1-^- 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 iSi 
 
 MASSACHVSETTS 
 
11 ■ 
 
I With the compliments of 
 
 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Town of Princeton 
 
 IN THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER 
 
 AND 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 
 1759-1915 
 
 By 
 FRANCIS EVERETT BLAKE 
 
 VOLUME I 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 PRINCETON 
 PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN 
 
 I915 
 
 VC\ 
 
March 4, 191 2. — Art. 20. Voted to accept the Act of the present Legislature 
 authorizing the town to use the funds obtained from the sale of the Meeting House 
 Hill Land for the preparation of History of the Town, and if there is any remainder 
 it shall be devoted to the Town Library. Committee appointed, J. D. Gregory, 
 M. C. Goodnow, J. C. F. Mirick, Rev. C. E. Reeves. 
 
 
 " I have gon, and rid, and wrote, and sought and search'd with 
 my own and friends' Eyes, to make what Discoveries I could 
 therein. * * * I stand ready with a pence! in one hand and a 
 Spunge in the other, to add, alter, insert, expunge, enlarge, and 
 delete, according to better information. And if these my pains 
 shall be found worthy to passe a second Impression, my faults 
 I will confess with shame, and amend with Ihankfulnesse, to such 
 as will contribute clearer Intelligence unto me." 
 
 Fuller s " Worthies of England," 1662. 
 
 p/^r 2'^ *k:'r 
 
 Paper manufactured by the George W. Wheelwright Paper Company. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 In planning the publication of some historical sketches 
 of the town of Princeton twenty-five years ago, it was 
 found that, unfortunately, the town papers had shared the 
 fate of those of many other towns, a large proportion hav^- 
 ing been lost in the past. There are no papers preserved 
 of any kind bearing an earlier date than 1766. Of that 
 date there is but one, and only twenty of a date earlier 
 than 1770. The loss of these papers, and of the records 
 of a few of the earliest town meetings, deprives us of 
 much valuable information. As sources of information 
 regarding the first settlement had evidently not been ex- 
 hausted by the historians of the town a search was begun 
 for items especially relating to the incorporation of the 
 district and town, and for the names of the first residents, 
 with the date of their settlement. The many references 
 also to the "Farms" adjoining the East Wing of Rutland 
 led to an investigation into their history and the origin 
 of their titles. 
 
 These items have been gathered only after diligent search 
 in the Archives of the State, the Journals of the General 
 Court, the Worcester Registry of Deeds and of Probate, 
 the Records of the County Courts, newspapers of the 
 eighteenth century, and various other storehouses of his- 
 torical treasures. 
 
 Although a few of the papers relating to the incorpora- 
 tion of the district have been elsewhere published, it is 
 deemed best to print all of the papers together, making a 
 continuous narrative comprising all that can be obtained 
 from public records. 
 
 Two histories of the town have been published, one by 
 Charles Theodore Russell (1838), and one by Rev. J. L. 
 Hanaford (1852), which, however, are largely taken up 
 with an account of the ecclesiastical dissensions arising 
 
iv Preface 
 
 from the relation established by law between town and 
 church. The lapse of time, however, since the publication 
 of these histories and the larger scope of the present vol- 
 ume may fully justify its publication. 
 
 The preparation of this history, long delayed on account 
 of the illness of the author, is due to his affectionate in- 
 terest in his native town. This interest he has already 
 exhibited by preparing for the New England Historic 
 Genealogical Society a copy of the first Record Book of 
 births, marriages and deaths in the town, and by repair- 
 ing, arranging and classifying the town papers for the past 
 one hundred years, making six large volumes which are 
 now in the Goodnow Library, and also by preparing a 
 Subject Index for the first book of Town Records, 
 
 The author's acknowledgements are due to his friend, 
 Mr. Franklin P. Rice, for invaluable aid In arranging 
 material for the press, and also to his friend, Mr. William 
 A. Emerson, for similar aid in collecting and arranging 
 matter for the genealogical record, thus enabling him to 
 carry out his original intention of presenting the genealogy 
 of every family of both past and present residents. With- 
 out the aid of these gentlemen it would have been impos- 
 sible to bring this work to completion. It gives him 
 pleasure to express his appreciation of all that has been 
 done for him by various persons in the way of help and 
 encouragement in this enterprise, and he also admits his 
 indebtedness to the curators of public records, whose uni- 
 form courtesy has been extremely helpful. 
 
 It is hoped that, while the older people may find much 
 of interest in the perusal of these volumes, the younger 
 people also may take pleasure in becoming acquainted with 
 the early history of their town, and with the men who 
 have been prominent in its affairs. 
 
 Boston, Mass., June 15, 1915. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Preface iii 
 
 Contents v 
 
 List of Illustrations ix 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 The Town in 1915. Situation and area. Surface. Wachusett 
 Mountain. Ponds and Streams. Climate. Soil. Land and 
 Agricultural Products. Natural Productions. Wild Animals. 
 Population. Health. Manufactures. Other Occupations. Re- 
 ligious Organizations. Schools. Public Library. Newspaper. 
 Telephone. Electric Lights. Communication. Geology. Name. 
 Town Appropriations 1914. Table of Aggregates. Town Assets. 1-7 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 The Early Period. District of Prince Town. The first settlement. 
 Nipnet or Nipmug County. Indians. Exploration. A new way. 
 Land Purchases. Nipmuck Territory. Purchasers. Indian Deed. 
 Delay in Occupation. Queen Anne's War. Return of the settlers. 
 Title Worthless. Name of Rutland. Name of Associates. The 
 New Township. Proprietors. First Birth. Sales and Transfers. 
 East Wing. Father Ralle's War. Massacre in Rutland. Renewal 
 of Settlement. New Survey. Gift to Rev. Mr. Prince. Pro- 
 prietors' Records. French War 8-33 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 The Farms Adjoining. Province Grants. Watertown Farms. Gard- 
 ner's Farms. Edward Wilson. John Frost. Benjamin Hough- 
 ton. Blagrove's Farm. Muzzy's Farm. Potash Farm. May- 
 hew's Farm. Allen's Farms. Willard's Farm. Kneeland's Farm. 
 Stevens' Farm. Johnson's or Hartwell's Farm. Joshua Wilder's 
 Farm 34-73 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 Early Inhabitants. The Early Settlers. Identity. Dates of Occu- 
 pation. First Settlers. Doctor Harvey. A Protest. List of 
 Settlers, 1761-1771. Census of 1790, valuation list U. S. Direct 
 Tax, 1798 74-91 
 
 V 
 
vi Contents 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 Incorporation. The District and Town. Petition of "The Farms" ^^^^ 
 
 Protest. Rejoinder. Report. The Town. Boundaries No Town. 
 Change of line between Westminster and Princeton 92-108 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 The Reverend Thomas Prince. Town Name. Birth. The Old 
 South Church. Ordination. Salary. Residences in Boston. Plan 
 for the Day. Quality as a Minister. One Notable Incident. Liter- 
 ary Ability. Publications. Earthquakes and Lightning Rods. 
 Psalms. Rutland Lands. Gift for Services. Death. Preamble 
 to Will. Prince Library. Life's Work 1 09-1 21 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 Ecclesiastical History. First Difficulties, Meetings at Private 
 Houses. Mr. Harrington's Sermon. The First Meeting House. 
 Location. The Raising. Description. Dignifying the Pew 
 Ground. Protest. First Stove. Choir. Town Meetings. Horse 
 Sheds. Church Organization. The Covenant, Princetown. Can- 
 didates for Preaching. Rev. Timothy Fuller. Ordination. New 
 Covenant. Gifts. Bible. Political Differences. Mr. Fuller's 
 Reply. Action of The Town. Suit against the Town. Supplies. 
 Ineffectual Efforts. Stocks. Rev. Thomas Crafts. Rev. Joseph 
 Russell. New Meeting House. The Raising. Decoration. Stove. 
 New Meeting House Committee's Report. Rev. James Murdock. 
 Rev. Samuel Clarke. Presbyterian Church. Rev. John P. Cowles. 
 Union Congregational Church. First Parish. Rev. Elijah De- 
 mond. Third Edifice. Succeeding ministers to 1915. The Baptists. 
 The Baptist Church. Methodist Church. The Universalists. . . . 122-178 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Town Government. First Town Meeting. Lost Records. A Pro- 
 test. Subsequent Town Meetings. Protest. List of Selectmen, 
 1760 to 1915. Town Clerks. Treasurers. Representatives. As- 
 sessors. Moderators. Constables 179-199 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 Education. Requirement. First Schoolmaster. School Districts. 
 Families of Early Settlers by Districts. Schools in Private Houses. 
 Centre District. School Houses. Stoves. Centre District Di- 
 vided. Care of the Schools. Instructions to School Committees. 
 Expenses. Distinguishing Terms. Teachers. Boarding of 
 Teachers. English and Classical Schools. High School. School 
 Superintendents. School Committee 200-217 
 
Contents vii 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 Page 
 
 Military History. French and Indian War. Revolutionary War. 
 Minute Men. Training Band. Records of the Military Company 
 in Princeton. Capt. Boaz Moore's Company. List of " Lexington 
 Alarm " Men from Princeton. List of soldiers buried in Princeton. 
 Pensions. Act of 1818. Town Military records 1774-1814. 
 Letter of Capt. John Jones to his Wife Mary in Princeton. Petition 
 of former British Soldiers to be Naturalized. Muster Roll of Capt. 
 Andrew Whitney's Company. How I found Oliver Mosman. The 
 Shays Rebellion. Capt. Abraham Gale. Capt. Henry Gale; his 
 Arrest, Trial, Conviction and Sentence to Death. Reprieved and 
 Pardoned. List of Rebels taking the Oath of Allegiance. Treat- 
 ing. Mexican War. Civil War. List of Soldiers in the Civil 
 War. John D. Mirick Post, G.A.R. List of Princetown Soldiers 
 who Died in the Service, 1861-1865 218-269 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 Biography. Hon. Moses Gill. Gill Mansion in Princeton. Robbery 
 of Plate. Funeral. Inventory of Personal Estate. Ward Nicho- 
 las Boylston. David Everett. Edward Savage. Daniel Davis. 
 Edward Augustus Goodnow 270-301 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 Diary Kept by Elizabeth Fuller, Daughter of Rev. Timothy 
 Fuller of Princeton. Family of Rev. Timothy Fuller. Reun- 
 ion at the Old Homestead in Princeton 302-323 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 Wachusett Legends. Mount Wachusett. Lucy Keyes, the Lost 
 Child of Wachusett. Robert Keyes. Loss of the Child. Disre- 
 garding Tradition. Petition for Relief. Rejection. The Letter of 
 1827. Variation in Name. Tilly Littlejohn. Chronology of 
 Tilly Littlejohn. Analysis. Redemption Rock. Mt. Adams Cel- 
 ebration. Whittier's Poem: Monadnock from Wachusett 324-349 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 Miscellany. Princeton as a Summer Resort. Wachusett House. 
 Prospect House, now the Princeton Inn. Mountain House. Grand 
 View House. Mt. Pleasant House. Howard House. Harrington 
 Farm. Pratt's Cottage. Woodland Cottage. Grimes House. 
 Pine Hill House. Fernside. Summit House. Innholders and 
 Taverns. Old Stores. Town Hay Scales. Market Wagons. 
 Stage Lines through Princeton. Postmasters and Post Offices. 
 
viii Contents 
 
 Page 
 List of Princeton Post Offices in tlie United States. Railroads. 
 Telephone Service. Ice Business in Princeton. Street Lighting. 
 Cemeteries. Distances from Princeton Centre. Chair Manufac- 
 turing in Princeton. Roper Lumber and Box Company 350-374 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 Gleanings. Freemasonry. Good Templars. Ancient Order of United 
 Workmen. The Washington Benevolent Society. The Princeton 
 Dramatic Club. Lyceum. Princeton Club. Princeton Farmer's 
 Club. Princeton Grange No. 74. Patrons of Husbandry. Sana- 
 torium. Flora of Princeton. Birds of Princeton. Bibliography 
 of Princeton. Letters relating to Early Records of Rutland. 
 Goodnow Memorial Building. Bagg Hall. Historical Data 375~4I4 
 
 Index 415-428 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Francis Everett Blake Frontispiece 
 
 Princeton from East Jones Hill opposite page i 
 
 Princeton from the Old Wachusett House " " 5 
 
 Wachusett from near Residence of T. H. Skinner.. " " 54 
 
 Petition for Incorporation " " 96 
 
 Rev. Thomas Prince " " 109 
 
 Title-page OF Discourse BY Rev. Timothy Harrington " " 122 
 
 Princeton Center from Wachusett House " " 170 
 
 Signatures of Town Clerks " " 191 
 
 Princeton School Houses — 1797-8-1906 " " 216 
 
 Signatures of Townsmen in 1776 " " 221 
 
 Lieut.-Gov. Moses Gill " " 270 
 
 Residence of Moses Gill " " 271 
 
 Sarah (Prince) Gill " " 272 
 
 Rebecca (Boylston) Gill " " 273 
 
 Ward Nicholas Boylston " " 278 
 
 Edward Savage " " 294 
 
 Sarah (Seaver) Savage ant> Edward Savage " " 296 
 
 Edward A. Goodnow " " 299 
 
 Princeton Center and Wachusett " " 325 
 
 The Nine O'CLOCK Mail " " 362 
 
 Princeton Village from the East " " 369 
 
 Cemetery and the Old Pound " " 369 
 
 Town Hall and Goodnow Memorl\l Buildings " " 403 
 
HISTORY OF PRINCETON 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 THE TOWN IN 191 5 
 
 Situation and Area. Princeton, a town in Worcester 
 County, Massachusetts, is situated about forty-eight miles 
 north of west from Boston, fourteen miles north of Wor- 
 cester, and about ten miles southwest from Fitchburg. 
 It is bounded on the north by Westminster, on the east by 
 Leominster and Sterling, on the south by Holden and 
 Rutland, and on the west by Rutland and Hubbardston. 
 The township is north of the center of the County, and 
 about equi-distant from its eastern and western boundaries, 
 and occupies a nearly central position in the State as 
 measured from Cape Cod to New York. Its geographical 
 position is (at Wachusett Mountain) 42° 29' 21-21" north 
 latitude, 71° 53' 33-885" west longitude. Its present area 
 is about 23,000 acres or 36.5 square miles. 
 
 Surface. The general formation of this locality is 
 rugged and uneven, with abrupt elevations and depres- 
 sions in general, and exceptional plains and meadows, 
 giving diversity and natural beauty to the scenery. The 
 principal hills are Little Wachusett, about 1560 feet, and 
 Pine Hill 1440 feet, both situated in the northerly part of 
 the town, the southern portion being lower with more 
 meadow land. 
 
 Wachusett Mountain, the principal elevation and most 
 striking natural feature in the town, rises to a height of 
 2018 feet. This is in the extreme northerly part, near the 
 boundary line of Westminster. With the exception of the 
 
2 History of Princeton 
 
 range in the westerly part of the State, of which Mt. Grey- 
 lock is the main eminence, Wachusett is the highest eleva- 
 tion within its boundaries, and its isolation affords from 
 the summit an unobstructed view over a large part of 
 Massachusetts and some portions of adjoining states. The 
 ocean at Boston, the Green Mountains in Vermont, and 
 elevations in New Hampshire are visible in clear weather, 
 while the surrounding country within a radius of seventy- 
 five miles is spread before the observer. The ascent to the 
 summit is easy, both by carriage road and paths, and the 
 mountain top is visited by large numbers during the sum- 
 mer season. A good hotel is maintained here during the 
 warmer months of the year. The mountain, including a 
 tract of 3000 acres, was made a State Reservation April 17, 
 1900, by Act of the Legislature. 
 
 Ponds and Streams. On account of the elevation of the 
 township there are no streams of considerable volume in 
 Princeton. The waters have their origin on the height of 
 the land near the mountain, and flow east and west. 
 South Wachusett Brook is perhaps the most important 
 stream, and with Cobb Brook flows into Quinapoxet Pond 
 at the southeast corner of the town. This pond is the 
 largest body of water wholly within the town limits. 
 Wachusett Pond at the north lies mostly in Westminster, 
 East Wachusett Brook is joined with Babcock Brook and 
 flows into Still River, which runs on the boundary line 
 between Princeton and Sterling for about 600 rods. Other 
 small streams flow into Ware River at the southwest, and 
 this continues to the Connecticut. Woodward, Wachu- 
 sett, Jones, Turkey Swamp, Baker's, Sawin and Gardner 
 meadows are the principal marshy tracts. The area of 
 the meadow land in the town is estimated at 822 acres. 
 
 Climate. The climate of Princeton, while not varying 
 in great degree from that of the average of central Massa- 
 chusetts, is, perhaps, from the elevated situation, more 
 pronounced in alternation of heat and cold and in the 
 extreme degrees of its temperature. The winters are bleak, 
 with high winds, while the extreme heat in summer of the 
 
The Town in igi^ 3 
 
 lower townships is here tempered with refreshing breezes. 
 Although trying to some constitutions, in general it can be 
 said that the atmosphere is pure and bracing, and con- 
 ducive to good health and longevity. The yearly rainfall 
 is about forty inches; the temperature is about 45° average 
 for the year; 22° in the winter, 65° in the summer. 
 
 Soil. A large portion of the surface of the town is to-day 
 uncultivated, and some of the original tillage land has been 
 abandoned to nature or the mere raising of grass or to 
 grazing. The causes which have affected the farming 
 interests throughout New England have operated here with 
 effects in strong contrast to those of fifty and one hundred 
 years ago. The elevated situation of much of the land, as 
 well as intractable soil, together with sharp alternations of 
 temperature, made the cultivation of the more susceptible 
 products difficult, and called forth the energies of a former 
 generation, representatives of an element rare at the present 
 time. Half a century ago many fine farms were tilled 
 in the more favorable locations, and a few are maintained 
 at present. Many of the abandoned farmsteads are now 
 occupied by summer residents, and fine buildings have 
 been erected for occupation during the warmer season. 
 
 Land and Agricultural Products. The last state census 
 (1905) gives the valuation of farm and agricultural prod- 
 ucts as follows: land, $327,943; buildings, $223,139; 
 machinery and implements, $35,674; domestic animals, 
 $114,770; fruit trees and vines, $22,553; mines, quarries, 
 etc., $880 = $724,943. 
 
 Agricultural Products: dairy, $72,433; poultry, $9,892; 
 meats, $1688; animal products, $14,612; cereals, $300; 
 fruits, berries and nuts, $7,804; hay, straw and fodder, 
 $85,690; vegetables, $7,540; wood products, $22,368; 
 food products, $i,773 = $224,543. 
 
 Natural Productions. These do not vary in great degree 
 from those of the larger tract of central Massachusetts, 
 except that perhaps in the generally elevated situation of 
 this town some of the flora and less hardy vegetable pro- 
 ductions are not found. The pine, chestnut, maple, oak, 
 
4 History of Princeton 
 
 walnut, birch, ash and beech are among the trees growing 
 here. Most of the common wild flowers are found in great 
 profusion, the mayflower and the mountain laurel being 
 abundant. 
 
 Wild Animals. The larger wild animals of the earlier 
 period have been exterminated, but the smaller common 
 pests exist — the catamount, skunk, woodchuck, fox and 
 the smaller rodents. Rattlesnakes are rare, but black 
 snakes and the common striped snake are found. The 
 ponds and streams are so few that fish are not abundant. 
 The common birds are in evidence and are migratory as 
 in other parts of Massachusetts. 
 
 Population. The number of inhabitants in Princeton 
 has in general declined since 1840, from 1,347 in that year 
 to 904 at the last census. Of this, 238 males and 203 
 females are single, and 206 males and 193 females married. 
 There are 246 families in the town. The legal voters 
 number 241. 
 
 Health. The statistics compare favorably with those 
 of other towns in Massachusetts. 
 
 Manufactures. There are five manufacturing estab- 
 lishments in the town — four private, and one incorporated. 
 The amount of capital invested is $90,150; value of stock 
 used, $37,372; value of goods produced, $113,097; 
 persons employed, 76; wages paid, $26,023; salaries, 
 $2,580. 
 
 Other Occupations. There are 99 persons engaged in 
 agriculture; 30 in transportation; 91 laborers; 18 in trade; 
 10 in government employ; 277 in domestic service; and 
 22 in professional occupations. 
 
 Religious Organizations. Only one church, the Con- 
 gregational, is now in existence. 
 
 Schools. There are six schools maintained, at an ex- 
 pense of $4,722. The Superintendent is paid $300 for 
 services in the Town. Number of school children, 135; 
 number of teachers, 11. 
 
 The Public Library contains 6,201 volumes; value, 
 $4,000. The endowment is $7,000, and the income $360. 
 
o 
 
 Pi 
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 o 
 
The Town in igi^ 5 
 
 The value of the building is $25,000. Salary of Librarian, 
 
 $115. 
 
 Newspaper. There is one newspaper The Laborer's 
 Friend published in town. 
 
 Telephone service places the town in possession of local 
 and outside communications. 
 
 Electric Lights are in operation in the streets, and are 
 supplied to private residences. 
 
 Conimunication. The Peterborough and Worcester 
 Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad passes through 
 the southwestern part of the town. 
 
 Geology. The foundation of the soil in Princeton is 
 gneiss, one of the primary rocks of the earth's surface. 
 This rock is composed mostly of quartz, mica and feldspar, 
 with a lesser admixture of iron, which presents in places 
 a rusty appearance. Otherwise stated, the formation is 
 a coarse or uneven granite, the main constituents of which 
 are silica, alumina and potassium. There are some evi- 
 dences of slate formation in places, sand and other debris 
 of alluvial action are evident in the lowlands, while boulders 
 and relics of the drift period are abundant. 
 
 Name. The town received its name in 1759 from the 
 Rev. Thomas Prince of Boston, a distinguished divine and 
 writer who was born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, in 
 1687 and died in Boston in 1758. Mr. Prince was one 
 of the proprietors of the tract, and was interested in the 
 formation and settlement of the town. 
 
History of Princeton 
 
 TOWN APPROPRIATIONS, 1914 
 
 Highways and bridges $6,450 . 00 
 
 State road i , 1 50 . 00 
 
 State road extension 700 . 00 
 
 Schools 5.525 . 00 
 
 Salary of Superintendent 300 . 00 
 
 Transportation 600 . 00 
 
 Medical inspection 75-00 
 
 Salaries of Town officers 1 ,000 . 00 
 
 Fire department 500 . 00 
 
 Support of poor 700 . 00 
 
 Care of cemeteries 1 50 . 00 
 
 State aid 350 . 00 
 
 Interest on debts and loans 900 . 00 
 
 Salary of Librarian 1 15 . 00 
 
 Observance of Memorial Day 100 . 00 
 
 Gypsy and brown tail moth extermination 300.00 
 
 Street lights 750 . 00 
 
 Board of health 200 . 00 
 
 Total, including other expenses $21,639.00 
 
 TABLE OF AGGREGATES 
 
 1. Number of residents assessed on property, individuals 221, all others, 
 45, Total 266. 
 
 2. Number of non-residents assessed on property, individuals 107, all 
 others 47, Total 154. 
 
 3. Number of persons assessed on property 420, poll tax only, 133, Total 
 
 553- 
 
 4. Number of male polls assessed, 284. 
 
 5. Tax on each male poll, $2.00. 
 
 6. Value of assessed personal estate, excluding resident bank stock, 
 $583,042. Resident bank stock, none. Total $583,042. 
 
 7. Value of assessed real estate buildings, excluding land, $534,525. 
 Land, excluding buildings, $367,561. Total, $902,086. 
 
 8. Total valuation of assessed estate April i, 1914, $1,485,128. 
 
 9. Tax for State, County and Town purposes, including overlaying: 
 
 On personal estate $9,620.19 
 
 On real estate 14,884.42 
 
 On polls 568.00 
 
 Total $25,072.61 
 
The Town in 1Q15 
 
 TABLE OF AGGREGATES, Continued 
 
 10. Rate of total tax on $1000, $16.50. 
 
 11. Number of horses assessed, 272. 
 
 12. Number of cows assessed, 599. 
 
 13. Number of sheep assessed, 19. 
 
 14. Number of neat cattle other than cows assessed, 274. 
 
 15. Number of swine assessed, 47. 
 
 16. Number of dwelling houses assessed, 250. 
 
 17. Number of acres of land assessed, 21,423. 
 
 18. Number and value of fowls assessed, No. 4,027, value, $2,416. 
 
 TOWN ASSETS 
 
 Amount remaining in General Fund .... $3,092 . 25 
 
 Deducted from appropriations 18,546 . 75 
 
 County tax i ,974 . 00 
 
 State tax 4,287 . 50 
 
 State highway tax 157.96 
 
 Overlay 1 06 . 40 
 
 Total $25,072 . 61 
 
 Moth tax 673 . 43 
 
CHAPTER II 
 THE EARLY PERIOD 
 
 District of Prince Town. On October, 1759, certain 
 tracts of land known as Rutland East Wing, and Water- 
 town Farms, as well as others in Worcester County, Mass- 
 achusetts, comprising about fifteen thousand acres, were, by 
 Act of the General Court, made a District, to which the 
 name of Prince Town was given. This allotment, with sev- 
 eral additions made at later times, formed the present town 
 of Princeton. At the time this Act was passed the storm 
 and stress period of the early settlement of New England 
 had passed. The fierce conflicts with the aborigines had 
 ended in the triumph of the white man, and in the fierce 
 struggles with the forces of nature the powers of sturdy 
 humanity and of civilization had prevailed. The territory 
 now included within the boundaries of this town was one 
 of the few tracts in the State which was unoccupied at 
 that time. 
 
 Princeton, in its early history, can present little to dis- 
 tinguish it among the groups of older townships by which 
 it is surrounded, its existence as a municipality cover- 
 ing a period only of a little more than one hundred and 
 fifty years. The stories so often repeated in the histories 
 of the older towns of the State, of the methods and habits 
 of colonial life, the struggles for existence against the 
 forces of nature and the attacks of a savage foe, with 
 provisions for the security of property and rights against 
 the encroachments of power, have little place in the annals 
 of Princeton, which attained its corporate existence after the 
 greater part of Massachusetts had been alloted and secured, 
 and after the period of Indian warfare had passed. 
 
 The settlement of this and other places at this time was 
 
 8 
 
The Early Period 9 
 
 the natural outcome of the earUer New England energy 
 and enterprise, which was now quieting down to the con- 
 templation of possession and improvement, the spirit of 
 unrest and the propensity to acquirement proving as strong 
 motives as some of the higher elements with which we are 
 perhaps too much inclined to invest the acts of our ances- 
 tors. Some of the qualities seem to stand out in marked 
 contrast to the characteristics of the present age, but it 
 is probable that the emergencies of the time developed 
 them into prominence and activity, and that a stress of 
 circumstances would again bring forth these or similar 
 powers to meet the necessities. There is a strain in every 
 generation which comes to the front when the alarm of 
 danger or the call for assistance is sounded. 
 
 The first settlement of Europeans within the limits of 
 the present State of Massachusetts was at Plymouth in 
 1620, and nine years later that of Salem was made. Boston 
 was founded in 1630, and various other places in the sur- 
 rounding country were established within the next twenty- 
 five years. Soon the course of expansion extended into 
 the region to the westward, though in several directions. 
 On the northerly line Lancaster, now comprising several 
 towns, was purchased of the Indians in 1643. Mendon, 
 at the south, was founded in 1659. In the central line 
 Worcester and Oxford followed, and further to the west 
 Brookfield, and so on to Springfield and Deerfield, and into 
 Connecticut. 
 
 Nipnet or Nipmug Country. To the inhabitants of 
 the first settlements of the colony of the Massachusetts 
 Bay all of the territory to the westward was known by 
 the general name of the Nipnet or Nipmug country, the 
 authorities having but little definite understanding of the 
 extent of the tribe of Indians bearing that name. Gover- 
 nor Winthrop, in his journal, under date of January 27, 
 1 63 1, gives the same characterization of this country when 
 he describes a trip made into the interior by himself and 
 others. Going up the Charles River above Watertown at 
 a point at or near the present Waltham " they went up 
 
10 History of Princeton 
 
 a very high rock from whence they might see all over 
 Neipnett." From this rock they espied " a very high hill 
 due west about forty miles off," which hill was Wachusett 
 Mountain, doubtless then, at least, unknown by that name 
 to the colonists.^ 
 
 Indians. Although it seems probable that the Nipnets, 
 once a large and powerful tribe, ruled over this whole 
 territory, yet the Nipmuck country, later described by 
 Gookin and other reliable authorities, was practically 
 confined to what is now the southern half of Worcester 
 County, extending into Connecticut. Nipnet signifies 
 " fresh water country," and one writer says that the 
 various tribes of Indians in that vicinity have often been 
 classed together under the general name of Nipnets, i.e., 
 all fresh water Indians. And there is not wanting evi- 
 dence that the Quabaugs, the Washakums, Nashaways, 
 Wachusetts and others, were more or less nearly allied 
 either by blood or by marriage, or by both, but it is certain 
 that they never acknowledged allegiance to one local head 
 chieftain. 
 
 The Quabaugs made their headquarters near Brookfield 
 and the Nashaways lived north of the Nipnets near Lan- 
 caster. These were sometimes called Waschakums, from 
 a large settlement of the tribe near the ponds of that name 
 in Sterling, and sometimes called Wachusetts from the 
 stronghold in the mountain of that name in Princeton. 
 
 Exploration. As the spirit of adventure developed 
 among the colonists, and their desire to explore the country 
 increased, or the wish to remove from the growing towns 
 on the coast led them to seek new locations, their knowledge 
 of the abode of the various Indian tribes and the territory 
 which they claimed as their own became clearer. 
 
 In 1 63 1 John Winthrop and his associates first heard 
 from some visiting Indians of the great river — Connecti- 
 cut — to the westward with its fertile valleys. Almost 
 immediately not only adv'enturers but some of the best 
 of the settlers directed their feet along the then unfamiliar 
 paths, or followed the well-defined Indian trails, with the 
 
 ' This rock now known as Boston Rock. 
 
The Early Period ii 
 
 hope of finding more promising surroundings than were 
 presented on the coast. New settlements were projected 
 and developed in a surprisingly short time, considering the 
 many obstacles which had to be encountered. In 1633 
 John Oldham and others journeyed over the wild and 
 undeveloped country into Connecticut by paths probably 
 never before trodden by the white man, and subject to the 
 unknown perils of an unknown land. Other groups fol- 
 lowed very soon to explore this western country. Large 
 companies from Watertown, Cambridge and Dorchester 
 journeyed to Connecticut and there began new settlements. 
 In 1635 William Pynchon and associates went from Rox- 
 bury to the Connecticut River and soon laid the foundation 
 of what is now the flourishing city of Springfield. The 
 " Old Connecticut Path," of which the colonists had some 
 knowledge as early as 1630, passed through Cambridge, 
 Waltham, thence through South Framingham, Hopkinton, 
 Grafton, Dudley, Sturbridge to Woodstock and on to 
 Hartford. It was a branch of this path which passed 
 westward through Brookfield to Springfield. 
 
 A new way became known as early as 1648, as Winthrop 
 records in his Journal, in that year: " This year a new way 
 was found out to Connecticut by Nashaway which avoids 
 much of the hilly way." Whether this path branched off, 
 as is thought by some, from the earlier Connecticut path 
 perhaps near Sudbury, and passed through what is now 
 Lancaster, Rutland, and New Braintree to Springfield, it 
 is difficult to decide, but the inference is drawn from this 
 statement of Winthrop that this northern way had not 
 been in use to any extent by the English previous to the 
 year 1648. 
 
 Lancaster, which was settled in 1653, had been obliged 
 to build roads, or more properly speaking, paths, to bring 
 the settlement into closer touch with Sudbury and other 
 towns, and these paths would naturally be utilized and 
 form a portion of the long road from the coast. It is 
 possible that instead of passing through Princeton it may 
 have gone south of that line and passed through Holden 
 
12 History of Princeton 
 
 and thence to Quabaug Pond in West Brookfield, or this 
 Holden route may have been established at a later date. 
 The Bay Path, so often referred to, was laid out in 1670, 
 and passed through Marlborough and Worcester to Brook- 
 field, and on to the River, By means, therefore, of these 
 travelled paths the general character of this part of the 
 colony became somewhat known, but there was no at- 
 tempt at making a settlement in the region about the 
 mountain. There was no town settled for many years 
 between Sudbury or Lancaster and Brookfield. 
 
 Land Purchases. By the year 1680 settlements had 
 been commenced, and as the desire of the colonists for 
 extending their domains increased, the General Court of 
 the Colony, acknowledging the inherent rights of the 
 Indian tribes as owners of the soil, had purchased many 
 tracts of land in the different localities, some of them em- 
 bracing many square miles in area. Individuals had little 
 difficulty in obtaining grants of the land thus pur- 
 chased, and in cases where they had traded directly 
 with the Indians, the Colony very freely confirmed the 
 title. 
 
 Nipmuck Territory. In pursuance of this general policy 
 the General Court in 1681 appointed William Stoughton 
 and Joseph Dudley, Esquires, a committee to negotiate, 
 in behalf of the Colony, with the Nipmugs (Nipmucks) for 
 their territory, the name Nipmuck still being applied to 
 this neighborhood. In the first report of progress which 
 these gentlemen rendered they stated that " the northern 
 part near Wachusett is still unpurchased, and persons yet 
 scarcely to be found meet to be treated with thereabouts." 
 In other words they had not been able to find the true 
 owners of this northern part, which suggests a long dis- 
 persion of the tribes once identified with its occupancy 
 and ownership. A report made by this committee a few 
 months later indicates decided progress in the search for 
 those who were thought to hold title to the lands. After 
 referring to the vicinity of Marlborough and Sherburne 
 they say, " The northerne part, adjoyning to Nashaway is 
 
The Early Period 13 
 
 found the best land, most meadowed and capable of setle- 
 ment, which land, except a small tract that Hananamesit 
 desired to be kept by the Natick Indians, may, wee sup- 
 pose, vpon reasonable termes, be so farr as respects the 
 Indian Clayme, taken into the Countreys lands, which wee 
 offer our advise as best to be donne, least the matter grow 
 more difficult by delays." ^ 
 
 One tract, perhaps not now clearly identified, of large 
 extent, was purchased for the sum of £30 and a coat, while 
 another tract 50 miles long and 20 miles broad was bought 
 for the snug sum of £50, delivered in cash to the 
 supposed owners, or at least to the representatives of 
 the Nipmucks, who appeared to have some claims upon 
 proprietorship. 
 
 But notwithstanding the advice of the excellent com- 
 mittee the Colony made no move towards purchasing this 
 " northern part adjoining to Nashaway," and it remained 
 for individuals to take the first steps toward the purchase 
 of a portion of it. Whether the prominent men identified 
 with this purchase were restless in the confines of their own 
 town and anxious to expand and enlarge those borders, 
 or whether they were actuated by the same spirit of specu- 
 lation which in every age prevails, may not be determined, 
 but it is true that Lancaster men, with a few associates, 
 reached out their hands for a bit of this territory and 
 secured a tract, reported to be twelve miles square, for the 
 sum of £22^1 — about 10 cents for 100 acres. 
 
 There are many deeds upon record showing conveyances 
 of land by representatives of various Indian tribes, for 
 which valuable compensation was made. The valuation 
 of these lands as indicated by the deeds may seem ridicu- 
 lously small to the present reader, but the value of the 
 dollar in that day was far greater than that of the 
 dollar of to-day. One historian asserts that the price paid 
 the Indians for the land in a certain town was fully up to 
 the price set upon the individual lots sold to the settlers 
 by the proprietors. 
 
 ' Mass. Bay Records, V'ol. V, page 242. 
 
14 History of Princeton 
 
 Purchasers. The majority of the purchasers of the 
 tract referred to above were of Lancaster; the two Willard 
 Brothers, their brother-in-law, Cyprian Stevens, and 
 Joseph Rowlandson, the minister of the town, with others 
 of less prominence; and these purchasers in a general way 
 explored their purchase, noted its streams and ponds, its 
 hills and valleys, following, it may be, the trails of the 
 Indians as well as the " path " now somewhat worn and 
 well-defined by the travel between the Bay settlement and 
 the interior. And is it not probable that in some of 
 their expeditions they stepped aside from the beaten path 
 and ascended the mountain to view the country? Per- 
 haps they were the first, or among the first white men to 
 climb its rugged sides, now so easily travelled by means 
 of well-known paths and well-made roads. 
 
 Indian Deed. The first step showing concerted action 
 looking towards the occupation of the territory under con- 
 sideration appears in a deed dated December 22nd, 1686, 
 recorded in Middlesex Registry, Vol. XVI, page 511, under 
 date of April 14th, 1714. 
 
 By this deed Joseph Trask alias Puagastion of Penni- 
 cook, Job alias Pompomamay of Natick, and Simon 
 Pitacum alias Wananacompan of Wamasick, Sosowonow 
 of Natick, and James Wiser alias Qualapunit of Natick for 
 the sum of twenty-three pounds, conveyed to Henry 
 Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin 
 Willard and Cyprian Stevens, " a Certain Tract of Lands, 
 medows, swamps. Timbers, Entervailes, containing Twelve 
 mile square, according to the buts and bounds, as followeth, 
 viz: — The name in General being Naguag, The South 
 Corner butting upon Muscopaug Pond, and running North 
 to Quenibeck and to Wonketopick, and so running upon 
 Gte Wachusett which is the North Corner, so running nor 
 west to Walamanumpscook, and so to quaquanunawick 
 a little pond and so to ' Asnaconcomick ' pond which is 
 the nor west corner. And so running South and so to 
 Musshauge a great swamp, so to Sasaketasick which is the 
 South corner. And so running East to Pascatickquage 
 
The Early Period 15 
 
 and so to Ahampatimshauge a little Pond, and so to Sum- 
 pauge Pond and so to Muscopauge pond which is the 
 East Corner." ^ 
 
 Delay in Occupation. The condition of political affairs 
 in the colonies at the time of this purchase and for several 
 subsequent years appears to have been a sufficient reason 
 for delay in carrying out any plans formed by the pro- 
 prietors for the settlement or sale of the land. The 
 abrogation of the first charter of the colony by King James 
 II in 1686 was soon followed by the appointment of Sir 
 Edmund Andros as Governor of New England, his arrival 
 occurring in December of that year. This appointment, 
 which possibly at first promised favorably to the colonies, 
 proved exceedingly embarrassing and unsatisfactory. 
 Restless under the new administration, smarting under the 
 blow of the dissolution of the charter, the people gladly 
 availed themselves of the confusion existing in England, 
 anticipated the accession to the throne of William of 
 Orange, and violently deposed Andros from his position 
 in April, 1688. It was not until 1692 that the second 
 charter was secured, and in the meantime hostilities be- 
 tween France and England had been declared, and for 
 seven or eight years the colonies were in the midst of the 
 excitement, anxiety and uneasiness appertaining to war, 
 giving of their means, their men and their energy to help 
 forward the cause of England. 
 
 Queen Anne's War. After the close of the war in 1698 
 comparative quiet reigned in the country for a few years, 
 but in 1702 the lull in the strife was succeeded by another 
 war known as Queen Anne's, which for ten or more years 
 left its disturbing influence upon the country, embarrass- 
 ing its progress in every direction, and hindering the growth 
 of the new as well as of the older settlements. 
 
 Lands in the regions beyond the bounds of civilization 
 
 * The original deed is not in existence, and the above copy and that on the 
 Proprietors books do not agree in the spelling of the Indian names. The 
 latter has Wananapan, Quanitick, etc. Simon Pitacum apparently did not 
 sign the deed. 
 
1 6 History of Princeton 
 
 were practically of no value while these disturbances 
 prevailed. The events of that period of New England 
 history between the years 1675 and 1713 were sufficient 
 to cripple all business activity and to strike a blow at all 
 progressive movements. Lancaster, Worcester, North- 
 field, Brookfield and other towns had suffered severely 
 from depredation of the Indians during King Philip's and 
 the subsequent wars. New settlements begun with a good 
 degree of energy were almost depopulated or entirely 
 abandoned. 
 
 Return of the Settlers. But upon the close of Queen 
 Anne's War in 17 13 confidence was somewhat restored. 
 The dangers which had threatened public and private 
 enterprise were seemingly arrested if not removed, and the 
 towns over which had hung the clouds of sorrow, fear and 
 desolation began to assume new life and activity. The 
 former residents turned once more to the cultivation of 
 their abandoned or neglected farms, and new adventurers 
 cast their lot with the old. However, with the experience 
 of the past years and the uncertainty of the future, it was 
 not strange that the growth of these settlements was com- 
 paratively slow. It was at this time — perhaps the only 
 opportune time since the purchase in 1686 — that the pro- 
 prietors of Naquag and their heirs considered the subject 
 of opening the land for settlement and making the property 
 a better paying investment than it hitherto had proved. 
 Although the original purchasers had secured a deed from 
 the Indians who claimed that " they only had power to 
 convey and alienate the same," they had not acquired any 
 confirmatory title from the authorities of the Colony, who 
 held possession by virtue of a charter granted by the King. 
 It is also true that the whole territory known as the Nip- 
 mug Country of which this tract doubtless formed a part 
 was sold by Sholan, the Sagamore. 
 
 Title Worthless. The title, therefore, was practically 
 worthless, and the heirs of the original purchasers sought 
 relief from the General Court, which passed an Act on the 
 23rd of February, 17 14, confirming to the sons and grand- 
 
The Early Period 17 
 
 sons of Major Simon Willard and their associates, the orig- 
 inal tract, with the exception of 1000 acres belonging to 
 the Honorable Samuel Sewall. It docs not clearly appear 
 why these lands were confirmed to all the children and 
 representatives of the deceased children of Major Willard, 
 embracing as it did some persons not included in the 
 original purchase. This act provided " that within seven 
 years there then be sixty families settle thereon and suffi- 
 cient Land reserved for a Gospel Ministry and Schooling. 
 And that the Grant shall encrouch upon no former Grant 
 or Grants, nor exceed the Quantity of Twelve Miles Square. 
 The town to be called Rutland, & to ly to the County of 
 Middlesex." 
 
 Name of Rutland. In reference to the naming of the 
 township Judge Sewall says in his Diary under date of 
 Feb. 23-24, 1713-14: " This Court a large township, of 
 12 miles square, is granted near Wadchuset; out of which 
 my 1,000 Acres are excepted. I was surpris'd, not having 
 seen it, till 'twas pass'd by the Deputies. Gov^ is uneasy 
 till the word Associats be inserted. Will have it call'd 
 Rutland: I objected because that was the name of a 
 Shire. The Chief Justice said 'twas not convenient except 
 the Land was Red. But the Gov'^ would not be diverted. 
 I suppose the quantity might be one thing inclin'd his 
 Excellency to this Name." ^ 
 
 Judge Sewall's special interest in this arose from his 
 ownership of the 1,000 acres excepted in the Act of the 
 General Court. This plot was originally granted by the 
 Colony in 1681 to the six youngest children of Major 
 Simon Willard, in consideration of the distinguished and 
 unremunerated services of the father, lately deceased. 
 This tract, called Sewall's Farms, was in the northerly 
 part of the present town of Rutland, and embraced much 
 excellent farming land. In March 1684-85 the Willards 
 obtained from Thomas Dublett and wafe, Sarah, Indians, 
 a release of all their (presumed) right in the premises, 
 upon the payment of £2.10, and in 1693 the elder brother, 
 
 1 Vol. II, page 425. 
 
1 8 History of Princeton 
 
 Henry Willard, purchased it. After his decease it was sold 
 in 1692 to the Hon. Samuel Sewall to cancel a debt of £84. 
 Soon after the confirmation of the township to the Willards 
 and their Associates, Judge Sewall obtained from the 
 General Court an Act confirming the title of his little lot 
 of 1,000 acres, the boundaries of which cannot be traced 
 today. It seems singular that in the deed of the twelve 
 miles square, no mention is made of this 1,000 acres which 
 lay within its limits, but perhaps the matter of a paltry 
 1,000 acres out of 93,000 may not have been thought worth 
 considering. Thus it appears that both tracts (one within 
 the other) were now held by indisputable title acquired by 
 purchase of the Indians claiming right therein and by Act 
 of confirmation of the General Court of the Province. 
 
 Names of Associates. It is noticeable that the Indians 
 conveying the smaller tract in 1684-85 did not join in the 
 deed of the larger tract in 1686. The grantees of Rutland 
 township and their Associates executed a deed of Associa- 
 tion under date of April 14-17 which was recorded August 
 17, 1 718 in Middlesex Registry, Vol. 19, page 293. The 
 property was divided into 33 shares of which Joseph 
 Foster had two and the others one each. The names of 
 the Associates are as follows: 
 
 Joseph Foster of Billerica. 
 
 Cyprian Stevens of Lancaster for self and for children 
 by wife Mary. 
 
 Thomas How of Marlborough, Att'y & Assign of heirs 
 of Jos. Rowlandson. 
 
 Simon Willard of Salem. 
 
 John Willard of Concord. 
 
 Benjamin Willard, Framingham. 
 
 Joseph Willard, London. 
 
 Josiah Willard's heirs. 
 
 Samuel Willard's heirs. 
 
 Henry Willard's heirs. 
 
 Daniel Willard's heirs. 
 
 Jonathan Willard's heirs. 
 
The Early Period 19 
 
 Thomas of Sudbury and Hannah, his wife, a 
 
 daughter of Simon Wiliard. 
 
 Nathaniel Howard of Chelmsford, children by Sarah 
 Willard. 
 
 Robert Blood, late of Concord, children by Elizabeth 
 Willard. 
 
 Joshua Edwards, late of Charlestown, children by Mary 
 Willard. 
 
 Hon. Wm. Taylor of Dorchester. 
 
 Peter Townsend. 
 
 Paul Dudley. 
 
 Addington Davenport. 
 
 Adam Winthrop. 
 
 Thomas Hutchinson. 
 
 Thomas Fitch. 
 
 John White of Boston. 
 
 Thomas How of Marlborough. 
 
 John Chandler of Woodstock. 
 
 William Dudley of Roxbury. 
 
 John Farnsworth of Groton. 
 
 Children and heirs of Peter Bulkley, late of Concord. 
 
 Moses Parker of Chelmsford. 
 
 Jacob Stevens of Stow. 
 
 The New Township embraced in area nearly one-tenth 
 of the County of Worcester, and was considered a very 
 large grant even for the days when the authorities were 
 lavish with their gifts of land. Grants of a few hundred 
 acres were apparently freely made for all sorts of reasons, 
 as will be noted hereafter in connection with some Prince- 
 ton land. But in this case the character of the petitioners, 
 and the services of Major Willard to the Colony, would 
 naturally debar any serious objections to the confirmation 
 of a purchase, which wisely included in its provisions lands 
 for new settlements of advantage to the Province. 
 
 The accompanying plan indicates plainly the extent of 
 the township of Rutland as originally granted, and the 
 towns then included within its limits. 
 
20 
 
 History oj Princeton 
 
 BA^/:f^ 
 
 <^^^AW/l/ / 
 
 "^(yssAyq-os 
 
 7~0A/ 
 
 ^(yr^A/o 
 
 I ^"^'^Cero^ 
 
 Plan of Rutland Township. From the Original. 
 
The Early Period 21 
 
 Proprietors. At the first meeting of the Proprietors 
 held in Boston on the 14th of April, 17 14, of which Paul 
 Dudley, Esq., of Boston was Moderator and Mr. Samuel 
 Wright of Sudbury, Clerk, the establishment of a town was 
 considered and the Committee consisting of William Dud- 
 ley, Esq., Thomas How, Esq., Captain Jacob Stevens, 
 Captain Jonathan Prescott and Mr. Samuel Wright, was 
 appointed to " Look after the Plating said town, and 
 establishing Inhabitants there, and to Report to the 
 Proprietors the most convenient place for settling a town- 
 ship, and the best method in their Judgment for the 
 Incorageing Inhabitants to settle in said Town." 
 
 The next meeting was held on the 24th of December, 
 1715, at the Green Dragon in Boston, when it was voted 
 " that the contents of Six Miles Square be Surveyed & set 
 off for the Settlement of Sixty-two families in order to the 
 performance of the Grant. — That the place for the settle- 
 ment be determined by the Committee already chosen for 
 settling the Town." 
 
 The details of the surveys, settlements, distribution of 
 lots and the thousand and one matters necessary to be 
 attended to, were left to the Committee above named, 
 thus obviating the necessity of holding frequent meetings 
 of the Proprietors. 
 
 First Birth. The Settlement soon gave evidence of 
 gradual but solid growth, though it is probable that for 
 the first few years the winter months were passed by a 
 majority of the settlers in the towns where the comforts 
 of life were greater, and the necessary supplies for the 
 family more readily secured. The event of the birth of 
 the first male child there occurred in 1719 (a son of Moses 
 and Eunice How), and was appropriately recognized by 
 the Proprietors in the gift of one hundred acres of land to 
 the young man. Some fifty families were now on the spot, 
 comprising representatives from Boston, Concord, Sud- 
 bury, Marlborough and other towns, and also emigrants 
 of respectability from Ireland. A meeting house was 
 erected, and provision made for the support of the ministry 
 
22 History of Princeton 
 
 and school, in compliance with the conditions imposed by 
 the General Court in the Act confirming the lands to the 
 Proprietors, and on the 30th of May, 1722, the town of 
 Rutland was incorporated. Thereafter the Proprietors of 
 the township (the " Grand Proprietors " as they have been 
 styled) had no authority over the " Six Mile Square " or 
 " Settlers " part. The individual lands within the town 
 limits were distributed among the Settlers at various times 
 or sold for the benefit of the whole, — until the entire area 
 had been disposed of, the records finally closing in the year 
 1797. These records are now in the care of the Town of 
 Princeton, and deposited in the Town Library. 
 
 Sales and Transfers. During the years of preparatory 
 work culminating in the organization of a separate town 
 within the bounds of the proprietorship, there had been 
 many changes among the Associates by reason of death 
 and transfer of shares. These transfers do not appear to 
 have assumed, at any time, any degree of speculative 
 tendency, although as early as 17 14 we find record of a 
 sale by Captain Samuel Wright of a share for forty pounds, 
 which he had purchased for thirty-five pounds only a month 
 before. The original price, twenty-three pounds, paid the 
 Indians for the whole tract was doubtless satisfactory to 
 them, possibly foreseeing as they might that the lands could 
 be of but little value to them with the advancing march of 
 the white man. During the long period of thirty years 
 before any attempt was made to improve or realize upon 
 the investment, it is quite certain that the value was not 
 eaten up by taxes, as these were not assessed by the colony, 
 whatever might be counted as loss of interest upon the sum 
 advanced. But in reading the records of the meetings of 
 the Proprietors one can but notice the uneasiness caused by 
 delays of projected settlements, the apparent lack of inter- 
 est, and the meetings for financial questions to be solved. 
 To meet the oft-repeated calls for money required by the 
 maintenance of the few highways and bridges which the 
 increasing travel from the seaboard to the interior de- 
 manded, resort was sometimes had to sale of lots, and quite 
 
The Early Period 23 
 
 often to assessments upon the share holders. And there 
 is evidence of unwillingness on the part of some of the share 
 holders to meet the collection of these assessments, dodging 
 the payment of the tax. There is no doubt that the 
 financial embarrassment induced some to sell their shares 
 to others having more faith in the enterprise. And it is 
 reasonable to infer that the later purchasers, at least, 
 realized a fair return for their investment, especially when 
 they held corner lots w^ith meadows and uplands of corre- 
 sponding value. In 1724 a share was sold for £200. 
 With the establishment of the town well underway, the 
 Proprietors considered plans for the future, anticipating 
 the movements of the progressive New Englander in 
 pushing out over the frontiers " beyond the confines of 
 settlement and civilization." The remaining land of the 
 Township was divided into sections known as the North- 
 west Quarter, now Barre, the Northeast Quarter, now 
 Hubbardston, the East Wing, now Princeton, and the West 
 Wing. 
 
 East Wing. The first reference upon the Proprietors' 
 records to the East Wing, w^hich eventually formed one- 
 half of Princeton, is under date March 26, 17 18, when it 
 was voted '* that the Two Large Tracts or parcels of land 
 belonging to the Proprietors of Rutland on the East and 
 on the West of the township of the Settlers' part be divided 
 each into three and thirty or sixty-six farmes for the three 
 and thirty Proprietors, or whole shares, as Equally as may 
 be per Quantity and Quality any Large Tracts of meadow 
 to be Reserved as Common for the whole and each share 
 to have its proportion." The following June the Com- 
 mittee having charge of the survey was urged to " take 
 care " that these tracts " forthwith and with all possible 
 Expedition be Laid out — with all suitable accommodations 
 of ways for or to Each farme or lott." The survey of the 
 Wing was completed during the following summer and 
 plans prepared. The original is probably not in existence, 
 but among some papers found in Rutland a few years since 
 was a small copy. There are evidences of errors of the 
 
24 History of Princeton 
 
 copyist both in names and descriptions of the lots, but it 
 is sufficiently accurate to show the method of division and 
 to enable one to determine the present locations. The 
 Wing was divided into 48 lots of about 237 acres each, 
 33 being numbered consecutively i to 33, twelve " let- 
 tered " lots A to M, and three meadow lots, " Potitivater," 
 " Wachiisett " and " Deadmare.'' There were also six 
 " Gores " on the northwesterly end, containing in all about 
 237 acres. Many of the lines forming the boundaries of 
 these lots are still to be seen in the town, and all of them 
 can be readily traced. The easterly line of Lot B is a 
 few rods in the rear of the present Town Hall, and in the 
 spring or autumn standing on the hill one can trace the 
 sectional lines by the walls through valleys and over hills 
 almost to Rutland. 
 
 Father Ralle's War. With these plans before them the 
 Proprietors held a meeting November 5, 1718, at whid^ 
 
 25 of the 33 share holders were represented. An assess- 
 ment was ordered to cover a balance of £133, 18.4 for 
 expenditures incurred in surveys and for other necessary 
 charges. Before, however, the consummation of any plans 
 for settlement could be effected, new perplexities arose, 
 occasioned by the commencement of hostilities by the 
 Indians in the war known as Lovewell's or the Father 
 Ralle's war, in 1722. Discontent had arisen among the 
 Abenakis or Eastern Indians, resulting from real or fancied 
 wrongs in the taking of their lands, and this was fostered 
 and fomented by the machinations of the French officials 
 in Canada. The terrible scenes of King Philip's war were 
 renewed, villages were burned, men, women and children 
 massacred or carried into captivity. Great fear was felt 
 in the interior settlements, and many villages were almost 
 deserted. 
 
 Massacre in Rutland. In Rutland the exposure and 
 consequent danger appeared so great that a large propor- 
 tion of the families, perhaps two-thirds, left the town, 
 seeking security in the settlements on the coast and else- 
 where. On the 14th of August, 1723, five Indians entered 
 
The Early Period 25 
 
 the town, waylaid and killed the minister, Rev. Joseph 
 Willard, and two children of Deacon Joseph Stevens, 
 taking captive two others of the Deacon's children. The 
 inhabitants promptly called upon the Province for soldiers, 
 and although a small guard was sent there, great difficulty 
 was experienced In securing a number that could be in any 
 degree efficient. Other towns all along the border were 
 demanding similar protection, and the authorities were 
 unprepared to cope successfully with the emergency. 
 Though quiet prevailed during the following winter, the 
 enemy were on the alert in the spring, and notwithstanding 
 the watchfulness of the guard and the inhabitants, another 
 raid was made upon the town on the third of August, when 
 three men were killed. All through the summer the people 
 of Groton, Dunstable, Lancaster, Rutland and other 
 exposed towns were calling for soldiers to protect their 
 houses and to guard the men in the fields making their hay 
 and gathering their crops. In July of that year the mili- 
 tary guard about Rutland numbered but 38 men. But 
 the second attack upon Rutland not only aroused the 
 inhabitants and quickened the vigilance of the soldiers but 
 stimulated the government to active measures, resulting 
 in a very material increase of the military force in this 
 vicinity as well as in other places of anticipated danger. 
 The incidents connected with this war belong more 
 properly to the history of Rutland. A treaty of peace was 
 signed in December, 1725, and hostilities ceased. Some of 
 the absent families returned to the town, but many others 
 sold or abandoned their farms and made homes elsewhere. 
 In December, 1727, there were but about 25 families there, 
 and for some years thereafter the progress was slow. Still 
 there was a growth, and as gradually the fear of Indian 
 invasion was lessened, matters resumed the ordinary aspect 
 of a rural settlement. 
 
 Renewal of Settlement. The disturbances of these 
 years of war between 1722 and 1726 were a serious em- 
 barrassment to the Proprietors of the township. The 
 establishment of new towns was not only retarded but 
 
26 History of Princeton 
 
 rendered impossible and all of the operations of the Pro- 
 prietors practically ceased. In October, 1733, Adam 
 Winthrop, Esq., Rev. Thomas Prince and others took the 
 necessary legal steps for calling a meeting of the share 
 holders, which was held at the Royal Exchange Tavern 
 in Boston on the 7th of November following, there being 
 present thirteen gentlemen representing 11^ shares. A 
 Committee consisting of Messrs. Adam Winthrop, Samuel 
 Willard, Estes Hatch, Richard Bill and Francis Brinley 
 was appointed for the general management of the affairs, 
 and it was ordered that a new survey or renewal of bounds 
 of the East and West Wings, and the northern half of 
 Rutland be made. To meet the anticipated cost of this 
 with other necessary expenses, a tax of £10 per share was 
 laid. A full list of the fortunate owners of the shares at 
 that time with their respective tax appears on the records. 
 
 New Survey. Two surveyors, Samuel Willard and 
 Henry Lee, appeared willing to undertake the survey at 
 the same price, but Mr. Willard offered some small induce- 
 ment and the contract was given to him. Subsequently 
 he made an arrangement with Mr. Lee and the latter sur- 
 veyed the East and West Wings, doubtless commencing 
 the work as early in the year of 1734 as the season per- 
 mitted. For this work Mr. Lee received £100 with £7 
 additional for the division of the three meadow lots. The 
 distribution of the unassigned land in the East Wing soon 
 followed as appears by the following record : 
 
 " The Division of the unappropriated Lettered Lots, 
 Gores and Gussets in the East and West Wings in the 
 Southern half part of y"" Township of Rutland in y^ County 
 of Worcester, being after y*^ Rate of One hundred & fifty- 
 eight acres to Each of the Thirty three whole Shares ac- 
 cording as the said Divisions are described in a plat of each 
 wing laid by the Committee before y*" Proprietors of y'' 
 s"^ Township (Exclusive of y^ Settlers part) at their meeting 
 by adjournment y^ 24th day of Septemb'" 1734, ^t the 
 Royall Exchange Tavern in Boston. 
 
 The East Wing Cont"" 237 Acres in Each Lot. 
 
The Early Period 27 
 
 Letter 
 
 M 79 acres In y^ Southerly part to heirs of Peter Boul- 
 
 key. 
 
 Claimed by Capt. John Boulkey & Rev. Mr. 
 
 Benj. Prescot. 
 
 138 ac In North y to Adant WInthrop. 
 A 7 ac In South y to John Willard claimed by Thos. 
 
 Prince. 
 72 very Rocky adjoining Northerly on the 2^ 
 
 seven acres 
 
 Sixty three acres to Thos. Prince. 
 
 Nine acres to Wm. Allen. 
 158 Joseph Rowlandson now Wm. Allen. 
 B 79 In West y Joseph Willard now Mrs. Hannah 
 
 Fayerweather. 
 79 adj. East Simon Willard now Wm. Salter. 
 
 79 Eastermost Henry Willard now John Dolbear 
 
 5 c 
 
 6 -'• 
 
 Samuel Wlllard's sister Leland \. 
 C 79 South y Simon Willard — Rich'' Bill. 
 
 158 North y Daniel Willard — heirs. 
 D 79 West y Moses Parker — Sami Hatch. 
 
 158 Josiah Willard — heirs. 
 E 79 Jacob Stevens T.P. 
 
 158 Paul Dudley T.P. 
 F 79 John Willard T.P. 
 158 Thos. How T.P. 
 
 P.S. Claiming John W's whole right in y® 
 East Wing autg to 86 ac in this Division 79 
 ac are laid out In this lot & the other 7 In 
 lot H. 
 G 79 Joshua Edmunds 
 
 Sam' Waldo 
 
 112 Joseph Foster 
 20 Robert Blood heirs 
 26 Moses Parker 
 H 158 in West y Wm. Taylor Francis Brinley. 
 
 79 East Cyprian Stevens Sec^ Willard. 
 
 I 7 West y & Gore Cyp. Stevens by his wife Mary 
 
 Willard. 
 
28 History of Princeton 
 
 *" i?8 Ad? ■'"'"''' ^°''^' I ^^'"' ^^''''''° 
 
 T^ ^ J 1 T- ^ f Jona Oulton, Cor- 
 
 JLast y Joseph roster ] ,. „. ,, 
 
 ■^ -' ^ [ nelius Waldo 
 
 112 Eastermost & Gore Thos. Fitch. Fitch 
 
 Gore 59 acres. 
 
 K Granted to first Minister of Rutland. 
 
 L 79 Cyp. Stevens 
 
 79 Joseph Willard t Estes Hatch 
 79 Penn. Townsend J 
 
 Gores 
 
 a 7 ac. Jos. Foster Saml Waldo. 
 
 b 20 Thos. Brintnal Widow Hannah formerly 
 
 Willard. 
 
 c 33 John Chandler heirs Eben'^ Allen, 
 
 d 46 Thos. Fitch Fitch 
 
 e 59 Divided with I. 
 
 f 72 Cyp. Stevens heirs by wife, Saml Waldo. 
 
 Gift to Rev. Mr. Prince. Plans of these lots were 
 made and ordered to be put upon record, but unfortunately 
 do not appear thereon. The Proprietors granted to Rev. 
 Mr. Prince " In consideration of the great care & labour 
 he has taken in calculating & Computing y^ Divisions 
 above mentioned & other good Services perform 'd to the 
 proprietors," y2 acres of land in lot A " Not having been 
 set ofT to any of the proprietors by reason of the broken- 
 ness of it." Mr. Prince prepared many of the plans of 
 the Rutland lands, some of which are still in existence, 
 and show excellent workmanship. 
 
 November 26, 1735. Division of Meadow Lots 
 
 " The Northerly " Southerly End lines of the Three 
 Lots in y^ s*^ East Wing are supposed to be 191 1 poles in 
 length & their Easterly & Westerly side lines to be 200 
 poles in length, whether they be really longer or shorter: 
 
 These lots are here Divided: & the several Divisions 
 
The Early Period 29 
 
 Numbered, including both the medow & the Upland 
 contained in y*" s'^ medow lots, as the plat Describes them : 
 with the express intention, y* s*^ medow lots are exactly 
 as larg & broad as the plat Describes them, then the s"^ 
 Divisions must be exactly for Length and Breadth as they 
 are therein described; but if the s*^ medow Lots are really 
 larger or lesser, than their s*^ Division must be answerbly 
 larger or lesser; & the particular owners of the Divisions 
 in the several medow Lots must take care by agreement, 
 or otherwise to state the Bounds of their Respective 
 Divisions among themselves." 
 
 " One acre of medow valued as three acres of upland." 
 
 Wachusett 
 I. 21 medow 86 Upland Paul Dudley, Thos. How, 
 
 John Willard) \ Jacob Ste- 
 vens) Thos. Prince. 
 " Samuel Willard's heirs. 
 1 " Moses Parker = Oulton & 
 Waldo. 
 " T. Hutchinson. 
 
 heirs Jos. Rowlandson = 
 Wm. Allen (formerly granted 
 Allen). 
 VI. 4 " 23 Thos. Prince, Dec. 26, 1734. 
 
 II. 
 
 2 130 
 
 »i 
 
 IqSO 
 
 III. 
 
 36O 
 
 M 
 
 60 I 
 
 IV. 
 
 6i 
 
 »» 
 
 27i 
 
 V. 
 
 2 
 
 M 
 
 41 
 
 9 
 
 
 Dead Mare^ 
 
 I. 
 II. 
 
 III. 21 
 
 22| Upland 
 
 45 
 i6| 
 
 Cyprian Stevens = to Sect^ 
 
 Willard. 
 
 Col. Taylor = F. Brinley. 
 
 Jos. Willard = Hannah Fayr- 
 
 weather. 
 
 * In a report by Capt. Wright of Rutland, July 10, 1725, the following ref- 
 erence is made to this locality, which indicates the origin of the name by which 
 it was for many years known. " Our people are now beginning to mow their 
 out meadows we shall want a Strong guard, one Scout Came in Last night dis- 
 covered no Indians; tho the watch at one of the garisons Discovered an Indian 
 as they say 2 nights agoe by a Garison as they lay at some distance, this morn- 
 ing we found a mare as we Sopose Shot & Dead & Sopose the Indians shot her." 
 
30 History of Princeton 
 
 IV. 3 I4f " Penn Townsend = Anthony 
 
 Stoddard. 
 V. 6 100 Joseph Foster, Joshua Ed- 
 
 munds, Moses Parker, Cyp- 
 rian Stevens, Robert Blood 
 = Saml Waldo. 
 
 VI. 8 22 Upland Cyprian Stevens, Joseph 
 
 Willard, Penn Townsend = 
 E. Hatch. 
 
 Poutwater 
 
 I- 32 34^^° Adam Winthrop. 
 II. 90 rods30^°'^ Adam Winthrop, Dec. 26, 1734. 
 
 III. 15! Peter Boulkey's heirs = Capt. John 
 
 Bulkly & Benj. Prescot. 
 
 IV. 7I 23^° John White = ^ heirs, \ James 
 
 Pemberton, \ Saml Sewall. 
 V. 10 14^^*' Wm. Dudley = Col. Isaac Winslow. 
 
 VI. 6f 25'^° Josiah Willard's heirs. 
 
 VII. 6| 25I John Farnsworth = ^ Benj. Brown, 
 
 \ B. Dyer, \ John Buttolph. 
 VIII. 5f 27100 Simon Willard = ^ Wm. Salter, 
 
 i Rich-^ Bill. 
 
 Thus the whole area of the East Wing was equitably 
 divided among the proprietors. Similar divisions were 
 made of the other lands, settlements projected, and eventu- 
 ally towns incorporated. The Northwest quarter of the 
 district was incorporated as a district in 1753, and as the 
 town of Hutchinson in 1774, the name being changed in 
 1776 to Barre. The West Wing became a precinct in 
 1759 and the town of Oakham in 1762. The Northeast 
 quarter was incorporated as Hubbardston in 1767. The 
 remainder with a portion of Leicester formed the district 
 of Paxton incorporated in 1765. 
 
 Proprietors' Records. The Records of the General 
 Proprietors abruptly closed in 1770, the lands had all been 
 disposed of, and the plans, papers and books were ordered 
 to be committed to the keeping of the Hon. Moses Gill. 
 
The Early Period 31 
 
 Unfortunately the plans and papers are missing, but copies 
 of the original surveys of their respective lands are on 
 record in some of the towns above named. 
 
 The settlement of the East Wing, so often contemplated 
 but not yet accomplished, was again discussed by the 
 proprietors in June, 1742, when a committee was requested 
 to " Project a Method for Bringing forward settlements 
 in the East Wing in concert with the neighboring farmes 
 on the East Side thereof," but no report of the Committee 
 appears on record or of any action relative thereto. There 
 is some evidence tending to show that a few families were 
 living in the East Wing near to Rutland line at this period. 
 It is undoubtedly true that some of the lots, especially those 
 owned by Rutland men, were under cultivation long before 
 any dwellings were erected. These lands were reasonably 
 accessible, although the roads must have been at certain 
 seasons in a deplorable condition, even worse than when 
 subsequently attacked by those calling themselves high- 
 way surveyors. 
 
 French War. The war declared by the French against 
 Great Britain in 1744, known as the Old French War, 
 continuing for four years, doubtless had its effect in retard- 
 ing the settlement, as did also the French and Indian War 
 in 1754. This last was a heavy burden upon the Province 
 in men and means. 
 
 But while the East Wing was still " on the market," 
 awaiting the courageous settler or the removal of whatever 
 obstacle was preventing the beginning and growth of a 
 settlement, developments were taking place upon the 
 North and East of this tract which indicated an early 
 advance of the tiller of the soil. A large area of land lay 
 between Lunenburg, Westminster, Leominster and Rut- 
 land, much of it unappropriated, and none of it included 
 within the bounds of any town.^ The survey and location 
 
 1 In 1714-15 the Committee for laying out the township of Rutland, were 
 instructed to do so "as near as may be in a Square Figure, but withal contigu- 
 ous to the Line of the Towns of Lancaster, Worcester and Leominster if it 
 reached so far," but this was found impossible, as it would not cover the tract 
 purchased of the natives. They were, therefore, obliged to locate the town 
 and "leave a slip of land too small for a township." 
 
32 History oj Princeton 
 
 of quite a number of large tracts within this area granted 
 by the Province tended towards early settlements thereon, 
 and it appears that for a few years the new comers pre- 
 ferred locating near Lancaster, probably on account of the 
 greater facility for travelling and the procuring of Supplies. 
 The action of the Rutland proprietors in 1742, referred to 
 above, was doubtless occasioned particularly by the pro- 
 posed movement of Mr. Wilder hereafter described, and 
 by the frequent grants made by the General Court of 
 Province Land. Leaving for the present the East Wing, 
 let us look at the history of some of the " Farmes contigu- 
 ous to the East Wing," which contains much of interest 
 and valine and a record of the first settlers within the present 
 limits of Princeton. A reference to the accompanying 
 plan will make clear to the reader the location of the 
 " Farmes " and the several grants hereafter described. 
 
The Early Period 
 
 33 
 
 Plan of the Farms as Traced out by Mr. Blake. 
 
 I. 
 
 Rutland East Wing. 
 
 14. 
 
 Notown. 
 
 2. 
 
 Hubbardston. 
 
 15- 
 
 Muzzey's. 
 
 3. 
 
 Hubbardston Annex. 
 
 16. 
 
 Stevens'. 
 
 4. 
 
 Westminster. 
 
 17- 
 
 Potash. 
 
 5. 
 
 Leominster. 
 
 18. 
 
 Watertowa Farms. 
 
 6. 
 
 Sterling. 
 
 19. 
 
 Mayhew. 
 
 7. 
 
 Rutland. 
 
 20. 
 
 Allen's. 
 
 8. 
 
 Stillriver. 
 
 21. 
 
 Wilder's. 
 
 9- 
 
 Allen's. 
 
 22. 
 
 Brattle Farm. 
 
 10. 
 
 Wachusett Mountain. 
 
 23- 
 
 Blagrove. 
 
 II. 
 
 Kneeland's. 
 
 24. 
 
 Loring Farm. 
 
 12. 
 
 Drury's. 
 
 25- 
 
 Hart well's Meadow 
 
 13- 
 
 Willard's. 
 
 
 
CHAPTER III 
 THE FARMS ADJOINING 
 
 Province Grants. First in importance as to extent and 
 value is the tract of 2000 acres known as, — 
 
 Watertown Farms. The origin of the name and the 
 occasion of the grant are clearly established. 
 
 In 1637 the General Court granted to the town of Water- 
 town " land to accommodate 50 or 60 families at the River 
 that runs to Concord," but a controversy arose with the 
 town of Sudbury concerning its location. The dispute was 
 finally settled by the Court and the following order passed 
 in May, 1651. 
 
 " Its ordred by this Court that Watertowne shall haue 
 two thousand accors of land layd out neere Assabeth River, 
 joyninge to the bound of Sudbury, in respect of such land 
 as was wantinge to them, which was graunted them formerly 
 by this Court, to be the bound of their towne, & that Capt. 
 VVillard & Lieut. Goodenow are appoynted to se this done 
 & performed, & to make returne there of to this Court at 
 theire next session, p'vided it be not p'judiciall to any 
 former graunts." (Col. Record 3 : 235.) 
 
 No return of this Committee appears on the records of 
 the Court, and the location of the grant was evidently 
 neglected for many years. 
 
 The next mention of the subject on these records is in 
 1726, although it is probable that some previous attempts 
 to secure the land were made by the town. At a meeting 
 of the inhabitants of Watertown on the 14th of March 
 1725-6, it was " put to vote whether the Town will choose 
 a Committee to Adress the great and General Court for 
 a Sutable Track of Land to settle their young people on, 
 and to endeavour the obtaining the former Grants which 
 were made to Watertown that have not yett been Obtained, 
 and the Vote past in ye Affirmative." 
 
 34 
 
The Farms Adjoining 35 
 
 In December following a petition to the Court was 
 presented by the towns of Watertown and Weston (the 
 latter having- been originally within the bounds of the 
 former town) reciting in substance the above facts and 
 stating that " the grants have not yet been taken up or 
 satisfied." " And forasmuch as the Inhabitants are much 
 straightened as to land so that many of them have been 
 obliged to remove out and settle in other places," they 
 prayed that a grant of Province Land might be made for 
 their relief. 
 
 Not accomplishing their desire at this time another 
 attempt was made in 1727, the Committee stating in their 
 petition that " your petitioners have for many years past 
 solicited your Honours even before the time of Limitation 
 for settling Grants was expired, but have never yet been 
 favored so far as to be allowed to survey the said additional 
 Grant " and they " are once more Emboldened to lay their 
 Case before your Honrs for your Wise and Just Considera- 
 tion." 
 
 The only result of this appeal was a reference to the next 
 session. Not to be baffled, however, the towns in June, 
 1728, repeated their request and this time it was favorably 
 considered and a grant of two thousand acres of Province 
 Land was made to them. This appears to have been satis- 
 factory to the towns and in October following a survey was 
 made of a tract " joining to the Great Watchusett Hill," 
 which was Confirmed by the General Court, Sept. 25, 1729. 
 
 The bounds of this tract are given on the plan on file in 
 the State Archives as follows: — 
 
 " South Westerly by Rutland line, every other way by 
 Province Land, beginning at Rutland line N. 39 W. 
 840 perch on Rutland line, East 39 North 86 perch East 
 4 North 140 perch under great Watchusett, North 40 East 
 160 perch. East 35 South 654 perch and South 35 West 
 600 perch to Rutland line." 
 
 As Russell says the westerly line is " daintily deflected 
 to exclude the mountain, and at the same time include all 
 the valuable land at its base." This was not the only time 
 
36 History of Princeton 
 
 the mountain was " left out In the cold " by Surveyors, 
 and it was only when the first minister of the district 
 secured it by gift from the Province that it was considered 
 worth much of anything. 
 
 The accompanying plan ^ will give a general idea of the 
 bound and location of this extensive tract, the western 
 boundary of which extended more than two miles and a 
 half. 
 
 Several unsuccessful attempts were made by Watertown 
 to find a purchaser for it. In 1756 the three towns Water- 
 town, Weston and Waltham, each then having an interest 
 in the tract, voted to sell it, and although no record of the 
 sale appears on the Watertown records, among the town 
 files, ^ however, is a report of a Committee dated the 12th 
 of March, 1758, showing that they had been successful in 
 disposing of it for £2005. (£802. Lawful money.) This 
 sum was equally divided between the towns of Watertown, 
 Weston and Waltham. 
 
 This conveyance was made to Josiah Coolidge by deed, 
 dated the 27th of October, 1756 (recorded Worcester deeds. 
 Vol. 38, page 207), and signed by Jonathan Bemis and 
 others acting doubtless as agents for the towns, although 
 not so stated in the deed. Very likely Mr. Coolidge the 
 purchaser was acting in behalf of what would now be called 
 a syndicate, but whether so or not, he, within a very few 
 years, conveyed the whole tract, or what appears to be the 
 whole area, to nine individuals as follows: 
 
 To John Samson 180 acres. 
 
 Henry Spring, Jr 100 acres. 
 
 Jeremiah Whittemore 264 acres. 
 
 Benj. Brown 343 acres. 
 
 Henry Gale 150 acres. 
 
 John BuUard 190 acres. 
 
 John Mirick 193 acres. 
 
 Lemuel Jones 153 acres. 
 
 Amos Spring 391 acres. 
 
 1 See page 33. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 37 
 
 making a total of 1964 acres. These parcels were after- 
 wards in many cases subdivided among the first settlers 
 of the district of Princeton. The whole tract appears to 
 have been at some time surveyed and divided into lots, 
 probably by direction of the above-named grantees, but 
 we are not aware of any plans now in existence. 
 
 After prolonged and persistent search through volumes 
 of deeds recorded in Worcester Registry sufficient informa- 
 tion was gained to enable the writer with the courteous 
 suggestions of Albert C. Howe, Esq. (whose ancestor was 
 early settled on lot number 14 still retained in the family), 
 to determine the location of the " squadron lines " and 
 make a plan of the whole which may be considered sub- 
 stantially correct. 
 
 The story of how the " Farms " became a part of Prince- 
 ton is told elsewhere. 
 
 Gardner's Farms. In endeavoring to trace the origin 
 of the name of " Gardner's Farms " more time and labor 
 have been expended than upon any other portion of this 
 work and the results have been far less satisfactory. 
 
 A careful examination of the public records proved fruit- 
 less, and the search was several times abandoned, only 
 to be again renewed, as some possible clue to the mystery 
 presented itself. Finally a plan bearing date of 1733 was 
 found in Worcester Registry of Deeds (Vol. 32, page 116) 
 describing a tract of 900 acres unappropriated land situated 
 in what is now Leominster, and upon this plan " Willard's 
 Farm" heretofore described was designated as "Gardner's 
 Farm." This farm as has been stated was granted to the 
 heirs of Rev. Joseph Willard, upon petition of Rev. Andrew 
 Gardner, and in this way appears to have acquired the 
 name of "Gardner's Farm." The title, however, appears 
 not to have been confined to that farm of 200 acres alone, 
 but embraced tracts on the west and north, probably with- 
 out any well-defined limits. A portion of this territory 
 with lands adjoining acquired subsequently the name of 
 No Town, as it was for many years unappropriated land. 
 
 The Rev. Andrew Gardner, a graduate of Harvard 
 
3& History of Princeton 
 
 University 1712, was in 17 19 settled as the first minister 
 of the town of Worcester. He was a very eccentric man 
 and his habits occasioned great complaints among his 
 parishioners; his " too ardent love for the chase of the deer 
 and the sports of the hunter," combined with other objec- 
 tionable characteristics, finally leading to a separation, from 
 his church, not without a lawsuit to recover his salary 
 which he considered due. 
 
 As elsewhere stated he married the widow of Rev. Joseph 
 Willard of Rutland, and subsequently settled at Turkey 
 Hills (Lunenburg) where complaints similar to those at 
 Worcester were made against him. Again taking up his 
 staff he removed with his family to Number " 4 " (Charles- 
 town, N. H.) and during the French and Indian war he was 
 in the service of the Province as chaplain at Fort Dummer. 
 
 It is possible that while at Worcester or Lunenburg he 
 acquired by grant or purchase lands in Princeton, other 
 than the Willard farm, but no record of such has been found. 
 There was in this vicinity a large tract of "unappropri- 
 ated " land of the Province and it is quite probable that 
 some of it was quietly appropriated by settlers and a title 
 acquired only by long occupancy, which may account for 
 the absence of record evidence of their title. Without 
 any attempt to locate exactly the several farms or estates 
 in this section, which is probably impossible, it will suffice 
 to mention some of the more prominent owners. 
 
 In 1750 Daniel Driiry of Shrewsbury purchased of the 
 Province for £14.5, 76 acres of land west of and adjoining 
 the Willard farm of which he then owned a part (for plan 
 see Mass. Archives, Vol. 46, pages 199-201). The next 
 year the Willard and Drury farms were conveyed to 
 Benjamin Wilson, who sold a portion to Da?iiel Gardner, Jr., 
 as before stated. This latter portion is described as 
 " Lying near a place called Crows Hill," (now in West- 
 minster), and an island near the northerly end of Willard 's 
 is named, both of which references may serve to locate the 
 tract or farm to those familiar with that region. 
 
 In 1757 Mr. Wilson with Moses Garfield built a saw 
 
The Farms Adjoining 39 
 
 mill, probably on or near the spot so long occupied for that 
 purpose, now occupied by Osgood's Mill. 
 
 In 1795 there was a grist or a saw mill there. There is 
 evidence also of there being two houses in that vicinity in 
 
 1754-^ 
 
 This was doubtless the first mill in the easterly part of 
 the town. 
 
 In a conveyance of a small lot of land with one-half of 
 the saw mill, Oct. 21, 1757, by Mr. Wilson " of Gardner's 
 farm near Watchusett Hill " to Mr. Garfield of the same 
 place, it is provided that Mr. Wilson shall " have the 
 priveledge of Laying Boards on a Little Knole or Ridge 
 Hill Easterly from the place where said W^ilson and Gar- 
 field are now Building a Saw Mill " and also the privilege 
 of building a dam, etc. (Worcester Deeds, Vol. 39, page 
 536.) 
 
 One of the brooks in this vicinity was designated as 
 " Gardner's Brook." 
 
 Among other owners of land in this vicinity were: 
 Edward Wilson, Edward Joyner, William Joyner, Gardner 
 Chandler, Abel Ray, Joshua Mosman, John Bowen, John 
 Frost, some of them acquiring their titles subsequent to 
 
 1759- 
 
 Edward Wilson (brother of Benjamin Wilson, above 
 named) as early as 1760 owned a part of Kneeland and the 
 Willard farms. In 1763 he, with Benjamin Houghton, 
 petitioned the Court for indemnity on account of their 
 bounds interfering and the land " falling short 45 acres," 
 for which Mr. Houghton was allowed £24. Mr. Wilson 
 also purchased of the State in 1781 for £20. in silver, 80 
 acres west of Drury's, extending to Westminster line, which 
 was probably the 80 acre lot which the Province attempted 
 to sell in 1762. His petition to the General Court in re- 
 lation to this land is of some interest. 
 
40 History of Princeton 
 
 Commonwelth oj The Massachusetts 
 
 To the Honble Sennitt and Hon^^^ House of Representatives in General 
 Court assembled att Boston April y* lo**^ 1781. 
 
 The petition of Edward Willson of Princeton Humbly Sheweth, — That 
 there is about Eighty acres of unimproved Land Lieing partly in Princeton, 
 and is unapropriated Land; & the property of the Commonwelth and your 
 petitioner being under Verry Low Circumstances unable to purchase a 
 farme to Live on haue Entered upon and made Some Improuement on said 
 premises in hopes of Receiuing some proffit from the same: but have not as 
 yet receieued any and your petitioner being Sensible that he is Lieable to 
 be Considered as a Trespasser; yet However Relieth on the indulgence of 
 the Hon^'e General Court and most Humbly Moues that he may be In- 
 dulged with Liberty of purchaseing the same att the full value considered 
 as in a State of Nature and as the Land can be of no possable seruice as it 
 Lies to the pubhck: but if sold may mak Considerable Returns to the 
 Commonwealth but if the Hon^^^ House should judge it in Expedient to 
 Indulge your petitioner with the Land att priuet Saile: prays the Land may 
 be sold att a publick vendue. 
 
 With Reserue that your petitioner may have a Just and Reasonable 
 allowance for his Labour out of the proceades theirof. 
 
 And your petitioner as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray &c. 
 
 Edward Wilson." 
 In House May 8, 1781 — ordered a Committee to apprize and Sell to E. W. 
 
 " In the condition in which it was before said Willison made any Im- 
 provements thereon."' 
 
 In 1765 he with Timothy Mossman (whose connection 
 with the Potash farm is elsewhere noted) petitioned the 
 General Court reciting that Wilson " bought 5 years since 
 a tract called Willards farm of 250 acres, that the curveyor 
 in laying it out took in 11 acres of Province land as part 
 of that tract, being part of 105 acres lying between Nolands 
 (Kneelands) farm & Gardners farm " that he, Wilson, has 
 built his house on the said 11 acres — that Mossman was 
 at charge of surveying the said 250 acres & both of them 
 were in the last war. They therefore prayed for a grant 
 of the 105 acre tract." 2 
 
 The House granted Wilson the eleven acres " where his 
 house was built," but the Council nonconcurred and a 
 second attempt resulted in a second denial. 
 
 'State Archives, Vol. 233, pages 30, 31. 
 ' Court Records, 25, 423. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 41 
 
 John Frost subsequently took the eleven acre lot and 
 John Bowen the 105 acres. 
 
 Mr. Bowen desired to buy this of the Province in 1771 
 and Asa Whitcomb was instructed in 1773 to sell it — the 
 eleven acres originally included in Kneelands farm " to 
 be prized & if John Frost who lives on it does not want it " 
 it was to be sold at auction. Mr. Whitcomb declared the 
 land of no value and declined to put it up, but the next 
 year it was sold, 103 acres to John Bowen, £1519, and 10 
 acres to John Frost for forty shillings. 
 
 A plan of this land is found in Massachusetts Archives, 
 Vol. 4, page 81. 
 
 During the war of the Revolution Mr. Bowen was a 
 sympathizer with the mother country, and with other 
 Loyalists was obliged to leave the country and seek safety 
 elsewhere. His land in Princeton was confiscated and sold, 
 and the net proceeds, £258, turned in to the Province 
 treasury. 
 
 Benjamin Houghton was one of the largest real estate 
 owners in the Province. In addition to the Wilder and 
 Allen farms previously referred to, he purchased of the 
 Province, in 1752, 329 acres on the northerly side of the 
 Mountain, extending to and easterly of Kneeland's farm. 
 The price paid for this was £42.6. 
 
 To this he added by purchase of a portion of Kneeland's 
 Farm and the conveyances to him on record are very many 
 as are also the sales made by him. 
 
 The land northeast of the Mountain he sold in small 
 farm lots to various parties, Abel Ray, Jr., Tilly Littlejohn, 
 and others (Littlejohn sold his house in 1790 to Ephraim 
 Woolson). 
 
 Blagrove's Farm. This farm (sometimes erroneously 
 called Blackgrove's or Blagrow's) comprising one thousand 
 or more acres, was situated in the southeasterly part of 
 the town, extending from the northerly bound of the East 
 Wing to Still River or Sterling bound. 
 
 It derived its name from Nathaniel Blagrove of Bristol, 
 R. I., and its history was discovered by me only after a long 
 
42 History of Princeton 
 
 and persistent search. For this history we must go back 
 to the early days of the Colony. 
 
 Capt. John Allen was a resident of Charlestown as early 
 as the year 1639. He was a man of some prominence in 
 that town, at one time a Deputy to the General Court, 
 and his name frequently appears in the public records, 
 especially in connection with his occupation as a ship- 
 master. In the Records of Massachusetts Bay, Vol. V, 
 page 427, appears the following under date of Nov. 7, 
 1668. 
 
 " The Court, Understanding that Capt. John AUIn hath 
 Severall times been imployed by order ffrom this Court, 
 viz tenn dayes, to look after a French ship upon the coast, 
 as also a voyage to Mounsieur De Aulnay, both himself 
 and ship, for the space of neere twenty dayes besides a 
 second voyage to the a foresaid D Aulnay wherein he was 
 about sixe weekes, to w'^^ may be added his lending M*" 
 Winslow, for the countrys vse, one hundred pounds in 
 England w'''^ was not payd in seven yeares after, & then 
 but in country pay: all w"*" considered the Court judgeth 
 it meete, as a manifestation of their acceptance of such 
 his good services, which hitherto hath not been tooke notice 
 of, so as to render him any answerable recompense, to grant 
 him a thousand acres of land where he cann finde it, 
 according to law, so as to take it not vp in aboue two 
 places." 
 
 This was a rather tardy settlement of obligations in- 
 curred some twenty to twenty-five years previously, but the 
 poverty of the Colony may have been sufficient excuse for 
 the delay. The possession of a boundless country afforded 
 an easy method of cancelling its debts, in cases where the 
 creditors were willing to take their pay in land. 
 
 In reference to these services of Capt. Allen the Court 
 records give several interesting items. 
 
 In May 1645, Major Gibbons was ordered to send 
 " two shallops furnished with men to goe for ye discouy of 
 what he shipp y^ lyeth houring about these Coasts is, & 
 whence," &c. and a committee was authorized to draw up 
 
The Farms Adjoining 43 
 
 a commission to Mr. Allen who doubtless had charge of 
 the undertaking. 
 
 In the same year appears this record (referring to a 
 passport for a certain Capt. Bridge) " Capt. Rob* Bridge 
 is imployed by this Courte to negotiate w*** Monsieur 
 De Aulnay, Knight, left genne'' all for ye King of Fraunce, 
 in ye prince of Acadye, on ye Speciall affaires of ye comis- 
 sion'^ of ye Vnited Collonyes of New England, in a vessell 
 
 of whereof Mr. Allen is M'' ", &c. There were 
 
 two vessels besides Capt. Allen's employed in this expe- 
 dition. 
 
 In relation to the loan of money referred to by the Court 
 in 1668 we have an interesting item. 
 
 In a letter to Edward Winslow who was then (1649) in 
 England, the Court acknowledges the receipt of a letter 
 by the hands of Capt. Allen, regrets its inability to provide 
 suitable allowance for him (Mr. Winslow) and adds " yett 
 Shall wee hope by Gods assistance, faithfully dischardge 
 and satisfy Mr. Allen or any other from whom you have 
 receaved any moneyes in our behalf." And on the i8th 
 of October, 1649 " Itt is ordered, that the Treasurer doe 
 forthw*^'^ pay and satisfy M^ John Allen one hundred and 
 thirty pounds, in the best and current pay that comes into 
 the treasury out of this levye for his hundred pounds he 
 paid M' Winslow." 
 
 As the treasurer of the Colony received for the " Country 
 levy " or taxes all kinds of grain and produce (the price of 
 which was regulated by the Court, this year being " wheate, 
 at hue shillings, barely at fine shillings six pense; pease & 
 rye, four shillings; Indian corne three shillings ") vve can 
 easily surmise that Capt. Allen would gladly have dis- 
 counted his claim at a large percentage for coin. 
 
 However, the settlement of the account was made in 
 " country pay " as ordered, and nineteen years later the 
 Court endeavored to adjust the matter with him, together 
 with his other unsettled claims, by the grant of land above 
 named, and this was the origin of the farm within Prince- 
 ton bounds, known as Blagrove's farm. 
 
44 History of Princeton 
 
 Capt. Allen lived but a few years after the grant of the 
 land was made him, and by his will in 1672-3 he gave to 
 his wife, with his other estate " one thousand Acres of 
 Land given by the Contrye " which she was to hold for 
 the benefit of their children. Mrs. Allen survived her 
 husband but a short time, her death occurring in 1675. 
 
 One is inclined to think that Capt. Allen's right in the 
 one thousand acres of Province Land, was forgotten by his 
 heirs, for apparently nothing was done to secure it for more 
 than fifty years after the Captain's decease. 
 
 It was in the year 1727 that Thomas Church in behalf of 
 himself and other heirs of Capt. Allen petitioned the 
 General Court for the location and survey of this tract 
 granted in November, 1668. 
 
 This was ordered Dec. 9, 1727, and a plan presented 
 the following June was accepted, and the grant confirmed. 
 The bounds of this tract are so well defined on the plan in 
 the Massachusetts archives (a copy of which is also in 
 Worcester, Registry Deeds, Vol. 44, page 31) that there is 
 now no difficulty in determining its location. Upon the 
 same plan is a description of the " Hartwell farm " to 
 which reference is elsewhere made in these pages. 
 
 The river forming the easterly boundary of the tract 
 now Still River is described on the plan as "a Rocky 
 Stream of water being the Westerly Bounds of Lancaster 
 New Grant." (Now Leominster.) 
 
 The property thus confirmed to the heirs of Capt. Allen, 
 appears to have passed into the possession of one of his 
 daughters, Elizabeth, who married first Nathan Hayman, 
 and second Nathaniel Blagrove. The latter was a man 
 of some prominence in Bristol, R. L, where he was a judge 
 of probate, and when he died in 1742, by his will he directed 
 that the remains of his first wife, Elizabeth Allen, and those 
 of her former husband, Nathan Hayman, be taken up 
 " enclosed in one cofiin and buried in one grave." 
 
 It is not evident why the name of Blagrove should have 
 attached to the farm, but it was so designated as early as 
 1730. The title seems to have rested in the heirs of Eliza- 
 
The Farms Adjoining 45 
 
 beth (Allen) Blagrove, from her death until 1760, when 
 there was a division of the property among them (Wor- 
 cester Registry, Vol. 44, page 31). The parties then 
 entitled to share the estate were Rev. William Brattle of 
 Cambridge one-fourth, Rev. Israel Loring of Sudbury one- 
 eighth. Dr. Zachariah Harvey of Princeton one-third, 
 widow Alice Eunice one-eighth and Thomas Green one- 
 sixth. Mr. Brattle and Mr. Loring had married daughters 
 of Mrs. (Allen) Hayman, but the relationship of the other 
 heirs has not been ascertained. Dr. Harvey probably 
 acquired his share by purchases. 
 
 Upon a resurvey of the farm it was found to contain 
 1 1 50 acres " neat measure." To Mr. Brattle was assigned 
 250 acres on the northerly side, and to Mr. Loring 125 
 acres on the easterly side. A little north of Mr. Loring's 
 lot, and some 200 rods north of the present easterly corner 
 of the town on Sterling bounds, there is shown on the plan 
 a bridge across the river, and this is identical with the 
 location of the present bridge on the County road. 
 
 To Dr. Harvey was assigned the remainder of the tract, 
 and having purchased the shares of Mr. Green and Mrs. 
 Eunice, and being allowed 150 acres to make his proportion 
 " as good in quality " as the others, he became the pro- 
 prietor of 775 acres. The " Brattle farm " and " Loring 
 farm " are often named on the early tax lists of the town. 
 
 The Brattle farm was confiscated by the Government and 
 sold in 1 78 1 for £281.10, silver money to William Putnam 
 who the following year conveyed it to David Osgood. 
 
 Having traced the history of the Blagrove farm from the 
 year 1645 to 1760 it may be well to leave the subsequent 
 divisions and transfers for the investigation of the present 
 owners. 
 
 Muzzy's Farm. Benjamin Muzzy of Sherborn in 1729 
 petitioned the General Court " stating that he was taken 
 Prisoner by the Indians while he was a Soldier in service 
 of the Province, and endured a long and cruel Captivity 
 among them and narrowly escaped death, that the Wounds 
 and other hard Usage he received from the Enemy has 
 
46 History of Princeton 
 
 occasioned much sickness since his Return and a charge 
 to the Doctor, And therefore Praying for a Grant of Land 
 or a Sum of money out of the Treasury in consideration of 
 his Sufferings and Losses abouve mentioned." 
 
 The original petition of Mr. Muzzy cannot be found, 
 neither have any other facts concerning him been learned. 
 
 For a number of years, at this period, the Court was very 
 liberal in giving away the unappropriated lands of the 
 Province, and this liberality only tended to increase the 
 applications, which became very numerous and were 
 based upon all sorts of real or imaginary claims. 
 
 It was easier to satisfy these demands by gifts of land 
 than of money, and the result of Mr. Muzzy's request was 
 a grant of 200 acres. A tract on the north of " great 
 Wachusett " was selected surveyed and confirmed in May, 
 1730, but in December following, for reasons not appearing 
 on record, another tract east of Wachusett was substituted. 
 
 Mr. Muzzy sold the farm on the 13th of June, 1749, for 
 £400 Old Tenor to Robert Keyes of Shrewsbury who 
 with his family settled there in May, 1751, and this was the 
 farm where he was living when he lost his little child, to 
 which event reference is made elsewhere. 
 
 Potash Farm. The history of this large tract of land of 
 1500 or more acres, dating back to the year 1735, is of no 
 little interest. 
 
 For many years the subject of the manufacture of potash 
 in this country had occupied the attention of merchants, 
 and the General Court of this province had offered many 
 inducements to accomplish the desired object, not only to 
 meet the limited demand here, but also with the expecta- 
 tion of exporting to England in large quantities. The 
 abundance of wood in the province seemed to offer en- 
 couragement for its manufacture, and some attempts were 
 made, considerable quantities being produced in Ashburn- 
 ham, Leominster, Rutland and other towns, but probably 
 only a small amount was ever manufactured within the 
 limits of Princeton. 
 
 The various petitions and papers relating to this industry, 
 
The Farms Adjoining 47 
 
 on file in the Massachusetts Archives, are full of interest, 
 but this sketch must be confined to one project only. 
 
 Thomas Plaisted, a merchant of Boston presented to the 
 General Court, Dec. 29, 1735, a petition the substance of 
 which is given in the Court records (the original is not to be 
 found.) 
 
 " A petition of Thomas Plaisted late of London now of 
 Boston Merch* Showing that he is well acquainted with the 
 Mystery of making Potash which he apprehends may be 
 carried on to a good advantage in this Province. Propos- 
 ing to treat with a Committee of this Court & Praying that 
 some suitable Persons may be accordingly appointed to 
 receive & consider what he has to offer on that head, & 
 make report thereof to the Court. 
 
 In the House of Representatives Read & Ordered that 
 Joseph Gerrlsh " John Choat Esq^ Mr. Prout, Coll Brown, 
 M"" Thomas Cushing, John Alden & Nahum Ward Esq"", 
 Mr. Milbury, & Mr. Ingersol with such as the Hon^'^ Board 
 shall join be a Committee to take this Petition under 
 consideration and report their Opinion what may be proper 
 for the Court to do for the encouragement of the Petltlon*^ 
 in carrying on the Manufacture of Potash within this 
 Province as within mentioned." 
 
 " In Council, Read & Concur'd And Edmund Quincy, 
 Samuel Thaxter, William Dudley, Ebenezer Burrill & Isaac 
 Lothrop Esq'' are joined in the Affair." (Vol. XVI, page 
 248.) 
 
 The report of this Committee with the action thereon 
 is of sufficient interest to give in full. 
 
 Jan. 12, 1735-6. 
 
 " Edmund Quincy Esq'" from the Committee on the Peti- 
 tion of Thomas Plaisted gave in the following Report: viz. 
 
 '* In obedience to the Order of this Court appointing a 
 Committee to consider of the Petition of Mr. Thomas 
 Plaisted &c. We having met & discoursed fully with the 
 Petition*^ & received from him more particulars and Pro- 
 posals in writing, herewith exhibited, referring to the carry- 
 ing on the Manufacture of Potash within this Province, Are 
 
48 History oj Princeton 
 
 of Opinion that for Encouragement of the Petition'' in an 
 Undertaking so much for the service of Great Britian as 
 well as advantage to this Countrey, There be granted 
 Fifteen hundred acres of Land in some suitable place, 
 within forty or fifty miles of the Town of Boston, unto 
 some proper Person or Persons that this Court shall appoint 
 to be holden by him or them in trust & for the use of the 
 said Thomas Plaisted the Petioner, for the space of three 
 years; & that there be also advanced & paid him out of 
 the public Treasury the sum of Eight hundred Pounds to 
 be by him repaid together with the value or price of the 
 said fifteen hundred acres of Land at a moderate rate & 
 apprizement at the expiration of the term of three years as 
 aforesaid; For the payment of which sums the Petition^ 
 shall be obliged to find sufftcient security as also for his the 
 said Plaisteds making at least thirty Tuns of Potash & 
 sending the same to London according to the proposals 
 above mentioned; & that the said Manufacture shall be 
 openly & publickly carried on so that whoever shall labor 
 therein shall be made capable of manufacturing it them- 
 selves; & further that in order to his finding out a suitable 
 Tract of Land as aforesaid some meet Person or Persons 
 that are well acquainted with the unappropriated Lands, be 
 appointed as soon as the season of the year will admit 
 thereof, & at the charge of the Government to assist the 
 Petition'' in finding out & surveying the said fifteen hundred 
 Acres in order to its being granted & confirmed in trust as 
 aforesaid: and further we are humbly of opinion that if 
 the Petition'' efifect his design of introducing & carrying on 
 the said Manufacture to the advantage of the Province, as 
 he hath proposed, It will be proper to make the said Grant 
 of fifteen hundred Acres an absolute Estate, in the Petition*^ 
 & his Heirs, & that he be further rewarded for such his 
 good service to this country by an adequate generous 
 Grant or Allowance of this Government. All which is 
 humbly submitted. 
 
 By order of the Committee, 
 
 Edm^ Quincy." 
 
The Farms Adjoining 49 
 
 In the House of Representatives Read & Ordered that this 
 Report be accepted : 
 
 In Council: Read & Concur'd: & Joseph Wilder is ap- 
 pointed to assist in finding one & surveying the Lands 
 within mentioned: & in taking said survey, that he care- 
 fully view & consider the Quality of the Land, & return, 
 with the Plat, his Opinion of the value thereof at the same 
 time. 
 
 In the House of Represent""^ Read & Concur'd. 
 
 Consented to J. Belcher. 
 
 The restrictions placed upon the loan and the conditions 
 of the grant proved to be judicious in the light of subsequent 
 events. 
 
 One tract of land containing 1500 acres adjoining Water- 
 town farms was selected and surveyed and on the first 
 of July, 1736, was confirmed to Mr. Plaisted. 
 
 It would seem that the wooded lands in that vicinity 
 must have been of more vigorous growth than in later 
 years to induce Mr. Plaisted to accept this tract for his 
 experiments in manufacturing potash. 
 
 No plan of this tract has been found, and it is now 
 impossible to make one that is accurate, as the lines and 
 courses are not well defined. This is immaterial however, 
 as a subsequent survey proved that the original grant 
 encroached upon one of earlier date. The location of the 
 farm is indicated on the accompanying plan. 
 
 The most southerly portion was added to make up for 
 that which was lost on the northerly side by interference 
 with an earlier grant. If the recorded measurements are 
 followed exactly, a portion of the farm would possibly lie 
 in Leominster, but there is evidently an error in the length 
 of the line, which perhaps should read 200 instead of 280 
 rods. 
 
 A few months later Mr. Plaisted desired an understand- 
 ing about the payment of the proposed loan, and also asked 
 that the limit of three years time, within which he was to 
 
50 History of Princeton 
 
 commence the manufacture of potash, be reckoned from 
 his receipt of the mojtey and not from the date of the grant. 
 The latter was conceded, but it is probable that he never 
 received any funds from the Province treasury, nor had 
 occasion to call for them, on account of the successful 
 operation of his venture. 
 
 If tradition may be relied upon, he commenced the 
 manufacture of potash somewhere within the limits of the 
 farm, but soon abandoned it, and the history of his experi- 
 ments, the extent of his investment, and the cause of his 
 failure to make a merchantable article are hidden in the 
 past. He remained in the vicinity evidently for ten years 
 at least, as in 1738 he purchased " Mayhew's Farm " 
 adjoining, but nothing more is known of him or his move- 
 ments in Boston or elsewhere, nor the time and place of 
 his death. 
 
 It is only known that Mr. Plaisted failed to perform his 
 agreements with the Government and in 1759 the Court 
 ordered William Richardson, Esq., to take possession of 
 the farm in the name of the Province, which was promptly 
 done. Acting under direction of the Court, he reported 
 in April, 1760, that he had leased the farm to Timothy 
 Mossman, for one year, for the sum of six pounds. The 
 lease was renewed the following year. 
 
 It may be surmised that but little, if any, of the land was 
 under cultivation, yet this rental value (six pounds ster- 
 ling) for fifteen hundred acres may be an interesting item 
 for the present proprietors and residents of the village of 
 East Princeton and its surrounding farms, formerly in- 
 cluded within the bounds of " Old Potash." As early as 
 1754 there were two dwelling houses in the northerly part 
 of this farm, but the occupants are unknown, although it 
 is presumed that they were of the Mossman family. 
 
 Mr. Timothy Mossman, Senior, had been living on the 
 farm previous to his lease from the Province, as appears 
 by his petition to the Court in 1764, of which an abstract is 
 given. 
 
 " Your petitioner Lived at Dorchester Canada (Ash- 
 
The Farms Adjoining 51 
 
 burnham) and was drove off by the Indians, from that 
 Town, and thereby I Lose'd my House, moveables, and 
 Implements, and being impoverish'd sold my Lands there, 
 I was put in possession of the Pottash farm by virtue 
 of a Lease from Capt. Plaisted, where I did much Labour, 
 in fencing improveing & makeing roads to the value of 
 Two Hundred Pounds where also I met with Great sickness 
 in my person & family and was further reduced by the Loss 
 of the Possession of the Province Land as it became 
 profitable." * He asked that his indebtedness of £12. to 
 the Province might be " forgiven " and also for a grant of 
 a small tract of Province land between Westminster and 
 Leominster " that is useless to the Government " or for 
 the sum of £200. The Court cancelled the debt but 
 refused to give him either land or money. 
 
 This small indebtedness very likely represented two 
 years unpaid rent of Potash farm. 
 
 Mr. Mossman had formerly lived at Sudbury, where he 
 had brought up a large family. 
 
 As he was one of the early settlers of Princeton, it may 
 not be out of place to insert here another petition of his, 
 dated May 6, 1760. 
 
 " The petition of Timothy Mossman of Princetown So Called in the 
 County of Worcester Humbley shewing 
 
 To your Hono'': & Honours that his son Samuel Mossman was an Inlisted 
 Soulger in the Seruis of the Gouernment in the Expedition against Canada 
 in year 1759 under the Comand of Capt. Colt and in CoUoncl Abijah Wil- 
 lards Rcgement and so it was that my Said Son was a grate part of the 
 Sumer So much Indisposed that it Cost him Eightie pounds of his wages to 
 get Nesecareys for his Comfort and some short time before the army was 
 Dismissed he being so Verey weke and Low obtained Leue to Come home 
 and was brought in a wagon to Albaney and he much Dificultey got ouer 
 to Grenbush and was put into a barn where he Lay in a most Dredful Con- 
 djton None aboute him Expecting his Life: one of his acquaintance Sending 
 me word of my Said Sons Case I Imedetley send a man & horse vp to said 
 Grenbush for his Relif and when he the Said man ariued at Grenbush he 
 found my Son so Verry weke & Poor that he was obhged to tarey Some 
 Days before he Dare \'enture to Set out with him & after he set out they 
 came but thre miles the first Day and with the Gratest Dificultey after be- 
 
 *Mass. Archives, Vol. XLVI, page 485. 
 
52 History of Princeton 
 
 ing done 19 Days got home for which time and horse and Expences of Said 
 man I payed 29 Dollars as pr account here with Exhibeted may apper be- 
 sides all winter after being sik which surcumstances I would Humbley besech 
 your Hono"" and Honours to take into your Compashonate Consideration 
 and alow him said 29 Doolers which he actuley payed as aforesaid and make 
 him shuch further allowance for his Loss of time and Sickness Since he Came 
 home as you in your Grate wisdom and goodness Shall Judge proper as in 
 Duty Bound Do Pray 
 
 Timothy Mossmann."* 
 
 The thought of a man as sick as the one Mr. Mossman 
 describes brought from Greenbush, N. Y., to Princeton 
 on horseback, over the rough roads of a century ago, 
 appeals very strongly to our " Compashonate Considera- 
 tion," and it doubtless had its effect upon the Magistrates 
 for the sum of £3.54 was ordered to be paid Wm. Richard- 
 son, Esq., for the petitioner. 
 
 Mr. Mossman and his sons subsequently owned land in 
 Princeton, reference to which is made elsewhere in these 
 pages. 
 
 In July, 1 761, the authorities were notified of encroach- 
 ments upon the farm as follows: — 
 
 " Since possession of said farm was taken by Wm. 
 Richardson, Esq., appointed by the General Court in 
 behalf of the Province, the proprietors of said Lancaster 
 have laid out into Lots above two hundred & fifty acres 
 of the Southerly part of said Tract of Province Land, and 
 have cut and destroyed the Timber thereon, also the Tim- 
 ber on other parts of said Land whereby considerable part 
 of said fifteen hundred acres of Land is likely to be lost 
 unless speedily prevented." (Court Records, Vol. XXIV, 
 page 92.) 
 
 An investigation was ordered and the following report 
 made Feb. 9, 1762 (Mass. Archives, Vol. 46, page 452), 
 through Ezra Taylor, one of the Committee. 
 
 " On the 29th day of Last September I Repaired to 
 said Farm with a Surveyor and Chainman, and have run 
 the Lines Search*^ up and Renewed the Bounds all Round 
 said Farm And I find that in the originall Laying out of 
 
 1 Mass. Archives, Vol. LXXIX, page 151. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 53 
 
 said Farm It was Run on upon a Prior Grant made to one 
 Mr. Gardnier which will Take sixty four acres of said 
 Farm. I allso find that the most valuable part of the 
 Timber on said Farm is Cut of and appears to have been 
 Cheifly Done within Two years Last past and I Cant find 
 out any Person who has done it Except one Timothy 
 Mossman, who was then in Possession of said Pottash 
 farm (as he says) by Virtue of a Lease From William 
 Richardson, Esq'^ as Agent for the Government and was 
 allowed by him to Cut the Timber afore said, Supposeing 
 it was on Land formerly called Mayhews Farms and not 
 on Province Land. 
 
 And as to the Lotts which has been Laid out by the 
 proprietors of Lancaster in said Province Land, it plainly 
 appears To have been done without the Least Colour of 
 Right for so doing: 
 
 But without Doubt have gone upon the supposition that 
 the originall plans & bounds were Lost and that they might 
 Hold the Land by Takeing Possession thereof." ^ 
 
 Mr. Taylor reported the expense of this survey 
 
 Expenses of Surveyor and Chainman, 3 days 23.9 
 
 Expense myself and horse, 3 days 18.0 
 
 31-9 
 
 which sum was allowed by the Court. 
 
 What " Colour of Right " either Mr. Richardson or Mr. 
 Mosman had to the timber on Mayhem's farm does not 
 appear, although Mr. Plaisted who had purchased the 
 latter farm in 1738 may possibly have leased or sold it to 
 Mr. Mosman. (See Mayhews farm.) 
 
 The report of the Committee, as given above, resulted 
 in an order Feb. 11, 1762, authorizing the sale of the farm 
 with other Province land, all described as follows, — 
 
 " 1430 acres partly in Princetown called the Potash 
 farm, 502 acres in Princetown commonly called Great 
 Watchusett, 80 acres lying west of Potash farm." 
 
 The sale was to take place in Boston, the Potash farm 
 
 ' Mass. Archives, Vol. XLVI, page 452. 
 
54 History of Princeton 
 
 "to be set up at not less than £500." Wachusett "at not 
 less than £50., and the 80 acre lot at not less than £10." 
 the purchaser " to have i year to pay the purchase money 
 upon good security without interest." 
 
 An advertisement appears in the Boston Evening Post, 
 May loth, 17th, 24th, 1762, announcing the sale of these 
 lands on " Thursday the Third Day of June next, at Three 
 o'clock Afternoon, at the Royal Exchange Tavern in 
 King Street," and in February, 1763, the following report 
 was presented to the General Court. 
 
 " The Committee appointed to make Sale of Certain 
 Lands lying in the County of Worcester have Attended 
 that Service, and made Sale of the same in the manner 
 following viz* 
 
 The Potash Farm so-called sold to John Scott Merchant in 
 
 Boston for 670 . 
 
 Watchusett Hill Sold to said Scott for 65. 
 
 Also Eighty acres lying West of the Potash Farm sold to said 
 
 Scott for 12.10 
 
 "Received Earnest for the Potash Farm 10. 
 
 Received d° for Watchusett Hill 5 . 
 
 Received d° for Eighty Acres above mentioned 3 . 
 
 18. 
 To Cash paid Cap Stone for Expenses for house room etc. at the 
 
 time of sale 1.4 
 
 16.16 
 
 The ballance of the Cash received as Earnest for the 
 above mentioned Lands being Sixteen pounds Sixteen 
 Shillings your Committee have paid into the Province 
 Treasury, and taken his Receipt for the same. 
 
 Your Committee beg leave further to report that no deed 
 has as yet been given of said Lands or Bonds taken for the 
 money; the reason is that the Bounds of said Lands were 
 not properly Ascertained : Your Committee therefore pray 
 the further direction of the Court in the Affair: 
 
 All of which is humbly submitted 
 
 pr order John Choate." ^ 
 
 1 Court Records, Vol. XXIV, page 563. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 55 
 
 The Court ordered a new survey of the lands, but the 
 sale to Mr. Scott amounted to nothing, no deed being 
 given him, and nothing more is known of him in connection 
 therewith, although in a few deeds the tract is referred 
 to as " Mr. Scott's land." Mr. Scott was a Brazier of 
 Boston, and had, subsequently, business transactions with 
 Hon. Moses Gill. 
 
 The farm appears to have been an unprofitable and 
 troublesome piece of property for the province, on account 
 of the failure of Mr. Plaisted's schemes, the encroachments 
 of Lancaster people and others, the loss of rental, and the 
 unsuccessful bargain with Mr. Scott. If, however, the 
 place could not be sold, it could be given away, which 
 perhaps was the best plan to prevent further annoyance, 
 and this method was adopted in 1764 by resolve of the 
 General Court, as follows: 
 
 In the House of Representatives Jan'ry 26th, 1764. 
 Resolved that the Tract of Land belonging to this Province 
 Called the Potash farm Lying in Princetown District in 
 the County of Worcester Bounded as foUoweth (vz) 
 Easterly on Lancaster and Leominster, being at the South 
 East Corner, being a Corner of a farm Called Britmans 
 farm (written " Brightmores " in another record, but 
 undoubtedly should be " Blagroves ") at a Heap of Stones, 
 thence East 10 Degrees north 20 Rods to a great Rock in 
 the Brook, Thence vp the said Brook one Hundred and 
 thirty Rods to a Birch Tree on the Bank of the Brook, 
 Thence North 19 Degrees west 274 Rods to a Heap of 
 Stones Called the Squaw Cap, thence North 33 Degrees 
 East 280 Rods to a Heap of stones, thence West 34 Degrees 
 north 360 Rods to a pine Tree, thence west 9 Degrees north 
 31 Rods to a Heap of Stones, at a Line of a farm Laid out 
 to the Heirs of the Rev*^ Mr. Joseph Willard, thence South 
 5 Degrees East 69 Rods to a Heap of stones, a corner of 
 said farm, thence west five Degrees south 170 Rods to a 
 Heap of stones. Being the south west Corner of said farm, 
 thence west 7 Degrees north 52 Rods to a Heap of Stones, 
 thence south 27 Degrees East 102 Rods to a Chesnut Tree 
 
56 History of Princeton 
 
 Being a Corner of a farm Laid out to Capt. Joseph Stevens, 
 thence South by said farm 170 Rods to a Heap of stones, 
 at Meahews farm (so called) thence south 56 Degrees East 
 by said Meahews farm 330 Rods to a Black oak Tree, 
 thence south 34 Degrees west 94 Rods to a Heap of Stones, 
 thence Eastwardly 4 Rods to a Heape of stones, thence 
 south 34 Degrees west 322 Rods to a Heap of stones, vpon 
 the Line of Watertown farm, thence East 3 Degrees north 
 350 Rods to the Corner first mentioned — be and is Hereby 
 granted to the Honble Timothy Ruggles Esq' his Heirs 
 and assigns, for Ever, in Testimony of the greatfull sence 
 this Court has of the Important services the grantee 
 Rendered his Country Dureing the Late war more par- 
 ticularly while Commander in Chief of the Troops of this 
 Province furnished for the Reduction of Canada. 
 
 Provided that the grantee or his Heirs pay their Propor- 
 tion of a Tax of Two pence pr acre for Three years. Laid 
 by the Generall Court at their Sessions in Janry 1760, 
 vpon all the vnimproved Lands in the District of Prince- 
 town. 
 
 Sent vp for concurrence 
 
 Tim° Ruggles Spk^ 
 In Council Jan. 26, 1764. 
 
 Read and Concurred 
 
 A. Oliver Sec. 
 Consented to 
 
 Era Bernard ^ 
 
 Gen. Ruggles, long a resident of Hardwick was dis- 
 tinguished not only in military but in civil life. It is stated 
 that he " possessed powers of mind of a very high order," 
 that as a lawyer he was an impressive pleader and in debate 
 able and ingenious." 
 
 He attained high positions of honor and influence 
 was chosen president of the Council, and at the time 
 of the passage of the above resolve was Speaker of the 
 House. 
 
 * Court Records, Vol. 46, page 468. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 57 
 
 His sympathies, however, were soon cast with the Loyal- 
 ists, and at the evacuation of Boston in 1776, he accom- 
 panied the royal troops to Halifax. His large estate was 
 confiscated by the Government in 1779 and sold. From 
 an account rendered in 1780, it appears that the sales of 
 his real estate in Hardwick and Princeton amounted to 
 £31,890. " Lawful money " (£1292.1.6 " Hard money") 
 of this sum £5460. was received for about 600 acres of the 
 Potash farm conveyed by deed Jan. 3, 1780 to David 
 Osgood. 
 
 Gen. Ruggles had disposed of the larger portion of the 
 farm in 1772 — to Elisha Gale 176 acres, to John Bowen 
 42 acres, to Joshua Sponer 550 acres, and to Nathan 
 Billings 150 acres. Mr. Osgood, within a few years of his 
 purchase, disposed of a considerable portion of the land to 
 Messrs. Raymore, Richardson, Gale, Geary and others. 
 
 The whole territory is now subdivided into many thrifty 
 farms, with the enterprising village of East Princeton and 
 its various industries, but the name of " Potash farm " 
 " Old Potash " and " Ruggles farm " are unfamiliar to the 
 great majority of the inhabitants. 
 
 This somewhat extended account, probably embraces all 
 the important facts that can be obtained concerning this 
 once well-known locality. 
 
 Since writing the above the following items have been 
 found. 
 
 It appears from depositions recorded with Worcester 
 deeds that in 1764 Mr. Ruggles desired to perfect his title 
 to this property and these fortunately give us some idea 
 of the success of Mr. Plaisted's scheme. John Snow made 
 oath that he had lived for thirty years in Lancaster addi- 
 tional grant " and often laboured for one Francis Parker 
 ye overseer or Pretended Artis for making Potash for one 
 Capt. Thomas Plaisted. I never saw nor heard of but 
 about three Quarters of a Hogshead of Potash that said 
 Parker or any under him said Plaisted made on or about 
 said Potash Farm so called, and said Parker Brought three 
 Quarters of a Hogshead of Potash by my house it being the 
 
58 History of Princeton 
 
 main road from said Potash Farm to Boston for Transpor- 
 tation and said Parker shew it to me at my Door and that it 
 appeared to me to be of a much Inferior QuaHty to what has 
 been made in Lancaster and elsewhere since, that has taken 
 a good market in England as I have been informed." 
 
 Reuben Rugg, who lived on " the only cart road from 
 Plaisted's farm to Boston; said that it looked more like 
 the Cinder from a Blacksmiths fire than Potash " and 
 Phineas Willard gave similar testimony. 
 
