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SKETCH 
 
 HISTORY OF ATTIifCSOMOfJGir, 
 
 i) tL 
 
 ITS SETTLEMEI^T 
 
 THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
 BY JOHJV DAGGETT. 
 
 ''-y of wasV. 
 
 H. MANX PRINTER. 
 
 1834. 
 

INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This little work is designed principally for the citizens of this town. Tho 
 iubj«ct is not presumed to be of sufficient interest to attract the particular attention 
 of strangers. 1 have, therefore, entered into details and local descriptions which 
 will not be interesting to readers in general, but only to those who are connect- 
 ed with the scene by association or locality. 
 
 The' work originated in a Lecture delivered before the Lyceum in Attleborough 
 in 1830, which was prepared without the most distant idea of publication. The 
 subject, though an eld one, being entirely new to the hearers, excited much in- 
 terest. At the earnest request of many of the most respectable citizens of the 
 town, I concluded to prepare it for publication, to be included in a mere pamph- 
 let of about 60 pages. In compliance with what seemed the general wish, pro- 
 posals were accordingly issued, to ascertain if sufficient encouragement would 
 be given to justify the undertaking. But in the prosecution of my researches, 
 new materials were found, and the work multiplied upon my hands, until it hai 
 extended to more than double its original size. 
 
 When the author attempted to prepare even a brief lecture on the subject and 
 began to make inquiries accordingly, he was told that it was in vain — that no 
 materials existed from which a sketch could be formed, particularly in relation 
 to our early history. The attempt indeed was at first discouraging. The field 
 was new and unexplored. There was no light ' to lead my blind way' through 
 the dark labyrinths of the past. Little or nothing was contained in other workt 
 to which I could refer for aid. The spot had almost escaped the prying curi- 
 osity of the antiquarian. I found, however, after diligent and laborious research, 
 facts enough to make up the present volume. 
 
 The materials which are here embodied have been derived mostly from orig- 
 inal sources. I have gathered 'here a little, and there a little.' Tradition hai 
 supplied a part— for some facts I am indebted to the recollections of the aged ; 
 others I have industriously gleaned from a mass of voluminous and almost illegi- 
 ble records and other manuscripts. I have left nothing nnsearched which might 
 throw light on the early history of the town. 
 
 The object of this work is not mere amusement, but the preservation of fact*. 
 I have, therefore, selected not merely what might be interesting at the present 
 time, but what might be valuable for future reference. Hence, some may think 
 that it is too minute in the relation of circumstances ; but others, knowing the 
 true objects of such a work, will be rather inclined to complain that it is not mi- 
 ante enough. Minuteness and detail are, in fact, the principal merit of local his- 
 tories. Such works will furnish materials for more general history. This is the 
 design ; — or at least, one great benefit to be derived from them is the collection 
 and preservation of fact! for a more full and perfect history of the country. Ma- 
 ny itami which have been collected together in these pages, however unimportant 
 
now, will be curiosities (o future geiierationsi They will become more interest- 
 ing, as time throwa its thickening shadows over the actors and events of the past. 
 I have seized the present moment and gathered what could be obtained from 
 tradition, and thus arrested what was rapidly passing info the gulf of oblivion. I 
 have been particularly minute in describing the transactions connected with the 
 Revolution. Those, who lived in that age — who saw and acted in the great 
 scenes which then transpired, and who alone can give us correct and circumstantial 
 accounts of that period, will, in a very few years more, have passed from the stage 
 of life ; and thus interesting and important facts will be irrecoverably lost to us 
 and to posterity, unless now rescued and embodied in a durable form. The 
 present is the only time to obtain minute and circnmstanlial accounts of the Rev- 
 olution. Even now, since the commencement of this work, several, from whom 
 I have obtained facts in relation to that period, have descended to the silence of 
 the grave. It is hoped, that every opportunity will be improved, to collect in- 
 formation from those who were personally engaged in the scenes of the Revolu- 
 tion, ere they shall all disappear from the stage of life. It is useless to disguise 
 that the labor and expense of collecting the materials and preparing the work, 
 brief and imperfect as it is, have far exceeded my expectations. Indeed , no one, 
 until he has tried the experiment, can fully appreciate the labor and patience and 
 perseverance which are requisite in connecting insulated facts and supplying brok- 
 en links in the chain, and the perplexity which is caused in reconciling apparent 
 contradictions and removing doubts. I have, however, no expectation of re- 
 ceiving an adequate compensation for the time and expense bestowed upon the 
 work ; but the consciousness of having redeemed from undeserved neglect the 
 names of our worthy forefathers, and rescued from oblivion many facts in the 
 history of my native town, which would otherwise have been irrecoverably lost, 
 will be, if not a suilicient reward, at least a consolation. 
 
 Such a work, I am aware, is of no great consequence to any but those who 
 are connected with the town. But it takes many little rills to make up the great 
 current of history. All these things tend to throw light on the interesting sub- 
 ject of our early history ; and, in this view, every historical fact, however mi- 
 nute or unimportant in itself, is valuable aud worthy of preservation. And it 
 may be truly said, that he has not labored in vain, who has added one new 
 truth to what is already known, or elucidated one dark spot in his country 'a 
 history. 
 
 In the extracts which have been made from ancient records, I have retained 
 the original dates, and the titles which were bestowed in accordance with the 
 custon) of former times. Even the most inferior titles then conferred some dis- 
 tinction. In the earliest records it is not uncommon to find ' Corporal and Ser- 
 geant ' such-a-one. Ensign, Lieut, and Capt. were invariably applied to those 
 who could claim the honor. Even the title of Mr. which is now without dis- 
 tinction, on account of its indiscriminate application, was once esteemed an honor 
 to which but few could aspire ! 
 
 I have labored to be accurace, but some errors have doubtless, escaped the 
 closest attention. If any should be observed, it will be esteemed a favor, if tbos© 
 who have the means will communicate the correction. 
 
 Attleborough, Jan. ISBl. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 In 1643 a company was formed at Weymouth, Mass. con- 
 sisting of Rev. Samuel Newman and a part of his congrega- 
 tion, for the purpose of establishing a new settlement in this 
 vicinity. They purchased a large tract of land of the Sachem 
 of Pokanoket, including Avhat is now Rehoboth, Seekonk, Paw- 
 tucket, and a part of Svvansea then known by the name of 
 "VVannamoisett ; and in the spring of 1644, removed to a place 
 then called by the Indians Seacunke, and commenced their 
 settlement around the Great Plain. This was the Rehoboth 
 purchase. Here the inhabitants continued, with many addi- 
 tions to their number, as a distmct settlement until June 4th, 
 1645, when they were adopted into the jurisdiction of Plym- 
 outh Colony, and incorporated as a township by the scriptural 
 name of Rehoboth. 
 
