/ .W9 B6 
 Copy 1 
 
 1684- 1884. 
 
 THE 
 
 EARLY SETTLEMENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
 BY 
 
 FRANCIS E. BLAKE. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY FRANKLIN P. RICE. 
 
JiHntotital saiorfes rrlatinij to saJovcrstcr. 
 
 THE WORCESTER BOOK : a Diary of Noteworthy 
 Events in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1657 to 1883. By 
 Franklin P. Rice. Large 8vo., ilhistrated, price $1.50. 
 
 RECORDS OF THE PROPRIETORS of Worcester, 
 Massachusetts, from 1667 to 17S8. Edited by Franklin P. Rice. 
 With nearly 300 plans. Price $5.00. 
 
 g@°" A few copies only can be supplied, as the edition is nearly exhausted. 
 
 RECORDS OF THE COURT OF GENERAL SES- 
 SIONS of the Peace, for the County of Worcester, from 1731 to 
 1737. Edited by Franklin P. Rice. 8vo., paper, price $2.00. 
 
 {{g^Only 225 copies were printed. 
 
 INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE OLD BURIAL 
 GROUNDS in Worcester from 1727 to 1S59. With Biograph- 
 ical and Historical Notes. 8vo., paper. Price $1.50. 
 
 FOR SALE BY 
 
 PUTNAM, DAVIS & COMPANY, 
 389 Main St., Worcester. 
 
INCIDENTS 
 
 FIRST AND SECOND SETTLEMENTS 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
 By FRANCIS E. BLAKE. 
 
 WORCESTER, MASS. : 
 
 FRANKLIN P. RICE, Publisher. 
 
 MDCCCLXXXIV. 
 
25736 
 
 
PUBLISHER'S NOTE. 
 
 The following paper was read by Mr. Blake at a meeting of The 
 Worcester Society of Antiquity, held May 6th, 1884, and is re- 
 printed from the Proceedings of that Society. The facts which it 
 ]iresents, most of them heretofore unpublished or undiscovered, 
 afford information of interest and importance /relating to the first 
 settlements of Worcester ; and they are offered, at this time, as an 
 appropriate contribution to the early history of the town. 
 
INCIDENTS 
 
 FIRST AND SECOND SETTLEMENTS OF WORCESTER. 
 
 The design of this paper is simply to bring to the notice of the 
 public some facts relating to the early history of Worcester which 
 have never been published, but which appear to be worthy of pres- 
 ervation. 
 
 It is evident that the sources of information concerning the y?;-^/ 
 and second, and even the third settlements of this town, have not 
 been exhausted by historians ; and that there exists to-day, a large 
 amount of material possessing interest and value, awaiting the labor 
 of some enthusiastic investigator. 
 
 The present facilities for such investigation, render the labor 
 comparatively light, as the records and files of papers in the various 
 public offices of the State are much more accessible than they were 
 forty years ago, and generally are in better condition. It is not to 
 be inferred, however, from this remark, that all of our public rec- 
 ords are in good order ; for it is a fact that some are still in a lam- 
 entable condition of disorder and decay, and under the charge of 
 officials who care but little or nothing for their preservation. 
 
 Those who are conversant with the history of the first settlement 
 of this place, are aware that Ephraim Curtis, of Sudbury, claiming 
 rights by virtue of a purchase from the heirs of Thomas Noyes, 
 took possession of a large tract of land in the heart of the planta- 
 tion, and erected thereon a house. This location so seriously 
 
interfered with the plans of the Committee in laying out the planta- 
 tion, that in May, 1674, they with the Proprietors, apphed to the 
 General Court for relief, which was afforded by allowing Mr. Cur- 
 tis to retain only fifty acres within the town, giving him an equiva- 
 lent elsewhere for his remaining rights. 
 
 This decision of the Court was the occasion of two law suits. 
 It appears that Mr. Curtis had already sold two hundred acres of 
 these lands to his brother John, who, not being able to take pos- 
 session, brought suit in December, 1674, against Ephraim "for not 
 making good his bargaine & Sale." The result was a verdict for 
 the plaintiff, with ^(^40 damages and costs. In April, 1675, ^^' 
 Curtis entered a suit against Mrs. Mary Bacon (formerly Widow 
 Noyes) "for not making good the title of 250 acres laid out to 
 John Norton «& sold to Ephraim Curtis" by her as executrix of her 
 former husband, Thomas Noyes. This suit Mr. Curtis also lost. 
 
 Among the papers connected with the latter case, (now in Mid- 
 dlesex Court files) is a copy of the petition of the Committee and 
 Proprietors to the General Court in May, 1674, above referred to, 
 and also an attested copy of a personal letter from Major Gookin, 
 one of the Committee, to Mr. Curtis. As Mr. Curtis has had the 
 credit of being the first settler in the town, this letter possesses con- 
 siderable interest, not only in showing the determination of Major 
 Gookin (and presumably that of all the Committee) that Mr. Curtis 
 should not under any circumstances be allowed to locate the whole 
 of his purchase within the bounds of the town, but also in estab- 
 lishing the fact that he was not the first to erect a house there. 
 
 The letter is as follows : 
 
 "Ephraym Curtes * 
 
 "I Reced your letter and pervsed the 
 Reccords about your clayme of land beyond the old fort at Quan- 
 segamond I finde that you haue a deed from widdow noyce of two 
 parcells of land thereabouts dated Ann" 1670 the one of two hun- 
 dred and fiuety Acres granted to Thomas Noyes the other two 
 hundred and fiuety acres granted to Mr. Norton and Assigned first 
 to m'' John Payne and after to m"" Noyes and by his widdow sold 
 to you as aboue Again I finde m^ Norton had a grant of two 
 
hundred and fifty acres in the yeare 1659 granted Indetifinitely no 
 place appointed but you say that this farme was layd out and re- 
 turnd and Confirmed to Noyes ann" 1665 there is no Such thing 
 vppon Record, nor was there any such thing returned vntill in the 
 Generall Court Aprill 29"' 1668 two yeares and more after noyes 
 his death then that farme of two hundred and fiuety acres w"' a 
 platt of it is returned and accepted by the Court,* indeed in sayd 
 Returne it is sayd it was layd out ann" 65 by Thomas Noyce but 
 as that was don without order of Court for him to lay out his owne 
 Grant and none else to supervise it so it is the tjme of the returne 
 and Acceptation which gives the grant right and mens pretences 
 of laying it out Antedates now I heare you are building at that 
 place if it be so I think you are out of your way and will loose all 
 your Cost for that land is granted for a Towneship and is lajd out 
 into seuerall lotts, and wee cannot Admitt your grant and returne 
 for that of ours is a full yeare before yours being from the Generall 
 Court in May Sixteene hundred sixty seuen and this you may 
 Credit for a certeine trueth for I have both the orde" by me, arid 
 in trueth wee cannot goe on with the plantation vntill wee haue 
 the land which is as clearly ourrs as my house is mine And 
 
 therefore I advise you in frendship to Consider w"' yourself and 
 not to proceed again^' reason and law, you may haue that grant in 
 another place that is free for ought I know) but in that place you 
 neither can nor shall haue it vnless the law Give it you which I 
 conceive it canno' or will not and as for you"' attempting to build 
 vpon it &c wee are before hand with you for wee both mowed 
 heere and built a smale house and digged in the ground a litle be- 
 yond the brook before you ; you know there is the publick interest 
 of a Towne that will plead against your clajme and there is twenty 
 or thirty persons concerned in it and the Generall Court and all 
 other Courts will doe us right especially when a publick Interest is 
 concerned and not giue you that are a particcular person that land 
 which you haue no legall right vnto before a Commity that 
 haue right to it these things I haue suggested to prevent your 
 trouble and further charge if you will make vse of and give of so. 
 