 Wm. Richardson, Esq., declared that he understood 
 from Capt. Plaisted's remarks that he never intended to 
 fulfill his contract as to making Potash, but that he did 
 intend to hold the lands. ^ 
 
 William Richardson, Esq., of Lancaster testified " 20 
 odd years ago & after the Great & General Court had 
 granted 1500 acres to Capt. T. Plaisted upon certain 
 conditions, Since known as Potash farm and now in Prince- 
 town district — William Richardson kept a public house 
 in Lancaster & ye ad Thomas Plaisted was often at his 
 House & when speaking about ye Conditions of ad Grant 
 & in particular about eight hundred Pounds that the 
 Government was to lend him for some Time in Conversa- 
 tion ad Plaisted declared that he had been to ye Province 
 Treasurer for ye money but at that Time ye Treasurer 
 could not attend upon him & told him he must call again, 
 & ye s'd Plaisted said he never went again & in so doing 
 he had nicked ye Province, by which ye ad William ye 
 Depot from ad Declaration of ye ad Plaisted understood 
 that he intended to hold ad Lands without fulfilling the 
 Conditions of the Grant, & Mr Richardson appointed to 
 take possession of the land & did so & leased it for 2 years 
 & received the rent. 
 
 Feb. 7, 1764, by request of Timothy Ruggles."^ 
 
 Mayhew's Farm. This tract was on the northerly side 
 of Watertown farm, adjoining Capt. Stevens' and the 
 Potash farms. 
 
 1 Worcester Deeds, Vol. XLIX, pages 256 and 484. 
 * Worcester Registry Deeds, Vol. XLIX, page 256. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 59 
 
 A petition was presented to the General Court, Dec. 30, 
 1730, by " IMr. Experience Mahew of Marthas Vineyard 
 Clerk Setting forth his great Labours, & Services in con- 
 verting the Indians to Christianity, & the disadvantages 
 accruing to his own private Estate in attending that work 
 and praying from this Court a Grant of some of the un- 
 appropriated Lands of this Province in consideration of his 
 said Services." (C. R., Vol. 15, page no.) 
 
 Unfortunately the original petition of Mr. Mayhew is 
 missing from among the State papers (as are many others 
 referred to in these pages). But the substance of the 
 petition as given in the records of the General Court 
 explains the basis of Mr. Mayhew's claim upon the gener- 
 osity of the Province. He was then a minister of the 
 Gospel among the Indians at Martha's Vineyard, as were 
 his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, 
 and his own son after him, making in all a service of one 
 hundred and sixty years in preaching to the Indians by 
 the " five venerable Mayhews." 
 
 Rev. Experience Mayhew himself was engaged in this 
 work for sixty four years, being at the time of his death, in 
 1758, 85 years old. 
 
 He was specially fitted for this service, having been 
 familiar with the Indian language from his infancy. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Prince said of him " he has been all along 
 accounted one of the greatest masters of it (the language) 
 that hath been known among us." 
 
 He made a version of the Psalms and of the Gospel of 
 John, and published also an account of the religious work 
 among the Indian tribes of the Vineyard. 
 
 The reasonableness of his request was recognized by the 
 Court and a tract of 200 acres of Province land was granted 
 to him. A survey was made of land " one mile to the 
 eastward of the great Wachusett Hill," adjoining Water- 
 town Farm, and a plan thereof presented to the Court and 
 confirmed in June, 1731. Mr. Mayhew sold the farm in 
 1738 for £125. to Thomas Plaisted, who, at that time was 
 in possession of the adjoining Potash farm. 
 
6o History of Princeton 
 
 Mr. Plaisted is said to have leased it to Mr. Mossman 
 and very likely sold it to him but there is no record of any 
 transfer by Mr. Plaisted, Mr. Mossman, or any one else. 
 In 1776 it appears to have been in the possession of the 
 Mossman family, Timothy Jr., selling at that time to 
 Stephen Harrington forty acres described as " a part of 
 Mayhew's farm " and Abel, Joshua & Samuel Mosman, 
 brothers of Timothy Junior, also owned land adjoining, 
 from which it may be inferred that the father in some way 
 obtained possession of the farm and it was divided among 
 the sons. 
 
 The name of " Mayhew's farm " was retained for many 
 years in descriptions of this tract. The outline can readily 
 be defined today, 
 
 Allen's Farms. These were the property of Rev. Benj. 
 Allen of Bridgewater. 
 
 In a petition to the General Court in 1730 he set forth, as 
 recorded in the Court Journal (the original petition is lost) 
 that " he supported for many years in his house & at con- 
 siderable charge Ruth Nusuck an Indian Squaw being old 
 and sickly — in requital for which she conveyed to him by 
 deed a tract of land 5 miles long & 3 miles broad, lying to 
 the northward of Brookfield, most of which tract as the 
 petitioner is informed is taken up by Grants of the Court & 
 praying for an equivalent of land or otherwise relieved." 
 (C. R., Vol. 14, page 354, 463; Vol. 15, page 34.) 
 
 In response the Court in July, 1730, granted him 200 
 acres of Province land, which in September following was 
 increased by another grant of the same quantity making 
 400 acres in all. 
 
 Surveys were made and plans of the two tracts of land 
 are preserved. One of these, often referred to in the town 
 and other records as the Allen farm, embraced 229 acres 
 lying westerly of the Watertown farms and Southwesterly 
 of Wachusett hill. 
 
 The second piece containing 171 acres was in the South- 
 easterly part of the town between Watertown and Blagrove 
 farms. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 6l 
 
 Mr. Allen was a native of Tisbury, graduated at Yale 
 College 1708 and was ordained in 17 18 at Bridgewater 
 where he was pastor ten or twelve years, but " being an 
 unsuccessful manager of his secular concerns, he Jell into 
 debt, and the parish after often relieving him became at 
 last weary of it, and he was dismissed by an ecclesiastical 
 council." 
 
 He was subsequently settled at Cape Elizabeth, Me., 
 where he died, in 1754, at the age of 65. 
 
 While at the latter place, he sold, Jan. 5, i736-7» the 
 smaller of the two farms (stated as containing 169 acres) 
 for £130. current money to Benjamin Houghton. (Mr. 
 Houghton appears to have had some years after controversy 
 concerning the boundaries of his farm with Joshua Wilder 
 who owned land adjoining.) 
 
 The larger tract near the Watertown farm Mr. Allen 
 sold in 1739 (then 231 acres) to Epes Sargent of Gloucester 
 for £150. thus realizing from the entire grant the sum of 
 £280. which it is hoped enabled him to keep out of debt. 
 The last named farm was conveyed in 1771 for £230. to 
 Rev. Timothy Fuller who already owned 500 acres adjoin- 
 ing on the north, including Wachusett hill. 
 
 Willard's Farm. The Rev. Joseph Willard a graduate 
 of Harvard College in 17 15 was invited by the inhabitants 
 of Rutland in 1721 to settle with them as their minister. 
 He was then about twenty-one years old, and this was 
 his first pastorate. 
 
 The young man found the place not so pleasant as he 
 probably anticipated and was disheartened as seen by his 
 letter, a copy of which is recorded on the book of the Pro- 
 prietors of Rutland under date of October 19, 1722. He 
 refers to the call of the town and adds " after serious con- 
 sideration and humble addresses to heaven for direction 
 I did accept, and accordingly began my building but have 
 not been able to go on with it by reason of the people's 
 backwardness and neglect of helping it forward by their 
 work as they might have done, which, as also the removal 
 of nigh or about two-thirds of the inhabitants out of the 
 
62 History of Princeton 
 
 town, has Discoraged me from any further attempt 
 towards building, and with the Concurance of several other 
 things have altered my thoughts of settleing among you. 
 I have therefore (Eying the Divine providence therein) 
 thought it my duty to acquaint you with my purpose and 
 design speedily to Remoue from you and desire you to 
 Communicate this to the Inhabitants that they may timely 
 seek out for some other person to labour in the work of 
 the ministry among them." 
 
 The situation of the settlers in Rutland at this time was 
 truly very discouraging and even serious, as they were 
 living in constant fear of sudden incursions of the Indians 
 whose ravages were causing consternation among the 
 various settlements on the frontier. 
 
 With the assistance of the Government preparations 
 were made to repel any attacks of the enemy, garrisons 
 were established, scouts sent out to watch for the enemy, 
 and a fort was ordered to be built about Mr. Willard's 
 house. (A portion of this house was standing in 1885 in 
 Rutland.) Notwithstanding this distressing condition of 
 affairs Mr. Willard withdrew his resignation and in the 
 fall of 1723 preparations were made for his installation as 
 pastor of the church. 
 
 By August of that year, however, fear of the savages had 
 so alarmed the inhabitants that out of some seventy-five 
 families not over fifteen remained in the town. A few of 
 these returned after peace was restored, but as late as 1727 
 there were only twenty-five families in the town, and the 
 settlement was so retarded by these troubles that it was 
 many years before much progress was made. 
 
 Note. In a petition to the General Court by Simon Davis in behalf of 
 the town in 1727, he says, referring to the time of Mr. Willard's death,' "it 
 being a time of warr, many of the Inhabitants of the s,^ Town (who were in 
 number Sixty Families then Setled) drew off and left their habitations, so 
 that there were not above Fifteen Families remaining. But after ye peace 
 with the Indians was concluded, several of them returned again, and are now 
 grown to the number of Twenty Five Families or thereabout." 
 
 ' Mass. Archives, Vol. 113, page 732. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 63 
 
 Mr. Willard's change of purpose and willingness to remain 
 in the town, cost him his Hfe, for on tiie 14th of August, 1723, 
 he was attacked and killed by the Indians. His proposal 
 ten months before " speedily to Remove " from the town 
 must have seemed to his neighbors as almost prophetic. 
 
 Concerning this sad ending of his life, it is related that 
 vv^hile away from his house on a hunting excursion, he was 
 suddenly attacked by two Indians who fired upon him. 
 He returned the fire, wounding one of them, upon which 
 the second closed in with him, and with the assistance of 
 three others who had appeared on the scene killed him. 
 Removing his scalp and taking some of his clothing they 
 escaped. In a letter from Lieutenant Governor Dummer 
 to Monsieur Vandreuil, Governor of Canada, January 19, 
 1724, in Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 50, page 106 (re- 
 ferring to the alleged murder of Father Ralle, a Jesuit 
 teacher) he says: " And I think I have much greater cause 
 to complain that Mr. Willard the Minister of Rutland 
 (who never had been guilty of the Facts chargeable upon 
 Mr. Ralle) was by the Indians you sent to attack that 
 Town, assaulted. Slain & Scalped & his Scalp carried in 
 triumph to Quebec." 
 
 Some time after Mr. Willard's death, his widow married 
 Rev. Andrew Gardner into whose family her two children 
 William and Joseph were received. Mr. Gardner was set- 
 tled at Lunenburg, but subsequently removed to Charles- 
 town, N. H. Further reference to him will be found under 
 the article on " Gardner's Farms." 
 
 It is interesting to note that one of Mrs. Willard's sons, 
 Joseph, was in 1760 with his wife and five children taken 
 captive by the Indians. The youngest child was killed 
 and the rest of the family carried to Canada where they 
 remained until the surrender of Montreal, when they were 
 released. 
 
 In 1729 Mr. Gardner in behalf of the children of Rev. 
 Joseph Willard petitioned the General Court for a grant 
 of Province land, stating that Mr. Willard was killed by 
 the Indians in the late war and in defending his own 
 
64 History of Princeton 
 
 life " did in all probability kill one or more of said 
 Indians." 
 
 The Court made a grant of 300 acres of unappropriated 
 land in answer to this petition and a survey of a lot " West 
 from Lancaster Additional grant & East from Wachusett," 
 bounded " all about by common land " was confirmed 
 Dec. 19, 1730. (Mass. Archives, Vol. 14, page 348.) 
 
 Only a portion of this grant was included within the 
 original limits of Princeton, the northerly portion belong- 
 ing to that tract being known for many years as part of 
 " No-Town." 
 
 It retained the name of " Willard's farm " for years, but 
 in some instances was called " Gardner's farm," to which 
 reference is made hereafter. 
 
 In 1 75 1 Daniel Drury of Shrewsbury and Benjamin 
 Willard of " Potash " for £300. Lawful money conveyed 
 this tract with an adjoining lot of 76 acres to Benjamin 
 Wilson, who soon sold a part of it to Daniel Garfield, Jr., 
 and somewhere within this territory a saw mill was erected, 
 being the first one in that neighborhood of which we have 
 any record. 
 
 The history of the occupancy of these lands is so inter- 
 woven with other adjoining tracts, that all are included 
 in the article on Gardner's farm. 
 
 Kneeland's Farm. This farm, occasionally referred to 
 as " Nolands " was situated in what is now the northerly 
 part of the town, adjoining Westminster including within 
 its bounds a portion of Wachusett pond. It is difficult 
 to determine the exact location, but its northerly corner 
 was about fifty rods north of the pond on Westminster line, 
 very near the old corner bound of the town before " No 
 town " was annexed. 
 
 Samuel Kneeland was a resident of Boston, for many 
 years was printer for the General Court, and was also 
 interested in the publication of many books and of one or 
 more newspapers of his day. This " ancient and respect- 
 able printer " bore an excellent reputation and was a useful 
 citizen, " sustaining to the end the character of an upright 
 
The Farms Adjoining 65 
 
 man & good Christian." His death occurred, Dec. 14, 
 1769, at the age of 73. 
 
 His partner, Bartholamew Green was the recipient of 
 lands from the Government, and in 1734 Mr. Kneeland 
 petitioned the General Court in his own behalf, praying 
 for a grant of Province lands for the reasons set forth, — 
 that he has officiated as Clerk of the Narragansett Com- 
 pany and has spent much time & labour in that Service, 
 whereby he has not only served the Said Company, but 
 eased the Committees of the General Court of a great 
 deal of trouble in finding out mistakes in the Lists & 
 rectifying them: for which he has not received any satis- 
 faction." 
 
 The House of Representatives favored the petition but 
 the Council refused its sanction: though a few months 
 later, April 16, 1735, a grant of 250 acres was made, and 
 upon presentation of a plan the lot as described above was 
 confirmed on the 20th of December, 1735. (C. R., Vol. 20, 
 pages 115, 238 — Plans Vol. 
 
 In 1737 Mr. Kneeland mortgaged the farm and in 1740 
 sold it to Samuel Hewes of Boston for £200. In 1759, at 
 which time there were buildings upon the lot, Mr. Hewes 
 conveyed it to Edward Wilson (to whose possessions 
 reference is elsewhere made) who in turn conveyed to 
 Benj. Houghton 45 acres, David Osgood, Jr., 102 acres, 
 and John Frost 107 acres. 
 
 Subsequently a large portion of the farm came into 
 possession of the Everett family. 
 
 Stevens' Farm. The facts connected with the history 
 of this farm are full of interest. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Stevens removed from Sudbury about the 
 year 1720 to Rutland, where he became prominent in town 
 affairs, was deacon of the church, ensign and captain in 
 the militia, and innholder, and in every way was accounted 
 a worthy man. 
 
 The severe losses he sustained in his family by reason 
 of the Indian invasion have been related in several publica- 
 tions, but we are indebted to the historian of Charlestown, 
 
66 History of Princeton 
 
 N. H., where one of Mr. Stevens' sons subsequently settled, 
 for the most satisfactory account. 
 
 On the 14th of August, 1723 (the same day In which Rev. 
 Mr. Willard was killed, as elsewhere related), Capt. Stevens 
 was making hay in the " meeting house meadow," and as 
 his four sons were going to join him, they were surrounded 
 by five Indians, who immediately slew two of them, and 
 took Phineas, the eldest, and Isaac the youngest, prisoners. 
 The father saw the transaction, but knowing that he 
 was powerless to resist made his escape into neighboring 
 bushes. 
 
 Isaac was only about four years old, and the savages soon 
 manifested their intention of killing him, but Phineas, 
 then some seventeen years of age, quickly apprehending 
 their design, succeeded in making them understand that 
 if they would spare the child he would relieve them of all 
 trouble in relation to him by carrying him on his back. 
 The boy was spared and the brother fulfilled his agreement 
 and carried him through the whole journey to Canada. 
 
 The children were held in captivity for over a year, and 
 were released only after persistent efforts of the father and 
 at great expense. 
 
 Two journeys to Canada were made by him and that 
 was no easy task in those days. Upon the first visit he 
 succeeded in securing one of the boys, but the other he was 
 obliged to leave in captivity a while longer. We may be 
 assured that he spared no pains to accomplish the desired 
 object and enlisted in his behalf the services of all who could 
 in any manner render assistance. In the Archives of the 
 State (Vol. 51, page 399) is a letter of Lt. Gov. Dummer to 
 the Intendant General of Canada, dated April 15, 1724, in 
 
 which he says " Theun happy Man M"" Stevens 
 
 had two of his Children murder'd by the Salvages & two 
 more carried into Captivity by them. I know I need not 
 say anything to a Gent of y'" Rank & Goodness to move 
 you to a generous Compassion for the distress'd." What 
 effect this letter had does not appear, but Mr. Stevens 
 succeeded that year in getting one of his sons released. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 67 
 
 Since this was written I have found a letter from Mr. 
 Brintnall, an officer in command at Rutland, dated Aug. 
 19th, 1724, in which he says " Ensign Stevens is arrived 
 with his son from Canada, he intends to be att Boston with 
 your Honor on Monday next." This shows that the son 
 returned in just about a year from the date of his capture, 
 while the other had not been released the following Novem- 
 ber. 
 
 Soon after his return to Rutland, he addressed a letter 
 to Governor Dummer and to the General Court which is 
 of sufficient interest to copy entire.^ 
 
 This letter not only shows Mr, Stevens' strong desire 
 for the liberation of his own son but evinces sincere sym- 
 pathy for all others in captivity. 
 
 The expenses of Capt. Stevens in his attempts to regain 
 his children, bore heavily upon him and almost impoverished 
 him. In this unhappy condition he followed the example 
 of many others and petitioned the General Court in 1732 
 for a grant of land " to settle his sons on " stating (in the 
 words of the records. Vol. 15, page 325) that " his great 
 losses and sufferings occasioned by the late Indian War 
 more especially his great Charge in two Journeys to 
 Canada, which he took to get his two Sons released out of 
 Captivity which has obliged him to sell the greatest part 
 of his land." 
 
 In compliance with this request the Court granted, 
 Nov. 29, 1732, 200 acres of land which were subsequently 
 surveyed and laid out north of Watertown farm and south- 
 easterly from Wachusett Hill. A plan of the lots is in 
 Vol. 2 of Ancient Plans in Mass. Archives. 
 
 The father, however, did not " settle his sons " on this 
 farm but seven months after it was confirmed to him, sold 
 it to Benj. Houghton for £100. current money. (Wor. 
 Deeds, Vol. 8, page 267.) 
 
 Of the two sons released from captivity it is stated that 
 the youngest, Isaac, while with the Indians acquired many 
 of their habits and became attached to his " squaw mother," 
 
 ^ Mass. Archives, Vol. ii, page 407. 
 
68 History of Princeton 
 
 so that he would willingly have remained with her. He 
 was married in Rutland where he resided many years. 
 
 The eldest son, Phineas, remained in Rutland until 
 about the year 1745, when he moved to Charlestown, 
 N. H. In the latter town he became one of the most 
 trustworthy of its citizens, and as a military man achieved 
 a high reputation. His observation of " Indian habits 
 and character and of their peculiar mode of strategy and 
 warfare " during his captivity specially fitted him for the 
 public duties he was called to perform. In 1749 he was 
 commissioned by the Governor of Massachusetts to go to 
 Canada and negotiate for the redemption of captives held 
 by the Indians, and subsequently made several journeys 
 for the same purpose. (See Mass. Archives, Vol. 73, page 
 690). In one visit he succeeded in redeeming John Stark 
 (afterward the General of Revolutionary fame.) 
 
 Capt. Stevens, the father, in his later years was in 
 straitened circumstances, so much so that he was assisted 
 by friends.^ 
 
 Johnson's or Hartwell's Farm. Capt. Edward Johnson 
 of Woburn, the early New England historian, had several 
 grants of land from the Colony, on account of his public 
 services, which were as varied as they were valuable. 
 
 He is best known as the author of " Wonder Working 
 Providence of Sion's Saviour," a work of much historical 
 value notwithstanding its peculiarities. 
 
 Capt. Johnson's eccentricity is shown very forcibly in 
 one petition to the Court which appears among the State 
 files. It is in the Captain's own writing and such an 
 unusual document that we print it in full, although it has 
 no special reference to the town of Princeton. 
 
 " To the Supreame & high Hounoured power of this 
 desspicable Desart Stated in the Hands of Magistrates & 
 Deputyes Assembled in Generall Court Hounoured. 
 
 Submitting to y"*" noe lesse pious then prudent Judg- 
 ments. 
 
 ' See History of Framingham for note about payment of money to Dea. 
 Stevens. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 69 
 
 The Request of him, who would Bee: not onely y"' 
 Humble Searvant but alsoe possessor of som small track 
 of land to the quantity of 500 ! Acres (where the Lord whos 
 is the Earth & the fullness theirof) hath layd it as yet 
 vnpossessed by any Towns or person. 
 
 Motives of Justice & Compassion, touched will soone 
 take if your hounoured Could but see any in Him who has 
 waited one this Hounoured assembly for, 15, years of his 
 few evell dages & is Reddy (through high conceitednes of 
 him selfe) to touch vppon the first Embrce of or Lawes & 
 curbing the Enemies of this well ordered government yet 
 the plumes of Such light fethers, may soone Be pressed 
 downe By the gravetie of this Honoured Court in him 
 who is bound in Conscience to Bee (what ever yo*^ Answer 
 shall Be). 
 
 Your Hounoured to Serve, 
 
 Edward Johnsen. 
 
 In answer to this petition the deputies think meete to 
 graunt the pet*^ three hundred Acres of land where he can 
 find it according to law with reference to the consent of o"" 
 hon*^ mag''"". 
 
 William Torrey. 
 8 (4) 1658. 
 
 Consented to by the Magis*^ 
 
 Edward Rawson, 
 
 Secret^. 
 
 (Mass. Archives, Vol. XLV, page 65.) 
 
 This grant was taken up on the " Westerne wide of 
 Merremacke River." 
 
 In May, 1662, another grant of 200 acres was made 
 Capt. Johnson, but as it was " never recorded " a con- 
 firmation was made Oct. 20, 1663, the Court giving him 
 " liberty to take it in any free place w*** in this jurisdiction 
 according to lawe." 
 
 Capt. Johnson died in 1672, without having located the 
 last named grant, and no mention of it is found until 17 18 
 
70 History of Princeton 
 
 when Edward Johnson a grandson of the Captain peti- 
 tioned for a confirmation and survey. This request was 
 granted by the Court Nov. ii, 1718 and a survey made, 
 but as the tract laid out encroached upon other grants, 
 another survey was ordered in 1720. 
 
 It was then described as " on a branch of Nashua River 
 near Rutland East line 120 rods from Shrewsbury north 
 bounds, 15 rods south from said Branch," running north 
 16° west 216 rods, west 12° south 143 rods south 12° east 
 215 rods and thence to the first point. 
 
 This was situated in the southeasterly part of Princeton, 
 as indicated on the plan, and is the lot subsequently known 
 as the " Hartwell farm " and undoubtedly identical with 
 " Hartwell 's meadows." 
 
 It remained in the Johnson family until 1755 when 
 Joseph and William Johnson and Elisha Sawyer sold it to 
 Zachariah Harvey of Shrewsbury for £226.14. 
 
 This date may determine the time of Dr. Harvey's 
 settlement in Princeton; it was certainly between 1755 
 and 1758. (See Blagrove's Farm.) He purchased, a few 
 years later, a large portion of the Blagrove's Farm adjoin- 
 ing and surrounding the Johnson or Hartwell farm, making 
 his possessions in that region some 1000 acres. 
 
 It does not appear how this tract acquired the name of 
 " Hartwell's Farm " or " Meadows," although it is signi- 
 ficant that in laying it out Edward Hartwell as " Chain- 
 man " assisted Jonas Houghton the surveyor. 
 
 Mr. Hartwell was one of the influential men of Lancaster 
 and Turkey Hills (Lunenburg) to which latter place he 
 removed in August, 1725. He was called to fill important 
 positions in both towns, and his connection with the mili- 
 tary service of the Government, especially during the 
 Indian troubles, brought him into prominence. In the 
 State Archives there are many interesting letters of his and 
 references to his services, showing him ever ready to serve 
 his " King and Country." 
 
 He died at the age of 97 " as full of piety as of 
 days." 
 
The Farms Adjoining 71 
 
 Lancaster, August ye 23, 1725. 
 May it plese your Honer: your Hon*^ Having Given me 
 the Subscriber the Inspection of the Soldiers at s"^ Lan- 
 caster under the Command of Capt. Josiah Willard and 
 I haveing bult at Turkey Hils and my Enterest lying there, 
 I am desined to Remove theither y^ nex weak if I may but 
 obtain your Hon"" Leave there for hopeing that I shall 
 there be in as Good a Capasety to Serve both my King 
 and Contery. I Humbly Request your Hon"" would signify 
 your pleasuer herein by y*" barer: your Hon''" most Humble 
 
 Se^v^^^- Edward Hartwell. 
 
 by y hand of Ensign Oliver Wilder. 
 
 Joshua Wilder's Farm. Joshua Wilder, a son of Nath- 
 aniel and Demaris Wilder of Lancaster, was born Sept. 20, 
 1712. 
 
 The father moved from Lancaster to Petersham in 1743, 
 the same year in which it is supposed the son built a house 
 and settled with his family within the bounds of Princeton. 
 There appears to be little doubt that, as has many times 
 been asserted, he was the first settler in the town, and 
 careful search among the public records has not revealed 
 anything to the contrary, but rather confirmed the tradi- 
 tion. 
 
 The year previous to his father's removal to Petersham, 
 Mr. Wilder petitioned the General Court for some land 
 belonging to the Province. As the original petition has 
 been preserved, and relates to the first dwelling and first 
 public house in the town it is well to give a copy in full, — 
 
 "Province of the Mass-j To his Excellency William Shirley, 
 achusetts Bay [ Esq^, The Honbl Councill and 
 
 Govenour J House of Deputies 
 
 In Generall Court assembled at Boston, May, 1742. 
 
 The Petition of Joshua Wilder most humbly shows That the Distance 
 between Lancaster and a new Town called Nichewaug is about 25 miles. 
 
 That about Ten miles west of Lancaster meeting House There is a Tract 
 of Province Land which contains about one hunderd and Twenty acres 
 Lying between Lands formerly Granted to Mr. Plaisted, & Mr. Allen and 
 a farm called Blagroves farm which Lyes out of the bound of any Town. 
 
72 History of Princeton 
 
 That your Petitioner Tho a Poor man yet he humbly apprehends he has 
 the Character of an Honest & Laboureous man and is minded to settle 
 himself & family thereon. 
 
 That therefore he is desirous of obtaining a Grant of said land on such 
 condition as may be consistent with your Excellency & Hon's Wisdom & 
 on as Easy terms as may be, and should he obtain it he apprehends it would 
 be of great service to People Travelling from Lancaster to the new towns 
 now Settleing westward to have a house to resort to in their Travaling. 
 
 Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays your Excellency and Hon'^ to 
 take ye premises into your wise consideration and act thereon as may be 
 consistent with your known Goodness & your petitioner shall as in duty 
 bound ever pray etc. 
 
 Joshua Wilder." 
 
 The following endorsement appears on the petition, — 
 
 " In the House of Rep*^^"" April 7th 1743. 
 Read and ordered that the prayer of the within Petition 
 be Granted and that the Lands within mentioned contain- 
 ing about one hundred and twenty acres be and is hereby 
 given and Granted the Petitioner his heirs and assigns 
 forever, provided that he does within one year have a good 
 and convenient house built there for ye Reception of 
 Travellers and have Ten Acres thereof Cleared and brought 
 to English Grass or plowing within four years and that he 
 Dwell Thereon with his family or have some other good 
 family Dwell thereon. 
 
 Sent up for Concurrence, 
 
 T. Gushing Spk^" 
 
 The Council concurred making the amendment " four 
 years from this day." ^ 
 
 It will be noticed that this land was about midway 
 between Lancaster, his old home, and Nichewaug or 
 Petersham to which place his father was removed. 
 
 Mr. Wilder built his house as agreed and remained there 
 until about 1755 when with his large family he removed 
 to the neighborhood of Ware, where he died about the 
 year 1762. 
 
 This date of his removal is several years earlier than that 
 named by Mr. Russell for it appears that by deed dated 
 March 28, 1755 he " living on a farm between Lancaster 
 
 * Mass. Archives, Vol. XL VI, page 136. 
 
The Farms Adjoining 73 
 
 & Petersham in ye County of Worcester " conveyed for 
 £176. to Benjamin Houghton the 120 acres granted to him 
 by the Court, described as the " farm I now live on & all 
 ye Buildings thereon with ye Improvements on said Farm." 
 
 Mr. Houghton already owned the " Allen " farm of 169 
 acres adjoining on the Southwesterly side. 
 
 The estate passed into the hands of Peabody Houghton, 
 and a portion of it at least has been held in the family ever 
 since. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 EARLY INHABITANTS 
 
 The Early Settlers of Princeton possessed the char- 
 acteristics of the inhabitants of the average New England 
 town. Many of them, perhaps the majority, were sturdy, 
 progressive men, exemplary in conduct, of fair inteUigence 
 and ready to grapple with the stern reahties of a Hfe in 
 these rude lands of Worcester County. 
 
 They came prepared to stay, and a majority of them 
 carried out their purpose. But with these or following 
 them, there came also (as was the case with every new 
 settlement), those who were often changing their abode, 
 peripatetic, unstable, resting, as it were, for the night and 
 off by the dawn. And with them all, there were a few, 
 evidently, whose presence was not particularly gratifying 
 or acceptable to any community. 
 
 It would be interesting, could we know the reasons 
 influencing these families in their choice of locality for a 
 home. Some of the inducements and attractions, beyond 
 the ordinary desire to commence anew, in an untried and 
 unbroken country, can be readily seen. The most desirable 
 lands in Rutland had doubtless been appropriated, and 
 naturally some of its people passed over into the adjoining 
 easterly wing. The sale of the tract known — or described 
 as Watertown farms led many of Watertown, Waltham, 
 Weston and Cambridge to invest in land, and also to the 
 subsequent occupancy by themselves or their friends. 
 
 Sudbury too, with its thriving settlement, sent out some 
 of its young men seeking suitable locations for establish- 
 ment of homes, and they were welcomed in the town. 
 
 The early Proprietors residing in Boston and elsewhere 
 disposed of their rights to those willing to try the experi- 
 ment in the wilderness or made a free gift to friends or 
 relatives. 
 
 74 
 
Early Inhabitants 75 
 
 One family drew another, as in the case of the Miricks, 
 Woolsons, Harringtons, Hobbs and Jones, closely allied 
 by marriage and kinship. Sons, receiving from their 
 fathers, gifts of land, as the Masons, Norcrosses and others, 
 married and settled down here. 
 
 Young men venturing into the new settlement in search of 
 employment, found not only that but, perhaps, also wives, 
 which event quickly settled the question of remaining. 
 
 Identity. But while the reasons governing the many 
 may appear, yet in a majority of cases they are not ap- 
 parent. Careful investigation fails to record the former 
 residence of some of those more or less prominent in the 
 district. A few appear to have dropped down from some- 
 where and as suddenly to have dropped out, leaving nothing 
 to show whence they came or whither they went, and while 
 it is not surprising that we are unable to trace the smaller 
 families, yet it seems strange that we lose trace of families 
 containing six or eight grown-up children and never hear 
 from them again. Of some we should know nothing, but 
 for a simple record of marriage and the birth or death 
 of children. 
 
 The early records of the families furnish glimpses of 
 toil, of hardship, of poverty, sickness and death, with the 
 intimation, too, of brighter spots which are always to be 
 found along the journey of life. 
 
 Dates of Occupation. In attempting to determine the 
 year in which the first inhabitants settled here, serious 
 obstacles are encountered and an immense amount of labor 
 has been expended with very unsatisfactory results. 
 
 It is a fact that many owned their lots for years before 
 settling upon them, while it is also true that others were on 
 the ground long before they purchased. While the dates 
 of the first recorded deed of land may, in many cases, 
 approximately determine the day of settlement, in an 
 equal number perhaps this conclusion would be at variance 
 with well-established data. 
 
 It is a perplexing feature of the town records, that they 
 contain the entries of births as occurring in this town when 
 
76 History of Princeton 
 
 in fact they took place in other localities. And it is 
 impossible to give a complete list of first settlers, owing to 
 the loss of the earliest tax lists, and even with the later 
 lists before us, it is not always possible to distinguish 
 between proprietors only and residents. In the following 
 lists the names of some single men which appear but once 
 upon the records are omitted, and also those who are 
 supposed to have been proprietors only. It is quite 
 probable that other names should be added, but the list 
 is as complete as we can make it. 
 
 First Settlers. There is but little if any doubt that Mr. 
 Joshua Wilder was the first permanent settler within the 
 territory, establishing his house in 1742 on the " Houghton 
 Road," where he entertained man and beast. It is a 
 matter of record that there were in 1754 two houses on 
 Potash farm but whether they were within the bounds of 
 Princeton or over the line, in what is now Leominster, it is 
 impossible to say. 
 
 To whom should be assigned the second place in the list 
 of incomers, it is difficult if not impossible to determine. 
 
 The following list gives the names of the first inhabitants 
 of the District, — 
 
 Settlers before 1761 Lots 
 
 Ephraim Allen 1755 Westboro' L 
 
 John Bartlett 1759 15 
 
 Stephen Brigham 1759 Westboro' 14 
 
 Richard Cheever 1747-52 Boston 16 
 
 Robert Cowdin 1755 Holden 26 & 27 
 
 Oliver Davis 1753 Rutland 31 
 
 David Eveleth 1 755 Rutland 29 
 
 Joseph Eveleth 1753 Sudbury 26 
 
 Robert Forbush 1 757 Rutland 28 
 
 Gideon Fisher 1760 Dedham 28 
 
 John Frost 1759 Billerica North 
 
 Daniel Garfield 1751 Shrewsbury Gardner's Farm 
 
 Moses Garfield 1757 Shrewsbury Gardner's Farm 
 
 William Gibbs 1759 Sudbury 8 Watertown 
 
 Joseph Gibbs 1760 Westminster 30 
 
 Phineas Gleason 1757 Framingham 9 
 
 Ezra Gleason 1760 Framingham 9 
 
 Peter Goodnow 1 755 Sudbury 3 
 
 Zachariah Harvey 1759 Shrewsbury Blagrove 
 
Early Inhabitants y^j 
 
 Settlers before 1761 Lots 
 
 Samuel Hastings 1759 Watertown 6 Watertown 
 
 Ebenezer Jones 1 757 Bedford 2 
 
 William Joyner 1758 Sudbury North 
 
 Robert Keyes 1751 Shrewsbury Muzzy 
 
 Tille Littlejohn 1759 Lancaster Muzzy 
 
 Thomas Mason 1 756 Medfield 29 
 
 Sadey Mason 1756 Medfield 29 
 
 Paul Matthews 1758 Marlboro 2 Watertown 
 
 Jabez Mead 1760 Rutland North 
 
 Abijah Moore 1 747-50 Sudbury 3 
 
 Boaz Moore 1 759 Rutland 32 
 
 William Muzzy 1755-60 Sudbury 29 
 
 Timothy Mosman 1758 Ashburnham Potash 
 
 Caleb Mirick 1752 Weston 4 
 
 Aaron Perry 1757 Mendon 5 
 
 David Parker 1758 Chelmsford 31 
 
 Abel Ray 1757 Marlboro' Mayhews (near) 
 
 Stephen Rolph 1759 Mendon 10 
 
 Joseph Rugg 1 759 Holden 28 & L 
 
 Amos Spring 1758 Weston ? 6&8 Watertown 
 
 James Spring 1 759 Weston 8 Watertown 
 
 Jabez Stratton 1 759 Lincoln 9 
 
 James Thompson 1 757 Holden 26 & 27 
 
 Joshua Wilder 1742 Lancaster Wilder's 
 
 A True List of the Voters of Princetown District According to the Valuation 
 Taken November, 1760. 
 
 Capt. Eliphalet How Ens. Oliver Davis 
 
 Joseph Rugg Dr. Zechariah Harvey 
 
 Ephraim Allen Tim° Moseman 
 
 Isaac Wheeler Robt. Keyes 
 
 William Muzzy L'. Abijah Moore 
 
 Joseph Gibbs Peter Goodenow 
 
 James Thomson Caleb Mirick 
 
 Joseph Eveleth 1 Assessors of Prince 
 Boaz Moore j Town District 
 
 Worcester S. S., March 30, 1761 
 Sworn to Before me 
 
 Jn° Murray, Justice Pea.^ 
 
 Doctor Harvey. The above list of voters appears with 
 other papers relating to a town meeting held in March, 
 1 761, at which meeting it was alleged that the Moderator, 
 Dr. Harvey, resorted to some unwarranted and illegal 
 measures. (The Doctor was chosen Moderator, District 
 
 * From Mass. Archives, Vol. 117, pages 647-652. 
 
78 History of Princeton 
 
 Clerk, Chairman of the Selectmen and of the Assessors, 
 and Agent to the General Court.) 
 
 A Protest was entered upon the records of the town and 
 subsequently a petition reciting the grievances was sent 
 to the General Court, asking that the proceedings be 
 declared null and void. The Court, however, decided in 
 Dr. Harvey's favor, confirming the proceedings. 
 
 Attached to the petition referred to are the following 
 names, — 
 
 Non- Voters Voters 
 
 Gideon Fisher Isaac Wheeler 
 
 Thos. Mason Joseph Rugg 
 
 Joseph Eveleth Eliphalet How 
 
 Isaac Wheeler, Jr. Ephraim Allen 
 
 Robert Cowdin Oliver Davis 
 
 Sadey Mason James Thomson 
 
 Timothy Keyes Wm. Muzzy 
 
 Pebody How Joseph Gibbs 
 
 The protest on the town records is signed by eight. Feb. 
 '63, Harvey as Agent granted 11. 
 
 To his Excellency Francis Bar- 
 nard Esq., Captain General and 
 Governor in Chief in and over 
 the Province aforesaid. 
 To the Honourable the Council and House of Represen- 
 tatives in General Court assembled on Wednesday the 
 twenty-fifth Day of March Anno Domini 1761. 
 
 We the subscribers Inhabitants of the District of Prince- 
 town in the County of Worcester and legal Voters in Town 
 and District affairs, humbly shew your Excellency and 
 Honours. 
 
 That at ye District Annual Meeting held there on the 
 sixteenth day of March instant, among other things to 
 choose the usual District officers for said District, there 
 were several Votes and Transactions altogether illegal and 
 unwarrantable and unfairly and unduly obtained by means 
 of many persons being admitted to vote at said meeting 
 that were not legal voters there, and some that were not 
 even Inhabitants of the same. That as the Voters and 
 
 Province of the Massa- 
 chusetts Bay in New 
 England 
 
Early Inhabitants 79 
 
 Inhabitants were gathering together for the said meeting 
 Zacharlah Harvey of the same District, Physician, who 
 was our District Clerk Selectman and Assessor the last 
 year, without any direction or order from the Selectmen, 
 or without their knowledge or consent, opened the same 
 meeting and called upon the said persons present, tho but 
 a very small number to bring in their votes for Moderator 
 which was then done immediately by such as were present 
 the major part of them being no legal voters. 
 
 The chief Part of the officers chosen at said meeting, and 
 other matters transacted there, being obtained in the same 
 way and manner, and Some Things never put to vote as 
 the Warrant for Calling the meeting Required. 
 
 Particularly there was an article in the Warrant to see 
 if the District would Choose an Agent to appear at the 
 General Court, but the said Harvey instead of putting 
 it to vote to see if they would choose an Agent, knowing 
 there was none needed, called upon them and insisted on 
 their bringing in their vote for an Agent, without knowing 
 or trying if it was the mind of the District first, to send 
 one as the warrant directed, and so by the number present 
 not being legal voters & by some means or other for the 
 present being inclined to please him, as the meeting was 
 at a Tavern. Voted the Doctor in at said meeting, and by 
 that artifice the said Harvey procured himself to be chosen 
 the Moderator. Whereupon a number of ye legal voters 
 having notice of the Meeting being opened contrary to 
 their expectation, the hour for the meeting being scarce 
 arrived, as they apprehended, hastened to said meeting to 
 regulate matters which they were informed were carrying 
 on in such an hasty manner there, and perceiving a con- 
 siderable number of persons present & acting which by the 
 List of Estate and Valuation taken for the last year they 
 knew were not voters qualified according to law to vote 
 at such meeting, and also some who were not even inhabi- 
 tants of said District called upon the said Harvey who was 
 grown the Moderator in the manner aforesaid to purge 
 the meeting, To see by the List of Estate and Valuation 
 
8o History of Princeton 
 
 taken by the Assessors last year and lodged in his hands 
 who were voters & who were not of the number present t^ 
 offering to vote. 
 
 He answered it could not be done for that he had not the 
 list there, and went on calling for votes and acting on the 
 articles of the meeting without taking further notice of 
 what the Inhabitants & Voters offered and objected to the 
 proceeding. 
 
 Harvey drove on and procured himself to be chosen the 
 Moderator, District Clerk, a Selectman and an Assessor, 
 as well as an Agent to appear at the General Court in 
 behalf of said District all which proceedings, your peti- 
 tioners humbly apprehend are illegal, arbitrary and de- 
 structive of their most precious Privileges, the said Harvey 
 being chosen into all the offices aforesaid by a majority 
 of such as were not voters according to law, and against 
 the Sense and Inclination of a Majority of Such as were 
 legal Voters & personally present. 
 
 Seeing which a number of the Voters belonging to same 
 District entered their Dissent against said Harvey's 
 unwarrantable proceeding (see notes) voted the Doctor in 
 their Agent. All which offices the Doctor gravely ac- 
 cepted and still attempts to hold. Nor was his conduct 
 at our last meeting the only instance wherein the said 
 Doctor Harvey hath acted contrary to his duty & trust, 
 for on the 23d. Day of October last when the District had 
 a meeting to choose an Agent to transact some matters 
 in Behalf of said District at the Great and General Court, 
 Captain Eliphalet How was chosen an Agent, the said 
 Harvey then being District Clerk, refused and neglected 
 to record the vote of the said How's being chosen and said 
 it was best to burn it, but after that the said Harvey 
 himself presumed to appear as our Agent & act accordingly, 
 under the colour of his having been once before chosen 
 Agent for the said District, though he utterly refused. 
 
 Wherefore as matters are now carried in such a dis- 
 orderly way & manner and as we who are the major Part 
 of the legal Voters belonging to said District, apprehend 
 
Early Inhabitants 8i 
 
 is directly contrary to the true intent & meaning of the law 
 of this Province respecting such matters, humbly pray that 
 the proceedings of this last meeting this March may be 
 considered as void, and that the Inhabitants of said 
 District may be Impowered and inabled to Call another 
 meeting. Choose new officers, accept Roads and transact 
 all other matters at some other meeting which might or 
 should have been done at the last, in as full & ample manner 
 as tho the same had never been held, or Some other way 
 Relieve your Petitioners from their oppression as in your 
 wisdom may Seem meet and your Petitioners as in Duty 
 bound shall ever Pray. 
 
 Settlers 1761-1771} 
 
 Isaac Abbott 1769 Pomfret, Conn Hartwells 
 
 Daniel Ball 1771 Shrewsbury Deadmare 
 
 John Barker 1 761 13 
 
 George Barnard 1762 Brookline Blagrove or Hartwell 
 
 near No. 2 
 
 Richard Baxter 1769 Medfield 19 & 26 opp. Brighams 
 
 Phineas Beaman 1766 Lancaster 20 Watertown 
 
 Samuel Bigelow 1765 Holden 2 Watertown 
 
 Nathan Billings 1769 Hardwick Potash (North) 
 
 Samuel Bixby 1762 Lancaster Blagrove 
 
 John Bowen 1767 Lancaster North Everett 
 
 Micah Bowker 1766 Sudbury 
 
 Thaddeus Bowman 1767 Cambridge 3 
 
 Charles Brooks 1764 Marlboro' 
 
 Enoch Brooks 1765 Concord I Watertown 
 
 Abial Bush 1 765 Marlboro' 
 
 Ebenezer Chamberlain, Jr. 1763 Westboro' i Watertown 
 
 (Enoch Brooks) 
 
 Benjamin Childs 1768 Brokline 
 
 Daniel Clap 1761 Rutland 18 
 
 Anthony Clark 1767 Rutland 26 near Cowdina 
 
 Ebenezer Colburn 1 768 Dedham 11 
 
 Samuel Conant 1768 Stow L&7 
 
 John Cowdin 1 761 
 
 Nathaniel Cutter Woburn 3 ? 
 
 Josiah Davis 1770 Bedford? 13 (Haynes) 
 
 William Dodd 1770 Holden Muzzy'3 
 
 Oliver Dresser 1763 Lancaster Blagrove near No. I 
 
 Moses Eager 1770 Grafton Blagrove near i & 2 
 
 Paul Eager 1767 Shrewsbury L 
 
 Samuel Easterbrooks . . . . 1771 Rutland ? 
 
 * Only those having families included. 
 
82 History of Princeton 
 
 Settlers 1761-1771} 
 
 Chamberlain Eustis 1771 Rutland ? 
 
 Joseph Eveleth (younger). 1761 Stow 3 Watertown 
 
 David Everett 1762 Dedham 11 Everett 
 
 Ichabod Fisher 1770 Dedham 11 Everett 
 
 Fisher 1 769 Dedham 11 
 
 William Foster 1769 Upton F. northern half 
 
 Timothy Fuller 1768 5 
 
 Moses Gill 1767 Boston 
 
 Phineas Gregory 1768 Weston 9 Watertown 
 
 Elisha Gale 1763 Weston i Watertown 
 
 Elisha Gale (younger). . . . 1767 Sutton Potash ? 
 
 Henry Gale 1762 Weston I & 13 Watertown 
 
 Jonathan Geary 1771 26 
 
 Jabez Gerould 1771 Dedham ? 15 
 
 Daniel Goodnow 1768 Sudbury 3 
 
 Timothy Goodnow 177 1 ? Lancaster Blagrove 
 
 Jonas Goodnow 1 767 
 
 Abijah Harrington 1769 Weston 
 
 Moses Harrington 1770 Weston near Woolsons 
 
 Stephen Harrington 1765 Weston 9 & 10 Watertown 
 
 Jonas 
 
 Asa Harris 1 768 Shrewsbury 28 
 
 Ephraim Hartwell 1760 Concord 30 
 
 Joseph Haynes 1764 Sudbury 13 
 
 Elisha Hobbs 1765 Weston 8 Watertown 
 
 Benjamin Holden 1 762 Dedham 28 
 
 Benjamin Houghton 1763 Lancaster 
 
 Silas Houghton 1 762 Lancaster 
 
 Abner How 1763 Marlboro' 7 Watertown 
 
 Adonijah How 1765 Marlboro' 14 Watertown 
 
 Daniel How 1 769 ? F. 
 
 Joseph How 1 769 9 
 
 Peabody How 1 770 Rutland 24 
 
 Samuel Jewett ? 177 Lancaster 27 Roziers 
 
 John Jones, Jr 1767 Dedham 20 
 
 Edward Joyner 1763 Leominster North 
 
 Cyprian Keyes 1771 Shrewsbury 23 
 
 Timothy Keyes 1761 Rutland 26 
 
 Simeon Lyon 1771 Pomfret, Ct Blagrove near Wymans 
 
 Artemas Maynard 1761 Shrewsbury 
 
 James Mirick, Jr 1 761 Weston 4&A 
 
 Josiah Mirick 1767 Weston 
 
 Humphrey Moore 1765 Rutland 19 
 
 Jacob Morse 1 768 30 
 
 Uriah Newton 1769 Wilbraham ? 
 
 Samuel Nichols 1761 Holden 5 
 
 Joseph Norcross 1763 Weston 6 
 
 * Only those having families included. 
 
Early Inhabitants 83 
 
 Settlers 1761-1771} 
 
 Ephraim Osgood 1 768 Shutesbury North 
 
 Sylvanus Oak 1771 Northboro' Blagrove 
 
 Solomon Parks Parker. . . . 1767 Needham ? 
 
 George Parkhurst 1769 Lancaster 4 Watertown 
 
 Charles Parmenter 1761 Rutland 15 
 
 Reuben Parmenter 1 768 ? ? 
 
 Andrew Paterson 1 770 Sudbury 11 
 
 Amos Powers 1762 Lancaster 5 
 
 Joseph Phelps 1768 Pomfret Conn Blagrove ? 
 
 William Raymond 1769 Shrewsbury ? 
 
 Thomas Raymore 1768 Dorchester East (Potash ?) 
 
 Henry Rice 1 762 ? 28 
 
 Belcher Richards 1 764 Dedham 29 
 
 William Richardson 1771 Lancaster 9 
 
 Eliphalet Rogers 1771 3 or 2 
 
 Robert Rozier 1 765 Sudbury 27 
 
 Joseph Sargent 1765 Bolton 
 
 Seth Savage 1 761 Rutland 33 
 
 William Skinner 1765 Sudbury 27 
 
 Jonathan Smith 1 767 Southerly ? 
 
 Nathan Smith 1768 24&Willard Parker Place 
 
 Warren Snow 1 764 Blagrove 
 
 Ichabod Standley 1767 Blagrove 
 
 Isaac Stratton 1 767 Lexington 9 
 
 Daniel Sumner 1 764 Mendon 5 
 
 Benjamin Taynton 1761 Shrewsbury 5 
 
 Obadiah Thacher 176 Attleboro' 
 
 William Thompson 1 762 Holden 33 
 
 Isaac Thompson 1761 Rutland 15 
 
 Ambrose Tower 1761 Sudbury 1&2 
 
 Joseph Tower 1761 Sudbury i&2 
 
 Israel Underwood 1 766 ? ? 
 
 Josiah Wetherbee (Jr.) . . . 1766 Stow A. 
 
 Ephraim Wheeler 1765 Sudbury ? 
 
 Samuel Woods 1762 Rutland 13 
 
 Ephraim Woolson 1767 Weston 9 
 
 Elisha Wilder 1760 Lancaster Stevens 
 
 Silas Whitney 1758 2 
 
 Isaac Wheeler & Jr 1758 Medfield 27 
 
 Benjamin Willard 1751 Potash 
 
 Benjamin Wilson 1751 Shrewsbury Willard's or Gardner's 
 
 Farm 
 
 Benjamin Wilson 1759 Northboro' ? East Wing 
 
 Edward Wilson 1759 Shrewsbury Kneeland's 
 
 Joseph Wooley 1755 Holden 2&9 
 
 Robert Work 1754 Upton 28 
 
 Charles (De) Wyman .... 1760 Concord Blagrove 
 
 * Only those having families included. 
 
84 History of Princeton 
 
 In the above list occur the names of some who remained 
 in town but a short time, and in a number of cases the same 
 farm is represented by several owners during the period 
 indicated. And the length of the list may be misleading 
 as to the growth of the town. 
 
 According to a statement of Mr. William Dodd, for 
 many years town clerk, there were at the time of incorpo- 
 ration 30 families, although this does not agree with the 
 statements given in one of the petitions for incorporation 
 which names 25 as the number of families in the East Wing 
 at that date. There are now no means of determining 
 accurately the population in 1759 but it may be estimated 
 at from 125 to 150. In 1760 there were thirteen only who 
 possessed the required property qualifications as voters. 
 In 1764 the census showed a very material gain in numbers: 
 57 dwelling houses, 55 families with population of 284 of 
 whom 72 were males over 16 years of age. Four years 
 later there were 97 polls which would indicate a population 
 of some 450; in 1769 106 polls; and in 1771, 121 polls. 
 Immediately after the incorporation of the town in 1771 
 there was a decided increase of population, which in 1776 
 was reported as 701, covering some 140 to 150 families. 
 Notwithstanding the trials and privations during the 
 period of the Revolutionary War the number of residents 
 increased so that in 1781 it is estimated that there were 
 at least 800, with 182 polls, loi houses and 50 other build- 
 ings, stores, mills, shops, etc. 
 
 In 1790 the number reached 1016, including three colored 
 persons, but from this year to the present time the in- 
 crease has been very slow, the highest point reached being 
 in 1840 when 1347 were shown by the United States 
 census. 
 
 Like all inland towns, it has suffered from the loss of its 
 young men, unwilling to settle down upon the farm and 
 there are no manufacturing facilities in the town to draw 
 together mechanics and other laborers. The readiness 
 with which all can travel nowadays does not help these 
 smaller towns but tends to take and keep away many. 
 
Early Inhabitants 
 
 85 
 
 CENSUS OF 1790. 
 
 Head of family. 
 
 Gill, Hon' Moses, Esq 
 Craft, Revd. Thomas 
 
 Willard, Artemas 
 
 Geary, David 
 
 Dire, Nathaniel 
 
 Rice, Joal 
 
 Rice, William 
 
 Bartlett, John 
 
 Everett, Joshua , 
 
 Wales, Abigail , 
 
 Dodd, William 
 
 Kyes, Robart , 
 
 Bellows, Elijah 
 
 Beamon, Jonas 
 
 Harrington, Abijah. . 
 
 Marbel, John 
 
 Allen, Elisha 
 
 Sawen, Ezekiel 
 
 Ramer, Thomas 
 
 Ramer, John 
 
 How, Israel 
 
 Keys, John 
 
 Keys, Ephraim , 
 
 Brown, James , 
 
 Houghton, Silas 
 
 Roper, Benjamin , 
 
 Chandler, John , 
 
 Richardson, Samuel. . 
 
 Lyon, Alanson , 
 
 Lyon, Seth , 
 
 Wyman, Thomas , 
 
 Ellis, James 
 
 Deadman, Samuel , 
 
 Smith, Jonas 
 
 Kyes, Silas , 
 
 Parker, Thomas 
 
 Fay, Silas 
 
 Whiteker, William. . . , 
 
 Curtis, Mary , 
 
 Munroe, John 
 
 Whitney, Andrew. . . . , 
 
 Murry, Jonathan , 
 
 How, Addonijah 
 
 Rogers, Eliphalet 
 
 Sergents, Joseph 
 
 Sergents, Amos 
 
 Russell, John , 
 
 Beamon, Phineas , 
 
 Harrington, Moses. . . , 
 
 Hager, Abraham , 
 
 Gill, John 
 
 Mirick, Ephraim 
 
 How, Abner 
 
 Norcross, Jacob 
 
 Free white 
 males of 16 
 years and 
 upward in- 
 cluding 
 heads of 
 families. 
 
 Free white 
 
 males under 
 
 16 years. 
 
 Free white 
 females in- 
 cluding 
 heads of 
 families. 
 
 2 I 3 
 112 
 
 I I 3 
 I I 3 
 I 3 6 
 232 
 I I 
 
 I 3 I 
 4 .. 5 
 
 1 . . I 
 325 
 
 3 •• 3 
 234 
 
 4 I 3 
 
 2 .. 3 
 124 
 226 
 I 5 2 
 III 
 I . . 2 
 I 2 5 
 I 3 3 
 I I 
 
 I 3 I 
 232 
 I 2 5 
 121 
 I 2 3 
 I . . I 
 III 
 I . . 2 
 
 1 2 4 
 
 2 .. 4 
 I 4 2 
 224 
 
 3 3 7 
 I 4 3 
 I 4 3 
 
 I 
 I I 4 
 I 2 3 
 I I 3 
 
 3 I 6 
 
 1 3 4 
 
 2 . . 2 
 2 4 
 2 I 3 
 224 
 
 1 .. 4 
 
 2 •■ 3 
 217 
 126 
 
 4 I 4 
 I •• 5 
 
 All other 
 free per- 
 sons. 
 
86 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Head of family. 
 
 Hastings, Samuel , 
 
 Merriam, Amos , 
 
 Merick, John - 
 
 Mirick, Stephen 
 
 Mirick, Caleb 
 
 Evelett, Joseph 
 
 Mathews, Paul 
 
 Hobbs, Elisha 
 
 Gregory, Phinehas 
 
 Mirick, Dorothy 
 
 Brooks, Enoch 
 
 Perrey, Aaron 
 
 Fuller, Timothy 
 
 Parmenter, Reuben. . . . 
 
 Cutting, Josiah 
 
 Parker, Philemon 
 
 Chittendon, Isaac 
 
 Mirick, Ruth 
 
 Moor, Uriah 
 
 Tilton, Joseph 
 
 Fisher, Ichabod 
 
 Rice, David 
 
 Thomson Isaac 
 
 Chase, Josiah 
 
 Andras, Nathaniel 
 
 Underwood, Israel 
 
 Park, Benjamin 
 
 Bartlett, John 
 
 Brigham, Stephen 
 
 Davis, Solomon 
 
 Ralf, Stephen 
 
 Rice, Solomon 
 
 Bangs, Josiah 
 
 Hastings, James 
 
 Richardson, William. . . 
 
 Gill, Micah, Esq 
 
 Brooks, David 
 
 Watson, John 
 
 Cheevers, Bartholomew 
 
 Cheevers, Daniel 
 
 Holbrook, David 
 
 Willard, Solomon 
 
 Ball, Aaron 
 
 Sergants, Daniel 
 
 Thacher, Obediah 
 
 Smith, Isaac 
 
 Stevans, Jonas 
 
 Parker, John 
 
 Newton, Charles 
 
 Gleasson, John 
 
 Kyes, Israel 
 
 Garfield, Eliakim 
 
 Brooks, Charles 
 
 Parmenter, Luther 
 
 How, Peabody 
 
 Mayson, Paul 
 
 Free white 
 males of i6 
 years and 
 upward in- 
 cluding 
 heads of 
 families. 
 
 Free white 
 
 males under 
 
 i6 years. 
 
 Free white 
 females in- 
 cluding 
 heads of 
 families. 
 
 All other 
 free per- 
 sons. 
 
Early Inhabitants 
 
 87 
 
 Head of family. 
 
 Straton, Samuel 
 
 Mayson, Silas 
 
 Reed, Benjamin 
 
 Baker, Joseph 
 
 Hobbs, Silas 
 
 Hanes, Joseph 
 
 Hanes, Samuel 
 
 Harris, Asa 
 
 Wooley, David 
 
 Willson, Ephraim. . . . 
 Gleason, Thomas. . . . 
 Goodnow, Edward. . . 
 
 How, Antapas 
 
 Whitcomb, Asa, Esq. 
 Coopland, Eliphlet. . . 
 
 Woods, Samuel 
 
 Moor, Humprey 
 
 Davis, Josiah 
 
 Baxter, Richard 
 
 Kilbourne, Calvin. . . . 
 
 Hoit, David 
 
 Thompson, William. . 
 
 Smith, Nathan 
 
 Davis, Samuel 
 
 Holden, Benjamin. . . . 
 
 Fisher, Jesse 
 
 Mayson, Sardy 
 
 Mayson, Thomas 
 
 Felton, John 
 
 Beamon, Silas 
 
 Hartwell, Isaac 
 
 Robbins, Samuel 
 
 Clarke, Norman 
 
 Baxter, Joseph 
 
 Moor, Boz 
 
 Willson, Ephraim. . . . 
 
 Willson, Lewis 
 
 Jones, Nathan 
 
 Hoit, Benjamin 
 
 Everett, Susanna 
 
 Newton, Uriah 
 
 Rugg, Joseph 
 
 Rice, Asa 
 
 Savage, Seth 
 
 Davis, Oliver 
 
 Joyslin, Silas 
 
 Ralf, Edward 
 
 Ellery, Elizabeth. . . . 
 Parmenter, Charles. . 
 Hinds, Eli. 
 
 Free white 
 males of 16 
 years and 
 upward in- 
 cluding 
 heads of 
 families. 
 
 Free white 
 males under 
 16 years 
 
 Free white 
 females 
 
 including 
 heads of 
 families. 
 
 All other 
 free per- 
 sons. 
 
 Princeton Town in the Gore Adjoining. 
 
 Rice, Elisha 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 I 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 4 
 6 
 2 
 
 
 Houghton, Abel 
 
 
 Allen, Daniel 
 
 
 Rice, Elijah 
 
 
88 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Copy of a paper found among the town files, supposed 
 to relate to valuation for the U. S. Direct Tax 1798. 
 
 
 1 
 
 0* 
 
 T3 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 9 
 
 45 
 
 i 
 13 
 
 1 
 
 Josiah Davis, 
 
 
 On North of road to Meet- 
 
 576 
 
 
 
 
 ing-house. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Molly Moore, 
 
 
 Road Rutland to Princeton, 
 
 804 
 
 8 
 
 48 
 
 
 Samuel Woods. 
 
 
 on 19. 
 On 13 town road i m. S. W. 
 of M. H. 
 
 672 
 
 8 
 
 Z3, 
 
 .... 
 
 John Parker, 
 
 
 3 miles South of Meeting- 
 House. 
 
 550 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 
 Obadiah Thacher, 
 
 
 3 miles south of Meeting- 
 house. 
 
 702 
 
 10 
 
 60 
 
 
 John Whitcomb, 
 
 
 North of road to Holden 2\ 
 miles. 
 
 684 
 
 4 
 
 19 
 
 
 Charles Newton, 
 
 
 35 miles South of meeting- 
 house. 
 
 702 
 
 6 
 
 24 
 
 
 John Gleason, 
 
 
 On South of road from west 
 part to Holden. 
 
 1400 
 
 6 
 
 23 
 
 2 
 
 Widow Mary Brooks, 
 
 
 On road from Jonas How's 
 in Rutland to Princeton, 
 3^ miles from Meeting- 
 house. 
 
 450 
 
 8 
 
 44 
 
 3 
 
 Jonas & Chas. Brooks 
 
 
 On road from Jonas How's 
 in Rutland to Princeton, 
 3^ miles from Meeting- 
 house. 
 
 450 
 
 8 
 
 44 
 
 2 
 
 Charles Mirick, 
 
 
 if miles from Meeting-house 
 
 988 
 
 17 
 
 119 
 
 2 
 
 Peabody How, 
 
 
 South of road to Holden west 
 by town road 2% miles from 
 M. H. 
 
 798 
 
 8 
 
 40 
 
 
 Benj. Holden, 
 
 
 East side of road to Rutland 
 Wood-house, i shay-house, i 
 corn-house. 
 
 624 
 
 8 
 
 52 
 
 • • : 
 
 Sadey Mason, 
 
 
 East side road to Rutland. 
 
 75° 
 
 7 
 
 34 
 
 
 Reuben Hale, 
 
 
 West side road to Rutland. 
 
 1064 
 
 16 
 
 57 
 
 2 
 
 Thomas Mason, 
 
 
 Road to Rutland 3 miles from 
 
 M. H. 
 I Wood-house. 
 
 1080 
 
 12 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 Samuel Davis, 
 
 
 East side road to Holden on 
 
 Waldo Farm. 
 Kitchen part 18X24. 
 
 720 
 
 20 
 
 120 
 
 2 
 
 Nathan Smith, 
 
 
 East side road to Holden 
 2f South of Meeting-house. 
 
 722 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 .... 
 
 Isaac Chittenden, 
 
 
 3^ miles Southeast of Meet- 
 ing-house. 
 
 mo 
 
 9 
 
 52 
 
 .... 
 
 Jonas Steams, 
 
 
 North side road to Hubbard- 
 
 ston \ mile from M. H. 
 Porch 12X12. 
 
 624 
 
 9 
 
 43 
 
 . . . . 
 
 Calvin Kilbum, 
 
 
 North side road to Meeting- 
 house 25 miles bounded on 
 South by road. West by 
 Thompson, East by Josiah 
 Davis. 
 
 ISO 
 
 7 
 
 30 
 
 
 Elizabeth Cowdin 
 
 
 East side of road to Rutland. 
 
 948 
 
 7 
 
 22 
 
 
Early Inhabitants 
 
 89 
 
 
 1 
 
 •0 
 
 i 
 
 a 
 
 1^ 
 
 J3 
 
 ■.s 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 SB 
 1 
 
 
 CO 
 
 22 
 
 127 
 
 w 
 
 Andrew Whitney, 
 
 
 i\ miles from Meeting-house. 
 
 1073 
 
 2 
 
 Jesse Brown, 
 
 
 3 miles from Meeting-house 
 On east side road leading to 
 County. 
 
 702 
 
 4 
 
 25 
 
 .... 
 
 Thankful Houghton, 
 
 
 2 miles from M. H. North 
 side road. 
 
 960 
 
 14 
 
 87 
 
 2 
 
 Samuel Dadman, 
 
 
 3^ miles from Meeting-house 
 
 990 
 
 12 
 
 78 
 
 
 Jonas Smith, 
 
 
 3j miles from Meeting-house. 
 
 1 140 
 
 8 
 
 50 
 
 
 James Brown, 
 
 
 South part of Spooner farm 
 East side of road. 
 
 625 
 
 S 
 
 26 
 
 
 John Watson, 
 
 
 West side County road i 
 mile South of Meeting- 
 house. 
 
 792 
 
 18 
 
 118 
 
 2 
 
 David Brooks, 
 
 
 East side County road. 
 
 1000 
 
 23 
 
 145 
 
 2 
 
 Josiah Cutting, 
 
 
 miles N. by W. from 
 Meeting-house. 
 
 672 
 
 14 
 
 76 
 
 2 
 
 Ruth Mirick, 
 
 \ 
 
 east side road to M. H. 
 
 336 
 
 7 
 
 50 
 
 2 
 
 Caleb Mirick, 
 
 
 Near Meeting-House. 
 
 1080 
 
 27 
 
 ISO 
 
 2 
 
 Solomon Rolph, 
 
 
 in which he lives on road to 
 Hubbardston, i\ miles to 
 M. H. 
 
 500 
 
 3 
 
 15 
 
 
 Susana Ralph, 
 
 
 Old house on County road to 
 Hubbardston. 
 
 SCO 
 
 3 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Mary Rice, 
 
 
 North side road to Hubbard- 
 
 780 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 ston, I mile west from 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 M. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 John Dana, 
 
 
 Road to Rutland, i\ miles 
 south of M. H. 
 
 1 1 20 
 
 24 
 
 125 
 
 2 
 
 William Whittaker, 
 
 
 Govr. Gill road 25 miles east 
 M. H. 
 
 990 
 
 14 
 
 92 
 
 
 Amos Sargent 
 
 
 North side road to Sterling, 
 
 720 
 
 13 
 
 82 
 
 2 
 
 Joseph Sargent 
 
 
 one mile east from M. H. 
 
 720 
 
 14 
 
 72 
 
 2 
 
 Ephraim Wilson, 
 
 
 5 mile south of meeting-house 
 east side road to Rutland. 
 Wood house 30X12 
 
 
 25 
 
 262 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 other dwelling-house on 
 
 728 
 
 8 
 
 34 
 
 .... 
 
 
 
 westerly part of home- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 stead on road from Thomas 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gleason's to M. H. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thomas Gleason, 
 
 
 North side of road to Meet- 
 
 1368 
 
 114 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 ing-house. 
 
 1368 
 
 114 
 
 2 
 
 
 Widow Lois Goodnow, 
 
 
 Not finished woodhouse 
 
 15X18 
 House finished, woodhouse 
 
 18X30 
 
 1 140 
 
 22 
 
 109 
 
 2 
 
 Joshua Eveleth, 
 
 
 Town road west Qf meeting- 
 house, unfinished. 
 
 1 140 
 
 24 
 
 252 
 
 2 
 
 Jolin Jones, 
 
 
 Town road from County road 
 to David Rice's. 
 
 S40 
 
 5 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 William Thompson, 
 
 
 new house 3 miles southwest 
 of Meetinghouse. 
 
 1064 
 
 13 
 
 76 
 
 
 Antipas How, 
 
 
 On north side road to Meet- 
 ing-house. 
 
 656 
 
 7 
 
 38 
 
 
 Reuben Mimroe, 
 
 
 On south side road to Bos- 
 ton, 25 miles from Meet- 
 ing-house. 
 
 684 
 
 3 
 
 15 
 
 . . . . 
 
90 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 John Russell, 
 
 Adonijah How, 
 Ephraim Mirick, 
 
 South on County road west 
 on road to Westminster. 
 
 No. East by heirs Col. Sar- 
 gent. 
 
 Homestead north of County 
 road to Hubbardston, 120 
 rods from M. H. 
 
 ^ 
 
 T3 
 
 C 
 
 
 •^ 
 
 £ 
 
 rt 
 
 i 
 •0 
 
 IU.2 
 
 
 
 
 960 
 
 8 
 
 49 
 
 1 140 
 
 26 
 
 170 
 
 1080 
 
 13 
 
 68 
 
 
 Size of 
 
 Windows, 
 
 
 
 house. 
 
 squares. 
 
 
 John Thompson 
 
 I 38X18 
 
 7 87 7X9 
 
 County road to Hubbards- 
 ton westerly by town road 
 3 miles to meeting. 
 
 David Rice 
 
 I 36X27 
 
 10 20 6X8 
 
 County road to Hubbards- 
 ton westerly on Hubb. 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 30 6X8 
 
 3 miles to meeting. 2 sto- 
 
 Elisha Hobbs 
 
 I 38X18 
 
 17 220 7X9 
 30 6X8 
 
 ries, 1 5 miles from meeting 
 
 Elisha Hobbs 
 
 I 26X24 
 
 S 60 7X9 
 
 Old, unfinished. 
 
 Abishai & Theophi- 
 
 
 
 
 lus Eveleth, occu- 
 
 
 
 
 pied by Theophilus. 
 
 I 38X20 
 
 II 153 6X8 
 
 
 Phineas Beaman 
 
 I 37X34 
 
 25 351 7X9 
 
 2 stories. Porch 12X15. 
 
 Abijah Harrington. . . 
 
 I 38X30 
 
 25 350 7X9 
 
 2 stories. Porch 14X12. 
 Barn 62X30. 2 miles to 
 meeting. 
 
 Jonas Keyes. Black- 
 
 
 
 
 smith shop 
 
 43X15 
 I 38X30 
 
 3 53 7X9 
 13 19s 7X9 
 
 2I miles to meeting. 
 
 Farm yard and bark-house, 
 
 William Everett 
 
 
 
 
 4 miles to meeting. 
 
 Joshua Everett 
 
 I 30X18 
 
 18 204 7X9 
 
 2 stories, 4 miles to meeting. 
 
 Adjoining 
 
 I 32X18 
 I 37X28 
 
 
 I story. 
 
 Half upright, floors laid and 
 
 Abigail Wilde 
 
 I IS 
 
 
 
 
 chimney up. 
 
 Ephraim Osgood 
 
 
 
 
 Houghton Osgood. . . . 
 
 I 36X28 
 
 II 125 7X9 
 
 Front upright. 
 
 Israel Howe 
 
 I 32X16 
 I 38X30 
 
 7 93 7X9 
 27 336 7X9 
 
 Old addition, 34X10 
 
 2 stories, i mile to meeting. 
 
 Abner How 
 
 
 (Built in 1786.) 
 
 Ephraim Mirick, Jr. . 
 
 I 40X28 
 
 21 282 6X8 
 
 I mile to meeting. 
 
 Enoch Brooks 
 
 I 30X28 
 
 21 277 6X8 
 
 Part upright with porch. 
 
 Elisha and Phineas Gregory, one dwelling house 40 feet 
 by 16, one adjoining thereto 49 by 12 feet, the house 
 unfinished. 17 windows 223 squares of glass, 7 by 9 40 
 rods to compose the Home lot, if miles from meeting, 83 
 acres in the farm; bounds easterly on Stephen Mirick, 
 
Early Inhabitants 91 
 
 northerly on Abijah Harrington, westerly on Elisha Hobbs, 
 southerly on Moses Gill. One barn 60 by 30 wants cover- 
 ing, one shed 30 by 10, twenty-nine acres, six acres meadow, 
 the rest upland and ordinary, bound N & W on Thos. 
 Raymore, S & E Israel How and Edward Raymore. 
 
 Jonas Beaman, one dwelling house, 38 by 30, 16 feet by 
 38 two stories high, stone, one porch 12 by 8. 20 windows 
 291 glass 7 by 9. 80 rods home lot one dwelling house 
 38 by 20. Stone, 2 stories, floors laid only part finished. 
 17 windows 360 squares glass 7 by 9. 40 rods home lot 
 83I acres, one barn 62 by 28, one barkhouse 40 by 28, 28 
 squares glass in Barkhouse. Shed 69 by 12 & one 22 by 10. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 INCORPORATION 
 
 The District and Town. The action of the inhabitants 
 and proprietors of the East Wing and the farms adjacent, 
 towards incorporation of either or both tracts as a dis- 
 tinct town, forms an interesting chapter in the history of 
 Princeton. 
 
 The subject had evidently been under discussion for 
 several years, but the first public act in relation thereto 
 was in the form of a petition to the General Court on the 
 8th of June, 1758, by Benjamin Houghton and others 
 " praying that certain Farms formerly granted by the 
 General Court to Separate petitioners lying near the great 
 Wachusett Hill, and contiguous to Rutland East Wing, 
 containing a Tract of about six miles by three miles in 
 extent, may together with the East Wing of Rutland 
 containing about the like quantity, upon which there are 
 about thirty families already settled, be erected into a 
 Township." 
 
 Unfortunately the original petition cannot be found and 
 we lose the names of those who joined with Mr. Houghton 
 in this petition. Mr. Houghton owned several large tracts 
 of land, purchased of the Province, and lived upon another 
 in the Eastern part of (Princeton) near Sterling, hereto- 
 fore described as Wilder's purchase, and the scheme pro- 
 posed above would naturally appear very desirable to 
 him. 
 
 The petitioners were granted leave to bring in a bill, and 
 although no such action appears to have been taken, the 
 two tracts were surveyed, the East Wing in June 1758 
 and the farms probably during the following July or 
 August. 
 
 The accompanying plans show the relative situation of 
 the two sections and enable the reader to form some idea 
 
 92 
 
Incorporation 93 
 
 of the nature of the controversy which ensued between 
 the two, a controversy which waged fiercely for some 
 time. 
 
 The proprietors of the Wing were not at all satisfied with 
 the action upon Mr. Houghton's petition, forcing upon 
 them the burdens consequent upon the building of roads 
 through the farms, and other expenditures, and they 
 prepared a petition asking incorporation of the Wing alone 
 as a town. The petition is as follows: 
 
 " Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 
 
 To His Excellency Thomas Pownall Esq^ Governor & 
 Commander in Chief in and over His Majestys Province 
 of the Massachusetts Bay, to the Hon^'"" His Majesty 
 Council & Hon^'^ House of Representatives December 29, 
 
 1758. 
 
 The Petition of vs. the Subscribers Inhabitants of the 
 East Wing of Rutland soe called. In the County of 
 Worcester Humbly shews — 
 
 That the Major Part of your Petitioners Live Six or 
 Eight miles from the Nearest Pleace of Publick Worship 
 which renders it Almost Imposable for your Petitioners to 
 attend and more especially in the winter Season By Reason 
 of the Badness of the Roads, that under our Present 
 Situation we have no Power To Lay out Roads no Buld 
 Bridges nor to Do anything else that may Be an Induce- 
 ment to people to Come and Setle amongst vz, the Quan- 
 tity of Land Contain'd in said Tract is near about the 
 Halfe of Six Miles Squeir as May appear by the Plan 
 Hereto Annexed, that we have Now about 25 familys 
 Living on Said Tract and we apprehend with a Little of 
 your Excellency & Hon*^* assistance we should soon have 
 Double that Number to Settle on said Tract. 
 
 Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Prays your Ex- 
 cellen(c)y & Hon""^ Compassionate Consideration and that 
 the Lands Contain'd and Delineated in the forementioned 
 plan be Erected Into a Town or District as your Excellency 
 and Hon"^ In your great wisdom may Think Proper, and 
 
94 History of Princeton 
 
 your Humble Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever 
 
 Pray. 
 
 Ephram Wheler Eliphalet How 
 
 Joseph Gibbs Robert Work 
 
 Ephraham Hartwel James Thomson 
 
 Isaac Wheeler Thomas Masson 
 
 Isaac Wheeler Ju Amos Powers 
 
 Boaz Moore Joseph Eveleth 
 
 Ephraim Allen Timothy Keyes 
 
 Benjamin Willson Charly Durntcan 
 
 Robert Forbus Stephen Brigham 
 
 Pebody How Oliver Davis 
 
 George Smith Sadey Mason 
 
 John Bartlet William Muzzy 
 
 Rob* Cowdin 
 
 This petition has the following endorsement. 
 
 " In Council January 5, 1759. Read and Ordered that 
 the Petitioners notify the Non Resident Proprietors of 
 Land lying in said East Wing of Rutland by Inserting the 
 substance of this Petition in some of the Boston News 
 Papers three weeks successively that they shew Cause if 
 any they have on the second Wednesday of the next sitting 
 of this Court why the Prayer thereof should not be granted. 
 
 Sent down for Concurrence 
 Thos. Clarke, Dp*^ Secry. 
 
 In the House of Rep^^ Jan^. 5, 1759. 
 
 Read and non Concurred; and Ordered that this Peti- 
 tion be Dismissed. Also Ordered that the Petition of 
 Benj"^ Houghton & others presented to this Court in June 
 last be likewise dismissed. 
 
 Sent up for Concurrence, 
 
 T. Hubbard Spk^l 
 
 This movement of the inhabitants and proprietors of the 
 Wing set the ball in motion, and for a time there was 
 evidently some active work done by the friends of the 
 
 ' Mass. Archives, Vol. CXVII, page 430. 
 
Incorporation 95 
 
 different parlies, the one favoring the scheme of incor- 
 porating the Wing alone, and the other fearing that the 
 Farms would be left out in the cold. 
 
 If in those " good old days " a " lobby " existed, it very 
 likely had its part to perform in this contest. 
 
 Petition of " The Farms." The summary dismissal by 
 the House of How's as well as of Houghton's petition of 
 the previous June was doubtless a surprise and a disappoint- 
 ment to both parties, and seemed to add fuel to the flames 
 or increased motion to the ball of controversy, and the 
 contest was renewed with vigor. A month had scarcely 
 passed when Mr. Houghton and his allies presented another 
 request, fortified doubtless by stronger arguments, and 
 perhaps with more signatures than before. 
 
 This petition is as follows : the Signatures to the original 
 appearing to be genuine autographs, comprising nearly all, 
 if not all of the inhabitants of the Farms; together with 
 a few of the proprietors or residents of the Wing. 
 
 To His Excellency Thomas Pownal Esq' Capt. General 
 and Governor in chief in and over His Majesties province 
 of the Massachusetts Bay in New England to the Honor- 
 able His Majesties Counsel and House of Representatives. 
 
 The Petition of the Proprietors and Inhabitants of 
 sundry farms Lying between Lancaster and Narragansett 
 No. 2 and Contigious to Rutland East Wing So called and 
 also proprietors and Inhabitants of Said Wing, Humbly 
 Sheweth that said farms and Wing being Incorporated 
 into a Destinct Township Will make a very good one and 
 Do not Contain the Contents of Six miles square and that 
 Said Wing by itself will not be able to Defray the Charges 
 of building a Meeting House Setling a minister and main- 
 taining the Gosple among them and making Rodes Without 
 an Intolarable Hevey Tax, and that said farms are no wayes 
 able to Defray such charges by themselves and cant be 
 accommodated to aney other town, and will be forever 
 Disobliged if not Laid to said Wing and both together Will 
 find the charges of a new settlement hevey enough and 
 both Wing and farms are at present under very Deficult 
 
96 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Circumstances by the extream Distance and badness of 
 the Rodes to the Public Worshep of God in aney other 
 Town. We can but Sildom attend it and in the Winter 
 Season are quite shut up which circumstances are not only 
 Destresing to the present Inhabitants but very Descorag- 
 ing to new se tiers. 
 
 Wherefore the Humble prayer of your petitioners is that 
 said Wing and farms may be Incorporated as above said, 
 Which we as in Duty shall Ever pray. 
 
 January y"" 29th 1759. 
 
 Farms. 
 Jonathan Spring 
 Timothy Bemis 
 Isaac Whittemore 
 Jonathan Bulard 
 Henry Gail 
 Lemuel Jones 
 Jonathan Jones 
 Braddyll Smith 
 
 Wing. 
 Jabez Stratton 
 Ezra Gleason 
 John Mirick, Ju^ 
 Moses Gill 
 Amos Powers 
 Daniel Sumner 
 Aaron Peary 
 
 Benjamin Houghton 
 Zechariah Harvey 
 Elisha Wilder 
 Joel Houghton 
 Silas Whitney 
 Tristam Cheny 
 William Joyner 
 Abel Ray 
 
 Robert Keyes 
 Tille Litteljohns 
 Saml Hastings 
 Amos Spring 
 Paul Mathew 
 Jonas Harrington 
 Henry Spring 
 Jeremiah Whitemore 
 
 Peter Goodenow 
 Richard Cheever 
 Jonathan Power 
 Abijah Moore 
 Caleb Mirick 
 Samuel Nickols 
 James Mirick 
 
 Elisha Jones 
 Isaac Jones 
 Nathan Meriam 
 Ebenezer Jons 
 John Jones, Jun^ 
 Ambrose Tower 
 Joseph Tower 
 
 In the House of Rep. Febr^ 7, 1759. 
 Read and Ordered that the Pef^^ serve the prop'^^ and 
 Inhabitants of the East Wing of Rutland (so called non 
 petitioners) with a copy of the Pet° by inserting the Sub- 
 stance thereof in one of the Boston Newspapers three 
 Weeks successively That so they Shew cause (if any they 
 have) on the second thursday of the next Setting of this 
 Court why the Prayer thereof should not be granted. 
 
 Sent up for Concurrence, 
 
 T. Hubbard Spk^ 
 In Council Febr" 8, 1759. 
 
 Read and Concurred, 
 
 A. Oliver, Sec^. 
 
 Consented to 
 
 T. Pownall.i 
 
 ' Mass. Archives, Vol. CXVII, page 437. 
 

 

 l0^Jt->X^ 
 
 /^fe^,4^ 
 
 

 
 
 
Incorporation 97 
 
 Protest. The failure of the petitioners to give proper 
 notice to the other parties occasioned the following protest 
 and action. 
 
 " The memorial of the Subscribers, Inhabitants and 
 proprietors of the East Wing of Rutland and the County 
 of Worcester. 
 
 They therefore humbly pray that Inasmuch as they have 
 never been served with a Copy of a Petition by having the 
 Substance thereof Inserted in the News Papers agreable 
 to sd order of Court, that sd Petition may be dismised or 
 Referred to the next Session of this Hon^'^ Court that so 
 they may make answer to said Petition when they know the 
 Substance of it. 
 
 And as in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray." 
 
 " Eliphalet How Stephen Brigham 
 
 Sadey Mason Boaz Moore 
 
 Robert Cowdin Charles Parminter 
 
 Isaac Wheeler Ephraim Allen 
 
 Thomas Mason Benj amine Wilson (This is 
 
 not the B. Wilson of the 
 
 north part.) 
 
 William Muzzy Robert Forbush 
 
 Isaac Wheeler George Smith 
 
 Joseph Gibbs Pebody How 
 
 James Thomson Jonathan Fisk 
 
 Oliver Davis John Bartlet 
 
 Timothy Keyes Ephraim Wheeler 
 
 Joseph Eveleth Robert Rozer 
 
 " In Council March 9, 1759. Read again together with 
 the Answer of Eliphalet How and others Inhabitants & 
 Proprietors of the East Wing of Rutland; and it appearing 
 that they had not been notified of the Substance of the 
 Petition as the Court had ordered. Ordered that the con- 
 sideration of said Petition be referred to the next May 
 Session " notice to be given in Boston Papers. 
 
 " In Council June 8, 1759. Again read with the answer 
 of the Inhabitants & Proprietors of the East Wing & 
 
98 History of Princeton 
 
 ordered that Samuel Watts and Benjamin Lincoln Esq''^ 
 with Such as the Hon^'*" House shall appoint be a Committee 
 to take the same under Consideration hear the Parties & 
 Report what they judge proper to be done thereon." ^ 
 
 Rejoinder. The House appointed Col. Lawrence; Cob 
 Gerrish & Col. Whitcomb. The time intervening between 
 March and June afforded ample opportunity to the pro- 
 prietors of the Wing to prepare a vigorous answer to the 
 argument of the opponents. It is well worth reading. 
 
 Province of the Massa- To His Excellency Thomas Pow- 
 chusetts Bay nail Esq'' Governour & Com- 
 
 mand'" in Chief in & over his 
 Majestys Province of the Massa- 
 chusetts Bay To the Hon*"''' 
 his Majestys Council & the 
 Hon^^^ House of Representatives 
 in Gen' Court assembled May 
 y'30th, 1759. 
 The Memorial of us the Subscribers, Inhabitants & 
 Proprietors of the East Wing of Rutland (so called) in the 
 County of Worcester, in answer To a Petition of the Pro- 
 prietors & Inhabitants of Sundry farms Lying Between 
 Lancaster & Narragansett No. 2, in sd County, Humbly 
 Sheweth — 
 
 That Whereas the said Proprietors and Inhabitants of 
 said farms did by their petition To the Honble Court at 
 their Session in March last Represent that the said wing 
 and farms Being Incorporated into a District Town or 
 District would make a very good one; your Memorialists 
 Beg leave to say, that they are very sure that Every 
 Impartial man that is acquainted with the Situation «& 
 Circumstances, of said wing & farms will Readily say that 
 the wing of itself will make a Much Better Settlement than 
 if the farms are laid to said wing, for this Reason, Because 
 the farms in General are some of the Poorest land, perhaps, 
 that there is in the Province, and Lyes in a very Bad form, 
 
 i Mass. Archives, Vol. CXVII, page 439. 
 
Incorporation 99 
 
 and although the said Proprietors and Inhabitants of said 
 farms did Exhibit a Plan to Your Excellency & Honours 
 that Appeared that said farms lay in a Very good form to 
 Be adjoyned to s^ wing; your Memorialists beg leave to 
 say that they are very sure that said Plan is not true. But 
 Done as they Apprehend to Deceive your Excellency & 
 Honours; and as almost all the Best of the land in s^ wing 
 Lyes in the Southerly side of it, & the Chief of the Inhabi- 
 tants living on that side, and Not Only so, but the land on 
 the Northerly side, Never will admitt of Half so good a 
 settlement as the Southerly side will and if the farms, shall 
 be annexed to said wing, it would Carry the Center of the 
 wing & farms to the Very Northerly side of s*^ wing, which 
 would oblige the two thirds of the Inhabitants always to 
 Travel Three or four miles to meeting, and the great 
 Difficulty that your Memorialists must be put to, in making 
 Highways & Building Bridges through a very Rough 
 Rocky Country will Burden them so, that they had Rather 
 have one Quarter of their Real Estate Taken from them, 
 then to be Obliged to Joyn with those People where they 
 are Certain they shall always live in Trouble and Difficulty. 
 And as the Said Wing Contains Better than Twelve 
 Thousand Acres of land and is Capable of making a very 
 good Settlement of itself and Cost your Memorialists a 
 Very great Price, And if your Excellency and Honours 
 shall annex those Farms to the wing, we apprehend it would 
 be taking away the Rights of your Memorialists and giving 
 it to those that have no Just Claim to it — 
 
 Your Memorialists Therefore Humbly Pray Your Ex- 
 cellency & Honours wise and Compassionate Consideration 
 in this affair and that you would Relieve your Memorialists 
 out of the great Difficulty that they must Inevitably fall 
 into if they are sett off with the said farms & Dismiss the 
 Petition of the Proprietors And Inhabitants of s^ farms, 
 and Incorporate said wing into a Town, or District as your 
 Excellency & Honours Shall See meet, or otherwise Relieve 
 your Memorialists as in your great wisdom you shall Think 
 Proper. 
 
100 History of Princeton 
 
 And as in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray. 
 
 Joseph Eveleth Sadey Mason 
 
 Timothy Keyes Ephraim Allen 
 
 Stephen Brigham Oliver Davis 
 
 John Bartlett Thomas Mason 
 
 Boaz Moore Isaac Wheeler 
 
 Ephraim Hartwell William Muzzy 
 
 Pebody How Rob^ Cowdin 
 
 Isaac Wheeler Jona Knight 
 
 Eliphalet How Jorg Smith 
 
 Joseph Gibbs Robert Forb(us) 
 
 James Thompson Benjamine Willson ^ 
 
 To the casual observer it would seem that the advocates 
 of the incorporation of the Wing alone, held the strongest 
 position, but the difficulties of reconciling the interests of 
 all concerned can be readily understood.^ 
 With these petitions are several other papers of interest. 
 
 " We the Sibscribers Inhabitants upon the farms Lying 
 Beetwen Lancaster and Narragansett Do pray your Hon'^ 
 to Consider the Sad Condition that we shall Be in if s^ 
 farms petisioned for should Be annexed to the East wing 
 for By Survoing we Do find as we think a Sufficiency of s'^ 
 farms for a Township to Settle the Gospel in But if sad 
 part petisioned for should Be laid to s'^ wing we Shall have 
 no privelidge of the Gospel preached By Being So far of 
 tharfor we humbly pray your honers that you would Lett 
 the whole of s*^ farms Lye to Gether til Such times as we 
 Can Be Incorporated into a Town By our Selves and you 
 
 ' Mass. Archives, Vol. CXVII, page 442. 
 
 ^ Three plans are on file in the State Archives with these petitions. The 
 first, dated June 26, 1758, measuring about 12 by 18 inches, shows the Wing 
 alone with an area of 12,899 acres. The second dated, Sept. 4, 1758, gives a 
 view of the Wing rated at 1 1,708 acres only, and the farms adjoining contain- 
 ing 7283 acres. This plan covers the territory first incorporated as a District. 
 
 The third, dated Oct. 2, 1759, endorsed " A Piatt of the farms," includes 
 with the farms shown on the second plan, a large tract of 4900 acres on the 
 north embracing "No Town" and extending to Lunenburg line. 
 
 All of these farms were included within the bounds of the town as incorpo- 
 rated in 1 77 1, but the 4900 acres were taken off by act of 1773. 
 
Incorporation loi 
 
 will Greatly as we think add to the interest and welfare 
 of your most humble Servants. 
 
 September y^ 28th 1759 Benj* Wilson 
 
 William Joyner 
 Edward Wilson 
 John Frost 
 Tristram Cheney 
 
 The latter, Oct. 5, 1759, desired his name to be " blotted 
 oute " of this petition. 
 
 Lancaster October 7th 1759 
 these may Certifie that the Lands north of the farm 
 Called Potash farms betwixt Leominster & Narragansett 
 is Generally Rough Land & will admitt of but fue Good 
 Settlements. 
 
 Att Joseph Wilder 
 John Bennit 
 
 N. B. The above subscribers were the Gentlemen that 
 Layed out the above mentioned Lands and assested in 
 Deviding them." 
 
 " October ye 6th 1759 This may Certify Womesoever it 
 may Consern that the lands Between Leominster Lewning- 
 burge and Narrowgasett No. 2 and as far as potarsh farms 
 is Chefly uninhabitable and very bad Land and no waye 
 fit for but a very few Inhabitants. 
 
 Test our hands, 
 
 Ezra Houghton. 
 Jonathan Wilder.* 
 
 This description of the land as " Chefly uninhabitable " 
 will not be contradicted by any of the present generation 
 who are at all familiar with " No Town " lands. 
 
 Upon the recommendation of the committee to whom the 
 several petitions were referred a special committee was 
 appointed " to view the farms & the East wing and report 
 to the Court." 
 
 » Mass. Archives, Vol. CXVII, pages 445-447. 
 
102 History oj Princeton 
 
 Report. On the nth of October their report was pre- 
 sented as follows: " The Committee appointed on the 
 Petition of the proprietors and Inhabitants of sundry farms 
 Lying between Lancaster and Narragansett No. 2 and 
 Contigious to Rutland East Wing so called and also 
 proprietors of s'^ wing having Repaired to the Land men- 
 tioned in s"^ Petition viewed the same And heard the Parties 
 are of oppinion that the prayer of the Petition be Granted 
 and the s'^ farms together with s^ East Wing be incorporated 
 into a Sepperate District agreable to a Plan accompanying 
 s"^ Petition and the Petitioners have Liberty to Bring in 
 a bill accordingly. 
 
 Which is Humbly Submitted, 
 Gam^ Bradford by Order." 
 
 This report was accepted the same day and Capt. 
 Richardson was directed " to bring in the Bill," which was 
 done the following day. 
 
 The act of incorporation is as follows: 
 
 Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secundi 
 
 Tricesimo Tercio 
 
 L. S. 
 
 An Act for erecting the East Wing of Rutland, so called, in the County 
 of Worcester, and sundry farms contiguous thereto, lying between Lan- 
 caster and Narraganset number two, into a separate District by the name 
 of Prince Town. 
 
 Whereas a number of the Inhabitants and Proprietors of the East Wing 
 of Rutland, in the County of Worcester, and the proprietors and inhabi- 
 tants of sundry Farms contiguous thereto, lying between Lancaster and 
 Narraganset No. 2, have represented to this court many difficulties they 
 labour under, and praying that they be made a seperate District. 
 
 Therefore, he it enacted by the Governor, Council, and House of Representa- 
 tives, That the said East Wing of Rutland, so called, and sundry farms 
 lying contiguous thereto, contained within the bounds hereafter mentioned, 
 be and hereby is erected into a distinct and seperate District by the name 
 of Prince Town: — viz. beginning at the northwest corner of Lancaster 
 second Precinct, being also the southwest corner of Leominster, from 
 thence running north 54 degrees west seven hundred and sixty rods to 
 a heap of stones upon the line of Narraganset No. 2, from thence run- 
 ning west thirty-five degrees south seven hundred and eighty-eight Rod 
 to the southern corner of said Narraganset number two, then turning 
 and running south-east fifty-six Rod to the northeast corner of said 
 
Incorporation 103 
 
 Rutland East Wing, then turning and running west thirty Degrees south 
 eleven hundred and sixty Rod, on the northwest line of said Wing 
 to the westerly corner of said Wing, then running south thirty-nine de- 
 grees east sixteen hundred and seventy Rod, being the dividing line of the 
 first settlers part of Rutland, the said Wing to the southerly corner of said 
 East Wing, then turning and running east thirty-five degrees north eleven 
 hundred and fifty rods on Holdin fine to the corner of said East Wing, 
 Holdin and Shrewsbury, and from thence running on the same point three 
 hundred and ninety Rod on Shrewsbury line to the River, and from thence 
 bounding on Lancaster second Precinct to the first mentioned bounds, at 
 that the said District be and hereby is invested with all the Privileges, 
 Powers, and Immunities that Towns in the Province by Law do or may 
 enjoy, that of sending a Representative to the General Assembly only 
 excepted. 
 
 Provided, nevertheless, and be it further enacted, That the said District 
 shall pay their proportion of all Town, County and Province Taxes already 
 sett or granted to be raised on the Towns of Rutland and Lancaster as if 
 this act had not been made. 
 
 And be it further enacted, That William Richardson, Esq. be and hereby 
 is empowered to issue his warrant to some principal Inhabitant of said 
 District requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants of said District 
 qualified by law to vote in Town affairs to meet at such time and place as 
 shall be therein set forth to choose all such officers as shall be necessary to 
 manage the affairs of said District. 
 
 October 12th, 17 5g. This Bill having been read thru several times in 
 
 the House of Representatives — 
 
 Passed to be enacted. 
 
 S. White, Spk. 
 
 October i6th, iJSQ- This Bill having been read thru several times in 
 
 Council — 
 
 Passed to be enacted. 
 
 A. Oliver, Sec'y- 
 
 October 20th, 17 5g. By the Governor. I consent to the enacting of this 
 Bill. 
 
 T. POWNALL. 
 
 Thus ended the controversy so long and so earnestly 
 carried on by early inhabitants of the town. During its 
 later history there have been struggles equally warm and 
 vigorous over matters of far less importance. 
 
 For some years after the organization of the District, 
 there was a continual increase in the number of inhabitants, 
 and with the formation of a church and establishment of 
 schools as hereafter described, there was a marked growth 
 in prosperity. 
 
104 History of Princeton 
 
 The Town. As long as they remained a " District " 
 they could send no representative to the General Court, 
 which appeared so desirable that in 1771 measures were 
 taken to secure incorporation as a town and the following 
 petition was prepared, 
 
 " Province of Massachusetts Bay. To His Excellency 
 Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., Governor and Commander-in- 
 Chief in and over said Province. The Honorable His 
 Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in General 
 Court assembled at Cambridge. 
 
 The Petition of Princetown, in the County of Worcester, 
 humbly shews. That said place composed of Province Land 
 and other Lands, and Farms which never before belonged 
 to any Town or District to the Amount of near eight 
 thousand acres, together with a part of the original grant 
 of twelve miles square to the Proprietors of Rutland, which 
 part was never incorporated into the Town of Rutland, or 
 any other Town, as many of this Honorable Court are well 
 Knowing, was in the year 1760 (1759) erected into a Dis- 
 trict by the name of Princetown, and was not annexed to 
 any Town to join with them in the choice of Representative 
 and never can join in any, without being subject to greater 
 difficulties, than any District lately made by reason of the 
 distance, and badness of the Roads. 
 
 Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray (seeing said 
 District was composed of lands, which never before be- 
 longed to any town or District) you would out of your 
 wonted goodness erect said place into a Town, with all the 
 powers and privileges which are enjoyed by other towns 
 in this province. 
 
 And as in Duty bound will ever pray, 
 
 Boaz Moore 
 Caleb Mirick 
 Joseph Sargent 
 Ebenezer Jones 
 
 Committee 
 
 The result of this petition was the passage of an act, 
 which is summarized. 
 
Incorporation 105 
 
 By this act all the unincorporated lands adjoining were 
 included within the bounds of the new town. This was 
 more than was asked for or desired, as it brought into the 
 town limits the undesirable lands " (chefly uninhabitable)" 
 on the north as far as Lunenburg, entailing upon the town 
 additional expense for maintenance of roads, etc. Whether 
 this clause in the act was unintentional or the result of some 
 treachery on the part of owners of that unproductive 
 territory, cannot now be determined. 
 
 The Town expressed its opinion of this matter by de- 
 claring by vote in October, 1771, " that it is a hardship 
 both to the towns and the farms lately laid to it, that 
 they should be annexed, inasmuch as they are in no way 
 accommodated to it and that it is impracticable they 
 should receive privileges that they be not rated." In 
 May, 1772, a Committee was chosen to petition to the 
 General Court " to take off the farms lately annexed " 
 which was done. 
 
 " A Petition of the Town of Princeton, in the County of 
 Worcester, was presented by their Committee to the 
 General Court at their last Session Shewing that in April, 
 1 77 1, that Place, which before was a District, was erected 
 in a Town, and all adjoining Lands which belonged to no 
 other Town or District were annexed, unpetitioned for, 
 which brings the Town into a very irregular Form ; a Strip 
 of Land extended to a great Distance from the Center 
 where the Meeting-house stands; that all and every Part 
 of said Lands is nearer and Roads may be made with less 
 Expense to some other Town or District than to Princeton; 
 That the Town is new & almost in its infancy, have been 
 and are necessarily obliged to be at great Expense in finish- 
 ing their Meeting-House and making new Roads; That 
 there are but few Inhabitants on this adjoining Land, all 
 of whom usually attend Public Worship; and before their 
 Union with that Town paid Province Taxes to some other 
 Town and have never paid any there to this day; That the 
 Town of Princeton, in addition to all the Burdens of 
 Settling a minister, building a Meeting-House and making 
 
io6 History of Princeton 
 
 new Roads must expend Hundreds or Thousands of Pounds 
 to make Roads through this Part, of which the Settlers can 
 bear but a very small Proportion; one Road in particular 
 lately laid out from Westminster to Leominster through 
 said land must cost Eighty or hundred Pounds lawful 
 money to make it passable, and people must be called from 
 the middle and extreme Parts of the Town, and thereby 
 be obliged to travel ten or twelve miles to work on said 
 Road; Being subject to so many Difficulties, which in 
 Process of Time may be encreased by causing a Removal 
 of the Meeting-House. They therefore pray the said Lands 
 may be disannexed. 
 
 Several Inhabitants of the said Lands, join with the above 
 Petitioners, as they can be better accommodated at some 
 other Town or District.^ 
 
 The petition was granted and an act passed Mch. 6, 1773, 
 by which the bounds of the town became identical with 
 those of the District in 1759. 
 
 Boundaries. No change in the town lines was made 
 until 18 10, when a tract of some 490 acres in Hubbardston 
 on the westerly side of the town was annexed to Princeton. 
 An attempt made in 1793 by Solomon Rolph and others 
 to accomplish this failed, but in 1809 Abner Allen, Abra- 
 ham Cutting and a few others renewed the petition desiring 
 better accommodations both " civil and Sacred " (Petition 
 dated May 28, 1809) especially in the winter season. They 
 represented that they were located some five and three 
 quarters miles from Hubbardston meeting-house, and that 
 it would be for their decided advantage if the Brattle farm 
 " or Great Farm No, i " was annexed to Princeton, there 
 being a good road to the latter town and the distance 
 to the meeting-house was but two and three quarters 
 miles. 
 
 Notwithstanding the protest of the town of Hubbardston 
 the act of annexation was passed Feb. 16, 18 10. 
 
 This tract comprised one of the original divisions of 
 
 ' Mass. Gazette, Sept. 3, 1772. 
 
Incorporation 107 
 
 Rutland " North East Quarter." Its addition to Princeton 
 mal<;es the line of the town very noticeable for its irregu- 
 larity. 
 
 No Town. The annexation of " No Town " to Princeton 
 followed in 1838. By this name a tract of land lying 
 between Fitchburg, Westminster, Leominster and Prince- 
 ton was for many years known. 
 
 All of this, comprising nearly five thousand acres, was 
 included in one of the plans submitted in 1759 to the 
 General Court at the time the question of incorporation of 
 the town was agitated. In the section relating to Gardner's 
 farms, mention is made of some of the early inhabitants in 
 the westerly part of it. 
 
 By the act of incorporation in 1771 this whole territory 
 was actually included in Princeton, but in 1773 was set 
 off. 
 
 In 1837 Commissioners were appointed by the General 
 Court to view all the unincorporated lands in the state and 
 " make arrangements for their incorporation or annexation 
 to the adjoining towns " &c. Their report is printed in 
 Senate Document No. 12 of the year 1838. In relation to 
 this tract it is stated that there were eight dwellings on it 
 " containing in 1831 sixty-four inhabitants, but no mill, 
 school-house or public road, the location, the unevenness 
 of surface and quality of soil is such that its population 
 will never be much increased, and can never possess 
 resources of any kind sufficient for a town." The Com- 
 missioners proposed an equitable division of the tract, 
 by the annexation of 1475 acres to Princeton, 1307 
 acres to Westminster and the remainder 2100 acres to 
 Leominster. 
 
 This recommendation was adopted and acts in accordance 
 therewith passed by the Legislature, April 4, 1838. The 
 plans for the whole tract were drawn by Capt. Caleb Dana 
 of Princeton. That portion annexed to Princeton con- 
 tained 1462 acres of which 800 were woodland, and upon 
 the tract there were four dwelling houses and one shingle 
 mill. 
 
io8 History of Princeton 
 
 The line dividing Westminster and Princeton was 
 changed by an act of the Legislature, April 19, 1870, which 
 annexed to this town a small strip of land previously be- 
 longing to Westminster. 
 
 This was done to accommodate one man, and although 
 the people of this town did not approve of it they unin- 
 tentionally let the bill pass without remonstrance. 
 

 iUJ/JJ.^Y// 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 THE REVEREND THOMAS PRINCE 
 
 Town Name. It is safe to say that the residents of 
 Princeton have not been familiar with the character, social 
 standing and even greatness of the Rev. Thomas Prince 
 whose name the town bears, and who was in many respects 
 a remarkable man. 
 
 Birth. Born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, May 15, 1687, 
 he was graduated at Harvard College in 1707. For several 
 years after graduation he travelled extensively abroad, 
 visiting among other places, London, Amsterdam and the 
 Barbadoes. 
 
 While in London he preached in several churches and 
 was invited by one or more to settle with them, and he did 
 settle at Coombs, but his love for his native land led him 
 to decline all invitations to remain permanently abroad, 
 and in the year 1717 he returned to Boston. 
 
 The Old South Church. His fame as a preacher had 
 preceded him, and he was at once desired by the members 
 of the Old South Church to become the colleague of the 
 pastor. Rev. Dr. Sewall, and a call resulted in his accept- 
 ance in 1 7 18, and in this relation he remained forty years 
 until his death. It is recorded that in September, 1717, he 
 preached a Thanksgiving Sermon at the " Thursday Lec- 
 ture " in the hearing of " a multitudinous auditory, many 
 belonging to the adjacent towns being present." 
 
 Ordination. He was ordained Oct. i, 1718, the sermon 
 being preached by Mr. Prince himself and it is said to have 
 been " a wonderful production." Judge Sewall records 
 of this service " Sang the Chariots of God are twenty 
 thousand." " Entertainment was at Dr. Sewall's house, 
 was very plentiful and splendid." (The charge on the 
 Deacons' books for wine used on this occasion was 
 
 £5,17,3.) 
 
 109 
 
no History of Princeton 
 
 Salary. At the time of the marriage of Mr. Prince to 
 Miss Deborah Denny, Oct. 30, 17 19, the church voted that 
 " Three Pounds five shilHngs per week be allowed and paid 
 to Mr. Thomas Prince our Rev'd Pastor from the time of 
 his marriage." and that " he be desired by the Committee 
 to remove into one of the ministerial houses of the Church 
 as soon as may be." The salary thus voted was not a 
 meager stipend for the time. 
 
 At first he appears to have occupied the old parsonage 
 which was formerly the residence of Madam Norton and 
 Governor Winthrop. 
 
 Residences in Boston. In a preface to the second edition 
 of his " Chronology " Mr. Prince refers to a valuable 
 journal of events relating to the Massachusetts Colony 
 " All wrote with the said Governor Winthrop's own hand 
 who deceased in this very house I dwell in." This house 
 was on the main highway, now Washington Street, opposite 
 School Street. It was destroyed and used for firewood by 
 the British troops during the winter of 1775. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Prince afterwards occupied another 
 " Ministerial house " built on Milk Street in the rear of 
 the meeting house. It was probably in this latter house 
 that he died. The church appears to have had at differ- 
 ent periods three or four parsonages. 
 
 Plan for the Day. Mr. Prince commenced with a well- 
 regulated household, as is shown by a manuscript found 
 among his papers giving his plan for each day's duties, in 
 the carrying out of which it is presumed Deborah ac- 
 quiesced. 
 
 1 719 Oct. 30 I marry. 
 
 We begin to keep house. 
 My proposed order: 
 
 1 At 5 get up and go into my Study. 
 
 2 Pray and read in the Orig. Bible till 6 and then call up the 
 
 Family. 
 
 3 At 6^ Go to Family Prayers and only the Porringer of 
 
 Chocolat for Breakfast. 
 
The Reverend Thomas Prince iii 
 
 4 At 7 go into my study till 12)4 and then do something 
 
 about the House till i to dinner. 
 
 5 Dinner at i. 
 
 6 At 2 Dress and go about till Candle Light, Except Wednes- 
 
 day, after Dinner, do something about the House: Satur- 
 day after Dinner visit Dr. Sewall's till 2]/> and then 
 Home. 
 
 7 At Candle Light and Study to 9>4 at 9>4 go to Family 
 
 Prayers and so to Bed: N. B. I eat no supper. 
 
 Quality as a Minister. With a pleasing personality he 
 was a favorite with young and old, being in private con- 
 versation both interesting and instructive. He was a tender 
 and faithful pastor and is said by one to have preached 
 as one that felt " the Divine Excellency and importance 
 of the Word of God which he preached to others." 
 
 During his pastorate there was great religious prosperity. 
 At the time of Whitfield's visit to Boston, he welcomed him 
 and joined and rejoiced in his great work. 
 
 One notable incident in his pulpit ministrations in 1746 
 is related. A French fleet consisting of forty ships of war 
 under the Due D'Aulney sailed from Nova Scotia with 
 designs for the destruction of New England. Meanwhile 
 a day of fasting and prayer was appointed to be observed 
 in all the churches, if by any means a gracious Providence 
 in His own chosen way might avert the threatened calamity. 
 While Mr. Prince was officiating on this occasion in his own 
 church, and was in the midst of a fervent prayer for divine 
 interposition, though the day up to that time had been 
 perfectly calm, there came a sudden gust of wind, so violent 
 as to cause a loud clattering of the windows. He instantly 
 paused in his prayer, looked around upon his congregation 
 with a countenance illumined with hope, and then pro- 
 ceeded to ask God that the wind " might frustrate the 
 object of our enemies and be the means of saving our 
 country." A tempest ensued in which the greater part of 
 the French fleet was destroyed. The General commanding 
 surrendered, many died of disease, thousands perished in 
 the ocean, and the enterprise was abandoned. 
 
1 1 2 History of Princeton 
 
 Literary Ability. Of his literary abilities much has been 
 written, — " his industry was perfectly exhaustive." In 
 early life he showed a marked inclination to collect and 
 preserve historical material, which found its culmination in 
 the preparation and publication of the New Kngland 
 Chronology by which he is perhaps best known, and " than 
 which there is none more valuable." He shared with the 
 Mathers the reputation of being the most learned man in 
 New England in the Eighteenth Century, but surpassed all 
 the Mathers in the method, accuracy and usefulness of his 
 writings. Dr. Chauncey said of him, " He possessed all 
 the intellectual powers in a degree far beyond what is 
 common. I do not know of anyone that had more learning 
 among us, excepting Dr. Cotton Mather." Others say, 
 " an assiduous annalist whose service in perpetuating 
 evidence relating to our early history exceeds all others 
 since the first generation." " Nothing came from his pen 
 that does not now possess historical value. His occasional 
 papers are all luminous with the spirit and life of the time." 
 
 Publications. In addition to his ordinary pulpit minis- 
 trations he delivered many sermons upon public events, 
 and funeral discourses portraying the life and character of 
 men and women whose memory was worth preserving. 
 It is stated that at least fifty of these public addresses and 
 sermons were printed. Many are found in our libraries 
 to-day. 
 
 Earthquakes and Lightning Rods. Among other publi- 
 cations Mr. Prince published in 1727 a Sermon entitled 
 " Earth(juakes the Works of Cxod and Tokens of His Just 
 Displeasure," of which in 1755 he issued a reprint with an 
 " appendix concerning the Operation of God in Earth- 
 quakes by means of the Electrical Substance." He was 
 opposed to the use of the lightning rod, regarding all such 
 attempts to c?scape the wrath of the Almighty as question- 
 able devices. His warning against the lightning rod is 
 stated in these words; — "the more points of Iron are 
 erected round the Earth, to draw the Electrical Substance 
 out of the Air, the more the Earth must needs be charged 
 
The Reverend Thomas Prince 1 1 3 
 
 with it. And therefore it seems worthy of Consideration 
 whether any part of the Earth, l)eing fuller of this terrible 
 Substance, may not be exposed to more shocking Earth- 
 quakes. In Boston are more erected than anywhere else 
 in New England; and Boston seems to be more dreadfully 
 Shaken, — O, there is no getting out of the mighty Hand of 
 God. If we still think to avoid it in the Air we cannot in 
 the Earth; yea, it may grow more fatal." (Extract from 
 " The Old Farmer and his Almanac," page 301.) 
 
 Prof. John Winthrop published a pamphlet taking issue 
 with Mr. Prince and severely criticizing his statement. 
 
 Psalms. Mr. Prince also prepared a revision of the New 
 England version of the Psalms which was used for the first 
 time by the Old South Church on the Sabbath following 
 his death. 
 
 Rutland Lands. The first evidence discovered of Mr. 
 Prince's interest in Rutland lands is shown in a conveyance 
 to him by the heirs of Cyprian Stevens, in the year 1727, 
 for £120 current money, of one-half of a share, that is, one 
 sixty-sixth part of the tract known as the Township of Rut- 
 land, which originally was twelve miles square, or 92,160 
 acres. Six miles square had been set off for the town of 
 Rutland with some other concessions or grants. This deed 
 was not recorded until the year 1734. (In examination of 
 old deeds one finds evidence that often the recording is 
 delayed until some one is ready to go to the shire town, and 
 then perhaps half a dozen deeds will be entered for record 
 the same day from the same locality.) 
 
 Mr. Prince was one of the ten signers of a call issued 
 Oct. 4, 1733. This was published in a Boston paper. The 
 meeting was held Nov. 7 in Boston at the Royal Exchange 
 Tavern on King St. 
 
 At this meeting thirteen persons were present including 
 Mr. Prince. Among the number were prominent business 
 men of Boston, many of them members or attendants at 
 the Old South Church. Such names appear as Penn 
 Townsend, Adam Winthrop, PVancis Brinley, John Jeffries, 
 Thomas Fitch and Jonas Clark. Of the eleven and one- 
 
114 History of Princeton 
 
 half shares represented at the meeting Mr. Prince was 
 credited with three shares (or one-eleventh of the whole) 
 and his share of the tax subsequently levied was 3o£. 
 Nothing appears in print or among the few remaining 
 Prince Manuscripts to suggest what led him to purchase 
 so large an interest in this tract of land, as there was no 
 present, or seemingly prospective, value to the larger part 
 of it. But he certainly could not be called a " promoter " 
 in the modern use of the word, as he retained his holdings, 
 and at the time of his death is said to have possessed some 
 three thousand acres all together. There is no evidence 
 that he realized any financial gain from his possessions, nor 
 did his widow or daughter profit much thereby. 
 
 Among his associates Mr. Prince quickly assumed a 
 prominent place, and it was not long before he was engaged 
 in plotting out the divisions of the tract, — East and West 
 Wings, North West Quarter, North East Quarter. At least 
 one of these plans bearing the signature of Mr. Prince and 
 the Committee of the Proprietors has been preserved. 
 The original plan of the East W^ing long ago disappeared, 
 but fortunately a small copy was found by the writer a few 
 years ago among papers at Rutland. 
 
 Although not the Clerk of the Proprietors nor their 
 Treasurer, there is evidence that he performed a part, if 
 not the principal part, of the duties of both these officers. 
 
 One can trace his probable route as he left his home in 
 Boston for one of his trips to the interior. He would pass 
 perhaps through Cambridge and Waltham to Sudbury 
 where he could greet his brother minister and perhaps be 
 entertained over night. In the morning he would follow 
 the old travelled road to Lancaster, at that period a fre- 
 quently used country road. At Lancaster he would find 
 another brother in the ministry, a college friend whose 
 entertainment he might prefer to the inn. From Lancaster 
 he would pass through Chocksett, now Sterling, then into 
 the path used by occasional travellers in that direction. 
 By this time he would find dwellings few and far between, 
 especially when he reached the area now included in our 
 
The Reverend Thomas Prince 115 
 
 town.^ From this point doubtless the road was very rough 
 and as there was no settlement or even occasional houses 
 he had to depend upon his own resources for rest and 
 refreshment. If he desired to survey his own possessions 
 in Lot A which included a part of Little Wachusett, the 
 prospect must certainly have been discouraging. 
 
 Gift for Services. The proprietors recognized the value 
 of Mr. Prince's services and in 1734 voted " that 63 acres 
 on the Southerly part of the 'J2 acres of land in Lot A, not 
 having been set off to any of the proprietors by reason of 
 the Brokenness of it be granted to the Rev. Thos. Prince 
 in consideration of the great care and labour he had taken 
 in conveyancing divisions above named." In the prosecu- 
 tion of this work he must frequently have taken a journey 
 alone or accompanied by a Surveyor or one of the pro- 
 prietors. 
 
 Death. The last meeting of the Proprietors attended by 
 Mr. Prince was held on the 15th of August, 1758. After 
 a long illness during which he said he was " weary of this 
 life " he passed away on Sunday, Oct. 22, 1758. ^ 
 
 His last prayer is reported as being a petition " that an 
 open and abundant entrance might be ministered to him 
 into God's heavenly kingdom." 
 
 Mr. Prince was doubtless buried in a tomb in the Granary 
 Burial Ground, — a tomb belonging to the Old South 
 Church, — and a marker at this spot now bears his name. 
 
 The preamble to his will, dictated of course by himself, 
 shows the greatness of his faith, and is worthy of being put 
 into print. 
 
 ' There was no tavern in this locality until 1742 when one was established 
 on what is now called the Houghton Road. This spot is now marked by a 
 boulder. 
 
 2 "The Old South Church," by Hill, Vol. 2 : 40. 
 
 Sunday between five and six o'clock in the afternoon, the Rev'd Mr. Prince 
 departed this life after a month's languishment to the inexpressible sorrow of 
 his Church and Congregation over whom he had been ordained pastor forty 
 years the 1st. day of the month on which he died, which was Oct. 22, 1758, 
 his funeral was attended the Saturday following at the expense of his Church, 
 who have a just sense of his worth and of their own irreparable loss in his 
 death. {Fleet.) 
 
ii6 History of Princeton 
 
 Preamble to Will. " First and primarily I do hereby 
 commit both my soul and body into the merciful hands of 
 God my Creator preserver, continual benefactor and 
 redeemer (trusting) that of his infinite goodness through 
 Christ he will forgive me save me make my imperfect 
 spirit perfect in holiness receive it to Glory in the day 
 of Christ's second appearance and raise my body, form 
 it a perfect and glorious structure, unite my body and 
 soul again and acquit and justify me in the public judg- 
 ment and then carry me up to live with Him in Heaven 
 forever." 
 
 The will devises his real estate to his wife and daughter 
 Sarah who afterwards married Moses Gill. (His only son 
 Thomas had previously died a young man. He had how- 
 ever given evidence of marked literary ability.) 
 
 Lands in Boston, Plymouth Co., Worcester Co., Hamp- 
 shire Co., besides those in the several divisions of Rutland 
 district are named. A portion of this had been given to 
 him, and probably some tracts came through his wife's 
 family, but he purchased the larger portion of it, and his 
 sales were few indeed. Unfortunately no inventory of the 
 estate appears on record or on file. Certainly a record 
 of his personal property would be extremely interesting 
 today. 
 
 The property left by his father may have enabled him 
 to gratify his desire to acquire real estate, and also to 
 publish so much historical and religious matter. 
 
 There is a portrait of Prince in the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society and a replica is with the American 
 Antiquarian Society of Worcester.^ 
 
 P. Pelham fecit. 
 Thomas Prince, A. M./ Quintus Eclesiae Australis Bos- 
 tonii Novangelorum Pastor E. Collegii Harvardini/ Canto- 
 brigiae Curatoribus, Samuelis Armigeni Fileus et Thomas 
 A. M. denoti Pater/ Painted for and sold by J. Buck at the 
 Spectacles in Queen St., Boston. 
 
 ^ J no. Greenwood Pinx. 
 
The Reverend Thomas Prince 117 
 
 Translation 
 
 John Greenwood painted (it) P. Pelham made (it) 
 Thomas Prince A. M. Fifth pastor of the South Church of 
 Boston of New England, one of the Trustees of Harvard 
 College at Cambridge, son of Samuel Esq. and father of 
 Thomas Master of Arts deceased. 
 