 In 1661, Captain Thomas Willet was employed by that 
 town to make a purchase of a new tract of land in their be- 
 half, having been first authorized and empowered by the Court 
 for that purpose. He accordingly purchased of TVamsiita* 
 a certain tract of land north of the town of Rehoboth, which 
 was called the Rehoboth North Purchase. It was bounded 
 
 * Sacfaein of Pokanoket, originally called Mooanain, afterwards Alexan- 
 der, the elder brother of King Phillip and sou of Massasoit. lie died in 
 the summer of 1662. His wife's name was Naniumpum. — ii'ee Drakt^s Indian 
 Biography. 
 
6 
 
 TTest by Pawtncket River, now the Blackstone ; North by the 
 Massachusetts Colony or the Bay line, (so called); East by 
 territory which was afterwards the Taunton North Purchase, 
 now Mansfield, Norton, and Easton ; and South by the ancient 
 Rehoboth, now Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket. This 
 purchase included Attleborough, Cumberland, R. I. and a 
 tract of a mile and a half* in width, extending east and west, 
 (which was annexed to Rehoboth as an enlargement,) and a 
 part of Mansfield and Norton. Tiiis purchase was afterwards, 
 viz. April 10th, IG66> granted and confirmed by the Plymouth 
 Government to the inhabitants of Rehoboth. 
 
 The following copy of the Indian Deed is taken from the 
 Old Colony Records. 
 
 A Deed appointed to be recorded. 
 
 Know all men, that I Wamsetta, alias Alexander, chief Sa- 
 chem of Pokanokett,t for divers good causes and valuable con- 
 siderations me thereunto moving, have bargained and sold unto 
 Captain Thomas Willett of Wannamoisett all those tracts of 
 land situate and being from the bounds of Rehoboth ranging 
 upon Patuckett River unto a place called Waweypounshag, the 
 place where one Blackston now sojourneth, and so ranging 
 along to the said river unto a place called Messanegtacaneh 
 and from this upon a straight line crossing through the woods 
 unto the uttermost bounds of a place called Mamantapett or 
 Wading River, and from the said River one mile and a half 
 upon an east line, and from thence upon a south line unfo the 
 bounds of the town of Rehoboth : To have and to hold unto 
 him the said Captain \yillett and his associates, their heirs and 
 assigns forever ; reserving only a competent portion of land 
 for some of the natives at Mishanegitaconelt for to plant and 
 sojourn upon, as the said Wnmsetta alias Alexander and the 
 said Thomas Willett jointly together siiall see meet ; and the 
 rest of all the land aforementioned, with all the woods, waters, 
 
 * It was gicen, verbally, to Kehobolli by tlie agents of the Court who 
 were appointed to convey the North Purchase to the Proprietors, and after- 
 war.lg re-annexed to Attleborough. 
 
 t Or Pocanaket, or Pawkunnawkut, a name applied to the whole domia- 
 ioa of King Phillip, whose personal tiibe was tbo Wauipanoags. 
 
meaciovvs, and all emoluments whatsoever to remain unto the 
 gaici Thomas WiJlett and !iis associates, their heirs and assigns 
 forever. Witness my hand and seal the eighth day of April in 
 the year 1661. 
 
 The mark of AX A 
 Signed^ scaled nnd delivered Wamsilta alias Alexander, 
 
 in presence of his seal [l. s.] 
 
 John Brown Jr. 
 
 Jonathan Bosworth, 
 
 Jobn Sassaman the Interpreter. 
 
 April 10th, 1666. V/itnesseth These Presents, that Captain 
 Thomas Wiilett above si'id liatli and doth hereby resign, deliv- 
 er and make over ail and sin^idar the liuids above mentioned, 
 purclia^ed of Wamsilta alias Alexander chief Sachem of Po- 
 canoUett, according nr.io the bounds above expressed, with all 
 and singular the benefits, privileges, and immunities thereunto 
 appertaining, unto Mv. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Wins- 
 low, Cant. Thomas Soulhvvoiih, and Mr. Constant South- 
 worth, in the behalf of the Colony of New Plymouth. In wit- 
 wess whereof he doth hereunto set his hand and seal. 
 Signed, scaled and delivered Thomas "Willett [Seal] 
 
 i7i presence of 
 
 Daniel Smith, 
 
 Nicholas Peck. 
 
 The following is the Grant or Deed* of tlic Government. 
 Know ail men by these presents, that we Thomas Prence, 
 Josias Winslow, Thomas Southworlh and Constant Southworth 
 by order of the General Court of New Plymouth, and in the 
 name and behalf of the said Colony of Plymouth, have and by 
 these presents do bargain, sell, alien, grant and confer and 
 make over unto ti;e proprietors of the town of Rehoboth (viz.) 
 unto all that hold there, from a fifty pound estate and upwards, 
 according to their first agreement, all and singular the lands ly- 
 ing and being on the north side of that town of Rehoboth bound- 
 
 * I he original is among the Records of tha Proprietors of the B. N. 
 furcLasc. 
 
8 
 
 ed as followeth, (viz.) by a River commonly called Patucket riv- 
 er, on the west, and up the said River unto the Massachusetts 
 Line, and on the northerly side by the said Line until it cross 
 the old road towards the Bay, where the marked tree stands 
 and heap of stones, and thence a mile and a half east, and 
 from thence by a direct line to the north east corner of the 
 present bounds of the town of Rehoboth, and so back again 
 home unto the said Line between the governments; with all 
 the meadows, woods, waters, and all benefits, emoluments, 
 privileges, and immunities, thereunto appertaining and belong- 
 ing, to have and to hold to them and to their heirs for ever ; 
 Excepting that we reserve within this tract a farm formerly 
 granted unto Major Josias Winslow, and a farm granted unto 
 Capt. Thomas Willett, and two hundred acres of land unto Mr. 
 James Brown about Snake Hill, and ten acres of meadow 
 thereabouts; and the meadow called Blackstone's Meadow, 
 the west plain and the South neck the quantity of two huudred 
 acres, and the fifty acres granted to Roger Amadown, with 
 four acres of meadow adjoining, three acres of meadow to 
 Nicholas Ide, and half an acre of meadow unto George Robin- 
 son: AH the residue of the lands above mentioned we do here- 
 by firmly make over unto the above said purchasers and their 
 heirs for ever, and do hereby acknowledge ourselves to be fully 
 paid and satisfied for the same, and do exonerate, acquit and 
 discharge them and every of them for and concerning the 
 premises. 
 
 In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and 
 seals, this tenth of April 1666. 
 Signed, sealed and delivered 
 
 in presence of Thomas Prence (l. s.) 
 
 Isaac Rowland Josias Winslow (l. s.) 
 
 The mark x of Thomas Southworth (l. s.) 
 
 John Parris Constant Southworth (l. s.) 
 