 *This plan is in the State Archives. 
 
if not know for a Certeinty that the Comittee and partyes Con- 
 cerned will not loose theire right there so with my loue to you I 
 remayne Your loving freind 
 
 "Daniel Gookin Sen"'" 
 "Cambridge the 8*'^ 8"* 1675" 
 
 "postscrijit Besides wee haue testimony that Thomas before 
 his death promised to lay downe his right in that farme in order to 
 setle a Plantation there you can be no looser for the two farmes 
 cost you but forty three pounds and one of them is worth [ ] 
 
 besides you may haue the grant in another place if you will 
 
 "D. G." 
 
 "Sup''scribed These ffor Ephraim Curtes 
 
 at Sudbury" 
 
 "That what is on the other side of this written is a true Copie 
 Compared wth the originall letter (so signed & Sup''scribed) pro- 
 ducd in the Generall Court in may last & therewith compared is 
 Attested by Edward Rawson Secrety" 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that this attested copy gives the date as 
 the 8th of the 8th month, idj^, we find that the copy was used in 
 evidence in the County Court in April, 1675, while the original 
 was so used in the General Court in May, i6'/4. The whole tenor 
 of the letter also goes to establish the fact, that it was written be- 
 fore the action of the Court in June, 1674, and hence there can be 
 no doubt that the original was dated 16'jj, October 8. 
 
 As has been stated, the Court sustained Mr. Gookin and the 
 Committee, and Mr. Curtis was obliged to yield to the "publick 
 interest." 
 
 There appears nothing upon the Proprietors' or other records to 
 indicate the progress of the settlement during the years 1673 and 
 1674, and it is presumed that the number of actual settlers was 
 small. The necessity, however, of a public house for entertain- 
 ment of travellers became apparent, and the Committee made the 
 following request of the County Court. 
 
"wee whose names Are underwritten, being a comittee of the 
 Generall Court for Setling and ordering a new plantation, neere 
 Quandsicamond pond in the Road way from Boston to Koneticut, 
 haue (for diuers Reasons) given our approbation that Thomas 
 Browne of Cambridge haueing built a house there do keepe an 
 Inne or ordinary in that place & wee desire the Honored County 
 Court of midesex to giue him Licence so to doe also to furnise 
 Trauelers w** wine & strong watters obseruing the Rules therein 
 directed by the Lawes, wittnes o'' Hands this Second of December 
 1674 Daniel Gookin Sen'' 
 
 Thomas prentis 
 D Hencliman" 
 
 In compliance with this request the Court on the 15th of De- 
 cember, 1674, granted a licence to Thomas Browne to "keep an 
 ordinary at Quansigamond Plantaceon." 
 
 This record, besides giving us the name of the first innholder 
 of the settlement, establishes the fact that Mr. Browne had built 
 his house and settled there at that date. 
 
 The "smale house" mentioned by Major Gookin, with that of 
 Mr. Curtis and this of Mr. Browne, are the only houses of which 
 we have found any record evidence previous to April, 1675, when 
 the first survey of lots was made ; but there can be little doubt that 
 several others had been erected. 
 
 At what date the second settlement of the town actually com- 
 menced does not clearly appear, although it is evident that some 
 of the Proprietors were on the spot in February or March, 1684, 
 and very probably had passed the winter there. 
 
 The following order issued by the County Court, April ist, 1684, 
 indicates that the settlement was fairly in progress at that time. 
 
 "Whereas the Plantation of Quinsicamund hath some Inhabi- 
 tants already there, & it being at least ten miles distant from the 
 nearest English Tovvne, w'*" is too far to travail up on the Sabbath 
 day to the Worship of God ; And for as much as the Committee 
 of the Gen" Court for that place, viz' Majo' Gookin Esq' Capt 
 
lO 
 
 Dani(,»l Hinchman and Capt Thomas Prentice have applied them- 
 selves to this Court desiring that order may pass this Court, re- 
 quiring the people there living to meet together on the Lords day 
 to worship God. It is ordered by this Court that the people 
 
 of the place do constantly meet together on the Sabbath days to 
 celebrate the worship of God in the best manner they can at p'sent, 
 & untill they do encreese to such a number as that they may be 
 capable to call & meinteyn a learned pious & orthodox minister, 
 as they will answer their neglect at their perill. 
 
 "And Capt Daniel Hinchman is requested & authorized by this 
 Court to take speciall care to prevent the prophanation of the Sab- 
 bath day by neglect hereof." 
 
 At the same time this order for the spiritual welfare of the set- 
 tlement was made, the Court passed upon another matter of en- 
 tirely different character. The record is as follows : 
 
 "Nathaniel Hinchman is licensed and allowed to keep a house 
 of entertainm' for Travailers at Quinsicamond for a year next en- 
 suing. Also he is allowed to sell & furnish Travailers or Inhabi- 
 tants with Rhum or other strong waters in Bottles of a Pint or 
 Quart. But not to retayl any in his house or suffer Tipling there." 
 
 This Nathaniel Henchman, theirs/ innholder of the second set- 
 tlement, was a son of Capt. Daniel Henchman, and at this date 
 was but twenty-two years old. Whether he had a house of his own, 
 or his father's house served for the inn does not appear ; but no 
 grants of land were made to the son at that time. The location of 
 the father's house is understood to have been north of Lincoln 
 square, near where the freight house of the Worcester and Nashua 
 railroad stands.* 
 
 By June, 1684, the settlement had so far advanced as to re- 
 quire the appointment of a constable, fence viewer, and hogreeve, 
 as appears by the orders of Court : 
 
 *The Middlesex Court Records furnish the names of a few other licensed 
 innholders, but all belonging to later years, viz. : James Rice, 1718; John 
 Hubbard, 1720, 21, 23, 24, 28-30; William Jennison, 1726, 28, 30; Robert 
 Grey, 1728, 29. 
 
1 1 
 
 "17, 4, 1684. At the motion & desire of the Coniittee of y<= 
 plantaceon of Quansicamund. This Court doth order that 
 
 Weeks be constable for y' plantaceon for one year next ensuing & 
 that he have all the pow' of a Constable as the law directs & Capt 
 Daniel Hinchman is impowred to give S"" Constable his Oath."* 
 
 "And Allerton is appoynted to inspect the fences & or- 
 der about swine in s'' plantaceon for one year. And this order to 
 direct the affair untill by y"^ law the s*^ Towne or plantaceon be 
 capable to choose Towne officers according to law." 
 
 The only other local ofificer during this period, to whom refer- 
 ence has been found, is the clerk of the town. In Middlesex 
 Deeds, vol, 13, page 294, is a record of land belonging to George 
 Ripley, upon which "said Ripley built a house & Barne," which 
 record is attested, May 21, 1688, as a "true Copy out of the first 
 Book of records Kept for the Town of Worster by me John Wing 
 Clarke Chosen by the Inhabitants there. "f 
 
 In the Court files of Middlesex County are a number of papers 
 relating to a suit of George Danson against Capt. John Wing and 
 others in December, 1685. J An examination of these papers 
 brings to light many facts connected with the history of Worcester 
 at that period ; and as both Danson and Wing were prominent land 
 proprietors in the town, a statement of the case, with some items 
 relating to the personal history of the two litigants, appears desir- 
 able. 
 