 Prince Library. We are indebted to Mr. Prince not 
 only for his historical writings which furnish the basis for 
 much of our local history in New England, but also for the 
 invaluable collection of books, pamphlets, and MSS, which 
 he bequeathed to the South Church, and which will stand 
 for all time as a monument to his name and scholarship. 
 
 This collection he began to form even in his boyhood. 
 One book shows that it was given to him by his mother in 
 1697, when he was ten years old; another bears date of 
 possession, Harwich, 1701. 
 
 The purpose to collect seems to have become a settled 
 one with him upon his entering college in 1703, his object 
 being the illustration of the history of New England. 
 
 It was, therefore, at the time of his matriculation in the 
 sixteenth year of his age, that Prince systematically laid 
 the foundation of a collection of books and manuscripts, 
 a large share of which relate to the civil and religious history 
 of New England, and which, with unfailing zeal and under 
 the most favorable circumstances, in this country and in 
 Europe, he cherished and enriched during his long life. 
 At the time of his death the New England Library (as he 
 called it), we may well believe, was the most extensive of its 
 kind that had ever been formed. During the period of our 
 Colonial history, the Mather family and Governor Hutchin- 
 son are alone to be compared with Prince as collectors of 
 books and manuscripts. Their labors in this direction 
 avail us little now, for the governor's collection was scat- 
 tered by a mob, while the Mather' has been gradually 
 dispersed.' 
 
 • From Introduction to Cat. of Prince Library, pub. by City of Boston in 
 
 1870. 
 
Il8 History of Princeton 
 
 The large collection of books, maps and plans which he 
 left by will to the Old South Church was sadly depleted 
 during the days of the Revolution, when the British soldiers 
 occupied the meeting house where the collections were 
 stored, many of them in the steeple chamber. Fortunately 
 some were saved and are now in the Boston Public Library. 
 A catalogue of these has been published and is interesting 
 to examine, while the books themselves cause one to feel 
 that he is in the very presence of Mr. Prince. Other 
 valuable historical material is held by the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society. 
 
 Prof. Tyler says of him: — " He had prepared himself for 
 the public service by diligent study at home, and by eight 
 years of observation abroad ; he was a man of most tolerant 
 and brotherly spirit; his days were filled by gentle and 
 gracious and laborious deeds; he was a great scholar; he 
 magnified his office and edified the brethren by publishing 
 a large number of judicious and nutritious sermons; ... he 
 took a special interest in physical science, and formed quite 
 definite opinions about earthquakes, comets, ' the electrical 
 substance,' and so forth. 
 
 " For all these things he was deeply honored in his own 
 time, and would have been deeply forgotten in ours had he 
 not added to them very unique performances as a historian. 
 No American writer before Thomas Prince qualified himself 
 for the service of history by so much conscientious and 
 specific preparation; and though others did more work in 
 that service, none did better work than he." 
 
 Lord's Day, Nov. 12, 1758. 
 The Church stay'd and voted, 
 
 That the Pastor and Deacons with the Hon. Andrew 
 Oliver, Esq. (then the secretary of the province) be a 
 committee to receive the Books, &c. bequeathed to this 
 Church by our late Pastor, the Rev'd Mr. Thomas Prince, 
 in his last Will. 
 
 Joseph Sewall. 
 
The Reverend Thomas Prince 119 
 
 This will was dated Oct. 2, twenty days before his 
 death. He provides for the manufacture of a sacramental 
 cup for the Church, and he gives his Hebrew Bible in 
 two volumes, and his Greek Testament to his colleague. 
 He then disposes of his library in two parts, his books in 
 Latin, Greek, and the Oriental languages to be kept for 
 the use of the ministers of the church; and the collection 
 which he designates as the New England Library to be 
 preserved apart and intact as a reference library, under the 
 control of the pastors and deacons of the Church. This 
 collection was in the " steeple Chamber " which he had 
 probably used as his study, and here it remained for many 
 years. The vicissitudes through which it has passed are 
 too painful to contemplate. It undoubtedly suffered 
 severely during the British occupation of the town and 
 desecration of the meeting-house. It afterwards suffered 
 from the neglect and from a want of appreciation on the 
 part of its custodians of its intrinsic value. 
 
 Many of its treasures have drifted away from it and are 
 now among the chief attractions of other collections; but 
 despoiled as it has been by time. It is a splendid fragment, 
 and as such, under existing arrangements for its care and 
 preservation, it Is now safe. 
 
 " As Michael Angelo, in his blind old age, was led to the 
 * Torso Belvedere ' In the Vatican, that he might pass his 
 hands over it, and enjoy through touch the grandeur of its 
 lines, so will scholars come and continue to come from all 
 parts of the land to what remains of the New England 
 Library, that they may gather knowledge and inspiration 
 from its treasures." 
 
 Life's Work. Forty years before, when entering upon 
 his ministry in Boston, Mr. Prince preached from the words 
 of the Psalmist: " But I will hope continually, and will yet 
 praise thee more and more. My mouth shall show forth 
 thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day, for I know 
 not the numbers thereof, I will go Into the strength of the 
 Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even 
 of thine only, O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; 
 
120 History oj Princeton 
 
 and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works." 
 Psalm LXXI, 14-17. 
 
 He was, in the strength of his early manhood, just 
 installed in a position of commanding influence, and with 
 a career of honor and usefulness, bright with promise, yet 
 of course all uncertain, lying before him. Could he have 
 preached a sermon to his people in his declining years in 
 anticipation of the close at no distant day of his pastoral 
 work among them, he might well have made reference to 
 that first sermon, and then have taken for his text the 
 remainder of the passage, which would have been inappro- 
 priate in 1 7 18, but most appropriate in 1758: " Now also, 
 when I am old and grey headed, O God, forsake me not, 
 until I have showed thy strength unto this generation and 
 thy power to every one that is to come." 
 
 Of the value of Mr. Prince's historical labors we have 
 this estimate by another writer whose attainments and 
 sympathies made him a competent judge: 
 
 " The 22d of Oct. (1758) will be remembered as a re- 
 markable day in the history of the town, and not only of 
 Boston, but of New England; for in that day died the 
 Rev. Thomas Prince, a benefactor to his country; leaving 
 a name which will be venerated to the remotest ages, if 
 literature shall then be valued; a name which may with 
 pride be emulated by the inquirers after historical knowl- 
 edge, and the admirers of precision and accuracy in the 
 paths of history." ^ 
 
 1 Hist. Am. Literature, Vol. ii, p. 144; Drake's Hist, and Antiq., p. 646. 
 
 NOTES 
 
 New England Magazine, '86, Vol. 4 : 347; New England Library and its 
 Founder by Victoria Reed. 
 
 The Boston Library contains, on its depleted state, 1500 books and tracts 
 relating to America during the period of our colonial history. It also gives an 
 excellent account of his life, his character as a minister, and refers to his 
 children — three daughters and one son. 
 
 In the Boylston Mansion is a beautiful portrait of Mrs. Sarah Gill, his 
 daughter. 
 
 A tall clock that he prized is the property' of Mrs. Addison Denny of 
 Leicester. 
 
The Reverend Thomas Prince 121 
 
 The Hinckley papers tell of his grandmother as being a beautiful woman 
 and exceptional in other ways. 
 
 Deborah Denny grew up in England as a child under his ministrations. 
 She came to New England to live with her brother on the same boat by which 
 Mr. Prince returned to his native land. She was ten years his junior. Two 
 years later he married her. 
 
 It is hoped that some benefactor will present a portrait of Mr. Prince to 
 the town. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 
 
 First Difficulties. The earliest inhabitants of Prince- 
 ton were dependent for privileges of public worship upon 
 the neighboring towns of Rutland, Holden, Lancaster and 
 Westminster. But the many miles of travel over roads 
 imperfect in construction and often impassable from the 
 snows of winter and the mud of springtime, prevented 
 regular attendance, and those whose hearts yearned for 
 their accustomed privileges were obliged to content them- 
 selves by their own firesides. 
 
 Meetings at Private Houses. As the population in- 
 creased and facilities for travel improved, it became 
 feasible for a few families to gather together in some private 
 house where a religious service was held, with occasionally 
 a sermon. At one time one room in the tavern of Abijah 
 Moore furnished sufficient accommodation for the audience 
 assembled to hear the preaching of the Word. The 
 attendance was never large, and the Sabbaths thus occupied 
 were few in number and only during the summer season, 
 but the number of these gatherings was gradually in- 
 creased, extending over several months of the most favor- 
 able season. 
 
 Mr. Harrington's Sermon. Of the character of the 
 services, the preaching, the attendance, no record remains. 
 The people came, received the Word with gladness and 
 departed to their homes. Some rode on horseback, others 
 walked and in some cases through mere paths guided by 
 marked trees or familiar objects by the way. One sermon 
 preached the Sunday before the first town-meeting and 
 published at the expense of the people of Princeton district 
 by Rev. Timothy Harrington of Lancaster at the tavern 
 of Abijah Moore to " a handful of us who found our way to 
 

 peaceable Temper, and Condu^J: 
 divinely enjoined. 
 
 inni /iy 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 Delivered at Princetowx, 
 
 On Deamber 23d 1759. 
 
 By Timothy Harrington^ A. 
 
 Paftor of the Firft Church in Lantafler, 
 
 If it ht poSible^ iive peaceablj 'mith all Men,— Ap«fUc PAUt. 
 
 Lit there h no Str'tfn betikeen thee^ aTtd «?, I pray ihce, for ow ar^ 
 Bttthrtn. Patriarch Abraham. 
 
 BthUd hov} good, and hvm plcafant it if, for Brethren /» d'-Jiell to 
 
 gtihtr in Unity, Thert ths Lord commandeth the BUfing. 
 
 KingDAvio. 
 
 ByCtncordfmallThingtincreaff, ^ ' Dutch Motto, 
 
 <v^ ^- "^^ ^ - . 
 
 BOS ^T O N: 
 
 Printed antl Sold by Edes aiul Oil!, in Qucen-Sf1f%ef> 
 M.DCCLX. 
 
/: 
 
 To the Inhabitants of Princetmn^ 
 
 HIS pifcQurfe, pub- 
 liihed at their Requeft 
 and Expence, is now in- 
 fcribed. And that the di- 
 vine Bleffing may attend 
 it, and reft on that infant 
 Society, is thefincerePrayer 
 pf their affured Friend. 
 
 The Author. 
 
 ?v<k;SS;;^;^;J^;^;^? 
 
Ecclesiastical History 123 
 
 church by marked trees " (as told by one of the number) 
 has been preserved In print. ^ 
 
 The incorporation of the District in October, 1759, led 
 to serious considerations of the subject of the erection of 
 a meeting-house and the settlement of a minister of the 
 gospel. 
 
 The First Meeting House. It was always one of the 
 first acts of a New England town to provide for the spiritual 
 needs of the people, to be followed by provision for edu- 
 cation of the children. But a majority of the settlers here 
 were poor, and all had been at great expense in starting out 
 in their new life, and hence found it difficult to contribute 
 in any great measure towards public or private demands. 
 The amount of available cash at that period in the average 
 family, dependent upon the proceeds of the farm, must 
 have been wonderfully small. 
 
 The system of barter, by which the products of one 
 industry could be exchanged for others, was really the only 
 method by which they could procure the necessaries and 
 conveniences of life. 
 
 Location. If the financial problem was difficult to solve, 
 the location of the projected house of worship was equally 
 so, provoking discussion and eliciting as many opinions 
 probably as there were legal voters in the town. But early 
 
 ^ A peaceable Temper and Conduct 
 divinely enjoined. 
 
 A 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 Delivered at PRINCETON 
 
 On December 23d. 1759 
 
 By Timothy Harrington, A.M. 
 
 Pastor of the First Church in Lancaster 
 
 If it be possible, live peaceable with all men etc. 
 
 To the Inhabitants of Princetown. 
 
 This Discourse, published at their Request and Expense 13 
 
 now inscribed. And that the Divine Blessing may attend it, and 
 
 rest on that infant Society, is the Sincere Prayer of their assured 
 
 Friend, 
 
 The AUTHOR. 
 
124 History of Princeton 
 
 in the year 1760, only a few months after its incorporation, 
 the district voted to build a meeting house " within two 
 Rods of the most southerly corner of Mr. Caleb Mirick's 
 Land." The selection of this spot was doubtless owing to 
 the proposed gift of the necessary land therefor by John 
 Mirick, Jr., then of Weston, and Caleb Mirick of Prince- 
 town, who on the 5th of June of that year executed a joint 
 deed to the district " for an Encouragement for Building a 
 public meeting-house in said District for the Worship of 
 God, and accommodation of a training Field." 
 
 This lot of five acres upon which the house was finally 
 erected was in " Lot Number Four " of the East Wing and 
 described in the deed as " beginning 80 rods north of the 
 most easterly corner of Letter B, and running north 40° 
 west, 40 rods by Letter B, thence east 32° north 20 rods, 
 thence south 40° east 40 rods, thence west 32° south 20 
 rods to the first point." 
 
 The easterly line of lot " Letter B " runs in the rear of 
 the present town hall, and the most easterly corner thereof 
 is about ten rods north of the present parsonage; from 
 thence the northerly line runs nearly northwest, crossing 
 the road near the top of the hill and on by the old cemetery. 
 
 But the passage of this vote did not ensure the speedy 
 prosecution of the work. Dissatisfaction with the loca- 
 tion, with perhaps questions of policy of which we get only 
 vague hints from the records, occasioned long delay in the 
 building. An attempt was made in February, 1761, to 
 commit the town to some positive movement, but without 
 success. In the warrant for the regular March meeting 
 of that year two articles appeared expressive evidently 
 of the desires of the two factions into which the voters 
 had separated. 
 
 The first article read " To see if the Destrict will vote to 
 build the meeting house, to wit — the house for the publick 
 worship of God in some other place then that which it is 
 allredy Voted to be built on and vote aney thing Relating 
 thereunto that the Destrict Shall think proper or otherwise 
 vote where the said meeting house shall be built." 
 
Ecclesiastical History 125 
 
 The second article read " To see if the Destrict will vote 
 to build a meeting house as soon as can be conveniently 
 and choose a committee for the same and make Report 
 unto the Destrict upon what terms they can git it built 
 and when, or act any thing as the Destrict shall think 
 proper." 
 
 This last article was passed over, the following action 
 having been taken upon the first. 
 
 Voted " that Co" John Whitcomb of Bolton, Deacon 
 Samuel Perce of Holden and Deacon Joseph Miller of 
 Westminster be a Committee to measure the said Destrict 
 of Princetown, and find the Center thereof and afix or order 
 the place for building the meeting house on, to wit, the 
 house for the publick worship of God and if the Center be 
 not Sutable ground to build said house on then on the 
 nearest place to the Center that is Sutable according to the 
 best Judgement of said Committee and they are desired 
 to make return thereof at the adjournment of this meeting, 
 and it is also voted that Mr. Thos. Harmon of Rutland, 
 and Deacon Jonathan Livermore of Westborough be Sur- 
 veyours for the purpose above said and that all the said 
 Committee and surveyours be under oath for the trust 
 Committed to them as above said." 
 
 " Also voted that the vote for building the said meeting 
 house within two rods of the most southerly corner of 
 Mr. Caleb Myricks Land be and hereby is Revoked and 
 Discontinued." 
 
 This committee was eminently fitted for the duties 
 assigned them, but unfortunately their report was not 
 recorded and we know not what was their " best judg- 
 ment"; we do know however that the majority of the 
 voters refused to accept it when presented. The following 
 June they authorized the payment of the bill of expenses 
 of the worthy Committee, amounting only, however, to 
 the sum of £6.9. and proceeded to exercise their own " best 
 judgment " in the matter, resulting in the passing of a vote 
 on the 22d of July, 1761, that " the meeting house for the 
 publick worship of God be built on the highest part of the 
 
126 History of Princeton 
 
 Land given by Mr. John and Caleb Mirick to the District 
 for their pubHck use near three Pine trees marked on the 
 northerly side, being near a large flat rock." ^ 
 
 This action settled the location of the house, those 
 present knowing better than we do which of the ten 
 thousand rocks on the hill was thus honored. The pine 
 trees gave way to the building, but the rock may still be 
 there. 
 
 Some of the good people were not quite ready to submit 
 to this decision and even a year after this vote, an attempt 
 was made to effect a change. On the same day of this 
 decision, July 22, 1761, appears the following record relat- 
 ing to preaching. " Voted to hire two months preaching 
 & the preaching be at Mr. Caleb Mirick's House." Ap- 
 propriations for payment for preaching were regularly 
 made thereafter until the settlement of a minister was 
 effected. 2 
 
 Measures for the erection of the house were first taken 
 on the 5th of the following October when it was voted " to 
 build a Meeting house for the publick Worship of God, 
 and that s^ house shall be fifty foots Long and forty foots 
 wide." 
 
 " Voted that Cap* Eliphelet How, Robert Keyes, Caleb 
 Mirick, James Thompson and Boaz Moore be a Committe 
 to see on what tearmes they can get the timber for s^ 
 Meeting house and get s*^ house framed and make report 
 to Destrict at adjournment." 
 
 At the next meeting it was " voted that Lieut. Abijah 
 Moore shall build the Meeting House Frame and that he 
 shall have £66-13-4 ^or the same and the Destrict shall be 
 at the cost of the timber standing and raising the same." 
 And a Committee was chosen to prepare the necessary 
 articles of agreement with Lieut. Moore. 
 
 The Raising. In fulfillment of this contract Lieut. 
 Moore proceeded to build the frame of the house which 
 was completed and raised June 30, 1762 with the customary 
 
 * Is this "Sunset Rock?" 
 
 * Nov. 3, 1766 "Paid" Joseph Eveleth for dinnering the minister. 
 
Ecclesiastical History 127 
 
 accompaniments without which there could not in those 
 days be a successful " raising." 
 
 The male portion of the inhabitants came together to 
 assist in placing the frame in its proper position and also to 
 lend their aid in the disposition of the tempting viands 
 prepared by Capt. Moore and served on the hill. The cost 
 of the frame was £71-13-4 and Capt. Moore received in 
 addition the sum of £28-16-9-3 " for finding Provisions 
 for Raising the Meeting House." What " depths of mean- 
 ing " are hidden beneath those innocent words " finding 
 Provisions for the Raising " !!! Perhaps a few biscuit with 
 some cheese, considerable cider and a great quantity of 
 West India Rum. 
 
 It may be a mistake to imply that all the men of the town 
 were there (though we doubt if they could resist the 
 attractions) for there was evidently a holding back of 
 enthusiasm on the part of some. There is a bit of malicious 
 spirit hovering over the article for a meeting in July at the 
 " Meeting House Frame to see if Doct'' Zachariah Hervey 
 & Others that bid any thing as an Encouragement to the 
 District to Build the Meeting House where it now stands 
 will be as good as their promis and give Security for the 
 same." No action was taken upon this article and it is 
 presumed that the Doctor made his promise good. Dur- 
 ing the early fall of 1762 the roof was " Boarded & Shingled 
 & the sides closed with Rough Boards." 
 
 On the 30th of May, 1763, a district meeting was held 
 in the building, but there were then no floors laid, and 
 no windows or doors, a condition tending to urge the 
 voters to see that the work was prosecuted more vig- 
 orously. 
 
 The main floor was not laid until 1764, the gallery floor 
 not until 1767, neither was the house plastered within or 
 painted without until the year 1770. At what date the 
 building was finished (if it ever was) it is impossible to 
 determine, but the records of the town for twenty years 
 show that the house was incomplete. It is probable, how- 
 ever, that religious services were held there during the year 
 
128 History of Princeton 
 
 1764 after the window frames and sashes were put in, the 
 floor laid and some of the seats built. 
 
 January 2, 1764, " Voted to Clabboard ye meeting house. 
 To put up Window frames & Sashes.^ To Lay the Lower 
 floor to build the doors & body of Seats & the pulpit." 
 (The pulpit was subsequently painted and stairs leading 
 up to it built.) 
 
 April I, 1765, "Voted to Return thanks to Mr. Moses 
 Gill of Boston for his generosity to the district in giving the 
 glass to glaze the meeting house withall." 
 
 Description. The building was a very plain structure 
 without ornaments and for many years without paint. 
 There were three porches and doors to correspond, one on 
 the east side, one on the west side, and one on the south 
 where were the " Great doors." Although it has been 
 stated, and doubtless upon good authority, that there was 
 no steeple, yet a picture printed in 1792 of Mr. Gill's 
 residence shows in the background a spire towering above 
 the hill. This may have been a fancy of the artist but it 
 scarcely seems probable. A house similar in size and 
 arrangement is still to be seen on Chestnut Hill in Mendon. 
 
 Of its interior construction we have more particular 
 knowledge. The pulpit was in the center of the north side 
 and galleries extended across the other three sides. As 
 indicated in the accompanying sketch the square pews 
 occupied the wall space, eighteen in all. 
 
 Each pew was about four feet by ten in size with excep- 
 tion of the corner pews which were somewhat larger. These 
 were built eight or ten inches above the floor. The centre 
 of the house was originally occupied with ordinary benches 
 or seats, the main aisle or " middle alley " running from 
 the " great doors " to the pulpit. LTpon the right of this 
 aisle were the " women's seats " and upon the left the 
 
 ' Note. A round window, perhaps one of those glazed at Mr. Gill's expense, 
 was taken from the first meeting house upon its demolition, and for many years 
 stored in Mr. Ephraim Beaman's Barn. Through the thoughtfulness of 
 Mrs. Boylston it was secured and placed in the front of the present Congrega- 
 tional meeting house. There were probably two of these round windows, as 
 we find an item of expenditure of "7S for lead for the round windows." 
 
Ecclesiastical History 129 
 
 " men's seats." This main aisle was about four feet in 
 width and the other aisles about three feet. 
 
 The gallery was furnished with rude seats, with one or 
 two boards running laterally for the back, forming any- 
 thing but a comfortable resting place for the worshipper. 
 In the center of the south gallery was a partition sepa- 
 rating the men's side from the women's, the stairs lead- 
 ing to the gallery being correspondingly designated. In 
 later years it is probable that a few pews were built 
 in the gallery for some who could not be accommodated 
 below. 
 
 A portion of the space occupied by the seats in the body 
 of the house was, after a time, sold or given to individuals 
 for the erection of pews thereon, at their own expense. 
 Gifts of " pew ground " were frequently made conditioned 
 upon the performance of certain good offices to the church 
 or town. From the indefinite description given in the 
 records, it is impossible now to determine how much of 
 this space was eventually occupied by pews, although the 
 inference is drawn that about one-half was so utilized. 
 
 It was the usual custom of the day to " dignify the meet- 
 ing house " that is to assign the sittings to families or 
 individuals by some scale of distinction, either age, property 
 or social standing — sometimes taking all three into ac- 
 count. This duty, appearing to us replete with difficulties, 
 was performed by a committee presumed to possess the 
 necessary discretion and grace coupled with " worldly 
 wisdom." Whether the result was in any degree more 
 satisfactory than if attempted by a committee of Princeton 
 today, we have no means of judging. 
 
 In compliance with this custom the following action 
 was taken in a district meeting March 3d, 1766. 
 
 " Voted that the Pew Ground be sett at forty pounds and 
 also the highest payers upon real & personal Estate by the 
 last years invoice may have Liberty to Draw the same by 
 what they are estimated at by ye Committee Chosen for 
 that purpose which are to Dignify the same." 
 
 The report of the Committee gives the names of the 
 
130 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 principal men then resident in town and the comparative 
 value of their estates. 
 
 " The Committee appointed in Princetown to estimate 
 and Dignify the pew Ground in their meeting house met 
 ye 26th of May, 1766, and made following Estimation." 
 
 mens names. 
 
 valuation numb' 
 
 pay for Choice. 
 
 Zechariah Hervey 
 
 Oliver Davis 
 
 Caleb Mirick 
 
 Ebenezer Jones 
 
 Joseph Gibbs 
 
 Eliphalet How. . . . 
 William Muzzy. . . 
 
 Benj" Holden 
 
 Joseph Sergeant. . . 
 Peter Goodnow. . . 
 
 Robert Keyes 
 
 Sady Mason 
 
 Thomas Mason. . . 
 William Thomson. 
 Benjamin Tayntor 
 
 James Mirick 
 
 Boaz Moore 
 
 Stephen Brigham. 
 
 Aaron Pery 
 
 Silas Houghton. . . 
 
 Joseph Rugg 
 
 Robert Cowdin. . . 
 Samuel Bixby 
 
 95 « 
 65 19 
 62 10 
 59 6 
 52 4 
 48 18 
 46 19 
 45 15 
 43 13 
 
 38 
 38 
 37 
 37 
 36 
 
 34 18 15 
 34 7 16 
 
 2,3 
 32 
 31 
 31 
 28 
 27 
 
 8 17 
 4 18 
 
 4 19 
 10 20 
 8 21 
 8 22 
 8 23 
 
 8 o 
 
 17 4 
 15 4 
 II 4 
 9 4 
 8 o 
 4 o 
 3 o 
 2 8 
 2 o 
 I 4 
 o o 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 13 
 
 II 
 
 10 8 
 6 8 
 6 o 
 5 o 
 4 o 
 
 " According to the above Estimation we have Supposed 
 the pews to be Built as followeth three on the East Side 
 of the great doors and three on ye west Side all of them of 
 Equail bigness two on ye west Side of the pulpit of Equil 
 bigness with the Minister pew two on the north Side of 
 the East and west Doors of Equil bigness one on the south 
 side of s^ Doors of Equil bigness and the Side pews in (place 
 of) four hind Seats as was Voted at the Last meeting." 
 
 Timothy Keyes 
 
 W" Muzzy 
 
 Ebenezer Jones f Committee 
 
 W"^ Thomson 
 
 Zachariah Harvey 
 
 At the next meeting a drawing for the pews took place. 
 
Ecclesiastical History 
 
 131 
 
 1 Choose ye first pew on the right hand of the great doors. 
 
 2 " " second pew on the east side of the pulpit. 
 
 3 " " pew next to minister pew. 
 
 4 " " middle pew on the East side of the great doors. 
 
 5 " " second pew on the west side of the great doors. 
 
 6 " " first pew on the west side of the great doors. 
 
 7 " " first pew on the East side of the pulpit. 
 
 8 " " second pew on the north side of the East door. 
 
 9 " " second pew on the north side of the west door. 
 
 10 " " first pew in the Seats on the East side. 
 
 11 " " j^j-gj. pg^ jjj ^j^g Seats on the west side. 
 
 12 " " first pew on the north side of the East door. 
 
 13 " " pew between the East door and Stairs. 
 
 14 " " pew between the west door and Stairs. 
 
 15 " " pew on the northwest corner. 
 
 16 " " first pew on the north side of the west door. 
 
 17 " " (-Jiii-d pew in the Seats on the East side. 
 
 18 " " third pew in the Seats on the west side. 
 
 19 " " third pew on the west Side of the great doors. 
 
 20 " " pew in the northeast corner. 
 
 21 " " Second pew in the Seats on the East side. 
 
 22 " " Second pew in the Seats on the west side. 
 
 23 " " third pew on the East side of the great doors. 
 
 It will be noticed that Dr. Harvey, who had the first choice, 
 selected that on the right of the main entrance — a spot 
 affording the occupants an excellent opportunity to see all 
 that was going on in the house and also giving the good 
 physician the means of quietly slipping out to attend the 
 calls of his patients if any such he had. 
 
 As might be expected, the result was not pleasing to all 
 and a protest was quickly entered by the disaffected. 
 
 Protest. " The Descent hereafter mentioned was en- 
 tered at the above said meeting on ye 28 of May, 1766. We 
 enter our Decent against the proceeding of this meeting 
 for these reasons viz. — Whare as Unequallity of sum mens 
 places being sett all most as high again as sum others which 
 the proffits are near double for which reason sum men Loose 
 their right of Drawing a pew. 2dly for not having a Dist. 
 Clark reagerly chosun & sworn in Form." 
 
 Joseph Eveleth 
 Eliphalet How 
 Tilly Little Johns 
 
132 History of Princeton 
 
 As conditions changed new assignments were resorted 
 to to meet the new requirements, and the house was 
 " dignified " several times although not always on the 
 same basis. 
 
 In 1768 it was voted to " seat the Meeting House by the 
 Valuation taken in the year 1766 " and to have " Reference 
 to Age as well as to pay.'' As late as 1780 a similar vote 
 was passed to seat the house " upon the two last years pay 
 having Reference to Age," a combination calculated to 
 silence the disaffected. 
 
 For many years scarcely a town meeting was held 
 without its discussion about alterations or improvements 
 in the house, and the numerous votes indicate the exceed- 
 ingly crude condition of the building and the caution with 
 which any changes tending to completion were made. 
 
 Some abstracts from the town records are here of interest. 
 
 May 8, 1766 " Voted to Take away four of the hind 
 seats two of aside & Build pews and the ground be Sett at 
 nine pound six Shillings & Eight pence & the Committee 
 that was Chosen to Estimate ye other pew ground to 
 Estimate this with ye other." " Also voted to Build six 
 pews in the Room of the Seats and not to raise them but 
 half as high upon the floor as the other pews on the foreside 
 & the Seats not to be taken away till the pews are ready to 
 be put up." (The disposition of the space alloted for the 
 seats appears to have been a perplexing question. These 
 two votes were reconsidered just one year later and at 
 frequent intervals the subject was before the people. 
 From the many votes, reconsiderations and apparently 
 counter action it is impossible to determine how much of 
 the space was eventually covered with pews.) 
 
 June 19, 1766. " Voted to build the Stairs into the 
 galleries." 
 
 June 4, 1767. " Voted to lay ye Gallery floores & build 
 a brest work & set up ye Pillars in their proper places & 
 also build ye fore seats Round ye Galleries." 
 
 Mch. 7, 1768. " Voted to give Mr. Moses Gill a spot 
 for a pew next to ye Broad Alley." 
 
Ecclesiastical History 133 
 
 Dec. 22, 1768. " Voted to build the seats in the Gal- 
 leries that are mortised & that the seats taken up on the 
 lower floor be used for that purpose." 
 
 June I, 1769. " Voted to let Mr. Robert Keyes have ye 
 two half seats in the Body Seats on the Womans side for a 
 Pew, upon his relinquishing his Right in his Pew & seats in 
 the Meeting House & paying twenty pounds old tenor & 
 giving the Bolt for the front Dore." 
 
 July 31, 1769. " Voted to cut up two hind Seats in the 
 Body Seats on the mens side for two pews" — Joseph 
 Sargent to " have Pew next ye middle alley." 
 
 Mch. 5, 1770. " Voted to paint the Meeting House 
 provided Mr. Moses Gill finds the paint." 
 
 (Mr. Gill doubtless sent up from Boston the necessary 
 materials and the house was painted.) 
 
 Oct. 22, 1770. " Voted to Plaister ye Meeting House." 
 
 Jan. 21, 1 77 1. " Voted ye Plaistering under ye Gal- 
 leries be made Crowning & ye Plaistering white wash'd & 
 ye Seats in ye Side Galleries be Finished." 
 
 Mch. 4, 1 77 1. A proposition " to build a pew over 
 ye Woman Stairs in ye Corner of ye Meeting House " 
 and a similar one over " ye Mens Stairs " did not meet 
 with favor, but it was voted to sell the room named, 
 the pews to be built before the Meeting House was 
 plastered. David Everett was the purchaser at the price 
 of £4-7-11. 
 
 Mch. 8, 1772. Dr. Ephraim Woolson bought " pew 
 ground," showing that ten years after the house was raised, 
 the desirable spaces for location of pews had not all been 
 distributed. 
 
 Mch. 1772. The house appears not to have been as 
 yet shingled upon the north side and the people w^ere not 
 quite ready to appropriate money for that purpose. They 
 were, however, willing to pay Caleb Mirick the magnificent 
 sum of eight shillings for taking care of the house for one 
 year. As the modern luxuries of carpets, cushions and 
 stoves had not then been introduced, the duties of the 
 sexton may not have been laborious. 
 
134 History oj Princeton 
 
 By this time the house appears to have been considered 
 practically completed if we may judge from the absence of 
 any action of the town in respect to changes for some 
 eleven years. During this period, however, they were 
 passing through the trying scenes of the Revolutionary 
 War, when money was scarce and every dollar was needed 
 to meet the pressing obligations of those days. It is 
 noticeable that just two months after the treaty of peace 
 was signed, in 1783, the town had the courage to build 
 additional seats in the front gallery of the meeting house, 
 no doubt looking forward to days of prosperity. It is 
 difficult for many of us today to comprehend how the 
 churchgoers of earlier times could be in any degree comfort- 
 able during the winter season in houses without fires of 
 any kind. And it is probably true that there was but 
 little real comfort even when provided with the foot stoves 
 which were considered necessary. The hour of inter- 
 mission at noon was doubtless gladly welcomed when the 
 hearth stones of Caleb Mirick and other neighboring fami- 
 lies could be reached, and the needed comfort secured. 
 
 First Stove. The first and only mention of a stove in 
 this meeting house is in August, 1786, when the town voted 
 " that Mr. Gill have the preveledge to put up the stove 
 mentioned in the 3d article, in the most Convenient place 
 in the meeting house, and to Stand during his pleasure." 
 
 Choir. What portion of the house, if any, was assigned 
 for the use of the choir we do not know — in fact the only 
 hint that there were those who led the Congregation in 
 their songs of praise, is found in the record of May 28, 1787 
 when it was " voted that the Division in the front gallery 
 be moved three feet toward the Eastward, and that the 
 ground be improved by the singers During the pleasure 
 of the Town." To the singers in the second meeting house 
 reference will be made hereafter. 
 
 Town Meetings. All the town meetings were held in 
 the meeting house after 1764, although sometimes the 
 bitter cold led to an adjournment to the tavern near by. 
 It is a matter of record that some of these meetings were 
 
Ecclesiastical History 135 
 
 " adjourned for half an hour to Caleb Mirick's tavern " a 
 proceeding that gives suggestions of the mug of flip and 
 the toddy which were so generally used in the " good old 
 days." 
 
 Horse Sheds. Whether there were erected near the 
 meeting house previous to 1770 any horse sheds, does not 
 appear, but in that year it was " voted to give liberty to 
 Ebenezer Jones, Joseph Sergeant, Sam" Hastings & x'\bner 
 How to Build a Stable 28 feet long & 10 Feet wide North 
 East of the great Rock, North west of the Meeting House " 
 and also to Tilly Littlejohns, Paul Mathews, Elisha Hobbs, 
 Sam" Moseman & Abijah Harrington to Build a Stable 
 30 Feet Long & 10 Feet wide. North East of the aforesaid 
 Spot." This vote was followed by others giving similar 
 liberty for stables southwest of the meeting house, and on 
 the north side of the common, and elsewhere, while the 
 Hon. Moses Gill had the compliment of the gift of " a 
 convenient Spot of Ground to build a Stable." In 1796 
 in considering some changes in the wall of the burying 
 ground, a committee proposed the erection of a row of 
 stables on the easterly end of the burying ground wall 
 " which would rather ornament than injure or disfigure the 
 street " and they were willing the town should direct 
 '* how they shall be covered and what color they shall be 
 painted.'' These buildings differed from the later and 
 commodious meeting house sheds adorning the grounds of 
 country churches. They were divided into stalls for one 
 horse only. The vehicle, if any, was left without cover, 
 and the horse put into the stall and the door closed if 
 desired. During the early years of the settlement the 
 number of vehicles in town was small and such of the 
 people as rode to church did so upon horseback — often 
 two together. 
 
 As the number of vehicles increased, the necessity for 
 the larger sheds appeared. 
 
 Church Organization. The approaching completion of 
 the meeting-house in the Summer of 1764 naturally led to 
 the consideration of the organization of a church. A 
 
136 History of Princeton 
 
 concise account of the preliminary proceedings and some 
 of the subsequent transactions with the Covenant, Articles 
 of Faith, etc., has been preserved in the handwriting of 
 Rev. Joseph Davis of Holden, to whose suggestions and 
 assistance the Princeton Church was greatly indebted. 
 
 This record indicates the methods adopted and some 
 of the difficulties encountered in this first gathering of 
 the church and is of sufficient interest to be given in its 
 entirety. 
 
 " Some Minutes of the Proceedings of the Covenanting 
 Brethren in Princetown in order to their being incorpor- 
 ated into a Chh State; & some Account of their after 
 Proceedings — 
 
 " Sometime in the Month of July Anno Domini 1764, 
 A number of Persons, Members in full Communion with 
 other Chhs, met together and came to an Agreement to be 
 embodied into a Chh: Their Proposals were published in 
 the Meeting House Lords Day evening & others were 
 invited to joyn with them; They proposed a Fast to be 
 on Aug. 30. Agreed to meet again Aug. 11, & invited me 
 to come among them ; I did so ; offered to them the follow- 
 ing Covenant & 16 Persons Males & Females, met (that 
 were then Non-Communicants, tho 9 of them had owned 
 the Covenant) & desired to be of their Number, were the 
 next Sabbath publickly propounded therefor; — Accord- 
 ingly the following Covenant was signed on Aug. 12 by all 
 the Persons whose Names are now annexed to it (except 
 the Two last), they being all Present, & all declaring their 
 Approbation of it, & their Christian Charity towards each 
 other; & Then agreed to Send to a Council of 3 Chhs. viz. 
 That in Rutland, in Holden, & the 2'^ in Lancaster, to meet 
 at Princetown on the 30 of Aug. to incorporate them into 
 a particular Visible Ch. & publick Notice was given 
 hereof. 
 
 The S*^ Chhs. accordingly met, & the Persons that Signed 
 the Covenant, who have Figures against their Names were 
 incorporated & owned as a particular Visible Chh of Christ 
 
Ecclesiastical History 137 
 
 & the Right Hand of Fellowship was held forth to them by 
 S'^ Council. 
 
 Attest Jos. Davis Scribe to S*^ Council. 
 
 The Covenant entered into August 12, 1764. We whose 
 Names are hereunto Subscribed (Inhabitants of Prince- 
 town) apprehending our Selves called of God into the 
 Church State of the Gospel: 
 
 Do first of all confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly 
 favoured of the Lord, and admire his free & rich Grace 
 which calls us hereunto: 
 
 And then, with humble relyance, and entire dependance 
 on the Assistance of his Grace & holy Spirit therein promised 
 for them, that in a sense of their Inability to do any good 
 thing, do humbly wait upon him for all, we do thankfully 
 lay hold on His Covenant, & Solemnly enter into Covenant 
 with God, & with one another according to God. 
 
 We declare our Serious belief of the Christian Religion 
 as contained in the Sacred Scriptures (acknowledging them 
 to contain the whole revealed Will of God concerning our 
 Faith & Practice) heartily resolving to conform our Lives 
 unto the Rules of that Religion as long as we live. 
 
 We give up our Selves unto the Lord Jehovah, the 
 Father, the Son, & the holy Ghost, the only true and living 
 God, and avouch him this Day to be our God & our Por- 
 tion forever. 
 
 We give up ourselves to the blessed Jesus, who is the 
 Lord Jehovah, and adhere to Him as the Head of his 
 people in the Covenant of Grace, and rely upon Him 
 as our Prophet, Priest, & King, to bring us to eternal 
 Blessedness. 
 
 We acknowledge our everlasting & indispensible Obliga- 
 tions to glorify God in all the Duties of a Godly, Sober, & 
 Righteous Life; & particularly in the Duties of a Chh 
 State and a Body of People associated for an Obedience to 
 Him, in all the Ordinances of the Gospel: And we there- 
 upon depend on his gracious Assistance for our faithful 
 Discharge of the Duties thus Incumbent upon us. 
 
138 History of Princeton 
 
 We engage (with dependance on his promised Grace & 
 Spirit) to walk together as a Church of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, in the Faith & Order of the Gospel, so far as we 
 shall have the same revealed unto us: conscientiously 
 attending the publick Worship of God in his House (in 
 praying to him, Singing his praises, & giving reverent 
 attention to his Word Read & Preached according to his 
 Institution) the Sacrament of the New-Testament, the 
 Discipline of his Kingdom, & all his holy Institutions, in 
 Communion one with another, and watchfully avoiding 
 all Sinful Stumbling-Blocks & Contentions, as becomes the 
 Lords People in Covenant with him. 
 
 At the same Time, we do present our Offspring with our 
 Selves unto the Lord: purposing with his Help to do our 
 Part in the Methods of a Religious Education, that they 
 may be the Lords. 
 
 And all this we do, fleeing to the Blood of the Ever- 
 lasting Covenant, for the pardon of our many Errors, and 
 praying that the glorious Lord Jesus, who is the Shepherd, 
 would prepare & strengthen us for every good work, to do 
 his will : working in us that which shall be well pleasing in 
 his Sight: To whom be Glory forever & ever, Amen. 
 
 Tilly Littlejohns 
 
 6 
 
 Joseph Rugg^ 
 
 Elisha Wilder 
 
 7 
 
 I Joseph Norcross 
 
 Ebenezer Jones 
 
 8 
 
 2 Timothy Mosman 
 
 Abel Ray 
 
 9 
 
 3 Peter Goodenow 
 
 Samuel Hastings 
 
 10 
 
 Robert Keyes 
 
 Samu" Bixby 
 
 II 
 
 17 Joseph Gibbs 
 
 Abner How 
 
 12 
 
 4 Abijah Moore 
 
 Samuel Mosman 
 
 13 
 
 5 Caleb Mirick ^ 
 
 Joseph Haynes 
 
 14 
 
 James Mirick 
 
 Timothy Keyes 
 
 18 
 
 
 Noah Norcross 
 
 15 
 
 
 Stephen Brigham 
 
 16 
 
 
 Note. The above are autographs, — those on following page are not. 
 
 ^ The name of Joseph Rugg is erased in the original (see subsequent action 
 of Church. — F. E. B.). 
 
Ecclesiastical History 139 
 
 1 765 Females 
 
 19 Joseph Seargeant 
 
 20 Adonijah How 
 
 1 Sarah Norcross 
 
 2 Ruth Norcross 
 
 3 Eunice Moore 
 
 4 Eunice Myrick 
 
 5 Hannah Littlejohns 
 
 6 Mehetabel Wilder 
 
 7 Elizabeth Gleason 
 
 8 Anne Hastings 
 
 9 Betty Brigham 
 
 10 Dorothy Myrick 
 
 1 1 Mary Bartlett 
 
 12 Hannah Gibbs 
 
 13 Hannah Bixby 
 
 14 Anne Goodeno 
 
 15 Sarah How 
 
 1765 
 
 16 Elizabeth Sargeant 
 
 17 Patience Keys 
 
 18 Lucy Matthews 
 
 19 Lucy How 
 
 Joseph Rugg Desired his Name might be struck out. 
 
 Robert Keys Brought no Letter of Dismission. 
 
 James Myrick also, & so they were not Numbered with 
 the Brethren. 
 
 Joseph Gibbs and 
 
 Timothy Keys, were objected against by D"" Harvey. 
 
 " Because they signed & delivered a Petition to Great & 
 general Court containing sundry reflections upon himself." 
 
 With respect to which, the Council agreed, " For as much 
 as the Council have no Time to hear & consider of s^ charge 
 we think it best that these Brethren be desired to withdraw 
 their Names for the Present, & that their Names be omitted 
 when the Covenant is Read. 
 
140 History of Princeton 
 
 " It was so done accordingly, & this Reason was pub- 
 lickly given in the Meetinghouse; Because that there was 
 not Time to hear & consider of s"^ charge; 
 
 N. B. The Rev'^ Mr. Mellen Preached A. M. from Hebrews 8, 6 
 
 The Rev** Mr. Buckminster in P. M. from 2 Corinth. 16, 19 
 
 1 Joseph Norcross belonged to the church in Weston. 
 
 2 Timothy Mosman " " " " Westminster. 
 
 3 Peter Coodenow 
 
 4 Abijah Moore " " " " Sudbury, west. 
 
 5 Caleb Myrick " " " " Holden 
 
 6 Tilly Littlejohns 
 
 7 Elisha Wilder " " " 2d Chh in Lancaster. 
 
 8 Noah Norcross " " "in Weston. 
 
 These were dismissed & Recommended by these Several Churches. 
 
 9 Ebenezer Jones, He had owned the Covenant at Concord. 
 
 10 Abel Ray, " " " " " Marlbro'. 
 
 11 Samuel Hastings, " " " " "Shrembury.^ 
 
 12 Samuel Bixby 
 
 13 Abner How, " " " " " Marlboro'. 
 
 14 Samuel Mosman 
 
 15 Joseph Haynes " " " " " Sudbury. 
 
 16 Stephen Brigham. 
 
 Probably Shrewsbury. 
 
 These were all Publlckly Propounded several Weeks 
 before & no objections offered against them. Except 
 Sam' Bixby which was considered and Removed. 
 
 It was proposed to the Chh by the Moderator of the 
 Council, Whether they would choose a Neighbouring 
 Pastor for their Moderator. 
 
 Voted Unanimously. 
 
 Whether they would choose the Rev*^ Mr. Davis of 
 Holden. 
 
 Voted Unanimously. 
 
 Next Day I went to D' Harvey signified to him, That I 
 expected he would exhibit his Charge against Joseph Gibbs 
 & Timothy Keys, to me in writing. If he expected to have 
 It taken Notice of by the Chh: But first proposed, to him 
 a Conference with those Brethren to see if they could not 
 
Ecclesiastical History 141 
 
 make up the matter. To which I thought he very readily 
 consented. 
 
 Princetown, October 7. Lords Day. The following 
 Persons were admitted into the Chh, I being there & 
 Preaching A. M. from John 18, 36; P. M. from Jeremi 
 
 50. 4» 5- 
 
 1 Sarah The Wife of Joseph Norcross. 
 
 2 Ruth The Wife of Noah Norcross. They belonged to the Chh in Weston. 
 
 3 Eunice Wife of Capt. Moore. She to Sudbury West. 
 
 4 Eunice Wife of Caleb Myrick. Holden. 
 
 5 Hannah Wife of Tilly Littlejohns. ( They to 2d in 
 
 6 Mehetabel Wife of Elisha Wilder ^ Lancaster 
 
 These were all dismissed & recommended, by these 
 several Chhs as Persons in Regular Standing & were all 
 admitted into the Chh. 
 
 7 Elizabeth Gleason. Widow. 
 
 8 Anne Wife of Samuel Hastings. 
 
 9 Bettee Wife of Stephen Brigham. 
 
 10 Dorothy Wife of James Myrick. 
 
 1 1 Mary Wife of Johfi Bartlit. 
 
 Were all admitted also; They were propounded diverse 
 Weeks before. 
 
 John Bartlit. 
 Paul Matthews with 
 
 Lucy his wife owned the Covenant; They were Pro- 
 pounded some Time before. 
 
 The following Children were Baptized the same Day. 
 
 1 Lucretia Daughter of Robert Keys. 
 
 2 (John 
 
 ■2 (Bettee 1 
 
 )c- , J ( children of Stephen & Bette Brigham. 
 
 4 (Stephen and ' 
 
 5 (Abner, 
 
 6 Samuel Son of John & Mary Bartlett. 
 
 7 Jonas Son of Timothy Keys. 
 
 8 (Paul&) 
 
 9 (Joel ) sons of Paul & Lucy Matthews. 
 ID William Son of William & Joanna Gibbs. 
 
 George Bernard & 
 
 Sarah his Wife were propounded to own the Covenant. 
 
142 History of Princeton 
 
 Princetown, October 8. 
 
 Went with Joseph Gibbs & Timothy Keys, & desired 
 Cap. Moore & Mr. Goodeno to go with us, to D'' Harveys, 
 & had a long Conference with him, but to no purpose, only 
 the D' said, he would send his Reasons in writing to me 
 shortly which (tho' not within the Time prefixed) he 
 did. signed by him, and bearing Date Octob. 17, 1764, & 
 there were objections also against Caleb Myrick & Peter 
 Goodeno. 
 
 I thereupon appointed a meeting of the Church to be on 
 Octob. 24, 1764, & notified Dr. Harvey of it. 
 
 The Chh accordingly met, & the Rev'd. Mr. Buckminster 
 was desired to moderate in s"^ meeting, & did so. 
 
 D'^ Harvey did not appear, tho' sent to and desired by 
 the Chh. But proposed a Mutual Council, & offered 
 nothing to support his objections; 
 
 The Church Unanimously agreed not then to joyn in a 
 Mutual Council, & looked upon the objections as of no 
 importance. But that the Mens characters were clear & 
 good & accordingly admitted. ' 
 
 Joseph Gibbs and 
 
 Timothy Keys into their Communion, & proposed to 
 take no further Notice of the Objections against Caleb 
 Myrick & Peter Goodeno, & so the meeting was dissolved, 
 after that the Chh had agreed to have the Sacrament 
 administered to them. 
 
 Princetown, Nov. 11, 1764. 
 
 Hannah Wife of Joseph Gibbs. 
 
 Anne Wife of Peter Goodeno'. 
 
 Sarah Wife of Abner How. ^ 
 
 Were all admitted into the Church. They were pro- 
 pounded many Weeks before — I administered the 
 Sacrament of the Lords Supper the same Day to 27 
 Communicants. 
 
 George Bernard & 
 
 Sarah his Wife owned the Covenant. 
 
Ecclesiastical History 143 
 
 Baptized. 
 
 Anne Daughter of Peter & Anne Goodeno'. 
 
 Ephraim Son of James & Dorothy Myrick. 
 
 Attest J. Davis Mod' of s^ Chh. 
 Mays, 1765. 
 
 Hannah Wife of Sam' Bixby admitted into the Church. 
 
 The following Children were baptized by me. 
 
 1 Levi Son of Charles & Hannah Parmeter. 
 
 2 Louisa Da'fter of Elisha & Mehetabel Wilder. 
 
 3 Marah Da'fter of Tilly & Hannah Littlejohns. 
 
 4 Hannah Da'fter of Saml. & Hannah Bixby. 
 
 5 Anne Dau'fter of Abner & Sarah How. 
 
 6 LutJier Son of Elisha & Sarah Gale. 
 
 ^ . > Twin sons of Oliver & Olive Dresser. 
 
 8 Aaron ) 
 
 9 Sarah Daughter of George & Sarah Bernard. 
 
 Sep. 30, 1765. 
 
 Administered the Sacrament: & it was administered 
 some Months before by Rev"^ Mr. Mellen. 
 
 Joseph Seargent & 
 
 Elizabeth his Wife admitted into the Church, they be- 
 longed to the Chh in Bolton. Their Letter of Dismission 
 Read & Accepted. 
 
 Baptized 
 
 William Son of William & Anne Thomson. 
 
 Prudence Wife of Timothy Keys propounded to joyn to 
 the Chh. 
 
 Nov. 24, 1765. 
 
 Patience Wife of Timothy Keys admitted into the Chh. 
 I Baptized, 
 
 1 Mary Daughter of Ensign Davis & Mary his Wife. 
 
 2 Joseph Sone of Benjamin Fainter. 
 
 3 Sybil Daughter of Samuel & Hannah Bixby. 
 
 4 Elizabeth Daughter of Samuel & Elizabeth Biglo. 
 
 Lucy the Wife of Paul Matthews Propounded to Joyn in 
 Church Fellowship. 
 
 Stop'd the Brethren of the Church, & after much Debate, 
 unanimously agreed to have a Meeting. To see whether 
 
144 History of Princeton 
 
 it was Expedient & the Desire of the Chh. immediately 
 to make choice of one of the Gent, that had Preached with 
 them, to settle among them in the Work of the Gospel 
 Ministry; & if so To agree upon the Person; The Day to 
 be Monday, December the 2d Day. 
 
 Princetown, Decemb. 2, 1765. 
 
 The Church met according to Appointment, 16 Brethren 
 present. After much debate, upon the First Article, & 
 finding that the Congregation tho't the Church were to 
 hasty, & that it was suitable there should be a Town 
 Meeting first, to see whether they would agree to have 
 constant Preaching, & that a Minister be settled as soon 
 as may be, the Chh, without passing any other Vote, 
 agreed to adjourn for six Weeks, Then to meet, at the 
 Meeting-House, Viz on Monday, the 13th of January next, 
 at one 'Clock P. M. and to act on the foregoing Articls. 
 
 Jan. 13, 1766. Chh met & adjourned to Monday June 
 2T,; then met again »& Adjourned to August 4th i-Clock 
 P. M. at the Meeting House. 
 
 Aug. 4, 1766. Church met according to Adjournment; 
 Publick Notice being given of it. Rev"^ Mr. Davis desired 
 to Moderate in s"^ Meeting: Meeting opened with Prayer: 
 Then the following Votes were passed, 
 Viz. 
 
 1. That we will now proceed to choose one of the Three 
 Gent, that have lately Preached in this Place to settle in 
 the Work of the Gospel Ministry. 
 
 2. The Brethren were desired to bring in their Votes 
 for a Pastor in writing. Upon counting & sorting the 
 Votes it appears that Mr. Sewall Goodridge had 11 Votes 
 & Mr. James Baker 4, Mr. Goodridge was accordly de- 
 clared to be chosen. 
 
 3. Messieur Peter Goodeno, Ebenezer Jones & Joseph 
 Gibbs be a Committee to wait upon Mr. Goodridge & carry 
 him a Copy of these Votes. 
 
 4. That the above named Committee wait upon the 
 
Ecclesiastical History 145 
 
 Select Men & desire them to call a Town meeting as soon 
 as may be to see whether they will concur with the Chh 
 Choice. 
 
 Test J. Davis, Mod. 
 
 Lucy Matthews Wife of Paul Matthews admitted into 
 the Chh. 
 
 Adonijah How & 
 Lucy his Wife also, 
 
 Lucy Da'fter of Adonijah How & Lucy his Wife. 
 Baptized Nov. 19, 1766. 
 
 Candidates for Preaching. From the above record it 
 appears that preaching services were held with some 
 regularity and several candidates for the ministry were 
 before the people, but no definite action could well be taken 
 by the church until the district showed a willingness to 
 make the necessary appropriation for the support of a 
 minister. An article in the warrant for a district meeting 
 December 31, 1765, indicates the desire of some of the 
 people for decisive action. 
 
 " To see if the District will vote how soon they will settle 
 a minister, and also whether they will hear any one or 
 more of the Candidates for the ministry which they have 
 alreddy heard in order for settling, or any other or others 
 which they have not heard, or act anything Relating to 
 that affair." Upon this article it was voted " to hear Mr. 
 Baker, M^ Fuller & M' Moore each of them six Sabbaths 
 on probation in order for settleing & said preaching is to 
 begin on the first Sabbath in April next & M"^ Robertt 
 Cowden was chosen to procure said preachers." 
 
 Whether each of these gentlemen availed himself of this 
 privilege during the following Winter and Spring does not 
 appear, but no call to settle was extended to either. In 
 the Summer of that year, however, an invitation to the 
 pastorate was extended by the church with the concurrence 
 of the district to Mr. Sewall Goodrich, which was declined 
 notwithstanding some flattering inducements in the matter 
 of salary were proffered him. 
 
146 History of Princeton 
 
 Rev. Timothy Fuller. Attention was then directed to 
 Mr. Timothy Fuller whose voice had been heard the 
 previous Spring, and in March, 1767 a call was given him to 
 settle with them as their minister, in which call the district 
 unanimously concurred. 
 
 The salary tendered I\lr. Fuller, practically the same as 
 that previously offered Mr. Goodrich, is thus defined upon 
 the records. 
 
 " \'oted to give Mr. Tim° Fuller a Settlement and salliry 
 as follows (viz) i^^ his settlement of £133:6:8 to be paid as 
 follows (viz) £66:13:4 within eight months after his 
 ordination & also £66:13:4 within one year & eight months 
 after said ordination. 
 
 2. His salliry £53:6:8 to be paid yearly so long as he 
 shall Continue to be their Minister & fulfill y^ work of the 
 Ministry in this District & likewise an addition of £6:13:4 
 to begin at y^ end of five years after his ordination & to be 
 paid yearly as aforesaid & also an other addition of £6:13:4 
 at y'' end of ten years after said ordination & to be paid 
 yearly so long as he shall Continue to be their Minister & 
 fulfill the work of the Ministry as afore said." 
 
 Mr. Fuller's reply to this invitation, under date of May 
 1 6th, signified his acceptance of the proposals and his 
 interest in the church and town, adding, " I am far from 
 desiring that my people should find the gospel burdensome, 
 therefore, though 3^our offers are not great, yet considering 
 the infant state of your society, your great unanimity and 
 kind dispositions, I look upon it as a call from God and am 
 encouraged to accept in dependence on your generosity 
 as your ability increases to contribute of the means with 
 which God in his providence shall bless you to my necessi- 
 ties, to my comfortable and honorable support. As far 
 as I know my own heart, I undertake with a single aim at 
 the glory of God in connexion with your best interest. 
 I think I must be far removed from the least suspicion of 
 having any lucrative views in the case but assuredly my 
 highest views are to advance the kingdom of Christ which 
 is not of this world. I would take this opportunity to 
 
Ecclesiastical History 147 
 
 express my gratitude for the good opinion you have mani- 
 fested of me, hoping I shall always walk worthy of your 
 esteem and friendship." 
 
 Ordination. Mr. Fuller was ordained on the 9th of 
 September following. The customary ecclesiastical council 
 called by the church was large and influential, nine churches 
 being represented by delegates. This first ordination of 
 a preacher of the Gospel and settlement of a minister in 
 the district must have been a notable occasion. It was 
 eight years since the incorporation of the district — and 
 some of the families had been on the ground for a longer 
 time than that — and thus far without stated religious 
 services and the accustomed privileges of the public wor- 
 ship of God. It can be readily imagined, therefore, that 
 this 9th of September was hailed with joy by the majority 
 of the inhabitants. 
 
 The meeting-house was still in a rude and unattractive 
 condition, but that was capable of improvement and need 
 not, as doubtless it did not, lessen the enthusiasm of any 
 of those who had been long waiting for the coming of one 
 to "go in and out before them." 
 
 New Covenant. Soon after Mr. Fuller's ordination the 
 church adopted a new form of Covenant differing in some 
 respects but substantially the same as subscribed to by the 
 original members in 1764. At this time Timothy Keyes 
 and Adonijah Howe were chosen as the first deacons of the 
 church and arrangements were made for the orderly con- 
 duct of the church in its work. Among its votes was one 
 " that the Sacrament be administered once in two months; 
 but may be omitted at particular times as the pastor may 
 judge expedient." 
 
 Gifts. The church was indebted to Hon. Moses Gill 
 for the gift in April, 1768 of a flagon, tankard, cup and dish 
 for the communion service and also a baptismal basin. 
 These articles are still preserv^ed and are now in the Town 
 Library Building. In 1772 three additional tankards, a 
 dish and a cloth — were purchased, a portion of which are 
 still in use by the Congregational Church in the town. 
 
148 History of Princeton 
 
 Bible. A Bible was also presented by Mr. Gill in 1769. 
 His letter to Mr. Fuller upon this subject is interesting. 
 
 " Boston, December 9, 1769. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir, — You may remember sometime 
 in the summer past, you mentioned to me your desire that 
 I would present you with a large Bible, that the Scriptures 
 might be publicly read every Lord's day. I believe my 
 answer was : I was afraid it would have a tendency to make 
 you shorten your other services; however, upon my return 
 home in the summer I spoke to a stationer for a large folio 
 Bible, which is now come: but I have one difficulty in my 
 mind against sending it up; that is, I have observed in 
 some country places they are not fond in general of having 
 the Scriptures read in public, because their time is taken 
 up in that part of service that may as well be performed 
 at home; though I don't know that this is the case with 
 you, as I never changed a word with any of your people 
 about this matter. Now, sir, if I should send it up, — 
 you should introduce it, — your people generally dis- 
 satisfied, — it would perhaps make such a breach between 
 you and them, as may never be fully healed; and if I should 
 be the means of it, I could never forgive myself, nor make 
 amends to you; though I am clear of an opinion that the 
 Scriptures ought to be publicly read every Lord's day, as 
 one part of the religious exercises. These are the difficul- 
 ties that lay in my mind; how far they have any weight 
 in them, you can judge. 
 
 " The Bible is ready, and will be sent up whenever you 
 shall say ; in the meantime you will make use of your known 
 prudence and good judgement in introducing it. There 
 is bound up with it the Church Services, the Apocrypha, 
 and Sternhold and Hopkin's Psalms, all which I think 
 superfluous, and may be taken out by rebinding, if you 
 think proper." 
 
 Political Differences. Mr. Fuller was a graduate of 
 Harvard College in 1760, a man of good ability, of intel- 
 lectual worth and of sterling integrity. His public services 
 
Ecclesiastical History 149 
 
 both in the church and the town and his private ministra- 
 tions were generally acceptable and appreciated by the 
 people until about the year 1775, when there began to be 
 signs of disaffection. 
 
 The true and probably the only real cause of this was 
 a suspicion that Mr. Fuller did not fully sympathize with 
 the majority in the then engrossing subject relating to 
 the establishment and maintenance of the rights of the 
 people. The whole country was stirred as never before 
 and the events of the Lexington Alarm and the Battle of 
 Bunker Hill served to bring out all the patriotism and 
 fervor of the people — and every indication of lack of 
 sympathy for the colony was sufficient to create suspicion 
 and arouse distrust. In response to a request of the parish 
 he had preached a sermon to the minute men, taking for 
 his text, " Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast 
 himself as he that putteth it off." 
 
 There was a flavor about the sermon that was not 
 acceptable to an excited people ready for active, revolution- 
 ary measures, although Mr. Fuller probably intended 
 simply to advise caution. The General Court of the 
 Province recommended a day of fasting and prayer (the 
 Governor declining to appoint such a day) and naturally 
 the people of Princeton desired Mr. Fuller to arrange for 
 its observance. This Mr. Fuller unfortunately declined 
 to do and immediately the charge was made against him of 
 being a Tory, or at least of not being in harmony with 
 his fellow townsmen in the struggle then upon the country. 
 However well Mr. Fuller was able to reply to these 
 charges and to show his fidelity to the people and his 
 sympathy with their active measures for relief, they were 
 not ready to listen with minds unbiassed, for as usual in 
 such cases, the people suddenly began to find various other 
 and serious causes of dissatisfaction with him. The more 
 the matter was talked over by the fireside, in the meeting- 
 house and throughout the town, the greater appeared his 
 delinquencies until it came to be the determination of many 
 to sever the connection between pastor and people. 
 
150 History of Princeton 
 
 The suggestions from the Provincial Congress urging the 
 importance of keeping a watchful eye upon all those in- 
 habitants subject to suspicion offered an opportunity to 
 investigate Mr. Fuller's position, which was embraced at 
 a town meeting on the 24th of May, 1775, when the follow- 
 ing action is recorded. 
 
 "Voted on reading the paper received from the Congress that the com- 
 mittee of correspondence retire to receive the complaint of any person 
 against any one suspected to be unfriendly to their country and that they 
 make their report of such persons complained of to the town for their 
 further consideration. The committee upon their return reported that 
 the Rev. Mr. Fuller and Lieut. Caleb Mirick are complained of as persons 
 suspected to be unfriendly to their country; Mr. Fuller for refusing to call 
 a Fast last year, and for his public discourse to the minute company the 
 last Fast as tending to discourage people in defending their rights and 
 liberties, and Mr. Caleb Mirick for taking cattle suspected to be Col. 
 Jones' property and for entertaining tories at sundry times; which com- 
 plaint being read the town then voted that Mr. Fuller and Lieut. Caleb 
 Mirick be inquired of for their conduct touching said complaint." 
 
 Mr. Fuller's Reply to the serious charge does not appear 
 upon record but the original is said to have been carefully 
 preserved by his descendants and is here presented. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence, Mr. Thomson, 
 Chairman, to be laid before the Town, — 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 I am very much surprised to find that any among you 
 should suspect me of entertaining Principles inconsistent 
 with ye cause of liberty, since I have uniformly espoused 
 and supported it, both in public and private from ye very 
 beginning of our controversy with Great Britain. I have 
 always submitted to ye advice of Congresses both pro- 
 vincial and continental; subscribed with my Hand ye Non 
 Importation and Non Consumption agreement; strictly 
 adhered to it; have never opposed any public Measure 
 taken to preserve ye Rights and Privileges of ye People; 
 and though I have thought that ye people have run into 
 some Irregularities; yet not more than might be expected 
 from every opposition to unconstitutional and oppressive 
 acts of Government. It has always been my firm Opinion 
 
Ecclesiastical History 151 
 
 that ye Parliament of Great Britain in exercising ye Right 
 claimed of binding America in all cases whatsoever would 
 reduce us to absolute Slavery. I have, years ago, laid 
 aside ye use of Tea, and urged you to do ye same, that we 
 might defeat their Design of raising a Revenue from us, 
 encouraged our manufactures and pressed a Union in this, 
 and all ye Colonies, that our Resistance might be formidable 
 and successful. 
 
 I think we have a Reason and a Right to Complain 
 and when our Complaints are not heard, and our Griev- 
 ances redressed, we have a Right to resist. We of Right 
 ought to be as free as ye People of England, according to 
 Charter. 
 
 I am sorry to be so unhappy as to fall under the suspicion 
 of being unfriendly to ye Common Cause. I believe I am 
 as hearty a Lover of my Country as any among you, or any 
 in ye Country. I am ready when Necessary, to fight in ye 
 Defense of it, and of Religion. I think ministers are not 
 called to War, unless ye rest of ye Community are unable 
 to defend it without them, and in such a case I am ready 
 to do my part; I would not count my Life dear to me, but 
 would brave every Danger of War." 
 
 In conclusion: " What your design is in calling me in 
 Question I may not determine. If any were so mistaken 
 and ignorant of my Principles as to be really jealous, I am 
 sorry; but I am willing to give account of myself, without 
 being offended, and am persuaded that what I have offered 
 above will give you entire satisfaction as to my firm attach- 
 ment to ye Principles of civil liberty, and to remove every 
 doubt from your minds; if not, I am willing to carry ye 
 matter before the provisional or continental Congress. 
 
 Princetown, May 29, 1775. Timothy Fuller." 
 
 " To the Committee, William Thomson, Chairman, to 
 be laid before the Town ; — 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 I beg Leave now to make some Additions with respect 
 to several things in the Paper which I read to ye Town on 
 
152 History of Princeton 
 
 Friday last. I do not believe ye Parliament of Great 
 Britain hath any right to make any Laws whatever binding 
 on ye Colonies, nor to lay any Taxes or duties on us without 
 our Consent. I am clearly of opinion that ye acts, called 
 ye Boston Port Bill, that for Altering the Government of 
 this Province and that for sending Criminals to Great 
 Britain for Tryal, and ye Quebec bill, are unreasonable and 
 unjust, and that ye Parliament have no right to enact, and 
 that ye Colonies are so far from being obliged to submit to 
 them, that it would be criminal in them, and they would be 
 ruined by such submission. It is our Duty, at present, to 
 unitedly exert ourselves to ye utmost, with Dependence on 
 the blessing of Heaven on our righteous Cause, to resist by 
 Force and Arms, the Execution of those i\cts. I look upon 
 it (as) a favorable Providence, that the Colonies of this 
 Continent, and this in particular, are generally so happily 
 agreed in asserting and defending our civil and religious 
 Rights against ye Invasions of the British Ministry and 
 Parliament and their venal Army. It is, I think, ye duty 
 of every man to encourage and according to his Ability, to 
 promote ye Success of the Army, now raised by this Colony, 
 for its necessary Safety and Defense." 
 
 Notwithstanding this positive statement of his views, 
 his assertion of loyalty to the cause of liberty, and his 
 expressed willingness to give himself if necessary to fight 
 for its maintenance, the people in their excitement could 
 see nothing satisfactory in it and voted to hear him " a 
 fortnight longer in order to inquire further into his late 
 conduct." Mr. Fuller still appeared " willing to give 
 account of himself without being offended " and his 
 letters certainly have the appearance of candor and sin- 
 cerity. 
 
 In a private letter of a later date Mr. Fuller wrote '* You 
 & I are steady & immovable in ye warmest attachment 
 to y^ Interest of the Country, however, we may be tho't 
 at sometimes to mistake y^ means best adapted to pro- 
 mote it." 
 
Ecclesiastical History 153 
 
 In fact, throughout the whole period of this unhappy 
 affair the communications of Mr. Fuller evince a kindly, 
 christian spirit even though the action of the town and of 
 individuals must have been very embarrassing and trying, 
 if no harsher term is employed. A second response from 
 him may add something to the views expressed in the first. 
 
 Action by the Town. But the town flatly rejected this 
 paper and appointed a committee " to draw up a paper " 
 for Mr. Fuller to sign. The committee consisted of 
 Messrs. Sadey Mason, Boaz Moore, Adonijah Howe, 
 Charles Brooks and Joseph Eveleth. The character and 
 well-known opinions of these gentlemen warranted the town 
 in expecting an " iron clad " declaration which no one but 
 a " patriot " would care to sign. And yet, when the paper 
 was offered in town meeting on the 20th of June it was 
 " voted that Mr. Fuller sign the paper before the town act 
 upon it; accordingly agreeable to said vote, the paper was 
 signed by Mr. Fuller in presence of the town; it was then 
 put to see if the town were satisfied with said paper for his 
 past conduct so far as it appeared unfriendly to the common 
 cause, and it was voted not satisfactory.'" What would have 
 been satisfactory and dispelled the suspicions resting upon 
 him it is difficult to imagine. One may see what trifles 
 were seized upon and what slim arguments were used against 
 him by the following related by Mr. Fuller's grandson. 
 " A man got up in town meeting here, in 1775, and said; 
 ' I know Mr. Fuller is not pious, and is a Tory, for I caught 
 hold of him suddenly, the other evening, and in his surprise, 
 he said ; ' Let alone of me, by George ! ' Now as he said 
 ' by,' he could not be pious; and he must have meant 
 George the Third, and of course, then, if he would swear 
 by him, he must be a Tory." 
 
 Meeting after meeting was called both by church and 
 by town in endeavors to adjust the difficulty, or perhaps 
 more correctly to bring matters to a focus. 
 
 But suspicions very readily gave place to belief and the 
 town passed a vote, August 16, requesting Mr. Fuller to 
 ask a dismission. The committee of correspondence of 
 
154 History of Princeton 
 
 the town reiterated the charges against him bringing out 
 another denial. In October aid was soHcited from neigh- 
 boring towns through their committees of correspondence 
 " to advise respecting Mr. Fuller's conduct as a tory." 
 Finally the town decided to call in conjunction with the 
 church an ecclesiastical council for consideration of the 
 whole matter. This council consisting of delegates from 
 three churches, Worcester, Westminster and Shrewsbury, 
 convened at Caleb Mirick's house, March ii, 1776. 
 Unable to agree with Mr. Fuller upon the subject of a 
 mutual council, an adjournment was held to the i6th of 
 April, But the same difficulties then presented them- 
 selves, and notwithstanding several attempts to make 
 arrangements for a council agreeable to Mr. Fuller's views, 
 the whole project was abandoned and the council (enlarged 
 by delegates from churches in Dedham and Weston) 
 proceeded to consider his relation to the church. The 
 result was a recommendation for the dismissal of Mr. 
 Fuller from the pastorate, which was done by vote of 
 the church on the 20th of April and of the town on the 
 24th. 
 
 A committee of seven able-bodied men representing the 
 " bone and sinew " of the town was appointed " to keep 
 Mr. Fuller out of the pulpit," which they succeeded in 
 doing without difficulty or any lowering of dignity on their 
 part or on his. In a pamphlet, published by Mr. Fuller 
 several years after his dismission,^ he replies with vigor to 
 the charges made against him and fully explains his posi- 
 tion in regard to the council. He asserts in respect to the 
 charge of toryism " my principles did not forbid my ofTer- 
 
 ^ This is a pamphlet of twenty-three pages entitled "Remarks on that 
 part of the Strictures on the Rev. Mr. Thacher's pamphlet which relates 
 to the Controversy between Mr. Fuller and the people of Princeton with a 
 concise narrative of said Controversy. By Timothy Fuller A. M., Pastor 
 of the Church in Princeton. 'Doth our law judge any man before it hear 
 him?'" &c. &c. It appears that Rev. Peter Thacher, D.D., published a 
 pamphlet upon "The Present State of the Clergy of New England," to which 
 "J. S." replied, referring to Mr. Fuller's case. Mr. Fuller's pamphlet is in 
 review of the latter. We have been unable to find a copy of the "Strictures 
 of one J. S." 
 
Ecclesiastical History 155 
 
 ing the petitions of the people for relief; but I readily 
 joined with my people, on all days set apart by any court 
 or Congress, for public devotion, and led them in their 
 addresses to heaven for aid and deliverance." 
 
 He " made it a rule to catechise their children twice a 
 year " and " never neglected to visit persons in sickness." 
 As to levity in church matters, he explains by supposing 
 " the moderator laid down his head on the seat before him, 
 shivering with the cold, which the people might fondly 
 construe into a shake of laughter." But the larger portion 
 of the pamphlet is devoted to the question of the methods 
 pursued by the Council and its unjustifiable action. 
 
 The day before his dismissal by the town he sent a long 
 communication to the selectmen (see files) asserting that he 
 had been condemned unheard — that the conduct of the 
 Council was illegal " such as never before heard of in ye 
 Land of Light & Liberty," &c., &c., signing the letter " I am 
 your much abused & aggrieved tho' faithful Pastor." In 
 accordance with his views of the illegality of the council, 
 he subsequently made demands for salary which he alleged 
 was due to him. 
 
 Princeton, Oct*" 8, 1778. 
 To the Select Men to be laid before y^ Town. 
 
 Brethren. My Inviolable Affection for you & Attach- 
 ment to your Interest & Happiness which no Injuries & 
 Outrages can abate, constrain me now to assure you that 
 altho' I am at present removed from among you yet I have 
 been, still am, & shall be ready to return, & to serve you 
 in the gospel Ministry whenever you shall signify to me 
 that I may proceed therein & that you will attend my 
 ministrations. 
 
 I remain your real Friend & faithful Pastor 
 
 Timothy Fuller. 
 
 Princeton, Oct"" 8, 1778. 
 Fearing y^ Treasurer might be Negligent of his Duty, I 
 address you upon y^ same subject upon which I have wrote 
 
156 History oj Princeton 
 
 to him, & hereby Demand of you thirty Pounds lawful 
 Money which is due to me from ye Town as Salary for my 
 ninth years serving them in ye Ministry, also ye Sum of 
 one hundred & twenty-five Pounds, six shillings & eight 
 Pence due for my tenth & Eleventh years Sallary & also 
 as much more as shall be sufficient to make y*" s"^ sums of 
 Money as good to me as when I first settled here in y^ 
 Ministry, a speedy Compliance may save ye Town from 
 many disagreeable Consequences which may attend a 
 Neglect. 
 
 Am with Respect yours, 
 Timothy Fuller Pastor, 
 of ye Chh of Princeton. 
 To y^ Select Men of Princeton. 
 
 Two communications found among the town files indi- 
 cate his persistency and shrewdness. 
 
 Suit against the Town. Soon after his dismissal Mr. 
 Fuller removed to Martha's Vineyard and preached at 
 Chilmark. He returned to Princeton for a short time but 
 removed to Middleton in 1782 when he commenced a suit 
 against the town for recovery of his salary, basing his 
 claim upon the grounds above stated. 
 
 A committee consisting of Moses Gill, Caleb Mirick, 
 Joseph Sargent, Adonijah How and Samuel Woods was 
 appointed by the town to arrange for the defense, and 
 eminent counsel were engaged. The case was finally tried 
 at Salem before the Supreme Judicial Court and after four 
 days spent in arguing the case " in which the patience of the 
 Court and Jury were remarkable,'' a verdict was rendered 
 in favor of the town. The cost of the defense was very 
 large but the town settled the bills with quiet satisfaction. 
 The report of the above-named committee is spread in full 
 upon the records " to the end that posterity may know the 
 rights of Chhs and the grounds upon which the separation 
 between the Town and the said Mr. Fuller took place, and 
 that it may stand as a Lasting Monument to shew the 
 Trouble and Expence this Town has Sustain"^ in order to 
 
Ecclesiastical History 157 
 
 assert and Maintain those rights and preveledges the God 
 of Nature has Instrusted them with." 
 
 Thus ended this unfortunate controversy. Not long 
 after this Mr. Fuller returned to Princeton, occupied his 
 farm on the west side of the Mountain, and rendered good 
 service to the town as a teacher and in various other 
 official positions as well as in the more personal duties of 
 a neighbor and citizen. 
 
 l^he ill feeling once so bitter against him appears to have 
 given way to respect and warm attachment, and in 1788 he 
 was chosen to represent the town in the Constitutional 
 Convention, Hon. Moses Gill being the opposing candidate. 
 Mr. Fuller cast his vote against the adoption of this Con- 
 stitution on the ground of its recognition of slavery. 
 
 In 1786 he removed to Merrimac, N. H., w^here he died 
 
 July , 1805. Rev, Humphrey Moore, a native of 
 
 Princeton, preached the funeral sermon. 
 
 Supplies. For ten years after the dismission of Mr. 
 Fuller, the church was without a pastor but public worship 
 was maintained during a greater part of the time, the 
 pulpit being supplied by neighboring ministers or as could 
 conveniently be arranged. Thanksgiving and Fast days 
 appear also to have been appropriately observed and 
 preachers secured that the people might not miss the 
 accustomed services. 
 
 Supplies for the pulpit were not so readily obtained then 
 as now and much exertion and often much travel were 
 necessary to accomplish any satisfactory results. And this 
 difficulty often led to the employment of a preacher for 
 several' consecutive Sundays. Rev. Paul Litchfield 
 preached many weeks; at a later date Rev. George Hub- 
 bard preached thirty-three Sundays within ten months, 
 and in 1784 Rev. Moses Haven twenty-four consecutive 
 Sundays. 
 
 The expenses incurred in seeking supplies for the pulpit 
 were not inconsiderable and this was one strong reason for 
 securing a stated supply for long periods. The following 
 items, copied from original papers, indicate labors and 
 
158 History of Princeton 
 
 troubles of which the church committees of the present 
 day know Httle. 
 
 "Princeton May 1778. £ S. d. 
 to a Jorny Downe to Situate 
 
 to engage M' Litchfield 5 4 o 
 
 to Boarding M' Litchfield one fortnight. ... 3 o o 
 
 to keeping Mr. Litchfield horse 5 weeks i 5 o 
 
 990 
 Paul Matthiez^ 
 
 "The Town of Princeton to Ephr™ Woolson D' to travil to Boston & Expenses 
 to Procure a Preacher three Dayes Myself & Horse. 
 
 Expenses 18 o o 
 
 three Dayes Service at 45 Dollers p Day .... 13 15 o 
 My Horse 50 miles 61 p Mile 15 00 o 
 
 46 15 o 
 
 Ephr"^ Woolson.i 
 
 In 1784 Joseph Eveleth charged the town for a journey 
 to New Haven Six days " for self and horse in search of a 
 preacher," £2, 17, and Joseph Sargent received six shillings 
 for travel " to Westown to pay Mr. Kendall part of the 
 money due to Mr. Haven for preaching." Apparently an 
 expensive method of settling accounts. 
 
 "March 1785, Princeton. 
 
 Debt for my going to ingage Mr. Write to 
 
 preach one day Six shillings O: 6:0:0 
 
 June, 1785 for going to Paxton two days to in- 
 gage Mr. Willings to preach, twelve shil- 
 lings 0:12:0:0 
 
 August, 1785, for going to dunstabel two days to 
 ingage Mr. Willings to preach, twelve shil- 
 lings 0:12:0:0 
 
 Abijah Harrington." 
 
 Ineffectual Efforts. In January, 1778, the church in 
 concurrence with the town extended a call to Rev. Daniel 
 
 * This little trip doubtless afforded D' Woolson an opportunity to visit 
 his relatives in Weston. 
 
Ecclesiastical History 159 
 
 Adams of Medway which was declined, and in October 
 following a similar invitation was given Rev. Paul Litch- 
 field of Scituate. The town offered him £600 as " a 
 settlement " and a yearly salary of seventy pounds pay- 
 able: — " twenty-three pounds, six shillings, eight pence at 
 the Rate of Indian Corn at three shillings per bushel, 
 £23, 6s, 8d, at the Rate of Beef at twenty shillings per 
 hundred; and £23, 6s, 8d, in cash of the present currency." 
 At this and other times during the Revolutionary war, it 
 was somewhat difficult to keep pace with the fluctuations 
 of the currency of the day and hence the necessity of making 
 the terms of all contracts upon the basis of something 
 substantial. 
 
 Mr. Litchfield declined this invitation and although it was 
 renewed in May, 1779, with an increase of the proposed 
 " settlement " to £1200, it was of no avail. 
 
 In January, 1781, Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard was invited 
 to settle in the town. By this time the values had so 
 changed that he was offered as a " settlement " £200 
 lawful money payable " at the rate of Indian Corn at 3s, 
 Rye at four shillings a bushel, beef at 20 shillings per 
 hundred, and pork at three and a half pence per pound." 
 This with a salary of £73-6-8 payable at the same rates as 
 above and thirty cords of wood annually. Notwithstand- 
 ing the inducements offered Mr. Hubbard declined the call, 
 but he often preached for the church. 
 
 The town files disclose the fact that the preachers did 
 not always obtain the money due them as quickly as desired. 
 One proof of this is an occasional note politely asking for 
 payment of long standing bills and intimating that any 
 further delay in settling would occasion expense to the 
 town. This dilatoriness was not due to any neglect on 
 the part of the efficient treasurer, Enoch Brooks, Esq., but 
 simply to the difficulty this town in common with others 
 had experienced in raising money during the trying period 
 of the war. A letter of Mr. Hubbard's will serve as a 
 sample. 
 
i6o History of Princeton 
 
 " Marblehead, Oct. 13, 1783. 
 
 Sir: 
 
 The design of this Letter, is to Give you my account, 
 against the town of Princeton, for preaching amongst them. 
 I have received the money you sent, on the account I 
 formerly exhibited, & it falls short by four pence. 
 
 The account I hereby exhibit, is for seven days preaching, 
 which, at Thirty-three shillings a day (a sum much less 
 than I have received in any other place since I left you) 
 amounts to Eleven pounds & Eleven shillings; add to this 
 sum the four pence above mentioned, the whole of what is 
 due to me, is Eleven pounds, Eleven shillings & four pence 
 Lawful money. I flatter myself you will quickly settle this 
 account as it has been of long standing, «&: I am in great need 
 of the money. 
 
 To say anything to urge you to this will be unnecessary. 
 Wishing the peace and prosperity of the town to which you 
 belong, I am, sir your 
 
 humb. ser''^ 
 
 Eben^ Hubbard." 
 (Addressed to the Treasurer.) 
 
 Stocks. About this time there were placed in the 
 meeting-house, stocks, instruments of terror to unruly boys. 
 Deacon Parker furnished them at a cost of ten shillings. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Crafts. In January, 1786, Rev. Thomas 
 Crafts (after preaching 21 Sabbaths as candidate) was in- 
 vited to the pastorate with an annual salary of £80 and 
 twenty cords of wood with £200 as a " settlement " and 
 the use of the " ministerial pew." Mr. Crafts accepted the 
 call and was ordained on the 28th of June following. 
 
 The churches represented in the ordaining council were 
 eight in number, from Sterling, Holden, Rutland, Shrews- 
 bury, Brookline, Roxbury, Boston and Bridgewater. 
 
 In accordance with custom great preparations were 
 made for the entertainment of the council and the many 
 visiting friends. The arrangement of the order of services 
 was but little in comparison with the burden resting upon 
 
Ecclesiastical History l6i 
 
 the committee who were appointed to provide for the wants 
 of the inner man and arrange for the comfort of those 
 remaining in town over night. An intimation of the duties 
 of this committee and the expense attending their work 
 may be gained from the papers on file by the town. The 
 items also afford a strong hint as to what was considered 
 necessary for such occasions. 
 
 Mr. Craft's ministry was acceptable and successful but 
 owing to ill health he was obliged to relinquish his work, 
 and seeing no prospect of early recovery felt compelled 
 to ask a dismission which was granted in March, 1791. 
 Mr. Crafts was long and pleasantly remembered by his 
 parishioners, and the regret of the town at his departure 
 and appreciation of his fidelity is expressed in fitting terms 
 upon the town record. 
 
 For several months after Mr. Crafts' dismissal the pulpit 
 was supplied by Rev. Hezekiah Goodrich whose preaching 
 was according to the record " acceptable to the town." 
 He received no call from the church to settle in the town 
 but he probably became firmly convinced about that time 
 that a certain young lady in the town would be " accept- 
 able " to him as a helpmeet — and upon his settlement, 
 in Rutland in 1793, he married Miss Mary Richards, of 
 Princeton. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Russell. What difficulties stood in the way 
 of securing a pastor for Princeton church do not appear, 
 but the unsatisfactory plan of depending upon transient 
 or other " supplies " was pursued until late in the year 
 1795 when a call was extended to Rev. Joseph Russell. 
 The town on the 7th of December unanimously concurred 
 with the church and voted " that the usual mode of giving 
 a settlement be dispensed with," and that in place thereof 
 a salary of $433.33 be paid him annually. It was also 
 voted on the 8th of February, 1796, to " furnish Mr. 
 Russell with twenty-five cords of good merchantable wood 
 annually, delivered to him at his dwelling-house, so long as 
 he shall continue our minister, and the price of staple com- 
 modities remain as they now are; but when the capital 
 
1 62 History of Princeton 
 
 articles of consumption shall revert back to their former 
 standard, that is to say, when the price of Beef shall be 
 reduced from thirty-six to twenty-four shillings per hun- 
 dred; Pork from six to four pence per pound; Rye from 
 six to four shillings per bushel; Indian Corn from four and 
 six pence to three shillings per bushel; then the whole 
 expense of the wood, be it more or less, shall be deducted 
 from the hundred and thirty pounds already voted by the 
 town, and so in a less proportion as the price of those com- 
 odities shall gradually decrease." 
 
 Mr. Russell accepted the invitation and was ordained 
 March i6, 1796. A sermon preached upon the occasion 
 by Rev. Mr. Backus of Somers, Conn., with some of the 
 other addresses has been preserved in print. 
 
 The following year Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns were 
 introduced as an aid to worship in place of the Psalms 
 previously in use. Mr. Robert B. Thomas agreed to 
 furnish six dozen copies of the book at two shillings six 
 pence each. 
 
 Mr. Russell's ministrations continued for over five years, 
 when being convinced that application to study was 
 injurious to him and that on account of his health he ought 
 not to continue in his present relations, he requested a 
 dismission. After some hesitation on the part of the town, 
 owing to questioning of Mr. Russell's motives in leaving, 
 which were carefully explained by him in two letters now on 
 file, the request was granted September 21, 1801. During 
 his pastorate peace and harmony prevailed. 
 
 New Meeting-House. Previous to Mr. Russell's settle- 
 ment the necessity for better accommodations for public 
 worship became evident and the question of erecting a new 
 meeting-house was discussed.^ Upon petition of Capt. 
 Samuel Hastings, Amos Meriam, Adonijah How, Stephen 
 Mirick, Ephraim Wilson, Solomon Davis and Uriah Moore, 
 the town voted March 9, 1795 to build. A committee 
 
 ^ The church records show the report of a Committee in regard to the old 
 building Dec. 31, 1836 to the effect that it was "not only unfit but unsafe for 
 the purposes of public worship." 
 
Ecclesiastical History 163 
 
 appointed to prepare a plan and estimate the expense 
 reported at a subsequent meeting the cost at £1799. and 
 the income from sale of pews and of the old house was 
 adjudged to be £1875. A building committee consisting 
 of Hon. Moses Gill, Capt. Samuel Hastings, Lieut. Amos 
 Meriam, David Brooks and William Whitaker were 
 instructed to build " on the ground where the old meeting- 
 house stands, or as nigh it as shall in the judgement of the 
 committee be most eligible." 
 
 Col. John Watson was chosen in Wm. Whittaker's place. 
 
 Dea. Adonijah How was chosen in David Brooks place. 
 
 Contracts for building the house, for which Mr. David 
 Brooks appears to have made the plans, were at once made 
 and the work entered upon, but it was more than a year 
 before the frame was so far completed as to necessitate the 
 removal of the old house^ which was done May 9, 1796. 
 The town appointed a committee to attend to this " free of 
 cost to the town," public notice to be given of the event and 
 the house was moved, but certainly not without consider- 
 able expense for labor as well as for the usual supplies of 
 rum, cider, cheese, etc.^ 
 
 This old building was subsequently sold to Jonas Beaman 
 for $80. Captain John Watson appears to have had 
 charge of the erection of the new house, and he kept the 
 accounts of expenditures and receipts. The first estimate 
 was far below the actual cost, which is recorded as being 
 £2273:3:5. The purchase of a bell of " proper Bigness " 
 was delayed until 1815 when one was procured at an 
 expense of $470. 
 
 The receipts from sale of pews, etc., were £1721-3-1, 
 leaving a deficit of £545 to be provided for by a general 
 tax.^ The frame of the house was raised with the usual 
 solemnities in June 1796, and the spire at a subsequent 
 date. 
 
 1 This old house was subsequently used for a town house. 
 ^ " May 4, 1796. For \ Days work with four oxen to Draw Shews for the 
 old meeting house S5-6. 
 
 ^ May 9. For 5 Barrel Sider When moveing the old meeting House 4-6. 
 
164 History of Princeton 
 
 The Raising. If the raising of the first meeting-house 
 frame was a notable event in the town, this far excelled 
 that in the amount of the work to be done, the number 
 engaged in it, and the eatables consumed. An examination 
 of a portion of the accounts of expenditures for this occasion 
 reveals the fact that 560 pounds of meat with six " piggs " 
 were provided for the company, which ought apparently 
 to have satisfied a goodly number of individuals. But the 
 quantity consumed of " articles of the West India kind," 
 as they were called, must have been enormous, — bills 
 amounting to over $200 appearing on record, and this too, 
 when the town was so short of ready cash that the payment 
 of these bills was so long delayed that interest on the account 
 was demanded and paid. On the 12th of March, 1797, 
 the house was completed and occupied for the first time. 
 Its dimensions were 70 feet by 55 feet, and it contained 
 75 pews on the main floor, 26 in the gallery, besides 6 in 
 the porches, which subsequently became dignified by the 
 irreverent boys as " nigger pews." If tradition is correct, 
 some of the well-known residents of the town were, when 
 boys, made to sit in these nigger pews for misbehavior. 
 Soon after the plans were made, the pews were sold at 
 auction, William Richardson acting as " Vendue Master." 
 
 Decoration. The house was well finished and painted 
 both inside and out. As usual, a sounding board hung over 
 the pulpit, and it is said that back of the pulpit there were 
 some paintings " supposed to represent angel faces," and 
 over the window caps on each side, was a figure, of a 
 cherub perhaps. All these figures were obliterated during 
 a subsequent repainting of the interior. From the facts 
 upon record and the assistance of some of the older people 
 whose boyhood days were made familiar with both exterior 
 and interior of the building, a plan of the main floor has 
 been prepared. This plan shows the location of the pews, 
 and the owners or occupants of each in 1796 and later — it 
 is impossible to designate the successive occupants of all the 
 pews. The memories of the old boys and girls recall the 
 form of this one and that one, occupying the accustomed 
 
Ecclesiastical History 165 
 
 seat Sunday after Sunday — and visions of various fam- 
 ilies, of their peculiarities and their graces too, come up to 
 many a one as he looks over the seats in the old meeting 
 house. 
 
 Stove. Whether the exposed location of the building 
 led to early decay or not, within twenty years the town 
 was loath to expend much money in repairs and in paint- 
 ing, and got along with as little expenditure as possible. 
 In 1 8 19 Ward N. Boylston, Esq., donated a stove which 
 was placed in the house and proved so conducive to 
 comfort, that in 1823 authority was given to make some 
 changes in the pews for the purpose of erecting additional 
 stoves. 
 
 In 1830 the house had become so dilapidated that the 
 town voted to make no repairs upon it, excepting windows, 
 and that not to exceed three dollars. The building, how- 
 ever, was used until the erection of the new one in 1838 
 on the spot formerly occupied by Rev. Mr. Clarke's 
 garden. The new house cost about $7200. The belF was 
 removed from the old to the new, and the parish relin- 
 quished all right in the old building, the town assuming all 
 liabilities of the pew holders. 
 
 In June, 1840, what was left of the building was taken 
 down and nothing is to be seen of it now but some of the 
 foundation stones from which the site of the house can be 
 readily determined. 
 
 New Meeting-house Committee' s Report 
 
 Your Committee chosen at the last March meeting for 
 the purpose of estimating the cost of repairs and other 
 expenditures necessary to be made upon the meeting-house, 
 
 ^ Aug. 24, 1815 in accordance with a vote of the town, a bell was purchased 
 of Paul Revere and Sons of Boston. It weighed 874 lbs. and cost $393.30 
 and the expense of purchasing and hanging was $77.18 making the whole cost 
 $470.48. Upon the building of the new meeting-house the town released its 
 claim upon the bell and it became the property of the church, and was removed 
 to the belfry of the new building, where it still hangs. It has thus given 
 continuous service for one hundred years. 
 
1 66 History of Princeton 
 
 also the cost of a new house and the value of the old one for 
 the purpose of building into a new one; have taken the 
 subject under consideration, and beg leave to report that 
 ... on examination they found the steple so much de- 
 cayed that, in their opinion it is unsafe and dangerous 
 for it to remain in its present situation any longer; and 
 your committee have accordingly come to the conclusion 
 that it ought to be removed as soon as possible. . . . 
 
 To accomplish the removal of the steple, two modes of 
 proceedure were suggested to your committee, one was by 
 attaching a rope near its top, sawing ofif the posts on which 
 it stands and then by a sudden strong pull haul it off; but 
 on reflection your committee are of the opinion that placing 
 the rope and sawing off the posts will be dangerous under- 
 takings, and as they are none of them willing themselves 
 to do this service, they are equally unwilling to recommend 
 it to be undertaken by any one else; they therefore come 
 to the conclusion that this mode of removal will be in- 
 judicious. . . . The other mode of removal suggested to 
 your committee was by building a stage around it, and 
 taking it down by pieces. This mode is thought by your 
 committee to be as safe and cheap a method as the nature 
 of the business will admit of — and they have estimated 
 the cost of removing the steple in this manner including 
 the repairs necessary to be made on the bell deck (also all 
 repairs of damage by accident or any unforseen occurrence) 
 that may be sustained by the other part of the house to be 
 $69.00. your committee are of the opinion that it will be 
 unnecessary to build any dome or cupola over the bell deck 
 after the removal of the steple, for in their opinion, by 
 leaving the ballustrade as it now stands, it will look nearly 
 or quite as well and be equally as good as it would be if the 
 town should be at the expense of erecting a cupola. . . On 
 examining the main body of the house, your committee 
 found it in much better repair than they expected, and 
 they are of the opinion that it will last five years by expend- 
 ing upon it the following sums viz. — 
 
Ecclesiastical History 167 
 
 For boarding up the porches $ 7 . 50 
 
 Stoping leak between main roof and bell deck ... 2 . 50 
 Probable expense of mending glass for five years, . 16 . 65 
 To prevent the ratling of the windows and support- 
 ing the sashes by placing bars across the win- 
 dows 4 . 00 
 
 making the whole sum necessary to be expended 
 
 for five years including the removal of the 
 
 steple $30 • 65 
 
 At the expiration of five years the committee are of the 
 opinion that extensive repairs will be necessary. 
 
 Your committee have estimated the cost of building a 
 new house and are of the opinion that a house 68 feet long 
 and 50 feet wide with 18 feet posts may be built (including 
 cost of land) for 2800 dollars: Such a house will contain 
 60 pews ten feet long 104 free seats and a galery for singers 
 . . . and will contain in all about 640 persons. . . 
 Your committee are of the opinion that the old house, 
 taking it as it now stands, is worth for the purpose of build- 
 ing into a new one 584 dollars. 
 
 JACOB W. WATSON, 
 
 Per order 
 
 The Rev. James Murdock was the next pastor. He was 
 invited by a unanimous vote of the church, March 18, 1802, 
 and by concurrent vote of the town. The salary ofifered 
 him was $366.2 3, the use of the parsonage and farm con- 
 nected with it, with the usual supply of wood. His careful 
 stipulations about the salary, the adjustment of any 
 controversy that might possibly arise, and the purchase of 
 the parsonage by himself, if desired, denote a clear head 
 and commendable prudence. The town had purchased of 
 Bartholomew Cheever, Esq., for a parsonage, the house 
 formerly occupied by Rev. Mr. Russell and Capt. Henry 
 Prentice. This was the building, in later days, owned by 
 Mr. Pynson Blake and now owned and occupied by the 
 
1 68 History of Princeton 
 
 David H. Gregory Co., Inc. In 1802 Mr. Murdock pur- 
 chased it of the town. 
 
 The ordination of Mr. Murdock occurred June 23, 1802, 
 in preparation for which the town chose a committee " to 
 secure the body of the house by proping & chaining the 
 same in such a manner as will prevent any injury being 
 done thereto, & eight persons app'^ to prevent confusion & 
 to preserve order in and about the meeting house on the 
 day of the ordination & to keep the doors of the meeting 
 house shut against all persons until the Council shall arive 
 excepting the singers who are to be admitted to their seats 
 when they see fit." Lieut. Adonijah How was " requested 
 to prepare such anthems and Tunes as will be suitable to 
 the solemnization of the day " and the sum of $100 was 
 voted to defray expenses of the ordaining Council at 
 Doctor Wilson's whose house was that now lately occupied 
 by Edwin Grimes, Esq. 
 
 During Mr. Murdock's settlement there were many 
 accessions to the church and uninterrupted harmony pre- 
 vailed. He established a weekly prayer meeting, which 
 was something entirely new for the town. In 1810 a 
 religious revival of great power, such as the town had never 
 experienced, resulted in the addition of over thirty persons 
 to the church. Conference meetings were held for many 
 weeks; two in the center and two in other parts of the 
 town, and often as many as 200 persons were present. 
 
 In October, 181 5, Mr. Murdock having received an 
 appointment as Professor in the University of Vermont, a 
 position for which he was eminently qualified, requested 
 and received a dismission and thus closed a pastorate of 
 twelve years' duration, full of good works, of wise and 
 thoughtful guidance and of lasting good. Expressions of 
 affection for the man, approval of his faithful and loving 
 services, and sincere regret at his departure were placed 
 upon the records of the town. 
 
 Difficulties. After the dismission of Dr. Murdock dif- 
 ferences of opinion in respect to religious matters arose, 
 which, for many years, caused unhappy divisions among 
 
Ecclesiastical History 169 
 
 the people. It is needless to relate these matters in detail, 
 but an attempt will be made to state them briefly.^ 
 
 Rev. Samuel Clarke. The town at a meeting held 
 June 25, 1 816, invited Rev. Samuel Clarke (who had 
 preached as a candidate) to become the pastor. 
 
 The church refused to concur with the town in this action, 
 asserting the right of the church to chose their pastor, and 
 also declaring their dissatisfaction with the doctrine 
 preached by Mr. Clarke. 
 
 Mr. Clarke, therefore, declined the call. It was re- 
 newed however at a later period and again declined. A 
 third call being given without the concurrence of the 
 church, an ecclesiastical council was called by the town, 
 who advised the church to concur, and adopt a slight 
 change in the wording of the covenant. The church refused 
 to do this, and the town proceeded to ordain Mr. Clarke, 
 June 18, 1817. 
 
 Presbyterian Church. Many disaffected members with- 
 drew and formed a Presbyterian Church connected with 
 the Newburyport Presbytery, and Rev. Alonzo Phillips 
 was settled as pastor Jan. 7, 1820. 
 
 A small house of worship was erected not far from the 
 Congregational Church. In 1830 this church voted, on 
 account of expense in attending meetings of the Presby- 
 tery, to withdraw from the Presbytery and adopt the 
 Congregational form of government. They now styled 
 themselves the Evangelical Congregational Church. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Clarke closed his pastorate June 18, 1832, and 
 soon after became pastor of the Uxbridge Congregational 
 Church. He seems to have been a man of ability, and of 
 excellent spirit in the trying position in which he was 
 placed. 2 
 
 * For particulars see Russell's and Hanaford's Histories of the town. 
 
 ^ Within the preceding ten months thirty-three persons have been added 
 to our Church. Since my Ordination, eighty-eight have been added to the 
 Church, by a public profession of religion, and three by letter; making in all, 
 ninety-one. Number of Baptisms, one hundred and twenty-three. The 
 hope is fondly cherished, that pure religion will continue to flourish among 
 us, and additions be daily made to the Church, of such as shall be saved. 
 From a printed address by Rev. Samuel Clarke in 1828. 
 
170 History of Princeton 
 
 After his departure the church made overtures to the 
 Evangelical Church for a union, but without success. 
 
 Rev. John P. Cowles became the next pastor and 
 remained from July 13, 1833 to Oct. 5, 1834. After his 
 dismissal repeated efforts were made to effect a union of 
 the two churches, but they were unsuccessful. 
 
 Mr. Phillips finished his pastorate of the Evangelical 
 Church Jan. 13, 1836. A council previously called by the 
 other church voted to dismiss Mr. Phillips from the pas- 
 torate, though he declared he had never been pastor of 
 that church, but only, upon invitation, supplied their 
 pulpit for several Sundays. Mr. Phillips took up his 
 residence in Newburyport where he died April 26, 1838. 
 
 Union Congregational Church. The two churches, after 
 much disagreement as to methods and rights, became 
 united although no definite statement of the fact appears 
 in the church records, but the church from that time was 
 frequently called the Union Congregational Church. 
 
 First Parish. Previous to this, namely Dec. 23, 1833, 
 the Congregational Society was organized as the First 
 Parish in Princeton. From that time it became legally 
 distinct from the municipal corporation, and the support 
 of worship was no longer provided by the town.^ 
 
 Rev. Elijah Demond became pastor of the united church 
 Oct. 26, 1836, and so continued till 1839. 
 
 Third Edifice. It was during this pastorate in 1838 that 
 a new church edifice was erected at the head of the com- 
 mon, about 200 feet east of the present library building 
 and in 1892 removed to its present location in accordance 
 with the agreement with E. A. Goodnow. This house 
 was built and owned by John Brooks, Rufus Davis and 
 others. Services were held in it for the first time March 6, 
 
 ' In June, 1811, the General Court of Mass. passed a law providing that 
 a member of any church producing to his town clerk a certificate of member- 
 ship shall be exempted from taxation for the maintenance of another church. 
 This is known as the "Religious Freedom Act." 
 
 In 1833 Mass. adopted an amendment (Art. XI) to the constitution 
 separating church and state, permitting all churches to choose their own pas- 
 tors, to raise money for worship, etc., and freeing their members from the sup- 
 port of other churches; and placing all churches on an equality before the law. 
 
Ecclesiastical History 171 
 
 1838. (In March 1839 the Parish voted to relinquish to 
 the town all their right in the old meeting-house.) After 
 diligent search in Records and public prints no mention 
 has been found of the formal dedication of this house. 
 The Revere bell was removed from the old building and 
 placed in the belfry of the present house. A few years 
 later an elegant chandelier, the gift of John Lane Boylston, 
 Esq., was placed in the audience room where it still 
 remains. Tradition asserts that it came from the Maverick 
 Church, East Boston. The church was moved to its 
 present location in 1884. A new organ was placed in 
 the church in 1910. 
 
 Succeeding Ministers to 191 5. Rev. Willard M. Hard- 
 ing, ordained May 20, 1840; dismissed Aug. 28, 1844. 
 
 Rev. Alfred Goldsmith, installed July 15, 1845; dis- 
 missed June 7, 1849. 
 
 Rev. Henry Wickes, ordained June 16, 1852; dismissed 
 Aug. 28, 1855. 
 
 Rev. William T. Briggs, installed Feb. 13, 1856; dis- 
 missed Oct. 19, 1863. 
 
 Rev. John S. Zelie, died in 1866. 
 
 Rev. Geo. M. Howe, installed 1874. 
 
 Rev. Archibald L. Love, installed Apr. 24, 1884; dis- 
 missed July 5, 1887. 
 
 Rev. Chas. A. White, commenced April 29, 1888. 
 
 Rev. Chas. E. Reeves, installed 1906. 
 
 The Baptists. There is abundant evidence of the 
 existence in the town of persons of Baptist sentiments 
 long before any organization was attempted. Some of 
 those whose names appear as the first settlers are known 
 to have been Baptists. At a town meeting in 1770 it was 
 voted that " Aaron Perry be left out of the ministerial 
 rates " on account of being a Baptist, and an article was 
 inserted in the warrant for the town meeting to be held 
 May 27, 1776, " to see if the town will abate all, or any, of 
 the ministerial rates of those persons that are of the Baptist 
 persuasion." It is pleasant to know that this was done. 
 
 The earliest record, however, of the " Baptist Society " 
 
172 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 in this town bears date April 9, 181 7, when a Constitution 
 was adopted with the following preamble: 
 
 " We, the subscribers, members of the Baptist Church 
 in Holden, and others professing ourselves friendly to their 
 cause, so far as it relates to publick worship, viewing it to 
 be our privilege as well as duty to help support the Gospel 
 ministry agreeably to said church, do hereby enter into a 
 Society, by the name of the Baptist Society in Princeton, 
 and do promise, covenant and engage to and with each 
 other, that we will conform to and be governed by the 
 following articles," etc. 
 
 Joshua Everett 
 Ephraim Mirick 
 Wm, Everett 
 David Foskett 
 Israel Everett 
 Gamaliel Beaman 
 Wm. How 
 Samuel Everett 
 Jonathan Baily 
 Josiah Richardson 
 Nathan Perry 
 Asa Howard 
 Elisha Perry 
 Stephen Mirick Jr. 
 Eliphaz Copeland 
 Joshua Everett Jr. 
 John Mirick 
 John Mirick Jr. 
 Jonah Rice 
 Simon Fosket 
 Joel Meriam 
 John Miller 
 Paul Sawin 
 Adam Chapman 
 Josiah Howard 
 
 Subscribers 
 
 Stephen Keyes 
 
 Asahel R. Sever 
 
 Jonas Keyes 
 
 Lucy Richardson 
 
 Isaac Simonds 
 
 John Sawin 
 
 Silas Barnes 
 
 Isaac Williams 
 
 Daniel Foskett Jr. 
 
 Joseph Griffin 
 
 Timothy Fessenden 
 
 Wm. Stearns 
 
 Benja. Stuart 
 
 Joshua S. Everett 
 
 Solomon Rolph 
 
 Ephraim Eveleth 
 
 James Foster 
 
 Simon Hardy 
 
 Asa Rice 
 
 Leonard Mason 
 
 Widow Lois Simonds 
 
 Asaph Fosket 
 
 Zenas Jewett 
 
 Asa Lyon of Hubbardston 
 
 Ralph Rice Stuart 
 
Ecclesiastical History 
 
 1/3 
 
 Jno. Dodd 
 Charles Smith 
 Ephraim Mundon 
 Wm. Stilman Everett 
 Ephrm. Mirick Jr. 
 Silas Mason 
 
 Abram Everett 
 David Guild 
 Benja. Munjoy 
 Chandler Smith 
 Willard Allen of 
 ton 
 
 Hubbards- 
 
 Officers Chosen 
 William Everett was chosen Moderator 
 Stephen Mirick, Clerk 
 William Everett 
 
 Prudential Com. 
 
 Stephen Mirick 
 John Mirick Jr. 
 Gamaliel Beaman 
 William Howe 
 Ephraim Mirick Jr. 
 Eliphaz Copeland 
 
 Simon Fosket 
 
 Isaac Simonds 
 
 Widow Lois Simonds 
 
 Joel Meriam 
 
 John Sawin 
 
 Asaph Fosket 
 
 John Miller 
 
 Silas Barnes 
 
 Zenas Jewett 
 
 Paul Sawin 
 
 Isaac Williams 
 
 Asa Lyon of Hubbardston 
 
 Adam Chapman 
 
 Daniel Foskett, Jr. 
 
 Ralph Rice Stuart 
 
 Subsequently served on 
 this Committee. 
 
 Josiah Howard 
 
 Joseph Griffin 
 
 Abram Everett 
 
 Jn°. Dodd 
 
 Timothy Fessenden 
 
 David Guild 
 
 Charles Smith 
 
 W". Stearns 
 
 Benj^ Munjoy 
 
 Ephraim Mundon 
 
 Benj''. Stuart 
 
 Chandler Smith 
 
 W". Stilman Everett 
 
 Joshua S. Everett 
 
 Willard Allen of Hubbardston 
 
 The Baptist Church. The earliest records of the Baptist 
 Church in Princeton are very incomplete. From various 
 sources we learn that the Baptist residents of this town 
 were members of the church in Templeton, but afterwards 
 transferred their membership to the church in Holden. 
 
174 History of Princeton 
 
 Subsequently, they with other members who resided in 
 Leominster were constituted a branch of the Holden 
 Church. Persons of this persuasion living in Fitchburg 
 were also for a time a branch of the Princeton Church. 
 But finally the Leominster and Fitchburg brethren became 
 distinct churches, and the Princeton members were or- 
 ganized as a distinct church July 31, 1822, with twenty- 
 eight members. 
 
 The first church record existing bears date July 12, 1828. 
 A pastor is mentioned Aug. 17, 1828. Notice was given 
 Oct. 12 that the new meeting house erected by the Baptist 
 Society would be finished Oct. 29, and it was voted to 
 dedicate it on that day. Rev. Jonathan Going of Wor- 
 cester was chosen to preach on that occasion with Rev. 
 Elisha Andrews as substitute. The building was on a lot 
 containing 73 square rods, the gift of Mr. John Mirick. 
 It was on the lower Westminster road, north of Mr. 
 Harlow Skinner's. The house was of brick, its dimensions 
 being 42 by 34 feet; it had two porches, and contained a 
 gallery. Its cost was $2000. A Bible, the gift of John 
 Lane Boylston of Boston, was presented to the church, 
 March 13, 1828, through Rev. Samuel Clarke of the 
 Congregational Church who accompanied it with words 
 expressive of kindly fellowship. 
 
 Rev. Elisha Andrews of Templeton supplied the church 
 at intervals for several years as did also Rev. John 
 Walker of Holden during which latter time a revival 
 added twenty members to the church in Holden. Rev. 
 Mr. Andrews was born in Middleton, Ct., Sept. 29, 1768, 
 ordained at Fairfax, Vt., in 1793, and settled at Templeton 
 in 1800 where he remained 13 or 14 years. He afterwards 
 settled in Hinsdale, N. H. He died at Hinsdale, Feb. 3, 
 1840. 
 
 Rev. Elias Johnson was also a supply for the church, 
 preaching both at Westminster and Princeton. 
 
 In March, 1830 about thirty of the members obtained 
 a dismission to form a separate church in Westminster. 
 At a later date the Princeton and Westminster churches 
 
Ecclesiastical History 175 
 
 called the Rev. Appleton Morse to become their pastor. 
 He was born in 1805, was a student at Brown University 
 in 1824-5, at Newton Theological Institution in 1827-30 
 and was ordained at Westminster Oct. 1830. But in the 
 spring of 1831 he withdrew from the pastorate at West- 
 minster and confined his labors to the Princeton church 
 with success until April, 1832, when he terminated his 
 labors there, and soon after settled at Fitchburg, where he 
 died, Oct. 24, 1838. 
 
 The Princeton church, August 18 and 19, 1830 enter- 
 tained the Worcester Baptist Association when the Con- 
 gregational church kindly furnished its house of worship 
 for the meeting, for which courtesy the Association re- 
 turned thanks, Rev. Mr. Clarke responding in a fraternal 
 manner. It is somewhat amusing to read that the Parish 
 voted to " provide crackers of bread instead of wheat 
 loaves " for the occasion. 
 
 Rev. Nehemiah G. Lovell was ordained pastor of the 
 church July 10, 1834 ^^^^ held the position till Nov. 11, 
 1836, when at his own request he was dismissed to become 
 pastor at Amherst, N. H. He was born in Rowley in 1806, 
 was a graduate of Brown University in 1833, and spent 
 a short time at Newton Theological Institution. Follow- 
 ing his pastorate at Amherst, he was pastor at Bellingham 
 and No. Attleboro. He died at Valley Falls, R. I., Nov. 15, 
 1851. In 1837 Rev. Mason Ball became pastor and so 
 continued till 1840. Mr. Ball was born in West Boylston, 
 Sept. 20, 1798. He was ordained in Amherst in 1833, 
 where he remained as pastor till 1836. He had a second 
 pastorate in Amherst after leaving Princeton. He died 
 at Amherst Nov. 16, 1873. It was during his pastorate 
 at Princeton that a new church building was erected in the 
 centre of the town. 
 
 The next pastor was Rev. Orlando Cunningham, who 
 was ordained Nov. 23, 1841. He remained as pastor till 
 Jan'y, 1844, when he was dismissed at his own request. 
 
 He was born at Saxton's River, Yt., Jan. 31, 18 15. After 
 leaving Princeton he was settled in Sterling, Middlefield 
 
176 History of Princeton 
 
 and Lebanon, Conn. In the last pastorate he remained 
 ten years and had marked success. He then supplied the 
 church in Rutland, Vt., for two or three years, where he 
 died March 16, 1888. 
 
 The church suffered for some years from the anti- 
 Sabbatarian views of some of its members, and also from 
 anti-slavery agitation, temperance discussion and Miller- 
 ism. From these causes and the loss of members it became 
 too weak to support a pastor and no regular preaching 
 services were held after November, 1851. The house of 
 worship was sold in i860, and soon after was converted 
 into a hotel, called The Prospect House, but now known 
 as Princeton Inn, 
 
 Methodist Church. This church though never large, 
 maintained a position of influence in the town. It was 
 formed by those who differed from the other church in 
 their views of doctrine and church polity, but included 
 many persons of prominence, and was served by a long 
 series of able pastors. Though for many reasons it declined 
 in numbers, it exerted a healthful religious influence in the 
 community. 
 
 During the first of the year 1838, George Lewis of the 
 Baptist Church and Silas Fay of the Congregational 
 Church, requested dismission from these churches, and 
 joined the M. E. Church in Worcester. Rev. James Porter, 
 D.D. of the Worcester M. E. Church, preached in March, 
 1838, in the old Town House to a large company, who 
 wished to learn more of the "Methodist doctorine and 
 usages" and as they wished preaching on Sunday, Rev. 
 Benj. Paine of Oxford preached from the 3d Sunday in 
 April, 1838, to the ist of June following. 
 
 There was great interest aroused, which extended to 
 Hubbardston and Rutland ; many were added to the Con- 
 gregational Church in Princeton. In June, 1839, the M. E. 
 Church numbered in all 138 communicants. Many of this 
 number were former members of Rev. Mr. Phillips church. 
 Mr. Paine was then stationed regularly in Princeton. 
 
 The increase in membership encouraged the building of 
 
Ecclesiastical History 177 
 
 a church edifice which was dedicated Feb. 13, 1840. It 
 was located west of the center near Mr. Grime's residence. 
 It cost $4500.00 without the bell, which was purchased by 
 subscription, for $500.00. Jonas Brooks ^ gave $200.00. 
 Early in 1840 the M. E. Church began its legal existence. 
 No services have been held by this church since the burn- 
 ing of their house of worship and many of the members 
 have identified themselves with the Congregational Church. 
 The records of this church were placed in the care of the 
 Methodist Historical Society in Boston. ^ The church edi- 
 fice was burned June 14, 1892. 
 
 Methodist Ministers Assigned by the Conference since 1839 
 
 1839 Benjamin Paine 1850-51 Jeremiah L. Hanaford 
 
 40 Stephen Gushing 52-53 Simon Putnam 
 
 41 William R. Stone S4~S5 Increase B. Bigelow 
 
 42 Porter R. Sawyer 56 John Cadwell 
 
 43 Joseph W. Lewis S7~s8 Abram S. Dobbs 
 
 44 Joseph W. Lewis 59-60 John Goodwin 
 
 45 Kinsman Atkinson 61-62 Porter M. Vinton 
 
 46 Howard G. Dunham 63-64 Charles T. Johnson 
 
 47 Albert A. Cook 65 S. R. Bailey 
 
 48 Albert A. Cook 66 
 
 49 Henry M. Bridge 67 Franklin Fisk 
 
 ^ Two Samuel Brooks of Princeton: Capt. Samuel son of Enoch Brooks 
 who lived next house beyond the Fuller place born 1779 Married Nabby 
 Beaman. She left ^600.00 to the M. E. Church. 
 
 Samuel Brooks Who married a Miss Hubbard of Holden. He left money 
 to the Baptist Church in Holden, " In memory of his wife, Lucy (Hubbard) 
 Brooks." 
 
 The Methodist Church in Princeton, had $1000.00 given by the widow of 
 Jonas Brooks Esq. Lydia (m.n.) Temple. 
 
 2 Lightning struck the Methodist Church Tuesday evening, June 14, 
 1892, setting the steeple on fire and igniting and exploding a can of kerosene 
 oil in the basement. 
 
 The fire in the basement was soon extinguished, but the fire in the steeple 
 could not be reached and soon all hope of saving the church was given up. 
 The house was cleared of all furnishings, and through the hard work of the 
 citizens all buildings in the vicinity of the church were saved. There was 
 no insurance. 
 
 The unfortunate people were invited by the Congregational ists to worship 
 with them or to use their house for services of their own. 
 
 {Spy, Friday, June 17, 1892.) 
 
178 History of Princeton 
 
 Methodist Ministers Assigned by the Conference 
 SINCE 1839 {continued) 
 
 1868 John W. Cole 1884-85 Charles Nicklin 
 
 69-70 Nathaniel F. Stevens 86 F. A. Everett 
 
 71 Nathan D. George 87-88 William Silverthome 
 
 72-73 John Noon 89 W. H. Atkinson 
 
 75-77 John H. Emerson 90 
 
 78-80 Edwin C. Ferguson 91 Osman W. Adams 
 81-82 Frederic B. Graves 
 
 The Universalists. As one of the results of the religious 
 dissension in the town, some who favored liberal preaching 
 formed a Universalist Society, April 29, 1833 with 32 
 members. The officers were as follows: 
 
 Committee, Col. John W. Watson, Col. John Whitney, 
 and Samuel Randall; Col. Whitney being Clerk and Col. 
 Watson treasurer. Col. Watson was frequently a delegate 
 to the denominational Associations and prominent in their 
 councils. 
 
 The Society for several years maintained occasional 
 preaching, but finally ceased to exist. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 TOWN GOVERNMENT 
 
 First Town Meeting. The differences and the dis- 
 cussions between the fractions of the East Wing and the 
 Farms perhaps tended to develop the leaders of the future 
 town. As soon as the Act of Incorporation was passed, 
 it became manifest that just then some good work must 
 be done by the very best men. Few of them had had 
 experience. 
 