 The mark x of 
 John Rocket- 
 
 Marginal Note. 
 It was also agreed before the signing and sealing of this 
 Deed that, according unto a clause in the Indian Deed when 
 
these lands were purchased by Capt. Willett, that some meet 
 proportion of lands about Sinnichiconet, such as the said Capt. 
 Willett and the Indian Sachem shall agree upon, should be set 
 out for the use of the Indians. 
 
 Note on the back of the same Deed. 
 This Deed is recorded according to order by me Nathaniel 
 Morton, Secretary to the Court of New Plymouth. 
 
 The Dividend of Lands enrolled 
 Folio 217. 
 
 The following order relating to this subject was passed by 
 the Court of Plymouth. 
 
 'New Plymouth October 2d 1GG5. 
 
 Whereas the Court, having formerly impowered Capt. 
 Thomas Willet to purchase of the Indians certain Tracts of 
 lands on the Nortb of Rehoboth towards the Bay Line, the 
 which he hath done, and is out of purse some considerable sum 
 of money for the same, this Court have appointed the Honor- 
 ed Governor, the Major Winslow, Capt. Southworth, and Mr. 
 Constant Southworth, to treat with Capt. Willet concerning the 
 said purchase, and have impowered the above named Com- 
 mittee to take notice of what hath been purchased by him, and 
 what Deeds he hath, and what, his disbursments have been for 
 the same; and have also impowered them to settle upon him 
 such a proportion of the said lands as may appear to be equal, 
 upon any grant to him ; and to accommodate the town of 
 Rehoboth respecting an enlargement of their town, as the 
 Court have promised; and to take such course concerning the 
 remainder as he may be reimbursed of his just due and those 
 lands may be settled by the Court.' 
 
 Extracted from and compared with the Records of said 
 Court. Per. SAMUEL SPRAGUE Clerk. 
 
 The following introduction is entered in the first Book of 
 the Records of the R. N. Purchase : 
 
 Whereas, in the year one thousand six hundred sixty and 
 six, a purchase of lands was made by the Inhabitants of Reho- 
 both and the neigliborhood of Annimosett : — the said lands sit- 
 uate on the North side of the Towne of Rehoboth— of Mr. 
 
10 
 
 Thomas Prince Esquire, Major Josiah Winslow, Captnin 
 Thomas Southworth Agents of the Government of New Plvm- 
 outh, the bounds of the said lands fully appearing by a Deed of 
 sale made by the aforesaid gentlemen, to the purchasers there- 
 of, bearing date the tenth of April ICGG, which deed hath been 
 inrolled at the Court of New Plymouth according to order of 
 Court. The bounds of the said lands are as followeth, (viz.) 
 by a river called Patucket river, on the West, and up the said 
 river unto the Massachusetts line; and on the Northerly side, 
 by the same line, until it cross the ould Roade towards the 
 Bay, where the marked tree stands, and a heape of stones; 
 and thence a mile and halfe East, and from thence by a direct 
 line to the North East corner of the ancient bounds of the 
 towne of Rehoboth, and soe back againe home to the said 
 line between the Governments — Excepting there was reserved 
 out of the said tract of land, a farm granted before to Major 
 Josiah AVinslow, a farm granted to Captain Thomas Willelt, 
 and two hundred acres of land to Mr. James Browne about 
 Snake-hill, and ten acres of Meadow thereabouts ; and the 
 Meadow called Blackstone's Meadow the West plaine ; and 
 the South neck the quantity of two hundred acres; and fifty 
 acres granted to Roger Ammidown with four acres of meadow; 
 and three acres of Meadow to Nicholas Ide ; and half an acre 
 to George Robinson ; also some Meete proportion of lands for 
 the Indians at Sinnichiteconett ; for the use of the said Indians. 
 All the rest of the said lands within the said tract as before 
 bounded, to be equally divided to the purchasers thereof accor- 
 ding to their said proportions, (there being Seventy Nine 
 •whole shares and a half) being joint purchasers; and the said 
 purchasers have fully discharged and paid the purchase thereof 
 according to their several proportions. 
 
 Mem. That the clause in the jTonjjcr page "to lie equally di- 
 vided to the purchasers thereof" hath reference to the before 
 expressed date (viz.) one thousand Six hundred and Sixty and 
 Six. 
 
 The Names of the Purchasers with their Rights to the said 
 Lands before mentioned aro those {no man cvntradicting) that 
 are here expressed in the foilowiug List. 
 
11 
 
 Capt. Thomas Willett, (one John Reade Sen. 1 sh. 
 
 share, John Wilkinson's) John Reade Jun. 1 sh. 
 
 Mr. Stephen Paine Sen. 2 shs. Nicholas Pecke 1 sh. 
 
 (one that was his own and Elizabetli, Hannah, and Lyd- 
 
 one that was appointed for ia Winchester 1 sh. this sould 
 
 Jolin Martin.) to DanM. Shepardsoa. 
 
 Mr. Noah Newman 1 sh. Daniel Smith 1 sh. 
 
 Lieut. Peter Hunt 1 sh. Jonathan Bliss 1 sh. 
 
 Mr. James Browne 1 sh. Rice Leonard 1 sh. 
 
 Samuel Newman 1 sh. William Saben 1 sh. 
 
 John Allen Sen. 1 sh. John Perrin Sen. 1 sh. 
 
 John Woodcock H sh. George Kendricke 1 sh. 
 
 Thomas Estabrooke's ^ sh. George Robenson 1 sh. 
 
 ( bought of Roger Ami- John Doggett 1 sh. 
 
 downe) John Fitch 1 sh. 
 
 Thomas VVillmot 2 shs. (one Richard Bowen Jun. 1 sh. 
 
 he bought of Jo. Carpen- Elizabeth Bullucke 1 sh. 
 
 ter and one of liis own) John Miller Jun. 1 sh, 
 
 Sampson Mason 1 sh. Robert Fuller 1 sh. 
 
 Anthoney Perry 1 sh. Robert Wheaton 1 sh. 
 
 John Butterworth 1 sh. (this Ester Hall 1 sh. 
 
 sold to Daniel Jenkes except- John Miller Sen. 1 sh. 
 
 ing the meadow) Jaret Ingraham 1 sh. 
 
 Philij) Walker 1 sh. John Kingsley 1 sh. 
 
 John Ormsby 1 sh. Gilbert Brookes 1 sh. 
 
 Richard 3iartin Ish. Thomas Reade 1 sh. 
 
 Stephen Paine Jun. 1 sh. Thomas Grant J sh. 
 
 Rober Joans I sh. Jonathan Fuller 1 sh. 
 
 Obadiah Bowen 1 sh. James Gdlson 1 sh. (bought of 
 John Pecke 1 sh. Sa.muel Saben) 
 
 James Redeway I sh. Samuel Luther 1 sh. (this 
 Samuel Carpenter 1 sh. share sold to Mr. Phillip 
 
 John Titus 2 sh. (one that he Squire) 
 
 bought of his mother-in law Nicholas Tanner Ish. 
 