 Capt. John Wing, a mariner, was for many years a resident of 
 Boston. He was one of the founders of the Old South Church 
 there, in 1669, an officer in the Artillery Company, active in busi- 
 
 * Mr. William Weeks was a housewiight, and with his wife Jane (or Joan) 
 sold his land "with the Dwelling House thereon" in 1686, to Isaac Bull, 
 house Wright, for ;i^io. 
 
 f This record is not found in the Proprietors' Book. 
 
 J Among these papers are two certified copies of the agreement made by 
 the Committee with Capt. Henchman in 1684, by means of which the some- 
 what imperfect copy in the Proprietors' Records can be made complete. 
 
12 
 
 ness affairs of the town, and keeper of the "Castle Tavern." This 
 well known inn, subsequently called the "George," was situated at 
 the corner of the present Elm street and Dock square, and was 
 often honored by the presence of the Magistrates, Divines, and 
 Military Men of the day. Many references to Capt. Wing and his 
 tavern appear in the Journal of Judge Sewall, for instance : "Depu- 
 ties treated me at Wing's after lecture" ; and under date of Sab- 
 bath, Dec. 4, 1687 : "In the Even Capt. Eliot, Frary, Williams & 
 Self Treat with Brother Wing about his Setting a Room in his 
 House for a man to Shew Tricks in. He Saith, seeing 'tis offen- 
 sive, he will remedy it. It seems the Room is fitted with Seats. 
 I read what Dr. Ames saith of Callings, and spake as I could from 
 this Principle, that the man's Practice was unlawfull, and therefore 
 Capt. Wing could not lawfully give him accomodation for it. Sung 
 the 90"^ Ps. from the 12"^ v. to the end. Broke up." 
 
 In October, 1684, Capt. Wing was appointed a member of the 
 committee having charge of the plantation of Quinsigamond, to 
 fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Capt. Beers.* . Several 
 months before this he had become interested in the town, and 
 early in 1685, he was admitted as an inhabitant and became pro- 
 prietor of several tracts of land therein. Previous to March of that 
 year he had erected a house, and in that month commenced the 
 building of his mills, which local historians affirm to have been 
 the first mills in the township, though they do not fix the date of 
 erection. 
 
 *The Court Records so have it, but the original order on file shows that 
 Adam Winthrop was confirmed as a member of the committee, Oct. 17, 1684, 
 and four days after, the Magistrates "Judge meete to Add Capt Wing to bee 
 of this Comittee." (State Archives, vol. 112, page 370.) 
 
 There is something singular about the order of Court, 1684, adding Capt. 
 Wing to the committee. The Court Record shows only Wing added, while 
 the original paper (copy annexed) shows Winthrop and Wing. Winthrop 
 vfc-as one of the committee in 1685, but there is nothing in the records to show 
 his appointment. I question if Wing was appointed to "fill vacancy oc- 
 casioned by death of Beers," as has been stated by others, and is in fact so 
 recorded in the Court Records. 
 
 The following is a copy of the petition and order for the naming of the 
 town, and the appointment of Winthrop and Wing: — 
 
In the general agreement made by the Committee with Capt. 
 Henchman for the (hstrihution of land in the township, three lots 
 were to be granted to "the builders is: mainteyners of a Saw milne," 
 and the like number for a "grist milne." A grant was made to 
 Capt. Wing of "6 lots for his mills," and all the facts which have 
 come to our notice indicate that he erected both saw and grist 
 mills in 1685, although this conclusion does not agree with that of 
 some of your historians. He appears to have carried on his mill 
 business in Worcester, and his "wine tavern" in Boston at the same 
 time, besides attending to much public business of both towns. 
 His services to the new township were many and varied ; in fact 
 it is surmised that, in the language of this day, he "run the town" 
 after the death of Capt. Henchman. These services appear to 
 have been appreciated by his fellow townsmen, as will hereafter be 
 shown. 
 
 "At a Gen"" Court held In Boston ye 15th. October 1684/ 
 "Vpon ye Motion & desire of Maj" Gen"" Daniel Gookin Cap' Thomas 
 Prentice & Daniel Henchman this Courts Coniittee for ye selling of a new 
 Plantation neare Quansikomon pond 
 
 1 Humbly desireing y' ye Court will please to name ye Town Worces- 
 ter, & y' ye Brand niarke for cattle there may be thus ■'-t-t- 
 
 2 That one of sd Comittee being deceased y' ye Court will pleas to 
 appoint a fitt man to supply his place, for to help in ye further setling 
 of s*! Town to all intents c& purposes as formerly ordered; & do hum- 
 bly ppound to ye Hon'''^ Court y' M'' Adam Winthrop may be ye per- 
 son, I)eing one interested in s'^ Town. 
 
 The Depu'^ Judge meete to graunt all the 
 aboue mentioned pticulers & desire o"" 
 hon"' magis'>* Consent thereto 
 
 William Torrey Cleric 
 
 Consented to by the magis'" Edward Rauson Secret 
 
 I7»'» of October 1684. 
 
 The magis*'' Judge meete to Add Capt wing to bee of this 
 21 Octol) 84 Comittee their brethren the Deputyes hereto Consenting- 
 
 Edward Rawson Secret 
 
 Consented to by the Dep'*' 
 
 William Torrey Cleric" 
 
 [Fac-siinilo next page] 
 

 i^^ 
 
 4 |!"l , 
 
 
 
 
 S ^ .^ V ^ 
 
 ^1 ^^1 I 
 
 ^3 I 
 ■^- ^ \- ^ 
 
 
 
15 
 
 Whether Capt. Wing attempted to keep an inn also in Worces- 
 ter, or whether after his death, his house was occupied for that 
 purpose, may possibly be determined after further investigation. 
 Judge Sewall records concerning a journey to Springfield in 1716 : 
 "Din'd at Capt. Wings old house in Worcester : writt to Mr. Parris 
 at Rice's eat Roast Turkey near Strawberry Hill. I eat mine at 
 Sarah vStebbings. Got to Brookfield a little after sunset." 
 
 Wing appears to have been in Worcester in 1692, but in 1693 
 he was at Pemaquid as one of the commissioners to treat with the 
 Eastern Indians. (See Mass. Archives, vol. 30, page 339.) 
 
 His death occurretl in 1702, and by his will probated in Boston 
 in March, 1702/3, he left his "Frame House and Land in Wor- 
 cester with four hundred acres on the west side of the river & run- 
 ning to the north pond & northerly to the top of Prospect Hill," 
 to his son Cord, who subsequently conveyed all rights to Messrs. 
 Palmer, Oulton »& others. The inventory of his estate in Worces- 
 ter showed — * 
 
 " Housing tv; T.and ;iioo 
 Stock of value of 21 
 
 household goods 6 
 
 .Sundry Irons for mills .and husbandry 30 
 
 Amies 3 10 " 
 
 His estate in Boston was of much greater value, but his property 
 was somewhat involved by various judgments outstanding. In fact 
 he appears to have had considerable knowledge of the vexation at- 
 tending law suits, for as late as November, 1702, he asked the 
 General Court for an act to review his case with a Capt. Bant, 
 stating the results of several trials, and asserting that he had "al- 
 ways had Extreame hard measure in y^ premises, the said Bant 
 having fee'd all the Attornies but one in the Country ; and some 
 times yo'' pef could hardly get that one, a day or two before the 
 Tryall," &c. 
 
