which takes place the fourth Wednesday in August, the second for six weeks from the fourth Wednes- day in December, the third for three weeks from the third Wednes- day in May. The number of volumes in the library is 7,000 and upwards, and the terms of admission, and the courses of study, are similar to those of Yale college, Con. The numerous diffi- culties which Amherst college encountered in its infancy are fresh in the recollection of many persons, as well as the violent opposi- tion which was raised against the application of the trustees for a charter from the general court." — American Magazine, 1835. The venerable Noah Webster, LL. D., the author of the Ameri- can Dictionary of the English Language, was for a time a resi- dent of this town, and was one of the presidents of the board of the Amherst academy. He inaugurated the first president, and deli- vered an address on the occasion, standing on the north-west corner-stone of the south college. Besides the college, there is in the place an academy, and a seminary, called the " Moimt Pleasant Institutiony There are 9 or 10 instructers, and it has acquired celebrity throughout the state. The village in the vicinity of the college consists of about 75 well-built dwelling-houses, a bank, and other public buildings. Distance, 6^ miles to Northampton, 108 from Dartmouth col- lege, N. H., 46 from Hartford, and 82 miles west of Boston. Popu- lation, 2,602. In 1837, there were in this town 2 woollen mills, 4 sets of woollen machinery ; wool consumed, 39,000 lbs. ; cloth manufactured, 62,195 yards, valued at $40,337; males employed, 22 ; females, 30 ; capital invested, f 30,000. Two hat manufacto- ries ; value of hats manufactured, $3,600 : palm-leaf hats manu- factured, 60,000, valued at $12,000 ; value of carriages manufac- tured, $100,000; hands employed, 100; capital invested, $30,000; value of joiners' planes manufactured, $8,000. There were 2 pa- per mills; stock manufactured, 42 tons; value of paper, $7,000. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard in this place : In memory of the Rev^- Mr. David Parsons, first pastor of tfie church at Amherst, who died Jan. 1, 1781, in the 69 year of his age, and 41st of his ministry. A man of God and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Rev. 14, 13. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord ; yea, saith the Spirit, their works do follow them. Rev. Royal Washburn, born at Royalton, Vt., Dec. 6, 1797, graduated at Vermont University, 1820, and at the Andover Theological Seminary, 1824, settled as pastor of the first church and parish, Amherst, Jan. 4, 1826, died Jan. 1, 1833. Honored & be- loved in the church, having a good report of them without ; seeming blameless as the steward of God ; in doctrine showing sincerity and sound speech, in practice a pattern of good works ; yet lowly of heart, & ascribing all to the grace of God through Christ ; his ministry short, but blessed with joyous fruit ; his life as becometh saints ; his death full of peace. Multum diuque desidersibimus.* * Much and long shall we lament for him. BELCHERTOWN. 318 Hie jacet corpus sepultum Reverendi Zephani^ Swift Moore, S. T. D., Collegii Amherstiae Prsesidis. Ille homo ingenioque scientia, atque pietate sincera, praeclarus ; ac mentis gravitate quoqne insigni quum se demittens. Animo et consilio certus, sed tamen mitissimus semperque facilitate permagna, modestus, placabilis, misericordia et fructibus bonis plenus. Non dijudicans, non simulator ; discipulis suis veneratus quasi illis pater dilectusque. Maximo omnium desiderio mortem obiii, die XXX Jun., Anno Domini MDCCCXXIII. JEtatis suae LIII. Hanoveriae gradum Artium Baccalaurei admissus, anno Domini MDCCXCIII. Ecclesise Logecestriensis Pastor annos XIV, Collegii Dartmuthensis linguarum Professor IV, Collegii Gulielrai Prjeses II. Cura- tores Collegii Amlierstias hoc saxum ponendum curavere. [Here lies buried the body of the Reverend Zephaniah Swift Moore, D. D., President of the College at Amherst. He was a man pre-eminent for genius, and science, and sincere piety, as well as greatness of mind and humility. He was firm in his pur- poses, and yet very mild, easy to be entreated, modest, placable, full of mercy and good works. He was not cen.sorious, and no dissembler. By his pupils he was loved and venerated as a father. To the great grief of all, he died on the 30th of June, in the year of our Lord 1823, and in the 53d year of his age. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Hanover in 1793; he was pastor of the church at Leicester 14 years. Professor of languages at Dartmouth College 4 years. President of Williams Col- lege 2 years. The trustees of the college at Amherst have ordered this stone to be erected.] BELCHERTOWN.=>s^ The towns of Belchertown, Ware, and Pelham, were originally included in one tract, and styled the Equivalent Lands, from the following circumstance. The towns of Woodstock, Somers, En- field, and Suffield, in Connecticut, were formerly supposed to be- long to the province of Massachusetts, and were for many years under her jurisdiction; and though it afterwards appeared that they were included within the boundaries of Connecticut, the pro- vince of Massachusetts still claimed jurisdiction over them. It was, therefore, agreed between the two governments, that an equal extent of territory should be given to Connecticut as an equiva- lent. This, and the adjacent towns above mentioned, were inclu- ded in that territory, and were thence denominated the Equivalent Lands. Connecticut afterwards sold a considerable portion of this township to six individuals, in and near Boston, one of whom was the Hon. Jonathan Belcher, who was for many years afterwards the governor of Massachusetts colony. About the year 1740, the towns in Connecticut above mentioned threw off the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and have since been incorporated with that state. The grant made to these proprietors was first laid out in 1727. Another grant, comprising about 14,000 acres, adjoining this, on the north, was subsequently made to several inhabitants of North- ampton, of whom Pemberton, Vance, Saltonstall, and the reverend and venerable Jonathan Edwards, were the principal proprietors. This tract was laid out into lots of 100 acres each, about the year 1760, and the whole became a town corporate by an act of the gene- ral court in 1761. The remaining section of the equivalent lands was sold to Col. Stoddard, of Northampton. * The author is indebted for the history of this town principally to a communiratioii from the Hon. Mark Doolittle of this town. It was published in the Hampshire Centinel, a newspaper primed in this town, in 1827. 214 BELCHERTOWN. This tract of country, from Shutesbiiry to Chicopee river, it ap- pears, was formerly distinguished as the best hunting-ground in this vicinity for deer and other wild game. The hunters were ac- customed to encircle a large tract of land by a line of fires, which, burning in every direction, gradually encompassed the game in a circle so narrow, that they became an easy prey to their pursuers; and in process of time our native forests were destroyed, and, in a great measure, consumed by the hunters' fires. But these lands which had been thus burnt were soon covered with a species of wild grass, affording excellent pasturage for cattle ; and for many years great numbers of cattle and horses were annually sent out from Northampton and Hadley to graze upon these hills during the summer season. The practice of burning over these lands also continued a considerable time after the first settlement of the place. This town was first known by the name of Cold Spring. It took its name from a noted cold spring in the eastern part of the town, near the path that was formerly travelled from Northamp- ton to Brookfield and Boston. After leaving Hadley, there was, for many years, no house nearer than Brookfield ; and this spring, lying midway between the two towns, afforded a convenient place for Refreshment to the traveler in his solitary journey through the wilderness. As the communications between the towns upon the river and the eastern section of the state became more frequent, the spring became a celebrated watering-place for travellers, and finally gave name to the township. In honor of Governor Belcher, one of its original proprietors, it was, however, in the act of its in- corporation, called Belcher's Town ; which, by common usage, has passed into the name of Belchertown. The town is now about twelve miles in length, with an average breadth of about five miles, and is esthnated to contain about 34,000 acres of land. The first settlement of tiie town Avas made about 1732, by two or three fami- Jies. The first permanent inhabitant was Dea. Aaron Lyman, who settled in the east part of the town, near the celebrated spring above mentioned. His son, the late Major Lyman, was the first male child born in the town. The next settlement that was made was by Col. Timothy Dwight, who established himself near the middle of the town. He was originally the sole proprietor of the lands in the central part of the town, a valuable portion of which remains to this day in the possession of his descendants. The set- tlements were gradually increased by successive emigrants from Northampton and Hatfield. The following view was taken from near the public house, situated at the south end of the wide street or common, in the central part of Belchertown. It shows the two Congregational churches, and in the distance, at the north end of the common, is seen " the Belchertoivn. Classical SchooV It was incorporated in 1836. This institution is one of much promise ; it is in a flourishing state, and has at present about sixty pupils of both sexes. The village is situated on a hill, and consists of about forty dwelling-houses, three BELCHERTOWN. 316 Southern vkm in Belchertown. churches, 2 Congregational and 1 Baptist, a number of mercan- tile stores and mechanic shops. Distance, 15 miles from North- ampton, 18 from Springfield, 28 from Greenfield, 10 from Ware vil- lage, 9 from Amherst college, 38 from Worcester, and 77 from Boston. Population, 2,598. In 1837, there were 3,000 sheep in this town; wool produced, 9,000 lbs., valued at $5,400. About 600 one-horse wagons were manufactured, the value of which was estimated at $24,000. It appears probable, from some imperfect town records, that the first minister, the Rev. Edward Billings, was ordained here in 1739. Mr. Billings left no church records, and the names and number of the first members cannot be ascertained : it appears, however, at this period, that the entire population of the town consisted only of twenty families. Mr. Billings continued pastor about twelve years, when he was dismissed on account of a difterence of senti- ment between him and his church respecting the admission of members. He was afterwards installed over the church at Green- field, and died in a few years. The next pastor was Rev. Justus Forward, who was ordained Feb. 25, 1756. The population had then increased to 55 or 60 families, comprising about 300 souls, and the church at that time consisted of 69 members. The following is a list of the male members, viz. : Dea. John Smith, Dea. Aaron Lyman, Abner Smith, Daniel Smith, Joseph Smith, Elijah Smith, Jonathan Graves, Ebenezer Bridgman, Joseph Bridgman, Benjamin Stebbins, Walter Fairfield, Stephen Fairfield, Samuel Hannum, Moses Hannum, Aaron Hannum, Gideon Hannum, Eliakim Phelps, Joseph Phelps, Nathan Parsons, Moses Warner, Ebenezer Warner, Nathaniel Dwight, Hezekiah Root, Thomas Brown, Thomas Chapin, Benjamin Morgan, Nathaniel Cowles, Israel Cowles, Ebenezer Stearns, Thomas Graves, John Graves, Benjamin Billings, Joseph Bardwell. Mr. Forward continued in the ministry more than fifty-eight 316 CHESTERFIELD. years, and died March 8th, 1814, in the 84th year of his age. Rev. Experience Porter, the next minister, was installed pastor in 1814 ; he resigned in 1825, and was succeeded by Rev. Lyman Coleman the same year : Rev. Jared Reid, the next pastor, was installed in 1833. The Brainerd church was organized in 1834. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard, about a mile eastward of the village : Sacred to the memory of Rev. Justus Forward, pastor of the church in Belcherstown, who, skilled in Evangelical Doctrine, exemplary in christian duty, prudent in council, valiant for the truth, faithful and successful in labours, after a long and useful minis- try, in which with reputation to himself, and to the spiritual benefit of his flock, he served God, and his generation, fell asleep March 8, A. D. 1814, in the 84th year of his age, and the 59th of his ministry. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. In memory of Capt. Nathaniel Dwight, who died March 30th, 1784, in the 72d year of his age. He was one of the first settlers of this town, & was esteemed & em- ployea in public business in town and county thro' his whole life. Come honest sexton with your spade, I Tho' I must die and turn to dust, And let my grave be quickly made ; | I hope to rise among the just. On Heaven's decree I waiting lie, Jesus my body will refine. And all my wishes are to die. | I shall with him in glory shine. CHESTERFIELD This town was incorporated in 1762. The Congregational church in this town was formed in 1764, and the Rev. Benjamin Mills was ordained pastor the same year. He resigned in 1774, and died in 1785. Rev. Joseph Kilbourn was settled in 1780, and died within one year ; his successor was Rev. Timothy Allen, who was settled in 1785, and continued pastor about ten years. Rev. Isaiah Waters was settled in 1796, and was pastor till 1831 ; his successor was Rev. Israel G. Rose. This town is watered by the north branch of Westfield river. The channel of this river in the western part of the town may be regarded as a curiosity. " It is worn into the solid rock in places nearly thirty feet in depth, and may be traced from the bridge nearly sixty rods, appearing as if cut out by human hands." This town is situated on one of the eastern ridges of the Green moun- tains. Beryl and emeralds have been found in the town. In 1837, there was in the town one woollen mill ; cloth manufactured, 4,500 yards, valued at $5,600. There were 1,000 Saxony, 5,000 merino, and 1,100 other kinds of sheep ; Saxony wool produced, 2,500 lbs. ; merino, 15,000 lbs. ; other kinds of wool, 3,300 lbs. ; average weight of fleece, two and three fourths pounds; value of wool, $12,480; capital invested, $106,500. Population, 1,158. Distance, 12 miles from Northampton, 27 from Pittsfield, and 105 from Boston. C U M M I N G T O N . 317 CUMMINGTON. This town was sold by the general court to Col. John Cum- mings, of Concord, in 1762. The first meeting of the proprietors was held at Concord, in December, of the same year, and the first meeting held at Cummington was in June, 1771. The first per- son who resided within the present limits of the town was a Scotchman, by the name of Mclntire, who, with his family, began a settlement here in 1770. Many of the early settlers came from Bridgewater and Abington. The town was incorpo- rated by the legislature in 1779. The precise time when the church was gathered here was not known, though previously to the settlement of their first pastor, Rev. James Briggs, which was in 1779. He was a graduate of Yale college, in 175.5, and he began to preach in Cummington in 1771. The town voted to give him 200 acres of good land, and £60 for settlement, to be estimated by rye, at 3s. 4d. per bushel, beef, 2d. a lb., and flax, 8d. a lb. Mr. Briggs was a very useful and respectable minister. He died in 1825 ; and the same year Rev. Roswell Hawkes was installed. Cummington is situated on a range of the Green mountains. A branch of the Westfield passes through the town, and affords good water power for mills and manufactories. There are two villages, the East and the West. The east village contains two cliurches, 1 Baptist and 1 Congregational, and about 30 dwelling-houses ; about 18 miles from Northampton. In 1837, there were in this town 2 cotton mills; cotton spindles, 1,168; cot- ton consumed, 23,000 lbs. ; 124,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at ^8,060. There were 4 woollen mills ; wool consumed, 18,000 lbs.; 74,000 yards of satinet were manu- factured, valued at $31,000; eleven males and twenty females were employed; capital invested, $14,000. Twenty thousand scythe-snaiths were manufactured, valued at $12,000. Palm-leaf hats manufactured, 7,200, valued at $1,500 ; value of leather tanned and curried, $45,445 93. There were 4,162 merino sheep, Avhich produced 12,486 lbs. of wool, valued at $7,491 60. It is stated that at the first settlement of the town deer were very plenty, and that a large number of them made their head- quarters on Deer hill, in this town ; but that they were extirpated by the hunters of those times. " It is stated that a large one was taken by some hunters, at a time when the snow in the woods would not bear him up, and one of the party, taking a fancy to ride him, he was tied on by the feet, and a bridle being put into the animal's mouth, he galloped off with his rider in full speed. On coming, however, to a cleared spot, the crust was so hard as to bear up both the deer and his rider ; so that, owing to the intracta- ble disposition of the beast, and the rapidity and eccentricity of his movements, his ride was any thing but agreeable. It is said that he was dismounted without any serious hurt." Wilham Cullen Bryant, one of our best American poets, is a 318 KASTHAMPTON. native of this town. He is the son of Dr. Peter Bryant, and was born Nov. 3d, 1794, The following notice of Mr. Bryant is from Kettell's Specimens of American Poetry, vol. 3d. At ten years, he felt an inclination for poetry, and MTOte various pieces in verse, one of which was published in the Hampshire Gazette, at Northampton. In 1810, he entered Williams college, where he studied a year or two, and obtained a dismissal on liis own application : he turned his attention to the law. After completing the usual .studies, he was admitted to the bar at Plymouth, in 1S15. He removed to New York in 1820, and was one of the editors of the United States Review and Literary Gazette. In 1828, he became associate editor of the New York Evening Post. Mr. Bryant publi.shed, in 1808, at Boston, a volume of poems, with the title of " The Embargo, or Sketches of the Times." Although the author was but fourteen years of age, the book was so well received, that it was reprinted the next year. In 1821, appeared the volume containing The Ages, Thanatopsis, and other pieces. He also furnished many of the poetical articles in the United States Literary Gazette. As a poet, he is entitled to rank with the most eminent among us for originality, and finished, chaste execution. He does not offend us by abruptness and inequality. He presents us with here and there a bold image, but the tenor of his poetry is even and sustained. He shows good judgment, and a careful study of the materials of his verse. He does not aim witVi an over-daring attempt at those lofty and bewildering flights, which too often fill the poet's pages with cloudy and confused representations. His delineations are clear and distinct, and without any indications of an endeavor to be startling and brilliant by strange metaphors, or unlicensed boldness of phraseology. His writings are marked by correct sentiment and propriety of diction. Mr. Bryant stands high in the general estimation, and his works have been the sub- ject of frequent notice. The pages of our periodical criticism show the manner in •which he is appreciated by the highest literary authorities. EASTHAMPTON. This town was originally included in the limits of Northampton. It was incorporated into a district in 1785, by the name of East Hampton, and in 1809 was incorporated into a town. The first minister, Rev. Payson Williston, was settled here in 1789, and resigned in 1833, and was succeeded the same year by Rev. William Bement. In 1837, there was in this town 1 woollen mill ; cloth manufactured, 15,000 yards, valued at $14,000. The value of lasting buttons manufactured in 1837 was $40,000; males em- ployed, 2; females, 125; capital invested, $12,000. Population, 793. Distance, 5 miles from Northampton, and 90 from Boston. On the borders of this town lies Mount Tom, the highest land in the valley of Connecticut, and is the head of a ridge of mountains, to which it gives the name of Mount Tom range, and which ex- tends into the state of Connecticut, on the west bank of the river. The first settlement in this town was at the foot of Mount Tom, at a place called Paskhomuck ; this was about the year 1700. The following account of the attack of the Indians upon the settlement is from Williams' Historical Discourse respecting Northampton. " On the 13th of May, 1704, old style, the Indians attacked the village of Paskhomuck. The inhabitants had been settled there only two or three years, the town having granted them their home lots in 1699. The Indians had been to Merrimac EASTHAMPTON. 319 river, but met with no success; they then directed their course toward Westfield ; but Westfield river was so high that they could not pass it. Some of the Indians had been at Northampton, in a friendly manner, the year before, and informed their companions that there was a small village at Paskhomuck, where they might get provisions, for they were almost famished, and intended, as they afterwards declared, to resign themselves up, if they could obtain no food otherwise. In the evening before the 13th of May, the Indians went upon Mount Tom, and observed the situation of the place. As tlie meadow was then covered with water, they sup- posed the village might be taken, and that no aid could come sea- sonably from tlie town, on account of the intervening flood. The village consisted only of five families : Samuel Ja)tcs\ Benonl Jones\ John Searls\ Deacon Benjamin /«nes'/and Moses Hutch- inson^ s. A little before day-light, the Indians attacked the village. Benonl Jones' house, which stood on the lot where Nathaniel Kentjield afterwards lived, was encompassed with pickets. The Indians procured flax and other combustibles, and set them on fire, which was communicated to the house. A young woman, named Patience Webb, was waked, and, looking out of the win- dow, was shot through the head. The people surrendered, and all the above families were killed or taken prisoners. Some of the prisoners were afterwards rescued by the people from the town. These, commanded by Capt. Taylor, went round by Pomroy's meadow, and met the Indians near the mountain, when a skir- mish ensued, in which Capt. Taylor was killed. Of the five fami- nes before mentioned, the Indians killed the following persons : Samuel Janes, and his wife and three children ; Benonl Jones, and two children, and the young woman before named ; John Searls, and three children ; Deacon Benjamin Janes, and four children ; and Moses Hutchinson, and one child. The wife of Benjamin Janes was taken to the top of Pomroy's mountain, and was there knocked in the head and scalped. Our people found her in that situation, and, perceiving that she Avas still alive, brought her home, and she recovered, and lived till she was more than eighty years old. The wife of Moses Hutchinson was taken prisoner, but soon made her escape. John Searls' wife was also taken, and severely wounded, but was afterwards rescued from the In- dians. Benoni Jones' wife, and Elisha, the son of John Searls, were taken prisoners to Canada. Ten Indians went to the lower farms, where there was then but one house, in which Captain Wright lived, at the place afterwards owned by Mr. Elias Lyman. Captain Wright refused to surrender, and shot one of the Indians, and broke his arm. They then attempted to burn the house, by shooting spiked arrows, dipped in brimstone, upon the roof; but a young man in the house, named Thomas Stebbins, wrapping him- self in a feather bed, drew water from the well, and put out the fire." * * " The season, at that time, was remarkably backward ; for, though so late in the year, being the 24th of May, according to the present style, the trees and bushes had 43 320 G R A N B Y . ENFIELD. This town was incorporated in 1814 ; previous to which it formed a part of the towns of Greenwich and Belchertown. The first minister was the Rev. Joshna Crosby, who was a chaplain in tlie Revolutionary war. The next pastor was Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, who was settled here in 1828. and resigned in 1837. Rev. John Whiton was the next minister. This town is watered by two branches of Swift river, a main branch of the Chicopee, and is an important stream for manufac- turing purposes. In 1837, there were two cotton mills ; the value of cotton goods manufactured was $8,000. Two woollen mills, five sets of machinery; 1-50,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at .$100,000; twent^'^-five males and twenty-five females were employed. The value of boots and shoes manufactured was $11,729. Sixty thousand palm-leaf hats were manufactured, valued at .$12,000. Value of wool cards manufactured. $35,000 ; twelve males and six females were employed; capital invested, $20,000 ; value of cotton batting and wicking manufactured, $10,000. Population, 1,0.58. Distance from Northampton, 15 miles, 5 from Ware, and 75 from Boston. GRANBY. This town, formerly the second parish in South Hadley, was incorporated as a town in 1768. The original Congregational church in the place was organized in 1762, and Rev. Simon Backus was settled as pastor the same year. He continued here till 1784. His successor, Rev. Benjamin Chapman, was settled in 1790, and died in 1804 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Elijah Gridley. In 1821, the church was divided, and two churches constituted, called the East and West churches. The division grew out of a difficulty respecting the location of a rneeting-honse. "At the time of divi- sion, the West church had 130 members, and the East 144. An attempt was made, in the spring of 1836, to unite the churches. By this effort, a portion of the West church, with their minister, were transferred to the East. A portion still remain. The West church has, perhaps, about 40 members. The East church has 281 members." This town is watered on the north by a small stream, whicli originates in a pond in Belchertown, and runs westward along the foot of mount Holyoke, and passes into the Connecticut in South Hadley. On this stream there is a number of manufacturing not budtled ; and the year was so far advanced before the flood subsided from the meadow, that many persons doubled whether it was expedient lo plant their corn ; bnt notwithstanding, as there was no frost till late in the season, the crop of corn proved to be uncommonly good." GREENWICH. 321 establishments. In 1837, there were two woollen mills; 20,200 yards of cloth were manufactiu'ed, valued at ."^20,200 ; ten males and ten females were employed. There were 1,900 merino, and 167 other kinds of sheep. Tlie average weight of fleece was 3 lbs.; value of wool produced, j|3,670. Population, 922. Distance,^ 9 miles from Northampton, 12 from Springfield, and 90 from Boston. GOSHEN This town, the smallest in the county of Hampshire, was in- corporated in 1781. Rev. Samuel Whitman was installed pastor in this place in 1788, and continued such till 1818. He was suc- ceeded, in 1821, by Rev. .Toel Wright. The next minister was Rev. Henry B. Holmes, who was settled in 1830; he continued for nearly three years, and was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Mason, who Avas installed in 1836. This township is on elevated land. In the central part of the town there are 2 churches, 1 for Congregationalists and 1 for Baptists. In 1837, there were in the town 710 Saxony, 2,115 merino, and 223 other kinds of sheep. The value of wool pro- duced was $4,500. The value of broom-handles manufactured was $3,000 ; the value of sawed lumber was $5,000. Population, 560. Distance, 12 miles from Northampton, and 105 from Boston. GREENWICH. This town was incorporated in 1754. It was originally settled by a colony'' from the north of Ireland, and many of their descend- ants still remain in the town. Rev. Pelatiah Webster, the first minister, was ordained here in 1749 ; he resigned in 1755. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert Cutler, who was installed in 1760, and died in 1786, aged 68. Mr. Cutler was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Blodget, who was settled here in 1786, and died in 1833. Rev. Joseph H. Patrick was settled here as colleague pastor in 1830. This township is pleasantly situated on the east and west branches of Swift river, a branch of the Chicopee. In 1837, thern was one woollen mill ; 3,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $3,000. One scythe manufactory; scythes manufac- tured, 10,200, valued at $7,000; twelve hands were employed; capital invested, .$4,000. There were 30,000 palm-leaf hats manu- factured, valued at $4,375. Population, 842. Distance, 17 miles from Northampton, 26 from Worcester, and 75 from Boston, 322 HAD LEY. HADLEY. John Webster and John Russell may be considered as the foun- ders of Hadley. Mr. Webster was a magistrate of Connecticut in 1639, and was elected governor in 1656, and sustained that office a number of years ; Mr. Russell was a minister at Wethersfield, in Connecticut. About the year 1G60, there was quite an excitement and controversy in the colony of Connecticut, respecting the quali- fications of baptism, church-membership, &c. As the minds of the people could not be united on these subjects, many, in order to enjoy peace and harmony, thought it best to remove, and com- mence settlements in other places. "The original agreement, or association, for removal, is on record, dated at Hartford, April 18, 1659. John Webster is the first signer, and about 30 names follow. Mr. Russell and his people signed another instrument, and his name, at the head of the list, is followed by about 30 of his con- gregation. Mr. Russell was installed the first minister of Hadley. He removed to this place in 1659, and Mr. Webster, with three others of his name, it is believed, the same year." It is stated that these emigrants purchased the whole territory now included in the towns of Hadley, Hatfield, Granby, and Amherst. The Rev. Isaac Chauncy succeeded Mr. Russell, in 1695. The next minis- ter was Rev. Chester Williams, who was ordained colleague pastor in 1740-1 ; he died 1753, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Hopkins, in 1775. Dr. Hopkins was succeeded by Rev. John Woodbridge, who was ordained colleague in 1810. Rev. John Brown, D. D., the next minister, was installed in 1831. Rev. Ebenezer Brown was installed pastor of the second church in 1835. Hadley is a fine agricultural town, and the meadows on the banks of the Connecticut river are some of the best in New Eng- land. Large quantities of broom-corn are annually raised, and the manufacture of brooms is an important branch of business in this town. The value of brooms manufactured in 1837 was $89,248. There were also 42,300 palm-leaf hats manufactured, valued at .f6,768. Connecticut river, between this town and Northampton, winds about in entirely opposite directions, and above Northampton village forms a kind of peninsula. On the isthmus, or neck, of this peninsula, the village of Hadley is situ- ated. It lies mostly on one street, a mile in length, running di- rectly north and south ; is sixteen rods in breadth ; is nearly a perfect level ; is covered, during the summer, with a rich verdure : abuts at both ends on the river ; and yields every where a delight- ful prospect. The following shows the appearance of the gorge between Mount Holyoke and ]\Iount Tom, as seea from the south end of the east street in Hadley, looking down the river. Mount Holyoke is seen in the distance, on the left ; the moimtain house is just discerni- ble on its summit, with the path leading up to it. Mount Tom is seen still farther to the south, on the right of the engraving. "In the beginning of April, (1676,) a number of inhabitants of Had- H A D L E Y . 323 View from the south end of Hadley Street. ley, who had gone down the river to Hoccamun^ under a small guard, for the purpose of tillage, ventured out some distance from the guard, and a part to the summit of Mount Holyoke, to view the surrounding country from the peak so noted at this day. A party of Indians rushed upon them, and killed two of their num- ber on the mount. Deacon Goodman, having proceeded some dis- tance in a different direction, to view the enclosures of his field, was also killed." Hadley is situated about 3 miles N. E. of Northampton ; it is connected with this town by a covered bridge, which was erected at a considerable expense, being 1,080 feet in length. It is 88 miles W. of Boston, 3 N. W. of Mount Holyoke, and 6 N. of South Hadley. Population, 1,805. Incorporated a town in 1661, Hadley is celebrated as being the place of refuge for Goffe and Whalley, two of the judges of Charles I. of England, called by some " the regicides." Soon after the restoration of monarchy in England, thirty of the judges who condemned king Charles to death were apprehended and executed as traitors. Among those who made their escape, were Goffe and Whalley, who arrived at Boston in 1660. They were gentlemen of worth ; their appear- ance and mamiers were dignified, commanding universal respect; they were also highly esteemed by the colonists for their unfeigned piety. Whalley had been a lieutenant-general, and Goffe a ma- jor-general, in Cromwell's army. An order for their apprehension, from Charles II., reached New England soon after their arrival. The king's commissioners, eager to execute this order, compelled the judges to resort to the woods, caves, and other places of con- cealment ; and they would undoubtedly have been taken, had not the colonists secretly aided and assisted them in their conceal- ments. Sometimes they found a refuge in a kind of cave, on West Rock, a mountain, about two miles from New Haven, and at others in the cellars of the houses of their friends ; and once they were secreted under a bridge, near New Haven, while their pur- suers crossed it on horseback. 324 H A D L E T . ''At or about the time the pursuers came to New Haven, and perhaps a little before to prepare the minds of the people for their receptioa, the Rev. Mr. Davenport preached publicly from this text : Isaiah xvi. 3, 4. — ' Take counsel, execute judgment, make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday ; hide the outcasts, betray not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts divell with thee, Moab ; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler.' This, doubtless, had its effect, and put the whole town upon their gua,rd, and united the people in caution and concealment. " To show the dexteritj- of the judges at fencing, the following siory is told : Tliat while at Boston, there appeared a fencing-master, who, on a stage erected for the pur- pose, walked it for several days, challenging and defying any one to play with him nt swords ; at length, one of the judges, disguised in a rustic dress, holding in one hand a cheese, wrapped in a napkin, for a shield, with a broomstick, whose mop he had besmeared with dirty puddle water as he passed along — thus equipped, he mounted the stage. The fencing-master railed at him for his impudence, asked him what busi- ness he had there, and bid hnn begone. The judge stood his ground, upon which the gladiator made a pass at him with his sword, to drive him oif — a rencounter ensued — the judge received the sword into the cheese, and held it until he drew the mop of the broom gently over his mouth, and gave the gentleman a pair of Avhiskers. He made another pass, and, plunging his sword a second time, it was caught and held in the cheese, whilst the mop was drawn gently over his eyes. At a third lunge, it was again caught and held in the cheese, until the judge had rubbed the broom all over his face. Upon this, the gentleman let fall his small sword, and took up the broad sword. The judge then said. ' Stop, sir ; hitherto, you see, I have only played with you, and not attempted to harm you ; but if you come at me now with the broad sword, know that I -will certainly take your life.' The firmness with which he spoke struck the master, who, desisting, exclaimed, ' Who can you be ? You must be either Gofie, Wlialley, or the devil ; for there was no other man in England that could beat me.' " — Stiles' Histonj of the Judges. After about three years and a half weary pilgrimage at New Haven and its vicinity, they, on October 13, 1664, set ont for Hadley. Travelling in the night only, probably with a gnide, they were undiscovered, and arrived at the house of Mr. Russell, the minister of Hadley, after a journey of about 100 miles. The house of this friendly clergyman, situated on the east side of the main street, near the center of the village, was of two stories, with a kitchen attached, and ingeniously fitted up for the recep- tion of the judges. The east chamber was assigned for their resi- dence, from which a door opened into a closet, back of the chim- ney, and a secret trap-door communicated Avith an under closet, from which Avas a private passage to the cellar, into which it was easy to descend, in case of a search. Here, unknown to the peo- ple of Hadley, excepting to a few confidants and the family of Mr. Russell, the judges remained fifteen or sixteen years. The dangerous secret of their concealment was known to Peter Tilton, Esq., whose residence stood on the same side of the street with Mr. Russell's, about half the distance towards the south end of the village ; and here, it is said, the judges occasionally resided. A Mr. Smith, who lived in the northern part of the village, is said to have occasionally admitted the exiles to his house. Mr. Tilton was frequently at Boston, being often a member of the general court from Hadley, and through him donations from their friends in England, and elsewhere, were received by the judges. During his residence in Hadley, Goffe held a correspondence with his wife in England, under a fictitious name. By one of the letters, dated April 2, 1679, it appears that Whalley had died some time prcvi- H A D L E Y . 325 ously, at Mr. Russell's. He was buried in a sort of tomb, formed of mason work, and covered with flags of hewn stone, just with- out the cellar wall of Mr. Russell's house ; where his bones were found by Mr. Gay lord, who built a house on the spot where Mr. Russell's was standing, as late as 1794. Soon after the death of Whalley, Goffe left Hadley, and travelled to the southward ; after which, no certain information of him can be obtained. There is a tradition, however, that he also died at Hadley, and was buried in the garden or near the house of Mr. Tilton. Not long after the arrival of the two judges at Hadley, Col. .Tohn Dixwell, an- other of the judges, joined them at Mr. Russell's, and resided there for a while ; he afterward settled down at New Haven, Con., under the assumed name of Davids, where he died in 1688-9. It has been conjectured by President Stiles, and others, that the re- mains of both Gofle and Whalley were interred near those of Dixwell's, there being monuments near that of Dixwell's inscribed with the initials of their names. During Philip's war, in 1676, Hadley was attacked on the morning of tlie 12th of June, by about seven liundred Indians. " In the preceding night, they approached the town, laid an am- buscade at the southern extremity, and advanced the main body towards the other, and at day-light the attack was commenced with great spirit ; but the English, Uirning out, received them at the palisades. The Indians gained possession of a house at the north end of the street, and fired a barn, but were in a short time driven back with loss. The attack was renewed on other points, and the Indians, though warmly opposed, appeared determined on car- rying the place ; but a discharge of a piece of ordnance checked their fury, and their ambuscade failing of their object, which was to attack the people who might be driven from the village, they drew ofl". Major Talcott, at Northamptou, hearing the attack, hurried on, passed the river, and, joining the Hadley forces, pre- cipitated the Indians into the woods. Only two or three men were lost by the English ; the enemy's was not ascertained." " When the people were in great consternation, and rallying to oppose the Indians, a man of venerable aspect, diflering from the inhabitants in his apparel, appeared, and, assuming command, arrayed them in the best manner for defence, evincing much knowledge of mili- tary tactics, and by his advice and example continued to animate the men throughout the attack. When the Indians drcAV off, the stranger disappeared, and nothing further was heard of him. Who the deliverer was, none could inform or conjecture, but by supposing, as was common at that day, that Hadley liad been saved by its guardian angel. It will be recollected that at this time the two judges, Whalley and Goffe, were secreted in the village, at the house of the Rev. Mr. Russell. The supposed angel, then, was no other than Gen. Goffe, who, seeing the village in imminent danger, put all at risk, left his concealment, mixed with the inha- bitants, and animated them to a vigorous defence. Wlialley, being 325 HATFIELD. then superannuated, probably remained in his sechided cham- ber." * The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the grave-yard in this town : — Reverend Rvssells remains, who first gathered, and for 33 years faithfvlly GOVERNED THE FLOCK OF ChRIST IN HaDLEY, TIL THE CHEIF ShEPHERD SVDDENLY CALLED HIM OFF TO RECIEVE HIS REWARD, IN THE 66 YEAR OF HIS AGE, DeCEJLBER 10, 1692. Rebeckah, made by God a meit help to Mr. Iohn Rvssell, and fellow labovk- ER IN Christ's work ; a wise, vertvovs, piovs mother in Israel lyes here, in fvll assvrance of a joyfvl Resverection. She died in the 57 year of her age, No- vember 21, 1688. To the memory of John Webster, Esq., one of the first settlers of Hartford, in Con- necticut, who was many years a magistrate or assistant, 6c afterwards Deputy Gover- nor of that Colony, 6c in 1659, with three sons, Robert, William 6c Thomas, associ- ated with others in the purchase and settlement of Hadley, where he died in 1665. f This monument is erected, in 1818, by his descendant, Noah Webster, of Amherst. In memory of Mrs. Sarah Marsh, wife of Ebenezer Marsh, who departed this life January y" 31, 1794, in the 66 year of her age. Prudence is an eveness of soul, A steady temper, which no cares controul, No passions rutHe, no desires inflame, Still constant to itself, 6c still the same. Here lies the body of the rev. Isaac Chauncy, pastor of the first church in Hadley, who was of a truly peaceable and catholic spirit, a good scholar, an eloquent orator, an able divine, a lively, pathetic preacher, a burning and shining light in this candle- stick, an exemplary christian, an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. He de- parted this life 2 May, A. D. 1745, a^tat. 74. HATFIELD. Hatfield is one of the oldest settlements in the county, and was originally included within the bounds of Hadley. It was incorpo- rated in 1670. The Rev. Hope Atherton appears to have been the first minister. Mr. Atherton died in 1679, aged 33. He was succeed- ed by Rev. Nathaniel Chauncy. Mr. Chauncy died in 1685, and was succeeded by Rev. William Williams, who died in 1741. Rev. Timothy Woodbridge was installed here in 1740, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph Lyman, D. D., in 1772. Dr. Lyman died in 1828, and was succeeded by Rev. .Tared B. Waterbury, in 1827, who was succeeded by Rev. Levi Pratt, in 1830. This is a fine agricultural town, and noted for its raising fine beef cattle. A part of the township is a pine plain, a part intervals of the first quality, and the remaining part valuable upland. The principal village lies on an interval opposite the north end of Hadley, at the distance of one mile and a half. There is one Congregational church. Population, 937. Distance, 5 miles north of Northamp- * Hoyt's Indian Wars, p. 135. f This is an error ; it should be 1661. HATFIELD. 327 ton, and 95 west of Boston. The value of brooms manufactured in this town in 1837 was .4^28,600. Hatfield, hke other ancient towns in this vicinity, has passed through many scenes of distress and danger. On October 19, 1675, in Phihp's war, between seven and eight hundred Indians ap- proached the outposts of Hatfield, flushed with their recent suc- cesses in Deerfield and other places. Having cut off several par- ties who were scouring the woods in the vicinity, they made a rapid attack on the town in various directions. Fortunately, two companies, under the command of Captains Mosely and Poole, were at this time in the village. While Poole bravely defended one extremity, Mosely with no less resolution defended the center, while Captain Appleton, arriving with his company from Hadley, protected the other extremity. After a severe contest, the Indians were repulsed at every point ; many were driven across Mill river in confusion, and in their hurry, attempting to carry off their dead and wounded, lost many of their guns in the river. They how- ever found time to fire several buildings, which were consumed, and to drive off a number of cattle and sheep. Their retreat being made at the dusk of the evening, their loss could not be ascer- tained ; the loss of the English is not given. Captain Appleton had a narrow escape, a ball passing through the hair of his head ; his sergeant at his side was mortally wounded. On the 30th of May, 1676, a body of 6 or 700 Indians fell upon Hatfield again, and burnt about a dozen houses and barns in the skirts of the town. One party attacked the fortified houses to which the inhabitants had fled, the other drove away the cattle belonging to the inha- bitants. In the mean time twenty-five young men from Hadley crossed the river, and with invmcible resolution broke their way through the enemy, and assisted in repelling the savages. In the expedition of Captain Turner and others, in 1676, against the Indians at the falls in the vicinity of Greenfield, Rev. Mr. Atherton of Hatfield accompanied him as chaplain. In the con- fusion of the retreat from Greenfield, he was separated from the troops, and became lost in the woods. After wandering at random and despairing of finding his way home, he came to the resolution of delivering up himself to the Indians. Approaching a party of the savages, he by signs offered to surrender himself a prisoner ; but, as unaccountable as it may appear, they refused to receive him. When he approached and called to them, they fled from his presence, and appeared fearful of his approach, and Mr. Atherton was left to his fate. Upon this he determined if possible to find the river and follow it to Hatfield. This he effected, after a wan- dering march of several days of excessive fatigue and hunger, and arrived in safety among his people. The Indians, probably, know- ing Mr. Atherton's profession by his dress, and having some knowledge of the sacredness of his office, considered him as a sacred person, whom they dare not injure. On the 19th of September, 1677, about fifty Indians, who had descended Connecticut river, fell upon Hatfield, as the people were 44 328 MIDDLE FIELD. raising a house, killed and captured about twenty, including amoncr the latter several women and children. Among the pri- soners were the wives of Benjamin Wait and Stephen Jennings. Havino- received authority trom the government to ransom the captives, they commenced their hazardous journey on the 24th of October, and followed the enemy through New York by the lakes into Canada. They returned, after an absence of eight months, with nineteen of the prisoners. On the 22d of August, 178G, a convention of delegates from fifty towns in Hampshire county assembled in Hatfield, and passed certain seditious resolutions. " This was the first important blow struck against the government, in Shays' insurrection; it was soon followed up by attempts, some of which were successful, to stop the proceedings of courts in various counties." The convention con- tinued for three days. This body voted that the essential branches of the three legislative departments of the state were grievous; "material proceedings upon national concerns erroneous; obvious measures for paying the debt blindly overlooked ; public moneys misappropriated, and the constitution itself intolerably defective. The directions for transmitting these proceedings to the convention of Worcester, and to the county of Berkshire, displayed a design in this assembly of doing more than passively representing their own grievances."— -i'V/ino/f'5 Hist. Insurrection. The following inscriptions are from monuments in this town : In memory of the Hon. Israel Williams, Esquire, who departed this life 10 Janu- ary. 1788, in the 79 year of his age. High and low, rich and poor, are death's equal prey, and no valuable distinction survives his resistless attack, but that,' which enno- bles an angel, the love of God. All on earth is shadow, all beyond Is substance ; the reverse is folly's creed. How solid all, where change shall be no more ! To the memory of Mr. Jacob Walker, who, respected by the brave, beloved by his country's friends, dear to his relations, while manfully defending the laws and liberties of the commonwealth, nobly fell by the impious hand of treason and rebellion, on the 17 of February, 1787, in tlie 32 year of his age. Citizen passing, drop a tear, and learn to imitate the brave. MIDDLEFIELD This town, which is situated on a range of the Green moun- tains, was incorporated in 1783. Rev. Jonathan Nash, the first minister, was settled in 1792, and died in 1834. His successor. Rev. Samuel Parker, was installed pastor in 1832, and resigned in 1833. He was succeeded by Rev. John H. Bisbee, in 1834. Besides the Congregational, there is a Baptist church in the central part of the town. A Methodist church is situated in the south-eastern section of the town. This town is watered by two branches of Westfield river. The stream called Middle river divides this town from Worthington. 5 2; NORTHAMPTON. 329 Soap-stone and an extensive bed of serpentine, or rock of various colors, are found in the town. In 1837, there were two woollen mills, 4 sets of woollen machinery ; cloth manufactured, 26,000 yards, valued at $54,000; males employed, 26; females, 24; capi- tal invested, $36,000. There were 9,724 Saxony sheep; wool produced, 26,741 lbs. ; average weight of fleece, two and three- fourths lbs. ; value of wool, $17,381 65; capital invested, $120,945. Population, 7]0. Distance, 24 miles from Northampton, 17 from Pittsfield, and 110 from Boston. NORTHAMPTON. The Indian name of Northampton was Nonotuck. It formerly included Southampton, Westhampton, and Easthampton, since incorporated as towns. The fertility, extent, and beauty of the fine intervals in this region attracted the attention of settlers at an early period. The township was purchased in 1653, and convey- ed to John Pynchon, Esq., for the planters, by WawhilhnDa, Ne- nessahalant^ Nassicohee, and four others, (one of whom was a married woman,) styled " the chief and proper owners," for one hundred fathom of wampum by tale, and ten coats, besides some small gifts, in hand paid to the sachems and owners, and also for ploughing up sixteen acres of land on the east side of Qvonnccficiit river the ensuing summer. These "all bargained for themselves, and the other owners by their consent." The original planters were twenty-one in number, and the legal grant was made to them in 1654, by " John Pynchon, Elizur Holyoke, and Samuel Chapin, commissioners for laying out Nonotuck, by the general court," and the settlement "of the town commenced the same year.=^ In 1656, "towns men" (or selectmen) were chosen, and in 1657 three commissioners were chosen at a town meeting '• as a court to end small causes." The same year, the town employed an agent "to obtain a minister, and to devise means to prevent the excess of liquors and cider from coming to the town." In 1662, at the for- mation of the county of Hampshire, consisting of the three towns of Springfield, Northampton, and Hadley, Northampton was made a half shire, and in 1794 was made the county town. The village of Northampton is situated about a mile from Con- necticut river, a little elevated above the surrounding meadows. These meadows are some of the best land in New England, and are in the highest state of cultivation. The viliase, although very irregularly laid out,t is one of the most beautiful and best built * There is a tradition that one English family came to Northampton in 1652, and lived on land which is east of what is now called Hawley street. fit has been said that they [the streets] were laid out by the cows, and that wherever these animals, when going to feed in the forests, made their paths, the inha- bitants located their streets. The probability is. that the first planters, being both in- clined and obliged to buiJd near to each other, placed their houses wherever the ground 330 N R T H A 31 P T O X villages in New England. Situated in the delightful valley of the Connecticut, surrounded with beautiful and variegated prospects on every side, with the magnificent front of Mount Hoiyoke, rising to the height of 830 feet, on the opposite side of the river, the scenery of this place presents a specimen of the -'sublime and beautiful." A fine stream passes tlie center of the town, possessing a good water power, on which are mills and factories of various kinds. This place has considerable river and inland commerce, which will pro- bably be increased by the New Haven and Northampton canal, which terminates a little north of the village. Eastern viejv of Ruimd HiU, Northainjptork. The above is a representation of Round Hill, an elevation which rises immediately back of the court-house and the central part of the village. It is very regular in its form, and the summit is crowned by a noble grove. A number of elegant residences stand on the side of this elevation, overlooking the village ; and from this spot there is a fine prospect of Mount Hoiyoke and the delightful valley of the Connecticut. The view from which the above engraving was made, Avas taken standing on< the western side of the first Congregational church. ' The building appearing on the left is the Toron School ; the Gothic structure on the right is the young Ladles^ Seminary. Round Hill is seen beyond. There are 5 churches, 3 Congregational, (1 of which is Unitarian,) 1 Episco- pal, and 1 Baptist. There is 1 bank, the "Northampton Bank," with a capita] of .$200,000.. Population, 3,576. Northampton is 91 miles W. of Boston, 72 E. of Albany, 40 N. of Hartford, 22 S. of Greenfield. 17 northerly of ^5pringfield, and 376 from Wash- ington. In 1837, there were 3 woollen mills, 7 sets of machine- ry ; 70,000 yards of cloth were mahufactnred, valued at $230,000 ; was sufficiently dry to furnish convenient building spots." — Dr. Dtvight's Travels, vol- ume i., page 328. NORTHAMPTON. 331 males employed, 64 ; females, 60 ; capital invested, $100,000. There are 2 silk manufactories ; value of ribbon and sewing silk manufactured, $40,000; males employed, 20 ; females, 40; capi- tal invested, $100,000. There is a paper-mill, an air and cupola furnace, and other manufactories of various kinds. The inhabitants of Northampton ap*peared to have lived in great harmony with the Indians. In 1664, the Indians requested leave of the people to build themselves a fort within the town ; leave was granted, and their fort was erected perhaps about thirty rods from the most populous street. The conditions on which leave was obtained for building their fort were, — that they should not Avork or game within the town on the Sabbath, nor powaw here or any where else ; they should not get liquor, nor cider, nor get drunk ; nor admit Indians from without the town ; nor break down fences, &c. "The Indians," says Dr. Dvvight, "were always considered as having a right to dwell and to hunt within the lands which they had sold." Although the Indians lived in such close contact with the whites, there is not even a traditionary story of any quar- rel between them and the people of Northampton. But after Phil- ip's war commenced, the inhabitants were in continual danger. In 1675, a guard was kept continually ; several of the inhabitants had their houses burnt. In King William's war, in 1690, a forti- fication was ordered to be run quite round the town. In 1704 a body of French and Indians, numbering, it is supposed, about five hundred, invaded the town, but it appears that the inhabitants were so vigilant and well fortified, that they made no serious at- tempt upon the place. It appears that one house was fortified in every little neighborhood, so that all the inhabitants might have a place of refuge near, in case of an attack. " These fortifications must have been expensive. Those Avhich were erected around the town, were palisadoes set up in the earth, thrown out of a trench; and must from their great extent have involved an expense scarce- ly supportable." The first road to Windsor, their only passage to market, was laid in 1664. The first bridge over Manhan river, a mill stream three miles south of their church, was voted in 1668. At the same time, they paid their taxes at Charlestown first, and afterwards at Boston, in wheat. This was conveyed to Hartford in carts and wagons, and there shipped for Boston. There is one account, only, of their expense in a transaction of this nature re- X corded. In this instance, they were obliged to pay one third of the cargo for the transportation from Hartford to Charlestown. During Shays' insurrection in 1786, after the insurgents had concerted their measures at Hatfield, they assembled to the num- ber of about 1,500, imder arms, at Northampton, took possession of the court-house, and effectually prevented, the sitting of the courts as prescribed by law. Upon this violence being committed, the governor issued his proclamation in a feehng and spirited man- ner upon the officers and citizens, to suppress such treasonable proceedings, but such was the state of things in the common- 332 NORTHAMPTON. wealth at this time, that the ill-disposed paid but little attention to this timely measure. The first minister of Northampton was Eleazer Mather, son of the Rev. Richard Mather, of Dorchester. He was ordained in 1661, and died in 1669, aged 32. Mr. Mather's health having de- clined. Rev. Joseph Elliot, in 1662, was invited to settle in the ministry here ; he was the second son of Rev. John Elliot, of Rox- bury, the celebrated apostle to the Indians ; he afterwards settled at Guilford, Con. Rev. Solomon Stoddard was the next minister, was ordained in 1672, and died in 1729. His successor was Jona- than Edwards, the celebrated divine, who was invited in 1726 to assist Mr. Stoddard in the ministry. Mr. Stoddard " possessed probably more intiuence than any other clergyman in the province, during a period of thirty years. Here he was regarded with a reverence which will scarcely be rendered to any other man. The very savages are said to have felt towards him a peculiar awe. Once, when riding from Northampton to Hatfield, and pa.ssing a place called Dewey's Hole, an ambush of savages lined the road. It is said that a Frenchman, directing his gun towards him, was Avarned by one of the Indians, who some time before had been among the English, not to fire, because ' that man Avas English- man'^s GofV A similar adventure is said to have befallen him while meditating in an orchard, immediately behind the church in Deerfield, a sermon he was about to preach. These stories, told in Canada, are traditionally asserted to have been brought back by English captives. It was customary for the Canadian savages, after they returned from their excursions, to report their adven- tures, by way of triumph, to the captives taken in the English colonies. Among the works which Mr. Stoddard published, his Guide to Christ, and his Safety of appearing in the Righteousness of Christ, have ever been held in respectful estimation." " He published the Doctrine of Instituted Churches, London, 4to, 1700, in which he advanced some sentiments that were not very well received in this country, such as the following: — that the Lord's table should be accessible to all persons not immoral in their lives, that the power of receiving and censuring members is vested ex- •ilusively in the elders of the church, and that synods have power to excommunicate and deliver from church censures." The Rev. Jonathan Edwards continued in Northampton more than twenty-three years, till he was dismissed in 1750. The causes which led to his dismissal were his endeavors to enforce Avhat he considered to be his duty in regard to the discipline of the church, and likewise the opposition he made to the sentiment supported by his colleague and grandfather, Rev. Mr. Stoddard, that unconverted persons ought to be allowed to come to the sacra- ment of the Lord's supper. In 1751, he was settled at Stockbridge as missionary to the Indians, where he continued six years, preach- ing to the Indians and white people. Here he found leisure to prosecute his theological and metaphysical studies, and produced those works which will probably hand down his name to the latest NORTHAMPTON. 333 posterity. In January, 1758, he reluctantly accepted the presiden- cy of the college at Princeton, New Jersey. The small-pox pre- vailing. President Edwards was induced to be inoculated, which was the cause of his death, March 22, 17.58, in the 55th year of his age. David Brainerd, the celebrated missionary, died at the house of Jonathan Edwards, in this place, Oct. 9, 1747, in the thirtieth year of his age. His life was written by Mr. Edwards. " His life and diary," says a celebrated English divine, "exhibits a perfect pattern of the qualities which should distinguish the instructor of rude and barbarous tribes ; the most invincible patience and self- denial, the profoundest humility, exquisite prudence, indefatigable industry, and such a devotedness to God, or rather such an absorp- tion of the whole soul in zeal for the divine glory and the salvation of men, as is scarcely paralleled since the age of the apostles. His constitutional melancholy, though it must be regarded as a physi- cal imperfection, imparts an additional interest and pathos to the narrative, since we more easily sympathize with the emotion of sorrow than of joy. There is a monotony in his feelings, it must be acknowledged, and consequently a frequent repetition of the same ideas, which will disgust a fastidious or superficial reader, but it is the 'monotony oi snbUmityy [From the Massachusetts Spy, June 25, 1806.] " S'pringfmd, June 10. " Execution OF Daley amii Hali.tgan. — On Thursday last, pursuant to their sen- tence, Dominick Daley and James Halliganwere executed at Northampton. At half past 10 o'clock, they were conducted to the meetins;-house, by the high sheriff and his deputies, with a guard, composed of a company of artillery and a detachment of the militia. An appropriate and eloquent discourse was there delivered to a very crowded auditory, by the Rev. Mr. Cheverus, of Boston, from 1 John, 3. 15 : ' Whoever hatetli his brother is a murderer.^ After the sermon, the criminals were constantly attended by Mr. Cheverus, with whom, during the greater part of ihe time, they apjieared to be engasred in prayer. At 3 o'clock, sentence was executed by Major-General Mattoon, sheriff of the county. Notwithstanding their protestations of innocence, in which they persisted in to the last, it is believed that of the 15,000 persons supposed to be present, scarcely one had a doubt of their guilt. Daley and Halligan were natives of Ireland. Daley was about 31 years of age, and has been in this country two years ; he has left a wife, a mother, and brother in Bciston. Halligan was about 27 years of age ; and we believe has no connections in this country, in which he has resided for four j'ears." The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the Northampton grave-yard : Here is inter'd the body of the Rev''- ]\Ir. Solomon Stoddard, A. M., sometime Fellow of Harvard College, pastor of y" church in Northampton, N. E., for near 60 years ; who departed this life Feb. 11, 1729, and in flie 86 3'ear of his age. A man of God, an able mmister of the N. Testament ; singularly qualified for that sacred office, and faithful therein, sealed by the H : Spirit in numerous converts to Christ, by his solid, powerful, and most searching ministry. A light to the churches in general, a peculiar blessing to this ; eminent fur the holiness of his life, as remarkable for his peace at death. Sacred to the memory of the Rev^- David Brainard, a faithful 6c laborious missiona- ry to the Stockbridge, the Delaware, & the Susquehannah tribes of Indians, who died in this town, Oct. 10, 1747, aged 30. A tabular monument of free-stone is placed over the grave of 45 334 NORWICH. this celebrated missionary. The inscription at first w is on an ni- let of schistus, which many years since was destroyed by the frost, and the inscription at present is said to be unknown. An inlet of marble with the above inscription now supplies the place of the former one in the horizontal slab over his remains. Here lies the Rev'^- John Hooker, who died of y<= small pox, Feb. B'^. 1777, in the 49"' year of his age &c 23' of his ministry. In him an excellent & highly cultivated Genius, a graceful elocution, engaging manners, & the temper of the Gospel united to form an able and faithful minister, & to render him examplary and beloved in all the relations of life. The afiectionate people of his charge, in remembrance of his many amiable &c christian virtues, erected this monument to his memory. Solomon Williams, born July 25, 1752, lived as a pastor of the church of Christ in Northampton 56 years and 5 months. His spirit ascended in sweet peace to the upper Sanctuary on the morning of the Sabbath, Nov. 9, 1834. In memory of Caleb Strong, late Governor of Massachusetts, who, after a life emi- nent for piety and devotion to the public service, died November 7'h, 1819, in the 15^ year of his age. John Breck, Esq., died Feb. 26, 1827, iEt. 56 years. Great day of dread decision and despair, At thought of thee, each sublunary wish Lets go its eager grasp, and drops the world, And catches at each reed of hope in heaven. In memory of Rev. Henry Lyman, son of Theodore and Susan W. Lyman, a mis- sionary of the American Board, who, with his associate, Rev. Samuel Munson, suffered a violent death from the Battahs, in Sumatra, June 28i''' 1834, aged 24. We are more than conquerors. NORWICH. This town was incorporated in 1793. The Rev. Stephen Tracy, of Norwich, Con., was the first Congregational minister of this town; he was settled here in 1781, and resigned in 1799. His successor was Rev. Benjamin R. Woodbridge, who settled here in 1799, and resigned in 1831. Rev. Samuel Russell, the next minis- ter, was installed in 1832, and resigned the next year. His suc- cessor was Rev. Alvah C. Page. This is a hilly township ; a northern branch of Westfield river passes through the town, from north to south. In 1837, there was in the town one small woollen mill and an axe manufactory, in which were manufactured 3,000 axes, which were valued at !|4,250; hands employed, five. Population, 714. Distance, 12 miles from Northampton, and 108 from Boston. The following is the inscrip- tion on the monument of the Rev. Mr. Russell, one of the ministers of this place: In memory of the Rev. Samuel Russell, a man who in doctrine was sound, in his labors diligent and faithful, in his life simple and irreproachable, in his piety distin- guished, in his death blessed. Why should we say more ? He sought and found the house of his Father, Jan. 27, 1835, JE. 35. PLAINFIELD. 335 PELHAM. This town was originally a section of what was termed the Equivalent Lands, granted by Massachusetts to Connecticut. The tract comprising the town was sold to Col. Stoddard of Northamp- ton, and was denominated StoddarcVs Town. The township was afterwards sold by Col. Stoddard to a number of settlers from Worcester, and was incorporated into a town by the name of Pel- ham in 1742. The ancestors of the first settlers of this town were Presbyterian emigrants from the north of Ireland. The first minis- ter of the place was Rev. Robert Abercrombie, from Edinburgh, Scotland ; he was ordained here in 1744. His successors Avere Richard C. Graham, Nathaniel Merrill, Thomas F. Oliver, Elijah Brainerd, Winthrop Baily. Mr. Daily died in 1835, in Greenfield. In the second church Matthias Cazier and Sebastian C. Cabot have been ministers. The soil of this township is good, but the situation is elevated and the surface is uneven. Swift river, a principal branch of the Chicopee, waters the eastern border, and Fort river, which falls into the Connecticut, waters the western part of this town. In 1837 there were 18,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured in this town, valued at .f3,000. Population, 957. Distance, 13 miles from Northampton, 7 from Amherst, and 80 from Boston. PLAINFIELD. This town was formerly included in Cummington, and with that town was sold by Col. John Cummings, of Concord, in 1762. The first meeting of the proprietors was held at Concord, in December of that year. Many of the first settlers came from Bridgewater and Abington. Plainfield was incorporated a district of Cummington in 1785, and in 1807 was incorporated a distinct town. A church of 14 members was organized here in 17S0 ; but they had no settled minister till 1792, when Rev. Moses Hallock, a na- tive of Long Island, was settled with them. He continued in the pastoral office till 1831, in which year he was succeeded by Rev. David Kimball. Few men have been more useful than Mr. Hal- lock ; none more humble, holy, consistent, and devoted to the proper work of man. He had no briUiancy, but was strongly characterized in his whole deportment by kindness, sincerity, meekness, and a deep and heartfelt interest in the welfare of all. He died in 1837. The meeting-house of this society was built in 1792. A Baptist society was formed in the eastern part of the town in 1833. The church was organized in .Tune, by an ecclesiastical council. Elder David Wright, of Cummington, acting as moderator. This township lies on the eastern side of the Green mountain range, and, as might be expected, the surface is undulating, and in many parts rough and broken, less so, however, than that of the 336 PLAINFIELD. adjoining towns. Indeed, the summit of East Hill, on which is the principal village, may be considered as level through nearly the whole breadth of the town. The soil is good and strong, and well adapted for grass. The township is exceedingly well supplied with springs and rivulets. There are no large streams in the town. Mill Brook is the largest. There are two ponds, both in the north- west part of the town : the North Pond, which is about a mile long and half a mile wide, and the Crooked Pond, so called from its figure. The scenery around these ponds is wild, and may perhaps be said to partake of the gloomy ; for here, for the most part, the forests have never been touched, and nature, in all her wildness, Still on her bosom wears the enamel'd vest, That bloomed and budded on her youthful breast. The waters of the North Pond empty into the Deerfield river at Charlemont, while those of the Crooked Pond empty into the South Pond in Windsor, which is the head of one of the branches of Westfield river. The North Pond is dotted with islands, and is a favorite place of resort for anglers and parties of pleasure ; and both have peculiar attractions to the botanist, as some very rare and interesting aquatic plants are found on the shores and in the water. In 1837, there were two woollen mills; 20,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at .'tjlSjOOO; there were 238 Saxony, 1,775 merino, and 1,7,59 other kinds of sheep; the value of wool produced was ^5,379 36 ; there were manufactured 48,000 palm-leaf hats, valued at ,$8,900. Population, 865. Distance, 20 miles N. W. of Northampton, and 110 W. by N. of Boston. " Rev. .Tames Richards and Rev. William Richards, American missionaries, v/ere of this town, and sons of Dea. James Richards. They were both graduates of Williams college. The first mention- ed sailed, in 1815, for the East Indies, where he arrived after a prosperous voyage of 5 months. The period of his labors was short, for his constitution soon sunk by undue exposure to the in- fluence of a tropical climate. He died at TiUipaly, in Ceylon, Aug. 3, 1822, aged 38 years. Rev. William Richards was ordain- ed missionary at New Haven, Sept. 12, 1822, from which place he sailed, with his wife, for the Sandwich Islands, Nov. 19, of the same year, where he arrived in April, 1823. His labors appear to have been very acceptable and useful. He resides in the village of Lahaina, (in the island of Maui,) one of the most delightful xpots in the Sandwich Islands." The following account of the Mountain Miller was taken from the History of Plainfield, by Dr. Jacob Porter, page 40. "Deacon Joseph Beals, who will be known through the future ages of the church as the Mountain Miller, was a native of Bridge- water, in this state, and removed with his family to this place in 1779. Here, in 1789, a year of great scarcity, he met with a severe affliction, the loss of his house and nearly all his provisions by a fire. Previous to this, he had been depending on his exter- PEESCOTT. 337 nal morality for salvation, considering a change as unnecessary. He now found that he could not truly submit to the will of God, and betook himself to the seeking of his salvation in earnest. After a season of distressing anxiety, the Savior was pleased to reveal himself to his soul as ' the chief among ten thousand and alto- gether lovely,' and he suddenly broke forth in new strains of de- votion, penitence, and praise, for redeeming love. From this time he consecrated himself to the service of his Savior, and became distinguished for his meekness and humility, his life of prayer, his exemplary deportment at all times and in all places, particularly in the house of God, his abiding sense of the uncertainty of life and the retributions of eternity, his preciousness to the awakened sinner, his care for the spiritual welfare of his family and of all with whom the providence of God brought him in contact, his perseverance in doing good, and his uniform and consistent piety. ' His conversation would never tire, and it seemed that he was ne- ver tired of religious conversation.' He died after a short sickness, July 20, 1813. 'His body,' says the writer of the tract, 'was in- terred in the grave-yard, near his accustomed place of worship, where a plain, neat marble slab, bearing his name, age, and date of his death, is erected as the only memorial of the Mountain Miller.' A notice of his death was inserted in the county newspaper, with this expressive and appropriate remark : ' His presence animated the Christian and awed the sinner ;' which would have been his whole recorded story, had not some special indications of Provi- dence convinced the writer of this narrative of his duty to commu- nicate it, for the benefit, he trusts, of thousands. The pious tra- veller will hereafter delight to visit the place, consecrated by the residence of the Mountain Miller, to drink at the spring by the road-side, bursting from the rock and shaded by the two beautiful sugar maples, where he so often drank in passing between his house and mill, and, above all, to linger at the grave of this most devoted servant of the Most High. From this spot flowers have already been culled, and sent to different parts of this country and of Europe." The tract entitled the Mountain Miller, written by William A. Hallock, was first published by the American Tract Society, in 1831, and has since gone through numerous editions, and in various languages. PRESCOTT. This town was incorporated in 1822, previous to which it form- ed a part of Pelham. Rev. Ebenezer Brown was installed pastor here in 1827, and resigned in 1835. The Rev. Job Cushman, his successor, was installed here the same year. A church formerly existed in this town while it was a part of Pelham, over which two ministers were settled, Matthias Cazier and Sebastian C. Cabot. 338 SOUTHHADLEY. This church became extinct. The church was re-organized in 1823, with 12 members. This town is watered by several branches of Swift river, which is a principal branch of the Chicopee. The principal article of manufacture is palm-leaf hats, of which, in 1837, 50,000 were manufactured, valued at .$10,000. Population, 788. Distance, 16 miles from Northampton, 8 from Amherst, and 76 from Boston. SOUTH HADLEY This town was originally a parish in Hadley ; it was incorpo- rated as a town in 1753. "This town was settled as early as 1721 by a few families from Hadley. It was then called the South Precinct in Hadley. The first settlers for some time continued to attend public worship on the Sabbath in Hadley, a distance of about 7 or 8 miles. In 1733 the first town meeting as a sepa- rate district was held, and it was resolved that a meeting-house, the frame of which was put up the year before, should be in part finished. The building, however, was not completed until the close of the year 1737. The families were few in number and indi- gent in their circumstances, and the house was principally built by their personal labor; it was not large, containing only nine pews in the body of it. A gallery was subsequently added. There was no steeple or bell. The people were called together at the ap- pointed hour of public worship by the " blowing of a conch shell." The house still remains, and is occupied as a dwelling-house, on the north side of the common. In consequence of the house being too small to accommodate the people, at the meeting of the town in March, 1750, a vote was passed to build a new house, 55 feet in length and 45 in breadth, to be placed as near the old one as might conveniently be done, and as near the center of the town as possi- ble. The difficulty of locating the house was almost without a parallel. It was not till thirteen years afterwards that the question was settled, during which more than fifty meetings for the purpose of agreeing on the place were held. It was finally settled by lot. The lot fixed the place where the meeting-house of the first parish now stands. A part being dissatisfied, a council of ministers was called, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Williams of LongmeadoAv, Rev. Mr. Breck of Springfield, Rev. Mr. Ballantine of Westfield, and Rev. Mr. Lathrop of West Springfield, who decided that both par- ties were under moral obligation to abide by the lot. The first pastor of the church in South Hadley was Rev. Grindall Rawson, who was settled in 1733. A grant of land, called the " Proprietors^ Land,'^ was set off" to this town on its first settlement, by the town of Hadley, for the use of the ministry, on condition that the people should settle among them " a good orthodox minister." By a vote of the precinct, at their first meeting, this land was appropriated to Mr. Rawson. Rev. John Woodbridge, the successor oi Mr. Raw- SOUTH HADLEY. 339 son, was installed pastor in 1742. He died in 1783, aged 80. He was succeeded in the ministry by Rev. Joel Hays, who was settled in 1782. Rev. Artemas Boies, the next minister, was settled in 1824, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph D. Condit, in 1835. Rev. Flavel Griswold was the first pastor of the second or Canal church. He was installed pastor in 1828 ; Rev. William Tyler succeeded him in 1832. The soil in this township is light, warm, and in many places very productive. Considerable attention is paid by the farmers in this town to the raising of sheep. There is considerable water- power in the town, much of which is yet unimproved. The manu- facture of paper, satinet, and other articles, forms an important branch of business in this place. There is a canal in this town, two miles long, on the east side of Connecticut river, and a dam across the river of 1100 feet, which is constructed to overcome a fall in the river of 50 feet. This dam produces a water-power of great extent. The canal has five locks, and a cut thTough solid rock of 40 feet in depth and 300 in length. The amount of toils on the canal is from 10 to $18,000 annually. Northern viav of Mount Hobjoke Female Seminary. The abo^'e is a northern view of "Mount Holyoke Female Semi- nary," in the central village of South Hadley, 6 miles from North- ampton, and 13 from Springfield, which is now about opening for the reception of scholars. This institution is designed entirely for young ladies. " The design is to give a solid, extensive, and well- balanced English education, connected with that general improve- ment, that moral culture, and those enlarged views of duty, which will prepare ladies to be educators of children and youth." One leading object in this seminary is to raise up female teachers. This institution is designed to be permanent, and to be placed on as lasting foundations as the colleges in our country for the other sex. An act of incoi-poration has been obtained, and a self-perpetu- ating board of trustees appointed. The institution is designed to furnish the best facilities for education at a very moderate expense. One very important feature in the system to be adopted here, is, 340 SOUTH HADLEY. that all the teachers and pupils, without a single exception, will constitute but one family, and all the pupils are to perform a part of the domestic work of the family. The place for an institution of this kind is well chosen, being easy of access, and at the same time removed from the evils attendant on a seminary of learning being located in a populous place. The view from the upper sto- ries of the seminary is commanding and interesting. At the north, the towering heights of Mount Tom and Holyoke, rising in gran- deur at the distance of two or three miles; the gorge between the two mountains, through which the Connecticut passes; the beauti- ful interval on which Northampton is situated, seen beyond, pre- sent a scene which is rarely equalled. There are 3 churches, 1 Congregational in the center, 1 Congregational and 1 Methodist in the village at the falls, on the south border of the town. Popu- lation of the town, 1,400. In 1837, there were two woollen mills, 3 sets of machinery ; 60,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, the value of which was $4.5,000. There were three paper mills ; stock manufactured, 1,2.50 tons ; value of paper, $161,500; males employed, 43; females, 41 ; capital invested, $100,000. Two pearl button manufactories; 18,000 gross of buttons were manufactured, valued at $8,500; males employed, 13 ; females, 18 ; capital invested, $4,200. The value of leather tanned and curried was $18; 400. Mount Holyoke, on the northern borders of this town, rises 830 feet above the level of the Connecticut at its base, and from its summit presents probably the richest view in America in point of cultivation and fertile beauty, and is quite a place of fashionable resort. " It is a part of a mountain ridge of greenstone, commencing with West Rock, near New Haven, and proceeding northerly, in- terrupted by only occasional valleys, across the whole of Connec- ticut, until it enters Massachusetts between West Springfield and Southwick, and proceeds along the west line of the first-named place, and along the east line of Westfield, Easthampton, and Northampton, to the banks of Connecticut. Until it reaches East- hampton its elevation is small ; biU there it suddenly mounts up to the height of a thousand feet, and forms Mount Tom. The ridge crosses Connecticut in a north-east direction, and curving still more to the east, passes along the dividing line of Amherst and South Hadley, until it terminates ten miles from the river in the north-Avest part of Belchertown. All that part of the ridge east of the river is called Holyoke ; though the prospect house is erected near its south- western extremity, opposite Northampton and near the Connecticut." The following view is from Mt. Holyoke, showing the appearance of the curve of the Connecticut, sometimes called the Ox-bow, which gracefully sweeps round a circuit of three miles without advancing its ocean course a hundred rods. " In the view from Holyoke we have the grand and beautiful united ; the latter, how- ever, greatly predominating." "On the west is seen, a little elevated above the general level, the populous village of Northampton, with its elegant public and private buildings ; a little more to the right SOUTHAMPTON. 