 Abigail Carpenter, and one John Allen Jun. 1 sh. 
 
 that was his own; Preserved Abell 1 sh. 
 
 Mr. John Myles 1 sh. Francis Stephens 1 sh. 
 
 William Carpenter 1 sh. Nicholas Ide 1 sh. 
 
 Joseph Pecke 1 sh. Richard Whittaker 1 sh. 
 
 Thomas Cooper Jun. 1 sh. Nathaniel Pecke Ish. 
 
 Ensign Henery Smith 1 sh. Israel Pecke 1 sh. 
 
 Thomas Cooper Sen. 1 sh. Jonah Palmer 1 sh. 
 
 Samuel Pecke 1 sh. Robert Miller 1 sh. 
 
 William Buckland 1 sh. Nathaniel Paine 1 sh. (,} of it 
 Joseph Buckland 1 sh. he bought of Richard Bow- 
 
 Benjamin Buckland, I sh. en Sen. and the other, of 
 
15 
 
 Jeremiah Wheaton.) John Lovell 1 sh. 
 
 Joanna Ide of New Norwich Eldad Kinsley 1 sh. 
 
 halfe a share. — 
 
 John Savage ^ sh. The aforesaid List and the 
 
 Thomas Ormsbyi sh. (hoiight preface to it was universally 
 
 of Richard Bowen Sen.) agreed upon at a Meeting of 
 
 Jacob Ormsby J sh. (that was the Purchasers, May 28th 
 
 his mother's.) 1672 to be entered into tlie 
 
 John PoUey 1 sh. (that he liad Booke of Records for the 
 
 of his father Jon. Bosworth. North Purchased Lands. 
 William Allen of Prudense* 1 This attested to by me, 
 
 sii. he bought of Nathaniel William Carpenter, Jr. 
 
 Paine. Gierke. 
 
 This List of Proprietors, as the reader perceives, was made 
 in 1672, by a committee chosen fur that purpose. 
 
 The first division of lands in the North Purchase was made 
 June 22nd. 165S. This division was confined exclusively to 
 Meadow land. It appears by the following extracts from the 
 tovvn Records of Rehoboth that the Court had made a grant of 
 the meadows in the N. Purchase before the rest of the land was 
 granted. 
 
 February 23d, 1657. At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
 it was voted that all the Meadows lying on the North side of 
 the Town, which were given and granted to the Town by the 
 Court, shall be laid out according to person and estate. 
 
 At tlie same time those men whose names are here subscribed 
 have promised to go to see what meadows they can find on the 
 North side of our Town, that they may notify our town, to 
 their best judgment, what quantity there may be of it, and this 
 they promise to do freely on their, own charge.' Wm. Car- 
 penter Senior will go 3 days on his own charge, and if he go 
 any more he is to be paid for it. Wm. Sabin, 1 day ; Lieut. 
 Hunt 2 days; Joseph Peck 1 day; John Peck 1 day; Henry 
 Smith 1 day ; W^m. Bucklin 2 days ; Robert Fuller 1 day ; 
 John Read 1 day ; Thomas Cooper Junior 1 day ; Francis 
 Stephens 1 day. 
 
 At the same time, those men whose names are here sub- 
 scribed are accepted oftbe freemen of the town to take up 
 their freedom, viz : — Joseph Peck, John Peck, Henry Smith, 
 
 • Probably Providcace. 
 
13 
 
 Robert Fuller, John Fitch, Steven Paine, Jonathan Bliss, 
 Wni. Bucklin, Rice Leonard. Several of these persons after- 
 wards removed to Attleborough. 
 
 June 22d, 1658. It was voted, that all the meadow that lies 
 upon the North side of the town, that hath been visited by 
 certain men according to the town's order, shall be lotted out, 
 according to person and estate. 
 
 14 of the 9th month 1661. Lieut. Hunt, and Wm. Sabin 
 were chosen to confer with Mr. Willet to know what he hath 
 done about the North side of the town in the behalf of the 
 town. 
 
 The 28 of the 5 mo. 1662. It was voted that John Wood- 
 cock* should have two rods of land to build a small house on 
 for himself and his family to be in on the Lord's day in some 
 convenient place near the meeting house ; and Goodman Paine 
 and Lieut. Hunt were chosen to see where the most conven- 
 ient place might be for it. 
 
 1658 June 22d. "At a town meeting lawfully warned Lots 
 were drawn for the meadows that lie on the North side of the 
 town, according to person and estate." 
 
 April 18, 1666. It was voted by the town that the late pur- 
 chasers of land upon the north side of our town shall bear for- 
 ty shillings in a rate of 5 £. and so proportionable in all other 
 public charges. 
 
 It was also voted that there should be a three railed fence 
 set up and maintained between the late purchased land on the 
 north side of the town to be set up on all the end of the plain 
 from Goodman Buckland's lands to the mill river, and every 
 man that is interested in the said purchased Lands to bear an 
 equal proportion in the aforesaid fence according to their 
 proportion of Lands. 
 
 It was also voted to make choice of a Committee for the 
 settling and stating of the late purchased Lands on the north 
 side of our town, viz: whether sucii, as at present seem ques- 
 tionable, are true proprietors of the aforesaid lands; — and 
 the Committee chosen were Capt. Willet with the towns- 
 
 * Afterwards of Attleiiomiijh. 
 3 
 
14 
 
 men and those that stand engaged for the payment of the 
 aforesaid purchased Lands. The Committee reported April 
 23d, 1666. 
 
 It was also voted by the town that Mr. Goodman Martin 
 shall enjoy a spot of fresh meadow that lies on the north side 
 of the town lying at the end of the Great Plain, during his 
 life and his wife's, and at their decease to return to the town. 
 
 At the same time it was agreed between the town and Capt. 
 Willet, that for the forty acres of meadow that he is to have 
 to his farm, on the north side of the town, he is by agreement 
 made with the town to have high Squisset and Low Squisset, 
 and the bounds of the said Squisset's meadows to be according 
 to the sight of the Surveyors the day that they laid out his 
 farm, that is, Henry Smith and William Carpenter ; and he is 
 also to have a piece of meadow at tlie Seven Mile River near 
 unto the going out at the highway, and six acres of meadow at 
 the Ten Mile River, and what there wants of the six acres in 
 quality is to be made up in quantity — the said six acres of 
 meadow on the Ten Mile River lies by the old highway as we 
 go into the Bay. 
 
 •April 23d 1666. The Committee that was chosen by the 
 town April 18th 1666, at a town meeting, for the stating and 
 settling of the late purchased lands, upon the North side of our 
 town, the aforesaid committee being met together tliis twenty 
 third of April, we see cause that there shall be seventy six 
 whole shares and equal purchasers in the aforesaid Lands, and 
 six persons that have half shares, which we see cause to add 
 to the seventy six whole shares, so that the whole number of 
 shares amounts to seventy nine shares.' 
 