 The warrant for the first meeting must have been issued 
 by Capt. Wm. Richardson of Lancaster, as directed by the 
 General Court. This meeting was held Dec. 24, 1759 at 
 the Inn of Abijah Moore and according to Mr. Russell's 
 statement in his History, officers were elected to serve till 
 March, succeeding, and a few other items were attended 
 to — the full statement by Russell is as follows: 
 
 Lost Records. At the time his History was written there 
 must have been some persons then living who were present 
 at the first meetings and could verify his statements. 
 There may have been and probably was another meeting 
 in 1760. We give in full the record of the meeting held 
 March, 1761, with the warrant calling for the same, the 
 first recorded in our town books. Unfortunately we have 
 no copy of the warrant or of the Acts of the earlier meetings. 
 Two or more pages of the first record book including the 
 record of several meetings have been lost. The first record 
 (according to Hanaford) that we have of a meeting is given 
 below. This shows that the voters attended to matters 
 which seemed at that time of first importance, such as the 
 building of a meeting-house, raising money by taxation, 
 building roads, making provision for a pound, providing 
 for salaries of officers, etc. 
 
 A list of voters appears with other papers relating to a 
 town meeting held in March, 1761, at which meeting it w as 
 
 179 
 
i8o History of Princeton 
 
 alleged that the Moderator, Dr. Harvey, resorted to some 
 unwarranted and illegal measures. (The Doctor was 
 chosen Moderator, District Clerk, Chairman of the Select- 
 men and of the Assessors, and Agent to the General Court.) 
 
 A protest was entered upon the records of the town and 
 subsequently a petition reciting the grievances was sent 
 to the General Court, asking that the proceedings be 
 declared null and void. The Court, however, decided in 
 Dr. Harvey's favor, confirming the proceedings. 
 
 Attached to the petition referred to are the following 
 names : 
 
 Non Voters Voters 
 
 Gideon Fisher Isaac Wheeler 
 
 Thos. Mason Joseph Rugg 
 
 Joseph Eveleth Eliphalet How 
 
 Isaac Wheeler Jr. Ephraim Allen 
 
 Robert Cowdin Oliver Davis 
 
 Sadey Mason James Thomson 
 
 Timothy Keyes Wm. Muzzy 
 
 Joseph Gibbs 
 
 The protest on town records is signed by 8 which are 
 checked here. Feb., '63, Harvey as Agent granted £11. 
 
 One must judge from the records that Dr. Harvey was 
 the leading man of the town; and very soon the troubles 
 occasioned by his actions necessitated an appeal from a 
 large number of voters, which appeal was carried to the 
 General Court, where however the Dr.'s acts were sustained 
 and the meeting approved as legal. All this sort of busi- 
 ness was new to the residents and the immediate needs of 
 the new town were scarcely comprehended. But we should 
 give credit to all the officers, who served in the early 
 years, as doing their best to advance the interests of the 
 new town. 
 
 Subsequent Town Meetings have been called for 150 
 years under warrants identical in form with this of 1761. 
 There have been recorded the warrants and actions thereon 
 
Town Government i8i 
 
 of meetings. Apparently the only difference in the busi- 
 ness of the meetings has been the discontinuance of certain 
 offices such as Hogreeve, Tithingman, etc., which as in the 
 early days seemed necessary. 
 
 The First District Meeting was held Dec. 24, 1759 at 
 Mr. Moore's Tavern where all meetings continued to be 
 held until the Meeting House was so far completed as to be 
 used in 1763. 
 
 The records of these meetings until 1761 are lost from 
 the record books. Dr. Zachariah Harvey was the first 
 District and Town Clerk and was evidently then the 
 most influential citizen. 
 
 The petition for incorporation was in his handwriting 
 and in 1761 he was not only Clerk but Moderator, Chair- 
 man of Selectmen, Assessors and Agent to the General 
 Court. The proceedings of the meeting, however, at which 
 he attained his plurality of offices were contested : a protest 
 declaring them illegal " by reason of the meeting not being 
 purged from such persons or voters as are unqualified by 
 law to vote " was filed. 
 
 Warrant for Meeting, Mar. 16, 1761 
 
 Worcester, S. S. To Samuel Hastings one of the con- 
 stables of the Destrict of Princetown, Greeting. You are 
 hereby required to warn and give notice to all the free- 
 holders and other Inhabitants of said Princetown qualified 
 to vote in Town affairs to meete and assemble at the house 
 of Leiut. Abijah Moore, Inholder, in said Princetown on 
 Monday the sixteenth day of March next ensuing the date 
 hereof at nine of the clock in the forenoon and then and 
 there to act on the following Articles, viz: 
 
 I To Choose a Moderator for the Government of said 
 
 meeting. 
 n To Choose all other Town officers agreeable to law 
 for the year ensuing and also an Agent to Repre- 
 sent said deestrict at the General Court. 
 
1 82 History of Princeton 
 
 III To see if the Destrict will build a pound and act 
 
 anything relative thereto. 
 
 IV To see if the Destrict will Raise a sum of money to be 
 
 assessed on the poles and personal estate of the 
 Destrict for the necessary use of the Destrict for 
 the present year. 
 V To see if the Destrict will vote to build a Meeting 
 house, to wit, the house for the publick Worship of 
 God in some other place than that where it is 
 already voted to be built on, and vote anything 
 relative thereunto that the Destrict shall think 
 proper, or otherwise to vote where the said meeting 
 house shall be built. 
 
 VI To see if the Destrict will vote to build a meeting 
 house as soon as can be conveniently and choose 
 a Committee for the same and make report unto 
 the Destrict upon what terms they can get it built 
 and when or act anything as the Destrict shall 
 think proper. 
 VII To see if the Destrict will vote what the wages of the 
 Assessors shall be for the future or act anything 
 thereon as the Destrict may think proper. 
 VIII To except of such Rodes as there shall be returns 
 made off or aney part of them as the Destrict shall 
 think proper. 
 
 IX To see if the Destrict will vote to Let Swine Run at 
 Large. 
 
 hereof fail not and make Due Return hereof to some one 
 of the Selectmen before said meeting date at princetown 
 the sixteenth day of february Anno Domi 1761 and in the 
 first year of his Majesty's Reign per order of the Select- 
 
 Zachariah Harvey Destrict Clerk. 
 
 Worcester S. S., March ye i6th, 1761 in obedience to this 
 
 Warrent I have warned and notified all the persons within 
 
 mentioned to meete at time and place for the purposes 
 
 within mentioned. r^ 1 tt ^- r- ^ li 
 
 pr Samuel Hastmgs Constable. 
 
Town Government 
 
 183 
 
 The above said meeting being met and convened at the 
 time and place above mentioned the following votes were 
 passed, viz: 
 
 Zechariah Harvey Choose moderator of Said Meeting. 
 Zechariah Harvey Choosen Destrict Clark. 
 Zechariah Harvey 
 
 Selectmen 
 
 Joseph Gibbs 
 Leiut. Abijah Moore 
 Timothy Mossman 
 Zechariah Harvey 
 Abijah Moore 
 Peter Good now 
 Peter Good now 
 Caleb Myrick 
 Sadey Mason 
 Samuel Nicols 
 Joseph Rugg 
 
 Paul Mathews 
 Stephen Brigham 
 Silas Whiteny 
 Till Littlejohn 
 Gedion Fisher 
 
 Timothy Keyes 
 
 Robert Keyes 
 
 Samuel Hastings 
 Amos Spring 
 
 James Myrick 
 Oliver D 
 
 Amos Powers 
 
 (2) Samuel Hastings 
 
 Robert Cowdon 
 Edward Wilson 
 
 Able Ray 
 
 Stephen Brigham 
 
 Assessors 
 
 Destrict Treasurer 
 Constables 
 
 Tythingmen 
 Surveyors of highways 
 
 Not sworn 
 
 Clark of the Market 
 
 Fence Viewers 
 Field Drivers 
 Hogg Reav 
 
 Dear Reav 
 
 Survey of boards and shingles 
 Sealer of Lathes 
 
184 History of Princeton 
 
 Peter Goodnow 
 
 T.. ^, Tv/r I Wardens 
 
 limothy Mossman 
 
 Zacharlah Harvey Choosen Agent to Represent the Des- 
 trict at the General Court. 
 
 This may certify that all the above mentioned officers 
 (except Timothy Keyes) was duly sworn as the Law directs 
 Respecting the taking of the paper curranses of other 
 Governments and the Respective oathes belonging to each 
 of their offices. 
 
 Test Zechariah Harvey Moderator. 
 
 Voted. Coll John Whitcomb of Bolton, Deacon Samuel 
 Perce of Holden and Deacon Joseph Miller of Westminister 
 be a committee to measure the said Destrict of Princetown 
 and find the center thereof and affix or order the place for 
 building the meeting house on, to wit. The house for the 
 publick worship of God — and if the center be not suitable 
 ground to build said house on, then on the nearest place to 
 the center that is suitable according to the best judgment of 
 said Committee, and they are Desired to make return 
 thereof at the adjournment of this meeting, and it is also 
 voted that Mr. Thomas Harmon of Rutland and Deacon 
 Jonathan Livermore of Westboro be surveyors for the 
 purposes above said and that all the said Committee and 
 Surveyors be under oath for the trust Committed to them 
 above said. Also voted that the vote for building the said 
 meeting house within two rods of the most southerly corner 
 of Mr. John Mirick's Land be and hereby is Rescinded and 
 Discontinued. 
 
 Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Munday the 
 third day of May at nine o'clock in the forenoon at the 
 home of Leiut. Abijah Moore Inholder in Said Destrict. 
 
 Zechariah Harvey Moderator. 
 
 The above adjournment of the above said meeting being 
 on Munday the third of May, which third day of May 
 was Sabbath day and was a mistake in the adjournment 
 and they meet on Munday the fourth day of May and voted 
 
Town Government 185 
 
 to adjourn this meeting to Munday the 29lh day of June 
 next ensuing at 9 of the clock in the forenoon at the house 
 of Leiut. Abijah Moore Inholder in said Princetown. 
 
 Zechariah Harvey Moderator. 
 
 The Disent hereafter mentioned was entered at the afore- 
 said meeting on the i6th of March 1761. 
 
 We the subscribers, Inhabitants and freeholders of 
 Princetown Destrict judging the annual meeting in Prince- 
 town Destrict on the i6th of March 1761 to be Illegal by 
 Reason of the Meeting not being purged from such persons 
 or voters as are unqualified by Law for voting, we do there- 
 fore hereby enter our Desent against said meeting appearing 
 to us as unlawful. 
 
 Princetown Destrict March ye i6th. 1761. 
 
 Capt. Eliphlet How 
 James Thompson 
 Oliver Davis 
 Isaac Wheler 
 Ephriam Allen 
 Sadey Mason 
 William Muzzy 
 Gideon Fisher 
 
 The aforesaid meeting on the Said 29 of June, 1761, met at 
 said time and place and passes the following votes viz: 
 
 Voted. That Caleb Mirick's barn yard be a pound for 
 the present year and that said Mirick be pound keeper. 
 
 Voted. That the sum of forty pounds of money be 
 assessed on the poles and personal estate of said Destrict 
 for Defraying the charges thereof. 
 
 Voted. To dismiss the fifth Article mentioned in the 
 Warrant and not to except the report of the Committee 
 that was chosen in the former meeting on said article to 
 afix and order the place for the building of the said meeting 
 house. 
 
1 86 History of Princeton 
 
 Voted. To dismiss the Sixth Article. 
 Voted. To dismiss the Seventh Article. 
 Voted. To dismiss the Eighth Article. 
 Voted. On the Ninth Article to Let the Same run at 
 large. 
 
 Zechariah Harvey Moderator. 
 
 In the distribution of offices, the residents of the Farms 
 seem to have had rather more than their full proportion. 
 
 Protest, Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New 
 England. To his Excellency Francis Barnard Esq., Cap- 
 tain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province 
 aforesaid. 
 
 To the Honourable the Council and House of Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled on Wednesday the 
 twenty-fifth Day of March Anno Domini 1761. 
 
 We the subscribers, Inhabitants of the District of 
 Princetown in the County of Worcester and legal Voters in 
 Town and District affairs, humbly shew your Excellency 
 and Honours, 
 
 That at ye District Annual Meeting held there on the 
 sixteenth day of March instant, among other things to 
 choose the usual District officers for said District, there 
 were several Votes and Transactions altogether illegal and 
 unwarranted and unfairly and unduly obtained by means 
 of many persons being admitted to vote at said meeting 
 that were not legal voters there, and some that were not 
 even Inhabitants of the same. That as the Voters and 
 Inhabitants were gathering together for the said meeting 
 Zacharlah Harvey of the same District, Physician, who was 
 our District Clerk, Selectman and Assessor the last year, 
 without any direction or order from the Selectmen or 
 without their knowledge or consent opened the same 
 meeting and called upon the unwarrantable proceedings 
 yet the said Harvey swore in and procured himself to 
 be chosen the Moderator, District Clerk, a Selectman 
 and an Assessor, as well as an Agent to appear at the 
 General Court in behalf of said District all which pro- 
 
Town Government 187 
 
 ceedlngs, your petitioners humbly apprehend are illegal, 
 arbitrary and destructive of their most precious privi- 
 leges, the said Harvey being chosen into all the offices 
 aforesaid by a majority of such as were not voters accord- 
 ing to law, and against the sense and inclination of a 
 majority of such as were legal voters and personally 
 present. 
 
 The chief part of the officers chosen at said meeting and 
 other matters transacted there, being obtained in the same 
 way and manner, and some things never put to vote as the 
 warrant for calling the meeting required. 
 
 Particularly there was an article in the warrant to see if 
 the District would choose an Agent to appear at the 
 General Court, but the said Harvey instead of putting it to 
 vote to see if they would choose an Agent, knowing there 
 was none needed, called upon them and insisted on their 
 bringing in their vote for an Agent, without knowing or 
 trying if it was the mind of the District first to send one as 
 the warrant directed and so by the number present not 
 being legal voters and by some means or other for the 
 present being inclined to please him, as the meeting was at 
 a Tavern. 
 
 The Doctor in as Persons present, tho but a very small 
 number to bring in their votes for Moderator which was 
 then done immediately by such as were present the major 
 part of them being no legal voters at said meeting, and by 
 that artifice the said Harvey procured himself to be chosen 
 the Moderator. Whereupon a number of ye legal voters 
 having notice of the Meeting being opened contrary to 
 their expectation, the hour for the meeting being scarce 
 arrived, as they apprehended, hastened to said meeting to 
 regulate matters which they were informed were carrying 
 on in such an hasty manner there, and perceiving a con- 
 siderable number of people present and acting which by 
 the list of Estate and Valuation taken for the last year they 
 knew were not voters qualified according to law to vote 
 at such meeting, and also some who were not even inhabi- 
 tants of said District called upon the said Harvey who 
 
1 88 History of Princeton 
 
 was given the Moderator in the manner aforesaid to purge 
 the meeting, to see by the list of Estates and Valuation 
 were taken by the Assessors last year and in his hands who 
 were voters and who were not of the number present offer- 
 ing to vote. 
 
 He assumed it could not be done for that he had neither 
 list there and went on calling for votes and acting on the 
 articles of the meeting without taking further notice of what 
 the Inhabitants and Voters offered and objected to the 
 proceedings. 
 
 Seeing which a number of the Voters belonging to same 
 District entered their Dissent against said Harvey their 
 Agent all which offices the Doctor grossly accepted and 
 still attempts to hold. Nor was his conduct at our last 
 meeting the only instance wherein the said Doctor Harvey 
 hath acted contrary to his duty and trust, for on the 23d. 
 Day of October last when the District had a meeting to 
 choose an Agent to transact some matters in behalf of said 
 District at the Great and General Court, Captain Eliphalet 
 How was chosen an Agent, the said Harvey then being 
 District Clerk, refused and neglected to record the vote of 
 the said How's being chosen and said it was best to it, 
 but after that the said Harvey himself presumed to appear 
 as our Agent and act accordingly under the colour of his 
 having been once before chosen Agent for the said District, 
 though he utterly refused. 
 
 Wherefore matters are now carried in such a disorderly 
 way and manner and as we who are the major part of the 
 legal voters belonging to said District, apprehend is directly 
 contrary to the true intent and meaning of the law of this 
 Province respecting such matters, humbly pray that the 
 proceedings of this last meeting this March may be con- 
 sidered as void, and that the Inhabitants of said District 
 may be empowered and enabled to call another meeting, 
 choose new officers, accept roads and transact all other 
 matters at some other meeting which might or should have 
 been done at the last in as full and ample manner as tho 
 the same had never been held, or some other way relieve 
 
Town Government 189 
 
 your petitioners from their oppression as in your wisdon 
 may deem meet and your petitioners as in duty bound shall 
 ever pray. 
 
 The first physician by the name of Dr. Zachariah Harvey 
 settled about this time on the farm afterwards owned and 
 occupied by the late Deacon Ebenezer Parker. 
 
 In accordance with the last clause of the act of incor- 
 poration a warrant was issued by William Richardson of 
 Lancaster, directed to Dr. Zachariah Harvey and on the 
 24th day of December, 1759, the inhabitants convened at 
 the house of Abijah Moore for their first District meeting. 
 Municipal officers were chosen and from that day Princeton 
 assumed her place among the regularly organized Districts 
 of the Commonwealth. 
 
 Several pages are missing from the first volume of the 
 town Records, consequently the proceedings of the above 
 mentioned meeting are lost. The officers chosen at this 
 meeting were only chosen to serve until the March fol- 
 lowing, when, as at the present time, the regular meeting 
 for an election was held ; hence the first March meeting 
 was convened in 1760. The first, however, of which the 
 proceedings are found on record was held in March, 1761. 
 
 It Is very evident from the foregoing protest, which is 
 transcribed from the records, that there was some difficulty 
 at this meeting. 
 
 After giving several grants Including Potash Farm of 
 1000 acres granted to one Plaisted In case he should teach 
 the people the manufacture of potash, buildings were 
 erected and the manufacture commenced. For some 
 reason Plaisted failed to get the land and it was granted 
 to Gen. Ruggles for Militia services. 
 
 The remainder of the Province land was probably 
 settled by adventurers or taken up by speculators. 
 
 Town Officers from 1760 to 19 15. 
 
 Selectmen. 
 
 Peter Goodnow, 1760, 4, 5, 7. Joseph Gibbs, 1760, i, 3, 7, 8, 70. 
 
 Abijah Moore, 1760, i, 3. Timothy Moseman, 1761, 2. 
 
 Zachariah Harvey, 1760, i. EHphalet How, 1762. 
 
190 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Boaz Moore, 1762, 3, 6, 70-2, 8, 81- 
 
 92. 
 Robert Keyes, 1762. 
 Caleb Mirick, 1762, 70, i, 1808, 9. 
 Ebenezer Jones, 1763, 6-72, 4-6. 
 Samuel Woods, 1763. 
 Benjamin Holden, 1764, 9, 73, 80- 
 
 2, 90, I. 
 Stephen Brigham, 1764, 5, 8, 71, 5-7. 
 Tilly Little John, 1764. 
 William Muzzey, 1764, 9. 
 Sadey Mason, 1765, 6, 78-91. 
 William Thompson, 1765, 6, 72-7. 
 Benjamin Taynter, 1765-7. 
 Robert Cowden, 1766. 
 Oliver Davis, 1767. 
 Ephraim Woolson, 1768, 9, 72, 3, 5, 
 
 8. 
 Adonijah Howe, 1768, 76, 7, 9, 1818. 
 Joseph Sargent, 1769, 70, 8, 82-5, 
 
 1807, 8. 
 James Mirick, 1771, 6, 7. 
 James Phelps, 1772. 
 Paul Mathews, 1773, 80. 
 Joseph Eveleth, 1773, 5, 81, 5, 1809. 
 William Richardson, 1774. 
 Charles Brooks, 1774, 80. 
 Elisha Hobbs, 1777, 9, 94, 5. 
 Samuel Hastings, 1778, 1810-12. 
 Ephraim Hartwell, 1779. 
 Abraham Gale, 1779. 
 John Mirick, 1780. 
 Asa Whitcomb, 1781. 
 William Dodds, 1783-93, 6, 1807. 
 Abner How, 1786-89. 
 Ebenezer Parker, 1 786-92, 6-8, 1804- 
 
 5- 
 Abijah Harrington, 1792,3, 6, 7. 
 Ephraim Mirick, 1792, 3. 
 Isaac Hartwell, 1793-5. 
 David Rice, 1 793-1800, 4-7. 
 John Dana, 1794, 5, 1801-9. 
 John W^atson, 1794, 5. 
 Jonas Beaman, 1796-9. 
 Andrew Whitney, 1 798-1800, 4-6. 
 Samuel Dadman, 1 799-1802. 
 Ephraim Wilson, 1800-3. 
 Amos Meriam, 1801-3, 23-9. 
 Bartholomew Cheever, 1803. 
 
 Simon Davis, 1803-9. 
 
 Samuel Stratton, 1808, 9. 
 
 Joshua Eveleth, 1810-12. 
 
 Charles Mirick, 1810-12. 
 
 Benjamin Harrington, 1810. 
 
 Artemas How, 1810-15. 
 
 Jonas Brooks, 1811-14. 
 
 Samuel Stevenson, 1813-17. 
 
 Jonas Hartwell, 1813-20. 
 
 Samuel Brooks, 1813. 
 
 Israel How, Jr., 1814-16, 20-2. 
 
 William Everett, 1814, 15. 
 
 Henry Prentiss, 181 5. 
 
 Calvin Bullock, 1816, 17. 
 
 Azor Maynard, 18 16. 
 
 Jacob W. Watson, 1816-18, 28, 9 
 
 36, 1, 49. 
 Moses Hobbs, 1817, 18. 
 Josiah Cutting, 181 7, 18. 
 Nahum Wilder, 1818. 
 Israel Howe, 1819, 20. 
 Joshua Temple, 1819. 
 Thomas Wilder, 1819. 
 Moses Bullard, 1819-22. 
 John Mirick, Jr., 1820, i. 
 Clark Mirick, 1820-2. 
 Joseph Mason, 1821, 7, 30, 6. 
 Ephraim Mirick, Jr., 1822-7. 
 John H. Brooks, 1823-9, 36. 
 Moses G. Cheever, 1823-8, 30, i. 
 Gamaliel Beaman, 1828-9. 
 Ebenezer Parker, Jr., 1829. 
 Rufus Davis, 1830-2. 
 John Whitney, 1830-5. 
 Israel Everett, 1830-33, 40-2. 
 Enoch Brooks, 1831-3. 
 Caleb Dana, 1832-4, 7, 8. 
 Harlow Skinner, 1834-6. 
 Nathan Meriam, 1834, 5. 
 Joshua T. Everett, 1834, 5. 
 Daniel Parker, 1835, 45. 
 Alfred Beaman, 1836, 7. 
 Sewall Mirick, 1837, 8. 
 John L. Boylston, 1837-9. 
 William How, 1838, 9. 
 John Brooks, 1838-45, 7, 8. 
 Henry Boyles, 1839-41, 9, 50. 
 Jonas Brooks, Jr., 1839-41. 
 Edward A. Goodnow, 1840, i. 
 
/760, 
 
 
 ^/^/^-/^/^, ^/"^/^c:^ ^W, I^W^^ ^^^^ 
 
 
 
Town Government 
 
 191 
 
 Erasmus D. Goodnow, 1842, 3. 
 Alphonzo Brooks, 1843, 4, 6, 7. 
 Charles Russell, 1844-6. 
 David H. Gregory, 1846-8. 
 Ebenezer Smith, 1848, 9. 
 Asa H. Goddard, 1850, 62, 3. 
 Solon S. Hastings, 1850, i. 
 William H. Brown, 185 1, 2. 
 Charles A. Mirick, 1852. 
 George O. Skinner, 1852-54. 
 Benjamin Holden, 1853. 
 Paul M. Mirick, 1854. 
 Caleb S. Mirick, 1855. 
 Frederick Parker, 1856, 70. 
 Joseph D. Brigham, 1856. 
 John A. Mirick, 1857, 8. 
 George E. Pratt, 1858, 9. 
 Phinehas A. Beaman, 1858, 62, 3. 
 Charles A. Whittaker, 1859, 60. 
 George F. Folger, 1859, 60, i, 71-3. 
 John H. Hobbs, i860, i. 
 Ezra S. Keyes, 1861, 2. 
 Isaac F. Thompson, 1863, 4. 
 William B. Goodnow, 1864, 5. 
 Jonathan Z. Wetherbee, 1864, 5. 
 Albert C. Howe, 1865. 
 George E. Pratt, 1866. 
 Rufus Davis, Jr., 1866, 7, 70, i, 6, 
 
 83-85. 
 N. R. Howe, 1866, 7. 
 A. G. Thompson, 1867, 8. 
 George O. Skinner, 1868, 9, 71, 2. 
 Joseph Whitcomb, 1868, 9, 71, 2. 
 Nelson S. Howard, 1869, 70. 
 Isaac F. Thompson, 187 1, 81. 
 Moses H. Bullard, 1873, 4, 80-2. 
 John Brooks, 1873-5. 
 
 Charles H. Thompson, 1875, 86, 7, 
 
 94. 
 Nathan B. Reed, 1876, 7, 83-5. 
 Warren H. Bryant, 1876. 
 A. T. Beaman, 1877, 8. 
 Moses H. Bullard, 1878, 9, 81, 2, 
 Jonathan Z. Wetherbee, 1878-80. 
 Oliver Osgood, 1879, 80. 
 Josiah D. Gregory, 1881-3. 
 Isaac F. Thompson, 1881, 2. 
 Elias O. Hastings, 1884-6, 94, 5. 
 Atwood B. Keyes, 1886-8. 
 William R. Howe, 1887-9. 
 Martin V. Ball, 1888-90. 
 Way land C. Davis, 1889, 90-2, 
 
 6,7. 
 Charles W. Reed, 1890-2, 9, 1900-5. 
 Herbert P. Houghton, 1891-3. 
 Eugene R. Buck, 1892, 3. 
 Prentice C. Doolittle, 1893. 
 Harry C. Beaman, 1894-6, 8-1900- 
 
 2. 
 Charles H. Thompson, 1894, 5, 7- 
 
 1900-6. 
 Levi Cushman, 1895-97. 
 William S. Brooks, 1905-9. 
 E. R. Buck, 1906-9. 
 I. E. Pratt, 1908-10. 
 Guy H. Chase, 1907. 
 H. C. Richardson, 1910. 
 C. S. Walton, 1910. 
 Herbert P. Houghton, 1910-11-12. 
 William M. Roper, 1911-13-15. 
 John B. Marcou, 1911-13 (died). 
 John C. F. Mirick, 1912-13-14. 
 Henry C. Delano, 1912-15. 
 Henry S. Whitney, 1915. 
 
 Town Clerks. 
 
 Zachariah Harvey, 1760, i. 
 
 Caleb Mirick, 1762, 70, i. 
 
 Samuel Woods, 1763. 
 
 Peter Goodnow, 1764, 5, 7. 
 
 Boaz Moore, 1766. 
 
 Ephraim Woolson, 1768,9,72, 3, 5,8. 
 
 William Richardson, 1774. 
 
 James Mirick, 1776, 7. 
 
 William Dodds, 1779-93, 97-1814. 
 
 Albert C. Howe, 1874, 5, 7. 
 
 John Dana, 1794-6. 
 Artemas How, 1815-18. 
 Jonas Hartwell, 1819, 20. 
 Charles Russell, 1821-35, 37-49. 
 Erasmus D. Goodnow, 1836. 
 David H. Gregory, 1850-84. 
 Josiah D. Gregory, 1885. 
 Edwin Grimes, 1886-1901. 
 Raymond J. Gregory, 1902-15. 
 Josiah D. Gregory, 191 5- 
 
192 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Town Treasurers. 
 
 Peter Goodnow, 1761. 
 
 James Mirick, 1762, 3. 
 
 Timothy Keyes, 1764, 5. 
 
 Sadey Mason, 1766. 
 
 Joseph Sargent, 1767, 70, i. 
 
 Abner Howe, 1768, 9. 
 
 Joseph Eveleth, 1772, 3. 
 
 Robert Cowden, 1774-7. 
 
 Charles Brooks, 1778. 
 
 Joseph Haynes, 1779. 
 
 Enoch Brooks, 1 780-181 2, 14, 16. 
 
 David Rice, 1813. 
 
 Benjamin Harrington, 1817-21. 
 
 Thomas Wilder, 1822. 
 
 Jacob W. Watson, 1823, 4, 34-6. 
 
 Jonas Brooks, 1825-33. 
 
 Charles Mirick, 1826, 32. 
 Moses G. Cheever, 1827-30, 42. 
 John Brooks, 183 1. 
 Joseph Mason, 1837-41. 
 Daniel Howe, 1843, 4. 
 Alphonzo Brooks, 1845-8. 
 Warren Patridge, 1849. 
 Joseph A. Read, 1850-2, 60, 3. 
 Phinehas E. Gregory, 1853-56, 66- 
 
 70. 
 D. H. Gregory, 1857, 8. 
 John Brooks, 1859, 61, 5. 
 George O. Skinner, 1862. 
 Isaac F. Thompson, 1872-75. 
 Moses C. Goodnow, 1876-1915. 
 Herbert P. Houghton, 191 5. 
 
 Moses Gill, 1780, 4-95. 
 Asa Whitcomb, 1783. 
 Ebenezer Parker, 1797, 8, i 
 David Rice, 1801, 2, 13, 
 John Dana, 1804, 5, 12. 
 William Dodds, 1806, 8-1 1. 
 Ephraim Mirick, Jr., 1823. 
 Charles Russell, 1826-32. 
 Joshua T. Everett, 1833, 5. 
 Jonathan Whitney, 1834. 
 John Brooks, 1835, 6, 57. 
 John Whitney, 1836. 
 Alphonzo Brooks, 1838. 
 Sewall Mirick, 1839, 45, 55, 
 Ebenezer Parker, 1840-2. 
 Israel Everett, 1843, 44- 
 Sewell G. Mirick, 1855. 
 
 Representatives. 
 
 Caleb S. Mirick, 1847. 
 Henry Boyles, 1848. 
 800. Ebenezer Smith, 1849. 
 
 18, 21. Ephraim Beaman, 1850. 
 Luther Crawford, 185 1. 
 Charles A. Mirick, 1853. 
 Solon S. Hastings, 1859. 
 William B. Goodnow, 1865. 
 P. A. Beaman, 1868. 
 Asa H. Goddard, 1873. 
 Frederick Parker, 1876. 
 William H. Brown, 1879. 
 John B. Fay, 1882. 
 Moses C. Goodnow, 1890. 
 Algernon T. Beaman, 1895. 
 Ward N. Boylston, 1899. 
 Harry C. Beaman, 191 2. 
 
 Assessors. 
 
 Zachariah Harvey, 1761. 
 
 Abijah Moore, 1761. 
 
 Peter Goodnow, 1761. 
 
 Joseph Eveleth, 1762-4, 7. 
 
 Boaz Moore, 1762, 3, 70-2, 87. 
 
 Caleb Mirick, 1762. 
 
 Samuel Woods, 1763, 4, 7, 70, 2, 3, 
 
 5, 6, 8, 9, 83, 4. 
 Thomas Mason, 1764-6, 8, 9, 71, 3, 
 
 6-81, 5,6,94-9. 
 Robert Cowden, 1765. 
 
 William Muzzey, 1765, 6, 8, 9. 
 Adonijah Howe, 1767. 
 Ebenezer Jones, 1768. 
 Joseph Sargent, 1769, 70. 
 James Mirick, 1771. 
 John Jones, 1772, 4, 5. 
 Benjamin Holden, 1773. 
 Enoch Brooks, 1774-8. 
 William Richardson, 1774. 
 William Dodds, 1777, 80-93, 
 1809. 
 
 5- 
 
Town Government 
 
 193 
 
 James Curtis, 1779, 80. 
 
 Humphrey Moore, 1781, 8-90. 
 
 Ephraim Hartwell, 1782. 
 
 Ebenezer Parker, 1782-93, 96-1805. 
 
 Michael Gill, 1791. 
 
 David Rice, 1792, 3, 1806-9, 18, 
 
 19. 
 John Dana, 1794, 1802-9. 
 Timothy Fuller, 1794-5. 
 John Roper, 1800, i. 
 John Moore, 1810, 11. 
 Joseph Mason, 1810-13, 21-6, 30. 
 Artemas How, 18 10-19. 
 Jonas Hartwell, 1812-20. 
 Samuel Stephenson, 1814-17. 
 Moses Hobbs, 1820-3. 
 Ephraim Mirick, 1820-6. 
 Charles Mirick, 1824. 
 Amos Meriam, 1825-9. 
 Ephraim Mirick, 2d, 1827. 
 John Whitney, 1827-9, 32-5, 7-9, 
 
 44, 5. 
 Jacob W. Watson, 1828-9. 
 Moses G. Cheever, 1830, i, 6. 
 Rufus Davis, 1830-2, 48, 50. 
 Israel Everett, 1832, 3, 7-9, 44, 
 
 SO. 
 Harlow Skinner, 1833, 4. 
 Joshua T. Everett, 1834, 5. 
 Nathan Meriam, 1835. 
 Hamilton Wilson, 1836-9. 
 William S. Everett, 1836. 
 John Brooks, 1840, i, 50. 
 Joseph Meriam, 1840-3. 
 Caleb Dana, 1840. 
 Charles B. Temple, 1841-4. 
 Joseph Hartwell, 1842, 3. 
 Asa H. Goddard, 1845-7. 
 Marshall Meriam, 1845. 
 Caleb S. Mirick, 1846, 8. 
 George O. Skinner, 1846, 7, 56, 7, 67, 
 
 73- 
 Ephraim Beaman, 1847. 
 Phineas E. Gregory, 1848. 
 Jonas Brooks, Jr., 1849. 
 Frederick Parker, 1849, 51, 2. 
 William D. Cheever, 1849, 51, 2. 
 Henry Boyles, 1851. 
 Joseph Whitcomb, 1852-4. 
 
 Sewall G. Mirick, 1854-5. 
 
 Sewall Richardson, 1854, 5, 70, 
 
 I. 
 John Bryant, 1855, 6. 
 Ephraim Osgood, 1856-8. 
 Benjamin Holden, 1857, 8. 
 Paul M. Mirick, 1858, 9. 
 Asa H. Goddard, 1859, 60. 
 William B. Goodnow, 1859-61, 70, 
 
 2, 6-8, 81, 3, 4, 7-9. 
 Abijah G. Thompson, 1860-2. 
 William H. Brown, 1862, 3. 
 George F. Folger, 1863-5, 8. 
 Albert C. Howe, 1863, 4, 75, 82. 
 Nathan B. Reed, 1864. 
 Addison Smith, 1865. 
 Joseph Whitcomb, 1866, 71, 2. 
 Frederick Parker, 1866, 7, 73, 4. 
 WiUard Parker, 1866, 7. 
 Leonard Chandler, 1868. 
 William H. Brown, 1870. 
 J. Z. Wetherbee, 187 1. 
 Asa H. Goddard, 1872. 
 John Vose, 1874. 
 Charles H. Thompson, 1874, 9. 
 John Brooks, 1875. 
 George O. Skinner, 1873. 
 J. Edwin Meriam, 1875. 
 Otis Wood, 1875. 
 Emory W. Gill, 1876, 81, 3. 
 Oliver Osgood, 1876, 7, 9, 80, 89, 90, 
 
 4, 8, 9, 1900-2, 4. 
 Rufus Davis, Jr., 1877-9, 90-2, 7. 
 Nathan B. Reed, 1880, i. 
 Isaac F. Thompson, 1882, 6, 90, 
 
 I. 
 Phineas A. Beaman, 1882. 
 Thomas H. Skinner, 1883-6, 95, 6, 
 
 1901-15. 
 Henry F. Sanborn, 1884-6. 
 Charles H. Thompson, 1885, 87, 92, 
 
 1904-7. 
 Henry F. Keyes, 1887, 8. 
 Wayland C. Davis, 1893, 4. 
 Arthur E. Fay, 1893. 
 Sewell Richardson, 1894-6, 9, 
 
 1900. 
 Frederick M. Baker, 1895, 6. 
 Ward N. Boylston, 1897. 
 
194 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Herbert P. Houghton, 1897, 8. 
 Elias O. Hastings, 1898. 
 Joseph H. Hadley, 1899. 
 Charles H. Houghton, 1900-3, 
 H. P. Houghton, 1903, 8. 
 Harry A. Mason, 1905. 
 
 13- 
 
 I. E. Pratt, 1906. 
 Wendell A. Brooks, 1907-13. 
 J. B. Marcou, 1909, 10. 
 Eugene D. Roper, 1911-13-15. 
 Charles F. Thompson, 1913. 
 Joseph C. Harrington, 1913-15- 
 
 Moderators, Annual Meeting. 
 
 1761 
 1762 
 
 1763 
 1764 
 
 1765 
 1766 
 1767 
 1768 
 1769 
 1770 
 1771 
 1772 
 
 1773 
 1774 
 
 1775 
 
 1776 
 
 1777 
 
 1778 
 
 1779 
 
 1780 
 
 1781 
 
 1782 
 
 1783 
 
 1784 
 
 1785 
 
 1786 
 
 1787 
 
 1788 
 
 1789 
 
 1790 
 
 1791 
 
 1792 
 
 1793 
 
 1794 
 
 1795 
 
 1796 
 
 1797 
 
 1798 
 
 1799 
 
 1800 
 
 1 801 
 
 Zachariah Harvey. 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 James Mirick. 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 Joseph Eveleth, 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 Joseph Eveleth. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Benjamin Holden. 
 Ephraim Woolson. 
 Ephraim Woolson. 
 William Thomson. 
 William Thomson. 
 Ephraim Woolson. 
 Ephraim Woolson. 
 Ephraim Woolson. 
 Sadey Mason. 
 Benjamin Holden. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Moses Gill. 
 Ebenezcr Parker. 
 Ebenezer Parker. 
 Ebenezer Parker. 
 Ebenezer Parker. 
 Ebenezer Parker. 
 Ebenezer Parker. 
 
 1802 
 
 1803 
 
 1804 
 
 1805 
 
 1806 
 
 1807 
 
 1808 
 
 1809 
 
 1810 
 
 1811 
 
 1812 
 
 1813 
 
 1814 
 
 1815 
 
 1816 
 
 1817 
 
 1818 
 
 1819 
 
 1820 
 
 1821 
 
 1822 
 
 1823 
 
 1824 
 
 1825 
 
 1826 
 
 1827 
 
 1828 
 
 1829 
 
 1830 
 
 1831 
 
 1832 
 
 1833 
 
 1834 
 
 1835 
 
 1836 
 
 1837 
 1838 
 
 1839 
 1840 
 1841 
 1842 
 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 John Dana. 
 Charles Mirick. 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Charles Mirick, 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Samuel Stratton, 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 Charles Mirick. 
 
 John Whitney, 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Whitney, 
 
 John Whitney, 
 
 John Whitney, 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Whitney, 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
 John Brooks. 
 
 John Whitney. 
 
Town Government 
 
 195 
 
 1843 Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 1844 John Whitney. 
 
 1845 John Whitney. 
 
 1846 Dr. Alphonzo Brooks. 
 
 1847 John Brooks. 
 
 1848 John Brooks. 
 
 1849 Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 1850 Solon S. Hastings. 
 
 1851 Solon S. Hastings. 
 
 1852 Henry Boyles. 
 
 1853 Henry Boyles. 
 
 1854 Solon S. Hastings. 
 
 1855 Solon S. Hastings. 
 
 1856 Joshua T. Everett. 
 
 1857 Joshua T. Everett. 
 
 1858 Asa H. Goddard. 
 
 1859 Asa H. Goddard. 
 i860 Solon S. Hastings. 
 
 1861 Dr. Alphonzo Brooks. 
 
 1862 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1863 Henry Boyles. 
 
 1863 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1864 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1865 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1866 Alphonso Brooks. 
 
 1867 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1868 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1869 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1870 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1871 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1872 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1873 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1874 A. C. Howe. 
 
 1875 William H. Brown. 
 
 1876 William H. Brown. 
 
 1877 William H. Brown. 
 
 1878 William H. Brown. 
 
 1879 Albert C. Howe. 
 
 1880 Albert C. Howe. 
 
 1881 Albert C. Howe. 
 
 1882 Albert C. Howe. 
 
 1883 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1884 W^illiam B. Goodnow. 
 
 1885 Henry F. Sanborn. 
 
 1886 Albert C. Howe. 
 
 1887 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1888 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1889 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1890 Moses Bullard. 
 
 1 89 1 William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1892 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1893 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1894 J. Charles F. Mirick. 
 
 1895 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1896 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1897 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1898 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1899 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1900 Wayland C. Davis. 
 
 1901 to 1915 J. C. F. Mirick. 
 
 Constables. 
 
 1 761 Caleb Mirick, Sadey Mason. 
 
 1762 Joseph Gibbs, Samuel Nichols. 
 
 1763 Oliver Davis, Peter Goodnow. 
 
 1764 William Mason, Aaron Perry. 
 
 1765 James Myrick, Benjamin Holden. 
 
 1766 Benjamin Taynter, Stephen Brigham. 
 
 1767 Ebenezer Jones, William Muzzy. 
 
 1768 Joseph Eveleth, Joseph Sergent. 
 
 1769 Joseph Eveleth, Thomas Mason. 
 
 1770 Joseph Eveleth, Robert Cowden. 
 
 1 77 1 Elisha Gale, Robert Cowden. 
 
 1772 Elisha Gale, Joseph Haynes. 
 
 1773 EHsha Hobbs, Joseph Haynes. 
 
 1774 Enoch Brooks, Cyprian Keyes. 
 
 1775 Abner Howe, Samuel Wood. 
 
 1776 Samuel Mosman, Samuel Wood. 
 
196 History of Princeton 
 
 777 Stephen Harrington, Ephraim Hartwell. 
 
 778 Phineas Gregory, John Barker. 
 
 779 Ebenezer Parker, Isaac Thompson. 
 
 780 Stephen Harrington, Seth Savage. 
 
 781 George Parkhurst, Daniel Sumner, Elisha Allen, William Richardson. 
 
 782 EHsha Gale, Josiah Mirick. 
 
 783 Adonijah How, EHsha Alien. 
 
 784 Wilham Dodds, Joseph Haynes. 
 
 785 Caleb Mirick, Norman Clarke. 
 
 786 Jonathan Keyes, Jacob Moore. 
 
 787 Elisha Allen, Isaac Hartwell. 
 
 788 Jonas Beaman, Edward Goodnow. 
 
 789 Thomas Gleason, Silas Fay. 
 
 790 William Dodds, Jonas Smith. 
 
 791 Uriah Newton, Joseph Tuttle. 
 
 792 Solomon Keyes, William Dodds. 
 
 793 Andrew Whitney, Joseph Tillton. 
 
 794 Uriah Moore, Samuel Hastings. 
 
 795 Uriah Moore, Samuel Hastings. 
 
 796 Solomon Davis, Rufus Dodds. 
 
 797 Joseph Tuttle, Solomon Davis. 
 
 798 Joseph Tuttle, Charies Mirick. 
 
 799 Elisha Hobbs, Jr., Charles Mirick. 
 
 800 Quincy Parker, Thomas Jones. 
 
 801 Samuel Hastings, Jr., Jonas Brooks. 
 
 802 Joseph Sargent, Charles Mirick. 
 
 803 Joseph Sargent, Charles Mirick. 
 
 804 Joseph Sargent, Nahum Wilder. 
 
 805 Joseph Sargent, Nahum Wilder. 
 
 806 Joseph Sargent. Nahum Wilder. 
 
 807 Joseph Sargent, Charles Mirick. 
 
 808 Joseph Sargent, Charles Mirick. 
 
 809 Samuel Hastings, Jr., Charles Mirick. 
 
 810 Jacob W. Watson, Samuel Hastings, Jr. 
 
 811 Jacob W. Watson, Charles Mirick. 
 
 812 John Dodds, Nahum Wilder. 
 
 813 Josiah Cutting, Quincy Parker. 
 
 814 Jacob W. Watson, Samuel Richardson. 
 
 815 Samuel Richardson, Jacob W. Watson. 
 
 816 Moses Gill, Jacob W Watson. 
 
 817 Moses Gill, John L. Boylston. 
 
 818 Moses Gill, Reuben Brooks. 
 
 819 Moses Gill, John G. Davis. 
 
 820 Moses Gill, John G. Davis. 
 
 821 Moses Gill, Caleb Dana. 
 
 822 Moses Gill, Caleb Dana. 
 
 823 Joseph A. Reed, Caleb Dana. 
 
 824 Joseph A. Reed, Caleb Dana. 
 
 825 Joseph A. Reed, Austin Davis. 
 
Town Government 197 
 
 1826 John Whitney, Austin Davis. 
 
 1827 John Whitney, Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 1828 John Whitney, Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 1829 John Whitney, Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 1830 John Whitney, Moses G. Cheever. 
 
 1 83 1 John Whitney, John Brooks. 
 
 1832 John Whitney, John Brooks. 
 
 1833 John Whitney, Caleb Dana. 
 
 1834 John Whitney, Jacob W. Watson. 
 
 1835 John Whitney, Jacob W. Watson. 
 
 1836 Jacob W. Watson, John Whitney. 
 
 1837 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1838 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1839 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1840 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1841 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1842 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1843 Marshall Meriam, William W. Watson. 
 
 1844 Harlow Skinner, Ivory Wilder. 
 
 1845 Harlow Skinner, Francis H. Smith. 
 
 1846 George F. Folger, Charles P. Skinner. 
 
 1847 George F. Folger, Charles P. Skinner. 
 
 1848 George F. Folger, William D. Cheever. 
 
 1849 William D. Cheever, George O. Skinner. 
 
 1850 Francis H. Smith, George O. Skinner. 
 
 185 1 George O. Skinner, William D. Cheever, Joseph M. Stewart. 
 
 1852 Clark Meriam, Micah R. Ball, Mark Wilder. 
 
 1853 Soloman G. Burpee, Harlow Skinner. 
 
 1854 Solomon J. Burpee, B. Fay. 
 
 1855 Phinehas E. Gregory, Solomon J. Burpee. 
 
 1856 George E, Pratt, Phinehas E. Gregory. 
 
 1857 John Brooks, Jr., Nathan B. Howe. 
 
 1858 Nicholas R. Howe, Isaac F. Thompson. 
 
 1859 Oscar Howe, Nicholas R. Howe. 
 i860 Harlow Skinner, Nicholas R. Howe. 
 
 1861 Harlow Skinner, Jonas B. Brown. 
 
 1862 Harlow Skinner, Asa H. Goddard. 
 
 1863 Asa H. Goddard, Amos H. Keyes. 
 
 1864 Charles P. Skinner, Joseph Whitcomb. 
 
 1865 Abijah G. Thompson, George F. Folger, Addison Smith. 
 
 1866 WilHam F. Ball, Abner G. Parker. 
 
 1867 Harlow Skinner, Abner G. Parker. 
 
 1868 Harlow Skinner, Abner G. Parker. 
 
 1869 Harlow Skinner, J. Anson Whitcomb. 
 
 1870 Harlow Skinner, William B. Goodnow. 
 
 187 1 William B. Goodnow, Harlow Skinner. 
 
 1872 William B. Goodnow, Harlow Skinner. 
 
 1873 Harlow Skinner, D. Frank Smith. 
 
 1874 Harlow Skinner, David F. Smith. 
 
198 History of Princeton 
 
 187s Emory W. Gill, WiUiam F. Ball. 
 
 1876 Harlow Skinner, Mark Wilder. 
 
 1877 Harlow Skinner, Samuel Hobbs. 
 
 1878 Harlow Skinner, Samuel Hobbs. 
 
 1879 George O. Skinner, George L. Bliss. 
 
 1880 George O. Skinner, William B. Goodnow. 
 
 1881 George O. Skinner, John Brooks. 
 
 1882 George O. Skinner, John Brooks. 
 
 1883 George O. Skinner, P. C. Doolittle. 
 
 1884 George 0. Skinner, P. C. Doolittle. 
 
 1885 George O. Skinner, P. C. Doolittle. 
 
 1886 George O. Skinner, Samuel J. Jewett. 
 
 1887 George O. Skinner, Eugene R. Buck. 
 
 1888 Eugene R. Buck, John E. Maley. 
 
 1889 John E. Maley, Artemas E. Pratt. 
 
 1890 Emory W. Gill, Artemas E. Pratt. 
 
 1891 Emory W. Gill. Eugene R. Buck. 
 
 1892 Emory W. GUI, Eugene R. Buck. 
 
 1893 Eugene R. Buck, Atwood B. Keyes, Thomas H. Skinner. 
 
 1894 John E. Maley, Levi Cushman, Thomas H. Skinner. 
 
 1895 John E. Maley, Levi Cushman, Thomas H. Skinner. 
 
 1896 Levi Cushman, Thomas H. Skinner, John E. Maley. 
 
 1897 Levi Cushman, Artemas A. Pratt, Charles A. Houghton. 
 
 1898 Levi Cushman, Eugene R. Buck, Thomas H. Skinner. 
 
 1899 Thomas H. Skinner, Eugene R. Buck, Frank B. Smith, Alex. St. 
 George, Henry F. Keyes. 
 
 1900 Thomas H. Skinner, Eugene R. Buck, S. J. Jewett, Ale.x. St. George, 
 C. A. Blanchard. 
 
 1901 W. B. Hubbard, E. R. Buck, G. A. Bigelow, F. L. Tuttle, Alex. 
 St. George. 
 
 1902 W. B. Hubbard, E. R. Buck, G. A. Bigelow, F. L. Tuttle, Alex. 
 St. George. 
 
 1903 E. R. Buck, F. L. Tuttle, G. A. Bigelow. 
 
 1904 J. H. Stimpson, G. A. Bigelow, T. H. Skinner. 
 
 1905 J. H. Stimson, T. H. Skinner. 
 
 1906 J. H. Stimson, T. H. Skinner. 
 
 1907 J. H. Stimson, T. H. Skinner. 
 
 1908 J. H. Stimson, T. H. Skinner. 
 
 1909 J. H. Stimson, T. H. Skinner. 
 
 1910 T. H. Skinner, Harry E. Murdock, D. A. Peeler, Fred R. Stevens. 
 
 191 1 T. H. Skinner, Fred R. Stevens, Prentice C. Doolittle, Albert J. 
 Eveleth. 
 
 191 2 T. H. Skinner, Fred R. Stevens, Prentice C. DooHttle, Albert J. 
 Eveleth. 
 
 1913 T. H. Skinner, Fred R. Stevens, Prentice C. DooHttle, Fred R. Aldrich. 
 
 1914 T. H. Skinner, Fred R. Stevens, Prentice C. DooHttle. 
 
 1915 Prentice C. Doolittle, Fred R. Stevens, T. H. Skinner, Clifton 
 Guy. 
 
 The last Town Meeting held in Princeton Feb. i, 1915, was the 880th 
 
Town Government 1 99 
 
 recorded meeting of the town including the meetings of the District of 
 Prince Town. 
 
 Of those who served as Moderator at the Annual Town Meetings: John 
 Whitney served for 16 years, John Dana 14. William Dodds served as 
 Town Clerk for 31 years, Charles Russell for 26 years, David H. Gregory 
 for 34 years. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 EDUCATION 
 
 Requirement. By the laws of the Colony and later of 
 the Province of Massachusetts, the towns and districts 
 were required to provide means for public instruction of 
 the children. It was not often that a failure to make such 
 provision was recorded, but occasionally the penalties for 
 non-compliance with the law in not securing a schoolmaster 
 were enforced. 
 
 But New England communities were generally made up 
 of too intelligent a class of people to forego the advantages 
 of educational facilities, if possible to be secured and 
 ordinarily this subject was among the first, if not the very 
 first to receive attention in connection with that other 
 always recognized need, the settlement of a minister. 
 Princeton at the date of its incorporation, with its thirty 
 families scattered from the borders of Holden to Hubbards- 
 ton and from Rutland to " No-town," had a more difficult 
 problem to solve in providing for schools than in the 
 ministerial question. 
 
 Its support of a stated ministry was a financial burden, 
 and in the apparent need of great expenditures for opening 
 up roads and getting the machinery of the town into running 
 order, it seemingly could ill afford to expend money for any 
 undertaking not positively demanded. If there was any 
 delay in the matter of provision for schools, it may have 
 been excusable, but the necessity was soon recognized and 
 the preliminary steps taken. 
 
 First Schoolmaster. There is no evidence of the estab- 
 lishment of a school in the district before 1764 when an 
 appropriation of £6 was made for that object. To Mr. 
 Samuel Woods has always, and doubtless with justice, 
 been accorded the honor of being the first public school 
 teacher in the town, but as he did not settle in Princeton 
 
Education 201 
 
 until 1762, it is quite safe to conclude that no public 
 instruction was given in town until 1763 or 1764. It is 
 quite probable, however, that he may have had some 
 private pupils at his own house before the town made the 
 appropriation of £6. With this small sum of money, the 
 terms of schooling must have been limited to a few weeks, 
 and the remuneration of the teachers anything but munifi- 
 cent. But the rapidly increasing population demanded 
 greater attention to the education of the children, and in 
 1766, the appropriation was more than doubled, £13-6-8 
 and in 1768 it was increased to £20. 
 
 The method of distributing this appropriation may be 
 seen by the following warrant which is especially interest- 
 ing as being the oldest paper among the town files. It is a 
 school warrant to the tax payers of the northerly squadron 
 in 1766. 
 
 " To Robert Keyes Jonas Harington 
 
 Tille Lytteljohns Timothy Ruggles 
 
 Will™. Gibbs Timothy Mostmon 
 
 Abel Raye Jonas Keyes 
 Timot^ Mostmon Jun. John Frost 
 
 Samuel Mostmon Abihal Bush 
 
 EHsha Wilder Jonathan Powers 
 
 Edward Willson Timothy Billings 
 Benj" Willson 
 
 You are hereby ordered to procure a School master to 
 the approbation of the Selectmen & to Improve to the use 
 of Schooling what you are assessed in the School Rates & 
 when you have so done you may have orders to draw the 
 same out of the treasurry. 
 
 Prince town, January 13 y^ 1766, the sum total of your 
 School Rates 2-17-7-2. 
 
 Peter Goodenow 
 
 Sadey Mason I ^ , ,, 
 
 wTw ^u I Selectmen. 
 
 William 1 homson 
 
 Stephen Brigham J 
 
202 History of Princeton 
 
 Of the seventeen persons above named, perhaps eight or 
 ten only represented famiUes embracing twenty children 
 (the remainder being single men or non-residents) and the 
 whole amount alloted to this district was the equivalent 
 of less than $io. 
 
 Districts. At this date there were probably five dis- 
 tricts or squadrons, the North, East, Centre, West and South, 
 among which the whole appropriation was equitably 
 divided to be " Seasonable schoold out by some Person 
 suitably qualified." 
 
 But within three years, a radical change in the districts 
 became necessary as a result of the continued increase in 
 the number of the families, as well as of the children able to 
 attend school, and a committee was appointed in district 
 meeting to rearrange the bounds of the school districts. 
 
 The report of the committee, which was adopted, pro- 
 viding for six " Squadrons " among which all the families 
 were distributed, included: 
 
 Middle District 
 
 Moses Gill Joseph Eveleth Jr. 
 
 Ephraim Woolson George Parkhurst 
 
 William Foster Jonathan Bullard (cornet) 
 
 Samuel Woods Abner How 
 
 Amos Powers Ebenezer Jones 
 
 Elisha Gale Peter Goodnow 
 
 Paul Matthews Jabez Stratton 
 
 Joel Rice Isaac Stratton 
 
 Samuel Hastings Joseph Haynes 
 
 Joseph Norcross John Gleason 
 
 Joseph Sargent Timothy Fuller 
 
 James Mirick Josiah Mirick 
 
 Isaac Jones Caleb Mirick 
 
 Joseph Wooley John Mirick 
 
 William Gibbs Meriam & Minots (pasture) 
 
 John Barker Adonijah How 
 
 Job Brooks John Jones (pasture) 
 
 Enoch Brooks Thaddeus Bowman 
 Josiah Wetherbee 
 
Education 
 
 203 
 
 Southerly District 
 
 1769 
 
 Ephraim Hartwell 
 
 Jacob Morse 
 
 Samuel Bailey 
 
 William Muzzy 
 
 Jonathan Smith 
 
 Asa Harris 
 
 George Smith (pasture) 
 
 Joseph Gibbs 
 
 Aaron Brooks 
 
 Sadey Mason 
 
 Eager 
 Eliphalet How 
 William Raymond 
 Thomas Mason 
 Matthew Farrow 
 Benjamin Holden 
 Jonathan Smith 
 Charles Brooks 
 
 Conant 
 Richard Cheever 
 
 Lieut. Robert Forbes (pasture) 
 
 Easterly District 
 
 1769 
 
 Silas Houghton 
 Joseph Abbot 
 Warren Snow 
 Oliver Dresser 
 Allen 
 
 Westerly 
 
 Hartwell (Corn') 
 William Thompson 
 Boaz Moore 
 Humphrey Moore 
 Robert Rosier 
 Abraham Savage 
 Nathan Smith 
 Robert Cowdin 
 Timothy Keyes 
 
 Charles Wyman 
 Isaac Abbot 
 Ichabod Standley 
 Col. Elisha Jones 
 Joseph Phelps 
 
 District 
 
 Silas Plympton 
 William Skinner 
 Seth Savage 
 David Parker 
 Oliver Davis 
 Joseph Eveleth 
 Morse 
 Uriah Newton 
 John Jones 
 
 Northwesterly District 
 
 Isaac Thompson Ebenezer Colburn 
 
 Stephen Brigham Aaron Perry 
 
 David Everett Antipas How 
 
204 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Harwood 
 Noah Norcross 
 Philip Boyns 
 Rev. Davis (pasture) 
 
 John Bartlett 
 Stephen Rolph 
 Daniel Sumner 
 Isaac Norcross 
 
 Northeasterly District 
 
 Jonathan Powers 
 Tille Littlejohn 
 Ephraim Osgood 
 John Frost 
 James Robinson 
 Phineas Beaman 
 Abijah Harrington 
 Phineas Gregory 
 Timothy BiUings 
 Samuel Mosman 
 Joel Houghton 
 
 Benjamin Wilson 
 Timothy Mosman 
 Jonas Harrington 
 Elisha Hobbs 
 Robert Keyes 
 Elisha Wilder 
 John Bowen 
 Withern Edgel 
 William Mosman 
 Stephen Harrington 
 Elisha Gregory 
 
 This list includes not only the residents, but all the 
 owners of land at that date, each being required to pay his 
 proportion of the school tax. Many of these proprietors 
 never lived in town and very likely some never stepped foot 
 within its borders. There were probably at this date not 
 more than seventy-five or eighty families in the town. 
 
 A similar warrant of date Jan. 9, 1768 was issued to, — 
 
 Robert Cowdin 
 Boaz Moore 
 Seth Savage 
 Oliver Davis 
 Humphrey Moore 
 Charles Parmenter 
 Timothy Keyes 
 David Parker 
 Abraham Savage 
 
 And another to, — 
 Moses Baxter 
 Charles Brooks 
 
 Joseph Eveleth 
 John Jones 
 Soloman Parker 
 Ephraim Hartwell 
 William Skinner 
 William Thomson 
 Robert Rozer 
 Antony Clark 
 
 Paul Eager 
 Robert Furbush 
 
Education 205 
 
 Jonathan Fisk William Muzzy 
 
 Nathan Farrar Sadey Mason 
 
 Joseph Gibbs Thomas Mason 
 Widow Mary Graham David Osgood 
 
 Eliphalet How Belcher Richards 
 
 Benjamin Holden Joseph ( ) 
 
 Ezekiel How George (Smith ?) 
 
 Ephraim Hubbard Jonathan (Bullard ?) 
 
 There were probably two other districts at that period 
 making five in all. 
 
 The Schools were at first accommodated as they best 
 could be in private houses conveniently located for the 
 children of each district. The center school of which Mr. 
 Woods had the charge, was held in his own house, ^ where 
 Mr. Nahum Wilder lived many years, near the corner of 
 the present depot road and Calamint hill road. But even 
 after the erection of school houses, we find occasional 
 reference to schools being taught in private dwellings, as 
 for instance, Samuel Davis', Thomas Mason's, Elisha 
 Allen's, Silas Keyes', and Thomas Ramer's. 
 
 1797 School House in B. Moore's district be moved to 
 spot already established by town (leased ?). 
 
 1798 School House in North district cost £75 ($250. so 
 stated) (see town action). 
 
 1796 Feb. 15, petition to move house in Westerly plot 
 to centre of plot by B. Moore, O. Davis, U. Newton, Asa 
 Rice, J. Savage, Simon Davis. 
 
 In January, 1771, a vote was passed in district meeting 
 giving liberty to each squadron to build its own school 
 house, but upon reflection, this did not appear to meet the 
 necessities of the case or comport with the dignity of the 
 town, and in March following, it was " Voted that a School 
 House be Built in Each Squadron of ye Town at ye Town 
 Cost, & that a School House be Built in ye Middle Squadron 
 twenty feet Square, & that one Hundred Dollars be 
 allow'd for ye Building the same s'^ Money to be raised in 
 
 ^ Now standing. 
 
2o6 History of Princeton 
 
 ye Middle Squadron, & ye other Squadrons to be assessed 
 by ye Same proportion, for ye Building ye other School 
 Houses," &c. 
 
 Centre District. On account of disagreement as to the 
 best method of building or of assessing the expense, the 
 plans were somewhat changed and the work delayed so 
 that the majority of the houses were not completed until 
 1774. That in the centre district erected near the meeting- 
 house, cost £33-6-8 or about $110 in our present currency. 
 This building was burned in 1788 or 1789 and a new one 
 erected before 1792 by " private munificence " Mr. Russell 
 suggests. The size of this latter house was about 36 by 
 36 feet with a porch of about 10 by 12 feet. Town meetings 
 were held in this building until 1842. 
 
 A new school house for this district having been erected 
 on another spot in 1810 or 1811, the old building was not 
 needed for that purpose and in 1816, the town voted to call 
 it the Town House. Whether from the proverbial abuse 
 by the average scholars, the poor construction or the effect 
 of the climate, the building did not last many years. 
 
 School Houses. In 1794, the construction of new houses 
 for each District was contemplated but they were not built 
 until 1797 or 1798, at which time quite a number were 
 erected. In some cases, the necessary land was given to 
 the town by some public spirited citizen. A rough sketch 
 of the interior arrangement of one of these buildings pre- 
 served among the town papers will be of interest. It 
 represents the school house of the northerly district school 
 which stood at the easterly side of the Westminster road 
 a little beyond the farm occupied many years by Israel 
 Everett and now known as the Miller place. Its cost was 
 about $250.1 
 
 Stoves. 1798 Town voted to allow a stove for north 
 district on certain conditions but in 1807 it refused to 
 
 1 In showing this plan to one of the old residents who in his boyhood days 
 passed many hours in the school, he quickly pointed to one corner of the plat- 
 form and with brightened eye and a smile recalled the fact that from a hole 
 in that spot, he once saw a mouse run out; a trifle indeed, but it had fixed 
 itself upon his memory for nearly seventy years (see plan opposite page 215). 
 
Education 207 
 
 buy for other districts. In 1823 stoves were ordered for 
 all districts not provided, which shows that the stove had 
 been gradually making itself felt. 
 
 The stoves were first a box stove and afterwards an open 
 stove each placed in centre of room. An open stove was 
 like a fireplace made of iron similar to the Franklin open 
 stoves only much larger. 
 
 The committee of one district were given " Liberty to 
 set up a Stove in the School House instead of a Chimn-ey 
 provided the expense to the town does not exceed the 
 Cost of a Chimney in Mr. Parker's School House." We 
 do not learn whether a stove was then purchased, but in 
 1820 there was one there of sufficient size to receive a 
 four foot stick of wood. 
 
 As late as 1807, the town refused to purchase stoves for 
 several of the school buildings but their utility gradually 
 gained the day until 1823 when all the districts not pre- 
 viously provided with them, were supplied. 
 
 In 1799, the districts were numbered, the northerly 
 becoming number 07ie, northeasterly two, easterly three, 
 southerly four, southwesterly five, westerly six, and north- 
 westerly seven. 
 
 Centre District Divided. Probably the greatest of site 
 changes in the districts was that made in 18 10 when the 
 centre district was divided into two, and one house erected 
 on the road from Dr. Wilson's to Rev. Mr. Murdock's near 
 the Methodist meeting house (for many years occupied 
 by Miss Sally Keyes) and the second near Mr. Mirick's 
 on the " Hastings " road. 
 
 Necessarily, changes have been frequently made in the 
 bounds of the districts. In 1838, there were ten districts 
 with 223 houses in them, and in that year, several brick 
 houses were erected, of these one or two only remain 
 standing, one of these being in No. 2. 
 
 Care. The care of the schools and the engagement of 
 teachers were entrusted for some years to one person 
 selected by the inhabitants of each district, but this 
 method was afterwards modified by having a " committee 
 
2o8 History of Princeton 
 
 man " appointed by the town for each district. The 
 several districts were for many years described by the name 
 of the committee or of some prominent man in them, thus 
 the south was known as Holden's, the north as Keyes's, 
 the west as Deacon Keyes's, the northwest as Brigham's 
 and the east as Phelps's. 
 
 Instructions. In 1797, special instructions more closely 
 defining the duties of the position were given to each of the 
 committee that they might not go astray. The following 
 is a copy. 
 
 " Mr. Pebody How, Sir, at a legal Meeting of the In- 
 habitants of Princeton upon the 3d. day of April, 1797, 
 You was appointed a Committee man to provide a School 
 for the present year, to procure a School Master qualified 
 as the Law directs for such term as the proportion of money 
 will admit — and shall purchase upon such the best Terms 
 you can a Sufficient supply of wood for the School, and 
 shall cause the School house to be opened, seasonably giving 
 Notice thereof to the district and at the opening of said 
 School with the Selectmen & the revd Mr. Russell shall 
 visit it and enquire into the regulations and Management 
 thereof and before the same School shall be ended shall 
 cause an open examination to take place under the Inspec- 
 tion of said Selectmen & the Revd. Mr. Russell who are 
 to be notified & requested by you to attend. 
 
 The proportion of Money the present year is £i3-8-6|. 
 Attest William Dodd Town Clerk." 
 
 Expenses. The original document bears the endorse- 
 ment of Mr. How showing that Alexander Dwelly taught 
 school for ten weeks at an expense of $27.50 for wages and 
 $11.67 for board, leaving a balance of the appropriation of 
 $5.58. The whole sum appointed by the town for schools 
 that year was about $400. In 1804, no school master could 
 be employed unless recommended by the selectmen of the 
 town to which he belonged and approved by Rev. Mr. 
 Murdock, thus practically making the minister the chair- 
 man of the school committee. 
 
Education 209 
 
 These methods of superintending the schools were con- 
 tinued until 1826 when a committee from the whole 
 town was chosen in accordance with an Act of the Legis- 
 lature. 
 
 Distinguishing Terms. There were changes in the meth- 
 ods of teaching and the general character of the schools as 
 the years went by. At the first, only the simpler forms 
 of study received attention, but very soon higher grades 
 of instruction were demanded, so that we find before 1785 
 a woman's school and a mans school provided for in each 
 district, to the former one-fourth of the appropriation would 
 be devoted and three-fourths to the latter, which came to 
 be designated as a writing or reading school, or occasionally 
 as " arithmetic school." This was before the day when it 
 was thought competent for a woman to teach the higher 
 courses of study. It appeared necessary and proper to 
 have a man to manage the winter schools when all the hig 
 boys would be sure to attend and not infrequently make 
 trouble. We find a record of complaint by one of the heads 
 of families in the northerly district in 1794, because no 
 reading and writing school had been provided, although a 
 woman's school had been taught. The teachers and the 
 committee of the old days did not escape the criticisms, 
 suggestions and interference and the many perplexing 
 questions that have in later days annoyed their successors. 
 How familiar this example will be to many of the school 
 teachers. 
 
 Mr. Dodds Sir. I do not mean to say what is best in 
 your school, but I wish my boy taught the key and Punctua- 
 tion before I purchase a third part for him and it may not 
 be amiss for the rest of his Class to study the same, to 
 prevent his being alone, so I remain 
 
 Yours Cyrus Cook. 
 (1807) 
 
 Teachers. The files of the town papers disclose the 
 names of a large proportion of the school teachers from 
 
210 History of Princeton 
 
 1780 to 1800. Many of these names are familiar as 
 members of the families of the town, some occurring quite 
 frequently while others appear only occasionally; but the 
 Masons, the Everetts, the Miricks, the Brooks, the Davises 
 and many others are well represented. The young girls 
 just coming into womanhood and less frequently the boys 
 emerging into manhood were installed in the responsible 
 position of teaching as they have been in the later years 
 of our history with the difference that the former never 
 had the advantages of education beyond their own dis- 
 trict schools. Here too, we see the names of wives and 
 mothers, widows and elderly maidens and occasionally 
 the autograph of some young man clearly indicates 
 that he had served the town as teacher of a writing 
 school. 
 
 And we find, too, the names of men prominent in later life 
 in various spheres of usefulness. Here Robert B. Thomas 
 exercised his executive ability and gave scope to his intellect 
 as a teacher, long before he thought of issuing " The Old 
 Farmer's Almanac," which years after made its way into 
 every farmer's kitchen there to bewilder by its wonderful 
 prognostications of the weather. And here, too, Leonard 
 Woods afterwards the renowned Doctor of Divinity spent 
 at least one vacation before his graduation at Harvard in 
 teaching a district school, for the modest remuneration of 
 about three dollars a week. Others well known appear on 
 the list, but whether it was Polly Cowdin or Molly Rolph 
 or Mistress Rand, the dignified young Doctor Eldredge or 
 the divinity student John Rolph, these names stand out 
 today with interest and pleasure. 
 
 To the teachers of the later days, all honor is due, but to 
 the earlier ones, there attaches a peculiar interest. 
 
 Boarding of Teachers. Coupled with these names upon 
 the records, there are suggestions of the houses where the 
 teachers during the school terms were boarded. There 
 is no evidence of the method in vogue in some towns of 
 " boarding around " a week here and a week there, but the 
 teacher was accommodated for the term generally by one 
 
Education 211 
 
 family, and the town paid the bill which was always 
 presented in good time. At one time, the questionable 
 plan was adopted of letting out the boarding of teachers 
 and supplying of wood to the lowest bidder, a proceed- 
 ing not always calculated to enhance the comfort of 
 the teacher. One instance is related of a teacher being 
 boarded for seventy-five cents a week which included his 
 washing. 
 
 Rev. Timothy Fuller while teaching the centre school in 
 1789 or inspecting it as he designated it, was paid one 
 shilling nine pence or thirty cents a day and his dinners 
 which John Gleason was glad to furnish at the rate of 
 six pence each. 
 
 English and Classical Schools. In 1828, John Brooks 
 Esq., fitted up a building near the present Wachusett 
 House for the use of the town for an English and Classical 
 School. He also purchased a valuable philosophical ap- 
 paratus and agreed to contribute for three years the sum of 
 $300 annually for the salary of the instructor. This school 
 was maintained for several years with gratifying prosperity. 
 
 Miscellaneous Facts and Figures 
 
 Number of Residents 
 
 Dec. 1769 Middle 36 
 
 Southerly 20 
 
 Easterly 10 
 
 Westerly 18 
 
 No. Westerly 14 
 
 No. Easterly 21 
 
 119 residents 
 1775 Squadrons and Appropriations 
 
 Centre 8.16. 7.3 
 
 Holden 3. 12. 10.3 
 
 R. Keyes 3.18. 6 
 
 Dea. Keyes 4. i. 9 
 
 Brigham 2. 12. 10. i 
 
 Phelps 1. 17. 4.1 
 
 1775 Tilly Littlejohn, E. Hobbs, and A. Harrington for building a School 
 House in their Squadron 15. II. 2.1. 
 
212 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Expenses 
 
 1777 Centre 9- 10.9 
 
 Lt. Chas. Brooks 3. 18. 1.2 
 
 Joseph Phelps 1. 13. 1. 3 
 
 S. Brigham 2. 10.9 
 
 Dea. T. Keyes 3.16.8.2 
 
 Abijah Harrington 3.10.6.2 
 
 25 (some error in these 
 figures) 
 
 1785 School kept in 
 
 1786 
 
 1786 " " " 
 
 1786 
 
 1797 ' 
 
 S. Davis' house 
 T. Mason's house 
 E. Allen's house 
 Silas Keyes' house 
 T. Ramer's house 
 
 1789 Dodd's (Northerly) North 
 
 Parker's East 
 
 Watson's (Middle) Centre 
 
 Baxter's West 
 
 Brigham's N. W. 
 
 Holden's South 
 
 1790-1 Rev. John Rolph a teacher. 
 1793 Leonard Woods kept school 525 weeks at 3.14. 
 father. 
 
 SCHOOLS 
 
 .5.1.3. Paid his 
 
 Districts 
 
 1798-9 
 
 1799 
 
 1801 
 
 I 
 
 
 John Watson. 
 St. Mirick. 
 E. Raymore. 
 S. Dadman. 
 S. Stratton. 
 Silas Fay. 
 Josiah Davis. 
 Antipas How. 
 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 Jonas Beaman. 
 
 E. Keyes & E. Raymore. 
 
 Jonas Smith. 
 
 John Parker. 
 
 C. Kilbum. 
 
 U. Newton. 
 
 Abner Brigham. 
 
 A. Meriam. 
 John Keyes. 
 A. Whitney. 
 L Keyes. 
 D. Hoyt. 
 Seth Savage, Jr. 
 
 
 
 1797 A. Merriam of Middle & Saml. Richardson, Widow Allen of Mr. 
 
 How's annexed to A. Harrington's district, and school house ordered to 
 
 be built in A. H.'s district on land given by him. Westerly by road to 
 
 Westminster, Northerly by Jonas Beaman. 
 James Brown and Jessie Brown from Ebenezer Parker's district to How's 
 
 and a house to be built on land of Mr. Ramer, 15 rods S. E. of brook on 
 
 road between Ramer's house and How's mill. 
 School house in Parker's on same spot as old, he to give land. 
 

 
 Education 
 
 213 
 
 
 
 SCHOOLS 
 
 
 
 1799 Ordered North to be No. i N. E. to be No. 2 
 
 
 
 East 3 South 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 S. West 5 West 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 N. West 7 
 
 
 Districts 
 
 1802 
 
 1803 
 
 1804 
 
 1805 
 
 I 
 
 H. Prentice. 
 P. Gregory. 
 
 C. Mirick, Jr. 
 
 J. Mirick 
 
 Jas. Brown. 
 L. Chittenden. 
 Sam. Cobb. 
 S. Mason. 
 N. Clark. 
 Luke Baker. 
 
 B. Cheever. 
 B. Harrington 
 Jesse Brown. 
 Jonas Smith. 
 J. P. Davis. 
 
 
 2 
 
 Wm. Dodd. 
 John Powers. 
 A. Whitney. 
 
 4 
 
 
 5 
 
 Joseph Baker. 
 0. Davis lived) 
 
 6 
 
 B. Holden, Jr 
 W Gibbs 
 
 7 
 
 L Symonds. 
 L Thompson. 
 
 8 
 
 Ich. Fisher. 
 
 
 
 
 District 6, i. Hartwell, 1806 
 School House in road from Capt. Hastings to Meeting House. 
 
 North 
 
 N. Perry 
 Joel Read 
 
 Wm. Barnes 
 
 C. Gregory 
 
 Widow Deb. Meriam 
 
 A. Perry 
 John Hobbs 
 
 B. Harrington 
 Widow Eveleth 
 
 C. Mirick 
 S. Fay, Jr. 
 E. Mirick 
 M. Gill 
 
 Sam. Stevenson 
 
 T. Gleason E. Gleason 
 
 Mary Moore (widow) 
 Wm. Smith J. Dana 
 
 Wm. Richardson H. Bragg 
 J. Watson J. Gill 
 
 E. Brooks 
 Amos Sargent 
 
 Adon. How 
 
 S. Hastings & Jr. 
 
 E. Mirick 2d 
 J. Sargent 
 Art. How 
 Ab. How 
 
 South 
 
 Josh. Eveleth 
 N. Wilder 
 Wm. Gibbs 
 H. Prentice 
 N. Reed 
 
 Wid. Goodnow Edw. Goodnow 
 Wid. Woods B. Cheever 
 R. Parmenter J. Murdock 
 Mich. Gill D. Brooks 
 White E. Wilson 
 
 Town Books have School Districts. 18 10. 
 
 1806-7 Singing Schools Aaron Gates teacher $25. 
 
 1807 Voted not to try stoves for certain districts 
 
 1 8 10 Voted to divide Centre School district and build two houses, one on 
 
 road from Dr. Wilson's to Murdock's at angle of road, and one 
 
 on road from Hasting's to Meeting House where it intersects the 
 
 County road, and one near Centre of No. 8. 
 l8n No. 2 School House was 323 rods from John Mirick's and Committee 
 
 thought it best to have it at corner of road northerly of Widow 
 
 Beaman's leading to Mrs. Mildred Rand's. 
 i8i2 No. 8 School House built on same spot as old one. 
 
214 History of Princeton 
 
 1816 Voted Aug. 26th to call Centre School town house. 
 
 1823 Voted to buy open stoves for school districts not provided. 
 
 1827 School Committee named. 
 1832 New School districts. 
 
 1836 New School House No. I on easterly part of Blake's and Cobb's land, 
 
 of Brick. 
 No. 4 Built. No. 5 in 1837 of brick. 
 Brick School house not far from Brook's Station 1889 is No. 5. 
 
 1828 John Brooks fitted up for the "Classical School"* "his old store 
 
 building and it was moved up just this side of Mr. Howard's." 
 "Was used three years, then sold to Thomas Gill and made 
 over into a barn, and is now a part of R. Davis' barn." 
 
 Schools 
 1838 Dec. . 
 
 District No. i 31 Houses 6 18 Houses 
 
 2 16 Houses 7 23 Houses 
 
 3 18 Houses 8 21 Houses 
 
 4 23 Houses 9 28 Houses 
 
 5 29 Houses ID 16 Houses 223 Houses 
 
 * " Laticaster Gazette" Ad July 6, 182Q 
 
 NOTICE 
 
 Princeton English and Classical School 
 
 Will be opened on the first Monday in September next. WARREN GOD- 
 DARD Esq of Boston a graduate of Harvard University formerly Preceptor 
 of Sandwich Academy and who sustains a high reputation as a gentleman, 
 scholar and instructor, will take the charge of the school. 
 
 A convenient building is provided for the present, with the expectation that, 
 in a few years, a handsome and permanent one will be erected. The situation 
 is peculiarly pleasant and healthy and being retired, is free from the tempta- 
 tions to vice and irregularity to which youth are exposed in more popular 
 places. 
 
 A Stage from Boston to Albany passes through the town three times a week, 
 and from Keene, N. H. to Providence, R. I. once a week. Gentlemen in 
 Boston and other larger Towns will find it an eligible situation for their sons. 
 
 Mr Goddard will board, instruct and superintend the private studies and the 
 moral conduct of scholars for $33 per quarter. Board in respectable families 
 from $1.33 to $2 per week. Tuition, Common English, $4 per quarter, the 
 higher branches of Mathematicks Natural Philosophy and the Classics $5 
 per quarter. 
 
 For a knowledge of the Character and Qualifications of Mr Goddard apply 
 to Rev S Barrett or Theophilus Parsons Esq. Boston Rev Mr Goodwin, Sand- 
 wich or the Trustees. 
 
 Alhponso Brooks 
 
 Chandler Smith t 1 r. 1 
 
 „, , „ ,, John tJrooks 
 
 Charles Russell ^ , , r^ 
 
 Charles Mirick 
 
 Samuel Clarke 
 John Brooks 
 Caleb Dana 
 
 Trustees. 
 
Education 215 
 
 Brick House to be built at fork of road below Houghton Osgood's, and No. 2 
 Cor. of Sewall Mirrick's orchard, north of Gregory road. 
 
 According to a memoranda left by the late Albert C. Howe, Schoolhouse 
 No. I stood near farmhouse of H. C. Delano. It was moved by John 
 Stratton in 1834 to its present site, and is now occupied as a residence by 
 Mrs. Ellen West. People around town went with their oxen to help move it. 
 It was brought over Meeting house Hill (so called) to the Common, and to its 
 present location. It took two days." 
 
 The house now owned by Michael Kivlon was No. 9. The first school 
 houses were of wood. From 1836 to 1838 or 1840, all the houses except in 
 No. 2 and No. 7 were rebuilt of brick. In the winter of 1872, No. 4 house 
 was burned and rebuilt of wood, in the summer of 1873, on the site of the 
 brick one, near the brook. The old wooden one stood on the height of land, 
 just beyond Warren Kendall's. In 1904 the house was removed to it's present 
 location. No. 9 schoolhouse was sold to John Griffin in 1883 or 1884, for a 
 carriage house. He later sold to John Fay who used it as a paint shop. No. i 
 was sold the same year to John Brooks, Jr. and made into a dwelling house, 
 afterwards occupied by Thomas Kivlon, but owned by the Brooks heirs. 
 These two schools were given up when the Goodnow school rooms in the 
 Library Building were occupied. These two school houses were both built of 
 wood. All the school houses have been remodeled inside, and newly furnished 
 with modern seats. No. 3 school house (wood) was removed to the land now 
 owned by Mrs. Mary (Brown) Bartlett Walton and made into a house now 
 occupied by her. In or about 1843, the present hall and school building were 
 built of wood. No. 10 Everettville school was given up, and soon after Mr. 
 Isaac F. Thompson bought the house and it was torn down. It was a brick 
 house. 
 
 No. 7 School house was moved back and remodeled in 1874 or 1875, No. 6 of 
 brick, and No. 5 of brick both remodeled and furnished with new seats. No. 8 
 was moved back and rebuilt in 1856. 
 
 Amounts granted certain years 
 
 1784 £45. (Centre £16.14) 1787 £50 
 
 1786 £50 1788 £50 
 
 Every male person of age of twenty-one years in each plot shall 
 be considered a voter and shall have notice of the time and place of 
 the Squadron meeting, and no money shall be expended without 
 the consent of the majority part of the votes present. 
 
 1789 £60 
 
 
 
 
 1790 £60 
 
 
 
 
 1793 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 1794 
 
 70 $233.33 
 
 
 
 1795 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 1796 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 1797 
 
 120 A Committee from each 
 
 
 district to 
 
 provide 
 
 tea- 
 
 
 cher 
 
 
 
 1 79 1 £60 
 
 
 1792 £70 
 
 
 1812 
 
 475 
 
 1813 
 
 540 
 
 1814 
 
 540 
 
 1815 
 
 630 
 
 I8I6 720 
 
2i6 History of Princeton 
 
 1798 127.10 
 
 
 1820 720 
 
 1799 140. $466.67 
 
 
 1821 720 
 
 1800 140 
 
 
 1824 585 
 
 1 801 140 
 
 
 1825 585 
 
 1802 $466.67 Committee appointed 
 
 
 
 districts not named 
 
 
 1828 585 
 
 1803 $466.67 Committee appointed 
 
 
 
 districts named 
 
 
 1829 615 
 
 1804 $466.67 
 
 
 1830 615 
 
 1805 $466.67 
 
 
 1840 900 
 
 1806 475 
 
 
 
 schools of the town hav'e s 
 
 hared 
 
 in the general 
 
 progress of education in our land. 
 
 The simple course of study of former days, reading, 
 spelling, writing, arithmetic and grammar has gradually 
 given place to a larger curriculum including geography, 
 history, physiology, nature study, drawing, vocal music 
 and sewing, while the High School adds algebra, geometry, 
 rhetoric, civil government, literature, physics, Latin, 
 French, agriculture and cooking. 
 
 Many of the schools of the town have been consoli- 
 dated at the Centre, the pupils being conveyed from 
 different parts of the town, at the town's expense. This 
 method has resulted in securing a far larger school, and 
 more efificient instruction. 
 
 The beginning of a High School was made in 1891. It 
 has grown in numbers and in extent of curriculum though 
 as yet it provides only a three years course. For some 
 years the consolidated schools and the High School occu- 
 pied rooms in the Town Hall building and the Library 
 building. But the erection of the building on Boylston 
 Avenue has given far better accommodations. 
 
 Until within a period of a little more than twenty years 
 the supervision of the schools was entrusted solely to the 
 school committee. 
 
 But, now, in accordance with state law a superinten- 
 dent has been chosen, at first for one year, but now for a 
 term of three years, this town being classed for the pur- 
 pose with Westminster and Sterling. 
 
 The superintendents have been as follows: 
 

 Second Floor of High School Northerly District School House, 1797-8 
 
 Princeton High School, 1906 
 
 IrjTeai^eoiATe 
 
 First Floor of High School 
 
 Basement of High School 
 
Education 217 
 
 Flora E. Kendall, 2 yrs. Geo. H. Knowlton, 4 yrs. 
 
 Geo. R. Pinkham, 2 yrs. Albert L. Barbour, i yr. 
 
 Edgar H. Grout, 4 yrs. George Rugg, 7 yrs. 
 
 Marshall A. Edson, 3 yrs. 
 
 the present incumbent, H. C. Waldron, 3 yrs. 
 
 The school committee at present are; 
 Wm. M. Roper, Jr., Arthur E. Hutchinson, Ethel R. 
 Mirick. Miss Mirick has the distinction of being the first 
 woman chosen on the School Board in this town. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 MILITARY HISTORY 
 
 French and Indian War. — During the French and 
 Indian War of 1755, the town of Rutland furnished many 
 men for service among whom were quite a number who 
 were Hving in the East Wing, or soon after became 
 residents. 
 
 A roll of a company under command of Capt. Peter 
 Davis of Rutland which marched for relief of Fort William 
 Henry, August 1757, bears the following names, all of 
 whom were more or less identified with the history of 
 Princeton : ^ 
 
 Joseph Eveleth Boaz Moore 
 
 Eliphalet How Isaac Wheeler 
 
 Oliver Davis Ephraim Allen 
 
 Robert Cowdin Timothy Keyes 
 
 Samuel Woods Sadey Mason 
 
 Joseph Gibbs Joshua Nurse 
 
 Robert Forbes Seth Savage 
 
 Robert Woods, Jr Lieut. Benj. Holden 
 
 then of Dedham 
 was in the service 
 in 1760. 
 
 Revolutionary War. — Although one of the towns iso- 
 lated from the centre of excitement in the approaching 
 difficulties with the mother country, Princeton was not 
 unaffected nor indifferent to the troubles which bore more 
 directly upon the larger and more accessible places. The 
 earliest record of the action of the town, in relation to 
 revolutionary measures was entered March 7th, 1768, 
 
 1 Mass. Archives, Vol. 95, page 531. 
 218 
 
Military History 219 
 
 when the voters at their annual Town Meeting, denounced 
 the Act of ParHament, imposing duties on paper, glass, 
 painters' colors and tea imported into the colonies. At a 
 public meeting held in January 1773, the inhabitants dis- 
 cussed the grievances of the colonists. The subject was 
 referred to a committee, who were instructed to draw up 
 an expression of their views, and the following resolutions 
 were presented and unanimously adopted by the town. 
 
 Resolved: i. That the connection between the mother country and these 
 colonies is of great consequence to both, if mutually kept up; but when 
 digressions are made from estabhshed compacts, that connection begins to 
 lessen, and, of course, creates an ahenation, the effects of which must be 
 attended with bad consequences. For the resolute man, in a just cause, 
 while in a state of freedom, never will consent to any abridgments or 
 deprivations of his just rights and disdains threats or any measures of com- 
 pulsion to submission thereto — not like the dog, the more he is beaten the 
 more he fawns — but, on the contrary, with a noble mind, defends to the 
 last and every stripe stimulates his efforts and endeavors in defence of his 
 own or his country's cause. 
 
 2. That this town, as a part of this province, whensoever their rights, 
 liberties and properties are infringed upon, by what authority soever, that 
 they, in honor to their forefathers, by whose solitude and industry, under 
 God, they have enjoyed the fruits of their labors — for the regard they bear 
 to posterity — as friends to their country, have good right to complain and 
 manifest their uneasiness at such proceedings. 
 
 3. That the repeated attempts to make the people of this province 
 submit to unjust taxation and absolute dependency upon the crown, to- 
 gether, appear subversive of, and inconsistent with, the constitution of a 
 free people. 
 
 4. That such measures are unconstitutional and demand the attention 
 of all well disposed people and a mutual connection and joint adherence 
 in proper means for redress, that thereby the rights and liberties, civil and 
 religious, which have been transmitted to us from our illustrious ancestors, 
 might be kept inviolate by us their posterity. 
 
 5. That they shall be always ready to concur in all just and proper 
 means that this province and the neighboring colonies may come into for 
 the common good and in conjunction with the friends of liberty, shall bear 
 testimony to all invasions upon our rights and liberties. 
 
 6. That this report (these resolutions) be put upon the town record, that 
 posterity may know they had a sense of their invaluable rights and liberties 
 and were not willing to part with them, but by their own consent, and that 
 they are determined to vindicate and support them as times and occasions may 
 call for. 
 
 Committee 
 
 Ephraim Woolson, Chairman. 
 Boaz Moore. 
 Ebenezer Jones. 
 Charles Brooks. 
 
 At the annual town meeting in March, 1774, it was 
 voted "to choose a committee of correspondence to com- 
 
220 History of Princeton 
 
 municate with committees of correspondence in other 
 towns in this province, to give the earliest inteUigence to 
 the inhabitants of this town of any designs that they shall 
 discover at any subsequent period against our natural and 
 constitutional rights." This committee consisted of Benja- 
 min Holdcn, Joseph Eveleth, Samuel Woods, William 
 Thompson, John Jones, Adonijah Howe and Sadey Mason, 
 four of whom were to constitute a quorum. 
 
 It is related that later on when word reached Princeton 
 that a band of the King's troops had made an excursion 
 up the Mystic River and carried off a quantity of gun- 
 powder from the Charlestown Arsenal, it thoroughly 
 aroused the inhabitants, and they spent the night in mould- 
 ing pewter plates into musket bullets, and other prepara- 
 tions for immediate service. 
 
 As soon as arrangements were completed, several of the 
 inhabitants started and had proceeded as far as Lancaster 
 when they were met by messengers from Boston, who 
 assured them their further advance was unnecessary. 
 
 Princeton was by no means backward in the part it took 
 in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 In March, 1775, a company of minute men was formed, 
 armed, and equipped, and ordered to "train once a week" 
 and to "put themselves in a proper position for defense." 
 The officers of this company were Capt. Ebenezer Jones, 
 Lieut. Joseph Sargent, and Ensign Samuel Hastings. 
 
 At the same time the town voted to "procure seventy- 
 two dollars for their use, besides the necessary accoutre- 
 ments;" the selectmen being instructed to pay said money 
 "when they marched." 
 
 On the memorable 19th of April, 1775, the arrival of a 
 messenger shouting, "to arms! to arms! the war has begun!" 
 and the ringing of the church bell summoned the people 
 together. In a short time the minute-men were paraded 
 on the common and took up their line of march towards 
 Lexington and Concord. 
 
 During the whole revolutionary struggle the people of 
 Princeton cheerfully met the demands of the State and 
 

 <^/i^.^^ ^ 
 
 f V"""^^' 777/ 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
Military History 221 
 
 Congress. In January, 1775, ^s recommended by Con- 
 gress, a contribution of money and provisions was raised 
 for the towns of Boston and Charlestown, and when, on 
 the first of May, an order by the Continental Congress 
 provided for the removal of indigent inhabitants of Boston 
 and distribution among the inland towns, Princeton voted 
 to receive its proportion of twenty-four. 
 
 On the 14th of June, a motion was made to see if the 
 town would support independence, if it should be de- 
 clared; and it was voted unanimously to concur. On the 
 14th of July news of the Declaration of Independence was 
 received. The messenger bearing the Declaration from 
 Philadelphia to Boston was intercepted in Worcester and 
 a copy obtained which was read to the people from the 
 porch of the Old South Church by Isaiah Thomas, the 
 patriot printer. The good news quickly spread to the ad- 
 joining towns reaching Princeton that same day. 
 
 On Sept. loth one-fifth part of the militia of the state 
 were called out to march to the defense of New York, and 
 one-fourth part that remained were required to be armed 
 and equipped and ready to march at a moment's notice, if 
 their services were needed. 
 
 Calls were sent out at frequent intervals for soldiers for 
 the defense of Boston and other exposed places. In 1777, 
 a requisition was made for every seventh of the male in- 
 habitants over 16 years of age to complete the quota of 
 the State. 
 
 At the town meeting in March, Princeton voted to give 
 twenty pounds to each man enlisting in the Continental 
 army for three years or during the war. They also voted 
 to procure and deliver shirts, stockings, and other clothing, 
 for the Massachusetts soldiers in the Continental army in 
 the proportion of one set to every seven males over 16 
 years of age of its population. 
 
 On August 9th, 1777, fourteen men were drafted to join 
 the Northern army three weeks under General Lincoln. 
 Under the resolve of June 12, 1778, for raising 180 men for 
 an expedition to Rhode Island, several were drafted from 
 
222 History of Princeton 
 
 Princeton, and on the 23rd of June, two Princeton citizens 
 were required as guards to the captured troops of General 
 Burgoyne, and a bounty of £72 was voted to soldiers en- 
 listing and for the support of their families. The town 
 also voted to obtain on a loan the money necessary for the 
 payment of bounties. 
 
 On Oct. 19, 1778, the town voted "to sell the steel which 
 was voted to this town by the General Court, which is now 
 in the hands of Mr. Will'" Thompson," also "to dispose of 
 the gun locks in D° How's hands." These articles sold for 
 
 £19-1-6^ 
 
 On Oct. 9, 1779, nine soldiers were enlisted to join Gen- 
 eral Washington at Claverick on the Hudson; and were 
 supported by the town at an average cost of £50 each. 
 
 In June 1780, twelve men were enlisted for the Conti- 
 nental army at Claverick and provisions were furnished for 
 the army; £8460 for the purchase of beef and £1600 at 
 another time. The town secured by loan to meet its 
 obligations and to raise additional men for the army 
 
 £37.305-i6-7''- 
 
 As the war progressed the supplying of soldiers became 
 more difficult and they were procured only by the offer of 
 exorbitant bounties and additional gratuities. At a meet- 
 ing Jan. 17, 1 78 1, it was "voted that each soldier that shall 
 enlist in the Continental service for three years, or during 
 the war, receive one hundred hard dollars in the following 
 manner; viz.: Twenty hard dollars, and twenty more at 
 the exchange, viz.: Seventy-five for one to be paid before 
 he marches; thirty dollars to be paid six months after 
 marching; to be delivered to the soldier in camp if re- 
 quired, and, at the end of three years, each soldier shall 
 receive twelve three-year-old cattle of a middling size, or 
 current money equivalent to purchase said cattle, and each 
 soldier shall receive the aforesaid encouragement only in 
 proportion to the time he shall be in the service. 
 
 In March a levy of £2025, old currency, was made to 
 defray army expenses and in May the selectmen report 
 having "paid to the war committee at sundry times 
 
Military History 223 
 
 £19,273-13^-6 , and later in the year £9000 for beef and 
 £784-10* in money for soldiers. 
 
 The rapid depreciation of paper currency rendered the 
 normal amount of taxation excessive, the true value of 
 appropriations is difficult to determine, but an approximate 
 idea can be gained from the average depreciation each 
 month, viz.: In 1781 from Feb. 27 to May i, one dollar of 
 specie was equal to 187 cents in Continental money; 225 
 to May 25; 300 to June 15; 400 to Oct. i ; and after that 
 date Continental money was practically worthless. 
 
 The leading authority on the difference between training 
 bands and the alarm list is the fifth volume of the Province 
 Laws, pages 445 and 451. The training band meant the 
 militia, limited to men from sixteen to fifty years of age, 
 while the alarm list included men up to sixty-five, and is 
 popularly known as minutemen. Minutemen were or- 
 ganized as early as 1774, and were a contrivance for getting 
 round the authority of the crown and the loyalists over the 
 militia. It is not generally known that the present system 
 of European armies was copied from Massachusetts. And 
 we forget that up to about 1783 Massachusetts was a 
 military community, and Boston was a military town. 
 The king and his officers lost the Revolutionary War be- 
 cause they expected to fight farmers and mechanics, and 
 met a military people whom Prussia was glad to take for a 
 model. 
 
 The study of this early period in the establishment of the 
 Bay State Colony displays the fact that the gradual de- 
 velopment of our military organizations had their rise for 
 the greater part in the defence of distant and sparsely popu- 
 lated settlements, and owed their inspiration to the united 
 action of town and church. The Minute Men were of a 
 later organization, not earlier than 1773. The alarm list 
 had for special purpose the defence of town and church 
 against attacks by the Indians. The town provided the 
 powder and ball; each man owned his rifle or shotgun, but 
 was responsible to the town for the use of the ammunition, 
 none of which was to be used for private purposes, such, for 
 
224 History of Princeton 
 
 instance, as hunting game, or shooting-matches. Each 
 Sunday the men of the alarm list brought their guns, pow- 
 der and ball to the church. After morning service they 
 were inspected by one of the deacons, and any deficiency 
 in ammunition was to be paid for by the man found to be 
 deficient. In some towns, perhaps in all, a small building 
 was set apart, usually in the cemetery, where the town's 
 arms, powder and ball were kept. The Minute Men of 
 1773 were originally composed of about one-third of the 
 members of the train band or company. They were to be 
 ready to respond at a minute's notice to proceed to any 
 threatened point of attack or danger without waiting for 
 the gathering of the company. The organization was first 
 established by what was called the "Liberty Men" of each 
 town against British attacks, and later the town company 
 as a whole took the name of Minute Men, as was the case 
 at Lexington and Concord. 
 
 Records of the Military Company in Princeton* 
 
 Commission Officers 
 Received their Commissions 
 Under ColP John Murray 
 at Rutland Ap' 7*^ 1774 
 
 Eben'' Jones Captain 
 
 Caleb Mirick i'* Lieut. 
 
 Jos^ Sargent 2°*^ Lieut. 
 
 Eph™ Hartwell Ensign 
 
 John Jones Clerk, appointed by the Captain, & Sworn Ap''. 1774. 
 
 Charles Brooks 
 
 Sam' Hastings 
 
 Enoch Brooks 
 
 Norman Clark 
 
 I Silas Houghton ■ f T h TTi HI 
 
 Peabody How [ Fifers i ■; c^ ^ t r 
 
 Ak;;-.u lro...;„„f^r, I Jos Sargent Jn\ 
 
 Sergeants 
 
 T^ rs f W-" Whitteker 
 
 Drumm" ^ ^ , , ^ 
 
 I Jacob Norcross 
 
 Abijah Harrington 
 N.B. Elisha Gale Senior was y*^ 3'"'^ Sergeant & on his Deceased was 
 suceeded by E Bro 1 ]. 
 
 Tilly Littlejohn Isaac Parker Joseph Phelps J' 
 
 Abner How Jona° Geary Sam' Thomson 
 
 Elisha Wilder Jonas Keyes Sam' Woods J'' 
 
 * On inside of cover of original is the following: 
 
 Capt. Jones Entertained i** Training June 21^* 1774 
 Lieut. Mirick " 2^ " Aug. 30 " 
 
 Lieut. Sargent " 3*^ " Sept. 28 " 
 
 Ensign Hartwell " 4*^^ " Nov. 29 " 
 
Military History 
 
 225 
 
 Tim° Goodenough 
 Ichab'^ Standley 
 John Barker 
 Nath*^' Cutter 
 Josiah Davis 
 Ric"^ Baxter 
 Elisha Hobbs 
 Josiah Mirick 
 Jabez Stratton 
 Phin^ Gregory 
 Isaac Thomson 
 Jos. Haynes 
 Uriah Newton 
 Elisha Gale J'' 
 Chamb" Eustis 
 Daniel Sumner 
 Stephen Herrington 
 Phin^ Beaman 
 Isaac Norcross 
 David Everett 
 Eben'' Colburn 
 James Curtis 
 Jacob Morse 
 Eliph^ Rogers 
 Belcher Richards 
 John Gleason 
 Thos. Gleason 
 Joshua Mosrn" 
 Sam' Mosman 
 W"' Dodds 
 Nathan Smith 
 Andrew Paterson 
 Jon^ Powers 
 Abra™ Savage 
 John Watson 
 Ichab^ Fisher 
 
 Asa Hoit 
 Sylva^ Oaks 
 Moses Herringt" 
 John Trask 
 Amos Spring 
 Reub° Parman' 
 Jos. Whitney 
 George Davidson 
 Jabez Gerould 
 Jesse Gleason 
 Nathan Jones 
 Thos Hapgood 
 David Hows 
 Dan' Gibbs 
 Elisha Gibbs 
 Eph"" Roper 
 Silas Fay 
 Jos. Gibbs 
 Benj"^ Smith 
 Levy Wyman 
 Amos Sargent 
 Solo'^ Rolph 
 Sam' Mirick 
 W™ Richardson J' 
 Eph"^ Jones 
 Stephen Hastings 
 Sam Kendal 
 Moses Stickney 
 David Bennett 
 Eleazer Rider 
 Alphe" Hews 
 David WooUey 
 Jonas Pierce 
 John Brigham 
 Joel Sawin 
 Curtis Fowl 
 
 Elijah Hardey 
 Jacob Savage 
 Asa Copland 
 Oliver Davis J"" 
 Dan' Park Jun"" 
 Sam' Robins J'' 
 Eph™ Mirick 
 Benj"* Tread way 
 W" Parkhurst 
 Bartho^ Cheever 
 Eli Stearns 
 Elijah Farrin"* 
 Manass** Roper 
 Obad** Allen 
 Aaron Ball 
 Luther Parm"" 
 Sam' Whitney 
 Abel Herrington 
 David Nutting 
 Ephraim Smith 
 Francis Dean 
 Abel Mosman 
 Eleazer Pechard 
 Oliver Mosman 
 Phile" Robins 
 Andrew Barber 
 Jonathan Phillips 
 Nathan Bernard 
 Moses Ball 
 Isaac Kendall 
 Luther Rice 
 David Keyes 
 Jos. Hosley 
 Jon" Eady 
 Abra°i Gale 
 Joshua Stiles 
 
 S Sept. 1774. Officers Resigned under Col° Murray by sending y® following 
 Letter. — Hon''^ Sir. Having Rec^ Comm^^ of Hon'' under your Command 
 — Taking it for granted you was a friend to y"^ Country the contrary of 
 which we were unwilling to believe — But since you have accepted of y® 
 late appointmt as an Unconstitutional Counsellor, which we must own sur- 
 prized us — Allow us to Enform y"" Honor, that we no longer hold our 
 Commissions under y*^ Present mode of Goverment. 
 
 5*^'* Sep^ 1774- The Inhab*^ of y® Town of Princeton Being Assembled at y® 
 Meeting House in sd Town after having passed several Votes — T'was put 
 to see if the Town would Choose Military Officers to Lead and Order them 
 in case of an Invasion of Arms, to put y'' Late Acts into Execution. 
 
226 History of Princeton 
 
 Voted in y*" Affirmative — They then proceeded to Choose 
 
 Officers of till y® 
 Result of y^ Gen' 
 Congress be made 
 Publick. 
 
 Eben'' Jones Capt. 
 Caleb Mirick i^' Lieut. 
 Jos. Sargent 2"^^ Lieut. 
 Ep°^ Hartwell Ensign. 
 
 Qth Nov'" 1774. The Military Company in Princeton being met for Exercis- 
 ing & Dr. said Company in y*^ Art Military It was thought Proper to Raise 
 a Company of men to be Ready at a minute's warning In case of an 
 Allarm: as many other Towns in y® Province had done — According 
 Officers were chosen by y*^ Company to Draw out or Inlist s*^ Company (of 
 minute men so called) Viz 
 
 Boaz Moore Capt | A List of y® Company on 
 John Jones i®' Lieut. [ y*^ Last Page. 
 Adon*^ How 2'^ Lieut. J [Not given] 
 
 Field Officers Chosen by Commission Officers and Commission Officers 
 Chosen by y^ People in y^ County of Worcester — 
 
 Thirtyeth of Sep* 1774. Commission Officers met at Rutland District 
 and made Choice of Field Officers for the Regiment in y® County of Worcester 
 Viz. 
 
 Nathan Sparhawk of Rutland Dis* Colonel 
 Jonathan Grout of Petersham Lieu'' Colonel 
 Jonas Wilder of Templeton Major 
 
 Field Officers for y^ Rigement of minute men Chosen at Worcester for Rut- 
 land Paxton Hutchinson Princeton Holden Hubbardston Templeton &ct 
 Viz. 
 
 D of Petersham Colonel 
 
 Benjamin Holden of Princeton Lieut Colonel 
 Willard Moore of Paxton Major 
 Ocf 1774 
 
 June i^* 1 Records of y*^ Sad Divided state of y^ English Nation and Not- 
 1774 I withstanding y^ Disaffection between Great Britain the Colonies, 
 has been for several years standing This Record bears date from the first of 
 June 1774 when British Troops were Landed at Boston and Encamped on y^ 
 Common — with their Artilery levelled at y^ Town of Boston — His Ma- 
 jestys Ships of war in Boston Harbour, to stop all Trade and Commerce. 
 
 In July following Rec'^ accounts from G* Britain that his majestys Coun- 
 sellors for y^ Province of Massch. Bay were appointed Unconstitutionally 
 from Home — which proved true — accordingly the most of them were 
 Sworn — the latter end of Aug* Large numbers of People Openly Visited 
 many of those who had accepted of their appointments, and obliged them 
 to Resign their Offices — A General Concern through the Country — Dis- 
 tressing Events — • Rushing in the flood, threaten to Distroy. Thos. Gage 
 Governor in chief, Invested Power and authority from his Majesty to put 
 
Military History 227 
 
 the late Acts of Parliament in force — which if affected — fatal to y^ 
 Nation — many Unhappy Disasters happen. 
 
 Second of Sep*^ Regular Troops take about two hundred barrels of Powder 
 from y® Powder house in Mistick near Cambridge — the whole Province 
 Allarmed being informed that the Powder was taken & six men killed almost 
 every Town General march'd but were stoped by a second Information Viz. 
 that no hves were lost, all Returned — Princeton Company march'd as far 
 as Lancaster s""*^ Sept. Setting of y*^ Court y*^ 6 & 7 Sep'' prevented by a 
 meeting of a LargeNumber of Peopleon s*^ 6*^ & 7'''^ days of Sep* at Worcester 
 for that Purpose 
 
 Committees of Correspondence in y*^ Several Towns in y® County of 
 Worcester met at Worcester in Aug* & Sep* Several times, past many 
 Resolves, Notes, &ct Respecting the Distressed Circumstances of America. — 
 
 American Congress Sit at Philedelphia in Sept. 
 
 Provincial Congress Sit at Concord fifth Oct"". 
 
 Continental Congress Returned in Nov'' 1774. 
 
 It has been found impossible to ascertain the exact 
 number of Princeton men who served in the Revolutionary 
 army. The town furnished its full quota of men under the 
 several calls, with one exception (in 1778) when it was 
 deficient one man and paid the required fine of $100. 
 There are no town records from which any reliable estimate 
 can be made of the whole number of soldiers nor of the 
 expenses incurred by the town. 
 
 A careful examination has been made of the military 
 rolls and papers in the State Archives (many of which are 
 in a very imperfect condition), and every name thought to 
 belong to this town, has been copied and appears in the list 
 below. Many of these men, probably a large proportion, 
 especially during the first few years of the war, were volun- 
 teers but it is impossible to determine the facts in all cases, 
 so that our list includes the names of all persons credited to 
 Princeton, for any service during the war — volunteers 
 and drafted men as well as those that were hired. It is 
 possible that some names have been omitted, and equally 
 possible that a few of the names should be credited to other 
 towns, but it is believed that the list is nearly correct. It 
 should be remembered that some persons, remembered as 
 Revolutionary Soldiers and living in this town, made it 
 their place of residence subseque?it to the war, and hence 
 their names may not appear in this list. 
 
228 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Captain Boaz Moore's Company in Colonel Ephraim Doolitlle's 
 Regiment from 19th of April, 1775. 
 
 Capt. Boaz Moore 
 
 Lt. John Jones 
 
 Lt. Adonijah How 
 
 Sergt. Thomas Mason 
 " Abraham Gale 
 " John Barke 
 
 Corp. Chamberhn Eustis 
 " Humphrey Moore 
 " Isaac Thompson 
 " Curtis Fowl 
 
 Fife Samuel Ferrington 
 
 Drum William Whitaker 
 " James Curtis 
 " Isaac Parker 
 " David Everitte 
 " Joseph Eveleth 
 " George Parkliurst 
 " Ephraim Hartwell 
 " Josiah Mirick 
 " Ephraim Roper 
 
 13 
 
 " ElishaGale 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 " Jacob Morse 
 
 16 
 
 18 
 
 " David Haws 
 
 8 
 
 18 
 
 ' Samuel Robbins, Jr. 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 * Eleser Packard 
 
 8 
 
 II 
 
 ' Andrew Barber 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 ' Levey Wyman 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 ' Uriah Newton 
 
 II 
 
 18 
 
 ' David Rugge 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 ' Joel Sawin 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 ' Ichabod Fisher 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 ' Isaac Kendal 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 ' Thos. Nappar(?) 
 
 16 
 
 9 
 
 ' Norman Clark 
 
 II 
 
 8 
 
 ' Jabez Mynan(?) 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 ' Jona Geary 
 
 II 
 
 8 
 
 ' Jesse Fisher 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 ' Phineas Gregory 
 
 10 
 
 9 
 8 
 
 ' Abijah Herrington 
 
 6 
 
 Soldiers of the Revolution 
 
 A 
 
 This list includes " Lexington Alarm " men and enlisted 
 men belonging to or credited to Princeton. The names 
 with an asterisk are those of men hired by the town, and 
 no effort has been made to identify them. 
 
 t Died before pension act of 1818. J On pension lists. § Grand Marshal. 
 
 Abbott, Isaac. 
 
 Ball, Nathan. 
 
 Ball, Samuel. 
 
 Barber, A>roREw. 
 
 Barker, John. 
 §tBEAMAN, Jonas. 
 
 Bennett, David. 
 
 Billings, Silas. 
 
 BoARDMAN, William. 
 fBowEN, John. 
 
 Brigham, John. 
 fBRiGHAM, Moses. 
 
 Leicester, Vt., 1818. 
 
 Died, Princeton, March 27, 1804, aged 54. 
 
 Died, Hubbardston, Apl. 30, 1825, aged 74. 
 
 {fBROOKS, Charles. 
 
 Died in service, December, 1777, aged 21. 
 Died, Acworth,N.H., Apr. 2, i84i,aged83. 
 Died, Delaware, Canada, Aug. 13, 1814, 
 
 aged 61. 
 Died, Princeton, March, 1798, aged 66. 
 
Military History 
 
 229 
 
 JCheever, Bartholomew. 
 Cheever, Jacob. 
 JClark, Norman. 
 
 §tCowDiN, Robert. 
 fCuRTis, James. 
 Cutter, Benjamin. 
 
 Cutter, Josiah. 
 Cutter, Nathaniel, Jr. 
 Darling, Timothy. 
 Davidson, George. 
 Davis, Isaac. 
 
 fDAVIS, MiCAH. 
 
 Davis, Oliver, Jr. 
 
 Davis, Samuel (of Concord). 
 §Davis, Semon. 
 
 DoDDS, William. 
 fEusTis, Chamberlain. 
 IfEvELETH, Joseph. 
 fEvERETT, David. 
 
 Farrington, Elijah. 
 
 Farrington, Samuel. 
 
 Fisher, Ichabod. 
 
 Fisher, Jesse. 
 JFowLE, Curtis. 
 
 Fowle, John. 
 fFROST, John. 
 
 Gale, Abraham. 
 
 Gale, Elisha. 
 
 Gale, Henry. 
 
 Garfield, Daniel. 
 JGeary, Jonathan. 
 
 tGEROULD, JABEZ. 
 
 Gibbs, Daniel. 
 
 Gibbs, Elisha. 
 Gibbs, Joseph. 
 
 fGLEASON, Jesse. 
 Goodnow, Daniel. 
 Goodnow, Timothy. 
 Grant, Thomas. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Jan. 8, 1838, aged 80. 
 
 Died, Clarksville, N. H., May 25, 1842, 
 
 aged 99 years, 5 mos. 
 Died, Princeton, Oct. 3, 1785, aged 55. 
 Died before 1789. 
 Died, Fort Ann, N. Y., Mch. 5, 1846, 
 
 aged 84. 
 Died, Watertown, May, 1833, aged 70. 
 Died, Grafton, Vt., Sept. 4, 1841, aged 81. 
 
 -, 1785, aged 22. 
 
 Died, Princeton, — 
 Died, Princeton (?). 
 
 Died, Princeton, Jan. 29, 1828, aged 69. 
 Died, Princeton, Oct. 28, 1833, aged 85. 
 
 Died, Rutland, , 1801, aged 57. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Oct. 11, 1790, aged 58. 
 Died in Army, June 26, 1775, aged 30. 
 
 Died, Paris, N. Y. (?) 
 Died, Paris, N. Y. (?) 
 
 -, 1783- 
 
 Died, Princeton, — 
 Died, probably in New Hampshire. 
 Died, Barre, Vt., Jan. 17, 1827, aged 84. 
 Died, Brighton, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1836, 
 aged 84. 
 
 Died, East Smithfield, Pa., June 12, 1802, 
 
 aged 54. 
 Died, Peterboro, N. H., Sept. 25, 1824, 
 
 aged 73. 
 Died, Orono, Me., 1846, aged 93. 
 Died, Ashburnham, Mch. 19, 1829, aged 
 
 73. 
 Died, Princeton, June 11, 1783, aged 34. 
 
 Died, Lancaster, probably. 
 
230 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 *Gray, Daniel. 
 §Gregory, Phineas. 
 
 Hapgood, Thomas. 
 
 Harrington, Abel. 
 §Harrington, Abijah. 
 
 Harrington, Isaac. 
 
 Harrington, Uriah. 
 
 Harrington, Moses. 
 
 Harris, Luke. 
 IHartwell, Ephraim. 
 
 Hastings, Charles. 
 
 Hawes, David. 
 §HoLDEN, Benjamin, Col. 
 
 Hosley, Joseph. 
 §tHow, Adonijah. 
 §tHow, Peabody. 
 
 Hudson, Reuben. 
 §tJoNES, Ebenezer, Major. 
 tJoNES, Ebenezer, Jr. 
 §tJoNES, Ephraim. 
 tJoNES, John, Capt. 
 
 Jones, Nathan. 
 
 Kendall, Isaac. 
 §JKeyes, Israel. 
 §Keyes, Jonas. 
 
 Keyes, Peabody. 
 fMASON, Paul. 
 §tMASON, Thomas. 
 
 fMAYNARD, JaBEZ. 
 
 *McAllester, Reuben. 
 *McMallen, William. 
 *McMillin, Samuel. 
 Meed, Jabez. 
 tMiRiCK, James. 
 
 fMiRiCK, John. 
 
 tMlRICK, JOSIAH. 
 
 fMooRE, Abijah, Capt. 
 §tMooRE, BoAZ, Capt. 
 IfMooRE, Humphrey. 
 §MooRE, Url\h (of Bolton). 
 Moore, Willard. 
 tMoRSE, Jacob. 
 fMoRSE, Joshua. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Dec. 2, 1821, aged 78. 
 
 Died, Princeton, May 27, 1821, aged 78. 
 
 Died, New Ipswich, N. H., 1816, aged 70. 
 Died, Ashburnham, Nov. 28, 1850, aged 90. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Nov. 24, 1820, aged 92. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Sept. 10, 1800, aged 63. 
 Died, Princeton, May 9, 1806, aged 70. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Nov. 4, 1779, aged 53. 
 Died, Boston, before 1814. 
 Died, Princeton, June 21, 1784, aged 27, 
 Died, Crown Point, July 4, 1776, aged i2)- 
 Died, Ashburnliam, Apl. 8, 1827, aged 74. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Sept. 18, 1841, aged 81. 
 Died, Princeton, July 21, 1822, aged 79. 
 Died, Jackson, Tioga Co., Pa., after 1802. 
 Died, Princeton, Feb. 20, 1799, aged 85. 
 Died, Princeton, Nov. 28, 1814, aged 81. 
 Died in Army (Canada?), 1776, aged 22. 
 
 Died in Army, at Boston, Dec. 8, 1778, 
 aged 45. 
 
 Died, Weston, , 1782, aged 60. 
 
 Died, Princeton, June 15, 1790, aged 49. 
 
 Died, Boylston, , 1796, aged 72. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Oct. 9, 1802, aged 67. 
 Died, Princeton, Dec. 19, 1790, aged 49. 
 Died, Princeton, May 25, 1820, aged 66. 
 
 Died, Princeton, April 15, 1819, aged 73. 
 Died, Sherborn (?) Apl. i, 1787, aged 63. 
 
Military History 
 
 231 
 
 MosMAN, Abel. 
 MosMAN, Joshua. 
 JMosMAN, Oliver. 
 
 Napper, Thomas. 
 
 Newton, Jonathan. 
 jNewton, Uriah. 
 fNoRCROSS, Ephriam. 
 tNoRCROss, Isaac. 
 fNoRCROss, Jacob. 
 
 Oak, Silvanus. 
 
 OsBORN, John. 
 
 fPACKARD, ElEAZER. 
 
 Parker, Isaac. 
 fPARKER, Levi. 
 
 fPARKHURST, DANIEL. 
 
 Parkhurst, Ephraim. 
 
 Parkhurst, George. 
 
 Parkhltrst, William. 
 IJParmenter, Luther. 
 
 Parmenter, Reuben. 
 
 Paterson, Andrew. 
 
 Peirce, Jonas. 
 
 Powers, Jonathan. 
 
 Raymond, Daniel. 
 
 Raymore, James. 
 
 Raymore, John. 
 
 Raymore, Jonas. 
 
 Raymore, Thomas. 
 
 RoBBiNS, Philemon. 
 fRoBBiNS, Samuel, Jr. 
 
 tROGERS, ElIPHALET. 
 
 fRoPER, Ephraim. 
 
 RuGG, Amos. 
 
 RuGG, David. 
 ISargent, Joseph, Capt. 
 
 Savery, Thomas. 
 ISawin, Joel. 
 fSAWYER, James. 
 
 Solomon, Peter. 
 
 Stearns, Benjamin. 
 JStearns, Eli. 
 
 Stewart John. 
 
 Stiles, Joshua. 
 
 Stratton, Samuel. 
 
 Died, Henderson, N. Y., Apl. 30, 1835, 
 aged 75. 
 
 Died, Alstead, N. H. (?). 
 Died, Princeton, May, 1805, aged 69. 
 Died, Princeton (?), Apl. 18, 1781, aged 18. 
 Died, Royalston, May 2, 1817, aged 78. 
 Died, Princeton, Nov. 25, 1805, aged 54. 
 
 Died, Plainfield (Mass.?), 1803, aged 76. 
 