341 View from the summit of Mount Holyoke. the neat and substantial villages of Hadley and Hatfield ; and still further east and more distant, Amherst, with its college, gymnasium and academy, on a commanding eminence, form a pleasant resting place to the eye. On the south is seen the village of South Hadley. Springfield and other places south indistinctly visible along the banks of the Connecticut, and even the spires of the churches in Hartford may be seen in good weather, just rising above the trees. With a telescope the elevated peaks in the vicinity of New Haven may be seen. Facing the south-west, the observer has before him the ridge called Mount Tom, which rises one or two hundred feet higher than Holyoke." " In the north-west the Graylock may be seen peering above the Hoosic, and still farther north the Green mountains shoot up beyond the region of clouds. Near at hand, in the valley of the Connecticut, are seen the insulated Sugar-loaf and Toby presenting their fantastic outlines : Avhile far in the north- east rises in insulated grandeur the cloud-capt Monadnoc." " Pro- bably, under favorable circumstances, not less than 30 churches, in as many towns, are visible from Holyoke. The north and south diameter of the field of vision there can scarcely be less than 150 miles." SOUTHAMPTON. This town was incorporated in 1753, previous to which it was a part or precinct of Northampton. The first persons who took up their residence in this plantation were Judah Hutchinson and Thomas Porter, in 1732 ; the next year fourteen other settlers came into the place. Some families had resided in the north part of the town, in Pomeroy's meadow ; they belonged however to the old town till after a meeting-house was built in the south pre- cinct. Between 1733 and 1740, fourteen families removed to the place. The first meeting of freeholders qualified to vote in 46 342 WARE. precinct affairs was held in 1741. On the Sth of Jnne, 1743, the first church was organized, and Rev. Jonathan Judd was ordained pastor at the same time ; and on the same day Waitstill Strong and John Clark were chosen deacons. The clergymen at his ordination were Messrs. Edwards of Northampton, Hopkins of West Springfield, Woodbridge of South Hadley, Parsons of East Hadley, Williams of Hadley, Woodbridge of Hatfield, and Ballan- tine of AVestfield. " It was requested that eacli should bring a messenger with him." Mr. Edwards preached the sermon, which Avas afterwards published. Mr. Judd had for settlement 200 acres of land, 100 pounds old tenor^ and 125 pounds, old tenor, to be expended in work on his house. His salary for the first three years was 130 pounds, old tenor, per annum, and five pounds a year to be added till it reached 170 pounds. At the next meeting it was voted to give him his wood ; '' and we will give hj§^ more according to our ability." His house during the Indian troubles was fortified.* Mr. Judd died in 1803, aged 83. Rev. Vinson Gould, his successor, was ordained colleague pastor in 1801, and resigned in 1832. His successor. Rev. Morris E. White, was set- tled the same year. The Manhan river, which rises in Westhampton, passes twice through this town, first from north to south, into Westfield, and then, returning, passes north-east, into Easthampton, aftbrding water privileges. There is a small village in the central part of the town, containing a Congregational church and an academy. The New Haven and Northampton canal passes through this place. Agriculture is the principal business of the inhabitants. Population, 1,216. Distance, 8 miles from Northampton, and 97 from Boston. Several interesting minerals are found here ; and indications of a rich lead mine, so promising that a company was incorporated, with a capital of $200,000, in order to work it. The success of the undertaking however did not equal the expec- tation of the projectors. At this time, this mine, which is situated in the northern part of the town, is not worked. WARE. This town was incorporated in 1761. " Ware remained unset- tied for many years after the adjoining towns were settled, the soil being so hard and rough that it was considered unfit for cultiva- tion. At an early period nearly the whole territory now comprised in the town was granted by the general court to a military com- pany from Narragansett, as a reward for expelling the Indians from that vicinity. So little value was placed upon it by the com- *During this period a number of soldiers were stationed in this town, for the defence of the inhabitants. In August, 1747. Elhha Clark was killed by the Indians, when he was thrashing in his barn. Noah Pixley was also killed in this town during the French and Indian wars. WARE 343 pany, that they shortly after sold it to John Reed, Esq., of Boston, for two coppers per acre ; yet it is nov/ one of the most flourishing towns in this part of the state." The first church in this town was formed in 1757. Rev. Grindall Rawson, the first clergyman, was settled in 17.51, and resigned in 1754; Rev. Ezra Thayer, his successor, was settled in 1759, and died in 1775. Rev. Benjamin Judd, the next minister, was settled in 1785 ; he resigned in 1787, and was succeeded by Rev. Reuben Moss, who was settled in 1792, and died in 1809. Rev. Samuel Ware, the next minister, was set* tied in 1810; resigned in 1826, and was succeeded by Rev. Augus- tus B. Reed, the same year. The second or village church was organized in 1826. Rev. Parsons Cooke was settled in the same year. His successor, Rev. Cyrus Yale, was installed pastor in 1835, and resigned in 1837. South-rvestern view of Wari The above is a south-western view of Ware village, as seen from near the Northampton road. This village is situated in the eastern part of the town, on Ware river, a large and powerful stream, rising in the western part of Worcester county. A great change has taken place at tire falls of the river in this town within a short period ; a flourishing village has arisen, containing, it is sup- posed, at this time, upwards of 1,500 inhabitants, where a few years since was but a wilderness. The Ware Manufacturing Com- pany was incorporated February, 1822, with a capital of .f 525,000. There is a bank in the village, the " Hampshire Manufacturers Bank," with a capital of $150,000. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 6,544 spindles ; cotton consumed, 516,000 lbs. ; cotton goods manufactured, 1,450,000 yards, valued at $160,000 ; males employ- ed, 62 ; females, 200 ; capital invested, |200,600. There were 2 woollen mills, 11 sets of woollen machinery ; 270,000 lbs. of wool were consumed; 230,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at .$280,000 ; males employed, 77 ; females, SO ; capital invested, $200,000. There were manufactured 867 pairs of boots, and 344 WILLIAMSBURG. 61,623 pairs of shoes, valued at |i53,164. Straw bonnets manu- factured, 85,000, valued at !|114,832; palm-leaf hats manufactur- ed, 79,200, valued at :| 10,870; value of augers manufactured, $4,500. Population, 2,403. Distance, 25 miles from Northamp- ton, 23 from Springfield, 27 to Worcester, 44 to Hartford, Con., and 67 to Boston, W E S T H A M P T O N . This town was incorporated in 1778. The first settlement of this town began about the year 1767. Lemuel Strong, the oldest son of Noah Strong, (in 1817 the oldest man in the town,) is sup- posed to have been the first child born in this town. In 17^1 there were about sixty families and three hundred souls in the town. The first minister, Rev. Enoch Hale, was settled here in 1779 ; he died 1837, aged 83. Mr. Hale was the brother of Capt. Nathan Hale of Connecticut, the martyr to American liberty, who was executed as a spy in 1775, aged 22. The successor of Mr. Hale in the ministry was Rev. Horace B. Chapin, who settled here in 1829, and resigned in 1837 ; his successor was Rev. Amos Drury, who was installed pastor the same year. This is principally an agricultural town. In 1837, there were 170 Saxony, 944 merino, and 1,404 other kinds of sheep; average weight of fleece, 2J lbs. ; value of wool, $3,205 ; capital invested, $7,204. Population, 818. Distance, 8 miles from Northampton, 8 from Williamsburg, and 100 from Boston. WILLIAMSBURG This town was incorporated in 1771. The first Congregational minister settled in this place was Rev. Amos Butler, a native of Hartford, Con.; this Avas in 1773; he died in 1777, at the age of twenty-nine years. Mr. Butler was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Strong, in 1781. Mr. Strong died .Tan. 1st, 1803, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Henry Lord in 1804. His successor was Rev. William Lusk, who was installed here in 1836. A considerable stream passes through this town, and unites with the Connecticut at Northampton, affording good water-power for manufacturing purposes. The following is a southern view of the central part of Williamsburg. The Methodist church recently erected is seen on the left ; the Congregational church is seen on the right, southerly of which is the bridge over the mill stream passing through the village. In the central part of the engraving is seen in the extreme distance the spire of the old Congregational church, situated about half a mile northward from the central part of the village. This was built more than fifty years ago. WORTHINGTON 345 Southern view of Williamsburg. This village is 8 miles from Northampton, and 103 from Boston. Population, 1,345. The Williamsburg woollen, linen and cotton manufactory was incorporated in 1825, with a capital of ^250,000. In 1837, there were 3 woollen mills; 42,150 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $69,235 ; males employed, 26 ; females, 25 ; capital in- vested, $33,700 ; value of flexible and japan buttons manufactured, $102,500 ; hands employed, 13 males and 105 females ; capital invested, $39,000; value of axes manufactured, $6,106; value of augers, bitts, and bitt-stocks manufactured, $2,310 ; value of gimblets, screw-drivers, and punches manufactured, $4,066. WORTHINGTON. This town was incorporated in 1768. The Rev. Jonathan Hunt- ington appears to have been the first minister in the place. He died in 1780, aged 48 ; his successor in the ministry was Rev. Josiah Spaulding, who died in 1803 ; the next minister was Rev. Jonathan L. Pomeroy, who died in 1836, aged 67. The next minister was Rev. Henry Adams, who was settled in 1833. This toAvnship occupies an elevated situation near the center of the Green mountain range, upon its eastern declivity. The waters in this township are discharged into the Connecticut by the Westfield river, the principal branch of which washes the south-west boun- dary of the town, and other branches pass through the middle and north-east parts. It is one of the best townships of land in this vicinity ; the surface is handsome and pleasant, and much of the soil rich and productive, producing grain, fruits, &c. In 1837, there were in this town 9,050 merino sheep; wool produced, 27,000 lbs. ; average weight of fleece, 3 lbs. ; value of wool, $16,875 ; capi- tal invested, $25,000; value of curtains manufactured, $10,125; 346 ACTON, value of leather tanned and curried, $32,000. Population, 1,142. Distance, 17 miles from Northampton, 55 from Albany, N. Y., and 110 from ]3oston. MIDDLESEX COUNTY. This county was incorporated in 1643. The surface is uneven, and the soil varied. The principal streams in the limits of the county are the Merrimac, Charles, Concord, and Nashua. There are no mountains in this county, but its surface is diversified by numerous small hills, Avhich are generally less than one hundred feet in height. Tlie land in the northern and southern parts is the most uneven. The soil is not generally so good as that in some other parts of the state, but it well rewards cultivation. The manufacturing interests of this county are very important, particu- larly in the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1837, there were 52,860,194 yards of cotton goods manufactured, the value of which was $5,971,172, being nearly three times the value manufactured in any other county in the state. The canal, and particularly the railroads recently constructed in the count}^, afford great facili- ties in the transportation of goods to and from Boston. Cam- bridge and Concord are the shire towns. The following is a list of the towns in this county, which are 46 in number. Acton, Dracut, Medford, Townsend, Ashby, Dunstable, Natick, Tyngsborough, Bedford, Framingham, Newton, Waltham, Billerica, Groton, Pepperell, Watertown, Boxborough, Holliston, Reading, Way land, Brighton, Hopkinton, Sherburne, W. Cambridge, Burlington, Lexington, Shirley, Westford, Cambridge, Lincoln, South Readin g, AVeston, Carlisle, Littleton, Stoneham, Wilmington, Charles town. Lowell, Stow, Woburn. Chelmsford, Maiden, Sudbury, Concord, Marlborough, Tewksbury, In 1820, the population of this county was 61,476 : was 77,968 ; in 1837, it was 98,565. in 1830, it ACTON. The town of Acton lies wholly within the ancient limits of Con- cord. Most of the lands comprised within its limits were granted to the town of Concord "for feeding;" they were, however, not very accurately defined, as when they were actually surveyed tliey were found to contain a greater number of acres than nomi- nally specified in the grants. A settlement M'-as commenced .n A S H B Y . 347 these grants as early as 1656, and perhaps a few years earher. The Shepherd and Law famihes were among the first. Many of the meadows were open prairies, and afforded, with httle or no labor, grass in abundance. Some of the uplands had been cleared by the Indians, and were favorite places for feeding. " In 1668, the town leased to Capt. Thomas Wheeler, for 20 years, 200 acres of upland near Mr. Silas Holden's present residence, and 60 acres of meadow lying in several parcels on Nashobah brook, on condition that he should keep, ' except 12 Sab- bath days yearly,' a herd of 50 cattle for Is. per head for the inhabitants, to be paid ' one third part in wheat, one third part in rie or pease, and the other third part in Indian corn.' They were to be constantly watched by a ' herdsman,' and kej)t in a yard at night to protect them from the wild beasts. Capt. Wheeler agreed to build a house ' 40 feet by 18, and 12 stud,' covered with shingles, and to have a ' pair of chimneys ; ' and a barn 40 by 24, and 12 high, to be left for the use of the town aftei the expiration of the lease." The town was incorporated in 173.5, one hundred years from the incorporation of Concord. The surface of the town is rough and uneven, though there are no considerable hills ; and with some exceptions the soil is rocky and hard to cultivate. It coii tains, however, many good farms. The principal employment of the inhabitants is agriculture. There are, however, from 15,000 to 20,000 barrels annually manufactured here, and this business is a source of considerable income. There are two Congregational churches in this town, one for the Orthodox, the other for Unita- rians. This place is 21 miles N. W. of Boston, and 5 N. Westerly from Concord. Population, 1,071. The first meeting-house (42 feet by 36, and 21 feet high) was built in 1736, and served as a place of worship till the present one was erected, in 1808. The Rev. John Swift was the first minister ordained in this town ; this was on Nov. 8, 1738. During the prevalence of the small-pox in Acton, in 1775, he was severely attacked, and was never able to preach afterwards. He died the same year, in the 37th year of his ministry. The Rev. Moses Adams was next ordained here, June 25, 1778. He died in 1819, aged 70. The Rev. Marshall Shed in 1820 became their next pastor ; he was dismissed at his own re- quest, in May, 1831. The Orthodox society seceded from the town, and formed a separate parish during the latter part of Mr. Shed's ministry, and the Rev. James T. Woodbury was ordained over them, Aug. 29, 1832. The Universalist society in this town was organized in 1816, and incorporated in 1825. ASHBY This town was incorporated in 1767. It is situated at the north- Avestern extremity of the county. This township is on elevated land, varied with hills and valleys, furnishing rich pastures and agreeable prospects. This is an agricultural town, and the farms are productive. The two churches in the central part of the town stand on high land, and may be seen from a great distance. Pop- ulation, 1,201. Distance, 25 miles from (Joncord, and 42 from 348 BEDFORD. Boston. The manufacture of palm-leaf hats is the principal manu- facturing business performed in the town. In 1837, there were 69,989 hats manufactured, the value of which was $7,751 5U. BEDFORD Bedford originally belonged in part to the town of Concord. It was incorporated as a town in 1729. It is not very well situated for an agricultural town. About half of it is meadow land, un- improved, and partly incapable of improvement. It contains, however, several good farms, and nearly all the varieties of soil. The Shawshlne is the only considerable stream of water. On this stream is a mill which was built before Philip's war, in 167G, and was then owned by Michael Bacon, who Avas allowed to have two garrison soldiers stationed there for his safety. Agriculture is the employment of a large portion of the people. The manufacture of shoes for the Boston market was begun here in 1SU,5, by John Hosmer and Jonathan Bacon. In this business about 60 men and 80 women are employed. About 90,000 pairs of shoes, estimated to be worth f 50,000, are made annually. There are 2 churches, 1 Orthodox and 1 Unitarian, and about 30 dwelling-houses, in the central part of the town. This place is 5 miles north-east of Con- cord, and 15 north-west of Boston, and contains 858 inhabitants. The first meeting-house was completed in 1730. Committees were chosen the next and many subsequent " to seat the meeting- house," and "have respect to them that are 50 years old and up- wards ;" those under this age " to be seated according to their pay." A new meeting-house was erected in 1817. The first minister, Rev. Nicholas Bowes, was ordained July 15, 1730. He was dis- missed in 1734, and in 1735 went as chaplain in the northern army at Fort Edward. In 1756, Rev. Nathaniel Sherman was the next ordained here. Being opposed to the "half-way covenant," he was dismissed in 1766. The Rev. Joseph Penniman was the next regular minister, and was ordained m 1771, and continued here about twenty years. Though possessed of respectable talents, he was very eccentric in his manners and public performances. Soon after the 19th of April, 1775, he is said to have used the following expression in his prayer : — " We pray thee to send the British sol- diers where they will do some good ; for thou knowest, O Lord ! that we have no use for them about here." The next minister was the Rev. Samuel Stearns, who was ordained in April, 1796. Among the peculiar customs which prevailed in the church from its first formation to the ordination of Mr. Stearns, was that of making public confession of particular offences committed by the members. These were drawn up in writing, and read by the min- ister before the congregation. Frequent notices are specified in the church records, such as "the confession of for the sin of intemperance," "for the breach of the seventh commandment," or B I L L E R I C A . 349 Other sins, as the case might be, "was read before the congrega- tion." This custom was not peculiar to the churcli in Bedford ; it prevailed to some extent in many other churches. BILLERICA. The ancient Indian name of Billerica was Shawshine, a name which it received from its vicinity to the river of this name. The present name is derived from Billerlcai/, in the county of Essex, in England, whence it is supposed that several of the first inhabitants emigrated. As early as 1637, the general court appointed Capt. Jennison and Lieut. Spooner to view Shawshine, and to consider whether it be fit for a plantation. In 1641, it was granted to Cam- bridge, "provided they would make it a village to have ten fami- lies settled there within ten years." It appears that the first set- tlement was made about the year 1653. It was commenced by a number of respectable families from Cambridge, but the greater part were originally from England. The following are the names of some of the first principal settlers: John Parker, John Kit- tredge, John Rogers, William French, George Farley, Ralph Hill, Samuel Manning, Simon Crosby, Jonathan Danforth, Rev. Samuel Whiting, Thomas Richardson, Edward Farmer, Joseph Tompson. In 1656, the inhabita.nts of Shawshine, in answer to their peti- tion, obtained a grant of land lying upon Concord river, near the farms of John and Robert Blood. To this tract the court granted the name of Billerica. In the same year, 8,000 acres of land lying at Natticott were granted to the inhabitants. About 6,300 acres were situated on the east of Merrimac river, and 1,750 on the west side. The toAvn was divided into lots, by Jonathan Danforth, who was one of the committee for locating the home lots. These lots were most generally denominated ten and five acre lots. A ten acre lot, or a single share, contained 113 acres of upland, and 12 acres of meadow. A five acre lot contained half this quantity. It appears that the first church was gathered in this town in 1663, and the Rev. Samuel Whiting was ordained in the same year. The first meeting-house was erected by John Parker, and completed about 1660; it was at first covered with thatch instead of shingles. A regard for purity of morals and an attention to re- ligious duties appear to have been the characteristics of the first inhabitants. Within a few years after the town was settled, three persons were chosen " to examine the several families, and see whether their children and servants were taught in the principles of religion." In 1675, the selectmen of this town passed an order that all children and youth from eight years old and upwards should be sent by their parents and masters to the Reverend Mr. Whiting, to receive catechetical instruction at such times as should be appointed. Mr. Whiting died in 1713, having preached in this place more than fifty years. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Ruggles. 47 350 B I L L E R I C A . Capt. Jonathan Danforth was one of the most active and enter- prising settlers of Billerica. He was distinguished for his mathe- matical knowledge, usefulness, and piety. From his skill in sur- veying, he was frequently employed in locating new towns atid settlements in the provinces of New Hampshire and Massachu- setts. The plans of his surveys were very numerous, and many of them remain. He also left other manuscripts. A poem was written on his death, (in 1712,) of which the following is an ex- tract : " He rode the circuit, chaiu'd great towns and farms To good behavior; and by well marked stations, He fixed their bounds for many generations. His art ne'er fail'd him, though the loadstone failed, When oft by mines and streams it was assailed ; All this is charming, but there 's something higher, Gave him the lustre which we most admire." Here follows an account of his piety, attention to religious du- ties, which are celebrated by the poet in the versification peculiai to that period. About the period of king Philip's war, the number of families in Billerica was about forty-eight, and the number of dwelling-houses forty-seven. The alarm produced by the incursions of the Indians at this time, caused many persons to leave their habitations and seek refuge in the most compact part of the several towns. It is not known, however, that this town suffered any essential injury during Philip's war. Within the original limits of this town lived a considerable body of Indians. The Pawtucketts, at Wamesit and its vicinity, con- tained in 1675 about 2.50 souls. They had been formerly esti- mated at 3,000. They inhabited a small tract of land on the east side of Concord river, and bordering on the Merrimac. The divi- sion line between them and the English, it is said, extended from Merrimac river, about half a mile below the mouth of Concord river, on a direct line to Concord river, two miles from its mouth. Their plantation was separated from the English by a ditch, which may be still traced. Within these limits is a hill, called Fort Hill, on which are some remains of their fortification. In this place it seems the Indians were in some degree civilized, and attended to the cultivation of their lands. During the French and Indian war, on Aug. .5th, 1695, the In- dians made an irruption on the inhabitants of this place. " In the northerly part of the town, on the east of Concord river, lived seve- ral families, who, though without garrisons and in time of war, felt no apprchonsious of danger. Their remoteness from the fron- tiers might have contributed to their apparent security. The In- dians came suddenly upon them in the day-time. They entered the house of John Rogers while he was sleeping, and discharged an arrow at him, which entered his neck and pierced the jugular vein. Awakened by this sudden and unexpected attack, he started up, seized the arrow, which he forcibly withdrew, and expired with the instrument of death in his hand. A woman being in the BIL L E RICA . 351 chamber, threw herself out of the window, and, though severely- wounded, made her escape by concealing lierself among some flags. A young woman was scalped, and left for dead, but survived the painfid operation, and lived many years afterwards. A son and daughter of Mr. Rogers were made prisoners. The family of John Levistone suffered most severely. His mother-in-law and five young children were killed, and his oldest daughter captured. Thomas Rogers and his oldest son were killed. Mary, the wife of Dr. Roger Toothaker, was killed, and Margaret, his youngest daughter, taken prisoner. Fifteen persons were killed or taken at this surprisal. Though the Indians were immediately pursued by the inhabitants of the center of the town, ^'•et so effectually had they taken precautions in their flight that all efforts to find them were unavailing. It is said that they even had tied up the mouths of their dogs with wampum, from an apprehension that their bark- ing would discover tlie direction they had taken. The shock given to the inliabitants by this melancholy event was long had in pain- ful remembrance." Southern view of Billerica, (ce/itral part.) The above is a southern view of the central part of Billerica, taken from the Concord road. The Unitarian church (erected in 1797) and the academy are seen on the left of the engraving. The tavern and post-ofiice, the town-house, and some otber build- ings, are seen on the opposite side of the street ; the spire of the ( )rthodox Congregational church is seen on the extreme right. Tlie village street is about a mile in extent. About two miles north- ward, the Middlesex canal crosses the Concord river ; in the east- ern part of the town this canal and the Lowell railroad cross th(j Shawshine river; the canal crosses this river by means of an aqueduct 20 feet in height. Population, 1,498. Distance. 10 miles from Concord, 6 from Lowell, and 18 from Boston. In 1837, there were 2 woollen mills, and 4 sets of machinery • 96,319 yards of 362 BRIGHTON. cloth were manufactured, valued at $32,561 ; males employed, 17; females, 23. There were 512 pahs of boots and 19,336 pairs of shoes manufactured, which were valued at $11,093. The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the grave-yard on the Concord road, about a mile from the central part of the village : Sub hoc saxo sepulchrali conditi sunt ciueres Reverendi domini Samuelis Ruggles, ecclesiee nuper pastoris Billericse : qui cursu quem Deus dederat peracto A. C. 1749, morti cessit tertio die Martii, cum vixisset annos circiter 68, et munere sacerdotali fer- ine 41 fideliter perfuiictus esset. Which may be translated in the following manner : Beneath this monumental stone are gathered the ashes of the Reverend Samuel Rug- gles, late pastor of the church at Billerica ; who having finished the work appointed for him by God, departed in 1749, on the 3d day of March. He was about 68 years of age, and had faithfully discharged the ministerial office for almost 41 years. Here lies y body of the widow Lydia Dyar, of Boston, the place of her nativity, where she left a good Estate & came into y^ country May 22'', 1775, to escape y« abuce of y-" Ministerial Troops sent by George y« S"* to subject North America. She died July 28ii" 1776, aged 80 years. The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when they sleep in dust. Beneath this stone rest the remains of the Rev. Henhy CmmnNGS, D. D., late pastor of the church and Christian Society in Billerica. Born Sept. 25'''> 1739 ; ordained Jan. 26, 1763 ; died Sept. 5"'. 1823. Possessing intellectual powers of the highest order, he was eminently learned, pious and faithful, and by his life and example illustrated and recommended the doctrine and virtues he taught and inculcated. In grateful re- membrance of his distinguished virtues, this stone is erected by the people of his charge. BOXBOROUGH This town was incorporated in 1783. The tract comprising the township is elevated and hilly. There is no stream of much im- portance in the town. The township lies between Concord and Nashua rivers, and at nearly equal distance from both. The popu- lation of this town in 1837 was 433, being smaller than that of any other in Middlesex county. About one thousand dollars' worth of straw bonnets and palm-leaf hats were manufactured in this place. Limestone is found in the town, and hops have been cultivated to some extent. Distance, 9 miles from Concord, and 25 from Boston. BRIGHTON Brighton was formerly a part of Cambridge, and known by the name of Little Cambridge. It was incorporated in 1807. The town contains several beautiful country seats and highly-cultivated farms, 2 Congregational churches, 1 of which is Unitarian, and a bank, the " Brighton Bank," with a capital of $200,000. Popula- BRIGHTON. 353 tion, 1,337. It is 16 miles S. E. from Concord, 35 E. of Wor- cester, 8 northerly from Dedham, and 5 W. of Boston. A cattle fair was commenced here during the revolutionary war, and has been increasing in importance ever since. Most of the cattle for the supply of Boston market are brought in droves to this place, from two hundred to six thousand a week : every Mon - day is the fair, or market day, when the dealers in provisions resort thither to make purchases. Western vierv of Brighton, (^central ]jart.) The above is a western view of the central part of Brighton, showing the place where the great cattle-market of New England is held. The street at this time is filled with cattle of various kinds, and with buyers and sellers. Large droves of cattle are driven from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to this market. Besides furnishing the Boston market, great numbers of cattle are collected, bought and slaughtered, and barreled up for exportation to various places. In the engraving the large building appearing on the left is the "Cattle Fair Hotel:" at times as many as 400 or 500 persons have been knoAvn to dine at this establishment on market days. The Unitarian church is the next building east- ward ; the Brighton Bank is seen on the opposite side of the street. A reporter attends the market, and his reports of the prices, (fcc, are published in the newspapers. " Winship^s Gardens,''' celebrated for their great variety of shrubs and flowers, are about half a mile north of the Cattle Fair Hotel. The Worcester railroad passes through the northern part of these gardens. The following statement of Brighton market for 1837 and 1838 is from the public prints. In 1837, 32,664 beef cattle, 16,216 stores, 110,206 sheep, 17,052 swine; total sales estimated at $2,449,231. In 1838, 25,850 beef cattle, sales estimated at $1,317,330; 9,573 stores, sales $315,909;' 104,640 sheep, sales $261,600; 26,164 swine, sales $163,165 — total sales estimated at $2 058,004. 354 CAMBRIDGE. BURLINGTON. This town was incorporated in 1799. The land in this town is rather rough and hard to cultivate. There is a small stream in the town, called Vine brook, a branch of the Shawshine river, which flows into the Merrimac in the town of Andover. There is a Congregational church in the central part of the town. In 1837 there were 5,800 pairs of shoes manufactured in this town, valued at $4,900. There were twelve males and nine females employed in this business. Population, 522. Distance, 10 miles north-east of Concord, 11 S. E. from Lowell, and 13 from Boston, CAMBRIDGE. The settlement of Cambridge commenced in 1631. It was originally intended to make it the metropolis of the province of Massachusetts. Governor Winthrop, Deputy Governor Dudley, and the assistants, having examined the territory lying in the vicini- ty of the new settlements, upon a view of this spot " all agreed it a fit place for a beautiful town, and took time to consider further about it," On Dec. 29, 1630, " after many consultations about a fit place to build a town for the seat of government, they agree on a place N. W. side of Charles river, about three miles W. of Charles- town ; and all except Mr. Endicot and Sharp (the former living at Salem, and the latter purposing to return to England) oblige themselves to build themselves houses there the following spring, and remove their ordnance and munition thither, and first call the place NewtownP^ The town was laid out in squares, the streets intersecting each other at right angles ; one square was reserved and left open for the purpose of a market. According to agreement, the governor and other principal gentlemen, in the spring of 1631, began to erect their houses. On some considerations, however, "which at first came not into their minds, " the governor took down the frame of his house and removed it to Boston, which he intended to make the place of his future abode, much to the disap- pointment of the rest of the company, who were still resolved to build at Newtown. In 1632 the court ordered " that £60 be levied out of the several plantations, towards making a palisado about the Neio ToionP This fortification was made ; and the fosse which was then dug about the town (says Dr. Holmes in his History of Cambridge) is in some places visible to this day. In some of the first years, the annual election of the governor and magistrates of the colony was holden in this town. " The people on these occasions assembled under an oak tree on the northerly side of the common, which long remained a venerable monument of the freedom, the patriotism, and the piety of the ancestors of New England." A considerable * Prince's Chroaology, vol. ii. CAMBRIDGE. 355 accession appears to have been made to this place in August, 1632, by the arrival of Mr. Hooker's company. Messrs. Hooker, Stone, and Haynes, the three principal fathers of the Connecticut colony, came over in 1633. The Rev. Mr. Hooker and his assistant, Rev. Samuel Stone, were the first settled ministers at Cambridge. The fame of the removal of these eminent men to America induced great numbers of the Puritans to come over, and the number of inhabitants so increased at Newtown, that Mr. Hooker and the Avhole of his church and congregation, in 1636, emigrated to Hart- ford, on Connecticut river. Their houses and lands at Newtown were purchased by the Rev. Thomas Shepherd and his company, who thus had the advantage of entering a settlement furnished with comfortable accommodations. In 1636. the general court contemplated the erection of a public school at Newtown, and appropriated four hundred pounds for that purpose ; which laid the foundation of Harvard college. In 1638, the Rev. John Harvard,^ of Charlestown, endowed the pub- lic school with about eight hundred pounds. Thus endowed, this school was exalted to a college, and assumed the name of its prin- cipal benefactor ; and Newtoivn^ in compliment to the college, and in memory of the place where many of our fathers received their education, was now denominated Cambridge. Cambridge is a half shire town, and may be divided into three parts. Old Cambridge, the seat of the University, is three miles from West Boston bridge, which divides Cambridge from Boston ; Cambridgejjori is a compact, flourishing village, about half way between the University and the bridge. East Cambridge, for- merly Lechmere Point, is of newer growth, and is a very flourishing place. It is the seat of the county courts, and is connected with Boston by Canal bridge and the viaduct of the Boston and Lowell railroad over Charles river. There are three banks in the town : the Middlesex Bank, with a capital of $150,000, is located in East Cambridge ; the Charles River Bank (capital $100,000) is located in the ancient village; the Cambridge Bank (capital $100,000) is located in Cambridgeport. The following is a south-eastern view of East Cambridge as seen from the Warren bridge, leading into Charlestown. The glass manufactories are seen on the right, with part of the bridge con- necting the place with Charlestown ; part of the viaduct on which * A monument to his memory has been erected in Charlestown by the subscriptions of the graduates of Harvard college, in small sums. It is constructed of granite, in a solid shaft of fifteen feet elevation, and in the simplest style of ancient art. " On the eastern face of the shaft, the name of John Harvard is inscribed, with the following lines : < On the 26th of September, A. D. 1828, this stone was erected by the gradu- ates of the University at Cambridge, in honor of its founder, who died at Charlestown, on the 26th of September, 1638.' On the western side of the shaft is an inscription in Latin, of the following purport : ' that one who merits so much from our literary men, should no longer be without a monument, however humble. The graduates of the University of Cambridge, New England, have erected this stone, nearly two hundred years after his death, in pious and perpetual remembrance of John Harvard.' " At the erection of this monument, Gov. Everett, who is considered one of the best scho- lars educated at Harvard college, delivered an appropriate and eloquent address. 356 CAMBRIDGE. Eastern view of East Cambridge. the cars pass into Boston is seen on the left, beyond which is seen one of tlie churches and the conrt-house. One of the glass manu- factories in this place produces some of the finest specimens of cut glass ware manufactured in this country. The soil in this part of Cambridge being of a clayey kind, large quantities of bricks are annually made. The following list of articles manufactured in this town, their value, and the number of hands employed, is taken from the Statistical Tables published by the state in 1837. Articlea. Value. Glass, 8453,076, Boots and Shoes, 28,768, Hats, 24,984, Chairs and Cabinet Ware, 3,750, Tin Ware, 5,000, Carriages, Harnesses, &c., 41,905, Organs, 6,500, Clothing, 11,370, Carpenters' Rules and Rods, 5,000, Cigars, 9,788, Brass and Britannia ) ,,, n.n,o. Ware finishing, j ^-j^uu, The population of the town in 1837 was 7,631. The college buildings stand on an enclosed plain of fourteen acres, around which, except in front, forest trees are planted. These buildings are large and commodious, which have been erected at different periods, as the accommodations of the officers and students required. Most of them are of brick ; the most mo- dern are of granite ; they bear the names of various patrons of the institution. The building seen on the right of the engraving is Massachusetts Hall, the most ancient of the present buildings ; was built in 1720. Harvard Hall, the building with a cupola, was built in 1765. The University Hall is seen in the distance, stand- ing between Massachusetts and Harvard Halls ; this was built in 1814, of Chelmsford granite, the color of which approaches nearly to white. It measures 140 by 50 feet, and is 42 feet in height. ands. Articles. Value. Hands. 290 Bricks, $43,000, 91 73 Ropes and Twine, 47,000, 40 36 Soap, 32,000, 50 8 Brushes, 21,500, 26 4 Varnish, &;c., 30,000, 2 57 Confectionaries, 60,000, 22 8 Paper, stamped and stained, 10,000, 11 12 Glue, >fec., 6,000, 6 10 Pocket-books, 4,500, 4 22 Stoves and Sheet Iron, 13,500, 4 15 Leather tanned, &c.. 15,200, 4 CAMBRIDGE. 367 Harvard TJniversitij, Cambridge. and Holworthy Hall was erected in 1812 ; HoUis Hall in 1764 Stoughton Hall in 1804. Harvard University is the most ancient and best endowed of any scientific institution in the United States, and has flourished for tico centuries. It has received numerous and large donations fiom individuals, and has received the protection and munifi- cence of the state. The funds at the present time exceed half a million of dollars. The library of the college contains forty- two thousand volumes, and is the largest in the United States ; its philosophical apparatus, chemical laboratory, anatomical muse- um, and cabinet of minerals, are all very valuable. A botanical garden is attached to the institution ; the sciences of theology, law, and medicine, have each distinct departments, and courses of lec- tures on those subjects are annually given. It is governed by a corporation and board of overseers. The medical lectures com- mence in Boston on the first Wednesday in November. A course is given at the college between the first of April and last of July. There are three vacations : ihe first, of two weeks, from the Wednesday preceding the 25th of December ; the second, of two weeks, from the first Wednesday in April ; the third, of six weeks, next preceding commencement, the last Wednesday in August. The following curious document relative to the commons of the students is preserved in the archives of the state. One Mr. Na- thaniel Eaton and his wife were, it appears, brought before the gene- ral court at Boston, to answer for their misdemeanors. Eaton was accused of cruelty towards his usher, and likewise for keeping the students on poor diet, &c., and being proved against him, he was removed from his office. His wife was also examined before the court. Some overseer of the college, probably, either magistrate or minister, wrote it from the confession or dictation of the ac- cused lady. It shows that trouble on account of college commons is not confined to any particular period. Mrs. Eaton confessed thus : " For their breakfast, that it was not so well ordered, the flower not so fine as it might, nor so well boiled or stirred, at all times that it was so, it was my sin of neglect, 358 C AM BRIDGE. and want of that care that ought to have been in one that the Lord had intrusted with such a work. Concerning their beef, that was allowed them, as they affirm, which, I confess, had been my duty to have seen they should have had it, and continued to have had it, because it was my husband's command ; but truly I must confess, to my shame, I cannot remember that ever they had it. nor that ever it was taken from them. And that they had not so good or so much provision in my husband's absence as presence, I conceive it was, because he would call sometimes for butter or cheese, when I con- ceived there was no need of it ; yet, forasmuch as the scholars did otherways appre- hend, I desire to see the evil that was in the carriage of that as well as in the other, and to take shame to myself for it. And that they sent down for more, when they had not enough, and the maid should answer, if they had not, they should not, I must confess, that I have denied them cheese, when they have sent for it, and it have been in the house ; for which I shall humbly beg pardon of them, and own the shame, and confess my sin. And for such provoking words, which my servants have given, I cannot own them, but am sorry any such should be given in my house. And for bad fish, that they had it brought to table, I am sorry there was that cause of offence given them. I acknowledge my sin in it. And for their mackerel, brought to them with their guts in them, and goat's dung in their hasty pudding, its utterly unknown to me ; but I am much ashamed it should be in the family, and not prevented by myself or servants, and I humbly acknowledge my negligence in it. And that they made their beds at any time, were my straits never so great, I am sorry they were ever jjut to it. For the Moor, his lying in Samuel Hough's sheet and pillow-hier, it hath a truth in it : he did so one time, and it gav^e Samuef Hough just cause of offence ; and that it was not prevented by my care and watchfulness, I desire [to] take the shame and the sorrow for it. And that they eat the IMoor's crusts, and the swine and they had share and share alike, and the Moor to have beer, and they denied it, and if they had not enough, for my maid to answer, they should not, I am an utter stranger to these things, and know not the least footsteps for them so to charge me ; and if my servants were guilty of such miscar- riages, had the boarders complained of it unto myself, I should have thought it my sin, if I had not sharply reproved my servants, and endeavoured reform. And for bread made of heated, .sour meal, although I know of but once that it was so, since I kept house, yet John Wilson affirms it was twine ; and I am truly sorry, that any of it was spent amongst them. For beer and bread, that it was denied them by me betwixt meals, truly I do not remember, that ever I did deny it unto them ; and John Wilson will affirm, that, generally, the bread and beer was free for the boarders to go unto. And that money was demanded of them for washing the linen, it's true it was pro- pounded to them, but never imposed upon them. And for their pudding being given the last day of the week without butler or suet, and that I said, it was miln of Man- chester in Old England, its true that I did say so, and am sorry they had any cau.se of offence given them by having it so. And tor their wanting beer, betwixt brewings, a week or half a week together, I am sorry that it was so at any time, and should trem- ble to have it so, were it in my hands to do again." There is in this place a printing establislumeut, called the Uni- versity Press, which has become celebrated for the beauty and ac- curacy with which it sends out classical books in the various ancient and modern languages. This estabhshment may be con- sidered as the jnost ancient printing establishment in America. In 1639, says Winthrop's Journal, " A printing house was begun at Cambridge, by one Dmje, at the charge of ]Mr. Glover, who died on sea hithcrward. The first thing printed was the freeman's oath ; the next was an almanack made for New England, by Mr. WilUam Peirce, mariner ; the next was the Psalms newly turned into metre." Mr. Glover was a worthy and wealthy non-conform- ist minister. He contributed liberally towards a sum sufficient to purchase printing materials, and for this purpose solicited the aid of others in England and Holland. He gave to the college " a font of printing letters, and some gentlemen of Amsterdam gave towards furnishing of a printing press with letters forty-nine pounds and something more." — Records of Harvard College. CAMBRIDGE. 359 Washington Elm, Cambridge. The above is an eastern view of the Washington elm, now standing near the westerly corner of the common in Cambridge. The following, descriptive of this tree, its antiquity, (fcc., is from the 3d vol. of the American Magazine., p. 432. " The Washington elm stands in the westerly corner of the large common near Har- vard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts ; and is probably one of the trees that belonged to the native forest. Amid the changes which have taken place in the world, and particularly in America and New England, it has stood like a watchman ; and if it could speak, it would be an interesting chronicler of events. The early settlers of this country had hardly finished their rude log-houses before they proposed to make the village in which it stands the metropolis of the country ; and but few years elapsed before they laid the foundation of Harvard University, so near that it may almost be shaded by its branches. Not far from it was the spot where the public town meetings •were held ; and also the tree tinder which the Indian council fires were lighted, more than two hundred years ago. When the drum was used in Cambridge, instead of the bell, to summon the congregation to the place of worship, or to give warning of '\ sa- vage enemy, the sound floated throughout its trailing limbs ; and when the officei's of the college discharged the duty of inflicting corporal punishment on young men with their own hands, who knows but their lugubrious lamentations may have mingled with the breezes that disturbed its foliage? Of how many college sports and tricks might it tell ; .such deeds, too, as no one who had not been educated in the halls of Old Har- vard would ever have dreamed of ? Among tjie gi'aver subjects of which it might make report, are the lessons of truth and piety which fell from the lips of Whitfield, when he stood in its shade and moved a vast multitude by his eloquence. And sub- sequently. it seems, it has been heralding war and liberty ; for the revolutionary sol- diers who stood shoulder to shoulder, — blessings be on their heads, — tell us that when Washington arrived at Cambridge, he drew his sword as commander-in-chief ol the American anny, for the first time, beneath its boughs, and resolved within him self that it should never be sheathed till the liberties of his country were established Glorious old tree, that has stood in sight of the smoke of Lexington and Bunker's HiH battles, and weathered the storms of many generations, — worthy of reverence. Though, in the spirit of modern improvement, guideboards may be nailed to thy trunk, thou pointest to the past and to the future. All around are scattered memorials of what has been. Generations of men have died and been buried, and soldiers of the revolu- tion sleep near thee. Thou lookesl down upon monuments in the churchyard, robbed of their leaden armorial bearings that they might be converted into rausket balls in the day of our national poverty and struggle ; and the old spikes still fastened into the beams of Massachusetts Hall, tell of suspended hammocks where the weary soldier took his rest. Across the river, where one Blackstone lived, and where Governor Win- ihrop took up his residence, because he found a good spring of water there, the forest 360 CAMBRIDGE has been cut away, the Indian wigman has disappeared, and a city grown up, contain- ing more than 80,000 inhabitants, whose sails whiten e\^ery sea, whose merchants are princes, and whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth. May no unkind hand mar the last tree of the native forest. Though it may have stood century after cen- tur}', like a sentinel on duty, defying the hghtning and the storm, still let it stand, an interesting and sacred memorial of the past and the present, and continue to be asso- ciated, for many years to come, with the history of our country. And let the illustri- ous name which it bears, and which it derives from one of the most important events in the life of the father of his country, preserve it to remind the coming generations of his invaluable services and labors." Entrance to Mount Auburn Cemetery. The above Egyptian gateway is the principal entrance to Mount Auburn, at the commencement of the central avenue, on the main road. It has two lodges at its sides, and bears the following in- scription : " Then shall the dust return to the earthy as it was ; and the spirit unto God who gave it." This hallowed spot, dedicated Sept. 24th, 1831, has become the retired cemetery for many fami- lies residing in Boston and the vicinity. The beauty, novelty, and great variety of scenery of this place, it is believed, far exceeds any thing in this country. It was formerly known as " Sweet Au- burn," and was long a favorite walk for the students of Harvard and other inhabitants of Cambridge, being but about one mile and a quarter from the university. The following account of this cemetery is taken from the American Magazine, vol. i. page 9 : '• The cemetery of Mount Auburn, justly celebrated as the most interesting object of the kind in our country, is situated in Cambridge and Watertown, about four miles from the city of Boston. It includes upw-ards of one hundred acres of land, puixhased at diliereiit times by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, extending from the main road nearly to the banks of Charles river. A portion of the land next to the road, and now under cultivation, constitutes the experimental garden of the society. A long water-course between this tract and the interior woodland forms a natural boundary, separating the two sections. The inner portion, which is set apart for the purposes of a cemetery, is covered, throughout most of its extent, with a vigorous growth of forest trees, many of them of large size, and comprising an unusual variety of kinds. This tract is beautifully undulating in its surface, containing a number of bold eminences, steep aclivities, and deep shadowy valleys. A remarkable natural ridge, with a level surface, runs through the ground from south-east to north-west, and has for many years been known as a secluded and favorite walk. The principal eminence, called Mount Auburn, in the plan, which has been published, is 12.5 feet above the level of cape, as they are successively presented through the different vistas which have been opened among the trees ; while from its summit a magnificent and unhruken panorama, embra.'iug one of the most delightful tracts in New England, will he spread out beneath the eye. Not only the contiguous country, but the harbor and the bay of Boston, with their ships and islands, and, in a clear atmosphere, the distant mountains of Wachusett, and, probably, even of 3Ionadnock, will be comprehended within the range of vision. " The grounds of the cemetery have been laid oiU with intersecting avenues, so as to render every part of the wood accessible. These avenues are curved and variously winding in their course, so as to be adapted to the natural inequalities of the surface. By this arrangement, the greatest economy of the land is produced, combining at the same time the picturesque eflect of landscape gardening. Over the more level por- tions, the avenues are made twenty feet wide, and are suitable for carriage roads. The more broken and precipitous parts are approached by footpath.s, six feet in width. These passage-ways are smoothly gravelled, and will be planted on both sides with flowers and ornamental shrubs. Lots of ground, containing each three hundred square feet, are set off, as family burial-places, at suitable distances on the sides of the avenues and paths. The perpetual right of inclosing and of using these lots, as places of sepulture, is conveyed to the purchasers of them, by the Horticultural So- ciety." The annexed engraving is a representation of the monument erected over the remains of Dr. Spurzheim, the celebrated phre- nologist; it is about the first object tliat meets the eye after entering the cemetery. It is constructed of polished Italian marble, and is made after the model of Scipio's tomb at Rome. Dr. Spur- zheim was born in Prussia, and educated at Treves. He afterwards studied medicine at Vienna, where he became acquainted with Dr. Gall, and entered with zeal into the doc- trines of that professor. In 1807, Dr. Gall, assisted by Spurzheim, delivered his first public lectures on phrenology in Paris. Dr. Spurzheim af- terwards delivered lectures in various places in Europe, and received the honors of a num- ber of literary institutions. — He arrived in New York Aug. 4th, 1832. After giving a se- ries of lectures in Boston and Cambridge, he died of a fever, Oct. lOtli, 1S32. His body was embalmed, and a cast of his head Tomb of Spurzheim. 362 CAM FRIDGE. taken. Appropriate services were performed at the Old South meeting-house, in the midst of an immense concourse of specta- tors, and from thence his body was conveyed to Mount Auburn. The following inscriptions are from monuments in this town : Hie jacent reliquise honoratiss. et rev. admodum dom. Johannis Leverett, annig. (jui niajoribus oriundus illustribus, illustrius nomen reddidit quam accepit. Virtus et pietas, sapientia et gravdtas juventuti, fuere laurea, nee non senectuti, corona ; majes- tas et authoritas in oculo, voce, vullu ; benignitas et humanitas in corde resedernnt. In secundis moderatus, in adversis constanti et infracto i'uit animo. Maritus et paler amantissimus ; animus dulcis et fidus, prudens consiliarius, fortis auxiliarius, lingua- luin et artium academicarum inter peritissimos, nee minus in jurisprudentia et theolo- gia quam in philosophia conspicuiis. Omnes fere honoris gradus conscendit et ornavit. Juvenem admodum mirata est et plausit academia tutorem primarium et sociura ; ut et postea communiura domus pro- locutorem, de probatione testamentorum judicem, et m superiori tribunali justitiarum regi consiliis assistentem, et in variis legationibus honorificis et momentosis sagaciter et integre versantem, contemplata est universa patria. Tandem collegii principalis, et societatis regia; socius coaplatus, scholar prophetarum ad annos sedecimpari authori- tate et lenitate prcesidebat ; donee morte instantanea Deo visum sit a filiis propheta- rum dominum e lecio et somno in cffilum assumere, Maii tertio, 1724, setatis, 62. M. S. viri admodum reverendi pariter atque honorandi Edwardi Holyoke, qui praestanti decoratus ingenio ; doctrina instructissimus ; arte moderandi apprime felix ; prseclarus eloquentia ; mira in rebus suo tempore exequendis aceuratione prajditus ; raoribus ornatus sanctissimis, integritate pra?sertim ab omni parte intacta; collegii Harvardini prcesidis, a jacto fundamento, undecimi munus, amplius triginta annis, cum summa laude sustinuit ac dignitate. In vita insuper privata edidit imitandum omnibus exemplum conjugis amantissimi ; erga liberos pietatis ; urbanitatis in hospites ingenua; comisque ; summi erga amicos studii et constantis ; pauperibus elargiendi soepissime ; religionis erga Dcum, mediante Christo insignis. Vita demum optime peracta, animam Jesu commendavit expiravitque Calendis Ju- niis, anno Christi, 1769, ajtatisque suse 80. Huic tumulo ' mandantur exuviae Johannis Wadsworth, A. M. Duxburgia nati, collegii Harvardini alumni, cujus septem per annos fideliter utilissimeque tutoris offici- um pra?stitit, et modo aptissimo, facillimo, gratissimoque, optimis prreceplis ac institu- tis juvenum animos imbuit, moresque ipsorum amice ac sedulo curavit. Hujus tem- poris tres per annos et ultra senatus academi socii munera perite explevit. Ingenio sagaci et acutissirao Uteris scientiisque penitus instructo ; etiam facilitate mira scn- tentias impertiendi, omnium observantiam in sese attraxit. Amicitia ingenua atque constanti, et consuetudinis suavitate facetiisque, amor ac delicige fuil amicorura. In- ter alias virtutes pietas erga parentes et ati'ectio fraterna prsecipue fuerunt insignes. Viri tam boni ac utilis, omnibusque cari, in a^tatem senectam spes vitam produxerat. Ah, spes inanis! Variolis, illo generis humani flagello, correptus, animam efflavit, die Julii 12 mo. anno salutis 1777, retatisque suse 37. Thom^ Marsh, armigeri, septuaginta annos nati, quorum per viginti quinque. apud collegium Harvardinum, tutoris docti, seduli, et urbani ; undecim etiam socii vigilan- tis partes agebat ; qui, ofRciis publicis diligenter, domesticis peramanler exactis, Sep- tembris vigesimo secundo, 1780, in spe revivendi Christiana mortem oppetiit, reliquiaj hoc tumulo reconduntur. An honest man 's the noblest work of God. GuLiELMtJs Kneeland, armiger, M. M. S. S. vir ingenio pra-ditus eximio, artibusque ac scientiis penitus imbutus, in republica litcraria locum perinsignem jure obtinuit. In universitate Harvardiana otficium tutoris novem per annos exornavit. Exinde in arte medendi magna cum laude erat versatus ; atque societatis medicorum Massachu- settensis prgeses bis fuit electus. Sagax ad res hominesque perspiciendos, multos ro- gantes consilio adjuvit. Officia omnia, tam privata quam publica, fidelitate, ordine, ac puncto temporis constituto pranstitit. Amicus fuit sincerus, hospes liberalis, socius jucundus, vir honestus, et pauperum patronus. Talis quum vixisset 36 annos; ani- CARLISLE. 863 mus sublimis, die secundo Novembris, 1788, subito effligit ; ast, eheu, quantum in- genii, quantum integritatis, quantum benevolentise terris convolavit ! Huic sepulchro mandantur exuviae Jahacobi Sheafe Willard, rev. prss. Joseptii Willard filii ; juvenis ingenio solido prsediti, probitate et virtute conspicui; tempons in usu assidui, sodalibus omnibus dilecti, matris^ sororum, et fratrum spei. Ah spem dolosam ! Morbo crudeli subito correptus animam efliavit spe immortalUa- tis beatse firmissima, anno cursus academici tertio, die Julii 26, anno salutis 1805, seta- tis 18. M. S. die 7 mo. Julii, A. D. 1810, ineunte a^tatis anno 27 mo. obiit academise Har- vardina; alumnus, Samuel Harris, palre Samuele Harris et matre Sarah, natus Bos- toniae. Literarum a puero mire studiosus ; et vixdum adultus omnibus fere Unguis orientalibus eruditus, rerum antiquarum abdita et mirabilia quibus maxime delecta- retur curiose et fehciter perscrutatus, cseteris suae a3latis facile prEccelluit. Cuin spes amieorum maxime foveretur futurum patria; honorem et decus, cursu academico jam prope peracto, infelici morte correptus, fluctibus Caroli fluminis submersus, eheu ! mortalia reliquit. Tanta illi pietas et benevolentia, tanta morum suavitas, tanta mo- destia, ut nullum suis, vel amandi vivus, vel mortuus lugendi statuerit modum. Hoc Uteris, hoc moribus, hoc eximicE virtuti, amicitia; quam impar monumentum ! sacra- verunt juvenes, araici, sodales. Heu ! quanto minus est cum aliis versari, quam lui meminisse. CARLISLE The party divisions in Concord, occasioned principally by the religious controversies from 1740 to 1750, were the cause of the formation of several separate societies and districts. Carlisle was incorporated as a district of Concord in 1754. The first object of the inhabitants was the selection of a suitable place for erecting their meeting-house. After a great many fruitless attempts to fix the location, a committee was appointed to petition the general court that the district might be set back to the town of Concord, with all their former privileges. An act for this purpose was passed by the general court, in 1757. After the dissolution of "Old Carlisle," no definite attempts were made to obtain a sepa- ration till about fifteen years afterwards. During this time, the occasional preaching of the gospel had been supported, and a meeting-house was begun as early as 1760, though not completed till 1783. Several petitions were presented to the adjoining towns to obtain their consent by the inhabitants of Blood's farms and the extreme parts of Concord, Acton, Chelmsford, and Billerica, and an act was passed incorporating them as a district of Acton, by the name of Carlisle. In 1805, they were incorporated as a town. The surface of the town is generally uneven and rocky, though there are no considerable elevations ; and the soil is unfavorable to agriculture. Concord river washes its eastern bounds. Agri- culture is the principal business of the inhabitants. There are two churches, 1 for the Orthodox and 1 Unitarian, and about a dozen dwelling-houses, in the center of the town. Distance, 5 miles north of Concord, and 18 miles north-west of Boston. Population, 596. The Rev. Paul Litchfield, the first settled minister, was or- dained Nov. 7, 1781. He died Nov. 7, 1827, on the 46th anniver- sary of his ordination. He was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Hull, in 1830. 364 CHAKLESTOWN. CHARLESTOWN. Charlestown was settled in 1628, being the oldest town in Mid- dlesex county, and one of the oldest in the state. It was incorpo- rated in 1635, It derives its name from Charles I. of England, the reigning sovereign at the time of its settlement. Its Indian name was Mishaioum. In 1628 " six or seven persons, with the consent of Gov. Endicott, traveled from Naumkeak (Salem) through the woods Avestward, and came to a neck of land, between Mystic and Charles rivers, called Mishawum. It was full of Indians, called Abergitiians ; and with the unconstrained consent of their chief they settled there." Their old sachem being dead, his eldest son, John Sagamore, was chief in power. He is described as a man of gentle and good disposition, and was probably induced to give his consent to the settlement on account of the advantages he had derived from the skill of Thomas Walford, a blacksmith, who had previously taken up his residence, and built himself a house, which he had thatched and palisadoed, at the south end of the West Hill, not far from the river. In 1629, a considerable number of persons arrived at Salem from England. Being dissatisfied with their situation at this place, Thomas Graves, with some of the company's servants under his care, and others, to the number of one hundred in all, removed to Mishawum, where they laid out the foundation of a town. Mr. Graves laid out the town in two-acre lots, one of which he assigned to each inhabitant ; and afterward he built a great house for the accommodation of those who were soon to come over to New England. In 1630, a fleet, bringing more than 1,500 persons, arrived in Massachusetts Bay the sixth of July. Among the pas- sengers were Governor Winthrop and several other distinguished gentlemen. The governor and several of the patentees took lodg- ings in Charlestown, in the great house built there the year before ; and the rest of the company erected cottages, booths, and tents about the Town Hill. Their place of assembly for divine worship was under a tree. The first court of assistants was holden at Charlestown on the 23d of August, on board the Arabella. On the 27th of August, a day of solemn fasting and prayer was observed, when the governor, deputy governor, and others, entered into church covenant; Mr. Wilson was chosen pastor; a ruling elder and two deacons were also chosen ; and thus was laid the founda- tion of the churches of Charlestown and Boston. It was the general intention of the company to settle at Charles- town, where the governor ordered his house to be framed ; but the prevalence of a mortal sickness, ascribed to the badness of the water,* induced several of the people to explore the neighbor- ing country for more eligible situations ; and from this circum- * "The neck of land on which Charlestown is built abounds with good water, but the settlers had found only a brackish spring by the water-side, to which they had no access excepting when the tide was down." — Prince, 244. CHARLESTOWN. 365 Stance, probably, the settlement of Watertown, Boston, and Rox- bury, was commenced this year, (1630.) The natural divisions of this town are distinguished as Charles- town Peninsula and Charlestown " without the neck." These divisions are of very unequal size : the peninsula, on which the town is principally built, is only about one mile and a quarter in length ; the tract beyond the neck is upwards of seven miles in length. The width varies from half a mile to a mile in various parts of the town. Charlestown peninsula is somewhat of an oval form, and is about half as large as that on which Boston is situated. It has, like Boston, three principal hills, viz. Bunker's Hill, Breed's Hill, and the West or Town Hill. Bunker's Hill is on the north-east part; it is 113 feet high, and is the largest of the three. Breed's Hill (on which was the battle of Bunker Hill, and where the monument is erected) commences near the south- erly portion of Bunker's, and extends towards the south and west; its height is 87 feet. Town Hill is in the south-west part of the peninsula ; its height has been somewhat reduced from what it was originally, but it never was as high as Breed's Hill. Its western base reached to the shore of Charles river. The avenues from Charles River bridge and Warren bridge meet in Cltarlestown Square, an open space of two or three acres, regularly laid out soon after the opening of the town, in 1776, for the purposes of a market place. Around this square a number of the public build- ings are situated. There are 9 churches, 3 Congregational, 2 Baptist, 2 Universalist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Catholic. There are 3 banks : the Bunker Hill Bank, with a capital of $150,000 : the Phosnix Bank, capital $300,000 ; and the Charlestown, with a capi- tal of $150,000. Charlestown is united to Boston by Charles and Warren bridges. Warren bridge is 1,390 feet in length and 44 in width. It was incorporated in 1828, and opened the same year. It is now the property of the state. Charlestown is also united to Boston as a port of entry, and in its various commercial pursuits. Population, 10,101. " The United States Navy Yard was first established in this town about the year 1798. The yard is situated on the north side of Charles river, on a plot of ground of about 60 acres. It is en- closed by a high wall of durable masonry, and contains several ware-houses, dwelling-houses for the officers, and a large amount of naval stores, live oak, and other timber. It also contains three large ship-houses, in which are the Vermont and Carolina of 74, and the Cumberland frigate of 44 guns. These ships can be launched and ready for sea in a very short time. The dry dock at this place is of hewn granite, and of unrivalled masonry. It is 341 feet in length, 80 in width, and 30 in depth. It cost $670,089. This dock was completed and received the Constitu- tion on the 24th of June, 1833. Connected with this establishment are a naval hospital and magazine at Chelsea, now in progress. A large ropewalk is now in the yard, and other additions are con- templated This is considered one of the best naval depots in the United States." — Hayward'S Mass. Directory^ 1835. 366 c II A n T, t; s T n --.v n McLean Asylum, Charlestomi. "This establishment is located on a beautiful rise of ground, in Charlestown, near East Cambridge, and about a mile and a half from the City Hall. The buildings are large, and are exceedingly well adapted to their philanthropic desisn. They cost about 1186,000. "This house was opened for patients on the Gth of October, 1S18, and from that time to January 1, 1834, 1015 patients were received. Of this nunrber, 2(i4 were mar- ried, and 340 unmarried, males; 238 married, and 173 unmarried, females. Of this number, 70 were from 10 to 20 years of age ; 616 from 20 to 40, (of which 368 wer** males, and 248 females ;) 191 from 40 to 50 ; 91 from 50 to 60 ; and 47 from 60 to 80. Of this number, 362 recovered, 143 were much improved, 140 benefitted, 89 died, 21 eloped, 193 were not improved, and 67 remained in the asylum. Of this number 112 had been intemperate ; 122 had insane ancestors ; and 59 had near collaterals, but no ancestors stated as insane. The average current expenses of each patient at this asylum is estimated at f 4 50 a week. The lowest rate for which patients belonging to this state are received, is $3 a week — from other states, S4 50 a week. The num- ber of patients received from Januar)'' 1, 1834, to June 19, 1835, was 150. The num- ber of patients at the latter date was 88, which was a greater number than at any former period. Rufus Wyman, M. D., wns superintendent and physician from the commencement of the asylum to IMay, 1833. to whom the public is much indebted for the great intelligence and fidelity by which he has advanced its usefulness. " Belonging to, and surrounding this asylum, are about 15 acres of land appropri- ated to courts and gardens. These are laid out with gravelled walks; the former are furnished with summer-houses, and the latter are ornamented with groves of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery, and flowers. Surrounding the lower garden, and within the enclosure, is a carriage path, where patients are taken to ride. Ii\ the center is a small fresh-water pond, containing several hundred gold and silver fish, and immedi- ately contiguous is a summer-house, where the patients at times resort for games and amusements. " The system of moral treatment adopted and pursued is founded upon principles of elevated benevolence and philanthropy, and an acquaintance ■with human nature and the capabilities and wants of the insane. The previous tastes, habits, and pursuits, and the present inclinations and feelings of each individual, are habittially consulted. A library for the use of the patients has recently been purchased, and those of their who are disposed to read are permitted at stated periods to send in their names and the number of the book desired ; the list is examined and approved by the physician, and the books are distributed by the librarian. In the same way, writing material.'? are distributed, and patients are engaged in keeping journals, writing sketches of their lives, poetiy, 'iddressing letters to their friends, and in drawing, &;c. Some engage in games, as bowling, throwing the ring, battledoor, graces, jumping the rope, chess, lace of hills." It is watered by Charles river, and contains numerous fish-ponds. There are two villages, which are upwards of a mile apart. North Natick is a village newly erected ; it con- sists of about 30 houses, two churches, 1 Congregational, and 1 Methodist. The Boston and Worcester railroad passes through this village. South Natick is the ancient village ; it consists of about 20 dwelling-houses and a Unitarian church. Population, 1,221. Distance from Concord, 12 miles, 9 from Dedham, and 16 from Boston. In 1837, there were 250,650 pairs of shoes manu- factured here, valued at $213,052 50; males employed, 263; females, 189. The first Indian church in New England was formed here, fn 1660. The Indians were first brought together, by Mr. Eliot, at Nonantum, (in Newton) but not finding sufficient acconamoda- tion, they removed to Natick in 1651. Here they built a town on the banks of Charles river, " which consisted of three long streets; two on the Boston side of the river, and one on the other. To each house was attached a piece of ground. Most of the houses were built after the Indian fashion. One large house was erected in the English style, the lower apartment of which was employed as a school-room in the week, and as a place of worship on the Lord's day ; there was likewise a large handsome fort, of a circular figure, palisadoed with trees ; and a foot-bridge over the river, the foundation of which was secured with stone ; with several little houses after the Enghsh fashion." According to the advice of Mr. Eliot, they adopted the form of government pro- posed by Jethro to Moses. About 100 of them met together, and chose one ruler of a hundred, two rulers of fifties, and"^ ten rulers of tens. After their church was formed, they flourished under a succession of pious teachers, natives and English, until, by repeat- ed wasting sickness and other causes so fatal to the race, they have now become nearly if not quite extinct. The following 56 416 NATICK. account of Natick, &c., is from the Memoirs of Eliot, by the ReY. Martin Moore, of Natick. " It lieth upon Charles river, eighteen miles south-west from Boston, and ten miles north-west from Dedham. It hath twenty-nine families, which, computing five persons to a family, amount to one hundred and forty-five persons. The towTi contains about six thousand acres. The soil is good and well watered, njid produceth plenty of grain and fruit. The land was granted to the Indians at the motion of Mr. Eliot, by the general court of Massachusetts : and in the year 1651, a number of them combined together and formed a town, which is the place of the greatest name among Indians, and where their principal courts are held. * * * # " In this towTi was the first church of Indians embodied, in the year 1660. Unto this church some pious Indians of other places, both men and women, are since joined. The number of men and women in full communion with this church were, in 1670, between forty and fifty. " We are to consider, that all those we call praying Indians are not all visible church members, or baptized persons ; which ordinance of baptism is not to be ad- ministered unto any that are out of the visible church, until they profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him, but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. Here, I shall take the liberty, though it be a digression, to relate a story of remark concerning a child at Natick, a youth of about eleven years of age, who was of a sober and grave carriage, and an attentive hearer of the word, considering his age and capacity, but he had a weak body and was consump- tive. This child hearing Mr. Eliot preach upon a time at Natick when the ordinance of baptism was to be administered unto some children, whose parents had made pro- fession of their faith and were joined to the church : upon which occasion Mr. Eliot said, that baptism was Christ's mark, which he ordered to be set upon his lambs, and that it was a manifest token of Christ's love to the offspring of his people to set this mark upon them. This child taking special notice of this passage, did often solicit his father and mother, that one or both of them would endeavour to join to the church, that he might be marked for one of Christ's lambs before he died. The parents, who were well inclined, especially the mother, and being also very affectionate to their child, as the Indians generally are, did seriously ponder the child's reiterated intreaties ; and not long after, first the mother, and then the father of the child, joined to the church. Soon after the lad was baptized ; in which he did greatly rejoice and triumph, that he was now marked for one of Christ's lambs. ' Now,' said he to his father and mother, ' I am willing to die ;' which shortly after came to pass ; and I doubt not, but as the child had Christ's name set upon him in baptism and by faith, so his immortal soul is now in glory, rejoicing in communioji with Christ. " There are many Indians that live among those that have subjected themselves to the gospel, that are catechised ; who attend public worship, read the scriptures, pray in their families morning and evening, who have not yet attached themselves to the visible church. The manner practised by these Indians in the worship of God is thus. Upon the Lord's days, fast-days, and lecture-days, the people assemble together at the sound of a drum, (for bells they yet hare not) twice a day, in the morning and after- noon, on the Lord's days, but only once upon lecture-days, when one of their teachers begins with a solemn and affectionate prayer. In these acts of worship, for I have often been present with them, they demean themselves visibly with reverence, atten- tion, modesty and solemnity ; the men-kind sitting by themselves, and the women-kind by themselves, according to their age, quality and degree, in comely manner. And for my own part, I have no doubt, but am fully satisfied, according to the judgment of charity, that divers of them do fear God and are true believers ; but yet I will not deny but there may be some of them hypocrites, that profess religion, and yet are not sound-hearted. But things that are secret belong to God ; and things that are re- vealed, unto us and our children. " Their teachers are generally chosen from among themselves, except some few English teachers of the most pious and able men among them. Mr. Eliot hath of late years fallen into a practice among the Indians, the better to prepare and furnish them with abilities to explicate and apply the scriptures, by setting up a lecture among them in logic and theology, once every fortnight all the summer, at Natick : whereat he is present and ready, and reads and explains to them the principles of those arts. And God hath been pleased graciously so to bless these means, that several of them, especially young men of acute parts, have gained much knowledge, and are able to speak methodically and profitably unto any plain text of scripture, yea, as well as you can imagine such little means of learning can advantage them unto. From N A TICK. 417 this church and town of Natick hath issued forth, as from a seminary of virtue and piety, divers teachers that are employed in several new praying towTis. '• In this towTi they have residing some of their principal rulers, the chief whereof is named Waban, who is now above seventy years of age. He is a person of great prudence and piety. I do not know any Indian that excels him. Other rulers there are living there, as Nattous and Piam, Boohan and others. These are good men and prudent, but inferior to the first. The teachers of this town are Anthony and John Speen, who are grave and pious men. They have two constables belonging to this place, chosen yearly; and there is a marshal-general belonging to all the praying Indian towns, called Captain Josiah, or Pennahanit. He doth attend the chief courts kept here, but he dwells at another place, Nashobah." Mr. Eliot translated the whole Bible into the Natick (or Nip- mnc) dialect. This Bible was printed at Cambridge, in 1663, and is the first Bible printed in America. A second edition was printed in 1685, in the correction of which Mr. Eliot received great assistance from Mr. John Cotton.