 May 19th 1666. At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 
 town concluded to have a meeting upon the last Tuesday in 
 June, to consider of the meadows on the north side of the 
 town, how they may be disposed of for this present year ; it is 
 therefore agreed by this town, that no man shall mow a load 
 or a part of a load of grass, before the town hath disposed of 
 them, upon the penalty of twenty shillings the load or part of 
 a load. 
 
15 
 
 Oct. 16th 1666. At a town meeting it was concluded, that 
 the purchased lands on the north side of the town shall be di- 
 vided between this and the first of May next ensuing. 
 
 It was also voted by the town that no person shall fall any 
 trees upon the aforesaid lands on the north side of our town 
 before the said lands be divided, upon the penalty often shil- 
 lings for every tree so fallen. 
 
 The same day John Doggett, John Woodcock, and John 
 Titus were chosen by the town to sec what timber trees are 
 fallen on the late purchased lands on the north side of our 
 town, and they shall have the forfeiture for their pains, and 
 the trees to thorc that the land shall fall to. 
 
 June 22d 1667. At a town meeting it was voted by the 
 town that the meadows lying on the north side of the town 
 shall be for this present year, as they were the last year. 
 
 April 10th 1668. The town chose a Committee to go and 
 view tiie meadows that are in the North Purchase and to acre 
 them out, to devide them into three score and eighteen parts 
 and a half^ and to mark and bound out each part and put in 
 such swam])s as in their prudence they think meet, to be laid 
 out in the said division — provided they do itecpially as they can. 
 The said committee are Anthony Perry, Philip Walker, Thom- 
 as Willmot, * Nicholas Ide ; to be paid by the whole company 
 of purchasers. 
 
 May 13th 1668. The town made an agreement with Good- 
 man Allen that he is to have the twenty acres of Meadow that 
 is laid out by Ensign Smith at Sinecheticonet, and the Mead- 
 ow called the Parson's Meadow, and all that is Avithin his 
 farm, for his thirty acres of meadow that he purchased of Ma- 
 jor Winslow — and also for his full share of meadow on the 
 North Purchase. 
 
 It was also voted that the rates upon the North side of the 
 town be lowered, and part taken off, that is to say, whereas 
 the lands upon the N. Purchase paid 40 shillings of 5 pounds 
 in all rates, that now the said lands shall pay 20 shillings in 5 
 pounds until the town see cause to alter it. 
 
 * ?<"o\v WihTiartU. 
 
1$ 
 
 May 26th 1668. It was voted that John Woodcock shall 
 have the meadow upon the ten mile river between Capt. Wil- 
 let's meadow and his own Meadow, and another piece that the 
 townsmen shall appoint him that were chosen by tiie town to 
 acre the meadows in the North Purchase, for two shares of 
 meadow on the N. Purchase. 
 
 The 26th of May 1668, lots were drawn for the meadows t 
 in the North Purchase. 
 
 The first division of general lands was granted by the pro- 
 prietors at a meeting held Feb. 9th 1668. Lots were drawn 
 for this division March 18th, 1668-9. The previous divisions 
 had been confined to meadow land. 
 
 'At a town meeting lawfully warned Feb. 9th 1668, it was 
 voted that there should be Fifty acres of upland laid out on the 
 north side of the town to every share, speedily ; and the rest 
 to be laid out with as much conveniency as may be.' 
 
 It was voted that there should be a committee chosen to 
 view where there is good land for the laying out of a division 
 of lands on the north purchase, and that the aforesaid fifty 
 acres to a share should be forthwith laid out, and then lots to 
 be drawn by the aforesaid purchasers according to the agree- 
 ment. 
 
 At a town meeting lawfully warned the 18th of March 
 1668-9, 'It was voted that there should be fifty acres of land 
 laid out to a share on the North purchased lands.' 
 
 It was also provided that the purchasers should draw lots 
 for their choice ; and that each one should choose his lands suc- 
 cessively according to his turn, and give notice to the next in 
 turn ; and that if any neglect or refuse to make choice and 
 lay out his land in his turn, for the space of three days, after 
 notice given him, he should wait until all others had made 
 choice in regular order. 
 
 At this meeting a Committee of eight were chosen, any two 
 of whom might act, to see that these rights should not be laid 
 out so as to interfere with highways, previous divisions of 
 meadows, or other lotments. This Committee were William 
 
 t Granted by the Ccurt lueviuui to the purchase. 
 
17 
 
 Sabin, Nicholas Peck, Samuel Newman, James Reddewaf, 
 Thomas Willmott, Samuel Peck, Lieut. Hunt, Josepli Buck- 
 land. Nine purchasers entered a protest against the manner 
 of laying out the lands by choosing, viz. Capt. Willett, Mr. 
 Myles, Will. Sabin, Mr. Brown, Dea. Cooper, John Miller, 
 Sen. John Peren, Sen. George Kendricke, Will. Carpenter. 
 
 'The Names of those that drew for a Division on the Nortb 
 
 Purchase 18th March 1668-9.' 
 
 John Titus Robert Joanes John Read Jun. 
 
 Joseph Buckland Will. Buckland Mr. Newman 
 
 John Ormsby James Gillson Ricii. Martin 
 
 Children's Lands* Lsrail Peck John Butterworth 
 
 Nathl. Paine A nth. Periy George Kendrick 
 
 Goody Hide Eldad Kingsley John Lowell 
 
 Rice Leonard Tho. Cooper Jun. Thomas Grant 
 
 John Allin Jun. Mr. Myles Mr. Brown 
 
 Nicholas Peck Richard Bemis Jr. Nath. Peck 
 
 Ichabod Miller Jun. John Fitch George Robinson 
 
 Robert Wheaton Joseph Carpenter Jonathan Fuller 
 
 John Doggett Preserved Abel Jonathan Bosworth 
 
 Deacon Cooper John Woodcock Sam. Feck 
 
 Phillip Walker John Allen Sen. Robert Fuller 
 
 Tho. "Read Nich. Ide Nath. Paine, Jr. 
 
 Joseph Peck Capt. Willet Richard Whittaker 
 
 John Read Sen. James Reddeway Sam. Carpenter 
 
 Jonathan Bliss Sam. Newman Edward Hall 
 
 Roger Amidowne Stephen Paine Sen. Nicholas Tanner 
 
 Stephen Paine Jun. Jona. Palmer John Savage 
 
 Thomas and Jacob Robert Miller AYill. Saben 
 
 Ormsby Tho. Willmot Will. Carpenter 
 
 Richard Bullock Gilbert Brooks Sampson Mason 
 
 Daniel Smith Wid. Carpenter John Peck 
 
 John Kingsley Left. Hunt Ben. Buckland 
 
 Obadiah Bowing Jaret Ingraham Hen. Smith 
 
 John Peren Sen. Francis Stephens Sam. Luther 
 
 Complaints were often made that the lands in the N. Pur- 
 chase were rated or assessed too high. There is the follow- 
 ing record on this subject. 
 