 Died, Royalton, Vt., Mch, 1813, aged 60. 
 Died, Princeton, July 17, 1810, aged 54. 
 Died, , before 1798. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Aug. i, 1850, aged 94. 
 Died, Princeton, Dec. 30, 1823, aged 75. 
 
 Died, Ashby, Sept. 30, 1835, aged 71. 
 
 Died, Weston (Warren), June 14, 181 5. 
 Died, Royalston, May 4, 1815, aged 78?. 
 Died, Sterling, Dec. 5, 1793, aged 78. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Mch. 22, 1797, aged 65. 
 — , 17S0. 
 
 Died, Princeton, 
 Died in service. 
 
 Died, Lancaster, Mch. 7, 1825, aged 67. 
 
 Died, Boylston, May 14, 1828, aged 70. 
 Died, Holden, Jan. 13, 1838, aged 74. 
 
232 History of Princeton 
 
 Sumner, Joel. 
 §Thompson, Isaac. Died, Princeton, Feb. 16, 1833, aged 94. 
 
 Thompson, James. 
 
 Thompson, Samuel. 
 
 Tiller (or Tillotson), Jona- 
 than, Jr. 
 
 Trask, John. 
 
 Treadway, Benjamin. 
 J Vanes (or Vance), William. 
 
 Whitney, Samuel. 
 
 Whittaker, William. Died, Princeton, July 22, 1830, aged 86. 
 
 Whittelow (or Whitten), 
 Matthew. 
 
 Wilder, Elisha. 
 
 Woods, Samuel, Jr. 
 
 WooLSON, Edward. 
 
 Wyman, John (of Lexington 
 or Lunenburgh). 
 
 Wyman, Levi. 
 
 B 
 
 This list includes those who at time of enlistment were 
 not inhabitants of Princeton, but either before or subse- 
 quent to the war resided in the town. The identity of 
 those names marked with a * is not clearly established. 
 
 fALLEN, Simeon. 
 
 Shrewsbury. Died, Hubbardston, Dec. 28, 1805, aged 
 
 55- 
 §Babcock, Amos. 
 
 Sherborn. Died, Princeton, Nov. 15, 1835, aged 76. 
 
 jBiGELOW, Samuel. 
 
 Newton. 
 
 BOWKER, MiCAH. 
 
 Sudbury. 
 fBowMAN, Solomon. 
 
 Cambridge. Died (killed). Battle of Monmouth, June 
 
 28, 1778, aged 34. 
 fBowMAN, Thaddeus, Jr. 
 
 Winchendon. Died, Weathersfield, Vt., Apl. 1815, aged 
 
 72. 
 
 fBOYDEN, JaBEZ. 
 
 Medfield. Died, Ticonderoga, Sept. 9, 1776, aged 27. 
 
 JBriant, Isaac. 
 
 Rutland. Died, Rutland, June 4, 1836, aged 74. 
 
Military History 233 
 
 Chandler, John. 
 
 Lancaster. Died, Princeton, March 26, 1832, aged 82. 
 
 Cheever, Daniel. 
 
 Rutland or Lancaster. Died, Princeton, Sept. 9, 1822. 
 Dresser, Oliver. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 Eager, Fortunatus. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 fEsTABROOK, Samuel, Jr. 
 
 Holden. Died, West Boylston, 18 16, aged 69. 
 
 §Everett, Joshua. 
 
 Westminster. Died, Princeton, Feb. 4, 1825, aged 84. 
 
 JFassett, Jonathan, Capt.(?). 
 
 Shrewsbury. 
 Fay, Silas. 
 
 Northborough (?). 
 Gale, Amos. 
 
 Grafton. 
 Gill, Michael. 
 
 Westminster. 
 fGooDNOw, Edward. 
 
 Northborough. 
 Gregory, Isaac. 
 
 Weston. 
 JHager, Abraham. 
 
 Shrewsbury. 
 
 tHARVEY, ZaCHARIAH. 
 
 Westminster. 
 
 Harvey, Zachariah, Jr. 
 
 Westminster. 
 IKeyes, Cyprl\n (3d). 
 
 Shrewsbury. 
 Keyes, Thomas. 
 
 Northborough. 
 §tKiLBXJRN, Calvin. 
 Lancaster. 
 
 fMAYNARD, ArTEMAS. 
 
 Shrewsbury. 
 §tMiRiCK, Stephen. 
 Sudbury (?). 
 Mosman, Timothy. 
 
 Bolton. 
 MtJDGE, Joseph. 
 Needham. 
 
 Died, Boylston, 1834, aged 89. 
 
 Died, Camden, Me., after 1816. 
 
 Died, probably in New Hampshire. 
 
 Died, Princeton, August 10, 1840, aged 89. 
 
 Died, Princeton, July 17, 1798, aged 56. 
 
 Died, Weston(?). 
 
 Died, Rutland, Sept. 29, 1847, aged 92. 
 
 Died, Chesterfield, N. H., February 15, 
 1801, aged 90. 
 
 Died in Army. 
 
 Died, Fairfax, Vt., Nov. 2, 1845, aged 90. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Jan. 23, 1852, aged 94. 
 
 Died, Sterling, , 1808, aged 74. 
 
 Died, Princeton, May 20, 1827, aged 70. 
 
 Died, Westminster, Nov. 9, 1822, aged 69. 
 
234 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 MuNROE, Timothy. 
 
 Rutland. 
 MuzzEY, William. 
 
 Hubbardston. 
 
 NoRCROSS, Samuel. 
 
 Westminster. 
 
 §Parker, Ebenezer. 
 
 Lexington. 
 §Pakker, Nehemiah. 
 
 (?). 
 
 Ray, Asa. 
 
 Westminster. 
 Richardson, Moses. 
 
 Roxbury. 
 Roper, Benjamin. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 JRoPER, John. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 RoziER, Robert. 
 
 Rutland. 
 Sargent, Daniel. 
 
 Holden. 
 
 §tSAVAGE, SeTH. 
 
 Rutland. 
 fSAWiN, Ezeklel. 
 
 Natick. 
 Skinner, William. 
 Hubbardston. 
 SivHTH, Hugh. 
 
 Rutland. 
 fSpRiNG, Amos. 
 
 Westminster. 
 fSpRiNG, Thomas. 
 
 Newton. 
 Stratton, Isaac. 
 
 Rutland. 
 jTainter, Benjamin. 
 Westborough. 
 Thacher, John. 
 
 Attleborough. 
 
 §Thacher, Obadiah. 
 
 Attleborough. 
 §Thacher, Thomas. 
 
 Attleborough. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Feb. 7, 1836, aged 89, 
 Died, Hubbardston, Oct. 10, 1830, aged 97. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Oct. 19, 1839, aged 89. 
 Died, Princeton, Jan. 12, 1850, aged 89. 
 
 Died (Roxbury?), 
 
 -, 183s, aged 
 
 Died, Princeton, Nov. i, 1826, aged (70?) 
 Died, Princeton, April 10, 1833, aged 73. 
 
 Died, Worcester, May 17, 1838, aged 88. 
 Died, Princeton, Aug. 21, 1807, aged 76. 
 Died, Princeton, July 21, 181 7, aged 65. 
 
 Died [killed] in Army, Sept. 19, 1777. 
 
 Died, Worcester, N. Y., 1798, aged 65. 
 
 Died, Harford, Penn., Jan. 8, 1841, aged 
 82. 
 
 Died, Harford, Penn., 1838, aged 81. 
 
 Died, Harford, Penn., May, 1823, aged 68. 
 
Military History 
 
 235 
 
 Tower, Isaac. 
 Lancaster. 
 
 fTowER, Jeduthan. 
 
 Rutland. 
 Tower, Jonathan. 
 
 Rutland. 
 fTowER, Joseph. 
 
 Hingham. 
 fWHEELER, Isaac. 
 
 Rutland. 
 tWHiTCOMB, Asa, Col. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 §tWHiTNEY, Andrew. 
 
 Newton. 
 Wilson, Ephriam. 
 
 Chelmsford. 
 §Wilson, Ephriam (Dr.). 
 
 Northborough. 
 
 Crafts, Thomas. 
 
 No. Bridgewater. 
 §tHAYNES, Aaran. 
 
 Sudbury. 
 Bartlett, Samuel. 
 
 Acton. 
 
 Died, Bristol, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1823, aged 
 71- 
 
 Died, Paris, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1817, aged 6r. 
 Died, Rutland April 20, 1846, aged 88. 
 Died in Army, 1776, aged 26. 
 Died, Rutland, April 22, 1817, aged 82. 
 Died, Princeton, March 16, 1804, aged 84. 
 Died, Princeton, Oct. 16, 1818, aged 64. 
 
 Died, Bernardston, Nov. 17, 1839, aged 
 78. 
 
 Died, Middlebro, Feb. 27, 1819, aged 60. 
 
 Died, Princeton, Feb. 16, 1842, aged 83. 
 
 Died, Tharsalin, N. Y., a boy 13 years old 
 who worked all night before battle of 
 Bunker Hill. 
 
 Markers have been placed over the graves of the fol- 
 lowing named soldiers of the Revolution. 
 
 In the old Cemetery. 
 
 Beaman, Jonas. 
 Brooks, Charles. 
 Cheever, Bartholomew. 
 CowDiN, Robert. 
 Eveleth, Joseph. 
 Harrington, Abijah. 
 HoLDEN, Col. Benjamin. 
 HoRR, Adonijah. 
 HoRR, Peabody. 
 Jones, Maj. Ebenezer. 
 Jones, Ephraim. 
 Keyes, Jonas. 
 
 Died, March 27, 1804, aged 54. 
 Died, March , 1798, aged 66. 
 Died, Jan. 8, 1838, aged 80. 
 Died, Oct. 3, 1785, aged 55. 
 Died, Oct, 11, 1790, aged 58. 
 Died, May 27, 1821, aged 78. 
 Died, Nov. 24, 1820, aged 92. 
 Died, Sept. 10, 1800, aged 63. 
 Died, May 9, 1806, aged 70. 
 Died, Nov. 4, 1779, aged 53. 
 Died, June 21, 1784, aged 27. 
 Died, July 21, 1822, aged 79. 
 
236 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Mason, Thomas. 
 Moore, Capt. Boaz. 
 Moore, Humphrey. 
 Moore, Uriah. 
 Savage, Seth. 
 Thompson, Isaac. 
 Whitney, Andrew. 
 
 Everett, John. 
 Gregory, Phineas. 
 MnacK, Stephen. 
 
 Parker, Nehemiah. 
 
 Babcock, Amos. 
 Parker, Ebenezer. 
 
 Keyes, Isreal. 
 Parmenter, Luther. 
 
 Davis, Simon. 
 Haynes, Aaron. 
 KiLBURN, Calvin. 
 
 Died, Nov. 28, 1814, aged 81. 
 Died, Oct. 9, 1802, aged 67. 
 Died, Dec. 19, 1790, aged 49. 
 Died, May 25, 1820, aged 66. 
 Died, Aug. 21, 1807, aged 76. 
 Died, Feb. 16, 1833, aged 94. 
 Died, Oct. 16, 1818, aged 64. 
 
 In North Cemetery. 
 
 Died, Feb. 4, 1825, aged 69. 
 Died, Dec. 2, 1821, aged 78. 
 Died, May 20, 1827, aged 70. 
 
 In East Princeton Cemetery. 
 
 Died, Jan. 12, 1850, aged 89. 
 
 In East Cemetery. 
 
 Died, Nov. 15, 1835, aged 76. 
 Died, Oct. 19, 1839, aged 89. 
 
 In South Cemetery. 
 
 Died, Sept. 18, 1841, aged 81. 
 Died, Aug. i, 1850, aged 94. 
 
 In West Cemetery. 
 
 Died, Jan. 29, 1828, aged 69. 
 Died, Feb. 16, 1842, aged 83. 
 Died, Jan. 23, 1852, aged 94. 
 
 Pensions. Prior to the year 18 18, Congress passed no 
 pension laws except for the relief of those officers and 
 soldiers who were disabled in the service; consequently, all 
 those who were not disabled, and died between the close 
 of the Revolutionary war and the year 1818, could receive 
 no pension, for all the pension laws require that the soldier 
 shall be living at the date of the passage of the law. 
 
 Act 1818. Granted pensions to those who served nine 
 months or more in the Continental army alone, or those 
 forces raised by Congress and serving in the regular army 
 of the United Colonies, and those serving in the Conti- 
 nental navy (who were in need of support). 
 
 From the records and files in the office of the Secretary 
 of State every item relating to Princeton has been copied, 
 
Military History 
 
 237 
 
 but a large proportion of the references consist of payments 
 for mileage, arms, clothing, and supplies furnished families 
 of soldiers. These items afford no clue to the number of 
 men furnished or the cost to the town, and only a few are 
 given below. 
 
 Bounties paid to three years men. 
 
 1777-79, 20 men £762. Currency 
 1778-79, 4 men £ 56 " 
 
 1780 19 men £22200. " 
 
 1781 7 men £ 103.4 Specie 
 
 6 months service R. I. 
 6 months and 3 months. 
 3 months and 5 months. 
 
 " Bounties paid for different services of soldiers during 
 the late war £2549.2 Paper Currency" (This cannot in- 
 clude all the bounties paid by the town) 
 
 1777 Jan. 21 Mileage 14 men 
 
 1779 Sept. " 4 men to Springfield 
 
 1779 June " 6 men to Peekskill 
 
 1779 June " 4 men to Providence 
 
 1780 March " 8 men 
 
 1780 Sept. " II men to Claverick 
 
 1 781 August " 9 men to Springfield 
 
 1 781 March " 8 men to Springfield 
 
 Quota of the town. 
 
 1776 Jan. 19 II Men. 
 
 1782 Mch. 7 4 Men. 
 1780 Dec. 2 9 Men. 
 1780 June 3 9 Men. 
 
 1777 Jan. 26 22 Men in all being one seventh of the male 
 
 inhabitants of the town (the town could 
 supply but 21 men and was fined £100.) 
 
 1777, Sept. 25. "Delivered to Adonijah How for Princeton 116 lbs. of 
 Lead 90 Flints 4 Gun Locks" 
 13. To this date delivered Princeton 54 Arms. 
 13 Blankets 
 
 10. Allowance to Zachariah Harvey "for Clothing Lost in a 
 Retreat from before New York Sept. 1776 £6.18." 
 
 to Jan. 1780 "Due for SuppHes for Soldiers families £306.19.5 
 
 Capt. Boaz 
 
 1779 Jan. 
 1776 
 
 1779, Sept, 
 
 1776 Sept. 
 1778, Oct. 
 
 Clothing Supplied by town 
 10 shirts at 8 Dollars each 24.0.0 
 9 Pairs of Stockings 24/each 10. 16.0 
 13 Pairs of Shoes 42 /each 27.6.0 62.2.0 
 
 Moore carried 
 these to Brook- 
 field at an ex- 
 pense of £1.16. 
 
238 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 1780 Feb. 5. 
 
 Clothing Supplied by town 
 
 
 Shirts 
 
 21 at 120 
 
 /£i26. Shoes 21 at 144. £151.4.0 
 
 
 Stockings 
 
 21 at 8o/£84. 
 
 Alice, to Selectmen £20.0.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 £381.4.0 
 
 
 1782, Jan 26. 
 
 16 Shirts 
 
 12/ 
 
 £ 9. 12.0 
 
 
 
 16 Shoes 
 
 10/ 
 
 8.0.0 
 
 
 
 16 Hose 
 
 6/ 
 
 4. 16.0 
 
 
 
 16 Miles 4 Da> 
 
 ^s 2.0.0 
 
 
 
 8 Blankets 
 
 9. 12.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 £34.0.0 
 
 
 1782, May. I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 Shirts at 40 
 
 400. 
 
 
 
 13 Shoes 
 
 40 
 
 520. 
 
 
 
 9 Hose 
 
 24 
 
 216. 
 
 
 
 20 Miles 
 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 4 Days 
 
 
 84 
 
 
 
 I 2oO. 00 
 
 
 Account of Bounties 
 
 Oct. 30, 1779. 
 
 
 Timothy Mosman 
 
 
 6 
 
 Levi Wyman 
 
 30 
 
 John Bowen 
 
 
 6 
 
 Curtis Fowle 
 
 25 
 
 John Fowle 
 
 
 25 
 
 Eli Stearns 
 
 30 
 
 John Trask 
 
 
 30 
 
 Reuben Hudson 
 
 30 
 
 Oliver Mosman 
 
 
 30 
 
 Isaac Davis 
 
 40 
 
 Thomas Grant 
 
 
 40 
 
 William Vance 
 
 45 
 
 James Sawyer 
 
 
 45 
 
 William McMillan 
 
 34 
 
 John Wyman 
 
 
 50 
 
 1777 Peter Soloman 
 
 30 
 
 Samuel McMillan 
 
 
 34 
 
 Daniel Gray 
 
 34 
 
 Mathew Whittelow 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 Jonathan Tillotson 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 Jonathan Geary 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 Luther Parmenter 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 Account of Supphes Jan. i, 1780. 
 
 Current Price 
 Levi Wyman Apl. 1779 to Dec. 1779 £108.11.9 2.12.1! 
 
 Jonathan Geary Mch. 1779 to Dec. 1779 164. 0.6 4.5.11 
 
 1774, Aug. 9. Gill at Worcester Conv. of Committees of Correspondence 
 
 & delegates. 
 1774, Oct. Provincial Congress at Salem Gill Holden delegates. 
 1776, Feb. " " " Cambridge " 
 
 1776, May " " " Watertown " 
 
 1775, Mch. 21. The town voted "not to procure a Cartridge Box & Bayonet 
 for the Minute Men", but "to procure 72 Dollers for their acct.", 
 "the Select Men be a Comm*' for s*^ purpose & that they procure the 
 afores*^ Dollers immediately & give Security for the same, & that they 
 deliver out s*^ money to each Man two DoUers." Voted " that 26 Men 
 
Military History 239 
 
 agreable to the Report of a Comm*^* including officers be Intitled to 
 the Money afores^ when they March." 
 
 1 775) April 23. The town sent provisions to the army for which the sum of 
 £18.15.7 was allowed. 
 
 1775, May. 24. "Voted to receive 24 of the poor of Boston". How many 
 of this class were actually received does not appear, but in 1776 the 
 town received from the treasurer of the Province £30.15 for "keeping 
 poor" and later "for Boston Poor" £10.18.11. 
 
 177s, June 15. The towns were requested by Prov. Congress to deposit 
 with treasurer firearms and bayonets the treasurer to pay for them and 
 to be reimbursed by the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Princeton's quota 8 
 1775, June 17. Same firelocks " " 8 
 
 1775, June 30. Great want of Powder in public magazines and the towns of 
 Hampshire and Worcester Counties being least exposed to the ravages 
 of the enemy, earnestly recommended that the Selectmen deliver the 
 whole of town stock of Powder to the Committee appointed by this 
 Congress, except so much as is allowed to be kept in each town. 
 
 Princeton town stock 15 bbls. to be kept \ bbl. 
 
 1776, July 5. 13000 coats ordered to be provided and proportioned among 
 the towns as they paid the last province tax — Princeton 24. 
 
 1777 July 5. Committee of Safety "Eight guns collected in Princeton, 
 were received of Mr. Ephraim Woolson by the hands of Sylvanus 
 Oakes amomiting by appraisement to fourteen pounds seven shillings, 
 for which a receipt was given him by the Secretary." 
 
 1777 Salt to be distributed from public stores by Government, 42 bushels 
 to Princeton at 10^ per bushel if wanted. 
 
 1777, Proposals to build barracks at Rutland Dec. 19. 
 
 1778, "Princeton December 28, 1778. Rec*^ of Maj'" Ebenezer Jones Lei* 
 Robert Cowdin & Mr Abijah Harrington Fifty Pounds in Cash to 
 purches Nine Small Arms at Boston of The board of warr. 
 
 Moses GUI". 
 
 1779, 121 pounds 3 shillings pd for transporting 30 bushels com from 
 Westmoreland. 
 
 1779, June 30. "then Rec^ of the Select men the Sum of one Hundred and 
 twenty one pounds three shillings for transporting thirty Bushels of 
 Indian Corn from Westmoreland to Princeton said corn was for them 
 fameleys that were the Towns Care. 
 
 pr. Elisha Gale" 
 
 1780. Among the expenditures of the town this year are noted £4900. 
 for five horses (£1400. for one horse) Corn at £10. per bushel, 
 Butter £2/io/per lb. Board of school mistress £27. per week. All 
 in the "depreciated currency." 
 
240 History of Princeton 
 
 1782. Among the warrants drawn on the treasurer b 
 
 to Sadey Mason for two pairs of Stockings for the Army 1 2 
 Joseph Eveleth for three shirts i . 2 
 
 Humfrey Moore for a horse for the Army 9. 10 
 
 1782. Eph. Hartwell & Timothy Ruggles officers at Rutland Bar- 
 racks for themselves and the Guards Oct. 20, '79 to Apl. 20 '80 peti- 
 tioned for extra pay and allowance. 
 
 "Which was the most vigorous and severe winter ever known in this 
 Part of America, by Means of which Severity said officers & Guards 
 were often destitute of the common necessaries of Life except Beef & 
 Rice & were obliged often to furnish themselves with wood by draw- 
 ing it by hand from a considerable Distance, &c." 
 
 1783, Jan. Lt. Col. Benj. Holden petitioned Legislature for compensation 
 on acct. of depreciation in value of money he having been taken 
 prisoner Nov. 16, 1776, at Fort Washington & reed, his pay a long 
 time after exchange. 
 
 1783, July. Delinquent towns which have not procured their quotas of 
 beef required by law 1781 &c. there were 3 calls. 
 Princeton filled ist & 2nd but was deficient on 3rd 49 (?) valued at 
 
 a 
 16.4. 
 
 1808. Paid Sam Stevenson for 100 weight Powder & five tin kittles 
 
 for use of town $44.26 
 
 181 1. Voted to buy 100 knapsacks. 
 
 181 2. Old demands due town including class rates, notes of H. Gale 
 and Committee to buy Soldiers &c. stricken out of Treasurer's account 
 
 1814. Samuel Richardson & Charles Gregory from the East Company 
 
 Jasen Woodward & W™ Johnson from the West Company 
 
 were detached from the Militia & ordered to service marching to 
 
 Northboro Aug. i, 1814. Oliver Davis took Mr. Woodward's 
 
 place. Samuel Richardson sent Willard Houghton as substitute. 
 
 Charles Gregory and Wm Johnson received grants of bounty land 
 in recognition of their military service. 
 1814, Nov. 7. Voted to J. M., S. R., W. J., & C. G. $36. each additional 
 
 sum to the wages of the soldiers detatched in July last 
 1830-40 One Company called Slam-bangs Capt. Smith, Temple, Dana, 
 Osgood " Independent Co." Capt. John Whitney — I. Hartwell. 
 An Ace* of Sundry Articles lost on Charlestown Hills 17*^ June 1775 
 by Capt. John Jones Company. Col. Eph™ Doolittle's Reg*. 
 Daniel Haws wounded lost his Cartridge box £ 0.4 
 
 Jabez Gerould wounded lost his Gun 2 . 8 
 
 Jabez Maynard Samuel Temple, Ichabod Farrington 
 & Joseph Bailey lost each a Blanket 12/p Blanket 2.8 
 
 Jonas (Jesse ?) Fisher a Bayonet 0.6 
 
 Curtis Fowle a Sword .12 
 
 Errors Excepted 
 
 Attested John Jones Capt. 
 
 5-iJ 
 
Military History 241 
 
 The Captain certifies that "they fought on Bunker's Hill on the 
 17**^ of June & fought courageously, but unfortunately lost the articles 
 mentioned." 
 
 The following is a Return of the hire & bounty which has been ad- 
 vanced by the Town of Princeton for the purpose of hiring men for the 
 Army for the term of three years, which were Required by a Resolve 
 of the General Court of the 2°^ of Decern"" 1780 — 
 To Levi Parker £ 30 . o. hard money 
 
 To James Thomson 300. 
 
 To Ephr"" Norcross 30.0. 
 
 To Sam' Ball 30.0. 
 
 To Ben j** Stearns 30.0. 
 
 To Thomas Rowan 30.0. 
 
 To James Rowan 30 . o. 
 
 To John Rowan 30.0. 
 
 £ 240 
 
 And to each of the above mentioned Soldiers Twelve three year Old 
 Cattle estimated at £6.0. Each which Amounts to £576.0.0 
 To Jonas Beaman One hundred hard Dollars and thirteen three year 
 Old Cattle Estimated at £6. Each £78.0 
 
 hard money 30. 
 
 £ 108. 
 
 Also the Eight Soldiers first mention'^ are Entitled to one horned 
 Creature three years Old, Each, by Agreement of the Committee 
 although it is not mention*^ in their Receipts. 
 
 which Amounts to £48 . o . hard money 
 
 Also the Aboves^'^ Encouragement in Cash was Engaged to be sent to 
 Camp to the Soldierz, at Two Different times, which Journeys we 
 Estimate at £50 
 
 The whole Cost Amounts to £1022.0.0 
 Errorz Excepted 
 
 The above men are averag'd Benj^ Holden | Selectmen 
 
 on the whole cost which is Sadey Mason [ of 
 
 £113:11.12 each Boaz Moore ) Princeton 
 
 Wore. S. S. July 3 1781. the above named Benj° Holden Sady Mason 
 & Boaz Moore Came before me and make Oath to the Truth of the 
 above account 
 
 Moses Gill Justice Peace 
 Princeton July 4*** 1781 — 
 The original receipts Signed by these Soldiers are on file 
 
242 History of Princeton 
 
 Letter of Capt. John Jones to his Wife Mary in Princeton. 
 
 See facsimile framed in Princeton Library. 
 
 Cambridge Apr. 22, 1775 
 Loving Wife. 
 
 There was a hot Battle fought Between the Regulars that 
 march'd to Concord and our People on Wednesday the 19 of this 
 Instant in which many on both sides were slain (but most of the 
 Enimies) as we heard before we march'd. As we marched to Con- 
 cord we were often Inform'd that the Enemy had marched from 
 Boston a second time & had got as far as Lincoln — we hurried 
 on as fast as Possible Expecting to meet them in Concord, but 
 when we arrived there we were Liformed that they had Return 
 from their first engagement to Charleston — from which they 
 are gone to Boston — we are now Stationed in one of ye Colleges 
 as are many more of ye Army — all in good health Through ye 
 Divine goodness and hope for the Blessing of Heaven. In ye 
 first Combat among those that were slain were Lieut. John 
 Bacon of Needham two Mills's. Nat. Chamb'n and two others 
 from Needham, Elias Haven from Springfield. 
 
 If you have an Opportunity you may send Brother Hapgood 
 a Shirt and a Pair of stockings. — Tis uncertain when we shall 
 Return may we all be enabled to Repent and to turn to our God 
 that he may save us from Ruin. 
 
 I am with the Greatest Respect your 
 
 Affectionate & Loving Husband till Death 
 
 John Jones 
 
 N.B. My Best Love to Brother Jones & Children — Let us 
 all be Patient & Remember that it is ye hand of God. 
 
 Capt. Moore has Sold his flaxseed but if you apply in season 
 you may get some of Mr. Wood. 
 
 Captain Jones remained in the army some time, and 
 died at Crown Point on that memorable day, Jtily 4, 1776, 
 aged 33. 
 
 TO THE COUNCIL 
 
 "The petition of Joseph Tame, Thos. Mitchell, James Ellis, 
 James Lack, James Arch, Benj. White of Brittain, and James 
 Stuart native of Ireland. — 
 
 Humbly Sheweth. — That your Petioners desended from 
 Credible Parents, and was Provided with such an Education as 
 the nature of their station would admit of. That through 
 unexperience in age and the arts of Designing men they ware 
 Hurried into the service of the King of Great Brittian, and came 
 to Quebec and was Captavated with Troops under the Command 
 of General Burgoyne and marched down to Cambridge agreeable 
 to the Stipulation with General Gates. 
 
Military History 243 
 
 That your Petitioners soon found the service not only dis- 
 agreeable to them but founded in principles both cruel and 
 unjust, and Therefore determined to leave the service and 
 actually took the first favorable opportunity to quit a station 
 they could no longer hold with satisfaction to their own minds, 
 and have been resident in Princeton in the County of Worcester 
 for near Two years, in all which Time they hope their Conduct 
 has been such as to merit the esteem of their worthy Neighbors. 
 That your Petitioners are detirmined by leave from your Honour' 
 to become Inhabitants of this State and are willing to be Sub- 
 jected to all the rules and orders thereof and willing to take up 
 arms in Defence thereof when called thereto by lawful Authority. 
 
 Your petitioners Therefore most humbly prays that they may 
 be admitted to take the oath of allegiance and fidelity to These 
 States and by an act of Government be made the Naturelized 
 Subjects thereof, subject to all the rules and enjoy all the ad- 
 vantages arising therefrom agreeable to their most earnest wish 
 as it will Confirm them in A Happy Situation and Prevent their 
 being put to Death if they should be obliged to return and your 
 Petitioners as in duty Bound shall ever Pray. 
 
 his 
 
 Joseph X Tame 
 
 mark 
 
 Thomas Mitchell of Brittian 
 
 James Lack 
 
 James Arch 
 
 James Ellis 
 
 Benjamin White 1 r t 1 a 
 T -^ c* 4. f 01 Ireland 
 
 James Stuart j 
 
 Jan. 24, 1780. 
 
 The Selectmen of Princeton endorsing this petition stated, 
 "they have for a Considerable time been Resident in this place, 
 and for ought we know, have Conducted themselves agreeable 
 to what is set forth in the within Petition, and have been Recom- 
 mended by the persons with whom they Reside to be industrious 
 persons and no strollers, and have Conducted themselves pru- 
 dently in General." The Council ordered " that they be per- 
 mitted to reside in the Town of Princeton and to follow their 
 several occupations and to remain there till the further order of 
 Council — They engaging to be of good behavior in the mean 
 Time." 
 
 Mr. Lack and Mr. Arch remained in town several years, and 
 Mr. Ellis became a permanent resident. He was a manufacturer 
 of door latches, which were stamped with the initials L E. 
 Joseph Baker was also one of the 300 Burgoyne Soldiers who 
 escaped. He married and lived for nearly forty years on the 
 C. S. Mirick place, raised a family of five children, removing to 
 Guilford, N. Y. in 1827. (See page 8, vol. 11.) 
 
244 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 ijgi. "Account of the Town Stock of Ammunition, 
 
 At M"" Paul Matthews loo lb Powder 150 lb Lead. 
 
 At Dea"* Hows 114 lb Lead 80 flints 
 
 At Maj"" Jn*' Mathews — Powder — Lead — Flints." 
 
 {Town Records) 
 
 Muster Roll of Capi Atid'w Whitney's Company, May 6, i'/g4 
 
 Capt. An'w Whitney 
 Lieut. Stephen Mirick 
 Ensign Eb'r Hobbs 
 Sargt. Henery Printis 
 
 " William Everit 
 
 *' Hoten Osgood 
 Drum Ezra Hastings 
 
 " John Everit 
 Fifer Moses Gould 
 Corpl. Caleb Mirick, Jr. 
 
 " Benjamin Herrington 
 
 " John Brooks 
 
 " Quincy Parker 
 
 " Samuel Mirick 
 
 " Jones 
 
 " John Roper 
 
 Corpl. Solomon P. Parker 
 
 " John Mirick 
 
 " Samuel Richardson 
 
 " Amos Sargant 
 
 " Daniel Cheevors 
 
 " Eliphas Coplin 
 
 " John Herris 
 
 " Isaac Rice 
 
 " Ephraim Keys 
 
 " Joshua Everit, Jr. 
 
 " Jesse Sawing 
 
 " John Bartlett 
 
 " James Brown 
 
 " Thoma Wymon 
 
 " Artemas Willard 
 
 " John Hunt 
 
 June 1794 The Selectmen "discharged from the roll Obadiah Thacher on 
 account of his being a miller" 
 
 {Company Records) 
 
 1794. Sept 24 
 
 "Voted that in Case the minute men viz.: 
 
 Lieut Asa Brigham 1 Ser*^ William Everet 
 
 Cor' John Fisher j Ser* Houghton Osgood 
 
 G 
 
 a 
 S 
 
 o 
 
 U 
 
 Aaron Willard 
 Soloman Wilson 
 Aaron Livermore 
 David Hoyt 
 George Hogney 
 Levi Harris 
 Josiah Richardson 
 Joel Newton 
 Joel Holden 
 Viah Franklin 
 
 Should be Call*^ upon to 
 Continental wages to such 
 Town for such Services." 
 
 Ephraim Davis 
 Nathaniel Hastings 
 Caleb Mirick 
 Benjamin Harrington 
 John Brooks 
 Charles Mirick 
 Theophilus Eveleth 
 William Whitteker Ju^ 
 Elijah Wilds 
 Nathan Munroe 
 March that the Town will agment their 
 sumes as are useally given by the ajasants 
 
 {Towjt Records) 
 
 1798. Septer. "Voted that the Selectmen provide a suitable Chest made 
 of Boards one and one Quarter thick with a suflicient Lock on the same 
 Large enough to contain the town Stock of Ammunition and that they 
 lay a floor in the Herse House, and deposit the Chest and Ammunition 
 therein under a Lock as soon as may be." 
 
 {Town Records) 
 
Military History 245 
 
 1799. May 6. "Voted that the Selectmen cause a number of Cartridges 
 sufficient to equipt each training Soldier to be made at the expense of 
 the town, out of the Powder & balls Provided by the town." 
 
 181 1. May 6 Voted "for Knapsacks to be bought & Delivered to Com- 
 manding officer of each Company for use of soldiers on days of Training 
 & returned at night." 
 
 How I Found Oliver Mosman 
 
 In my endeavor to learn what became of the Revolu- 
 tionary soldiers who went from Princeton, I spent several 
 months looking for some hint of Oliver Mosman, examin- 
 ing every book I thought might bring information about 
 him; this was without avail until one day I was glancing 
 at the books on the shelves of a certain library, when I was 
 attracted to the title of a bibliography of Bunker Hill. 
 This proved to be a publication of Mr. Hunnewell's of 
 Charleston, which included the names of all the books 
 known to him, referring to the battle of Bunker Hill. In 
 this volume I found to my surprise, the title of a pamphlet, 
 Bunker Hill Battle, by Oliver Mosman, indicated as being 
 in the possession of the Congressional Library. Upon 
 application to the library I found the book was missing, 
 altho it is said to have been found. I felt very sure this 
 must be our Oliver Mosman. I could not think it probable 
 that there were in this battle two of the same name, so 
 my next efforts were directed to finding a copy of it. I 
 wrote to a business acquaintance at Watertown, N. Y., 
 suggesting that he might find some one who was interested 
 in it, among his friends at Sacketts' Harbor. The place 
 of publication was located near his residence. I soon 
 received the reply that he had given my letter to someone 
 who would probably give the information desired. To my 
 surprise I found he had put the letter into the hands of the 
 grandson of Oliver Mosman. From the letter I received 
 particulars of Mr. Mosman's life, family, and death at 
 Henderson, N. Y. He also sent me for examination, a 
 printed copy of the pamphlet, of which there appeared to 
 be only four copies extant. 
 
246 History of Princeton 
 
 Repeated efforts have been made to purchase a copy, 
 without success. Lately, one James J. Mosman, of 
 Chicago, connected with the family, has proposed giving 
 one to the Princeton library. Thus ended a long search 
 for some information about the man. There is no doubt 
 this is the Princeton Mosman, as he makes the statement 
 in his book that he was born in Princeton in 1760. Later 
 I attempted to identify the place where he lived. I knew 
 the Mosmans' lived somewhere in the neighborhood of 
 Mayhew's farm. Of this farm I was anxious to trace the 
 boundaries. 
 
 On finding reference in the deed, to a wall in the brook I 
 had curiosity to see what could be found in the vicinity. 
 With a friend, I went to the supposed location, and to my 
 surprise I found the brook, running on the course indicated 
 by the deed, and an intersecting wall running at a right 
 angle with a pier supporting the two walls. The course of 
 the walls remaining in that vicinity were just what was 
 needed to enable me to trace without difficulty the bound- 
 aries of Mayhew's farm. The remains of an old cellar 
 hole and door stone led me to wonder whether the old 
 Morsman house was found, but with this I could prove 
 nothing. 
 
 The Shays Rebellion. — How many Princeton men were 
 openly engaged in this movement we have no means of 
 determining, but there is no doubt that a large number 
 of the inhabitants were in sympathy with the object, 
 while a few were prominent among the leaders. 
 
 Of the latter were Captain Abraham Gale, Henry Gale, 
 Lieutenant Joseph Sargent, and Norman Clark, all of 
 whom had seen service during the Revolution. Among 
 those equally in sympathy, but not so prominent, were 
 David Rice, Soloman Rice, and Jacob Morse among the 
 " Insurgents," and many others, some of them holding 
 important positions in the town government, who could 
 not consistently say that they had been " on the side of the 
 Government during the unhappy tumult." No one now 
 doubts that all had equally the good of the people in view 
 
Military History 247 
 
 however much their judgment as to methods of relief may 
 be questioned. 
 
 Capt. Abraham Gale, was in command of one com- 
 pany of " regulators " and marched from Princeton to 
 Worcester with sixty men on the 21st of November, 1786, 
 " to prevent the Courts from doing business." This pro- 
 ceeding identified him with the leaders of the movement, 
 which position he maintained for several months. 
 
 He was with Shays and his followers at Pelham, Feb. 3, 
 and when they took flight, he was wounded by a kick from 
 the horse of Shays and was unable to proceed. He, who- 
 ever, overtook them at Warwick and was of the number 
 who escorted Shays beyond the bounds of the State. 
 
 In 1787, a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he had 
 the good fortune to escape capture.* Subsequently he took 
 
 * Worcester Ss the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — 
 
 To the sheriffs of the county of Worcester his under sheriff or Deputy 
 or either of the Constables of the town of Princeton in the said county of 
 Worcester — 
 
 Because Abraham Gale late of Princeton in the County of Worcester, on 
 the second day of April in the year of our Lord 1787 before me Ephriam Wood- 
 son Esq., one of the Justices of the peace for the said county of Worcester 
 acknowledged that he was indebted to John Russell of Princeton in the County 
 of Worcester trader in the sum of fourteen shillings and eleven pence which 
 he ought to have paid on the second day of April last and there now appears 
 to be due the sum of fourteen shillings and eleven pence 
 
 We command you therefore that of the goods chattels or real estate of said 
 Gale within your precinct you cause to be paid and satisfied unto the said 
 Russell at the value thereof in money above mentioned the aforesaid sum of 
 fourteen shillings and eleven pence together with eleven shillings and eleven 
 pence cost of process and one shilling and eight pence for this writ and therefor 
 also to satisfy yourself your own lawful fees and for want of goods chattels 
 or real estate of said Gale to be found within your precinct to the acceptance 
 of said Russell, to satisfy the sums aforesaid and your said fees, 
 
 we command you to take the body of the said Gale and him commit unto 
 our Gaol in our county of Worcester aforesaid these to be detained in the said 
 Gaol until he pay the full sums above mentioned with your said fees or that 
 the said Gale be discharged by the said Russell the creditor, or otherwise by 
 order of law Hereof fail not and make return of this writt with your doings 
 therein unto the above named Ephr'" Woolson within ninety days next 
 coming. 
 
 Witness to said Ephraim Woolson at Princeton the twenty second day of 
 May in the year of our Lord 1787. 
 
248 History of Princeton 
 
 the oath of allegiance, and soon after removed to New 
 Hampshire. 
 
 Warrants were also issued for the arrest of Norman 
 Clark, who lived in the west part of the town near the 
 Gales's, and for Lt.-Col. Joseph Sargent, whose tavern was 
 the resort of many sympathizers, but both successfully 
 eluded the officers. 
 
 Captain Henry Gale was not as fortunate as the others, 
 perhaps because he was more bold in his movements, or 
 made no attempt at concealment, though he is reported as 
 saying that he was fearful the " light horse " would capture 
 him. We are, however, inclined to think that the arrest of 
 Henry alarmed his brother Abraham and the others above- 
 named, giving them time to escape. 
 
 In 1775, Mr. Gale was living at Ward (Auburn), from 
 whence at the Lexington alarm he marched to Cambridge. 
 He also served in the army in 1777, participating in the 
 victory over Burgoyne's forces. About 1778, he removed 
 to Princeton, where he attained a good social position, and 
 identified himself with the affairs of the town. He is said 
 to have been a man of good education, well informed, and 
 " after the close of the Revolution joined heartily in the 
 discussions of the day, how an independent but bankrupt 
 State might be galvanized into life, and a circulating 
 medium in the shape of money established." 
 
 In the earliest movements of the " Regulators " of 
 Worcester County, he was conspicuous and assumed com- 
 mand of a company composed in a great measure of his 
 neighbors and friends, marching into Worcester in Sep- 
 
 The town record further shows that in addition to the original debt of 
 £0, 14^ 11*^ there was added cost of process, cost of this writ, Justices' fees, 
 Appraisers' fees, and Sheriff's fees, £2, 2^ 8*^. 
 
 It required the services of Ephraim Woolson, lawyer, for the swearing of 
 two appraisers, Michael Gill, Esq., and Capt. John Watson, and Michael Gill 
 swore in Ephraim Woolson, Esq. Woolson was chosen by Russell and Michael 
 Gill and John Watson by the Deputy Sheriff Elisha Allen. (They were re- 
 ferred to as "three Disinterested and Discret men being freeholders.") They 
 "set of!" to said Russell seven feet and one third of a foot of a pew in the 
 meeting house, next to the part previously set off to John Dana. 
 
 Vol. 2, Page 41, 42 Town Records. 
 
Military History 249 
 
 tember, 1786, and taking possession of the grounds about 
 the Court house. 
 
 We have no positive statement as to his whereabouts 
 until the following January, but it is probable that he 
 returned to Princeton, keeping up, however, communica- 
 tion with Shays and his men, and often visiting neighboring 
 towns where there were many sympathizers. From the 
 testimony of many of his acquaintances it, appears that he 
 was convinced of the error of his ways, and would have 
 gladly put himself right with the Government but for the 
 influence of some of his associates, although it is somewhat 
 questionable whether this change occurred until the tide 
 of popular feeling had turned in favor of the authorities. 
 
 On Sunday, the 29th of January, as we learn from the 
 statement of his neighbor. Captain Boaz Moore, he re- 
 turned to Princeton " with a Design not to Join the 
 Insurgents again at Present, and meant to keep about his 
 Business at Home." In pursuance of this commendable 
 purpose, he was present at a town meeting the following 
 Wednesday, February ist, participating in the business of 
 the hour. But the Sheriff had other plans for Mr. Gale, 
 and upon that day he was arrested and immediately 
 conveyed to Boston and there confined in jail. In April 
 following he petitioned the Governor and Council to be 
 released on bail, which request was at first refused, but on 
 the 1 2th of April his release was ordered upon giving bonds 
 in the sum of £200. to appear at the next term of the 
 Supreme Judicial Court. It is quite likely that two of his 
 neighbors, Messrs. Thompson and Savage became his 
 sureties, as early in April they visited Boston, for that 
 special purpose, bearing a letter from Judge Gill, commend- 
 ing them as " being amply sufificient security." 
 
 The Court convened on the 25th of April, and the trial 
 of Mr. Gale soon after commenced, eminent council being 
 assigned him. We have no record of the testimony given 
 in behalf of the Government, but a portion of that for the 
 defence is preserved and throws some light upon the sub- 
 ject. One witness testified that he heard some of the 
 
250 History of Princeton 
 
 Insurgents say that " Gale was as good a Government man 
 as any there was." 
 
 Testimony of various individuals, about Henry Gale. 
 Phineas Flagg testified. 
 
 " That about the twentieth of January last I went to 
 Convince the Insurgents of their Error and persuade them 
 to their Duty, and found Henry Gale, the Late convict, at 
 Capt. Gales at Princeton, and in Conversation found him 
 convinced of his Error and willing to Return to his Duty if 
 a door Could be opened therefor, and wished me to stay 
 till other officers could meet at Hubbardston, at Clark's 
 tavern. Accordingly did so, and found some of the 
 prensiple offercis there, sd Henery still appeared to want 
 to Returne to his Duty I Left them and Returned Home 
 about the 23d. Went again to Princeton found s'^ Henery 
 at Col. Sergents, went from there to Miricks tavern in s*^ 
 princeton where finding s*^ Henery with a number of 
 offircers s'^ Henery said he would signe any paper uncondi- 
 tionaly and said for Gods sake don't Leve us till something 
 is done and said if others would not he would for he would 
 not stay with them. " 
 
 Capt. John Holland: 
 
 " In December Last on Satterday Evening before the 
 Court of Common Pleas at Worcester that henry Gail of 
 prinston was at my house in Sutton and in Conversation 
 with s*^ gail he said he wished the people had Not have Rose 
 to stop Courts the Question being asked him Why they Did 
 not all stay at home he said they Ware afraid he was told 
 their was an act of indemnity passed by the General Court 
 he said for his part he should be glad to imbrace it but he 
 was afraid the Light hors would Take him and Abuse him 
 as they Did Capt. Chattuck. On Sundy Evening following 
 I saw the s*^ henry Gale in Sutton and Adam Wheeler of 
 hubardston and others from hubardston and prinston they 
 Wase then a going to take the ground Round the Court 
 house in Worcester but Gail apered to be vary Loth to go 
 with them they Told him he had better go with them for 
 their is No Safety here for they said if they Did Not git 
 
Military History 251 
 
 all together they should be taken, gale s^ they had better 
 Not go for it was the best way the matter Setled befor they 
 went any further." 
 
 Abel Chase testified that at Hubbardston Gale said "it 
 was an unhappy affair " and " wisht it mite be settled and 
 professed he was willing to do anything that mite be thought 
 Resonable to settel the matter "...." it was remarked 
 that Gale apered most sick of the job than any of them." 
 
 Some others testified that they believed the only reason 
 " why he did not comply was the unwillingness of the 
 others." 
 
 The trial resulted as was probably expected, in his 
 conviction of high treason and rebellion, and on the nth of 
 May he was sentenced to death, Thursday the 21st of June, 
 being named as the date of his execution. He was re- 
 manded to the jail in Worcester, from which on the 4th of 
 June he sent the following petition for pardon. The paper 
 has the appearance of being written by Mr. Gale himself. 
 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 This Excellency John Hancock, Esq'" 
 Governor and Commander in chief of said Commonwealth; 
 and to the Honourable Council of the Same. 
 
 The Petition of Henry Gale of Princeton in the 
 County of Worcester a Convict who is under Sentance of 
 Death in the Goal in Said County 
 
 Humbly Shews 
 That Your Petitioner Ignorant of the Consequences 
 of an Opposition to the lawful Authority and of the Nature 
 of Rebellion, did by the Arts and Instigation of Some of 
 his Neighbours (in whom he placed confidence), appear at 
 Worcester with others to Stop the Setting of the Court of 
 Justice there. — Ant not attending to the Banefull Evil 
 of his Conduct Did Continue to Side with those who 
 Opposed the Authority and Government of this Common- 
 wealth untill the Month of January last; When your 
 Petitioner, Convinced of his folly and Wickedness, did 
 Return home to Submit himself to the Lawfull Authority, 
 
252 History of Princeton 
 
 and to the Mercy of that Government he had so Grossly 
 affronted. 
 
 That upon Your Petitioners Return he was taken by 
 Virtue of a State Warrant and Committed to Goal in 
 Boston, where after Remaining Some Weeks, He was 
 through the Clemency of the then Governour and Council, 
 permitted to Return home upon Bail. 
 
 That When the Supreme Judicial Court did Set at 
 Worcester at the last Term your Petitioner was Indited, 
 tried and Condemned for High Treason and Received 
 Sentence of Death for the same. 
 
 Your Petitioner feels no Enmity towards the Jury, nor 
 does he arain the Wisdom and Justice of the Court; but 
 Acknowledges the Justice of his Sentance; And lays him- 
 self at the feet of that Authority, who only can Constitu- 
 tionally Save his life, and pleads for that Mercy he has so 
 Justly forfeited. 
 
 He Prays that your Excellency and Your Honours in 
 Your Great Wisdom and Justly acknowledged Goodness 
 would be pleased to Pardon Your Destressed Petitioner 
 Who has Aged Parents bowed with Grief, and should he 
 fail in his Application, their Grey Heads will Go Down with 
 Sorrow to the Grave. 
 
 Your Petitioner has a Wife and a number of Promising 
 Children pained with Grief and Anxious for his Welfare. 
 
 Your Petitioner again Most humbly prays he may be 
 Pardoned. Your Excellency and Your Honours will there- 
 by Save a Soul from Death, and hide a Multitude of Sins. 
 And his life thus Spared shall be Devoted to the Service 
 and Support of Government, whos Destinguishing Char- 
 acteristick is Mercy and Clemency. And these Children 
 shall be taught to speak of the Honour and to Support the 
 Dignity of this Commonwealth. And all shall Join fer- 
 vently to pray, that Your Administration may be easey to 
 Yourselves, and happy to the Community over whome you 
 do worthyly Preside; That you may enjoy Peace of Mind 
 here, and at Last Receive that Crown and Diadem which 
 fadeth not away. 
 
Military History 253 
 
 And your Petitioner, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray. 
 
 (signed) Henry Gale. 
 Worcester Goal, June 4th, 1787. 
 
 State Archives, Vol. 189, page 395. 
 Massachusetts Gazette 1787, page 195. 
 The petition of his sorrowing wife is also worthy of a 
 place here. 
 
 To his Excellency James Bowdoin Esq"^ Governor and 
 Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachu- 
 setts and the Honrable the council of the same. 
 
 The Petition of Betty, the wife of Henry Gale who is 
 now under Sentance of death Sollisits the Goodness and 
 Clemency of Your Excellency and Honors, for his Pardon. 
 There is not the least doubt but that an Application from 
 one in whome all the tender Sensibillities of humanity are 
 interested, will meet with a favorable Reception by Gentle- 
 men of your distinguished and eminent Charracters. A 
 husband devoted to death, with a number of Children, 
 helpless and Indigent, depending upon the industry of 
 there father for the necessary Supplies of life, who attentive 
 to the manafest anguish of their Mother, catch the im- 
 motions of her heart, and mingle their instinctive tears of 
 Sympathy, which flow with little interruption, and add 
 new pangs to the agonies of grief occasioned by the melan- 
 choly prospect before her, are scenes too distressing for 
 one to dwell on and too gloomy for Descreption. 
 
 It becomes not me to attempt to extenuate the guilt of 
 my unfortunate Husband, but I must testify to the Recti- 
 tude of his heart the inmost Recesses whereof, I have had 
 greater aoportunity to penetrate, than any other mortal on 
 the earth. He, indeed, was lead astray, to adopt measurs 
 dangerous and destructive in their consequences, of which 
 he had not the least apprehension, as I firmly believe, and 
 as he has often declared. 
 
 But previous to his imprisonment, many days before the 
 flight of Shays from Pelham, he was fully convinced of his 
 error, returned to his ordanary Occupation and declared 
 
254 History of Princeton 
 
 he was resolved by his future Submission and peaceable 
 behavior to make all the attonement in his Power for his 
 past misconduct. 
 
 With a heart disolved in grief and distracted with 
 anxiety and fear I would humbly and ardently Supplicate 
 your attention to my wretched Situation : Your own feeling 
 will suggest and plead for my misery, and your Compassion 
 and goodness will wish to extend relief and your wisdom 
 dictate the conditions, the mode, and degree in which it 
 may exhibited. 
 
 Your Excellency and Honors character are so respectible 
 and conspicuous, that you are well known to be susceptible 
 to all the most tender feelings of humanity and the irresist- 
 ible force of conjugal affection and parental love which 
 assures your humble Supplicant that you would wish to 
 avoid the extremes of Rigor; and if the good and safety of 
 Government will permit, would cheerfully extend a pardon 
 to the unfortunate victim. For which purpose I now have 
 recourse to your clemency and implore your merciful 
 interposition to Save a Soul from Death compose the 
 anxious Sollicitude of an unhappy but guiltless Wife and 
 Children, and to rescue them from impending Ruin. I 
 cannot persuade myself that the exercise of the divine 
 Prerogative rested in you, the power of Pardoning offences, 
 the brightest Gem in the Diadem of Kings, and the darling 
 attribute of Heaven, in the present Case will be productive 
 of consequences dangerous to society. 
 
 Could it be of any avail, I could willingly Pledge my 
 own life as a security for his quiet and peaceable Behavior 
 in future, being fully assured that he was convinced of the 
 error of his conduct in opposing the course of Justice, on 
 principles of reason. Separate from the apprehension of 
 Danger, and that he was firmly resolved to return to the 
 duty of his alligance, even before the flight of Shays, & 
 which must be abundantly confirmed by the complicate 
 Sufferings, which, the justice of Government has since, cal'd 
 him to endure. 
 
 Your miserable Supplicant again prostrates herself before 
 
Military History 255 
 
 your Excellency and Honors on behalf of the convict, and 
 his deplorable family, and with a heart pierced with agoniz- 
 ing grief and in tears, implores your mercifull intercention 
 and clemency. But whether her application Shall meet 
 with Success or not. She is certain you must pity her dis- 
 tress, and whether her wretchedness already too great for 
 her feeble frame long to Support, Shall be alleviated or 
 encreased it Shall ever be her prayer to Heaven, that none 
 of you may ever want the comforts which she sollisits and 
 which is now in your power to bestow on your distressed 
 petti tioner. 
 
 (signed) Betty Gale. 
 
 (State Archives Vol. 189, page 409.) 
 
 A similar petition of the parents of Mr. Gale, Josiah and 
 Elizabeth Gale of Princeton is an earnest and tender appeal 
 for mercy. 
 
 Petition of Josiah and Elizabeth Gale. 
 
 " We have brought up a large Family of Children and 
 attended to their Education with all the Tenderness of 
 parental Affection, supported them in Infancy & submitted 
 to a great Variety of Disquietudes & Fatigues on their 
 Account hoping to derive Consolation from them in the 
 decline of Life. 
 
 We have seen some of them in Danger, Anxiety & Pain, 
 in Sorrow, Sickness & Death whereby we have been called 
 to spend wearisome Days & Wakeful Nights; But we can 
 now say with mournful Accent, that we never before had 
 seen affliction." 
 
 In addition to these there are many others on file, all of 
 similar import, signed by scores of citizens of Worcester 
 County. Two of these papers bear the signatures of 158 
 persons, many of them Mr. Gale's townsmen. 
 
 Humbly Shews. 
 
 The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town 
 of Princeton and other Towns in the County of Worcester, 
 in behalf of Henry Gale of the same Princeton, who is now 
 under sentence of Death in said County. That though 
 
256 History of Princeton 
 
 your Petitioners have been on the side of Government in 
 the late unhappy Tumults and some of them have Risqud 
 their Lives in Defense of the Constitution they are happily 
 placed under; yet the feelings Raised in their Breasts by 
 the Distresses of the Convicts Family, urge them to 
 themselves on his behalf, and to Implore your Excellency 
 and your honours to extend the Clemency of Government 
 to him. 
 
 He has been very active in the former Stages of the 
 Insurrection, as we have understood; But when the 
 Popular Clamour had in some Degrees subsided, and he 
 had time to Recollect himself, he came to a full Determina- 
 tion (as we believe) to Return to the Duty of his Allegiance. 
 
 Your Petitioners understand he has not been in Arms 
 out of this County; that before the Insurgents (under the 
 Guidance of Daniel Shays) left Pelham, he was at home, 
 attending to his ordinary Business (and as we believe) 
 Sincerely Repented of the Part he had acted. 
 
 Your Petitioners have no doubt but that should a Pardon 
 be extended to him ; he will make for the future a quiet and 
 Peaceable Citizen. 
 
 He has a Family whose welfare Depends upon his 
 Industry for their subsistence; But should an Entire 
 Pardon be Incompatable with the Good and Safety of 
 Government, perhaps his life might yet be spared. 
 
 Your Petitioners are by no means Friends to Rebellion 
 and thy would not Subscribe to a Petition in favour of the 
 Principle Traitors in this County who have made their 
 Escape, But for one who had Repented and for a man 
 situated as this is, we Venture to Implore the Clemency of 
 your Excellency and your Honours. 
 May 7, 1787. 
 
 Signed by 76 persons mostly of Princeton. 
 
 If the excitement was great in Princeton at the time of 
 the assembling of the Regulators in Worcester and else- 
 where, it certainly was not lessened by the arrest, con- 
 viction and sentence of one of their own townsmen. Al- 
 
Military History 257 
 
 though he had not resided in the town many years, yet he 
 was well known and his influence established and their 
 sympathies for him and for his family were fully aroused. 
 Ev^ery effort that could be suggested was made for his 
 pardon, or at least for a commutation of his sentence, but 
 apparently without avail. 
 
 On the day appointed he was taken from the jail in 
 Worcester to the common, where the gallows had been 
 erected, amidst the excited crowds of interested spectators 
 and sympathizers. When all was ready for the execution 
 the Sheriff announced to the prisoner and to the public that 
 a reprieve to the 2d of August had been granted, and Mr. 
 Gale was returned to the jail. 
 
 " On Thursday last week Henry Gale the prisoner in 
 gaol in this town, under sentence of Death for Treason, was 
 carried to a gallows erected on the Common, and there 
 reprieved to the second day of August next." 
 Massachusetts Gazette, June, 1787. 
 
 When on the i6th of June this reprieve for Gale and 
 others, was determined upon by the Council, the Sheriffs 
 were directed " not to communicate to any person the 
 determination of the Council until the subjects are brot 
 to the place where they were to have been executed & then 
 to make the same as publick as may be." 
 
 The town of Princeton soon after this added its request 
 for his pardon, the same appearing in full in the Massachu- 
 setts Gazette in July, 1787. 
 
 The Rev. Timothy Fuller carried this petition to Boston 
 at an expense of 13 shillings for himself and 6s. 8d. for 
 Uriah Moore's horse (Town Papers). 
 
 " A treasurers warrant to Timothy Fuller for his going 
 to Boston to prefer the Town's petition in behalf of Henry 
 Gale by vote of the Town 0.13.0. Uriah Moore for his 
 horse to Boston for Mr. Fuller as above 0.6.8." 
 
 The Government appeared to question the wisdom of 
 carrying out the extreme measures, and the longer the delay 
 the more the excitement was subsiding. On the 25th of 
 July, Mr. Gale was again reprieved to the 20th of Septem- 
 
258 History of Princeton 
 
 ber, and on the 12th of September was fully pardoned, and 
 was discharged from custody on Sunday the i8th, probably 
 the happiest day of his life. He returned to his home in 
 Princeton, where having the confidence of his fellow towns- 
 men, he resumed his former positions of trust and service. 
 
 Mr. Gale remained in Princeton until 1790 when he 
 removed to Barre, Vt., where he was highly respected. 
 Subsequently he went to Brighton, N. Y., to reside with his 
 son where he died August 13, 1836, aged 84. He was a 
 recipient of a pension for his services in the Revolution.^ 
 
 The following is a List of the Persons Belonging to the 
 
 Town of Princeton who ware in the Late Rebellion which 
 
 have Taken the oath of allegiance Before me 
 
 Amos Gale Returned his Pistel Josiah Chase Returned his firearm 
 
 Sypren Keyes Nathaniel Andrews 
 
 Josiah Gale Jason Hoyt 
 
 Pebody Keyes Daniel Cheever 
 
 Ehsha Gale Artimas Newton 
 
 Israel Keyes Oliver Davis 
 
 Asa Brigham Returned his firearm David Davis Returned his firearms 
 
 William Bordman Isaac Thomson Returned his firearm 
 
 Samuel Bartlet Uriah Newton 
 
 Uriah Moore Returned his firearm Theodore Gibbs 
 
 Jesse Fisher Returned his firearm 
 
 March ye 23*^^^ 1787 According to my Directions I have 
 sent you the above Said List 
 
 Asa Whetcomb Jus*" of peace 
 
 ' The "Oath of allegiance" subscribed to by several prominent men of the 
 town, and recorded in the second volume of town records, belongs to the period 
 of Shay's Rebellion 1784-7 not 1774 or 177s as stated by the publications of 
 Mr. Russell and Mr. Hanaford, in both of whose histories the document is 
 copied. 
 
 Sadey Mason 
 . Benj. Holden 
 . Eben'^ Parker 
 . W"' Dodds 
 
 Enoch Brooks 
 . Saml. Woods 
 Boaz Moore 
 . W"^. Thompson 
 . Humphrey Moore 
 . Jonas Smith 
 Names marked . appear on petition for pardon of Gale. 
 
Military History 259 
 
 Treating. Between 1820 and 1840, there were a number 
 of companies of militia in town, but the rolls have been 
 lost. In visiting the town as a young man, I used to 
 wonder at the number of Captains and Majors, until the 
 existence of so many companies was learned. There were 
 four at least, at one time, I believe. One can imagine 
 what excitement was in town, on the days of parade. 
 The only item of interest relating to these companies is 
 the following: 
 
 "The Committee chosen by the Light Infantry Com- 
 pany, to consider the expediency of dispensing with the 
 practice of treating the Company, by the officers, have had 
 that subject under consideration, and ask leave to Report: 
 That they have reason to regret that the practice was ever 
 introduced into the Light Infantry Company in Princeton. 
 They believe from what information they have been able 
 to obtain, that the practice has become obsolete in most, if 
 not all of the Light Infantry Companies in the Regiments, 
 throughout the Commonwealth. Your Committee are 
 aware of the generosity of the present officers of the Com- 
 pany, and also of those who have preceeded them, and of 
 their readiness whenever the company has been called out, 
 upon all occasions, to display their generosity and from 
 the manner in which it has been manifested, your committee 
 are also aware that the expense must have been great. 
 
 "Your committee are not opposed to the practice be- 
 cause they think the officers are not both able and willing 
 to treat the Company; nor because they believe that the 
 Company may not, when under the hardships and toils of 
 a drill, refresh themselves with spirituous liquor, and be 
 respectible officers, temperate men, and good soldiers; but 
 it is to the principle and the president that your committee 
 look — although as your Committee have before suggested 
 the present officers of the Company are able and willing, it 
 is presumed, to continue in the present practice, yet the 
 time may come when the office may chance to fall on some 
 of our associates, less able than the present officers, and 
 should the practice be kept up the expense and hardship 
 
26o History of Princeton 
 
 would be so great that many, perhaps, as a matter of 
 economy, would be led to refuse an office, and by that 
 means the best tallent in the the company might be lost. 
 It is not however the purpose of your committee to discuss 
 upon the question submitted for their considaration. 
 
 " It is presumed by your committee that it has long been 
 the wish of every member of the company to relieve the 
 officers from this burden, and that there is not an individual 
 member of the company who would not rather cast in his 
 mite, or appropriate a small pittance of his rations towards 
 defraying the expense of refreshment for the company, than 
 to trespass any longer upon the generosity of the officers. 
 It is, therefore, the opinion of your Committee that the 
 practice of treating the company with refreshments by the 
 officers, excepting on election days, ought to be dispensed 
 with, and for the purpose of carrying into effect the above 
 report, should the same be accepted, your Committee 
 reccommend the adoption of the following resolve : 
 
 "Resolved: as the sense of the Light Infantry Com- 
 pany of the town of Princeton that the expense of refresh- 
 ment for the use of said company on military days, excepting 
 on the day of the election of officers, ought not to be borne 
 by the officers of said Company. 
 
 "Resolved: that, as it expects Refreshment for the use 
 of the Company, excepting as before excepted, the officers, 
 non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates ought 
 to be considered on an equal footing, and that hereafter, 
 all expense for Refreshment excepting etc. shall be equally 
 borne by the members of said Company, without regard to 
 Rank or Title." 
 
 Mexican War. — No resident of Princeton served in the 
 war with Mexico, 1847, that can be ascertained. 
 
 The Civil War. — The first action of the town upon the 
 breaking out of the Civil War was on April 29, 1861, when 
 the town appropriated $3000 to be used for the enlistment 
 and drilling of recruits and for the benefit of their families. 
 
 Princeton furnished one hundred and twenty-three men 
 for the war which was a surplus of twelve over and above 
 
Military History 261 
 
 all demands; one-tenth of its population and more than 
 one-third of its voters and polls. 
 
 It expended for war purposes exclusive of State aid, 
 $14,456.52 and in State aid, $4,760.13. 
 
 Recapitulation 
 
 Killed in service 2 Never assigned to regiment 9 
 
 Died from wounds I Deserted 7 
 
 Died from disease 16 No record of service 7 
 
 Discharged for disability 13 Transferred to Reserve Veteran 
 
 Exp. of service or war 57 Corps 4 
 
 Discharged by order of War Dep- Transferred to Navy I 
 
 partment 1 1 
 
 SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR 
 
 Adams, Edwin N. Age 21. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Anderson, Theodore N. Age 30. M. April 28, 1864. 2d Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. Never joined regiment. 
 Ayers, Charles. Age 44. M. July 19, 1861. Private 21st Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co. E. 3 yrs. Dis. May 10, 1862. Disability. 
 Baxter, Charles. Age 21. M. Feb. 13, 1865. Private 2d Reg. Cavalry, 
 
 M. v. Co. I. 3 yrs. Dis. July 20, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Beaman, Samuel B. Age 31. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Lieut. 53d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Nov. 25, 1862. Re-enlisted same day Capt. Dis. 
 
 Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Benson, Willl\m W. Age 22. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Corp. 53d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 BiGELOW, Abram G. Age 34. M. Aug. 12, 1862. Private 36th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. G. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. 20, 1863. Disability. Re-enlisted 
 
 Jan. 4, 1864. 7th Battery, Lt. Artillery, M. V. 3 yrs. Dis. July 18, 
 
 1865. Exp. service. 
 BoYLES, Charles E. Age 26. M. Sept. 26, 1861. 25th Reg. Inf. Band. 
 
 3 yrs. By Act of Congress. Dis. Aug. 31, 1862, order War Dept. 
 
 No. 151. Drafted Aug. 1863, paid commutation fee. 
 BoYLES, Frederick W. Age 22. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Died May 7, 1863, New Orleans, La., of Typhoid 
 
 Fever. 
 BOYLES, Henry C. Age 28. M. Oct. 5, 1861. 22d Reg. Inf. Band. 3 
 
 yrs. By Act of Congress. Dis. Aug. 11, 1862, order War Dept. 
 
 No. 151. 
 Brooks, Orville C. Age 20. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Corp. 53d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 
262 History of Princeton 
 
 Bryant, George. Age 25. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private S3d Reg., Co K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Burke, Thomas J. Age 18. M. Nov. 23, 1864. Private 4th Reg. Cavalry, 
 
 M. v., Co. M. 3 yrs. Deserted July 13, 1865. 
 Callahan, William. Age 21. M. July 30, 1864. Private 4th Reg. 
 
 Cavalry, M. V., Co. M. 3 yrs. Deserted April 14, 1865. 
 CoRBETT, Michael. Age 22. M. June 15, 1864. 2d Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. Never joined regiment. 
 Cotton, Micah. Age 42. M. Oct. 21, 1862. Private S3d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. E.xp. service. 
 Cotton, Thomas. Age 18. M. Sept. 27, 1861. Private 2Sth Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co D. 3 yrs. Dis. Dec. 17, 1863, to re-enlist. M. Dec. 18, 
 
 1863. Corp. 25th Reg. Inf., Co. D. 3 yrs. Dis. July 13, 1865. Exp. 
 
 service. 
 Cushman, William C. Age 25, M. Sept. i, 1862. Private isth Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. B. 3 yrs. Missing Feb. 9, 1863. Wounded before Fred- 
 ericksburg, supposed killed. 
 Danforth, Theodore W. Age 21. M. Aug. 18, 1864. Private 4th Reg. 
 
 Heavy Artillery, M. V., Co, K. i yr. Dis. June 17, 1865. Exp. 
 
 service. 
 Davis, Wilkes. Age 2>i- M. Oct. 5, 1861. 22d Reg. Inf. Band. 3 yrs. 
 
 Dis. Aug. II, 1862, order War Dept. 
 Donnelly, Patrick. Age 21. M. Feb. 14, 1865. Private 2d Reg. 
 
 Cavalry, M, V., Co. D. 3 yrs. Dis. July 20, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Drought, John. Age 24. M. Apr. 28, 1864. Private 2d Reg. Cavalry, 
 
 M. v., Co. I. 3 yrs. Dis. July 20, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Eager, George. Age 2,2,. M. June 16, 1864. Private 5th Reg. Cavalry, 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Dis. Oct. 31, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Edwards, Alfred. Age 26. M. Jan. 29, 1864. Private 5th Reg. Cav- 
 alry, M. v., Co. D. 3 yrs. Dis. Oct. 31, 1865. Exp. service. At 
 
 Clarksville, Texas. 
 Elliot, Eben S. 13th N. H, Credited to Mason, N. H., on town 
 
 list. 
 Elliot, Erastus. 13th N. H. Credited to Mason, N. H., on town list. 
 Estabrook, Alvin E. Age 21. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private S3d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Estabrook, Edward C. Age 22. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Estabrook, Joseph T. Age 18. M. Dec 13, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K, 9 mths. Died Jan. 3, 1863, Hospital N. Y. City. Scarlet 
 
 fever. 
 Estabrook, J. Wheeler. Age 19. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. June i, 1863. Disability. 
 Eveleth, George M. Age 22. M. Sept. 16, 1861. Private 25th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. 18, 1864, to re-enlist. 
 
Military History 263 
 
 EvELETH, William H. Age 21. M. Jan. i, 1862. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. Aug. 8, 1862. Disability, 
 Everett, Mendall G. Age 26. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1862. Exp. service. 
 Fay, Myron H, Age 18. M. Aug. 26, 1862. Private 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Died Aug. 9, 1863, at New Madrid, Mo. 
 Ferguson, Patrick. Age 22. M. Dec. 30, 1864. ist Battalion Frontier 
 
 Cavalry, M. V., Co. A. i yr. Dis. June 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Gill, Charles W. Age 35. M, July 31, 1862. Private 34th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. C. 3 yrs. Dis. June 16, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Gill, Emory W. Age 27. M. Aug. 7, 862. Private 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Dis. June 8. 1865. Exp. service. 
 Gleason, Addison. Age 23. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Gleason, Dexter F. Age 19. M. Sept. 23, 1861. Private 25th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. 18, 1864, to re-enlist. M. Jan. 19, 1864. 
 
 25th Reg. Inf., Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. July 13, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Goodnow, William F. Age 32. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Green, Abel. Age 43. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Jan. 14, 1863. DisabiUty. 
 Grotte, Heinrich. Age 32. M. April 30, 1864. 20th Reg. Inf., un- 
 
 assigned recruit. 3 yrs. 
 GuiLLO, Henry. Age 21. M. Dec. 30, 1864. ist Battalion Frontier 
 
 Cavalry, M. V., Co. A. i yr. Dis. June 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Harris, John D. Age 21. M. Dec. 30, 1864. ist Battalion Frontier 
 
 Cavah-y, M. V., Co. A. i yr. Dis. June 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Harthan, Charles H. Age 18. M. Feb. i, 1864. Private 21st Reg. 
 
 unassigned. 3 yrs. Died Feb. 29, 1864, in hospital, Boston Harbor. 
 Hastings, Elias O. Age 32. M. Aug. 11, 1862. Private 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. H. Dis. June 8, 1865. Exp. service in Co. C. 
 Herron, William. Age 27. M. June 17, 1864. Private ist Battery Lt. 
 
 Artillery, M. V. 3 yrs. Transferred Mch. 12, 1865, to 9th Battery 
 
 Lt. Artillery. Dis. June 6, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Hey, James S. Aged 21. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private S3d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Hogg, John. Age 24. M. Sept. 2, 1864. 2d Reg. Cavalry, M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. Died Nov. 13, 1864, at Sandy Hook, 
 
 Md. 
 HoLDEN, Henry. Age 23. M. Oct. i, 1861. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. H. 3 yrs. Killed Dec. 17, 1862, at Goldsborough, N. C. 
 HoLMAN, Charles. Age 22. M. Oct. 12, 1861. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. 18, 1864, to re-enlist. 
 HosMER, John G. Age 44. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private S3d Reg., Co. K. 
 
 8 mths. Died Aug. 21, 1863, at Princeton. 
 
264 History of Princeton 
 
 Howe, Joseph M. Age 19. M. May 12, 1861. Corp. 15th Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co A. 3 yrs. Died of wounds, May 12, 1864. One of four 
 
 left in Co. A. after Gettysburg battle. 
 Howe, Luther B. Age 42. M. Sept. 14, 1861. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. F. 3 yrs. Dis. March 8, 1864. Disability. 
 Howe, William B. Age 40. M. Sept. 18, 1861. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. F. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. 28, 1864. Disability. 
 Hurley (Henley ?), James P. Age 28. M. Sept. i, 1864. Private 
 
 Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 Johnson, William 2d. Age 23. M.July 27, 1863. 13th Reg. Inf., M. V,, 
 
 Co. E. 3 yrs. Deserted Nov. 21, 1863. Not on town list but on 
 
 Adjutant Gen's. 
 Kelly, Daniel S. Age 2>3- M. July 25, 1862. Private 36tli Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Died May 21, 1864, at Fredericksburg, Va. 
 Kendall, J. Warren. Age 22. M. Sept. 19, 1861. Private 25th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. 18, 1864, to re-enlist. M. Jan. ig, 
 
 1864. Same Reg. and Co. Dis. July 13, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Keyes, George E. Age 23. M. July 21, 1862. Sergt. 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co. A. 3 yrs. Killed June 17, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. On 
 
 Adj. Gen's list. 
 Levally, Godfrey. Age 28. M. Oct. 12, i86i. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co. E. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan 18, 1864, to re-enlist. M. Jan. 19, 
 
 1864. Same Reg. and Co. 3 yrs. Dis. June 21, 1865. Disability. 
 
 (Credited to Holden.) 
 Lincoln, George W. Age 39. M. Aug. 22, 1862. Private 36th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. G. 3 yrs. Transferred Nov. 10, 1863, to V. R. C. 
 LoKER, Andrew J. Age 20. M. July 31, 1862. Private 34th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. C. 3 yrs. Died Sept. 25, 1864, at Charlestown, Va. 
 LoKER, LoREN. Age 45. M. Jan. 25, 1864. Private S7th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. E. 3 yrs. Dis. July 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 LoRiNG, Charles E. Age 21. M. Oct. 5, 1861. 22d Reg. Inf. Band. 
 
 3 yrs. Dis. Aug. 11, 1862, order War Dept. 
 LoRiNG, Joseph. Age 23. 22d Regt. Band. M. Oct. 5, 1861. Dis. 
 
 Aug. 1 1 , 1862, order War Dept. On town record but not on Adj. Gen's. 
 LoRiNG, Leander. Age 44. M. Jan. 6, 1862. Private 15th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. C. 3 yrs. Dis. Dec. 9, 1862. Disability. 
 Love, Charles T. Age 19. M. July 16, 1861. 13th Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 Co. I. 3 yrs. Dis. Aug. i, 1864. Exp. service. 
 Mahan, Thomas. Age 2)2>- M. Feb. 18, 1864. Private 57th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. E. 3 yrs. June 28, 1865, order War Dept. Meehan on receipt 
 
 for bounty. 
 Maholm, William. Age 19. M. Aug. 2, 1864. 2d Reg. Cavalry, M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. 
 Marini, Paul. Age 31. M. June 20, 1864. 26th Reg. Inf., unassigned 
 
 recruit. 3 yrs. 
 
Military History 265 
 
 Martin, George. Age 22. M. June 20, 1864. 2d Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. Never joined regiment. 
 Martin, James. Age 22. M. Dec. 30, 1864. ist Battalion Frontier 
 
 Cavalry, M. V., Co. A. i yr. Dis. June 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Mathews, Francis E. Age 19. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Died at Marine Hospital, N. Orleans, Aug. 24, 
 
 1863. 
 Mathews, Franklin E. Age 25. M. Jan. 9, 1864. Private 4th Reg. 
 
 Cav., Co. D. 3 yrs. Dis. June 21, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Maynard, Charles H. Age 18. M. Sept. 17, 1861. Private 25th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. F. 3 yrs. Died Jan. 3, 1862, Annapolis, Md. 
 McKernan, Michael. Age 21. M. April 30, 1864. 2d Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. Transferred to Navy, May 17, 1864. 
 McKiNLEY, David. Age 28. M. Sept. i, 1864. Private Veteran Reserve 
 
 Corps. 
 McQuADE, Thom^\s. Age 20. M. Sept. 16, 1861. Private 25th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. E. 3 yrs. Dis. Dec. 17, 1863, to re-enlist. M. Dec. 18, 1863. 
 
 Same Reg. Dis. July 11, 1865. Exp. service. 
 McWiLLiAMS, George. Age 23. M. June 18, 1864. 2d Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. Never joined regiment. 
 Merriam, John N. Age 23. M, Aug. 8, 1862. Private 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Dis. Feb. 16, 1864. Disability. (Unfit for Invalid 
 
 Corps.) 
 Miller, Edward P. Age . M. Nov. 6, 1861. Corp. 32d Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. A, M. V. 3 yrs. Dis. Nov. 30, 1862. Disability. 
 MnacK, Hervey C. Age 21. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Died May 8, 1863, at Berwick, La. 
 Mlrick, George L. Age 21. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Merick, George Waldo. M. Aug. 6, 1861. 15th Reg. Co. I. 3 yrs. 
 
 Dis. Aug. 6, 1864. Exp. service. 
 Moody, George B. Age 23. M. May 25, 1861. Member of Band, ist 
 
 Inf. 3 yrs. Appears credited to Sutton, Mass. 
 Myrick, George. Age 25. M. March i, 1863. ist and 2d Lieut, ist 
 
 Reg., Inf. 3 yrs. Dis. May 25, 1864. Exp. service. Credited to 
 
 Boston. 
 Page, George E. Age 23. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53rd Reg., Co. 
 
 K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. 
 Parker, George R. Age 42. M. Aug. 13, 1862. Private 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. K. 3 yrs. Transferred Sept. i, 1863, to \. R. C. Dis. Mar. 9, 
 
 1865. Disabihty. 
 Parker, George W. M. Age 21. M. Oct. 25, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Jan. 10, 1863. Disabihty. 
 Parker, Henry A. Age 19. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., Co. 
 
 K. 9 mths. Died July 2, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La. 
 
266 History of Princeton 
 
 Partridge, Daniel W. Age 38. M. Aug. 7, 1862, Private 36th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. G. 3 yrs. Dis. June 8, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Partridge, Lyman F. Age 34. M. Aug. 7, 1862. Sergt. 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Dis. June 8, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Preston, John. Age 22. M. Feb. 14, 1865. Private sth Battery Lt. 
 
 Artillery, M. V. 3 yrs. Dis. June 12, 1865. Exp. service. 
 QuiGLEY, Thomas. Age 23. M. April 28, 1864. 2d Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. Never joined regiment. 
 Quinlan, Jerry. Age 24. M. April 28, 1864. 2d Reg. Cavalry, M. V., 
 
 Co. I. 3 yrs. Dis. July 20, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Randall, Joseph. Age 31. M. Dec. 8, 1862. Private 36th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. G. 3 yrs. Died Feb. 11, 1864. Camp Nelson, Kentucky. 
 Reed, Joseph P. Age 32. M. Oct. 5, 1861. 22d Reg. Inf. Band. 3 yrs. 
 
 Aug. II, 1862, order War Dept. 
 Riley, James. Age 21. M. June 18, 1864. 2d Regt. Inf., Co. F. Cred- 
 ited to Middletown. Deserted Sept. 4, 1864. On Town Record but 
 
 not on Adj. Gen's. 
 Robinson, Charles. Age 26. M. Apr. 29, 1864. Private 2d Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co. F. 3 yrs. Dis. July 14, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Roper, Edward R. Age 23. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Died Dec. 10, 1862, at Baton Rouge, La. 
 Roper, Francis. Age 18. M. July 26, 1862. Private 36th Inf., Co. F. 
 
 3 jTS. Died Jan. 18, 1863, Falmouth, Va. 
 Sawyer, Evander E. Age 37. M. Oct. 17, 1862. ist Corporal, pro- 
 moted Nov, 18, 1862 to Sergt. 53d Reg., Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 
 
 1863. Exp. service. 
 ScHULZE, Ernest. Age 24. M. June 17, 1864. Private 3d Reg. Cavalry, 
 
 unassigned recruit. 3 yrs. 
 Scott, Isaac E. Age 21. M. Dec. 30, 1864. ist Batallion Frontier 
 
 Cavalry, M. V., Co. A. i yr. Dis. June 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Sherman, Ch.\rles. Age 24. M. May 14, 1864. Private 19th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. D. 3 yrs. Dis. Jun. 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Skinner, Artemas H. Age 25. M. Oct. 5, 1861. 22d Reg. Inf. Band. 
 
 3 yrs. Aug. 11, 1862, order War Dept. 
 Skinner, Charles A. Age 21. M. Oct. 5, 1861. 22d Reg. Inf. Band. 
 
 3 yrs. Dis. Aug. 11, 1862, order War Dept. 
 Smith, Frank. Age 22. M. July 29, 1863. 13th Reg. Inf., M. V., Co. 
 
 K. 3 yrs. Deserted Nov. 25, 1863. 
 Smith, John. On Town list but not on Adj. Gen's. 
 Sweeney, James. Age 32. M. July 29, 1863. 13th Reg. Inf., M. V., 
 
 Co. I. 3 yrs. Deserted Sept. 21, 1863. On Adj. list but not on 
 
 town's. 
 Terrill, Joseph. Age 21. M. June 10, 1864. Private 21st Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. F. 3 yrs. Transferred to 36th Reg. Inf., Co. K, and then to 56th 
 
 Reg. Inf., Co. B. Dis. July 12, 1865. Exp. service. 
 
Military History 267 
 
 Thompson, Fred'k G. Age 22. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Died April 18, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La. 
 ToRGER, Orrin L. Age 21. M. Aug. 19, 1864. Private 2d Reg. Heavy 
 
 Artillery, M. V., Co. H. 3 yrs. Transferred Jan. 17, 1865, to 17th 
 
 Inf. Co. G. Dis. June 16, 1865, order War Dept. Probably Prince- 
 ton. On Adj. Gen's list not on town list. 
 TwEDEL, Edward. Age 26. M. Dec. 30, 1864. ist Battalion Frontier 
 
 Cavalry, M. V., Co. A. i yr. Dis. June 30, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Watson, William A. Age 19. M. Sept. 23, 1861. Private 25th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. Oct. 20, 1864. Exp. service. 
 Welch, Henry H. Age 19. M. July 31, 1862. Private 34th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. C. 3 yrs. Deserted Dec. 13, 1862. 
 Welch, J. Wilder. Age 21. M. July 12, 1861. Private 15th Reg. Inf., 
 
 Co. A. 3 yrs. Dis. Aug. i, 1861. Disability. 
 Whitcomb, Oilman W. Age 21, M. July 12, 1861. Private 15th Reg. 
 
 Inf., Co. B. 3 yrs. Dis. April, 1864. Disability. 
 Whitcomb, William H. Age 42. M. Oct. 17, 1862. 5th Sergt. 53 Reg. 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Died Aug. 18, 1863 on steamer "Meteor" at sea. 
 White, George E. Age 21. M. Dec. 28, 1864. Private 3d Reg. Cav- 
 alry, M. v., Co. M. 3 yrs. Dis. Sept. 28, 1865. Exp. service. 
 Whitney, Augustine. Age 22. M. Aug. 30, 1864. Private 2d Reg. 
 
 Heavy Artillery, M. V., Co. D. 3 yrs. Transferred Feb. 9, 1865, to 
 
 17th Inf. Dis. June 30, 1865, order War Dept. 
 Whitney, William L. M. Aug. 9, 1862. Private 15th Reg. Inf., Co. A. 
 
 3 yrs. Died Nov. 14, 1862, at Washington, D. C. 
 Wilcox, Benjamin F. May 1 861, on town Hst not on Adj. Gen's. 
 Wilson, George W. Age 24, M. July 19, 1861. Corp. 21st Reg. Inf., 
 
 M. v., Co. E. 3 yrs. Dis. Jan. i, 1864, to re-enlist. Re-enhsted 
 
 Jan. 2, 1864. Same Reg. 3 yrs. (Credited to Leominster.) Died 
 
 Feb. 21, 1864, at Cleveland, 0. 
 Winn, Edward F. Age 39. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., Co K. 
 
 9 mths. Dis. Sept. 2, 1863. Exp. service. On Adj. Gen's list, not 
 
 on town list. 
 WiNSHip, Charles N. Age 19. M. Oct. 17, 1862. Private 53d Reg., 
 
 Co. K. 9 mths. Dis. April, 1863. Disability. Re-enlisted Feb. 
 
 29, 1864. 25th Reg. Inf., Co. H. 3 yrs. Dis. July 20, 1865. Exp. 
 
 service. 
 
 Copy of a portion of a letter written by D. H. Gregory 
 to his wife, Oct. 7, 1862: 
 
 " There was quite a collection of people on the common this morning, 
 to see our soldiers start off for the camp. Mr. Ross carried the 
 soldiers (26 I believe) on the stage. Mason, with his four horses, the 
 band in an omnibus, and John Brooks took the ladies dressed in Red 
 
268 History of Princeton 
 
 White and Blue. Some 25 or 30 carriages accompanied them to Sterling. 
 Mr. Briggs, Mr. Vinton and others. The Soldiers were addressed at the 
 Town Hall in Sterling by Mr. Briggs and the SterUng minister. Mr. 
 Briggs gave each soldier a testament. The company returned to Princeton 
 about noon. The soldiers proceeded to Groton Junction and would go 
 into camp to-day.^ 
 
 John D. Mirick Post, No. 99, G. A. R. was instituted 
 Aug. 4, 1869. 
 
 The successive Commanders were Wm. H. Eveleth, a 
 veteran of 8th. Massachusetts Regiment, Joseph P. Reed 
 of the nth Reg't, and Emory W. Gill of the 40th Reg't, 
 who was in command when the Post surrendered its charter 
 in 1874. (The exact date not given. The Adjutant was 
 not over exact in the keeping of his records.) In all 
 twenty-one members belonged to the organization. If the 
 records may be believed, the veterans were not extremely 
 zealous in attending meetings, largely no doubt the result 
 of living at some distance from the center of the town and 
 the consequent difficulty of getting out in the evening. 
 Such was the fate of many of the early posts in the smaller 
 communities. 
 
 The first posts in Massachusetts were started in 1867, 
 only one in 1866, so it will be seen that Princeton was in 
 quite early but did not have the vitality essential to long 
 life. 
 
 Tablet at the entrance to Bagg Hall: 
 
 OUR TOWNSMEN 
 
 Who Died 
 
 In the Service 
 
 1861-1865 
 
 Joseph M. Howe. 15*'^ Reg. Cold Harbor Va. May 25.64 
 
 William L. Whitney. is*** " Washington D. C. Nov. 14.62 
 
 Charles H. Harthan. 21^* " Gallop's Island Mass. Mar 1.64 
 
 Henry Holden. 25*^ " Goldsboro, N. C. Dec 17.62 
 
 Charles H. Maynard 25*^^ " Annapolis Md. June 3.62 
 
 Andrew J. Loker 34''^ " Charlestown Va. Sept 25.64 
 
 Myron H. Fay 36*^ " New Madrid, Mo. Aug 9.63 
 
 ' (One of the incidents of frequent occurrence during the civil war.) 
 
Military History 
 
 269 
 
 Daniel S. Kelley, 
 
 36th . 
 
 ' Fredericksburg Va. 
 
 May 21.64 
 
 Joseph Randall 
 
 36th < 
 
 ' Camp Nelson, Ky. 
 
 Feb. 11.64 
 
 Francis Roper 
 
 36^^ ' 
 
 ' Falmouth, Va. 
 
 Jany 18.63 
 
 Frederick W. Boyles. 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 * New Orleans La. 
 
 May 7.63 
 
 Joseph T. Estabrook. 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 ' New York, N. Y. 
 
 Jany 4.63 
 
 Francis E. Mathews 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 ' New Orleans La. 
 
 Aug 24.63 
 
 Hervey C. Mirick. 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 ' Berwick, La. 
 
 May 7.63 
 
 Henry A. Parker. 
 
 53^^ ' 
 
 ' Baton Rouge, La. 
 
 Jany 2.63 
 
 Edward R. Roper 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 ' Long Island N. Y. 
 
 Dec 10.62 
 
 Frederick G. Thompson. 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 ' Baton Rouge La 
 
 Apr. 18.63 
 
 William H. Whitcomb. 
 
 53^ ' 
 
 * Cairo, 111. 
 
 Aug 12,63 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 BIOGRAPHY 
 
 Hon. Moses Gill was born at Charlestown, Mass., on 
 the 1 8th day of January in the year 1734. He was bred 
 to the business of a merchant, early went into that line in 
 Boston and for a long course of years maintained the 
 character of an upright and Hberal merchant. 
 
 In his youth he was married to the amiable and accom- 
 phshed Miss Sarah Prince, the daughter and only child 
 of the Reverend Thomas Prince, then pastor of the Old 
 South Church in Boston; in whose right he held while he 
 lived, and afterwards in his own, a large landed estate in 
 Princeton. 
 
 The increasing value of that property depended on the 
 industry and enterprise of the owner; and in its improve- 
 ment he set a valuable example and did much good in this 
 part of the country. 
 
 Rev. Peter Whitney in his History of Worcester County, 
 1793, says: 
 
 "In this town is the country seat of the Hon. Moses 
 Gill, Esq., who has been from the year 1775 one of the 
 Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of 
 Worcester, and for several years a councillor of this Com- 
 monwealth. His elegant and noble seat is about one mile 
 and a quarter from the meeting house, to the south. The 
 farm contains upwards of 3000 acres. The county road 
 from Princeton to Worcester passes through it in front of 
 the house, which faces to the west. 
 
 "The buildings stand upon the highest land of the whole 
 farm; but it is level round about them for many rods, and 
 then theie is a very gradual descent. The land on which 
 these buildings stand is elevated between 1200 and 1300 
 
 270 
 
I.lKirKXAN'l-dnVKRN'OR MOSKS CILL 
 
 ir^-^^4^c/^^ 
 
Biography 271 
 
 feet above the level of the sea, as the Hon. James Win- 
 throp, Esq., informs me. 
 
 "The mansion house is large, being 50x50 feet, with 
 four stacks of chimneys; the farm house is 40x36 feet; 
 in a line with this stand the coach and chaise house, 50 x 36 
 feet; this is joined to the barn by a shed 70 feet in length — 
 the barn is two hundred feet by thirty-two. Very elegant 
 fences were erected around the mansion house, the out- 
 houses, and the garden. 
 
 "The prospect from this seat is extensive and grand, 
 taking in horizon to the east, of seventy miles at least. 
 The blue hills of Milton are discernable with the naked eye, 
 from the windows of this superb edifice, distant not less 
 than sixty miles, as well as the waters of the harbour of 
 Boston, at certain seasons of the year. 
 
 "When we view this seat, these buildings, and this farm 
 of so many hundred acres, now under a high degree of 
 cultivation, and are told that in the year 1766 it was a per- 
 fect wilderness, we are struck with wonder, admiration and 
 astonishment. 
 
 "The honorable proprietor hereof must have great satis- 
 faction in contemplating these improvements, so extensive, 
 made under his direction, and, I may add by his own active 
 industr>\ Judge Gill is a gentleman of singular vivacity 
 and activity, and indefatigable in his endeavors to bring 
 forward the cultivation of his lands ; of great and essential 
 service, by his example in the employment he finds for so 
 many persons, and in all his attempts to serve the interests 
 of the place where he dwells, and in his acts of private 
 munificence and public generosity, and deserves great 
 respect and esteem, not only from individuals, but from the 
 town and county he has so greatly benefited, and especially 
 by the ways in which he makes use of that vast estate, 
 wherewith a kind Providence has blessed him. 
 
 "Upon the whole, this seat of Judge Gill, all the agree- 
 able circumstances respecting it being attentively con- 
 sidered, is not paralleled by any in the New England 
 States; perhaps not by any one this side of Delaware." 
 
272 History of Princeton 
 
 Many of the older families in Princeton today are glad 
 to consider among their treasures, articles of furniture and 
 bric-a-brac that came from the Gill mansion. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah (Prince), wife of Moses Gill, died on Monday, 
 August 5, 1 77 1, aged 43 years. After the decease of his 
 first consort, he was married to Miss Rebecca Boylston, 
 niece of Thomas Boylston, Esq., and sister of Mary Hal- 
 lowell, mother of Ward Nicholas Boylston, later known as 
 Madame Rebecca Gill. She died at Princeton on Monday, 
 March 21, 1798 in the 70th year of her age. Both wives 
 died childless. He adopted a son of his brother John, who 
 was named for him, Moses. The last named died in South 
 Boston, May 1887. 
 
 In Nicholas Boylston's will of Aug. i, 1771, SufTolk 
 Probate 70. 445. he devised to Rebecca (Mrs. Gill) "Negro 
 Man Jack and Negro Woman Flora." 
 
 Mr. Moses Gill was one of a committee sent by the pro- 
 vincial Congress June 20, 1775, to repair to Springfield, 
 there to receive Generals Washington and Lee " and escort 
 them to the army before Boston." 
 
 When the controversy between Great Britain and 
 America became serious and it was seen that a resort to 
 arms would be the probable consequence, Mr. Gill, came 
 forward with his property and cast it liberally into the 
 lap of his country's fortune. His person and property 
 were laid at the foot of the altar of liberty, ready for the 
 sacrifice, if his country needed them. 
 
 In the year 1775, he was elected into the council under 
 the charter of 1692; by which fifteen councellors were to 
 act as Governor. This was done in pursuance to the 
 recommendation of the American Congress. Under this 
 authority, troops were raised, ships provided, magistrates 
 and judges appointed, and commissions issued to defend 
 the country. Mr. Gill continued in the council under 
 this form of government, elected annually by the General 
 Court, until the new constitution was formed in 1780. 
 From that time to the year 1795, he was continued one of 
 the Executive Council. In that year, he was elected 
 
SARAH fPRiMi.) (ULL 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
 J^^ 
 
 m 
 
 
 % 
 
 l^i ^^^^HH^^jy 
 
 
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 r 
 
 v. 
 
 
 
 ^^^B^^ 
 
 ^7mMi\ 
 
 
 ^HB '''11 
 
 
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 ' 
 
 ^ If 
 
 
 KKRKCCA CHnvisn.N) CI I.I, 
 
Biography 273 
 
 Lieutenant-Governor, and continued by annual elections, 
 from that time in the same office until June 1799, when by 
 the death of Governor Increase Sumner he became Acting 
 Governor. He died May 20, 1800 and from this date until 
 the 30th of May 1800 — ten days — when Caleb Strong 
 was inaugurated the state was without a Governor. 
 From the Boston papers of that period we learn : 
 "The Funeral Solemnities of the late Lieutenant-Gover- 
 nor and Commander-in-Chief, His Honor Moses Gill, Esq., 
 were performed with marks of the highest respect. Order 
 of Procession. Funeral Escort, Officers of the Militia with 
 Side- Arms, Justices of the Peace, Judges of Probate, Muni- 
 cipal Court and Common Pleas, Attorney-General, Judges 
 of the Supreme Judicial Court, Members of the House of 
 Representatives, Members of the Senate, Sheriff of Suffolk 
 with his wand, Q. Master-General, Adjutant-General, 
 Members of the Honorable Council, Secretary, Treasurer, 
 "Paul" Bearers, Hon. Mr. Jones, Genl. Lincoln, Hon. 
 Mr. Robbins, Rev. Dr. Howard, Hon. Judge Dana, Hon. 
 Mr. Phillips, Relations, Members of Congress in Boston, 
 L^nited States Judges and District Attorney, Other Civil 
 Officers of the United States, Foreign Consuls, President, 
 Corporation, Professors and Instructors of Harvard Uni- 
 versity, Ministers of the Gospel, Selectmen of Boston, Cor- 
 porations in Boston according to Seniority, Citizens and 
 Strangers." 
 
 " The escort was composed of a troop of calvalry, com- 
 manded by Capt. Davis of Roxbury, a regiment of Infan- 
 try, two companies of Light Infantry, and a company of 
 Artillery; the whole under the command of Lt. Col. 
 Gardner. The civil part of the procession was directed by 
 Majors Cunningham and Blanchard, Capt. Gardner's com- 
 pany of Artillery fired minute guns; — the places of busi- 
 ness were closed; the colours in the harbour and in the 
 town, were suspended half mast and staff; and such evi- 
 dences of general respect were given, as the notice un- 
 avoidably brief, would admit." {Columbian Centinel and 
 Massachusetts Federalist, Wednesday, May 28, 1800.) 
 
274 History of Princeton 
 
 The procession moved at the hour appointed, from the 
 late dwelHng-house of the deceased in School-street, his 
 winter home where the Parker House now stands, through 
 Long-Acre, Common-street, Hollis-street, Main-street, 
 down and up State-street, through Court-street and Tre- 
 mont-street, to the place of interment; probably the Granary 
 Burying Ground. 
 
 From an Inventory of personal estate belonging to Moses 
 Gill (original mss. in possession of the American Antiquarian 
 Society.) 
 
 WEARING APPARELL 
 
 Mr. Gill's Linnen Stockins 
 
 I doz. old ruffled shirts 4 p Cotton 
 
 10 newer "Do I p Fine Thread 
 
 12 old plain shirts 2 p Black Silk 
 
 6 new Neckloshs 2 p Black Worsteed 
 
 4 old Do I p Grey Do 
 
 5 Long Lawn Caps Coarse Thread 
 I Holland Do Under Thread 
 
 MR. GILL'S CLOATHS 
 
 I Scarlet Rocquela (Roquelaure) — A short abridgement of a ctoak. 
 
 I Blue Do 
 
 I Great Coat 
 
 I Old Red Banyan (Banyan) — An Indian Gown, worn in 
 
 England and America "The graceful 
 folds alluring to all men and all por- 
 trait painters.'' 
 
 I Chinee Banyan 
 
 I Calico Gown 
 
 I Suit pearl color cloath — 
 viz. coat, jacket, and breaches 
 
 I cloath colored coat and Breaches 
 
 I Light coat, Jacket and Breaches 
 
 I Summer coat and Breaches 
 
 I Black cloath Coat and Jacket 
 
 I Blue coat and Breaches 
 
 I Velvet Jacket and Breaches 
 
 I p Silk Breaches 
 
 I Black Padusoy Jacket (Paduasoy) — Soie de Padua — A strong 
 
 silk made at Padua, Italy, much 
 used for ladie's dresses, gentle- 
 me?i's coats, etc. 
 
Biography 
 
 275 
 
 2 pr. Old Knit Breeches 
 
 2 pr. Cotton Velvet Breeches 
 
 I pr. Nankeen Do 
 
 MRS GILLS CLOATHS 
 
 1 Gowns &c 
 
 2 Suits Black Padusoy 
 
 I Bombazeen — Gen- 
 erally associated with deep 
 mourning 
 
 I Sack Black Padusoy 
 
 I D" Flowered Tobine 
 
 I Gown & scirt White Tabby — 
 A kind of coarse waved or 
 watered silk. 
 
 I Gown Yellow Grown'd Brocade 
 
 I Brown Ducape — A corded silk 
 of moderate firmness. 
 
 I Green Padusoy 
 
 I Sriped Lutstring — {or Lus- 
 tring) — A glossy silk much 
 used for ladie's dresses, petti- 
 coats, etc. 
 
 I Blue D« 
 
 I Red Brolio {or Broella) — A 
 coarse french cloth. 
 
 I Blue Crape 
 
 I Grey Tabby 
 
 I D° Padusoy 
 
 I D° Ducape {short cape 
 
 I D'' Mantua Silk {manteau or 
 Mantle) — A sleeveless cape 
 or cloak. 
 
 I Bengal 
 
 1 Long Lawn 
 
 2 Callico 
 
 I striped hoUand Wrapper 
 
 1 Black & White D" 
 
 2 short Gowns 
 
 2 scarlet Cloth Long Cloaks 
 2 Sattin Cardinals & Bonnets 
 I pompadore Sattin Capuchin — 
 A hood worn by ladies, re- 
 sembling that of a Capuchin 
 friar. 
 I Old Sattin Cloke & riding hat 
 I Gauze hat 
 
 Petticoats &c 
 I Black Sattin Scirt 
 I Blue D° Quilt 
 I Black Callimanco D° 
 I D'' Bombazeen D° 
 3 Linnen Under Coats 
 
 1 Broad Cloath D« 
 
 2 Baise D° 
 
276 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Mrs. Gills Linnen 
 
 Shifts 
 
 4 Holland 
 
 5 Long Lawn 
 
 1 Muslin 
 
 2 Cambrick 
 2 Lawn 
 I Minionett 
 I Gause 
 4 Check'd 
 
 Wastcoats 
 Pocketts 
 
 Aprons 
 
 Head Dresses &c 
 
 I suit Brussels Lace 
 
 1 D° Spender Lace 
 
 2 plain Muslin Suits 
 I Flowered Gause 
 
 I plain Lawn 
 
 I pr plain Lawn ruffles 
 
 I Brussels Lace Cap & han*' 
 
 I Lawn Square hanch'' 
 
 Cambrick D° — 
 
 Long Lawn D" 
 
 3 Lawn Mobs, i Cap — made 
 
 of stiff gauze twisted about 
 the head, crossed under the 
 chin, and fastened behind, 
 with the ends hanging down. 
 
 Cambrick Mobs 
 
 Holland D° 
 
 I Black Sattin hanch 
 I Green Tippet 
 I Nice Leather Mount Fan 
 I small D° — D° 
 
 I Nice Catgut — D« 
 
 I Black & White — D« 
 I purple & White — D° 
 I Black Crape — D« 
 
 I pr shoes purple | 
 
 I — Blue [ Sattin 
 
 I White 
 
 Jewels &c. 
 
 1 paste Necklass & Earings 
 
 2 Mourning rings Amethyst 
 
 1 D° — Christal 
 
 2 D° plain Enamell'd 
 
 I pr Enamell'd Buttons 
 
 I pr D° — Studds^ 
 
 I pr Jet Buttons sat in Gold 
 
 I pr Stone Buckles 
 
 I pr rare Earings 
 
 I pearl Necklass Earings & 
 Buckle 
 
 I pr rare Blue stone pendants 
 
 I pr cats Eye stone pendants 
 
 I pr purple stone Earings 
 
 I Knife i Fork i penknife 
 Agate handles 
 
 I pearl Snuff Box 
 
 I Burning Glass Turtle shell 
 case 
 
 I D'' plain Leather Case 
 
 I pocket Microscope 
 
 I D° Tellescope 
 
 I D° Prospect Glass 
 
 I set Globes 
 
 I D° Thermometer & Barom- 
 eter 
 
 I Temple Spectacles. — 
 
Biography 277 
 
 Advertisement 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS 
 REWARD! 
 
 On the night of the iS*** of August instant, the house of the 
 subscriber, in Princeton, was broken open, and the following 
 articles of PLATE were stolen from thence, viz. 
 
 Three Tankards, One Cream Bucket, 
 
 Three Cans, One Strainer, 
 
 Five Porringers, Three Candle Sticks, 
 
 Eight table Spoons, One Soup Spoon, 
 
 Two Bowls, Two Chafing Dishes, 
 
 Three Servers, A pair of Tea Tongs, 
 
 One Coffee Pot, One Pepper Box, 
 
 One Tea Pot, One Mustard Pot, 
 
 Two Cups, A pair of Salts. 
 
 Any person who will give information, so as that the above 
 articles may be recovered, and the Thief or Thieves brought to 
 justice, shall receive the above reward. 
 
 Princeton, August 19, 1793. 
 Mass"" Spy, Aug. 22, 1793. 
 
 Moses Gill. 
 
 Gill, Mass. Apl. 23, 1887. 
 Mr. Blake: 
 
 In reply to your late note of inquiry, I say: 
 
 That this town was incorporated in 1793 and named in honor 
 of Gov. Moses Gill of Princeton, who, being childless offered to 
 give the town the nails, paint, and glass, also a bell, and the 
 church furniture for the meeting house then being erected in 
 consideration of the assumption of his name by the town. This 
 was done, with the exception of the bell, which the town bought 
 in 1 8 16. I have the large folio Bible which Mr. Gill gave the 
 town now in my possession, printed by Isaiah Thomas of Worces- 
 ter. It is in good preservation. 
 
 Concerning Gov. Gill we know very little about him, save by 
 tradition; all going to show that he was a fine looking, and very 
 aristocratic man, and given to display. 
 
 The town has no portrait of the Gov. but a very good one you 
 will find in Kimball's Museum in Boston. I saw it there not 
 many years since. It is a good picture, and I had some talk with 
 Mr. Kimball about procuring it for our town. A relative of Gov. 
 Gill called on me many years ago, think he was from Springfield, 
 at any rate there are Gills there. 
 
 Josiah D. Canning, 
 
 Town Clerk, 
 Gill, Mass. 
 
278 History of Princeton 
 
 Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esq., original name Ward 
 Hallowell, was born in Boston, Nov. 22nd, 1747. He was 
 one of a family of fourteen children. His father, Benjamin 
 Hallowell, Esq., was the commissioner of customs in the 
 early history of Boston, and lived at the corner of Boylston 
 and Centre Streets, Jamaica Plain. He was a man of 
 wealth and refinement, but as he was an officer of the 
 Crown, he was, of course, a Loyalist. In March, 1776, he 
 and his family with other Loyalists embarked for Halifax, 
 and the following July sailed for England. His estate was 
 confiscated in 1779, but was recovered by the heirs-at-law 
 in 1 80 1 by a suit in the United States District Court, a full 
 account of which may be found in the New England Genea- 
 logical Register, Vol. XII, page ^2, also in Drake's Rox- 
 hury, page 407, and Drake's Boston, page 686. 
 
 His mother, Mrs. Mary (Boylston) Hallowell, was the 
 daughter of Thomas Boylston and Sarah (Morecock), and 
 sister to Nicholas Boylston, Esq. She was also sister to 
 Madam Rebecca (Boylston) Gill, the second wife of the 
 Hon. Moses Gill. Mrs. Hallowell received £3000 from her 
 brother Nicholas Boylston's estate. See Suffolk Probate, 
 1.70, f445. 
 
 Ward Nicholas received his early education in the free 
 public schools of Boston. In March, 1770, at the request 
 of his uncle Nicholas Boylston, Esq. (who died the follow- 
 ing year), he dropped the name of Hallowell, through a 
 royal license bearing the signature of King George HI, and 
 added to his christian name that of his uncle, who had 
 promised to leave him at his death certain large estates. 
 
 Mr. Boylston was twice married, the full name of his 
 
 first wife, Mary is not obtainable. His second 
 
 marriage was to Alicia Darrow of Yarmouth, England, 
 later known as Madam Boylston. 
 
 On Oct. 1 2th, 1773, Mr. Boylston commenced an ex- 
 tended journey through Europe and Asia, sailing on board 
 the "King of Naples" from Boston bound for Newfound- 
 land; continuing, he sailed to Italy, and proceeding to 
 Turkey, Syria, the Archipeligo, Palestine, Egypt, and the 
 
WARD NICHOLAS I'.OVr.STOX 
 1 740- i,S2S 
 
Biography 279 
 
 Barbary Coast. He also passed through Geneva, Savoy, 
 France and Flanders. 
 
 He arrived in London in 1775, where he remained for 
 twenty-five years, engaged in various lines of trade. In 
 1800 he sailed for America, arriving in Boston on the 15th 
 of May. In September, 1804, he succeeded to the estate 
 of Hon. Moses Gill, and from that time until his death in 
 1828, he made Princeton his place of residence during the 
 greater part of the time, but spending the winter months 
 at his winter residence at Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Mass. 
 
 Soon after his arrival in Boston, Mr. Boylston confirmed 
 to Harvard University a bequest of his uncle, Nicholas 
 Boylston, Esq., amounting to $23,200 as a foundation of 
 the professorship of Rhetoric and Oratory, with the con- 
 dition that John Quincy Adams should be appointed 
 professor. Several smaller sums were subsequently do- 
 nated to Harvard and large bequests were made to the 
 same institution in his will.* 
 
 Without attempting to reconcile the stories that were 
 current years ago regarding the acquisition of the property 
 of Moses Gill, we simply quote from the Suffolk Records: 
 
 " Ward Nicholas Boylston of London, now resident at 
 Boston, Esqr., administrator with the will annexed of 
 
 * To the inhabitants of the town of Princeton he gave $1000, one half to 
 be paid to the deacons of the church and congregation over which Rev'd 
 Samuel Clarke was pastor, the net income to be applied towards the salary of 
 the minister. The remaining five hundred dollars to be loaned to industrious 
 young men in the town until it doubled when the income should be expended 
 for the support of indigent and deserving widows and female orphan children. 
 
 According to Dr. Nathan Allen, "Mr. Boylston, while in Princeton, lived 
 in princely style and was remarkable for his politeness to all with whom he 
 came in contact. He possessed an unusual amount of intelligence and lib- 
 erality in his benefactions. While residing in London he became familiarly 
 acquainted with the celebrated Dr. John Hunter, and having had two uncles 
 in this country distinguished members of the medical profession, he became 
 greatly interested in all matters pertaining to medicine. For this purpose he 
 made some handsome donations to Harvard University, so that the name 
 Boylston is honored, being attached to a medical library, an anatomical 
 museum, a medical society and prize medals for essays to improve medical 
 science." 
 
 Thus it was said: "He has done more towards raising the standard of the 
 medical profession in this commonwealth than all others of the profession." 
 
28o History of Princeton 
 
 Thomas Boylston, late of London, Kingdom of Great 
 Britain, Esqr., deceased, by judgment obtained by the 
 Supreme Judicial Court held at Boston for the counties 
 of Suffolk and Nantucket on the third Tuesday of August 
 last recovered judgment against the estate of Moses Gill, 
 late of Boston, Esq., dec'd, in the hands and possession of 
 Moses Gill of Boston, Esqr., otherwise called Moses Gill 
 of Princeton, Esq., executor of the will of the said Moses 
 deceased, for $106,104,42 damages and $72.24 costs the 
 said Moses Gill is ordered to pay the said Boylston the 
 above sums, 11 Sept. 1804, by Francis Dana, Esq., of 
 Boston & Charles Gushing, clerk. (Suffolk Deeds, 187: 
 
 184.)" 
 
 The original Gill Mansion House in Princeton was 
 occupied as a summer residence by the Boylstons until 
 1819-20, when the present Boylston villa was built after 
 the prevailing style of the English country villa with the 
 living rooms on the first floor and the servants' quarters 
 above. It was erected about 600 feet N.W. of the old 
 mansion house and nearer the center of the town. Some 
 indications of the cellar of the old house are still visible. 
 
 David Everett. The subject of this sketch, a native of 
 Princeton, Mass., has been chiefly known to many for 
 several generations, as the author of a poem for juvenile 
 declamation, beginning "You'd scarce expect one of my 
 age," while his greater work in a literary point of view, 
 has escaped their notice. 
 
 This sketch is prepared with the design of setting forth 
 briefly his character and work, in order that due honor may 
 be rendered to his name. He was the son of David Everett 
 and Susanah Rolph who were married in Princeton Oct. 
 29, 1767. They had five children, David being the second 
 child and the eldest son. He was born Mar. 29, 1770. 
 
 The father came from Dedham and within a year of 
 his marriage purchased a hundred acres or more, adjoin- 
 ing land already owned by his wife's father. It was in 
 Lot No. eleven (11) on the west side of Wachusett Moun- 
 tain, on the old county road to Barre. On this land he 
 
Biography 281 
 
 erected two or three dwelling-houses and a blacksmith shop, 
 all of which he sold not long afterward, the larger part to 
 some of his old neighbors from Dedham. Later, catching 
 the spirit of the times, which was manifest even in remote 
 localities, he joined the Continental Army with others of 
 his town. His military service was, however, brief, for 
 he died in the army June 26, 1775. The widow kept the 
 family together, though doubtless with difficulty, as her 
 husband left no real estate, and but little personal property, 
 while all the money, as far as is known, that the widow 
 received as pay for his military service was sixteen 
 pounds. 
 
 The locality of the house is known, and is nearly opposite 
 the school-house now designated as No. 8. It was isolated, 
 although on the county road, the travelling being infre- 
 quent, and the boy's earliest associations were with the 
 neighboring school-house. He must have imbibed the 
 patriotic spirit of the times, which shows itself in the pro- 
 ductions of his mature years. 
 
 When he was about ten years of age he went to live 
 with his grandmother, Mary (Everett) Gerould, in Wren- 
 tham. The journey must have been a great event in the 
 boy's life. It may well be supposed that the educational 
 advantages in Wrentham were superior to those in Prince- 
 ton where his father's library, according to the inventory, 
 consisted of "two old Bibles, and a few other old books," 
 valued at six shillings. These new conditions more ade- 
 quately met the wants of a "bright, ambitious boy," as 
 he is said to have been. By his perseverance and "in- 
 domitable ambition" he made his way to New Ipswich, 
 N. H., being attracted by the opportunities offered by the 
 Academy recently established there. The only evidence 
 we have of this progress there is found in a manuscript 
 preserved in the Academy, of an original drama entitled 
 "The Honest Lawyer," composed in 1791-. 
 
 During his stay in the town he taught one of the schools 
 of the village, or town, probably with the view of obtaining 
 means for a college education. It was during this period 
 
282 History of Princeton 
 
 that he wrote for a public school exhibition the declama- 
 tion so well known, beginning 
 
 "You'd scarce expect one of my age 
 To speak in public on the stage." 
 
 This will be spoken of more in detail later in these pages. 
 Other writings of his, including school-boy declamations, 
 and also some more mature articles were probably pro- 
 duced during his stay in New Ipswich, and during his 
 college course. Some of these were published in the first 
 edition of the "Columbian Orator," issued in 1797, and 
 show extensive reading, and a marked versatility of talent 
 as a writer. 
 
 He entered Dartmouth College and graduated in 1795. 
 On that occasion he had the honor of the valedictory poem 
 in which he predicted the future of our country as follows: 
 
 "The Muse prophetic views the coming day. 
 When federal laws beyond the line shall sway; 
 Where Spanish indolence inactive lies. 
 And every art and every virtue dies,- 
 Where pride and avarice their empire hold, 
 Ignobly great, and poor amid their gold,- 
 Columbia's genius shall the mind inspire, 
 And fill each breast with patriotic fire. 
 Nor east nor western oceans shall confine 
 The generous flame that dignifies the mind; 
 O'er all the earth shall Freedom's banner wave. 
 The tyrant blast, and liberate the slave; 
 Plenty and peace shall spread from pole to pole, 
 Till earth's grand family possess one soul." 
 
 After his graduation he went to Boston to study law, and 
 was subsequently admitted to the bar. He taught for 
 a time in one of the Boston schools. During this time he 
 was a contributor to "The Nightingale" a "Melange de 
 Litterature" published in Boston. Lemuel Shaw, after- 
 ward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachu- 
 setts, studied law under Mr. Everett, and when the latter 
 
Biography 283 
 
 removed to Amherst, N. H., where in addition to the law 
 he did some Hterary work, Mr. Shaw went with him. 
 
 Judge Shaw always maintained a high opinion of Mr. 
 Everett's character and ability, and felt "under great 
 obligation to him." Yet Mr. Shaw did not rise rapidly 
 to distinction, and Judge Thomas in the American Law 
 Review of Oct. 1867 remarks, "during these years of small 
 beginnings perhaps the future chief justice found encour- 
 agement in the lines of Mr. Everett, "Large streams from 
 little fountains flow." 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Everett to Dorothy, daughter of 
 Isaac Appleton of New Ipswich, took place Dec. 29, 1799. 
 She survived him, dying Jan. 16, 1859 at New Ipswich, 
 to which place she had returned soon after his death. 
 They had no children. 
 
 From Amherst Mr. Everett returned to Boston and to the 
 practice of law there. In 1809 he established the " Boston 
 Patriot" devoted to the interests of the Democratic party. 
 It was in this paper that Ex-President John Adams, who 
 had become disaffected toward the Federal party, wrote 
 historical reminiscences and political essays. In 1812 he 
 conducted "The Yankee" and engaged also in "The 
 Pilot" which had only a brief existence. 
 
 He was appointed in 181 1 Registrar of Probate for 
 Suffolk Co. by Gov. Gerry, who on taking office had re- 
 moved a number of officials throughout the State. On 
 the accession of Gov. Strong, however, the former officials 
 were reinstated, and, consequently, Mr. Everett held the 
 office but eight months. This change in his prospects 
 necessitated new plans for the future, and the condition 
 of his health requiring a change of residence, he went to 
 Marietta, Ohio, probably by the way of Wheeling, Va. 
 At Marietta he, with others, doubtless by previous ar- 
 rangement, established a newspaper called the "American 
 Friend." But after eight months of connection with it 
 he died, Dec. 21, 1813, at the age of forty-three years and 
 nine months. 
 
 A month after his arrival at Marietta the first issue of 
 
284 History of Princeton 
 
 the "American Friend" had appeared bearing the date 
 April 26, 18 13. In his address to the public, he says the 
 editor "feels himself impelled by every principle that 
 actuates his heart to give his utmost aid to the great cause 
 in which we are engaged, in the vindication of the dear 
 bought and invaluable rights of America against a haughty, 
 powerful, persevering, and unprincipled foe. Believing 
 in the sincerity of his soul that heaven is in our side, and 
 will ultimately crown our struggles with success, he can- 
 not forbear, on this and all occasions, to protest against 
 that treachery to our own country, and that blasphemy 
 against heaven, which extol her as the protectress of our 
 rights, and the bulwark of our religion. While he pays 
 particular attention to subjects of great national concern, 
 it will be his aim to present his readers that variety of 
 miscellaneous matter and current news which are expected 
 in a public journal." The first issue of the paper after 
 his death contained the following obituary notice: 
 
 Obituary. 
 
 Died in this town on the morning of Dec. 21st. 1813, of 
 a lingering consumption, which he bore with the fortitude 
 of a philosophical mind, David Everett, Esq., the editor 
 of the American Friend, aged 44 years. The interment 
 of his remains was performed with masonic honors, on 
 the 22nd. inst., and his funeral attended by a large con- 
 course of friends, acquaintances and citizens, collected on 
 the melancholy occasion, to pay the last sad duties to him 
 whose virtues commanded the highest respect and esteem, 
 and whose remembrance will ever be dwelt upon with 
 melancholy sensations. 
 
 Mr. Everett was a native of Massachusetts, and was 
 regularly educated to the profession of Law. For some 
 years previous to his emigration to this State, he resided 
 in Boston; where he conducted, as editor, several news- 
 papers of distinguished celebrity. 
 
 From his youth he devoted his attention to literature, 
 and to the culture of a mind naturally strong and capacious. 
 