* The following is the title-page : " Mamusse Wunneetupanatamwe Up Biblum God, Naneeswe Nukkone Testament Kah Wonk Wusku Testament." The following is the Lord's Prayer, in the Indian tongue, con- tained in the above work. Our father heaven in hallowed thy name come thy kingdom Nushun kesukqut ; Qtittianatamunach ktowesuonk ; Feyaumuutch kukketassutamoonk; thy will done earth on as heaven in our food daily KuttenantamoonJc nen nach ohkeit neane kesukqut; Niimmeetsuongash asekesukokish give us ^his this day and forgive us our sins as asamaiinean yeuyeu kesukod ; Kah ahquontamawwer.n iiummatcheseongash neane wicked-doers we forgive them Also lead us not matchenekuk quengig nutahquontamounnonog ; Ahque sagkompagunaiinnean en temptation in Oh deliver us evil from for thine qutchhuaonganit ; Wehe pohquohmussinnean rvutch match itut ; Nemutche kutahtaun kingdom and power and glory forever Amen. ketassutamoonk kah mmuhkesuoiik kah sohsumoonk viicheme Amen. The following is copied from a monument in the grave-yard near the Unitarian church in South Natick. Hie deposits' sunt reliquiae domini reverendi Oliveri Peabody, viri, propter mentis facultates et Literatuvam necessarian! maxima veneratione digni. Specuiationes the- ologicas optima delegit. In officio pastorali conspicue effulsii, per annos triginta, Populo apud Natick niinistra\it prgpcipne aboriginum eruditionis in religione Christi- ana causa. In vita sociali quoqne fuit exemplar. Benevolentia Integra et hospitali- tate catholica maxime antecessit. Retributionem futuram certis.sime expectans, ministerium reliquit, die Februarii 2do, A. D. 1752, setatis 51. [Here are deposited the remains of the reverend Oliver Peabody, a man venerable for the faculties of his mind and for all needful learning. He delighted much in theological investigations. He discharged the pastoral office with great renown for thirty years ; ministering to the people of Natick, especially to the aborigines, in the * " It is related that while Mr. Eliot was engaged in translating the Bible into the Indian language, he came to the following passage in Judges v. 28 : ' The mother of Sisera looked out at the window, and cried through the lattice,' &cc. Not knowing an Indian word to signify lattice, he applied to several of the natives, and endeavored to describe to them what a lattice resembled. He described it as frame-work, netting, wicker, or whatever occurred to him as illustrative ; when they gave him a long, bar- barous and unpronounceable word, as are most of the words in their language. Some years after, when he had learned their dialect more correctly, he is said to have laughed outright upon finding that the Indians had given him the true term for eelpot. 'The mother of Sisera looked out at the -window, and cried through the eelpotJ " 418 NKWTON. cause of sacred learning. He was a model in social life. In benevolence and nni- versal hospitality he was pre-eminent. In the firm expectation of a future retribution, he was called from his ministry on the 2d of February, A. D. 1752, aged 54 years.} NEWTON. The exact period of the commencement of the settlement of Newton is unknown. It was originally a part of Cambridge, and was styled Cambridge Village, or New Cambridge. It was incor- porated in 1691. This is a beautiful agricultural and manufactur- ing town, the Nonaniinji of the Indians. It is 1.2 miles S. E. of Concord, 7 N. of Dedham, and 7 miles west from Boston. Popu- lation, 3,037. There are five churches, 2 Congregational, 2 Bap- Theological Seminary at Newton. tist, and 1 Episcopal. The Neivton Theological Seminary^ under the patronage of the Baptist denomination, was founded in this place in 1825, and was incorporated by the legislature the next year. In 1828 a brick building, three stories in height, besides a basement story, 85 feet long and 49 wide, was erected, at an expense of about $10,000. Three convenient houses have been since erected for the professors. In tlie mansion-house are accommodations for the stew- ard's family, a dining hall, a chapel, and recitation rooms. The regular course of study occupies three years. There are two vaca- tions of six weeks each ; one from the last Wednesday but one in August, the other from the last Wednesday in March. The semi- nary is about seven miles from Boston, in a very healthy position, being beautifully situated on an elevated hill, which commands an extensive prospect of Boston, and of the rich country around. In the central part of the town there are many elegant country resi- dences. Newton lies in a bend of Charles river, which forms its bound- ary on three sides, and, by two falls of considerable extent, affords NEWTON. 41 9 an extensive water power. There are two manufacturing villages at these falls. The Upper Falls village is 9 miles from Boston and 7 from Dedham ; it consists of about 70 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 1 Methodist and 1 Baptist, a nail factory, rolling mill, and a ma- chine shop, where 100 hands have been employed. At this place the water descends 35 feet in the distance of half a mile, and at one place pitches over a ledge of rocks 20 feet high. The village, which is well built, is irregularly situated on a rocky elevation which rises with some abruptness from the bed of the river. The Lower Falls village is 11 miles from Boston, and about 2 miles N. W. from the Upper Falls village. A part of this village is within the bounds of Needham ; it consists of about 50 dwelling-houses, an Episco- pal church, and 10 paper-mills. The Boston and Worcester rail- road passes to the north of this village. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 5,710 spindles; 962,300 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $134,722 ; males employed, 53 ; females, 240 ; one woollen mill, 5 sets of woollen machinery; 100,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $100,000; five paper-mills; stock manufactured, 975 tons; value of paper manufactured, $197,000 ; males employed, 53 ; females, 30 ; one nail manufactory ; nails manufactured, 700 tons, valued at $84,700 ; hands employed, 20 ; capital invested, $40,000 ; one manufactory of chairs and cabinet ware ; value of articles manu- factured, $54.000 ; sixty males and six females employed ; one rolling mill ; 950 tons of iron rolled, valued at $76,000. Value of soap and candles manufactured, $22,500; vitriol, 1,800,000 lbs., valued at $50,000 ; barilla, 130 tons, valued at $4,550 ; value of machinery manufactured, $70,000; cost of materials, $35,000; capital invested, $120,000. No7ia7itu}7i was " the first civilized and Christian settlement of Indians within the English colonies of North America." Mr. Goo- kin, who formerly accompanied Mr. Eliot in his journeys, says " the first place he began to preach at was INonantum, near Water- town, upon the south side of Charles river, about four or five miles from his own house ; where lived at that time Waban, one of their principal men, and some Indians with him." Mr. Eliot set out upon his mission in Oct., 1646, and sent forerunners to apprize the Indians of his intentions. Waban, a grave and wise man, of the same age of the missionary, forty-two, a person of influence, met him at a small distance from their settlement, and welcomed him to a large wigwam on the hill Nonantum. A considerable number of his countrymen assembled here from the neighborhood to hear the new doctrine. "After a short prayer in English, Mr. Eliot delivered a sermon (the first probably ever preached in this part of the old town) from Ezek. chap, xxxvii. ver. 9, 10 : 'Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the rvind, (to which the Indian term Waban is said to answer) prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, (saij to Waban,) Thus saith the Lord God, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army.' This ser- mon employed an hour. The preacher began with the principles of natural religion acknowledged by themselves, and then proceeded to the leading doctrines and precepts 420 NEWTON. of Christianity. He repeated and explained the ten commandments. He Informed them of the dreadful curse attending the violation of the divine law. He then spoki; to them of the person of Jesus Christ, of the place of his present residence and exal- tation, and of his coming to judge the world in flaming fire. He taught them the blessed state of all those who know and savingly believe in Christ. He related the creation and fall of man ; and spoke of the inhnite greatness of God, of the joys of heaven, and the punishment of hell ; finally persuading them to repentance and a good life. Having closed his sermon, he was desirous of knowing whether he had conveyed his sentiments intelligibly, in a language so new to himself. He therefore inquired whether they comprehended his meaning ; to which their unanimous reply was, 'We understood all.' Mr. Eliot and his friends then devoted about three hours to familiar and friendly conference with them, to hear and answer questions which naturally were suggested by the discourse. This first visit was received with cordial and general satisfaction. Many of his audience listened to the pathetic parts of the discourse with tears ; Waban, particularly, received those happy impressions which abode by him through hfe, and qualified him zealously and successfully to aid the generous design of converting his countrymen. " A still larger number attended the next visit of the apostolic Eliot to Nonantum, Nov. 11. He began first with the children, whom he taught these three questions, and their answers. Q. 1. Who made you and all the world * A.God. Q. 2. Whom do you expect to save you from sin and hell ? A* Jesus Christ. Q. 3. How many commandments hath God given you to keep ? A. Ten. He then preached about an hour to the whole company concerning the nature of God, and the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for procuring his favor. He informed them what Jesus Christ had done and sulfered for the salvation of sinners, and the dreadful judgments attendant upon the rejection of him and his salvation. The whole company appeared very serious. Liberty being given to ask questions for further information, an aged man stood up, and with tears inquired whether it was not too late for such an old man as he, who was near death, to repent and seek after God. Another asked how the English came to differ so much from the Indians in their knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, since they had all at first but one father. Another inquired how it came to pass that sea- water was salt and river-water fresh. Another, that if the water was higher than the earth, (as he supposed,) how it comes to pass that it does not overflow all the earth. Mr. Eliot and his friends spent several hours in answering these and some other ques- tions. The Indians told them, upon their quitting them to return home in the evening, that ' they did much thank God for their coming ; and for what they had heard, they were wonderful things.' " At the third meeting, of Nov. 26, some of the Indians absented themselves through fear of their powavvs or priests, who had threatened them with their secret power of inflicting the penalty of death upon those who should attend. One of these powaws was, however, immediately and solemnly addressed by the intrepid missionary, who silenced and convinced him. " Two or three days after this meeting, at which the audience appeared very serious, Wampas, a sage Indian, with two of his companions, came to the English, and desired to be admitted into some of their families. He brought his son and two or three other Indian children with him, begging that they might be educated in the christian faith. His request was granted." A school was soon established among them, and the general court gave the neighboring Indians a tract of highland, called No- nantum, and furnished them with various implements of husbandry. The Indians many of them professed' Christianity, and the whole in the vicinity became settled, and conducted their atfairs with prudence and industry. They erected a house of worship for themselves ; they adopted the customs of their English neighbors, made laws, and had magistrates of their own. The increase of the Indian converts was such, that they found the place too strait for them, and there was a removal of the tribe to Natick, about 10 miles S. W. of Nonantum. The records of the first church in this town were destroyed in Ihe conflagration of the Rev. Mr. Merriam's house, in 1770. From NEWTON. 421 Other sources it appears that the first regular church gathered here was on July 20, 1664, and the first minister was Rev. John Eliot, Jr., son of the apostolic missionary of that name. He died, exceed- ingly lamented, in 1668, in the 33d year of his age. Rev. Nehe- miah Hobart was ordained his successor, Dec. 23, 1674. His character it is said may be collected from the following inscription placed on his tomb-stone : Hoc tumulo depositse sunt leliquias reverend! et perdocti D. D. NEHEwiiE Hobart, Collegii Harvardini socij lectissirai, ecclesise Neotoniensis per annos quadraginta pas- toris fidelissimi et vigilantissimi, singulari gravitate, hiimilitate seque ac pietate et doctrina — a doctis et pijs eximiaveneratione et amore recolendi. Natus erat Nov. 21, 1648. Denatus Aug. 25, 1712, anno setatis 64. [In this tomb are deposited the remains of the reverend and very learned teacher of divinity, Nehemiah Hobart, an estimable fellow of Harvard College, a highly faithful and watchful pastor of the church of Newton for forty years. His singular gravity, humility, piety, and learning, rendered him the object of deep veneration and ardent esteem to men of science and religion. He was born Nov. 21, 1648, and died Aug. 25, 1712, in the 64th year of his age.] Mr. Hobart was succeeded by Rev. John Cotton, who was or- dained in 1714, and died in 1757. The following is the inscription on his montiment: Hie depositum mori quod potuit reverendi vereque venerandi Johannis Cottoni, ecclesiae Newtoniensis fidelissimi, prudentissimi, doctissimique nuper pastoris, concio- nandi tam precandi facultate celeberrimi, pietate spectatissimi, moribus sanctissimis undequaque et suavissime ab omnibus bene meriti, deploratique auditoribus prsecipue, quibus vel mortuus concionari non desinit. Fama longe lateque vocalius et diutiu.s marmore duratissimo, nomen perdulce proclamabit. Morbo non senecta fractus, e vita decessit, Maii 17, A. D. 1757, a'tatis suoe 64, officii ministralis 43. [Here lies the mortal part of the Kev. and truly venerable John Cotton, lately the very faithful, prudent and skilful pastor of the church of Newton. He was eminent for the faculty of praying and preaching, was respected for his piety, and held in high and universal esteem for his pure and attractive virtues. His loss is especially deplored by his tlock, to whom even dead he ceases not to preach. Fame shall spread his en- dearing name more loudly, extensively, and permanently than the most durable mar- ble. Broken by disease, not by the infirmities of age, he departed this life May 17, A. D. 1757, in the 64th year of liis age, and the 43d of his ministry.] Rev. Jonas Merriam succeeded Mr. Cotton, in 1758 ; he died in 1780, and his remains were conveyed to a family tomb in Boston. In 1780, a Baptist church was gathered in Newton, and Rev. Caleb Blood was pastor seven years ; he was succeeded by Rev. Mr, Grafton. Mr. Grafton died in December, 1836. Measures are taking to erect a monument to his memory. Captain Thomas Prentice, the partizan commander of horse so distinguished in King Philip's war. was of this town ; he died in 1709, at the age of 89, in consequence of a fall from his horse. The following lines on tlie foot-stone of his grave have been de- ciphered : " He that's here interr'd needs no versifying, A virtuous life mil keep the name from dying; He'll live, though poets cease their scribbling rhym AVhen that this stone shall mouldefd be by time." Kev. John Elliot, A. M., son of the apostolic Elliot, assistant Indian missionary. First pastor of the First Church, ordained on the day of its gathering, July 20, (Aug. 1, N. S.) 1664, eight years after the forming of a Society distinct from Cambridge, died Oct. Uth, 1668, M . XXXIII. Learned, Pious and beloved by English and Indians, 423 PEPPERELL. " My dying counsel is, secure an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this will cany you safely to the world's end." As a preacher, lively, accomplished, zealous, and Heaven received his ascending Spirit, "155 years since." — Erected by the town, 823. PEPPERELL This town was incorporated in 1753. This town, with several others in the vicinity, some in Massachusetts and some in New Hampshire, were once inchided within the ancient hmits of the town of Dunstable. The river Nashua forms the eastern boundary of the town, dividing it from Groton and the present town of Dunstable. The land bordering on the river is level, and the soil is good ; the land at a distance from the river is uneven. On Nisitissit river there are several mills for various purposes, and the Nashua itself has several falls in its course along the border of the town, affording many valuable water privileges. In the central part of the town there is a village, containing two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian, and an Insane Asylum, by Dr. Cutter. Population, 1,586. Distance, 17 miles from Concord, and 33 from Boston. In 1837, there were manu- factured 100 pairs of boots and 30,000 pairs of shoes, valued at $25,000; males employed 30; females, 15. There were 3 paper-mills ; 550 tons of stock were manufactured ; value of paper, $50,000 ; fifty hands (20 males, 30 females) were employed ; 40,000 palm-leaf hats were manufactured, valued at $5,000. Maj. General Prescott, one of the commanders at the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, was a native of this town. READING. The town of Reading was incorporated in 1644. It is believed that the name of this town ought to have been applied to the town of South Reading, as the first settlement of the ancient Reading appears to have been made within the present village of South Reading. This town Avas set off as a distinct precinct in 1769. There is much good land in this town, though some portions of it are uneven and hard of cultivation. The principal village in the town consists of about 30 dwelling-houses, handsomely built, and a number of stores, having a business-like appearance. There are two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian ; in the northern part of the township there is another Congregational and a Baptist church. Population, 2,144. Distance, 17 miles from Concord, 10 west from Salem, and 13 from Boston. In 1837 there were manufactured in this town 707 pairs of boots and 290,511 pairs of shoes, valued at $184,583; there were employed in this business 338 males and 494 females. There were eight manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware j the value of chairs and SHERBURNE. 423 cabinet ware manufactured was $91,360; one hundred hands were employed. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard of the principal village : Sacred to the memory of the Kev. Thomas Haven, the first Pastor of the 3d church in Reading, who quitted this scene of mortaUty May 7th, 1782, in ye 39 year of his age, and 12th of his ministry. Stript of its earthly dress, a genius unfettered by bigotry, improved by study, sanctified hy religion, ennobled by an evangelic temper, enlarged by the most diffusive benevolence, has taken its flight to its native country. Beloved and esteemed as a most worthy character, whose excellent and acquired abili- ties and eminent moral endowments afforded the most flattering hopes of great and growing usefulness, his exit at such an early period is sincerely lamented by all his acquaintance, and most especially a most sorrowful event to the people of nis charge. According to common reckoning by days, months and years, his death was premature ; but computing human life by the advances made in knowledge, wisdom., piety and, virtue, he lived to a good old age. In affectionate remembrance of James Bancroft, Esq. Venerated and beloved while living, his memory is blessed. Guided by Christian principle, he was enabled, through a long and useful life, to perform its various duties with fidelity. A defender of his country in her struggle for independence, he was magnanimous and devoted in the discharge of numerous civil offices, disinterested and faithful ; and a Deacon in the first church in the place during forty-six years, distinguished hy integrity, consistency and independence. In private Ufe he was endeared by mildness and benignity, and ever evinced obedience to the first command by an observance of the second " like unto it." He has gathered to his fathers, " as a shock of corn in its season," May 17, 1831 ; ML 92. SHERBURNE This town was incorporated in 1674. It is separated from Dover and Medfield by Charles river. The township is on an elevated site, with a good soil. In the central part of the town there is a village, having two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian. Population, 1,037. Distance, 15 miles from Concord, 10 from Dedham, and 18 from Boston. In 1837, there were 40 pairs of boots and 48,000 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $40,000 ; sixty males and thirty females were employed ; 2,000 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $4,000. There was an axe, plough and fork manufactory. The value of whips manu- factured was $.5,325 ; capital invested, $1,325 ; twenty-one hands were employed, seven of whom were females. Value of muskets manufactured, $1,600. SHIRLEY This town was incorporated in 1753. This town is well watered, and a large proportion of the township consists of low lands, and its pastures are not considered so good as those of more hilly towns. In the central part of the town are two Con- gregational churches, one of which is Unitarian. The largest 57 424 SOUTH READING. village in the town is in the southern part, near a stream which empties into Nashua river. There is a Universalist church in the village. A society of Shakers live on the southern borders of the town, and their lands extend into Lancaster, in Worcester county. The society consists of from 150 to 200 persons, and are distinguished for their neatnes-s, industry, and the raising of garden seeds, &c. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills, 2,568 spin- dles ; 474,364 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $52,100; males employed, 19; females, 39; one woollen mill; 20,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $12,000; two paper-mills ; 300 tons of stock manufactured ; value of paper, $20,000; twenty hands (10 males, 10 females) employed; 70,000 palm-leaf hats were manufactured, valued at $12,333. Popula- tion, 967. Distance, 16 miles from Concord, 18 from Lowell, and 32 from Boston. SOUTH READING. The settlement of this place, now called South Reading, was first commenced by emigrants from Lynn. x\s early as the year 1639, a grant of land was made by the general court to the town of Lynn, as appears from the following extract from the records of the court: "Sept. 7, 1639. The petition of the inhabit- ants of Lynn for a place for an inland plantation at the head of their bounds is granted them of four miles square." After this grant, certain persons from Lynn and other places immediately commenced the settlement of the place ; indeed, some had taken possession of certain spots of territory, and perhaps had removed hither, in 1638, the year before the grant. The settlement that commenced was called Lynn Village, being a part of the town of Lynn. The land was also purchased of the Indians for £10 16s., and the deeds signed, in 1640, by Sagamore George, his sister Abigail, and Quanapowitt. Lynn village was incorporated by the name of Reading about this time, being about five years since its first settlement. The following are the names of the first settlers, viz : Nicholas Brown, Boniface Burton, John Bacheller, Goodman Barker, Goodman Blots, Isaac Barnup, Wm. Cowdrey, Thomas Clark, Josiah Dustin, Thomas Dunton, Samuel Dunton, Richard Walker, Geo. Davis, Wm. Eaton, Jonas Eaton, Zachariah Fitch, Benjamin Fitch, Henry Feltch, Jeremiah Fitch, John Fuller, Goodman Gould, Thomas Hutchinson, Wm. Hooper, Samuel Walker, Thomas Hartshorn, Thomas Kendall, Goodman Knight, Wm. Marlin, Thomas Marshall, John Poole, Thomas Parker, John Person, Jeremiah Swaine, Richard Sader, Edward Taylor. SOUTH READING. 425 The first Congregational church in this town (being the 12th in t\\e colony) was gathered in 1645, and Rev. Henry Green was ordained its first minister. Mr, Green died in 1648, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Samuel Haugh, in 16.50. Johnson, in his "Wonder Working Providence of Zion's Saviour in New England," published about this time, says : " Reading is well watered, and situate about a great pond ; besides, it hath two mills, the one a saw mill, the other a corn mill, which stand on two several streams. It hath not been so fruitful for children as her sister Woburn hath ; her habitation is fuller in the ver}'^ centre of the country ; they are well stocked with cattle, for the number of people. They have gathered into a church and ordained a pastor from among themselves, at the same time a young man of good abilities to preach the word, and of a very humhle behaviour, named Mr. Green. He, having finished his course, departed this Ufe not long after, whose labors are with the Lord : after him succeeded in the place one Mr. Hagh, a young man, one of the first fruits of New England, a man studious to promote the truths of Christ. — They are both remembered in the following verse, written by Johnson : " On earth's bed thou at noon hast laid thy head, You that for Christ ("as Green) here toiled have taken ; When nature fails, tnen rest it in earth's dead, Till Christ by 's word with glory thee awaken ; Young Hagh, thou must be second to this man In field encounter, with Christ foes shall thou Stand up and take his bright sword in thy hand, Error cut down, and make stout storaacks bow. Green's gone before, thy warfare's now begun, And last it may to see Rome's Babel fall ; By weakest means Christ's mighty works hath done, Keep footing fast till Christ thee hence do call." The township of South Reading comprises a tract of 4,200 acres, and is about equidistant from Boston, Cambridge, and Andover, being about ten miles from each. It was originally the first parish in Reading. It was incorporated as a distinct town in 1812. About this period there was quite a political excitement in Read- ing, as well as in many other places ; the inhabitants of the south parish, being mostly on the Democratic side, were left in the minority of the town. Feehng themselves aggrieved by their townsmen who were on the Federal side, they petitioned the legislature for an act to incorporate them into a distinct town, which was accordingly granted. The following shows the appearance of the central part of South Reading, as it is seen while descending the hill a little west of the village. On the left is seen the southern extremity of Reading Pond or lake, near which is the Congregational church; the spire of the Baptist church is seen further to the south. South of the Congregational church extends a handsome green, called the " com- mon," containing about 8 or 10 acres. The different parts of the town, when spoken of in reference to the residence of the people, are designated by the following terms : — "The Common," "Fitch's Hill," "Leather Street," "Side the Pond," " Cowdrey's Hill." " Lafayette Street," " Eaton Street," " Water Street," " Little World," "Westward," " East Ward," and " South Ward." The village called the "Common" contains about twenty dwelling-houses, the two clnirches represented in the engraving, a number oi mercantile stores and mechanic shops, and a large 426 SOUTH READING. Western view of the central part of South Reading. hotel. This is the most thickly settled part of the town. That part called " Fitch's Hill" extends eastward of the north part of the Common, on the Salem road, about one fourth of a mile ; this spot received its name from Zachary Fitch, who removed from liynn, in 1644, and probably erected the first house in this part of the town. It was formerly called " Fitch's La?ie,^' on account of its narrowness at that period. In reference to this, one man rather unwittingly remarked, " that it was so narrow that two teams could not meet." "Leather Street" extends westerly from the Common^ on the road to Woburn and Reading; it is said to have derived its name from the fact that, many years since, a man lived in this street who was so much in the habit of stealing sole leather, that if any one lost this article it was said that it had gone to this street. That part designated "Side the Pond " extends about one mile on the Andover road, on the eastern verge of the Great Pond. " Cowdrey's Hill," in the western part of the town, received its name from the family of Cowdreys, who have long owned and still own a large portion of its territory. "Lafayette Street" was laid out for making building lots; it is westerly from the (^'ommon, and is ahout one furlong in extent. "Eaton Street" is on the easterly side of the Common, and is a sort of court, extending about a furlong ; it was laid out in 1813. and received its name from L. Eaton, the proprietor of the land. Near this street is built the South Reading academy. " Water Street " extends easterly from the Common, about half a mile, towards Saugus; it derives its name from nmning alongside of a current of water which comes from Smith's Pond, in the south part of the town. " Little World" is in the south-easterly part of the town, and was so named from its peculiar location, being somewhat remote from the center of the town, and is a small extent of territory surrounded by hills on every side. This spot was originally cleared and culti- vated while all the land around was covered with trees, and thus SOUTH READING. 427 enclosing its inhabitants in what was called a " little world/'' " West Ward" includes that part of the town lying west of the Common. "East Ward" is applied to the east and north-east part of the town ; " South Ward," to the southern part. The territorial extent of this town being quite limited, and most of the inhabitants being engaged in manufactures, very little attention is paid to agriculture ; the great staple and settled busi- ness of the town is the manufacture of ladies' shoes. It is esti- mated that of the four hundred male polls in the town, 250 are engaged in this manufacture. In 1837, there were manufactured 175,000 pairs of shoes, valued at $142,000 ; males employed, 260; females, 186 ; value of tin ware manufactured, $24,000 ; hands employed, 28; value of block tin ware, ,$4,700; razor straps, $5,400; shoe tools, $3,000. Population, 1,488. Distance, 18 miles from Concord, 10 from Salem, and 10 to Boston. The following is extracted from a manuscript History of South Reading, by Lilley Eaton, Esq., to which history the author is indebted for most of the facts relative to the history of this town : [In 1649,] " Three married women were fined 5s. apiece for scolding. 1650. " The deputy to tlie general court was Richard Walker. The court ordered 400 acres of land to be laid out to Rev. Samuel Haugh. " The majority of the court ordered a book lately imported from England, composed by Wm. Pynchon, of Springfield, on Redemption Justification, to be burnt in Boston, and its author called to an account. Deputy from Reading and 5 others dissented. 1662. "This year the town ordered that no woman, maid, nor boy, nor gall shall sit in the South Alley and East Alley of the M. House, upon penalty of twelvepence for every day they shall sit in the alley after the present day. — It was further ordered, ' That every dog that comes to the meeting after the present day, either of Lord's day or lecture days, except it be their dogs that pays for a dog whipper, the owner of those dogs shall pay sixpence for every time they come to the meeting, that doth not pay the dog whipper.' The names of 26 men are recorded as agreeing to pay to the dog whipper. 1664. " This year the town exchanged lands with Matthew Edwards, he paying 30s. and a gallon of liquor to boot. 1667. "This year the town contained 59 dwelling-houses. It was ordered, that every dog that comes into the meeting-house in time of service shall pay sixpence for every time he comes. 1741. "Collins, the Journalist remarks, 'that this year there were extraordinary commotions with respect to religion. The people meet often, especially at the East- ward.' This extract refers to an excitement on the subject of religion begun the past year through the preaching of George Whitefield. Mr. Whitefield preached upon our common in the open air ; Mr. Hobby, the minister, went with the multitude to hear him. — It is said that Mr. Hobby afterwards remarked that he came to pick a hole in Mr. Whitefield's coat, but that he (Whitefield) picked a hole in his heart. Mr. H. afterwards wrote and published a defence of Mr. Whitefield, in a letter to Mr. Hench- man, the minister of Lynn, who had written against him. 1799. " Twenty-three persons, members of the Baptist society, petitioned the pari.sh for liberty to hold religious meetings in centre school house, when the same is not in nse, and obligating themselves to pay all damages — this request was not granted. 1800. " The meeting-house of the Baptist society was built this year ... the dimen- sions of it were 34 by 38, with a porch. On the occasion of erecting the frame of this house, the society appointed a committee to provide for the hands good beef, well baked potatoes, bread and cheese, cider and grog, and enough of each. 1813. " The Universalist society of this town was formed. The town soon after voted that the Universalists may use the centre school house for religious meetings one Sabbath in a month, preceding the full of the moon." The following inscriptions are from monuments in the ancient buiying-ground in the center of the lown : 428 STOW. Memento te esse raortalem — Fugit hora. Here lies the body of John Person. Aged 64 years. Died April 17, 1679 — vive memor Laethi — fugit hora. Sargent Thomas Kendall, died July 22, 1684. Aged 63 years. Reader weep, prepare to die I say, For death by none will be said nay. One of the 7, of this church foundation, So to remain till the powerful voice say Rise in health, a glorious habitation. A pattern of piety and of peace. But now, alas ! how short his race. Here we mourn, and mourn we must, To see Zion's stones Uke gold laid in dust. To the Memory of Capt. John Brown Esq., who, after he had served his generation by the will of God, fell asleep March 11, A. D. 1717, M. about 83. Witty, yet wise, grave, good, among the best, Was he. The memory of the just is blest. Prudent, a pattern, and more I say, A hearty mourner for the sins of the day ; Bless'd God, when dying, that he feared not death. His pious soul took wings, give up her breath, Dropp'd here her mantle in the silent dust. Which waits the resurrection of the just. STONEHAM. This town was incorporated in 1725. It is about four miles in length, and two in breadth. The surface of the township is rather rocky and uneven, and a considerable portion of it is wooded. There is a beautiful pond in the south part of the town, called Spot Pond, filled with pure water. The village, in the center of the town, consists of about 40 dwelling-houses. Distance, 15 miles from Concord, and 10 from Boston. Population, 932. The manufacture of shoes is the principal business of the town. In 1837, in the Statistical Tables published by the state, it is stated that in this town were " Shoes manufactured, 380,100 pairs; value of same, $184,717 ; males employed, 297 ; females, 180." STOW. The Indian names of this place were Pompsiticut and Shabbnkin, from " two notable hills." It appears that the first minister called to the pastoral office in this place was the Rev. John Eveleth ; this was in 1700. Mr. Eveleth was dismissed in 1717. Rev. John Gardner was ordained in 1718, as the next pastor ; he died in 1774, and was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Newell the next year. Stow is 8 miles south-westerly from Concord, and 24 westward from Boston. It contains 1 Congregational church and 1,134 in- habitants. The town is watered by Assabet river, on which is situated a broadcloth factory. Of late years the cultivation of hops has received considerable attention in this town. In 1837, SUD BURY. 429 there were In this town 2 woollen mills, 7 sets of machinery ; 55,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $210,000 ; males employed, 40 ; females, 45. There were 587 pairs of boots and 61,044 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $18,905 50 ; males employed, 32 ; females, 30. The first settlement in this town appears to have been made by two adventurers from Charlestown, with their families, about the year 1650. Their names were Kettle and Boon ; they settled upon land which they purchased of the natives. Upon the breaking out of Philip's war, in 1675, these two defenceless settlers were so alarmed as to induce them to remove their families ; but the un- happy Boon, in attempting to remove his household goods, was ambushed and murdered by the Indians. The affairs of this vil- lage, as it was then called, were managed by a committee, under the appointment of the general court, until they were incorporated into a town in 1683, by the name of Stow. The first town officers were Sergeant Benjamin Bozworth, Thomas Stephens, Stephen Hall, Boaz Brown, and Joseph Freeman, selectmen; — Thomas Gates, constable. SUDBURY. Sudbury was first settled in 1638, and incorporated in 1639. The original number of sharers and settlers was 54. Mr. Edmund Brown, the first settled minister, was ordained Aug., 1640; died June 22, 1677. Mr. Sherman began to preach in Sudbury in 1677 ; in 1705, he was deposed from his pastoral office. Mr. Israel Loring was ordained pastor in 1706. Upon the division of the town, by the general court, the inhabitants of the west side of the river invited him to come over and settle with them, in 1722. In 1765, the number of houses on the west side of the river was 151 ; the number of families, 187 ; the number of inhabitants, 1,047; the number of church members, 203; of whom 76 Avere males and 127 females. Sudbury is divided on the east from Wayland by Sudbury river, on which large tracts of low land are annually overflowed. There are 3 churches, 2 Congregational and 1 Methodist. There are about 30 houses in the central village. Distance, 7 miles south- west of Concord, 24 north-east from Worcester, and 19 miles westward from Boston. Population, 1,388. There is a paper-mill in this town. In 1837, there were 50 tons of stock manufactured ; value of paper, $5,463. The following is a western view of the monument of Captain Wadsworth and others, standing in an open field, about thirty rods eastward of the roqid, and a mile south of the Congregational church in old Sudbury, in the central part of the town. It stands near a growth of pines and oaks, and the soil on this spot is light and sandy. On the south and west there is a prospect of 430 TEWKSBUR Y. Monument of Captain Wadsworth arid others. the meadows on Sudbury river, on the monument : — The following is the inscription " Capt. Samuel Wadsworth of Milton, his Lieut. Sharp of Brooklin, Capt. Brocle- bank of Rowley, \vith about 26 other souldiers, fighting for the defence of their country, were slain by y^ Indian enemy, April 18"'> 1676, lye buried in this place." The following account is taken from Holmes' Annals. " This town was for some tinie a frontier settlement, and suffered much fVom the Indians during King Philip's war. On the 18th of April, 1676, the day after they had burned the few deserted houses at Marlborough, they violently attacked Sud bury, burned several houses and barns, and killed ten or twelve of the English who had come from Concord to the assistance of their neighbours. Captain Wads worth, sent at this juncture from Boston with about fifty men, to relieve Marlborough, after having marched twenty-five miles, learning that the enemy had gone through the woods toward Sudbuiy, turned immedicitely back, in pursuit of them. When the troops were within a mile of the town, they espied, at no great distance, a party of Indians, apparently about one hundred ; who, by retreating, as if through fear, drew the E nglish above a mile into the woods ; when a large body of the enemy, supposed to be about five hundred, suddenly surrounded them, and precluded the possibility of their escape. The gallant leader and his brave soldiers fought with desperate valour ; but they fell a prey to the numbers, the artifice, and bravery of their enemy. The few who were taken alive were destined to tortures unknown to their companions, who had the happier lot to die in the field of battle. "Some historians say that Captain Wadsworth's company was entirely cut off; others, that a few escaped. Some represent his company as consisting of 50; some, as consisting of 70 men. All agree that 50 at least were killed. Captain Broclebank and some others ' fell into his company as he marched along ;' and this accession may account for the difference in the narratives. President Wadsworth, (of Harvard College,) a son of Captain Wadsworth, who fell on this occasion, caused a decent monument to be afterward erected over the grave of these heroes." TEWKSBURY. This town was incorporated in 1734. The Indian settlement called Wamesit was formerly within the limits of this town, on the site now occupied by the flourishing village of Belvidere, re- TYNGSBOROUGH. 431 centiy included within the Hmits of Lowell. " There were fifteen families of Christian Indians here in 1674. The Indian title was extinguished in 1686; but the settlement of the English was slow, so that more than forty years elapsed from the extinguishment of the Indian title to its incorporation. The soil here is light and thin ; the surface rather level, except the northern parts of the town, which is somewhat hilly, with a plenty of stones and a better soil." Large quantities of hops have been raised in this town. By the annexation of Belvidere to Lowell, this town was considerably reduced in its population and business. The popu- lation in 1830 was 1,527; in 1837, it was reduced to 907. Dis- tance, 12 miles from Concord, and 19 from Boston. TOWNSEND. This town was incorporated in 1732. The land in this town- ship is more level than the towns to the north and west ; most of it is gently undulating, and some of it consists of level pine plains. The soil generally is not of the first quality ; there are, however, some good farms in the town, and the soil is generally good for fruit-trees of all kinds which are common in this part of the country. In the central part of the town there is a village, containing two Congregational churches, one of which is Unita- rian. Several brooks unite in this town, and form Squanicook river, which discharges its waters into the Nashua. In the eastern part of the town there is a village called Toumsend Harbor^ where there are several mills, stores, &c. Population, 1,749. Distance, 22 miles from Concord, 8 from Fitchburg, and 38 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured here 159,700 palm-leaf hats, valued at $22,750 ; the value of fish barrels, nail kegs and dry casks manufactured, was $9,357 ; there were 40,050 hides tanned and curried, valued at $25,150. TYNGSBOROUGH This was taken from Dunstable, in 1789, and incorporated as the district of Tyngsborough. It was so named in honor of Madam Sarah Winslow (the daughter of Eleazer Tyng) and her family. On the organization of the district, Mrs. Winslow agreed to fund a sum of money which should afforu the annual income of £80 lawful money, to be devoted equally to support a Congregational minister and a grammar-school. In gratitude for this gift the district was named Tyngsborough. It was incorporated as a town in 1809. The first minister was Rev. Nathaniel Lawrence, who was ordained in 1790. This town lies on both sides of the Merri- mac, which is here a beautiful stream. Large quantities of excel- 58 432 W A L T H A M . lent granite have been quarried on the banks of this river, and sent from this place to the Boston market by the Middlesex canal. This place is 16 miles N. of Concord, 8 N. W. of Lowell, and 29 N. W. of Boston. Population, 870. " The name of the first white inhabitant" (says Mr. Lawrence, in his history of Tyngsborough, in the Collections of the Massa- chusetts Historical Society, 1815) " was Cromwell, originally from England, but last from Boston. It is about 150 years since he erected a hut in this place, on the bank of the Merrimac, for the purpose of trading with the Indians. This, at that time, was the only English settlement on the south to Woburn, and on the north between there and Canada. Cromwell, for some time, carried on a lucrative trade with the Indians, weighing their furs with his foot, till, enraged at his supposed or real deception, they formed the resolution to murder him. This intention was communicated to Cromwell, who buried his wealth and made his escape. Within a few hours after his flight a party of the Pennacook tribe arrived, and, not finding the object of their resentment, burnt his hut. Some time after, pewter was found in the well, and an iron pot and trammel in the sand ; the latter are preserved. The present owner of the place was ploughing near the spot, and found his plough moving over a flat stone, which gave a hollow sound. On removing the earth and stone, he discovered a hole, stoned, about six inches in diameter, from which he took a sum of money." W A L T H A M This town was incorporated January 4th, 1737-38 ; previous to this time it was the western precinct of Watertown. It appears that there was considerable diflicidty between the eastern and western parts of Watertown for a long period. As early as 1692 the town endeavored to select a place for a new meeting-house, which should be " most convenient for the bulk of the mhabit- ants." The same year, at the request of the selectmen, the gover- nor and council appointed a committee to consider and report upon the subject. This committee advised the town to settle the Rev, Henry Gibbs, who had preached to them for several years, and build a meeting-house between the house of widow Stearns and Whitney's Hill, in which the whole town should worship. This house was buiU here, and completed in February, 1696. It was not satisfactory to some parts of the town, and Mr. Gibbs refused to preach in it. In August, the same year, the church chose Rev. Samuel Angier to be their pastor, and a majority of the town con- curred in the choice. In 1697, Mr. Angier accepted of the call of the church and town, expressing his readiness to assume the duties of his office. At the same time, the church chose Rev. Mr. East- erbrook, of Concord, "to give the pastoral charge, and to be the mouth and moderator of the church in the public management of W ALTH AM 433 Eastern view of Massasoit Hotel, Waltham. the whole affair of perfecting the settlement of Mr. Angier." It appears that excepting Mr. Easterbrook no minister in the vicinity could be obtained to assist on this occasion. The church, agreeably to their vote, proceeded to induct their pastor into office. After a discourse had been preached by Mr. Angier, it was declared that the church had chosen Mr. Easterbrook to manage the whole affair, and give the pastoral charge. He accordingly read Mr. Angler's dismission and recommendation from the church at lleho- both, desired the church to accept the same, and to receive Mr. A, into their fellowship ; asked them to renew their invitation to Mr. A. to be their minister, and him to repeat the acceptance of their call; "and then, with much gravity and seriousness, gave a most solemn and scriptural charge to Mr. Angier, to attend to the whole pastoral duty in and towards the church." In the MSS. of Judge Sewall it is recorded: "Oct. 6, 1697, a church was gathered at Water town, east end, and Mr. Henry Gibbs was ordained. The ceremony was abroad, because the western party got possession of the meeting-house." Though Mr. Angier and Mr. Gibbs were both ministers of Watertown, yet they can liardly be said to have been associates, as one preached in the old and the other in the new meeting-house, and the adherents appear to have been some- what at variance. They were both, however, maintained Irom the town treasury. This state of things continued till 1720, when the town was divided into two precincts. Mr. Angier died in 1719. In 1723, Rev. Warham Williams was ordained their next pastor ; he was the son of Mr. Williams of Deerfield, and was carried off with his father by the Indians into Canada. Mr. Williams died in 17.51, aged 52. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Gushing, who was ordained in 1752. Dr. Gushing died in 1809, aged 79 years. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Ripley the same year. The above is an eastern view of the Massasoit Hotel, situated at the eastern extremity of the principal street in Waltham. The 434 WATERTOWN. village consists of about 150 dwelling-houses, mostly situated on one street, running east and west, about 1 mile in extent, across the level plain on which the town is built. There are a number of elegant residences in the immediate vicinity, surrounded by grounds tastefully ornamented by evergreen and other trees. Waltham is one of the pleasantest towns in the vicinity of Boston. The land in the south part of the town which runs parallel with Charles river, the distance of two miles, and half a mile in breadth, is very level, and is mostly of a light sandy soil, not very deep. Adjoining the river it is fertile. In the interior the land is in gene- ral uneven, and in some parts rocky. There are two ponds in the town — Beaver Pond, which is about one mile in circumference, and near the village, and Mead's Pond, which is much larger, being a mile in length and more than half a mile in breadth : it is situated in the N, W. part of the town. The principal branch of Beaver brook takes its rise from this pond. Gov. Winthrop and his companions, who traversed this part of the country in 1632, gave the name to Beaver brook "because the beavers had shorn down divers great trees, and made divers dams across the brook." Charles river, which washes the southern extremity of this town, affords considerable water power, which has been well improved. The " Waltham Cotton and Woollen Manufacturing Company," an extensive establishment, was incorporated in 1812. The Boston Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1813. " By extra- ordinary skill and good management, these establishments, though the first in the country on an extensive scale, and through all the various commercial changes, have proved lucrative to the proprie- tors, and highly beneficial to the public." " The private gardens of the Honorable Theodore Lyman, in this town, are unsurpassed for costliness and beauty by any other in the United States." There are 6 churches, 3 Congregational, 1 Methodist, 1 Univer- salist, and 1 Catholic. Population, 2,287. Distance, 9 miles S. E. of Concord, 34 N. E. of Worcester, 10 northerly of Dedham, and 10 westerly from Boston. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills, 11,488 spindles; cotton con- sumed, 89.5,446 lbs.; 2,433,630 yards of cotton goods were manu- factured, valued at $275,000; males employed, 76; females, 400; capital invested, .^450,000. Value of boots and shoes manufactured was $17,787 ; value of hats manufactured, )|24,000 ; value of paper manufactured, (^12,480. There is a machine shop and a bleach- ery, each of which employs about 30 hands. WATERTOWN, This is an ancient town, it being settled the same year as Bos- ton, in 1630. The first Englishmen who are known to have visited the place were Mr. Wareham and some of his people, who afterwards settled Dorchester ; for an account of which the WATERTOWN. 435 reader is referred to the history of that town in this work. The j)lace in Watertown where they remained a few days is stated yet to bear the name of Dorchester Fields. Shortly after their remo- val, a permanent establishment was effected by another company. A party of the adventurous emigrants who came in Winthrop's fleet, with Sir Richard Saltonstall and Rev. George Phillips at their head, selected a place on the banks of Charles river for their plantation. On the 7th of Sept., 1630, (0. S.) the court of assist- ants, at Charlestown, "ordered that Trimountain be called Boston, Mattapan, Dorchester, and the town on Charles river, Watertown." The name of Watertown is said to have originated from the circumstance of its being a " well watered place," or, perhaps, from its being situated on a considerable fresh-water river, and the communication with Boston being at first by water, in boats. The Indian name of the town was Pigsguesset. The territory thus called Watertown was, like most of the towns of that early period, very large, and its boundaries on the west side for a considerable time somewhat undefined. Waltham, Weston, and a part of Lincoln, were once comprehended within its limits. There are no means of ascer- taining with precision the number of the first inhabitants, but it appears by the towTi records that in 1636 there were 108 townsmen. Probably the original number in 1630 was considerably less than this. The following list is copied from AVatertown record book first, and were names of persons who shared in a division of lands at Beaver brook, " divided and lotted out by the Freemen to all the Townsmen then inhabiting, being 108 in number." Timothy Hawkins, Gregory Stone, James Cutter, John Cutting, Daniel Perse, Barnaby Windes, John Kingsberry, Robert Feke, Isaac Stone, Thomas Smith, John Rose, Miles Nutt, John Hayward, Thomas Filbrick, Simon Stone, Geo. Phillips, pastor, Nathaniel Baker, John Whitney, John Ricliardson, Thomas Hastings, George Munnings, Richard Woodward, Henry Bright, Robert Betts, Nicholls Knapp, John Grigs, Richard Sawtle, John Simson, John Ellett, Charles Chadwick, Francis Smith, Robert Veasey, Henry Goldstone, John Smith, sen., John Tomson, John Eddy, Wilham Bassum, Benjamin Crispe, Edmund Sherman, William Bridges, Gregory Taylor, John Coolige, Daniel Patrick, Joseph Mosse, Ephraim Child, Robert Lockwood, Francis Onge, John Gay, Simon Eire, John Eaton, John Loveran, William Jennison, John Page, Samuel Hosier, John Winkell, John Goffe, Nathaniel Bowman, Robert Daniel, Brian Pembleton, Isaac Mixer, Richard Brown, Edward How, John Lawrence, Henry Dengayne, John Tucker, Thomas Maihew, Thomas Cakebread, John Stowars, Robert Tuck, Henry Cuttris, Richard Kemball, John Barnard, Edward Dikes, Sir Rich. Saltonstall, Thomas Brookes, Richard Beere, Edmund James, John Firman, John Warrin, John Batcheler, William Knop, Henry Kemball, William Palmer, Edmund Lewis, John Finch, William Swift, John Winter, Edward Lam, John Smith, Jr., Roger WiUington, Christopher Grant, John Nichols, John Dwight, Foster Pickram, John Springe, John Warner, Emanuel White, Edward Garfield, William Gutterig, Hugh Mason, Thomas Rogers, Thomas Bartlett, John Doggett, Lawrence Waters, Martin Underwood, "".Villi am Paine, Garrett Church, Abram Shaw. The first church in Watertown was gathered on the 30th of July, 1630, upon a day set apart for '■^ solemn fasting and prayer .,^^ which had been appointed by Gov. Winthrop, on account of the prevailing sickness in the settlements. Cotton Mather says that Rev. Mr. Phillips, with about 40 men, settlers of Watertown, on that occasion subscribed the covenant, in order unto their coales- cence into a church estate. The Hon. James Savage, in a recent investigation of the subject, makes the first church in Boston and 436 WATERTOWN. the Watertown church precisely coeval, assigning the origin of both to the 30th of July, 1(330. The first minister of Watertown was the Rev. George Phillips, who continued in thai office 14 years. At the first court of assistants, held at Charlestown, on board the Arabella, it was ordered that, as speedily as might be convenient, houses should be erected for the ministers at the public charge. Sir Richard Saltonstall "undertook to have this done for Mr. Phillips,'" and for salary he was to have £30 annually. The first meeting-house stood on the north side of the road to Cambridge, near the old barying-yard ; there was a common before it, which was used as a training-field. Mr. Phillips was sole minister of Watertown till 16S9. In that year. Rev. John Knowles, "a godly man, and prime scholar," arrived in New England, and in December was ordained second pastor of the church, in connexion with Mr. Phillips. In 1642, Mr. Knowles went to Virginia, where he preached a short time, but returned again to AVatertown. He remained there a while after his return, but finally returned to Eng- land, after an absence of 11 years. He died in London, in 1685, at a very advanced age. On the 1st of July, 1644, died Rev. George Phillips. He is said to have been an able controversial writer. Mr. Phillips was succeeded in the ministry by Rev. John Sherman, a native of Dedham, Essex county, England. He was educated at Eman- uel College, Cambridge, but left college when ready for a degree, under the character of a college puritan. In 1634-5 he emigrated to New England. He preached his first sermon at Watertown under a large tree, as an assistant to Mr. Phillips. His per- formance was much admired by several ministers present. Soon after this, he removed to New Haven colony, and preached in sundry places. The church in Milford invited him to become their teacher, but he declined, and for a time altogether suspended his ministry, whereupon he was chosen one of the judges of the town, and a magistrate of the colony. It was much against the wishes of the people of Milford and New Haven that he removed to Watertown. At the same time he was invited to settle in Boston, and two churches in London tried to obtain him. He was a man of superior intellectual endowments, was the best mathematician of the day, and left voluminous manuscripts on the science of astronomy. Mr. Sherman was the father of 26 chil- dren, by two marriages, 6 by the first and 20 in the other. He died in 1685, aged 72, and was succeeded by Rev. John Bailey, who was ordained in 1686. He was assisted for a time in the ministry by his brother, Mr. Thomas Bailey, till his death, in 1689 ; after which, Mr. Henry Gibbs was engaged as teacher. In 1692, Rev. John Bailey left Watertown and returned to Boston. Mr. Gibbs was now the only minister in the town, and was engaged from time to time, but not ordained. About 1692, there was much excitement on the subject of the location of a new meeting-house. In opposi- tion to the wishes of the inhabitants of the eastern part of the town, it was located in the middle part. This caused a separation of the church. Mr. Gibbs continued to preach in the old meeting-house, and appears to have been settled in 1697. The part of the society who had built the new meeting-house obtained a pastor. Rev. Samuel Angler, who was also ordained in 1697. In 1720, a committee, appointed by the gene- ral court, to run the dividing fine between the societies, decided that the western or new meeting-house should be removed to an eminence in the present town of Waltham, and that the old or east meeting-house should be removed to the hill back of the pre- sent meeting-house of the society, then called School-house Hill. Both societies soon erected new meeting-houses at the places directed by the committee. The Avestern parish, in 1787, was incorporated a distinct town, by the name of Waltham. Mr. Gibbs died in 1723, in the 56th year of his age, and in the 27th of his ministry, reckoned from the date of his ordination. He was interred in the old burying-yard. The successor of Mr. Gibbs was Rev. Seth Storer, (of Saco, Maine, and a graduate of Harvard in 1720,) who was ordained in 1724. He died in 1774, aged 73. The ministry of Mr. Storer was the longest which occurs in the history of Watertown, being half a century. The situation of the meeting-house was removed during his ministry from the summit of the hill to the present location, but not without much opposition. Rev. Daniel Adams was the next minister in succes- sion from Mr. Storer, and was ordained in 1778. He was a native of Medway, and was of tlie 5th generation from Henry Adams, who came from Devonshire, England, about 1630, and settled in WATERTOWN. 437 Braintree, (Quincy.) His ministry was short, as he died in August following his ordination. The next pastor of this church was Rev. Richard Rosewell Eliot, a native of New Haven, Con., and descendant of Rev. John Eliot, the memorable teacher of the Indians. He graduated at Harvard, in 1774, and was ordained at Watertown in 1780. He died in 1818, aged 66, and was suc- ceeded by the present pastor. Rev. Convers Francis ;* ordained in 1S19. The Universalist society was formed in 1826. In August, 1827, their meeting-house was dedicated, and on that occasion Rev. Russell Streeter was installed ns pastor. In 1829, he was dismissed, and in 183U succeeded by Rev. Wm. S. Balch. The Baptist church was formed in August, 1830: when their house was dedicated, and Rev. Peter Chase installed their pastor. Southern view of the central part of Watertown. Watertown village is large and compactly built, about 6 miles from Boston. The above is a representation of the appearance of the village as it is seen from the Newton road, on the south side of Charles river. The tower of the Congregational (Unita- rian) church, a fine Gothic structure, is seen in the distance, in the central part of the engraving; the Baptist church is seen on the right. The United States Arsenal, occupying a site of 40 acres, is about a mile eastward of the village, on the Boston road. The arsenal consists of several large brick buildings, enclosed by a high fence, on the north bank of Charles river. Water- town, in extent of territory, is one of the smallest towns in the state, containing but 3,833^^ acres, including land and Avater; the soil is generally remarkably good. A portion of the south- eastern extremity of the town is sandy, poor, and barren ; but with this exception the land is some of the most productive in * Mr. Francis is the author of a well-written History of Watertown, published in 1830, in a pamphlet form, containing 150 octavo pages, entitled " An Historical Sketch of Watertown," from ihe first settlement of the town to the close of the second century. 438 W A T E R T O W N . the commonwealth. Population, 1,739. In 1837, there were thre*^ soap and candle manufactories; tallow used, 300 tons; barilla, 350 tons; palm oil, 50 tons; rosin, 1,750 barrels; fuel, 375 cords; lime, 2,000 casks; salt, 1,000 bushels ; capital invested, $27,000. There were 85.000 boxes manufactured, valued at $14,000, and 1 cotton and 2 paper mills in operation. It seems a very remarkable complaint so early as IfiSo, that "all the towns in the Bay began to be much straitened by their own nearness to one another, and their cattle being so much increased." This is said to be accounted for by the government hav- ing at first required every man to hve within half a mile from the meeting-house in his town. The want of room appears from some cause to have been peculiarly felt in Watertown ; and on several occasions the inhabitants emigrated and formed new settlements. The first of these was in 1635, at the place afterwards called "Wethers- field, in Connecticut, where, as we are told, some people of Watertown, before they had obtained leave to go beyond the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts government, ■' took the (>pportunily of seizing a brave piece of meadow,"' which it .seems was also coveted by their neighbors of Cambridge. This Watertown plantation at Wethersfield was for a long course of years a scene of dissension within and without. In the course of three or four years the church at that place fell into such a state of discord that the plantation divided, and a part removed and settled in combination with New Haven. Watertown in early times received but little trouble from the Indians. One remark- able instance, however, of Indian vengeance on a citizen of this town, was the melan- choly fate of Capt. John Oldham. Before the settlement of Massachusetts Bay, he had resided in Plymouth, from which place, for some misconduct, he was expelled. He, however, was highly respected in Watertown, and was a deputy from the town to the first general court, in 1632. He became a distinguished trader among the Indians, and went to traffic with them at Block Island. The Indians got possession of Oldham's vessel, and murdered him in the most shocking manner. Two boys and two Narra- gansett Indians the murderers had spared. Tliis atrocious deed excited great indig- nation in all the English settlements, and was one of the immediate causes of the celebrated Pequot war. In 1639, an order is found in the records by which " the meeting-house is appointed for a watch-house for the use of the town," which may lead to the inference that it was thought necessary to maintain a patrol in the night for fear of the Indians. In the early wars of the country, and in the revolutionary war, the inhabitants of Watertown took an active part. In the time of excitement preceding the war of American independence, the article of tea was proscribed in this town, in the following words : Voted, " That Ave consent to lay aside all foreign teas, as expen- sive and pernicious, as well as unnecessary; this continent abound- ing with many herbs of a more salubrious quality, which, if we were as much used to as the- poisonous bohea, would, no doubt, in time be as agreeable, perhaps much more so; and whilst, by a manly influence, we expect our women to make this sacrifice to the good of their country, we hereby declare we shall highly honor and esteem the encouragers of our own manufactures and the general use of the productions of this continent ; this being in our judgment, at this time, a necessary means (under God) of rendering us a happy and free people." The second and third sessions of the provincial congress Avere held at Watertowm, in the meeting-house, within the first six months of the year 1775. Dr. Joseph Warren, the early and lamented martyr in the cau«e of freedom, on the memorable 17th of June, presided at their deliberations. The congress was busy in adopting such measures WATE RTO WN. 439 as the distracted state of the colony required. Among the few newspapers printed at that time was " The Boston Gazette and Country Journal," published at Boston, by Edes and Gill, and was distinguished by the spirited and fearless tone in which it defended the American cause. The press of this paper Avas removed to Watertown, and the Gazette was there published for more than a year, from June 5th, 1775, to Oct. 28, 1776, when, the British having evacuated Boston, the office was moved back. The inhabitants of Watertown bore their part of the losses and burdens of the country at this perilous period. One of their num- ber was killed on the 19th of April, and many others, during the war, either died by sickness in camp, or fell on the field of battle. Sir Richard Saltonstall, who has been mentioned as the leader of the planters to this town, was of an ancient and highly respectable family in Yorkshire. He was a gentleman of noble qualities of mind and heart, and has always been deservedly regarded as one of the venerated fathers of the Massachusetts settlement. He remained in the colony not quite a year, but was of much service to them in England, before and after his visit to America. His liberal and tolerant spirit in religious matters was truly remarkable for the times in which he lived, and presents to the eye of the historical inquirer a trait of character as honorable and attractive as it was uncommon. Among his services to the colony, he was one of the early benefactors of Harvard college. He died in 1658. The following epitaphs are copied from the old burying-groimd, east of the village, on the Cambridge road : Johannis Shermani, maximse pietatis, gravitatis et candoris viri, in Theologia pluri- mum versati ; in concionando vere Chrysostomi, et in Artibus liberalibus pr^cipue Mathematicis, incomparabilis ; Aquifamensis ecclesije in Nov. Anglia fidehssimi pastoris, Collegii Harvardini inspectoris et socii ; qui postquam annis plus minus xlv Christi fuit ' ynrQiTt^c* in ecclesia fidus ; morte inatura transmigravit, et a Christo palma decoratus est, A. D. mdclxx.xv, Augusti viu, ^tatis lxxii ; memoriae. [To the memory of John Sherman, a man of the greatest piety, dignity and candor; well versed in theology, in the pulpit a very Chrysostom ; and in the liberal arts, especially mathematics, exceedingly skilful. He was the faithful pastor of the church at Watertown, in New England, and an overseer and fellow of Harvard college. After he had been an undaunted servant of Christ for forty-five years, he was removed when ripe for his departure, and received the palm from his Redeemer, on the 8th of August, 1685, in the 72d year of his age.] Here lyes the precious dust of Thomas Bailey, A painful preacher, "^ (A most desirable neighbor, An eminent liver, A tender husband, A pleasant companion, A common good, A careful father, [ ] A cheerful doer, A brother for adversity, | j A patient sufferer, A faithful friend, J [ Lived much in little time, A good copy for all survivors. * " Immediately after this word Mr. Bailey, who transcribed this epitaph into his manuscript book, has inserted in a parenthesis the following comment : 'i.e. one of the underrowers that steer the ship towards the haven.' In thus explaining this Greek word according to its derivation, rather than its common and obvious sense, he has made it present to the mind a metaphor somewhat striking and pleasing." — J^ancis' History of WatertoTon. 59 440 WR3T CAMBRIDGE. Aged 35 years. He slept in Jesus the 2lst of January, 1688. Pious Lydia, made and given by God As a most meet help unto John Bailey, Minister of the Gospel. Good betimes — Best at last, Lived by faith — Died in grace, "Went off singing — left us weeping, Walked with God till translated, in the 3yth yeare of her age, April 16, IfiOl. Read her epitaph in Prov. xxxi. 10, 11, 12, 28, 29, 30, 31. W A Y L A N D . This town bore the name of East Sudbiiry from 1780 untJ 1835. It is separated on the west from Sudbury by the river of that name, a sluggish stream, which annually overflows a large tract of low lands, which produce great crops of hay without the necessity of cultivation. In February, 1722-3, the church at Sudbury was, by a vote of the members, divided into two distinct churches. Mr. Cooke was ordained the pastor on the east side of Sudbury river, in March, 1723; he died in 1760. In 1765, the number of houses on the east side was 112; the number of fami- lies, 129 ; the number of white inhabitants, 698. There are two Congregational churches in this town, one of which is Unitarian. It is 7 miles south of Concord, 7 north-east of Framingham, and 16 west of Boston. Population, 931. In 1837, there were manu- factured in this town 230 pairs of boots, and 29,666 pairs of shoes, valued at $22,419. There were 4 forges, which manufactured 8 tons of bar iron, valued at $2,600. WEST CAMBRIDGE. West Cambridge was incorporated a town in 1807. It was previously a part of Cambridge, called Menotomy. The southern part of the town is low, and some of it swampy. The middle is dry and healthy, with good land for culture and pasturage ; the north part of the town is broken, rocky, and partially covered with wood. This town has a considerable village, situated prin- cipally on a single street, about a mile in length. There are three churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Universalist, and 1 Bap- tist. Population, 1,308. Distance, 12 miles from Concord, 4 from Lexington, and 6 from Boston. In 1837, there were 500 pairs of boots and 31,000 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $25,500. There were 2 mills for pulverizing drugs, medicines and dye-stuffs ; capital invested, $24,000 ; hands employed, 11 ; value of the same manufactured, $200,000. One dying and calico-printing manufac- tory ; hands employed, 44; value of manufacture, $40,000. Value WESTON. 441 of saws manufactured, $30,000. Value of chairs and cabinet ware manufactured, |^10,000. There was also a card manufactory and a turning and sawing mill. WESTFORD. This town was formerly a part of Chelmsford grant ; after a long controversy it was incorporated as a distinct town in 1729. " The church and society was established here in 1724, and the town of Chelmsford paid 100 pounds towards building a meeting- house for this parish, which was then called the west precinct in Chelmsford; they also received their proportion of the ministerial lands." This is principally an agricultural township, the soil being strong and productive, well adapted to grass, grain, and fruit trees. The village in the center of the town contains two Congregational churches and an academy, one of the oldest in the state, having a respectable fund for the support of a preceptor. The village is situated on the summit of a large swell, having a fine prospect over the neighboring valleys and of the distant mountains. Wachusett, Monadnock, and many of less height, are distinctly visible. Population, 1,451. Distance, 10 miles from Concord, 30 from Salem, 8 from Lowell, 5 to Chelmsford, 6 to Carlisle, and 25 from Boston. In 1837, there were three forges in this town ; 90 tons of bar iron were manufactured, valued at $9,900. There are large quantities of granite quarried here, which is commonly called " Chelmsford granite." WESTON. " The exact period" (says Dr. Kendal in his Century Sermon, preached in 1813) " when what is now called Weston began to be settled is not known ; but it must have been pretty early ; for there are still standing houses which were erected about one hun- dred and forty years ago. In ecclesiastical affairs, however, this town \vas connected with Watertown about sixty-eight, and in civil concerns about eighty-three years. The tradition is, that the inhabitants of the remote westerly part of this town went to worship at the remote easterly part of Watertown, at a house not far from the old burying place." Weston was incorporated as a distinct town in 1712, previous to which time it had been called the westerly, more westerly, and most westerly precmct in Water- town. In 1694, the town of Watertown passed the following vote: "Our neighbors, the farmers, being upon endeavours to have a meeting-house among themselves, the town consents that they may come as far as Beaver Brook upon the country road leading to Sudbury, and so run north and south upon a line, to the end there may be peace and settlement amongst us." There appears to hav^ been considerable difficulty in regard to the settle- 442 W O B U R N . ment of a minister among them ; a Mr. Mors preached for a time, but was not settled. After having been twice directed to provide a man to preach among them, the precinct, in 1706, was presented at the court of sessions, on account of their not having a settled minister. After a period of more than eleven years after the Farms had become a distinct precinct. Rev. William Williams was ordained here, in 1709. Rev. Samuel Woodward, the successor of Mr. Williams, was ordained in 1751. Mr. Woodward died in 1782, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Kendal, D. D., in 1783. This township is in general an uneven, and in some parts a broken tract of land. A considerable portion is elevated above the common level of the adjacent country. There are three houses of worship in the limits of the town : 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Congregationalist. There are a number of beautiful country- seats, where persons from Boston reside during the summer months. Population, 1,051. Distance, 9 miles from Concord, 9 from Ded- ham, and 14 ifrom Boston. Boots and shoes are the principal arti- cles manufactured in this town. In 1837, of the former there were manufactured 5,606 pairs, and of the latter, 17,182 pairs. WILMINGTON. This town was incorporated in 1730. This township was com- posed of the corners of the adjoining towns. " The soil of this town is thin and light, but produces most of the fruits of the cli- mate, and especially hops have been raised here in great abun- dance and perfection." The face of the township is comparatively level. A main branch of Ipswich river takes its rise in this town. There is a Congregational church in the center, but no considera- ble village in any part of the town, the inhabitants being princi- pally farmers, who live scattered over all parts of the town. Population, 795. Distance, 10 miles from Lowell, and 14 from Boston. The Middlesex canal and Lowell railroad pass through the western section of this town. WOBURN WoBURN at the period of its first settlement was called " Charles- town Village;" it was incorporated as a town in 1642. In the same year the first church was gathered, and Rev. Thomas Carter ordained the first minister. In the year 1640 news was brought to Charlestown of the conveniency of land adjoining their north bounds. Upon this a petition was presented to the general court for two miles square of land to be added to their head line. This petition was granted, and the addition afterwards increased to four miles square. A committee was sooii after chosen by Charlestown W B U R N , 443 church to explore the land, and make arrangements for erectmg a new church and town. All was then a wilderness. The com- mittee were obliged to spend nights without shelter, " whilst the rain and snow did bedew their rocky beds." They have recorded one remarkable providence as "never to be forgotten." Some of the company sheltering themselves under the body of a large tree, which lay at a distance from the ground, no sooner was the last of them come from under it, at break of day, than, to their amaze- ment, it fell ; and they were obliged to dig out their provisions, their united strength being insufficient to remove it. Southern view in the central part of Woburn. The place for house lots and a meeting-house was originally laid out on the plain, at the east end of our bounds, but afterwards re- moved to this place. The iirst care was to procure a regular ad- ministration of the words and ordinances of Christ. Indeed, a set- tlement was hardly considered as fixed in those days before these were established. A meeting-house and house for a minister were among the first erected; and to procure a minister appears from the records to have been the principal concern of the inhabitants. "It is a remarkable circumstance," (says Mr. Chickering, in his Historical Discourse, printed in 1809,) •' that the people had been so oppressed by ecclesiastical tyranny, and were so jealous of their religious rights, that they undertook, in the presence and with the consent of a respectable council, to ordain their own minister. The ordination was conducted in the following manner. After the candidate had continued in preaching and prayer the greater part of the day, two persons, in the name of the church, laid their hands upon his head, and said, ' We ordain thee, Thomas Carter, to be pastor unto this church of Christ!' Then one of the elder ministers present, at the desire of the church, made an appropriate prayer for God's assistance to his young servant in performing the duties of his office. =^ * *= During his ministry, which was pro- longed more than forty-two years, there appears to have been the greatest harmony between him and the society." 444 WOBURN. Woburn is a village consisting of about 70 or 80 dwelling-houses, a number of mechanic shops and mercantile stores, with 4 churches, 1 Congregational, 2 Baptist, and 1 Universalist, and an academy. The cut (p. 443) is a southern view of the Congregational and Baptist churches, with some of the buildings in the vicinity. Distance, 12 miles from Concord, 13 to Lynn, 15 to Salem, 5 to Reading, 15 to Lowell, and 10 to Boston. The Middlesex canal runs a little to the west of the village, and the Lowell railroad a little to the east. Population, 2,643. The manufacture of shoes is a very important branch of business in this place. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 800 pairs of boots, 279,844 pairs of shoes, valued at $221,251 ; males employed, 383; females, 320. There were "Tanneries, 4; hides tanned, 12,400; value of leather tanned and curried, (including 7,000 hides curried but not tanned in said town,) $150,200; hands employed, 77; capital invested, $72,533." There were 3 door, sash, and blind manufac- tories ; value of manufactures, $26,500 ; hands employed, 17. One India rubber manufactory; value of articles manufactured, $10,000. Southern view of Horn Fond at Woburn. Horn Pond, lying in the immediate vicinity of Woburn village, is a place of considerable resort during the warm season of the year. In the engraving, a small but beautiful island is seen on the left. On the extreme right, the house for the accommodation of visiters is partially seen, before which is a beautiful grove of pine and other trees. In this grove is erected a summer-house, with seats, &c., for the accommodation of visiters. An artificial fountain, jutting up its cooling waters, adds much to the beautiful and varie- gated scenery of this place. Between the house and the lake the Middlesex canal passes, having 6 locks at this place, which are built in a very superior manner. NANTUCKET. 