 At a meeting of proprietors of the North Purchase the 26th 
 Aug. 1670, it was voted that the townsmen should choose three 
 men to discuss and also to end any diflerence with such per- 
 
 * Children of Alexander Winchester, deceased. 
 
18 
 
 »ons as are chosen by the complainers of the provisions of the 
 Rates. The time set to meet was this day s'en'nit at the 
 meeting house ; and if not ended to attend the next Court at 
 Plymouth to defend and answer such complaints as are made' 
 against the rating of these lands. 
 
 A mile and a half on the south side of this town was grant- 
 ed to Rehoboth by order of Court, June 1668. 
 
 June 1668. This Court have ordered that a tract of land 
 containing a mile and a half lying on the North side of the 
 town of Rehoboth is allowed to be the proper right of the said 
 township. And for such lands as are lying betwixt the Bay 
 line and it is to be accounted within the Constablerick of Re- 
 hoboth, until the Court shall order it otherwise. And that such 
 farms as lyeth within the said liberties shall be responsible in 
 point of rating at the Colony's disposal. — Old Col. Itcc. 
 
 There is the following vote concerning this tract in Reho- 
 both Records. 
 
 Nov. 8th 1670. At a town meeting lawfully warned it was 
 voted that the line should be forthwith run between the North 
 Purchase and the Mile and a half given to the town for enlarge- 
 ment. 
 
 The Committee were Lieut. Hunt and Ensign Smith, Nich- 
 olas Peck and Will. Carpenter. 
 
 Committees were also chosen to see that no timber on the 
 North side should be fallen or drawn away. Great difficulty 
 was experienced in preventing the loss of timber on the undi- 
 vided lands. 
 
 Dec. 26th 1670. It was voted that there should be a town 
 meeting this day fortnight about 10 of the clock in the morn- 
 ino", and that there should be a committee chosen to draw up 
 such propositions as they think will be most expedient for the 
 settling of the differences on the north side of the town con- 
 cerning those lands, considering that all the purchasers of the 
 land have not yet given them, Mr. Brown engaging to give no- 
 tice to all the proprietors of those lands that dwell at Swan- 
 sea; and that these propositions be tendered at the said town 
 meeting, that if it were the will of God, there might be a 
 unanimous agreement. The committee chosen were Lieut. 
 
19 
 
 Hunt, Ensign Smith, Nathaniel Paine, Nicholas Peck and An- 
 thony Perry. 
 
 Nov. 23d 1670. A committee was chosen to meet the 
 Treasurer of Taunton to settle the bounds between the North 
 Purchase and Taunton North Purchase. Committee were 
 Ensign Smith, Wim. Sabin, Wm. Carpenter. 
 
 At a meeting of the Proprietors, May 28th 1672, It was vo- 
 ted, that for the comfortable and peaceable settlement of the 
 lands and meadows on the North side of the town ; — whereas 
 there has been great dissatisfaction in respect of the unequal 
 division of meadows; — and, forasmuch as there was a Com- 
 mittee chosen in the year 1063 for the bounding of the mead- 
 ows betwixt the Tens ; — there shall be a new committee add- 
 ed to them, to make diligent search and take a deliberate view 
 of the meadows and swamps within all the several Tens, with 
 power to add to those Tens which needed amendment, and 
 bound them all ; and also to redress any grievance which any 
 particular person sufiers. This order is not to take place till 
 after six months. It was provided that the said committee 
 should bound all the Tens before any more upland lots are 
 laid out, if they do it vvithin two months. 
 
 At a meeting of Purchasers Feb. ISth 1684, it was voted 
 that there should be a division of fifty acres to a share in the 
 North Purchase ; Wm. Carpenter was chosen Surveyor to lay 
 it out. Voted that there should be a meeting of the Purchas- 
 ers to draw lots for said Division the last Tuesday of June 
 next ensuing. Accordingly at a meeting held June 29th 1685 
 lots were drawn for said fifty acres of upland among S3 per- 
 sons. 
 
 At a Proprietor's Meeting Oct. 3 1st 1699, it was voted that 
 there should be two divisions of lands in the North Purchase 
 forthwith laid out to the said proprietors according to their 
 rights in said lands, i. e. fifty acres to a whole share in both 
 divisions, viz: 25 acres to the first division, and 25 acres to 
 the second division ; and he that is first in the first division 
 shall be last in the second division, and so on. 
 
 At their next meeting Nov. 7th 1699, the proprietors drew 
 
lots for the new division. They had increased at this time to 
 133 in number. 
 
 In the year 1694 the inhabitants of the North Purchase 
 were incoiporated into a townsliip by an Act of the General 
 Court of Massachusetts. * 
 
 The following is the Act of Incorporation. 
 AN ACT for granting a township within the County of Bris- 
 tol to be called Attleborough. 
 
 Whereas there is a certain tract of land commonly known 
 by the name of North Purchase, lying within the County of 
 Bristol, containing in length about ten miles from Patucket 
 Kiver to the bounds of Taunton, f and extending about eight 
 miles in breadth from the line or boundary betwixt the two 
 late Colonies of Massachusetts and Plymouth, to the bounds of 
 the town of Rehoboth ; being a convenient tract for a town- 
 ship, and more than thirty families already settled thereupon ; 
 For the better encouragement and settlement of said Planta- 
 tion : 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and Representa- 
 tives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the 
 same. That henceforth the said tract of land as above de- 
 scribed, and bounded by the township of Taunton and Reho- 
 both, (no way to intrench upon either of their rights) be and 
 shall be a township, and called by the name of Attleborough ; 
 and shall have and enjoy all such immunities, privileges, and 
 powers, as generally other townships within this Province have 
 and do enjoy. 
 
 * Previous to this the N. Purchase was within the jurisdiction, but not 
 within the chartered limits of Rehoboth. The inhabitants were subjected 
 to the municipal authority, and had all the rights of freemen of that town. 
 It was, properly, a plantation of Rehoboth. It was oidered by Plymouth 
 Court to be within the jurisdiction of that town until it should be incorpo- 
 rated July 5th 167t. 'The Court have ordered that the North Purchase 
 (so called) shall lie unto the town of Rehoboth, until it comes to bo a 
 township ; and in the mean time to bear the seventh part of all the rates 
 that shall be levied for the public charges of that town ; and when the said 
 Purchase shall become a Township by itself, then the said township of Ke- 
 faoboth to be eased in their rates.' — Old Col. Records. 
 
 t Taunton North Purchase. 
 
21 
 
 Provided, That it be not in prejudice of anv former grant. 
 
 Provided also, That the Inhabitants of the said place do 
 continue under the power and discretion of the Selectmen, 
 Assessors, and Constables of Rehobolh (whereunto they were 
 formerly annexed) as well refering to any assessments and ar- 
 rears thereof, as all other things proper to the duty of Select- 
 men, Assessors and Constables, respectively; until they are 
 supplied with such officers among themselves, according to the 
 directions in the law in that case made and provided. 
 