Biography 285 
 
 His unremitted industry, and the sedentary habits of his 
 life, gradually enfeebled his constitution. To endeavor to 
 restore his health by the salubrious air of a milder climate, 
 he left Boston in January, 18 13, and arrived at Marietta the 
 March following. Here he re-commenced his labors as an 
 editor, and his assiduity to effect the object of his highest 
 ambition, to be useful to his country by disseminating, 
 through the medium of a weekly newspaper, correct politi- 
 cal principles, and general literature, completed the ruin 
 of his health, and deprived the State of one of its most 
 estimable literary characters, and the republic of a firm 
 patriot. 
 
 Mr. Everett was the author of many valuable works, in 
 which he displayed splendid talents, a prolific imagination, 
 and an exalted genius. In some of his literary productions 
 the force and sublimity of his thoughts, the purity and 
 elegance of his style delight the reader of correct taste. 
 In those of a political nature, his mind proves itself acute, 
 penetrating and capable of illustrating the most abstruse 
 subjects, — his arguments are strong, conclusive, and like 
 a torrent bear down every opposing barrier, and force 
 conviction upon the mind. 
 
 As an editor, he invariably wrote the impulses of an 
 honest heart, with the boldness of an independent mind. 
 He despised that servility which would flatter, fawn around, 
 and crouch to a man invested with popular favor, or 
 clothed with "a little brief authority." He detested the 
 sycophant, and abhorred the demagogue. He was a 
 republican in principle, and a strenuous advocate for his 
 country's rights; and his proud soul could never brook 
 an infringement of those rights, by an insolent foe, without 
 feeling and expressing the liveliest indignation. 
 
 Such was David Everett — a philanthropist — a patriot 
 — and a man of undoubted integrity and honour. 
 
 Although he died in middle life, his literary work was 
 quite extensive. Beside his labors as editor he made con- 
 tributions to various papers, and delivered addresses upon 
 national topics. 
 
286 History of Princeton 
 
 His services for Fourth of July orations were frequently 
 in demand and during President Madison's term of office 
 he freely discussed national affairs in the papers he edited. 
 He also delivered addresses on Free Masonry in which he 
 had early become interested as a member of St. John's 
 Lodge, Boston. 
 
 His style was keen and incisive, especially in his political 
 writings, but he was not known to descend to low abuse. 
 His love of poetry frequently showed itself, especially in 
 his pamphlets, and he found a delight in dramatic composi- 
 tion. His knowledge of the classics is plainly seen, an 
 aptness for satire is often in evidence, and a regard for 
 youth is apparent, especially in his early manhood, by 
 his writings for their benefit. 
 
 The "Columbian Orator" in its first edition, 1797, con- 
 tains several selections from the pen of Mr. Everett. 
 Among these is the well-known juvenile declamation as 
 follows : 
 
 You'd scarce expect one of my age, 
 
 To speak in public on the stage; 
 
 And if I chance to fall below 
 Demosthenes or Cicero, 
 
 Don't view me with a critic's eye. 
 But pass my imperfections by. 
 
 Large streams from little fountains flow; 
 Tall oaks from little acorns grow; 
 
 And though I now am small and young. 
 Of judgment weak, and feeble tongue; 
 
 Yet all great learned men like me, 
 Once learned to read their A, B, C. 
 
 But why may not Columbia's soil 
 Rear men as great as Britian's isle; 
 
 Exceed what Greece and Rome have done, 
 Or any land beneath the sun? 
 
 Mayn't Massachusetts boast as great 
 As any other sister state? 
 
 Or where's the town, go far and near, 
 That does not find a rival here? 
 
Biography 287 
 
 Or where's the boy, but three feet high, 
 Who's made improvements more than I? 
 
 These thoughts inspire my youthful mind 
 To be the greatest of mankind; 
 
 Great, not Hke Caesar, stained with blood; 
 But only great, as I am good. 
 
 This is written by him in New Ipswich, N. H., in 1791 
 to be spoken at a public school exhibition by a boy seven 
 years of age. The boy was Ephraim H. Farrar, son of 
 Rev. Stephen Farrar, the first minister of New Ipswich. 
 There is no evidence that the poem led Mr. Farrar to the 
 practice of oratory, but he became a teacher in Boston 
 being a writing master in the school of Lawson Lyon in 
 1813. He had as pupils Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, Rev. 
 Samuel J. May, Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson and others 
 who rose to eminence. After many years spent in Boston, 
 he returned to New Ipswich where he died Jan. 8, 1851. 
 Mr. Farrar related that the poem was handed to him in 
 manuscript by Mr. Everett and he had always considered 
 it as belonging to himself. "When therefore," he says, 
 "I saw in a printed copy the substitution of two words 
 for two in the original, namely, 'Massachusetts' and 
 'sister' for New Hampshire and Federal, I thought there 
 was either a gross mistake in the printer or an infringe- 
 ment upon my rights. Whether this was done by the 
 author or not I am not able to say. I am rather inclined 
 to think the latter was, for he afterwards became a politi- 
 cian of the Jefferson school, and edited a paper called The 
 Patriot and the word Federal became extremely obnoxious 
 to many of that party. But that my native state should 
 receive such an insult I felt very indignant." He adds that, 
 after a residence of some years in Massachusetts, seeing 
 that every little boy read the piece as if it were his own, 
 he became reconciled to the change, provided that every 
 boy who spoke the piece should have the liberty to sub- 
 stitute the name of his own state. 
 
 It is interesting to learn that at the centennial celebra- 
 
288 History of Princeton 
 
 tion in New Ipswich, Sept. 1850, Mr. Farrar was called 
 to personate the youth for whom that effusion was written, 
 and immediately rising, merely repeated the first two 
 lines, 
 
 "You'd scarce expect one of my age 
 To speak in public on the stage." 
 
 which moved the audience to laughter. 
 
 The lines were frequently attributed to Edward Everett, 
 but, at a public examination of the High School in Cam- 
 bridge, Mass., he corrected that opinion and said they 
 were written by a distant relative. 
 
 Many imitations and parodies of these lines have been 
 written, to which they easily lend themselves, but the 
 following must suffice: 
 
 You'd scarce expect one of my age 
 To speak in public on the stage — 
 That was the tune you all well know 
 For children, fifty years ago. 
 We modern children don't profess 
 To understand such silliness. 
 We have to meet your expectations 
 For better juvenile orations. 
 
 We know we are young and weak. 
 To stand before a crowd to speak, 
 But mighty oaks from acorns grow, 
 And some of us, for aught we know, 
 May climb the hills of Fame 
 And make a great and lasting name. 
 
 Everett was evidently familiar with the Latin classics and 
 when he wrote these lines he may have had in mind a 
 passage in the poet Juvenal, Satire X, 114-117, in which 
 Cicero and Demosthenes are held up as models of oratory 
 for the ambitious boy. These lines of Juvenal have been 
 thus translated: 
 
Biography 289 
 
 "The urchin whom a slave conducts to school, 
 Has scarce acquired his first and earliest rule, 
 Ere ardent hopes his little bosom seize, 
 To rival Tully or Demosthenes." 
 
 It is noticeable that while Everett's urchin modestly dis- 
 claims rivalry, Juvenal's urchin seeks it. 
 
 In addition to this juvenile poem of Everett the Colum- 
 bian Orator contains the following from his pen: 
 
 Slaves in Barbary, a drama in two acts. 
 
 The Conjuror, a dialogue. 
 
 A general description of America — An extract from a poem 
 spoken at Dartmouth on Commencement Day, 1795. 
 
 The Last Day, an extract from a manuscript poem. 
 
 A dialogue between an inhabitant of the United States 
 and an Indian. 
 
 A dialogue between Edward and Harry. 
 
 A forensic dispute on the question, "Are the Anglo- 
 Americans endowed with capacity and genius equal 
 to Europeans?" 
 
 A list of his other writings is as follows: 
 
 Common Sense in Dishabille, appearing first in a series 
 of papers in the "Farmer's Weekly Museum," 1797, 
 and afterwards published in book form. 
 
 Duranzel, the Persian Poet, a tragedy in five acts per- 
 formed at the Federal St. Theatre, in Boston. 
 
 Demonstration of the truth of the Scriptures as fulfilled 
 in the Prophecies (devoted to proving the people of 
 the United States to be distinctly alluded to by Daniel 
 and St. John). 
 
 Poem 1901, before Phi Beta Kappa, Cambridge. 
 
 Oration July 4, 1804 at Amherst, N. H. 
 
 Oration July 4, 1809, before Bunker Hill Association. 
 
 Play (in manuscript) entitled, "The Honest Lawyer," 
 New Ipswich. 
 
 Essay, 1807, On the Rights and Duties of Nations. 
 (Relative to Fugitives from Justice considered with 
 reference to the Chesapeake case.) 
 
290 History of Princeton 
 
 (An Appendix to this, 1808, is titled the 56th edition, 
 and an Addition is made entitled, "Embargo on 
 Common Sense, Taken off by U. S.") * 
 
 A satirical poem also appears beginning as follows : 
 
 "Hail Britannia, wondrous land, 
 Whose floating bulwarks guard our strand 
 Or bear thy thunders o'er the wave 
 And greatly deal thy bolts to save. 
 Cannon! Proclaim your sovereign might. 
 And tell the world that power is right." 
 
 Report on Contested Elections in Belchertown 181 1. 
 Address on "Principles of Free Masonry" Oct. 6, 1803 
 
 before St. John's Lodge, Boston. 
 Address, "Vindication of Free Masonry," Sept. 28, 1803 
 
 at Washington, N. H. 
 Oration at Marietta, Ohio, July 5, 18 13. 
 In the "American Friend" of Aug. 7, 1813, he criticises 
 Webster's Resolutions in Congress, and later announces 
 his intention to issue a history of the War of 1812, 
 I find that the "Common Sense in Dishabille," in the 
 Farmers' Museum, began in the issue of May 17, 1797 and 
 there is no hint as to the author. The following para- 
 graph heads the first article under the above title: — 
 
 "To the Editor: — 
 
 For a considerable time, I have had on hand, a small 
 stock of raw materials, which with the help of a word 
 mill, a few rhetorical figures and borrowed ornaments, might 
 pass current, with those superior geniuses, who can judge 
 of the merit of a man by his coat, or feel the glow of en- 
 thusiam at the sight of a painted cheek or fine gown. To 
 accommodate those who are not possessed of this happy 
 talent and save myself the trouble of reading rules of 
 
 * Note — on the title page is found the following: 
 
 "Your legs so long, your stride so fast, 
 Run as we may, we come out last." 
 
Biography 291 
 
 authorship, I shall adopt a less expensive mode of writing. 
 My pen shall extemporize, my ideas shall spend no time 
 at the toilet, but parade themselves as fast as they are 
 summoned by this important marshall of the paper field. 
 Without any futher ceremony, if you give your consent, 
 I will open my little retail shop in one corner of your 
 Farmers' Museum, where probably I shall continue to 
 carry on my business until the ground is occupied by better 
 tenants, or I am obliged to shut up for want of stock. My 
 sign shall be ' Common Sense in Dishabille.' " 
 
 Extracts from the first article appearing under "Com- 
 mon Sense in Dishabille:" — 
 
 "It is seldom addressed to one in Latin or Greek but 
 in plain English. Quit your pillow, and go about your 
 business, if you have any, is its first injunction: if not, 
 seek some. 
 
 " Let the sun's first beams shine on your head in the 
 morning, and you shall not want a good hat to defend your 
 head against the scorching rays at noon; earn your break- 
 fast before you eat it, and the sheriff shall not deprive 
 you of your supper," etc. 
 
 The following subjects were discussed in succeeding 
 issues: — 
 
 The Poor Woman. 
 
 Short Way to Poverty. 
 
 The Pound. 
 
 Win Gold and Wear It. 
 
 Earn Industriously and Spend Prudently. 
 
 He Cuts a Dash. 
 
 The Penknife. 
 
 Family Government, — several articles. 
 
 Liberty and Equality. 
 
 Tommy Tiptoe's Case. 
 
 School Government. 
 
 He is a Genius. 
 
 Nature's University. 
 
292 History of Princeton 
 
 Every One to His Trade. What Shall a Man Do Who 
 Has No Trade? Learn One. 
 
 To-morrow. 
 
 A Penny Saved is Twopence Earned. 
 
 Shoes. 
 
 A Stitch in Time Saves Nine. 
 
 Cure for the Hypo. 
 
 The Unruly Horse. 
 
 Bought Wit. 
 
 There is No Friendship in Trade; or the Author's Sec- 
 ond Coat. 
 
 The Worth of Man; or the Man of Worth. 
 
 The last-mentioned article occurred in Dec. 26, 1797, 
 and I could find nothing further in 1798 or 1799. 
 
 If Mr. Everett wrote political articles it was not over 
 his signature. 
 
 I noticed in the Massachusetts Spy, under date of Mar. 
 13. I799> an advertisement of a pamphlet just put on sale 
 at the bookstore in Worcester, written by Peter Pencil, 
 containing the articles which appeared in the Farmers' 
 Museum, under the head of " Common Sense in Dishabille," 
 also several essays never before published, a New Year's 
 poem for 1798, a Perpetual Calendar, etc. It goes on to 
 say, "The general circulation of the numbers under the 
 title 'Common Sense in Dishabille' that have already been 
 published and the avidity with which they are read by all 
 classes, precludes the necessity of any encomium on the work. 
 The writings of Peter Pencil have been sparingly exhibited 
 to the public; but produced copious applause from the 
 amateurs. The 12 essays of the Economical Almanack, 
 adapted to each month in the year, have never appeared 
 in print before. 
 
 " They are fraught with useful observations communi- 
 cated in an easy, familiar style, and dictated by sound 
 judgment and correct style. 
 
 " On the whole I think this little volume will afford as 
 much 'useful information' and 'innocent amusement' as 
 
Biography 293 
 
 any of its size that have been offered to the public, and 
 may safely be recommended to the youth of the country, 
 to industrious mechanics and farmers, and to the library 
 of every patron of useful and ingenious American Publi- 
 cations." Among the many parodies that have appeared 
 is the following: 
 
 From Temperance Selections 
 Edited by John H. Becktel. 
 Penn. Pub. Co. 
 
 You'd scarce expect one of my age 
 To plead for temperance on the stage; 
 And should I chance to fall below 
 Portraying all the drunkard's woe, 
 Don't view me with a critic's eye. 
 Nor pass my simple story by. 
 
 Large streams from little fountains flow; 
 Great sots from moderate drinkers grow; 
 And though I am so small and young. 
 No rum shall ever touch my tongue! 
 Now, where's the town, go far or near. 
 That sells the rum that we do here? 
 Or where's the boy but three feet high 
 That hates the traffic more than I? 
 
 (No author) 
 
 Authorities. 
 
 Am. Antiquarian Socy's Proceedings, Oct. 1889, by Dr. A. P. Peabody. 
 Buckingham, Vol. II, Am. Law Review, Oct. 1867, Judges Thomas and Shaw. 
 Genealogical Memorial Biographies, Vol. IV.j 
 The Hundred Boston Orators. 
 History of Marietta, Ohio. 
 History of New Ipswich, N. H. 
 
294 History of Princeton 
 
 Edward Savage, the portrait painter and engraver, was 
 born in Princeton, Massachusetts, November 26, 1761. 
 
 He was the second child of Seth and Lydia (Craige) 
 Savage and grandson of Edward Savage who came to 
 Massachusetts in 1696 from Ireland, whither his father, 
 Abraham Sauvage, had been driven from St. Algis, PIcardy 
 in France, by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. 
 
 Savage is said to have been originally a goldsmith, a 
 trade that has graduated not a few engravers. He could 
 not, however, have followed it for any great length of time, 
 as he was only twenty-eight when he left Massachusetts 
 for New York, with a letter to Gen. Washington from the 
 president of Harvard requesting him to sit for his portrait 
 for the University. 
 
 The portrait for Harvard was begun in New York, 
 December 21, 1789, and finished January 6, 1790, as we 
 learn from Washington's diary: although it seems not to 
 have been delivered to Harvard until the end of the follow- 
 ing year. 
 
 "This is the first knowledge we have of Savage as an 
 artist and we are in profound ignorance of what preparation 
 he had to essay so important a commission. That he had 
 some experience, and perhaps instruction, goes without 
 saying, for even though his portrait of Washington is not 
 the best art, yet it could not have been painted by an abso- 
 lutely inexperienced tyro."* 
 
 In 1 79 1, Savage went to London where he is said to have 
 studied under Benjamin West, and it is inferred that he 
 visited Italy, from the inscription on the whole-length 
 portrait of Columbus, engraved by Edwin and published 
 by Savage, at Philadelphia in 1800, which states that the 
 portrait of Columbus is copied from the original picture, 
 by E. Savage, in the collection of the Grand Duke of Tus- 
 cany, at Florence. 
 
 While in London he learned to engrave in stipple and 
 mezzotint, as his portrait of General Knox was published 
 
 * Mass. Hist. Soc, 1858-60, Paper by Mr. Charles Henry Hart, Phila- 
 delphia, corresponding member. 
 
UrViAr- 
 
 ^:Ajn^<^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
Biography 295 
 
 in that city in 1791, his Harvard Washington in 1792, and 
 in 1793, his well-known portrait of Washington seated at a 
 table, upon which are a cocked hat and a plan of the city 
 of W^ashington. 
 
 In 1794 Savage returned to the United States and was 
 married at Boston, on October 13, 1794, to Sarah Seaver. 
 Soon after this, he removed to Philadelphia, where his 
 brother, John Savage, was located in business. In 1795 
 he exhibited the first panorama ever seen in that city, and 
 he apparently remained in Philadelphia publishing prints 
 at intervals until 1801, when his name disappears from the 
 Philadelphia directory, where he was down as "Historical 
 Painter." He then seemingly went to New York and from 
 there to Massachusetts, as his fifth child was born in New 
 York in 1802 and his sixth child in Princeton in 1805. 
 
 There are no completed engravings by Savage after his 
 leaving Philadelphia bearing a later date or issued from 
 another place, but the copper-plate of the picture of 
 "The Congress Voting Independence" was doubtless his 
 latest work and left unfinished at his death. This interest- 
 ing plate belongs to the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
 During the early part of the century Savage became 
 interested in a museum in Boston, called the New York 
 Museum, part painting gallery and part museum, which 
 was opened in Boylston Hall in 1812. In July, 1818, the 
 New England Museum was opened at 76 Court Street by 
 Ethan A. Greenwood. It was commenced with the col- 
 lection of curiosities, paintings, etc., owned by Edward 
 Savage, recently deceased. 
 
 This property consisted of the paintings of Washington 
 and his family, Columbus, Liberty, and seventy other 
 paintings, besides a large collection of curiosities, birds, 
 insects, fishes, etc., the whole valued at $6543. 
 
 The New Haven, The Boston, The Market, and the 
 Columbian Museums and the Museum of the Linnean 
 Society were successively purchased and added to this 
 establishment, together with various collections from other 
 sources. Mr. Greenwood sold his collection to Mr. Moses 
 
296 History of Princeton 
 
 Kimball and the better part of the property or that which 
 was worth saving formed the nucleus of the Boston 
 Museum of later time. 
 
 In addition to the Museum venture Savage invested in 
 the Poignand and Plant Cotton factory in Lancaster, Mass., 
 built in 1809, one of the earliest of its kind sucessfully run 
 in America. The president was David Poignand de- 
 scribed as "A dapper, urbane gentleman of French Hugue- 
 not descent." His partner was his son-in-law, Samuel 
 Plant, an Englishman w^ho had been in America about 
 twenty years as agent for a great cloth manufacturer of 
 Leeds. They had also two able assistants, Capt. Thomas 
 W. Lyon, an ingenious machinist, and Edward Savage the 
 silent partner who helped furnish the necessary capital. 
 
 It would seem, however, that these outside enterprises 
 did not interfere wholly with the work of Savage as an 
 artist, for Rev. George Allen of Worcester in reminiscences 
 of his Yale college life 1809-13, says "at New Haven I 
 became acquainted with Savage the Princeton artist and 
 portrait painter. He remained some time at my boarding 
 place and as my room had the best light, he made use of it 
 to copy a portrait of Roger Sherman. I found him an 
 agreeable person."* 
 
 Mr. Hart's article describes Edward Savage as "a man 
 of medium height, inclined to stoutness, quick in his move- 
 ments, with brown hair and blue-gray eyes. Saint Memin 
 drew and engraved a fine profile portrait of him, which 
 shows a strong head with a keen eye." 
 
 The Goodspeed Collection of Savage Prints, now in the 
 possession of the Worcester Art Museum, contains a nearly 
 complete series of his engravings of Washington and his 
 family, most of which are after paintings by Savage himself. 
 It also includes three good miniature portraits on ivory 
 painted by his own hand, one of himself and one of his wife, 
 painted before their marriage, and one of Edward Seaver, 
 a brother of Mrs. Savage. 
 
 * Reminiscences of the Rev. George Allen, page 55. 
 
SARAH (SEAVER) SAVAGE 
 
 EDWARD SAVAC;E 
 
Biography 297 
 
 Edward Savage died suddenly in Princeton, Mass., 
 July 6, 181 7, and Mrs. Savage died in Lancaster, Mass., 
 January 27, 1861.* 
 
 Daniel Davis was born in Princeton, of a mechanical 
 family, worked on his father's farm until he was twenty- 
 one, and went to Boston in 1833. His first work in that 
 city was pumping soda for Mr. Darling, who then had a 
 large soda factory in Franklin Avenue. Being greatly 
 interested in electrical experiments, he soon became ac- 
 quainted with Dr. William King, who had a shop on Corn- 
 hill, who manufactured static electrical machines and also 
 constructed and put up lightning rods. 
 
 Mr. Davis soon found employment with him. His first 
 job was constructing and putting up the rod on the court 
 house in Boston. This was made of fiat copper ribbon. 
 He also constructed and put up the rods on the buildings 
 in the Charlestown Navy Yard. In 1835 he began busi- 
 ness for himself at No. II Cornhill, in partnership with the 
 late John Temple, under the firm name of Davis & Temple. 
 In 1837 Mr. Davis bought out the interest of his partner 
 and commenced the manufacture of electro-magnetic ap- 
 paratus. At that earl}^ day there was no practical use for 
 electricity, and his principal business was manufacturing 
 and constructing apparatus to illustrate the general princi- 
 ples of voltaic and dynamic electricity, and in connection 
 with the late Dr. Charles G. Page invented many of the 
 electric circuits, movements and machines that are now 
 in use. They continued their experiments together until 
 the fall of 1839, when Dr. Page accepted a position in 
 Washington as examiner of electric patents. Mr. Davis's 
 business increased very rapidly, he being the only man in 
 
 * In taking down the Savage house I found a brick in the chimney which 
 was marked when soft 1752. The brick was made on the place: /. F. Thomp- 
 son. — Mr. Thompson bought the place of Hemingway the owner of the 
 Factory place and took down the house about 1850 — 
 
 Samuel Thompson 1 brothers of Isaac i®* died 
 James Thompson J in Hubbardston 
 
 All three were Revolutionary Soldiers from Princeton. 
 
298 History of Princeton 
 
 the United States at this time who made electro-magnetic 
 apparatus. 
 
 He was a man who did not believe in patents. Had he 
 patented some of his inventions he would have died a 
 millionaire. He invented the art of electrotyping in cop- 
 per, wood-cuts and type such as are used to-day, and gave 
 his invention to the world. In 1846 he electrotyped in 
 copper the arm of a child, which has been lately claimed as 
 a new invention. In 1840 Professor Gareaux of Paris 
 arrived in Boston with the invention of Daguerre. Mr. 
 Davis made a set of apparatus and probably took the first 
 daguerrotype taken in this country. This first picture 
 taken in Boston was the German Catholic church on 
 Suffolk street, now Shawmut Avenue. At that time there 
 were no houses in that vicinity. A gentleman who stood 
 at the corner of the church when the picture was taken 
 held his cane in his right hand, but when the plate was 
 developed and finished, to the astonishment of all, the cane 
 was in the left hand. This puzzled the operator some 
 time, until he learned that the picture, being on an opaque 
 surface, was reversed. 
 
 With the assistance of his brother, Ari Davis, Elias Howe, 
 the famous sewing machine inventor, made his first ma- 
 chine in his shop. 
 
 Mr. Davis was also the first man in this country who did 
 electro gold and silver plating, and taught the art. In 
 1844 Professor Morse had just introduced his telegraph, 
 but it was a very rude and impracticable machine, and it 
 was put into Mr. Davis's hands for improvement and he 
 put it in its present state. He received several gold medals 
 from various exhibitions for his inventions and skill as a 
 manufacturer. His shop was the headquarters for pro- 
 fessors, scientists and electricians for many years. It was 
 frequented by Dr. Hare, Professors Webster, Hitchcock, 
 Silliman, Henry, Abbott, Farmer and Channing and most 
 of the scientific men of the time. Mr. Davis would be in 
 his shirt sleeves trying some new experiment, with the 
 professors crowding around him as much interested in his 
 work as himself. 
 
EDWARD A. r.OODNOW 
 
Biography 299 
 
 At that time probably no man in this country had such 
 a thorough practical knowledge of electricity and he will 
 long be remembered through his work on magnetism en- 
 titled "A Manual of Magnetism, including Galvanism, 
 Magnetism, Electro-Magnetism, Electro- Dynamics, Mag- 
 neto-Electricity and Thermo-Electricity." It contained 
 about 180 original illustrations. 
 
 The first edition came out in 1842; but it ran through 
 several editions, and is now out of print. Originally 
 published more to advertise the wares of Mr. Davis, and 
 as a means of calling attention to his business, than as a 
 text-book of electro-technics, its value as a vade-mecum of 
 electrical information was at once seen and it appeared that 
 he had builded l)etter than he knew. The first edition of 
 1842, and the second edition, which was published in 1847, 
 were both written under the supervision of Drs. John 
 Bacon, Jr., and William F. Channing, and hence acquired 
 an elegance of style and a perspicuity of language, which, 
 combined with the practical knowledge of Mr. Davis, 
 assured the success of the book. It was adopted as a text- 
 book by many colleges and high schools, becoming a great 
 favorite especially in the United States Military Academy 
 at West Point, for the sake of the many practical demon- 
 strations shown within its pages. It has become extremely 
 scarce, but it has ever been valued by those fortunate 
 enough to possess a copy of it, and even now many of our 
 ablest electricians are not ashamed to confess that they 
 have learned much from Davis' Manual of Magnetism. 
 
 In 1852 Mr. Davis retired to his farm in Princeton, where 
 he passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Edward Augustus Goodnow, distinguished as a financier 
 of preeminent ability, and widely known as a philanthropist, 
 born in Princeton, July 16, 1810, was a son of Edward 
 and Rebecca (Beaman) Goodnow. He passed his boyhood 
 life upon the farm, but was fortunate in obtaining more 
 than the ordinary advantages afforded by the district 
 schools in instruction for several terms at Hadley Academy. 
 At the age of twenty he was employed by his elder brother, 
 
300 History of Princeton 
 
 who kept a country store, and two years later entered into 
 partnership with him. The business was afterwards en- 
 larged to include the manufacture of palm-leaf hats and 
 of shoes, an example of enterprise not common at that 
 time. 
 
 In 1847 Mr. Goodnow, seeking broader opportunities, 
 engaged in the cutlery business at Shelburne Falls as a 
 member of the firm of Lamson, Goodnow & Co. In 1852 
 he became a resident of Worcester, and for four years en- 
 gaged in the retail shoe trade, and in 1856 opened the first 
 wholesale jobbing house in that city, in which enterprise 
 his business reached an amount of nearly one-half million 
 dollars in a year. In 1865 he retired from active mer- 
 cantile life in the possession of a large fortune. In 1866 he 
 became president of the First National Bank, in which 
 office he greatly promoted the prosperity of the institution, 
 so that its stock doubled its par value under his manage- 
 ment. For years it was the only bank which allowed 
 interest on deposits subject to check. He served in this 
 office twenty-eight years. He was instrumental in the 
 erection of the First National Bank building. 
 
 Mr. Goodnow entered early into the anti-slavery move- 
 ment, and during the War of the Rebellion gave freely of 
 his means to sustain the government. He headed a sub- 
 scription with $500 to help Governor Andrew enlist and 
 equip the first regiment of colored troops. He subscribed 
 for the first issue of government bonds. He also furnished 
 thirteen clerks from his service for the army. He gave 
 to the Worcester High School the memorial tablets in 
 memory of fifteen students who fell in the war; also a 
 bust of General Grant and a portrait of Harriet Beecher 
 Stowe. Life size portraits of President Garfield and Vice- 
 President Wilson grace Mechanics Hall through his gen- 
 erosity. Several of his benefactions are memorials of his 
 married life. His first wife was Harriet, daughter of 
 Doctor Henry Bagg of Princeton, and subsequent to her 
 death Mr. Goodnow married her sister, Mary Augusta. 
 Of this marriage one son, Henry Bagg Goodnow, was born, 
 
Biography 301 
 
 but did not survive infancy. The second wife died after 
 five years of wedded life. Mr. Goodnow's third wife was 
 Catherine B., daughter of Honorable Seth Caldwell of 
 Barre, who after twenty-five years also passed away. His 
 fourth wife, who survived him, was Sarah A. West. Mr. 
 Goodnow, in connection with his gift of $40,000 to his 
 native town to build the library building known as the 
 Goodnow Memorial building, devoted $3000 ^ towards the 
 building of a new town hall, which has been named Bagg 
 Hall in memory of his first two wives and his son. In 
 1887 he gave $5000 to found the Catherine B. Goodnow 
 fund to the Young Women's Christian Association in 
 Worcester, and later $25,000 more towards completing the 
 building of this association. 
 
 He has also been a benefactor of Plymouth Congrega- 
 tional Church in Worcester, of which he was a member, 
 presenting the chime of bells and its fine organ to that 
 Society. 
 
 As a friend to higher education Mr. Goodnow has par- 
 ticularly distinguished himself. To Mount Holyoke College 
 he gave $25,000, to Iowa College $15,000 to erect the Good- 
 now Library and Observatory; and $5000 each to Wellesley 
 College, the Moody School at Northfield, and Washburn 
 College in Kansas. He also contributed to the funds of 
 Oberlin College, Berea College, Lincoln College, and the 
 Hampton Institute. He gave $25,000 to erect buildings 
 for the Huguenot Seminary in Wellington, South Africa, 
 and was the first American to contribute for the education 
 of woman in South Africa. His total gifts for all purposes 
 exceeded a quarter of a million dollars. 
 
 He retained a good degree of health to an advanced age, 
 and died at his home on Oak Street in Worcester on Feb- 
 ruary first, 1906, in his ninety-sixth year. 
 
 ' His offer was $5000, and $2000 was used for other purposes. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 DIARY KEPT BY ELIZABETH FULLER, DAUGHTER OF 
 REV. TIMOTHY FULLER OF PRINCETON 
 
 This is a copy, except that a Jew items of Utile importance 
 are omitted. 
 
 Ill the short sentences of this quaintly worded Httle 
 chronicle of a demure New Ent;land maiden, Elizabeth 
 Fuller, there is a wholesome picture of tlie (lod-fearing 
 honuvs of the period, when home makint; meant house- 
 keejMng as well. Irresistible touches of humor, conscious 
 and unconscious, run like a scarlet thread through the grey 
 background of weaving, soap-making, neighborly visita- 
 tions and household cares. 
 
 Iler sui)reme satisfaction in her finished spring weaving, 
 and the despair with which she writes on her sixteenth 
 birthday "so many years passed in thoughtlessness and 
 vanity," shows the puritanical influence of her forbears, 
 and her natural upbringing as the daughter of a New Eng- 
 land minister. The neighborliness of the country life of 
 the time, and the sincerity of the men, women and children 
 of the little town, who were her friends, and visitors at the 
 j)arsonage, can be glimpsed between the lines. Her affec- 
 tion for the older sister Sally, and her pride in brother 
 Tim my, are very real as one reads the simple diary with 
 the sometime monotonous daily happenings. For instance 
 the appearance of "I wove today," and the little outburst 
 of girlish j^etulance after a week of it, make her a human 
 child after all, and her little chronicle interesting read- 
 ing for girls and women of another century and sur- 
 rouiuJings. 
 
 302 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 303 
 
 1790 
 
 Oct. 4 — Mr. Pope was here, bought a pair of oxen of Pa. 
 Mr. Keys at work here. 
 
 5 — Pa went as clerk to the venchie of the estate that was 
 
 Mr. Josiah Miricks. — Mr. Keys finished our 
 lean to. 
 
 6 — Pa went to vendue again. 
 
 7 — Very pleasant to-day. I have to work very hard. 
 
 10 — Sabbath Mr. Moore preached. 
 
 11 — I washed to-day. 
 
 12 — Pa got in his corn. Mr. Joseph Eveleth died last 
 
 night. 
 
 13 — Mrs. Perry, Miss Eliza Harris, Miss Sally Puffer, 
 
 and Miss Hannah Haynes, and Warehani, and 
 Rebekah Hastings were baptised by immersion. — 
 I was fifteen to-day. 
 
 14 — A hard storm. Mr. Eveleth was buried. 
 
 18 — Pa and Ma set out for Sandwich. I am quite sick, 
 
 don't sit up but very little. 
 21 — I was so bad that we sent for Dr. Wilson. When he 
 came he told me I had a settled Fever. 
 
 1790 
 
 Nov. 5 — Nathan Perry here about an hour this eve. I am a 
 good deal better, have been out of my room two 
 or three times. 8 o'clock Pa and Ma came home, 
 we were over joyed to see them, but had done 
 expecting them. 
 7 — Sabbath, no preaching in town. 
 II — Timmy went to mill. 
 
 14 — Sabbath. Mr. Sparhawk preached, came here at 
 night. 
 
 19 — Nathan Perry here this evening. 
 
 20 — Leonard Woods here this morn. Mrs. Perry here 
 
 this afternoon a visiting. 
 
 21 — Sabbath. Mr. Brown of Winchcndon [)reaelu'd. 
 
 22 — Rcvd. Mr. Brown breakfasted with us this morning. 
 
 He is an agreable pretty man. 
 
 23 — Mr. (Gregory killed a cow for Pa. 
 
 24 — We baked two ovensfull of pyes. — Mr. Nathan 
 
 Perry here this eve. 
 
 25 — Thanksgiving to-day we baked three ovensfull of 
 
 pyes. There was no preaching so we had nothing 
 to do but eat them. The pyes were a great deal 
 better than they were last Thanksgiving for I 
 made them all myself, and part of them were made 
 of Hour which we got of Mr. H. Hastings therefore 
 we had plenty of spice. 
 
304 History of Princeton 
 
 26 — Mr. Ephriam Mirick here. Pa went to town meeting. 
 
 27 — Mr. Gregory killed our hogs to-day. 
 
 28 — There is no preaching in this town. There came a 
 
 considerable snow last night. 
 30 — Caty Eveleth was married the 22nd inst. 
 
 1790 
 
 Dec. I — I went to Mr. Perry's to make a visit this afternoon, 
 
 had an excellent dish of tea and a shortcake. — 
 
 Betsey Whitcomb at work there. Had a sociable 
 
 afternoon. 
 
 2 — Silas Perry here to-day before sunrise. Pa is very 
 
 poorly having a very bad cough. I am a good deal 
 
 afraid he will go into a consumption. 
 
 Oh ! if my soul was formed for woe how would I vent 
 
 my sighs 
 My grief it would like rivers flow, from both my 
 
 streaming eyes. 
 I am disconsolate to-night. 
 4 — I minced the Link meat. 
 6 — Timmy has gone to the singing meeting. 
 II — Sabbath. David Perry here to borrow our singing 
 book. 
 
 16 — John Brooks here killing our sheep. A severe snow 
 
 storm. 
 
 17 — Very cold. I made sixteen dozen of candles. 
 
 19 — Sabbath cold enough to freeze fools but I was so wise 
 I would have gone to meeting had not Ma kept 
 me at home. I had not sense enough to more than 
 balance my folly. Pa went to meeting, got there 
 time enough to hear three hims and the prayer, but 
 it was as much as ever he did. Mr. Lee preached. 
 
 21 — James Mirick is here, says Ephraim is gone to Fitz- 
 
 william to bring Mrs. Garfield and her household 
 stuff down. 
 
 22 — David Perry here to get Timmy to go to the singing 
 
 school with him. 
 
 24 — I scoured the pewter. Pa went to Fitchburg. 
 
 26 — Sabbath. Stormy weather. We all stayed at 
 home. Pretty warm. 
 
 28 — Cold and pleasant to-day. Pa sold his mare, is to 
 have eleven dollars and a cow. Pa and Timmy 
 went to Mr. Holden's in Westminster to drive the 
 cow home. She behaved so bad they did not get 
 her farther than Mr. Dodd's. Mr. Woods here to 
 borrow some books of Pa. 
 
 30 — Very pleasant. Mr. Eveleth's personal estate ven- 
 dued. Pa and Tim gone there. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 305 
 
 31 — Cloudy and cold. Mr. Nathan Perry here this 
 evening. 
 
 1791 
 
 Jan. I — A very severe snow storm to-day. 
 3 — Sabbath Fair & cold. 
 
 3 — Cloudy & warm. Elisha Brooks here this afternoon. 
 6 — warm & foggy the snow wastes very fast. Sam 
 Mirick & Asaph Perry here a getting up wood. 
 
 8 — Cold to-day. Timmy went to Mr. Perrys. Han- 
 
 nah Brooks here. 
 
 9 — Sabbath. I went to Meeting, rode on the colt. — I 
 
 have not been before since October 17. 
 (eve seven o'clock) Revd. Mr. Tucker, Mr. Johnes 
 of Gerry, Lieut. Mirick & Lieutenant Russell came 
 here to spend the eve. 
 ID — Mr. Thomson here this P.M. Wareham Hastings 
 and Sam Brooks here this eve. 
 
 11 — Ephraim Mirick & Asaph Perry at work here. 
 
 12 — I went to Mrs. Miricks to make a visit. Charles 
 
 Mirick there. Nathan Perry here, this to divide 
 newspapers. 
 
 13 — Hannah Brooks here borrowed half a pound of wool. 
 
 David Perry here to get Timmy to go to singing 
 school. 
 
 14 — I am a Passing Grammar. David Perry here. 
 
 15 — Enoch Brooks here, brought home the wool. I am 
 
 a studying today 
 
 16 — Sabbath very warm and pleasant no meeting in 
 
 town. I wish Mr. Crafts Brains would make 
 haste and grow stronger for I really hate to stay at 
 home such fine Sleighing riding & walking as 'tis 
 now. 
 
 17 — The Severest snow storm there has been this winter. 
 
 I washed. 
 
 18 — Fair but cold. I studied in the afternoon. Mr. 
 
 Uriah Moore to get Pa to go to Lieut. Miricks to 
 assist Mr. Ben. Clark in a law Suit between him 
 & Amos Clark, said Amos is black Tonys son. it 
 is called a Rule of law. 
 
 19 — Pa went to Lieut. Miricks to assist Mr. Benja'" Clark. 
 
 20 — I am writing Grammar. Nathan Perry had Pa's 
 
 Horse to carry Caty and Lucretia Mirick to Col. 
 Whetcombs. 
 
 21 — I am a writing Grammar to-day. Pleasant weather. 
 
 Nathan Perry put our Horse into their sleigh and 
 carried Me to the singing school & back again. 
 I had a fine ride and a line evening; they sung a 
 great many Tunes, I sang with them. 
 
306 History of Princeton 
 
 22 — Nathan Perry here this eve. till eight o'clock. 
 
 23 — Sabbath. I went to church. Mr. Davis Preached. 
 24 — I washed. Timmy went to Mr. Perrys in the eve. 
 
 27 — Pa went to Mr. Cuttings this evening. 
 
 28 — Pa went to Leominster. 
 
 29 — Mrs. Hastings here and drank tea with us. 
 
 30 — Sabbath snowy dull weather. Timmy went to 
 
 church. Mr. Davis Preached. Pa & all the rest 
 of our Family staid at home. 
 
 31 — Mr. Benjamin Clark here to-day. 
 
 1791 
 
 Feb. I — Mr. Cutting here last eve. — Mr. Tom Ralph here 
 this morn. — Mr. Hadley here to Dine. 
 
 2 — James Mirick here to get our Colt. — Asaph Perry 
 
 here, Pa paid him. 
 
 3 — Tom Ralph here this morn. Nathan Perry came 
 
 here about nine o'clock & staid until one. 
 
 4 — Pa & Timmy Gone to Hubbardston after Rye. 
 
 (eve.) Pa & Tim came home have bought fifteen 
 Bushels Rye. John Brooks here. 
 
 5 — Nathan Perry here this eve till seven o'clock. 
 
 6 — Sabbath. I went to church in the P.M. Mr. Pay- 
 
 son of Ringe Preached. 
 8 — cold a severe storm. James Mirick here. 
 ""9 — storm weather, I am a picking blue wool. Nathan 
 Perry here to-day. 
 
 11 — Pleasant but cold. Mr. Parmenter here this eve. 
 
 12 — Nathan Perry here. 
 
 13 — Sabbath. I went to church Mr. Estabrook Preached 
 
 14 — Mr. Perry here this eve. 
 
 *I7 — Excessive cold, I do not know as there ever was a 
 colder day. I picked wool. 
 
 18 — Cold. I finished picking wool. 
 
 19 — stormy. Nathan Perry here, brought some letters 
 
 from Sally, they came by way of Worcester. 
 
 20 — Sabbath, no Meeting but of antipedo baptists. 
 
 21 — David Perry here. Mr. Perry here this eve a few 
 
 moments. Pa is gone to Westminster. 
 "^ 22 — I began to break the blue wool for Pa's coat, broke 
 a pound & three quarters in the P.M. Pa went 
 to Sterling. 
 
 23 — I broke four Pounds of blue Wool to-day. 
 
 24 — I finished breaking wool. Mr. Stephen Brigham 
 
 here. 
 
 26 — Elisha Brooks here. 
 
 27 — Sabbath no Preaching. 
 
 28 — very warm South wind & rain. I washed to-day. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 307 
 
 1791 
 
 Mar. I — Pa went to Mr. Stephen Brighams to write his will. 
 Ma began to spin the wool for Pa's coat. I card 
 for her & do the household work. 
 
 2 — Ma is a spinning. 
 
 3 — ■ Ma spun three skeins. — • Nathan Perry here. — Pa 
 
 is gone to Mr. Hastings this eve. 
 
 4 — ■ Mrs. Perry here to spend the afternoon. 
 
 5 — Ma spun. 
 
 6 — Sabbath, no Meeting in Town. 
 
 7 — very warm. Anna Perry here visiting. — I made 
 
 18 dozen of candles & washed. 
 
 8 — Ma spun. 
 
 9 — Miss Eunice Mirick here a visiting this afternoon. 
 10 — Warm and rainy. — Francis Eveleth here to borrow 
 
 our singing Book. Ma spun. 
 
 II — Rainy weather. Mr. Thomson here to-day after 
 rates. Mr. Parmenter here, bought two calf 
 skins of Pa, gave him ten shillings apiece. — David 
 Perry here. — Timmy went to Mr. Brooks. 
 
 12 — David Perry here to-day. 
 
 13 — -Sabbath no Meeting. 
 
 14 — March Meeting Mr. Crafts asked a dismission, had 
 
 his request granted without the least difficulty, so 
 now we are once more a free people ha ha, he is 
 going to Weymouth to keep shop a going out of 
 Town this week 'tis thought he has not much to 
 carry with him I do not know nor care what he has. 
 
 15 — Revd. Mr. Rice & Mr. Isaac Thomson here. Mr. 
 
 Rice Dined here. 
 
 16 — Pa went to Mr. Bangs to-day. 
 
 18 — Capt. Clark here this evening. 
 
 19 — John Brooks here to-day. — Nathan Perry here for 
 
 the newspaper. — Ma spun two skeins & an half 
 of filling yarn. 
 
 20 — Sabbath. Pa went to church Mr. Saunders 
 
 Preached, he is one of Stephen Baxters classmates, 
 the going was so bad that none of the rest of our 
 Family went to hear him. 
 
 21 — Cold. Mr. Brooks here. 
 
 22 — Pa went to Mr. Bangs. 
 
 23 — 'Pa went to Mr. Rolphs to-day. On the 13th inst. 
 Miss Caty Mirick was Married to Mr. Joshua 
 Eveleth. 
 
 24 — Mr. Brooks here to-day to get Pa to write a Deed of 
 
 Mr. Hastingses Farm for him. 
 
 25 — Ma finished spinning her blue Wool to-day. ^ 
 
 26 — Ma went to Mrs. Miricks to get a slay Harness. 
 
 Mrs. Caty Eveleth came home with her. 
 
3o8 History of Princeton 
 
 27 — Sabbath very pleasant I went to church. Mr. 
 
 Rolph Preached. — Esqr. Woolson here to tarry- 
 all night. 
 
 28 — Esqr. Woolson went from here this morning. A 
 
 man here to-day that was both deaf and dumb, he 
 is Son to a Merchant in London, he went to sea & 
 the ship was struck with Lightning & which 
 occasioned his being deaf & dumb, he could write 
 wrote a good deal here. He was a good looking 
 young Man, about 25 he wrote his name Joel 
 Smith. I really pitied him. I went to Mrs, 
 Miricks & warped the piece. 
 V 29 — Mrs. Garfield came here to show me how to draw in 
 Piece did not stay but about half an hour. 
 
 30 — I tyed in the Piece & wove two yards. 
 
 31 — Fast. I went to Meeting all day. Mr. Rolph 
 preached half of the day & Mr. Saunders the other 
 half. Mr. Saunders is a very good Preacher & a 
 handsome Man. — David Perry here this evening 
 to sing with us. 
 
 1791 
 
 April ^ I — I wove two yards and three quarters & three inches 
 to-day & I think I did pretty well considering it 
 was April Fool day. Mr. Brooks & Mr. Hastings 
 here to get Pa to do some writing for them. 
 V. 2 — I wove three yards and a quarter. 
 
 3 — Sabbath. I went to church. — an anular eclipse of 
 
 the sun, it was fair weather. 
 
 4 — I wove five yards & a quarter. Mr. Cutting here 
 
 this eve. 
 
 5 — I wove four yards. Mrs. Garfield & Mrs. Eveleth 
 
 who was once Caty Mirick here a visiting. — The 
 real estate of Mr. Josiah Mirick deceased is ven- 
 dued to-day. 
 
 (eve) Timmy has got home from the vendue Mr. 
 Cutting has bought the Farm gave 255£ Sam Mat- 
 thews has bought the part of the Pew gave eight 
 dollars. 
 
 6 — I got out the White piece Mrs. Garfield warped 
 
 the blue, came here & began to draw in the 
 Piece. 
 
 7 — I finished drawing in the Piece & wove a yard & a 
 
 half. Sam Matthews here to-day. 
 
 8 — I wove two yards & a quarter. 
 
 9 — I wove two yards & a quarter. 
 
 10 — Sabbath. I went to church in the A.M. Mamma 
 went in the P.M. she has not been before since she 
 came from Sandwich. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 309 
 
 11 — I wove a yard & a half. Parmela Mirick here to 
 
 see me. 
 
 12 — I wove to-day. 
 
 13 — Mrs. Brooks here a visiting. I wove. 
 
 14 — I got out the Piece in the A.M. Pa carried it to Mr. 
 
 Deadmans. Miss EUza Harris here. 
 
 15 — I began to spin Linnen spun 21 knots. I went to 
 
 Mr. Perrys on an errand. Pa went to Mr. Mat- 
 thews to write his will & some deeds. He has sold 
 Dr. Wilson 20 acres of Land & given Sam a deed 
 of some I believe about 25 acres. 
 
 16 — Pa went to Mr. Matthews again. — I spun 21 
 
 knots. 
 
 17 — Sabbath I went to church all day Mr. Davis Preached 
 
 Mr. Saunders is sick. 
 
 18 — I spun two double skeins of Linnen. 
 
 19 — I spun two double skeins. 
 
 20 — I spun two double skeins. — Ma went to Mrs. 
 
 Miricks for a visit was sent for home. — Revd. 
 Daniel Fuller of Cape Ann here to see us. 
 
 21 — Revd. Mr. Fuller went from here this morn. Ma 
 
 went to Mrs. Miricks again. — I spun two skeins. 
 — Sukey Eveleth & Nabby here to see Nancy. 
 
 22 — I spun two double skeins O dear 
 
 Quadville has murdered wit, & work will do as bad, 
 for wit is always merry, but work does make me 
 sad. 
 
 23 — I spun two skeins. Nathan Perry here. — Ware- 
 
 ham Hastings at work here. 
 
 24 — I went to church. Mr. Thurston Preached. — Mr. 
 
 Saunders is sick. 
 
 25 — Leonard Woods here all this forenoon, brought Hol- 
 
 yokes singing Book. Left it here. 
 
 26 — Pa went to see Mr. Saunders. I Pricked some tunes 
 
 out of Holyokes Singing Book. 
 
 27 — I spun five skeins of linnen yarn. 
 
 28 — I spun five skeins of linnen yarn. Pa went to 
 
 Sterling. 
 
 29 — I Pricked some Tunes out of Holyokes singing Book. 
 
 I spun some. 
 
 30 — I spun four skeins to-day. 
 
 1791 
 
 May I — Sabbath I went to Meeting to-day. 
 
 2 — I spun five skeins to-day. 
 
 3 — I spun five skeins to-day. 
 
 4 — I spun two skeins to-day finished the Warp for this 
 
 Piece. — Nathan Perry worked here this P.M. 
 
310 History of Princeton 
 
 5 — I spun four skeins of tow for the filling to the Piece 
 
 I have been spinning. Pa went to Worcester 
 to get the newspaper. Nathan Perry here this 
 eve. 
 
 6 — I spun four Skeins to-day. 
 
 7 — I spun four Skeins to-day. 
 
 8 — Sabbath. I went to church A.M. Mr. Thurston 
 
 preached. Mr. John Rolph & his Lady & Mr. 
 Osburn her Brother & a Miss Anna Strong (a 
 Lady courted by said Osbourn) came here after 
 Meeting and drank Tea. 
 
 9 — I spun four skeins. Mr. Thurston here this P.M. a 
 
 visiting he is an agreeable Man appears much 
 better out of the Pulpit than in. 
 
 10 — I spun four Skeins to-day. 
 
 11 — I spun four skeins. 
 
 12 — I spun four skeins. Lucy Matthews here. 
 
 13 — I spun four skeins. — Ma is making Soap. Rainy, 
 
 14 — I spun four skeins. Ma finished making soap and it 
 
 is very good. 
 
 15 — I went to church A. M. Mr. Thurston Preached he 
 
 is a . — Mr. Rolph drank Tea here. 
 
 17 — I spun four skeins to-day. 
 
 18 — I spun four skeins of linnen yarn to Make a Harness 
 
 of. — • Ma is a breaking. 
 
 19 — I spun two skeins and twisted the harness yarn. 
 
 20 — Mrs. Garfield came here this Morning to show me 
 
 how to make a Harness, did not stay but about 
 half an Hour. — Mrs. Perry & Miss Eliza Harris 
 here a visiting. 
 
 21 — I went to Mrs. Miricks and warped the Piece. 
 
 22 — I went to church in the A.M. Mr. Saunders 
 
 preached gave us a good sermon his text Romans 
 6th Chap. 23 verse. For the wages of Sin is 
 Death. 
 
 23 — I got in my Piece to-day wove a yard. 
 
 24 — Wove two yards & an half. 
 
 25 — Election. I wove three Yards to-day. — Mrs. Perry 
 \ here a few moments. 
 
 26 — I wove three Yards to-day. The two Mrs. Matthews 
 
 here to Day. I liked Sam's Wife much better 
 than I expected to. — Miss. Eliza Harris here 
 about two Hours. 
 
 27 — I wove five Yards to-day. 
 
 29 — Pleasant weather. Pa went to Sterling. My Cousin 
 
 Jacob Kembal of Amherst came here to-day. 
 
 30 — General Election at Bolton. — Mr. Josiah Eveleth 
 
 & Wife & Mrs. Garfield here on a visit. 
 
Diary hy Elizabeth Fuller 311 
 
 1791 
 
 June I — Moses Harrington carried off Mr. Hastings old 
 shop. 
 
 2 — Elisha Brooks here to-day. 
 
 5 — I made myself a Shift. — Mrs. Perry here a visiting. 
 
 Nathan Perry here this evening. 
 
 6 — Sabbath. No Meeting in Town. Elisha Brooks 
 
 here to see if there was a meeting. 
 
 7 — I made myself a blue worsted Coat. 
 
 8 — Aaron & Nathan Perry here. — Pamela Mirick here 
 
 a visiting this afternoon. 
 
 9 — Mrs. Brooks here a visiting. — I helped Sally make 
 
 me a blue worsted Gown. 
 10 — I helped Sally make me a brown Woolen Gown. 
 
 12 — Sally cut out a striped lutestring Gown for me. 
 
 13 — Sabbath I went to church. Mr. Green Preached. 
 
 14 — Aaron Perry here. 
 
 15 — I cut out a striped linnen Gown. — Sally finished 
 
 my lutestring. 
 
 16 — Rainy weather. Ma cut out a Coattee for me. — 
 
 Salmon Houghton breakfasted with us. — Elisha 
 Brooks spent the afternoon here. 
 
 17 — Ma, Sally & I spent the afternoon at Mrs. Miricks. 
 
 18 — Cool. Sally finished my Coattee. 
 
 19 — I finished my striped linnen Gown. Mr. Soloman 
 
 Davis here. 
 
 20 — Sabbath. I went to Church, wore my lutestring, 
 
 Sally wore hers we went to Mr. Richardsons & 
 Dined. — rained at night. 
 
 21 — Pleasant weather. Mr. Bush here. 
 
 22 — Capt. Moore here to-day. Put in my dwiant Coat 
 
 & Sally & I quilted it out before night. 
 
 23 — Sally put in a Worsted Coat for herself and we 
 
 quilted it out by the middle of the afternoon. .'-' 
 Very pleasant weather. 
 
 24 — I made myself a Shift. 
 
 25 — Very hot weather. — Abishai Eveleth here. 
 
 2^ — Rainy, unpleasant weather. I stayed at home all 
 day. 
 
 1792 
 
 Jan. I — Sabbath. I went to church in the P.M. a severe 
 snow storm. Mr. Goodrich preached his Text 
 2nd Corinthians 13th Chap. 5th Verse. Examine 
 yourselves whether ye be in the faith, prove your- 
 selves; know ye not your own selves how that 
 Christ be in you if you be not reprobates. 
 
 3 — I spun two Skeins to-day. 
 
312 History of Princeton 
 
 4 — Nathan Perry here to-day. I spun two Skeins 
 
 to-day. 
 
 5 — David Perry here. I spun two Skeins to-day. 
 
 6 — Mr. Mirick & John Brooks got up Wood here to-day. 
 
 I spun two Skeins to-day. very cold. 
 
 7 — I spun two Skeins. Very cold. 
 
 8 — Sabbath. I staid at home was very sick with a 
 
 cold. — Pa & Sally went to Meeting in the P.M. — 
 Mr. Parker of Hubbardston preached. — very cold 
 indeed. 
 
 9 — I spun two Skeins to-day. 
 
 10 — I spun two Skeins & an half. John Gilbert & John 
 
 Brooks got up Wood here to-day. 
 
 11 — I spun three Skeins. Mr. Mirick and John Gilbert 
 
 worked here all day. 
 
 12 — Ma went to Mr. Brookes on a visit. Mr. Brooks 
 
 went to Worcester, brought us a pacquet from 
 Aunt Dwight she sent us a lawn apron three Hand- 
 kerchiefs & a Sash. 
 
 13 — A very severe snow storm. 
 
 14 — I made me a Calico loose Gown. 
 
 15 — Sabbath I stayed at home. 
 , 16 — I spun two Skeins. 
 
 17 — Mr. Cutting here this evening. 
 
 18 — Nathan Perry here this morning. — Mr. Hobbs here 
 
 this afternoon. 
 
 19 — I spun to-day. 
 
 20 — I spun two Skeins to-day. 
 
 21 — I spun two Skeins to-day. 
 
 22 — Sabbath. I stayed at home as did all the rest of the 
 
 family except Timmy. 
 
 23 — I spun Swingling Tow. Excessively cold. 
 
 24 — I spun, very cold still no Travelling either on Horse- 
 
 back or on foot. 
 
 25 — Very cold. I spun. Wareham Hastings here this 
 
 morn. 
 
 26 — The pleasantest day that has been this fortnight. 
 
 I spun. 
 29 — Sabbath. I went to Church P.M. 
 31 — I spun, Warm & rainy; thaws a good deal. 
 
 1792 
 
 Feb. I — I spun. Mrs. Hastings here to-day. 
 
 2 — I spun. Mrs. Garfield here a visiting. — Mr. Hast- 
 ings here to-day. 
 ■^3 — I spun to-day, very pleasant. — I finished my thread 
 Stocking. 
 4 — Mrs. Perry & Mrs. Nickols here a visiting this 
 afternoon. 
 
Diary hy Elizabeth Fuller 313 
 
 5 — Sabbath. Very pleasant. I went to church In the 
 
 P.M. 
 
 6 — Mr. John Rolph here to-day. he was ordained at 
 
 Gouverneur (?) Creek a few Weeks ago is to move 
 his Family to-morrow. 
 
 7 — I spun to-day. David Perry here to-night. 
 
 8 — I spun. I should think I might have spun up all the 
 
 Swingling tow in America by this time. 
 
 9 — I spun Swingling tow, have spun two Skeins a day 
 
 every day for three Weeks past. 
 
 10 — I spun Wool to-day. 
 
 11 — I spun three Skeins of Wool. 
 
 12 — Sabbath. I stayed at home. 
 
 13 — Mr. & Mrs. Bangs here this evening a visiting. 
 
 They broke seven Pounds of Wool. 
 
 14 — Asaph Perry & Enoch Harrington here. — Mr. Perry 
 
 here a few moments. — Ezra & Sam Brooks here 
 this evening. 
 
 15 — I broke W'ool to-day. Mr. Isaac Norcross here 
 
 to-day. 
 
 16 — I broke Wool. Ma went to Mr. Hastings's. 
 
 19 — Sabbath no Meeting in Town. Sally & I went to 
 
 Mr. Hastings's Elisha Brooks came home with us. 
 
 20 — I finished breaking Wool and spun a Skein. 
 
 21 — I carded and spun three skeins of warp. — Mr. 
 
 Hastings & Family moved away. 
 
 22 — Mrs. Garfield & Mrs. Betsey Garfield here. 
 
 22 — I spun three Skeins. Mrs. Perry here a visiting. 
 
 23 — I spun three Skeins. J. Brooks here. 
 
 26 — No Meeting in Town, very Pleasant weather. 
 
 27 — Mr. Bangs here this morning. I spun three Skeins. 
 
 28 — I spun three Skeins finished the W^arp for our Cloaks. 
 
 29 — I begun to spin the filling for our Cloaks, spun five 
 
 Skeins. 
 
 1792. 
 
 Mar. I — I spun four Skeins to-day. very pleasant. 
 
 3 — I spun four Skeins. Dr. Woolson came here to-day 
 
 & dined & stayed till almost night, very warm 
 & Pleasant. 
 
 4 — Sabbath. Very warm & pleasant no meeting in 
 
 Town to-day. 
 
 5 — Mr. Nathan Perry spent the afternoon & evening 
 
 here. 
 8 — Sally went to Mrs. Miricks on a visit. 
 
 10 — Stormy all day. Thundered & lightened in the 
 
 evening. 
 
 11 — Sabbath. No meeting in Town to-day. 
 
314 History of Princeton 
 
 12 — I am a weaving our Cloaks. 
 
 13 — Pa, Ma, Sally & I spent the afternoon at Mr. Brooks. 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. Polly & Betsey Mason there, had a 
 very agreeable visit. 
 
 14 — Pa & Ma went to Mr. Silas Beaman's on a visit. — 
 
 I got out my Piece there is fourteen yards & a half. 
 
 15 — I got in a Piece for winter gowns. — Anna Perry & 
 
 Susan Mirick here a visiting 
 18 — Sabbath, no Meeting. 
 
 21 — I got out my Piece; there is thirteen Yards & almost 
 
 a half. 
 
 22 — I went to Mr. Joshua Eveleths Mrs. Eveleth got to 
 
 bed a week ago She has a Girl. Mr. T. Gleasons 
 wife & his Daughter Polly there. 
 
 23 — I got in a Piece of Linnen for Shirting. very 
 
 warm. 
 25 — Sabbath, no Meeting. 
 27 — I wove. Mr. Crosset here this evening a visiting. 
 
 He keeps School in this Town. 
 29 — A day of publick fasting, no preaching in Town. 
 
 1792 
 
 Apr. I — Sabbath, no Meeting in town. 
 X. 5 — I wove. Pa went to sterling. 
 
 6 — I wove. Parmela Mirick here. Elisha Brooks 
 
 here. 
 
 7 — I finished weaving the linnen Piece, there is Thirty 
 
 Yards of it. Nathan Perry here this evening. 
 
 8 — Sabbath, very pleasant. 
 
 9 — I drawed in a Piece of coarse Wool & wove four yards. 
 
 11 — I wove half a Yard, got out the Piece. There is 
 
 eleven Yards & an half. 
 
 12 — I drawed in a Piece of blue Worsted. 
 15 — Sabbath. I stayed at home 
 
 20 — I got out the Piece there is sixteen Yards & an half. 
 
 I got in the Piece for rag Coverlids. I wove four 
 
 Yards. 
 22 — Sabbath. Mr. Davis preached. I went to Church. 
 
 24 — I wove five Yards got out the Piece, there is 25 Yards 
 
 of it. 
 
 25 — I spun four Skeins of tow. 
 
 26 — I helped Sally alter my dark Callico Gown. 
 
 27 — I began to draw in a Piece of linnen. 
 
 28 — I finished drawing in the Piece & wove five Yards. 
 
 29 — Sabbath. Mr. Davis Preached. I went to Church 
 
 all day. Nathan Perry came home with me at 
 night to get the Newspaper. 
 
 30 — I wove eight yards. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 315 
 
 1792 
 
 May I — I wove eight Yards. 
 
 2 — I wove eight yards. 
 
 3 — I wove two & an half Yards. Got out the Piece, 
 
 there is thirty one Yards & an half; have finished 
 my weaving for this year I have woven a hundred 
 and forty Yards since the ninth of March. 
 
 4 — I sewed. 
 
 28 — I wove six yards & an half to-day. 
 
 29 — Sabbath. I went to church in the A.M. Mr. Saun- 
 
 ders Preached from Matthew 15th Chap. 28th 
 verse. " Then Jesus answered and said O Woman 
 great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou 
 wilt." — Exceeding Hot to-day. 
 
 30 — Mr. & Mrs. Hobbs & Mr. Saunders here a visiting 
 
 to-day, Mr. Saunders is a very agreeable pretty 
 ^ Man. I wove three yards to-day. 
 
 31 — I wove six yards & a half to Day. Silas Perry here 
 
 ^ a few Moments. 
 
 1792 
 
 June I — I wove five yards to-day got out the Piece, there is 
 thirty six yards of it. Welcome sweet Liberty, 
 once more to me. How have I longed to meet 
 again with thee. 
 
 2 — Pa went to Sterling. 
 
 3 — Nathan Perry here. 
 
 4 — Nathan Perry here, did not come into the house for 
 
 fear he had got the Measles. 
 
 5 — I went to church in the A.M. Mr. Saunders 
 
 preached his Text second Corrinthians seventh 
 Chap. loth Verse. " For Godly sorrow leadeth to 
 repentance unto salvation." 
 
 6 — Pa went to Mr. Perrys they have all got the Meazles. 
 
 7 — Ma went to Mr. Brooks visiting. Pa went to Train- 
 
 ing saw Mr. Saunders & a gentleman that Preached 
 at Gardner there. 
 9 — Nancy & Debby went to Mr. Simeon Aliens. 
 10 — Pa went to Sterling. 
 
 12 — Sabbath. I went to church Mr. Saunders his Text 
 
 Luke 1 8th Chap, ist Verse "And he spake a par- 
 able unto them, to this end, that Men ought always 
 to pray & not to faint. 
 
 13 — Lucretia Mirick here to see me this afternoon. 
 
 14 — Ma cut out Pa's coat. Miss Eliza Harris here a few 
 
 moments. 
 
 15 — Ma is making Pa's coat. 
 
 16 — Pa and Ma went to Esqr. Gills a visiting. 
 
31 6 History of Princeton 
 
 17 — Ma at work on Pa's coat. 
 
 18 — I worked hard & did nothing. 
 
 19 — Sabbath rany weather Sacrament to-day. Ma 
 
 went to Meeting. 
 
 20 — My sister Patty Williams's birthday she is four 
 
 years old. 
 
 21 — Timmy went to Sterling. 
 
 22 — Hannah Brooks here. 
 
 23 — Polly Mirick here. 
 
 25 — Pa went to Daniel Cheever's & got a Rope made. 
 
 Pa stopped to see Mr. Saunders drank Tea with 
 him. 
 
 26 — Sabbath. I went to church Mr. Saunders Preached. 
 
 Mr. David Brooks oldest Son died last night of the 
 billions cholick he was taken with it on thursday 
 last. 
 
 27 — Mr. David Brookses Son was buried. 
 
 28 — Anna Perry here I scoured the keeping room fioor. 
 30 — Expected Sally home but she did not come. 
 
 1792 
 
 July I — Pa went to Rutland. Holton is a Year old. 
 
 2 — Pa went to Sterling saw Mr. Pope he said he saw 
 
 Uncle Tommy last Thursday who told him Sally 
 had not got to Boston yet. I am afraid she is sick 
 or some of the Folks where she is but I do not 
 intend to be more concerned about her than I 
 can help until I know, for it is time enough then. 
 
 3 — Sabbath. I went to church Mr. Packard Preached, 
 
 he is one of the Tutors of Harvard College. 
 
 4 — Pleasant weather. I washed. 
 
 5 — I am a picking blue Wool for Pa's Surtout. 
 
 6 — I picked blue wool. 
 
 7 — I broke blue Wool to-day. 
 
 8 — I finished breaking blue Wool. 
 
 9 — I fixed up my leghorn Hat & it looks very spry. 
 
 10 — Sabbath. I went to church. Mr. Wright of Boston 
 
 Preached here His Text Galatians 2d Chap. 20th 
 Verse, I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I 
 live: yet not I but Christ liveth in me. Pa is gone 
 to Rutland to Preach for Mr. Buckminster. 
 
 11 — Timmy 's birth Day he is thirteen Years Old. Eph- 
 
 raim Fairbank came here to do Pa's haying. 
 
 12 — Ma began to spin the blue Wool for Pa's Coat. 
 
 13 — Ma spun a skein & a half. 
 
 14 — Ma spun a skein & a half. 
 
 15 — Ma spun. 
 
 ^16 — Ma spun, it is excessive Hot & has been all this Week. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 317 
 
 17 — Sabbath. Mr. Packard preached his Text Romans 
 
 8th Chap. 29th & 30th verses. 
 
 18 — Pleasant. I washed. 
 
 19 — Ma spun. Anna Perry here a few moments. 
 
 20 — Ma spun. 
 
 21 — very pleasant Ma spun. 
 
 22 — Ma spun. 
 
 23 — Ma spun two skeins. Mrs. Garfield here. Revd. 
 
 Mr. Rice drank Tea here. 
 
 24 — Sabbath. I went to church A.M. Mr. Adams 
 
 preached, his Text Galatians 3rd Chap. 21st & 
 22nd verses. Is the law then against the promises 
 of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law 
 given which could have given Life, verily righteous- 
 ness should have been by the law, but the Scrip- 
 ture hath concluded all under Sin that the promise 
 by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them 
 that believe. 
 
 25 — Pleasant to-day. 
 
 26 — Ma spun to-day. 
 
 27 — Mr. Adams here a visiting this afternoon, he is a 
 
 very sociable agreeable Man & a very black Man. 
 
 28 — Ma finished the warp of her blue Wool. 
 
 29 — I spun some Linnen Yarn to make a Harness. 
 
 30 — Anna Perry here a few Moments. 
 
 31 — Sabbath. I went to church A.M. Mr. Adams Text 
 
 ecclesiastes 7th Chap. i6th verse be not righteous 
 over much, neither make thyself over wise, why 
 shouldst thou distress thyself. 
 
 1792 
 
 Aug. I — I washed. 
 
 2 — I spun four skeins of linnen Yarn. 
 
 3 — I spun five skeins. 
 
 4 — I spun three Skeins & scoured the best Chamber 
 
 Floor. Lt. Mirricks Lady Capt. Gills Lady & 
 Mrs. Brooks here a visiting. Pa went to Shrews- 
 bury to see Mr. Morse with Mr. Adams. Sally 
 is nineteen years old to-day. 
 
 5 — I spun four skeins. Nathan Perry here. 
 
 7 — Sabbath. I went to church A.M. Mr. Adams Text 
 
 Proverbs 3rd Chap. 8th verse She shall bring 
 thee to Honour when thou dost embrace her. Mr. 
 Thomas Mason & Lady dined here. 
 
 8 — I washed to-day. 
 
 9 — I spun four skeins. 
 
 10 — I spun four skeins of linnen. Uncle & Aunt Dwight 
 & Sally came here, we rejoice exceedingly to see 
 Sally come home. 
 
31 8 History of Princeton 
 
 11 — Uncle & Aunt Dwight went from here about one 
 
 o'clock. I love Uncle & Aunt exceedingly. Aunt 
 gave me a lawn Handkerchief. Pa & Ma went as 
 far as Rutland with them. 
 
 12 — I did not do much, spent chief of my time with Sally 
 
 very much against her inclination, for she sent me 
 out of the Room fifty times in a minute but I did 
 not care any more than our white chicken does 
 when we drive it out of the House. 
 
 13 — I made a Cheese. Mr. Adams here to-day. 
 
 14 — Sabbath. I went to meeting A.M. 
 
 15 — I washed. Mrs. Garfield here a visiting. 
 
 16 — I picked blue Wool. 
 
 17 — I broke blue Wool. 
 
 18 — I finished breaking the Wool & carded some. 
 
 19 — I carded blue Wool. Ma spun. 
 20 — I carded. 
 
 21 — Sabbath. I went to church all day Mr. Davis 
 preached. 
 
 22 — I washed. 
 
 23 — Silas Perry here this morning. 
 
 24 — Ma and Sally went to Mrs. Miricks and warped the 
 
 Piece. 
 
 25 — Mrs. Garfield here. 
 
 26 — I drawed the Piece into the Harness & Sley & wove 
 
 a yard. 
 
 27 — I wove five yards of Cloth. Revd. Mr. Morse & 
 
 Miss Tamar Beaman came here & drank Tea. 
 
 28 — Sabbath. I went to church Mr. Davis Preached. 
 
 1792 
 
 Sept. I — I began to spin the white Wool. 
 
 2 — I spun three Skeins of Warps. 
 
 3 — I spun three Skeins. 
 
 4 — Sabbath. I went to church Mr. Rice of Westminster 
 
 Preached. 
 
 5 — Rainy. Trooping & Training in this Town to-day. 
 
 — Sally & I went to see them. 
 
 6 — I spun three skeins. 
 
 7 — Fidelia Mirick here a visiting to-day. 
 
 8 — I spun three Skeins to-day. 
 
 9 — I spun three Skeins. Pa &. Ma went to Mr. Rich- 
 
 ardson's a visiting. 
 10 — I spun three skeins. 
 II — Sabbath dull weather. I stayed at home all day. 
 
 Pa preached at Leominster. 
 
 12 — Sis came home. — Lucretia Mirick here. 
 
 13 — Timmy cut the stalks to-day. — Ma & Sally went 
 
 to Lieut. Miricks. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 319 
 
 16 — Esqr. Gill's Lady & her sister Becky here a visiting. 
 
 17 — Pa went to Daniel Cheever's. 
 
 18 — Sabbath. Mr. Sanders Preached. Put in the white 
 
 Piece. 
 
 19 — Mr. Russell here. 
 
 20 — Pa & Ma went to Mr. J. Rolph's on a visiting. 
 
 22 — I wove. Put in the white wool. 
 
 23 — I wove to-day. 
 
 24 — I wove. 
 
 25 — Sabbath. Wet weather. Mr. Goodridge preached. 
 
 26 — I wove. 
 
 27 — I wove to-day. 
 
 28 — Mr. Rolph & his Lady here a visiting this afternoon. 
 
 29 — I wove to-day. 
 
 30 — I got out the woollen Piece. There is 19 yards & 
 
 half of it. I drawed the linnen piece through the 
 Harness. 
 
 1792 
 
 Oct. I — Sabbath Mr. Goodridge preached. 
 
 2 — I wove to-day. 
 
 3 — Cold. I wove. 
 
 4 — I wove to-day. Pleasant. 
 
 5 — I wove to-day. 
 
 6 — Muster at Lancaster. John Allen here. 
 
 7 — I wove. 
 
 8 — I wove. 
 
 9 — Sabbath. I went to church. 
 
 10 — I wove to-day. 
 
 11 — I wove A.M. Miss Polly Mirick & Miss Polly Bax- 
 
 ter here P.M. 
 
 12 — I wove got out the Piece before night 27 Yards of it. 
 v^ 13 — My birth day. I am sixteen Years old How many 
 
 years have been past by me in thoughtlesness & 
 vanity. 
 
 14 — Mr. & Mrs Warren here. Ma is making Pa a 
 
 Surtout. 
 
 15 — I made Pyes to-day. 
 
 16 — Mr. Goodridge Preached. Miss Eliza Harris came 
 
 here, she is to keep us company whilst Ma is gone. 
 
 17 — Pa & Ma set out for Sandwich broke the Chaise 
 
 before they got to Lieut. Miricks but got it mended 
 again & pursued their journey. 
 
 18 — I spun to-day. 
 
 19 — Elisha Brooks & Lucretia & Parmelia Mirick here 
 
 this eve. Ordination to-day at Gardner. 
 
 20 — Cloudy. Nathan Perry here part of the afternoon 
 
 & evening. 
 
320 History of Princeton 
 
 21 — Elisha Brooks here. 
 
 22 — Mr. Cutting here. 
 
 23 — Sabbath. There came a considerable snow last 
 
 night, so much that I shall not go to church but 
 Sally is a going, (after Meeting) Sally has got 
 home from Meeting, she went ankle deep in 
 snow & mud all the way. I am glad I had not so 
 much Zeal. 
 
 24 — Anna Davis «& Ichabod Perry here this eve. Anna 
 
 took offense at something & went away about 
 eight o'clock, went to Mr. Hastings's till eleven. 
 David stayed and sung with us an hour after she 
 was gone. Nathan Perry here. 
 
 25 — Elisha Brooks & John spent the evening here. 
 
 26 — Nathan Perry here this morning. 
 
 27 — Elisha Brooks & Nathan Cutting here this P.M. — 
 
 David Perry here this eve to sing with us we had 
 a fine concert. 
 
 28 — Sally Gleason, Nancy Hastings, Lucretia Mirick &; 
 
 John Brooks here this eve we Danced, Played, and 
 sung all the evening, had an exceedingly agreeable 
 evening. 
 
 29 — Olive Parmenter here a few moments. 
 
 30 — Sabbath. Rainy weather we all stayed at home but 
 
 Timmy. 
 31 — Timmy went to Mr. Hastings to help Wareham 
 Husk Corn. 
 
 1792 
 
 Nov. I — Miss Fidelia Mirick here came to spend the evening 
 & stay all night. 
 
 2 — Fidelia went from here this afternoon. David Perry 
 
 here this evening to sing with us. 
 
 3 — Miss Elisa & Sally went to Mr. Brooks's this after- 
 
 noon Sally stayed the evening. Nathan Perry 
 here all the evening. 
 
 4 — Clear & Cold expected Pa & Ma home but they did 
 
 not come. 
 
 5 — Pa & Ma came home they have brought me some 
 
 very pretty stripped Lutestring for me a gown. 
 
 6 — Sally & I went to church all day N. P. here this eve. 
 
 7 — We baked. Pleasant. 
 
 8 — Sally & I went to Esqr. Gills on a visit to Miss Re- 
 
 becca had an agreeable visit. 
 
 9 — Stormy weather. Mr. Hastings here. 
 
 12 — Mrs. Garfield & Sally & I went to Mr. Joshua Eve- 
 
 leths on a visit. 
 
 13 — Sabbath. I went to church in the forenoon. 
 
 14 — I washed. Mrs. Perry here a visiting this afternoon. 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 321 
 
 17 — Thanksgiving to-day. 
 
 18 — Sally went to Mr. Perrys on a visit to-day. I staid 
 
 at home began to work me a Sampler. 
 
 19 — Nathan Perry here this eve. — Ma went to Mrs. 
 
 Eveleth's this P.M. 
 
 20 — Sabbath. I went to church in the P.M. Mr. Hol- 
 
 comb preached. 
 
 21 — Mr. Gregory killed the hogs for us. 
 
 22 — Rainy weather. Mr. S. Russell here this eve. 
 
 23 — Miss Lucy Allen here to see me this afternoon. 
 
 24 — Sally & I went to Lieut. Miles's of Westminster a 
 
 Visiting, had a agreeable visit. Leonard Woods 
 here. 
 
 25 — Sally, Timmy & I went to Mr. Woods this evening 
 
 had a fine visit Leonard is to keep school at Sterling. 
 
 27 — Sabbath. I went to church. 
 
 28 — Mr. Gregory here to kill a cow for Pa. 
 
 29 — Miss Nabby Miles here is a going to stay all Night. 
 
 30 — Miss Nabby Miles went from here this morning. — 
 
 Sally & I went to Lieut. Miricks on a visit Quilted 
 on Miss Eunice's bed-quilt there was a number of 
 Girls & Women there. — We spent the evening at 
 Widow Miricks. 
 
 1792 
 
 Dec. I — I spun some to-day. 
 
 2 — Pleasant weather. Mr. Goodridge drank Tea with 
 
 us this afternoon. Dr Wilson here a few mo- 
 ments. 
 
 3 — I spun to-day very pleasant indeed for the season. 
 
 4 — Sabbath. Mr. & Mrs. Betsey Mason Dined here. 
 
 I went to church in the P.M. sat in Mr. Masons 
 Pew. 
 
 5 — Mamma went to Mr. Miricks on a visit. 
 
 6 — Mr. Fisher here to-day on business. 
 
 7 — I minced link meat A.M. made the sausages in the 
 
 afternoon. 
 
 10 — I spun. Nathan Perry here this evening. 
 
 11 — Sabbath. I went to church in the A.M. 
 
 12 — I picked Wool to-day. 
 
 13 — Stormy weather. I picked Wool. Nathan Cutting 
 
 spent the eve here. 
 
 14 — I broke Wool. Silas Perry here to-day. 
 
 15 — Miss Lois Underwood & Miss Hannah Woods here 
 
 a visiting. Sally & I went to the singing meeting 
 this evening. 
 
 16 — I broke Wool. Mr. Rice of Westminster here to 
 
 stay all night. 
 
322 . History of Princeton 
 
 17 — Mr, Rice of Westminster went from here this 
 
 morning. 
 
 18 — Sabbath. I stayed at home. 
 
 19 — I spun. Nathan Perry here at work. — Rainy. 
 
 20 — Nathan Perry here at work in the forenoon. Mrs. 
 
 Perry & Mrs. Hastings here on a visit in the 
 afternoon. 
 
 21 — Mrs. Garfield & Miss Lucretia Mirick here a visit- 
 
 ing. Silas Perry here most of the afternoon. I 
 spun two skeins. 
 
 22 — A severe storm. — Joab Eveleth here. 
 
 23 — Nathan Perry here to-day. — Aaron Perry here this 
 
 evening. 
 
 24 — Cold weather to-day. 
 
 25 — Sabbath. Stormy weather & cold. I went to 
 
 meeting. 
 
 26 — I spun three skeins. Ma washed. 
 
 27 — Very pleasant weather. — Anna Perry here this 
 
 evening. 
 
 28 — Rebecca Hastings here to get Sally to make a Gown 
 
 for her. 
 
 29 — Parmelia Mirick came here to get Ma to cut out a 
 
 lambskin Cloak for her. — - Sally & I went to Mrs. 
 Miricks on a visit staid the afternoon and evening. 
 
 30 — Ma went to Mrs. Eveleth's to carry home some Yarn. 
 
 31 — Nabby Eveleth here. 
 
 Family of Rev. Timothy Fuller. — Besides the five 
 sons, there were five daughters, who survived Rev. Timo- 
 thy Fuller. From the time of his death, on the third day 
 of July, 1805, till the death of his son Timothy, on the first 
 day of October, 1835, ^ period of full thirty years, that 
 family circle of brothers and sisters remained unbroken. 
 Now all have passed away. 
 
 These ten children were much attached to each other, 
 as well as to their parents, while living, and their memory 
 when departed. Mr. Loring, in his address to the court on 
 the death of Henry, gives a touching picture of the ten 
 children of Rev. Timothy Fuller, who, some quarter of a 
 century after he had gone to his rest, and long after the 
 family dwelling in Princeton had passed away, visited its 
 site together. Nothing remained but its cellar, which time 
 had partially filled, whose rounded excavation it had 
 carpeted with greensward. Here the children gathered 
 
Diary by Elizabeth Fuller 323 
 
 and, seated in the charmed circle of what was once their 
 home, sang again together the sweet hymns to which their 
 tongues had been attuned in childhood, by their faithful 
 parents, in the dearly loved home which had once rested 
 upon that spot. They did not visit it again, in concert; 
 and many of them sought it no more. Death, in a few 
 years, broke that circle; and one after another they went, 
 in quick succession, the way of all living. 
 
 Extract from Sketch of Chaplain Arthur B. Fuller, by Richard F. Fuller. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 WACHUSETT LEGENDS 
 
 Mount Wachusett. The introduction here, of the va- 
 rious statements concerning Wachusett and the surrounding 
 territory during the early years of the settlement of New 
 England, would be only to repeat that which has been so 
 well told by the historians of the town. 
 
 From the time when Gov. Winthrop and his party in 
 1632 discovered the " very high hill due west about forty 
 miles off " Wachusett became a well-known landmark, 
 and for many years was considered as the headquarters of 
 certain Indian tribes, and in the times of the terrible 
 Indian war of 1675-6 it was the scene of noteworthy events. 
 The thrilling story of the attack of the savages upon 
 Lancaster town, the capture of Mrs. Rowlandson, and her 
 weary journeyings for months, ending at Wachusett, 
 where her release was accomplished, has been repeated 
 again and again, until every schoolboy in the town, at 
 least, has it at his tongue's end. 
 
 Occasionally there is to be found in the early records of 
 the Colony and in the histories of the Indian tribes and 
 their wars, a reference to the "hill," the Sachems of the 
 Wachusetts, the Waushacums, etc., but the field has been 
 so thoroughly gleaned by others, that there is little or 
 nothing new to offer here. Could its unwritten history 
 be told, what a record would there be, of quiet Indian life, 
 of the hunt and the dance, of Councils of war, of secret 
 plottings and perhaps of cruel butcheries of innocent 
 victims. 
 
 The "fires of the Indian" have long since been extin- 
 guished, and the hill, once a resort of the "aboriginal 
 tribes," has become a resort of the lover of beautiful 
 scenery, the seeker after health, and even the "fashionable 
 
 324 
 
O 
 
 O 
 
 fa 
 
 Eh 
 H 
 H 
 
 o 
 
 z 
 
 o 
 
 H 
 
 W 
 
 o 
 
 s 
 
 fa 
 O 
 
Wachusett Legends 325 
 
 boarder" who idles away the hours, without a thought of 
 the "Redman" or a care for Hfe's duties. 
 
 In 1762 a valuation of £50 was put upon the hill by the 
 Province authorities, but an attempt to make sale of it 
 proved unsuccessful (see Potash Farm, page 54). 
 
 In 1765 Mr. Eliphalet How, representing himself "in 
 low circumstances" asked the Court for a grant of the 
 hill, and at the same time Mr. Robert Keyes petitioned 
 for "Ye easterly half of said Wachusett hill." The House 
 acting upon the two petitions together, ordered that the 
 hill be "granted unto the petitioners in equal halves. The 
 easterly half thereof to the said Keyes, and the westerly 
 half to the said Eliphalet How" &c. unfortunately however 
 for both, the Council refused to concur in this action and 
 the petition was dismissed. 
 
 In 1767 Rev. Timothy Fuller, the first settled minister 
 of the town, petitioned the General Court for a grant of 
 the hill for reasons specified. This original petition is in 
 Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 14. 
 
 The Court granted the request and conveyed the whole 
 tract of land to Mr. Fuller, Jan. 20, 1768. Subsequently 
 Mr. Fuller bought the Allen farm of 230 acres, lying south- 
 west of the hill, the two making an extensive tract, though 
 the larger portion of it was apparently not very desirable. 
 
 If the Reverend gentleman did not reap a sufficient 
 advantage from the delightful prospect from the hill, he 
 doubtless secured some income from the land, and in the 
 sale of it by sections profited considerably. The profits re- 
 sulting from the "prospect" were reserved for the projectors 
 of modern hotels and mountain roads. The Wachusett 
 Mountain Company, incorporated in 1874 for the purpose 
 of purchasing, improving, and disposing of land upon or 
 near Wachusett Mountain, was authorized to build one 
 or more hotels and carry on the same, construct and oper- 
 ate on its own land one or more roads for the transporta- 
 tion of passengers and property to the summit, and to 
 charge tolls for transportation, road to be operated upon 
 rails either by tram or horse power. 
 
326 History of Princeton 
 
 On June 14, 1795 Ezra Gary of Sterling acquired the 
 mountain property of Mr. Fuller, and fifteen days later 
 conveyed the same tract to Moses Gill for S810. It was 
 transferred to Ward N. Boylston in 1805 who conveyed it 
 later to John Brooks. The Wachusett Mountain Gompany 
 owned the property from 1876 until the failure of that cor- 
 poration in 1877. It then, after being leased for a time, 
 passed into the hands of Phineas A. Beaman and after his 
 decease was purchased of the Beaman heirs by the Gom- 
 monwealth for the sum of $20,060 and is now a State 
 Reservation. This purchase of 533 acres with the addition 
 of a smaller tract purchased of Samuel F. Mason and 
 Thomas H. Russell increased the area of the reservation to 
 563.51 acres. Many improvements have been made and 
 the reservation has gained steadily in popularity as a 
 summer resort. 
 
 LUCY KEYES 
 
 The Lost Ghild of Wachusett Mountain 
 
 Prefatory. In most of our New England towns the 
 historian finds some traditions or legends which have 
 been handed down from one generation to another until 
 they form a part of the history of the town. They may 
 relate to Indian invasions or other events of war, to exhi- 
 bitions of bravery, to instances of suffering, or hardship, 
 or even to personal peculiarities of some of its citizens. 
 Some of them may be based upon truth and yet contain 
 much error, and others may have no foundation whatever. 
 
 The town of Princeton has its share of such traditions, 
 among which the most familiar is the story of Lucy Keyes 
 the " lost child." How often has this story been told, and 
 how many speculations have been made as to her fate! 
 Many of the old people of to-day vividly remember sitting 
 by the fireside and listening to the story which was ever 
 fresh and thrilling. It has not only moved children to 
 tears, but has awakened in older persons a tender interest 
 in the mysterious fate of the child. Visitors to the town 
 
Wachiisett Legends 327 
 
 are shown the spot where the child lived, and again the 
 story is rehearsed with more or less correctness in detail. 
 Yet, notwithstanding it has been so often repeated, the 
 writer, in view of certain facts he has disco\ered, has 
 deemed it well to relate it again, in order that the truth 
 may be made known, and as far as possible at this late 
 day the character of one unjustly charged with crime may 
 be vindicated. 
 
 Robert Keyes was born in Chelmsford, Mass., Sep- 
 tember 21, 171 1, and when a young man removed to 
 Shrewsbury, where December 24, 1740, he married Martha 
 Bowker. They lived in Shrewsbury some ten or twelve 
 years. On the 13th of June, 1749, he bought of his towns- 
 man Benjamin Muzzey, for £400 " old tenor," a tract of 
 two hundred acres on the easterly side of Wachusett 
 Mountain, which had been granted Mr. Muzzey by the 
 General Court, on account of the losses and suffering sus- 
 tained by him while held in captivity by the Indians, he 
 having been a soldier of the Province at the time of his 
 capture. In October, 1750, Mr. Keyes sold his house in 
 Shrewsbury, and the following May removed with his 
 family to his new home on the mountain side. At this 
 time there were but three or four families li\ing in the 
 whole territory now embraced within the bounds of Prince- 
 ton, and they living widely apart, although it is probable 
 that a few stray individuals without families were living 
 in isolated places in the district. 
 
 Thus Mr. Keyes and his family were practically alone 
 in their mountain home, his farm being surrounded by 
 unappropriated and unoccupied lands. His nearest neigh- 
 bor on the south was probably Abijah Moore, who had a 
 tavern on what is now called the Sterling Road, near 
 " Russell's Corner." On the north it is possible the Wil- 
 lards or the Goddards had begun to build their sawmill, 
 while on the southeast, four miles away on the " old 
 Houghton place," was the " Wilder tavern " for the ac- 
 commodation of travelers to Nichewaug, the same road 
 upon which, one mile farther north, Mr. Moore, above 
 
328 History of Prmceton 
 
 referred to, kept his place of " entertainment for man and 
 beast." 
 
 In Rutland " East Wing " there may have been one or 
 two famihes, but they were miles away from Mr. Keyes. 
 In Westminster, four miles distant, there were probably 
 two hundred and twenty-five inhabitants in 1751, but 
 there was no settlement which could be called a village, 
 and the same can be said of Barre fifteen miles southwest, 
 and of Hubbardston on the west. Southeasterly, sev- 
 enteen miles away, lay the old town of Shrewsbury, Mr. 
 Keyes' former home, while Rutland town was ten miles 
 to the west, and Lancaster, probably the nearest settle- 
 ment of any size, was twelve miles distant on the east. 
 Rutland " East Wing," with the " farms adjoining on the 
 north," which included Mr. Keyes', were incorporated as 
 the District of Princetown October 24, 1759, and as the 
 Town of Princeton April 24, 1771. 
 
 Although no record furnishes evidence of any road near 
 Mr. Keyes' farm, yet there was no doubt one following the 
 old Indian path, and perhaps identical with the present 
 Westminster road, connecting the road on which Mr. 
 Moore's tavern was located with the older traveled road 
 towards the west which passed by Wachusett Pond to 
 some of the interior towns. 
 
 Mr. Keyes was by trade a blacksmith, but one cannot 
 readily conceive at the time of his settlement, or for many 
 years afterwards, any demand for his services in that lo- 
 cality, except for his own personal needs. Miles from any 
 village and away from the traveled roads, and even those 
 roads used so little, we can understand that he was forced 
 to lay aside his accustomed trade and give attention to 
 clearing the land and tilling the soil. The wildness of the 
 country, abounding in large areas of woodland, afforded 
 him, also, facilities for exercising his skill as a huntsman, 
 for which he was famous. 
 
 Loss of the Child. Mr. Keyes had ten children, of 
 whom five were born in Shrewsbury, or at least before the 
 parents settled at Wachusett. The principal event which 
 
Wachiisett Legends 329 
 
 has brought this family into notice occurred on Monday, 
 the 14th of April, 1755. On that day his daughter Lucy, 
 four years and eight months old, wandered away from 
 home, and was never seen again by the family. It was 
 at first surmised that the child lost her way in the woods 
 while attempting to follow her elder sisters Patty and 
 Anna, aged nine and seven years respectively, who had 
 gone to Wachusett Pond, a mile away, perhaps as some 
 have stated to get some sand for household purposes. As 
 stated before, there were near Mr. Keyes, only a few paths 
 following the Indian trails, or such paths as he himself 
 had marked through the woods, and a child of the age of 
 Lucy could easily have wandered away and been lost. 
 
 Disregarding tradition and the additions to the original 
 story that would naturally be made, as it was reported 
 from one to another year after year, we may well accept 
 as correct the statement published in Whitney's History 
 of Worcester County in 1793, at which time the father 
 and the sisters named above were still living; and it may 
 be reasonably believed that this statement was obtained 
 directly from the family : — 
 
 "It was in the month of May in the year 1751, when 
 Mr, Robert Keyes, now living, removed with his family 
 from Shrewsbury, and fixed down near the foot of Wat- 
 chusett hill, on the east side, being the fourth family which 
 settled in the place. Upon the 14th of April, 1755, a child 
 of his, named Lucy, aged four years and eight months, 
 attempting, as was supposed, to follow her sisters, who had 
 gone to Watchusett Pond, about a mile distant, and having 
 nothing but marked trees to guide her, wandered out of 
 her way in the woods, and was never heard of afterwards. 
 The people for nearly thirty miles around collected imme- 
 diately, and in companies traversed the woods, day after 
 day and week after week, searching for her, but never made 
 the least discovery. Many journeys were taken by the 
 father, in consequence of reports, but all in vain. Various 
 were and have been the conjectures of people respecting 
 the fate of the child. Divers concurring circumstances 
 render the following most probable, that she was taken by 
 the Indians, and carried into their country, and soon forgot 
 
330 History of Princeton 
 
 her relations, lost her native language, and became as one 
 of the aborigines." 
 
 The grief of the mother was exceedingly great. She 
 mourned for the loss of this her dearest child and watched 
 daily for her return, often going out into the woods and 
 calling her by name with the wild hope of hearing a re- 
 sponse. As the days passed and the child did not appear, 
 the sense of loneliness and loss became almost unbearable 
 and her reason nearly forsook her. Even at the time of 
 her death more than thirty years after, she had not re- 
 covered from the effects of the bereavement.* The loss 
 of the child created a great excitement as the news spread 
 about and reached the neighboring settlements, and plans 
 were quickly made to commence a search. The old neigh- 
 bors of Mr. Keyes in Shrewsbury, seventeen miles dis- 
 tant, came up to help; Lancaster, twelve miles east, sent 
 its contingent, while Rutland and other towns contributed 
 their share of volunteers. Notwithstanding the lack of 
 regular means of conveying the intelligence, the news spread 
 quickly, and a very large number of men were assembled 
 together, the pond was dragged, and for many days a sys- 
 tematic search was carried on, even long after all effort 
 seemed likely to be fruitless. Naturally the failure of the 
 long search strengthened the suspicions to which Mr. 
 Whitney alludes in his account, that the child was stolen 
 by the Indians. 
 
 The father, clinging to this theory, used every exertion 
 to get some trace of the child, following eagerly every pos- 
 
 * "The mother was brought to the verge of insanity by the loss of her little 
 girl, and for a long time after her disappearance she always went out at night- 
 fall and called, Lu-cy ! but the echo from the aged forests was the only answer." 
 Notes of Prof. Everett. 
 
 "The conjectures as to its fate were various, the most prevalent being that 
 it was carried off by a straggling party of Indians on a visit to the mountain. 
 This was made more probable by the story of two men, who went some years 
 after this occurrence from Groton, on a trading expedition amorig the Indiana 
 on Canada line. They related, on their return, that they found living among 
 the Indians a white woman, who knew nothing farther of her birth or parentage, 
 than that she once lived near ' Chusett Hill.' " — Russell's History of Princeton. 
 
Wachusett Legends 33 1 
 
 sible clue, but often misled by false reports. The means of 
 communication were imperfect, and the expenses of trav- 
 eling were large, especially for one in his condition of life, 
 but nevertheless he appears to have spared no efforts 
 within his power to find the child. 
 
 Petition for Relief. Ten years after the event, feeling 
 almost impoverished by the large expenditures he had been 
 obliged to make in the search for the child, he petitioned 
 the General Court of the Province, hoping to receive some 
 measure of relief. In this petition he briefly tells the story 
 of his efforts in behalf of his child. 
 
 "Province of the ) 
 Massachusetts Bay \ 
 
 To his Excellency Francis Barnard Esq''. Captain Gen- 
 eral and Governor in Chief in & over said Province the 
 Honourable his Majestys Council & house of Representa- 
 tives in General Court assembled May 29th, 1765, 
 
 Humbly shews Robert Keyes of Princeton in y^ County 
 of Worcester that in y^ year Seventeen hundred & fifty 
 five he lost one of his Children & was Supposed to be taken 
 by the Indians & Carried to Canada when it was first lost 
 it was apprehended to be in the woods wandring about & 
 your Petitioner was at great Cost & trouble In Searching 
 the woods for it but to no good purpose; after this he hears 
 It was at Canada and that he could get further Informa- 
 tion thereof at Porchmouth In New-Hampshire on hearing 
 that He went there and also sent to Canada, afwards 
 {sic) He advertised said Child In the New York papers; * 
 he had an account of Such a Child's being among the 
 Mohawks and determined to go after his Child the last 
 fall but has heitherto been prevented by reason of Sickness 
 & deaths in his family. And the Cost he hath been at In 
 Searching for s"^ Child is so Great being about one hundred 
 pounds lawful money, that he is not able to bear it being 
 in a new plantation, and as their is within Sixty rods of his 
 door some Province land laying on y'' Watchusett Hill 
 which would be some advantage to him provided he could 
 have it. Therefore your Petif^ humbly prays the Hono^^* 
 Court to take his Case In your Compationate Concidera- 
 
 * The writer has examined the New York papers from 1755 to 1764, but 
 failed to find this advertisement. 
 
332 History of Princeton 
 
 tion & make him a grant of y^ Easterly half of said Wat- 
 chusett hill & your Pef as in duty bound will ever pray. 
 
 Rocert Keyes. 
 
 Rejection. For reasons which do not appear this peti- 
 tion was rejected, and Mr. Keyes was thrown back upon 
 his old resources for the support of his family. He had 
 sold in 1759 a part of his farm, the proceeds of which were 
 doubtless used in meeting the expenses of the search for 
 the missing girl. But his farm could yield him only a 
 little ready money for this purpose. In 1767 he sold to 
 his son-in-law Samuel Mossman, 4^ acres of the farm; in 
 1770, 42 acres to William Dodd, and in 1773, 40 acres to 
 his son Jonas, leaving but about 50 acres for himself. 
 
 Mrs. Keyes died August 9, 1789, and her husband March 
 I, 1795. Both were probably buried in the old graveyard 
 on Meeting House Hill, but the gravestone of the wife alone 
 remains. 
 
 This simple story of the loss of the child and the search 
 made for her was told by one to another, and rehearsed 
 by parents to their children, and would have gone down 
 through the generations unchanged but for an incident 
 which occurred at the Centennial celebration of Princeton 
 in 1859. The poet of the day. Prof. Erastus Everett of 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., having made reference in his poem to the 
 loss of the child, was subsequently shown a letter written 
 in 1827 by a native of Princeton, which placed the matter 
 in an entirely different light. Interested in the new de- 
 velopments, he, by correspondence, succeeded in finding 
 the writer of the letter, who confirmed the statements pre- 
 viously made, and the substance of her narrative with some 
 comments by Mr. Everett were printed with the proceed- 
 ings of the Centennial. 
 
 The letter of 1827 I have never been able to find, although 
 I have made diligent inquiry for it, and in fact I have not 
 learned of any one who remembers it, except Mr. Everett, 
 who only recalls the fact that at the time he saw it, it was 
 in a dilapidated condition, but he does not remember who 
 
Wachusett Legends 333 
 
 handed It to him, or what became of it. Through the 
 courtesy of Mr. Everett, however, I have a copy of the 
 second letter, which is given in full : — 
 
 Rockford, Bourbon Co., Kansas Territory, 
 
 December 8, 1859. 
 "Erastus Everett, Esq., 
 
 Dear Sir: — A letter of inquiry, dated at Brooklyn, 
 with your signature, after being remailod at different 
 points, reached me quite recently, and I hasten to reply. 
 To give publicity to the confession of a crime, with mere 
 supposition for its basis, demands an abler pen than mine, 
 while to stigmatize the dead or give unnecessary pain to 
 the living betrays a character more abandoned than I wish 
 to possess. You say the account given In a letter of 1827 
 to my sister, Mrs. Hager which I supposed had been given 
 to the winds or the flames long ago, was to you "A mys- 
 tery, that is incomprehensible." Perhaps the organ of 
 marvellousness is more fully developed in my head than 
 in yours. Be that as it may, I believe the circumstances, 
 as narrated to me in 1827, to be authentic; nor have I 
 heard anything since by which I have doubted their au- 
 thenticity. I gave more credence to the report from the 
 fact that all the years of my girlhood were spent within 
 half a mile of Mrs. John Gleason of Princeton, whose name 
 previous to her marriage was Patty Keyes, sister to the 
 child "Lucy," and one of the "Two sisters who went to 
 the pond for sand"; and I have many times listened as 
 she related the sad story of the child's disappearance, to- 
 gether with other incidents that In my opinion corroborated 
 the truth of Mrs. Anderson's statement. Mrs. Anderson, 
 of Deerfield, N. Y., witnessed the confession, told it to Mrs. 
 Whitmore and she gave it to me. Mrs. Whitmore has 
 been dead more than thirty years. Mrs. Anderson I never 
 saw, and whether she is still living I do not know. 
 
 The name of the man, to whom allusion is made, was 
 Littlejohn. His first name, his age, and the precise time 
 at which he died, I disremember. If I ever heard. I can- 
 not recollect how, or what I wrote in 1827, but probably 
 some things were mentioned at that time fresh in my mind 
 that the lapse of thirty-two years have effaced from my 
 memory. However, the main points I recollect distinctly 
 and will give them. I was told that Mr. Littlejohn was 
 thought to be dying for three days — at length he arose in 
 
334 History of Princeton 
 
 bed and speaking audibly, said he could not die until he 
 had confessed a murder that he committed many years 
 before — said he was formerly a neighbor to Robert Keyes 
 of Princeton, Mass., there was misunderstanding between 
 the families. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes felt unpleasantly to live 
 thus and went to Mr. L's to effect, if possible, a recon- 
 ciliation, which having been apparently accomplished and 
 mutual pledges of renewed friendship exchanged they Mr. 
 K. and wife returned home. But the enmity of Mr. L. 
 had not subsided. He sought revenge, and afterward 
 seeing their little daughter alone in the woods, to avenge 
 himself on the parents, killed her by beating her head 
 against a log, and then placed her body in a hollow log, 
 and went to his house. When the neighbors were solicited 
 to assist in searching for the lost, he was among the first, 
 and being familiar with the forest, he volunteered to lead 
 the party, carefully avoiding the hollow log till night. 
 After dark he went to the hollow log, took the body and 
 deposited it in a hole, which had been made by the over- 
 turning of a tree. 
 
 The log had been cut from the stump, leaving only it 
 and the roots, which he turned back in its former position 
 and thought all safe. He said, the next day as a party 
 were passing the hollow log, they found a lock of hair, which 
 the family identified as that of Lucy's and he knew it to be 
 hers, for as he was taking the body in the dark her hair 
 caught and in his hurry he left this lock. After the search 
 was given up as fruitless, he felt ill at ease there and some- 
 time after left the town. He gave the locality of the stump, 
 the particular kind of wood of which the tree was once 
 composed, and requested some one present to write his 
 confession to Princeton, adding that he believed that the 
 stump might then be in existence and, by digging, the bones 
 of the child might be found. 
 
 This appeared more incredulous to me at that time than 
 anything else, and I may have omitted to write It then, 
 but as you have particularly requested so, I have given 
 you all the particulars in my possession at this late day." 
 
 Of the man charged with the crime we know something 
 and although not so much as we may wish, yet It Is more 
 than It might at first be supposed could be learned about 
 one living a quiet life in a thinly settled community so 
 many years ago. 
 
Wachusett Legends 335 
 
 Variation in Name. Mrs. Brown refers in her letter to 
 Mr. Littlejohn, Mr. Harlow in his sketch to John Littlejohn 
 (which I believe he acknowledges to be an error) and Mr. 
 Marble to Tilly Littlejohn. As the latter was, so far as 
 can be learned by private or public records or by tradition, 
 the only man bearing the name of Littlejohn who lived in 
 Princeton, and he was once a neighbor of Mr. Keyes, and is 
 regarded by Princeton people as the man concerned in this 
 tragedy, we assume that he is the one alone whose char- 
 acter has been brought out so prominently in connection 
 with Lucy Keyes. 
 
 Tilly Littlejohn was the son of Thomas * and Mary Lit- 
 tlejohn, and was born in Lancaster in 1735. After the 
 death of the father, who was killed at Louisburg when Tilly 
 was about ten years old, the mother and the children appear 
 to have continued their residence in Lancaster or Bolton 
 for some years. On the 23d of April, 1755, at which 
 time he appears to have been in the service (probably an 
 apprentice, of Jonathan Wilder, Tilly enlisted in the com- 
 
 * Thomas Littlejohn the father of Tilly is said to have come to this country 
 from Scotland and soon after went to Lancaster, where he is found as early as 
 1725, when he enlisted in the service of the Province in Capt. Blanchard'a 
 company. On the 17th of January 1726-27 he married Mary Butler, and they 
 had five children, four of them recorded at Lancaster. 
 
 Mary, May 10, 1728, died Dec. 14, 1748. 
 
 Thomas, July 27, 1730. 
 
 Sarah, , died 1817, in Bolton. 
 
 Simeon. 
 
 Tilly, May 26, 1735. 
 
 During the French War Mr. Littlejohn again enlisted in his Majesty's ser- 
 vice, and was among those who in 1745 were killed at Louisburg. His widow 
 Mary died in Bolton in 1768, leaving quite a little property. By her will she 
 gave to her sons Thomas, Simeon and Tilly five shillings each ("which is all I 
 give them") and the balance of her estate to her daughter Sarah. Tilly was 
 appointed executor, but he declined to serve. 
 
 Thomas, Jr. went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, thence to the neighborhood of 
 Portland, Me., where he died leaving a large number of descendants. 
 
 Simeon, according to the statements received from his brother Thomas, set- 
 tled in one of the southern states, but I have not been able to learn if he had a 
 family. 
 
 The descendants of Tilly are scattered throughout the United States, some 
 of them occupying positions of honor and trust. 
 
336 History of Princeton 
 
 pany of Capt. Asa Whitcomb, and marched one hundred 
 and sixty-five miles to Albany on the expedition to Crown 
 Point. This company was in the " bloody morning fight," 
 but Tilly escaped without injury, and after a service of six 
 months was discharged on the 25th of October. 
 
 The roll of Capt. Whitcomb shows that Mr. Littlejohn 
 received for his services of twenty weeks and four days 
 £8. 17/2, allowance for mileage being made of is. 6d. per 
 day of fifteen miles travel. Under the head of " names of 
 Fathers and Masters of Sons under Age and Servants " 
 appears the name of Jonathan Wilder against that of 
 Littlejohn, indicating that the latter was an apprentice at 
 that time. 
 
 On the 1st of December, 1757, he married Hannah 
 Brooks, in Lancaster. 
 
 At what time he removed to Princeton I cannot defi- 
 nitely state, but he purchased from Mr. Keyes for £27, 
 a portion of his farm on the easterly side of the mountain, 
 by deed dated January 22, 1759, at which time he may 
 have been living in that vicinity, although he is simply 
 described as of the " same county and province " as the 
 grantor.* It may be reasonably inferred that he was there 
 in the fall of 1758, as the birth of his son Levi on the 2d of 
 October of that year is not recorded in Lancaster, but does 
 appear upon the Princeton records, although the entry 
 was not made at the time, as the District records were not 
 commenced until October, 1759. It is not unusual, how- 
 ever, to find at Princeton the records of births which oc- 
 curred in other towns. 
 
 The tract which Mr. Littlejohn purchased was 67! acres 
 (almost one-third of the whole) on the westerly side, and 
 Mr. Keyes reserved a right to " pass and re-pass " by " an 
 open road to Watchusett Hill at the usual place of going 
 up said Hill," while Mr. Littlejohn had also a right to pass 
 
 * The witnesses to this deed were Jonathan Wilder of Lancaster (Tilly 
 Littlejohn's former master), and Zachariah Harvey, who was living on the 
 "Ebenezer Parker" place in the east part of the town. The deed was not 
 acknowledged until December 2, 1760, and not recorded until Sept. 16, 1764. 
 
Wachiisett Legends 337 
 
 through Mr. Keyes' land to " ye eastward." The accom- 
 panying sketch shows the approximate location of the 
 whole tract with the present roads indicated thereon. The 
 location of Mr. Littlejohn's house is supposed to have been 
 on the easterly side of his farm, near the road now known 
 as the Roper road, and quite near Mr. Keyes' house. 
 
 Of Mr. Littlejohn's six children, two lived to maturity, 
 both of them married and removed to New York State 
 during the time of the great emigration thither from Mas- 
 sachusetts. 
 
 In 1764 he, with others, joined in the formation of the 
 church in Princeton, being dismissed from Lancaster Sec- 
 ond Church, now Sterling. He remained in town more 
 than twenty years, during which time he added to his pos- 
 sessions by the purchase of a small lot of land at the corner 
 of the Lower Westminster road and the Sterling road, west 
 of the " old Russell place," on which spot he may have had 
 a dwelling-house, although there is no record evidence of it. 
 
 About the year 1777 he removed to that part of Lan- 
 caster adjoining Princeton, which was afterwards incor- 
 porated as Sterling, where he bought a farm. He was dis- 
 missed from the Princeton to the Sterling church in 1786, 
 and died in the latter town November i, 1793, of " asthma 
 and consumption," according to the church records. His 
 gravestone, now to be seen in the old burying-ground, 
 bears the following inscription : — 
 
 Memento Mori 
 
 Erected 
 
 In Memory of Mr. 
 
 TILLEY LITTLEJOHN 
 
 who departed this life 
 
 Nov. I, 1793, 
 
 aged 58 years and 
 
 5 months. 
 
 O ye whose cheek the tear of pity stains, 
 Draw near with pious reverence and attend; 
 Here lie the loving husband's dear remains, 
 The tender father and the generous friend. 
 
338 History of Princeton 
 
 His will dated Nov. 19, 1790, was signed by him, and the 
 signature is identical with that of his appended to the 
 church covenant in 1764. 
 
 His estate, including his land in Sterling, was valued at 
 ■£555- The following chronology will show how I have 
 followed him from the cradle to the grave, and enable the 
 reader more clearly to understand the statements pre- 
 viously and subsequently made. 
 
 CHRONOLOGY 
 
 TiLLEY LiTTLEJOHN 
 
 1735 — May 26. Born at Lancaster, Son of Thomas & Mary (Butler) 
 
 Littlejohn. 
 1755 — Apr. 23. Enlisted at Lancaster in Capt. Asa Whitcomb's Co. 
 
 marched to Albany on the Crown Point expedition. 
 1755 — Oct. 25. Discharged from service at Lancaster. 
 1757 — Oct. 20. Intention of marriage declared at Lancaster. 
 
 1757 — Dec. I. Married at Lancaster to Hannah Brooks. 
 
 1758 — Oct. 2. Son Levi born. Not recorded in Lancaster, but on 
 
 Princeton records at a later date (died) 1759. 
 
 1759 — Jan. 22, Then of "a farm on the easterly side of Wachusett 
 
 Hill in no town, parish or district, in the county 
 of Worcester," bought of Robert Keyes. 
 
 1760 — Jan. 30. Daughter Hannah born in Princeton (died 1764). 
 1760 — Nov. 2. Admitted to Lancaster Second Church (Sterhng). 
 1760 — Nov. 2. Daughter Hannah baptized in Lancaster Second Church. 
 1763 — Jan. 16. Son Levi born in Princeton (died 1764). 
 
 1763 — Oct. 6. Of Princeton, bought a small lot adjoining his first 
 
 purchase. 
 
 1764 — Aug. 12. Signed covenant at formation of Church in Princeton. 
 
 1764 — Aug. 28. Dismissed from Second Lancaster Church to Princeton 
 
 Church. 
 
 1765 — Feb. 14. Daughter Mary born in Princeton (died 1776). 
 1767 — Mch. 12. Daughter Pamela born in Princeton. 
 
 1769 — Son John born in Princeton. 
 
 1774 — Feb. 22. Of Princeton, mortgaged his real estate (including 
 a lot near centre of town, of the purchase of which 
 there is no record). Mortgage discharged Apr. 13, 
 
 1787. 
 1776 — Mch. 23. Daughter Mary died, — buried in Sterling, which in- 
 dicates family residing there at that date. 
 
Wachusett Legends 339 
 
 1777 — Sept. 29. Of Lancaster, bought land there. (Sterling was in- 
 
 corporated 1 78 1.) 
 
 1778 — Nov. 23. Of Lancaster, with wife, and John, Jabez & Thomas 
 
 Brooks sold land in Lexington. 
 
 1779 — Mch. — Name not on tax list in Princeton. 
 1779 — Mch. 7. Of Lancaster, bought land there. 
 
 1781 — Oct. 18. Of Sterhng, sold his land in Princeton near the moun- 
 tain. 
 
 1784 — Feb. 16. Of Sterling, bought land there. 
 
 1784 — Mch. 15. Of Sterling, bought land there. 
 
 1784 — Dec. 17. Of Sterling, bought land there. 
 
 1786 — Jan. 30. Of Sterling, sold the land in Princeton near centre 
 which he mortgaged in 1774 (where he may have 
 lived before his removal to Sterling). 
 
 1786 — Oct, I. Admitted to the Church in Sterhng. 
 
 1789 — Apr. 16. Of Sterling, bought land there. 
 
 1790 — July 5. Of Sterling, signed his will. 
 
 1793 — Nov. I. Died in Sterling, "of asthma and consumption" 
 (church record and grave stone). 
 
 1793 — Nov. 19. Will proved, wife Hannah, son John and daughter 
 
 Pamela Priest named. Inventory £ 555. 
 
 1794 — Jan. 13. Widow Hannah Littlejohn, with son John and daughter 
 
 Pamela, joined in transfer of real estate in Sterling 
 formerly belonging to Tilly Littlejohn. 
 
 It is charged that Mr. Littlejohn, as the result of a quarrel 
 with his neighbor Mr. Keyes, killed the child Lucy on the 
 14th of April, 1755, and concealed the body, and, when an 
 old man dying in New York State, confessed the crime 
 and desired that the fact should be made known in Prince- 
 ton. 
 
 Analysis. Let us see if the facts will substantiate such 
 
 a charge or admit of a reasonable belief in its truth. 
 
 First. Tilly Littlejohn was born in Lancaster, and if w^e 
 
 have no proof that he was on the 14th of April, 1755 a 
 
 resident of Lancaster, we have proof that he was such 
 
 only nine days later, when he was recorded as servant or 
 
 apprentice to Jonathan Wilder. 
 
 Second. Tilly Littlejohn was not a neighbor, and could 
 
 not well have quarreled with Mr. Keyes about bounds 
 
 of land, as he did not own any land near Mr. Keyes or 
 
340 History of Princeton 
 
 anywhere else, and could not legally have owned any, 
 as he was not of age. 
 
 Third. If he had been there, and if he had quarreled with 
 Mr. Keyes, his disappearance nine days later to enlist 
 in the army would have excited suspicion and led to a 
 belief in his guilt, and probably to his arrest. 
 
 Fourth. Four years after the loss of the child Mr. Little- 
 john did buy a part of Mr. Keyes' farm, where he lived 
 for a number of years and brought up a family. It is 
 possible, but certainly not probable, that the man who 
 murdered Lucy Keyes on that spot would return and 
 make there a home for his wife and his children. 
 
 Fifth. Mr. Littlejohn did not have a family in 1755, as 
 Mrs. Brown states, and did not leave Princeton " soon 
 after " the loss of the child, but remained in the town 
 some twenty years after his purchase of property there 
 in 1759. 
 
 Sixth. Mr. Littlejohn was not an old man at the time of 
 his death, as he was but fifty-eight years of age. 
 
 Seventh. He never lived in Deerfield, New York, or vi- 
 cinity, if the statement of his grand-children can be 
 relied upon. 
 
 Eighth. He certainly did not die in Deerfield, N. Y., but 
 yielded up the ghost in the quiet town of Sterling, Mass., 
 in 1793, where to-day we may see his gravestone with 
 an inscription recounting his virtues " as a loving hus- 
 band, tender father and generous friend," — a case, I 
 have no doubt, where the epitaph tells the truth. 
 
 Ninth. Grand-children living to-day who were brought 
 up with Mrs. Littlejohn, (who survived her husband 
 many years,) affirm that they never heard a word of any 
 wrong-doing on the part of their grandfather. 
 
 Tenth. Admitting error in some of the details, if, as some 
 have suggested, such a confession had been made by 
 Mr. Littlejohn at Sterling, where he died, it certainly 
 
Wachiisett Legends 341 
 
 would have become quickly known throughout the town 
 and the county. 
 
 These statements, based so largely upon record evidence, 
 are so contradictory to the alleged confession, that the reader 
 must certainly feel that the case against Mr. Littlejohn is at 
 least " not proven.'' 
 
 Failing to find any evidence to implicate Mr. Littlejohn 
 as a quarrelsome neighbor, I have carefully examined the 
 records to learn who were the owners of land adjoining Mr. 
 Keyes in 1755, who might possibly have disputed with 
 him the boundary lines between their estates. My re- 
 search has resulted in finding that the land on the north, 
 east and south of Mr. Keyes' farm was owned by Benjamin 
 Houghton, Esq., of Lancaster, while the mountain on the 
 west was in the possession of the Province. It is not quite 
 clear whether the northerly corner of lot No. 12 of the 
 " Watertown farms," then owned by Mr. Josiah Coolidge 
 of Weston, bordered on Mr. Keyes' south-westerly corner, 
 but, if at all, it was only for a few rods between Pine Hill 
 and the mountain, and was of no value to any one; neither 
 was there any resident on that lot No. 12 until many years 
 afterwards. There appear, therefore, to have been no 
 families near Mr. Keyes in 1755, and no boundaries to quarrel 
 about, unless we suppose them to be those of Mr. Houghton, 
 a man of substantial worth, well known throughout the 
 county, — a supposition not worthy of consideration. 
 
 I have been asked how I reconcile the statements of Mrs. 
 Brown with the facts here referred to, but I have been 
 unable to reach any satisfactory conclusion. The char- 
 acter of the informant and the circumstantial details of 
 the confession make the mystery so much the greater, and 
 the problem the more difficult to solve. Whether she 
 heard aright the story from Mrs. Whitmore, or the latter 
 correctly received the statement from Mrs. Anderson, or 
 whether Mrs. Anderson was at fault, the reader can judge 
 as well as L 
 
 It is possible that some man, whose mind was wandering 
 
342 History of Princeton 
 
 in the last hours of his Hfe, may have confessed a crime, 
 and the unknown Mrs. Anderson to whom the story was 
 told may have supplied a name, either by accident or de- 
 sign; or it is possible that Mrs. Whitmore or Mrs. Brown 
 mistook the name of the confessor, or, forgetting the name, 
 assumed that it was Littlejohn, because she remembered 
 that a man bearing that name once lived near the mountain. 
 
 We can make many conjectures, but, whatever point we 
 take up to examine critically, we find ourselves in conflict 
 with evidence which seems to demolish any theory con- 
 necting Mr. Littlejohn with the murder. 
 
 In publishing these notes I have endeavored to give all 
 the facts that I have been able to gather, and only regret 
 that the mists cannot be entirely cleared away, and the 
 origin or occasion of the mysterious confession be fully 
 made known. 
 