445 NANTUCKET COUNTY AND TOWN. This county is composed of 5 islands. Beginning west, the first is Muskeeket, which is about 6 miles east from Washqua Point, in Chappequiddick Island. It is a low, sandy island, and is not used for grazing. South-east of this island is Tuckernuck, an island containing about 1,000 acres of land, which affords pasture for 1,000 sheep and 50 head of horned cattle. Between Muskeeket and Tuckernuck are two small islands, called Gravelly Islands, which are of no value. The only island of importance is the large island of Nantucket. " The town of Nantucket is about 30 miles south of the main or continent, 60 miles S. E. from New Bedford, 100 S. 8. E. from Boston, and 382 miles E. N. E. from Philadelphia. It lies in north latitude 41° 15' 22" ; in west longitude 70° 7' 56". It con- tains nearly 30,000 acres of land, and is about 14 miles long, east and west, and 3 and a half broad, on an average, north and south.'* The population of Nantucket in 1837 was 9,048. The principal harbor is on the north side of the island, in the bottom or bend of an extensive bay, and is nearly land-locked by two points of beach, about three fourths of a mile apart ; one on the east, called Coetue, the other on the west, called Brant Point. Within these points, and on the west side, are the wharves and the town. Nearly two miles from the shore, to the northward of the harbor, is a bar, which all vessels coming in or out are under the necessity of pass- ing. Vessels drawing nine feet of water may, with good pilots, pass over this bar and into the harbor. The number of vessels belonging to the port in 1834 was 140, viz. 73 ships, 20 schooners, 46 sloops, 1 steam-boat. Total tonnage, 29,550, of which are en- gaged in the whale-fishery 25,357 tons. About two thousand men and boys belonging to the island are employed in navigation. The whale-fishery commenced here at an early period, and this place is perhaps more celebrated than any other for the enterprise and success in this species of nautical adventure. There are 3 banks, the "Citizens Bank," capital $100,000; the "Manufactur- ers and Mechanics Bank," capital $100,000; and the "Pacific Bank," with a capital of $200,000. The "Phoenix Insurance Company" has a capital of ,$100,000, and the " Commercial In- surance Company" a capital of $125,000. There is a regular daily communication between this place and New Bedford by a steam-boat and packets, which touch at Wood's Hole, near Fal- mouth, and at Holmes' Hole on Martha's Vineyard. The town of Nantucket, which embraces nearly all the houses on the island, is very compactly built, most of the streets narrow, and the houses are mostly constructed of wood. The inhabitants seem sensible of their exposure to sweeping fires, to prevent which they have an efficient fire department, and eighteen public cisterns and wells. There are 9 religious societies or congregations, viz. one Unitarian Congregationalist, one Orthodox society, two meet- ings of Friends, (one attached to the New York yearly meeting, the 60 446 NANTUCKET. Other to that of New England,) one Methodist Episcopal, one Re- formed Methodist, one Episcopal, and two for colored persons, one of them Baptist, the other denominated Zion's Church. Previous to 1827, very little was done by the town in their corporate capa- city for the support of schools. Since that period much has been effected ; there are at present two large grammar and four primary schools, at which are taught about 800 scholars. The Coffin School was incorporated in 1827. This institution originated with Admiral Sir Isaac Cofhn, of the British navy, who visited the island in 1826. He found that a large part of the inhabitants were more or less remotely related to him. Having expressed a desire to confer on his kindred some mark of his attaclmient, it was suggested that the establishment of a school would be the means of most permanent good to his relatives ; it immediately met his approbation. He accordingly authorized the late William Cof- fin, Esq., to purchase a building for a school, and shortly after funded for its support two thousand five hundred pounds sterling. AthencEum, at Nantucket. The Nantucket Athenasum was incorporated in 1834, and is an institution of much promise ; it has a library of more than two thousand volumes, and is rapidly increasing. The museum con- nected with the institution contains a large number of curiosities, consisting chiefly of weapons, dresses, and utensils of the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The island of Nantucket is mostly of a sandy soil, and almost entirely destitute of trees and shrubbery, and a great part of the island is a naked plain. The south part is a plain, which is not more than 25 feet above the level of the sea. On the north part the land rises into hills, which are 40 feet in height. The most elevated spot is Sancoty Head, which is 80 feet high. The best land is round the harbor, particularly on the south-east quarter. The village of Siasronset is situated at the south-east extremity of the island, and contains about 70 houses. The cod-fishery NANTUCKET. 447 was carried on there a few years since, but of late it has been nearly relinquished. The houses, with few exceptions, are occupied only in the warm season. The village is compactly built on a level grass plat, near the edge of a steep cliff; the land rises in the rear so as to cut off a view of the town of Nantucket. This place presents uncommon attractions in the warm season for inva- lids. It has a fine bracing air and excellent water. In front of the village " the eye rests on a broad expanse of the Atlantic, and below, the surf, rolling and breaking, gives animation to the scenes by day, and lulls to repose by night. . . . From a neighboring emi- nence, called Sancoty Head, the eye commands almost the entire horizon. In the distant west is seen the town and shipping ; . . . . a view from this place, at a clear sunset, can hardly be surpassed in beauty and grandeur. The rich coloring of the sky, retiected by the distant waters, the distinct outlines of the town with its steeples and busy wind-mills, the repose of the surrounding plains, contrasted with the gloom which broods over the rolling and roar- ing ocean in the rear, give rise to sensations which can be felt but not described."* Blue and yellow clay is found on the island, and also good iron ore. The original right of Nantucket was obtained by Thomas Mayhew of James Forrett, agent of William Earl of Sterling, in 1641, at New York. In May, 1660, Wanach- mamak and Nickanoose, head sachems of Nantucket, sold to Thomas Mayhew and others the land lying from the west end of the island to a pond called Wagutaquab, and from that pond upon a straight line unto a pond situate upon Monnumoy Creek, and from the north-west corner of the pond to the sea. This territory includes the town. The first Englishman who settled at Nantucket was Thomas Macy, in 1659. He removed with his family from Salisbury, in the county of Essex, to Madakit Har- bor, at the west end of the island. Soon after there went from Martha's Vineyard Edward Starbuck, James Coffin, and John Daget to the island for the sake of gunning, and lived with him as boarders. The following is a list of the first proprietors to whom the island was granted by Gov. Mayhew, in 1659 : Thomas Mayhew, Thomas Look, Stephen Greenleaf, Josepli Coleman, John Smith, Thomas Bernard, Tristram Coffin, Jr., WiUiam Worth, Tristram Coffin, Eobert Bernard, John Swain, Peter Folger, Nathaniel Starbuck, Peter Coffin, Thomas Coleman, Eleazer Folger, Thomas Macy, James Coffin, John Bishop, John Gardner, Edward Starbuck, Christopher Hussey, Richard Gardner, Samuel Stretor, Richard Swaine, Robert Pike, Joseph Gardner, Nathaniel Wier. Many of these proprietors moved to the island in 1660. At a meeting of the proprie- tors, held at Nantucket, in 1661, it was determined "that each man of the owners should have liberty to choose his house lots at any place not before taken up, and each house lot should contain 60 rods square." At first the settlers located themselves at the west end of the island. In l(i71, a patent was granted, confirming the land to the pro- prietors, by Francis Lovelace, governor of New York. It was incorporated a town by the name of Sherburne in 1687, and as a county in 1695. At the time of the settlement by the English, there were nearly 3,000 Indians on the island. They were divided into two tribes, one at the west and the other at the east end. The western tribe is supposed to have found its way thither from the main by the way of Martha's Vineyard, and the eastern to have crossed the sound from the southern shore of Barnstable county. Concerning the discovery of Nantucket by the Indians, they had the following fabulous tradition, which was related to the early English settlers. * Nantucket shoals stretch away to the south-east of the island, 45 miles in -wndth, to the distance of 50 miles, and are a dangerous place for vessels unacquainted with the coast. Very many vessels have been wrecked and lost on them in former years. 448 NANTUCKET. In former times, a great many moons ago, a bird, extraordinary for its size, used often to visit tVie south shore of Cape Cod, and carry from thence in its talons a vast number of small children. Maushope, who was an Indian giant, as fame reports, re sided in these parts. Enraged at the havoc among the children, he on a certain time waded into the sea in pursuit of the bird, till he had crossed the sound and reached Nantucket. Before Maushope forded the sound, the island was unknown to the red men. Maushope found the bones of the children in a heap, under a large tree. He then, wishing to smoke a pipe, ransacked the island for tobacco, but finding none, he tilled his pipe with poke, a weed which the Indians sometimes used as a substitute. Ever since the above memorable events, fogs have been frequent at Nantucket and on the Cape. In allusion to this tradition, when the aborigines observed a fog rising, they would say, " There comes old Maushope's smoke."* This tradition has been related in another way : that an eagle having seized and carried off a papoose, the parents Ibllowed him in their canoe till they came to Nantucket, where they found the bones of their child, dropped by the eagle. There is another Indian tradition that Nantucket was formed by Maushope, by emptying the ashes from his pipe after he had done smoking. — The two tribes on the island were hostile to each other. Tradition has pre- served a pleasing instance of the effect of love. The western tribe having determined to surprise and attack the eastern tribe, a young man of the former, whose mistress belonged to the latter, being anxious for her safety, as soon as he was concealed by the shades of night, ran to the beach, flew along the shore below the limit of high water, saw his mistress a moment, gave the alarm, and returned by the same route before day-break ; the rising tide washed away the traces of his feet. The next morning he accompanied the other warriors of the tribe to the attack : the enemy M'as found pre- pared, and no impression could be made on them. He remained undetected till, seve- ral years after, peace being restored between the two tribes, and the young man having married the girl, the truth came to light. Soon after the English had settled on the island, attempts were made to convert the Indians to the faiTh of the gospel, and in a course of years all of them became nominal Christians. They were, during every period, generally friendly to the Eng- lish, who, though they were sometimes alarmed, never experienced any thing from them really hostile. In 1665, King Philip came to this island to kill an Indian, whose name was John Gill. He landed at the west end, intending to travel along the shore, under the bank, undiscovered, to the east part of the island, where John lived. But an Indian, happening to discover his plan, ran and gave John word, in consequence of which John ran to the town, and got Thomas Macy to conceal him. John's crime was speaking evil the name of the dead, who was supposed to be one of King Philip's near connections ; for the Indians had a custom that no one should speak reproachfully of the dead. The English held a parley with Philip, and all the money which they were able to collect at that time was barely sufficient to satisfy him for John's life. These Indians had a singular way of punishing their children and servants. It was laying them on their backs, and putting a knee on each arm ; then, holding back the boy's head, by laying hold of the hair, they ejected a decoction of bayberry-root bark from their mouths into the noses of the boys. This was repeated a number of times, till the boys were near strangled. After a while, however, they would recover. This mode of punishment was called by the Indians medom-humar, or great punishment. The whale fishery began here m 1690. One Ichabod Paddock came from Cape Cod to instruct the people in the art of killing whales in boats from the shore. This business flourished till about the year 1760, when the whales appear generally to have left the coast. In 1718 the inhabitants began to pursue whales on the ocean, in small sloops and schooners, of about from 30 to 50 tons. The blubber was brought home and tried or boiled in try- houses. In a few years after, vessels of a larger burthen were employed, and the oil boiled out in try- works at sea. " At the breaking out of the Revolution, in 1775, Nantucket had 150 vessels, and employed in them 2,200 men, on whaling voyages. They took annually about 30,000 ♦ Col. Mass. Hist. Soc. vol. v. first series, p. 57. NANTUCKET. 449 barrels of oil. The peculiar interests of the island suffered severely by the war, at the close of which the number of whaling vessels was reduced to 30. The enterprise of the people received another check in the late war, but has since again restored the business of the island to its accustomed channels and extent. In 1822, there belonged to the town 88 whaling vessels, averaging 300 tons each. " The Nantucket whalemen now extend their voyages to the coast of Brazil in South America, and frequently to the Pacific Ocean, and are often absent two or three years. The vessels designed for these distant voyages are generally navigated by 20 or 30 men. The terras on which the men are employed are somewhat peculiar. The owners of the vessel and its appurtenances receive a certain stipulated part out of the profits of the voyage, and the remainder of the proceeds is divided among the officers and seamen, according to certain rules previously known and understood by all parties. So that if the vessel meets with great success, the pay of the inen, who navigate it, will be high ; but if the vessel have less success, their pay will be proportionably less. " Whales are sometimes found 200 feet in length, but generally are less than half that size. These monstrous animals are attacked by only six or eight men in an open boat. When in the region frequented by whales, the crew of the vessel in pursuit of them keep a sharp look-out, with all things ready for an attack. The instant a whale is discovered upon the surface of the water, a boat is manned for the pursuit. One man, the most daring and dexterous in the business, is armed with a harpoon, an in- strument five or six feet long, with a barbed point. He stands up, with bis weapon in his hand, in the bow of the boat, while the others row, under his direction, with all pos- sible despatch toward the enemy, and usually to within eight or ten yards of him. The harpooner, having taken his position to the best advantage, and made all things ready for the blow, hurls his weapon with all his strength, and aims to strike some part of the whale least protected by his thick skin. This is a moment of intense interest, for the success of a whole voyage may essentially depend upon a single stroke of the harpoon. It is also a moment of imminent danger ; for one blow from the tail of the wounded and enraged animal might upset the boat and dash it into a thousand pieces. The men, therefore, hastily withdraw a short distance from their danger, and wait the effects of their first onset. " As soon as the whale becomes sensible of his wound, he dives into the water with incredible velocity for so heavy and unwieldy an animal, carrying the harpoon, held fast in his wound by its barbed point. Several hundred fathoms of line, fastened at one end to the harpoon and the other attached to the boat, are frequently run out be- fore the whale is exhausted and obliged to return to the top of the water for air. The harpooner stands ready to attack him again the moment he appears, and fastens anoth- er weapon in some part of his body. The whale again dives for a short time, and re- turns only to receive a new attack. At length, exhausted by his wounds and the loss of blood, which colors the water for some distance around him, he yields to his con- querors. He is then towed by the boat to the vessel, which keeps as near as possible to the scene of the battle, the crew witnessing with the deepest interest its progress and result. Several days are then spent in dissecting the prize and disposing of the valua- ble parts, when the crew are ready for a new and similar exploit. The profits of a voyage have frequently been from §30,000 to $50,000, and sometimes more." The following notice of Peter Folger, one of the first settlers of the island, is taken from " a short Journal of Nantucket, by Zach- eus Macy," in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical So- ciety, vol. iii. page 159. "When the English first came to Nantucket, they appointed 5 men to divide and lay out 20 acres of house lot land to every share, and Peter Folger was one of the five. But it appears by the records, that any 3 of the .5 might do the business, provided the said Peter Folger was one of them, from which it is plain the people saw something in him superior to others. It is observable also that the old deeds from the Indian sa- chems were examined by Peter Folger, and he wrote at the bottom of the deed and sign- ed it in addition to the signature of the justice ; for he understood and could speak the Indian tongue. Thus it is evident that both the English and the Indian had a great esteem for Peter Folger, who was grandfather to the famous Benjamin Franklin, the Printer, Statesman and Philosopher. His mother was the daughter of Peter Folger, and U seems that the whole of North America prides itself as much in Benjamin Franklin «s the people of Nantucket did in his grandfather, Peter Folger." 450 B E L I, I N G H A M . NORFOLK COUNTY. This comity was incorporated in 1793, previous to which time It formed a part of Suffolk county. This name was formerly ap- plied to a county composed of the towns in this state north of the Mcrrimac, with others in New Hampshire. After the separation of the states by a line three miles north of the Merrimac, the towns in this state were annexed to the county of Essex. The principal streams are Charles and Neponset rivers, with their branches. Much of the surface of Norfolk is broken and uneven, but no part can be considered mountainous. The ridges called the Blue Hills are the most noted elevations. Much of the soil is strong and rocky. That part of this county in the vicinity of Boston is generally in a high state of cultivation, as there is a good market for agricultural productions in the capital. The manufacture of boots and shoes is an important branch of business in this county. In 1S37, there were 5,2.59 persons engaged in this manufacture. The following is a list of the towns, which are 22 in number. Bellingham, Dorchester, Milton, Stoughton, Braintree, Dover, Needham, Walpole, Brookline, Foxborough, Quincy, Weymouth, Canton, Franklin, Randolph, Wrentham. Cohasset, Med field, Roxbury, Dedham, Medway, Sharon, In 1820, the population of this county was 36,471 ; in 1830, it was 41,901 ; in 1837, it was 50,399. BELLINGHAM. This town was set off from Dedham, and incorporated as a town in 1719. Rev. .Jonathan Mills was ordained in 1727 over a Con- gregational church which had been previously formed in this place. He continued here about ten years, though not in the most harmo- nious manner, and was dismissed in 1737. He retired to Boston, where he died, in 1773. The people had occasional preaching after the dismissal of Mr. Mills, till 1774, when the meeting-house was demolished. For about the period of sixty years past, no Congre- gational minister has statedly held meetings in the town. The Congregational church has long been extinct. Some families of this order, however, are religiously associated with the west parish in Medway. In the center of the town there are 2 churches, and 10 or 12 dwelling-houses. Distance, 5 miles from Mendon, 18 from Ded- ham, and 28 from Boston. Population, 1,159. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 1,672 spindles ; 427,470 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $35,1 10 25 ; males employed, 20; females, 34: one woollen mill, 2 sets of machinery ; 24,000 yards of cloth BROOKLINB. 461 were manufactured, valued at $62,000. There were 14,570 pairs of boots and 220 pairs of shoes manufactured, vakied at $28,077; straw bonnets manufactured, 1,450, vahied at $2,650. BRAIN TREE This town formerly included Quincy and Randolph, and was at first called Mount Wollaston, and is one of the most ancient places in the state, the first settlement being made in the town as early as 1625. The ancient history of Braintree now properly comes under the head of Quincy, as Mount Wollaston, the place where the first settlement was made, is within the limits of that town. Braintree was incorporated in 1640, Quincy in 1792. The soil of this township, though not very fertile, is strong, and well repays cultivation. The Maniquot river, after passing through this town and affording many mill sites, meets the tide-waters of Weymouth Fore river at Braintree landing. In the town are manufactories of cotton, satinet, shovels, paper, nails, and choco- late ; large quantities of shoes are made here. There is excellent granite found here, and large quantities are exported ; ship-build- ing is also carried on to some extent. There are 3 churches, one of which is Unitarian. On the eastern line of the town is situated the flourishing settlement of Weymouth village ; about one third of it lies within the limits of this town. A view of this village is given in the account of Weymouth. (See Weymo7/th.) Population, 2,237. Distance, 12 miles S. E. of Dedham, and 10 southerly from Boston. In 1837, there were 65,604 pairs of boots, 71,117 pairs of shoes, manufactured in this town, the value of which was $202,363 03; males employed, 357; females, 265. There were two paper-mills ; stock manufactured, 182 tons ; value of paper, $25,000; one nail factory; nails manufactiired, 215 tons; value of nails manufactured, $33,460 ; hands employed, 19 ; value of cotton gins manufactured, $15,000; hands employed, 30. " A survey between the tide- waters of this town and those of Taunton river, to unite Massachusetts and Narragansett bays by a ship canal, was commenced by the United States government in 1827. From the tide lock at Somerset, 13 miles below Taunton, the distance is 36 miles. The summit level between the bays is at Howard's meadow, in Randolph, 134 feet above high-water mark at Braintree or Weymouth landing. A ship canal in this direction, or one across Cape Cod at Sandwich, would save many lives and a vast amount of property." — Hayioai-d' s Massachusetts Directory. BROOKLINE This town, before its incorporation in 1705, belonged to Boston, ftom which it was separated by a bay formed by Charles river. 452 B R K L Wood, the author of "New England's Prospect," in describing Boston and other places in the vicinity, in 1633, says — "The inhabitants of this place, [Boston] for their enlargement, have taken to them- selves farm-houses in a place called Muddy River, [Brookline] two miles from the town, where there is good ground, large timber, and store of marsh land and meadow. In this place they keep their swine and other cattle in the summer, whilst the com is in the ground at Boston, and bring them to tow^n in the winter." As early as 1686, the inhabitants at Muddy River had obtained an order that said hamlet should thence forth be free from paying taxes to the town of Boston, and to have the privilege of an- nually choosing three men to manage their affairs. The conditions were, that they should bear their own expenses, erect a school-house, and maintain a reading and writ- ing master. After the overthrow of Andross, the town of Boston disannulled the above order, and rigorously exercised over them all the authority they possessed. After some considerable opposition, a petition, signed by 32 freeholders, was presented to the legis- lature in 1705, for a separation from Boston. The petition was granted, and the place was incorporated as a distinct town by the name of Brookline. " It is supposed that this name was adopted from the circumstance that Smelt brook is a boundary between that town and Cambridge, and that another brook, which falls into Muddy river, is a boundary between it and Roxbury." The hills and woodlands of Brookline form a considerable part of the scenery presented to the view from the west of Boston com- mon. The town contains some of the finest country seats and best managed lands which adorn the environs of Boston. It is 5 miles northerly from Dedham, and 5 W. of Boston. Population, 1,083. There are 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist. A direct communication with Boston is effected by the construction of an immense mill-dam, a mile and a half in length, and 100 feet in the widest and 50 feet in the narrowest part, built with walls of stone, filled up compactly with gravel and other materials, at an enormous expense. It is water-tight, and raised three or four feet above high-water mark. This " Westei-n Avenue" as it is called, was opened for passengers July 2, 1821. There was a splendid ceremony on the occasion. A cavalcade of citizens, under the direc- tion of Adj. Gen. Wm. H. Sumner, at an early hour entered the town over the dam, and were welcomed on the Boston side by the inhabitants. Several of the revolutionary forts may be traced in this town by some slight remains ; and the site of one of the an- cient Indian forts, built by the natives before the settlement by the English, is yet discernible, on what is called Se wall's farm. Zabdiel Boylston, F. R. S., an eminent physician, was a native of this town, born in 1680, and died in this town in 1766. He is distinguished as being the first who introduced the inoculation of the small-pox into America. "The inoculation of small-pox was first performed in the English dominions iu April, 1721, upon a daughter of the celebrated Lady M. W. Montague, who had be- come acquainted with inoculation as practised by Turkish women, during her residence in Constantinople. " About this time Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, of Boston, was induced to adopt the same expedient, from reading an account of inoculation, and made his first experiment by inoculating his only son and two negro serv^ants, on the 27th of June, 1721. Probably there never was greater opposition to any measure of real public utility than was ex- hibited on this occasion. Dr. Boylston was execrated and persecuted as a murderer, assaulted in the streets, and loaded with every species of abuse. His house was at- tacked with violence, so that neither himself nor his family could feel secure in it. At CANTON. 453 one time he remained fourteen days in a secret apartment of his own house, unknown to any of his family except his wife. The enraged inhabitants patrolled the town in parties, with halters in their hands, threatening to hang him on the nearest tree, and repeatedly entered his house in search of him during his concealment. Such was the madness of the multitude, that, even after the excitement had in some measure subsid- ed. Dr. Boylston only ventured to visit his patients at midnight, and then in disguise. He had also to encounter violent opposition from most of the members of his own pro- fession, and notwithstanding he invited them all to visit his patients, and judge for themselves, received nothing but threats and insults in reply. Indeed, many sober, pious people were deliberately of opinion, when inoculation was first commenced, that, should any of his patients die, the doctor ought to be capitally indicted. He was re- peatedly summoned before the selectmen of Boston, and received their reprehension. His only friends were Dr. Cotton Slather and other clergymen, most of whom became zealous advocates for the new practice, and consequently drew upon themselves much odium from the populace. Some of them received personal injury ; others were insult- ed in the streets, and were hardly safe in their own dwellings ; nor were their services acceptable on Sunday to their respective audiences. " A bill for prohibiting the practice of inoculation, under severe penalties, was brought before the legislature of Massachusetts, and actually passed the house of rep resentatives, but some doubts existing in the senate, it failed to become a law. "Dr. Boylston Hved to see the cause he espoused triumphant, and it's utility gene- rally appreciated. So prone are mankind to vacillate from one extreme to the other that, on a subsequent appearance of the small-pox in Boston, in the year 1792, the whole town was inoculated in three, days, to appease the infatuation of the inhabitants respecting the danger apprehended from this deadly pestilence. Persons were inocu- lated indiscriminately, to the number of 9,152 ; and such was the hurry and confusion with which it was done, and such the impossibility of rendering proper assistance and attention to so large a number, that 165 deaths were the consequence." CANTON Canton was originally the south precinct of Dorchester, called Dorchester village; it was incorporated in 1797. The first church was embodied here in the year 1717, and Rev. Joseph Morse was ordained its minister the same year. He had preached in the village, previous to his ordination, nearly eleven years. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Dunbar, in 1727. Mr. Dunbar Avas a warm and decided friend to the liberties of his country. In 175.5, he was chaplain to Col. Brown's regiment, in the expedition against Croum Point. " His zeal and firmness in the American Revolution contributed not a little to support the hopes and sus- tain the sinking spirits of his people, when clouds and darkness shrouded our prospects." He died in 1783, and was succeeded by Rev. Zachariah Howard, who was settled in 1786. The Rev. William Harlow was installed over the second church in 1829, resigned the same year. The following is a westerly view of the viaduct in this town, on which passes the Boston and Providence railroad. It is constructed of granite, and is 600 feet in length, 63 feet above the foundation, on 6 arches, with a succession of arches at the top. It is an admirable piece of workmanship, and cost the company about $80,000. On the right of the engraving is seen the northern extremity of the stone factory, a large establishment for the manu- facture of cassimeres, which, when in full operation, employs be- 61 454 CO HASS ET South-mesteni view of Canton Viaduct. tween 300 and 400 hands. The copper works of Mr. Revere, near the above, is an extensive estabhshment ; all kinds of copper are manufactured. There are also other large manufacturing estab- lishments in the limits of the town. There are 4 churches (2 Congregational, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist) and a bank, the "Neponset Bank." Population, 2,185. Since 1830, the popula- tion has increased one third. Distance, 5 miles from Dedham, 18 from Taunton, and 15 from Boston. In 1837, there was 1 woollen mill, 14 sets of machinery; wool consumed, 300,000 lbs. ; cloth manufactured, 254,000 yards, valued at $250,000 ; males employed, 125 ; females, 125. One cotton mill ; 1,560 spindles ; 463,547 yards of cotton goods were manufactured. There were 8 furnaces for the manufacture of copper; 1,500,000 lbs. of copper were manufactured; value estimated, $400,000; forty hands were employed; one forge; "shapes" manufactured, 129 tons, value, $21,330 ; fifty hands were employed in the manu- facture of hoes and coarse cutlery ; capital invested, $80,000. Two rolling mills, 1 cotton wicking mill, 1 cotton thread mill, and some other manufacturing establishments, were in operation. COHASSET. This town was originally a part of Hingham; it was incorpo- rated in 1770. The first minister of Cohasset was Rev. Nehemiah Hobart, the grandson of Rev. Peter Hobart, the first minister of Hingham. He was ordained in 1721, and continued in the minis- try till his death, in 1740. His successor was Rev. John Fowle, who continued here about thirteen years. Rev, John Brown was the next minister, who was settled here in 1747, and died in 1791. His successor was Mr. Shaw, who Avas in the ministry here about s :s <1 "S • w ^CJ o oii e S i; O ^^ s ?; '^g « t^ n., M ('-J c; o w e/l C z fD l^ii -o o 1^ n J H Pi 1^5 w •^.2 o o 1 w X H S P^ ( > "^ o ^ i > :s^ J5 s -^ Q K ^ ir W wU ffi '"^-O H ^ ^ !=3 d O eS bo w J3 D E D H A M . 465 four years. The Rev. Jacob Flint, the next minister, was settled here in 1798. A Trinitarian church was built here in 1826, and Rev. Aaron Picket was installed the first pastor. This town is noted for its rocky coasts, and for the numerous shipwrecks which have taken place on its borders. Cohasset rock, which consists of several small islands and sunken rocks, lies about three miles north-east of the harbor ; they have proved fatal to many vessels. This town has become quite a place of resort for citizens and strangers, in summer months, to enjoy the marine scenery and sea air. In 1837, there were 36 vessels em- ployed in the cod and mackerel fishery, the tonnage of which was 2,284 ; codfish caught, 750 quintals, valued at .$2,2.50 ; mackerel caught, 11,700 barrels, value, $73,286; hands employed, 324. In five years preceding 1837, there were 17 vessels built, the ton- nage of which was 2,765, valued at .$110,600. Population, 1,331. Distance, 6 miles from Hingham, and about 16 miles to Boston by water. DEDHAM The settlement of this town was commenced in 1635. In that year, the general court, then sitting at Newtown, (now Cambridge,) granted a tract of land south of Charles river to 12 men. The next year 19 persons, including the first 12, petitioned the general court for an additional grant, lying on both sides of Charles river, which was made, agreeably to this petition. The last-mentioned grant included the territory of the present town of Dedham, and of a number of other towns in the vicinity. The first recorded public meeting was on the 15th of August, 1636, at which were present 18 persons. These adopted a covenant, by which each individual bound himself " to give information concerning any per- son who applied for admission, to submit to such fines as might be imposed for violation of rules, and to obey all such bye-laws and regulations as the inhabitants shall judge necessary for the management of their temporal aftairs, for religion, and for loving society." The ETovernment of the town was delegated by the freemen to 7 men, who were to be chosen annually. These 7 men met monthly, for many years, made many necessary bye-laWs, which were recorded in the records of the to^vn. Concerning the appropriation of the land, each man was provided with a lot of 12 acres if married, and S acres if unmarried ; this to begin with. The after grants seem to have been made according to the necessities of members, or as a reward for services performed. The number of persons in a family was also made a rule by which to divide the lands ; quality, rank or desert and usefulness in the church or commonwealth was also a rule considerable in the apportionment. In a petition to the general court the inhabitants requested that the town might be called Contentment ; which name is written over the record of the first several meet- ings. It would seem that the word well expresses the leading motives of the first 24 settlers in coming into this town. They were soon, however, associated with men of somewhat a difierent and higher character. The celebrated John Rogers, of Dedham, in England, had been forbidden to preach before the first settlers came to this country. Many of his people emigrated and numbers settled in this place. From that circum- 456 D E D H A M . Stance, It may reasonably be inferred that the general court gave to the town the nam* of Dedham. The first settlers were more immediately from Watertown. They were as follows, viz. : Edward AUyne, John Kingsbury, Lambert Genere, Francis Austin, Abraham Shaw, John Dwite, Nicholas Phillips, John Rogers, Samuel Morse, John Cooledge, Ralph Shepard, Joseph Shaw, Phileman Dalton, Richard Ewed, John Gay, William Bearstowe Ezekiel HoUiman, John Howard, Thomas Bartleet, In July, 1637, John AUin and Eleazer Lusher, and ten other persons, came to Ded ham, bringing recommendations, and were at the same time admitted freemen. These 12 persons gave a more decided character to the whole company. The following is the list of freemen who had been admitted into Dedham previous to 1647. Mr. John AUin, Edward Kempe, Samuel Morse, George Barber, Mr. Timothy Dalton, John Leuson, Nicholas Phillips, Robert Onion, Mr. Thomas Carter, John Dwight, John Morse, Robert Feashe, Mr. Ralph Wheelock, Henry Smith, John Page, John Gay, Mr. John Hunting, John Rogers, Michael Powell, Lambert Genery, Mr. Pruden, John Shawe, Joseph Kingsbury, Samuel Guile, Mr. Henry Phillips, Nathan Aldis, deac, Nathaniel Colborne, John Ellis, F. Chickering, deac, Daniel Fisher, Timothy Dwight, Daniel Morse, Abraham Shaw, Michael Metcalf, Peter Woodward, Thomas Alcoke, Edward Allyne, John Bullard, John Baker, John Batchellor, John Frayre, Joshua Fisher, Nathaniel Whitmg, Joseph Morse. Eleazer Lusher, Ferdinando Adams, Anthony Fisher, Robert Hinsdale, Thomas Wight, Andrew Dewing, The first settlers located themselves on the margin of the mead- ows, near the modern center. Each house-lot consisted of a part upland and a part meadow. These lots were laid out in narrow parallel slips. It is stated in Worthington's History of Dedham,* that in 1664, ninety-five small houses, near each other, were situ- ated within a short distance of the place where the court-house stands ; the greater part of them east of that place and around Dwight's brook. A row of houses stood on the north side of High street, as that road was then called which extends from the bridge over Dwight's brook westwardly by the court-house. The greater number of these houses were built soon after the first settlement commenced. Four only of these were valued at £20 ; the greater number were worth from 3 to 10 pounds. At the time these houses were built, there were but very few carpenters, joiners, or masons in the colony. There was no saw-mill in the settlement for many years. The only boards which ^could be procured at first were those which were sawed by hand. The saw-pits yet to be seen denote that boards were sawed in the woods. The necessary ma- terials of glass and nails were scarcely to be obtained. These houses, therefore, must have been principally constructed by farmers, not by mechanics, and have been very rude and incon- venient. Most of them were probably covered with thatch roofs. By an ordinance of the town, a ladder was ordered to extend from * " The History of Dedham from the beginning of its Settlement, in September, 1635, to May, 1827, by Erastus Worthington." It is to this work the author is principally indebted for the facts in the history of this town. The " Historical Address " of Sam- uel F. Haven, Esq., on the second centennial anniversary, in 1836, with notes, it also another valuable publication respecting the history of this town D E D H A M . 457 the ground to the chimney, as a substitute for a more perfect fire engine. Around these houses nothing was seen but stumps, clumsy fences of poles, and an uneven and unsubdued soil. Where the meeting-honse of the first parish now stands, there stood for more than 30 years a low building, 36 feet long and 20 wide, 12 feet high, with a thatched roof, and a large ladder resting upon it. This was the first meeting-house. Near by was the school-house, standing on an area of 18 feet by 14, and rising to 3 stories ; the third story, however, was a watch-house, of small dimensions, and which stood beside the ample stone chimney. The spectator there elevated might view the plain, the si.e of the present village, then a common plough-field, containing about 200 acres of cleared land, partially subdued, yet full of stumps and roots. Around him at a further dis- tance were the Aerrf-walks, as the common feeding lands were called, in the language of that time. One of these herd-walks was on Dedham Island, north of Charles river, and one was on East street, and more fully in view. The other herd-walk was on South Plain. The meadows were not yet cleared to any great extent. Beyond these herd-walks was a continued wilderness, which was becoming more disagreeable to the inhabitants, for the cattle, goats and sheep seem to have allured the wolves to their neighborhood. The dense swamps about Wigwam were not yet cleared. The numer- ous dogs in the plantation, which were so troublesome to the worshipping assembly, were not a suflicient guard against the wolves ; and the killing of these animals was encouraged by a considerable bounty. A law of the colony, as well as the dangers of the people from Indian assaults, compelled the first settlers to build their houses near each other. The necessity of adhering to this law continued more than 50 years. But as soon as the inhabitants could live with safety on their farms, houses were built in all parts of the present town. In about 70 years' time, the humble village of the first settlers had disappeared, and the place was occupied by a few farmers for about 100 years. When Dedham became the county town, in 1793, the second village was begun on the place of the former.* The first school-house in Dedham was built in 1648. The master's salary until 1695 was £20 ; it was then raised to £25. The early settlers at various times made grants of land for the support of schools, and in 1680, Dr. William Avery gave £60 for a Latin school, but from mismanagement these funds were many years ago lost. The first settlers early procured a minister, built a meeting- house, and performed every other act necessary for the immediate establishment of public worship among them. They erected the first meeting-house in 1637. The pitts (as the pews are called in the records) were 5 feet deep and 4J wide. The elders' seat and the deacons' seat were before the pulpit ; the communion-table stood before these seats, and was so placed that the people could approach it on three sides. This house was pulled down in 1672, and one much larger erected on the site of the old one. This house had 3 pair of stairs in 3 corners of the interior. Men were seated in the galleries on one side, and women on the other ; the boys in front. The duty of a tythingman in those days was arduous, and he received as much pay for his services, many years, as the deputy to the general court. He was obliged to go on errands for the elders, whip the dogs out of the meeting-house, and prevent disorder among the boys. The business of seating persons in these two houses came under the jurisdiction of the ♦ The first settlers brought with them a number of small hand-mills, with which to grind their grain ; the stones of which were about 2 feet in diameter. The stones of 2 of these hand-mills are stated to be yet remaining in the town. The first water-mill in Dedham was built in 1640. In 1664, a saw-mill was built on Neponset river, by Joshua Fisher. In 1681, a fulling-mill was built on Mother brook, by Draper and Fairbanks. 458 D E D H A M . elders. The greatest tax-payer had the highest seat. This was a subject of some difficulty. Rev. John AUin (so spelled by him) was the first settled pastor in Dedham. He came into the settlement in July, 1637, and immediately began to direct those pro- ceedings which laid the foundation of the church, which was gathered in the fall ol 1638, and over which he was ordained in 1639. He came here, as his records express it, in expectation of employment in public work. He had received a liberal education in England, but had not been ordained. In forming the church, he required a strict scrutiny into the actions and religious affections of each candidate before admission, even in those cases where the candidate was a member of another church. This work he accomplished in a peaceful manner, ami governed his church with increased repu- tation 32 years. Gov. Winthrop says in his Journal, that this church was gathered with good approbation. Mr. AUin was greatly esteemed by his church and the inhabit- ants, and his influence in the civil and religious aflairs of that day was very exten- sive. Cotton Mather says that " he was a man of sweet temper, of a genteel spirit, a diligent student, of competent learning, a humble man, and sincere Christian. Mather proposes his epitaph, Vir sincerus, amans pacis, patiensque laborum, Perspicuus, simplex, doctrinse purus amator. Mr. Allin died in 1671, and was succeeded by Rev. William Adams, who was ordained in 1673. He ministered to the people till his death, in 1685. The next pastor was Rev. Joseph Belcher, ordained 1693, died 1723. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Dexter, who was ordained in 1724 ; he died in 1755. The next pastor of this church was Rev. Jason Haven, a native of Framingham, ordained in 175ii. After an active and useful life, he died in 1803, and the same year Rev. Joshua Bates was ordained. In 1618, he was dismissed for the purpose of taking the presidency of Middlebury college, Vt. He was succeeded the same year by the Rev. Alvan Lam- son. During Mr. Allin's ministry of 32 years the records do not show any rate assessed for his support ; he depended on voluntary contributions and on the liberal grants of land from the proprietors. All the successors of Mr. Allin had salaries voted them by the town, although the salary was paid voluntarily by the people, with- out a tax collector, many years. The following appears to have been tlie recorded rule of proceeding on this subject. In case any shall be at some time shortened m money, he shall put in for that time a paper, wherein his name, and his day's payment, as shall be due, is entered, which paper he shall once within one month take out of the deacon's hands, and pay the debt. And every man shall put his money in a paper each Lord's day, and his name written therein, and so deliver it into the box. The second parish in Dedham was incorporated in Nov. 1730 ; including at that time the inhabitants in the west part of the town. The first minister of this society was the Rev. Thomas Balch, ordained in 1736. He died in 1774, and in 1776 was succeeded by Rev. Jabez Chickering, who continued with the people till his death, in 1812. Rev. Wm. Cogswell was ordained over this society in 1815. — The third parish was formed from the second, being composed of the inhabitants of the west part of the town, who settled Rev. Josiah Dwight as their first pastor, in 1735. His pastoral relation proved unhappy, and he was dismissed in 1742, and was succeeded, the next year, by Rev. Andrew Tyler, who continued with the people till 1772, when he was dismissed. The next minister was Rev. Thomas Thatcher, ordained in 1780, died in 1812. The fourth pastor, Rev. John White, was ordained in 1814. A fourth Congre- gational society originated from the first society in 1818, which is known by the name of the New Meeting-House society, over whom Rev. Ebenezer Burgess was ordained pastor in 1821. The Episcopal church in Dedham commenced in 1760. In the year 1768, it came under the direction of Rev. William Clark. A small church was then built by a 'few persons in Dedham and the neighboring towTis. At the commencement of the Revo- lution, Mr. Clark was prosecuted, before the revolutionary tribunal at Boston, for directing two loyalists to a place of safety who were in danger from the populace. Failing to convict him of any crime, he was about to be acquitted, when he was re- quired to swear allegiance to the commonwealth. This he refused to do, and in con- sequence was condemned to be transported to foreign parts, and was immediately confined in a prison-ship in Boston harbor. Through the influence of Dr. Ames, a decided whig, he procured his liberty and a license to go out of the coimtry. After he had obtained a small pension from the British government, he resided some time in New Brunswick ; but he afierwanls rame to Quincy, wh^re he spent the remainder of D E D H A M . 459 his days. From Mr. Clark's departure to 1791, there was occasional preacning in the society through the exertion of Bishop Parker. In 1791, the Rev. William Mon- tague came into this church, and became its rector, and continued in that office till 1818, when he was dismissed. In 1821, Rev. Isaac Boyle was instituted rector, at the unanimous request of the members. In 1811, a Baptist society, partly in Dedham and partly in Medfield, was incorpo- rated, over which Rev. William Gamel was ordained pastor. At the time of the first settlement of Dedham, the Indians were not as numerous there as in some other places, as those of that neighborhood had been, a year or two before, nearly all carried ofi' by the small-pox, and most of those remaining alive had probably joined themselves to the tribes whose habitations were at some distance to the south or west. Numbers of them, it is supposed, united with the Naticks, a company of Indians placed on Charles river, about 10 miles west of the present village of Dedham, (and then within the limits of the town,) whom the Rev. John Eliot was endeavoring to civilize and convert to Christianity. The settlers of Dedham obtained a title to the soil by fair and honorable contract. Very soon after the arrival of Gov. Winthrop and his associates, the chieftain, Chickatabot, made a conveyance to the English of the country around Boston, including the territory now occupied by Dedham, (which was called Tist by the Indians.) After the death of Chickatabot, in 1633, a committee was appointed to find out such Indians as remembered the bargain. This committee obtained a quit claim from Wampatuck, grandson of Chickatatot, in which he states that forasmuch as he is informed by several ancient Indians, .... that his grandfather did for a good and sufficient consideration convey to the English plant- ers the tract of land now called Dedham ; he, therefore, in consideration of that fact and of a reasonable sum of money, quit claims to, &;c. This deed, which is long and particular, is dated 1685. In Sept. 1673, the selectmen received orders from the general court to put the town in a posture for war. Upon this " the soldiers were frequently trained, the great gun mounted, a barrel of powder and other ammunition Avas procured, the people built a garrison, and set a watch.'' The fear excited was great, and many fled to Boston. Dedham, however, was well situated for defence. The town had been built in a compact manner, that it might be prepared for Indian hostilities. Little river and Charles river on the north would make the savages unwilling to approach in that direction. The plain all around Dedham was to a con- siderable extent cleared and level, and overlooked by a person in the belfry of the new meeting-house. To this circumstance it may be owing that none of the parties of Philip made an assault on the town. It was doubtless reconnoitred by his spies, and had it been unprepared, might have shared the fate of Medfield and other places. That bloody contest, known as "King Phihp's war," com- menced in 1675. The first actual outrage was committed in Dedham. A white man shot through the body was found in the woods. The circumstance agitated the whole colony. An Indian was arrested on suspicion, but whether or not he was executed is unknown. As it was the fortune of Dedham to be particu- larly connected with the events that immediately led to the break- ing out of the war, so it had the honor of an exploit which contributed more than any single occurrence, perhaps, next to the death of King Philip, to bring it to a close. Pomham, sachem of Shaomet, (now Warwick, R. I.,) was probably the only chieftain, except Philip, ' possessing sufiicient energy and talent to have united the scattered tribe and infused into them his own spirit and 62 460 D E D H A IM courage. He was a double traitor. He had quarrelled with Mi- antinimo, chief sachem of the Narragansetts, to whom he was tributary, and had placed himself under the colonial government for protection. When the war began, he joined Philip, and be- came, next to him, the most dreaded of the Indian warriors. He was slain by a party of Dedham and Medfield people, July 25, 1676. Fifty of his band were made prisoners, but he, refusing to be taken alive, was slain raging like a wild beast. The death of Philip, eighteen days after, soon brought this destructive war to a close. The last of the aborigines in Dedham were Alexander Quabish and Sarah his wife. Sarah died in 1774, at the house of Mr. .Toseph Wight. She was interred ni the old Indian burial-place, about half a mile from Mr. Wight's honse. at the foot of Wigwam hill — the last person there deposited. The funeral was attended by Rev. Mr. Haven. Alexander died at Natick, or Needham, in 1776. Northern view of an ancient Oak, Dedham. A large oak tree now stands in East street, in front of Mr. Avery's dwelling, which is 16 feet in circumference, near the bottom of the trunk, and is doubtless much older than the town. By it we are forcibly reminded how strong and stately stood his old companions of the forest. This tree is carefully and deservedly cherished by its owner. It is stated that $7{) was offered for it for timber, to have been used in the construction of the United States ship Constitution ; but the proposals were rejected. It is of noble growth ; and long may it stand the monarch-tree of Dedham ! The drawing for the above engraving was taken in the month of April, and of course was seen without its foliage. The present village of Dedham is well built, and, including Connecticut Corner, contains upwards of 12.5 houses. Nearly all of them are two stories in height, and mostly painted white. Dedham is the shire town of Norfolk county. The court-house is situated on a beautiful green of more than two acres, and siir- D E D H A M . 461 rounded with a railing. This edifice contains an area of 98 feet by 48, and has at each end a projection of 10 feet from the main body of the building, with a pediment resting on 4 doric pillars of granite, which are nearly 21 feet high, and 3 feet 10 inches in diameter at the base. The material of the building is hewn, white granite, from a quarry 8 miles west of it. This is probably the best imitation of the models of antiquity in the country ; in which strength, durability, and just proportions are happily uni- ted. The architect was Mr. Samuel Willard, of Boston. Near the court-house are two Congregational churches, (one of them Unitarian,) and 4 near the south-west part of the town, (2 of which are Congregational, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Baptist.) The Dedham Bank has a capital of ^150,000. Here are 12 stores, 2 hotels, a fire insurance company, and 3 newspaper presses. There are in this town 2 cotton factories, 3 paper-mills, a woollen mill, with 7 sets of machinery, which in 1837 manufactured 91,102 yards of cloth, valued at $204,000 ; males employed, 75 ; females, 75 ; and 1 establishment for making lead pipe and pumps. A num- ber of these are situated on " Mother's Brook," which is an arti- ficial canal, of 3^ miles in length, which conducts about one third of the waters of Charles river into the Neponset river. This canal, as appears by the records of the town, was excavated in 1639, (only about four years from the commencement of the set- tlement,) for the purpose of forming good mill-sites. This is, undoubtedly, the Jirsf canal eyer ma,de in the country, and is no inconsiderable proof of the energy and wisdom of the early planters. In 1837, there were manufactured 7,175 pairs of boots, and 18,722 pairs of shoes, valued at $32,483 ; the value of chairs and cabinet ware manufactured, $21,250; the value of silk goods manufactured, $10,000; value of straw bonnets, $20.000 ; value of marble paper and cards, $18,000. Population, 3,532. Dis- tance, 26 miles from Taunton, 35 from Worcester, 35 from Ply- mouth, 30 from Providence, R. I., and 10 from Boston. On the north-west corner of the court-house square, on the Boston road from Dedham, is a granite pillar, about five feet in height, which was once the pedestal to a column erected in honor of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, and surmounted with his bust. The column and bust are now gone, but on two sides of the pedestal is the following inscription : ON THE NOKTH SIDE. The pillar of Liberty erected by the sons of Liberty in this vicinity. Laus Deo. Regii et Immunitat m autoribusq. maxime Patronus Pitt qui Rempub. rursum evulsit faucibus Orci. ON THE WEST SIDE. The Pillar of Liberty to the honor of William Pitt, Esqr. and other patriots who saved America from impending slavery, and confirmed our most loyal affection to King George IIL by procuring a repeal of the Stamp Act, 18th March, 1766. Erected here July 22d, 1766, by Dr. Nathaniel Ames, 2d, Col. Ebenezer Battle, Major Abijah Draper, and other patriots friendly to the Rights of the Colooies at that day. Replaced by the Citizens July 4, 1823. 462 D E D H A M . In all the wars in which the country has been engaged, Dedham has furnished its full proportion of money and soldiers. In King Philip's war (as already mentioned) and the two French wars, the town lost a good number of men, who died of sickness in the camp or fell in battle. A number from the town engaged in the expedition against Havana, none of whom returned, and a con- siderable number served at the long and memorable siege of Louisburg, Cape Breton. At the commencement of the Revolu- tion the inhabitants were unanimously opposed to the oppressive measures of the British ministry. Town meetings were frequently held, and many patriotic resolutions are found on the records. In Jan. 1774, the town voted, " that they heard, with infinite pleasure the determination of other colonies to prevent tea from being used to enlarge the British revenue in the colonies ; and as so many political evils are brought about by the imreasonable liking to tea, and it is also so baneful to the human constitution, that if any shall continue to use it, while the act creating a duty thereon is in force, we shall consider it as a flagrant proof of their hostility to the liberties of the country and of their own stupidity." At the reception of the news of the Lexington massacre, all the militia of the town forthwith repaired to the scene of action. In the war which succeeded, the town furnished upwards of 100 men, who served either in the regular continental army, or who in the state service performed military duty in one or more distant campaigns. Of the many eminent men who have lived in Dedham, are the following : Major Ekazer Lusher, came into the town with Mr. AUin, and maintained an eminent rank among the founders of the town, directing and taking the lead in all the most impor- tant affairs of the plantation. He was a representative to the general court, and a number of years, from 1662, an assistant. The foUoAving couplet was frequently repeated by the generation which immediately succeeded him. " When Lusher was in office, all things went well, But how they go since, it shames us to tell." Capt. Daniel Fisher, one of the first settlers, was much employed in public business, in the several offices of deputy to the general court, speaker of that assembly, and assist- ant, in which office he died. He was a hater of tyranny, and was one of the four members of the general court against whom Randolph, the agent of James H. in the colony, exhibited articles of high misdemeanor to the lords in council. Capt. Daniel Fisher, 2d, inherited the spirit of his father, and was also much employed in the various affairs of the town. When Sir Edmund Andross M'as seized by the Bostonians on Fort Hill, he surrendered and went unarmed to Mr. Usher's house, where he re- mained under guard for some hours. When the news of this event reached Dedham, Capt. Fisher instantly set out for Boston, and came rushing in with the country people, who were in such a rage and heat as to make all tremble. Nothing would satisfy the country party but binding the governor with cords, and carrying him to a more safe place. Soon was Capt. Fisher seen among the crowd, leading the pale and trembling Sir Edmund by the collar of his coat back to Fort Hill. History has in- formed us of this incident in that revolution, but never told who took the lead of the country people, and who had the honor of leading the proud representative of a Stuart prince, the oppressor of the colony, through the angry crowd, and placing him in safe custody at the fort. The Hon. Fisher Awes^ LL. Z>., was a native of this town. This civilian, eminent for his talents and oratory, graduated at Harvard college, in 1774. He not long afterwards studied law in DORCHESTEK. 463 Boston. The affairs of the Revohition drew his attention to Doli- tics, and he became conspicuous by his speeches in the convention of his native state, on the adoption of the federal constitution. He was chosen a member of the first congress, after the organization of the general government in 17S9, and for eight successive years was one of the most dis'tinguished members of that body. He held the first rank among his countrymen and contemporaries, in strength and splendor of endowments, lofty eloquence, a profound acquaintance with the science of government, and an enlightened and ardent patriotism. His health then failed, and he withdrew from public life. The lustre of his character, however, continued undiminished. His retirement wrts adorned by uncommon amia- 'biUty, modesty, and simplicity of manners, and the virtues of an enhghtened and exemplary Christian. He died July 4th, 1808. His writings, prefaced by a memoir of his life, were published in one volume 8vo. 1809. — Lord's Lempriere^ s Diet DORCHESTER, This town was one of the oldest in the old Massachusetts colo- ny, it being settled and incorporated in 1630. Its original limits were very extensive, comprehending the present towns of Dorches- ter, Milton, Stoughton, Sharon, Canton and Foxborough. In the beginning of 1630, a Congregational church was gathered at Plymouth, England, of persons who intended to come to North America, in order to enjoy civil and religious privileges. After a day of fasting and prayer, they chose Rev. .John Warham, a cele- brated preacher at Exeter, and Rev. John Maverick, to accompany them as their ministers. They set sail on March 20th, and arrived in the Mary and John at Nantasket on May 30th, where Captain Squeb, the master of the vessel, put them on shore, notwithstand- ing his engagement was to bring them up Charles river. Here they were "left in a forlorn wilderness, destitute of any habi- tation, and most other necessaries of life." Several of the com- pany liaving procured a boat, they proceeded to Charlestown, where they found several wigwams, a few English people, and one house with an old planter, who could speak the Indian lan- guage. Ascending Charles river, until it became narrow and shallow, they landed their goods " at a well watered place," with much labor, " the bank being steep." This place, according to tradition, was in Watertown, near where the U. S. Arsenal now stands. At night they had notice that 300 Indians were encamped near them ; being alarmed, they sent their interpreter to inform the Indians of their pacific intentions, and to request that they would not molest them. The whole number of the English did not exceed ten. The next morning some of the natives appeared at a distance ; and one of them holding out a bass, a man was sent with a biscuit, which the Indian received in exchange for it. After 464 DORCHESTER. this introduction, the natives were very friendly, and furnished the Enghsh with fish, giving a bass for a biscuit. The company that were left at Nantasket during the absence of those who went to Watertown, finding out a neck of land joining to a place called Mattapan by the Indians, that was a fit place to turn their cattle upon, with less danger of straying, sent for their friends to return. They all accordingly repaired to this place, and commenced a set- tlement about the first of June. They named the place Dorchester, " because several of the settlers came from a town of that name in England, and also in honor of Rev. Mr. White of Dorchester." " The first inhabitants of Dorchester came chieflj^ from the counties of Devon, Dor- set, and Somersetshire. They were a very godly and religious people, and many of them persons of note and figure, being dignified with the title of Mr., which but few in those days were. Some of the principal men were Mr. Rossiter, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Glover, Mr. Johnson, Sir. Smith, Sir. Gallope, Mr. Hull, Sir. Sloughton, Sir. Cogan, Mr. Hill, Capt. Soiithcote, Capt. Lovell, Mr. Duncan, Sir. Pinney, Mr. Richards, Mr. Wey, Sir. Williams, and Sir. Tilley. Among them came also Capt. Roger Clap, a very worthy, religious gentleman, then a young man. It seems that many of these people were trading men, and at first designed Dorchester for a place of commerce. Accordingly they built a fort upon Rock-hill, wherein were several pieces of ordon- nance, near the water side ; but the channel being poor, and the landing difficult, and Boston and Charlestown harbour being far more commodious, they desisted from that design, and many of them removed afterwards to Boston and other places j so that many families about in the country had their first rise from Dorchester. " These first settlers set down pretty thick together at the northerly end of the town, next the aforesaid neck of land, and on the easterly side near the sea. " The two first years were spent in working' themselves into settlements, and incor- porating into a body to carry on the aflfairs of the plantation ; in granting parcels of land and meadows, some to each family ; their homesteads being their own option. The many great straits and difficulties with which they met, are thus pathetically described by Captain Clap : ' the hunger that many sufiered, and saw no hope in the eye of reason to be supplied, only by clams, and muscles, and fish. We did quickly build boats, and some went a fishing; but bread was with many a scarce thing, and flesh of all kind as scarce. And in those days, in our straits, though I cannot say God sent a raven to feed m as he did the prophet Elijah, yet this I can say to the praise of God's glory, that he sent not only poor ravenous Indians, which came with their baskets of corn on their backs to trade with us, which was a good supply unto many ; but also sent ships from Holland and from Ireland with provisions, and Indian corn from Virginia, to supply the wants of his dear servants in this wilderness, both for food and raiment. And, when people's wants were great, not only in one town, but divers towns, such was the godly wisdom, care and prudence (not selfishness, but self-denial) of our governour Winthrop and his assistants, that when a ship came laden with provisions, they did order that the whole cargo should be bouglit for a general stock ; and so accordingly it was, and distribution was made to every town and to every person in each town as every man had need. Thus God was pleased to care for his people in times of straits, and to fill his servants with food and gladness. Then did all the servants of God bless his holy name, and love one another with pure hearts fervently.' " Dorchester is agreeably diversified by hills and valleys, and the soil is generally rich and highly cultivated. Its fertile hills present beautiful building sites, commanding a fine prospect of the islands and waters at the head of Massachusetts Bay. The roads in this township are numerous and crooked, but mostly level and kept in good repair. Many fine country-houses and substantial farm-houses are thickly arranged on their sides. Perhaps "no section of our coimtry, of its size, is better cultivated, and no where is the union of wealth with rural felicity more complete." DORCHESTER. 465 Savi7i Hill, which is situated between two inlets from Dorchester Bay, is a place of some resort in this town ; it is four miles from Boston. Commercial Point is a place of some note, a little south of Savin Hill, as is also the peninsula of ^quantmn on the oppo- site shore. This town is separated from Milton and Quincy by Neponset river, which affords a good water-power and sites for a great variety of manufactures. The first water-mill in this coun- try was erected here in 1633. The " Dorchester and Milton Bank," in this place, has a capital of ^100,000. There are seven churches, 4 Congregational, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Bap- tist. Population, 4,564. Distance, 4 miles south of Boston, and 6 north-east of Dedham. Dorchester Heights, celebrated in the revolutionary annals, are two hills at a small distance from each other, on the eastern extremity of the peninsula of Dorchester Point, now within the limits of South Boston. Northern iiur uj tral part of Dorchtster. The above is a northern view of the central part of Dorchester as it is entered upon the Boston road. The Congregational church is seen near the central part of the engraving ; it is situated on a gentle, though rocky eminence, having an open area in front, somewhat encumbered with masses of rocks. The village in the vicinity consists of about 75 dwelling-houses. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills, 5,500 spindles; 1,100,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at ^125,000 ; sixty males and 220 females were employed. There were 10 manufactories of chairs and cabinet Avare ; value of articles manufactured, .$101,300; hands employed, 120. Two paper-mills ; value of paper manufac- tured, $15,000. Four vessels were employed in the whale fishery ; tonnage, 1,160; sperm oil imported, 56,616 gallons; whale oil, 94,653 gallons; hands employed, 114. Sixteen vessels were em- ployed in the cod and mackerel fishery; tonnage 1,050; codfish caught, 9,000 quintals; mackerel caught, 5,000 barrels; hands employed, 128 ; capital invested, $50,000. 466 DORCHESTER. Soon after the first settlement at Dorchester they were joined by other setll°rs from England. In 1633, Mr. Oldham and .some others travelled from Dorchester through the wilderness to Connecticut, to view the country and trade with the Indians. They brought back such a flattering report, that it determined many of the Dorchester people to remove thither. Accordingly, on the 20th of October, 1635, about 60 men, women, and children, with their horses, cattle, and swine, commenced their march through the wilderness, and after a journey of fourteen days arrived at Windsor, on the Connec- ticut. Mr. Warham soon followed his congregation, but Mr. Maverick died before ; preparations were made for his removal. After the departure of the first settlers, a new church was gathered in Dorchester, in August, 1636, and Rev. Mr. Richard Ma- ther was chosen teacher. The first place for public worship was erected on the plain, not far from the " Old Harbor," where the seltlers first landed. It was surrounded by palisadoes, was the place for the deposit of military stores, and for resort in case of alarm from the Indians. A sentinel was posted by the gate every night ; and the people carried their plate and most valuable articles to the church every evening for preser- vation. "In 1676, anew meeting-house was erected on the hill, where the present one stands. The work was undertaken by Mr. Isaac Royal, and performed for two hundred pounds. The elm trees [cut down in the Revolutionary war] about it were set out by Mr. Thomas Tilestone. After the building was completed, the old one was sold, by a vote of the town, to Mr. Royal, for £10 The next one was raised in 1743." — Dr. Harris' account of Dorchester, vol. ix. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. In 1695, a church was gathered in this town, and Mr. Joseph Lord was ordained its pastor, for the purpose of removing to South CaroHna, " to encourage the settlement of churches and the pro- motion of rehgion in the southern plantations." After a passage of fourteen days, they landed at Carolina, and on the 2d of Febru- ary, 1696, " was the first sacrament of the Lord's supper that was ever celebrated at Carolina." They located themselves on Ashley river, about 18 miles north-west of Charleston, and named their new settlement Do)'chcste}\ in honor of the place from whence they emigrated. This place proving unhealthy, and the quantity of the lands too small for the inhabitants, in 1752 a new settlement was projected in Georgia, and a grant of upwards of 30,000 acres was procured of the legislature. This tract is about thirty miles south-westerly from Savannah. Mr. Osgood^ the pastor at Dorchester, S. C, and his congregation, gradually collected here, and the town they formed is called Midway. The following inscriptions are from monuments in the ancient grave-yard in Dorchester. Heare lyes ovr captaine and maior of Svffolk was withall A godly magistrate was he and Major Generall Two TROVPS of HORS WITH .HIME HERE CAME SUCH WORTH HIS LOVE DID CRAVE Ten companyes also movrning marcht to his grave Let all that read be svre to keep the faith as he hath done With Christ he livs now crown'd his name was Hvmphry Atherton. He dyed the 16 of September, 1661. The following, says Mr. Davenport, in a small publication en- titled " The Sexton's Monitor," is on two children lying in one grave, covered with a flat stone, but so broken, that the upper part, which probably bore the name of the parents, was gone. Abel, his offering accepted is ; His body lo the grave, his soul lo bliss ; On October twenty and no more, In the year sixteen hundred 44. Submit submitted to her heavenly king, Beine a flower of the eternal spring; Near 3 years old she died in heaven to waJi, The year was sixteen hundred 48. DOVER 467 D. 0. M. Sacer Richaudits hie dormit Mathekus. (Sed non totus, nee mora diu. turna) Lsetatus genuisse pares. Ineertum est utrum Doctior an Melior Animum et gloria non quasunt humari. Divinely rich and learned Richard Mather, Sons like him, prophets great, rejoic'd this father. Short time his sleeping dust's here's covered down, Not so his ascended spirit or renown. V. D. M. in Angl. XVI annos. In Dor. N. A. 34 an. Ob. Apr. 22, 1669, jEtatis ^uee 73. Elder James Humphreys, who died May 12, 1686, aged 78. Inclosed within this shrine is sacred dust, And only waits for the rising of the just. Most useful while he lived ; adorned his station, Even to old age he serv'd his generation : Since his death thought of with great veneration. How great a blessing this Ruling Elder he Unto the Church and Town and Pastors three. Mather he first did by him help receive ; Flint he did next of burdens much relieve ; Renowned Danforth he did help with skill. Esteemed high by all ; — bear fruit until Yielding to death his glorious seat did fill. GuLiELMUs Stoughtonus, armiger Provincice Massachusettensis in Nova Angha Legatus, deinde Gubernator ; Nec-non Curise in eadem Provincia Superioris Justicia rius Capitalis, Hie jacet. Vir conjugii nescius, Religione sanctus, Virtute clarus, Doctrina Celebris, Ingenio acutus, Sanguine et animo pariter illustris; ^quitatis amator, Legum propugnator, Collegii Stoughtoniani fundator, Literarum et Litera torum fautor, celeberrimus, Impietatis et vitii hostis acerrimus. Hunc Rhetores amant facundum, Hunc Scriptores norunt elegantem, Hunc Philosophi qui3erunt sapi- entem, Hunc Doctores laudunt theologura, Hunc Pii venerantur austerum, Hunc omnes mirantur ! omnibus ignotum. Omnibus licet notum. Quid plura viator ? Quem perdidimus — Stoughtonum ? Heu ! Satis dixi ; urgent lachrymfE ; Sileo. Vixit annos septuaginta. Septimo die Julii Anno Salutis 1701 Cecidit. Heu! Heu! Qualis Luctus ! DOVER. Dover was originally a part of Dedham ; it was incorporated as a precinct in 1748, and as a town in 1784. The church was em- bodied in 1762, and Rev. Benjamin Caryl was its minister the same year. He continued in the pastoral office 41 years, and was succeeded by Rev. Ralph Sanger, who was settled here in 1812. The surface of this township is uneven, and a considerable portion of it is covered with wood. Pine Hill, in this town and Medfield, is 400 feet above Charles river. Population, 518. Distance, 5 miles from Dedham, and 14 from Boston. In 1837, there was a nail factory, which manufactured 300 tons, valued at $36,000 ; hands employed, 14; capital invested, $30,000. There is also a rolling mill, which manufactured 500 tons of hoops, rods, dec. ; the value of which is $55,000. 63 468 FOX BOROUGH. FOXBOROUGH. This town was originally a part of Stoughton ; it was incorpo- rated in 1778. The Rev. Thomas Kendall, the first minister, was ordained here in 1786. The church was embodied in 1779. Mr. Kendall continued its pastor till 1800. The Rev. Daniel Loring, his successor, was settled here in 1804, and resigned in 1806. Rev. Thomas Skelton, the third minister, continued here about four years ; his successor, Rev. Thomas Williams, was installed in 1816. Rev. Willard Pierce, the next minister, Avas ordained in 1824. In the center of the town there are two churches, 1 Congrega- tional and 1 Baptist, and a village of about 25 well-built dwelling- houses. Distance, 15 miles from Dedham, 15 to Taunton, 5 to Wrentham, 37 to Worcester, 20 to Providence, and 24 to Boston. Population, 1,416. The manufacture of straw bonnets is a very important branch of business in this place. In 1837, there were 133,654 straw bonnets manufactured, valued at $121,571. There were 2 cotton mills; 17 hands were employed, and $12,350 worth of goods manufactured; two woollen mills, cloth manufactured, 46,000 yards, valued at $48,000 ; one air and cupola furnace ; iron castings made, 300 tons, value, $30.000 ; hands employed, 20. The value of shovels, spades, forks or hoes manufactured, was $15,000. John Shepherd, who died in Attleborough in 1809, at the age of one hundred and nine years, was a native of this town. " He re- tained all his faculties of mind and body, except his eye-sight, to the last, and was just able to walk, with a little assistance, till a few days before his death.=* He lived over a hundred years on his native spot. He was a man of pious character ; cheerful in disposition, jocose, witty, and of a quick understanding. He was deprived of his eye-sight on a sudden, during the night, and was not himself aware of it until the next morning, Avhen he sought in vain for the light of day. He could distinctly recollect events which had occurred a century before. He had one son and seve- ral daughters. Two of his daughters lived to upwards of 80 years ; and another, Mrs. Mary Mann, of Wrentham, who died in 1828, lived to the age of 97 years. She retained all her faculties and usual cheerfulness and vivacity till the last fifteen years of her life. She abstained almost wholly from animal food, and never was in the habit of drinking tea or coffee, and wondered how peo- ple could love either. Her most common food was milk. She adhered to the same fashion in dress for 80 years." * It is of him that the well-known anecdote is told, that he lived in two counties and four different towns, and yet never moved [during that time] from the spot where he was born. FRANKLIN 469 The annexed engraving is a representa- tion of a very singular monument standing in the grave-yard in the center of this town. In order to read the inscription, it is necessary to raise the Ud or cover, which turns up hke the hd of a tea-pot, and lays on the rest by the side. The cover is of iron, and is kept to its place by hooks ; the date, 1810, is cut upon it. The following is the inscription : This monument was erected by Doct. N. Miller, to the memory of his friend, Mr. Zadock Howe, who died 1819, JEt. 77, and who fought under the great Wash- ington. To those who view, before your'e gone, Be pleas'd to put this cover on. 1810. On the inside of the cover, on a piece of sheet-iron, the following is in gilt letters : The grave is waiting for your body, And Christ is waiting for your soul, 0, rnay this be your cheerful study, To be prepared when death doth call . The lower part of this monument is of granite. This, with the apparatus at the top, was made by Mr. Howe, who kept it in his house some years before his death. FRANKLIN, Franklin was set off from Wrentham, in 1737, as a distinct parish, and incorporated as a town by the name of Franklin* in 1778. A church was organized here in 1738, and Rev. Elias Ha- ven was ordained pastor the same year. He died of the consump- tion, in 1754. About six years after the death of Mr. Haven, Rev. Caleb Barnum took the pastoral charge, in Avhich office he con- tinued about eight years, when, difficulties increasing, he resigned. When the Revolutionary war commenced, he was appointed chap- lain in the western army, and died in the camp, in 1776. Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D., succeeded Mr. Barnum, and was ordain- ed in 1773, and continued pastor for fifty-four years. He was * " The name was selected in honor of Benjamin Franklin, LL. D. While Dr. Franklin was in France, a friend of his in Boston wrote to him that a town in the vicinity of Boston had chosen his name by which to be known in the world, and he presumed, as they had no bell with which to summon the people to meeting on the Sabbath, a present of such an instrument from him would be very acceptable, espe- cially as they were about erecting a new meeting-house. The doctor wrote, in reply, that he presumed the people in Franklin were mnrc fond of s^eme, than of sound ; and accordingly presented them with a handsome donation of books for the use of the pafish." — Smalkyh Centennial Sermon. 