 The boundaries described in the preceding Act included 
 the present town of Attleborough and Cumberland, 11. I. em- 
 bracing a very extensive tract of land. The number of inhab- 
 itants at this time could not much exceed a hundred and 
 eighty. They Avere mostly settled in the Southerly and Wes- 
 terly parts of the town. These families were scattered over a 
 considerable space ; many had been here from an early peri- 
 od. Of the early settlements more will be said hereafter. 
 
 The country was then mostly covered with forests, inter- 
 spersed however with a good supply of natural meadow, which 
 was then considered the most valuable kind of land. 
 
 The inhabitants increased rapidly, and soon penetrated into 
 various parts of the town. 
 
 A few extracts from the early records of the town, illustra- 
 ting the character of the times, will be interesting to the pres- 
 ent generation. 
 
 The first town meeting on record appears to have been held 
 May 11th 1696, two years after the incorporation. * At this 
 meeting the town chose Mr. John Woodcock and Mr. John 
 Rogers late of Bristol as agents "to manage our concerns in 
 matters relating to that part of our township commonly called 
 the Mile and Half, according to our petition and other copies 
 which are in the hands of Mr. Henry Derens Clerk to the 
 House of Representatives, and did further appoint and impow- 
 er Mr. John Woodcock to agree with and impower said Mr. 
 Rogers and take care to help him to such papers as may most 
 
 * There must, however, have been a previous nieeling ami a choice of ofli- 
 eers — of which no record is preserved. 
 4 
 
22 
 
 concern our business, for the promoting of matters relating to 
 our township." 
 
 At the same meeting three Assessors were chosen for the en- 
 suing year, viz. Israil Woodcock, Tiiomas Tingley and Samu- 
 el Titus. 
 
 The next town meeting was held Nov. 23d 1696, at which 
 the town authorized the Selectmen to make a Rate for paying 
 the town's debts, which amounted to £.5. 15 s. I d. At the 
 same time several individuals engaged to pay certain sums 'by 
 way of free gift towards the building of a Meeting House,' and 
 desired their names and sums might be entered accordingly. 
 
 £. s. £. s. 
 
 Mr. John Woodcock - 1. 00. Thomas Woodcock - 0. 10. 
 
 John Laue 1. 00. George Robinson - - 1. 00. 
 
 Israil Woodcock - 0. 10. David Freeman 1. 00. 
 
 March 22d 1696 — 7. The town 'taking into consideration 
 who are by law allowed to vote in town meetings, and finding 
 so few allowed to vote, ordered that 'all the inhabitants and 
 town Dwellers' should havf a right to vote in said meetings. — 
 At this time town officers were chosen for the year ensuing, 
 viz. 'Mr. John Woodcock, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Jenks, 
 Jonathan Fuller, Thomas Tingley, Selectmen ; Anthony 
 Sprague, town Clerk ; Israil Woodcock, Constable ; Nicho- 
 las Ide and Joseph Cowel, Surveyors ; Henry Sweet, Tithing- 
 man ; Thomas Tingley and Samuel Titus, Fence viewers ; 
 John Woodcock, Anthony Sprague and Daniel Jenks, Asses- 
 sors ; John Lane, Grand juryman ; Benjamin Force for the 
 Jury of trials in April next at the Quarter Sessions at Bristol.' 
 
 May 10, 1697. At a town meeting for the choice of an 'As- 
 sembly man for the Great and General Court' the inhabitants 
 voted not to send a man 'by reason the town was excused by 
 law.' 
 
 July 12th 1697. The town voted to have a Pound made ac- 
 cording to law upon a piece of undivided land between the 
 lands of Daniel Shepperson and James Jillson near the Bay 
 Road. 
 
 The inhabitants were often disturbed by Indians and others 
 huntinjr and strolling about the town and insulting the inhab- 
 
23 
 
 itatits. In relation to these disturbances the town passed the 
 following orders : 
 
 Jan'j. 31st 1GU7 or 8. At a town meeting legally warned 
 for the making of 'some town orders or by-laws touching per- 
 sons disorderly coming into town who have no rights or lands 
 jn the same but are strangers and foreigners,' the town passed 
 the following orders : 'It is ordered by the inhabitants of At- 
 tleborough and voted in said meeting, that no person that is a 
 stranger shall be received as an inhabitant without the consent 
 or approbation of said town, or sufficient security given to 
 the town by him or them that shall take in or harbor any 
 person contrary to this order ; moreover, the Selectmen are 
 appointed to take due care and sufficient security, in the be- 
 half of the town, of and for all such persons as shall receive 
 in or harbor any stranger or foreigner ; or to give order and 
 warning to such stranger or foreigner to depart the town, ac- 
 cording as the law directs, and that with all convenient speed 
 after knowledge or notice given of the same ; so observing 
 from time to time that the town be not charged with unneces- 
 sary charges.' 
 
 2d. 'The second order or by-Law was touching Indian for- 
 eigners and strangers that have been complained of for uncivil 
 carriages and behaviour towards some of the inhabitants of this 
 town, for the prevention of which the inhabitants being desired 
 to give their advice, by joint consent have voted and passed 
 this Act, That no foreign Indian or stranger should be allow- 
 ed to come into town being armed under hunting pretences 
 nor suffered in the same to abide in drinkinjjs and shootings 
 at unseasonable times of night and threaienings to several per- 
 sons, which is contrary to the law of this Province, and dis- 
 turbing to several of this town ; neither is any person or per- 
 sons whatsoever within this town allowed to take in or harbor 
 Indian or Indians armed other than such as hath been allowed 
 or shall be allowed, without the unanimous consent of the in- 
 habitants, at any time hereafter, but every person or persons, 
 transgressing against this order or by-law, shall pay a fine of 
 five shillings, each day, for the use of the poor of this town for 
 every such offence.' 
 
24 
 
 March 4th 1699 or 1700, in town meeting Daniel Shepper- 
 son gave a piece of ground to set a Pound on 'at a place com- 
 monly known and called Red Rock Hill by the road-side by a 
 pine tree, which pound is to be built 30 feet square and fin- 
 ished by the last of June 1700.' 
 
 May 13th 1700. Voted nut to send a Representative for 
 the same reason that was assigned at the first meeting. 
 
 March 25th 1701. In town meeting voted and appointed a 
 'Training place to be on the South side of David Freeman's 
 house, between the two ways, viz. the Bay road and the road 
 that leadeth to Nicholas Ide's house.' At the same time the 
 town 'did by major vote appoint the last Tuesday in March at 
 9 o'clock A. M. to be their Election Day annually for choosing 
 town calcers according to law, without any further warning, 
 so to continue till further order.' 
 