 I am indebted to relatives of Mrs. Brown, and also to 
 members of the Littlejohn family, for some suggestions, — 
 the former anxious to assert the trustworthiness of their 
 relative, and the latter equally anxious to remove the stain 
 resting upon the memory of Mr. Littlejohn. 
 
 Mrs. Anderson came to Eaton, N.Y., where Mrs. Whit- 
 more resided, met her at the house of a friend, and learning 
 that Mrs. W. was a native of Princeton, gave her the rela- 
 tion above and Mrs.W. requested me to write. Now, Sir, 
 as you seem interested in the matter, and as doubt implied 
 respecting the truthfulness of the confession, allow me to 
 suggest the propriety of ascertaining through some persons 
 at Dcerfield, where I think Mr. Littlejohn died, the time 
 of his demise and the facts of his confession. 
 
 You say "The substance of my letter will be embodied 
 in a record that the people of Princeton will read." I 
 wish you had been more explicit. I am a Yankee, Sir, 
 and you know the Yankees are proverbial for natural cu- 
 riosity. Am I to understand that a work is to be pub- 
 lished, or is it merely to be placed upon the records of the 
 town? If the former is the case, I hope I may be apprised 
 of it, for whatever may interest Princeton folks will in- 
 terest your humble friend in southern Kansas. Even the 
 name of Princeton falls pleasantly on my ear. 
 
Wachusett Legends 343 
 
 "I love her rocks and hills, 
 Her meadows, plains and fields 
 
 And healthful air: 
 And though far off I dwell, 
 My heart shall ever swell, 
 
 Her name to hear." 
 
 The length and errors of this letter call for an apology, 
 but I dislike apologies and will forbear. 
 
 Most Respectfully Yours, 
 Cornelia B. K. Brown, 
 
 This letter, which gives us such minute details of the 
 confession, appears to afiford convincing proof of the fate 
 of the child, silencing all other conjectures, and without 
 conflicting evidence would apparently settle the question 
 in the minds of the majority of readers. Could the first 
 letter be found it might be seen that there were some va- 
 riations between the statements of 1827 and 1859, and 
 some points might be more clearly defined, or new impres- 
 sions gained in view of what is now known, but in its absence 
 we have nothing to rely upon but that of the later date. 
 
 These statements, so far as known to me, were not con- 
 tradicted, and they became more firmly fixed in the minds 
 of those familiar with the original story, and interested 
 many to whom the whole was new, by means of an article 
 contributed by William T. Harlow, Esq., to the " Old and 
 New Magazine " in 1874, Mr. Harlow made a very in- 
 teresting and romantic story of the loss of the child and 
 the subsequent confession of the murderer, in which he 
 included statements which he had heard from the lips of 
 his mother, who remembered some who joined in the search 
 for the child. To adapt the story to interest magazine 
 readers he apparently drew upon his imagination, as some 
 of the statements unfortunately will not bear the results of 
 close investigation. In 1884, A. P. Marble, Esq., read 
 before the Worcester Society of Antiquity a paper upon 
 the same subject, which was published in the " New Eng- 
 land Magazine " in 1886. The statements already printed 
 formed the basis of his sketch, but his attempt to make a 
 
344 History of Princeton 
 
 readable romance led him still farther than Mr. Harlow to 
 enlarge upon the facts and to introduce much fiction that 
 the casual reader will accept as truth. Reference to the 
 loss of the child may also be found in the Keyes Genealogy, 
 1880, and in the Worcester County History, 1879. 
 
 After many perusals of this story in the varied forms in 
 which it appeared, I felt a desire to look into the matter 
 and to make clear some points which seemed to me to need 
 explanation. I therefore commenced a thorough investi- 
 gation, only to be surprised at almost every turn I made. 
 
 I have been informed that Mrs. Brown, now deceased, 
 whose letter furnished this strange story, was a woman of 
 marked intelligence, of integrity and personal worth. She 
 stood so high in the estimation of her acquaintances that 
 it is impossible to do otherwise than believe that, as Jar as 
 she was concerned, her statement was correct. Certainly 
 the whole tenor of her letter gives evidence of intellectual 
 ability, as well as an earnest desire to state only that which 
 she believed to be true. Of Mrs. Anderson I can find no 
 trace in Deerfield, N. Y., or its vicinity, although I have 
 made inquiries personally and corresponded in many di- 
 rections. The children of Mrs. Whitmore, now living, can 
 give me no information upon the subject, and the children 
 of Mrs. Brown appear to have no papers or facts which add 
 to the statement of their mother. The whole story of the 
 alleged confession stands, then, upon the statement made 
 by Mrs. Brown, which she declared she had received from 
 her sister Mrs. Whitmore, who had heard it from the lips 
 of Mrs. Anderson, to whom the murderer confessed. Thus 
 passing through the minds of three individuals, it would 
 not be strange if there were some mistakes, and if the imag- 
 ination was drawn upon for some of the details. One nat- 
 urally receives the impression that the first letter of Mrs. 
 Brown (1827) was written at or near the time of the alleged 
 confession, but a careful scrutiny of the second letter fails 
 to determine that point. 
 
 The results of my investigations were presented briefly 
 in a paper read before The Worcester Society of Antiquity 
 
Wachiisett Legends 345 
 
 in 1 89 1, and published in its proceedings for that year. As 
 the only basis of the story of the confession is the letter of 
 Mrs. Brown's, in endeavoring to establish the truth, that 
 must pass under criticism, and I must confine myself 
 almost entirely to her statement, although I may refer in- 
 cidentally to the statements of Mr. Harlow and Mr. Marble, 
 but neither of these writers had any information about the 
 confession except as published by Mr. Everett in 1859. 
 
 Redemption Rock, a huge gray boulder, in a clump of 
 trees and underbrush, on a farm in the Northeast section of 
 the town, is a most interesting relic of early Indian History. 
 Here, Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, wife of Rev. Joseph Row- 
 landson, the first minister of Lancaster, was redeemed from 
 captivity from the Indians, in May, 1676, after the de- 
 struction of that town by the Indians under King Philip. 
 The release of Mrs. Rowlandson, after a captivity of eleven 
 weeks and five days, was secured through the efforts of 
 Mr. John Hoar of Concord who bravely went among the 
 hostile savages, and obtained her ransom, after a good 
 deal of ceremony and delay. 
 
 The story of Mrs. Rowlandson's capture, the details of 
 the burning of Lancaster, and the murder of so many of 
 its inhabitants, the account of her travels, sufferings and 
 release, as related in her quaint and inimitable "Removes, " 
 are among the most interesting, as well as touching, narra- 
 tives of Indian history. 
 
 After her capture, Mrs. Rowlandson was taken to the 
 vicinity of Wachusett Mountain, and thence by successive 
 "removes" through the wilderness to Northfield, on the 
 Connecticut River. "After many weary steps," she 
 states, returning from her wilderness wanderings, "we 
 came to Wachusett." There she remained until her 
 release. 
 
 Not only was King Philip with her captors, but several 
 other of the leading Sagamores, and among them, Quinni- 
 pln, the master of Mrs. Rowlandson, and his wife, the cele- 
 brated "Squaw Metamoo," "Queen of Pocasset, " "A 
 severe and proud dame," says Mrs. Rowlandson, "be- 
 
346 History of Princeton 
 
 stowing every day in dressing herself, near as much time 
 as any of the gentry of the land, powdering her hair and 
 painting her face. " Her narrative proceeds, ''On Tuesday 
 morning they called their General Court (as they stiled it) 
 to consult and determine whether I should go home or no, 
 and they all seemingly consented that I should go, except 
 Philip, who would not come among them." This absence 
 of Philip is explained in another passage in the narrative: — 
 "Philip smelling the business called me to him and asked 
 me what I would give him to tell me some good news and 
 to speak a good word for me that I might go home to- 
 morrow. I told him I could not tell what to give him; 
 I would give anything I had and asked him what he would 
 have. He said two coats and twenty shillings in money 
 and half a bushel of seed corn and some tobacco. I thanked 
 him for his love, but I knew that good news as well as that 
 crafty fox. " 
 
 In November, 1879, Hon. George F. Hoar, of Worcester, 
 a lineal descendant of John Hoar of Concord, purchased 
 of William S. Everett about half an acre of land, in the 
 center of which "Redemption Rock" is situated, and 
 caused the following inscription to be placed upon that face 
 of the rock which rises some twelve feet from the ground. 
 
 " Upon this rock, May 2nd. 1676, was made the agreement 
 for the ransom of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster, 
 between the hidians and John Hoar of Concord, King Philip 
 was with the Indians, but refused his consent. " 
 
 The land where Redemption Rock is, formerly belonged 
 to Israel Everett, father of Abram and brother of Dea. J. T. 
 Everett, whose residence in Everettville was not far from 
 the spot referred to. 
 
 In the summer of 1901, Senator Hoar, deeded this prop- 
 erty to his grand-nephew, John Hoar, son of the late 
 Sherman Hoar, the only one of the family by the name of 
 John. This deed was executed, sealed and delivered in 
 the presence of thirty descendants of John Hoar of Con- 
 cord, whose signatures as witnesses appear on the docu- 
 ment. 
 
Wachusett Legends 347 
 
 Mt. Adams Celebration. In 1825, at the inauguration 
 of John Quincy Adams to the Presidency, an attempt was 
 made by the inhabitants, at the suggestion of the late 
 Ward N. Boylston, Esq., to substitute the name of Mount 
 Adams for the time honored Wachusett. Accordingly on 
 the 4th of March a grand celebration was held. The day 
 was welcomed by the discharge of cannon in the village 
 and from the mountain, and ringing of the bell at sunrise, 
 which was repeated at noon and sun setting. At three 
 o'clock P.M. an excellent dinner was given at Mount Adams 
 Hotel by Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esq., to the militia 
 companies, military and other public officers and inhabi- 
 tants of the town and invited guests from neighboring 
 towns. They had previously attended public worship in 
 the Congregational Meeting House, where appropriate 
 prayers were offered and a discourse delivered by the Rev. 
 Mr. Clarke. It is calculated that nearly seven hundred 
 persons partook of this truly generous entertainment. In 
 the evening a large bonfire was lighted on the mountain 
 which was distinctly seen at Boston.^ 
 
 1 From the Massachusetts Spy of March 11, 1829. 
 
 Mr. Editor: It will be recollected that on the inauguration of John Quincy 
 Adams to the presidency, four years ago this day, the good people of Prince- 
 ton (hastily no doubt), at the suggestion of an old friend of mine, saw fit 
 to honor me with a new name, that of Mount Adams. I had at that time 
 very serious doubts at to the propriety of the course taken by my friends 
 in Princeton, although I did not then remonstrate. During the four years 
 last past, I have been in rather a disagreeable dilemma. Some of my 
 friends and visitors have greeted me by my new name, while others have 
 been determined to know me by no other than by my ancient and well 
 established title, Wachusett. Now, my age, rank and elevation will, I 
 trust, justify me in speaking for myself and settling this matter. I am 
 satisfied with the administration of Mr. Adams. Of the course he has 
 taken in relation to the leaders of the federal party, I have nothing to say, 
 because I have not in my possession "unequivocal evidence" upon which 
 I could form an opinion. As Mr. Adams retires from ofilce at this time, 
 with due deference to him, I beg leave, through the medium of your paper, 
 to inform the pubhc that I have resumed my former name, by which, alone, 
 I wish hereafter to be known and distinguished. 
 
 Respectfully, I remain your substantial friend, 
 
 Wachusett Mountain. 
 Princeton, March 4, 1829. 
 
348 History of Princeton 
 
 MONADNOCK FROM WACHUSETT 
 
 I would I were a painter, for the sake 
 Of a sweet picture, and of her who led, 
 
 A fitting guide, with reverential tread, 
 Into that mountain mystery.* First a lake 
 Tinted with sunset; next the wavy lines 
 Of far receding hills; and yet more far, 
 Monadnock lifting from his night of pines 
 His rosy forehead to the evening star. 
 Beside us, purple-zoned, Wachusett laid 
 His head against the West, whose warm light made 
 
 His aureole; and o'er him, sharp and clear. 
 Like a shaft of lightning in mid-launching stayed, 
 A single level cloud-Une, shone upon 
 By the fierce glances of the sunken sun. 
 
 Menaced the darkness with its golden spear I 
 
 So twilight deepened round us. Still and black 
 The great woods cHmbed the mountain at our back; 
 And on their skirts, where yet the fingering day 
 On the shorn greenness of the clearing lay. 
 
 The brown old farm-house fike a bird's-nest hung. 
 With home-Ufe sounds the desert air was stirred: 
 The bleat of sheep along the hill we heard, 
 The bucket splashing in the cool, sweet well, 
 The pasture-bars that clattered as they fell; 
 Dogs barked, fowls fluttered, cattle lowed; the gate 
 Of the barn-yard creaked beneath the merry weight 
 
 Of sun-brown children, listening, while they swung, 
 The welcome sound of supper-call to hear; 
 And down the shadowy lane, in tinkJings clear, 
 
 The pastoral curfew of the cow-bell rung. 
 
 Thus soothed and pleased, our backward path we took, 
 Praising the farmer's home. He only spake, 
 Looking into the sunset o'er the lake, 
 
 Like one to whom the far-ofif is most near 
 "Yes, most folks think it has a pleasant look; 
 I love it for my good old mother's sake, 
 
 Who lived and died here in the peace of God!" 
 The lesson of his words we pondered o'er, 
 
 * It was in the 6o's that Whittier came to Princeton to visit a Quaker 
 friend, Miss Howells, who accompanied him to the Roper farm where he 
 was inspired to write this poem. 
 
Wachusett Legends 349 
 
 As silently we turned the eastern flank 
 Of the mountain, where its shadow deepest sank, 
 Doubling the night along our rugged road: 
 We felt that man was more than his abode, — 
 
 The inward life than Nature's raiment more; 
 And the warm sky, the sundown-tinted hill, 
 
 The forest and the lake, seemed dwarfed and dim 
 Before the saintly soul, whose human will 
 Meekly in the Eternal footsteps trod. 
 Making her homely toil and household ways 
 An earthly echo of the song of praise 
 
 Swelling from angel lips and harps of seraphim, 
 
 John Greenleqf Whittier 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 MISCELLANY 
 
 Princeton as a Summer Resort. City residents were 
 attracted to Princeton by the pure bracing air and beautiful 
 scenery as early as 1830, 40 years before the advent of the 
 railroad through the town. 
 
 Wachusett House. A seven mile journey over hill and 
 dale by stage coach was the only means of reaching the 
 village. During the summer of 1856 a large party from 
 the Wachusett House (then owned by John Brooks Sen.) 
 went down to the Boylston Farm and bribed one of the 
 farm lads to take the crowd back to the hotel in a two 
 wheeled cart drawn by oxen and dump them at the front 
 door. A minister was of the party to lend dignity to the 
 occasion. Thus do we early learn of "Joy Rides." 
 
 In the spring of 1857 P. A. Beaman and Isaac F. Thomp- 
 son hired the hotel of John Brooks and continued the 
 business for two years, when Mr. Beaman purchased the 
 property. The present Bowling Alley and Laundry build- 
 ing was erected in 1861. The large barn now standing on 
 the property was built in 1864. The house was enlarged 
 by raising and placing a new story on the ground floor and 
 building a large L in 1869-70. A more commodious 
 dining room was added in 1873. The present residence of 
 Mr. A. T. Beaman was remodeled and enlarged as an 
 "annex" in 1883. The business grew to such proportions 
 during this period that many guests lodged in nearby 
 houses which were enlarged for this purpose. Two hun- 
 dred guests were often entertained at week ends and many 
 were turned away for lack of accommodation. 
 
 This period 1866 to 1880 marked the crest of the wave 
 of prosperity incident to the hotel business in Princeton. 
 
 350 
 
Miscellany 351 
 
 After the death of Mr. P. A. Beaman, Mar. i, 1894, his 
 sons A. T. and H. C. Beaman continued the business until 
 the hotel was destroyed by fire Nov. 28, 19 10. 
 
 Prospect House now the Princeton Inn. In 1860-61 
 Mr. Wilkes Roper remodeled the Baptist Church making 
 it into a hotel. Mr. I. F. Thompson purchased the prop- 
 erty at this time. He continued as its proprietor until 
 1874 when he sold to George L. Bliss of Worcester. Mr. 
 Bliss enlarged the dining room and made additions to the 
 bam. About seventy-five guests could be accommodated 
 at this time. Mr. Bliss did a good business for nine years. 
 He sold the property to John E. Day of Worcester in 1883. 
 Mr. Wayland C. Davis leased the property and remained 
 its proprietor for eighteen years. During this time in 
 1895 Mr. Davis added a story to the house so that one 
 hundred or more guests could be accommodated. 
 
 From 1 90 1 to 19 13 several parties leased or owned the 
 property with varying degrees of success. In the spring 
 of 1913 Mr. H. C. Beaman purchased the property and is 
 the present owner. 
 
 Mountain House. In 1856 Daniel Howe enlarged the 
 farm house formerly owned by Micah Hobbs at the base 
 of Wachusett and probably began taking summer boarders 
 at that time. In 1859 Samuel C. and Moses H. Bullard 
 bought the property of Mr. Howe, built a bam and opened 
 the Mountain House to the public. They added a story 
 to the main house, and built an additional wing in 1880. 
 This enabled them to accommodate about one hundred 
 guests. Mr. Samuel Bullard died in 1887 and his brother 
 Moses H. continued the business until he sold to Gilbert A. 
 Derby of Fitchburg in 1894. ^^^- Derby conducted the 
 hotel nine years. The property changed owners several 
 times until it was purchased by George E. Doherty of 
 Somerville in the spring of 19 14. He opened the house 
 to the public in June. The house was burned July 11, 
 1914. 
 
 Grand View House. After disposing of the Micah Hobbs 
 House to S. C. and M. H. Bullard in 1859, Mr. Daniel 
 
352 History of Princeton 
 
 Howe built on the easterly side of the road opposite the 
 Mountain House. He died shortly after and his widow 
 who was a sister of S. C. and M. H. Bullard opened the 
 house for summer guests. At her death her son William R. 
 Howe continued the business. In 1893 Mr. Howe made 
 extensive additions so the hotel contained forty sleeping 
 rooms and was called the "Grand View House." This 
 was burned in Sept., 1899. 
 
 Mt. Pleasant House. Mr. Charles A. Whittaker opened 
 his new house for boarders in 1868. The spot selected for 
 this summer hotel was an ideal one. Situated three fourths 
 of a mile west of the Post Office, it stands on an elevation 
 commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country 
 with forest, orchard and mowing land in close proximity, 
 and was appropriately named " Mt. Pleasant House. " The 
 business proved so successful that Mr. Whittaker built ex- 
 tensive additions in 1875. Other enlargements were made 
 from time to time until from forty to sixty guests were 
 accommodated. Mr. Moses C. Goodnow, son-in-law of 
 Mr. Whittaker, took charge of the business in 1879 and 
 continued until 1908. 
 
 After this a portion of the house was let to different 
 parties for the summer months. In the spring of 19 12 
 Mr. Goodnow sold the property to Edward C. and Harry S. 
 Whitney of Worcester, who made radical changes in the 
 premises. They removed a portion of the house to an 
 adjoining lot where Edward C. now spends the greater 
 part of the year. Harry Whitney then remodeled the 
 main house and now has a delightful country home which 
 he occupies permanently. 
 
 Howard House. Mr. Nelson S. Howard built a modest 
 house on land purchased of Mr. P. A. Beaman in 1868 
 and began taking summer boarders. Business prospered 
 from the first and we find Mr. Howard enlarging the house 
 from time to time, until he could take care of forty or 
 more guests. He retired from the business in 1889 and 
 the house has since been let to different parties for the 
 summer months. 
 
Miscellany 353 
 
 "Harrington Farm" has a wide reputation as a place 
 for summer recreation. It is favorably situated on the 
 western slope of Wachusett Mountain, with an extensive 
 view and all the attractions of running brooks, ponds, 
 forests, orchards and gardens which furnish an abundance 
 of fresh vegetables. This farm first offered its attractions 
 to city people in 1882; and though the buildings have 
 been enlarged Mrs. A. R. E. Harrington and son Joseph C, 
 have no difficulty in filling the house every summer. 
 They accommodate about thirty guests. 
 
 Pratt's Cottage. The earliest knowledge we have of 
 boarding business here is in 1867 when James B. Mirick 
 took the property from Dr. Alphonso Brooks and opened a 
 boarding house. He conducted the house seven years. 
 Mr. William G. Morse followed Mr. Mirick and held the 
 property two years when it was purchased by the present 
 occupants. This hostelry has the distinction of being the 
 only house open to the public throughout the year. Under 
 the management of Mrs. Harriet Pratt and her daughters, 
 Lillian and Harriet, the hotel has made a reputation for 
 square dealing and good service during a series of years 
 dating back to 1876. 
 
 Woodland Cottage, under the capable management of 
 Mrs. Edward A. Padgham has for the past ten years been 
 a favorite resort for those who desire quiet home surround- 
 ings. It is situated on Prospect Street, in close proximity 
 to church, library, school, store and physician; with a fine 
 view, reaching far away to the east, where can be seen in a 
 clear day. Prospect Hill in Waltham, and Blue Hill in 
 Milton. The house accommodates ten or twelve guests. 
 
 Grimes House. Other persons interested in this busi- 
 ness who might be mentioned, are Mr. Edwin Grimes who 
 took a limited number of guests for many years in the old 
 colonial house formerly owned by Dr. Partridge, which 
 stands opposite the Pratt Cottage. 
 
 Pine Hill House. Mr. Joseph Miller, who began taking 
 guests for the summer in the house now owned by Joseph 
 and Edward Brewer near Pine Hill. This was a very 
 
354 History of Princeton 
 
 sightly location and Mr. Miller enlarged the house and 
 continued the business until 1888. 
 
 Fernside. Mr. Wilkes Roper made several ventures in 
 the summer boarding business; the most notable being 
 his purchase of the property now known as Fernside, in 
 1870. During his occupancy two wings were added to the 
 house. He continued the business until 1885 when Mr. F. 
 A. Boyd took the property on lease for four years. Mr. 
 Roper then sold the premises in 1890 to the present owners 
 who run the house as a vacation rest for working girls. 
 
 Summit House. Since early in the nineteenth century 
 Wachusett Mountain has offered a goal for many a traveller, 
 explorer and sightseer. In 1866 Mr. William G. Morse 
 had a booth for the sale of candy and cigars on the summit 
 of the Mountain during the summer months. The only 
 means of transporting his material was by a small two 
 wheeled cart drawn by a sturdy Canadian pony over the 
 rocky path leading up from the Mountain House. Busi- 
 ness evidently proved good, for he erected a small stone 
 house on the summit in 1870. He continued the business 
 during the summer months four years. 
 
 In 1874 the Wachusett Mountain Co. built a road from 
 Mr. Amasa Smith's near Pine Hill, to the Summit, and 
 erected the first Summit House and barn the following 
 year. In 1879 the house was enlarged and a Bowling 
 Alley was built. Brigham and Derby were the proprietors 
 at this time. 
 
 The Mountain was sold to P. A. Beaman & Son in 1882 
 and they erected a three story building forty feet square in 
 1884-5. They conducted a general hotel business in the 
 summer months until the State took the property for a 
 Reservation in 1900. 
 
 After the State acquired the Mt. Wachusett Property 
 in 1900 Mr. Alley L. Harrington hired the hotel for several 
 years. Mr. William R. Howe afterwards hired it for some 
 years. 
 
 The Reservation Commission early in 1907 decided to 
 modernize the hotel at the summit and engaged J. C. F. 
 
Miscellany 355 
 
 Mirick to prepare plans for this purpose. Work was 
 started in September of that year. The house was opened 
 for guests in June 1908. The Commission hiring a Mr. 
 Osgood and wife to operate the hotel. The following year 
 Messrs Charles E, and Thomas Home hired the property. 
 The hotel became so popular that the Commission deemed 
 it advisable to build an "Annex," comprising a billiard 
 room, laundry and several sleeping rooms in 1910. From 
 that date to the present (19 15) the hotel has grown in 
 prosperity under the able management of Mr. Everett W. 
 Needham, Supt. of the Reservation. 
 
 In view of the facts herein noted it will be observed that 
 for more than three-quarters of a century Princeton has 
 attained note as a summer resort. 
 
 With the advent of the automobile the accommodation 
 of summer guests for any extended period has become a 
 thing of the past, and in its place has come the summer 
 resident, who buys a farm or building site, erects a modern 
 dwelling and often becomes a citizen. There are forty- 
 live of this class at present. 
 
 The valuation of the town has increased from $817,346 
 in 1890 to $1,485,128 in 1914, and with improved ways 
 of reaching this beautiful hill town, the future prosperity 
 of this community would seem assured. 
 
 {Courtesy of Mr. C. J. F. Mirick.) 
 
 INNHOLDERS AND TAVERNS 
 
 The records of the County Court furnish the names of a number of the 
 innholders or tavern keepers, as the law required them to be licensed and 
 recorded. The following list comprises all names recorded from 1760 to 
 1795, but may not include all who "kept tavern" during that period. 
 
 Abijah Moore 1760, i, 2, 3, 4. 
 
 Zachariah Harvey 1760. (Wilder was here before) 
 
 Joseph Sargent 1765, 6, 7, 8, 70, 2, 3, 6, 9, 80. 
 
 The first license of Mr. Sargent is thus recorded May 1765, "Joseph 
 Sargeant of Princetown is Licensed by this Court to keep a publick Tavern 
 in the House Lately occupied by Capt. Abijah Moor as a Tavern he having 
 purchased s"^ Estate, & the s*^ Joseph thereupon recognized in the sura of 
 Fifty Pounds with Two Suretys namely William Richardson, Esq. & Eben'" 
 Jones in the sum of Twenty five Pound Each Conditioned that he duely 
 account with ye Collector & pay his Excise according to Law. Also in 
 
35^ History of Princeton 
 
 the sum of £io with s*^ Suretys in £5 each Conditioned that he keep good 
 rule & order and duely observe ye Law relating to Innholders, at ye same 
 Time took ye oath by (law required) Relating to Bills of Credit of ye neigh- 
 booring Governments". Vol. 336. 
 
 Joseph Gibbs 1769, 1770. 
 
 James Mirick 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773. 
 
 Eph. Woolson 
 
 Wm. Thomson & Boaz Moore may have been in 1766. 
 
 Joseph Phelps 1771, 1772, 1773, 1776. 
 
 Robert Cowdin 1771, 1772, 1773. 
 
 William Richardson i773, 1776, 1779, 1787, 1788. 
 
 Caleb Mirick 17 73, 1776, 1779. Mr. Mirick had a bill of 
 
 £45 for entertainment furnished at the sale 
 of Timothy Ruggles estate which was con- 
 fiscated by the Government. 
 
 Josiah Davis i779- 
 
 Abraham Gale 1780 & 1783. 
 
 Thomas Parker I779- 
 
 WilHam Dodd i779- 
 
 Michael Gill 1784. 
 
 Eben'' Parker 1788. 
 
 John Russell 1787, 1788, 1791, 1792. 
 
 Jonas Beaman 1785, 1787, 1788. 
 
 Amos Gale 1785. 
 
 David Rice i795- 
 
 Caleb Mirick 1791, 1792. 
 
 Some of these were licensed as "Retailers". 
 
 The first public house for "entertainment of man & beast" was that 
 of Joshua Wilder to whom a plot of land was granted by the Court in 1742 
 upon the condition of erection of such a house. This was on the road 
 between Lancaster and Barre and the towns north and west, — the highway 
 to Petersham the newly formed town. 
 
 Mr. Wilder kept the tavern here for several years perhaps until about 
 1762 when he disposed of the place to Benjamin Houghton and it has re- 
 mained in the possession of his descendents until the present day. There 
 is no evidence that Mr. Houghton kept a public house. 
 
 Abijah Moore purchased in (1748?) the estate on the Sterling road known 
 as the Major J. A. Reed place near Russell's and before 1750 opened tavern. 
 
 In this house the first meeting of the district was held and the first 
 public religious service. In 1765 Mr. Moore sold to Joseph Sargent, whose 
 hcense is above recorded. He was licensed down to 1780 and perhaps 
 later and died 1797. 
 
 Dr. Z. Harvey who seemed willing to take any office in the town was 
 licensed in 1760 as an Innholder. He lived at that time on the Ebenezer 
 Parker place, and Mr. Parker is recorded as entertainmg the pubUc in 1788. 
 
 Thomas Parker perhaps in 1779 took it of Dr. Harvey. 
 
 Wm. Thompson who lived in the west part near Hubbardston in 1766 
 (Lincoln place west of Warren Griffins) and 
 
 Boaz Moore in lot No. 32 in west part, both licensed 
 
Miscellany 357 
 
 Joseph Gibbs the elder 1769 & 70 possibly in #30, and this is probably 
 the same spot where Lieut. Abraham Gale of Shays Rebellion fame dis- 
 pensed food and drink in 1785. 
 
 James Mirick lived in #4 of Rutland East Wing, perhaps where G. O. 
 Skinner now lives, hcensed 1769-73, perhaps taking part of the business 
 formerly given Col. Sargent on that highway. (Capt. of a Company in 
 Revolution and died in Boston 1775.) 
 
 Ephraim Woolson one of the early physicians and probably the only 
 one at time was hcensed 1770-71 (See deeds 41/56 and my plan) He 
 lived between Gibbs and the place where line of "B " crosses the road back 
 of Library. The lot extended to the Wachusett House (Gleason place). 
 Dr. Woolson afterwards lived near G. O. Skinner's (the Boyle place). 
 
 Joseph Phelps whose whereabouts are not determined 177 1-6. 
 
 Robert Cowdin in lot #27? 1771-73 (or lot south of #27). 
 
 William Richardson between D. H. Gregory's and Wilder's 1773-76-77 
 1787, 1788. 
 
 Caleb Mirick early kept tavern in his house. No license until 1773 but 
 his place is referred to in town books earlier? 
 
 Son Caleb followed him and house discontinued about 18 16. 
 
 Caleb Mirick said to have given up keeping tavern selling and drinking 
 rum 1818 to 1821. Cut down his sign post. 
 
 Josiah Davis in 1779 he lived on the road to Rutland now owned by 
 Goddard (near Capt. Davis'). 
 
 Wm. Dodd on road to W'estminster 1779 &c. 
 
 Michael Gill 1784 and later but no record of his abiding place. He 
 moved from place to place in later years, once hving where Silas Fay did 
 (Kenney). 
 
 John Russell (and later son Charles) on N. E. corner Sterhng road and 
 lower Westminster road, house now standing. Charles took it 1824 (Albert 
 C. Howe says the first traveling Buffalo was entertained here). 
 
 Cyrus Smith before 1824. Estabrook's place. Washington Estabrooks. 
 
 Jonas Beaman 1785-8 old Beaman place. 
 
 Amos Gale in #20 on Capt. John Jones' place. 
 
 Dav'id Rice near Hubbardston line. 
 
 Dr. Eph. Wilson-Grimes house. Dr. Bagg bought of Wilson but did 
 not entertain. 
 
 Peter Richardson took it about 1825, then 1832 Col. Moses Gill, then 
 Aaron Flowers in 1833. 
 
 Capt. Edw. Goodnow did not keep tavern until about 1824 in the old 
 house. 
 
 Prospect House, — I. F. Thompson 1861. 
 
 Geo. L. Bliss 1874. 
 W. C. Davis 1 883-1 901. 
 Several parties 1901-1913 
 H. C. Braman 1913 — 
 
 Summit House, — 
 
 Wm. G. Morse. 
 
 Gilbert Derby (of Fitchbiurg). 
 
358 History of Princeton 
 
 Wachusett House, 
 
 Page 1822. 
 
 Cyrus Smith 1824 
 
 Joseph Davis 1826 
 
 Major Lamb 1833 to 1835 
 
 Ivory Wilder 1835-38 
 
 Josiah D. Howe 1838. 
 
 Miranda Page 1841 
 
 William Chfiford 1843 
 
 Samuel Carr 1845 
 
 Old house moved off and new one built by John Brooks opened in 1849 
 by M. Marsh 
 
 John Brooks, Jr. till 1854 
 
 James Boyd 1854 to 1856 
 
 John Brooks, Jr 1856-57. 
 
 P. A. Beaman & I. F. Thompson 1857-59. 
 
 I. F. Thompson 1859-60. 
 
 P. A. Beaman bought in i860 
 
 (Notes by late Albert C. Howe in 1906.) 
 
 Old Stores. The first store building in Princeton was 
 built by Wm. Richardson, with a tenement in the rear for 
 the family. It stood on the Common between the present 
 D. H. Gregory store and Ivory Wilder's (now Daniel 
 Davis') but nearer the Gregory's. Mr, Richardson died 
 in 18 14 and W. N. Boylston bought all the land on the 
 Common to the top of Meetinghouse Hill. About 1826 
 the building was moved to the site now owned by Daniel 
 Davis. 
 
 In 1839 or 1840 Mr. Ivory Wilder bought the store 
 building with the land on which it stood, but later tore it 
 down and built the present house which was originally 
 twice as large as now; a double house, with one tenement 
 for himself and one for the minister, Rev. Willard M. 
 Harding. Rev. Alfred Goldsmith succeeded him. It was 
 later let to others. 
 
 The old store was used as such till about 1830. William 
 Richardson from Lancaster built and occupied it until he 
 died in 1814. Then Reuben Brooks, Broker John Brooks 
 and Pynson Blake successively hired it until the latter 
 moved into the building now owned by D. H. Gregory Co. 
 He then took as a partner Jonas B. Allen. 
 
Miscellany 359 
 
 This first old store was occupied for two or three years 
 as a shoe manufactory and then used as a wheelwright 
 shop by a man by the name of Russell. The tenement part 
 was occupied by Fortunatus Buss and family. He was a 
 shoemaker and was the last occupant. 
 
 The Gregory store was probably built by Gov. Gill, 
 whose executors sold it to Rev. Mr. Murdock (fourth 
 minister) who in turn sold it to Col. Jacob W. Watson. 
 Luther Nash lived there for a while and afterwards it was 
 let as a tenement until Mr. Pynson Blake bought it about 
 1830, removing from the old store and taking Mr. Allen 
 into partnership. 
 
 D. H. Gregory next bought out the store in 1840 which 
 has continued since in the Gregory name. (Mr. Boylston 
 had the old store moved to the site now occupied by Daniel 
 Davis.) Calvin Bullock of Royalston built the store 
 building in the west village. He died in 18 19. 
 
 Town Hay Scales. The first weighing machine or hay 
 scales was a tall narrow building with the weighing appar- 
 atus or scales in the top of the building. The team was 
 driven under the building or scales and the load lifted or 
 raised by chains attached to the wheels and raised by a 
 windlass situated below to the beam of a large steelyard 
 that weighed it by registering below near the windlass. 
 The chains attached to the wheels after being lifted were 
 attached or hung on to the steel yard (as we call it). 
 
 Market Wagons. Sometime in the early 20s Samuel 
 Randall of this town began to run a market wagon to 
 Boston. One horse and covered wagon. Later on he 
 went with a two horse team. After a few years, he sold 
 to Moses Copeland who sold to Willard Temple (all of 
 Princeton). After running a short time he sold to Blake & 
 Allen, who continued it until about 1840 when the line 
 was discontinued. Blake and x'\llen put on a four horse 
 team and carried great quantities of dressed veal, Iamb, 
 butter, and other farm produce, returning bringing goods 
 for their store, etc.: Joel Hapgood drove a one horse 
 market wagon to Boston in the 20s. 
 
360 History of Princeton 
 
 About the year 1830, Ezra B. Keyes of Princeton ran 
 a one horse market wagon to Boston for about two years. 
 
 About 1835 or 1836, Erasmus D. Goodnow & Co. of 
 Princeton began to run a four horse market wagon. They 
 too carried large quantities of farm products and brought 
 back goods for their store and also leather for their shoe 
 manufactory. They also transported their shoes to Boston. 
 This team was run by different owners until about 1850 
 when it was discontinued. 
 
 In 1 85 1 John A. Rice ran a market wagon to Boston 
 one year, then sold to Henry Fairbanks who continued the 
 business until about 1863. 
 
 From 1865 to 1870 John Adams of Princeton ran a one 
 horse wagon to Worcester. He was succeeded by Levi H. 
 Howe who continued for several years in the business, 
 since which time there has been no regular market wagon 
 from Princeton. 
 
 Stage Lines Through Princeton. The first Stage route 
 through Princeton must have been established a little 
 time subsequent to 1820, by a man by the name of Bassett. 
 It ran from Royalston, through the towns of Gardner, 
 Westminster, Princeton and West Boylston, to Worcester. 
 It made but one trip a week. I think it never carried the 
 U. S. mail; only passengers; but during the early part of 
 its runs, it supplied subscribers on its route with the 
 Massachusetts Spy, throwing it out at each house as it 
 passed along. After running thus a few years the route 
 was shortened, running only from Gardner to Worcester; 
 always a small coach with two horses. 
 
 It continued to run until the opening of the Vermont & 
 Massachusetts Railroad, through Gardner, the last pro- 
 prietor and driver being John Edgell of Gardner. The 
 second stage route through Princeton ran from Barre 
 through the towns of Hubbardston, Princeton, Sterling, 
 Lancaster, Bolton, Stowe, corner of Sudbury (near May- 
 nard), corner of Lincoln, Weston, Waltham, Watertown, 
 and Cambridgeport, to Boston. 
 
 The changes of horses were made at Princeton, Bolton 
 
Miscellany 361 
 
 and Lincoln, and stages were run upon this route until the 
 completion of the railroad from Boston to Fitchburg. 
 The first driver through Princeton, was Abel Lakin, and 
 the last, Joe Maynard; they stopped to change mail at 
 each Post Office of each town. This route was established 
 about 1823. 
 
 The third route was established in 1849, running from 
 Princeton Center to Oakdale. l^pon the opening of the 
 Worcester and Nashua Railroad, the Oakdale and Prince- 
 ton Center coach and four horses and carrying the U. S. 
 mail, continued to run until the opening of the Boston, 
 Barre and Gardner Rail Road, in 187 1. D. Frank Smith 
 who had been driving to Oakdale commenced the new route 
 between the Depot and Center. He was succeeded by 
 P. C. Doolittle who purchased the line in 1883 and contin- 
 ued its manager 26 years, having had associated with him 
 at different times Willis H. Clark and Herbert A. Jackson. 
 In 1909 John Perkins, the present proprietor purchased 
 the line. Now a stage is running from East Princeton to 
 Oakdale and carrying the U. S. mail. This was established 
 in 1849, the coach meeting the Princeton coach at the so- 
 called Richardson Tavern, the latter taking the mail to 
 Oakdale, until the discontinuance of the latter. 
 
 Postmasters and Post Offices. The first Post Office 
 was in the store built about 1800 by John Trowbridge 
 Dana. It stood near the house formerly owned by Thomas 
 Kivlon, South of Mr. Frank Skinner's. The store is now 
 gone. The Kivlon house and this old store building were 
 owned and occupied by Mr. Dana three or four years until 
 his death in October, 1802. Then Stephen P. Gardner kept 
 the store three or four years, then Samuel Stevenson bought 
 the store. He was the first appointed Post Master in 
 town. Mrs. Stevenson was a sister of Charles Russell Esq. 
 Mr. Russell about 18 16 succeeded Col. Stephenson in the 
 store and Post Office. The store building of Mirick & 
 Russell now the Russell Mansion House was built in 1823. 
 Mirick & Russell commenced as partners in this little old 
 store for two or three years until the new store was built. 
 
362 History of Princeton 
 
 Before the establishment of the hrst post office in 1812 
 the inhabitants were dependent mostly on private in- 
 dividuals for their mail. Miss Elizabeth Fuller the minis- 
 ter's tiaui^hter, in her diary in 1791 reports, " Father's gone 
 to Worcester, to get the j)ai)ers." One can fmd by search- 
 ing till' cohnnns of the Worcester Spy, atlvertisement of 
 unclaimed letters for Princeton people. The earliest date 
 at which a stage coach carried (he mail has not been as- 
 certained but there are evidences that some stage line ran 
 through some i)art of the town, perhaps on the way to the 
 ("onncclicut kiver. It is thought there nuist have been 
 some line on the old North County road, coming down 
 Justice llill from Sterling, and on to Westminster, and 
 perhaps farther north to Barre. It has always been a 
 suii)rise to me that I have not been able to fmd a direct 
 road from Fancaster to Rutland, through Princeton. Very 
 few towns in this vicinity were acconunodated with post 
 office facilities j)revious to 1800, except W^)rcester, which 
 oKice was opened in 1775, with Isaiah Thomas as post- 
 master. 
 
 At lirst, the post oflice business in Princeton was run on 
 a \-ery limited scale, as is shown by one report of Postmaster 
 Russell. At (h(> end of March 1S13, $2.65 was due the 
 general post office. At the last ([uarter of March 1830, 
 there was due #27.61. 
 
 Rates of Postaok i8r3. 
 
 For single Ictlcrs, composed of one piece of paper. Miles. Cents. 
 
 Any distance not exceeding 40 8 
 
 Over 40 and not exceeding go 10 
 
 Over go and not exceeding 150 12} 
 
 Over 150 and not exceeding 300 17 
 
 Over 300 and not exceeding 500 20 
 
 Over 500 25 
 
 Double Letters. 
 
 Or those composed of two pieces of jiaper, are charged with double those 
 rates. 
 
Miscellany 363 
 
 Triple Letters, 
 With triple those rates. 
 
 Quadruple Letters. 
 
 With quadruple those rates. 
 
 The first gummed envelope was made in Worcester by 
 Dr. Russell Hawes in 1848; improved by James A. Arnold 
 in 1859, and perfected in 1865 by H. D. and D. W. Swift, 
 of Logan, Swift and Brigham (U. S. Envelope Company). 
 
 The Washington Post Office department has record of a 
 contract made in 181 5 for mail carried from Worcester to 
 Keene, N. H., via intermediate offices. This appears to 
 be the only route serving Princeton until 1825 when mail 
 from Boston to Albany was received daily. In 1828 and 
 later there was considerable correspondence with the 
 General post office in regard to the removal of our post- 
 master, by someone who wished the appointment. The 
 office at that time was located at the junction of all the 
 main roads that pass through the town, probably identical 
 with the present Russell's corner; and kept in a brick 
 building, in which was a store and large hall for public 
 gatherings. 
 
 The remonstrants spoke of the present postmaster 
 Charles Russell who has been in the office as clerk, and 
 postmaster since its establishment, as " an efficient, faithful 
 and accommodating officer, who gives entire satisfaction to 
 the inhabitants, especially those who transact the most 
 business through this office." 
 
 No change was made, and Mr. Russell continued in 
 service. Among his reports to the General Office we read 
 "Two lists are made out each week and sent to the different 
 meeting houses each Sunday, to be posted ; and letters and 
 papers delivered free to those who live within a mile of the 
 office, who are in the habit of paying their postage, quar- 
 terly, semi-annually or annually. This seems to be first 
 and only notice of Rural Free delivery in Princeton. 
 
 At the present time the work of the post office is largely 
 increased, especially because twenty-nine post offices have 
 
364 History of Princeton 
 
 the name of Princeton; that in New Jersey is probably the 
 oldest one. Confusion often arises from the delivery of 
 Provincetown mail here. Mail of this description is often 
 so large our postmaster feels obliged to keep a Provincetown 
 directory. 
 
 Princeton Post Office Established 20 Nov. 181 2. 
 
 Postmaster. Date of Appointment. 
 
 Samuel Stephenson 20 Nov. 181 2 
 
 Charles Russell 21 Nov. 1817 
 
 Moses G. Cheever 25 June 1846 
 
 George F. Folger i June 1849 
 
 Ivory Wilder 18 April 1854 
 
 Moses Gill 11 Dec. 1856 
 
 Alphonzo Brooks 15 Feb. 1859 
 
 Ivory Wilder 19 Dec. 1862 
 
 Alphonzo Brooks 7 Mar. 1865 
 
 David H. Gregory 27 Sept. 1866 
 
 Leonard Chandler 18 Sept. 1886 
 
 Josiah D. Gregory 14 May 1889 
 
 Rajonond J. Gregory 1915 
 
 East Princeton Post Office Established 29 May 1849. 
 
 Horace V. Pratt 29 May 1849 
 
 Joseph Whitcomb 13 Jan. 1855 
 
 John A. Mirick 19 April 1870 
 
 Warren H. Whitcomb 11 Mar. 1878 
 
 Samuel J. Jewett 18 Sept. 1886 
 
 Warren H. Whitcomb 25 May 1889 
 
 Princeton Depot Post Office Established 29 Jan. 1877. 
 
 George F. Wetherbee 29 Jan. 1877 
 
 John K. Boyer 18 Sept. 1886 
 
 Gilbert A. Bigelow 28 May 1889 
 
 Brooks Station Post Office Established 17 Jan. 1877. 
 
 Charles R. Bartlett 17 Jan. 1877 
 
 Charles Winship 22 Oct. 1877 
 
 W.K.Parker 12 Mar. 1888 
 
 Daniel Davis Jr 13 Sept. 1888 
 
 George F. Pratt 16 Jan. 1893 
 
 Edward W. Sheldon 13 Jan. 1894 
 
 Alec St. George 3 July 1896 
 
 M. H. Warner 10 May 1910 
 
Miscellany 
 
 365 
 
 Mount Wachusett Post Office Established 28 July 1873 
 
 Darius A. Putnam 28 July 1873 
 
 Moses H. Bullard 25 May 1875 
 
 Walter S. Bigelow 26 June 1884 
 
 Moses H. Bullard n Mar. 1886 
 
 Gilbert H. Derby 29 Mar. 1895 
 
 Discontinued 14 Oct. 1903 
 
 List of Princeton Post Offices in the United States 
 
 Princeton, Jackson Co 
 Dallas 
 Colusa 
 Dade 
 Latah 
 Bureau 
 Gibson 
 Scott 
 Franklin 
 Caldwell 
 Bossier 
 Wash'gton 
 Marquette 
 
 Alabama Princeton, 
 
 Arkansas " 
 
 California " 
 Florida 
 Idaho 
 Illinois 
 
 Indiana " 
 
 Iowa " 
 
 Kansas " 
 
 Kentucky " 
 
 Louisiana " 
 Maine 
 
 Michigan " 
 
 Millelaes 
 
 Mercer 
 
 Granite 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 Mercer 
 
 Johnston 
 
 Harney 
 
 Lawrence 
 
 Laurens 
 
 Collin 
 
 Mercer 
 
 Green Lake 
 
 Mercer 
 
 Co. 
 
 , Minnesota 
 Missouri 
 Montana 
 Nebraska 
 New Jersey 
 N. Carolina 
 Oregon 
 Penn. 
 S. Carolina 
 Texas 
 W. Virginia 
 Wisconsin 
 New Jersey 
 
 Railroads. The population of the towns in the central 
 and western parts of the State had rapidly increased. This, 
 and the demands of trade, showed the necessity of better 
 methods of travel and transportation and the matter had 
 for several years attracted the attention of legislators and 
 engineers. i\s early as 1825 a survey was made for a rail- 
 road from Boston to Worcester and on to the Hudson. 
 
 At first the project met with little favor with the people. 
 The Boston Courier, indeed, under date of June 27, 1827, 
 called it "a project which every one knows, who knows the 
 simplest rule in arithmetic, to be impracticable, and at an 
 expense little less than the market value of the whole terri- 
 tory of Massachusetts: and which, if practicable, every 
 person of commonsense knows, would be as useless as a 
 railroad from Boston to the moon." 
 
 The sentiment however gained strength and in 1828 the 
 legislature of Massachusetts appointed a Board of Directors 
 of Internal Improvements to report on the practicability 
 and expediency of a Railroad from Boston to the Hudson 
 River and from Boston to Providence. 
 
366 History of Princeton 
 
 The Board reported Jan. 1829, in print, with a plan pre- 
 pared by eminent engineers for several routes but the only 
 one we are interested in followed the line afterwards selected 
 by the Massachusetts Central as far as Holden, through 
 Cambridge and Sudbury, and then evidently adopted part 
 of the line used subsequently by the Boston, Barre & 
 Gardner railroad, now the Peterboro Division of the Boston 
 and Maine. This road entered Princeton's southerly bor- 
 der, passing Mason's Mills and the Widow Woodward's 
 place, which is noted on the plans as being the highest 
 elevation of the survey. After passing the well-known 
 Savage factory, the line ran on to Hubbardston and west- 
 ward to where the present road runs. The report was 
 voluminous and was accompanied with plans of the differ- 
 ent routes surveyed and elaborate estimates of the cost of 
 building and operating the road. Some particulars given 
 in brief may be found of interest. 
 
 It will surprise the reader of to-day to learn that this 
 railroad was to be a horse railroad, like railroads already 
 established in England, and in some respects the construc- 
 tion was to follow the English model. It was proposed 
 that a stone foundation be constructed on which should be 
 laid rails of granite surmounted by a bar of iron. The 
 motion on such a road, if level, would be easy and pleasant, 
 and if the inclination did not exceed 26 feet per mile, 
 there would be no serious obstacle from friction. // 
 was also suggested that at different grades a flat car might 
 be provided on which the horses could stand and feed during 
 the descent, and thus be rested and refreshed for further 
 labor. 
 
 It was further suggested that stationary power might be 
 used at the most difficult grades, provided a fall of water 
 could be obtained to operate a wheel and an endless chain 
 to draw the cars up the ascent, and let them down on the 
 other side. 
 
 The cost of transportation of merchandise, if the road 
 be made with stationary powers is estimated at $25.50 for 
 16 tons, twenty horses being required, but without station- 
 
Miscellany 367 
 
 ary powers twenty-eight horses would be required and the 
 expense would be $31.50 per 16 tons. 
 
 The time in each case would be four days. If to these 
 estimates be added a dollar a ton for tolls, it would give 
 $2.59 and $2,97 per ton. A barrel of flour could be trans- 
 ported for 26 or 30 cents. 
 
 For the transportation of passengers by railroad greater 
 speed is required than for merchandise and with stationary 
 powers, 16 horses and one man would be required at a cost 
 to the passenger of $2.82, or without stationary power, 22 
 horses and two men at a cost to the passenger of $3.05 for 
 conveyance from Boston to Albany in 22 hours. 
 
 In regard to the use of steam which was having success 
 in England, they report that the cost would be far greater 
 in America than in England, coal for fuel, for instance, 
 costing three times as much here as there. 
 
 The cost of building the road from Boston to Albany is 
 estimated at $3,254,876.46. There is no record of any 
 action taken in reference to the matter by the Legislature 
 and ere long the attention of the people being turned to 
 the subject of steam railroads, the whole matter was 
 dropped. 
 
 There were at this time six lines of stage coaches, on all 
 of which eighteen stages ran from Albany to Boston and 
 returned weekly with passengers. 
 
 The Boston & Lowell road was the first railroad upon 
 which work was begun, and it was followed soon by the 
 Worcester and Providence. 
 
 The Boston & Worcester road was opened through to 
 Worcester July 4, 1835, the others a few days earlier. 
 The western railroad, a continuation of the Worcester road 
 to Albany, was opened in Dec. 1861. 
 
 The Barre & Worcester Road was chartered April 26, 
 1847, an extension of time was granted and again in 1849, 
 when the name was changed to Boston, Barre & Gardner. 
 
 In 1 85 1 the time was again extended two years and the 
 road released from its obligation to build the section 
 leading to Barre. In 1853 and again in 1856, the time 
 
368 History of Princeton 
 
 was extended and liberty granted to build it in sections, 
 the first section to extend from Worcester to Princeton, 
 the second from Princeton to Gardner and the third from 
 Princeton to Barre. The road was completed to Gardner 
 in 1 87 1, but the section from Princeton to Barre was not 
 built. 
 
 Telephone Service. The first telephone service installed 
 at Princeton was a private line owned by P, A. Bcaman 
 & Son and connecting the Wachusett House with Prince- 
 ton Depot and the Wachusett Coach Line then owned by 
 P. C. Doolittle. 
 
 After two or three years 12 or 15 subscribers petitioned 
 the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for 
 telephone service. This was granted and a central oftice 
 was established at D. H. Gregory's store where it remained 
 several years. 
 
 It was finally removed to the Laundry Building at the 
 Wachusett House, where it was irreparably damaged by 
 fire and water, when the hotel was burned Nov. 28, 19 10. 
 The central oftice has since been located at the residence 
 of Mrs. Daniel Davis where excellent service has been 
 given the subscribers who now number 90. 
 
 Ice Business in Princeton. Previous to 1903 many of 
 the residents in or near the Centre had stored their own 
 supply of ice. In the summer of that year, Charles U. 
 Hubbard began supplying 20 customers with ice from 
 Echo Lake on the Mt. Wachusett State Reservation. 
 
 The following season Mason Bros, purchased the busi- 
 ness and it has developed so that at present (19 15) Harry 
 A. Mason is supplying 90 customers at the Centre and 
 East Princeton. 
 
 Street Lighting. The first action taken by the Town 
 in the matter of street lighting was at a meeting held 
 April 6, 1903, when the Town voted "that the sum of $300 
 be raised and appropriated for establishing and main- 
 taining street lights in the residential districts of Prince- 
 ton Centre and East Princeton." Arrangements were 
 made with the Globe Gaslight Co. for a suitable outfit 
 
PRINCETON VILLAGE FROM THE EAST 
 
 c:emetery and the old pound 
 
Miscellany 369 
 
 and 70 lamps were provided for the streets near the Centre 
 and 25 at East Princeton. Gasolene and kerosene were 
 used with rather unsatisfactory results. 
 
 The cost of maintenance steadily increased and the lights 
 operated only part of the year. At a Town Meeting held 
 April 3, 191 1, Dr. E. S. Lewis, J. D. Gregory and P. C. 
 Doolittle were chosen to investigate Electrical Street 
 Lighting and report at a future meeting. They reported 
 unanimously in favor of such a system, and H. P. Houghton, 
 J. B. Marcou and P. C. Doolittle were chosen a committee 
 and given full power to make contracts. The matter of 
 raising a sufficient amount of money to finance the project 
 of municipal ownership of an electric lighting system was 
 discussed at meetings held on various dates. It was 
 finally decided favorably Sept. 14, 19 12, and the Town 
 voted to raise $15,000 to install this system of street and 
 commercial lighting. It has proved a success and 130 
 street lights are maintained in different parts of the town. 
 There are 56 customers for commercial current: the num- 
 ber is yearly increasing. The current is purchased from 
 the Gardner Electric Light Co. and is generated by the 
 Connecticut River Transmission Co. at Vernon, Vt. 
 
 CEMETERIES 
 
 First Burial Ground. For several years after the in- 
 corporation of the district, there was no public burying 
 ground within its borders. A few of the earlier burials 
 were made at Rutland, but probably most of the interments 
 were made in some selected spot upon the farms, as was 
 usually the custom in thinly settled communities. Even 
 in later days, this plan was adopted by some families, to 
 be followed by regrets in after years. The location of the 
 meeting house upon the hill decided the location of the 
 first burying ground, as the two were almost invariably 
 side by side. 
 
 In 1765 Hon. Moses Gill made a gift to the town of 20 
 acres in the easterly third of lot Letter B for a burying 
 ground and a common. This land was practically of little 
 
370 History of Princeton 
 
 value but for a common, and the larger part of the tract 
 served for that purpose, and In the absence of a better spot, 
 for a training field in connection with the Mirick lot pre- 
 viously given. 
 
 Of this lot of twenty acres, about two and a half acres 
 were set apart for a burying ground, to which an addition 
 of about as much more was made in 1773. It was a very 
 unfortunate selection for the purpose, not only on account 
 of the rocks, but also and especially on account of the 
 springy nature of the soil. Yet, notwithstanding the 
 serious objections and often, at burials, the repellant con- 
 dition of the ground, it was for some years the only public 
 place for burial in the town. 
 
 In some portions of this cemetery burials are still occa- 
 sionally made, notwithstanding the establishment of other 
 grounds; but a large number of removals have been made 
 to the newer cemeteries named below. Here are some 
 rude stones without inscription, but evidently placed to 
 mark the graves of some of the first buried after the se- 
 lection of the ground, and there are evidences of many 
 graves over which no stones were ever placed. 
 
 The town exercised reasonable care of the ground and 
 at the time of its enlargement in 1773 ordered a stone wall 
 five feet high to be built about it. But the work appears 
 to have been delayed until 1779 when the order was re- 
 newed with the specification that the wall was to be " faced 
 upon the road " and two gates to be hung in the most con- 
 venient place. 
 
 In 181 8 the widow of Capt. John Dana was authorized 
 to build a tomb in the south-west part of the ground, and 
 similar permits were given to other persons in 1823 and 
 1824, but the use of these tombs has long since been dis- 
 continued except perhaps for temporary purposes. 
 
 The West Ground. In 1794, a plot of about one half an 
 acre of land in the west part of the town was given for a 
 burying ground by Colonel John Jones, father of Captain 
 John of Princeton. Although the gift was accepted, yet no 
 use was apparently made of it then. In 1796 a committee 
 
Miscellany 371 
 
 was appointed in town meeting to " consider about the 
 plot given by Col. Jones." Mr. Richard Baxter, who 
 lived near the spot opposite the present residence of Mr. 
 Warren Bigelow, subsequently added about one half an 
 acre, and a deed of the lot to the town in 18 12 was given 
 by Adam Jones of Templeton, Isaac Chenery and Lemuel 
 Fisk of Holden and Richard Baxter. This ground is known 
 as the West ground. 
 
 The North Burying Ground was the third established 
 in the town. About one- third of an acre was purchased 
 in 1826 of Stephen Mirick, to which was added a small 
 lot secured from Phineas Gregory, This is on the lower 
 Westminster road, near the corner of the Gregory road. 
 
 The East Burying Ground, containing one and a quarter 
 acres, was the gift of Deacon Ebenezer Parker in 183 1. It 
 is located on the county road to Sterling, in the east part 
 of the town, some distance north of the road; the town 
 owning a right of way thereto of one rod in width from 
 the county road. The burials here have been almost 
 exclusively of families living in the easterly part of the 
 town. 
 
 The South Burying Ground, located at the junction 
 of the road to Rutland via Brooks Station and the road 
 from Holden to Hubbardston, was purchased by the town 
 of John H. Brooks in 1848 and contains one acre and forty 
 rods. 
 
 The Parker Ground on the old East Princeton road was 
 purchased by the town, of Ebenezer Parker in 1831. The 
 burials here are mostly of those bearing the name of Parker. 
 
 Woodlawn Cemetery was established in 1852, the neces- 
 sity of a cemetery near the centre, on account of the 
 condition of the old one on the hill, being acknowledged. 
 The lot covers three-fourths of an acre and is located on 
 the road to Rutland, a few rods south of Boylston Avenue. 
 John Brooks was one of the chief promotors of this. 
 
 Here are found the names of many of the prominent 
 families of the town — Goodnow, Mirick, Dana, Brooks, 
 Eveleth, Blake, Russell, etc. 
 
372 History of Princeton 
 
 A monument erected by Dr. Alphonso Brooks, in his 
 family lot, is the most massive and expensive of any in 
 the town. 
 
 The entrance to this cemetery has been greatly improved 
 by the erection of an ornamental gateway by Mr, Thomas 
 Allen who also purchased land entirely encircling the 
 ground to prevent any encroachment upon it and to pro- 
 vide for its possible extension in the future. 
 
 DISTANCES FROM PRINCETON CENTRE 
 
 To Sunset Rock ^ mile 
 
 Mountain House Site 2\ 
 Summit of Mountain by carriage 
 
 road 5 
 
 Summit of Wachusett by Mt. 
 
 House trail 3 
 Russell's Corner ^ 
 
 Princeton Depot 2f 
 
 Brooks Station 3 
 
 East Princeton 3 
 
 West Sterling 4 
 Sterling Centre 7 
 
 Hubbardston 8 
 
 Rutland 7 
 
 Fitchburg 1 1 
 Westminster 7 
 
 Leominster 10 
 
 Lancaster 12 
 
 Harvard 1 7 
 
 Marlboro 25 
 Holden 7 
 
 Jefferson 6 
 
 Worcester 1 5 
 
 Barre 12 
 
 Petersham 16 
 
 Gardner 1 2 
 
 Boston 45 
 
Miscellany 373 
 
 Chair Manufacturing in Princeton. The earliest dates 
 obtainable show that Benjamin Stuart and son Joseph of 
 Sterling commenced making chairs in East Princeton in 
 1841. They later took In partnership John H., doing 
 business as B. Stuart & Sons. Some years later Joseph 
 withdrew from the firm and removed to New York City, 
 the firm at East Princeton changing to B. & J. H. Stuart. 
 After the death of the father John H. continued the busi- 
 ness until 1 89 1 when his son, Arthur L. Stuart, succeeded 
 him. 
 
 April I, 1904, the business was incorporated under the 
 name of "The Temple-Stuart Co." and continued to make 
 chairs and settees, with a much enlarged plant. The com- 
 pany was burned out July 26, 1910, and the firm removed 
 to Baldwinsville, Mass., in the autumn of that year. In 
 1846 James Brown began the manufacture of chairs in 
 East Princeton. 
 
 In 1849 he took in partnership his brother William. The 
 firm of J. & Wm. H. Brown continued in business until 
 the shop was destroyed by fire in 1861. Wm. H. Brown 
 rebuilt and carried on the business until his factory was 
 burned in 1877. 
 
 On Nov. 7, 1 88 1, Charles W. Reed and Foster E. Mat- 
 thews bought the Mark Wilder mill at East Princeton and 
 started making chairs. Shortly after John H. Temple 
 bought Matthews' interest and the firm was known as 
 Reed & Temple. In 1894 Mr. Temple bought Mr. Reed's 
 interest and took in partnership Benjamin Stuart of New 
 York City. 
 
 The factory was enlarged by the addition of a boiler 
 house and paint-shop where chairs were finished by dipping 
 in large tanks filled with varnish, thus Inaugurating a new 
 era in the finishing of chairs. 
 
 The firm now took the name of Temple & Stuart. After 
 the death of Mr. Stuart in 1896 John H. Temple continued 
 manufacturing until his factory was burned In 1899. He 
 then erected a large paint-shop and warehouse where he 
 continued to finish chairs to the date of his death Feb. 22, 
 
374 History of Princeton 
 
 1904. This plant was then occupied by the Temple- 
 Stuart Co. until they removed to Baldwinsville. 
 
 In 1880 Thurston and Eugene R. Buck bought the old 
 Ephraim Wilder mill on the Princeton-Sterling road near 
 the Sterling line. Here they began the making of chairs and 
 chair stock. Their mill was destroyed by fire in June 1883, 
 but they soon rebuilt under the firm name of T. & E. R. 
 Buck. This firm have made extensive additions at different 
 periods; the last in 1914 when they doubled their power 
 plant by the installation of two 65 H.P. boilers and are 
 now turning out nearly a thousand chairs daily with a 
 capacity for a much larger output. 
 
 Roper Lumber & Box Company. In 1751 Oliver Davis 
 the fifth settler in Princeton located in the western part 
 of the town, purchasing tracts of land in Princeton and 
 Hubbardston. He soon erected a saw mill on West 
 Wachusett brook near its intersection with the "Old 
 Hubbardston Turnpike," one half mile above the present 
 saw mill of the Roper's, Mr. Davis later in 1755 built 
 the first grist mill in town. This was located on the site 
 now occupied by the Roper Lumber & Box Co. In 1830 
 this property was known as Fays Mills. Mr. Samuel 
 Roper purchased the mill of H. O. Clark, a real estate 
 broker, in 1856. In 1869 the firm was S. Roper & Sons. 
 Mr. Roper carried on the business from 1 877-1 892, up to 
 this date, sawing lumber and turning chair stock was the 
 principal industry, although threshing grain was carried on 
 a few years, and a grist mill has been maintained from the 
 beginning. From 1892 to 1895 Mr. Roper had associated 
 with him Mr. Lyman Partridge and they first made boxes 
 at this time. Mr. Roper now took in partnership his two 
 sons William M. Jr. and Eugene D. under the present firm 
 name of Roper Lumber & Box Co. Besides the manu- 
 facturing of boxes the firm does a general jobbing business. 
 
 They own eleven tenements, control 1600 acres of timber 
 land in Princeton, Rutland and Hubbardston and use a 
 million feet of lumber annually. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 GLEANINGS 
 
 Freemasonry reached its highest point in Princeton, early 
 in the nineteenth century. Quite a number of Princeton 
 men were associated with a lodge in Rutland. 
 
 The first meeting of the James Thompson Lodge, A. F. & 
 A. M., was held in Rutland, Mass., June 22, 1812. St. 
 John's day was observed in Princeton in 18 13, when lodges 
 from neighboring towns were invited to attend. 
 
 April 2'], 1820, a petition from masons of Princeton, to 
 remove Thompson Lodge to Princeton, was lost by vote of 
 eleven in favor, twenty-three against. 
 
 The last meeting of the Lodge was held in December, 
 1826. Rev. Samuel Clarke was High Priest of Thomas 
 Royal Arch Chapter of Princeton, and there are several 
 of his printed addresses in the Princeton library. 
 
 Hez'k F. Stone 
 
 Master 
 
 William H. Foster 
 
 Sr. Dea. 
 
 Thos. Read 
 
 Sr. 
 
 W. 
 
 Calvin Stone 
 
 Jr. Dea. 
 
 Benj. Eustis 
 
 Jr. 
 
 W. 
 
 Daniel Read 
 
 Sr. Steward 
 
 Benj. Putnam 
 
 Sec 
 
 :'y 
 
 Luke Robinson 
 
 Jr. Steward 
 
 Lockhart Smith 
 
 Treas. 
 
 Samuel Hooker 
 
 Tyler 
 
 
 
 
 Members 
 
 
 Moses White 
 
 
 
 Jonathan Flagg, Jr 
 
 
 Jonas Horn 
 
 
 
 Oreb Brigham 
 
 
 Andrew Smith 
 
 
 
 Joseph Read 
 
 
 Jon. Howe 
 
 
 
 Dan'l Desmond, Jr 
 
 
 Rufus Putnam 
 
 
 
 Thomas Gross 
 
 
 Daniel King 
 
 
 
 Martin Brooks 
 
 
 Samuel Wade 
 
 
 
 Asa Stone 
 
 
 Isaac Davis 
 
 
 
 John G. Davis 
 
 
 Jas. Smith, 2nd. 
 
 
 
 Garey Read 
 
 
 Jas. McFarland 
 
 
 
 Noah Wendell 
 
 
 Joseph King 
 
 
 
 Asa Desmond 
 
 
 Taylor Esterbrook 
 
 
 
 EH Smith 
 
 
 375 
 
376 
 
 History of Princeton 
 
 Knight Whittemore 
 William Hubbard 
 John Whitney 
 Samuel H. Robinson 
 Reuben Brooks 
 Jason Mann 
 John P. Maynard 
 Adonijah Howe 
 Charles Thing 
 Roland Wheeler 
 Amos Rogers 
 Moses Gill 
 Seth Caldwell 
 Jacob W. Watson 
 Benjamin Davis 
 Samuel Randall 
 
 Reuben T. Robinson 
 John T. Smith 
 Amasa Boyden 
 Eben. Knight 
 William Mead 
 Moses G. Cheever 
 Calvin B. Davis 
 Elisha Cheney 
 Cyrus O. Dryden 
 John Stone, Jr. 
 Charles B. Haynes 
 Moses Hobbs 
 Lawrence Mirick 
 Charles Russell 
 Isaac Thompson 
 Harlow Skinner 
 
 Thomas Chapter of Royal Arch Masons (named in 
 honor of Isaiah Thomas, the patriot printer) of Worcester, 
 was instituted at Princeton, Dec. ii, 1821. The charter 
 members were, — 
 
 Rev. Samuel Clarke. 
 
 Clark Mirick 
 
 Timothy Whitney 
 
 William Howe 
 
 Moses Thomas. 
 
 John G. Davis 
 
 Hezekiah F. Stone. 
 
 Luke Eastman 
 
 Johnathan Bailey 
 
 John Whitney 
 
 Nahum Rice. 
 
 Merrill Davis 
 
 Charles Russell. 
 
 Isaac Bassctt, Jr 
 
 principal Officers 
 
 at first were, — 
 
 Rev. Samuel Clarke 
 
 High Priest 
 
 Timothy Whitney 
 
 King 
 
 INIoses Thomas 
 
 Scribe 
 
 Hezekiah Stone 
 
 Treasurer 
 
 Luke Eastman 
 
 Secretary 
 
 The first regidar convocation of Thomas Royal Arch 
 Chapter was held at the hall of Peter Richardson, Jr., in 
 Princeton on January 2, a.d. 1822. The first three candi- 
 dates exalted were Joel Pratt, Alexander Dustin, and John 
 D. Pratt. Rev. Samuel Clarke the first High Priest held 
 that office 1823-24, John G. Davis, 1825-27; Charles 
 
Gleanings t,77 
 
 Russell, 1828-30; Rev. Samuel Clark, 1831; D. Wilder, 
 1847; John D. Pratt, 1848. 
 
 The members resided in or near the town of Princeton. 
 After twenty-five years in Princeton the Chapter was 
 transferred to Fitchburg. The first meeting in Fitchburg 
 was held at Freemason's Hall, Dec. 21, 1847. 
 
 While the Chapter was located at Princeton I do not 
 think the number of members ever exceeded forty. 
 
 In the early days of the Lodge at Princeton meetings 
 were held at private houses. It is authentically recorded 
 that when meetings were held at the house later owned 
 by Calvin Davis (which stood in front of the present 
 blacksmith shop of Dr. Stimson) the wife of one of the 
 members desired some light on the secret workings of the 
 Order and so bored a small hole in the plastered ceiling of 
 the chamber where meetings were held. The white mortar 
 on the floor betrayed the fateful point of observation. 
 It is also related that once when the Masons met at the 
 tavern of Peter Richardson, now the Grimes house, Mrs. 
 Richardson rapped at the door saying she had occasion for 
 her grid-iron if the meeting was not using it. The later 
 meetings of the Lodge were held in the hall above Folger's 
 store, now the mansion of the late T. H. Russell. 
 
 The Good Templars organized a Lodge in 1866. This 
 temperance movement was quite popular at this time and 
 this Lodge had a membership of 40 or more. The meet- 
 ings were held in Beaman's Hall and continued for some 
 years. J. T. Everett was foremost in this work. Perhaps 
 something was done in the Washingtonian movement in 
 the early forties. 
 
 The Ancient Order of United Workmen. This is a 
 fraternal beneficiary order granting financial protection at 
 cost to the beneficiaries of its deceased members in various 
 sums up to $2000. 
 
 It embraces the Lodge form of government: and a 
 subordinate lodge was instituted June 12, 1890 with 
 19 Charter members. 
 
 Prentice C. Doolittle was the first Master Workman, 
 
37^ History of Princeton 
 
 J. C. F. Mirick, Recording Secretary and William S. 
 Brooks, Financial Secretary. During the quarter of a 
 century this Lodge has been in existence 131 men have 
 joined the Order here; $26,000 has been paid to the families 
 of 13 deceased brothers. For 2^ years the meetings were 
 held in Bagg Hall. Since that time meetings are held the 
 2d and 4th Monday evenings of each month in A.O.U.W. 
 Hall owned by Prentice C. Doolittle. 
 
 The Washington Benevolent Society in 18 13 of Prince- 
 ton and Westminster was formed. The object being the 
 study and cultivation of the virtues of George Washington. 
 The duration of this organization is unknown. 
 
 The Princeton Dramatic Club flourished from 1876 to 
 1883. Several good amateur plays were produced and 
 some stage property acquired which was destroyed at the 
 burning of Boylston Hall. 
 
 A Lyceum was the outgrowth of a series of debates held 
 in a modest way at the school house near Russell's Corner 
 in the winter of 1873-74. Meetings were held during the 
 winter months of the succeeding five years at Boylston 
 Hall and much good was accomplished in giving the young 
 people confidence in public speaking. 
 
 At a meeting of two factions of the Farmers' and Me- 
 chanics' Association in January, 1887, the original club 
 voted to disband, and to deposit the funds remaining in 
 the hands of the newly formed association. Worcester Spy. 
 
 Princeton Club. This social organization was started 
 Jan. 18, 191 3. The early meetings were held in Bagg 
 Hall. The Club was incorporated March 8, 1913. The 
 question of more suitable quarters was discussed and the 
 A. A. Pratt residence (formerly the Solon S. Hastings 
 house) was leased of the Pratt family. 
 
 In many respects this proved an ideal home for the 
 Club. There were 48 Charter members, many of whom 
 belonged to the Summer Colony. 
 
 Many instructive lectures and informal talks have been 
 given under the auspices of the Club. The present officers 
 are Henry C. Delano, President, Harvey D. Crosby, 
 
Gleanings 379 
 
 Sec, and John Perkins, Treas. The present membership 
 is 64. 
 
 Princeton Farmer's Club. Probably no local organiza- 
 tion in Princeton ever exerted a better or wider influence 
 in social and agricultural interests than the "Princeton 
 Farmer's Club" during the 46 years of its existence. 
 
 From its inception it had the support of all the progres- 
 sive citizens of the town. Its annual suppers were looked 
 upon as the social event of the year and its influence in 
 promoting improved methods of farming and stock rais- 
 ing were most beneficial. 
 
 Lectures and agricultural talks were given and Cattle 
 Shows held yearly under its auspices. The first meeting 
 of this organization, when a constitution was adopted, 
 was held Feb. 6, i860. 
 
 Dea. Henry Boyles, President. 
 Albert C. Howe, Vice-President. 
 Edward E. Hartwell, Secretary. 
 George E. Pratt, Treasurer. 
 
 For the first few months meetings were held weekly and 
 various topics of interest to farmers were discussed. 
 
 At the first annual meeting held Dec. 31, i860, J. Edwin 
 Merriam was chosen secretary and held this office 22 years 
 during the existence of the Club. In 1882 the name of 
 the Club was changed to The Princeton Farmer's and 
 Mechanic's Association and a younger element came into 
 control. 
 
 In 1883 the Association suffered a severe loss in the de- 
 struction of its cattle, sheep and hog pens in connection 
 with the burning of Boylston Hall. In 1896 the Associ- 
 ation voted to dissolve and turn over to the Town $200 
 of its funds in trust, the income to be paid to the Park 
 Commissioners for the care of Goodnow Park. 
 
 This seemed a fitting act for an organization which had 
 done much for the civic and agricultural welfare of the 
 community. 
 
380 History of Princeton 
 
 Princeton Grange No. 74, Patrons of Husbandry was 
 
 organized with 39 charter members on Feb. 6, 1875. 
 Within a short period the Grange became dormant and 
 so remained until April 28, 1909, when a reorganization 
 took place with 31 charter members. Since then the 
 membership has increased until on Jan. i, 1915, it was 201. 
 
 The past masters are Isaac F. Thompson (deceased) 
 Arthur E. Hutchinson, Fred P. Hall, Justin M. Clark, 
 Raymond J. Gregory. The present master is Edward W. 
 Brunsen. 
 
 Sanatorium. In the Spring of 19 14 the idea was con- 
 ceived of building a house, on the Brooks lot, just south 
 of the Parsonage, to contain various appliances for Hydro- 
 theropeutical and Electrical treatments. A year was 
 consumed in the construction and special equipment of 
 the structure, which now contains all the necessary arrange- 
 ments to simulate the well known baths of Spa, Belgium, 
 Wiesbaden, Baden Baden and Nauheim, Germany, as well 
 as the Waffles high frequency violet ray electrical treat- 
 ment. 
 
 FLORA OF PRINCETON 
 
 By Mary H. Gregory 
 
 April Flowers 
 
 Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpiis fcetidus 
 
 Beaked Hazel Corylus rostrata 
 
 Common Hazel Corylus A mericana 
 
 Trailing Arbutus Epigcea repens 
 
 American Elm Ulmus Americana 
 
 American Poplar Populus tremuloides 
 
 Speckled Alder Alnus incana 
 
 Red Maple Acer rubrum 
 
 Innocence Houstonia ccerulea 
 
 Everlasting Antennaria plantaginifolia 
 
 Bloodroot Sanguinaria Canadensis 
 
 Hepatica Hepatica triloba 
 
 Pussy Willow Salix discolor 
 
 Sweet Gale Myrica Gale 
 
 Saxifrage Saxifraga Virginiensis 
 
 Anemone Anemone nemorosa 
 
 Spice Bush Lindera Benzoin 
 
Gleanings 381 
 
 Round-leaved Violet Viola-rotundijolia 
 
 Leatherwood Dirca palustris 
 
 Chick weed Stellaria media 
 
 Dog's-tooth Violet Erythronium Americanum 
 
 Large-toothed Poplar Popidus grandidentata 
 
 Arrow-leaved Violet Viola sagitlata 
 
 JVIay Flowers 
 
 Golden Saxifrage Clirysosplenium Americanum 
 
 Dandelion Taxaxacum officinale 
 
 Dog Violet Viola canina 
 
 Shepherd's Purse Capsella Bursa-pastoris 
 
 Strawberry Fragaria Virginiana 
 
 Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastiiim vidgatum 
 
 Marsh Marigold Caltha palustri 
 
 Sweet Fern Myrica asplenifolia 
 
 Cinque-foil Potcntilla Canadensis 
 
 Sweet White Violet Viola hlanda 
 
 Ground-nut Aralia trifolia 
 
 Rue Anemone A ncmonclla thalictr aides 
 
 Blue Violet Viola palmata 
 
 Purple Trillium Trillium erectum 
 
 WUd Oats Oakesia sessilifolia 
 
 Leather-leaf Cassandra calyculata 
 
 Bear-berry Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi 
 
 Pappoose-root Canlophyllum Ihalictroides 
 
 Wild Ginger Asariim Canadense 
 
 Small-flowered Buttercup Ranunculiim ahortirus 
 
 Sugar Maple Acer saccharinum 
 
 Low Blueberry Vaccinium vacillans 
 
 Wild Columbine Aquilegia Canadensis 
 
 Shad-bush Amelanchier Canadensis 
 
 Downy Yellow Violet Viola pubescens 
 
 Jack-in-the-pulpit Ariscema triphyllum 
 
 Swamp Blueberry Vaccinium corymhosum 
 
 Dwarf Blueberry Vaccinium Pennslyvanicum 
 
 Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllijolia 
 
 Red Baneberry Aetata rubra 
 
 Toothroot Dentaria dcphylla 
 
 TuUp Tree Liriodendron Tulipifera 
 
 Cucumber Tree Magnolia acuminata 
 
 Rock Cress Arabis la;rigala 
 
 Hawthorne Crataegus coccinea 
 
 Canada Mayflower Mianthemum canadense 
 
382 History of Princeton 
 
 Small Solomon Seal Polygonatuni beblorum 
 
 Great Solomon Seal Polygonatuni cutnniutatum 
 
 White Willow Salica Alba 
 
 Balm of Gilead Popiiliis candicans 
 
 Black Walnut Carya nigra 
 
 Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara 
 
 Wood Betony Pedecularis canadencis 
 
 Black Walnut Carya nigra 
 
 Sandwort Arenaria latuiflora 
 
 Field Mouse-ear Chickweed Ccrastnim arvense 
 
 Velvet Leaf Abutdon Throphrasti 
 
 Moss Pink Phlox subutata 
 
 Painted Trillium Trillium erythrocarpum 
 
 Three-leaved Goldthread Coplis trifolia 
 
 Early Meadow Rue Thalictrum dioicum 
 
 Common Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus 
 
 Field Sorrel Rumex Acetosella 
 
 Meadow Parsnip Thaspium aureum 
 
 Lance-leaved Violet Viola lanceolata 
 
 Gooseberry Ribes oxyacanthoides 
 
 Fringed Polygala Polygala pancifolia 
 
 Wake Robin Trillium cernuum 
 
 Twisted Stalk Sireptopus roseus 
 
 Hobblebush Viburnum lantanoides 
 
 American Hornbeam Carpinus Caroliniana 
 
 American Hop Hornbeam Ostrya Virginica 
 
 Rhodora Rhododendron Rhodora 
 
 Red-berried Elder Sambuscus racemosa 
 
 Gray Birch Betuta popidijolia 
 
 Robin's Plantain Erigeron bcllidifolius 
 
 Bellwort Urularia perjoliata 
 
 Wild Red Cherry Prunus Pcnnsyhanica 
 
 Swamp Saxifrage Saxifraga Pcnnsyhanica 
 
 Spurge Euphorbia Cyparissias 
 
 Celandine Chelidonium majus 
 
 Red Oak Qucrcus rubra 
 
 White Ash Fraxinus Americana 
 
 Wild Sarsaparilla Aralia medicaulis 
 
 Wild Cranesbill Geranium maculatum 
 
 White Baneberry Actcea alba 
 
 False Spikenard Smilacina racemosa 
 
 Striped Maple Acer Pennsylvanicum 
 
 Sassafras Sassafras officinale 
 
 Hooked Crowfoot Ranunculus recurvatus 
 
 American Larch Larix Americana 
 
Gleanings 383 
 
 Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum 
 
 Horseradish Nasturtium Armoracia 
 
 Black Birch Betida lenta 
 
 Yellow Birch Betula lutea 
 
 Paper Birch Betula papyrifera 
 
 Coral-root Corallorhiza innata 
 
 Spring Beauty Claylonia Caroliniana 
 
 Black Ash Fraxinus sambiicifolia 
 
 Fetid Currant Ribes prostratum 
 
 Mitrewort Mitella diphylla 
 
 False Mitrewort Tiarella cordifolia 
 
 Andromeda Andromeda polifolia 
 
 Pale Laurel Kalmia glauca 
 
 Buckbean Menyatithes trifoliata 
 
 Labrador Tea Lidum latifolium 
 
 Wild Black Currant Ribes floridum 
 
 American Birch Fagus ferruginea 
 
 June Flowees 
 
 Ground Ivy Nepda Glechoma 
 
 Fly Honeysuckle Lonicera ciliata 
 
 Mountain Holly Nemopanfkes fascictdaris 
 
 Creeping Snowberry Cheogenes serpyllijolia 
 
 Dwarf Raspberry Rubus triflorus 
 
 Squaw-weed Senecio aureus 
 
 Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium anceps 
 
 Star-flower Trientalis A mericana 
 
 Clintonia Clintonia borealis 
 
 Bastard Toad-flax Comandra umbellata 
 
 Star Grass Hypoxis crecta 
 
 Choke-berry Pyrus arbutifolia 
 
 Choke-cherry Primus Virginiana 
 
 Tall Buttercup Ranuncidus acris 
 
 Caraway Carum Carui 
 
 Sand-Spurrey Buda rubra 
 
 Huckle-berry Gaylussacia resinosa 
 
 White Thorn Cratagus coccinea 
 
 Low Blackberry Rubus Canadensis 
 
 Red Raspberry Rubus strigosus 
 
 One-flowered Cancer-root Aphyllon unijlorum 
 
 Common Barberry Berberis vulgaris 
 
 Stemless Lady's Slipper Crypripedium acaule 
 
 Swamp Pink Rhododendron nudifiorum 
 
 Silvery Cinquefoil Potentilla argentea 
 
384 History of Princeton 
 
 White Oak Quercus alba 
 
 Black Mustard Brassica nigra 
 
 Butternut Juglans cinerea 
 
 White Clover Trifoliiim repens 
 
 Red Clover Trifolium pratense 
 
 Wild Lupine Lupinus perennis 
 
 Bunchberry Cornus Canadensis 
 
 Common Mallow Malva rotund if olia 
 
 Common Yarrow Achillea Millefolium 
 
 Shag-bark Hickory Carya alba 
 
 Water Cress Nastutium officinale 
 
 Wild black Cherry Primus serotina 
 
 High Blackberry Rubus villosus 
 
 Black Raspberry Rubus occidentalis 
 
 Blue Flag Iris versicolor 
 
 Scrub Oak Quercus ilicifolia 
 
 Purple Avens Geuni rivale 
 
 Cornel Cornus alternifolia 
 
 Indian Poke Veratrum viride 
 
 Ox-eye Daisy Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum 
 
 Pogonia Pogonia ophioglossus 
 
 Arethusa Arethusa bulbosa 
 
 Carrion Flower Smilax herbacea 
 
 Poison Ivy Rhus Toxicodendron 
 
 Habenaria Habenaria Eookeri 
 
 Bittersweet Solanum Dulcamara 
 
 Bayberry Myrica cerifera 
 
 Pale Corydalis Corydalis geniculatus 
 
 Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica 
 
 Arrow-wood Viburnum acerifoluim 
 
 Indian Cucumber-root Medeola Virginiana 
 
 Water Starwort Callitriche verna 
 
 Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia 
 
 Cow-parsnip Heracleum lanatum 
 
 Sweet-scented Bedstraw Galium triflorum 
 
 Frost-weed Helianthemum Canadense 
 
 Withe-rod Viburnum cassinoides 
 
 Curled Dock Rumex crispus 
 
 Wild Peppergrass Lepidium Virginicum 
 
 Bladder Campion Silene Cucubalus 
 
 Yellow Clover Trifolium agrarium 
 
 Sheep Laurel Kalmia augustifolia 
 
 Avens Geum Virginianum 
 
 Rattlesnake-weed Hieracium venocum 
 
 Pitcher-plant Sarracenia purpurea 
 
Gleanings 385 
 
 Cow-wheat Melampyrum Americanum 
 
 Evening Primrose Ornothera pumila 
 
 Self-heal Brunclla vulgaris 
 
 Small Bedstraw Galium trifidum 
 
 Daisy Fleabane Erigeron annuus 
 
 Lobelia Lobelia spicata 
 
 Angelica A ngelica atro purpurea 
 
 Long-leaved Stitchwort Stellar ia longi folia 
 
 Loosestrife Lysimachia quadrifolia 
 
 Arrow-leaved Tear-thvimb Polygonum sagittatum 
 
 Climbing Bittersweet Cetastrus scandans 
 
 Bush Honeysuckle Dicrvilla trijida 
 
 Mountain Maple Acer spicatum 
 
 Pignut Hickory Carya porcina 
 
 Dogbane Apocynum androscemifolium 
 
 Northern Fox Grape Vitis Labrusca 
 
 Tall Meadow Rue Thalictrum polygamum 
 
 White Pine Pinus Strobus 
 
 Wild Radish Raphanus Raphanistrum 
 
 Forget-me-not Myosotis laxa 
 
 Arrow-wood Viburnum dentatum 
 
 Fringed Orchis Habenaria fimbriata 
 
 Wood-sorrel Oxalis corniculata 
 
 St. John's-wort Hypericum f erf or atum 
 
 Hairy Hawkweed Hieracium Growosii 
 
 Panicled Cornel Cornus paniculata 
 
 Corn-flower Rudbcckia hirta 
 
 Black Alder Ilex verticillata 
 
 Common Greenbrier Smilax rotundefolia 
 
 Round-leaved Cornel Cornus circinata 
 
 Small Cranberry Vaccinium Oxycoccus 
 
 Milkweed Ascelpias quadrifolia 
 
 False Solomon's Seal Smilacina trifolia 
 
 Alfalfa Medicago saliva 
 
 Beard-tongue Penstemon pubescens 
 
 Three-toothed Cinquefoil Potcntella trienlata 
 
 One-flowered Pyrola Moneses grandiflora 
 
 Moimtain Ash Pyrus Americana 
 
 Swamp Dock Rumex verticillatus 
 
 Chickweed Cerastium viscocum 
 
 Nightshade Solanum nigrum 
 
 Jamestown weed Datura Stramonium 
 
 Water Arvmi Calla palustris 
 
 Golden Club Cronlium aquaticum 
 
 Cinnamon Rose Rosa cinnamonea 
 
3^6 History of Princeton 
 
 Swamp Rose Rosa carolitta 
 
 Pasture Rose Rosa humilis 
 
 Dog Rose Rosa canine 
 
 Alsike Clover Trifolium Hyhridum 
 
 Common Locust Robinia Pseudoacasia 
 
 Clammy Locust Robinia viscosa 
 
 Tree of Heaven Pielea ailanthus 
 
 Sundrops (Enothera pumila 
 
 Sarsaparilla Aralia hispida 
 
 Sweet Cicely Osmorkiza longistylis 
 
 Sweetbrier Rose Rosa rubiginosa 
 
 July Flowers 
 
 Meadow Sweet Spiraea salicifolia 
 
 Poison Dogwood Rhus venenata 
 
 Swamp Blackberry Riibus hispidns 
 
 Common Elder Sanihucus Canadensis 
 
 Silky Cornel Cornus sericea 
 
 Calopogon Calopogan pulchcllus 
 
 Parsnip Pastinaca saiira 
 
 Common Milkweed Asclipias Carnuti 
 
 Poke Milkweed Asclepias phytolaccoides 
 
 May-weed Anthemis Cotida 
 
 Motherwort Leonurus Cardiaca 
 
 Mullein Verbascum Thapsus 
 
 Evening Primrose (Enothera biennis 
 
 Fall Dandelion Leontodon auiumnalis 
 
 Willowherb Epilobium angustijolium 
 
 Cat-tail Typha latijolia 
 
 Chicory Cichorium Intybus 
 
 Staghorn Sumach Rhus typhina 
 
 Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon 
 
 Shin-leaf Pyrola elUptica 
 
 Enchanter's Nightshade Circaea alpina 
 
 Night-flowering Campion Silene noctiflora 
 
 Dwarf Dandelion Krigia Virginica 
 
 Wild Liquorice Galium circaezaus 
 
 Wintergreen Pyroia secunda 
 
 Wintergreen Pyrola rotundiflora 
 
 Partridge-berry MitcheUa repeus 
 
 Water Pennywort Hydrocotyle Americana 
 
 Rabbit-foot Clover Trifolium arvense 
 
 Butter and Eggs Linaria vulgaris 
 
 Purslane Portulaca oleracea 
 
Gleanings 3^7 
 
 Common rianlain Planiago major 
 
 While Azalea Rhododendron viscosum 
 
 Orange-red Lily Lilium Philadelphicum 
 
 Wild Carrot Daucus Carota 
 
 Canada Thistle Cirsium arvensis 
 
 New Jersey Tea Ceanothus Americanus 
 
 Skullcap Scutillaria galericulata 
 
 Anemone Anemone Virginiana 
 
 White-topped Aster Sericocarpus conyzoides 
 
 Wild Yellow Lily Lilium Canadense 
 
 Smooth Sumach Kims glahra^ 
 
 |vjgtl-lg Urtica gracilis 
 
 Water Lily Nymphaea odorala 
 
 Checkerberry Gaultheria procumbens 
 
 Chestnut Castanea saliva 
 
 Adder's Mouth Microstylis ophioglossoides 
 
 Polygala Polygala pdygama 
 
 Polygala Polygala sanguinea 
 
 (-j^^j^jp Nepcta Cataria 
 
 Pigweed Chenopodium album 
 
 Wild Lettuce Lactuca Canadensis 
 
 Pickerel-weed Pontederia cordata 
 
 Sundew Drosera rotundifolia 
 
 White Vervain Verbena urticaejolia 
 
 Blue Vervain Verbena hastata 
 
 Fringed Orchis Habenaria laccra 
 
 Touch-me-not Impaticns fulva 
 
 Virginia Creeper Ampdopsis quinquefoha 
 
 Monkey-flower Mimulus ringens 
 
 St. John's-wort Hypericum ellipticum 
 
 Bladderwort Utricidaria vulgaris^ 
 
 Agrimony Agrimonia Eupatoria 
 
 Wild Indigo Bapiisia tinctoria 
 
 Soapwort Soponaria officinalis 
 
 Hardhack Spircea tomentosa 
 
 Lopseed Pf^^y"''^ Leptoslachya 
 
 Elecampane ^«"^« Hclenium 
 
 'pj^-gl_jg Cniciis lanceolatus 
 
 Virgin's Bower Clematis Virginiana 
 
 Pepsissewa Chimaphila umbellaia 
 
 Water Horehound Lycopus sessilijohus 
 
 Qjnseng Aralia quinqiiejolia 
 
 Wood Nettle Laportia Canadensis 
 
 St. John's-wort Hypericum mutilum 
 
 Pipewort Eriocaulon articulalum 
 
3^8 History of Princeton 
 
 Buttonbush Ccphalanthus occidentalis 
 
 Basswood Tilia Americana 
 
 Knotweed Polygonum aviculare 
 
 Tick-trefoil Desmodium Canadense 
 
 Indian Pipe Mouotiopa unijlora 
 
 Watershield Brasenia pellata 
 
 Arrow Arum Peltandra undidata 
 
 Common Hop Humidus Lupidus 
 
 Rattlesnake Plantain Goodycra re pens 
 
 Sweet Flag Acorus Calamus 
 
 Frost Grape Vitis cordifolia 
 
 Common Speedwell Veronica officinalis 
 
 Purple Flowering Raspberry Rubus odoratus 
 
 Herb Robert Geranium Robertianum 
 
 Burdock Actuim Lappa 
 
 Ironweed Vernonia Noveboracensis 
 
 Hedge Birdweed Convolvidus sepium 
 
 Sunflower Helianthus strumosus 
 
 Downy False Foxglove Gerardia flava 
 
 Horseweed Erigeron Canadensis 
 
 Water-plantain Alisma Plantago 
 
 Orange-grass Hypericum nudicaule 
 
 Joe Pye Weed Eupatoruim purpureum 
 
 Thoroughwort Eupatoruim pcrfol latum 
 
 Tansy Tanacetum vulgare 
 
 Dwarf Sumach Rhus copallina 
 
 Smartweed Polygonum Hydro piper 
 
 Dodder Cuscuta Gronovii 
 
 Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis 
 
 Marsh St. John's- wort Elodes campanulata 
 
 Everlasting Gnaphalium polycephalum 
 
 Spearmint Mentha viridis 
 
 Wild Bean Pheseolus polystachyus 
 
 Mallow Malva sylvestris 
 
 Sundrops (Enothera fruticosa 
 
 Floating Heart Nymphoidis lacunosum 
 
 Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 
 
 Dyers' Greenweed Genista tinctoria 
 
 Sweet Clover Melilotus Alba 
 
 Vetch Vicia saliva 
 
 Dalabarda repens Dalabarda repens 
 
 Bur Marigold Bidens cernua 
 
 Pasture Thistle Cirsium pumilum 
 
 Bittersweet Solanum Dulsaneara 
 
 Figwort Scrophularia marilaudica 
 
Gleanings 389 
 
 Pearlwort Sagina procumbens 
 
 White Campion Lychnis alba 
 
 Cow Lily Nymphcca advena 
 
 Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens 
 
 Water Plantain Spearmint Ranunculus alismcejolium 
 
 Buckwheat Fagopyruma esculentmn 
 
 Forked Chickweed Anychia Canadensis 
 
 Bur-reed Sparganium simplex 
 
 August Flowers 
 
 Golden-rod Solidago nemoralis 
 
 St. John's-wort Hypericum Canadense 
 
 Indian Tobacco Lobelia inflata 
 
 Mad-dog ScuUcap Scutellaria lateriflora 
 
 Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis viargarctacea 
 
 Sweet Pepperbush Clethra alnijolia 
 
 Roman Wormwood Ambrosia artemisiafolia 
 
 Hedge Hyssop Gratiola aurea 
 
 Aster Aster umbellatus 
 
 Sunflower Helianthus divaricatus 
 
 Golden-rod Solidago lanccolata 
 
 Ladies Tresses Spiranthes gracilis 
 
 Bush Clover Lespedeza capitata 
 
 Pennyroyal Hedeonea pelegioides 
 
 Hawkweed Hieracium scabrum 
 
 Purple Gerardia Gerard ia purpurea 
 
 Halberd-leaved Tear-thumb Polygonum arifolium 
 
 Blue Curls Trichostema dichotomum 
 
 Hog Peanut Amphicarpcea monoica 
 
 Spikenard Aralia racemosa 
 
 Willow-herb Epilobium coloratum 
 
 Golden-rod Solidago riigosa 
 
 Snake-head Chelone glabra 
 
 Fringed Orchis Habenaria psycodes 
 
 Live-for-cvcr Sedum Telepliium 
 
 Low Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum 
 
 Smooth False Foxglove Gerardia quercifolia 
 
 Swamp Loosestrife Decodon verticillatus 
 
 Aster Aster Novi-Belgii 
 
 White Snakeroot Eupatorium ageratoides 
 
 Tick-trefoil Desmonium nudiflorum 
 
 Ladies Tresses Spiranthes prcecox 
 
 Low Hop Clover Trifolium procumbens 
 
 Water Parsnip Slum Carsonii 
 
390 History of Princeton 
 
 Bush Clover Sespedeza procumhens 
 
 Rattlesnake Plantain Goodyera repens 
 
 Coral Root Corallorhiza multiflora 
 
 Arrow-head Sagdtaria latifolia 
 
 Day Flower Commclina communis 
 
 Clknbing False Buckwheat Polygonium scandeus 
 
 Wild Water Pepper Polygonum Hydropeperoides 
 
 Pigweed A ^naranthus rctrojlexus 
 
 Pigeon Berry Phytolacca decandra 
 
 Corn Spurrey Spergula arveusis 
 
 Fleabane Erigeron ramosus 
 
 Water Marigold Connata Beckii 
 
 Wormwood Artemesia absenthium 
 
 Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 
 
 Corn Mint Mentha arvensis 
 
 Slender Gerardia Gerardia temiijolia 
 
 Water Hemlock Cicuta maculata 
 
 Swamp Milkweed Asclipias incarnata 
 
 Bastard Pennyroyal Trichostema dichotomum 
 
 Sundrop (Enothera biennis 
 
 September Flowers 
 
 Common Beggar-ticks Biden Jrondosa 
 
 Aster Aster linariifolius 
 
 Pine Sap Monotropa Hypopitys 
 
 Golden-rod Solidago Canadensis 
 
 Ladies Tresses Spiranthes cernua 
 
 Closed Gentian Gentiana Andrewsii 
 
 Sweet Golden-rod Solidago odora 
 
 Golden-rod Solidago caesia 
 
 Aster Aster acuminatiis 
 
 Bugleweed Lycopus Virginiciis 
 
 Peppermmt Mentha piperita 
 
 Golden-rod Solidago latifolia 
 
 Hawkweed Hieracinm Canadense 
 
 Ground Cherry Physalis Virginiana 
 
 Sow Thistle Sonchus olcraceus 
 
 Polygala Poly gala verticillata 
 
 Fireweed Erechtites hieracifolia 
 
 Ladies Tresses Spiranthes Romanzojiana 
 
 Ground nut Apios tuberosa 
 
 Aster Aster panicutatus 
 
 Aster Aster longifolius 
 
 Lion's foot Prenanthes serpentaria 
 
Gleanings 391 
 
 October Flowers 
 
 Fringed Gentian Genliana crinita 
 
 Witch Hazel Hamamelis Virginiana 
 
 Ferns 
 
 Polypody Poly podium vulgar e 
 
 Beech fern Phegoptcris poly pod lodes 
 
 Maiden Hair Adiantum pedatum 
 
 Brake Pteris aquilina 
 
 (Spleen wort) Lady Fern Asplenium Filix-femina 
 
 Ebony Spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron 
 
 Silvery Spleenwort Asplenium acrostichoides 
 
 Marsh Fern A spidium Thely pteris 
 
 Massachusetts Fern A spidium simulatum 
 
 N. Y. Fern Aspidium Noveboracense 
 
 Marginal Fern Aspidium Marginale 
 
 Crested Shield Fern Aspidium cristalum 
 
 Clinton Wood Fern Aspidium Clintoianum 
 
 Spinulose Wood Fern Aspidium spinulosum 
 
 Bladder Fern Cystopteris fragilis 
 
 Rusty Woodsia Woodsia ilvensis 
 
 Hay-scented Fern Dicksonia punctilohula 
 
 Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis 
 
 Ostrich Fern Onoclea Struthio pteris 
 
 Royal Fern Osmunda regalis 
 
 Interrupted Fern Osmunda Claytoniana 
 
 Cinnamon Fern Osmu7ida cinnamona 
 
 Adder's Tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum 
 
 Botrychium Botrychium ramosum 
 
 Rattlesnake Fern Botrychium virginianum 
 
 Botrychium Botrychium obliquum 
 
 Common Horse Tail Fern Equisetum arvense 
 
 Running Evergreen Lycopodium Selago 
 
 Evergreen Lycopodium complanatum 
 
 Evergreen Lycopodium obscurum dendroi- 
 
 deum 
 Evergreen Lycopodium clavatum 
 
392 History of Princeton 
 
 BIRDS OF PRINCETON 
 
 A list of birds of the Town of Princeton seen by Ray- 
 mond J. Gregory. For convenience these abbreviations 
 are used : — 
 
 c, Common S.R., Summer Resident 
 
 P.R., Permanent Resident i, Irregular 
 
 W.V., Winter Visitor ( ) = read "formerly" 
 
 u, Uncommon a, Autumn 
 
 T.V., Transient Visitor s, Spring 
 
 A, Abundant x, Casual or accidental occurrence 
 
 R, Rare 
 
 2. Holbcells Grebe, x.u.T.v Colymhiis holbcelHi 
 
 7. Loon, s.R Gavia immcr 
 
 51. Herring Gull, x Lariis argentatus 
 
 129. American Merganser, s.T.v Mergus americanus 
 
 131. Hooded Merganser, s.T.v Lophodytes cuciillatus 
 
 132. Mallard, s.T.v Anas platyrhynchos 
 
 133. Black Duck, c. s.T.v., possibly a r.s.r. Anas rubrlpcs 
 144. Wood Duck, R.S.R Aix sponsa 
 
 i-]2. Canada Goose, c.t.v Branta canadensis canadensis 
 
 190. American Bittern, c.s.R Botaunis Icntiginosus 
 
 191. Least Bittern, r.s.r Ixohrychus exilis 
 
 194. Great Blue Heron, c.t.v., possibly s.^.Ardea herodias herodias 
 
 201. Little Green Heron, c.s.r Biitorides viresccns virescens 
 
 202. Black-crowned Night Heron, u.s.R. . .Nycticorax nycticorax nccvins 
 228. Woodcock, u.T.v Philohela ?niiior 
 
 230. Wilson's Snipe, u.T.v Gallinago delicata 
 
 240. White-rumped Sandpiper, u.T.v Pisobia fuscicollis 
 
 261. Upland Plover (c.t.v.) r.t.v Bartramia longicaiida 
 
 263. Spotted Sandpiper, c.s.R Actitis macularia 
 
 273. Killdeer, t.v Oxyechus vocifcnis vociferus 
 
 289. Bob White, u.p.r. ( ) common Colinus virginianus virginianus 
 
 300. Ruffed Grouse, c.p.r Bonasa umbcUus umbellus 
 
 Ring-necked Pheasant, c.p.r Phasianus torquatus 
 
 315. Passenger Pigeon, ( ) abundant, now 
 
 extinct Ectopistes migratorius 
 
 331. Marsh Hawk, c.s.r Circus hiidsonius 
 
 332. Sharp-shinned Hawk, c.s.r Accipite/ velox 
 
 m- Cooper's Hawk, c.s.r Accipiter coopcri 
 
 334. American Goshawk, c.w.v Astur atricapillus atricapillus 
 
 339. Red-shouldered Hawk, c.s.r Buteo lineatiis lincatus 
 
 343. Broad-winged Hawk, u.t.v Buteo platyptcrus platypterus 
 
Gleanings 393 
 
 352. Bald Eagle, x., one seen on Wachu- 
 
 sett Mt., 1912 Ilaliaetus leucocephalus leuco- 
 
 cephaliis 
 
 357. Pigeon Hawk, c.s.r Falco coliimbarius columbarius 
 
 360. Sparrow-hawk, c.s.r Falco sparverius sparverius 
 
 364. Osprey, u.t.v Pandion haliaelus carolinensis 
 
 366. Long-eared Owl, r.p.r Asio wilsonianus 
 
 367. Short-eared Owl, r.p.r Asio JIammcus 
 
 368. Barred Owl, u.p.r Sirix varia varia 
 
 371. Richardson's Owl, r.w.v Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni 
 
 372. Saw-whet Owl, r.w.v Cryptoglaux acadlca acadka 
 
 373. Screech Owl, c.p.r Ottis asio asio 
 
 375. Great Horned Owl, u.p.r Bubo virginianus virginianus 
 
 376. Snowy Owl, x., one seen winter of 
 
 1913-14 Nyctea nyctea 
 
 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, u.s.r Coccyzus aniericanus americanus 
 
 388. Black-billed Cuckoo, c.s.r Coccyzus erythrophthabnus 
 
 390, Belted Kingfisher, c.s.r Ceryle alcyon 
 
 393. Hairy Woodpecker, c.p.r Dryobates villosus villosus 
 
 394. Downy Woodpecker, c.p.r Dryobates pubescens medianus 
 
 401. American three-toed Woodpecker, X. . Pfc<?/Je5 americanus americanus 
 
 402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, u.t.v Sphyrapicus varius varius 
 
 405. Pileated Woodpecker, r.t.v Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus 
 
 406. Red-headed Woodpecker, r.t.v Melanerpes erythrocephalus 
 
 41 2a. Northern Flicker, a.s.r Colaptes auratus lutcus 
 
 417. Whip-poor-will, c.s.r Antrostomus vociferus vociferous 
 
 420. Night Hawk, c.t.v Chordeiles virginianus 
 
 423. Swift, C.S.R Chcetura pelagica 
 
 428. Hummingbird, c.s.r Archilochus colubris 
 
 444. Kingbird, c.s.r Tyrannus tyrannus 
 
 452. Crested Flycatcher, u.s.r Myiarchus crinitus 
 
 456. Phoebe, c.s.r Sayornis phoebe 
 
 459. Ohve-sided Flycatcher, u.s.r Nuttallornis borealis 
 
 461. Wood Pewee, c.s.r Myiochanes virens 
 
 463. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, u.s.r Empidonax flaviventris 
 
 465. Acadian Flycatcher, u.s.r Empidonax virescens 
 
 466. Alder Flycatcher, u.t.v Empidonax trailli alnorum 
 
 467. Least Flycatcher, c.s.r Empidonax minimus 
 
 474. Horned Lark, u.t.v Otocoris alpestris alpestris 
 
 477. Blue Jay, c.p.r Cyanocitta cristata cristata 
 
 488. Crow, C.P.R Corvus brachyrhynchos brachy- 
 
 rhynchos 
 
 494. Bobolink, C.S.R Dolichonyx oryzivorus 
 
 495. Cowbird, u.s.r Molothrus ater ater 
 
 498. Red-winged Blackbird, c.s.r Agelaius phoeniceus phceniceus 
 
394 History of Princeton 
 
 501. Meadowlark, c.s.R., more every yea.T.Sturnella magna magna 
 
 506. Orchard Oriole, u.s.R Icterus spurius 
 
 507. Baltimore Oriole, c.s.R Icterus galbula 
 
 509. Rusty Blackbird, c.s.R Eiiphagus carolinus 
 
 511. Purple Crackle, r.s.r Quiscalus quiscula quiscula 
 
 511. Bronzed Crackle, u.s.R Quiscalus quiscula csneus 
 
 515. Pine Grosbeak, i.w.v Piiiicola enucleator leucura 
 
 517. Purple Finch, c.s.R., few c.p.r Carpodacus purpureus purpureiis 
 
 Enghsh Sparrow, p.r., not very 
 
 common Passer domcsticus domesticus 
 
 528. Redpoll, u.w.v Acanthis linaria linaria 
 
 529. Coldfinch, A.P.R Astragalinus tristis trlstis 
 
 533. Pine Siskin, l.w.v Spinus pinus pinus 
 
 534. Snow Bunting, i.w.v Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis 
 
 540. Vesper Sparrow, c.s.R Powcetes gramineus gramineus 
 
 542. Savannah Sparrow, u.x.v Passerculus sandtvichensis savanna 
 
 546. Crasshopper Sparrow, u.s.R Ammodramiis savannarum aus- 
 
 tralis 
 
 554. White-crowned Sparrow, r.t.v Zonotrichialeucophrysleucophrys 
 
 558. White-throated Sparrow, u.s.R., c.T.v.Zonotrichia alhicollis 
 
 559. Tree Sparrow, c.w.v SpizcUa monticola monticola 
 
 560. Chipping Sparrow, a.s.r Spizella passer ina passer ina 
 
 563. Field Sparrow, a.s.r Spizella pusilla pusilla 
 
 567. Junco, A.T.V., a few s.R. on Wachu- 
 
 sett Mt Junco hycmalis hyemalis 
 
 581. Song Sparrow, a.s.r Melospiza melodia melodia 
 
 584. Swamp Sparrow, c.s.R Melospiza georgiana 
 
 585. Fox Sparrow, c.x.v Passerella iliaca iliaca 
 
 587. Towhee, c.s.R Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythro- 
 
 phthalmus 
 
 595. Rose-breasted Crosbeak, u.s.R Zamclodia ludoviciana 
 
 598. Indigo, c.s.R Passerina cyanca 
 
 608. Scarlet Tanager, c.s.R Piranga erythromelas 
 
 611. Purple Martin, r.s.r Progne subis subis 
 
 612. Chff Swallow, r.s.r Petrochelidon lunifrons lunijrons 
 
 613. Barn Swallow, c.s.R Hirundo erythrogaster 
 
 614. Tree Swallow, c.s.R Iridoprocne bicolor 
 
 616. Bank Swallow, u.s.R Riparia riparia 
 
 619. Cedar Waxwing, c.s.R Bombycilla cedrorum 
 
 621. Northern Shrike, u.w.v Lanius borealis 
 
 624. Red-eyed Vireo, a.s.r Vircosylva olivacea 
 
 627. Warbling Vireo, u.s.R Vircosylva gilva gilva 
 
 628. Yellow-throated Vireo, u.s.R Lanivireo flavifron 
 
 629. SoHtary Vireo, c.s.R Lanivireo solitarius solitarius 
 
 636. Black and White Warbler, c.s.R Mniotilta varia 
 
Gleanings 395 
 
 645. Nashville Warbler, u.s.R Vermivora rubricapilla ruhrica- 
 
 pilla 
 
 648a. Norlhern Parula Warbler, c.T.v Compsothlypis americana usnecs 
 
 650. Cape May Warbler, u.x.v Dendroica tigrina 
 
 652. Yellow Warbler, u.s.R Dendroica cesliva cesiiva 
 
 654. Black-throated Blue Warbler, c.s.R. . .Dendroica ccerulescens ccsrulescens 
 
 655. Myrtle Warbler, a.t.v., a few p.r Dendroica coronata 
 
 657. Magnolia Warbler, c.x.v Dendroica magnolia 
 
 659. Chestnut-sided Warbler, c.s.R Dendroica pensylvanica 
 
 660. Bay -breasted Warbler, u.x.v Dendroica castanea 
 
 661. Black-poll Warbler, u.x.v Dendroica striata 
 
 662. Blackburnian Warbler, u.x.v., a few 
 
 s.R Dendroica fusca 
 
 667. Black-throated Green Warbler, c.s.R. . Dendroica virens 
 
 671. Pine Warbler, c.x.v Dendroica vigorsi vigorsi 
 
 672a. Yellow Pahii Warbler, c.x.v Dendroica palmar lun hypochry sea 
 
 674. Oven Bird, c.s.R Seiurus aurocapillus 
 
 675. Water Thrush, r.s.r Seiurus noveboracensis novebora- 
 
 censis 
 681. Maryland Yellow Throat, A. s.R Geothlypis trichas trichas 
 
 685. Wilson's Warbler, u.x.v Wilsonia pusilla pusilla 
 
 686. Canadian Warbler, c.x.v., also s.R.. .Wilsonia canadensis 
 
 687. American Redstart, c.s.R Setophaga ruticilla 
 
 704. Catbird, a. s.R Dumctella carolinensis 
 
 705. Brown Thrasher, c.s.R Toxostonia rufum 
 
 718. CaroHna Wren, x Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovi- 
 
 cianus 
 
 721. House Wren, r.s.r Troglodytes cedon cedon 
 
 722. Winter Wren, r.x.v Nannus hiemalis hiemalis 
 
 726. Brown Creeper, c.w.v Certhia familiaris americana 
 
 727. White-breasted Nuthatch, c.p.r Sitta carolinensis carolinensis 
 
 728. Red-breasted Nuthatch, u.w.v Sitta canadensis 
 
 735. Chickadee, c.p.r Penthcsles atricapillus atrica- 
 
 pillus 
 740a. Acadian Chickadee, u.x.v Penthcstcs hudsonicus littoralis 
 
 748. Golden-crowned Kinglet, c.x.v Regulus satrapa satrapa 
 
 749. Ruby -crowned Kinglet, c.x.v Regulus calendula calendula 
 
 755. Wood Thrush, c.s.R Hylocichla mustelina 
 
 756. Veery, c.s.R Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens 
 
 758a. Olive-backed Thrush, x.v Hylocichla uslulata swainsoni 
 
 75Qb. Hermit Thrush, c.s.R Hylocichla guttata pallasi 
 
 761. Robin, A. s.R Planestictts migratorius migra- 
 
 torius 
 766. Bluebird, c.s.R., more in 1914 than for 
 
 years previous Sialia sialis sialis 
 
39^ History of Princeton 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PRINCETON, MASS. 
 
 Including all publications by Princeton people, or relating to the town, 
 that are known to the Author. Those in the Princeton Library are marked 
 by a *. 
 
 Whitney (Rev. Peter), Historical Sketch of Prmceton, in Whitney's 
 Worcester County History, 1793. 
 
 DwiGHT (Timothy, S.T.D., L.L.D.), Sketch of Princeton, Mass., in Travels 
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 261-262. 
 
 Russell (Charles T.),* The History of Princeton, Worcester County, 
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 Hanaford (Jeremiah Lyford),* History of Princeton, Worcester County, 
 Mass., Civil and Ecclesiastical, from its first settlement in 1759 to 
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 Celebration * of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the incorporation 
 of the Town of Princeton, Mass., Oct. 20, 1859. 
 
 Order of Exercises * at the Centennial Celebration in Princeton, Mass., 
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 Dedication of the Goodnow Memorial Building and Bagg Hall Sept. 6, 
 1887. 
 
 Jackson (Helen Hunt),* "Hide and Seek Town." Scribner's Magazine, 
 Vol. 12, p. 449. 1875-6. 
 
 Greene (Adella),* Everettville's Part in the AboHtion Movement, 
 Picturesque Worcester North, 1895. p. 64-65-66. 
 
 Kingsley (Elbridge),* Adventures of a Sketching Car. Picturesque 
 Worcester North, 1895. p. 78. 
 
 Russell (Charles Theodore),* Historical Sketch of Princeton, in Wor- 
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 Allen (Nathan, M.D),* Historical Sketch of Princeton, in Worcester 
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 Gilbert (Paul T.), Princeton, Mass. Illustrated. (Portraits, views of 
 public buildings and residences, with brief descriptive matter.) Gard- 
 ner. 1900. Gardner News Co. 
 
 Rice (Franklin P.),* Vital Records of Princeton, Massachusetts, to the 
 end of 1849. (Systematic History Fund, Pub. V, 5.) Published by 
 FrankUn P. Rice, Trustee of the Fund. Worcester, 1902. 
 
 Shaw (W. E.), Princeton, Mass., Directories. In his Fitchburg suburban 
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 Blake (Francis Everett),* History of Princeton, Worcester County, Massa- 
 chusetts, from 1 759-191 5, with Genealogies of all the Famihes of the 
 town, past and present, 2 Vols. 191 5. 
 
 Reports * of Town Ofticers of Princeton; 1845-1914. 
 
 Channing (William Ellery), Poem of Wachusett, in Poems by Rev. William 
 Ellery Channing, Second series. Boston. James Munroe & Com- 
 pany. 1848, 82-102. 
 
 Whittier (John G.),* Poem. Mountain Pictures; Monadnock from 
 Wachusett, in Whittier's complete Poetical Works, Household Edition, 
 p. 279. 
 
Gleanings 397 
 
 DwiNNELL (Mrs. Ellen S.),* "Outing Inn," a Wachusett Idyl. Being an 
 account of the experiences of a few for the benefit of the many. Press 
 of George W. Wright, Fitchburg, Mass. 
 
 Harlowe (William T.),* "The Lost Child." Old and New Magazine, 
 Feb., 1874. 
 
 Mason (Atherton P., Dr.),* Wachusett Mountain and Princeton. Bay 
 State Monthly, Vol. 2, No. i. Oct., 1884. 
 
 Marble (Albert P.),* Lucy Keyes. New England Magazine, June and 
 Nov., 1886. 
 
 Blake (Francis Everett),* Lucy Keyes the Lost Child of Wachusett 
 Mountain. Boston. Press of David Clapp & Son, 1803. 
 
 Cheney (G. A.),* The last Bear Hunt in Princeton, in Picturesque Wor- 
 cester, North, 1895. p. 104. 
 
 Cheney (G. A.),* The Sylva of Mt. Wachusett, in Picturesque Worcester, 
 North, 1895. PP- I07) 108. 
 
 Whitney (Sarah B.),* Poem, The Backbone of the County, in Picturesque 
 Worcester, North, 1895. p. 79. 
 
 Social Assembly, mount abams hotel, Princeton.* Invitation, Thurs- 
 day evening, February i6th, 1843, at 4 o'clock. M. Page. 
 
 Music: — R. R. Lawrence, and the Misses Macomber (twin sisters), 
 Princeton, Feb. 13, 1843. 
 
 Wachusett Mountain Spring Water Label,* with outline sketch of 
 mountain. Prentice C. Doolittle and Elisha Sears Lewis, M.D. 
 
 BuLLARD (S. C. & M. H.),* Guide to Wachusett Mountain, with accompany- 
 ing Map, compiled and pubHshed by S. C. & M. H. BuUard. Princeton, 
 Mass. 1872. 1884. 1893. 
 
 Emerson (William A.),* Wachusett Mountain, Lake and Park, and other 
 points of interest reached by the Gardner, Westminster & Fitchburg 
 Street Railway. 
 
 Hathaway (Samuel),* The History of Redemption Rock, by S. Hathaway. 
 Worcester, Mass., F. S, Blanchard & Co., Printers, 1898. 
 
 NouRSE (Henry S.),* Mrs. Mary Rowlandson's Removes. From Pro- 
 ceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, at the Annual Meeting 
 in Worcester, October 21, 1898. Press of Charles Hamilton, 1899. 
 
 Wachusett Mountain.* State Reservation Commissioner's Report, 
 1901-1914, 
 
 Worcester Society of Antiquity;* Field Day at Princeton and Wachusett 
 mountain. In its Collections, 1888. Vol. 7, No. 26, 125-130. 
 
 Davis (Daniel), Notes on the medical application of electricity, by WilHam 
 F. Channing, M.D., Boston. Published by Daniel Davis, Jr., magneli- 
 cal instrument maker, 428 Washington St., and Joseph M. Wightman, 
 33 Cornhill. 1849. 
 