470 FRANKLIN, Residence of Dr. Emmons, Franklin. succeeded in the ministry by Rev. E. Smalley, who was ordained here in 1829. The above is a southern view of the residence of the venerable Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. This house was built by Mr. Haven, the first minister of this town. It stands about half a mile south of the Congregational church. The first meeting-house stood about 20 rods north of the present church. At the time Dr. Em- mons was ordained, there was a forest within 20 rods of the church. His ordination took place in the open air ; he stood in a kind of valley, and the people stood on the elevated ground above him. In allusion to this circumstance, he pleasantly remarked that he was ordained under his people, not over them. Dr. Emmons was born at East Haddam, Con., in 1745, and is now in his 94th year. He is entirely of the old school in his dress, &c., even to the shoe- buckles, and three-cornered hat. One of his numerous visiters •mentions that he called on Dr. Emmons in 1838, and, instead of finding him broken down by age, found him quite cheerful and pleasant in conversation. The study of Dr. Emmons is on the lower floor in the south-Avestern corner room, which he has occu- pied for this pnrpose for more than sixty years. So clo.scly has he confined himself to this room, that it is said he is quite a stran- ger to the other parts of his house. Says Mr. Smalley in his cen- tennia' sermon, preached in 1838, "Few clergymen of any age or country have lived so long as he ; few have written so much ; and few have liv^d to such purpose In the unpretending form of sermons, he has embodied so much truth, settled so many prmciples, and cleared up so many difiiculties, that not a few have already acknowledged themselves greatly indebted to him, and are prepared to unite with others in pronouncing him a public bene- factor Probably no clergyman unconnected with a theolo- gical seminary has guided the studies of so many young men in theology as Dr. Emmons." The manufacture of straw bonnets is an important branch of M R D F I E L D . 471 business in this town. In 1837, there were 93,173 straw bonnets manufactured, the vahie of which was $160,186. There were also in the limits of the town 5 cotton mills ; cotton spindles, 1,968 ; cotton goods manufactured, 323,000 yards, valued at $31,140; males employed, 17; females, 31. Population, 1,696. Distance, 17 miles from Dedham, 18 from Providence, R. I., and 27 from Boston. The following account is abridged from a communication in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, by Dr. Mann. It rests upon the authority of tradition, but appears to be well authenticated. " A man by the name of Kocket, in searching for a stray horse, discovered a train of 42 Indians, about sunset. From their appearance he suspected they intended to at- tack the settlement at Wrentham the next morning, after the men had dispersed to their work ; he therefore followed them, secretly, till they halted for the night, when he hastily returned to the settlement and gave notice to the inhabitants. A consulta- tion was held, at which it was agreed to attack the Indians early the next morning. A company of 13, under the command of Captain Ware, was hastily collected from Wrentham and the vicinity ; who, having secured the women and children and the infirm in the garrison, set out for the Indian encampment, where they arrived just be fore day-light ; and were posted within a short distance; with orders to reserve their fire till the enemy began to decamp. " Between day-light and sunrise the Indians suddenly rose from their resting places, ■when, upon a signal given, a general discharge was made, which threw them into the utmost consternation. Some, in their confusion, while attempting to escape, leaped down a precipice of rocks from 10 to 20 feet in height ; some of the fugitives were overtaken and slain. Two of them, who were closely pursued, attempted to conceal themselves in Mill Brook, wiiere they were found and killed. It is related that one Woodcock discharged his long musket, called, in those days, a buccaneer, at a fugitive Indian, at the distance of 80 rods, and broke his thigh bone, and then killed him. " The number of Indians killed was from 20 to 24 ; and not one of the whites. The place where this bold adventure occurred is in tliat part of the ancient Wrentham which is now Franklin. The large rock where the Indians were encamped is to this day called Indian Rock. The time is not certainly ascertained ; but it was, without much doubt, in the spring or summer of 1671), when the Indian forces were dispersed in parties throughout the country." MEDFIELD This is the forty-third town in Massachusetts that secured an act of incorporation. It was originally a part of Dedham, and was incorporated as a town in 1650. A church was organized here in 1651, consisting of eight members; Rev. John Wilson, Jr. was installed pastor the same year. Mr. Wilson was born in England, and graduated in the first class in Harvard college. He united in himself the offices of a preacher, physician, and school-master, at the same time. He continued in the pastoral office more than for- ty years, and died in 1691. After a period of nearly six years, in which thirty-two candidates were employed, Joseph Baxter was settled, and sustained the pastoral office more than 48 years. Mr. Baxter commenced his ministerial labors at tlie age of eighteen, and in consequence of his youth his settlement was delayed almost three years. " He was selected for a missionary during his minis- 472 1\I E D F I E L D . try by Governor Shiite. When his excellency had a conference with the Indians at Georgetown, on Arrousic Island, in August, 1717, he presented to them Mr. Baxter, a Protestant missionary; but, through the influence of the Jesuit Ralle^ he was rejected. Mr. Baxter was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Townsend, who was set- tled in 1745, and died of the small-pox in 1776. His successor M'-as Rev. Thomas Prentiss, D. D., who was settled in 1770. Dr. Prentiss died in 1S14, deeply lamented." This toMai is pleasantly situated, has a fertile soil, and is water- ed by Charles and Stop rivers. In the village are two Congrega- tional churches (one of them Unitarian) and 1 Baptist, and about 40 dwelling-houses. Considerable quantities of boots, shoes and straw are manufactured here. The principal business, however, is agriculture. There are extensive meadows west of the village, on Charles river, which are very valuable. It is stated that the name of the town (which is spelled on the ancient records Mead- field^^ originated from the circumstance of the plantation being situated near these meadows. There is good peat in the town, and quarries of granite. Distance, 8 miles S. by W. of Dedham, and 17 S. S. W. from Boston. Population, 899. The principal articles manufactured are straw bonnets, of which, in 1837, there were 124,000, the value of which was $135,000. r,^^:^^^'^ Anciint House in Mtdjidd. The above is a west view of one of the oldest houses now standing in New England. It is about one third of a mile east- ward from the central village of Medfield, on the main road to Ded- ham. This house was standing at the time when the principal part of the town was burnt by the Indians, in 1676. It is, proba- bly, the only house of the kind now standing in this country. It is an interesting relic of antiquity, showing the manner in which most of the houses of the first settlers M-ere built. This house is 24 feet in length, 1 1| feet in breadth. 10 feet from the ground to the eaves of the roof, about 12 feet from the eaves to the top of MEDFIELU. 47:-{ the roof. There are three divisions on the ground floor, consisting of one principal room, an entry, and a pantry ; on the second floor are two chambers, above which is a narrow garret. The building standing on the side of the honse is believed to be about as ancient as the house, and was formerly used as a weaver's shop. The floor of this building is sunk about 3 feet below the surface of the ground. Among the first settlers of this town, it is stated, there were a large number of weavers. In this town slaves were formerly common and numerous. Con- cerning witches, it is stated in Dr. Saunders' Historical Sermon, that the Rev. Mr. Baxter went to reprove Goody Lincoln for the sin of practising witchcraft, and felt a strange pain in his leg on his return, whicli was attributed to her ill influence. The greater part of this town was burnt in King Philip's war. The following account of attack of the Indians is taken from Dr. Saunders' Historical Sermon, preached at Medfield, in 1817, page 17. " Having arrived in a vast body at Wachusett mountain, in Princeton, they [the Indians] divided for more extensive mischiefs into two parties. One proceeded toward Concord, Chelmsford, Woburn. and Haverhill ; the other burnt Lancaster, Marlborough, and Sudbury, and soon reached Medfield. The Sunday before the assault, they were seen on the heights of mount Nebo and Noonhill, as the people came out from public worship. There were then four fl4J garrisons in town. Nearly 300 soldiers had arrived for its defence ; but these had been billeted out upon the inhabitants in every direction. The Rev. Mr. Wilson had charged Jiis flock to be vigilant against surprise and guarded against dan- gers. Monday morning, 21st February, 1676, was the fatal period. During the night preceding, the Indians had spread themselves over every part of the town, skulking beside every fence and building. At the first dawn of day, about 50 buildings were set into a blaze at the same instant. Many of the inhabitants through great perils were able to reach the garrisons, others were shot down as they rushed out of their houses, and one was burnt in his own dwelling. At length, the savages were compelled to retire over a bridge in the south-west part of the town. Burning the bridge in order to cut off" pursuit, they retired to a savage feast on the top of the nearest hill, in view of the ruins they had occasion- ed. Philip had been seen, riding upon a black horse, leaping over fences, exulting in the havoc he was making. Though he could neither read nor write, yet he caused a paper to be left, threaten- ing to visit them every year for twenty years to come. He did not live to fulfil this promise. "The destruction commenced at the east part of the town. Most of the houses and barns were consumed between the meet- ing-house and tlie bridge leading to Medway. Nearly 50 build- ings and two mills were destroyed. The best houses and all the garrisons escaped. The damages were estimated at about 9,000 dollars. It was supposed that there were 500 Indians in this en- 474 M E D W A Y . gagement. Their dread of cannon hastened them away. Soon after, they carried destruction to Rehoboth, Pawtucket, and Provi- dence. Here, John Fussell, aged about 100, was burnt in his house. Eight inhabitants were killed, four were mortally wound- ed, besides three soldiers who fell, amounting in all to fifteen. " On the 6th of May following, the Indians met with a notorious repulse at the stone-house near Medfield, in the north-east corner of Medway. On the 2d of July, there was near this a new con- flict in the woods, and more execution was done upon the enemy. Among the captives recovered, a slave gave information of an in- tended attack upon Taunton with 200 savages, which information proved the preservation of that town by timely auxiliaries sent to their protection. July 25th, 30 of ovu' men and 90 Christian Indians from Dedham and Medfield pursued the savages and capti- vated about -50 of them, among whom was Pomham, the great sachem of the Narragansetts. Soon after, the savages retired from this part of the country, to carry new distresses into more distant reeions." MEDWAY. This town was originally a part of Medfield : it was incorpo- rated in 1713. Mr. David Doming, the first minister, was ordained in 1715, and continued nearly seven years pastor. Rev. Nathan Buckman, his successor, was settled in Dec, 1724, and continued the pastoral relation to this church more than seventy years. He died Feb. 6, 1795, in the 92d year of his age, and 71st of his minis- try. Mr. Benjamin Green was colleague with the venerable Mr. Buckman for a few years. Rev. Luther Wright succeeded Mr. Green in the pastoral office, and discharged its duties for seventeen years, and was dismissed in 1815. He was succeeded by Rev. Luther Baily. The second church in Medway was formed in 1750, and Rev. David Thurston was settled in 1752, as the first minister. In consequence of ill health and some difficulties in the church, he resigned the pastoral office in 1769. Rev. David San- ford, the second pastor, continued his active and useful labors from 1773 till 1807, when they were terminated by a severe paralysis. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Ide, who was invested v.dth the pastoral charge in 1814. The following engraving shows the appearance of Medway, or Factory Village, as it is entered from the east upon the old Med- field road. The spire seen on the right is that of the Congrega- tional church. The building on the left with a small low spire is a 4 story cotton factory, standing on Charles river. This village consists of 37 dwelling-houses, 3 stores, 3 cotton and 1 woollen factories. The boot and shoe business is carried on to considerable extent in Medway village and in West Medway. In East Med- way rs a bell-foundry, (owned by Col. Geo. H. Holbrook,) an organ manufactory, and a clock factory. This town is gradually MILTON 475 Eastern view of Factory Village, Mednay. improving in appearance, wealth, and population. There are in the limits of the town 4 churches, 3 Congregational, one of which is Unitarian, and 1 Baptist. Distance, 12 miles S. W. of Dedham, and 20 S. W. of Boston. Population, 2.050. In 1837, there were in the limits of the town 6 cotton mills ; 2,500 spindles ; 428,200 yards of cotton goods manufactured, the value of which was $42,120. Two woollen mills, 3 sets of ma- chinery; 76,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at ^62,000. There were 38,494 pairs of hoots and 100,650 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $149,774; males employed, 198; females, 98 ; there were 32,200 straw bonnets manufactured, val- ued at $40,400 ; there was also a manufactory for cotton batting, and another for cotton wadding. MILTON. The Indian name of this place is said to have been TJncalaquis- sett. In 1662, the town of Dorchester voted that Unquety, since called Milton, should be a township, if it had the consent of the general court. It had the consent of the court, and it was incor- porated the same year. In the south-west part of this town there is a range of the Blue Hills, 710 feet above high-water mark, and is a noted landmark for sailors. It presents in full view Boston and its environs, Mas- sachusetts Bay, the peninsula of Cape Cod, and Wachusett Moun- tain in the interior. Milton is adorned with some pleasant country seats, and contains at the two falls, and at the bridge where the Neponset meets the tide, manufactories of cotton, paper, &c. For- ty or fifty vessels annually visit the wharves with wood, coal, lumber, grain, (fcc. The first paper-mill ever established in Mas- sachusetts was in this town. There are 3 churches, 2 Congrega- 64 476 MILTON CentruL j)art of Dvrrhister and Milton Village. tional and 1 Uiiiversalist. Population. 1.772. Distance. 7 miles S. of Boston, G C ot' Dedhani. The above is a southern view of the central part of Dorchester and Miltou village, lying on both sides of Neponset river, which is the dividing line between the towns. The view is taken from the Milton side when descending the hill on the road to the bridge, connecting the north and south parts of the village, which consists of nearly 100 dwelling-houses, 3 churches, 2 Congregational, one of which is Unitarian, and 1 Methodist ; two cotton factories, 2 pa- per-mills, two chocolate mills, and a bank, the " Dorchester and Milton Bank;" this institution is located on the Dorchester side. " The Governor Hutchinson House" is on the summit of the hill on the Milton side, which rises immediately from the southern bank of the Neponset. The central part of the village is between six and seven miles from Boston. Milton was the summer residence of Gov. Hutchinson, the au- thor of the History of Massachusetts Bay, and the last royal gover- nor but one. He was supposed by many to have forwarded the stamp act by letters written on the occasion. After the arrival of the stamps, a mob assaulted his house in Boston, in 1765, and having forced him to retire, out of regard to his personal safety, either destroyed or carried oft' his plate, his family pictures, most 0^ the furniture, the wearing apparel, about nine hundred pounds sterling in money, and the manuscripts and books which he had been thirty years collecting. In 1772, a number of his letters were found written to the British cabinet, stimulating them to enforce their plans against the liberties of the Americans. The general court, upon knowledge of this, voted to impeach him, and requested his majesty would remove him from office. Hutchinson, when informed of this, dissolved the assembly. He became at length so obnoxious to the province, that he was superseded by N E E D H A M . 477 Governor Gage, in 1774. He died in England, in 1780, aged 69 years. The following article is taken from the Boston Evening Tran- script, Jan. 2.")th, 1839. " The first paper-mill built in New England. — An act to encourage the mamxfacture of paper in Ne^v England was passed by the general court of Massachusetts on the 13th Sept., 17L?8, and a patent was granted to Daniel Henchman, Gillam Phillips, Benjamin Faneuil, Thomas Hancock, and Henry Bering, for the sole manufacture of paper for ten years, on the tbllowing conditions : In the first fifteen months to make one hundred and forty reams of brown paper, and sixty reams of printing paper. The second year to make fifty reams of writing paper, in addition to the first-mentioned quantity. The third year and afterwards yearly, to make twenty-five reams of a superior quality of writing paper, in addition to the former mentioned, that the total annual produce of the various qualities not to be less than five hundred reams a year. The afore-mentioned proprietors erected a small paper-mill in Milton, on a site adjoin- ing Neponset river, near the lower bridge. What number of years the original proprie- tors carried it on, is not now known ; their master-workman's name was Henry Wood- man, an Englishman ; he married in Milton, and left children, two daughters, Abigail and Rebekah. The paper-mill, having been stopped for some time, was eventually sold to Mr. Jeremiah Smith, who, for want of workmen, was prevented making any use of it. In 1760, the business was again revived by James Boies, of Boston, who procured a paper-maker from a British regiment, then stationed in Boston, by the name of Hazel- ton, who obtained a furlough long enough to set the mill to work, there being an American paper-maker, Abijah Smith, then living in Milton, a decent workman, who assisted him, and who continued at the business until an advanced age. On the regi- ment to which Hazelton belonged being ordered to Quebec, the commander-in-chief would not permit him to remain behind, and he went with the army to Canada, and received a wound on the plains of Abraham, when Wolfe fell, and died a few weeks after. After a short time. Richard Clarke, an Englishman, arrived from New York, and again set the mill at work. He was an excellent workman, and made his own moulds. After a few years he was joined by his son, a young man of 19 or 20 years, who was also considered a first-rate workman. Such is the origin of the first paper- mill built in New England, and probably the first erected this side of Philadelphia, if not the first in America : and such was the commencement of that now invaluable and extensive branch of New England productive industry, on which so many thou- sands depend for support." N E E D H A M This town, originally a part of Dedham, was incorporated in 1711. It is something of the nature of a peninsula, being sur- rounded by more than two-thirds of its limits by Charles river. There are large bodies of meadow on the banks of this river ; Broad meadow, lying partly in this town and the towns of Dedham and Newton, is said to be one of the largest in the state. The town is uncommonly well watered, and is diversified with hills and plains. In the course of the river which separates this town from Newton, there are two falls, called the upper and lower falls, which afford valuable water privileges. At the upper falls is the largest cataract in the whole of Charles river, from its source to its mouth. The water here falls twenty feet upon a bed of rocks. The principal settlements in the town are in the vicinity of the upper and lower falls. There is a manufacturing village at both of these falls, lying partly in this town and partly in Newton. In 1837, there were in the limits of this town 6 paper-mills ; 610 tons 478 Q u I N c y . of stock were manufactured, valued at $61,000; one cotton mill, 1,700 spindles: cotton goods manufactured, 190,000 yards, valued at $19,000 ; three hat manufactories, which manufactured 15,004 hats, valued at $18,729; one window-blind hinge manufactory, which manufactured 50,000 pairs of hinges, valued at $12.500 ; there were 22,673 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $14,964 18; males employed, 26; females. 41. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, 2 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. Popula- tion, 1,492. Distance, 4 miles north-west of Dedham, and 12 westerly from Boston. The first church was organized, and Mr. Jonathan Townsend was ordained the first minister, in 1720. He continued in the mmistry upwards of forty-two years, and was succeeded by Samuel West, D. D., who was settled here in 1764. Dr. West vesigned his charge in 1788, and was succeeded by Mr. Stephen Palmer, who was settled in 1792. During the ministry of Dr. West, conflicting interests respecting the location of the meeting- house occasioned a division of the town into two societies. The West parish was incorporated by the general court in 1778. They erected a meeting-house, but did not have constant preach- ing for several years. A church was organized in 1798, and the next year Rev. Thomas Noyes was ordained their first minister. QUINCY. This town was originally the first parish in Braintree. It was first settled in 1625, by a Capt. Wollaston, and from him was named Mount Wollaston. It appears that he became discouraged, and the next year went to Virginia, appointing Lieutenant Filcher his agent. One Thomas Morton, who had been a kind of petti- fogger at Furnival's inn, being one of the company, excited a sedition against Filcher, and compelled him to leave the plantation. Morton then assumed the control, and having received some goods from England, began to trade with the natives. The trade being profitable, the company devoted their gains to rioting and drunk- enness, and changed the name of their residence to Merry Moutit^ where, as it is related in the New England Memorial, " setting up a May-pole, drinking and dancing about it, and frisking about it like so many fairies, or furies rather, yea, and worse practices, as if they had anew revived and celebrated the feast of the Roman goddess Flora, or the beastly practices of the mad Bac- chanalians." They soon after began to sell arms to the savages. This alarmed the other plantations. The magistrates of Plymouth colony wiote to him civilly and repeatedly, requesting him to desist from this commerce; but Morton treated the proposition with contempt; upon which, Capt. Standish, with a small force, came to Mount Wollaston, took Morton, dispersed the rioters, and loft a few of the more sober and industrious planters. Morton was carried to Plymouth, and sent back to England. Q XT I N C Y . 479 Ciuincy was incorporated as a town in 1792. It received its name from the family of Mr. Edmund Qnincy, who was one of the early inhabitants of Boston, and one of the earhest and prin- cipal proprietors of Mount WoUaston. The south-western part of this town forms, with httle exception, a complete body of granite rock, rising to the height of 600 feet above the level of the sea. Here are inexhaustible quarries of stone, which furnish a beautiful material for building. A railroad, nearly three miles in length, has been constructed, at an expense of upv/ards of $30,000, to convey the stone from the quarries to Neponset river. The rails are of wood, six feet apart, firmly laid upon blocks of stone, and covered with iron plate, upon which the wheels of the wagon move so easily that one horse has drawn twenty tons, besides the wagon, which weighs six tons. This railway was built in 1826, and was the first constructed in America. Some vessels are owned here ; large quantities of boots and shoes, and some salt, are manufactured here. The pleasantness of the town, its nearness to Boston, and good schools, induce many families to make it their residence. There are 4 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Uni- versalist. Population, 3,049. Distance, 10 miles from Dedham, 6 from Hingham, and 8 from Boston. In 1837 there was quarried in tnis town 64,590 tons of granite, valued at $248,737 ; hands employed, 533, The value of coach, chaise, harness and wheel- wright business was $32,650 ; hands employed, 36. The value of coach lace manufactured was $12,000; males employed, 7; females, 16. Boots m.anufactured, 27,437 pairs ; shoes, 18,602 pairs, valued at $111,881 ; males employed, 163; females, 58. Vessels built in the five preceding years, 13 ; tonnage, 2,594 ; valued at $122,650 ; hands employed in ship-building, 50. Ten vessels were employed in the cod and mackerel fishery ; 6,200 quintals of codfish were caught, valued at $18,800 ; mackerel caught, 1.750 barrels, valued at $12,242; hands employed, 100. Quincy is distinguished as the birthplace of two presidents of the United States.* The following cut (a reduced copy from one in the American Magazine) is a representation of the two Adams houses, near the foot of Penn's Hill, in Quincy. The house on the right, with a lightning-rod attached to it, is the house where John Adams, the elder president, was born, the other in which his son John Q. Adams was born, in July, 1767. In the garret was packed his valuable library while he was minister at Russia. It * It appears from an epitaph on a monument raised by the elder President Adams, that Henry Adams was the progenitor of the Adams family in this country; in the epitaph it is said, " He took his flight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted, with eight sons, near Mount Wollaston. One of the sons returned to England, and, after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns, two to Chelmsford, one only, Joseph, remained here, and was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree." Joseph Adams had a son Joseph Adams, who was the father of John Adams, who was the father of John Adams the president. They were distingtiished, as we learn from the epitaph referred to above, " for their piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temper- ance, frugality, industry, and perseverance." 480 Q U I N C Y . Adams Houses in Quincy. was vinder the care of the Rev. Mr. Whitney, pastor of the first Congregational society, who occupied the house from 1800 to 1804. Back of the houses represented in the engraving is a meadow of some extent ; connected with this, there is the following anecdote, often related by the elder Adams, respecting himself: " When I was a boy, I had to study the Latin grammar, but it was dull, and I hated it. My father was anxious to send me to college, and therefore I studied grammar till I could bear it no longer, and, going to my father, I told him I did not like study, and asked for some other employment. It was opposing his wishes, and he was quick in his answer. ' Well, John,' said he, ' if Latin grammar does not suit, you may try ditching ; per- haps that will. My meadoVvT yonder needs a ditch, and you may put by Latin, and try that.' This seemed a deliglitful change, and to the meadow I went. But 1 soon found ditching harder than Latin, and the first forenoon was the longest I ever experi- enced. That day 1 eat the bread of labor, and glad was I when night came on. That night I made some comparison between Latin grammar and ditching, but said not a word about it. I dug the next forenoon, and wanted to return to Latin at dinner ; but it was humiliating, and I could not do it. At night, toil conquered pride, and 1 told my father — one of the severest trials of my life — that if he chose I would go back to Latin grammar. He was glad of it ; and if I have since gained any distinction, it has been owing to the two days' labor in that abominable ditch." The following inscriptions are from monuments in this place : Braintrey ! thy Prophet's gone, this Tomb inters The Reverend Moses Fisk, this sacred herse Adore Heaven's praiseful art that forni'd the man "Who souls not to himself but Christ oft wan, Sail'd thro' the straits with Peter's family, Renown'd and Gaius's hospitality, Paule's patience, James his prudence, John's sweet love, Is landed, enter'd, clear'd and crown'd above. Obut August the x, mdccjciii, ^tatis suae lxvi. RANDOLPH 481 Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. Henry Flynt, who came to New England in the year 16.35, was ordained the Arst Teacher of the Church of Braintry 1639, and died 27th April, 1663. He had the character of a gentleman remarkable for his piety, learning, wisdom, and fidelity in his office. By him, on his right hand, lies the body of Margery, his beloved consort, who died March 1686-7. Her maiden name was Hoar. She was a gentlewoman of piety, prudence, and peculiarly accomplished for instructing young gentlewomen, many being sent to her from other towns, especially from Boston. Descendants of goodly famihes in Old England. The following is the inscription on Leonard Hoar, some time president of Harvard college, who died Nov. 28, 1675, aged 45 : Three precious friends under this tombstone lie, Patterns to aged, youth, and infancy, A great mother, her learned son, with's child, The first and least went free, He was exiled. In love to Christ, this country, and dear friends. He left his own, crossed seas, and for amends Was here extolled, envied, all in a breath, His noble consort leaves, is drawn to death. Strange changes may befall us etc- we die, Blest they who well arrive at eternity. God grant some names, O thou New England's friend, Don't sooner fade than thine, if times don't mend. Sacred to the memory of Josiah Quincy, jun., of Boston, Barrister of Law, young- est soil of Josiah Quincy, Esq. late of this place. Brilliant talents, uncommon elo- quence, and indefatigable application raised him to the highest eminence in his profession. His early, enlightened, inflexible attachment to the cause of his country is attested by monuments more durable than this, and transmitted to posterity by well- known productions of his genius. He was born the 23d of February, 1744, and died the 26th of April, 1775. His mortal remains are here deposited, with those of Abigail, his wife, daughter of William Phillips, Esq., born the 14th of April, 1745, died the 25th March, 1793. Stranger, in contemplating this monument as the frail tribute of filial gratitude and afiection, Glows thy bold breast with patriotic flame ? Let his example point the paths of fame ! Or seeks thy heart, averse from public strife. The milder graces of domestic life? Her kindred virtues let thy soul revere. And o'er the best of mothers drop a tear ! RANDOLPH. Randolph Avas originally a part of Braintree ; it was incorpo- rated as a town in 1793. A church was formed in 1731, and Rev. Elisha Eaton was ordained the first pastor, the same year. He continued about nineteen years in the ministry, Avhen he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Moses Taft, who continued in the pastoral office nearly forty years. Rev. .Tonathan Strong, D. D., was ordained colleague pastor with Mr. Taft, in 1789. Dr. Strong died in 1814, and was succeeded by Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy, Mr. Pomeroy was dismissed in 1820, and was succeeded by Rev. Calvin Hitchkock. " During Mr. Pomeroy's ministry, the east part of the town of Randolph became a separate society. They erected a meeting-house, organized a church; and on the 29th of December, 1821, Mr. Brigham, the first and present pastor, was ordained." In the following cut, the church seen on the left is the first Congregational church. The first meeting-house ever erected in this town stood on this spot. The present building is the third 482 ROXB UR Y. Suiith-easttra vierv of the central part of Randulph. which has been buih. The first settlement in this town was made in the vicinity of this church. The principal part of the central village is situated on a street running about a mile north- westerly of this church, at the northern extremity of which is the Baptist church, which is just discernible in the distance, in the engraving. The village consists of about 100 dwelling-houses, with the usual number of stores and mechanic shops. This place is 14 miles from Boston, 11 from Dedham, and 8 from Weymouth landing. East Randolph, a flourishing village, is about 2 miles eastward ; is about two thirds the size of the central village, and contains two churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist. There is also another Baptist church in the south part of this town, near the Stoughton line. The Randolph Bank is located in this town. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 200,175 pairs of boots, 470,620 pairs of shoes ; the value of boots and shoes, $944,715 ; males employed, 804: females, 671. Population, 3,041, Distance, 12 miles from Dedham, 7 from Braintree landing, and 14 from Boston. ROXBURY. This town and Boston were incorporated the same year, 1630; it being also the same year in which this place was selected for a settlement by Mr. Pynchon and some others. A great part of this town is rocky land ; hence the name of Rocks' bury ; the soil is, however, strong, and in a very high state of cultivation, abounding in country seats and pleasure-grounds. The town is joined to Boston by a neck of land, over which are Ijroad and pleasant avenues. That portion of the town next to Boston is thickly set- tled, and forms a handsome village, and the principal street may be considered as a continuation of Washington street, Boston. In the western part of the town is an extensive level, called Jamaica Plains ; this is a pleasant spot, ornamented with elegant country R X B U R Y 483 seats and well-cultivated gardens. The pond in tins plain is the source from whence the Boston Aqueduct is supplied. It is about four miles from Boston, and there are four main logs from the pond, to and through the principal streets; these logs and the branches connected with them amount to about forty miles in length. There are generally about eight hundred families sup- plied with water from the aqueduct. North-western view in the central part of the Village of Eoxbury. The above is a view on the elevated ground in the central part of Roxbury. The first Congregational church (Unitarian) appears on the left. The Norfolk House, a splendid establishment, is par- tially seen on the right. The omnibuses which pass between this place and Boston start from this house. At this time they are 12 in number, with four horses each; one of which starts from Rox- bury and Boston every 15 minutes. The distance between the Norfolk House and the state-house is three miles. The fare from Boston to Roxbury is twelve and a half cents ; by purchasing a number of tickets at one time, the price of a passage is reduced. As there are many persons who do business in Boston but reside in Roxbury, this method of conveyance is a great accommodation. There are 5 churches in this village, 2 Congregational, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Universalist. There are 2 banks, the " Peoples" and " Winthrop," each with a capital of $100,000. Owing to the uneven surface on which this large village is built, there is quite a variety of scenery in the place. The numerous genteel residences and cottages, which are mostly built of wood and painted white, contrast strongly with the evergreens and shrubbery by which most of them are surrounded ; and, during the summer months, the appearance of this place is highly beautiful. In 1837, there was 1 nail factory, which manufactured 1,000 tons of nails, valued at $120,000 : hands employed, 75. There are 10 churches in the 65 B Xfi D B Y . limits of the town, 6 Congregational, 2 Universalist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Episcopal. Population, 7.493. In Roxbury village there is an establishment for the manufacture of carpets, and another for tho manufacture of India rubber cloths, &c., an article which it is be- lieved is destined to be one of very great importance. The Rev. John Eliot, the celebrated missionary to the Indians, was nearly sixty years pastor to the church in this place. He is usually called " the Apostle of Indians." He was born in England, in 1604. The following biographical sketch is extracted from Al- len's Biographical Dictionary. " His pious parents early imparted to him religious instruction, and it was not without effect. After receiving his education at the university of Cambridge, he was for some time the instructer of youth. In 1631 he came to this country, and arriving at Boston harbor November third, immediately joined the church in that town, and preached to them, as Mr. Wilson, their minister, was then in England. Here he was earnestly requested to remain, but he was settled as teacher of the church in Roxbury Novem- ber 5, 1632. In the following year Mr. Welde was ordained as his colleague, with the title of pastor. These two ministers lived together in much harmony. In 1637 they both opposed the M'ild notions of Mrs. Hutchinson, and were both witnesses against her at her trial. In 1639 they were appointed, with 3Ir. Richard Mather of Dorchester, to make a new version of the Psalms, which was printed in the following year. For tuneful poetry it would not perhaps yield the palm even to that of Sternhold and Hop- kins ; but it did not give perfect satisfaction. The reverend Mr. Shepard of Cambridge thus addressed the translators : ' Ye Eoxbury poets, keep clear of the crime Of missing to give us very good rhyme ; And you of Dorchester, your verses lengthen, But with the text's own words you will them strengthen.' The New England psalms were afterwards revised and improved by President Dunster, and they have passed through twenty editions. In 1011 Mr. Welde returned to Eng- land. Mr. Eliot's other colleagues in the ministry were the reverend Mr. Danforth and Mr. Walter. " His benevolent labors were not confined to his own people. Having imbibed the true spirit of the gospel, his heart was touched with the wretched condition of the Indians, and he became eagerly desirous of making them acquainted with the glad tidings of salvation. There were, at the time when he began his missionary exertions, near twenty tribes of Indians within the limits of the English planters ; but they were very similar in manners, language, and religion. Having learned the barbarous dialect, he first preached to an assembly of Indians at Nonantum, in the present town of Newton, October 28, 1646. " He was violently opposed by the sachems and pawaws, or priests, who were appre- hensire of losing their authority, if a new religion was introduced. When he was alone with them in the wilderness, they threatened him with every evil if he did not de- sist from his labors ; but he was a man not to be shaken in his purpose by the fear of danger. He said to them, ' I am about the work of the great God, and my God is with me ; so that I neither fear you, nor all the sachems in the country ; I will go on, and do you touch me if you dare.' With a body capable of enduring fatigue, and a mind firm as the mountain oaks which surrounded his path, he went from place to place, relying for protection upon the great Head of the church, and declaring the salvation of the gospel to the children of darkness. His benevolent zeal prompted him to encounter with cheerfulness the most terrifying dangers, and to submit to the most incredible hardships. He says in a letter, ' I have not been dry, night or day, from the third day of the week unto the sixth ; but so travelled, and at night pull oflf my boots, wring ray stockings, and on with them again, and so continue. But God steps in and helps. I have considered the word of God, 1 Tim. ii. 3, Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.' He made a missionary tour every fortnight, planted a number of churches, and visited all the Indians in Massachusetts and Fly- mouth colonies, pursuing his way as far as Cape Cod. « He made every exertion to promote the welfare of the Indian tribes ; he stimu- lated many servants of Jesus to engage in the missionary work j and although he ROXBURY.- 485 mourned over the stupidity of many, who preferred darkness to light, yet he lived to see twenty-four of the copper-colored aborigines fellow-preachers of the precious gbspel of Christ. In 16(U he published the New Testament in the Indian language, and in a few years the whole Bible, and several other hooks, best adapted for the instruction oi the natives. He possessed an influence over the Indians, which no other missionary could obtain. He was their shield in- 1:675, during Philip's war,when some of the people of Massachusetts, actuated by the most infuriate spirit, intended to-harre de- .stroyed them. He suffered every abuse for his friendship to them, but nothing could quench the divine charity which glowed in his heart. His firmness, his zeal, his benevolence at this perit)d increased the pure lustre of his character. AVhen he reached the age of fourscore years, he offered to give up his salary, and desired to be liberated from the labors of his office, as teacher of the church at Roxbury. It was with joy that he received I\Ir. Walter as his colleague, in 1688. "When he was bend- ing under his infirmities and could no longer visit the Indians, he persuaded a number ol' lamiUes to send their negro .servants to him once a week, that he might instruct them in the truths of God. He died May 20, 1690, aged about eighty-six years, say- ing that all his labors were poor and small, and exhorting those who surrounded his bed to pray. His last words were, " welcome joy." Facsimile of the handwriting of the Rev. John Elint. copied from an original letter in th« possession o/ t/ie Massachusetts Ilistoricdi Society. Joseph Warren, a major-general in the American army, and a martyr to the cause of American freedom, was born in this town, iu 1740, and graduated at Harvard college, in 1759. " Directing his attention to medical studies, he in a few years became one of the most eminent physicians in Boston. But he lived at a period when greater objects claimed his attention than those which related particularly to his profession. His country needed his efforts, and his zeal and courage would not permit him to shrink from any labors or dangers. His eloquence and his talents as a writer were displayed on many occasions, from the year in which the stamp act was passed to the commencement of the war. He was a bold politician. While many were waverng with regard to the measures which should be adopted, he contended, that every kind of taxation, whether external or internal, was tyranny, and ought immediately to be resisted ; and he believed that America was able to withstand any force that could be sent against her. From the year 1768 he was a principal member of a secret meeting or caucus ia Boston, wliich had great influence on the concerns of the county. With all his bold- ness, and decision, and zeal, he was circum.spect and wise. In this assembly the plans of defence were matured. After the destruction of the tea, it was no longer kept secret. He was twice chosen the public orator of the town on the anniversary of the massacre, and his orations breathe the energy of a great and daring mind. It was he who, on the evening before the battle of Lexington, obtained information of the intend- ed expedition against Concord, and at ten o'clock at niglit despatched an express to Messrs. Hancock and Adams, who were at Lexington, to warn them of their danger. He himself on the next day, the memorable nineteenth of April, was very active. It is said in General Heath's Memoirs that a ball took off part of his ear-lock. In the confused state of the army, which soon assembled at Cambridge, he had vast influence in preserving order among the troops. After the departure of Hancock to congress, he was chosen president of the provincial congress in his place. Four days previously to the battle of Bunker's or Breed's hill he received his commission of major general. When the intrenchments were made upon the fatal spot, to encourage the men within the lines he went down from Cambridge and joined them as a volunteer on the event- ful day of the battle, June the seventeenth. Just as the retreat commenced, a ball struck him on the head, and he died in 'he trenches, aged thirty-five years. He was the first victim of rank that fell in the struggle with Great Britain. In the spring of 1776 his bones were taken up and entombed in Boston, on which occasion, as he had 486 ' SHARON. been grand master of the free-masons in America, a brother mason and an eloquent orator pronounced a funeral eulogy. With zeal in the cause of liberty, which blazed, Dr. Warren was yet judicious in counsel, and candid and generous towards those ■who had different sentiments respecting ihe controversy. His mind was vigorous, his disposition humane, and his manners affable and engaging. In his integrity and patriotism entire confidence was placed. To the most undaunted bravery he added the virtues of domestic life, the eloquence of an accomplished orator, and the wisdom of an able statesman. He published an oration in 1772, and another in 1775, com- memorative of the fifth of March, 1770." William, Heath, a major-general in the Revolutionary war, was born in this town, in 1737. He was brought up a farmer, and from his youth was remarkably fond of military exercises, and read whatever he could find on the subject. The following is from Alden's Collection. " At the commencement of that contest which issued in the independence of the American states, the subject of this article was a colonel of the militia, and one of the committee of safety appointed by the provincial congress of Massachusetts. Soon after the war was begun, he received the commission of a brigadier-general in the army of the United States, and, the year following, he was promoted to the rank of a major-general. He continued in the public service of his country till the establish- ment of peace, and was appointed to various important stations and extensive com- mands. " On the restoration of peace, he returned to his family, and employed himself in agricultural pursuits, and the various duties of private life and of such public offices as his fellow-citizens called him to fill. He was a member of the state convention which ratified the federal constitution, and gave his vote for its adoption. He was repeatedly elected to a seat in the senate and in the council of Massachusetts. In the year 1806, he was chosen, by the suffrages of the people, lieutenant governor of the commonwealth, but, being far advanced in age, did not accept the proffered honor. As judge of probate, he served his county, very acceptably, for many years, and till the close of life. " In a domestic sphere, he was distinguished by his mild and amiable disposition and manners. Few men appeared more free from the influence of party spirit and ran* cor, or expressed their sentiments on public men and measures with more prudence, than General Heath. From his youth, he was a believer and public professor of the Christian religion, and adorned his profession by his exemplary life and conversation. After a few days of confinement with sickness, he died, on the 24th of January, 1814, meeting his dissolution with Christian fortitude, resignation, and hope." SHARON. This town, originally a part of Stoughton, was incorporated in 1765. This place was called Mashapoag by the Indians, and a principal branch of Neponset river rises in Mashapoag pond in this town. The church formerly denominated the second precinct in Stoughton was organized in 1741. Rev. Philip Curtis, their first minister, was ordained in 1743, and continued in the ministry more than fifty-four years. His successor was Rev. Jonathan Whitaker, who continued here nearly 17 years, and was dismissed in 1816. Rev. Samuel Brimblecom was the next minister; he continued about three years, and was afterwards installed at West- brook, Maine, a Universalist minister. The following is a N. Eastern view of the central part of Sharon, showing one of the churches, the spire of another, (now erecting) and some of the buildings in the vicinity. The main road appears STOUGHTON. 487 North-eastcni vitw in the central part of Sharo7i. on the right, at the southern extremity of which is seen in the dis- tance one of the Blue Hills^ which are the highest elevations in the hmits of Norfolk county. The Boston and Providence railroad passes within about half a mile from the central part of the village. There are 3 churches. 2 Congregational and 1 Baptist. Popula- tion, 1,093. Distance, 8 miles from Dedham, 17 from Taunton, 24 from Providence, R. I., and 18 from Boston. The Sharon Cot- ton Factory Company was incorporated in 1811, with a capital of $100,000. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, spindles, 948; cot- ton goods manufactured, 179,077 yards, valued at $522,760 22 ; one woollen mill, which manufactured 25,000 yards of cloth, val- ued at $12,500 ; there were 2,804 straw bonnets manufactured, valued at $4,451 50. STOUGHTON. Stoughton was originally a part of Dorchester, and embraced within its limits the present towns of Canton, Sharon, and Foxbo- rough. It was incorporated in 1726. A church was organized in 1744, and Rev. Jedediah Adams received the pastoral charge in 1746, and continued in the ministry fifty-three years. Dr. Rich- mond was ordained colleague pastor in 1792, and continued twen- ty-four years. He resigned in 1817, and was succeeded by Mr. Gay, who continued pastor about three years and a half, and resigned in 1822. Dr. Park, formerly a professor in Brown Uni- versity, was installed over the church and the society who usually worship with them. Mr. Stearns was ordained over the first parish, and continued upwards of three years, when he was dismissed. Rev. Mr. Ballon, an Universalist minister, is the stated preacher in the first parish. The following is a S. Western view of the central part of Stough- STOUQHTON, South-TV est cm viav of Stoughton, (^central part.) ton, showing two of the churches and some other hnildings in tlic vicinity. There are 4 churches, 1 Universahst. 1 Congregational, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,993. Distance, 10 miles from Dedham, and 17 from Boston. "A large quantity of gunpowder was made here during the Revolutionary war, from salt-petre, the produce of the towns in its vicinity." The Stough- ton woollen and cotton factory was incorporated in 1815, with a capital of $^75,000. In 1837, there was one woollen mill, 2 sets of machinery ; 32,000 yards of satinet were manufactured, valued at ^35,000 ; two cotton mills for the manufacture of thread and twine. There were 174,900 pairs of hoots, and 53,2.50 of shoes, valued at $487,390 ; males employed, 495 ; females, 386. There was formerly a village of praying Indians in the limits of this town. The following is Gookin's account of the place. " The next town is Pakemitt or Punkapoag. The signification of the name is taken from a spring, that ariseth out of red earth. This town is situated south of Boston, about fourteen miles. There is a great mountain called the Blue Hill lieth north-east from it two miles ; and the town of Dedham about three miles north-west from it. This is a small town, and hath not above twelve families in it, and so about sixty souls. This is the second praying town. The Indians that settled here removed from Neponset Mill. The quantity of land belonging to this village is about six thousand acres; and some of it is fertile, but not generally so good as in other towns. Here they worship God and keep the Sabbath, in the same manner as is done at Natick, before declared. They have a ruler, a constable, and a school-master. Their ruler's name is Ahawton ; an old and faithful friend to the English. Their teacher is Wil- liam Ahawton, his son ; an ingenious person and pious man, and of good parts. Here was a very able teacher that died about three years since. His name was "William Awinian. He was a very knowing person, and of great ability, and of genteel deportment, and spoke very good English. His death was a very great rebuke to this place. This town hath wuhin this ten years lost by death several honest and able men ; and some have turned apostates, and removed from them; which dispen- sations of God have greatly damped the flourishing condition of this place. Here it was that Mr. John Eliot jun., before mentioned, preached a lecture once a fortnight, for sundry years, until his decease. In this village, besides their planting and keeping cattle and swine, and fishing in good ponds and upon Neponset river, which lieth near them ; they are also advantaged by a large cedar swamp ; wherein such as are labo- rious and diligent do get many a pound, by cutting and preparing cedar shinglss and cupboards, which sell well at Boston and other English towns adjacent." WBYMOUTH. 489 WALPOLE. This town was set off from Dedham in 1724, and incorporated the same year. The Rev. Phihps Payson was settled here in 1730, and continued in the ministry more than forty-seven years. He educated four sons, all of whom settled in the ministry. Mr. Payson died in 1778, and was succeeded in 1783 by Rev. George Morey. Rev. John P. B. Storer was settled colleague pastor with Mr. Morey in 1826. The second church was formed about the time of the settlement of Mr. Storer, and Rev. Asahel Bigelow was ordained pastor in 1828. Three considerable branches of Neponset river from Sharon, Foxborough, and Medfield unite in this town. There are 3 churches, 2 Congregational and 1 Methodist. Population, 1,592. Distance, 10 miles from Dedham, 21 from Providence, and 20 from Boston. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills; spindles, 1,924, cotton consumed, 85,200 lbs.; cotton goods manufactured, 278,000 yards, valued at ^46,500 ; males employed, 20 ; females, 39. Two woollen mills; 4 sets of machinery; wool consumed, 80,000 lbs.; cloth manufactured, 95,000 yards; value, $103,250; males em- ployed, 28 ; females, 25. Two paper-mills ; stock manufactured, 155 tons ; value of paper, $12,000. Two air and cupola furnaces; iron castings made, 413 tons, valued at $41,300; hands employed, 26; capital invested, $12,000. The value of hoes manufactured, $5,000; hands employed, 7; capital invested, $10,000; straw bonnets manufactured, 9,669 ; value, $19,338 ; value of twine manufactured, $6,666. AVEYMOUTH This place, the Wessagtisset of the Indians, is the oldest settle- ment in Massachusetts, except Plymouth. " In 1622, Thomas Weston, a merchant of good reputation in London, having pro- cured for himself a patent for a tract of land in Massachusetts Bay, sent two ships, with 50 or 60 men, at his own charge, to settle a plantation. Many of the adventurers being sick on their arrival at Plymouth, most of the company remained there during the greater part of the summer, and were treated with hospitality and kindness by the inhabitants. Some of their number, in the mean time, finding a place in the Bay of Massachusetts, named Wessa- gusset, which they judged convenient for a settlement, the whole company removed to it, and began a plantation." This was rather of a disorderly company, there being, as it is stated, "many of them rude and profane," and being badly governed, fell into disorder, and experienced much suffering from their extravagance and conduct towards the natives, such as taking their corn, &c. The Indians were so incensed against them that they entered into a conspiracy to destroy the Avhole company. This was prevented by the daring exploit of Capt. Standish, some account of which is 49a WE YM OUTH. given on the 17th page of this work. Such, however, was the reduced state of the colony, and their danger from the natives, that it was deemed prudent to break up the settlement. It appears, however, there were a few inhabitants here in 1624, as it is stated "that the few inhabitants of Wessagusset receiving an accession to their number from Weymouth, in England, the town is sup- posed to have hence been called Weymouth." In 1635, a Mr. Hull and 21 families joined the settlement. Mr. Hull was a minister from England, and appears to have been their first preacher. This town Avas attacked by the Indians in Philip's war, in 1676, and 7 or 8 houses were burnt. Nortktr/L lu/v of il'tymoulk Village. The above is a view of the village of Weymouth, as seen from near the residence of Minot Thayer, Esq., whose house appears on the left of the engraving. The church appearing on the right is called the Union church ; this, with the house of Mr. Thayer, are within the limits of the town of Braintree. Ship-building, to some extent, is carried on in this place; vessels of 400 tons have been launched above the bridge, over Maniquot river. This village (about one third of which is in the limits of Braintree) is 15 miles from Dedham, 5 from Randolph, and 10 from Boston. The surface of the town is undulating and stony, and the soil generally good. It has a good landing-place for vessels of light burthen; about 800 tons of shipping belong to the place, and it is estimated that about half a million of dollars' worth of boots and shoes are manufactured in the town. The "Union Bank" of Weymouth and Braintree, with a capital of ^100,000, is located here. There are 3 houses of worship, 2 Congregational, and 1 Methodist. Population, 3,387. In 1837, there were 70,155 pairs of boots and 242.083 pairs of shoes manufactured in this town, the value of which was $427,679 ; males employed, 828 ; females. 619, value of leather tanned and curried, $42,500. WRENTHAM. 491 WRENTHAM. This town was originally included within the limits of Dedham, and was set off in 1661, when there were only sixteen families. It was incorporated in 1673. There was no church formed here till 1692, when Rev. Samuel Mann, the first minister, was ordained. Mr. Mann preached to the few families here in a comparative wilder- ness, but, in consequence of Philip's war, in 1676, they were obliged to abandon their settlements for more than four years. When they returned, they prevailed upon Mr. Mann to accompany them. He shared with them all their difficulties and privations, left a numerous posterity, and died in 1719, in the forty-ninth year of his ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Messenger, who continued in the ministry nearly 32 years. Rev. Joseph Bean Avas the next minister ; he was settled in 1750, and died in 1784, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. David Avery, who was dismissed in 1794, and died in Virginia. Rev. Elisha Fisk was his successor. The Second Church and Society in North Wrenthatn were formed previous to the instalment of Rev. John Cleveland, in 1798 ; he continued pastor for more than sixteen years in North Wrentham, and died in 1815, aged 65. He was succeeded by Mr. Field, who continued pastor about three years, and then resigned. Mr. Thatcher was his successor, and was ordained in 1823. In 1830, Mr. Thatcher and a part of the church seceded, and formed them- selves into "a distinct and separate church." The Baptist meeting-house was built in 1767 ; the north meeting-house was completed in 1804. The first English inhabitant in Wrentham was one Mr. Shears. In Mr. Bean's Century Sermon, preached in 1773, it is stated that the town was named Wrentham, because some of the first settlers were from a town of that name in England. The first English person born in the town was Mehitabel Shears, daughter of Sam- uel Shears. The first person buried in the town was an infant son of John Ware, Feb. 10th, 1673. In Philip's war, after the inhabitants had left the town, the Indians burnt all the houses but two ; these were saved, it is stated, on account of persons having the small-pox in them, of which fact the Indians, by some means, became acquainted. After the Indian war was over, the following persons had their names affixed to an instrument engaging to return. Eleazer Metcalf, Eleazer Gay, Samuel Man, James Mosman, Robert Ware, Daniel Whright, John Ware, Joseph Kingsbury, William Mackneh, Samuel Fisher, Nathaniel Ware, Samuel Shears. Daniel Haws, John Payne, Cornelius Fisher, John Aldiss, Benjamin Rocket, Michael Willson, Wrentham is a pleasant village, consisting of about 40 or 50 dwelling-houses, a Congregational church, a bank, and an acade- my. In the cut the church is seen on the left ; the Wren- tham Bank is the first building standing northward. Day's Academy, in this place, was incorporated hi 1806. Population, 66 WRENTHAM Western view of the central part of IVrentham. 2,817. Distance, 15 miles from Dedham, and 27 from Boston. The central part of North Wrentham is abont 4 miles distant from the place represented in the engraving. There are 4 churches in the limits of the town, 3 Congregational and 1 Baptist. In 1837, there were 4 cotton mills, 2,252 spindles; 315,000 yards of cotton goods manufactured; value, $68,000; males employed, 50; females, 38. One woollen mill; cloth manufactured, 12,745 yards; value, i^l2,745. Straw bonnets manufactured, 35,126; value, ^77,815. Boots manufactured, 10,155 pairs; shoes, 150 pairs, valued at $18,675. Boots manufactured, 200; value, $8,000; hands employed, 13. The storm of the 23d of September, 1815, raged here with vio- lence ; many buildings were damaged, some thrown down, and great injury was done to the forest trees. In Rev. Mr. Fisk's sermon, preached in 1823, he says : '• One fact has been noticed, and it may be proper to mention it, what the etlect of this tempest was supposed to have on wells of water.* It is probable, how- ever, that not the wind, but the earthquake, produced the change." " The wind blew with great violence from the south-east, from eight or nine o'clock in the morning until noon ; after that hour it began to subside." The following inscriptions are copied from the grave-yard in this place : In memorj^ of the Rev. Mr. Joseph Bean, pastor of the 1"' church in Wrentham, •who died Feb. 12"'> 1784, in y= Gtj'h year of his age. Near half an age wnth every good man's praise, Among his ilock y shepherd passed his days. * The eflFect on the water whicli Mr. Fisk refers to is that the depth of water ia some instances varied after this storm ; also that wells which heui previously furnished ioft water have ever since produced hard water. PLYMOUTH COUNTY. 493 The friend, y comfort of y» sick & poor, Want never knocked unheeded at his door. Oft when his duty call'd disease and pain Strove to confine him, hut they strove in vain. All mourn his death ; his virtues long they try'13,543 70. There were 15,100 pairs of boots and 263,000 pairs of shoes manu- factured, the value of which was ,$277,800: males employed, 270; females, 144. One nail factory; 350 tons of nails were man- ufactured, valued at .$49.500 ; hands employed, 40 ; a manufactory of tacks ; hands employed, 57 ; gross value, }|33,000 ; value of leather curried, .f 20,800. There are two Congregational churches. Population, 1,927. Distance, 17 miles from Plymouth, 12 from Weymouth Landing, 12 from Taunton, and 25 southerly from Boston. HALIFAX. About 1733, some of the inhabitants of the north of Plympton, the north-east of Middleborough, and the south of Pembroke, built a meeting-house, and became incorporated as a town in 1734, by 602 HANOVER. the name of Halifax. About this period, many towns in British America adopted the name of HaUfax, probably in compliment to the Earl of Halifax, or it may be in some instances from a town of that name in England. The people of Halifax are, with a few exceptions, direct descendants of the first Plymouth settlers. Some of the most common names in the town were, Thomson, Water- man, Bosworth, Briggs, and Sturtevant. The first minister was Rev. John Cotton, who was ordained in 1735. His voice became impaired, and he resigned in 1756. He died in civil office, in Ply- mouth, his native town, in 1789. He was the author of a " History of Plymouth Church." Mr. Cotton was succeeded by Rev. Wilham Patten, who was ordained in 1757. Rev. Ephraim Briggs was the next pastor ; he was ordained in 1769, and died in 1801, and was succeeded by Rev. Abel Richmond the same year. The ponds in this town cover 1,700 acres. 3Ioonpo7iset Pond, in the north part, is two miles long, and more than half a mile wide. The Wi}i?iatiixei stresim, after passing Plympton, crosses the south- western section of this town, two or more miles, to its junction with the Bridgewater or Teticut Great river. It is a crooked, sluggish stream, liable to freshets, and varies from 14 to 30 feet in width. " Small as the Winnatuxet is, we are told of three vessels having been built on it, within the limits of this town, which passed to the sea at Newport ; one as early as 1754. built by a Mr. Drew." Sawing boards and plank, procuring masts, ranging timber and the making of shingles, were the employments of the first settlers ; this business is still followed to some extent by their descendants. In 1837, there was 1 cotton mill ; 1 woollen mill, 3 sets of machinery ; 103,250 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at .^82,600; males employed, 20 ; females, 21. There were 30,600 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $27,540 ; males employed, 40. There are 3 churches, 1 Orthodox, 1 Universalist, and 1 Baptist. Population, 781. Distance, 12 miles westerly of Plymouth, 17 southerly of Weymouth Landing, and 28 miles southerly of Boston. HANOVER Hanover was incorporated in 1727. The first minister of the place was Rev. Benjamin Bass ; he was ordained in 1728, and continued in the ministry nearly twenty-eight years. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Baldwin, who continued about 23 years, and was dismissed in 1780. Rev. John Mellen was the next minister; he was installed in 1784, and continued twenty-one years minister of Hanover. His successor was Rev. Calvin Chad- dock, who continued in the ministry in this place just twelve years. Mr. Chapin, the next pastor, continued five years ; Mr. Smith, the next in order, was settled in 1827 ; he also remained five years. Mr. Duncan, his successor, was settled in 1833. H I N G H A M . 503 The principal village in this town is called Hanover Four Corners^ which contains an Episcopal church, an academy, a number of stores, and perhaps about 20 dwelling-houses in the vicinity. This place is about 14 miles from Plymouth, 9 from Scituate Harbor, and 20 from Boston. Besides the Episcopal, tliere are 1 Congrega- tional and 1 Baptist church in the limits of the town. Population, 1,435. In 1837, there were 12,000 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $10,.500 ; males employed, 35 ; females, 26. There were 3 forges ; 130 tons of bar iron were manufactured ; hands employed, 14. Two air and cupola furnaces, 2 anchor shops, 1 tack factory, at which 8 hands were employed. Considerable business is done in ship-building. HANSON. This town was formerly included within the limits of Pembroke. It was incorporated in 1820. Rev. Gad Hitchcock, D. D., was ordained the first minister of the place, in 1748, and continued in the office of pastor fifty-five years, and lived to the age of 83. " He was sociable, friendly, and hospitable ; esteemed as a man of talents, and many in his old age profited by his instructions." Rev. George Barstow was successor and colleague with Dr. Hitch- cock, and continued the pastoral relation eighteen years, and died in 1821, aged 51 years. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Howland. In 1837, there were 48,000 pairs of shoes manufactured in this town, valued at $40,000; males employed, 180; females, 240. There were 3 nail factories ; 48 tons of nails were manufactured, valued at $6,240. Population, 1,058. Distance, 15 miles from Plymouth, 15 from Weymouth Landing, and 24 from Boston. There are 3 churches in the town, 1 Congregational, 1 Baptist, and I Universalist. HINGHAM This town is said to have been settled in 1635, which is the date of the earliest record to be found of the proceeding of planters in relation to the disposal of lands. The exact date when the first English people settled here cannot be ascertained. Among some private papers there is a " list of the names of such persons as came out of the town of Hingham and towns adjacent, in the county of Norfolk, Eng., and settled in Hingham, New Eng.," from which it appears there were inhabitants here as early as 1633. In .Tune of the first-named year, grants were made to a con- siderable number of individuals, and on the 18th of Sept., 30 of the inhabitants drew for house-lots, and received grants of other lands for the purpose of pasture, tillage, &c. The following is a list of 504 H I N G H A M. the first settlers of HinghaiTij with the year in which lands were granted them in the town : John Foulsham, Henry Chaniberlin, Stephen Gates, George Knights, Thomas Cooper, Matthew Gushing, John Beal, jr., Francis James, Philip James, James Buck, Stephen Payne, William Pitts, Edward Mitchell, John Sutton. Stephen Lincoln, Samuel Parker, Thos. Lincoln, farm., Jeremiah Moore, Mr. Henry Smith, Bozoan Allen, Matthew Hawke, William Ripley, John Buck, Thomas Jones, Thomas Lawrence, John Stephens, John Stod^icholas Jacob, '^ Thos. Lincoln, w'eav. Ralph Smith, Jonas Austin, Nicholas Baker, Clement Bates, Richard Betscome, Benjamin Bozworth, William Buckiand, James Cade, Anthony Cooper, John Cutler, John Farrow, Daniel Fop, Jarvice Gould, Wm. Hersey, Nicholas Hodskin, Thomas Johnson, Andrew Lane, Wm. Large, Thomas Loring, George Ludkin, Jeremy Morse, William Nowlton, John Otis, David Phippeny, John Palmer, John Porter, Henry Rust, John Smart, Francis Smith, John Strong, Henry Tultil, William Walton, Thomas Andrews, William Arnall, George Bacon, Nathaniel Baker, Thomas Collier, George Lane, George I\Iarsh, Abraham Martin, Nathaniel Peck, Richard Osborn, Thomas Wakely, Thomas Gill, Richard Ibrook, William Cockerum, William Cockerill, John Fearing, John Tucker. 1636. John Beal, senr., Anthony Eames, Thomas Hammond, Joseph Hull, Richard Jones, Nicholas Lobdin, Richard Langer, John Leavitt, Thomas Lincoln, Adam Mott, Thomas Minard, John Parker, George Russell, William Sprague, George Sprague, Thomas Underwood, Samuel Ward, Ralph Woodward, John Winchester, William Walker. 1637. Thomas Barnes, Josiah Cobbit, Thomas Chaffe, Thomas Clapp, William CarJslye, Thomas Dimock, Vinton Dreuce, Thomas Hett, Thomas Joshlin, Aaron Ludkin, John Morrick, Thomas Nichols, Thomas Paynter, Edmund Pitts, Joseph Phippeny, Thomas Shave, Ralph Smith, Thomas Turner, John Tower, Joseph Underwood, William Ludkin, Jonathan Bozworth. 1638. Mr. Robert Peck, Joseph Peck, Edward Gilman, In 1635, Rev. Peter Hobart and his associates from Hingham. in the county of Nor- folk, in England, began a settlement in this town at a place called Bear Cove, which was afterwards called Hingham. " The house-lots of the settlers, as already stated. were drawn 18 September, 1635. The Rev. Peter Hobart was there on that day, and drew a lot with the twenty-nine." Blr. Hobart continued to discharge the duties of his office till his death, in 1679, at the age of seventy-five. He was a man of piety and talents, and had four sons, who all became respectable ministers. Rev. John Norton was ordained colleague pastor with JMr. Hobart a few months before his decease. Mr. Norton died in 171(i, and was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Gay, who continued in the ministry nearly sixty-nine years, and died in 1787, at the age of nearly ninety-one years. Rev. Henry Ware, D. D., the successor of Mr. Gay, was ordained about seven months of his decease, and continued about eighteen years, when he resigned to accept the Hollis professorship of divinity in Harvard University. Rev. Joseph Richardson, his successor, was settled in 1806. The Second church in Hingham was formed in 1745 ; Rev. Daniel Shute. D. D., their first minister, was ordained the next year. He was pastor here more than fifty-five years. His sight failing him, he ceased from his public labors in 1799, and died in 1802. Dr. Shute had a seat in the convention which formed the Constitution of the United States. Rev. Nicholas B. Whitney succeeded Dr. Shute in 1800. The Third church was formed in 1807, and Rev. Henry Colman, the first minister, was ordained the same year. Rev. Charles Brooks, the next minister, was ordained in 1621. The following is a representation of the ancient Congregational church in the village of Hingham, the oldest house of worship now H I N 9 H A M 505 standing in New England. It was erected in 1680, was 55 feet in length, 45 in breadth, and the height of the posts was 20 feet. It cost the town the sum of £430 and the old house. Two additions have been made to the building; the first about the year 1730, and the second in 1755. These additions were made, however, with- out materially altering the external appearance and form of the house. It is yet in a good state of preservation, and its frame of oak bears no mark of dilapidation or decay. It cannot now be ascertained at what particular time the first meeting-house was erected : it was, however, a small building, surrounded by a pali- sado, for the protection of the worshippers from Indian assault. Its situation was very near, if not the spot, on which the post-office now stands, near the academy. Around it, upon the declivities of the hill, the dead were buried, where, after a repose of nearly two centuries, they were disturbed by the march of improvement. " The meeting-house is gone — the soil upon which it rested is gone — the worshippers are gone. Not a solitary monument points out the spot where were deposited the remains of the brave, the virtuous, the learned, who laid the foundation of our social im- provements and religious blessings." The village of Hingham is built at the head of a bay, which is an arm of the great bay of Massachusetts. Owing to its situation, it is rather irregularly built, embracing within its limits a number of sandy elevations. The township is seven miles in length, and about five in breadth. The soil in many parts of the town is rich and fertile. There are in Hingham 1 woollen factory, an iron foundry, a brass foundry, and salt works. In addition to these there is the usual variety of mechanical works, as is found in most 606 KING HAM. towns of a similar size. Here is a printing-office and a bookstore, and a large number of traders in foreign and domestic goods. Ship-building is carried on in the town to considerable extent. About 80 sail of vessels belong to this place, which are engaged in the cod and mackerel fishery and the coasting-trade. Seve- ral regular packets ply between Hingham and Boston, and in the summer months a steamboat plies daily between the places. Derby Academy, a free school, and the Willard Private Academy, are highly respectable seminaries, and promise great privileges to parents. The Hingham Bank has a capital of $100,000. There is in this town a mutual insurance office, and a Savings bank. In 1837, there were 50 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery ; tonnage, 2,894. Twenty-nine hundred quintals of codfish were taken ; value, $8,700. There were 14,4.36 barrels of mack- erel taken, valued at $105,000; hands employed, 450; "vessels built, 17; tonnage of the same, 2,170; value of the same, $73,780." There were 26,064 pairs of boots and 5,654 pairs of shoes manu- factured, valued at $55,967; males employed, 71; females, 51. One air and cupola furnace ; 150 tons of castings were made ; value, $15,000; the value of wooden ware manufactured was $30,000; hands employed, 80. There were 18,600 umbrellas manufactured, the value of which was ,$39,500 ; males employed, 20; females, 53. Various other articles were also manufactured in the town. Population, 3,445. Distance, 26 miles from Plymouth, 12 miles by water and 14 by land from Boston. In the year 1645, an unhappy controversy took place among the inhabitants respecting military affairs. The following account of the affair was taken from Lincoln's Centennial Address : " The cause of the difficulty was the election of a captain of the company of militia. Anthony Eames, who had been lieutenant, was first chosen, and was presented to be commissioned by tlie council. Before this was accomplished, a dissatisfaction arose with Eames, and Bozoan Allen, a man of considerable influence in town affairs, was selected. Eames and Allen had both been deputies in the general court. A com- mission was refused to both the candidates. In the mean time the subject was made a question for discussion in the church, but a majority of the inhabitants, and among them their pastor, adhered to Allen. The military company paraded under his com- mand, and, on account of some alleged misrepresentations, Eames was threatened mth excommunication from the church. He made complaint to the magistrates, four of whom met m Boston and issued warrants against five persons whom they supposed to be the principal offenders. Others were afterwards arrested, and on their refusal to give bonds for their appearance at court, two were committed. The general court being assembled before the court of assistants, Mr. Hobart and his friends, about ninety in number, presented a petition to the former, setting forth the arrest and com- mitment of their townsmen, as they alleged, for words spoken concerning the power of the general court, and their Uberties, and the liberties of the church. The petition- ers were required to designate the magistrate or magistrates whom they declared guilty of infractions upon the popular rights. They then charged Deputy Governor Winthrop with exercising too much power. " Upon this allegation, a full hearing was had ; and the decision was, that it was not sustained. The petition was voted false and scandalous, by magistrates and depu- ties ; but the latter would not agree to any censure. After much discussion and repeated conferences, resulting in no decisive measures, the magistrates proposed to refer the matter to the elders. This course was not assented to by the deputies. They were unwilling, and even voted not to impose any fines upon the petitioners unless the party which adhered to Eames were also fined, a disposition of the matter which would have been quite as equitable, probably, as if one of the parties had H 1 N G n A M . 