 *In 1712 his estate was appraised at " £\'^2. 17. & i-^ penny weight, not 
 allowing anything for the houseing being gone to decay." (Middlesex 
 Deeds, vol. 16, page 207.) 
 
i6 
 
 There are other interesting items concerning Capt. Wing, the 
 "leading man" of Worcester in 16S5, but this must suffice for the 
 present purpose. 
 
 George Danson, a Quaker, and a " loaf bread baker" of Boston, 
 was also in 1685 a proprietor of lands north of the "Citadell" and 
 of Capt. Wing's, west of the Mill Brook, extending to North Pond. 
 
 What induced Mr. Danson, an old man as he then was, to go to 
 Worcester, does not fully appear ; but if he, as a baker, had an eye 
 to the improvement of the water power for a grist mill, (and ap- 
 pearances indicate that project) his plans were completely frus- 
 trated, for his final grants effectually forbid him from interfering 
 with the water privileges of his neighbor, Capt. Wing, who had 
 previously secured the most desirable spot for his own mills. 
 
 Mr. Danson erected a house upon his lots, though it may be 
 questioned if he, himself, passed much time in the town. The lo- 
 cation of his house is indicated upon a plan of his land which I 
 have discovered in the State Archives, [Vol. 112, page 421.] a 
 copy of which is deposited with this Society ; and I have no doubt 
 that the spot thus occupied can be definitely determined by one 
 familiar with Worcester topography. 
 
 Danson's life had not been an uneventful one, though differing 
 greatly from that of his neighbor, Capt. Wing. In 1674, while 
 living in Middleborough, he was fined forty shillings "for doeing 
 Seruill worke on the Lords day" ; and before another year he lost 
 his house by fire and removed to Boston, the Boston Town Rec- 
 ords stating, November 25, 1675 : "George Danson & his wife 
 quakers haueinge a house burnt at Midleborowe in Plymouth patent 
 lodgeth at John Warrens." With three other loaf bread bakers of 
 Boston, in 1679 he appealed to the authorities for relief from op- 
 pressive regulations concerning the weight and price of bread. 
 
 In the State Archives is a petition of Mr. Danson written in the 
 year 1677, describing both himself and wife as "antient," and re- 
 spectfully, yet pathetically, asking permission to retain in their house- 
 hold an Indian woman, whose services, under their instruction, had 
 become of some value to them. Twice was he whipped in Boston, 
 for attending religious services of the Quakers in 1677. 
 
17 
 
 By his will, probated in 1692, he gave his house and five hundred 
 acres of land in Worcester to his wife, and made bequests to his 
 grandchildren, George, Charles and Elisabeth Crosweight, a name 
 appearing as Crcswait in the Proprietors' Records of Worcester. 
 
 The inventory of his estate shows that he was i)ossessed of con- 
 siderable property, which included a large stock of dry goods and 
 other wares, indicating the character of the merchandise considered 
 in those days necessary for such a business. There is but little in the 
 inventory to suggest the trade of a baker, which business, however, 
 may have been surrendered for that of a merchant or general 
 trader. 
 
 From these imperfect sketches of Capt. Wing and Mr. Danson 
 we will proceed to the controversy between them. 
 
 In the case of Danson vs. Wing, the Court Records, under date 
 of Dec. 15, 1685, recite that "S'd Wing& confederators did on the 
 2'^ of this instant October violently set upon & assault the Plaintiff 
 as he was laying out some parcells of land at the Towne of Wor- 
 cester in the Coun- of Middlesex that the pi purchased of & was 
 granted unto him by Capt. Daniel Henchman" &c. ; and "ordr- 
 ing his man to cut the bound marks & violently taking away the 
 Surveyors Chaine who was imployed by the PI. so disappointing 
 them & defaming the Pis title, the Damage the PI. hath susteyned 
 being about Twenty pounds mony with all due damages accord- 
 ing to attachm* dat. in Boston Octob'. 9, 1685." &c. 
 
 At the same time there was entered a suit of Danson vs. George 
 Fyke, Thomas Hall, Caleb Sawyer, Charles IVilliams and y^ohn 
 Turner, in which the plaintiff alleged that the defendants did "sett 
 upon & assault the pi. as he was laying out a parcell or parcells of 
 land at the Towne of Worcester .... driving the pi. & his sur- 
 vey""" & the persons imployed by him from the s'' work, & breaking 
 his Chaine, cutting out bound marks" &c. 
 
 In both cases the defendants claimed that the plaintiff could 
 prosecute on one count only, either for assault or for defamation 
 of tide, and this being allowed by the Court, the plaintiff chose the 
 latter, (perhaps unfortunately) and lost both cases, the verdict in 
 
 3 
 
i8 
 
 the first case being for defendant, with costs "Two pounds Eighteen 
 & a groat" ; and in the second, with costs "one pound fifteen & 
 Eight pence." The testimony bearing upon the alleged assault, 
 and also that in reference to the title, is quite voluminous, but some 
 abstracts may not be uninteresting. 
 
 The land in question was on the west side of the Mill Brook, 
 near the North Pond, Danson claiming the land between the pond 
 and Wing's on the south. The location of Capt. Wing's mills is 
 generally considered to have been on the west side of Mill Brook, 
 north of Lincoln square. 
 
 In regard to the assault, David Fiske, the surveyor, "aged 62 
 yeares or thereabouts," testified "that he was hyred by George 
 Danson to survey some land at Worcester being so ordered by 
 Capt. Daniel Henchman," that "George Pyke violently broke y"'' 
 Deponents Chaine w*^'' Chaine so broke cost y*"" Deponent Flight 
 Shill : in money, the which disappointed me yo'' Deponent in my 
 whole Journey which was four days besides my damages for want 
 of s*^ chaine, for which foure days George Danson hath paid me 
 for, being seven shill ^ day," &c. 
 
 Nathaniel Henchman (the licensed innholder) gave similar tes- 
 timony, as did Digory Sargent, whose name is familiar to all con- 
 versant with the early history of the town. 
 
 Mr. Fiske, Mr. Henchman and Samuel Daniel also testified that 
 Capt. Wing, Thomas Hall and George Pyke interfered while they 
 were measuring Danson's land, and "cutt out the marks & took 
 hold the Chaine we measured w"^ & so by force stopped o' work 
 that day & the next day Geo. pyke Caleb Sawyer Charles Williams 
 & John Turner came & say'^ they would stop us of o"' work & s"^ 
 George Pyke lay*" violent hold of o'' Chaine & broke it in pieces & 
 carryed away part of it." 
 
 This abstract of the testimony appears to be a fair statement of 
 the alleged assault upon Mr. Danson in October, 1685, in this 
 town. But this little affair was not the first instance (nor the last) 
 of a breeze between the same parties — the "Captain" and the 
 "Baker" — and the remaining evidence may be of more interest. 
 