 Manual of Magnetism,* including Galvanism, Magnetism, Electro- 
 Magnetism, Electro-Dynamics, Magneto-Electricity and Thermo- 
 Electricity, with 180 original illustrations. Third edition, Boston. 
 Published by Daniel Davis, Jr. Magnetical Instrument maker, 428 
 Washington St. 1851. 
 
 Book of the Telegraph.* Boston. Published by Daniel Davis, Jr., 
 428 Washington St. 1851. 
 
 Allen (Nathan, M.D.),* More than 30 pamphlets on medical subjects. 
 
 Morsman (OUver),* A History of Breed's (commonly called) Bunker Hill 
 battle; by Oliver Morsman, a revolutionary soldier, June 17, 1775. 
 Sacket's Harbor, N. Y. Published by Truman S. Haskell, 1830. 
 
398 History of Princeton 
 
 Perry (Amos, L.L.D.),* Col. John Jones of Dedham and his paternal 
 ancestors in America. Capt. John Jones of Princeton. N. E. Hist. 
 Gen. Soc, INIagazine, Vol. 46, p. 158. 
 Blake (Francis Everett),* Princeton Soldiers of the Revolution. List 
 
 reprinted from the Town Report of Princeton for 1807. 
 Wilder (Solon, and Davenport, F. S. comp.),The Praise of Zion; a col- 
 lection of music for Singing Schools, Choirs and Musical Conventions. 
 N. Y. 1865. 
 Blake (Francis Everett), History of the South Baptist Church, Boston. 
 Increase Blake.* His Ancestors and his descendants. i8q8. 
 Early Days in Worcester; two pamphlets. 1885, 1888. Rice F. P. 
 pub. 
 
 * Rutland and the Indian Troubles, 1723-1730. Rice F. P. pub. 1886. 
 
 * Dorchester Neck, now South Boston, Early inhabitants of. 
 
 A Masonic address delivered before Trinity, Aurora, Harris and Thomson 
 Lodges convened at Princeton, June 24, A.L. 581S, by Samuel Clarke, 
 minister of the Congregational Church and society in Princeton. 
 Worcester, Wm. Manning, August, 1818. 
 
 A SERMON delivered in Princeton on Christmas Day Dec. 25, 1822, at the 
 request of Thomson Lodge, by Samuel Clarke, pastor of the Congre- 
 gational Church of Princeton, Boston, Lem & Greene, 1823. 
 
 Everett (David), An Address, The Principles of Masonry; before St. Johns 
 Lodge, Oct. 6, 1801. 
 
 An Oration in vindication of Free Masonry, at Washington, N. H., 
 at the installation of INIount Vernon Lodge, Sept. 28, 1803. 
 
 Harding (Rev. Alpheus),* A Discourse delivered in Princeton, June 24, 
 A.L. 5823, before the Most Excellent Grand R. A. Chapter of Massa- 
 chusett and a numerous collection of companions and brethren of 
 the Masonic Family, on the interesting occasion of the installation of 
 the Thomas R. A. Chapter, by Alpheus Harding A.M. Pastor of the 
 Church in New Salem. Wendell, Mass. Printed by J. Metcalf, 1823. 
 
 Clarke (Rev. Samuel),* Addresses delivered at the stated communication of 
 the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, June 8, 1830, by the Rev. Samuel 
 Clark, H.P. and Paul Dean, G.G.K. Boston, Marsh Capen & Lyon, 
 1830. 
 
 Fuller (Timothy, Hon.), Oration delivered in Faneuel Hall, Boston, July 
 II, 1831, at the request of the Anti-Masonic Committee, by Timothy 
 Fuller, Boston; 1831. 
 
 Russell (Rev. Joseph),* An Oration pronounced in Princeton, Mass., on 
 the anniversary of American Independence, July 4, 1799, by Joseph 
 Russell. Printed at Worcester, by Isaiah Thomas, Jun. July: 1799. 
 
 Everett (Erastus, A.M.),* Poems; Progress; The Bacchanal's Ode and 
 the Bacchanal's Palinode, at the celebration of the One Plundredth 
 Anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Princeton, Mass., 
 Oct. 20, 1859. 
 
 Prince (Rev. Thomas),* Sermon at his Ordination, Boston, 17 18. 
 
 Thursday Lecture; The Great and solemn Obligations to early 
 Piety; 1721. 
 
 Account of the Revival of Religion in Boston, 1823. 
 Earthquakes the works of God, and tokens of His just displeasure; 
 1727. 
 
 Civil rulers raised up by God, to feed his people; 1728. 
 Election Sermon; The people of New England put in mind of the 
 righteous acts of the Lord; 1730. 
 
Gleanings 399 
 
 Sermon at the North Church, Boston. The Dying Prayer of Christ 
 for his People's preservation and unity. 1732. 
 
 An improvement of the doctrine of Earthquakes being the works of 
 God, and tokens of his just displeasure. 1755. 
 
 Extraordinary Events the doings of God, and marvelous in His 
 Eyes. Sermonon taking the city of Louisburg; Boston, 1745, London, 
 1746. 
 
 Sermon on the day of general Thanksgiving for the victory near 
 Culloden, April 16, 1746. 
 
 Thanksgiving Sermon; The Salvation of God in 1746. 
 
 The natural and moral government of God, in causing Droughts and 
 Rains.* A Sermon at the South Church in Boston, Thursday, Aug. 24, 
 1749; being the day of the General Thanksgiving, in the Province of 
 Massachusetts, for the extraordinary reviving Rains, after the most 
 distressing Drought which have been known among us in the memory 
 of any living. Boston, 1749. London, 1750. 
 
 Sermon on the death of King George I. Boston, 1727. 
 
 The departure of Elijah lamented. Sermon on the death of Rev. 
 Cotton Mather, 1728. 
 
 The Grave and Death destroyed. Sermon on the death of Samuel 
 Prince. 1728. 
 
 Sermon on the death of Hon. Samuel Sewall. Thursday Lecture, 
 Boston, 1731. 
 
 The faithful servant approved at death; Sermon on the death of 
 Hon. Daniel Oliver Esq. 1732. 
 
 Young Abel dead, yet speaketh. Sermon at the death of young 
 Mr. Daniel Oliver. 1732. 
 
 Christ abolishing death, and bringing Hfe and immortaUty to light 
 in The Gospel. Sermon on the death of Belcher. 1736. 
 
 Funeral Sermon on Rev. Nathaniel Williams. Boston, 1738. 
 
 The pious cry unto the Lord, for help, when the Godly and Faithful 
 fail among them; Sermon on the death of Hon. Thomas Gushing. 
 1746. 
 
 God Destroyeth the hope of man; Sermon on the death of Frederick, 
 Prince of Wales. 175 1. 
 
 Be followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the 
 promises. Sermon on the death of Mrs. Hannah Fayerweather, 1755. 
 
 The character of Caleb; Sermon on the death of Hon. Josiah Willard, 
 1756. 
 
 The case of Heman considered in a Sermon on the death of Mr. 
 Edward Bromfield. 1756. 
 
 Sermons. Edinburg, 1756. 
 
 "Dying Exercises of Mrs. Deborah Prince and Devout Meditations 
 of Mrs. Sarah GUI, daughters of the late Rev. Thomas Prince. 1789. 
 
 Chronological History of New England, in the form of Annals. 
 V'ol. I. Boston, 1736. Reprint, 1826. Vol. 2, No. 1-3, 1755. (Ex- 
 tending only to 1633.) 
 
 Account of the Great Revival in Middleborough in 1 741-2. Re- 
 printed, 1842. 
 
 Christian History, Boston, 1 744-1 745. 
 
 Songs of the Old and New Testament, faithfully translated into 
 English metre, Boston, 1755. 
 Prince (Rev. Thomas), Manuscript note-book written from May 25, 1718, 
 to June 3, 1722. Called by Prince My 5th writing-book. Unpaged. 
 Boston Public Library. 
 
400 History of Pri?iccton 
 
 Fuller (Rev. Timothy), Anonymously published pamphlet. Remarks on 
 that part of the Scripture, etc. By Rev. Timothy Fuller. 
 
 Clarke (Rev. Samuel),* Anonymous pamphlet. Views of Christian Doc- 
 trine, Printed (not published), Cambridge, 1828. 
 
 Reeves (Rev. Charles E.),* Sermon. The Divine Companionship, by 
 Rev. Charles E. Reeves, pastor of the First Congregational Church of 
 Princeton. 
 
 Backus (Rev. Charles),* pastor of a church in Somers, Connecticut. The 
 folly of man's choosing this world for his portion. A sermon delivered 
 at the ordination of the Reverend Joseph Russell to the pastoral care 
 of the church and congregation in Princeton, March 16, 1796, Printed 
 by Samuel Hall, No. 56 Cornhill, Boston. 
 
 Pierce (Rev. John A.M.),* A Discourse delivered at Princeton, June 18, 
 1817, at the ordination of the Rev. Samuel Clarke by John Pierce, 
 A.M., minister of Brookline. Worcester; Printed by William Manning, 
 August, 1817. 
 
 Woods (Rev. Leonard, D.D.),* The grand theme of the Christian preacher. 
 Sermon delivered at the ordination of the Rev. Alonzo Phillips as 
 pastor of the Presbyterian church and society in Princeton, Mass., 
 June 7, 1820, by Leonard Woods, D.D., Abbot professor of Christian 
 theology, in Theological Seminary, Andover. Published by Flagg & 
 Gould. 1821. 
 
 Sewell (Rev. Joseph, D.D.), The Duty, Character and Reward of Christ's 
 faithful Serv^ants. A sermon preached at the South Church in Boston, 
 on the Lord's Day after the funeral of the Reverend Mr. Thomas 
 Prince, late colleague Pastor of said church, who departed this life 
 Oct. 22, 1758 Aetat 72, by Joseph Sewall, D.D., Pastor of said church. 
 Phil. I, 21. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Boston, 
 Printed by S. Kneeland in Queen St., MDCCVIII. 
 
 Harrington (Rev. Timothy, A.M.),* A Discourse delivered at Princeton, on 
 December 23, 1759, by Timothy Harrington, A.M., pastor of the 
 First Church of Lancaster. Printed at the request and expense of the 
 inhabitants of Princeton. Printed and sold by Edes & GiU in Queen 
 St., Boston. 1760. Original in Lancaster PubHc Library. Reprint 
 in Princeton Public Library. 
 
 Russell (Rev. Joseph, A.M.),* A Sermon preached at Princeton, Massachu- 
 setts April 8, 1798, and occasioned by the death of Madam Rebecca 
 Gill, Consort of His Honor Moses Gill Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of the 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who died March 19, 1798 Aetat, 70, 
 by Joseph Russell A.M., pastor of the church in Princeton. Boston, 
 printed by Rhoades & Langhton, Court St., 1798. 
 
 Bancroft (Rev. Aaron, D.D.), A sermon preached on the execution of 
 Samuel Frost, Oct. 31, 1793, for the murder of Captain Elisha Allen, of 
 Princeton. Printed by Isaiah Thomas, Worcester, 1793. 
 
 Moore (Rev. Humphrey), A Sermon at the funeral of Rev. Timothy Fuller, 
 of Merrimack, N. H., July 4, 1805. Amherst, N. H, Printed by Joseph 
 Gushing, 1805. 
 
 Clarke (Rev. Samuel),* The Character and Reward of the Righteous. A 
 sermon, occasioned by the death of John Adams. Preached in Prince- 
 ton, July 16, 1826, by Rev. Samuel Clarke. Worcester; William 
 Manning, Printer. 
 
 Lawrence (Rev. Edward A.),* Discourse at the Funeral of Rev. Leonard 
 Woods, Andover, Aug. 28, 1854. Steel Portrait. 
 
 GOFFE (Joseph),* The result of an Ecclesiastical Council, published at 
 Princeton, March 7, 181 7; and the Protest of the Minority; with Re- 
 
Gleanings 401 
 
 marks, notes and observations, by a member of the Council. Pub- 
 lished by the author, Worcester, April, 181 7. 
 
 Bancroft (Rev. Aaron, D.D.),* A Vindication of the Result of the Late 
 Council, convened in Princeton. By Aaron Bancroft, D.D. Worcester, 
 June, 1817. 
 
 GOFFE (Joseph),* The Result of Council at Princeton incapable of vindi- 
 cation; or a Review of Dr. Bancroft's vindication of the Result, &c., 
 &c. By a member of the Council. Worcester, August, 181 7. 
 
 Church of Christ * in Princeton. Articles of Faith and Covenant, 
 adopted Nov., 1810. Revised and printed for the use of the members, 
 March, 1834. Boston. Printed by Crocker & Brewster, 47 Wash- 
 ington Street. 
 
 First Congregational Church,* Princeton, Mass. History, Articles of 
 Faith Covenant and Standing Rules, with a Catalogue of Officers and 
 Members, January i, 1859. Worcester, Henry J. Howland. 
 
 Paul Revere Bells,* including that in the belfry of the Congregational 
 Church in Princeton. 
 
 Congregational Sabbath School Library,* Catalogue of books, Prin- 
 ceton, May, 1 84 1. 
 
 Baptist Church* in Princeton. Articles of Faith and Covenant. Wor- 
 cester, Printed by William Manning, July, 1822. 
 
 Garfield (J. F. D.),* History of the First Baptist Church, Fitchburg, 
 Mass., a branch of the Baptist Church in Leominster, which was a 
 branch from the parent church in Princeton. 
 
 Emerson (William A.), Sketch of the First Baptist Church, Fitchburg, 
 Mass., in Fitchburg, Past and Present. 1887. 
 
 Sketch of the Central Baptist Church, Leominster, Mass.; a branch 
 of the Baptist Church in Princeton. In Leominster, Historical and 
 Picturesque, 1888. 
 
 Gill (Moses),* Thanksgiving Proclamation, November 28, 1799. 
 
 Tavern-keepers', Stagemen's and Teamsters' Union Ball* at the 
 Lancaster House, Lancaster, Mass. Invitation Wednesday evening, 
 February 13th, at three o'clock, with fifty names and addresses of 
 Managers. Lancaster, Feb. 5, 1835. 
 
 Frost (Samuel), The confessions and dying words of Samuel Frost. Also 
 a poem. Massachusetts Spy Broadside, 1793. 
 
 Reid (J. A. & R. A.),* Memoirs of Samuel Woods, of Princeton, Mass., 
 and relatives. Providence: J. A. & R. A. Reid, Printers. 1886. 
 
 Church Review,* Biographical Sketch of Rev. James Murdock, Re- 
 printed from Church Review, Jan., 1857. 
 
 Heywood (Ezra H.),* Uncivil Liberty. An Essay to show the injustice 
 and impolicy of ruling woman without her consent. Princeton, 1872. 
 
 Fay (Annah Charlotte),* A Message to Woman, from Paul's Epistle. 
 Worcester, F. S. Blanchard & Co., Printers, 1898. 
 
 Allen (Nathan),* Address before the Agricultural Club of Princeton. 
 
 Pomona Grange,* Programme for Pomona Grange, No. 74, P. of H. List 
 of Officers and Members, 1913. 
 
 Hart (Charles Henry),* Pamphlet article on Edward Savage the portrait 
 painter and engraver, with a chronological catalogue of his engraved 
 ■work, from Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc, Second Series, vol. 19, 1905, 
 pp. 1-19. 
 
 Blake (Francis Everett),* Scrap Books containing many old original 
 Town papers, deposited with other valuable papers in the vault of the 
 Town Library, 
 
402 History of Princeton 
 
 Harris Hawthorne Wilder Professor of Zoology in Smith College " His- 
 tory of the Human Body " and several other publications. 
 
 Portraits* in the Princeton Public Library: Thomas Prince, repro- 
 duction from engraving — Moses Gill, reproduction from painting — 
 Ward-Nicholas Boylston, reproduction from painting — George 
 Washington and Benjamin Fr.a,nklin, original engravings by Savage 
 
 — John Adams, reproduction of engraving by Savage — Edward 
 Savage, reproduction from the Saint Memin Engraving — Rev. James 
 MuRDOCK, steel engraving — Edward A. Goodnow, steel engraving 
 
 — Francis E. Blake, reproduction from photograph. 
 
 Portraits in the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, by Copley. 
 
 Gov. Moses Gill, his first wife Sarah (Prince) Gill and his second 
 
 wife Rebecca (Boylston) Gill. 
 Portrait in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, of Ward N. Boylston. 
 Goodspeed Collection of engravings and miniature paintings, by Edward 
 
 Savagp at the Worcester Art Museum. 
 
 LETTERS RELATING TO EARLY RECORDS OF RUTLAND 
 
 Boston, Mass., May 19th., 1884. 
 To the Town of Princeton, Mass, 
 
 In behalf of Mrs. Edwin Woods of Barre, I desire to place in the custody 
 of the town, one book of records of the Proprietors of Rutland, being their 
 second volume, embracing records of meetings 1737 to 1770. 
 
 This volume, of whose possible existence I learned some months since, 
 has been finally secured only by persistent search, and but for the interest 
 evinced by Mrs. Woods might never have been found. 
 
 As Hon. Chas. T. Russell informs me of his intention of presenting to 
 the town 1}\q first volume of these records, it is gratifying to know that the 
 two volumes, forming an uninterrupted record of the proceedings of the 
 Proprietors from 1714 to 1770, have, after many years of separation, been 
 brought together, and can be deposited in so secure a place for preservation, 
 as that which the town now enjoys. 
 
 Esteeming it a pleasure to be the medium of this communication, I am, 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 Francis E. Blake. 
 Recorded in Town Records 
 Nov. 4, 1884. 
 
 Cambridge May 17, 1884 
 To the Town of Princeton 
 
 Many years ago, in making some historical investigations, I found one 
 volume of the Records of the Original Proprietors of Rutland, which was 
 kindly placed in my hands, where it has since remained. It seems to me 
 very desirable that measures should be taken to preserve this volume, 
 and I now desire to place it in the custody of the town, which, under the 
 munificent gift of our townsman, Mr. E. A. Goodnow, now has such ample 
 means to secure it against all loss or damage, and to preserve it, where it 
 may be accessible to any one who may desire to consult it. 
 
 I very gladly, therefore, transfer to the town any title I may have to 
 it, and recjuest that it may be taken by the town, and carefully preserved 
 with its other records and documents. — 
 
Gleanings 403 
 
 The volume, by lapse of time or want of care, before it came into my 
 possession, had become somewhat worn or injured. It has been carefully 
 repaired by my friend Mr. F. E. Blake, and is now in very good condition. — 
 
 I am very truly yours, 
 Chas. Theo. Russell. 
 Recorded in the Town Records 
 Nov. 4, 1884. 
 
 Voted, to accept the gifts of the "Records of the Proprietors of Rutland" 
 this day received from Hon. Chas. T. Russell and Mrs. Edwin Woods, 
 and that the two volumes be placed in the custody of the Clerk, to be 
 held as the property of the town forever. — that the letters accom- 
 panying them be recorded in full upon the (our) records, and the Clerk 
 be directed in behalf of the inhabitants (now assembled) to acknowledge 
 in a suitable manner, to Mr. Russell and Mrs. Woods, their hearty 
 appreciation of the valuable gift, which places in their possession these 
 original records of the township of which this town, Princeton, origi- 
 nally formed a part. 
 
 Voted, that the Committee appointed by the town, on the preservation of 
 the town records, be given full power to have these volumes repaired 
 and appropriately bound or to have a suitable case made for them, — 
 or both, as may be deemed best for their preservation. 
 
 Goodnow Memorial Building. In 1882 Mr. E. A. Good- 
 now, a former citizen of Princeton, desiring to perpetuate 
 the memory of his wives and family, bought a tract of 
 land north of the Congregational church of Mr. John 
 Brooks. Here he erected a beautiful and substantial edi- 
 fice of Milford pink granite and brown stone trimming with 
 a tower and clock. 
 
 The building was designed to be used both for library 
 and school purposes. Mr. Goodnow stipulated that when- 
 ever the library outgrew its quarters the adjacent school 
 rooms should be taken for library purposes. One of these 
 rooms is already utilized. He also gave a substantial 
 sum of money, the income to go towards the purchase of 
 books and equipment for the library. A large fireproof 
 vault for the preservation of town records was also pro- 
 vided. The building was completed in 1883. 
 
 Bagg Hall. After the burning of Boylston Hall, Sept. 9, 
 1883, Town Meetings were held in Beaman's Hall. 
 
 The question of a new hall was agitated and Mr. E. A. 
 Goodnow the donor of "Goodnow Memorial Building" 
 
404 History of Princeton 
 
 offered $3000 if the citizens would subscribe an equal sum 
 and the Town raise $9000 by taxation. He also stipulated 
 that the building should be named Bagg Hall in memory 
 of his wives who were daughters of Dr. Bagg of Princeton. 
 Plans were prepared for a brick building with brown stone 
 trimmings by Stephen C. Earle, the architect of the Me- 
 morial Building, and the Town chose Isaac F. Thompson, 
 Rufus Davis and Henry F. Sanborn a building committee. 
 This committee had the plans revised, making a smaller 
 building than first planned. The present building cost- 
 ing $12,000 — and $907 — for furnishings. The Hall was 
 completed in 1885 and the first town meeting held in the 
 new building was the annual meeting of March, 1886. 
 
 HISTORICAL DATA 
 
 " Lest we forget " 
 
 1632 — March. First mention of Mt. Wachusett. as seen by 
 Gov. Winthrop and his party, from "Boston Rock" in 
 Waltham. 
 
 1714 — April 14. First meeting of proprietors to consider es- 
 tablishing township of what is now Rutland. 
 
 1715 — Dec 24. Next meeting of proprietors voted, "that the 
 contents of six miles square be surveyed and set off for the 
 settlement of sixty two families", details of settlements, dis- 
 tribution of lots, etc. left to a committee to decide. 
 
 1722 — May 30. The town of Rutland was Incorporated. 
 Thereafter the proprietors had no control over the six miles 
 square or "settlers part" the remaining land of the township 
 was divided Into sections, known as Northwest Quarter now 
 Barre, The Northeast Quarter now Hubbardston, the east 
 wing now Princeton, and the west wing now Oakham. The 
 remainder with a portion of Leicester is now Paxton. 
 
 1742 — First settler In Princeton, Joshua Wilder came from 
 Lancaster, locating In the east part of the town. 
 
 1750 — First public house in town was opened by Abijah Moore. 
 
 1751 — May. Robert Keyes removed with his family from 
 Shrewsbury to Princeton. 
 
 1753 — Oliver Davis, early settler in Princeton built the first 
 saw mill in the west part of the town, one half mile above 
 the present site of Roper's mill. 
 
 1754 — First saw and grist mill built on or near the spot occupied 
 by Osgood's mill, by Benj Wilson and Moses Garfield. 
 
 1755 — Oliver Davis built a grist mill on the site now occupied 
 by the Roper Lumber and Box Company. 
 
Gleanings 405 
 
 1755 — April 14. Lucy Kcyes daughter of Robert Keyes dis- 
 appeared, supposed to have been carried off by the Indians. 
 
 1757 — French and Indian War. Company under Capt. Peter 
 Davis of Rutland, Marched to relief of Fort William Henry. 
 
 1758 — Dr Zachariah Harvey the first practicing physician came 
 to Princeton from Shrewsbury. 
 
 1759 — First meeting of PrinceTovvn District held Dec. 24.^^ at 
 Tavern of Abijah Moore. 
 
 1759 — First preaching; Sermon by Rev Mr Harrington of 
 
 Lancaster, at Abijah Moore's Tavern, Dec. 23. 
 1759 — First public school in town kept by Samuel Woods, in 
 
 the house now occupied by Mr A. B. Wetherbee. 
 1761 — June 29, "Voted that Mr. Caleb Mirick's barn yard be 
 
 a pound for the present year and that said Mirick be pound 
 
 Keeper." 
 
 1761 — Robert Keyes chosen "Clerk of the Market" and Abijah 
 Moore in 1765 — to same office. Toivn records. 
 
 1 761 — Nov. 26. Edward Savage the distinguished portrait 
 Painter born Nov. 26 in the western part of the town 
 
 1762 — June 3. Wachusett Hill sold for £65. The purchaser 
 having one year in which to pay the purchase money. 
 
 1762 — June 30. Frame of meeting house raised. 
 
 1763 — May 30. The meeting house first used for town meeting. 
 Previous to this date the meetings had been held at Capt. 
 Abijah Moore's Tavern. Toivn records. 
 
 1764 — Aug. 12. First church organized in Princeton. 
 
 1765 — First Tythingmen 1765 and later. 
 1767 — March 2. Voted "to build a pound." 
 
 1767 — Sept. 9. Rev. Timothy Fuller ordained first minister in 
 Princeton. 
 
 1768 — May 12. Voted " that ye pound be built with stone and 
 that it shall be built thirty feet square within ye walls, also 
 be six feet high from ye ground with a stick of Timber round 
 ye whole upon ye Top. Each stick to be ten Inches thick." 
 Town records. 
 
 1768 — The treasurer paid one shilling "for putting Irons on to 
 the stocks." Town records. 
 
 1770 — David Everett the noted journalist and author born. 
 
 1 77 1 — Town of Princeton Incorporated. 
 
 1772 — Aug. 10. Charles Dwiman of Princeton advertises in 
 Boston Evening Post, to carry news papers weekly for six 
 months as far as the Connecticut River. Terms; One Dollar 
 for the six months: one half at delivery of the second paper 
 and the remainder on delivery of the last. 
 
 1773 — Oct. 4. "Voted to request of Mr. Fuller ye Tax due 
 upon the Great Hill." Toivn Records. 
 
 1773 — Oct. II. "Voted to purchase weights and measures for 
 ye Towns use." The cost of these was 11-8-10-2. Town 
 records. 
 
4o6 History of Princeton 
 
 1774 — Treasurer paid "Wm. Thompson for Going to North- 
 bury To Gitt a Plan of the Land Latly annext To this Town. 
 4*^" Tozvn Records. This probably refers to the unin- 
 corporated land annexed in 1771. 
 
 1775 — ^Jan. 12. Voted to appoint a "Committee to Receive 
 Contributions for Boston & Charlestown and also to sell the 
 grain and other provisions for the money & Return the 
 money to Boston & Charlestown." 
 
 1775 — May 24. Voted "to receive 24 of the poor of Boston." 
 Toivn Records. (Princeton's first city boarders.) 
 
 1775 — March. A Company of Minute-Men formed, Ebenezer 
 
 Jones Captain. 
 1775 — Vote about use of Spirits at funerals. Town records. 
 
 1775 — April 19. Princeton Minute Men Marched to Lexington 
 and Concord. 
 
 1776 — June 14. The town voted to "support independence if 
 it should be declared." 
 
 1776 — July 14. News of Declaration of Independence reached 
 
 Princeton. 
 1778 — Two Princeton citizens required as guards to captured 
 
 troops of Gen. Burgoyne. 
 
 1778 — Oct. 19. Voted "to Robert Cowden for Serving as 
 Town Treasurer four years (the first person ever paid for 
 that service in this Town) £10." Town Records. 
 
 1779 — Sept. I. Boaz Moore advertises for his servent 
 Frederick Gibbs who has run away. 16 years old. $10. 
 reward. 
 
 1779 — March. Lease of farm of Capt. John Bowen absentee. 
 Sold at auction to James Bowers of Westminster who resold 
 to Joshua Everett May 30. 1781. 
 
 1779 — July. Furniture, leather bottom chairs, books &c. 
 at house of John Bowen Gentleman. (Probate Court 
 records.) 
 
 1780 — Seven of Burgoyne's men take Oath of Allegiance and are 
 naturalized. 
 
 1781 — Jan. 9. Town meeting — Chose moderator and then 
 adjourned "for one Quarter of an hour to the house of Lt. 
 Caleb Mirich." As Mr. Mirick "kept tavern" not far from 
 the town (meeting) house the reason for this adjournment 
 and many others may be readily surmised. 
 
 1781 — "The Company in England for the Propagation of the 
 Gospel in New England" held lands in Hubbardston and 
 Princeton, and was relieved by the General Court from 
 paying taxes. 
 
 1782 — Land on meeting house hill reserved for a road ten rods 
 in width. 
 
 1783 On Saturday the 23rd of September 1783 Samuel 
 
 Frost killed his father, and was acquitted by jury, on the 
 supposition of insanity. 
 
Gleanings 407 
 
 1783 — Governor Hancock visited Princeton during the summer 
 for his health. 
 
 1785 — Feb. 2. Paid Silas Fay for Jury box, i shilling. Now on 
 exhibition at the Library. 
 
 1786 — Homestead o.' Edwin Goodnow built, afterwards "Good- 
 now Inn." 
 
 1786 — Ebenezer Parker was paid for "making the stocks." 
 
 1786 — Stove put up in the first Meeting house. 
 
 1787 — First church choir in First Meeting house. 
 
 1787 — Silent Wilde of Shutesbury, a news carrier, settled in 
 town. 
 
 1787 — Wed. Feb. i. Capt Henry Gale arrested while attend- 
 ing town meeting and imprisoned for participation in the 
 Shays Rebellion. 
 
 1787 — May II. Capt Henry Gale convicted of high treason 
 and sentenced to death, later reprieved and finally pardoned. 
 
 1788 — Thomas Gleason advertises for his servant boy who 
 has run away, in the 17th year of his age, one shilling 
 reward. 
 
 1790 — Abel W'illard was paid a bounty for "a full grown wolf 
 and wolf's whelp." 
 
 1792 — Sept. 18. The town refused "to give Liberty to Doctor 
 Wilson to Inoculate such persons as are disposed to take the 
 small Pox in this town." Sept. 29, also refused Dr. W. 
 liberty to "erect a Hospital in any part of the Town, and 
 to Innoculate such persons as shall be disposed to take the 
 small pox." Town records. 
 
 1 793 — March 4. ' ' Voted Six pounds to be assessed and expended 
 in a Singing School." Town records. 
 
 1793 — July 18. Notice in Spy of murder of Capt. Elisha Allen 
 by Samuel Frost Frost described as "5 ft 4 in high, rather 
 slenderly built and very strong. He had a peculiar way of 
 tossing or twitching his head and his countinance was very 
 unpleasant." 
 
 1793 — Aug. 18. Robbery of silver plate at the Moses Gill 
 Mansion. 
 
 1793 — Oct. 31. Samuel Frost was executed in Worcester for 
 murder of Elisha Allen. — just ten years since he Killed his 
 father — then acquitted on ground of insanity — A sermon 
 preached and he was present. He was ready to go "as he 
 was to go it had better be soon over." 2000 spectators. A 
 Sermon preached on Saml. Frost 1792 by A. Bancroft and 
 poem with dying words and confession. {Spy Broadside 
 Am Ant Soc.) 
 
 1795 — Second Meeting-house built. 
 
 1795 — Survey of Town. Paid John Watson £1.10 David Rice 
 carrying chain 33^2 days 0-14-0 John Dana 4 days measur- 
 ing and surveying 0-16-0. 
 
 1796 — A plan of town made by John Roper. 
 
4o8 History of Princeton 
 
 1796 — Charges for cartage from Boston to Princeton were 
 2* 6*^ per cwt. 
 
 1797 — May 15. The town directed the Treasurer "to pay to 
 such Inhabitants as shall kill and bring in the whole bodys 
 of Crows & Hen Hawks within one year from this day one 
 shilling each, provided they are killed within the town." 
 Town records. 
 
 The Treasurers books show many payments under this order. 
 
 1798 — First stove for heating schools placed in North District 
 schoolhouse. 
 
 1799 — Dog tax was in force. 
 
 1799 — - Joshua Everett and others petitioned the General Court 
 to be sat off to Westminster, and were unsuccessful. 
 
 1800 — Jan. 21. "Voted that the Desk and such parts of the 
 meeting house as shall be thought proper be put into mourn- 
 ing" and Authorized the purchase of black velvet for that 
 purpose. Rev. Mr. Russell to be requested "to deliver a 
 discourse suitable to the occasion" on the 22nd February 
 next. In honor of Pres. Washington who died Dec. 14, 
 1799. 
 
 1800 — April 7. It was voted that the "Velvet purchased by 
 the Committee to dress the Pulpit on the 22nd of February 
 last" — "be made into a Burying Cloth." 
 
 1800 — May 20. Lieut. Gov. Moses Gill, native of Charles- 
 town, and long time resident in Princeton, died in Boston, 
 aged 67. 
 
 1801 — March 2. Annual town meeting "the town made choice 
 of Deacon Hobbs to wait upon the reverend Mr. Russell 
 requesting him to give his Attendance and open the meeting 
 with prayer, which he did accordingly, after prayers the 
 Clerk read the Laws against Profane Swearing for the due 
 observance of the Sabbath, and sundry other Laws, the town 
 then proceeded to the choice of town officers." 
 
 1 801 — Trustees of Grafton Indians gave to Hannah Brown wife 
 of Thomas Brown, daughter of Mary Thomas from Aaron 
 Ball 9 acres in Princeton N.E. side Quinnepoxit. (trails 
 there now and a cellar hole.) 
 
 1802 — $30. for Singing School. 
 
 1805 — Painted meeting house and provided curtains and 
 trimming for pulpit. 
 
 1805 — Wood bought for ministerial purposes $8. per cord. 
 
 1805 — Rev. Timothy Fuller First Minister in Princeton died at 
 Mcrrimac, N. H. aged 67. 
 
 1808 — Nov. 8. Samuel Woods First Schoolmaster in Prince- 
 ton Native of Chelmsford, Mass. died aged 86. 
 
 1808 — Allowed Nath. Reed $100. for failure of Crops. 
 
 1812 — Thompson Lodge F. & A. M. named in honor of Rev. 
 James Thompson of Barre, at that time D. D. Grand Master, 
 located in Rutland. Jurisdiction over Princeton, Sterling, 
 
Gleanings 409 
 
 Holdcn, and Hubbardston, constituted in 1812 and closed 
 labor 1826. 
 1812 — West Burying Ground established. 
 
 1812 — First Post Office established, Samuel Stevenson first 
 appointed Postmaster. 
 
 1813 — Dec. 21. David E\'erctt Native of Princeton, Teacher 
 and Journalist, died at Marietta Ohio, aged 43. 
 
 1813 — The "Washington Benevolent Society of Westminster 
 and Princeton" was formed. The object appears to have 
 been to encourage benevolence and to stimulate its members 
 to a study and cultivation of the virtues of George Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 Along the provisions of its by-laws was the following, "Any 
 member of the Society essentially departing from the moral 
 or political character of Washington, shall be reprimanded, 
 suspended or expelled." Town files. 
 
 1817 — July 6. Edward Savage, native of Princeton, celebrated 
 Painter and Engraver died aged 56. 
 
 1818 — Clark Mirick contributed $30. for singing school. 
 
 1819 — Stove first placed in the 2'^ Congregational Church, 
 the gift of Ward N. Boylston, Esq. 
 
 1820 — Presbyterian church formed and small house of Worship 
 built. The approximate size was 40 X 50 feet, it had no 
 steeple and no galleries. 
 
 1820 — First stage Route established. 
 
 1822 — Joseph Mason gave $35. for singing and town allowed 
 $25. more. 
 
 1822 — July 31. Baptist church organized. 
 
 1823. — Residence of Edward Goodnow opened as an Inn. 
 
 1823 — A petition to General Court December 1823 about a toll 
 gate near John Davis's (just beyond Slab City mill, on the 
 turnpike). 
 
 1825 — Mrs. John P. Rice the first person to reach the top of 
 Mt. Wachusett on horseback. Previous to that time 
 Phineas Gregory had been to the summit with an ox 
 team. 
 
 1825 — Voted that a Singing School be set up to keep afternoon 
 and evening for the space of one fortnight and at expiration 
 of that time an evening school Kept till the money is ex- 
 pended" $25. appropriated. 
 
 1825 — March 4, Mt. Adams celebration. Attempt to change 
 Name of Wachusetts Mountain to Mount Adams. 
 
 1826 — North burying ground established. 
 
 1827 — Voted "as the sense of this meeting that the town 
 Resolve as individuals that they will use all reasonable and 
 prudent means to suppress the evil of Intemperance and 
 other injurious practices." 
 
 1828 — English and classical school (The Academy) established. 
 1828 — The First Baptist Church built of brick. 
 
410 History of Princeton 
 
 1829 — Mrs. Alicia Boylston gave the town a fire engine. (Kept 
 between Blake's store and Thomas Gill's.) It was sold in 
 
 1829 — Could not get interest & harmony in Singing School. 
 Voted to indefinitely postpone subject & distribute money 
 appropriated among the three religious societies for singing 
 purposes. 
 
 1829 — "We will use all proper means to suppress the immorder- 
 ate use of ardent spirits." Town vote. 
 
 1830 — Princeton Declaiming Society, and The Wachusett 
 Moral Society for Mutual Improvement formed, both organ- 
 izations connected with the English and Classical School. 
 
 1830 — Amos Merriam, Surveyor, made a map of Princeton for 
 the State. 
 
 1831 — Town appropriated $30. for singing school. 
 
 1 83 1 — Dr. Brooks and Dr. Smith allowed $36. for vaccinating 
 inhabitants of Princeton. 
 
 1831 — East Burying ground established. 
 
 1833 — Jan. 20. Store and tenement building owned by Capt. 
 Edward Goodnow, burned. The store was occupied by his 
 son, Erasmus D. Goodnow whose stock of goods was con- 
 sumed. The tenements were occupied by E. D. Goodnow 
 and family, Mr. C. Meriam and Mr. Bigelow mechanics, 
 with their families and several boarders. The thermometer 
 was 9 degrees below zero, and many were frost bitten. 
 Capt. Goodnow's loss on building, was $1531, E. D. Good- 
 now's stock and furniture $1025.61, Asa K. Meriam, tools, 
 furniture etc. $416.86. Gilbert Bigelow tools, furniture, 
 etc. $101.91, Miss. Hunt, clothing $20, Rufus Fessenden 
 $10, Edward A. Goodnow $40. J. W. Watson $30, Eunice 
 Bagg $50, Moses Bullard and one of his daughters living 
 with Mr. E. D. Goodnow's family $50 
 
 1833 — Universalist Society formed. 
 
 1835 — 36 — County road from A. B. Wetherbee's to Roper's 
 mill, built. 
 
 1835 — Muster in field " opposite Boylston's." 
 
 1836 — Voted to oppose annexation of No town. 
 
 1836 — The second Baptist church building built. 
 
 1837 — Committee appointed to buy poor farm & bought in 
 1838 & "work house" established. 
 
 1838 — Ebenezer Parker, Jr. sold To inhabitants of the Town of 
 Princeton farm of 138 acres, with buildings thereon for a 
 poor farm. Consideration, $3,350.00 Reg. Deeds. Vol. 331,- 
 p. 418. 
 
 1838 — Annexation of a portion of Notown. 
 
 1838 — Union Congregational Church built at the head of the 
 Common. 
 
 1840 — Methodist Church was formed. Church edifice dedi- 
 cated Feb. 13, 1840. 
 
Gleanings 411 
 
 1841 — Feb. 18. The anti slavery society of Worcester county, 
 north division held its annual meeting at Princeton at ten 
 o'clock A. M . Mr. W. L. Garrison was present and delivered 
 an Anti-slavery lecture. 
 
 1841 — First chair shop in Princeton operated by Benjamin & 
 Joseph Stuart. 
 
 1842 — Boylston Hall built. The Town House on the hill was 
 used until the new Hall was completed. 
 
 1842 — Sept. 28th. Quarterly Meeting Worcester County South 
 Division, Anti-Slavery Society held in Worcester. Joshua 
 T. Everett of Princeton and William B. Earle of Lancaster 
 committee to request of Gov. Davis permission to publish 
 a letter to him from Hon. W. C. Preston, dated Dec. 1839, 
 respecting alleged threat to hang any abolitionist found in 
 the state of South Carolina. 
 
 1843 — Not much excitement in Princeton in times of Millerism. 
 1846 — "Joseph Ballister, Charles Russell, Newton Carpenter, 
 
 Charles T. Russell and their successors" incorporated as 
 Wachusett House Co. for the purpose of erecting and main- 
 taining a Hotel and the buildings and improvements con- 
 nected therewith on some convenient site in the town of 
 Princeton provided that said Co. should not carry on the 
 business of Hotel keeping and that they "shall not permit 
 the sale of intoxicating drinks in their house." 
 
 1848 — South Burying Ground, near Brooks Station estab- 
 lished. 
 
 1850 — May 29. Mr. John Brooks, son of Enoch late of Boston 
 and formerly of Princeton, Mass., was drowned in attempt- 
 ing to swim across the Chagres River. He was on his way 
 to California. 
 
 1852 — Woodlawn cemetery established. 
 
 1858 — Feb. 3. Mr. Charles Chandler of Princeton, swindled 
 by a Fertilizer agent, who sold him a town right and took 
 his signature with blank paper above which he filled in, so 
 as to make a promisory note for $16.00 which he sold at a 
 neighboring store. 
 
 1859 — First published Report of the Princeton School Com- 
 mittee, April I. 1859-April I. i860. 
 
 i860 — Capt. Boyles and John Brooks, W. B. Goodnow and 
 
 others, organized about i860 an Agricultural Club. 
 i860 — The annexation of a strip of land from Westminster 
 
 formerly a portion of Notown. 
 i860 — Oct. 18. Luther Crawford the first person to reach the 
 
 top of Mt Wachusett with a horse and carriage. 
 i860 — Wachusett made a Coast Survey station. 
 i860 — Baptist Church was sold and soon after converted into 
 
 a hotel. The Prospect House, now the Princeton Inn. 
 1861 — Mar. 13. The town had been accustomed to give the 
 
 ofifice of treasurer and collector to the lowest bidder who 
 
412 History of Princeton ' 
 
 could give the requisite bonds. Usually the town had paid 
 upwards of fifty dollars to the person who has held the office, 
 but this year, owing to some local feelings and prejudices, 
 the bids were still lower and now the gentleman holding the 
 office (Mr. John Brooks Jr.) paid ten dollars and a half for 
 the privilege. 
 l86i — July 4. Big bonfire on summit of Mt. Wachusett. 
 
 1861 — Chair shop of James and William H. Brown burned. 
 
 1862 — July 3. William Ward Merriam, missionary to European 
 Turkey shot and killed by robbers near Constantinople. 
 
 1862 — Oct. I. Lieut Samuel Brooks Beaman presented with 
 a sword, belt, sash and pistol, by citizens of Princeton at 
 Boylston Hall. 
 
 1864 — Jan. 20. The chair shop in East Princeton owned by 
 Wm. H. Brown, together with his grocery store adjoining 
 it, was consumed by fire about three o'clock Saturday 
 morning. The conflagration was distinctly seen from 
 Fitchburg. 
 
 1865 — Feb. 13. The dwelling house of Jacob Sawin of East 
 Princeton took fire in the ell part on the night of the 13th. 
 House and furniture destroyed, corn, wheat, rye, potatoes, 
 etc. Ins. $700. 
 
 1865 — July — Carpenter shop of Silas Harthan opposite the 
 parsonage struck by lightning and burned. 
 
 1866 — Good Templars organized continued but a short time. 
 1869 — Aug. 4. John Dana Mirick Post G. A. R. instituted. 
 
 1869 — Sept. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, recently Secretary of 
 War, spent a few weeks at the Wachusett House, Princeton, 
 for the benefit of his health. 
 
 1870 — First stone Summit House built by W"\ G. Morse. 
 
 1 87 1 — Road from T. H. Skinner's to East Princeton built. 
 
 1873 — House of John Brooks burned Feb. 24. 
 
 1874 — Wachusett Mountain Co., incorporated. 
 
 Wm. H. Brown — Levi Goss — Joseph Collins, 
 for the purpose of purchasing, improving, and disposing of 
 land upon and near Wachusett Mountain in the town of 
 Princeton, restricted to not more than 800 acres. Authorized 
 to build hotels, roads &c. Capital not to exceed $300,000. 
 The company that year built a road to the summit 
 
 1875 — First Summit House and barn were built by the Wachu- 
 sett Mountain Company. 
 
 1877 — Chair shop of William H. Brown burned. 
 
 1879 — Summit House enlarged and bowling alley built. 
 
 1883 — Sept. 9. — The Town Hall, better known as Boylston 
 Hall and a small wooden building near by, owned and 
 occupfed by William H. Felton of Clinton, as a variety 
 store, were totally destroyed by fire about one o'clock this 
 morning. The fire, supposed to be of incendiary origin 
 started in Felton's store, and spread to the town house. 
 
Gleanings 413 
 
 The loss to the town is $5000.00 and no insurance. Mr. 
 Felton had a small insurance on his property. The site 
 of the fire is nearly opposite the new Goodnow Memorial 
 building, but owing to the direction of the wind, that 
 was not threatened. The fire was distinctly seen from 
 Worcester, and the sight when the building fell was 
 grand. 
 
 A reward of $300 was ofTered by the selectmen for the 
 detection of the parties who set the fire. 
 
 The Princeton Cornet Band lost, by the burning of 
 Boylston Hall, property to the amount of $250, including 
 drums, music, cymbals, uniforms, etc. The farmers of 
 Princeton decided not to hold their fair this fall; their 
 equipments were all destroyed at the fire. 
 
 The burning of Boylston Hall afforded Mr. E. A. 
 Goodnow the opportunity of making the following proposi- 
 tion, which was accepted by the town; viz.: If the town 
 would have the church and horse-sheds moved over to the 
 site of the old town-house, and purchase the lot on the hill 
 adjoining the library, for a town-house and hall, he would 
 give $5000.00 towards the building. {Massachusetts Spy, 
 Sept. 14, 1883.) 
 1883 — Goodnow Memorial Building given by E. A. Goodnow, 
 built of Milford pink granite with brown stone trimmings by 
 Norcross Brothers of Worcester at a cost of $25000, contains 
 Library, Reading Room and two school rooms. 
 
 1883 — Chair shops of Thurston & Eugene R. Buck burned. 
 
 1884 — Congregational Church moved from common to former 
 site of Boylston Hall. 
 
 1884 — County road from Mountain House to Wachusett Lake 
 built. 
 
 1884 — Dec. 20th. Voted to accept gift of Records of Proprie- 
 tors of Rutland, received from Hon. C. T. Russell and Mrs. 
 Woods, which places in their possession these original 
 records of the township of which this town (Princeton) 
 originally formed a part. Deposited with our town records 
 in a fire-proof safe. 
 
 1884-5, Three story "Summit House" built by P. A. Beaman 
 &Son. 
 
 1885 — First publication of Princeton Town Clerk's Report was 
 for the year ending Feb. 13, 1886. 
 
 1886. — March 8. $300.00 appropriated for tablets in Bagg 
 
 Hall in memory of our soldiers. 
 1887 — July 7. Cong'l Chapel, East Princeton dedicated. 
 1887 — Sept. 6. Dedication of Goodnow Memorial Building 
 
 and Bagg Hall. 
 
 1891 — High School established. 
 
 1892 — June 14. Methodist Church struck by lightning and 
 burned. 
 
414 History of Princeton 
 
 1892 — Sept. — Howe Pump and Engine Co. exhibited chemical 
 
 and water engines for extinguishing fires. 
 1892 — Nov. 8. Town voted to purchase two Howe chemical 
 
 and water engines, one for East Princeton and the other for 
 
 the center of the town, also two sets of hooks and ladders, 
 
 trucks buckets etc. 
 1892— Dec. 24. Town accepted E. A. Goodnow's gift of a lot 
 
 of land for a park and $1000, in money to keep it in repair 
 1892 — Dec. 24. Town accepted gift of a Chickering Upright 
 
 Piano for use of the High School, from Mrs. Lois R. Hastings. 
 1892 — Town received by will of the late Eli Kilburn of Sterling 
 
 $1000 the income to be expended annually on books of a 
 
 good moral character, such as Histories, Biographies and 
 
 Scientific works. 
 1899 — Chair shop of John H. Temple burned. 
 
 1899 — September. "Grand View House" burned. 
 
 1900 — Wachusett Mountain taken over by the state as a 
 reservation. 
 
 1905 — Forestry work begun and carried on to the present tim.e 
 1 91 5, at the State Reservation, quite extensively, about 
 150 acres planted to white pine and spruce. 
 
 1908 — Present Summit House designed and built by J. C. F. 
 Mirick. As the state would not appropriate money for 
 this purpose it was done from the county funds, requiring 
 the greater part of three years appropriations to complete 
 the building. 
 
 1908 — Nov. 4. The Davis and the Heywood houses destroyed 
 by fire. 
 
 1910 — A fire watch established at the Summit House observa- 
 tory, Mt. Wachusett, a big factor in the reduction of forest 
 fires. 
 
 1910 — Summit House Annex built. 
 
 1910 — July 26 The "Temple Stuart" chair shop burned. 
 
 1910 — Nov. 28. "Wachusett House" burned. 
 
 1912 — Summer Prison Camp on Wachusett reservation es- 
 tablished by the County. 
 
 1913 — First woman chosen to serve on the school board; Miss 
 Ethel R. Mirick. 
 
 1914 — A macadam road completed from the county road at the 
 base of Wachusett to the summit. 
 
 1914 — July II. Mountain house burned. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Abbot, Joseph, 203. 
 Abbott, Isaac, 81, 203, 
 
 228. 
 Adams, Rev. Daniel, 
 
 158, 159- 
 Edwin N., 261. 
 John, 283. 
 John of Princeton, 
 
 360. 
 John Quincy, 279. 
 Rev. S. W., 177- 
 Agricultural products, 
 
 3- 
 Alden, John, 41. 
 Aldrich, Fred R., 199. 
 Allen, Rev. Benjamin, 
 60. 
 Daniel, 87. 
 Ebenezer, 28. 
 EHsha, 85, 196, 205, 
 
 212. 
 Ephraim, 76-78, 94, 
 97, 100, 180, 185, 
 218. 
 Rev. George, 296. 
 John, 42. 
 Jonas, B., 358. 
 Lucy, 321. 
 Dr. Nathan, 279. 
 Obadiah, 225. 
 Simeon, 232. 
 Willard, 173. 
 William, 27, 29, 203. 
 Ammunition chest, 244. 
 Ancient Order of 
 United Workmen, 
 377- 
 Anderson, Theodore N., 
 
 261. 
 Andrews, Rev. Elisha, 
 
 174- 
 Nathaniel, 86, 258. 
 Andros, Gov., 15, 16. 
 Animal products, 3. 
 Appleton, Dorothy, 
 
 283. 
 
 Appropriations, 6; for 
 
 schools, 211. 
 Arch, James, 242, 243. 
 Area of town, i. 
 Arnold, James A., 363. 
 Assets, 7. 
 Associates' names, 18, 
 
 19- 
 
 Atkinson, Rev. Kins- 
 man, 177. 
 W. H., 177- 
 
 Ayers, Charles, 261. 
 
 Babcock, Amos, 232, 
 
 236. 
 Babcock brook, 2. 
 Bagg, Harriet, 300. 
 Bagg Hall, 403. 
 Bailey, Jonathan, 172. 
 
 Joseph, 240. 
 
 Rev. S. R., 177. 
 Baker, Frederick M., 
 
 193- 
 
 James, 144. 
 
 Joseph, 87, 213. 
 
 Luke, 213. 
 Baker's meadow, 2. 
 Ball, Aaron, 86, 225. 
 
 Daniel, 81. 
 
 Rev. Mason, 175. 
 
 Martin V., 191. 
 
 Micah R., 198. 
 
 Moses, 225. 
 
 Nathan, 228. 
 
 Samuel, 228, 241. 
 
 William F., 198. 
 Bangs, Josiah, 86. 
 Baptists, 171-176. 
 Baptist church sold, 
 
 176. 
 Barber, Andrew, 225, 
 
 228. 
 Barbour, Albert L., 217. 
 Barker, Andrew, 228. 
 
 John, 81, 196, 202, 
 225, 228. 
 
 415 
 
 Barnard, George, 81, 
 141, 142. 
 
 Sarah, 141-143. 
 Barnes, Silas, 172. 
 
 William, 213. 
 Bartlett, Charles A., 
 364. 
 
 John, 76, 85, 86, 244. 
 
 Mary, 139, 141. 
 
 Samuel, 144, 235, 258. 
 Barre, 23, 30. 
 
 Bassett, , 360. 
 
 Bay Path, 12. 
 Baxter, Charles, 261. 
 
 Joseph, 87. 
 
 Moses, 204. 
 
 Richard, 81, 87, 225. 
 Baxter's Quarter, 212. 
 Beaman, Alfred, 190. 
 
 A. T., 191, 192, 350, 
 
 351- 
 Ephraim, 142. 
 Gamaliel, 172, 173,190. 
 Henry C, 191, 192, 
 
 351- 
 Jonas, 85, 91, 190, 196, 
 
 212, 228, 235, 241. 
 Nabby, 177. 
 Phineas, 81, 85, 90, 
 
 204, 225. 
 Phineas A., 191-193, 
 326, 350-352, 354» 
 368. 
 Samuel B., 261. 
 Silas, 87. 
 Bell made by Paul 
 
 Revere, 165. 
 Bellows, Elijah, 85. 
 Bemis, Jonathan, 36. 
 
 Timothy, 96. 
 Bernard, Francis, 56, 
 78. 
 Nathaniel, 225. 
 Bible, 148. 
 
 Bibliography of Prince- 
 ton, 396-402. 
 
4i6 
 
 Index 
 
 BiGELOW, Abraham G., 
 261. 
 
 Elizabeth, 143. 
 
 G. A., 199, 364. 
 
 Rev. Increase B., 177. 
 
 Samuel, 81, 232. 
 Bill, Richard, 26, 27, 
 
 30- 
 Billings, Nathan, 57, 
 81. 
 Silas, 228. 
 Timothy, 201, 204. 
 Bird list, 392-395- 
 BiXBY, Hannah, 39, 143. 
 
 Samuel, 81, 130, 138. 
 Blacksmith's shop, 90. 
 Blagrove, Nathaniel, 
 
 41, 44. 
 Blagrove's farm, 41. 
 Blake, Pynson, 167, 
 
 358, 359- 
 Blake & Allen, 359. 
 Blanchard, C. a., 199. 
 Bliss, George L., 198, 
 
 351- 357- 
 Blood, Robert, 27, 30. 
 BoRDMAN, William, 228, 
 
 258. 
 Boston Rock, 10. 
 Boundaries, 106. 
 Bounty, 221, 222, 237. 
 Bowen, John, 31, 41, 51, 
 
 81, 204, 228, 238. 
 Bovvker, Martin, 327. 
 
 Micah, 81, 232. 
 Bowman, Solomon, 232. 
 Thaddeus, 81, 202, 
 232. 
 Boyd, F. A., 354. 
 Boyden, Jabez, 232. 
 Boyer, John K., 364. 
 BoYLES, Charles E., 261. 
 Frederick \V., 261. 
 Henry, 192, 193, 379. 
 Henry C., 261. 
 Boyns, Philip, 204. 
 BoYLSTON, John Lane, 
 171, 174, 190, 197. 
 Nicholas, 272. 
 Rebecca, 272. 
 Thomas, 272. 
 Ward Nicholas, 190, 
 192, 193, 278-280, 
 326, 358. 
 
 Bragg, H., 213. 
 Braman, H. C., 357. 
 Brattle, Rev. William, 
 
 45- 
 Brewer, Joseph and Ed- 
 ward, 353. 
 Briant, Isaac, 232. 
 Bridge, Rev. H. M., 177. 
 
 Robert, 43. 
 Briggs, Rev. W. T., 171. 
 Brigham, Abner, 14,212. 
 Asa, 244, 258. 
 Betty, 139, 141. 
 John, 225, 228. 
 Joseph D., 191. 
 Moses, 228. 
 Stephen, 76, 86,94, 97, 
 100, 130, 138, 140, 
 141, 196, 201, 212. 
 Brigham cSc Derby, 354. 
 Brinley, Francis, 26, 27. 
 Brintnal, Thomas, 28, 
 
 67. 
 Brooks, Aaron, 203. 
 Dr. Alpheus, 193, 214, 
 
 364- 
 Alphonso, 191, 192, 
 
 194. 
 Charles, 81, 86, 88, 
 
 190, 192, 203, 204, 
 
 212, 219, 224, 228, 
 
 235- 
 David, 86, 89, 163. 
 Enoch, 81, 86, 90, 159, 
 
 192, 193, 196, 202, 
 
 213. 
 Hannah, 336. 
 Job, 202. 
 John, 170, 182, 192, 
 
 194, 197, 198, 211, 
 
 214, 244, 267, 350, 
 
 358. 
 John Jr., 198. 
 John H., 190. 
 Jonas, 88, 177, 190, 
 
 196, 212, 228. 
 Jonas Jr., 190. 
 Mary, 88. 
 Orville C, 261. 
 Reuben, 197, 358. 
 Samuel, 177, 190. 
 Thomas J., 
 Wendell A., 193. 
 William S., 191. 
 
 Brooks Station P. 0., 
 
 364- 
 Brown, Benjamin, 30, 
 
 36- 
 James, 85, 89, 212, 
 
 213,244,373. 
 Jesse, 89, 218. 
 William H., 191, 193, 
 373- 
 
 ,47. 
 
 Bryant, George, 262. 
 John, 193. 
 William H., 191. 
 Buck, Eugene R., 19, 
 
 198, 199. 
 Buckminster, Rev. Mr., 
 
 140, 142. 
 Bulkley, John, 27, 30. 
 
 Peter, 19, 27, 30. 
 BULLARD, John, 36. 
 Jonathan, 96, 202, 205. 
 Moses, 190. 
 Moses H., 191, 351. 
 Samuel C, 351. 
 BuRGOYNE captives, 242, 
 
 243- 
 BuRRiEL, Ebenezer, 47. 
 Bullock, Calvin, 190, 
 
 359- 
 Burial Ground, first, 
 
 369- 
 Burke, Thomas J., 262. 
 Bush, Abial, 81, 201. 
 Buss, Fortunatus, 359. 
 Butler, Mary, 335. 
 
 Cadwill, Rev. John W., 
 
 177- 
 
 Calamint Hill, 205. 
 
 Caldwell, Catharine B., 
 301. 
 
 Callahan, William, 
 262. 
 
 Candidates for preach- 
 ing, 145- 
 
 Care of meeting house, 
 
 133- 
 Cary, Ezra, of Sterling, 
 
 326. 
 Cemeteries, 369-372. 
 Centre District, 206, 
 
 207. 
 Ch.\ir manufacturing, 
 
 373. 374- 
 
Index 
 
 417 
 
 Chamberlain, Ebene- 
 zer, Jr., 81. 
 Eustis, 82, 225. 
 Chandler, Gardner, 38. 
 John, 85, 224, 233. 
 Leonard, 193. 
 Chapman, Adam, 172. 
 Chase, Abel, 251. 
 C. H., 191. 
 Josiah, 86, 258. 
 Cheever, Bartholomew, 
 8d, 1^7, 213, 225, 
 229, 235. 
 Daniel, -86, 233, 244, 
 
 258. 
 Jacob, 229. 
 Moses D., 192-194, 
 
 364- 
 Richard, 76, ^, 190, 
 
 203. 
 William D., 192, 197, 
 
 203. 
 Cheny, Tristram, 96, 
 
 lOI. 
 
 Childs, Benjamin, 81. 
 Chittenden, Isaac, 86, 
 88. 
 L., 213. 
 Choate, John, 47, 54. 
 Choir, 134. 
 Church organization, 4, 
 
 135- 
 
 Civil War, 260. 
 
 Clap, Daniel, 81. 
 
 Clark, Anthony, 81, 
 204. 
 Norman, 87, 196, 213, 
 
 224, 228, 229. 
 Willis H., 361. 
 
 Clarke, Francis, 94. 
 Rev. Samuel, 169, 174, 
 214. 
 
 Classical Schools, 211. 
 
 Climate, 2. 
 
 Cobb, Samuel, 213. 
 
 Cobb brook, 2. 
 
 CoLBURN, Ebenezer, 81, 
 203, 225. 
 
 Cole, Rev. John W., 177. 
 
 CoLTON, Micah, 262. 
 Thomas, 262. 
 
 Conant, Samuel, 81. 
 
 Congresses, revolution- 
 ary, 227. 
 
 Connecticut Path, 11. 
 Cook, Rev. Albert A., 
 177. 
 Cyrus, 209. 
 COOLIDGE, 36. 
 
 CoPELAND, Asa, 225. 
 Eliphalet, 87, 172, 173. 
 Moses, 359. 
 
 CoPLiN, Eliphaz, 244. 
 
 Corbett, Michael, 262. 
 
 Covenant, 137, 147. 
 
 CowDiN, Elizabeth, 88. 
 John, 81. 
 
 Robert, 76, 94, 97, 100, 
 130, 180, 183, 190, 
 192, 196, 203, 204, 
 218, 229, 235, 239, 
 356, 357- 
 
 CovvLES, Rev. John P., 
 170. 
 
 Crafts, Thomas, 85, 
 160, 235. 
 
 Crawford, Luther, 192. 
 
 Crosby, Harry D., 378. 
 
 Cunningham, Rev. Or- 
 lando, 175. 
 
 Curtis, James, 192, 225, 
 228, 229. 
 Mary, 85. 
 
 CusHiNG, Rev. Stephen, 
 
 177- 
 Thomas, 47. 
 CusHMAN, Levi, 191, 198. 
 Cutter, Benjamin, 229. 
 Josiah, 229. 
 Nathaniel, 81, 225. 
 Nathaniel, Jr., 229. 
 Cutting, Josiah, 86, 89, 
 190, 197. 
 
 D.\DMAN, Samuel, 85, 89, 
 
 190, 212. 
 Dairy, 3. 
 Dana, Caleb, 107, 192, 
 
 197, 214. 
 John, 89, 190-192. 
 Danforth, Theodore 
 
 W., 262. 
 Darling, Timothy, 229. 
 Darrow, Alicia, 278. 
 Davenport, Addington, 
 
 19- 
 Davidson, George, 229. 
 Joseph, 225. 
 
 Davis, Austin, 197. 
 
 Clarence W., 191. 
 
 Daniel, 359, 364, Mrs. 
 Daniel, 368. 
 
 David, 258, 297-299. 
 
 Ephraim, 244. 
 
 Isaac, 229. 
 
 John G., 197. 
 
 Rev. Joseph, 136, 140, 
 357, 358. 
 
 Josiah, 81, 87, 88, 212, 
 225, 356- 357. 
 J. P., 213. 
 
 Mary, 143. 
 
 Micah, 229. 
 
 Olcon, 185, 229. 
 
 Oliver, 76-78, 87, 94, 
 97, 100, 130, 180, 
 190, 196, 203-205, 
 213, 218, 225, 240, 
 
 258, 374- 
 Peter, 218. 
 Rufus, 170. 
 Rufus Jr., 191, 193. 
 Samuel, 87, 88, 205, 
 
 229. 
 Simon, 61, 190, 205, 
 
 212. 
 Solomon, 86, 162, 196. 
 Wayland C, 191, 193, 
 
 351, 357- 
 Wilkes, 262. 
 
 Day, John E., 351. 
 
 Dead Mare meadow, 29. 
 
 De Aulany, Due, 43, 
 III. 
 
 Dean, Francis, 225. 
 
 Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, 221. 
 
 Decoration of meeting 
 house, 164. 
 
 Demond, Rev. Elijah, 
 170. 
 
 Derby, Gilbert A., 351, 
 357. 
 
 Deer, 4. 
 
 Delano, Henry C, 191, 
 378. 
 
 "DiNNERiNG the minis- 
 ter," 126. 
 
 Dire, Nathan, 85. 
 
 Distances from Prince- 
 ton Centre, 377. 
 
4i8 
 
 Index 
 
 District of Prince 
 Town, 8, 92. 
 
 District meeting, first, 
 181. 
 
 Districts, 202. 
 
 DoBBS, Rev. Abram S., 
 177. 
 
 DoDD, John, 173, 197. 
 Rufus, 196. 
 William, 81, 84, 85, 
 190-192, 196, 199, 
 208, 212, 214, 225, 
 229, 258, 356, 357. 
 
 Doherty, George E., 
 
 351- 
 Domestic animals, 3. 
 Donnelly, Patrick, 262. 
 DooLiTTLE, Benjamin C, 
 191, 198, 199. 
 Ephraim, 228. 
 P. C, 361, 368, 369. 
 DooRLATCHES made by 
 
 James Ellis, 243. 
 Dramatic Club, 378. 
 Dresser, Moses, 143. 
 Oliver, 81, 203, 233. 
 Drought, John, 262. 
 Drury, Daniel, 64. 
 DuBLETT, an Indian, 17. 
 Dudley, Paul, 19, 21, 
 27, 29. 
 William, 19, 21, 30, 47. 
 DuMMER, Gov., 63. 
 Duncan, Charles, 94. 
 DusTiN, Alexander, 376. 
 Dunham, Rev. Rowland 
 
 C, 177. 
 Dwelly, Alexander, 208. 
 
 Eager, P., 233. 
 George, 262. 
 Moses, 81, 203. 
 Paul, 81, 204. 
 Early settlements in 
 Massachusetts, 9. 
 settlers, 74. 
 Earthquakes and light- 
 ning rods, 112. 
 Easterbrooks, Samuel, 
 
 81. 
 East Wachusett Brook, 
 
 2. 
 East Wing, 23, 102. 
 Easterly District, 203. 
 
 Ecclesiastical history, 
 
 122. 
 Eddy, Jonathan, 225. 
 Edgel, William, 204. 
 Edgell, John, 360. 
 Edson, Marshall A., 217. 
 Education, 200. 
 Edwards, Alfred, 262. 
 
 Joshua, 27, 30. 
 Electric lighting, 5, 
 
 369. 
 Elevations, i. 
 Ellery, Elizabeth, 87. 
 Elliott, Eben S., 262. 
 
 Erastus, 262. 
 Ellis, James, 85, 242, 
 
 243- 
 Emerson, Rev. John H., 
 
 177. 
 English and Classical 
 
 High Schools, 211, 
 
 214. 
 Envelopes, invention of, 
 
 363- 
 Estabrook, Alvin E., 
 
 262. 
 Edward C, 262. 
 Joseph T., 262, 268. 
 J. Wheeler, 262. 
 Samuel Jr., 233. 
 Washington, 357. 
 EusTis, Chamberlain, 
 
 228, 229. 
 Eveleth, Abishai, 90. 
 Albert J., 199. 
 David, 76. 
 Ephraim, 172. 
 George M., 262. 
 Joab, 322. 
 John, 236, 244. 
 Joseph, 76-78, 81, 86, 
 
 94, 97, 100, 126, 131, 
 
 158, 180, 190, 192, 
 
 193. 196, 202, 203, 
 
 235- 
 Joshua, 89, 172, 190. 
 Nabby, 322. 
 Widow, 213. 
 William H., 263, 268. 
 Everett, Alvin, 173. 
 David, 133, 203, 225, 
 
 228, 229, 280-293. 
 Erastus, 332, 333. 
 Rev. F. A., 177. 
 
 Everett, Israel, 172, 
 
 192, 193, 206. 
 Joshua, 85, 90, 233. 
 Joshua, Jr., 172, 244. 
 Joshua T., 172, 190, 
 
 192, 193. 
 Mandell G., 263. 
 Samuel, 172. 
 Susanna, 87. 
 William, 90, 172, 173, 
 
 190, 244. 
 William Stillman, 173, 
 
 192. 
 Exploration, 10. 
 
 Fairbanks, Henry, 360. 
 Farmers' Club, 379. 
 
 F.A.RMS, 3. 
 
 "Farms adjoining, " the, 
 
 34- 95- 
 Farnsworth, John, 19, 
 
 30. 
 Farrington, Elijah, 
 225, 229. 
 Ichabod, 240. 
 Farrar, Nathan, 205. 
 Farrow, Mathew, 203. 
 Fasset, Jonathan, 233. 
 Father Ralles war, 24. 
 Fay, Arthur, E., 193. 
 B., 198. 
 John B., 192. 
 Myron H., 263, 268. 
 Silas, 85, 176, 196, 
 
 212, 225, 233, 357. 
 S. Jr., 213. 
 Fayerweather, Han- 
 nah, 27, 29. 
 Felton, John, 87. 
 Ferguson, Rev. Edwin 
 C, 177- 
 Patrick, 263. 
 Fernside, 354. 
 Ferrington, Samuel, 
 
 228. 
 Fessenden, Timothy, 
 
 172. 
 First Parish, 170. 
 Fisher, Gideon, 76, 78, 
 180, 183, 185. 
 Ichabod, 82, 86, 213, 
 
 225, 228, 229. 
 Jesse, 87, 228, 229, 
 240, 258. 
 
Index 
 
 419 
 
 FiSK, Rev. Franklin, 177. 
 FiSKE, Jonathan, 97, 
 
 205. 
 Fitch, Thomas, 19, 28. 
 Flora, 380-391. 
 FoLGER, George, F., 191, 
 
 193. 197, 198, 364- 
 Food prices, 162. 
 Forbes, Robert, 203, 
 
 218. 
 Forbush, Robert, 76, 
 
 94, 97, 100, 204. 
 FosKETT, Asaph, 172. 
 Daniel, Jr., 172. 
 David, 172. 
 Simon, 172. 
 Foster, James, 172. 
 John, 30. 
 
 Joseph, 14, 18, 27, 28. 
 William, 82, 202. 
 FowLE, Curtis, 225, 228, 
 229. 
 John, 229, 238. 
 Franklin, Viah, 244. 
 Free mail delivery, 363. 
 Freemasonry, 375. 
 French War, 31. 
 French and Indian War, 
 
 218. 
 Frost, John, 38, 41, 76, 
 
 loi, 201, 204, 229. 
 Fruit trees, 3. 
 Fuller, Elizabeth, diary 
 of, 302, 362. 
 Rev. Timothy, 61, 82, 
 86, 146, 149-156, 
 192, 202, 322, 325. 
 
 Gale, Abraham, 190, 
 225, 228, 229, 246, 
 
 247. 356. 357- 
 Amos, 233, 258, 356, 
 
 357- 
 Betty, 255. 
 Elisha, 57, 82, 196, 
 
 202, 224, 239, 258, 
 
 269. 
 Elizabeth, 255. 
 Henry, 36, 82, 96, 229, 
 
 246, 248, 249, 251, 
 
 253- 
 Jonas, 255. 
 Josiah, 258. 
 Luther, 143. 
 
 Gardner, Rev. Andrew, 
 37. 38, 63. 
 Daniel, 38, 82, 229. 
 Stephen P., 361. 
 Gardner's farms, 37. 
 Gardner's brook, 39. 
 Garfield, Moses, 38,76. 
 Gates, Aaron, 213. 
 Geary, David, 85. 
 
 Jonathan, 82, 224, 
 228, 229, 238. 
 Geographical position, 
 
 I. 
 Geology, 5. 
 George, Rev. Nathan 
 
 D., 177- 
 Gerould, Jabez, 82, 
 225, 229, 240. ■ 
 Mary (Everett), 281. 
 Gerrish, Joseph, 47. 
 GiBBS, Daniel, 225, 229. 
 Elisha, 225. 
 Hannah, 142. 
 Joseph, 76-78, 94. 97. 
 100, 130, 138-140, 
 142, 180, 183, i8g, 
 
 196, 203, 205, 218, 
 225, 229, 356, 357. 
 
 Theodore, 258. 
 William, 76, 141, 201, 
 202, 213. 
 Gibbons, Maj., 42. 
 Gifts to church, 171. 
 Gill, Charles W., 263. 
 Emery W., 193, 198, 
 
 263, 268. 
 John, 86. 
 Micah, 86, 192, 213, 
 
 247. 
 Michael, 233,356, 357. 
 Moses, 30, 82, 85, 91, 
 
 96, 131. 135. H7. 
 156, 163, 192, 194, 
 
 197, 202, 213, 239, 
 270-277; Inventory, 
 274; 326, 357, 364, 
 
 369- 
 
 Rebecca, 272. 
 
 Sarah Prince. 272. 
 Gill, town of, 277. 
 Gleason, Addison, 263. 
 
 Dexter F., 263. 
 
 Elizabeth, 139, 141. 
 
 Ezra, 76, 213. 
 
 Gleason, Jesse, 225, 229. 
 John, 86, 88, 202. 
 Mrs. John, 233. 
 Thomas, 87, 89, 196, 
 213, 225. 
 Goddard, Asa H., 191- 
 193, 198. 
 W'arren, 214. 
 Going, Rev. Jonathan, 
 
 174. 
 Goldsmith, Rev. Alfred, 
 
 171.358. 
 GooDNOW, Anne, 139, 
 
 142, 143- 
 Edward, 87, 196, 213, 
 
 233- 357. 
 Edward Augustus, 
 
 190, 299-301. 
 Erasmus D., 191, 360. 
 Lois, 89. 
 Lieut., 34. 
 Moses C, 192, 352. 
 Peter, 76,96, 130, 138, 
 
 142, 144, 183, 184, 
 
 192, 196, 202, 213. 
 Timothy, 82, 225, 229. 
 William B., 191, 192, 
 
 193, 198. 
 William F., 263. 
 
 GooDNOW Memorial Li- 
 brary, 403. 
 
 Goodrich, Rev. Heze- 
 kiah, 161. 
 
 Goodridge, Sewall, 144. 
 
 Goodwin, Rev. John, 
 177. 
 
 Gore, the, 31. 
 
 Gould, Moses, 244. 
 
 Graham, Mary, 205. 
 
 Grand Army Post, No. 
 99, 268. 
 
 Grand View House, 351. 
 
 Grant, Thomas, 229, 
 238. 
 
 Graves, Rev. Frederic 
 B., 177- 
 
 Gray, Daniel, 230. 
 
 Green, Abel, 263. 
 Bartholomew, 65. 
 Thomas, 45. 
 
 Green Dragon Tavern, 
 Boston, 21. 
 
 Greenwood, John, art- 
 ist, 116. 
 
420 
 
 Index 
 
 Gregory, Charles, 240. 
 
 C, 213. 
 
 Elisha, 90, 204. 
 David H., 191, 192; 
 
 letter, 267; 364. 
 
 D. H. Company, 364. 
 Isaac, 233. 
 
 Josiah D., 191, 364, 
 
 372. 
 Phineas, 82, 86, 90, 
 196, 204, 213, 225, 
 228, 230, 236. 
 Phineas E., 192, 198. 
 Raymond J., 191, 364, 
 392. 
 Griffin, John, 215. 
 Joseph, 172. 
 Warren, 356. 
 Grimes, Edwin, 168, 353. 
 Grimes House, 353. 
 Grotte, Heinrich, 263. 
 Grout, Edgar H., 217. 
 Guild, David, 173. 
 GuiLLO, Henry, 263. 
 Guy, Clifton, 199. 
 
 Hadley, Joseph H., 193. 
 Hager, Abraham, 85, 
 
 233- 
 
 Hale, Reuben, 88. 
 
 Hallowell, Benjamin, 
 278. 
 Mary (Boylston), 278. 
 
 Hancock, John, 251. 
 
 Hannaford, Rev. Jos- 
 eph L., 177. 
 
 Hapgood, Joel, 359. 
 Thomas, 225, 230. 
 
 Harding, Rev. Willard 
 M., 171, 352. 
 
 Hardy, Elijah, 225. 
 Simon, 172. 
 
 Harmon, Thomas, 125, 
 184. 
 
 Harrington, Abel, 225, 
 
 230. 
 
 Abijah, 82, 85, 90, 91, 
 
 135. 190, 204, 212, 
 
 224, 228, 230, 235, 
 
 239- 
 A. L., 354. 
 A. R. E., 353. 
 Benjamin, 190, 192, 
 
 244. 
 
 Harrington, B., 213, 
 
 244. 
 Isaac, 230. 
 Jonas, 96, 201, 204. 
 Joseph C, 193, 353. 
 Moses, 82, 85, 225, 
 
 230. 
 Simon, 122, 123. 
 Stephen, 80, 82, 196, 
 
 204, 225. 
 Uriah, 230. 
 Harrington Farm, 353. 
 Harris, Asa, 82, 87. 
 John D., 244, 263. 
 Levi, 244. 
 Luke, 230. 
 Zachariah Jr., 233. 
 Harthan, Charles H., 
 
 263, 268. 
 Hartwell, Edward, 71. 
 Edward E., 379. 
 Ephraim, 82, 94, 100, 
 
 192, 196, 203, 204, 
 
 224, 226, 228, 230, 
 
 240. 
 Isaac, 87. 
 James, 190, 191. 
 Jonas, 193. 
 Joseph, 192, 240. 
 Hartwell's farm, 68. 
 Harvey, Zachariah, 45, 
 
 76, 77, 80, 96, 127, 
 
 130, 131, 139, 142, 
 
 180-189, I9i~i93. 
 
 ^2>3> 237, 239, 355, 
 
 356. 
 Hastings, Anne, 139, 
 
 141. 
 Charles, 230. 
 EliasO., 191, 193, 263. 
 Ezra, 244. 
 James, 86. 
 Rebecca, 322. 
 Samuel, 77, 86, 96, 
 
 135, 138, 140, 162, 
 
 163, 181, 182, 183, 
 
 190, 196, 197, 208, 
 
 220, 224, 225. 
 Samuel, Jr., 196, 213. 
 Solon S., 191-193. 
 Hatch, Estes, 26, 28, 30. 
 
 Samuel, 27. 
 Haven, Rev. Moses, 
 
 157. 
 
 Ha WES, Daniel, 240. 
 
 David, 228. 
 Hay scales, 359. 
 Hayman, Nathan, 44. 
 Haynes, Aaron, 235, 236. 
 Joseph, 82, 87, 138, 
 
 146. 
 Josiah, 192, 196, 202. 
 Samuel, 87. 
 Health, 4. 
 
 Herron, William, 263. 
 Hewes, Alpheus, 225. 
 Hey, James S., 263. 
 Hinds, Eli, 87. 
 Historical Dates, 404- 
 
 414. 
 Hoar, Adonijah, 235. 
 G. F., 346. 
 John, 346. 
 HoBBS, Ebenezer, 244. 
 Elisha, 82, 86, 91, 135, 
 
 190, 196, 204. 
 Elisha Jr., 196, 225. 
 John, 213. 
 John H., 191. 
 Micah, 351. 
 Moses, 190, 193. 
 Samuel, 198. 
 Silas, 87. 
 Hogg, John, 263. 
 Hogney, George, 244. 
 HoLBROOK, David, 86. 
 Holden, Benjamin, 82, 
 87, 88, 130, 193, 
 196, 203, 205, 213, 
 218, 220, 226, 230, 
 235. 240, 241, 258. 
 Henry, 263, 268. 
 Joel, 244. 
 Holden's Quarter, 212. 
 Holland, John, 250. 
 HoLMAN, Charles, 263. 
 "Honest Lawyer," the, 
 
 281. 
 Horne, Charles E. and 
 
 Thomas, 355. 
 Horse sheds, 135. 
 HosLEY, Joseph, 225, 
 
 230. 
 HosMER, John G., 263. 
 Houghton, Abel, 87. 
 Benjamin, 38, 61, 73, 
 
 82, 92, 96. 
 Charles A., 193, 198. 
 
Index 
 
 421 
 
 Houghton, Ezra, loi. 
 Herbert P., 191-193, 
 
 369- 
 Joel, 96, 204. 
 Silas, 82. 
 Thankful, 89. 
 How, Abner, 82, 85, 90, 
 
 135, 138, 140, 190, 
 
 192, 202, 213, 224. 
 Adonijah, 82, 85, 90, 
 
 145, 147, 156, 162, 
 
 163, 168, 190, 193, 
 
 226, 228. 
 Antipas, 87, 89, 203, 
 
 212. 
 Artemas, 190, 191, 
 
 193. 213- 
 Daniel, 82, 192. 
 Eliphalet, 77, 78, 94, 
 
 96, 100, 126, 130, 
 131, 180, 185, 189, 
 203, 205, 218, 326. 
 
 Eunice, 21. 
 
 Ezekiel, 205. 
 
 Isaac, 85. 
 
 Lucy, 139. 
 
 Moses, 21. 
 
 Peabody, 78, 82, 86, 
 88, 94, 97, 100, 190, 
 208, 224. 
 
 Sarah, 139. 
 
 Thomas, 18, 19, 21, 27, 
 29. 
 
 William, 172, 173, 190. 
 Howard, Asa, 172. 
 
 Josiah, 172. 
 
 Nathaniel, 19. 
 
 Nelson S., 191, 352. 
 Howe, Abner, 196, 224. 
 
 Albert C, 191, 193, 
 
 215. 357. 379- 
 Daniel, 351. 
 David, 225. 
 Rev. George M., 171. 
 Joseph M., 264, 268. 
 Josiah D., 358. 
 Levi H., 360. 
 Luther B., 264. 
 Nathan B., 198. 
 N. R., 191, 198. 
 Oscar, 198. 
 William R., 191, 264, 
 
 352, 354- 
 Howard House, 352. 
 
 HoYT, Asa, 225. 
 
 Benjamin, 87. 
 
 David, 87, 212, 244. 
 Hubbard, Charles H., 
 368. 
 
 Ephraim, 205. 
 
 Rev. Ebenezer, 150. 
 
 Rev. George, 157. 
 
 Lucy, 177. 
 
 T., 94, 96. 
 
 W. B., 199. 
 Hubbardston, 23, 30. 
 Hudson, Reuben, 230. 
 Hunt, John, 244. 
 Hutchinson, Arthur E., 
 217. 
 
 Thomas, 19, 20. 
 Hutchinson, see Barre. 
 
 Ice business, 368. 
 
 Incorporation, 92. 
 
 Indian deed, 14. 
 
 Indian massacre at Rut- 
 land, 66. 
 
 Indian tribes, 10. 
 
 Ingersoll, Mr., 47. 
 
 Innholders and tav- 
 erns, 355. 
 
 Instruction in schools, 
 208. 
 
 Jackson, Herbert A., 
 
 361. 
 Jardner meadow, 2. 
 Jewett, Samuel, 82. 
 Samuel J., 198, 199, 
 
 364- 
 Zenas, 172. 
 Johnson, Edward, 68, 69. 
 Rev. Charles T., 177. 
 Rev. Elias, 174. 
 Joseph, 70. 
 William, 70, 240. 
 William 2d, 264. 
 Johnson's farm, 68. 
 Jones, Ebenezer, 77, 96, 
 104, 130, 135, 138, 
 140, 144, 190, 193, 
 196, 202, 219, 220, 
 224, 230, 235, 238, 
 
 355- 
 Elisha, 203. 
 Ephraim, 225, 230, 
 
 235- 
 
 Jones, Isaac, 96, 202. 
 John, 82, 89, 96, 193, 
 202-204, 220, 224, 
 226, 228, 230; letter 
 to wife, 242. 
 Jonathan, 96. 
 Lemuel, 36, 96. 
 Nathan, 87, 225, 230. 
 Thomas, 196. 
 Jones meadow, 2. 
 JosLYN, Silas, 87. 
 JoYNER, Edward, 38, 82. 
 William, 38, 77, 96, 
 
 lOI. 
 
 "Joy rides," 350. 
 
 Kelly, Daniel S., 264, 
 
 268. 
 Kendall, Flora, 217. 
 
 Isaac, 225, 228, 230. 
 
 J. Warren, 264. 
 
 Samuel, 225. 
 
 Warren, 215. 
 
 , 158. 
 
 Keyes, Amos H., 198. 
 
 Anna, 329. 
 
 Atwood B., 191, 198. 
 
 Cyprian, 82, 196, 233, 
 258. 
 
 David, 225. 
 
 Ephraim, 212, 244. 
 
 Ezra, 359. 
 
 Ezra S., 191. 
 
 George E., 264. 
 
 Henry P., 193, 198. 
 
 Israel, 86, 212, 230, 
 236, 258. 
 
 John, 85, 212. 
 
 Jonas, 90, 141, 172, 
 201, 224, 230, 235. 
 
 Jonathan, 196. 
 
 Lucretia, 141. 
 
 Lucy, 326-337. 
 
 Patience, 139, 143. 
 
 Patty, 329. 
 
 Peabody, 230, 258. 
 
 Prudence, 143. 
 
 Robert, 77, 85, 96, 
 126, 130, 131, 138, 
 139. 183, 190, 201, 
 204, 325, 327, 329; 
 petition to General 
 Court, 331-334- 
 
 Silas, 205, 212. 
 
422 
 
 Index 
 
 Keyes, Solomon, 196. 
 Thomas, 233. 
 Timothy, 78, 82, 94, 
 97, 100, 130, 138- 
 140, 142. 
 KiLBURN, Calvin, 87, 88, 
 
 212, 233, 236. 
 King Philip, 346. 
 KiRBON, John, 361. 
 Michael, 215. 
 Thomas, 215. 
 Kneeland, Samuel, 64. 
 Kneeland's farm, 64. 
 Knight, Jonathan, 100. 
 Knowles, George H., 
 217. 
 
 "Laborer's Friend," 
 
 newspaper, 5. 
 Lack, James, 242, 243. 
 Lakin, Abel, 361. 
 Lamb, Major, 358. 
 Land, 3. 
 
 Land purchases, 12. 
 Lee, Henry, 26. 
 Levally, Godfrey, 264. 
 Lewis, Dr. E. S., 369. 
 George, 176. 
 Rev. Joseph W., 177. 
 Library, 4. 
 Lighting, 5, 368. 
 Lightning strokes, 177. 
 Lincoln, George W., 
 
 264. 
 Litchfield, Rev. Paul, 
 
 157. 159- 
 Little Wachusett, i. 
 Littlejohn, Hannah, 
 
 139. 141- 
 
 Marah, 143. 
 
 Thomas, 335. 
 
 Tilly, 77, 96, 131, 135, 
 138, 140, 183, 190, 
 201, 204, 224, 333, 
 335; epitaph, 337; 
 chronology, 338, 
 
 339- 
 LiVERMORE, Aaron, 244. 
 
 Jonathan, 125, 184. 
 LOKER, Andrew J., 264, 
 268. 
 Loren, 264. 
 LORING, Charles E., 264. 
 Rev. Israel, 45. 
 
 LoRiNG, Joseph, 264. 
 
 Leander, 264. 
 Lost child, 326-337. 
 LoTHROP, Isaac, 47. 
 Love, Rev. Archibald S., 
 171. 
 
 Charles T., 264. 
 LovELL, Rev. Nehemiah 
 
 G., 175- 
 Lyceum, 378. 
 Lyon, Alanson, 85. 
 
 Asa of Hubbardston, 
 172. 
 
 Seth, 85. 
 
 Simeon, 82. 
 
 Mahan, Thomas, 264. 
 Malcolm, William, 264. 
 Maley, John E., 198. 
 Manufactures, 4. 
 Marble, John, 85. 
 Marcou, J. B., 193, 369. 
 Marini, Paul, 264. 
 
 George, 265. 
 Markers for Soldiers, 
 
 235- 
 Market wagons, 359. 
 Martin, George, 265. 
 Mason, Henry A., 193, 
 368. 
 
 James, 265. 
 
 John, 244. 
 
 John B., 191. 
 
 Joseph, 190, 192, 193. 
 
 Lemuel, 172. 
 
 Sadey, 77, 78, 87, 88, 
 94, 97, 100, 130, 
 180, 183, 185, 190, 
 192, 193, 196, 201, 
 203, 205, 218, 220, 
 241, 258. 
 
 Samuel F., 326. 
 
 Silas, 87, 173, 213. 
 
 Thomas, 77, 78, 87, 88, 
 94, 97, 100, 130, 180, 
 192, 196, 203, 205, 
 212, 228, 230, 236. 
 
 William, 196. 
 Matthews, Foster E., 
 
 373-, 
 Franklin E., 265. 
 Francis E., 265, 268. 
 Joel, 141. 
 John, 244. 
 
 Matthews, Lucy, 139, 
 
 141, 143, 145, 
 Paul, 77, 86, 96, 135, 
 
 141, 158, 183, 190, 
 
 202, 230, 244. 
 Mayflower, 4. 
 M ayhew. Experience, 59. 
 Mayhew's farm, 58. 
 Maynard, Artemas, 82, 
 
 233- 
 
 Azor, 196. 
 
 Charles H., 265, 268. 
 
 Jabez, 230, 240. 
 
 Joe, 360. 
 McAllester, Reuben, 
 
 230. 
 McKernan, Michael, 
 
 265. 
 McKinley, David, 265. 
 McMallen, William, 
 
 230. 
 McMillan, Samuel, 
 
 230, 238. 
 McQuade, Thomas, 265. 
 McWiLLiAMS, George, 
 
 265. 
 Mead, Jabez, 77, 230. 
 Meadow land area, 2. 
 Meadow lots, 28-30. 
 Meeting house, 162, 
 163. 
 
 first, 123, 128. 
 Mellen, Rev. Mr., 140. 
 Meriam, Amos, 86, 162, 
 163, 190, 193, 212. 
 
 Clark, 198. 
 
 J. Edwin, 193. 
 
 Joel, 172. 
 
 John N., 265. 
 
 Joseph, 192. 
 
 Marchal, 192. 
 
 Nathan, 192. 
 
 Widow, 213. 
 Meriam family, 60. 
 Methodist church, 176, 
 
 177; burned, 177. 
 Mexican War, 260. 
 Middle District, 202. 
 Miles, Nabby, 321. 
 MiLBURY, Mr., 47. 
 Miller, Edward P., 265. 
 
 John, 172. 
 
 Joseph, 125, 184. 
 Miller place, 206. 
 
Index 
 
 423 
 
 Mines, 3. 
 
 MiNOT, , 202. 
 
 Minute men, 223, 224. 
 
 MiRiCK, Caleb, 77, 86, 
 89, 96, 104, 125, 
 126, 130, 133, 138, 
 140, 142, 154, 183, 
 185, 190, 192, 196, 
 202, 224, 226, 244, 
 
 258- 356, 357- 
 Caleb S., 191, 192. 
 Charles, 88, 190, 193, 
 
 194, 197, 213, 214, 
 
 244. 
 Charles A., 191. 
 Clark, 190. 
 
 Dorothy, 86, 139, 141. 
 Ephraim, 72, 85, 90, 
 
 143, 190, 192, 193, 
 
 213, 225. 
 Ephraim Jr., 90, 173, 
 
 190, 192. 
 Ethel R., 217. 
 Eunice, 139, 141. 
 E., 2d, 213. 
 George, 265. 
 George L., 265. 
 George Waldo, 265. 
 Harvey C, 265, 268. 
 James, 19, 193, 196, 
 
 202, 230. 
 James Jr., 82, 96, 130, 
 
 138, 139, 183, 190, 
 
 356, 357- 
 John, 36, 86, 96, 172, 
 
 174, 184, 190, 196, 
 
 202, 230, 244. 
 John Jr., 172, 173, 190. 
 John A., 191. 
 John D., 268. 
 John W., 190. 
 Josiah, 82, 196, 202, 
 
 225, 228, 230. 
 
 J. c. P., 191,355- 
 
 Lucretia, 322. 
 Pamelia, 322. 
 Paul M., 191, 193. 
 Ruth, 86, 89. 
 Sewall, 190, 192, 215, 
 
 225. 
 Sewall G., 192. 
 Stephen, 90, 162, 172, 
 
 190, 212, 233, 236, 
 
 244. 
 
 MiRiCK & Russell, 361. 
 MiRicK,JohnD.,G.A.R. 
 
 Post 99, 268. 
 Mitchell, Thomas, 242, 
 
 243- 
 "Monadnock," Whit- 
 tier's poem, 348- 
 
 349- 
 
 Moody, George B., 265. 
 
 Moore, Abijah, 77, 96, 
 126, 138, 140, 181, 
 183, 184, 189, 192, 
 
 230. 327- 355- 
 
 Boaz, 77, 87, 94, 97, 
 100, 104, 126, 130, 
 190, 191, 192, 194, 
 203, 204, 218, 219, 
 226, 228, 230, 236, 
 241,244,248,356. 
 
 Eunice, 139, 141. 
 
 Humphrey, 82, 87, 
 192, 204, 228, 230. 
 
 Jacob, 196. 
 
 John, 193. 
 
 Widow Mary, 213. 
 
 Molly, 88. 
 
 Uriah, 86, 162, 196, 
 230, 236, 258. 
 
 Willard, 226, 230. 
 Moore's tavern, 181. 
 Morse, Rev. Appleton, 
 
 175- 
 Jacob, 82, 203, 225, 
 
 228, 230, 247. 
 Joshua, 230. 
 William G., 354, 357. 
 MosMAN, Abel, 225, 231. 
 Joshua, 38, 225, 231. 
 Oliver, 225, 231, 238, 
 
 245- 
 Samuel, 135, 138, 140, 
 189, 196, 201, 204, 
 225. 
 Timothy, 238. 
 Timothy Jr., 201, 233. 
 William, 204. 
 Mount Adams, celebra- 
 tion, 347. 
 Mount Pleasant House, 
 
 352. 
 Mount Wachusett res- 
 ervation, 354. 
 Mountain House, 351. 
 Mountain laurel, 4. 
 
 Mudge, Joseph, 233. 
 Mundon, Ephraim, 173. 
 MuNjov, Benjamin, 173. 
 
 John, 85. 
 
 Nathan, 244. 
 Munroe, Reuben, 89. 
 
 Timothy, 234. 
 MuRDOCK, Henry E., 
 199. 
 
 Rev. James, 167, 208. 
 
 J- 213. 
 Murray, Joshua, 185. 
 MuscoPAUG pond, 14, 
 
 15- 
 Muzzy, Benjamin, 45, 
 
 46, 327. 
 Ephraim, 205. 
 William, 77, 78, 94, 
 
 97, 100, 130, 180, 
 
 190, 193, 196, 203, 
 
 234- 
 Muzzy's farm, 45. 
 Mynan, Jabez, 228. 
 
 Name, 5. 
 
 Natural products, 3. 
 
 Napper, Thomas, 228, 
 
 231. 
 Needham, Everett W., 
 
 355- 
 Newspaper, 5. 
 New Way, 11. 
 Newton, Artemas, 258. 
 Charles, 86, 88. 
 Joel, 244. 
 Jonathan, 231. 
 Uriah, 82, 87, 196, 
 203, 205, 212, 225, 
 228, 231, 258. 
 Nichols, 82, 96, 183, 
 
 196. 
 Nicklin, Rev. Charles, 
 
 177. 
 NiPMUCK Territory, 12. 
 Nipnet or Nipmuc coun- 
 try, 9- 
 Noon, Rev. John, 177. 
 Norcross, Ephraim, 
 231, 241. 
 Isaac, 204, 225, 231. 
 Jacob, 85, 224, 231. 
 Joseph, 82, 138, 140, 
 
 202. 
 Noah, 138, 140, 204. 
 
424 
 
 Index 
 
 NoRCRoss, Ruth, 139, 
 141. 
 
 Sarah, 139, 141. 
 
 Northeasterly Dis- 
 trict, 204. 
 
 No Town, 107. 
 
 NouRSE, Joshua, 218. 
 
 NusucK, Ruth, an In- 
 dian, 60. 
 
 Nutting, David, 225. 
 
 Oakham, 23, 30. 
 Oaks, Sylvanus, 83, 225, 
 
 231. 
 Oldham, John, 11, 
 Oliver, A., 103. 
 
 T., 96. 
 Ordination of Mr. Mur- 
 
 dock, 168. 
 Organ, 171. 
 
 OsBORN, Jonathan, 231. 
 Osgood, David, 205. 
 Ephraim, 83, 90, 193, 
 
 204. 
 Houghton, 90, 215, 
 
 244. 
 Oliver, 191, 193. 
 Oulton, Jonathan, 28, 
 29. 
 
 Packard, Eleazer, 225, 
 
 228, 231. 
 Padgham, Edward A., 
 
 353- 
 Page, George E., 265. 
 Paine, Rev. Benjamin, 
 
 176, 177- 
 Paint for meeting house, 
 
 133- 
 Park, Benjamin, 86. 
 
 Daniel, Jr., 225. 
 Parker, Abner G., 108. 
 Daniel, 190. 
 David, 77, 203, 204. 
 Ebenezer, 190-192, 
 
 234, 236, 258, 356. 
 Ebenezer, Jr., 190, 
 
 192. 
 Francis, 57. 
 Frederick, 191-193. 
 George R., 265. 
 George W., 265. 
 Henry A., 265, 268. 
 Isaac, 224, 228, 231. 
 
 Parker, John, 86, 88. 
 
 Levi, 231, 241. 
 
 Moses, 19, 27, 29, 30. 
 
 Nehemiah, 234, 236. 
 
 Philemon, 86. 
 
 Quincy, 196, 197, 244. 
 
 Solomon, 204. 
 
 Solomon P., 83, 244. 
 
 Thomas, 85, 356. 
 
 William, 193, 212. 
 
 W. K., 364. 
 Parker Burial Ground, 
 
 371. 
 Parkhurst, Daniel, 231. 
 George, 83, 196, 202, 
 
 231. 
 William, 225, 231. 
 Parmenter, Charles, 83, 
 87, 97, 204. 
 Levi, 143, 286. 
 Luther, 86, 225, 231, 
 
 238. 
 Reuben, 83, 86, 213, 
 226. 
 Parsonage, 167. 
 Partridge, Daniel W., 
 266. 
 Dr., 353- 
 Lyman, 374. 
 Lyman F., 266. 
 Warren, 192. 
 Patterson, Andrew, 83, 
 
 225, 234. 
 Paxton, 30. 
 Peder, D. a., 199. 
 Pemberton, James, 30. 
 Pensions, 236, 237. 
 Perkins, John, 361, 379. 
 Perry, Aaron, 77, 86, 
 96, 130, 196, 203, 
 213, 322. 
 Anna, 322. 
 Elisha, 172. 
 Nathan, 172, 213, 321, 
 
 322. 
 Silas, 321. 
 Pews, chosen, 131; sold, 
 
 164. 
 Pew owners, 130. 
 Phelps, James, 190. 
 Joseph, 83, 203, 212, 
 224, 356, 357- 
 Phillips, Rev. Alonzo, 
 80, 170. 
 
 Phillips, Jonathan, 225. 
 Pierce, Jonas, 225, 231. 
 
 Samuel, 125, 184. 
 Pine Hill, i. 
 Pine Hill House, 353. 
 Pinkham, George R., 
 
 217. 
 Pitacum, Indian, 14, 15. 
 Plaisted, Thomas, 47, 
 
 48, 57, 59- 
 
 Plympton, Silas, 203. 
 
 Polls, 6. 
 
 Pompomamay, Indian, 
 14. 
 
 Ponds, 2. 
 
 Porter, Rev. George, 
 176. 
 
 Population, 4. 
 
 Postage rates, 362. 
 
 Postmasters and Post- 
 offices, 361. 
 
 Potash farm, 46. 
 
 Poutwater, 24. 
 
 Powers, Amos, 83, 94, 
 96, 183, 202. 
 John, 213. 
 
 Jonathan, 96, 201, 204, 
 225, 231. 
 
 Pownall, Gov., 96, 103. 
 
 Pratt, Antemas E., 198. 
 Charles F., 364. 
 George E., 191, 198, 
 
 379- 
 Harriet, 353. 
 I. E., 191, 193. 
 H. v., 364. 
 Joel, 376. 
 John D., 376. 
 Pratt's Cottage, 353. 
 Prentice, Henry, 167, 
 
 190, 213, 244. 
 Presbyterian Church, 
 
 169. 
 Prescott, Benjamin, 27, 
 
 30- 
 Jonathan, 21. 
 Preston, John, 266. 
 Prince Library, 117. 
 Prince, Rev. Thomas, 
 
 26, 27; gift to, 28; 
 
 biography, 109-121. 
 Princeton established, 
 
 102. 
 Princeton Club, 378. 
 
Index 
 
 425 
 
 Princeton Inn, 176, 
 
 351- 
 Princeton Plan, 33. 
 Princeton Post Offices 
 
 in U. S., 365. 
 Princeton as a summer 
 
 resort, 350. 
 Prospect House, 176, 
 
 351- 
 Protest, 97, 131. 
 
 against town action, 78. 
 against Dr. Harvey, 
 180. 
 Prout, Mr., 47. 
 Psalms, 113. 
 PuAGASTioN, Indian, 14. 
 Purchases from the In- 
 dians, 13. 
 Putnam, William, 45. 
 
 Quarries, 3. 
 Queen Anne's War, 15. 
 Quinapoxet pond, 2. 
 QuiGLEY, Thomas, 266. 
 QuiNCY, Edmund, 47. 
 Quinlan, Jerry, 266. 
 Quota, 237. 
 
 Railroads, 365-368. 
 
 Rainfall, 3. 
 
 Raising of meeting 
 
 house, 126, 164. 
 Ralf, Edward, 87. 
 
 Stephen, 86. 
 Ralle, Father, 63. 
 Ralph, Susanna, 89. 
 Ramer, John, 85. 
 
 Thomas, 85. 
 Randall, Joseph, 266. 
 
 Samuel, 178. 
 Rawson, Edward, 69. 
 Ray, Abel, 38, 77, 96, 
 138, 140, 183, 201. 
 
 Asa, 234. 
 Raymond, Daniel, 231. 
 
 William, 83, 203. 
 Raymore, E., 212. 
 
 Edward, 91. 
 
 James, 231. 
 
 John, 231. 
 
 Jonas, 231. 
 
 Thomas, 83, 91, 231. 
 Rebellion, recapitula- 
 tion, 261. 
 Records, lost, 179. 
 
 Redemption Rock, 345; 
 purchase by G. F. 
 Hoar, 346. 
 Reed, Benjamin, 87. 
 Charles W, 191, 373. 
 Joel, 213. 
 
 Joseph A., 197, 356. 
 Joseph P., 266, 268. 
 Nathan B., 191, 193. 
 N., 213. 
 Reeves, Rev. Charles 
 
 E., 171. 
 Rejoinder, 98. 
 Religious Freedom Act, 
 
 170. 
 Religious organization, 
 
 4- 
 Resolutions, revolu- 
 tionary, 219. 
 Revolutionary War, 
 
 218. 
 Rice, Asa, 87, 172, 205. 
 David, 86, 90, 190, 
 
 192, 247, 356. 
 Elijah, 87. 
 Henry, 83. 
 Isaac, 244. 
 Joel, 85, 202. 
 Jonah, 172. 
 Luther, 225. 
 Mary, 89. 
 Solomon, 86, 247. 
 William, 85. 
 Richards, Belcher, 83, 
 205. 
 Mary, 161. 
 Richardson, H. C, 191. 
 Josiah, 172, 244. 
 Lucy, 172. 
 Moses, 234. 
 Peter, 357. 
 Samuel, 85, 197, 240, 
 
 244. 
 Sewall, 192, 193. 
 William, 52, 58, 83, 
 86, 189, 190, 196, 
 213,214,355,358. 
 Rider, Eleazer, 225. 
 Riley, James, 266. 
 Robbins, Philemon, 225, 
 231. 
 Samuel, 87. 
 Samuel, Jr., 225, 228, 
 231. 
 
 Robinson, Charles, 266. 
 
 James, 204. 
 Rogers, Eliphalet, 83, 
 
 85, 225, 231. 
 Rolph, Rev. John, 212. 
 
 Solomon, 89, 172, 225. 
 
 Stephen, 77, 204. 
 
 Susannah, 280. 
 Roper, Benjamin, 85, 
 
 234- 
 Edward R., 266, 268. 
 Francis, 266, 268. 
 Ephraim, 225, 228, 
 
 231. 
 Eugene D., 193. 
 John, 192, 234, 244. 
 Manasseh, 225. 
 Samuel, 374. 
 William M., 191, 217. 
 Wilson, 351,354. 
 Roper Lumber and Box 
 
 company, 374. 
 Rowan, James, 241. 
 John, 241. 
 Thomas, 241. 
 Rowlandson, Joseph, 
 14, 18, 27, 29. 
 Mrs., 324, 345. 
 Royal E.xchange Tav- 
 ern, 26. 
 Rozer, Robert, 83, 97, 
 
 203, 204, 234. 
 RuGG, Amos, 231. 
 David, 228, 231. 
 George, 217. 
 Joseph,77,78, 87, 130, 
 
 138, 139, 180, 183. 
 Reuben, 58. 
 RuGGLES, Timothy, 56, 
 
 57, 201, 240, 356. 
 Russell, Charles, 191, 
 192, 199, 214, 361, 
 
 364- 
 Charles T., 402. 
 John, 85, 90, 246, 356, 
 
 357- 
 Rev. Joseph, 161, 162, 
 
 167. 
 Thomas H., 326. 
 Rutland, East Wing, 8, 
 
 22. 
 Indian massacres, 24, 
 
 66. 
 name, 17. 
 
426 
 
 Index 
 
 Rutland, plan, 20. 
 records, 30, 402. 
 
 Salter, William, 27, 30. 
 Samson, John, 36. 
 Sanatorium, 380. 
 Sanborn, Henry F., 193. 
 Sargent, Amos, 189, 
 213, 225, 244. 
 Daniel, 86, 234. 
 Elizabeth, 139, 143. 
 Epes, 61. 
 Joseph, 89, 156, 226, 
 
 246, 355. 356. 
 Joseph Jr.; 224. 
 Savage, Abraham, 203, 
 204, 225. 
 Edward, 294, 297. 
 Jacob, 205, 225. 
 Seth, 83, 87, 196, 203, 
 204, 212, 218, 234, 
 236. 
 Savery, Thomas, 231. 
 Sawen, Ezekiel, 85, 234. 
 Joel, 225, 228, 231. 
 John, 172. 
 Jm 234. 
 Paul, 172. 
 Sawyer, Elisha, 70. 
 Evander E., 266. 
 James, 231, 238. 
 Rev. Porter R., 177. 
 Schools, 4. 
 expenses, 211. 
 first, 205. 
 houses, 206. 
 items, 213, 214. 
 location, 215. 
 School Grants, 215, 216. 
 Superintendents, 217. 
 School master, first, 
 
 200. 
 ScHULTZE, Ernest, 266. 
 Scott, Isaac E., 266. 
 
 John, 34, 55. 
 Seats in meeting house, 
 
 132. 
 Sewall, Joseph, 118. 
 Samuel, 17, 18, 30. 
 Sever, Asabel R., 172. 
 Shays rebellion, 246. 
 Sheldon, Edward W., 
 
 364- 
 Sherman, Charles, 266. 
 
 Silver service, 147. 
 Silverthorne, Rev. 
 
 William, 177, 
 Simons, Lois, 172. 
 Situation, i. 
 Skinner, Antemas H., 
 266. 
 
 Charles E., 266. 
 
 Charles P., 197, 198. 
 
 Ephraim, 204. 
 
 G. O., 191-193. 359- 
 
 Harlow, 174, 190, 193, 
 
 197. 198. 
 Thomas H., 193, 198, 
 
 199. 
 William, 83, 203, 234. 
 Smith, Addison, 193, 
 198. 
 Amasa, 354. 
 Benjamin, 225. 
 Braddyl, 96. 
 Chandler, 173, 214. 
 Charles, 173. 
 Cyrus, 357, 358. 
 David F., 198, 361. 
 Ebenezer, 191, 192. 
 Ephraim, 225. 
 Francis H., 197, 198, 
 
 266. 
 Hugh, 234. 
 George, 94, 97, 100, 
 
 203, 205. 
 Isaac, 86. 
 John, 266. 
 Jonas, 89, 196, 212, 
 
 213. 258. 
 Jonathan, 83, 203. 
 Joseph, 85. 
 Nathan, 83, 87, 88, 
 
 203, 225. 
 William, 213. 
 Snow, John, 57. 
 
 Warren, 83, 203. 
 Soil, 3. 
 
 Solomon, Peter, 231. 
 Sosowonow, Indian, 14. 
 South Wachusett brook, 
 
 2. 
 Southerly district, 203. 
 Sparhawk, Nathan, 
 
 226. 
 Spooner, Joshua, 57. 
 Spring, Amos, 36, 77, 
 96, 183, 225, 234. 
 
 Spring, Henry, Jr., 36, 
 96. 
 James, 77. 
 Jonathan, 96. 
 Thomas, 234. 
 Stage lines, 360. 
 Stairs in meeting house, 
 
 32. 
 Standley, Ichabod, 83, 
 
 203, 224, 225. 
 State reservation, 2. 
 Stearns, Benjamin, 231, 
 241. 
 Eli, 225, 231. 
 Jonas, 88. 
 William, 172. 
 Stevens, Cyprian, 14, 
 18, 27-30. 
 Fred R., 199. 
 Isaac, 66. 
 
 Jacob, 19, 21, 27, 29. 
 Jonas, 86. 
 Joseph, 66. 
 Rev. Nathaniel F., 
 
 177. 
 Phineas, 68. 
 Stevens farm, 65. 
 Stevenson, Samuel, 190, 
 193, 213, 240, 361, 
 
 364- 
 Stewart, John, 231. 
 
 Joseph M., 197. 
 Stickney, Moses, 225. 
 Stiles, Joshua, 225, 231, 
 Stillriver, 2. 
 Stimpson, J. H., 199. 
 Stocks, 160. 
 Stoddard, Anthony, 30. 
 Stone, Rev. William R. 
 
 177. 
 Stoughton, William, 12. 
 Stove in meeting house, 
 
 134. 165. 
 Stoves, 206. 
 Stratton, Isaac, 83,202, 
 
 234- 
 Jabez, 77, 202, 225. 
 John, 215. 
 
 Samuel, 87, 190, 212, 
 231. 
 Streams, 2. 
 
 Street lighting, 5, 368. 
 Stuart, Benjamin, 172. 
 B. & Son, 373. 
 
Index 
 
 427 
 
 Stuart, James, 242, 243. 
 
 Ralph Rice, 172. 
 Study, course of, 16. 
 St. George, Alexander, 
 
 198, 199. 364- 
 
 Suit against town, 156. 
 
 Summit House, 354. 
 
 Summer resort, Prince- 
 ton as a, 350. 
 
 Sumner, Daniel, 83, 96, 
 196, 204, 225. 
 Joel, 232. 
 
 Sunset rock, 126. 
 
 Supplies for pulpit, 157, 
 158. 
 
 Supplies for soldiers, 
 238-240. 
 
 SuMPAUGE pond, 15. 
 
 Surface, i. 
 
 Sweeney, James, 266. 
 
 Symonds, I., 213. 
 
 Tablet, memorial, 268, 
 
 269. 
 Tainter, Benjamin, 83, 
 130, 190, 196, 234. 
 
 Joseph, 143. 
 Tame, Joseph, 242, 243. 
 Taverns, 355. 
 Ta\xor, Ezra, 52. 
 
 William, 19, 27, 29. 
 Tax list, 88. 
 Teachers, 209, 210. 
 Telephone service, 5, 
 
 368. 
 Temperature, 3. 
 Temple, Charles B., 192. 
 
 John H., 373. 
 
 Joshua, 190. 
 
 Lydia, 177. 
 
 Samuel, 240. 
 
 Willard, 359. 
 Terrill, Joseph, 266. 
 Thacher, John, 234. 
 
 Obediah, 83, 86, 88, 
 234. 244. 
 
 Thomas, 234. 
 
 Rev. Peter, 154. 
 Thaxter, Samuel, 47. 
 Third church edifice, 
 
 170. 
 Th DMAS, saiah, 376. 
 Thompson, A. G., 191, 
 193. 198- 
 
 Thompson, Charles H., 
 
 191. 193- 
 Frederick G., 267, 268. 
 Isiiac, 83, 86, 203, 213, 
 
 225, 228, 236. 
 Isaac ¥., 350, 351. 
 James, 77, 78, 94, 97, 
 
 100, 126, 180, 185, 
 
 232, 241, 297. 
 John, 90. 
 Josei)h, 235. 
 Samuel, 224, 232, 287. 
 William, 190, 193, 201, 
 
 203, 204, 220, 222, 
 
 356- 
 Tillotson, Jonathan 
 
 Jr., 232, 238. 
 Title worthless, 16. 
 Tilton, Joseph, 86. 
 TORGER, Orvin L., 267. 
 Torrey, William, 69. 
 Tower, Ambrose, 83, 96. 
 
 Isaac, 235. 
 
 Jeduthan, 235. 
 
 Jonathan, 235. 
 
 Joseph, 83, 96. 
 Town erected, 104. 
 Town, meetings, 134. 
 
 number of, 199. 
 
 fund, 179. 
 
 officers, 189-199. 
 Townsend, Penn, 28, 30. 
 
 Peter, IQ. 
 Training land, 223. 
 Trask, Indian, 14. 
 
 John, 225, 232, 238. 
 Treadaway, Benjamin, 
 
 225, 232. 
 Treating, 259. 
 Trowbridge, John, 361. 
 TwEDEL, Edward, 267. 
 TuTTLE, F. L., 199. 
 
 Joseph, 196. 
 
 Underwood, Israel, 86. 
 
 Joseph, 83. 
 
 Lois, 321. 
 Union Congregational 
 
 Church, 170. 
 Universalists, 178. 
 
 Valuations, 6. 
 Vance? 
 
 Vanes, William, 232. 
 ? William, 232. 
 
 Vaudreil, Gov., 63. 
 Vinton, Rev. Porter M., 
 
 VosE, John, 193. 
 
 Wachusett mountain, 
 
 I- 324- 
 
 Wachusett Mountain 
 Company, 325, 354. 
 
 Wachusett pond, 2. 
 
 Wachusett House, 350. 
 
 Waldo, Cornelius, 28, 29. 
 Samuel, 28, 30. 
 
 Wales, Abigail, 85. 
 
 Walker, Rev. John, 174. 
 
 Walton, C. S., 191. 
 Mary (Brown) Bart- 
 lett, 215. 
 
 Wananacampan, In- 
 dian, 14. 
 
 Ward, Nahum, 47. 
 
 Ware river, 2. 
 
 Warner, M. H., 364. 
 
 Watson, Jacob W., 167, 
 190, 359- 
 John, 86, 89, 165, 190, 
 212, 213, 215, 247. 
 John W., 178, 192, 
 
 193. 197- 
 
 William A., 267. 
 
 William W., 197. 
 Watson's Quarter, 212. 
 Watertown Farms, 34. 
 Way, Frank, 215. 
 Welch, Henry H., 267. 
 
 J. Wilder, 267. 
 West, Benjamin, 294. 
 
 Ellen, 215. 
 
 Sarah A., 301. 
 Wetherbee, George F., 
 
 364- 
 Jonathan Z., 191, 193. 
 Josiah, Jr., 83. 
 Wheeler, Adam, 250. 
 Ephraim, 83, 94, 97. 
 Isaac, 77, 78, 83, 94, 
 97, 100, 180, 185, 
 218, 235. 
 Isaac Jr., 94, 100, 180. 
 Whitaker, VVilliam, 85, 
 
 87, 163, 232. 
 Whitcomb, Asa, 41, 87, 
 190, 192, 235, 336. 
 John, 88. 125, 184. 
 
428 
 
 Index 
 
 Whitcomb, Joseph, 191- 
 
 193. 198, 364- 
 J. Anson, 198. 
 Warren H., 364. 
 William H., 267. 
 White, Benjamin, 242, 
 
 243- 
 Rev. Charles A., 171. 
 George E., 267. 
 John, 30. 
 Joseph, 19. 
 S., 103. 
 Whitney, Andrew, 85, 
 
 89, 190, 212, 213, 
 
 235, 236, 244. 
 Augustine, 267. 
 Edward C, 352. 
 Harry C, 352. 
 John, 178, 192, 194, 
 
 197, 199, 240. 
 Jonathan, 192. 
 Joseph, 225. 
 Samuel, 232. 
 Silas, 83, 96, 183. 
 Whittaker, Charles A., 
 
 191. 352. 
 Whitteker, William, 
 
 224, 228, 244. 
 Whittelow, Mathew, 
 
 232, 238. 
 Whittemore, Isaac, 96. 
 
 Jeremiah, 36, 96. 
 Whitten, Matthew, 232. 
 Whittier's poem on 
 
 Monadnock, 348- 
 
 349- 
 Wickes, Rev. Henry, 
 
 171. 
 Wilcox, Benjamin F., 
 
 267. 
 Wild animals, 4. 
 Wilde, Abigail, 90. 
 Wilder, Elisha, 83, 96, 
 
 138, 140, 201, 204, 
 
 224, 232. 
 
 Wilder, Ivory, 358, 364. 
 
 Jonas, 226. 
 
 Jonathan, lOl, 336. 
 
 Joseph, 49, lOi. 
 
 Joshua, 71, 72, 76, 77. 
 
 Louisa, 143. 
 
 Mark, 198. 
 
 Mehitable, 139, 141. 
 
 Nahum, 190, 197, 205, 
 213. 
 
 Thomas, 190, 192. 
 Wilder's farm, 71. 
 Wilds, Elijah, 244. 
 WiLLARD, Aaron, 244. 
 
 Adam, 19, 26, 27. 
 
 Artemas, 85, 244. 
 
 Benjamin, 14, 18, 64, 
 
 83. 
 Brothers, 14. 
 Daniel, 18, 27. 
 Elizabeth, 19. 
 Henry, 14, 18, 27. 
 John, 18, 27, 29. 
 Jonathan, 18. 
 Joseph, 18, 27, 28, 30, 
 
 61-63. 
 Josiah, 18, 27, 30, 71. 
 Mary, 19, 27. 
 Phineas, 58. 
 Samuel, 26, 28, 129. 
 Sarah, 19. 
 Simon, 17, 18, 27, 30, 
 
 34- 
 Solomon, 86. 
 Willard's farm, 61, 62 
 
 WiLLINGS, Rev. 
 
 158. 
 Wilson, Benjamin, 38 
 83, 94, 97, 100, 201 
 204. 
 Edward, 38, 39, 83 
 
 loi, 183, 201. 
 Ephraim, 87, 89, 162 
 
 235- 
 George W., 267. 
 
 Wilson, Hamilton, 192. 
 
 Louis, 87. 
 
 White E., 213. 
 
 Dr. , 168. 
 
 Winn, Edward P., 267. 
 Willett, Hannah, 28. 
 Winship, Charles N., 
 
 267, 364. 
 Winslow, Edward, 43. 
 
 Isaac, 30. 
 Winthrop, Adam, 30. 
 
 John, 10. 
 Winthrop's Journal, 9. 
 Wiser, Indian, 14. 
 Woodland Cottage, 353. 
 Woodlawn Cemetery, 
 
 371- 
 Woods, Mrs. Edwin, 
 402. 
 Leonard, 212. 
 Otis, 193. 
 Robert Jr., 218. 
 • Samuel, 83, 87, 88, 
 156, 192, 202, 220, 
 232, 258. 
 Woodson, Ephraim, 
 
 246, 247. 
 Woodward, Jason, 240. 
 Woodward Swamp, 21. 
 Wooley, David, 87, 225. 
 
 Joseph, 202. 
 Woolson, Edward, 232. 
 Ephraim, 83, 133, 158, 
 190, 191, 193, 202, 
 219, 239, 356, 357. 
 Work, Robert, 83, 94. 
 Wosley, Joseph, 83. 
 Wright, Samuel, 21, 22. 
 Wyman, Charles, 83, 203. 
 John, 232,238. 
 Levi, 225, 228, 232, 
 
 238. 
 Thomas, 85, 244. 
 
 Zelie, Rev. John S., 171. 
 
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