607 alone been adjudged to bear the whole weight of the displeasure of the government— and upon a rule, too, which, if adopted, in many of the cases of obstinate controversy, would often subserve the ends of justice. The final decision of the magistrates, with the concurrence of the deputies, was to impose fines u])on the petitioners, Lieut. Eames to be under admonition, and the Deputy Governor Winthrop to be acquitted of all that was alleged against him. The deputy governor delivered on the occasion ot his acquittal a very impressive speech upon the authority of magistrates and the liber- ties of the people. If we judge from the historians of the time, Mr. Hobart and a majority of our citizens appear to have carried their liberal principles to such an extent as to have endangered all wholesome authority ; but the reluctance of the deputies to impose fines leads us to believe that the point of controversy was not the immediate question which excited it, but the more general principles involved in the discussion of the powers of magistrates in reference to the rights of the people. Upon these im- portant principles, we have no reason to doubt that our pastor entertained liberal and correct opinions, yet he might have been indiscreet in his endeavors to promote them. "But the popular feeling had become so strong that the authority of the marshal in levying the fines upon the pastor and his friends was resisted ; and Mr. Hobart was, upon information, summoned to appear before the governor and council. Ha declined ajipearing, and by this course compelled the government to arrest him. He protested against this course, however, declaring ' that he could never know where- fore he was fined except it were for petitioning,' and ' that if he had broken any wholesome law not repugnant to the laws of England he was ready to submit to censure.' He was bound over to the court of assistants. He there appeared, and again claimed to know what law he had violated. He was told, after much importu- nity, that ' the oath he had taken was a law to him ; and besides the law of God which we were to judge by in case of a defect of an express law.' Mr. Hobart re- plied that the law of God admitted various interpretations. He demanded to be tried by a jury. The result of this trial was the imposition of a second fine on Mr. Hobsrt. On a subsequent occasion, when he attended the general court with the elders, to give their advice respecting public atTairs, he was advised by the governor to retire, because he had so much opposed authority ; and in 1647, when on a visit to Boston, to attend the solemnization of a marriage, the bridegroom being of Hingham, he was invited to preach. The magistrates sent to him to forbear, for this among other reasons — ♦ that his spirit had been discovered to be adverse to our ecclesiastical and civil gov- ernment, AND HE WAS A BOLD MAN AND WOULD SPEAK HIS MIND.' " In King Philip's war, the town suffered in some degree from the incursions of the Indians. In a diary, kept by Mr. Hobart, it is noted that " on the 19th of April, 1676, John Jacob was slain by the Indians near his father's house. He Avent out with his musket to shoot the deer that trespassed upon a field of wheat, near the place where the meeting-house at Glad Tidings Plain is now situated. The Indians, who had secreted themselves in that neighborhood the night previous, discovered and shot Jacob near the field of wheat. He was found dead, and his musket was battered to pieces." The next day the Indians burnt the dwelling- houses of Joseph Jones, Anthony Sprague, Israel Hobart, Nathan- iel Chubbuck and James Whiton. As a precaution for the security of the inhabitants in case of assault by the Indians, garrison- houses were established in various parts of the town. There were also three forts, but the date of their erection cannot now be ascertained ; one of them situated on the hill, which at that time commanded the harbor, (the same of which the mounds are still visible in the burying-yard,) another at the place called Fort Hill, and another " on the Plain about a mile from the harbor." There is a frequent mention of disbursements for the soldiers in the selectmen's book of records about this time, 68 508 H I N G H A M . The following respecting Hingham is from the " Wonder-Worii- ing Providence of Zion's Saviour, in New England." " Al this time, also, came to shore the servant of Christ, Master Peter Hubbord, [Hobart] whom the Lord was pleased to make use of for feedin°: his people in this Wildernesse, being called to Office by the Church of Christ at the Towne of Hingham, which is scituate upon the Sea coasts South-east of Charles Eiver, being a place nothing inferior to their Neighbours for scituation, and tlie people have much profited themselves by transporting Timber, Planke and fliast for Shipping to the Towne of Boston, as also Ceder and Pine-board to supply the wants of other Towncs, and also to remote parts, even as far as Barbadoes. They want not Fish for themselves and others also. This Towne consisted of about sixty Families ; the forme is somewhat intricate to describe, by reason of the Seas waslmg crookes, where it beats upon a mouldering shore, yet they have compleat streetes in some places. The people joyned in Church covenant in this place were much about an hundred soules, but have been lessened by a sad unbrotherly contention which fell out among them, wasting them every way, continued already for seven yeares space, to the great griefe of all other churches, who held out the right hand of fellowship unto tliem in Brotherly commu- nion, which may (the Lord helping) demonstrate to all the true Churches of Christ the World throughout, although they be distanced by place or Nation, yet ought they never to take up such an Independent way, as to reject the advise and counsell oi each other,'' &c. Benjamm Lincoln, a major-general in the Revolutionary army, was a native of this town, born Jan. 23d, 1733. The following biographical sketch is taken from Lord's Lempriere's Dictionary : " His advantages for education were limited, and until the age of forty he was em- ployed in the pursuits of agriculture. He was, however, distinguished for judgment and intelligence, was the representative of the town in the provincial assembly, a colonel of the mihtia, secretary of the house of representatives, and a member of the council. In February, 1775, he was appointed a brigadier, and soon after major- general in the provincial army, and in February, 1777, a major-general on the conti- nental establishment. His services were conspicuous towards the close of that year in the northern campaign. He was second in command in the army which, under General Gates, captured the British under Burgoyne. On the day after the battle of Stillwater, he received a dangerous wound while reconnoitring. In the following yeai he was appointed by congress to take the command in the southern department, at the solicitation of the delegates from that portion of the Union. After a number of infe- rior operations, on the 20th June, 177it, he made an unsuccessful attack on the British post at Stone-ferry. He afterwards retired to Charleston, and attempted its defence, but M'as compelled, on the 12th of May, 1780, to capitulate. He was exchanged in November, and in the spring following joined the army on the North river. At the siege of Yorktown he commanded a central division, and shared largely in the dangers and triumphs of the day. He was designated to conduct the surrendering array to the field where their arms were deposited, and to see the conditions of the capitulation executed. In October, 1781, congress appointed him secretary of the war department, and afterwards, on several occasions, a commissioner to negotiate with the Indians. He resigned his office as secretary in October, 1783, and received, in a resolution of congre.ss, a flattering expression of their respect. After the establishment of peace, he returned to his native state, and in 1787 was appointed to command the troops em- ployed for the suppression of the insurrection in that state. He was also one of the commissioners to propose terms of indemnity to the insurgents. In 1788, he was chosen lieutenant governor. The following year he was a member of the convention which ratified the constitution of the United States, and was appointed collector of the ports of Boston and Charlestown. This office he held, and discharged its duties greatly to the ])ublic satisfaction, until the increased embarrassments arising from the restric- tions on commerce induced him to resign, in January, 1809. He died in the house in which he was born, May i'th, 1810, aged 78. General Lincoln was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and president of the Society of Cincinnati of Massachusetts. He published several letters and essays, principally on subjects ronnected with natural history." KINGSTON. 609 HULL. Hull is the least popnlons town in Massaclnisetts, and, except- ing Newburyport, the smallest in territory. The toAvnship com- prises the peninsula of Nunk/skef, which forms the sonth-eastern side of Boston harbor. The town is formed of five small hills, connected together by very narrow necks. On one of these hills is a well, ninety feet in depth, and is frequently almost full of water. The principal settlement is on Nantasket Head, about 9 miles south-east from Fiostoii, by water, and 22 by land, via Hingham. Population, ISO. From twelve to eighteen votes are usually given at the elections. Hull Avas incorporated in 1641, and was once a place of some note. In the records of the general court, in 1647, it is mentioned, " There being now divers fishermen and men of good ability in Hull, who may comfortably carry on the affairs of a town, they are enabled, by the authority of this court," (fee. It is believed that this place formerly had several Congregational ministers, the first of whom was Rev. Zechariah Whitman, who was a native of Milford, Con. He appears to have been settled here in 1670. Rev. Ezra Carpenter, and Rev. Samnel Veazie, who was settled in 1753, appear to have been the next regular ministers. In 1837, there were 282 sheep; wool produced, 1,150 lbs.; and 2 establish- ments for the manufacture of salt, of which 3.600 bushels were made. KINGSTON, Kingston was set off as a parish from Plymouth, in 1717, by the name of Jones' River parish. It is supposed that the river in this place, and consequently the parish, received their names from Capt. Jones, of the ship May Flower, which landed the fa.thers at Plymouth. The inhabitants of the north part of Plymouth, with a small part of Plympton and Pembroke, formed the parish which was set off, which at that time consisted of eighty families. The persons who petitioned to be made a distinct parish were of the following names : — Bradford, Bryant, Cook, West, Hall, Cushman, Holmes, Eaton, Stetson, Fuller, Washburn, Everson, Mitchell, Hunt, Brewster, Little, Gray, Sturtevant, West, and Fish. The first minister ordained here was Rev. Joseph Stacy; this was in 1720. His successor was Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, who was or- dained in 1742, and dismissed in 1745. His dismission appears to have been occasioned by his being a follower and admirer of the celebrated Mr. Whitefield, who was itinerating through the conn- try, and causing great excitement among the people. The inhabit- ants at that period appear to have been prejudiced against Mr. Whitefield, and appointed a committee of eight persons to prevent itinerant preachers disturbing the peace of the town. Mr. Mac- carty was succeeded by Rev. William Rand, who was installed 510 KINGSTO N. here in 1746. The Rev. Zephaniah WiUis, the fourth minister, was ordained in 1780. The soil of Kingston is generally thin and barren. The north- ern part of the town is level ; but the south part is broken and uneven. The most elevated ground is Monk's Hill, in the south part of the town, near Plymouth, which commands an extensive prospect on every side. .Teremy Florio, an ingenious Englishman, introduced the art of casting vessels in sand into this place before the Revolution ; previous to that time all iron vessels were cast on clay moulds. Mr. Florio died in Plympton, in 1755, at the age of nearly ninety years. There are 3 churches in the place, 2 Con- gregational (1 of which is Unitarian) and 1 Baptist. Distance, 4 miles N, W. of Plymouth, 5 S. of Duxbury, and 33 miles S. E. of Boston. Population, 1,371. The town was incorporated in 1726. South-eastern view of Kingston. The above shows the appearance of the village of Kingston, as seen from near the residence of Col. John Thomas, on the Plymouth road. Col. Thomas is the son of major-general Thomas, who perished in the service of his country at Chamblee ; his house was on the spot where his son now resides. Jones' river, a winding stream, passes at the foot of the elevated ground on which the principal part of the village is situated. The village consists of upwards of 50 dwelling-houses, uncommonly well built, and neat in their general appearance. The first building, with a spire, seen on the left, is the old Baptist church ; the building seen between the trees, with two spires, is the Unitarian church, which is the largest house of worship in the place, and is somewhat novel in its construction. The new Baptist church and the Orthodox Congre- gational church, without a spire, are to the eastward. In 1837, there were 19 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery ; tonnage 1,491 ; codfish caught, 14,214 quintals ; value, $42,242 ; mackerel caught, 886 barrels ; value, $6,348 j hands employed, 176. " Ves- MARSHFIELD. 611 sels built, 19; tonnage of the same, 3,326; value of the same, $172,500; hands employed, 40." There were 3 forges; 96 tons of bar-iron were manufactured ; value, $9,600 ; there were 2 nail factories and 1 axe, and 3 manufactories for cutlery. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard by the Unitarian church : — Miss Lucy Little, deceased Sept. 29, 1756, aged 37 years 5 months. Reader ! beneath this monumental pile is laid What once was beauty and a spotless maid. Here was each virtue and each Grace combin'd ; Fair was her form, but fairer was her mind. So bright in her the sex's virtues shone, They seemed all center'd in this maid alone. The harmony of life thus kept intire, She joined at death the fair angelic quire ; The fair angelic quire with joy confest They ne'er had welcom'd a more charming guest. Led by th' admirLug throng, she takes her seat. And half an Angel Here, now shines above compleat. In memory of the Rev^- Mr. William Rand, died March y« H"" 1779, aged 79 years wanting 7 days. Here's one who long had ran the Christian Race ; Kindly reUev'd reclines his hoary head. And sweetly slumb'ring in this dark embrace Listens the welcome sound, " Arise y« dead." Here lies deposited what was mortal of Ann Warren Sever, daughter to the Hon. William Sever Esq., & Sarah his wife, who died Jany- y= 19"". 1788, Anno Etatis 25. " How oft I gaz'd prophetically sad, How oft I saw her dead while yet in smiles ! In smiles she sunk her grief to lessen mine. She spoke me comfort, & increased my pain." MARSHFIELD Marshfield was incorporated in 1640. The Rev. Edward Bulkley (the son of the lirst minister of Concord) was the first minister. He was ordained about the time the town was incorpo- rated. His successor was Rev. Samuel Arnold, who was settled here in 16.59, and continued in the ministry thirty-five years. Rev. Edward Thompson, the next in succession, was settled in 1696 ; he was succeeded by Rev. James Gardner, in 1707, who continued in the ministry upwards of thirty-one years. His suc- cessors, Messrs. Hill, Green, and Brown, were all settled and dis- missed in a period of twenty-three years. Rev. William Shaw, D. D., the eighth minister, was settled in 1766, and continued in the pastoral office more than half a century. The first minister of the Second church was Rev. Atherton Wales, who was settled in 1739 ; he was pastor fifty-six years, and died in 1795, aged ninety- two. Rev. Elijah Leonard was his successor. This town is pleasantly situated, having two considerable streams : one called North river, which divides the town from Scituate, and South river, a stream passing through the central 512 MIDDLEBOROUGH. South-western view of the Hon. Daniel Webster's House, in Marshfield part of the town. The above is a south-western view of the sum- mer residence of the Hon. Daniel Webster, situated in the southern part of this town, and is about 30 miles from Boston. His farm which is stated to consist of about 1,000 acres, comprises some of the best lands in the town. There is a considerable diversity of pleasant scenery in the vicinity, and a fine distant view of the ocean. " This town was originally a part of Plvmouth, and was formerly called Rexham. Peregrine White, the first English child born m New England, died in this town, July 20th, 1704, as-ed 83. A grandson of Governor Carver lived here to the age of 102, and in 1775 was at work in the same field u'ith his son, grandson' and great-grandson, who had also an infant son in the house, makint* five generations. Edward Winslow, some years governor of Ply^ mouth colony, resided in this town." In 1837. there Avere 2 cotton mills, 1,896 spindles; cotton cloth manufactured, 172,366 yards • value $21,800; males employed, 10; females, 42. There Avas also I air and cupola furnace, and 1 nail factorv. There are 6 churches 3 Congregational, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist. Popu- lation, 1,660. The following is from a monument in this town : Here lies the ashes of the reverend, learned, and pious Mr. Edward Tompson pas- tor of the church at Marshfield, who suddenly departed this life, 16 March, 1705, anno aetatis suae 40. Here, in a tyrani'.s hand, doth captive lie A rare synopsis of divinity. Old patriarchs, prophets, gospel bishops meet Under deep silence, in their windingsheet; All rest a while, in hopes, and full intent, When their king calls, to sit in parliament. MIDDLEBOROUGH This place before its incorporation, in 1660, went by its Indian name Namasket. The Indians were formerly numerous in this MIDDLEBOHOUGH. 513 township, being governed by a noted sachem called Tispacan. In (he account given of Middleborough in the 3d vol. of the Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. the Rev. Isaac Backus says : " When our Ph'nioutli Fathers first sent two messengers to visit old Massasoit, in July, 1621, they lodj^ed the first night at Namasket, where so many Indians had died a few years before that the living could not bury the dead ; but ' their skulls And bones appeared in many places, where their dwellings had been.' Namasket is that part of Middleborough where the English began their plantation, and had increased to about sixteen families before Philip began his war, in June, 1675. As soon as it brake out, they removed away, as did also the friendly Indians, to Plymouth and other eastern places. Philip had been very conversant here ; and because his friend John Sausaman informed the English of his preparations for war, Sausaman was mur- dered on a frozen pond, at Assowamset, and the execution of his nuirderers hastened on the war. And in the time of it, Philip once sent an army to waylay Capt. Church, in Assowamset Neck, which is in the south part of Middleborough. He was also defeated in attempting to cross a river upon a tree which had fallen over it. This was the river between Middleborough and Bridgewater." Middleborough is one of the largest townships in the state, being 15 miles in length, and averages about 9 in width, and is chiefly a pine plain. There are numerous ponds in the town, of which the Village of Four Corners, Middleborough. Assawamset and Long Ponds are the largest. The outlet of these ponds produces an extensive water-power. Bog iron ore was once extensively used in this town, till it was discovered that there was an abundance of much purer ore to be found in the Assawamset pond. There are also some indications of anthracite coal. There are in the town 8 houses of worship, 4 Baptist, 3 Congregational, and 1 Methodist. The above is a view of the village of Four Corners, the princi- pal settlement in Middleborough, as it is seen southward of the village, upon the AVareham road. The village consists of about 50 dwelling-houses in the immediate vicinity of the Baptist church, and academy, the spires of which are seen in the distance in the central part of the engraving. This place is 15 miles from Ply- 614 NORTH BRIDGEWATER. mouth, 20 from New Bedford, 11 from Taunton, 14 from Ware- hara, and 34 from Boston. Population, 5,005. In 1837, there •were 2 cotton mills, 2,384 spindles; 553,000 yards of cotton cloth were manufactured ; value, $39,710 ; males employed, 21 ; females, 67. There were 3 manufactories of shovels, spades, and forks ; value of articles manufactured, .|52,500 ; hands employed, 42 ; capital invested, !$22,000 ; there were 2 forges, 1 air "and cupola furnace, and 1 nail factory ; 12,500 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at i$40,505. Value of tacks manufactured, $13,000 ; 15 males and 4 females were employed. Value of boards and lumber, $11,112; value of shingles, $5,616. The first planters of Middleborough came mainly from Plymouth ; they returned here after Philip's war, and Mr. Samuel Fuller preached to them until a church was formed among them, and he was ordained their pastor, in 1694. He died, greatly lamented, in 1695, aged 66. Mr. Thomas Palmer was the second minister, but his habits were such that he was deposed from his office. The third minister was Rev. Peter Thacher, who was ordained in 1709, and was a faithful and successful minister for nearly thirty-five years ; his successor was Rev. Sylvanus Conant, who was ordained in 1745. Mr. Conant died of the small-pox, in 1777, and his successor was Rev. Joseph Barker, who was ordained in 1781. A second precinct was formed in the south-west part of Middleborough, including a part of Taunton, in 1719. About the year 1724, a church being constituted therein, Rev. Benjamin Ruggles was ordained pastor, and continued with them about thirty years. He was succeeded by Rev. Caleb Turner, who was ordained in 1761. In 1743, a third precinct was constituted in the north-west part of Middleborough, including a part of Bridgewater. A church was formed there in 1756, and the next year Rev. Solomon Reed was installed their pastor ; he died in 1785, and was succeeded in 1787 by Rev. David Gurney. Titicut precinct was constituted in 1743. A kind of an Independent church was formed here in 1748, and Rev. Isaac Backus was ordained their pastor in the same year. A regular Baptist church was formed here in 1756, and Mr. Backus was installed pastor. The second Baptist church in Rliddleborough originated in the following manner : Mr. Thomas Nelson discovered such evils in Mr. Palmer as gave a turn to his mind about principles. He adopted the .sentiments of the Baptists, and joined the first Baptist church in Swanzey, which is the first of that denomination in Massachusetts. In 1717, he removed into Assowamset, being the first English family who settled in that neck of land. A Baptist church was formed here in 1757, and Mr. Hinds was ordained their pastor next year. The third Baptist church was constituted in the south-east corner of Rliddleborough, near Carver and Wareham, in 1761, and Rev. Ebenezer Jones was ordained pastor the same year. The next pastor was Rev. Asa Hunt, from Braintree, who was ordained in 1771 ; his successor was Rev. Sam- uel Nelson, the grandson of the first Baptist in Middleborough ; he was ordained in 1794. NORTH BRIDGEWATER. This place was a part of Bridgewater until 1821. In 1738, the north part of the west parish, and a small part of the north-west corner of the east parish, were incorporated into a precinct, and called the north parish. It was incorporated a town in 1821. The Rev. John Porter was their first pastor ; he was ordained in 1740, and died in 1802, in the 87th year of his age and the 62d of his ministry. Rev. Asa Meech, his suc- cessor, was ordained in 1800, and dismissed by a mutual council in 1811; he was afterwards installed in Canterbury, in Connecticut. His successor was Rev. Danie) Huntington, who was ordained in 1812. In a history of Bridgewater in 1818, which then consisted of four parishes, it is stated that Mr. Huntington's salary was $700 NORTH BRIDGEWATER. 615 which was the highest in town. The following is also stated:—" It is very remarka- ble," (says the writer) " that each of the Congregational parishes are now enjoying the labors of their third minister. The general longevity of their pastors is also worthy of notice. Four of them, Mr. Perkins, Sir. J. Angier, Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Porter, who were contemporaries, lived to the great ages, respectively, of 86, 86, 83, 87, and died in the 62d, 63d, 60th, and 62d year of their ministry. These, with Mr. Keith, who was 76, and Mr. Samuel Angier, who was 62 years of age, are the only ministers that ever died in town." Southern view of North Bridgervater. The above is a southern view of the central part of North Bridgewater, which is a large, flourishing, and well-built village, consisting of upwards of 100 dwelling-houses. There are three churches in the village, 2 Congregational, (1 of which is Unita- rian,) and 1 New Jerusalem. There is a Methodist church in the western part of the town. Population, 2.701. Distance, 25 miles from Plymouth, 13 to Taunton, and 20 from Boston. The town- ship IS generally level, and well watered by springs and brooks; the soil is varied; some parts are strong and fertile, some excellent for tillage, and a considerable quantity of meadow land. Iron was formerly manufactured here to some extent. The manufac- ture of boots and shoes is a very important branch of business in this town. Ill 1S37, there were 79,000 pairs of boots and 22,300 of shoes manufactured, the value of which was ^184,200; males employed, 750; females, 375. There were 3 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware ; the value of articles manufactured, {$38,500 ; hands employed, 39. There is a cotton mill and some other manufacturing establishments in the limits of the town. It has been stated that there was a New Jerusalem church in this place. Tiie following, fin-nished by a gentleman of this de- nomination, is believed to be a correct summary of its leading doctrines : " New Jerusalem Chitrch. — Emanuel Swedeiibor?, who, imrier Providence, communicated to the world the truths of the new dispensation, was ham at Stockholm, Sweden, in the year 1688. He waa the son of a bishop, and waa educated with much rare. He niada rapid advancement in all the branchM G9 516 NORTH BRIDGF WATER. of education taught at that perioJ. He travelled much, and was on terms of intimacy with the learned men of that period. Previous to the year 1743, he published many philosophical works. Many new observations and discoveries are traced in these works, which philosophers of a later period have claimed as their own. '• In 1743. he was called to perform higher duties ; in reference to which he says, ' I have been called to a holy office by the Lord himself, who most graciously manife.sted himself in person to me, hia servant, in the year 1743; when he opened my sight to the view of the spiritual world, and granted me ihe privi- lege of conversing with spirits and angels.' ' From that time I besan to print and publish various arcarui that have been seen by me, or revealed to me ; as respecting heaven and hell, the state of man after death, the true worship of God, the spiritual sense of the Word ; with many other more important matters ro hia affection or Kive are embodied are finite and limileil, Tl\e writer has in view some end which he ivu^liea to accomplish, and the truths which he expresses in words are as limited as the end and cause from which they proceed. The words written are but a mirror, in which are seen the affections and thoughts, the end and motives of the writer. But the Infinite Mind, or the Supreme Good, in dictating the Word through the inspired writers, could have had nothing less in view than the best possible good of the whole human race. An object short of this, and means employed of which any thing short of perfection can be predicated, must imply something short of infinity in the Divine Being, and render improper the expres- sion, ' Word of God,' as applied to the sacred scriptures. It is impossible for man to adapt truths to all men, or to all states of mind ; it is equally impossible for the Divine to do less. It is mi account of the adaptation of truths to all mankind, that the Word of God is capable of being received in such a variety of different ways, and not because truths themselves are at variance with each other. Tlie sphere of the divine operation is not limited to a select few, who are thought to be, or who really are, better than others, but extends to all. ' If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.' When the spiritual sense of the Word is opened, the infinite love and mercy of God are seen in expressions which seem to imply in him anger and wrath, and the immutability of God is seen in those wliich seem to imply in him repentance and change of purpose. 12. " A Treatise concerning Heaven and Hell, and of the wonderful things therein heard and seen. About 400 pages, octavo. 13. A Treati.se concerning the Last Judg- ment and the Destruction of Babylon ; showing that all the predictions contained in the Apocalypse are at this day fulfilled ; being a testimony of things heard and seen. 14. A Continuation concerning the Last Judgment and the Spiritual World. These are small works. " In the treatise on Heaven and Hell, it is shown that the inhabitants of heaven live in societies distinct from each other, and that all are associated according to their seve- ral states and different dispositions — that the happiness of heaven consists in a life of usefulness, and thence of activity. The unhappiness of the wicked does not consist in their being rejected, punished, and cast into hell by the Lord, for this is not the case ; they separate themselves from the good, and form associations with evil spirits, because they take the greatest pleasure in their society ; but their misery consists in hating and despising others, in having all their thoughts and affections centered in themselvefi — thus in living contrary to the order of heaven." PEMBROKE This town was incorporated in 1711. The Rev. Daniel Lewis was ordained the first minister, in 1712, and continued in the pas- toral office about 39 years. Rev. Thomas Smith succeeded him in the ministry at the close of 17.54, and continued in the pastoral office 34 years. He died in 1788, aged S3, and was succeeded by Mr. Whitman, who continued in the ministry about 9 years. A son of Rev. Gideon Hawley, missionary among the Marshpee Indians, next succeeded ; he continued in the ministry at this place about 16 months, when he died. In 1801, Rev. Morrell Allen was ordained the next pastor. " This town was originally a part of Duxbury, and with that town was called Malakecsit by the Indians. Here was the first saw-mill in Plymouth colony, and the only one in the colony for more than forty years after its settlement." North river separates this town from Hanover, and two of its considerable branches rise from several ponds in this town. This stream is quite narrow, but deep, and very crooked. Two companies were incorporated in this town in 1814 for the manufacture of cotton and woollen goods, !318 PLYMOUTH. witli capitals of $100,000 each. In 1837, there was 1 cotton mill, "' cupola furnace, 2 tack factories, and 2 shingle mills. "Number of vessels built, 8; tonnage of the same, 1000; value of th" same, .^40,000; hands employed, 8." Population, 1,258. Distance, 12 miles from Plymouth, 9 from Scituate Harbor, and 27 from Boston. PLYMOUTH. Plymouth, the first permanent settlement by civilized man in New England, is situated at the bottom of a harbor on the south- western part of Massachusetts bay. Its Indian name was Patuxet. It is built on the shore, upon an easy declivity, beneath the brow of an extensive pine plain. The declivity is about a fourth of a mile in breadth, and upwards of one mile and a half in length. The soil of this tract is good, but that of the plain is of but littlr value. The harbor is formed partly by a beach, extending three miles northerly from the mouth of Eel brook, south of the village. This beach, which serves to break the waves rolling in from Massachusetts bay, has been much damaged by violence, and in former years even the safety of the harbor has been endangered. Large appropriations have been made by the town, as well as by the state, and recently by the general government, for the repair and preservation of the beach, as essential to the preservation of the harbor. The township of Plymouth was once much larger than it is at present ; and it is now one of the very largest, in point of territory, in the state. It extends on the coast about sixteen miles from north to south. The land is generally hilly, barren, and sandy; but a border of considerable extent on the seaboard consists of a rich loamy soil. Numerous small streams cross the township in various directions, and there are more than fifty per- manent ponds, and more than 3000 acres are covered with water. Plymouth village is situated in the north part of the town. It is a port of entry, and county town — 30 miles north-west of Barn- stable, 25 easterly of Taunton, 35 south-easterly of Boston, and 439 miles from Washington. The harbor is spacious, but not of sufficient depth for the largest vessels. A considerable number of vessels belong here, most of which are engaged in the fishing and coasting business. There are in the village 2 banks — the " Old Colony Bank" and "Plymouth Bank," each with a capital of $ilOO,000; and " The Marine Insurance Company," with a capital of $100,000. In 1837 there were 3 cotton mills ; number of spindles, 3,764; yards of cotton cloth manufactured, 706,810; value, $61,081 ; males employed, 27 ; females, 67. There were 3 nail factories ; 1,500 tons of nails were manufactured ; value, $200,000 ; hands employed, 50. There were 45 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery ; 29,058 quintals of codfish and 1,436 barrels of mackerel were taken; value, $95,574; hands era- ployed, 362. There were 4 vessels employed in the whale fishery; PLYMOUTH. 510 tonnage, 1,300; hands employed, 100; 47,250 gallons of sperm oil and 47,250 of whale oil were obtained ; valne, $^59,062. There were 2 cordage manufactories; value of cordage manufactured, $177,625 ; hands employed, 135. Ship-building is carried on to some extent. Among the public buildings worthy of notice, there is the court-house, the church of the first society, a gothic structure, and the monumental edifice, or Pilgrim Hall. There are in the whole eight places of worship in the town, 5 Congregational, 2 Baptist, and 1 Universalist. Population, 5,034. The village of Plymouth is compactly built, and for the space of half a mile north and south from the town square very few building lots are unoccupied. " Not a dwelling-house of ancient date or antique form now remains in town. Those recently erected are in the style of modern architecture, and the largest proportion of the buildings in the place are painted of a light color, and exhibit an air of neatness and elegance." This is a place of resort for strangers during the summer season, and no true-born son of New England can visit this place, consecrated by the " Pilgrim Fathers," without emotion. FUgrim Hall, F'ljmuuth. The above is a representation of the Pilgrim Hall. This edifice is situated at the north-western extremity of the vil- lage, and its situation presents a full view of the outer harbor. The corner-stone of this building was, with appropriate solemnities, laid on the first of September, 1824. The building was not entirely completed till 1834. The following is a list of the articles de- posited in an excavation made in the corner-stone for the purpose. " Deposits. — Sermon delivered at Plymouth by Robert Cushman, December 12th, 1(521. First newspaper printed in the Old Colony, by Nathaniel Coverly, at Plymouth, in 1786.— Coins of the United States, and of Massachusetts.— Odes composed for the Anniversary. — Constitution of the Pilgrim Society, and the names of its members. — Daniel Webster's Century Oration for 1820.— Rlassachusetts Register. — Old Colony Memorial, began in May, 1822, by Allen Danforth.— Columbian Centinel, by Benjamin Russell, containmg an account of the entry of General Lafayette into the city of Boston.— Pkie—' In grateful memory of our ancestors who exUed themselves from 520 PLYMOUTH. their native country, for the sake of religion, and here successfully laid the foundation of Freedom and Empire, December xxii. A. D. MDCXX. their descendants, the Pilgrim Society, have raised this edifice, August xxxi. A. D. MDCCCXXIV. A. Parris, Akchitect. J. & A. S. Taylor, Builders. H. Morse, Sc' " In 1834, Col. Sargent, of Boston, presented to the Pilgrim Society his valuable painting, representing the landing of the Fathers from the May Flower, in 1620. This painting, which decorates the walls of the Pilgrim Hall, is valued at $3,000. It is about 13 by 16 feet, and represents all the prominent persons in the colony who first landed, being a most valuable and interesting acquisition. Among the antiquities in the cabinet of the Pilgrim Society, there is an antique chair, said to have belonged to Governor Carver — the identical sword-blade used by Captain Miles Standish — the identical cap worn by King Philip — and a variety of implements wrought of stone by the natives, such as axes, tomahawks, arrow- heads, 6cc. The following account of the first celebration of the landing of the Fathers is taken from Dr. Thacher's History of Plymouth, second edition, a most valuable and interesting work, published by Messrs. Marsh, Capen and Lyon, Boston, 1835. " Friday, December 22, (1769.) — The Old Colony Club, agreeably to a vote passed the 18th instant, met, in commemoration of the landing of their worthy ancestors in this place. On the morning of the said day, after discharging a cannon, was hoisted upon the hall an elegant silk flag, with the following inscription, ' Old Colony, 1620.' At 11 o'clock, A. M., the members of the club appeared at the hall, and from thence pro- ceeded to the house of Mr. Rowland, innholder, which is erected upon the spot where the first licensed house in the Old Colony formerly stood. At half after two a decent repast was served, which consisted of the following dishes, viz. " 1, a large baked Indian whortleberry pudding ; 2, a dish of sauquetach, (succatach, com and beans boiled together) ; 3, a dish of clams ; 4, a dish of oysters and a dish of codfish ; 5, a haunch of venison, roasted by the first jack brought to the colony ; 6, a dish of sea-fowl ; 7, a dish of frost-fish and eels ; 8, an apple pie ; 9, a course of cranberry tarts, and cheese made in the Old Colony. " These articles were dressed in the plainest manner, all appearance of luxury and extravagance being avoided, in imitation of our ancestors, whose memory we shall ever respect. At 4 o'clock, P. M., the members of our club, headed by the steward, carrying a folio volume of the laws of the Old Colony, hand in hand marched in pro- cession to the hall. Upon the appearance of the procession in front of the hall, a number of descendants from the first settlers in the Old Colony drew up in a regular file, and discharged a volley of small-arms, succeeded by three cheers, which were returned by the club, and the gentlemen generously treated. After this, appear- ed at the private grammar-school, opposite the hall, a number of young gentlemen, pupils of Mr. Wadsworth, who, to express their joy upon this occasion, and their respect for the memory of their ancestors, in the most agreeable manner joined in singing a song very applicable to the day. At sunsetting a cannon was discharged, and the flag struck. In the evening the hall was illuminated, and the following gen- tlemen, being previously invited, jomed the club, viz. Col. George Watson, Capt. Gideon White, Mr. Edward Clarke, Col. James Warren, Capt. Elkanah Watson, Mr. Alexander Scammell, James Hovey, Esq. Capt. Thomas Davis, I\Ir. Peleg Wadsworth, Thomas Mayhew, Esq. Dr. Nathaniel Lothrop, Dlr. Thomas Southworth How. WiUiam Watson, Esq. Mr. John Kussell, land. " The president being seated in a large and venerable chair, which was formerly possessed by William Bradford, the second worthy governor of the Old Colony, and presented to the club by our friend Dr. Lazarus Le Baron of this town, delivered several appropriate toasts. After spending an evening in an agreeable manner, in recapitulating and conversing upon the many and various advantages of our fore- fiithers in the first settlement of this country, and the growth and increase of the PLYMOUTH. 621 same, at 11 o'clock in the evening a cannon was again fired, three cheers given, and the club and company withdrew." In 1820, a society was instituted at Plymouth, called the Pilgrim Society, and was incorporated by the legislature of the state. The design of this association is to commemorate the " great his- torical event" of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, " and to per- petuate the character and virtues of our ancestors to posterity." The centennial celebration of the landing of the Pilgrims this year was one of uncommon interest, and the concourse of people was far greater than on any former celebration. The Hon. Daniel Webster was selected as the orator on the occasion. " A procession was formed at 11 o'clock, soon after the business of the Pilgrim Society was transacted, and, escorted by the Standish Gvards, a neat independent company, lately organized, and commanded by Capt. Coomer Weston, moved through the main street of the town to the meeting-house, and, after the services of the sanctuary, were attended by the same corps to the new court-house, where they sat down to an elegant though simple repast, provided in a style very proper for the occasion, where the company was served with the treasures both of the land and sea. Among other affecting memo- rials, calling to mind the distresses of the Pilgrims, were five kernels of parched corn placed on each plate, alluding to the time, in 1623, when that was the proportion allowed to each individual, on account of the scarcity. John Watson, Esq., respectable by his years, and dignified by his gentlemanly manners, and the only surviving member of the Old Colony club, presided during the hours of dinner." An account of the emigration, the landing, the sufferings, &c., of the first settlers of Plymouth, is given in the outline history prefixed to this work. The place in which the settlers located themselves for a town is the whole extent of Leyden street, and its environs. This street was laid out by them, and extends from the town square in a gradual descent to the shore, and terminates a little south of the Forefathers' rock. The first winter, during the great mortality among the settlers, the dead were buried on the bank, at a little distance from the rock where the Fathers landed ; and lest the Indians should take advantage of the weak and wretched state of the English, their graves were levelled and sown for the purpose of concealing the extent of their loss. This place, which is a small square on the sea-bank, at the foot of Middle street, is called Cole^s Hill. Governor Carver's remains, it is supposed, were interred here, and it is to be regretted that no stone has been erected to designate the spot. It is a pleasant spot, affording a fine prospect of the ocean. " About the year 1735, an enormous freshet rushed down Middle street, by which many of the graves of the Fathers were laid bare, and their bones washed into the sea." A breastwork and platform were erected on this bank in 1742. In tne revolutionary war, and in the war with Great Britain in 1814, «ome defences were erected on this spot. 622 P L YMO DTH. BilHngton Sea is a lake of about six miles in circumference, about two miles south- west of the village, and from it issues the town brook. It was discovered by Francis Billington, about the first of January, 1621, while mounted on a tree standing on a hill. It was in the midst of a thick forest, and when seen at a distance Billington supposed it to be another sea. In this pond there are two small islands ; the largest, containing about two acres, has been planted with apple trees. The pond is stocked with pickerel and perch, and the eagle is frequently seen cowering over it, having its nest in the vicinity. The fallow deer occasionally visits this pond for drink, and to browse on its margin. For many years t!'is phce was a favorite resort for social parties. In the south part of the town of Plymouth, bordering on Sandwich and Wareham, there is a tract of country, nearly twenty miles square, chietly covered with wood This place has always been well stocked with deer, but they are annually thinned off by hunters. In January, 1831, a heavy snow, laying about three feet deep, so im- peded their motions as to prove fatal to a large proportion of the stock. The hunters jirovided themselves with snow-shoes, pursued the deer, and killed and captured two hundred, of which about forty were taken alive. There are on the road to Sandwich, in the woods, two rocks, called Sacrifice Rocks, which are covered with sticks and stones, which have been accumulating for centuries. It was the constant practice for the Indians, when passing by, to throw on the rock a stick or stone. The Rev. Mr. Hawley, who spent many years among the natives at Marshpee, endeavored to learn from them this singular rile, but could only conjecture that it was an acknowledgment of an in- visible Being, the unknown God whom they woi-shipped, this pile being their altar. The annexed is a reduced copy of the Old Colony seal, taken from the book of laws, published in 1685. Underneath are fac similes of the hand-writing of distinguish- ed persons in the colony. [10:771 ^i^^ori Immediately in the rear of Plymouth village is Burying Hill, for- merly Fort Hill. It embraces about eight acres, and rises to the height of 165 feet above the level of the sea. On the summit of the south-western side, the Pilgrims at first erected some slight defences; but in 1675, on the approach of Philip's war, they erect- PLYMPTON. 523 ed a fort 150 feet square, strongly palisaded, lOj^ feet high, and the whole circuit of this fortification is distinctly visible. The view presented from this eminence is rarely excelled by any in the country. Beyond the points of land forming the harbor, the great bay of Massachusetts opens to the view, bounded at the southern extremity by the peninsula of Cape Cod. On the north appears the village of Duxbury, and the handsome conical hill, once the property and residence of Capt. Standish, the military commander of the Plymouth colony. Burying Hill is so named from its being used as the burying-place of the town ; and it is a matter of some surprise that sixty years should have elapsed before a grave-stone was erected to the memory of the dead at Plymouth. It is probably owing to their poverty and want of artists. A con- siderable number of the oldest are of English slate-stone. The oldest monument in the yard is for Edward Gray, a respectable merchant, whose name is often found in the old records. The inscription is, '• Here lies the body of Edward Gray, Gent., aged about fifty-two years, and departed this life the last of June, 1681." The following are also copied from monuments standing on Burying Hill. Here lyes y" body of y« Honorable William Bradford, who expired February y« 20, 1703-4, aged 79 years. He lived long, but was still doing good. And in his country's service lost much blood. After a hfe well spent he's now at rest j His very name and memory is blest. Here lyeth buried y= body of that precious servant of God, Mr. Thomas Cushman, who, after he had served his generation according to the will of God, and particularly the church of Plymouth, for many years in the office of ruling elder, fell asleep in Jesus, December y 10th, 1691. and in the 84th year of his age. PLYMPTON This town is situated in the center of Plymouth county, and was originally the north-western parish of Plymouth. It was in- corporated as a town in 1707. The Rev. Isaac Cushman. the first minister, was ordained in 1698. His successor. Rev. Jonathan Parker, was ordained in 1731, and died in 1776. Rev. Ezra Sampson was the next minister ; he resigned in 1796. The next in order was Rev. Eben. Withington, Rev. John Briggs, and Rev. Elijah Dexter, who was ordained in 1809. The original growth of forest trees here was rather superior in size and variety to other kinds within the ancient limits of Plymouth township; upland and swamp oak, maple, Avalnut, white pine, white cedar, pitch pine, were common. The Winnatuckset, a branch of Taunton river, passes through the western width of this town, and the natural meadows on this stream had early attrac- tions, and first led to the settlement of these then "westerly pre- cincts of Plymouth." Persons by the names of Loring, Gushing, 70 §24 ROCHESTER. Lobdell, Lazell, and Bradford were among the first settlers of tlie place. There is a Congregational and an Universalist church. Population, 835. Distance, 8 miles W. of Plymouth, 10 E. of Bridgewater, and 32 south-easterly of Boston. In 1837, there was one cotton mill, spindles, 1,000; cloth manufactured, 180,000 yards; value, .^18,000: five males and 2.5 females employed; one woollen mill, 2 sets of machinery; 36,154 yards of woollen cloth manufactured; value, $40,171; two nail factories ; 83 tons of nails manufactured; vahxe, ^16,180 ; one manufactory of shovels, spades, forks and hoes: value of articles manufactured, .*$7,200. ROCHESTER. This town was incorporated in 1686. As early as 1638, it ap- pears that the colony court of Plymouth " granted lands at Seipi- ca7i to a committee of the church of Scituate, for the seating of a township and a congregation," «fcc. The territory, however, re- mained unoccupied till 1651, when it was granted for the benefit of the town of Plymouth. It was probably purchased of the natives the same year. After this purchase there were several others made at various times. The town is said to have taken its name from the ancient city of Rochester, in Kent, England, a shire from whence many of the first planters of Scituate (and of course Rochester) emigrated. " That ancient city had the jurisdiction of the oyster fishery, and it ap- pears in history that these oysters were celebrated by the Romans for their excellence." The first settlers appear to have come into the place about the year 1680 ; they were principally from Sandwich, Marshfield, and Scituate. The following appear to have been the first principal settlers. Mr. Samuel Arnold, Samuel Hammond, Jacob Biimpus, Abraham Holmes, .Tohn Hammond, John Wing, Joseph Biirges, Job Winslow. Moses Barlow, Aaron Barlow, John Haskell, Samuel White, Joseph Dotey, Sprague, Rochester is a large toAvnship, containing about sixty square miles, containing various kinds of soil ; about the center it is light and sandy; some parts are rocky and unfit for cultivation; in some places the soil is hixuriant, producing good crops of grass. The principal manufacture of the town is salt. Ship-building has also formed an important branch of business in the place. There is about 60 sail of merchant and coasting vessels owned here. There are 8 churches, 4 Congregational, (1 of which is Unitarian,) 2 Baptist, 1 Methodist, 1 for Friends. Mattapoiset^* on an inlet from Buzzard's bay, is the principal village. The following shows the appearance of the village as it is entered from the east. The village consists of about 100 dwelling-houses, * The Indian word Mattapoiset is said to signify the place of rest. The Indians liv- ed 5 or 6 miles north of the village, and used frequently to come down to the shore for the purpose of obtaining clams and fish ; one or two miles north of the village, they used to stop at a spring and rest. From this circumstance, is it said, the river and place derived their names. C B0CHE8TSB. 626 ErQit viav of Mattapui.<,:t Village, Rochester. 3 churches, 1 Congregational. 1 Universalist, and 1 Baptist. The Congregational church is seen on the extreme right; the Universal- ist, with a tower, is seen farther south. There are quite a number of mechanic shops, connected principally with the ship-building business, which, with the whale fishery, is the principal business of the inhabitants. Large whaling ships can come up to the wharves. This village is 6 miles from New Bedford, 25 from Plymouth, and 6 miles south from Rochester Center, which is a small village, having a Congregational church. Sippican village is about 6 miles north-eastward of Mattapoiset, and perhaps about two thirds its size, containing 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Universalist. In this village the manufacture of salt is the leading business of the inhabitants. In the Statistical Tables of the state, it is stated, "Number of vessels built, 35; tonnage of the same, 9,338 ; value of the same, $379,000; hands employed, 215." Population, 3,570. Mr. Hovey and Mr. Le Baron continued in the ministry in Mat- tapoiset for 100 years. Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D., the succes- sor of Mr. Le Baron, possesses, it is believed, the most valuable private library in the state. It consists of about 3,000 volumes, of which more than 300 are folios. The principal subjects on which these volumes treat are theology and history, and man)'^ of them are quite ancient. In this collection there are 4,000 pamph lets, some of which are very rare. Dr. R. has also an extensivt collection of coins, manuscripts, &c. The library is carefully arranged in neat and elegant book-cases. The Rev. Samuel Arnold was the first minister of this town. The first meeting-house was built in the vicinity of Sippican or Rochester harbor, and at this place, it is probable, the first settlers located themselves. Mr. Arnold was succeeded by Rev. Timothy Ruggles, who was settled here in 1710. While he was minister, the inhabitants of the south-western part of the town, living re- mote from the place of public worship, proposed to be set off into a distinct parish. This was accordingly done about the year 1733, and Rev. Ivory Hovey was ordained their minister. This parish SC IT U A T B contains that part of the town which still retains the Indian name Mattapoiset. Mr. Hovey was succeeded, in 1772, by Rev. Lemuel Le Baron.* A third Congregational society was formed from several border-towns, about 1748, of which Rev. Thomas West was for many years the pastor. He died in the ministry, in 1790, at a very advanced age. The meeting-house for this society stood at the N. W. angle of the town, near the great ponds. The Bap- tist church in Rochester, according to Mr. Backus, was established about 1793. The following sketch or draught is copied from an original draw- ing made by King Philip, in 1668, preserved in the records of Plymouth colony. The land described seems to fall within Roch- ester, on the sea-shore. " This may inform the honorable court, that I, Phihp, am willing to sell the land within this draught, but the Indians that are upon it may live upon it still; but the land that is mine may be sold, and Watashpoo is of the same mind. I have put down all the principal names of the land we are now willing should be sold. " From Pacanaukett, the 24th Philip : P : his mark." of the month, 1668.'' Wewwensett. Wanascotucket. ^ ^ This i3 a path. /x "^ ■ ■ ■ ■■ • ■ r " j Panhanet. Sepaconett. Aasowompamokc . Patantanett. Assookamuck. Machapaugoneck. *A This is a path. '•' «A Anequeassett. Kitteaskeesett. " Know all men by these presents, that Philip has given power unto Watashpoo, and Sampson and their brethren, to hold and to make sale of to whom they will, by my consent, &c. &c. Witness my hand that I give it to them. The mark P of Philip, 1668." " John Sassamon is a witness." SCITUATE. This town appears to have been settled as early as 1633 or 1634. It is supposed the town derived its name from the Indian word Seteaat or Sattiit, a word which signifies Cold Brook, and applied * In 1696, a French privateer was -svTecked in Buzzard's bay, the crew were carried prisoners to Boston ; the surgeon. Dr. Francis Le Baron, came to Plymouth, and hav- ing performed a surgical operation, the town being destitute of a physician, they peti- tioned Lieutenant Governor Stoughton for his liberation, that he might settle in their town. This was granted, and he married Mary Wilder, and practised physic till he died, at the age of 36 years. Dr. Le Baron did not relinquish the Catholic religion, and was strongly attached to its ceremonies. He never retired to rest without placing the cross on his breast. He left descendants, and all those of his name in this country are descended from him. — Thacher's History of Plymouth. S C I T U A T E . fiSf to a Stream in this place. " Scitiiate, indebted to the substantial character of some of its founders, many of whom, it is evident, came chiefly from Kent, in England, soon became a respectable town, early taking the lead in rates and levies of men, which su- periority it maintained to the latest annals of the colony. Are you a Kentish man, or a man of Kent? has its historical value, as it respects origin. "=**" The following is a list of the first freemen in Scituate, from 1633 to 1649. Mr. William Gilson, Henry Eowley, Richard Sillis, Walter Woodworth, Anthony Annable, Geo. Kendrick, Edward Fitzrandle, Mr. Timo. Hatherly, Humphrey Turner, Edward Foster, Robert Linnet, Wm. Caseley, William Hatch, George Lewis, John Williams, Edward Eddenden, Henry Cobb, Bernard Lombard, Thomas Dimmack, Thomas Clapp, Samuel House, Mr. John Lothrop, JohnTwisden, Edward Jenkins, Mr. James Cudworth, Henry Bourne, Thomas Chambers, Isaac Stedman, Isaac Robinson, Mr. Thos. Besbedge, John Hewes, John Allen. Samuel Fuller, Samuel Hickley, Mr. Chas. Chauncey, John Cooper, John Lewis, William Parker, Mr. Timothy Hatherly was the principal founder and father of the town of Scituate. In 1656, Mr. Hatherly, Robert Studson, and Joseph Tilden, built a saw-mill on the third Herring Brook, which is believed to be the first saw-mill in the colony. This is the brook that separates Scituate from Hanover. It was destroyed by the Indians in Philip's war. It is stated that 19 houses were burnt by the savages in their attack on this town in 1676, This town suffered severely during Philip's war. Capt. Michael Pierce, who, with 51 Englishmen, were killed by the Indians near Pawtucket, was of this town. The following account of the Indian attack on this town is copied from the account given in " Deane's History of Scituate," published in 1831. " They came into Scituate by the ' Indian path,' so called, which led from Scituate to the Matakeeset aettlements at Indian head ponds, by ' the Cornet's mill,' on the third Herrini? brook, near the residence of the late Major Winslow. This sawmill tliey burnt ; and tradition tells that they wounded and bunit a man in it; but this is doubtful. They then proceeded to Capt. Joseph Sylve.ster's, and burnt his house. It Btood north of the Episcopal Church hill, (now known as such) and nearly on the same spot where s(anil8 the mansion of Mr. Samuel Waterman. There was a garrison of twelve men at Joseph B.irstow's, three fourths of a mile south of Capt. Sylve.ster's, which ihey probably avoided, and proceeded dowji towards the town, burning as they went. But, unfortunately, we are able only to menlion a few of the hoases .so de- stroyed, which we find incidentally mentioned in our town records. The next house which they burnt (of which we have certain record) was William Blackmore's. It stood where stands the house of llie late Capt. Elijah Curtis, forty rods west of the head of the lane that leads to Union bridge, and on the north side of the street. William Blackrnore w.is killed thai day, but whether in attempting to defend his house or not, and what was the fate of his family, we have not learned ; probably, however, they had escaped to the ' block-house' on the bank of the river, but fifty rods distant. The blockhou.se was attacked, but not car- ried ; John James, however, whose house was near the block-house, received a mortal wound, lingered about six weeks, and died. The Indians then hastened forward to attack the principal garrison at Charles i»'tockbridge's. Their path may be traced directly onward towards this garrison. The house of Nicholas >r^4-ni^ ;,0^^ f The following is an account of the first visit of the English at Plymouth to Boston harbor, in the words of one of the party :■ — " It seemed good to the company in seneral, that, though the Massachusetts (a tribe of Indians) had often threaieued us, (as we were informed.) yet we should aa amongst them, partly to see the country, partly to make peace with ihem, and partly to proouie their truck. Fur these ends the governiiurs chose ten men, fit for the purpose, and sent Tisquantum, and two other savages, to brmg us to speech with the peo- ple, and interpret for us. '' [On the l^lh of September, 1621, being Tuesday.] we set out about midnight, the tide then serving for 113. We. supposing it to be nearer than it is, thought to tie there the next morning betimes ; but it proved well near iwe.ily le;igiies from New Plymouth. We came into the bottom of the bay, but being late, we anchored, and lay in the shallop, not having seen any of the people. The next morning we put in for the shore. There we foi'od many lolisters, that had been gathered together by the savages, which we made ready under a clitf, (Copp's hill, in Boston.) The cipiain sent two sentinels behind the clilT, to the land- ward, to secure the shallop, and taking a guide with him, and four of our company, went to seek the iiihahitants, where they met a woman coming for her lobsters; they told her of tliem, and contented her for them. She told them where the people were. Tisquantum went to them ; the rest returned, having Jirection which way to bring the shallop to them. " 'J'he sachem, or governour of this place, is called Obbalinewat. and. though he live in the bnttom of the JITa.ss:ichusel I5ay. yet he is muler .Massasoyl. He used us very kinilly : he lolil us lie durst not remain ia any s,?ttled place, fur fear of the Tareiilines : also the scp.aw sachem or Massachiisi Is queen was an enemy to him. We told him of divers sachems that had acknowledged themsidves to be King James his men. and if he also would submit himself we would te hb safeguard from his enemies ; which he did, and went along with us to bring us to the 3:iuaw .sachem. " Again we crossed the bay, which is very large and hath at least fifty islands in it, but the certain num- l)er is iiut known to the inhabitants. Night it W;iS before we came to that side of the bay wh.Te Ibis peo- ple were. that night also we rid at anchor aboard the shallop. On the morrow we went ashore all but two men, and marched in arms up the country. Having gone tht'/e miles, we came to a place where com had lieen newly gathercl, a house pullt-d down, and the people gone. A mile from hence, Nanepos- hemet, their king, m his lifetime had lived. His house was not like others, hut a scaffold was largely built, with poles and planks, some si.v foot from ground, and the house upon that, being situated on the top of a hill. ■' Not far from hence, in a bottom, we came to a fort built by their deceased king, the manner thus : there were poles, some thirty or forty feci long, stuck in the ground as thick a^ they could be set one by another, and with the-se they enclosed a ring some forty or fifty feet over. A trench breast high was (Jiffired on e.ich side : one way there was to iro into it with a bridjje. In the mid.sl of this palisado stood tlia frame of an house, wherein, bting dead, he lay buried. 534 BOSTON. " About a mile from hence we came to such another, but seated on the top of an hill ; here Nanepashe- met was killeii, none dwelling in it since the lime of his death. At this place we staid, and sent two savaiges to look the inhaljilaiils. and to inform thr^m of our ends in coming, that they might not be fearful of U9. Within a mile of this place they found the women of the place together, will) their corn on heaps, whither we supposed them to be lied for fear of us. and tlie more, because in divers places they had newly pulled down their houses, and for haste in one place had left some of their corn, covered with a mat, and nobody wilh it. " Wilh much fear they entertained tis at first, but seeing our gentle carriage towards them, they took heart and entertained us in the best manner ihey could, bfiiliiig cod and such other things as they had-for us. At lengih, with much sendi.ig for, came one of their men, shaking and tremliling for fear. But when he saw that we intended theni nn hurt, but came to truck, he promiseit us wilh his skins also. Of him we inquired'foi their queen ; but it .seemed she was far from thence ; at least we could not see her. Here Tis- quantum would have had us rilled the .savage women, and taken their skins, and all such things as might be serviceable fjr us; for (said he) they are a bad people, and have oft threatened you. But our answer was, were they never so bad, we would not wrong them, or give them any just occasion against us ; for their words, we little weighed them, hut if they once attempted any thing against us, then we would deal far worse than he desired. Having well spent the day, we returned to the shallop, almost all the women accompanying us to the shore. We promised them to come again to them, and they us to keep their skins. " Within this bay the savages say there are two rivers ; the one whereof we saw, having a fair entrance, but we had no time to discover it. Belter harbours fir shipping cannot be than here are. At the entrance of the bay are many rocks; and in all likelihood good fishing ground. Many, yea, most of the islands have been inhabited, some being cleared from end to end. but the people are all dead or removed. Our victual growing scarce, the wind cominJf fair, and having a light moon, we set out at evening, and, through the goodness of God, came safely home before noon the day following, wilh a considerable quantity of beaver, and a good report of the place, wishing we had been seated there." About the year 1663, Boston was described in Johnson's " Won- der-working Providence" in the following manner : — " Invironed it is with brinish flood, saving one small Istmos, which gives free access to the neighboring towns by land, on the south side, on the northwest and northeast. Two constant fairs are kept for daily Iratique thereunto. The form of this town is like a heart, naturally situated for fortifications, having two hills on the frontier pan thereof next the sea. ihe one well fortified on the superficies thereof wilh store of great artillery well mounted ; the other hath a very strong battery built of whole limber, and filled with earth. At the descent of the hill, in the extreme poynt thereof, beiwixl lliese two strong arms, lies a cove or bay, on which the chief part of this town is built, overtopped wilh a third hill ; all these, like overtopping towers, keep a constant watch lo see the apprnach of foreign dangers, being furnished wilh a beacon and loud babbling guns, to give notice by their redoubled echo to all the sister towns. The chief edifice of this city-like town is cruwded on tlie sea-banks, and wliarfed out wilh great labour and cost; the buildings beautiful and large, some fairly set forth with brick tile, stone and slate, and orderly placed wilh semely Blreels, whose continual enlargement presageth some sumptuous city. But now behold the admirable acts of Christ, at ihis his people's landing; the hideous thickets in this place were such that wolves and bears nurst up tlieir young from the eyes of all beholders, in those very places where the streets are full of girls and boys, sporting up and down with continued concourse of people. Good store of shipping is here yearly built, and some very fair ones. This town is tlie very mart of the land ; Dutch, French, and Portugalls come here to trafique." The city of Boston, the capital of Massachusetts and New Eng- land, in its present limits is naturally divided into three sections, — Boston, Soutii Boston, and East Boston. The peninsula on which Old Boston is built extends from Rox- bury on the south to Winnesimet ferry on the north, and is nearly surrounded by the waters of Boston harbor on the east and Charles river on the north and west. Its length is nearly three miles, and its average breadth about one mile. It originally contained about 700 acres, but its territory has been greatly extended, by filling up around its borders. Its surface is quite uneven. It has numerous eminences, rising from 50 to 110 feet above the sea, affording admi- rable sites for building, and giving it a striking appearance. It is in north Lat. 42° 21' 23", and west Lon. 71° 4' 9". It lies 163 miles S. S. W. from Augusta, Me.; 63 S. S. E. from Concord, N. H".; 160 S. E. by S. from Montpelier, Vt.; 158 E. (19' S.) from Albany, N. Y.; 40 N. N. E. from Providence, R. 1.; 97 E. N. E. from Hart- ford, Ct.; 207 N. E. by E. from New York, and 432 miles N. E. by E. from Washington. Avenues. — The peninsular situation of Boston requires many artificial avenues to and from the surrounding country. Until 1786, the "Neck," between Boston and Roxbury, one mile and 1 17 feet in length, was the only passage to it by land. On the BOSTON, 535 17th June, of that year, the Charles River Bridge, leading from Boston to Charlestowa, was opened for travel. It was incorporated March 9, 1785. This bridge is 1,503 feel in length, 42 in breadth, and cost $50,000. Net revenue in 1834, $9,383, This bridge by its charter becomes state property in 1856. West Boston Bridi^e, leading to Cambridge, was opened on the 23d of November, 1793. It was incorporated March 9, 1792. Length of the bridge, 2,758 feet ; abut- ment and causeway, 3,432 ; total length. 6,190 feet. Cost, $76,667. Net revenue in 1834, $12,928. This bridge will become state property in 1879. South Boston Bridge, leading from Boston Neck to South Boston, was incorporated March 6, 1804, and opened for travel in July, 1805. Length, 1,550 feet ; width, 40. It cost the proprietors about $50,000. It is now city property, free. Canal Bridge, from Boston to Lechmere Point, in East Cambridge, was incorporated February 27,^1807, and opened for travel in August, 1809. Length, 2,796 feet ; width, 40. A lateral bridge extends from this to Prison Point, Charlestown. Length, 1,820 ; width, 35 feet. Net receipts in 1834, $3,173. This bridge will become state property in 1879. The Western Avenue, leading from Beacon street to ServeU's Point, in Brookliue, was incorporatea June 14, 1814, and commenced in 1818. It was opened for travel July 2, 1821. This avenue is a substantial dam across Charles River bay, about a mile and a half in length, and from 60 to 100 feet in width. This dam encloses about 600 acres of flats, over which the tide formerly flowed from 7 to 10 feet. A partition dam divides this enclosure, and forms, b}"^ the aid of flood and ebb gates, a full and receiving basin ; thereby producing, at all times, a great hydraulic power. The cross dam also forms an excellent avenue from the main dam to Roxbury. Cost, about $700,000. Net receipts in 1834, $6,133. The proprietors of this avenue claim a per- petual franchise. Boston Free Bridge, from Sea street to South Boston. Incorporated March 4, 1826 ; completed in 1828. Length, 500 ; width, 38 feet. Built by proprietors of lands in the vicinity. City property. Warren Bridge, leading to Charlestov\Ti. Length, 1,390 feet; width, 44. Incorporated March 12, 1828, and opened on the December follow- ing. It is now state property. The net receipts of this bridge in 1834 were $16,427. All the above avenues are Ughted with lamps, when necessary, and make a beautiful appearance. Middlesex Canal passes in a northerly direction from Boston harbor, at Charlestown, through Medford, 5 miles from Boston, Woburn, 10, — Wilmington, 14, — to Lowell, at the locks and canals at that place, 27 miles. It was incorporated in 1789, and com- pleted in 1808, at an expense of $828,000. Its breadth at the surface is 30 feet, at bottom 20, depth, 4 feet ; summit level, 104 feet above tide water, and 32 feet above the Merrimac at Lowell. This and other short canals on the Merrimac open a navi- gable communication between Boston and Concord, N. H. This was the first enter- prise of the kind attempted in the United States. The Boston and Providence Eailroad was incorporated in 1831. The road commences on the south-west side of the Common, in Boston, crosses the Worcester railroad, passes through Roxbury, the eastern part of Dedham, and western part of Canton, Sharon, Foxborough, Attleborough, and Pawtucket, to Seekonk. and terminates at India bridge, which crosses the Pawtucket river to Providence. It is 41 miles in length, and cost $1,150,000. (For a notice of the Lowell and the Worcester railroads, see those places.) Boston Harbor extends across Light-House Channel and Broad Sound, from Point Alderton on Nantasket to Point Shirley in Chelsea, a distance, between the islands, of about 4 miles. It is safe, and of ample capacity for the largest navy. The most important part of this harbor is entered by a narrow pass, between two and three miles below the city, and is well protected by two powerful forts — Independence and Warren. The outer harbor, below these forts, will shortly be protected by a very powerful fortress now erecting on George's Island, at a great expense, by the govern- ment of the United States. Boston harbor contains many islands of great beauty, and is the reservoir of the Mystic, Charles, Neponset, Manatiquot, and other rivers. Its borders are environed by the towns of Hull, Hingham, Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy, Dorchester, Roxbury, Erookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, and Chelsea ; and the numerous small bays, coves, and inlets, indenting their shores, give great variety, and add much to the scenery of this delightful harbor. Owing to the almost insular situation of Boston, and its limited extent, its popula- tion appears small. But it must be considered that the neighboring towns of Quincy, Dorchester, Milton, Roxbury, Brookline, Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Charles- town, Medford, Maiden, and Chelsea, although not included in the city charter, are 636 BOSTON. component parts of the city, and are as much associated with it in all its commercial, manufacturing, literary, and social relations and feelings, as Greenwich, Manhattan- ville, and Harlem are with the city of New York, or Southwark and the Northern Liberties with Philadelphia. The population of Boston in 1700 was 7.000 ; 1722, 10,567 ; 1765, 15,520 ; 1790, 18,038 ; 1800, 24,937 ; 1810, 33,250 ; 1820, 43,298 ; 1830, 61,391 ; and in 1837, 80,325. Commerce. — The citizens of Boston have ever sustained a high rank for their com- mercial enterprise. After whitening every sea with their canvass, and extending their commerce with all nations of the globe, they are now looking westward and northward, and constructing new and artificial channels, to enable them not only to compete with other Atlantic cities for the already immense commerce of the western world, but to interi;ept it on ils passage down the St. Lawrence. The number of vessels entered at this port the year ending September 30, 1837, was 1,511; tonnage, 242,277 tons; crews, 11,503; cleared, 1,367; tonnage, 184,373 tons; crews, 9,177. The registered, enrolled, and licensed tonnage of this port, the same year, was 201,005 tons. A large amount of tonnage, owned at Boston, is re- gistered at southern ports. CoMMEr.ciAi. Accommodations. — There is probably no place in the world better ac- commodated lor commercial operations than Boston. The whole length of the harbor on the east and north is lined with about 200 docks and wharves. A few of them only can be noticed. India Wluirf, at the foot of Fort Hill, was constructed in 1805. It extends into the harbor 980 feet, and is 246 to 280 feet in width. In the center is a range of 39 stores, 22 by 80, and 4 stories in height. Central Wharf, between India and Long wharves, was built in 1816. In the center are 54 warehouses, 23 by 50, 4 stories high. It is 1,379 feet in length, and 150 in width. Over a spacious hall in the center of this range of stores, is one of the best observatories in the United States. North of this is Long Wharf, at the foot of State street, commenced in 1710. This wharf extends into the harbor 1,800 feet, is 200 feet in width, and has 76 spacious warehouses. About the center of this wharf is a well of fresh water, 90 feet in depth. Passing the City wharf on the north, we come to Commercial Wharf, 1,100 feet in length, and 160 in width. On the center of this wharf is a range of 34 granite ware- houses, 25 by 60 feet, and are unequalled by any thing of the kind in the United States for convenience or grandeur. Cost, $500,000. On the west, and in front of this tier of wharves, which run into the harbor nearly parallel to each other, are India and Commercial streets, having the east end of Faneuil Hall Market nearly in the center. These streets are wide ; they serve as wharves, and their west sides are covered with large and convenient stores. It is contemplated to extend India street, on the south, to the Free bridge on Sea street ; and Commercial street, on the north, to Winnesimet ferry. The Marine Laihvays, established in 1826, at the north part of the city, afford great accommodations to those engaged in na\'igation. A new and splendid Custom-House is now erecting on India street, between Long and Central wharves. An Exchange, for the accommodation of merchants, and a new City Hall, are contemplated. Boston Common. — This is considered one of the most delightful promenades in the world. It comprises about 75 acres of land, of variegated surface, beautifully shaded by trees of various kinds, particularly in the malls or walks which surround it. Some of those trees were planted more than a hundred years ago. The malls are wide, beveled, graveled, and smooth ; the waters of Charles river, and the romantic scenery beyond it. are in prospect. The whole is enclosed by an iron fence, on the outside of which are wide streets and beautiful buildings. The distance around the malls and common is about a mile. This plot of ground is so held by the city, that it can never be appropriated to any other than its present healthful and pleasing purposes. The foundation of a large and splendid Botanic Garden was laid in 1837, by the subscription of funds for that purpose. It is located on the city lands, on the west side of the Common. This will be a great ornament to the city, and an honor to the taste and judgment of ils projectors. South Bostox. — This part of Boston was set off from Dorchester, by legislative enactment, I\Iarch the 6th, 1804. It is bounded south by Dorchester bay, and spreads about two miles on the south side of the harbor, above the forts. It contains about 600 acres, and is laid out into regular streets and squares. The surface of this part of Boston is exceedingly picturesque. In about the center of this tract, and about two miles from the City Hall, the memorable " Dorchester Heights " rear their heads BOSTON 537 Northern vierv of part of South Boston. 130 feet above the sea, from which is presented a splendid view of Boston, its harbor, and the surrounding country. It is connected with Old Boston by two bridges. This part of Boston is rapidly increasing in population and wealth. The ]l"asfii)igto>i House, (seen on the left, in the cut,) near the "Heights," is a noble building, having an exten- sive prospect in almost every direction. The Houses of Industry, Correction, and Reformation are situated on a plot of ground of about 60 acres on the margin of the harbor, and near the brow of the " Heights," in South Boston. " The House of Industry is a large stone building, wholly devoted as a place of refuge for the poor, who are old, infirm, or otherwise unable to sixpport themselves ; and as a workhouse for those who cannot, or will not, maintain themselves. This establishment is of the same character of that which stood on Park street many years ago, and Avhich was removed to Barton's Point in 1800, where a beautiful building was erected for its accommodation, but which was sold, and the present house built in 1823. From the 7th of August, 1823, to June 2d, 1835, the number admitted to this house was 8,211. The number of admissions and re-admis- sions in 1834 was 979, besides 32 births in the house. There remained in the house, December 31, 1834, 610. ' I3.383 different individuals were inmates in 1834, for longer and shorter periods of time, (some of whom were out and in several times,) while only 237 have remained steadily in the house the whole year.' Of this number 600 ■were men, 404 women, 223 boys, and 153 girls. Of this number 71 men and 57 women were insane or idiotic, and 8 idiot children. Of this number 268 were Bosto- nians, 274 were from other parts of the United States, and 841 were foreigners. It is observed by the superintendent, that 'there has been, for several years, a constant diminution of native Americans supported in the house, with more than a correspond- ing increase of foreigners. A large proportion of these travel into the state by land, from the British Provinces, and from other states.' The number of foreigners ad- mitted into this house in 10 j'ears was 3,09^. " House of Correction. This house is a few rods east of the House of Industry, and occupies at present only the easterly part of a large stone building. This is a county prison for convicts too young in vice to place in the state prison, but too old in vicious habits to require much less discipline. The commitments to this house are from the municipal and pohce courts. None exceed 8 years. The plan of the house, although at present limited in extent, is admirably fitted for its uses. It is on the plan of the Auburn prison, m the state of New York, which cannot well be described here. It is worthy of a visit from all classes of people, both good and bad ; it teaches solemn lessons ; and whilst we pity and deplore its convict' inmates for their state of degra- dation, we cannot but admire that order and discipline by which so large a number of men and women are kept in such quiet subjection. The number of white males at this house January 1st, 1834, was 160; white females, 85; colored males, 10; col- ored females, 13 ; total, 268. Of this number 84 belonged to Massachusetts, 63 were from other states, and 121 were foreigners. On the first of January, 1835, there were at this house 178 white males, 74 white females, 14 colored males, and 20 colored 638 BOSTON. females ; total, 286. Of this number 153 were people of the United States, and 133 foreigners. " In the right wing of the latter building is the House of Reformation for Juvenile Offenders. The number is generally between 80 and 90. The above buildings are each 220 feet in length and 43 feet in width. A new building is erecting on the city land, south of these buildings, for a House of Reformation ; when it is completed, the Hou,se of Correction will occupy the whole of the present building. These houses are severally governed by boards of overseers." South-western vkiv of East Boston. East Boston. — The above is a south-western view of part of East Boston, as seen from Lewis' wharf, East Boston ferryway. This section of the city, until recently, had been called Noddle's Island. It lies about 660 yards north-east from Old Boston, and about the same distance from Charlestown. It is divided from Chelsea by Chelsea Creek, 600 feet wide, over which is a bridge, and from which is an excellent road to the Salem turnpike. The Eastern railroad, to Salem, Newburyport, dec, commences at East Boston. The island contains about 660 acres of land, and a large body of flats. Ii was purchased by a company of enterprising gentlemen in 1832. They were incorporated in March, 1833, and the first house was commenced in October of the same year. A steamboat ferry is established between this place and Old Boston, starting from each side every ten "minutes. The time occupied in crossing is about five minutes. A ferry is about being established between this island and Charles- town. The surface of the island is pleasingly variegated, and affords delightful sites for dwelling-houses and gardens at moderate prices. This place is well located for manufactories of various kinds ; particularly for ship-building, and all those branches of mechanics connected with navigation. The Mnverick Hotel, seen in the central part of the engraving, is a large and splen- did building, occupying a commodious site. This house is named in honor of Samuel Maverick, who owned the island and resided there in 1630, and who is said to have made " some figure in the history of after times — a man of very loving and courteous behavior, and very readv to entertain strangers." Finances.