19 
 
 George Pyke and Thomas Hall, two of the defendants, testified 
 "that in month of March 1685 or nere thervnto they were present 
 with Capt" Daniel Henchman at Capt" John Wings House in Wor- 
 cester & did there heare him the S'' Henchman say that this Land 
 now in controversey betwixt Geo. Danson & Cap' Wing he had 
 ])romised it to Cap'" Wing & that noe body should c[ome] betwixt 
 him & the north pond to take the water from him because of his 
 mills which were then in building «& since finished* & that it was 
 beneath him Cap' Henchman to grant [any] other man land there 
 to do Mr. Wing such an injury who [had] done soe great good to 
 the town. And we heard mr Wing say to Danson I am called by 
 you black dog at Boston what am I now, to which mr Danson 
 say*^ you rogue lie make you know this is my Land get you off it 
 & held up an ax with the edge towards mr. Wing he saying I hope 
 you will not strike to which Danson answered noe, & sayd I am 
 [not] afraid of you & mr Wing sayed I am not afraid of you. Then 
 sayed the Surveyer with his compas in his hand I hope Cap" Wing 
 you will not hinder mee noe sayd Cap" Wing He let you have the 
 Chainc & then they mr Wing & Danson Shooke hands & bid each 
 other [good] night lovelingly after they had walked about and 
 [ ] together. 15-10-85" 
 
 Mr. Hall also testified that "at Prospect meadow he heard Capt 
 Daniel Henchman say vnto Cap' Wing you know it was my mind 
 all waies that you should have this land & I did doe what lay in 
 my power to hinder Danson from it but none other Land would 
 serve him & he would have none other & more Cap' Henchman be- 
 ing after at my house & also betwixt Lancaster & Worcester did 
 say that the sd Land was Cap' \Vings & now let him doe his parte 
 to lay it out for he Cap' Henchman say'' he had done his parte & 
 would do noe more on that side the River & those last words were 
 spoke in squash time about the beginning of July last. And 
 
 Cap' Henchman say** when I asked him why he hindered the Sur- 
 veyer in Laying s"" Lands vnto Cap' Wing formeriy, he answered 
 
 *This determines the date when the building of the mills was begun, as 
 March, 1685; Wing's house was evidently built before that time. 
 
20 
 
 me that I would hinder him from it but to hinder the town from 
 buzing about my eares say'' mr Henchman. And I have heard the 
 s'^ Danson say in threatning manner he would have my eares & that 
 Rogue Pyke He have him whipt & He hinder the Rogues from 
 giueing in testimony for Cap' Wing." 
 
 If the alleged statement of Mr. Henchman is correctly inter- 
 preted, it confirms the impression that the people of the town were 
 ready to side with Capt. Wing, and that Henchman was afraid of 
 the "buzing" which might result from any action favorable to Mr. 
 Danson. 
 
 "John Turner doth testify that in may last he was travelling be- 
 twixt Quansuggamond Pond & Captaine Henchman his house with 
 him & I speaking to him if the Land on the right hand of us were 
 taken up to which he answered yes, then I asked him if I might 
 have a Lot on the Westerly side of the river betwixt Capt Wings 
 house & the north pond to which Cap' Henchman did answer I 
 could not have land there because it was aloted or graunted to Cap' 
 Wing hoame to the north pond & this Land in Controversy betwixt 
 Cap' Wing & George Danson is a parte of that Land mr Hench- 
 man sayd was granted to mr Wing as before" 
 
 Digory Sargeant gave similar testimony, adding that Henchman 
 said "I am exceedingly greived because Samuel Daniel hath shewed 
 the abovsd Land vnto the s"* Danson, & none other Land now will 
 content him but that for I had rally granted it to Cap' Wing & 
 jntended it for him And I heard mr Wing say to mr Hench- 
 man when we were goeing to laying it out to George Danson you 
 granted it to mee, & in ffebruary or march last I heard Capt" Hench- 
 man say he had disposed of all the lotts except one & rather than 
 that should make a difference he would lay down ten shillings cSc 
 take it to himself" 
 
 Peter Goulding's testimony was "that at a meeting of all the 
 Comittee men for Worcester he did declare vnto them that one 
 hindrance of peopling that place (as he thought) was the late 
 granting soe much land to wit twenty lots to George Danson to 
 which Major Generall Gookin sayed with his consent he the Sd 
 Danson Shall have but halfe his 20 house lots nere the town & the 
 rest remote." 
 
2 I 
 
 'William Weeks, the constable testified that "in ffebruary or nere 
 that time 16S3/4* there was a parcell of Land in Worcester nere 
 Prospect hill designed for Cap'" Wing which he did not like off, 
 then I spoke to Cap'" Henchman & sayed that Cap'" Wing did not 
 like of that land to which Cap'" Henchman sayed then he shall 
 take his land where he will & quickly after Cap'" Wing & this De- 
 ponent & George Pyke went vp to the north pond & from theare 
 we turned by Prospect hill, & tryed the land as we went, then sayed 
 m"" Wing this is the land I intend to take vp all on the western side 
 of the river vnto the north pond. iS: a litde after I went to Cpt" 
 Henchman for a grant of Land for me as he had promised it there. 
 Then he told me I could not have it, Cap'" Wing had taken it vp 
 I must get it elsewhere." 
 
 George Ripley, "aged near forty one yeares," testified in rela- 
 tion to a contract made by himself, Samuel Daniel and Matthew 
 Tomly [Tomlin] with Mr. Danson, to "get fit and set up" fifteen 
 "Score rodds of ffence," for which they were to be paid at the rate 
 of fifteen pence per rod. 
 
 These papers bring to notice quite a number of the inhabitants 
 of the town in 1684 and 16S5. 
 
 There is some evidence tending to show that in June, 1683, 
 there was discussion among the Committee about limiting Capt. 
 Henchman in laying out lots, but Mr. Henchman opposed such 
 action. It is quite apparent that there was not perfect harmony be- 
 tween the Committee and Capt. Henchman in regard to his dis- 
 tribution of lands ; and at the time of this trial, two of the Com- 
 mittee, Messrs. Prentice and Winthrop, sent a message "to signify 
 vnto this Honorable County Court & Jury that wee doe dissent 
 from & disallow of the largenes of the grant of Land there vnto 
 George Danson & also of his haveing any Land to be layed out 
 there on the westerly side of the river betwixt Caj)'" Wings house 
 & houselot & the north pond & we have heard Cap'" Henchman 
 say he intended that land for mr Wing." 
 
 * These statements show conclusively that Capt. Wing became interested 
 in Worcester lands early in 1684. Mr. Weeks and Mr. Pyke had evidently 
 already settled there. 
 
22 
 
 This testimony showing Capt. Henchman's promise of the land 
 in question to Capt. Wing, was met by the plaintiff with an affidavit 
 of Capt. Henchman himself, who was then lying at the "point of 
 death" in his house at Worcester. This interesting document is as 
 follows : 
 
 "Worcester Octo. 5"'. 85. 
 "Recived of mr. Danson five pounds ten shilings for eleven Lotts 
 in Worcester and nine Lotts which he bought of severall persons 
 and have delivered me the assignments of them in all twenty Lotts 
 And he chose his planting Lotts to be Layed out next Cap' Wings 
 planting Lotts which land piched uppon by him I ha"'' not disposed 
 of to any other person or promised the same uppon any other ac- 
 count to any : or was it in my power So to do And the molesta- 
 tion given him by Capt Wing is unjust This I testifie as one at 
 the Point of deth the Riteous God knoweth I speake the truth. 
 "Witnes David ffiske "D Henchman" 
 
 Nathaniel Henchman" 
 
 Mr. Fiske swore that he saw Mr. Henchman sign this, and the 
 son, Nathaniel, deposed "having written it from his mouth. He 
 being of perfect understanding then, & to ye day of his Death." 
 
 Mr. Danson was very fortunate in securing this acknowledg- 
 ment, as Capt. Henchman's death occurred ten days after : Oct. 
 15, 1685. 
 
 Concerning this death, Judge Sewall says in his diary : "Mon- 
 day, Oct. 19, 1685 About nine oclock at night News comes to 
 Town of Capt. Henchman's Death at Worcester last Thursda)' : 
 buried on Friday : Very few at his Funeral, his own Servants, a 
 white and black, carried him to, and put him in his Grave. His 
 Wife and children following and no more, or but one or two more."* 
 
 That he, so well known and so prominent in civil and military 
 
 * In settlement of Capt. Henchman's estate there is an item of "Funeiall 
 charges ;^i6. 3. 10." The inventory shows: "House, stock and goods in ye 
 Country prised by James Ford and Is : Bull 49. 03. 00." 
 
life, should, in tliis cjuict village, be laid away in the grave, with 
 scarcely one beside his family present, seems a pathetic ending of 
 a busy and useful life. We have queried if his connection with 
 the granting of land to Mr. Danson had not so offended the set- 
 tlers as to keep them away from the last funeral rites. 
 
 The settlers were evidently on the side of Capt. Wing, and were 
 strongly opposed to any abridgment of his rights on the mill stream. 
 This is more clearly shown by the following statement subscribed 
 to by ten persons, comprising, as they affirm, the tnajority of the 
 inhabitants of the town at that time. It is, we believe, the earliest 
 list of actual settlers that has been found, and is, perhaps, the most 
 interesting of the papers here presented. It will be noticed that 
 it is dated but one day before the trial, and was evidently prepared 
 at short notice. 
 
 "Woster this 14 of december 1685 
 
 "Wee whos nams are vnder Reten being the grater nomber of 
 the Inhabetent now setelled in the town of woster haueing con- 
 sedered And ben witnese of the grat expenc that mr John wing 
 has ben At in l)elding lies mills which is moch for oure benefet 
 And convenent[ ] x\nd of letell profet to him nor like to be 
 
 yet Awhilles Allso his hellpfullnes in oure poglek consernments 
 And forderanc of the setellmet of this town : we doe Apru[ ] of 
 his choyc of that trak of land lying from [ ] corner of the set- 
 edell And where it dos begin And Runnes on the westery sid of 
 the mill rever tel it met the north pond tho this being more than 
 his forsl deuission yet that he oft in All Justes to poses the remain- 
 er As his [ ] that he may haue the land on that sid of 
 
 the brok as his propryety that no person may dam Aboue him to 
 hender his mills : as Allso wee [ ] lok At it to be his right 
 
 for As moch As seauer[al] of vs doe know that Capten Hinche- 
 man did promis this Lokt of land to said wing Apears and before 
 Euer gaug dansen saw this pl[ ] of that land as Allso be [cause] 
 som of vs woled [have] som of oure deuissione of land theare but 
 Captain hinchman toulld vs that we [should] not for he had promes 
 that land to Cap wing And we haue Euer cenc loked At it to be his 
 only thet it was not mesered to him but we loked it sholld haue 
 
24 
 
 ben don in convenent tim it is oure desires that such uncomfort- 
 abell dife[rences] may be put to An End And that this land may 
 be setelled vpon Cap wing youres in all sobmecktion 
 
 "William x Wekes Isaac Tomlin Thomas Hall 
 
 his mark George Rosbrough Pe. Goulding 
 
 Thomas Allerton Digory Sargent 
 
 Isaac Bull Willam ^ pers 
 
 lames homes his mark" 
 
 The name of William Pers does not elsewhere appear among 
 the lists of inhabitants. 
 
 The following letter of Major Gookin is of interest in this con- 
 nection : 
 
 "Boston 9* of June 1685. 
 "Wheras Capt Daniel Henchman, was & is impowred by the 
 Comitte for the plantation of Quandsicum Alias Worcster : accord- 
 ing to a contract made with him : Signed by S'^ Comitte to grant 
 «& lay out Lotts And admitt inhabitants (as is more particularly 
 expressed in y^ S'' covenant — And wheras the said capt Henchman 
 hath granted lotts to seueral persons some whereof are actually 
 setled. And Among others hee the said Henchman hath granted 
 & layd out certaine Lotts to George Danson of Boston : in the Said 
 Towne of Worcster ; vpon w'^'' lotts hee hath laUey set on work- 
 men to build & setle the same. But as hee complaanes is inter- 
 rupted & put of from his worke By capt John wing, who hath also 
 Lotts granted & laid out to him by the said Henchman vpon w'^'' 
 hee is actually setled : now It is herby declared that both their 
 rights & titles to their Lotts are good & iust & so are all other Lotts 
 orderly granted & layd out by Capt Henchman & It is desired no 
 interuption may bee giuen, to any man In their setlement of their 
 lotts w"*^ will tend to discourage or hinder the sedement of the said 
 place : And if Capt wing p'"tend any claime to the land orderly 
 laid out, to s'' Danson upon acco' of a second Diuision of farme 
 lotts : It is desired that hee, will forbeare to prosecute that matter 
 for as much as at p''sent, the comittee judge it most [expedient] 
 
25 
 
 not to lay out any second diuision for farme lotts vntill such per- 
 sons as are or should setle y*^ said towne bee first accomadated 
 w"' i^lanting lotts as neere as may be to the center of ye Town 
 where y^ meeting house is designed to be sett & mills are erected : 
 & a cittadel layd out. And further the Comittee do promise y' if 
 Capt wing do cease interupting of y*-" said Danson or any other, y' 
 have lotts granted, hee the said wing shal be considered & in the 
 first place accomodated w"' his proportion in the second deuision 
 of farme lotts as soon as the Comittee shal order the said second 
 deuision of farme lotts to be layd out. And it is desired that the 
 rest of the Comittee wil ioyne in subscribeing this writting w*^"* I 
 conceue may bee for the quiet & promoting and in courage [ing] 
 the setlemet of the said place Dated the day & yeare aboue 
 
 written Daniel Gookin Sen"" 
 
 "Chariest. Court 15. 10. 1685. 
 "owned by Wor' majo"" Gen" Dan' Gookin Esq to be his Act 
 subscribed by himself. 
 
 "Attes' Jonath Remington Cler." 
 
 The testimony of Capt. Henchman is utterly unreconcilable with 
 that of the many witnesses ; but it is not our province to decide 
 the rights of the case. 
 
 Whatever were the promises of Capt. Henchman, who, as we 
 understand it, had full power in the disposition of the land, Mr. 
 Danson secured the property by paying the price and obtaining 
 Mr. Henchman's acknowledgment of his title. 
 