— The publ'ic debt of the city of Boston on the first of May, 1837, was $1,197,200. The receipts, during the financial year, from the 30th of April, 1836, to 30th of April, 1837, was $926,350— the expenditures, $904,065. Besides the public property in public buildings, city and other wharves, &c. &c., both improved for city purposes and rented, the city has about 7,000,000 square feet of land on the Neck, ex- clusive of streets, public squares, and malls, and a very large property in other lands in various parts of the city, which are rapidly increasing in value. The amount of this property cannot be stated, but it is known greatly to exceed the city debt, exclusive of that part which is wanted for the uses of the city. The following, respecting Boston, is copied entire from the " Statistical Tables," published by the state, 1837. BOSTON. 639 "Number of merino sheep, on the first of April, 178 ; number of pounds of merino wool raised in the year, 712 ; average weight of fleece, i lbs. ; value of wool, $356 ; capital invested, $53t. Boots manufactured, 15,047 pairs ; shoes, 24,626 pairs ; value of boots and shoes, $102,641 ; males employed, 304; females, 55. (The return also states, that there were manufactured, in various towns in the commonwealth, by the agents of persons residing in Boston, and exclusively on Boston capital, 50,604 pairs of boots, and 952,640 pairs of shoes, employing 1,431 males and 583 females, amount- ing in value to $957,289.) Value of leather curried, $228,000 ; hands employed, 50 ; capital invested, $60,000. Hat manufactories, 12 ; hats manufactured, 76,317 ; value of hats, $194,673 ; males employed, 95 ; females, 68. Air and cupola furnaces, 5 ; iron castings made, 4,000 tons ; value of same, $372,000 ; hands employed, 289 ; capital invested, $665,000. Axe manufactory, 1 ; axes manufactured, 6,000 ; value of axes, $7,500 ; hands employed, 8 : capital invested, $2,000. Glass manufactories, 3 : value of glass, $48,000; hands employed, 77; capital invested, $47,000. Chair and cabinet manufactories, 23 ; value of chairs and cabinet ware, $148,100 ; hands employed, 164. Comb manufactories, 4; value of combs, $41,000; males employed, 25; females, 16 ; capital invested in shell, horn and ivory, $121,000. Tin ware manufac- tories, 37 ; value of tin ware, $112,032 ; hands employed, 116. Distilleries, 13 ; mo- lasses distilled, 2,574,600 gallons, producing 2,317,140 gallons of spirit ; gross value of spirits, $926,856. Straw bonnets manufactured, 116,200 ; value of straw bonnets, $182,450 ; males employed, 19 ; females, 438. Vessels built in the five years preced ing April 1, 1837, 37 ; tonnage of the same, 8,612 ; value of same, $622,000 ; hands employed in building, 86 ; (number of vessels, built within the five years, in other towns, which ' received their papers ' at the Boston custom-house, 266 ; tonnage of the same, 59,670.) Vessels employed in the whale fishery, 5 ; tonnage of the same, 1,550 ; sperm oil imported in those vessels, 88,100 gallons ; whale oil, 68,169 gallons value of sperm oil, $70,619 ; value of whale oil, $25,604 ; hands employed, 125 capital invested, $155,000. Vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery, 152 tonnage of same, 9,703; cod-fish caught, 127,250 qixintals ; value thereof, $408,509 90: mackerel caught, 43,266 barrels ; value of same, $320,165 ; salt used in the cod ana mackerel fishery, 142,567 bushels ; hands employed, 1,794 ; capital invested, $593,200. Manufactory of axletrees, 1 ; value of axletrees manufactured, $10,000 ; hands em- ployed, 6; capital invested, $6,000. Brewer}^, 1; value of beer, $12,000; hands employed, 8 ; capital invested, $30,000. Manufactories of soap and candles, 7 ; value of soap and candles, $93,000 ; hands employed, 29 ; capital invested, $125,000. ' Manufacture of sperm oil,' (refining,) 25 tons. Manufactory of whale oil, (refin- ing,) 1; value of oil refined, $135,000; hands employed, 16; capital invested, $100,000. Copper smitheries and brass foundries, 13 ; value of manufactures, $756,754 ; hands employed, 200; capital invested, $316,300. Piano-forte and organ manufactories, 7 ; number of piano-fortes manufactured, 1,033 ; organs, 11 ; value of pianos and organs, $302,700 ; hands employed, 220 ; capital invested, $163,500. Brush manufactories, 4 ; value of brushes, $93,000; males employed, 79 ; females, 59 ; capital invested, $38,000. Manufactories of gold and silver leaf, 5 ; value of gold and silver, $43,000 ; males employed, 22 ; females, 14 ; capital invested, $11,200. Manufactories of coaches, chaises and harnesses, 14 ; value of articles made, .$128,805 ; hands employed, 149 ; capital invested, $82,200. Manufactories of refined sugar, 4 j value of sugar refined, $976,454 ; hands employed, 92 ; capital invested, $.303,653. Manufactories of jewelry, 3 ; value of jewelry, $63,000 ; hands employed, 36 ; capi- tal invested, $91,000. Manufactory of chain cables, 1 ; value of cables, $60,000 ; hands employed, 20 ; capital invested, $75,000. Blanufactories of silver ware, 5 ; value of ware, $165,100 ; hands employed, 52 ; capital invested, $20,050. Manufac- tories of umbrellas, 10 ; value of umbrellas, $65,000 ; males employed, 37 ; females, 26 ; capital invested, $36,500. Manufactories of saddles, trunks and whips, 15 ; value of articles, $177,000 ; males employed, 120 ; females, 17 ; capital invested, $83,000. Manufactories of granite, marble and other stone, 17 ; value of articles manufactured, $336,000; hands employed, 400: capital invested, $165,500. Manufactories of machinery, 16 ; value of machinery, $326,000 ; hands employed, 287 ; capital in- vested, $183,775. Manufactories of blank books and stationery, 5 ; value of articles, $78,000 ; males employed, 43 ; females, 7 ; capital invested, $49,000. Manufactory of gas, 1 ; value of gas, $100,000 ; hands employed, 40 ; capital invested, $375,000. Manufactories of looking-glasses, 8; value of articles, $147,500; hands employed, 42; capital invested, $55,600. Manufactories of lasts, 2; value of lasts, $40,000; hands employed, 29 ; capital invested, $18,000 ; lasts manufactured, 240,000. Manu- factories of neck-stocks and suspenders, 8 ; value of these articles, $122,000 ; males employed, 21 ; females, 435 ; capital invested, $58,200. Type and stereotype foun- dries, 4; value of types and stereotypes manufactured, 1157,000; males employed. 640 BOSTON. 185; females, 30; capital invested, $140,000. Manufactories of printed books, 4 ; value of printed books, S925,000 ; males employed, 500 ; females, 400 ; capital in- vested, .$850,000. Manufactories of clothing, 97; value of clothing, $1,765,666; males employed, 542 ; females, 2,402 ; capital invested, $710,894." Bankixs and Insurance Co.mpanies. — There are twenty-six banks, with a capital of about 18 millions of dollars. The charters of these banks, as well as of all banking companies in the commonwealth, expire by limitation in 1851. The oldest bank in the commonwealth is the Massachusetts Bank, in Boston. It was incorporated in 1785. The Union Bank was incorporated in 1792 ; the Boston Bank in 1803. Most of the other banks in Boston are of a much more recent date. There are twenty-seven insurance companies in Boston, with a capital of $7,600,000, besides the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, ^vith a capital of $500,000, and the Massachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The charters of these companies are subject to the control of the legislature. Schools and Institutions. — The first .settlers of New England were exceedingly tenacious of their civil and religious rights, and they well knew that hiorcled^e was an all-powerful engine to preserve those rights, and transmit them to their posterity. They therefore very early laid the foundation of those free scfiools. of which all the sons and daughters of New England are justly proud. E.xclnsive of Infant and Sab- bath school scholars, about a quarter part of the population of Boston is kepi at school throughout the year, at an annual expense of about $200,000. Boston is not only celebrated for its schools, but for its munificent donations in support of its uistitutions for moral, religious and literary purposes. Since the year 1800, not less than two millions of doHars have thus been appropriated by the citizens of Boston. The Massachusetts General Hospital was incorporated in 1811. It is divided into two departments, the Hospital in Boston, and the McLean Asylum at Charlestown, of which an account has been given. (See Charlestown.) The institution is under the management of a board of twelve trustees, and a board of five visiters. The fund.? of the institution, including the munificent donations of the late John McLean and Miss Mary Belknap, are about $120,000. In the hospital in Boston the number of patients received since its establishment, to June, 1835, was 5,658. The average number of sick in the house is about 45. The average cost to the institution for each patient, for five successive years, was $1,62 a week. Whilst no patient pays more than $3 a week, (except a few who have extra rooms and attendants,) nearly two thirds of the whole number are entirely free ; consequently, those who do not pay receive $4,62, and those who do pay receive $1,62 a week from the funds of this noble charity. Nvw Evglnnd Tns/i/ntioyi for the Education of the Blind. — This irislitiition wiw incorporated in 1829; bul liule was accomplished uiuil 1S32, when Dr. H^nve returned from Europe, accompanied by a blind teaclier; manifesting that zeal in the cau.se of the blind which hid distinsuished hi.s philantliropic labors in another sphere, in a distant land. He opened a schfK.l with six Wind youaj scholars. The pro- gress of ttiose children was so ^reat, and the value of an institution of the kind so apparent, that legislatures and citizens eenerally became much interested. By public and private donations, particularly tjy the influence of ladies in several parts of New England, and by the munilicent gift of a splendid building in Pearl street, by the Hon. Thomas H. Perkins, the institution has incre:ised, both in reputation and funds, with unparalleled success. The scholars are instructed in all those branches common in other schools, and some of them in the higher branches of literature. Music is the study of all. Mechanic.il labors are taught and enjoyed by the pupils. Musical instruments nf all kinds, and other implements, are provided for their convenience and use. A printing press is establi.shed, and several books have hcou printed in embossed letters, which are superior to any in Europe. It is exceedingly delightful to see the.se interesting youths, whose lives once seemed a dreary waste, and witnessing their improvement in acfiuiring useful knowledge, partaking of all tho.se recreations natural and proper fur their age, sex. and condition, and fitting themselves for useful stations in society. The institution is managed by a board of trustees, and is patron- ized by the governments of all the New England states. Ewe and Ear Infirmary. — This institution was commenced in Boston, by Drs. JefMes and Reynold.s, in 1S24, from a conviction of its utility and impeeming not to represent, but to personify, the universal feeling, he stretched forth his arm, as if it were upheld by the strength of thou.sands and with anhesitating promptness and dignified firmness replied, ' Jf lhe_ lieutenant governor, or Col. Dalrymple, or both together, have authority to remcrr^e one regiment, tliey have authority to remove tiro ; ami nothing short of the total evacuation of the toic7i, by all the regular troops, ictll satisfy the public mind or prfsfrre the peate of the province.' The olficers, civil and military, were in reality abashed, before this plain committee of a democratic assembly. They knew the imminent danger that impended; the very air was filled with the breathings of compres-sed indignation. They .shrunk, fortunately shrunk, from all the arrogance which they had hitherto maintained. Their reliance on a standing army faltered before the undaunted, irresistible re.solution of free unarmed citizens. '• Hutchinson consulted the council, and they gave him their unqualified advice, that the troops should be sent out of the town. The commanding officer then pledged his word of lionor that the demand of tha town should be complied with, as six)n as practicable ; and both regiments were removed to the castle in less than fourteen days. " The funeral solemnities, which took place on Thursday, the 8th, brought together the greatest concourse that probably had ever assembled in America on one occasion. Attuck.s, who was a friendless mulatto, and Caldwell, who also was a stranger, wore borne from Faneuil Hall; Maverick, who was about 17 years old, from his mother's house in Union street, and Gray from his brotiier's in Royal E.vchange lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King street, and thence the procession m.irched, in columns of six deep, through the main street to the middle burial-ground, where the four victims were deposited in one grave." The following, respecting the "Boston Tea-party,-' is taken from the account given in Snow's History of Boston. ' On the first of December, Capt. James Bruce, in the ship Eleanor, arrived with another portion of tha tea. On the 3d he was ordered to attend the next day on a committee of the people in Faneuil Hall, where he was commanded, by Samuel Adams and Jonathan Williams, assembled with John Rowe, John Hancock, Wm. Phillips, and John Pills. Escirs., and a great number of others, not to land any of the said tea, but to proceed to Griffin's wharf and there di.-^charge the re.^t of his cargo. Capt. Hcz. Coffin arrived in the brig Beaver near the same time, and was ordered to pursue the same course. '• It bein;; perceived that I\Ir. Rotch rather lingered in his preiiarations to return the Dartmouth to Lon- don, and the twenty days being nearly expired, after which the collector might .seize the ship and cargo, Mr. R. was summoned before the committee, and stated to them ihal it would prove his entire ruin if ha should comply with the re.solutions of the 29th and 3iith of Novemlier, and therefore he should not do it. A meeting of the people was assembled at the Old .South on Tuesday P. M., Dec. I4th, when Mr. R. appeared, and was enjoined forthwith to demand a clearance. It was ascertained thai one could not ba obtained till the next day, and therefore the meeting was adjourned lo Thursday, at the same place. " On Thursday, tbere was the fullest meeting ever known ; 2000 men, at least, were present from the country. Samuel Phillips .'^avage, Esq., of Weston, was appointed moderator. Mr. Kotch reported that the collector would not give him a clearance. He was then ordered upon his peril to get his ship ready for sea this day, enter a protest imnv.diutely again.st the custom-house, and proceed directly to tha governor, (then at Milion, 7 miles distant,) and demand a pass for his .ship to go by the castie. An adjournment to 3 P. M. tlien took place. At three having met, they waited very patiently till five o'clock, wiien, finding that Mr. Rotch did not return, they began to be very uneasy, called for a di.'^solution of tha meeting, and finally obtained a vote for it. But the more judicious, fearing what would be the conse- quences, begged for a reconsideration of that vote, 'for this reason, that they ouglit to do every thing in their power to send the tea hack, according to their resolves.' This touched the pride of the assembly, and they agreed to remain together one hour. "This interval was improved by Josiah Quincy, jr., to apprize his fellow-citizens of the importance of the crisis, and direct their attention to the probable result.s of this controversy. He succeeded in holding them in attentive silence till Mr. Rotch's return, at three quarters past five o'clock. The answer which he brought from the governor was, ' that, for the honor of the laws, and from dnty towards the king, he could not grant the permit, imtil the vessel wa.s regularly cleared.' A violent commotion immediately ensued. A per.son wno was hi the callery. disguised after the manner of the Indians, .-ihoiued at this junc- ture the cry of war ; it was answered by about thirty persons, disginsed in like manner, at the door. Tha meeting was dissolved in the twinkling of an eye. The multitude nished to GrilRn's wharf The dis- guised Indians went on board the ships laden with the tea. In le.ss than 2 hours, 210 chests and 100 half chests were slaved and emptied into the dock. The aflfair was conducted without any tumult; no damage Was done to the vessels or to ajiy oiher etlects whatever. "This was executed in the presence of several ships of war lying in Uie hartxir, and almost under the gims of the casllc, where there was a large body of troops at the command of tlie commi,s.Hh were willing to relinquish the contest without any further ex- perience of each other's prowess. It was a draw game, the bear losing her cub and GitMon his panut- •oona." — Torrey' s History. FITCHBURG )07 Southern view of Fitchburg. The above is a southern view in the central ])art of Fitchbnrg. The village, which is large and flourishing, lies in a narrow valley on the north-eastern bank of a branch of the Nashua river. There are 8 mercantile and 2 book stores, a printing-oflice, where a newspaper is published, tAvo large hotels, a bank, " The Fitchburg Bank," which was incorporated in 1832, witli a capital of $100,000. This place is 24 miles from Worcester, 30 from Lowell, and 47 from Boston. The general surface of the town is extremely un- even, consisting almost entirely of hills, some of which are very abrupt, and of considerable magnitude. Rollstone, a hill lying immediately south-west of the village, rises abruptly 300 feet above the bed of the stream which flows at its base; and there are other summits which rise still higher. The soil when properly subdued .produces heavy crops, and abounds with excellent pasturage lands. Population, 2,662. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, (1 of which is Unitarian,) 2 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. In 1837, there were 4 cotton mills, 3,880 spindles; 699,700 yards of cotton goods were manufactured ; value, $62,700 ; males employed, 27 ; females, 62 ; there were 3 woollen mills, 10 sets of machinery ; 294,500 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, $274,.500 ; males em- ployed, 88 ; females, 64. Two paper-mills ; 175 tons of stock were manufactured ; value of paper, $20,000 ; two scythe manufacto- ries; 31,200 scythes were manufactured ; value, $23,000. The first church in Fitchburg was formed in 1764, and Eev. John Payson was or- dained pastor. Kev. Samuel Worcester, his successor, was ordained in 1797, and con- tinued here about five years, Avhen he resigned, and was installed pastor of a church in Salem. Dr. Worcester entered zealously into the cause of missions. He died at Brai- nerd, a missionary station among the Cherokees, June 7th, 1821. The successor of Dr. Worcester was Rev. Titus T. Barton, who was installed pastor in 1804 ; he was succeeded by Rev. William Bascom, in 1805. Rev. William Eaton, the next minister, was ordained in 1815. Rev. Rufus A. Putnam, the successor of Mr. Eaton, was or- dained in 1824, and was succeeded by Rev. John A. Albro, who was installed in 1832. Ilev. Joshua Emery, the next pastor, was ordained in 1835. Rev. Calvin Lincoln was 568 GRAFTON. ordained pastor of the Second Society in 1824. The Village Baptist society was formed in 1831 ; their meeting-house was built in 1833. Rev. Appleton Morse, Rev. John W. McDonald, and Rev. 0. L. Lovell, have been the ministers of this society. The Methodist society was formed in 183 1 ; Rev. Joel Knight was their first minister. " The first Baptist society of Fitchburg and Ashby" was incorporated in 1810. They have a kind of meeting-house in the north part of the town. GARDNER. This town was taken from Westminster, Templeton, Winchen- don, and Ashbnrnham, a corner from each. It was incorporated and made a distinct town in 1785, and named Gardner, to perpet- uate the memory of Col. Thomas Gardner, of Cambridge, who fell in the battle of Bunker Hill. The church was gathered here in 1786, and the Rev. John Osgood was ordained pastor in 1791. He died in 1821, and was the pastor, teacher, and physician for his people nearly 30 years. Rev. Sumner Lincoln, his successor, was ordained in 1824. Rev. Jonathan Farr was ordained over the Uni- tarian society in 1829, and was succeeded by Rev. Curtis Cutler in 1833. The surface of this town is uneven, abounding in small hills and valleys, and though the land is somewhat rocky, it is strong and fertile. It is peculiarly adapted to grass and pasturage, being naturally moist, and abounding in springs and rivulets. The largest stream is Otter river, which flows into Miller's river in Winchendon. There are two ponds in this town, which have small streams running from them. Upon the various water-courses is considerable good meadow-land. There are 3 churches, 2 Con- gregational and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,276. Distance, 20 miles from Worcester, and 54 from Boston. In 1837, there were 25 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware ; the value of articles manufactured was $109,064 ; hands employed, 350. There were 60,450 palm-leaf hats manufactured : value, $8,125. GRAFTON This town is composed of a tract of land, 4 miles square, which was reserved for the Indians when the town of Sutton was granted for settlement. It was called by the Indians Has-sa-na-mis-co, and was known by that name till it was incorporated by the gene- ral court, in 1735, and named Grafton. As the Indians diminished, the white people became proprietors, in 1728, of the soil by purchase, for the consideration of £2,500, and the grant was made on condition " that they should provide preaching and schooling, and seats in the meeting-house for the remaining Indians." The general court, from the first, appointed a committee of three to superintend and take care of the Indian property, both personal and real. But this committee have little or nothing to do at present, as the Indians are nearly gone. " In 1765, there were 14 Indians in town. This number gradually diminished, but it was not till about the year 1825 that the last of the Nipmucks ceased to exist. They GRAFTON. 569 received the yearly income from their funds in the month of May, at which time thsy usually had a joyous holiday. Blankets, psalters, and psalm-books were distributed among them, as well as money. In 1830, there were 14 of a mixed Indian and negro race, which yet hold some of the Indian lands, and receive the benefits of the small remaining fund." The Congregational church was formed in this town in 1731, of which Rev. Solomon Prentice was ordained first pastor. He was dismissed in 1747, and was succeeded by Kev. Aaron Hutch- inson, ordained in 1750. He continued with the people till 1772, when he was dismissed. Rev. Daniel Grosvenor was ordained the next pastor, in 1774. By reason of ill health, he was dis- missed in 1788. Rev. John Miles, the next pastor, was ordained in 1796, and was succeeded by Rev. Moses E. Searle. in 1826 ; Rev. John Wilde, the next minister, was ordained in 1832. !iouth-iustfm vi'/v oj Of cutt/al part of Grafton. The above engraving shows the appearance of Grafton, as it is seen about half a mile distant, on the Providence road. The vil- lage stands on a commanding eminence, Avitli an extensive pros- pect to the westward. The spire seen on the left is that of the Congregational (Orthodox) church ; the next is the Baptist ; that on the right is the Unitarian. The surface of this town is hilly and uneven, and in general rocky ; but the soil is good and pro- ductive. The Blackstone river and canal pass through the south- west corner of the town, and one of the principal tributary streams to that river flows through the west part of Grafton, and by a fall of more than 50 feet supplies unfailing water-power to extensive works for the manufacture of cotton and woollen goods. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, 2 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. Population, 2,910. Distance from Worcester, 8 miles, and 36 from Boston. In 1837, there were 5 cotton mills, 14,054 spindles; 2,053,320 yards of cotton goods were manufactured ; value, $278,014; males employed, 134; females, 226; one woollen mill, 4 sets of machinery; 70,000 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, $120,000; males employed, 34; females, 25. There were 570 GRAFTON. 18,672 pairs of boots, 671,538 pairs of shoes, manufactured; value., $614,141; males employed, 906; females, 486. The following account is taken from Mr. Brigham's Centennial Address, delivered April 29, 1835. " This town is a portion of a large territory, formerly called the Nipmuck country. The limits of this country were not very well defined, but probably included all the south- ern part of the county of Worcester, a few of the adjoining towns in the state of Con- necticut, and westward to the Connecticut river. Like most of New England when first visited by the English, its population was very sparse. It had been wasted away by pestilence, or by the fatal incursions of the fierce and warlike Maquas. Its inhabit- ants possessed a milder and less warlike character than most of the neighboring tribes, and were accordingly brought into subjection to them. What was the nature of this subjection, or in what relation they stood to these tribes, it is now difficult to state with much accuracy. It is known, however, that they paid them tribute ; and perhaps this, in time of peace, was the only acknowledgment of servitude required. The first mention made of this country is by Gov. Winthrop, who, with a number of others, made an excursion up Charles river in January, 1632. After they had gone up about fifteen miles, he says they ascended a very high rock, ' where they might see all over Neipnett, and a very high hill due west.' No white man probably ever set foot on ita soil till the autumn of 1635, when it was traversed by a company of Enghsh, consist- ing of sixty persons, who, thinking themselves straitened for land about Massachusetts bay, had determined thus early to emigrate to the more fertile banks of the Connecti- cut. What portion of the Nipmuck country they crossed, is not known ; but as their destined point was at Wethersfield, is it improbable that they crossed this town, and that here, two hundred years ago, that small company of emigrants, under the broad canopy of heaven, invoked the blessing of God on theii" arduous enterprise ? "No other notice ia taken of the Nipniucks or their country, until the Ijenevolenl project of converting the Indians to Clirislianity was undertaken. This was in 161G. Stron? hopes were tlien entertained of its success. Among lliose wlto were willing to devote their lime, wealth, and talents to this cause, none were more conspicuous than John Eliot, known in his own day as tlie apostle to the Indians. He commenced hi.s henevolent labors among the Indians at Natick, with whom the Nipmucks had a friendly and constant intercourse, and by that means they were probably first induced to attend his preacliiag. In an account of his siicce.ss, written to tlte corporation of London, in 1649, he says, ' that a Nipnet sachem hath submit- ted himself to the Lord, and much desires one of our chief ones to live with him and those tliat are with him.' In another account, written in 1651, he .say.s, 'there is a great country lying l)etvveen Connectarott and the Massachusetts, called Nipnet, where there be many Indians dispersed, many of whom have sent to our Indians, desiring that some may be sent unto theiii to teach them to pray to God.' Soon after this, Kliot probably came to this tovvn: for, in 16.")4, he had met with such success, tlial the giMieral court, on his petition, set it apart for the use of the Indians. The design of this was, as appears from Eliot's petition, to prevent any conflicting claims between tlie Engli.sh and Indians, and to preserve to the latter the quiet and midislurbed enjoyment of lands which they and their fathers had held from time immemorial, but over which the state claimed jurisdiction. From that time, for a number of years. Eliot frequently visited this town, and made such progress in his benevolent labors, that, in 1671, he formed an Indian church here, tlie second of the kind in Massachusetts. "No Indian town gave stronger assurances of success than this, at that time. Has- .sanamesitl, as it was then called, had become the central point of civilization and Christianity to the whole Nipmuck country. A .school was here established, where the Bible was read and studied in the Indian language. Young men were there educated and sent into the neighboring towns to preach the gospel. A regular government was created, and the forms of law strictly observed. The population of the town was small, yet, by reason of their constant intercourse with their neighbors, a large number of the natives enjoyed the benefits of this school, and before the year 1674, seven new towns of 'praying Indians,' as they were termed, were formed in this neighborhood, most of which were furnished with teachers from this place. The chief ruler of the whole Nipmuck country, Wattascompannm, had his residence here, and from this place issued his orders and decrees to his subjects. A writer of that day calls him ' a grave and pious man,' and, from some examples given of the exerci.se of his authority, there is no doubt that he administered his government with efliciency, if not with-liberahty. " In 1G74, Eliot, with another devoted friend to the Indians, BTajor Daniel Gookin, again visited all tha 'praying Indians' of the Nipmuck country, the la'tter of whom wrote an account of them. He describes this town wiih much greater particularity than Hubbard, who called it ' a place up into the woods beyond Medfield and Mendon.' Gookin says, ' the name, Ha.ssanamesitt, sigidficth a place ofsmaU stones. It lieth alx)ut thirty-eight miles from Boston, west-southerly, and is about two miles ea.stward of Nipmuck river, and near unto the old road way to Connecticut. It hath not atmve twelve families ; and so, according to our computation, about si.tty souls; but is capable to receive some hundreds, as generally the other villages are, if it -shall please God to multiply them. The dimensions of this town is four miles square, and so about eight thousand acres of land. This village is not inferior unto any of the Indian plantations for rich land and plenty of meadow, being well tempered and watered. It produceth plenty of corn, grain, a&d HARVARD. 671 ftull ; Ibr there are seVcfal good orchards in this place. It is an apt place for keeping of cattle and swine ; in which respect this people are the best stored of any Indian town of tlieir size. Tlieir ruler is named Anaweakin ; 3 sober and discreet man. Their teacher's name, is TackiippawiUin, his brother; a pious and hble man, and apt 10 teach. Their a!;ed father, whose name I remember not, is a grave and sober Chris- tian, and deacon of the church. They have a brother, that lives in the town, called James, that was bred among the English, and employed as a pressman in printing the Indian Bible, who can read well, and as I take it write also. The father, mollier, brothers, and their wives, are all reputed pious persons. Hera ihey have a meeting-house for the worship of God after the English fashion of building, and two or three Other hou.MS after the .same mode, but tliey fancy not greatly to live in them. Their way of living is by husbandry, and keeping cattle and swine: wherein they do as well or rather better than any other Indians, but are yet very far short of the English both in diligence and providence. There are in full connnunion in the church and living in town about sixteen men and women, and about thirty baptized persons ; hut there are several others, members of this church, that live in other places. This is a hopeful planta- tion,' " HARDWICK. This town was purchased in 1686 of John Magus and Nasso- wanno, two noted Indians, for the sum of £20, New England currency, and a deed taken by Messrs. Joshua Lamb, Nathaniel Page, Andrew Gardner, Benjamin Garnbhn, Benjamin Tucker, John Curtiss, Richard Draper, and Samuel Ruggles, of Roxbury. The heirs of these persons upon petition obtained a grant of the tract from the general court in 1732. It was cahed Lambstown, from the first-named proprietor, until it was incorporated in 1738, when it was named Hard wick. The first church was gathered here in 1736, and Rev. Daniel White ordained their first pastor. He remained with the people till liis death, in 1784. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Thomas Holt, in 1789. Rev. Wm. B. Wesson, the next pastor, was ordained in 1805, and was succeeded by Rev. Martyn Tupper in 1828; Rev. Edward J. Fuller was installed the pastor in 1835. Rev. John M. Merrick, the parish minister, was ordained in 1828, and was succeeded by Rev. John Goldsbury, who was installed in 1832. The surface of this town is rather rough, hilly, and uneven, but the soil is good, suitable for grazing land and orchards. Ware river runs on the east and south of the town, and has some valua- ble interval land. There are 4 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Bap- tist, and 1 Universalist. Population, 1,818. Distance, 24 miles from Worcester, and 64 from Boston. In 1837, there were 75,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured ; value, ^15,500; there were 5,000 pairs of boots and 5,000 of shoes manufactured ; value, 1^14,500; males employed, 20 ; females, 8 ; there were 2 paper-mills ; value of paper made, $5,600. HARVARD This town was taken from Lancaster, Stow, and Groton, princi- pally from the two former. It was incorporated in 1732, and named Harvard, in memory of Rev. John Harvard, founder of Harvard College. At that time it contained about 50 families. The first church was formed in 1733, and Rev. John Seccomb was ordained. He continued with the people till 1757, when he was dismissed, and succeeded by Rev. 76 572 H L D E N . Joseph Wheeler, ordained in 1759. He was dismissed in 17(38, and the next year Re7. Daniel Johnson was ordained. He died in 1777, and in 1782 Rev. Ebenezer Grosve* nor was installed pastor. In 1788, lie died ; and Rev. William Emerson succeeded him in the pastoral office, in 1792. Rev. Stephen Bemis, the next pastor, was ordained in 1801 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Warren Fay, D. D., who was installed in 1814. Dr. Fay was succeeded by Rev. Ira H. T. Blanchard, in 1823, and by Rev. Washing- ton Gilbert, in 1831. Rev. George Fisher was ordained pastor of the second church in 1821. The Baptist society in this town was ibrined in 1778, when Elder Isaac P-ir ker (also a physician) was ordained their pastor. Harvard is a hilly, uneven townsliip. bnt the soil is productive. There are about l.UOO acres of interval land in the town, though, perhaps, half of it may more properly be denominated meadow. This town is well watered by springs and rivulets, which mostly run into the Nashua river, which flows along on the west side of the township. There are 3 ponds in the town, and also 3 hills, which de.scrve a passing notice. The first, Pin Hill, so called from its pyramidical form, rises to the height of nearly 200 feet. In this hill are valuable quarries of slate. The other two are Bear hill and Oak hill. In the last-mentioned hill a shaft was sunk, about 1783, for the purpose of finding silver ore. From the color of the earth in this place, and from the working of the mmeral rod, it was believed that the precious metal might be obtained not far beneath the surface. But this, like many other excavations made at that day for a similar purpose, rests a deserted monument of successless toil. In this town are 2 Congregational meeting-houses, (one of them Unitarian,) and a Baptist meeting-house in the west- ern part. There is also a society of Shakers in the north-eastern part of the town, where they have a neat village and a tract of finely cultivated and productive lands. Population, 1,566. Dis- tance, 22 miles from Worcester, and 30 from Boston. In 1837, there were 3 paper-mills; value of paper manufactured, $12,750. HOLDEN This town was taken wholly from the town of Worcester, being mcluded in their original grants, and was the north-westerly part thereof It was incorporated in 1740, by the name of Holden, in commemoration of the Hon. Samuel Holden, Esq., one of the directors of the Bank of England, who was a generous benefactor to the literary and rehgious interests of the country. This worthy man transmitted to New England for charitable purposes, in books and bills of exchange, to the amount of £4,847, New England currency. After his decease, his widow and daughters sent over in value, for the same noble and pious uses, the sum of £5,585. With part of this latter sum Holden Chapel, in the University of Cambridge, Mass., was erected, in the year 1745. The first church was organized in 1742, and Rev. Joseph Davis was ordained their pastor. He was dismissed in 1772, and suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph Avery. Rev. Horatio Bardwell, the next HUBBARDSTON, 673 pastor, was installed in 1823, and was succeeded by Rev. William B. Paine, in 1834. Public Buildings in the central part of Holden. This town is hilly and uneven, but not very broken. The soil is various, but generally of a loamy kind. Quinepoxet river passes through the town. In the south-east part of the town is Stone- House Hill, whose steep and rocky sides were once famous for rattlesnakes. There is 1 Congregational meeting-house, and I Baptist. Distance, 7 miles from Worcester, and 48 west of Boston. Population, 1,789. In 1837, there were 4 cotton mills, 5,800 spin- dles; 1,023,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured; value, ^84,000 ; males employed, 68 ; females, 66. There were 2 woollen mills, 4 sets of machinery ; 92,000 yards of cloth were manufac- tured ; value, ,^81,000. One cotton mill for the manufacture of warp, batting, and wicking. Boots manufactured, .5,800 pairs ; shoes, 10,000 pairs ; value, §20,500. HUBBARDSTON. This was called "the north-east quarter of Rutland," being wholly included in the original grant of that town, and was incor- porated in 1767, and called Hubbardston, to perpetuate the name and memory of Hon. Thomas Hubbard, Esq., of Boston, who was a large proprietor of lands in this place. The first church was formed here in 1770, and Rev. Nehemiah Parker was ordained pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. David Kendall in 1802, and by Rev. Samuel Gay in 1810. Rev. Abner D. .Tones was ordained pastor of the parish church in 1828, and was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Robinson in 1833. Hubbardston is an extensive township, situated on the elevated lands between Connecticut river and the ocean. The ridge rises here to the height of more than 1,000 feet above the Connecticut, and sends to Ware river several considerable tributary streams. There are three ponds in this town, known by the names of Great and Little As-na-con-com-ick and Nat tic ponds. 574 LANCASTER South-eastern view of Hubbardston. The above is a south-eastern view in the central part of Hub- bardston, showing the two hotels, and some other buildings in the vicinity. The village, which consists of two churches and about 50 dwelling-houses, has a flourishing appearance. It is stated in Whitney's History of Worcester " that for a con- siderable way around Little As-na-con-com-ick pond there is every appearance that once a stone wall was built or building. In some places it was then two and a half feet in height, in others entirely thrown down. When, by whom, and for what purpose this wall was built, will probably ever remain a mystery." In the village are two Congregational churches, 1 of which is Unitarian. Dis- tance, 17 miles from Worcester, 7 from Barre and Princeton, and 53 W. of Boston. Population, 1,780. In 1837, there Avere 5,300 pairs of boots and 1,100 pairs of shoes manufactured; value, $14,562. Value of chairs and cabinet ware manufactured, $5,941. There were 35,122 palm-leaf hats manufactured; value, $5,405. LANCASTER. The settlement of this town goes far back into the early his- tory of Massachusetts. According to Winthrop, the plantation of Nashaway was undertaken in 1643. The whole territory around was in subjection to Sholan or Shmimay^ sachem of the Nasha- ways, and whose residence was at Waushacum^ now Sterling, Sholan occasionally visited Watertown for the purpose of trading with Mr. Thomas King-, avIio resided there. He recommended Nashawogg to King as a place well suited for a plantation, and invited the English to come and dwell near him. Accordingly King, unit(!d with a number of others, purchased the land of Sho- lan, and procured a deed for 10 miles in length and 8 in breadth, stipulating that the English should not molest the Indians in their LANCASTER. 675 hunting, fishing, or planting places. This deed was confirmed by the general court. The precise time of the removal to Lancaster is not known. The first building was a " trucking house," erected by Symonds and King, about a mile south-west of the church. Mr. King sold all his interest in this grant to his associates, who, having given lots of land to Richard Linton, Lawrence Waters and John Ball, sent them up to make preparation for the general coming of the proprietors, and these were the first inhabitants. Others by the name of Prescott, Atherton, and Sawyer, soon followed. For the space of seven years little was done to forward the settlement of the plantation ; nevertheless, there being nine families in the place, they petitioned the general court to be incorporated as a town, which was granted on the 18th of May, 1653, (O. S.) by the name of Lancaster. The first town meeting on record was held in the summer of 1654, probably soon after the petition just mentioned was granted. At the next meeting it was voted not to take into the town above 35 families, and the names of 25 individuals are signed who are to be considered as townsmen. They are as follows, viz. Edward Breek, John Whitcomb, Thomas James, John Smith, Mr. Jos. Rowlandson, John Whitcomb, jr. Edmund Parker, Lawrence Waters, John Prescott, Richard Linton, James Atherton, John White, William Kerley, sen. John Johnson, Henry Kerley, John Farrar, Ralph Houghton, John Moore, Richard Smith, Jacob Farrar, Thomas Sawyer, Wm.and John Lewis, William Kerley, jr. John Rugg. Many of these names still abound in Lancaster and the vicinity. In 1659 the town repealed the impolitic order limiting the settlers to 35, and after this the population rapidly increased. The aifairs of the town appear to have proceeded in tolerable quiet for more than 20 years from the first settlement, till 1674. The Indians were inclined to peace, and in various ways were of service to the inhabitants. But this happy state of things was not destined to continue. The day of deep and long-continued distress was at hand. The natives, with whom they had lived on terms of mutual good will, became their bitter enemies ; desolation was to spread over the fair inheritance; fire and the tomahawk, torture and death, were soon to be busy in destroying all the comforts of domestic life. On the 22d of August, 1675, eight persons were killed in different parts of Lancaster. On the 10th (O. S.) of February fol- lowing, early in the morning, the Wampanoags, led by Philip, accompanied by the Narragansetts, his allies, and also by the Nip- mucks and the Nashaways, whom his artful eloquence had persuaded to join with him, made a desperate attack upon Lancas- ter. His forces consisted of 1,500 men, who assaulted the town in five distinct bodies and places. There were at that time more than fifty families in Lancaster. After killing a number of persons in different parts of the town, and burning a number of houses, they directed their course to the house of Mr. Rowlandson, the minister of the place. This house at the time was occupied by soldiers and inhabitants to the number of 42, and was defended with determined bravery for upwards of two hours. The enemy, after a number of unsuccessful attempts to set fire to the building, succeeded by pushing a cart filled with combustible materials against it in the rear. In this way the house was soon enveloped in flame, and to avoid perishing in the ruins the inhabitants were compelled to surrender. Only one man escaped. The rest, twelve in number, were either killed on the spot or reserved for torture. 576 LANCASTER. Different accounts vary in the number of the slain and captives. At least here were fifty persons, and one account says fifty-five. Nearly half of these suffered death. No less than seventeen of Rev. Mr. Rowiandson's family and connexions were put to death or taken prisoners. He at the time, with Capt. Kerley, was at Boston, solicit- ing military aid from Gov. Leverett and the council. The anguish they felt at their return is not to be described. The Indians made great plunder in various parts of the town. They were forced, however, to retreat on the appearance of Capt. Wadsworth, ■who, hearing of the distressed situation of the people, immediately marched from Marl- borough, where he was stationed, with forty men. He quartered his soldiers in various parts of the town, and remained there some time ; but before his departure one of his men was killed by the Indians. But the alarm of the inhabitants was so great, and such was the general insecurity of the border towns, that when the troops withdrew, about six weeks afterwards, tlxe rest of the inhabitants left, under their protection. Immediately after this desertion of the place all the buildings were reduced to ashes but two. For more than three years after this, Lancaster remained without an inha- bitant. During this time Mr. Rowlandson preached in Wethersfield, Conn., and there he died before the resettlement of the town. His vv'ife and two of his children were restored to him after three months' captivity. Most of the women and children taken at this incursion of the Indians returned. From 1680 to 1692 the inhabitants were not molested in the resettlement of the town. But upon the breaking out of King AVilliam's war, the colonies were again involved in a war with the Canadians, both French and Indians, in the calamities of which this town had a large share. On the 18th of July, (0. S.) 1692, a party of the Indians attacked the house of Peter Joslyn, and murdered his wife and three children, and a widow Whitcomb. Elizabeth How, his wife's sister, was taken captive, but afterwards returned. Another child of his was killed by the enemy in the wilderness. At the time of the assault, .Toslyn was at work in the field. In 1695, on a Sunday morning, Mr. Abraham Wheeler was shot by the enemy lying in ambush. No further injury was done till 1(J97, when they entered the town under five leaders, with an intention to commence their attack upon Thomas Sawyer's garrison. It was by the merest accident that they were deterred from their plan. The gates of Sawyer's garrison were open. A Mr. Jacob Fairbanks, who lived at half a mile's distance, mounted his horse, which came running to him much frightened, and rode rapidly to the garrison, though without suspicion, for the purpose of taking his son who was there. The enemy, supposing ihey were discovered, being just ready to rush into the garrison, relinquished their design, and on retreating fired upon the inhabitants at work in the fields. At no time, however, excepting when the town was destroyed, was there so much injury done, or so many lives lost. They met the minister. Rev. John Whiting, at a distance from his garrison, and offered him quarter, which he rejected with boldness, and fought to the last against the cruel foe. After this they killed twenty others, wounded two, who afterwards recovered, and took six captives, five of whom in the end returned to Lancaster. The restoration of peace in Europe brought a short season of repose. In 1702, war between England and France was renewed, and again reached the colonies. In 1704, 700 French and Indians proceeded against Northampton, but finding the inhabitants prepared for an attack, they turned their course toward Lancaster, except 200 of them, who for some reason returned. On the 31st of July they commenced a sudden and violent attack in the morning, in the west part of the town, and killed Lieut. Nathaniel Wilder near the gate of his own garrison. Near the same place in the course of the day they killed three other persons. The inhabitants were much inferior to the French and Ind'ians in number. Capt. Tyng at this time happened to be in Lancaster with a party of soldiiers ; and Capt. How gathered in haste what men he was able, and marched with them from Marlborough to the relief of the town. They fought with bravery, but the large number of the enemy tbrced the inhabitants to retreat into garrison. Upon this the enemy burnt the meeting-house and six other buildings, and destro3''ed much of the live stock of the town. Betbre night such numbers came to the relief of the town, that the enemy retreated, and with such success that they were not overtaken by our soldiers. What number of the enemy was killed at this time is uncertain, but it was supposed to be considerable. A French officer of some distinction was mortally wounded, which greatly exasperated them. "On the 26th of October, the s:iine year, 1704, a party of the enemy having been discovered at Still river, the soldiers and inhabitants belonging to Mr. Gardiner's gar- rison, with divers others, went in quest of them, and returned in the evening, much fatigued with the service of the day. ]\Ir. Gardiner, (who had been preaching several years with the people of Lancaster, and was now their pastor elect,) in compassion to the soldiery, took the watch that night upon himself j and coming out of the box late LANCASTER. 677 fn ihe night, upon some occasion, was heard by one Samuel Prescott In the house, between sleeping and waking, who, supposing him an enemy, seized the first gun which came to hand, and shot him through the body in the parade. But the fatal mistake immediately appeared ; and he, being carried into the house, forgave the per son who shot him, and in an hour or two expired, to the great grief not only of his consort, but of his people, who had an high esteem of him. " On the 15th of October, 1705, Sir. Thomas Sawyer, with his son, Elias Sawyer, and John Biglow, were captivated at his garrisoned house about the dawn of day. Mr. Sawyer's youngest son, about fourteen years of age, escaped through a back win- dow of the house. •' The Indians treated Mr. Sawyer with much cruelty, but at length they arrived at Montreal. There Mr. Sawyer observed to the French governor that on the river Charablee there was a. fine seat for mills ; and that he would build a saw-mill for him, provided he would procure a ransom for himself, his son, and Biglow. The governor readily closed with the proposal, as at that tiuie there was no saw-mill in all Canada, nor artificer capable of building one. He accordingly applied to the Indians, and ob- tained the ransom of young Sawyer and Biglow without the least difficulty, but no sum would purchase l\Ir. Sawyer's redemption. Him ("being distinguished for his bravery, which had proved fatal to a number of their bretnren) they were determined lo immolate. The victim was accordingly led forth and actually fastened to the stake, environed with materials so disposed as to efl'ect a lingering death. The savages, sur- rounding the unfortunate prisoner, began to anticipate the horrid pleasure of beholding their captive writhing in tortures amidst the rising flames, and of rending the air with their dismal yells. On a sudden a friar appeared, and with great solemnity held forth what he declared to be the key to the gates of purgatory, and told them unless they immediately released their prisoner he would instantly unlock those gates and send them headlong thereinto. Superstition prevailed, and wrought the deliverance of Mr. Sawyer, for they at once unbound him, and gave him up to the governor. In one year he completed a mill, when he and Biglow were discharged. They detained his son Elias one year longer, to instruct them in the art of sawing and keeping the mill in or- der ; when he was amply rewarded and sent home to his friends, where his father and he both lived to a good old age, and were gathered to their graves in peace. "On August 5th, 1710, a party of the enemy coming by advantage of the bushes very near to Mr. Nathaniel and IMr. Oliver Wilder, and an Indian servant, at their labor in the field, the servant was killed, but the men escaped to the garrison. And this was the laxt inischief done by the enemy in Lancaster." The year following the incorporation of the town, Rev. Joseph Rowlandson preached among the people, and continning with them, he was ordained in 1658, at which time it is probable the church was gathered, though not certainly known, as the records were destroyed at tlie burning of Mr. Rowlandson's house. After the resettlement of the town, Rev. John Whiting was settled in the pastoral office, in November, 1690. He continued but a few years, being killed, as already related, in 1697. In May, 1701, Rev. Andrew Gardner began to preach at Lancaster, and the day of his ordination was fixed in the fall of 1704 ; but before the time came, a sudden and surprising death arrested him. He was succeeded by Rev. John Prentice, who was ordained March 29, 1708. His successor was Rev. Timothy Harrington, who was installed in 1748, Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, D. D., the next pastor, was settled in 1793. From the close of the last Indian war the population increased rapidly. The first meeting-house, as already stated, was burned by the Indians in 1704. Another was raised the next year, and completed in 1706. The third was built in 1743. The present elegant brick meeting-house was built in 1816, and was dedicated on the 1st of January following. Within the present bounds of the town there has never been but one incorporated religious society. 578 LEICESTER Lancaster is beautifully situated on the Nashua river, whose north and south branches meet near the center of the town. This stream annually overflows the extensive intervals on its banks, and enriches their already productive soil. There are ten ponds in different parts of the town. Interesting specimens of minerals are found here, and a large slate quarry was once worked for the sup- ply of the Boston market, but has for some time been neglected. South-western view of the central part uf Lancaster. The above engraving shows the appearance of the central part of Lancaster from the road a few rods north of the burying-ground. The prominent building in the center, with a spire, is the Congre- gational (Unitarian) church. The building with a small spire, to the right, is the academy. The Lancaster House, AVith a turret, is seen to the left of the church ; the bridge seen below the meeting- house is that on which the principal road crosses the Nashua. The Lancaster Bank is in this village. Mr. Rowlandson's house, Avhich was burnt by the Indians, was located at the spot where the cattle are seen feeding. In the central village there are about 75 houses. In this place there are many large elms. There are two other vil- lages in this town, the south or New Boston, and the North village. Population, 1,903. Distance, 16 miles from Worcester, about 25 from Lowell, and 35 from Boston. In 1837 there were 1 woollen and 3 small cotton mills. There were 6 comb manufactories; value of combs manufactured, $35,000; males employed, 40; females, 9. Engraving in its various branches, printing, and book- binding have been carried on to some extent in the central village. LEICESTER. This township was purchased of the Indians on the 7th of June, 1686-7, by Joshua Lamb, Richard Draper, Samuel Ruggles, and others. The natives called the place Towtaid, but by the Enghsh, LEICESTER. 679 before the present name was given, it was called Strawberry-hill. The settlement was not made till many years after the purchase. In the beginning of 1713, the proprietors petitioned the general court for a confirma- tion of the purchase ; which was granted, on the condition that within 7 years from that time 50 families should be settled on a part of the tract, and that a sufficient quantity of land should be reserved for the gospel ministry there and a school. The court ordered that the town should be named Leicester. It appears that the 50 families were settled on land ]M-evious to 1722, for on the Sth of Jan. of that year a deed was executed by order of the proprietors to John Stebbins and 46 others, securmg to them their lands. Parts of the original purchase are now comprehended in tlie towns of Spencer, Paxton, and "Ward. The first town meeting was held on the fith of ]\Iarch, 1721. The exact time when the Congregational church here was first formed cannot be ascertained, but that it Avas organized before the 30th of March, 1721, appears probable, since at a town meeting then held the question of settling Mr. David Parsons as )instor was acted upon. He was the first minister in the town, and was installed in .Sept., 1721. He had previously been settled in Maiden. The connection of Mr. Par- suns with the people was very unhappy, as they soon began to differ, and at length fi'll into violent contention. Difficulties continuing to increase, the town voted, on the M]\ of Jan., 1735, to join in calling an ecclesiastical council to dismiss him, which con- '■ning, he was dismissed from his pastoral relation on the 6th of March the same year. He continued, however, to reside in the town till his death, in 1737. By his particular direction he was buried on his own land, apart from the graves of those who had once formed a part of his congiegation. He was unwilling that his ashes should repose by the side (if those with whom he had worshipped in the sanctuary, but who had contended with him. His grave is now visible in a mowing-field, about ■^0 rods north of the meeting-house. He was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. David Goddard, a native of Framingham, in 1736, whose relation to the people was uni- formly happy. Kev. Joseph Roberts, the successor of Mr. Goddard, was ordained in 1754, and was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Conklin, in 1763. The next minister, Rev. Zoph. Swift IMoore, D. D., was ordained in 1798. Dr. Moore was succeeded by Rev. John Nelson in 1812. A Baptist society was formed in the town about the year 1738. The first minister was Dr. Thomas Green, a physician of considerable distinction in his day. He was a native of Maiden, Mass., and M'as one of the early settlers of Leicester. It was chiefly through his instrumentality that this church was gathered. Their meet- ing-house stands about 3 miles south of the Congregational meeting-house. There has been a respectable society of Friends here for more than a century. In 1732, eight persons filed their certificate with the town-clerk that they belonged to that per- suasion, who, either from a mistake in spelling, or to make a revengeful pun, wrote it "those people called Quackers." Their present meeting-house, built in 1791, is com- modious and of good proportions. The spot in which it stands is retired, and almost surrounded with forest-trees ; around it repose, in their nameless graves, the ashes of those who have died of the society. The number of this society is now about 130 members. In 1823, an Episcopal society was gathered in the south part of the town, and a neat church erected by private subscription, which was consecrated by Bishop Griswold, in May, 1824. The Rev. Joseph Muenscher was ordained in March, imme- diately after which he took charge of this church. This was the first Episcopal church ever formed in Worcester county. There was from 1777 till 1783 a society of .Tews resident in this town. They removed here in the winter of 1777 from Newport, R. I., to escape from the war then raging along the coasts. There were in the whole, including servants, about 70 who removed here. Numbers of them engaged in trade, and licenses arc recorded to these " to sell bohea and other Indian teas." After peace took place they mostly returned to Newport. They always observed the rites and ceremonies of their law, and their stores were closed from Friday evening until Monday morning. A child of one of the families having one day tasted of some pork in one of the neighbor's houses, its mother, immediately upon learning the fact, administered a powerful emetic, and thus cast out the sin of which 580 LEICESTER, it had been unconsciously guilty. Not one of their number now remains ; the last individual some years since moved to New York, and the synagogue where they worshipped is now desolate and forsaken. In this town is an endowed academy, and one of the oldest in the state, which was incorporated March 23, 17S4. It owes its foundation to the generosity and public spirit of Col. Jacob Davis and Col. Ebenezer Crafts. This for many years was the only academy in the county of Worcester. The character of its instruc- tion has ever been elevated and liberal. It has a respectable phi- losophical apparatus, which was procured in 1824. West view of Leicester. The above shows the appearance of the village of Leicester, as seen from the residence of N. P. Denny, Esq., on Mount Pleasant, about 1 mile distant from the center of the place. The public buildings, the Orthodox and Unitarian churches, the academy, the bank, and town-house, all stand in a line on the summit of the hill, on the north side of a small public green, surrounded by railing. The town is well watered by springs and several large brooks. Shaw and Henshaw ponds are of some extent. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, 1 Friends, and 1 Baptist. Population, 2, 122. Distance, 6 miles from Worcester, and 46 from Boston. Clappville is a manufacturing village, situated about 4 miles from the center of the town, having an Episcopal and Baptist church. In 1837, there were 5 woollen mills, 15 sets of machine- ry; 130,159 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, $319,450; males employed, 166 ; females, 178. There were 8 manufactories of machine cards ; machines, 118 ; value of machine cards manu- factured, ,9101,500; hands employed, 38; there were 9 manufac- tories of hand cards ; machines, 35 ; value of cards manufactured, $50,300; hands employed, 32. There was 1 scythe manufactory, (20 hands,) and 1 machine manufactory, (8 hands.) LUNENBURG. 681 LEOMINSTER. This town was taken from Lancaster, and was part of what was called " Lancaster Neiv Grant." It was incorporated in 1740. The church here was embodied in 1743, and Rev. John Rogers -R'as ordained their pastor. On account of difference of opinion between him and his people about some minor doctrinal points of religion, he was dismissed in 1757. But about one fifth of the. society adhering to him, a poll society was made of them by the legislature, with whom he preached till prevented by the infirmities of age ; and was dismissed from them in 17SS. After the settlement of the controversy with Mr. Rogers, the church and town proceeded to the choice of a minister, and in 1762 Rev. Francis Gardner was settled their second pastor. After the dismission of Mr. Rogers from the "poll socie- ty," that church and society was dissolved, and the members united with Mr. Gard- ner's church. Rev. WiUiam Bascom, the successor of Mr. Gardner, was installed in 1815, and was succeeded by Rev. Abel Conant, in 1824. Rev. Phillips Payson was ordained pastor of the 2d church in 1825 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Ochus G. Hub- bard, in 1833. Suuth-tasteni vit m oj the central part oj Lcuniinsttr. This is a pleasant town, and contains much excellent land. The north and western parts are hilly, the land rising in long regular swells : the eastern part, through which Nashua river passes, has extensive plains and tracts of interval. The above is a south-eastern view of the central part of Leom- inster village, which consists of upwards of 30 dwelling-houses, in the immediate vicinity of the two churches represented in the en- graving. This place is 20 miles from Worcester. 7 from Lancaster, 5 from Fitchburg, and 41 from Boston. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, (1 of which is L^nitarian,) 1 Baptist, and 1 Uni- versalist. Population, 1,944. In 1837, there were .5 paper-mills in this town, and 17 comb manufactories; value of combs, $80,800; males employed, 84 ; females, 47. LUNENBURG Tms town was granted by the general court, in 1719, to a num- ber of persons, upon their petition, for a valuable consideration; 682 M E N D N . reserving, however, school and ministerial lands. The grant in- chided the whole of the present town of Fitchburg, It was called Turkey Hill (from a hill in the middle of the tract which was once frequented by wild turkeys) until the time of its incorporation, in 1728 ; when the name of Lunenburg was given to it, in compli- ment to George II., who the preceding year came to the British throne, and was styled Duke of Lunenburg, as having in his Ger- man dominions a town of that name. Many of the first settlers were emigrants from Ireland and Scotland. A church was formed here in 1728, and the Rev. Andrew Gardner ordained pastor, a few months before the incorporation of the town. He was dis- missed in 1732, and was succeeded the next year by Rev. David Stearns, who died in 1761. He was followed by Rev. Samuel Payson, ordained in 1762, died in a few months. Their next minister was Rev. Zabdiel Adams, ordained in 1764. The suc- ceeding ministers were Rev. Timothy Flint, ordained in 1802, Rev. David Damon, in 1815, and Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard, in 1828. Rev. Eli W. Harrington was ordained pastor of the 2d church in 1837. The land in this town is elevated, and the hills aflbrd the best soil. The people are principally engaged in agriculture. In 1837, there were manufactured 90,000 palm-leaf hats; value, $17,000. There were 16,000 volumes of books printed and bound; hands employed, 5. In the central part of the town there are two churches, and about 15 houses. Distance, 25 miles from Worces- ter, 10 from Lancaster, 22 from Lowell, and 40 from Boston. Population, 1,250. MENDON [tor tne history and description of this town, the author is indebted to a well-written history, by John Geo. MetcaJf, M. D., of Mendon. It is a matter of regret that this his- tory, so politely furnished by the author, could not be copied entire ; but, owing to the prescribed limits of this publication, extracts only could be giA'^en.] Mendon is situated at the south-easternmost extremity of the county of Worcester, and is the oldest town in it except liancaster. It was incorporated May 15, 1667. It is 18 miles from Worcester, 34 from Boston, and 24 from Providence, R. I. It is 12 miles from the Worcester and Boston railroad at Westborough. Population in 1837, 3,657. The face of the town is broken and hilly; the north part is the most fertile, producing large crops of hay and grain. This part of the township has also long been noted for its variety and abun- dance of winter apples. The south-westerly portion of the town is generally rough and stony, though there are some excellent farms in it. The south-easterly part is more level and sandy, and less fertile; the middle, hilly and thinly inhabited. The manufacturing villages are all in the south parish, and are situated principally upon Mill and Blackstone rivers. They are called Millville, Blackstone, Waterford, and Upper and Lower Canadas. There are five post-offices in this town, viz. Mendon, M E N D O N . 583 in the north parish, and South Mendon, Millville, Blackstone and Waterford, in the south parish. There are nine houses for pubhc worship, viz, 1 Congregational Restorationist, 1 Evangelical, and 1 Friends in the north parish, and 1 Congregational Restorationist, 1 Free-Will Baptist, 1 Friends, 2 Calvinistic, and 1 unoccupied, in the south parish. South-western view of the central part of Mendon. [The above shows the appearance of the central part of Mendon, as it is entered from the westward. The village consists of three churches, 1 Congregational Resto- rationist, 1 Orthodox, and 1 for Friends ; there are, perhaps, upwards of 50 dwelling- houses within half a mile of these churches. The village is situated on a commanding eminence, having an extensive prospect to the eastward.] Mendon was originally settled by people from Braintree and Weymouth, in the county of Norfolk. John Moore, George Aid- rich, Nathaniel Hareman, Alexander Plumley, Matthias Puffer, John Woodland, Ferdinando Thayer, Daniel Lovett, John Hasoer, Josiah Chapin, Joseph Penniman, John Scammell, and John Gur- ney, of Braintree; Goodman King, Sen., Walter Cook, William Holbrook, Joseph White, Goodman Thomson, Goodman John Raynes, Goodman Bolter, Sen., Abraham Staples, Samuel Pratt and Thomas Bolter, of Weymouth, all had land allotted to them before their removal to the town. At a general court holden at Boston, Oct. 16, 1660, " in further answer to said Bran- try petition, the court declare that they judge meete and proper to grant a. plantation of eight miles square, and that the persons named have liberty to enter upon and make a beginning thereat." This tract of eight miles square was afterwards purchased of the Indians, for the sum of " twenty-fower pounds sterling," as set forth in a deed given by " Anawassanauk, alis John, Quashaamait, alis William of Blewe hills, Great John, Namsconont alis Peter, and Upannbohqueen, alis Jacob of Natick," to Moses Payn and Peter Brackett. "both of Brantre;" said deed bearing date April 22, 1662, and witnessed by John Elliot, Sen., John Elliot, Jr. and Daniel Weld, Sen. At the time of the above grant the court also ordered " that I\Iajor Humphrey Ath- erton, Lieut. Roger Clap, Eliazur Lusher and Deacon Parke, or any three of them, shall be and are hereby impowered to make a valid act there." These gentlemen were denominated '•' the committee for ]\inmug," which, it seems, was the original name of the towa. Oct. 30, 1663, this committee ordered that all those persons who had been 684 M E N D N . accepted to allotments of land in the plantation should remove there, with their fami* lies, by the middle of Nov. 1661, " upon penaltie of forfeituer of all their grants there." At a general court held at Boston, May 15, 1()67, the plantation oi Nipmug, which was now called Quhishepauge, was incorporated by the name of Mendon, and was at- tached to the county of Middlesex, May 12, 1670. Moses Payn and Peter Brackett, the original grantees, assigned all their right, title and interest in the territory to the selectmen of Mendon. The first meeting-house was " set on the highest side or part of the land, which is n highway, neere to Joseph White's san pitt, in his house lott ;" but where Joseph White's sand pit was, and con- sequently where the first meeting-house was located, tradition does not agree. As the original inhabitants all settled in what is now called the north parish, and as the meeting-house was near a sand pit, it is presumed that it was placed somewhere between the present Friends' meeting-house and Muddy brook. There was no magistrate among the first settlers, at least such as would serve the purposes of the town, for we find that Jan. 1, 1669, "the town men chose the colonell to be returned to the general courte to gain power to take the virdict of y^ jury upon y death of John Lovett — to marr)' — and to give the present constable his oath." These powers were conferred upon Colonel Crowne, at a general court holden at Boston, May 19, 1669. Among other orders passed by the selectmen this year, is the following : " Ordered, by us, to read the law to y^ youth, to exhorte them to the due and careful observation of y' Lord's day, and that their parents be desired to do their duty herein, for the pro- moting God's glory, theirs and their children's good." Joseph Emerson was the first minister, and was settled Dec. 1, 1669 ; though his salary did not begin until Jan. 1, 1670. He was son-in-law to the Rev. Mr. Bunkly, ■who was minister of Concord, and who concluded the terms of settlement between Mr. Emerson and the town. Mr. Emerson's salary Avas forty-five pounds for the first two years, to be paid as follows : "Tenn pounds at Boston yearly at some shope there, or in money at this town. The remayning to be made up, two pounds of butter for every cow, the rest in pork, wheat, barley, and soe to make the year's pay in work, Indian corn, rye, pease and beef." After the second year he was to be paid fifty-five pounds yearly, " and soe on as God shall enable them." All differences between the minister and the town were to be referred, for adjudication, to ihe churches of Medfiekl, Dedham and Roxbury. Mr. Emerson continued to minister to the spiritual wants of the people until the town was destroyed, by the Indians, in King Philip's war, in 167.5. When the inhabit- ants of the town returned, in 1680, Mr. Emerson did not come back with them. The transactions of a town meeting, holden May 6, 1675, was the last entry in the records before the town was burned. One Richard Post was killed at this time, and, as tradition says, near the office of the Hon. William S. Hastings. Post lived on the road from Mendon leading towards Sherburne, and that portion of it upon which his house was situated, though since shut up as a public highway, has retained the name of Post's lane to this day. Post was the first man killed in King Philip's war within the bounds of the colony of Massachusetts. After an absence of about five years, the inhabitants, or at least the major part of them, returned, and Jan. 3, 1680, was holden their first town meeting. At this meet- ing, among other town officers, Samuel Read was chosen " dark of the scrits." They immediately set about rebuilding another meeting-house, and, Oct. 4, 1680, gave a call to ]Mr. Grindal Han.son to become their minister. Mr. Hanson accepted the call, and immediately entered upon his parochial duties, but was not ordained until April 7, 1684. His salary was fifty-five pounds per annum, as follows : " fifteen pounds per annum in starling country money of New England, and forty pouiias per annum more to bee paid in good merehantabell country pay, such as the town raiseth." His salary was to be paid semi-annually, on the 25th of October and the 25th of March. All diffi- culties were to be referred to a mutual council of Congregational ministers. Benjamin Albee built the first grist-mill near where the present mill of Nathan Allen stands, and which was destroyed by the Indians, in 1675. Matthias Puffer erected the second mill in 1681, near where the first one stood. The first saw-mill was built by Serj. Josiah Chapin, and was located upon Muddy brook, some distance above where the present road to Milford crosses it. Joseph and Angell Torrey soon after built a M E N D O N . 585 second saw-mill upon School brook, near where the present mill of Obadiah Wood and Lyman Keith stands. Joseph Stevens was the first blacksmith, and James Bick the second, though it seems he did not live up to his agreement, " to do the town's smithe- ry work to their acceptance," for within a year after his settlement the constable was directed " to warn James Bick forthwith to take off his frame and fence from the town's land, and no more to In Comber the same." From this time the inhabitants of the town seem to have pursued the even tenor of their ways for many years, without any thing remarkable in the history of their pro- ceedings. Mr. Rawson, their minister, and who was a cotemporary and an acquaint- ance of Cotton Mather, died Feb. (>, 1715, aged 56 years, and in the 3oth year of his ministry. He was an excellent scholar and an eminent divine. His reputation as a theologian was of such a character that the general court sometimes referred grave and serious questions of ecclesiastical polity to him for his decision. Mr. Rawson, though he still continued the minister of the town, did not perform his parochial duties lor sonie time before his decease. Feb. 9, 171(5, in concurrence with the church, who had chosen Mr. Joseph Dorr for \.\mT pastor, the town also chose him to be their mi/iister ; and, on the 24th of the same month, Mr. Dorr was ordained. His salary was £70 for the first year, and £75 per annum afterwards ; and for settlement, or "encouragement," .£160 was also granted. In the year 1726, a great sickness prevailed in this town, as appears by the follow- ing official record. "Sept. l(j, 1726. In consideration of the great sickness which is now in the town, it passed by a clere vote to lett swine run nt large the remainder of the year, being yoked and ringed as the law directs." Tradition reports this sickness to have been a dysentery, and that manj^ died of it. In 1727, the building of a new meeting-house, being the present old one, near the office of Warren Rawson, Esq., began to be talked about. T^is subject gave rise to a long and angry contention. At last, ailer the opposition had become wearied with the further invention of expedients to put off' the building of the house ; Oct. 22, 1730, "' It was voted, that the town provide a Barrell of Rhum towards the raising the meeting- house." After it was raised, however, some one of the opposition, not easily appea.sed, it seems, undertook to cut off the S. W. corner post, but did not accomphsh his object. His mark, it is said, remains to this day. Notice was taken of this act as follows : At a town meeting, Aug. 21, 1731, "Voted whether the Town would chuse a Committee to see if they could find out who hath, by cutting, damnified the meeting-house ; and it passed in the negative." The Rev. Joseph Dorr died March 9, 1768, aged 79, and in the 52d year of his minis- try. He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Wlllard, who was ordained April 19, 1769. His salaiy was "60 pounds laM'ful money, with the interest of the ministry money and the lands belonging to the Precinct." The Rev. Joseph Willard was dismissed from his ministerial charge, in concurrence with the church, Dec. 3, 1782. Certain pecuniary matters in dispute between Mr. Wil- lard and the parish were referred, for settlement, to an arbitration, composed of Ezra Whitney, Esq., of Douglass, Capt. Samuel Warren, of Milford, and James Haws, Esq. of Wesiborough. The Rev. Mr. Willard was succeeded by the Rev. Caleb Alexander, who was install- ed over the first Congregational society in Mendon, March 23, 1786. The society failing to support him, he was dismissed June 13, 1791, for the purpose of being retain- ed by the first parish. The parish contract with Mr. Alexander is dated Feb. 10, 1792. His salary was 90 pounds per annum. I\Ir. Alexander continued to be the minister of the first parish in Mendon until Dec. 7, 1802, when, in concurrence with the church, he was dismissed. Rev. Preserved Smith was his successor. He was installed Oct. 2, 1805, over the first and second parishes. His salary was $333 33, one fifth of which was contributed by the second parish. Oct. 10, 1812, IMr. Smith was dismissed, in concurrence with the church. June 16, 1814, the parish gave a call to the Rev. Luther Bailey to settle with them in the work of the ministry, but Mr. Bailey did not accede to their proposal. The Rev. Simeon Doggett succeeded in the pastoral office, and was settled Jan. 17, 1815. His salary was $350 per annum. He was dismissed Jan. 18, 1831. Rev. Adin Ballou, the present minister of the first parish, was imstalJed May 3, 1832, with a salary of $100 per annum. The installation sermon was preached by the Rev. Bernard Whitman, of Waltham. April 1, 1837, Mr. Ballou's salary was raised to $500 per annum. The town of Mendon parted with portions of her territory upon the incroporation of every one of the towns lying upon her borders, and our Rhode Island neighbors are 586 M I L L B U R Y . endeavoring, still further, to curtail us of our fair proportions. The towns of Belling- ham, Milford, Upton, Northbridge, and Uxbridge each came in for their share of our territory when they were erected into separate towns. The following table shows " the condition and products of cer- tain branches of industry" in the town of Mendon, for the year ending April 1, 1837. It is copied from an official document. "Cotton mills, 8; cotton spindles, 13,914; cotton consumed, 474,000 lbs.; cotton goods manufactured, 3,003,000 yards ; value of same. $251,410 ; males employed, 207; females, 205 ; capital invested, $323,400. Woollen mills, 4 ; sets of woollen machine- ry, 12 ; wool consumed, 330,000 lbs. ; cloth manufactured, 305,000 yards ; vahie of same, $324,000; males employed, 71 ; females, 62 ; capital invested, $113,000 ; sperm oil used by manufacturers, 4,775 gallons. Common sheep, 142. Boots manufactured, 22,225 pairs ; shoes, 150 pairs ; value of boots and shoes, $39,800 ; males employed, 61 ; females, 6. Air and cupola furnace, 1 ; iron castings made, 4 tons ; value of same, $480 ; capital invested, $250. Scythe manufactories, 2 ; scythes manufactured, l,8r>0 ; value of scythes, $1,400 ; hands employed, 5 ; capital invested, $7,000. Plough manu- factory, 1 ; ploughs manufactured, 25 ; value of same, $175 ; employing 1 person. Straw bonnets manufactured, 1,500 ; value of same, $4,000. Palm-leaf hats manufac- tured, 50 ; value of same, $16 50. Value of machinery manufactured, $6,000 ; hands employed, 23 ; capital invested, $5,000. Value of wagons and harnesses manufac- tured, $2,000 ; hands employed, 4 ; capital invested, $2,000." MILLBURY. MiLLBURY, formerly a part of Sutton, was incorporated as a town in 1813. It was incorporated as a parish in 1742, and called the second parish in Sutton. The first meeting-house was built in 1743, but the church was not embodied till 1747. Rev. James Wellman, the first pastor, was ordained in 1747 ; Rev. Ebenezer Chaplin, his successor, was ordained in 1764. Rev. Joseph Goffe, the next pastor, was ordained in 1794. Rev. Osgood Herrick succeeded Mr. Goffe in 1830. The next pastor, Rev. Nathaniel Beach, was settled in 1837. The Rev. George Caiupbell was in- stalled the first pastor of the Second church, in 1830; he was succeeded, in 1834, by Rev. William A. Learned. Rev. Samuel G. Buckingham, the next pastor, was ordained in 1837. In the town are several flourishing villages. The one seen in the engraving is called the Armory Village, in which is the post-office ; Millbury Bank, with a capital of $100,000; and the Second Congregational meeting-house. Burbank Village is situ- ated about one mile south-westerly, in which is a number of factories, and the First Congregational meeting-house, having a large basement story occupied as a town hall. About two miles farther west, is another village, in which is a post-office, called the West Blillbury post-office. At the northern extremity of this village is a meeting- house, which is occupied by the Baptist and the Third Congregational Societies. There is also a society of Methodists in this town, who hold their meetings in a large hall in Armory Village. Rlillbury is pleasantly situated, and extensively engaged in manufacturing. The township is generally hilly, though of good soil. It is watered by the Blackstone river, and the Blackstone canal passes through Armory village, in which is a number of locks. A branch of the Boston and Worcester railroad was constructed to this place in 1838, giving the inhabitants the advantages of a direct and constant communi. cation with Boston. MILFORD. 