 Capt. Wing, however, could not rest quietly, and on the 20"^ of 
 the following July, (1686) he, with two others, for the third time 
 interfered with the surveyor who was measuring Mr. Danson's land, 
 breaking his chain, &c. Within a few days of this last assault, the 
 Committee appointed by the President and Council to confirm 
 lands in Worcester, gave Mr. Danson a full confirmation of his title, 
 warning all persons to refrain from molesting him in his possession, 
 or the surveyor in his work. 
 
26 
 
 In this deed of Aug. 2, 1686, (Middlesex Registry, vol. 10, 
 page 132) the Committee say that by "our candid dealings" with 
 Capt. Wing, "we apprehended he was Satisfyed & would make no 
 further interruption tending to the hindrance or disturbance of 
 other grantees," &c. ; but in this they were mistaken, as has been 
 stated. 
 
 This confirmation to Mr. Danson was then recorded on the books 
 of the Proprietors, with the stipulation, however, that he should 
 not "erect any corne mil or Saw mill vpon the mil Brook," or in 
 any way interfere with Capt. Wing's privileges on the stream. 
 
 When Gov. Andros declared all lands granted under former 
 governments forfeited to the Crown, Mr. Danson to make sure of 
 his title to the lands for which he had labored so hard, petitioned 
 the Government for confirmation, which was granted after notice 
 to Capt. Wing, and the plan previously referred to was returned 
 by the surveyor. 
 
 Thus was ended a controversy which must have caused a great 
 commotion in the little settlement, furnishing for many months a 
 lively topic for conversation. At the time of the trial it is evident 
 that the larger part of the inhabitants went down to Charlestown, 
 returning home, doubtless, with satisfaction at Capt. Wing's partial 
 victory. 
 
 In connection with the trials the bills of costs are of considerable 
 interest, as all the witnesses were obliged to attend in person, there 
 being "noe pson impowered betwixt that place & this Court to 
 take their oathes." 
 
 One of the items in the bill rendered by Messrs. Pyke and Hall 
 is as follows : "Theire owne comeing from Worcester 43 miles from 
 Court 2 dayes comeing & 2 dayes of Hendrance & 2 dayes to goe 
 hoame thither at 2' '^ day is ;£i : 04 : 00." The Court, how- 
 ever, allowed payment for only one day's travel each way. 
 
 Following are the full bills of costs : 
 
27 
 "John Wing his bill of Costs as Def. George Danson plaintif 
 
 "For the Copy of the Attachment 
 his owne Attendance 2 dayes 
 Goeing to Worcester to Sumon Witnesses d 5 
 five witnesses Attendance Wm Weekes 
 Cleo : pyke. Jn. Turner Tho : Hall, & 
 Digory Sargeant all dwelling at Worces- 
 ter two dayes comeing & 2 dayes attend- 
 ance & two dayes goeing hoame at 2 s 
 4^' day each one : there l)eing noe pson 
 inipovvered betwixt that jilace (.*v: this Court 
 to take their oathes 12 s \p' peice is 
 A Copy of ye Cenll Courts order 
 writeing evidences 
 five Sumonses 
 fyleing papr no 18 
 
 Abated in the above sd acct 
 6 
 
 //> s d 
 o. 00. 06 
 o. 04. 00 
 o. 10. 00 
 
 o. 00. 06 
 o. 04. 00 
 o. 00. 10 
 o. 03. 00 
 
 4. 02. 10 
 I. 14. 6 
 
 'ye Copy of ye attachmt o o 
 
 goeing to Sumon witnesss o 10 
 
 10 dayes abated of the witnesss i o 
 
 writing evidences o 4 
 
 2. 18. 4 
 
 I 14 6 " 
 
 "George Pyke & Thomas Hall their bill of Costs as Defendants 
 Geo : Danson plaintif 
 
 "ffor the Copies of the Attachment 
 
 Theire owne comeing from Worcester 43 miles 
 from Court 2 dayes Comeing & 2 dayes of Ilen- 
 drance lS; 2 dayes to goe hoame thither at 2 s 
 y*' day is 
 
 the Copy of the comittees report 
 Two witnesses William Weekes & Digory Sar- 
 geant dwelling at Worcester 43 miles 2 dayes 
 comeing 2 days attendance & 2 dayes to goe 
 hoame at 2 s ^^'' day 
 writeing evidences 
 fyleing 10 pajjrs 
 
 lb s d 
 o 01. 00 
 
 I 04. 00 
 
 0. 
 
 02. 
 
 00 
 
 I. 
 
 04. 
 
 00 
 
 0. 
 
 01. 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 01 
 
 8 
 
 2. 13. 
 
 abate o. 18. 
 
 I. 15. 8 
 
28 
 
 "al^ated for ye Coppye of attendance o i o 
 
 abated 8 s for ye coming & going O 8 O 
 
 abated 8 s for witnesss coming & going o 8 o 
 
 abated for writing of evidences o i o 
 
 o i8 o" 
 
 Capt. Wing seems to have gained possession of all of these lands 
 upon the Mill Brook after the death of Mr. Danson, but by what 
 means or at what date has not been determined. In 1712, his 
 heirs gave to Thomas Palmer and others deeds of release covering 
 more than one thousand acres of land in Worcester. 
 
 The following petition without date, but written about the year 
 1687, serves to give an idea of the condition of the town at that 
 period. 
 
 "To his Excellency S'' Edmond Andros K' Capt Generall and 
 Governour in cheife of his Maj''*-' Territory and Dominion of New 
 England 
 
 "The Humble Petition of John Wing in behalfe of himselfe and 
 the rest of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Worster in New Eng- 
 land 
 
 "Sheweth, 
 
 "That the said Inhabitants by reason of their Late settling said 
 Towne being a new Plantation have spent their Stocks to the ut- 
 most in their improvements thereon and notwithstanding the same 
 have not had before this yeare a supply from the Ground for Bread 
 Corne for their sustenation, by which means they are much Fallen 
 into debt for their necessary Provision and are reduced to a low 
 and meane condition. And Forasmuch as it hath been the antient 
 Custome of the Former Governm' for encouragem' of youi\g Plan- 
 tations to Remitt them there rates for three or foure yeares after 
 settlement thereof. 
 
 "Yo'' Petition"' therefore for himself and in behalf of the rest of 
 the s*^ Inhabitants of s*^ Towne humbly Prayes Yo'' Excellency to 
 take the Premises into yo"" candid Consideration soe as that yo"" 
 
29 
 
 Excell'''' will be pleased to Grant s'' Inhabitants the like favour that 
 they in the meane time may be thereby enabled to raise something 
 for their comfortable subsistence and the discharging such rates as 
 hereafter may be assessed on them. 
 
 "And yo"" Petion"' with sd Inhabitants as in duty bound shall ever 
 pray 
 
 "By order from the town [ ] have presumed to trobell your 
 Exelency John Wing " 
 
 No action upon this petition appears upon the records of the 
 Council. 
 
 The four succeeding papers relate to the garrisons erected in 
 the town, in anticipation of possible attacks by the Indians who 
 were causing much disturbance on the frontier at that time. 
 
 Endorsed : "To The Governer and Covnsel I pray Deliver 
 with Care " 
 
 "Woster the ; i agvast : 1692 : 
 "To the onered governer and Covnsel These lines are to Inform 
 yov that the inhabetans of the town haue begane To erect agaros- 
 on of thare own beds with ovt anny order from a Thorot's and i 
 went and warned them into Capten wings garoson at woster by 
 vertev of an order from his excelence the gooverner and thay re- 
 fvseed to Come and seeing that thaye wil not come to the garoson 
 we are not mene anove to watch and ward and scovte as the war- 
 rant command for all the men in the place is letelanovef for to 
 Cepe one garoson 
 
 "IVr Edward Ddowning Commander of The Gaaroson " 
 
 On the same sheet with Downings letter is the following en- 
 dorsement : 
 
 "Hon''"'' S'" ! The Bearer hereof Thomas Crosbey, Informes 
 me that he was sent to Worster with ffour Souldiers for the strength- 
 ning of the Garrison there, by order from Major Henchman, and 
 
30 
 
 soon after the above named Downing^ wife came to Boston and by 
 Cap'"' Wings procurement obteined an order from his Ex'^^' for his 
 takeing the command of the Town which he sayth is very much 
 resented by the Inhabitants, said Downing being a stranger, but 
 newly come thither and of no good Report. He further adds that 
 if all the Inhabitants should be drawn into Cap"'' Wing^ Garrison, 
 they cannot possibly subsist, it being so remote from their own 
 dwellings and flields where their business lyes. And that they have 
 neer halfe finished another good Garrison, very conveniently seated, 
 and w'^'' will better accommodate them : 
 
 "The young man seems to be very modest and discreet, and 
 thinks that he and his fellow Souldiers sent from Chelmsford &c 
 are imposed on to be put under y^ Command of Downing, who 
 was m'' Lidgetts Coachman, and possibly may be known to some 
 of the Gent", with you. 
 
 "I just now received the paper and have forwarded it unto yo"" 
 honor to give direction about this affayre as you shall thinke advis- 
 able, 
 
 "I fear Cap'"' Wing has overmuch Influenced the same. 
 "I am, S'' Yo'" hum'^^'' servant, 
 "Boston, Aug 3^^ 1692. Is'' Addington. 
 
 "This young man has been several times this War was at Can- 
 ada, and has been an officer : w'''' makes it more hard to be put 
 under an Irish stranger./," 
 
 "Woster I agust 1692 
 "To the honerabell govenner and councell to let you under stand 
 that wea haue cene youre order and am willing to let you now our 
 condison and wliat* yeaf are about bilding a place of strenk to bea 
 in nere our houses and corne to Keepe us and our corne with the 
 blessing of the lord captain wings Is to milles from us and if your 
 honner will remoue us it will bea our rowon to draw us from our 
 corn And prouision it will undo us wee now life on our groth and 
 yeet shall lose all yeef haue 
 
 *That? t Evidently intended for 7iv. 
 
"And wea desire your honners not to remoue us hot to conider 
 our condison Thomas Allerton 
 
 Samvel [lanorson ?] constabel 
 Alexander bogell 
 gorgus [Ripley?] 
 gorgus [ ] 
 
 Beniamin Hinion" 
 
 This letter was undoubtedly written by Thomas Allerton, whose 
 name often appears in the town records as Aihei'ton. The second 
 signature is possibly lauoison [Lawson ?] ; the fourth and fifth are 
 indistinct and undecipherable, but were probably intended for the 
 same name, and may be read George Ripley. 
 
 In connection with these papers, another of later date is appro- 
 priately inserted here. 
 
 "this may sertiefy that when the garason was bellt in the town 
 of woster in Ser Edman Androsis time of gouerment that Eleksan- 
 der Boogell wroft vpon the work seaventeen das for whith he was 
 to Reseaue thirty four shilling from the contry And this was when 
 I had the comand theare when [generall?] Nikason was leftenant 
 gouevner as witness this 23 October 1702 
 
 "John Wing" 
 
 The sum of "-^ i. 14." was allowed by the Council to "Alexander 
 Bogel for Seventeen Dales Labor in Building a ffortification at 
 Worcester." 
 
 There are many records of conveyances of real estate in Wor- 
 cester to be found in the Middlesex Registry. In a number of 
 instances reference is made to dwelling houses, barns, fruit trees, 
 &c., all of which are interesting in determining the date of settle- 
 ment or erection of buildings by the several inhabitants. A por- 
 tion of these have been copied, but space will not permit their in- 
 troduction here. 
 
32 
 
 Among other items which have come under my observation are 
 the following relating to the town at a later period. 
 
 In the Records of the Court of General Sessions the following 
 "cautions" are found : 
 
 March lo, 1723-4. "Caution against William Hambleton from 
 Brookfield " 
 
 Aug. 25, 1730. "Caution against Mary Wheeler from Sudbur}' 
 Aug. 5 " 
 
 In the same Records from 1718 to 1726, several presentments 
 appear against the town for neglect in keeping bridges and roads 
 in order. 
 
 Dec. 12, 1727, the record appears : "The Selectmen of Wor- 
 cester appearing in Court to answer to the presentment of the 
 Grand Jurors for neglecting to maintain a writing Schoolmaster in 
 Worcester aforesaid for the Instruction of Youth they haveing been 
 fully heard are dismissed paying fees & costs." 
 
 During the Indian troubles in the years 1724 and '25, Worces- 
 ter shared in the general alarm felt throughout the frontier settle- 
 ments, especially in Worcester County, and measures were taken 
 for the protection and safety of the people. 
 
 In the Council Records appears the following, July 18, 1724 : 
 
 "A petition of the Town of Worcester to His Hon'' the Lieu' 
 Gov"", setting forth their great hazard of being attacked by the In- 
 dian enemy & greatly disturbed & hindered in their labour by the 
 Enemy sculking in the s'^ Town, 
 
 "Read & Advised that His Honour the Lieut'. Governour order 
 a Sergeant & Eight men to be posted at the Town of Worcester 
 for the Protection of the Inhabitants in their Harvest." 
 
 The following petition was presented in May, 1725. (Massa- 
 chusetts Archives, vol. 52, page 163.) 
 
"To his Honour The Lieu" Governour, and Comander In Chief 
 In and over his. Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay In 
 New England the Petition of the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth 
 
 "VVheras The Town of Worcester is very much Exposed to the 
 Indian Rebels in the present War : there being a great distance 
 between the Towns of Lanchester and Rutland, in which we Ly 
 open to the Enemy ; we do therefore (at the desire of the prin- 
 ceaple part of our Inhabitants) humbly lay our Diffaculties before 
 Your Honour Earnestly Intreeting, that you would be pleased in 
 your great wisdom so far to Commizerale oure Distresed state, 
 as to send us some soldiars to strengthen our Front (iarrison's and 
 scout our wood's, othewise we Fear the sad effects that may hapen, 
 there being no scout in our woods or soldiers to Guard our De- 
 fenceable places, or Inhabitants most Exposed, And very much 
 Disheartened by Reason of the Present Danger they Apprehend 
 them selves to be in, and if your Honour will be pleased to send 
 us som Reliefe, it will be a means to cause our Front Garrisons 
 to keep theire stations ; otherwise we Humbly conceive that it is 
 morally Imjjossible they should. And for which great priviledge To 
 Youre Honours poor petitioners (as in Duty Bound) shall Ever 
 Pray Nathanil Moore ■) 
 
 James M'^clellen (Selectmen of 
 Benj'' Flagg, Ju'' f Worcester" 
 James Holdin j 
 
 In answer to this request the Council advised that a corporal 
 and six men be sent to Worcester, and the following month atlvised 
 that a "Recruit of 3 men" be sent there. 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
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