687 North-jvestern view in MiUbury. Population, 2,153. Distance, 6 miles from Worcester, and 42 from Boston. In 1837, there were 6 woollen mills ; IS sets of machine- ry ; 166,000 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, .1^348,000; males employed, 148; females, 128 ; one cotton mill; 1,848 cotton sjjindles ; 350,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured ; value, >"<25.000; males employed, 20; females, 20. One musket manu- factory; 2,500 muskets manufactured; value, $25,000; hands employed, 30; one scythe manufactory; 14,400 scythes manufac- tured ; value, $9,600 ; there were 9,800 pairs of boots and 80,500 pairs of shoes manufactured; value, .$'93,175; males employed, 150; females, 63; one paper-mill ; value of paper, 1)15,000. MILFORD. This town was formerly the north-easterly part of Mendon. It was set off as a separate parish in 1741, and was commonly known by the name of Mill River. It was incorporated as a town in 1780. The church was formed here in 1741, of 26 male mem- bers; over which Rev. Amariah Frost was settled in 1743. Some time after the settlement of Mr. Frost, a separation took place, and a Mr. Hovey preached to the disaffected, and was ordained among them. He remained with them, however, but a few years. Mr, Frost continued pastor of the first society till his death, in 1792; he was succeeded by Rev. David Long, in 1801. The following is a north-eastern view of the central part of Mil- ford, as seen from the road on the eastern side of a branch of Charles river, a mill stream passing through the village. In the engraving, the Universalist church is seen on the right ; the spires of the Con- gregational church and town-house are seen towards the central part. An academy was established in this place in 1830. Popu- lation, 1,637. Distance, 18 miles from Worcester, and 28 from 78 588 NEW BBAINTRBE. North-east viciv of MUford. Boston. In 1837, there were 128.000 pairs of boots manufactured; value, .f 212,200 ; males employed, 305; females, 37; there were 4,000 straw, bonnets manufactured; value. ,912.000; one cotton mill, 1,200 spindles; 80,000 yards of cotton goods were manufac- tured ; value, $5,000. Though the surface of this town is not very hilly,' the land rises in some places, espe- cially towards the north. From the highest elevations in this part of the town there is a wide and variegated prospect. This northern part was a purchase from the Indians by the first proprietors of Mendon, and was called the '' North 'Purchase." There are two rivers in this town : Charles river, which passes through the east part, and IMill river, which passes through the western. The last-mentioned river is the outlet of a large pond, of a mile in length, partly in Milford, but principally in Hopkinton and Up- ton, called North Pond. There are good meadows and interval lands upon the borders of both of these rivers. The town is well watered with springs, rivulets and brooks in all parts. Agriculture is the principal business of the inhabitants. The town produces annually for market, considerable quantities of butter, cheese, pork, beef, &c., perhaps equal to any in the country. Gen. Alexander Scavimel was a native of this town. He graduated at Harvard Uni- versity, 1769, and was appointed a surveyor of timber in Massachusetts and province of Maine, under the British government. In 1775, he was a brigade-major in the American army ; in 1777, a colonel at the taking of Gen. Burgoyne, and adjutant-gene- ral of the army at Yorktown, where he was unfortunately wounded in reconnoitering, Sept. 30, 1781, just before the surrender of Cornwallis, of which wound he soon after died. NEW BRAINTREE. The general court having granted 6,000 acres of land to certain persons of the ancient town of Braintree, in the county of Suffolk, for services rendered to the public, it was called and known by the name of Braintree Farms. This tract, together with a part of Brookfield and a part of Hardwick, was incorporated in 1751, and named New Braintree. The church was embodied here in 1754, and Rev. Benjamin Ruggles was ordained their first pastor. Rev. Daniel Foster was ordained a colleague with Mr. Ruggles in 1778. Mr. Ruggles died suddenly in 1782, in the 82d year of his age, and NORTHBOROUGH. 589 62d of his ministry. Rev. John Fiske, the successor of Mr. Foster, was ordained in 1796, The surface of this town is uneven, with moderate hills and val- leys ; the soil is generally good, but better adapted to grazing than tillage. The town is celebrated for good farmers, and the abundance of excellent beef, butter, and cheese produced. The township is finely watered by brooks, rivulets and springs. Ware river passes its western border. In the west part of the town is Me-min-i-mis- set brook, formed entirely by springs from the adjacent hills, which, running north, empties into Ware river. On this brook is an ex- tensive and luxuriant meadow of several hundreds of acres, called Meminimisset, the name given to it by the Indians, when a hideous swamp. This was the head-quarters and chief place of rendezvous of the savages at the time when Brookfield was destroyed ; and near which place 8 brave men were killed, and three mortally wounded, by the Indians, Aug. 22, 167.5. And hither Mrs. Row- landsou was brought a captive, who was taken by the enemy at Lancaster, on the lOth of February, 1676 ; and here she buried her murdered child on the 18th of that month. Population, 780. Dis- tance, 18 miles from Worcester, and 58 from Boston. In ] 837, there were 18,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured; value, |i4,000. NORTHBOROUGH, This was the north part of the town of Westborough, the main part whereof was set off from Marlborough in 1717. It was made the second precinct, or parish, of Westborough in 1744, and incor- porated a town in 1766. There were settlers in this part of Marl- borough before there were any in what is now Westborough. As early as 1700, or rather before, a few families had fixed down here. The following is a list of persons who were heads of fami- lies in this place before it became a separate parish : John Brigham, Nathaniel Oakes, Oliver Ward, Joseph Wheeler, Samuel Goodenow, Simeon Howard, Sen., Dea. Isaac Tomblin, Simon Rice, Sam. Goodenow, Jr., Gershom Fay, Sen., Hezekiah Tomblin, Daniel Bartlett. David Goodenow, Thomas Ward, Ephraim Beeman, The Congregational church was gathered in this place on the 21st of May, 1746, and on the same day the Rev. John Martin, a native of Boston and graduate of Harvard College in 1724, was ordained their first pastor. He died April 30, 1767, aged 61, and was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Whitney, a native of Petersham and graduate of Harvard, in 1762, (where he also pursued his theological studies,) who was ordained Nov. 4, 1767. He was the author of the History of Worcester County, a work highly valuable for the facts it records, many of which would probably have been lost, had they not with great pains and fidelity been collected in this work. He died in 1816, aged 72. Rev. Joseph Allen, his successor, was ordained the same year. Rev. Samuel Austin Fay was ordained pastor of the 2d church in 1832 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Daniel H. Emerson, in 1836. 690 NOBTHBOROUGH. During the first years of the settlement of the town, a garrison was kept at a house on the lower side of the township, toward Marlborough, near the brook now known by the name of Stirrup brook. On the iSlh of August, 1707, as Mary Goodenow and Mrs. Mary Fay, wife of Gershom Fay, were gathering herbs in the adjoining meadow, a party ■of Indians, 24 in number, all stout warriors, were seen issuing from the woods and making towards them. Mrs. Fay succeeded in making her escape. She was closely pursued by a party of the enemy, but, before they came up, had time to enter the gar- rison and fasten the gate of the enclosure. There fortunately happened to be one man then within, the rest of the men belonging to the fort being in the fields at work. Their savage invaders attempted in vain to break through the enclosure. These heroic de- fenders by great exertions maintained the unequal conflict, till a party of friends, alarm- ed by the report of the muskets, came to their relief, when the enemy betook themselves to flight. Mrs. Fay discovered great presence of mind during the assault, being con- stantly employed in loading and reloadmg the muskets belonging to the garrison, and handing them to her companion, who by this means was able to keep up a constant fire on the invaders. The unfortunate young woman, Miss Goodenow, being retarded in her flight by lameness, was seized by her merciless pursuers and dragged over the brook into the edge of Marlborough, and there, a little south of the road and nigh to Sandy hill, she was killed and scalped. On the following day the enemy were pursued by a company of about 30 men from Marlborough and Lancaster, and overtaken in what is now Sterling, where a hard conflict ensued, in which '.) of their number and 2 of our men were slain. In one of their packs was found the scalp of the unfortunate Miss Goodenow, which was the first intimation that was obtained of her melancholy fate. Upon the return of the English they sought for and found her body, and there buried it ; and her grave is yet visible. The town of Northborough lies in a kind of valley between the highlands of Marlborough on the east, and tliose of Shrewsbury and Roylston on the west. There are 3 churches, 2 Congrega- tional and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,224. Distance, 10 miles from Worcester, and 32 from Boston. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills; 1,820 spindles; 220,000 yards of cotton goods were manu- factured ; value $30,400. There were 7,255 pairs of boots and 20,800 pairs of shoes manufactured; value, .^30,720; males em- ployed, 50 ; females, 25. The following notice of Mr. Monis, who died in Northborough, is taken from Whitney's History of Worces- ter County. "Mr. Monis, as I suppose, the first Hebrew instructor in our university at Cam- bridge, was born in Italy. When he came into America I am not able to say. He married a Miss Rlarrett, of Cambridge, who died in the year 1761; whereupon he resigned his office, and retired to Northborough, and spent the residue of his days in the family of the late Rev. John Mart\^n. Mrs. Monis and Mrs. Blartyn were sisters. He left something very honorable and generous to the church in Northborough. He bequeathed forty-six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, to be equally divided among seven of the minisiers then living in the vicinity. Also, he left about an hun dred and twenty-six pounds as a fund, the interest whereof was to be distributed among widows of mmisters who were in indigent circumstances ; and the remainder of his estate, which was considerable, he gave to the IMartyn family. The following is the inscription on his grave-stone : " Here lie buried the remains of Rabbi Judah Monis, M. A., Late Hebrew Instructor At Harvard College in Cambridge ; In which office he continued 40 years. He was by birth and religion a Jew, But embraced the Christian faith. And was publickly bap- tized At Cambridge, A. D. 1722, And departed this life April 25"'' 1764, Aged eighty- one years, two months and twenty-one days. "A native branch of .Tacol) .see, iFrom teeming Zion's fertile womb, Isai. 66. 8. Which once from off its olive broke; I As dewy drops in early mom, Psalm 110. 3. Eegrafled from the living tree, Rom. U. 17, 24. Or rising bodies from the tomb, John, 5. 28, 29. Of Ihe reviving sap partook. | At once be Israel's nation bom." Isai. 66. 8, NORTH BROOKFIELD. 591 NORTHBRIDGE. This town was chiefly taken from Uxbridge, and derived its name from its situation and bearing relative to tiiat town. It was incorporated a distinct town in 1772. The first church was or- ganized in 1782, and the next year Rev. John Crane, D. D., was ordained their pastor : his successor was Rev. Samuel H. Fletcher, Avho was settled in 1832 ; Rev. Charles Furbush, the next pastor, was settled in 1831. Rev. Michael Burditt was mstalled pastor over the second village church in 1835. The surface of this town is somewhat rocky and rough, but the soil in general is rich, strong, and good. It is finely watered by springs, streams, and rivers. Of these Blackstone and Mumford rivers are the largest. On these rivers are tracts of good interval land. Blackstone canal passes through this town, on the west bank of Blackstone river. Tliere are 4 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Methodist, and 1 for Friends. Population, 1.409. Distance, 12 miles from Worcester and 3-5 from Boston. In 1837, there were 4 cotton mills; cotton spindles. 9,000; cotton goods manufactured, 1,450.000 yards; value, $136,750; males employed, 90; females, 107; one woollen mill, 3 sets of machinery; 100,000 yards of sati- net were manufactured; value, $70,000; males employed, 40; females, 20. There were 600 pairs of boots and 53,500 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, §50,000 ; males employed, 75 ; fe- males, 20 ; value of cotton machinery manufactured, $25,000. NORTH BROOKFIELD. This town was originally the second parish in the town of Brookfield ; it was incorporated as such in 1750. It was incorpo- rated as a town in 1812. The first meeting-house in this town was raised in 1749, and completed after a few years. This house was occupied for public worship till January. 1824, when a new one, situated about half a mile north of the old one, was completed. The church in this town was gathered in 1752, and Rev. Eli Fobes, D. D., was ordained their minister the same year. Dr. Fobes was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Appleton, in 1776. The next minister was Rev. Thomas Snell, D. D., who was ordained in 1798. The following is a southern view of the central part of North Brookfield, showing part of the Congregational church on the right, and part of the town-house on the left. The village, which has mostly been built up in the course of about ten years since, consists of about 30 dwelling-houses, and 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Methodist. Deacon Tyler and Mr. Ezra Bacheler were, it is believed, the first settlers in the village. The shoe business was first begnn in this place by Mr. Oliver Ward. Population, 1,509. Distance, 18 miles from Worcester, 4 from Brookfield, 30 from Springfield, and 58 from Boston. In 1837 there were manufac- tured ill this town 24,170 pairs of boots, and 559,900 pairs of 55b<»es, 692 OAK HAM. Southtrn vieiv of North Brookjield. the value of which was $470,316 ; males employed, 550 ; females, 300. There was 1 Avoollen mill, which manufactured 9,195 yards of cloth, valued at $10,758 15. The following inscriptions are copied from the village grave- yard: In memory of the Rev. Joseph Appleton of Brookfield, who died July 25, 1795, in the 44th year of his age, and 19lh of his ministry. He was solemn and fervent in prayer, pathetic and instructive in his preaching, an example of meekness, patience, and resignation under trials. In life and at death he enjoyed the comfort of that reli- gion which he preached and practised. Erected in memory of Doct'r Jacob Kitteredge, who died July 2Sth, 1813, aged 63. " Beneath the sacred honors of the tomb, In awful silence and majestic gloom, The man of mercy here conceals his head, Amidst the awful mansions of the dead. No more his liberal hai\d shall help the poor, Relieve distress, and scatter joy no more. While he from death did others seek to save, Death threwa dart and plung'd him in the grave." OAKHAM. This town was formerly a part of Rutland, and after the incor- poration of that town was called " Rutland West Wing," until 1762, when it was incorporated a town by the name of Oakham. The church in this place was embodied in 1767, in the Presbyte- rian form, and the next year Rev. John Strickland was ordained pastor. He was dismissed in 1773, and the church was dissolved. Shortly after, in the same year, a church on the Congregational plan was organized, but had no settled pastor till 1786, when Rev. Daniel Tomlinson was ordained. Rev. Asa Hixon, jr. was settled colleague pastor in 1829. Rev. James Kimball, the next minister, was installed in 1832. The general surface of this town is hilly and stony. The soil is better adapted to grazing than ploughing. Five Mile river, a branch of the Chicopee, is a stream of conside- rable size, and Ware river runs across the north angle of the town. Population, 1,109. Distance, 16 miles from Worcester, and 66 OXFORD. 593 from Boston. In 1837, there was 1 satinet mill ; 20,000 palm-leaf hats and 1,300 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $7,486. OXFORD This town was a grant made by the government, m 1682, to Joseph Dudley, Esq., governor, to William Stoughton, Esq., lieut. governor of Massachiiisetts, to Major Robert Thomson, Messrs. Cox and Blackwell, and associates. It was styled " a tract of land lying in the Nipnet or Nipniuc comitry,'' (the Indian name of which was Mauchaug.) The grant expressed 8 square miles, but according to the survey and boundaries it comprehended 12 miles in length from east to west, and about 9 in width, comprehending the whole of Charlton and a part of Dudley and of Ward. It was surveyed by Mr. Gore of Roxbury, and a return thereof being made to the general court, they accepted the same, and on the 16th of May, 1683, they granted the plantation and gave it the name of Oxford. The original proprietors of Oxford, in the year 16S6, took on to the grant 30 families of French Protestants, who were driven cut of France in consequence of the repeal of the edict of Nantz by Louis XIV., in the year 1681. According to a IMS. delineation of the town of Oxford, it was laid out in lots in the names of the original proprietors. Between eleven and twelve thou- sand acres at the east end were "severed, granted, and set apart for a village, called Oxford, for the said families." Some of these people were from Rochelle, in France, or vicinity. They had with them a French Protestant minister, Mr. Daniel Bondett. They built a meeting-house, (which stood near the road leading to Norwich, Conn.) and near this was their burying-ground. They built two forts for defence against the Indians, one of which was near their meeting-house, at the foot of Mayo's hill ; the other, the larger ibrt, stood on the summit of the hdl. A well in each of the forts is to be seen, though they are both nearly filled up. These settlers set up a grist and a malt mill, and planted vineyards and orchards, the remains of which are yet to be seen. They acquired the right of representation in the provincial legislature. Of this fact the public records preserve the evidence ; for, in the year 1693, an act was passed em- powering Oxford to send a representative to the general court. The French plantation can be clearly traced down to the year 1696, at which time it was broken i;p by an incursion of the Indians. It appears they killed a ftlr. John Evans, and John Johnson and three of his children. Sirs. Johnson was saved by her brother, Mr. Andrew Sigourney, sen., vi'ho, hearing the report of the guns, ran to the house and pulled her out of the back door, (with a child in her arms.) and took her over French river, which they waded through, and fled towards Woodstock, Conn., where there was a garrison. The Indians killed the children, dashing them against the jambs of the fireplace. Mr. Johnson, having been to Woodstock, returned as the Indians were massacring his family, and was shot down at his own door. Upon the dispersion of the French set- tlers from Oxford, it appears that most of them went to Boston. It is believed that, after the fear of the Indians had subsided, a few families returned to Oxford, but most of these went back again to Boston, in about 19 years from the time of their first settlement of Oxford, about the time of the erection of the first French church in Boston, in 1701-5. Among the French Protestants who emigrated to Boston and lived for a time in Oxford, were Montel, Jacques Dupcn, Capt. Jermon, Peter Cante, Bereau Caeini, Elie Dupeu, Ober Jermon, Jean Maillet, Andre Segourne, Jean Maillet, ant., Peter Canton, Jean Jeanson, Mr. Germaine, Jean Beaudoin, Boudinot, and Benja- min Faneuil.* * Other settlements of French Protestants were made in different places in America, (principally in New York, Virginia, and Carolina.) Some of the descendants of these people have rendered distinguished services to our country. Of the nine presidents of the old congress, who conducted the United States through the revolutionary war, three were descendants of French refugees who had emigrated to America in conse- quence of the revocation of the edict of Nantz. These were Henry Laurens of South '^axolina, John Jay of New York, and Elias Boudinot of New Jersey. 594 OXFOBD. Site of the Fi-ench Fort on Mtiyoh Hill, Oxford, Mass The above shows the situation (as viewed from the south-east) of the principal fort of the French Protestants, whicli they erected as a defence against the Indians on Mayo's Hill. The pile of stones seen near the center of the engraving, by which a person is standing, shows the precise spot of the cellar of the fort or fortified house. Mr. Samuel Mayo, on whose farm this interesting relic is situated, has shown a laudable spirit in preserving the remains of the fort from being obliterated. The well (which is filled up, ex- cept a small depression,) was situated at the feet of the person standing by the stone wall. On the left of the engraving, about four rods south of the cellar of the fort, is seen a grape vine which was originally planted by the Huguenots. They had another fort to the westward of this, on the first elevation, seen beyond the re- mains of the fort. It is probable the church and burying-ground were near this place. In the distance is seen, to the north-west, the village of Oxford, about one mile and a fourth in a direct line. This village contains about 40 houses, 2 churches, and a bank. French river is seen liowing to the eastward of the village: When standing on the site of the fort, the observer has a commanding prospect, especially to the westward. Wachusett mountain is seen rising in the distance far to the north-west. The following is an extract from a poetical tribute to the memory of the Huguenots of Oxford, by Mrs. L. H. Sigourney : ' On visiting a vine planted by the Huguenots, at the ruins of the French Fort at Oxford. Not by rash, thoughtless hands, Who sacrifice to Bacchus, pouring forth Libations at his altar, with wild songs Hailing his maddeaeJ orgies, wert thou borne To western climes — but with the sulTeiiug band Of pious Huguenots didst cross the wave. When they essay'd to plant salvation's vine In the drear wilderness. Pensive they niark'd The everlasting forest's gloomy shade, The uncultured vale, the snow invested heath, Track'd by the vengeful native; yet to rear Their temple to the" Eternal Sire, and pay Unfelter'd homase to his name with joy, Though on their hymn of praise the desert howl'd. The savage arrows scalh'd them, and dark clouds Involv'd their infant Zion; yet they bore Toil and allliction with unwavering eye, FIx'd on the heavens, and finn in hope sublime Sank to their last repose. — Full many a son Among the noblest of our land looks back Through lime's long vista, and e.\ulting claims These as their sires." At the abdication of the Huguenots, the lands of the township reverted to the pro- prietors, -who, on the 8th of July, 1713, granted them to others for a settlement, oa condition that their number should amount to 30 families at least. The requisite num* P A X T N . 595 ticr of associates was obtained. The town was incorporated in 1713 : about a year und a half from the date of the grant a distribution was made by lot to the 30 families. The following is the list of persons as they drew their lots : Daniel Eliot, Jr., William Hudson, Joshua Whitney, Nath'l Chamberlin, Ephraim Town, Benjamin Nealand, Joseph Kockel, Jonathan Tillotson, Samuel Hagbourn, Jos. Chamberlin, Jr., Ebenezer Larned, Oliver Coller, Benoni Twichell, Daniel Eliot, Sen., Joseph Chamberlin, John Chandler, Jr., Isaac Larned. Abiel Lamb, Thomas Hunkins, Benj. Chamberlin, Joshua Chandler, Thomas Gleason, Edmund Taylor, Abram Skinner, Ebenezer Humphrey, John Town, Eben"r Chamberhn, Israel Town. Daniel Pearson, John Coller, The town of Oxford is not very hilly or uneven. In the cen- ter is a large plain, of a mile and a half in length and about a mile in width, which is nearly all under cultivation. Near the north end of this plain stands the Congregational meeting-house, and about a mile south of this the meeting-house of the Universalists. The village is mostly built on one long street, running nearly north and south. From the plain the land rises on all sides, but not very high. French river, passing through this town, affords it a fine water power. There are extensive cotton and woollen manufac- tories. Oxford Bank has a capital of $100,000. Distance, 10 miles from Worcester, and 45 from Boston. Population, 2,047. In 1837 there were 4 cotton mills ; cotton spindles, 6,226; cotton goods manufactured, 6-53,500 yards; value, $92,685; males em- ployed, 66 ; females, 67. There were 5 woollen mills, 12^ sets of machinery ; cloth manufactured, 184,820 yards ; value, $371,915 ; males employed, 122 ; females, 78. There were 4,165 pairs of boots and 33,522 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, $36,794 ; males employed, 66 ; females, 45. The first church was gathered in this town January 18, 1721, and the Rev. John Campbell (a native of Scotland) was ordained their pastor in March the same year. He died in 1761, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bowman, who was installed in 1764. Mr. Bowman lived in great harmony with the people until 1775, when the war occasioned differences among them, which led a number to profess themselves Quakers, and then they "declared themselves to be of the sect called Universalists." These difficulties led to the dismission of Mr. Bowman in 1782. The following ministers have succeeded Mr. Bowman: Elias Dudley in 1791, Josiah Moulton in 1805, David Batcheller in 1816, Ebenezer Newhall in 1S23, Loren Robbins in 1832, and Horatio Bardwell in 1836. The resettlement of the town at first proceeded slowly from fear of the natives, but it is not known, except what has been related, that any person in Oxford was killed by them. Concerning the Indians, Hutchinson gives the following incident : '' On the 6th of August, 1774, four Indians came upon a small house in Oxford, which was built under a hill. They made a breach in the roof, and as one of them was attempting to enter he received a shot in his belly from a courageous woman, the only person in the house, who had two muskets and two pistols charged, and was pre- pared for all four, but they thought fit to retreat, carrying off the dead or wounded man. It is a pity the name of this heroine has not been preserved, that it might be handed down to latest posterity." PAXTON The principal part of this town originally belonged to Rutland and Leicester, the line between which towns formerly passed a httle north of where Paxton meeting-house now stands. It was incor- 596 PETERSHAM porated as a district by an act of the general court, by the name of Paxton, in 1765. The first settlements were made within its Hmits a few years after the settlement of Rutland and Leicester, which was about 1720. It is certain that before 1745 there were several families in the place, and some considerable improvements made. Among the early settlers were Josiah Livermore and his brother, Jason Livermore, and Ahijah Bemis, from Weston. Near them were also William Thomson and ono or two of his sons. The settlement of the town was never interrupted by Indian depie- dations, or by any other cahimity. but gradually progressed till all tlie land was taken up. It is believed that this town was never constituted such by any direct legislative act • it, however, assumed full town privileges some time in the year 177ti, when Mr. Abraham Smith was sent representative to the general court. At the first meeting after the organization of the district, holdeu on the first of April, 1765, a vote passed to build a mee;ing-liouse, which was accordingly erected the same year.' Rev. Silas Eiglow was ordauied their first pastor. October 21, 1767. He con- tinued but little more than two years in the othce, being removed by death, Nov. 16, 1769, and was succeeded the next year by Rev. Alexander Thayer. The next minis- ter was Rev. John Foster, who was ordained in 1785 ; his successor was Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, who was installed in 1794. The next pastor, Rev. Gaius Conant, was ordained in 1808, and was succeeded in 1832 by Rev. Moses Winch. Mr. Winch was .'.ucceeded by Rev. James D. Farnsworth, in 1835. Central part of Paxton. The above is a southern view of the Congregational church in the central part of Paxton. This town is hilly, consisting of large swells of land, which on their summits are so levelled as to appear like plains, the acclivity in many instances being so slight and gradual as hardly to be perceived for a considerable extent on their tops. The two highest hills in the town are Turkey Hill and Asnebumskit Hill. From the top of the last-mentioned hill, in a clear day, the prospect is very extensive and delightful. Popu- lation, 619. Distance, 7 miles from Worcester, and 47 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 24,200 pairs of boots ; value, $48,430 ; males employed, 53, females, 9. PETERSHAM. This was an original grant made by the general court, in 1732, to John Bennet, Jeremiah Purley, and others, as a compensation PETERSHAM 597 for services done by them in the Indian wars, under Capt, John White, of Lancaster. Some time after the grant, the proprietors Southern view of Petcnham. purchased the soil of the Indians, for a satisfactory consideration, and took of them a deed. It had been a residence of the Indians, and was called by them Nlc/i-e-7oaug, which name it bore until i-t was incorporated a town, in 1754. The chief seat of the Indians appears to have been in the soiiih part of the town, near Nicliewaug Hill, whereon, as in some other parts of the town, Ihej' had planted tie!ct> of Indian corn, the traces of which were remaining; when the English began a settlement there. The first settlers experienced many hardships and difficnlties. lu the infancy of the settlement, in 1714, a French war broke out, and the Indians, being always in the interest of the French, became hostile, and began to commit depredations in various parts of the land, which occasioned the few inhabitants great fear, and obliged them for their safety to fortify a number of houses in different parts of the town, into each of -which a number of families moved, and soldiers were stationed there as a gunrd to the inhabitants and to reconnoiter the country. The church was gathered in this place, and the first pastor, Rev. Aaron Whitney, was ordained, in 1738. He died in 1779, in the 41st year of his ministry, and the next year was succeeded by Rev. Solomon Reed. The ne.xt pastor, Rev. Festus Fos- ter, was ordained in 1802 ; his successor was Rev. Luther Wilson, who was installed in 1819. The next pastor, Rev. George R. Noyes. was installed in 1834. Rev. Wil liam Wolcott was ordained pastor of the second church in 1830 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Caleb B. Tracy, in 1834. The cut is a southern view in the central part of Petersham, showing the public buildings, &c. The natural situation of the town is very beautiful : it is elevated, but not hilly or uneven. The center of the town lies upon the highest land in it, which is a large, long, flat hill, upon the highest part of which runs the prin- cipal street from north to south, and for upAvards of three miles in length affords a most commanding prospect, not only of the whole town, but of the towns adjoining. The soil is rich and fertile, and the land bears all kinds of grain, but it is most natural to grass and pasturage. This town is watered by Swift river, on which are some manufactories of iron. Here are 3 churches, 2 Congrega- tional and I Baptist. Population, 1,731. Distance, 29 miles from 698 PHlLLIPSTOIf. Worcester, and 62 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 130,525 palm-leaf hats ; value, $25,495. There is 1 woollen mill. PHILLIPSTON This town was chiefly taken from Templeton, and was set off as a separate parish in 1774, and in 1786 was incorporated a town, and named Gerry, in honor of Elbridge Gerry, a vice-president of the United States ; " but on account of the disapprobation of his measures when governor of Massachusetts, and especially a law for districting the state for the choice of senators, which was highly obnoxious to a majority of the town, they petitioned to the court, and the name was changed to Phillipston, in 1812." The organ- ization of a church was retarded on account of the revolutionary war. However, in 1785, one was gathered, under the direction of the ecclesiastical council, and in 1788 Rev. Ebenezer Tucker was ordained pastor. He was succeeded, in 1800, by Rev. Ezekiel Bascom ; the next minister, Rev. Joseph Chickering, was installed in 1822, and was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Lovell, in 1835. This town is uneven, consisting of hills and valleys, but the soil is productive. Two miles west of the meeting-house is situated a very fertile hill, large in extent, called Prospect Hill. There is an eminence on this hill, which overlooks all the highlands for many miles around. Upon it are many excellent farms. About a mile east of the center is situated a large and fine pond. There are 3 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Universalist, and 1 Methodist. Population, 887. Distance, 30 miles from Worcester, and 58 from Boston. In 1837, there was one cotton mill, 1,.512 spindles; 165,000 yards of cotton goods manufactured; value, !|15,000 ; one woollen mill ; 11,500 yards of cloth manufactured ; value, $25,000. Palm-leaf hats manufactured, 65,500; value, $15,600. PRINCETON This township was partly taken from Rutland, and partly made up of some lands in the neighborhood which belonged to the state. It was incorporated in 1771, and named Princeton, in honor of Rev. Thomas Prince, pastor of the Old South church in Boston, and a large proprietor of this tract of land. At the time of its incorporation there were about 20 families in the place. The inhabitants erected a meeting-house in 1762, and in 1764 the church was embodied ; and after a number of unsuccessful attempts to settle a minister, Rev. Timothy Fuller was ordained, in 1767. He was dismissed in 1776, and the church was destitute of a pastor till 1786, when Rev. Thomas Crafts was ordained. In consequence of ill health, he was dismissed in 1791. Rev. Joseph Russell, the next pastor, was ordained 1796, and was succeeded by Rev. James Murdock, D. D., in 1802. Rev. Samuel Clarke succeeded Dr. Murdock in 1817. Rev. Alonzo PhilHps was ordained the pastor of the second church in 1820, and was succeeded by Rev. Elijah Demojid in 1836. PRINCETON. 599 View of the central part of Princeton. The above is a south-west view of the Congregational churcli and some other buildings in the central part of Princeton, which is very elevated and commands an extensive prospect. The spire of the ancient church is seen rising in the extreme distance. The surface of this town is hilly, but has a good soil. It is watered by numerous springs and rivulets, and a branch of the Nashua river, which begins at the foot of Wachusett Hill. There are several places in the town where springs issue and the waters divide, running some into MerrimaCj some into Connecticut river. Distant view of Wachusett Mountain. Wachusett Mountain lies in the north-west part of the township, and is the highest land in the state east of the Green Mountain range. It is a little more than 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, and rises, without any very steep ascent, about 1,900 feet higher than the surrounding country. The sides of the mountain are generally covered with wood, which gradually dwindles in size towards the top, till it becomes mere shrubbery, and on the summit vegetation almost entirely ceases. Wachusett gives to the spectator upon its summit a view of the country from 30 to 50 miles on every side. The principal rivers and ponds of the county, and many of the towns and villages, are presented very distinctly to the naked eye. This place is much frequented in the 600 EOYALSTON, summer months. Part of Wachiisett Pond lies in this town, and part in Westminster, the dividing line passing through it. In the south-west part of the town is Quinepoxet Pond, some part of which falls within the limits of Holden. There are 4 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Universalist. and 1 Baptist. Population, 1.267. Distance, 15 miles from Worcester, and 45 from Boston. In 1837 there were 50,0(J0 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, i^2U,()()0; there were 75,000 pahii-leaf hats manufactured; value, |9,500. 11 O Y A L S T N . This town was granted by the general court, in 1752, to the Hon. Messrs. Hubbard, Erving, Royal, Otis, and others. The grant was known by the name of Koyalshire, until its incorporation in 1765, when it was called Royalston, in compliment to the late Col. Isaac Royal, one of the original proprietors. Before the last French war, some who intended to settle at the place began to work upon their lands, but the breaking out of the Avar put a stop thereto. Towards the close of that war, some people began to work there again, and in 1762 several families moved into tlie place, tlie first of which came in June. Its progress in improvement was very rapid, for in less than three years from that time it was incorporated with distinct town privileges. In 1766 a Congregational church was organized in the town, and in 1768 Rev. Joseph Lee was or- dained their pastor. Mr. Lee continued an able and faithful pastor more than 50 years. His successor. Rev. Ebenezer Perkins, w^s ordained in 1819. Among the first settlers there were about 10 Baptist families. Their first teacher was Rev. Elisha Rice, who continued but a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. AVhitman Jacobs, installed in 1770. The land in this town consists generally of hills and valle}^s, and the soil is excellent, being suitable for tillage or grazing. It is watered by Miller's river and its tributary waters, upon which is much good meadow. Several small streams, one of which has upon it a perpendicular fall of 20 feet, and descends 100 feet in 40 rods, unite and form Tully river, which pours into Miller's river a great quantity of water. These various streams aflbrd a number of good mill sites. Population, 1,629. Distance, 31 mdes from Worcester, and 70 from Boston. In 1S37 there were two woollen mills, 6 sets of ma- chinery ; 72,000 yards of cloth were manufactured ; value, ^72,000; males employed, 34 ; females, 34 ; there were 129,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured ; value, $1(),225 ; three manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware ; value of articles manufactured, $15,041; hands employed, 17 j there were 11 saw-mills; value of lumber, $18,165; hands em- ployed, 22. RUTLAND This town was purchased of the Indians, in 1686, for £23 of the currency of that time, and a deed executed to Henry Willard, Jo- seph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Cyprian Stevens, by Wanapapan and Walipunit, of Natick, and others, In- dian proprietors. The general name of this tract was Naqnag. This deed was recorded, but nothing further was done with the purchase for 26 years. In 1713, upon petition of the proprietors, it was confirmed to them by the general court, coaditionally, that within 7 years' time 60 families should be settled upon it. The con- EUTLAND. OOi rtitions of the grant being ftilfiHed, the town was incorporated by the legislature, at their May session, in 1722. The Rev. Joseph Willard was chosen unanimously by the inhabitants to be their minister, but, as events look place, was never settled t<^ilh them. The church was gathered in November, 1727, and at the same time Rev. Thomas Frink was ordained their first pastor. He was dismissed in 1740, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Buckminster in 1742. He preached to the people 50 years, and died 1792. In about 8 months he was succeeded by Rev. Hezekiah Goodrich. Mr. Good- rich died in 1812, and was succeeded by Rev. Luke B. Foster, in 1813. The next pas- tor, Rev. Josiah Clarke, was ordained in 1818. Public Buildirigs in the central part of Rutland. The above is a south-western view of the Congregational church, toAvn-house, and hotel, in the central part of Rutland. These buildings are situated on a very elevated situation, having a com- manding prospect in almost every direction. This town is situated on tlie heiglit of land between the sea and Connecticut river, and is hilly and very uneven. It has no large stream, but is watered by a branch of Ware river, which affords power for several mills. This is a good grazing township, and the inhabitants export considerable beef, butter, and cheese. There is fine fishing at Mustapaitg- and Long ponds. About half a mile east of the meeting-house is a spring, the waters of which soon divide; part runs to the Merrimac aud part to Connecticut river. Popu- lation, 1,265. Distance, 12 miles from Worcester, and .51 from Bos- ton. In 1837 there was 1 woollen mill, which manufactured 26,000 yards of cloth; value, $1.5,080 ; there were 10,304 pairs of boots, and 5,950 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, ,^23,369; males em- ployed, 37; females, 13. The following account of the disturb- ances from the Indians is from Whitney's History of Worcester County : '•We have .said the settlers, in 1721, invited the Rev. Joseph Willard to settle with them, which invitation he accepted. This Mr. Wdlard had been ordained a minister of Sunderland, in the county of Hampshire, but continued a very little time with them before he was dismissed. After he had accepted the invitation to settle with the people of Rutland, he met with many and great discouragements, and particularly by reason of the fears and dangers arising from the Indians ; sotliat an appointment of his instal- lation was deferred. However, at length a day was fixed upon for his solemn separa- tion to the work of the ministry in that place, in the fall of the year 1723 ; but he lived not to see the day, being cut off by the enemy, as shall be now related. As Deacon Joseph Stevens and four of his sons were making hay in a meadow, at Rutland, a little n(>rth of the place where the meeting-house now sta^'^s. A'l^ust 14th, 1723, they were 602 SHREWSBURY. surprised by five Indians. The father escaped in the bushes ; two of his sons were then and there slain ; the other two, (Phineas the eldest, and Isaac the youngest,) were made prisoners. Two of the five Indians waylaid a IMr. Davis and sun, who that after- noon were making hay in a meadow not far off, but, weary of waiting, they were return- ing to the others, and met Mr. Willard in their way, who was armed. One of the Indians' guns missed fire, the others did no execution. Mr. Willard returned the fire, and wounded one of them, it is said mortally ; the other closed in with ]Mr. Willard, but he would have been more than a match for him, had not the other three come to his assistance ; and it was some considerable time before they killed Mr. Willard. This account Phineas Stevens gave upon his return from captivity, who was a spectator ot some part of the tragedy. The Indians having killed and scalped Mr. Willard, and taken some of his clothes, went off to Canada, with the two captives above named. They were redeemed in about a year. Phineas -Stevens was a famous warrior, a cap- tain, and a principal man in building up and defending the then young plantation No. 4, now Charlestown, in New Hampshire state. Isaac Stevens lived at Rutland. They have both been dead many years. On the 3d of August, 1724, the Indians came again upon Rutland, killed three persons, wounded one, and made another prisoner. This is as I find it related in Governor Hutchinson's history. Others speak of but two killed; but the names of the killed, wounded, or prisoner, cannot now be ascertained. This was the last mischief done at Rutland by the Indians, so far as we can learn." SHREWSBURY. This township was granted to certain persons in 1717, most of whom belonged to Marlborough, and \y:is originally larger than at present. It began to be settled the same year by a few people from Marlborough; but the settlement did not progress as rapidly as some other towns in its vicinity. Indeed, at that time people, not deem- ing it a good tract of land, passed through and took up their resi- dence elsewhere. Such progress was, however, made, in the course of ten years, that application was made to the general court to be invested with full town privileges. This petition was granted, and the town incorporated in 1727. The town originally included most of what is now Boylston, most of West Boylston, and a portion of Sterling, Westborough, and Grafton. It is a remarkable fact that the name of Indian, as is stated, does not occur on the records of the town. They had, some years before, retired to a distance too great to alarm the first settlers. The first church was gathered in this town on the 4th of December, 1723'. Rev. Job Gushing was settled as their pastor on the same occasion. He died in 1760, and was succeeded by Fiev. Joseph Sumner, D. D., who was ordained in 1762. The next minis- ter. Rev. Samuel B. Ingersoll. was settled in 1820, and died the same year. He was succeeded, in 1821, by Rev. Edwards Whipple. Rev. George Allen, the next pastor, was settled in 1823. The first meeting-house was erected in 1721. The cost of the building was defrayed by a tax of £5 on each proprietor, which amounted to the sum of £210. After a lapse of aboiU 40 years, the society voted, in October, 1764, to build a new meeting-house, 60 feet in length and 45 in width. The Baptist society in this towTi was formed in 1812, and their meeting-house built in 1813, at the cost of about $450. Mr. Elias McGregory was their first settled minister, ordained June 17, 1818. The Restoration society was formed April, 1820, and was incorporated in 1824. The following is a southern view of the Congregational church, which, with the principal part of the village, stands on a commanding elevation. Distance, 6 miles from Worcester, and 36 from Boston. Population, 1,507. This is principally an agricultural town. In 1837 there were 93,101 pairs of shoes manufactured; value, |88,993; males employed, 140 ; females, 109 ; value of clothing manufac- tured, |60,000. This town presents to the eye an uneven surface, variegated with SHREWSBURY. 60S Southern view of the Cojigregational Church, Shrewsbury. hills and valleys. A range of highland, extending from north to south, passes through the middle of the • town. The numerous swells and tracts of rolling land, which are most of them in good cultivation, are to be seen in all directions from the middle of the town, and give a pleasing variety to the landscape. The town is well watered by springs and rivulets, though there are no laro-e rivers in the town. Long pond, called by the natives Q,ninsio-amond, lying in this town by tiie line of Worcester, is a beautiful piece of water. It lies in the form of a crescent, nearly four miles long as it runs, and from 100 rods to near a mile in width. The water is, in general, of considerable depth ; in some places it has been found to be 90 feet deep. There are twelve islands in this pond, of vari- ous sizes. Stratton's Island, which contains 150 acres under culti- vation, has several families living upon it. Some of the other islands are more or less cultivated. This pond is the principal feeder of Blackstone canal. In the south-west part of the town is a large meadow, which contains excellent peat. The following account of a fire which took place in the infancy of the settlenient is from the Boston News Letter of Aug. 15, 1723 : " Boston., August 15th, 1723. "An exact account of the awful burning of Cnpf. John Keyes's house, with five per- sons in it, at Shrewsbury, in the night between the 7th and 8th of this inst., taken from a letter of the Rev. Mr. Breck of INIariborough, and from the mouth of 3Ir. Ebenezer Bragg of the same, formerly of Ipswich, the only person of those who lodged in the house who, by a distinguishing providence, escaped the flames. "Capt. Keyes was budding an house about nine or ten feet off his old one. It was almost finished. And Mr. Bragg aforesaid, the carpenter, with his brother Abiel, of 17 years of age. and William Oaks of 18, his apprentices, were working about it. Capt. Keyes, with his wife and four daughters, lodged in the old one ; and'the three carpen- ters, with three sons of the Captain's, viz. Solomon of twenty, John of thirteen, and Ste- phen of six years of age, lay in the new. On the Wednesday night, going to bed, they took a more than ordinary cnre of the fire, being excited thereto by the saying of one, He would not have the house burnt for an hundred pounds ; and the reply of another, He would not for two hundred. Upon which, they carefully raked away the chips lying near it, and stayed till the rest were almost burnt out ; and then they went all six together into three beds in one of the chambers ; and were very cheerly and merry at their going to bed, which was about ten of the clock. " But about midnight I\Ir. Bragg was awaked with a notion of the house being on fire, and a multitude caUing to quench it; with which he got up, saw nothing, heard no voice, but could hardly fetch any breath, through the stifling smoke ; concluded the house was on fire, perceived somebody stirring, against whom he hit two or three times 604 SOUTHBOROUGH. in the dark : And not being able to speak, or to breathe any longer, and striking hi^ forehead against the chimney, he thought of the -i^nndow and happily found it. When he gained it, he tarried a minute, holding it fast with one hand, and reaching out the other, in hopes of meeting with some or other to save them, till the smoke and fire came so thick and scorching upon him, he could endure no longer ; and hearing no noise in the chamber, only, as he thought, a famt groan or two, he was forced to jump out, and, the window being small, head foremos^t ; though he supposes, by God's good providence, hp turned before he came to the ground. As Mr. Bragg was just got up again, Capt, Keyes, being awaked in the old house, was coming to this side of the new. and met him. But the flame immediately burst out of the windows, and the house was quickly all on a light fire No noise was heard of the other five who perished : and it is very ques tionable whether more than one of them moved out of their beds. The old house was also burnt, and almost every thing in it ; but the people were saved, through the great goodness of God. But a most dreadful sight it was in the morning, lo see the 5 bodies frying m the fire, among the timbers fallen down in the cellar, till towards the evening, when the few almost consumed fragments, without heads or limbs, were gathered, put into one coffin, and burjed. Psalm Ixvi. 3, Say unto God, Hon- terrible art thou m thy works! James iv. loth. Ye know nut nhiit shall be on the morrow. Luke xii. 40th, Be ye therefore ready. ^^ Thus far the newspnper. . " The Capt. Keyes above named was afterwards the well-known and much esteemed Major John Keyes, who died in Shrewsbury, not many years since, i-n a very advanced age. The new house which was burnt stood on the great road, about three quarters of a mile eastward from the present meeting-house ; and upon the same spot a large dwelling-house now stands." The following is the inscription on the monument of Gen. Ward, in the grave-yard back of the church, represented in the engraving: SacreJ to the menmry of the Hoiiora1)le Arlemas Ward, E-f:"ir.', Nvho wa-s bonii in Shrewsbury, Nov. 1727, graduated at Harvanl College 1748. Being furiiislied with natural and aciinffeil abilities for public and im- portant trusts, in 17.j1 he was coMimissioned a Justice of the Peace; in 1762 he w.as appointed a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in this county ; in 177(5 was made prejiidenl of llie said court. His firm attach- ment to the rights of nia.i induced him to take an active part in thec:iuse of America ?;id whfln the eon- iroversy with Great Britain was about lobe decided by the sword, heco.isented to take the command gf the American army, and contiLiueil in coiimand during a most critical per oa of the contest. In 1 . 7'j he was appointed a member of Coogre.ss, and by the free sutfrages of his feUowcili/.ens 'vas. repeatedly elected a Tneinber under the Fedenal Governmejit, and continued in elevated public .stations until aee and bodily in- firmity constrained him to retire. Such Wiis the firmness of his mind that he was swayed neither by the ajiplanse or censures of man, but appeared ever to act under a sense of duty and accountability to God. In every public station he ac^iuitted himself with dignity, aliiliiy, and integrity, and his memory will long bo precioua with the friends of liberty and religion. He died Oct. 28, 1809, in the 73d year of his age. SOUTHBOROUGH. This town was taken from the ancient town of Marlborough, and derived its name from the circumstance of its lying about south from that town. It was incorporated by the general cotu't in 1727. The first church was embodied here in 1730, and the Rev. Nathan Stone ordained the first pastor. He remained with the people till his death, in 1781, after which the church was destitute of a settled minister till 1791, when Rev. Samuel Sumner was ordained. The next pastor. Rev. Jeroboam Parker, was ordained in 1799, and was succeeded by Rev. John D. Sweet. Rev. Walter Follet was or- dained pastor of the second church in 1832. This church was organized in 1831. There is a Baptist church in the town. Popu- lation, 1,113. Distance, 15 miles from Worcester, and 30 from Bos- Ion. The surface of this town is moderately uneven, and the soil productive. It is watered by a number of small streams and brooks. In 1837, there was a small woollen mill in the town; there were manufactured 170 pairs of boots and 39,312 pairs of shoes ; value, $31,560; males employed, 80; females, 75. There were 5,500 straw bonnets manufactured ; value, $9,000. SPENCER 606 SOUTHBRIDGE. SouTHBRiDGE was Originally a part of Stiirbridge, Charlton, and Dudley. It was incorporated as a town in 1814. The first church was organized here in 1801, and Rev. Jason Park was ordained the first pastor in 1816. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry J. Lamb, who was ordained in 1833. His successor, Rev. Eber Carpenter, was installed in 1835. There are 3 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. South-eastern view of the central part of Southbridge. The above is a south-eastern view in this flourishing village, which consists of about 40 or 50 dwelling-houses, besides other buildings. The Baptist church is seen on the right; the South- bridge Bank, Hotel, &c., on the left. The township is watered by the Quinnebaug, which passes centrally through the town. Popu- lation, 1,740. Distance, 20 miles from Worcester, and 60 from Boston. In 1837 there were 3 cotton mills, 6,844 spindles; 1,130,160 yards of cotton goods were manufactured; value, $05,900; males employed, 83 ; females, 89; one woollen mill, 4 sets of machinery; 50,000 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, $150,000; males employed, 75 ; females, 50; boots manufactured, 590 pairs ; shoes, 15,475; value, $15,712; males employed, 17; females, 14. In 1801 the inhabitants of the south-eastern section of Stiirbridge, (now Southbridg^e,) ninety in number, were, upon their petition, incorporated into a Poll Porhh. These 90 persons, with their famihes, formed rather a distinct community for many years, and the place of their residence was generally known by the name of Honest Town. SPENCER, The whole of this town was included in the original grant of Leicester. It was made a parish in the year 1744, by the name of the West Parish of Leicester, and was incorporated a town in 1753, by the name of Spencer. The church was organized here in 1744, and Rev. Joshua Eaton was ordained their pastor the same year. He continued with the people till his death, in 1772, and was suc- ceeded, the next year, by Rev, Joseph Pope. The next ni'"^'^*- 606 STERLING. was Rev. Stephen Crosby, who was settled in 1819, Mr. Crosby was succeeded by Rev. Levi Packard, in 1826. iSouth-ivest view of Spencer. The above engraving shows the appearance of the central part of Spencer, as it is entered from the westward, upon the road to Brookfield. The Congregational church is seen on the right, on the elevated ground in the distance. The Universalist church is the building with a tower, standing in the compact part of the village, which consists of about 40 dwelling-houses. This town is elevated, and is said to be 950 feet above the tide waters in Boston harbor. The surface is rough and uneven, but the soil is very fertile. It is watered by many streams, which run through the different parts; but none of them are of much size. Seven-Mile river is the largest. There are 3 churches, 1 Congre- gational, 1 Baptist, and 1 Universalist. Population, 2,08.5. Dis- tance, 11 miles from Worcester, and 51 from Boston. In 1837 there were 2 woollen mills, 4 sets of machinery ; 34,000 yards of cloth were manufactured ; value of woollen goods, !|87,000 ; males em- ployed, 31; females, 23; there were 52,091 pairs of boots and 2,940 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, $106,496 ; males employed, 162; females, 28; four Avire-drawing mills: 19 tons of wire manu- factured; value, $10,480; ten hands employed; there Avere 2 powder mills ; 162,500 lbs. of powder were manufactured; value, $14,500; there were 29,600 palm-leaf hats manufactured; value, $7,000 STERLING. This was for many years the second parish in Lancaster, and was usually called Chockset. It was made a separate parish in the year 1743, and remained united with Lancaster until April 25, 1781 ; when it was incorporated by an act of the legislature, and received its present name in compliment to Lord Sterling, of New Jersey, who served as a general in the American army in the revo- lutionary war. The first inhabitants established themselves in this town as early as 1720. Gamaliel Bpaman was the first inhabitant, and was immediately followed by Samuel Sawyer, STURBRIDGE. 607 Benjamin Haughton, David Osgood, and Jonathan Osgood. They were all natives of Lancaster old parish, and of families who had long resided there. Their houses were all within short distances of each other, lying north-westerly of the meeting-house. The first meetinL':-house was built in 1742. The church was gathered Dec. 19, 1744, and Rev. John Mellen was ordained their minister the same day. The second meeting- house was erected in 1799, on the site of the old one. It was dedicated on the first Sunday of the year 1800. The successor of Mr. Mellen was Rev. Reuben Holcoinb, who was ordained in 1779 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Lemuel Capen, who was ordain- ed in 1815. Rev. Peter Osgood, the next minister, was settled in 1819. The .siivfiice of thi.s town is hilly and uneven, but there is very- little broken or waste land in it. Tlie soil is fertile, producing in rich abundance, to repay the husbandman for its cultivation. The land is naturally moist, and by the help of the rivulets the water may be turned over the sides of most of the hills. There is but one river in this town, called Still river, from the placid motion of its waters. In the central part of the town there is an luicom- monly beautiful little village, consisting of 2 churches and about 20 dwelling-houses. Population, 1,6.50. Distance, 11 miles from Worcester, and 40 from Boston. In 1837, there were 24 manufac- tories of chairs and cabinet ware; the value of chairs and cabinet ware was .$53,228 ; hands employed, 80. There were 22,500 palm-leaf hats manufactured; value, ^7,200; value of scythe snaiths manufactia-ed, .$5,000. STURBRIDGE The land of this town was originally granted, in 1729, to seve- ral petitioners of Medfield, and manj^ of the first settlers were from that town, and hence the place was called x\ew Medfield, until its incorporation in 1738, when it received the name of Sturbridge. The following, respecting the first settlers, is from Rev. Joseph S. Clark's Historical Sketch of Sturbridge, published in 1838 : " Henry Fi.ske, one of tlie oriiinal proprietors, and his bmlhor Daniel, pitched their tent near tlie top of the hill whicli has ever sine ; l>orn« tlieir name. Tliey had been at work fir ■^ome lime without lt Baptist society was formed in 1812. Elder William Bentley was the first minister. He was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Going in 1815. The next pastor, Rev. Frederick A. Willard, was settled in 1832. The Catholic society was formed in 1834, the Methodist Episcopal in 1834, the Protestant Episcopal in 1835, and the Union society in 1836. Worcester is the shire town of the county, being situated 40 miles westward from Boston, 40 N. N. W. from Providence, about 50 from Northampton, 60 miles E. N. E. from Hartford, and 394 from Washington. Latitude 42° 16' 9" W., longitude from Lon- don 71" 49'. The township is about six miles square. The surface is undulating, swelling into hills of moderate acclivity, gentle slopes, and rounded outlines. The soil is fertile, and is in a high state of cultivation, affording many beautiful prospects on which the eye delights to linger. The population of the town ^s 7,117. The principal village of Worcester is built chiefly upon one street, extending a mile from north to south, and is situated in a valley opening to the south, and is surrounded by hills of moderate ele- vation on almost every side. It is one of the finest and most con- siderable inland villages in the New England states. 620 WORCBBTBR. Fiew at the 7iorth entra?ice to the village of Worcester. The above is a view of the north entrance to the village of Wor- cester, taken from the old Boston road. The first building seen in the center is the court-house. The next is the Unitarian church, and the spire on the left is that of the Central church. The build- ding on an elevation on the right is the mansion-house of Stephen Salisbury, Esq. The large warehouses and stores, crowded with every variety of goods, the superior style and appearance of the public and private buildings, the passing of travellers and others in the streets, give this place the appearance and activity of a city. There are in the limits of the village 7 houses for public worship, 4 Congregational, (one of which is Unitarian,) 1 Baptist, 1 Catho- lic, and 1 Methodist. There are 4 banks, the Worcester, the Central, the Quinsigamond, and Citizens' Banks, whose united capitals amount to $900,000. There are 2 Mutual Fire Insurance Com- panies, a Lyceum, formed Nov. 4th, 1S29, 5 printing-offices, from which are issued 5 newspapers. Among the public buildings are a Court-House, the County House of Correction, the Hall of the Antiquarian Society, and the State Lunatic Hospital. It may be truly stated that few towns in this country "exhibit so. uniform an appearance of taste, or contain so great a proportion of good build- ings, and so small a proportion of those that are indifferent, as Worcester." The following is a representation of the Hall of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester. The central part of the building was erected in 1819 and 1820, and dedicated on the 24th of Au- gust of the latter year. This part of the building is 46 feet long, and 36 wide. Wings were extended in 1832, each 28 feet long and 21 wide. The whole building is of brick. The central part, and the land on which the building stands, is the donation of the late Isaiah Thomas, LL. D. The society was organized in 1812, and its officers annually chosen on its anniversary meeting, on the 23d of October, the day on which Columbus discovered America. The object of this institution is the collection and preservation of American antiquities. It was also the intention of Mr. Thomas, VrORCXSTSR. 621 Western view of the Antiquarian Hall. the munificent patron of the society, that its Hbrary should embrace as perfect a collection of American literature as possible. Toassistin attaining this object, he presented the society between four and five thousand volumes of books, among which are many valuable works illustrating the history of the country, as well as many rare and mteresting specimens of early printing. The library of the society now contains about 12,UU0 volumes, and is increasing. Visiters can have easy access to it, and it is open to those who have occa- sion to use the books. As it is national in its objects, this institution bids fair to have the largest, as well as the most valuable, collection of books and manuscripts in this country. Isaiah Tfuimas, the gentleman to whom this institution is so deeply indebted, was born in Boston, January 19th, 1749. At the age of less than six years he was botind apprentice to a Mr. Fowle, who carried on the pruitiug business in a small way in Bos- ton. Havmg purchased the printing materials of 3Ir. Fowle, Mr. Thomas issued a newspaper on March 7th, 1771, called the " JMassnchiisetts Spi/." The revolutionary contest was then impending, and Mr. Thomas being a warm friend of American freedom, his paper became the favorite champion of the rights of the people. Such a course rendered Mr. Thoma.s obno.Kious to the royal officers of the government. He was put on the list of the proscribed, and was threatened with personal violence. Having been solicited by the whigs of Worcester to establish a newspaper in that place, he privately had his types and press conveyed thither, and the Spy made its appearance in this place May 3, 1775, after a suspen.sion of three weeks. After the revolutionary war, IMr. Thomas, uniting the employments of printer, publisher, and bookseller, the manufacture of paper and binding, he was able to accomplish a great amount of business. At one period he had under his personal direction, and that of his partners, sixteen presses in constant motion. In 1802 Mr. Thomas relinquished a prosperous business to his son. He, however, did not remain idle. In 1810, his " History of Printing," in two octavo volumes, was published, evincing great research and fidelity of narrative, and is a standard work of the kind. In 1814 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth college — that of Doctor of Laws from Alleghany college, in 1818. He was president of the Antiquarian Society from its foundation until his decease, April 4, 1831, at the age of 82 years. Lunatic Hospital. " This monument of the charity of the state is situated on a beautiful eminence eastward of the town. The buildings of the west front, erected in 1831, consist of a center, 76 feet long, 40 feet wide, and four stories high, projecting 22 feet forward of the wings, which extend to the north and south ninety feet each on the front and 100 feet in the rear, are 36 feet wide, and three stories high. This arrangement was adopted so as to secure free communication with the central structure, occupied by the superintendent, steward, attendants, and domestics, and to 622 WORCESTER. U'estern vierr of the State Lunatic Hospital. permit the ventilation and lighting of the long halls reaching through the wings. The ranges of apartments for the insane, 8 feet by 10, have each a window, with the upper sash of cast-iron and lower sash of wood, both glazed ; on the exterior of the wooden sash is a false sash of iron, corresponding in its appearance and dimensions, but firmly set into the frame, giving the reality of a grate without its gloomy aspect. In 1835, a building 134 feet in length and 34 feet in width was attached to the southern extremity of the hospital, of equal height, and extending eastward at right angles with the front ; in 1836, another edifice of the same magnitude was placed at the north end. Three sides of a great square are now enclosed by these immense structures of brick. Pro- vision is made for the difi"usion of heat, the circulation of air, the supply of water ; and the most judicious regulations promote the health and comfort of the inmates. " In this hospital, those are placed under restraint by public authority who are so furiously mad that their liberty would endanger the safety of the community. To feel its value, one must have heard the chained maniacs howling in the dungeons of the common gaols, in frantic excitement and hopeless misery, and seen the quiet of the great establishment where the insane receive every alleviation of their mental diseases which fit accommodations, remedial treatment, and high skill can bestow. The insti- tution has been under the superintendence of Dr. Samuel B. Woodward since its commencement. Its statistics are fully detailed in the reports annually made by the trustees to the legislature." A number of the streams which form the head waters of Black- stone river meet in this town, and furnish a considerable water power. The Blackstone Canal extends from Worcester to Provi- dence, a distance of about 45 miles. It is 18 feet Made at the bot- tom, 36 at the top of the banks. It is built alternately on both sides of the Blackstone river, and passes nearly all the great manu- facturing establishments in the valley of the Blackstone. The first boat which passed through the whole extent arrived at the upper basin Oct. 7, 1828. The expense of the work was about 750,000 dollars ; of this amount more than half a million of dollars was paid by the citizens of Rhode Island. The canal has been more useful to the public than to the owners; the amount of transporta- tion, however, has increased. "The Boston and Worcester Railroad was incorporated June 23, 1831. The road, extending 44 miles eastward, is laid with a single track of edge rails, on cast-iroa chairs, resting on wooden sleepers, bedded in trenches filled -wnth stones. The cost of coostruction has been Sl,500,000, including land, labor, cars, engines, and buildings WORCBSTBR. 623 Passenger cars go in each direction three times daily during the -warm months, and twice in the cold season, except on Sundays. The time is from 2i to 3 hours, includ- ing stops at ten places ; the fare has been $1 50, but in the autumn of 1836 was raised to $2. The freight of merchandise from Boston to Worcester, by the ton, is $3 50 ; from Worcester to Boston, $3. A branch railroad is soon to be laid to Millbury. About a mile from the depot on Main street, the road passes through a deep cutting of the slate rock, about 30 feet in its greatest depth, and extending about 30 rods. The strata are almost perpendicular, and were removed from their beds by a laborious process of blasting." "The NoRwicit AND Worcester Railroad Company was incorporated March 2o, 1833. A charter had been previously obtained in Connecticut, for the route within her jurisdiction, at the May session, 1832. By an act of this commonwealth, April 10, and of that state. May, 1836, the two companies were united. From Norwich to Worcester is 58 miles ; to Boston, 102. The work of construction is now advancing. The capital stock is Sl,500,000." "The Western Railroad Corporation was established March 15, 1833, for the purpose of building a railroad from the western termination of the Boston and Wor- cester railroad to Connecticut river in Springfield, and thence across the stream to the western boundary of the state, where it* will connect with railroads in progress, one to Albany, one to Troy, and one to Hudson. The stock of $3,000,000 has been subscrib- ed, two thirds by individuals, and one third by the state, and a portion of the road located." During the first movements of the Revolution, Worcester was the central point whence the animating influences in favor of Ameri- can freedom were diffused over the surrounding country. In March, 1775, the company of minute men in this place were directed to train half a day in each week. This company had met almost daily for months, and, under the instruction of Capt. Bigelow, they attained great proficiency in military science. " Their services were soon to be required Gpr the defence of the country. Before noon on the 19th of April, an express came to the town, shouting, as he passed through the street at full speed, 'To arms! to arms! the war is begun!' His white horse, bloody with spurring and dripping with sweat, fell exhausted by the church. Another was instantly procured, and the tidings went on. The passage of the messenger of war, mounted on his white steed, and gathering the population to battle, made vivid im- pression on memory. The tradition of his appearance is preserved in many of our villages. In the animated description of the aged, it seems like the representation of death on the pale horse careering through the land with his terrific summons to the grave. The bell rang out the alarm, cannon were fired, and messengers sent to every part of the town to collect the soldiery. As the news spread, the implements of hus- bandrv were thrown by in the field, and the citizens left their homes with no longer delay than to seize their arms. In a short time, the minute men were paraded on the green, under Capt. Timothy Bigelow ; after fervent prayer by the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, they took up the line of march. They were soon followed by as many of the train bands as could be gathered, under Capt. Benjamin Flagg. On that day, 110 men marched from the town of Worcester for Concord. Intelligence of the retreat of the enemy met them after they advanced, and they turned towards Boston. When Capt. Bigelow reached the ancient Howe tavern, in Sudbury, he halted to rest his men. Capt. Benjamin Flagg, who had commenced his march an hour or two later, came up, and insisting on pushing forward without loss of time, both officers moved on to Cam- bridge." On Saturday, July 14, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was received at Worcester. It was first publicly read by Isaiah Thomas from the porch of the old south meeting-house to the as- sembled crowd. On Sunday, after divine service, it was read in the church. On the Monday following, the event which separated the colonies from the mother country was celebrated with formal solemnities. 624 WORCESTER. The following occurrences took place in Worcester during the insurrectionary period called "Shays' Rebellion." The following account is taken from the History of Worcester, by William Lin- coln, Esq., an octavo volume containing 384 pages, published at Worcester, in 1837, by Messrs. Moses D. Philips & Co. This work is one of great research, is most ably written, and full of interesting details, and the author of this work is deeply indebted to it for the foregoing account of Worcester. " Although wamine of danger had been given, confiiling in the loyalty nf the people, their love of order, and respect for the laws, the olficers of government !iad made no preparations to .support the court, to bo held in Worcester, in September, 1786. On Monday nisht, of the first week in that niontli, a tjody of eighty armed men. under Capt. Adam Wheeler of Hubbardston, entered the town, and took po.sse^3ion of the courthouse. Early the nevt morning, their numbers were augmented to nearly one hundred, and as many more collected without fire-arms. The jiHi^es of the common pleas had as.sembled al the house of the Hon. Joseph Allen. At the u.«ual hour, with the ju.ftices of the sessions and the members of the bar, attended by the clerk anil sherilT, they moved towards the conn-house. Chief Justice Arlemas Ward, a general of ihe Kevolution, united intrepid firmness with prudent moderation. His re.soI«teand manly bear- ing on that day of dilficully and embarrassment sustaijied the dignity of the office he bore, and commanded the respect even of his opponents. On him devolved the responsibility of an occasion affecting deeply ji»e future peace of the community; and it was supported well and ably. ■ " On the verge of the crowd thronging the hill, a .sentinel was parin? on his round, who challenged the procession as it approached his po.st. Gen. Ward sternly ordered the soldier, formerly a subaltern of his own particular regiment, to recover his levelled musket. The man, awed by the voice he had been accus- tomed to obey, in.stanlly compli'd, and presented hi.-i piece in military salute to his old commander. Tho court, having received the honors of war from him who was planted to oppose thetr advance, went on. The multitude, receding to the right and left, made way in .sullen silence, till the judicial officers reached the court-house. On the steps was stationed a file of men with fixed bayonets: on the front stood Captain Wheeler, with his drawn sword The crier was directed to open the diK>r,s, and permitted to throw them back, displaying a ])arty of infantry with their guns levelled, as if ready to fire. Juck'e Ward then advanced, and the b.iynnets were turned against his bri;a.sl. He demanded, repeatedly, who commanded the people there ; by what authority, and for what purpose, they had met in hostile array. Wheeler at length replied. After disclaiming the rank of leader, he stated, that they had come to relieve the distresses of the country, by preventing the sittings of courts until they could obtain redress of grievances. The chief ju.siice an- swered, that he would satisfy them their complaints were without just foundation. He was told by CapU Smith of Barre, that any communication he had to make must be reduced to writing. Judge Ward indig- nantly refused to do this ; he said he ' did not value their bayonet.s ; they might plunee them to his heart ; but while that heart beat he would ilo his duty : when opposed to it. his lifi: wns of little consecpience : if Ihey would take away their bayonets and give him some position where he Cnidd he heard by his fellow- citizens, and not by the leaders alone who had deceived and deluded them, he would speak, but not other- wise.' The insurgent otTicers, fearful of the etTectof his determined manner on the minds of their followers, interrupted. They did not come there, they .said, to listen to long speeches, but to resist oppression : they had the power to compel submission ; and they demanded an adjournment without day. Judge Ward peremptorily refused to .answer any proposition, unless it was accompanied by the name of him by whom It was made. They then desired him to fall back; the drum was beat, and llie guard ordered to charge. The soldiers advanced, until the points of their bayonets pressed hard upon the brea.st of the chief justice, who stood as immovable as a statue, without stirring a limb or yielding an inch, although the steel in the hands of desperate men penetrated his dress. Struck with admiration by his intrepidity, and shrinking from the sacrifice of life, the guns were removed, and Judge Ward, a.scending the .steps, addressed the as- sembly. In a style of clear and forcible argument, he examined their supposed grievances; exposed their fallacy ; explained the dangerous tendency of their rash measures; admonished them that they were plac- ing in peril the liberty acquired by the etiiirts and sufferings of years, plunging the country in civil war, and involving themselves and their families in misery : that the measures they had taken musfdefeat their own wishes ; for the government would never yield that to force, which would be readily accorded to re- spectful repre-senlations : and warned them that the majesty of the laws would be vindicated, and their resist- ance of its power avenged. He spoke nearly two hours, not without frefjuent interruption. But admonition and argumeitl were unavailing: the insurgents declared they would maintain their ground until satisfaction was obtained. Judge Ward, addressing himself to Wheeler, advised him to suffer the troops to disperse : 'they were waging war, which was treason, and its end wotdd be.' he added, after a momentary pause, ' the gallows. ' The judges then retired unmole.sted, through armed files. Soon after the court was opened al the United States Arms Tavern, and immediately adjourned to the next day." In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills ; 3,424 spindles ; 546,521 yards of cotton goods ■were manufactured ; value, $62,182 ; males employed, 34 ; females, 47 ; there were 8 woollen mills ; 16 sets of machinery; 326,790 yards of cloth manufactured ; value, $360,352; males employed, 112; females, 113 ; there were 18,697 pairs of boots and 27,075 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, $59,020 34 ; males employed, 89 ; females, 33. Nine manufactories of woollen machinery; value of machinery manufactured, $240,000 ; hands employed, 160. Four hat manufactories ; 8,300 hats manufactured; value, $33,200. Two paper-mills ; value of paper manufactured, $54,815. One air and cupola furnace ; 300 tons of castings made ; value, $30,000. Wire manufactory ; value of Avire, $45,000 ; straw bonnets manufactured, 12,500 ; value, $25,000. Two coach and chaise manufactories ; value of coaches and chaises, $60,000 ; hands em ployed, forty. 014 012 545 3