 Feb. 9th 1702--3. It was voted that Ensign Nicholas Ide 
 and Anthony Sprague with the Selectmen be a Committee to 
 agree in behalf of our town concerning the lines and bounds 
 between Attleborough, Dorchester, and Wrentham. It was 
 also voted that the Selectmen should make a town Rate for the 
 payment of town debts, and that a quarter part of said rate be 
 levied upon the polls, and the rest upon the estates ; and that 
 said rate shall be paid in Indian corn at 2 s. 6 d. per bushel, 
 ©r rye at 3 s. C d. per bushel, or oats at 1 s. Qd. per bushel, or 
 in money. 
 
 May 14th 1703. Voted not to send a representative by rea- 
 son they were so few in number and excused by law. 
 
 The first inhabitant within the original limits of Attlebo- 
 rough was the celebrated William Blackstone, who was also 
 the first settler and sole proprietor of Shaw/nut, now the beau- 
 tiful city of Boston. Every thing relating to the life of this 
 singular man must be interesting, not only to the people of 
 this town, but to all who feel an interest in the ancient history 
 of the Colonies. 
 
 He came to this country from England about the year 1625, 
 and settled first at Boston the Indian name of which was 
 Shaiomut. Here he remained alone, until the arrival of Gov- 
 ernor Winthrop's company, in June 1630. They at first lo- 
 
25 
 
 catd^ themselves at Charlestown ; but finding the water bad, 
 and 'Hkingthat plain neck that was then called Blackstone's 
 Neck,'* they soon removed, by invitation, to the peninsula, 
 where they found a good spring of water. Mr. Blackstone 
 had been, in England, a clergyman of the established church. 
 But he lived in an age of religious bigotry, intolerance, and 
 persecution ; and " not being able," as he said, "to endure the 
 power of the Lords Bishops," he left his native land and 
 sought an asylum in the wilds of America, where he might en- 
 joy his own opinions unmolested. After residing a few years 
 wilii the new settlers of Shmomiit, he found the same intole- 
 rant and overbearing spirit among his new associates ; and 
 becoming " discontented with the power of the Lords Breth- 
 ren," he was compelled to seek another retreat. In 1634, he 
 sold his right and title in the peninsula to the inhabitants of 
 Boston, each one paying him six shillings, and some of them, 
 more. A reservation was made for him of about six acres 
 where his house stood. 
 
 The Peninsula of Boston was then called Blackstone's Neck, 
 the whole of which he claimed as his property ; and this claim 
 ■was recognized by the new settlers. With the purchase mon- 
 ey he bought a ' stock of cows,' which he carried with him to 
 his new settlement on the banks of the Pawtucket river. 
 
 The following document, quoted in Shaw's History of Bos- 
 ton, gives some of the particulars of this purchase. 
 
 'The deposition of Jolin Odlyn, aged about 82 years ; Rob- 
 ert Walker, aged about 78 years ; Francis Hudson, aged about 
 66 years ; and William Lytherland, aged 76 years. — These 
 deponents being antient dwellers and inhabitants of the town 
 of Boston, from the time of the first planting thereof, do joint- 
 ly testify and depose, that in or about the year of our Lord 
 sixteen hundred and thirty four, the then present inhabitants of 
 said town, (of whom the Hon. John Winthrop, Esq. Governor 
 of the Colony, was chiefs,) did treate and agree with Mr. Wil- 
 liam Blackstone for the purchase of his estate and right in any 
 lands lying within the said neck of land, called Boston, and 
 
 » Capt. Clap, May 1630. 
 
26 
 
 for said purchase agreed that every householder should pay 
 six shillings, which was accordingly collected — ^none paying 
 less, some considerably more ; and the said sum was paid to 
 Mr. Blackstone, to his full content. Reserving unto himself 
 about six acres of land on the point, commonly called Black- 
 stone's Point, on part whereof his then dwelling-house stood. 
 After which purchase, the town laid out a place for a Training 
 Field, which ever since, and now is used for that purpose, and 
 for the feeding of cattle : Walker and Lytherland further tes- 
 tify, that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cowes with the 
 money he received, and removed near Providence, where he 
 lived till the day of his death.' Sworn to the 10th of June, 
 1684, before S. Bradstreet, Governor, and Samuel Sewall, 
 Assistant. 
 
 Mr. Blackstone received .£30 for his right to the Peninsula, 
 as appears by the following record. The ' 10th day of the 9 
 mo. 1634,' Voted that a rate be made, viz. 'a rate for =£30 to 
 Mr. Blackstone.'* 
 
 In 1635, he removed to another retreat, still farther in the 
 wilderness, — beyond the tyranny of man. This place was on 
 the banks of Pawtucket river which now bears his name, and 
 was within the ancient limits of Attleborough, in that part cal- 
 led the Gore, now Cumberland, R. I. This was about ten 
 years before the settlement of Rehoboth and a few years be- 
 fore that of Providence. In this solitary retreat he built his 
 house, cultivated his garden and planted his orchard. His 
 house and garden he surrounded with a park, which was his 
 daily walk. His residence was on a hill near the Blackstone 
 river ; and his orchard, just east of the hill. Here he remain- 
 ed for many years in entire seclusion from the world, — here 
 was none to disturb his lonely retreat. He was furnished with 
 a library ; and nature and study charmed his solitary hours. 
 He thus sealed himself, for life, in peaceful solitude on the 
 banks of the Blackstone. 
 
 * Reckoning March the Ist month, this assessment was made in Decem- 
 ber — the purchase, of course, was made previous to this date ; anJ Black- 
 Stone, in all probibility, removed early in tiie subBcquent spring. 
 
27 
 
 His house he called * Study Hall,' and the eminence, on 
 which it was built, was named 'Study Hill,' — which name it 
 still retains. This jDlace* is about thi*ee miles above Pawtuck- 
 et village, where the late Col. Simon Whipple resided. The 
 Indian name of the place was Wawepoonseag. This name is 
 mentioned in the Plymouth Records in describing the bounda- 
 ries of the North Purchase in 1661 — ' From Rehoboth ranging 
 upon Patucket River, to a place called by the natives Wawe- 
 poonseag,i where one Blackstone now sojourneth.' 
 
 During his residence here, in 1659, Mr. Blackstone married 
 the widow Sarah Stevenson. | She died about the middle of 
 June, 1673. (§, He survived his wife only about two years, and 
 died May 26th, 1675, | a few weeks before the commencement 
 of the great Indian War, thus having escaped witnessing the 
 horrors of that awful period, and the complete destruction 
 which awaited his 'fair domain.' He had lived in New Eng- 
 land about fifty years, nearly ten years at Skawmut (now Bos- 
 ton) and forty at this place. He must have been quite advan- 
 ced at the time of his death — probably not far from eighty. 
 
 * His title to the lanils which he occupied was respected by the Plymouth 
 Government, who ordered them recorded to him. 
 
 ' March 5th, 1671. Mr. Stephen Paine, Sen. of Relioboth, and Mr. 
 Nicholas Tanner were appointed by the Court to see Mr. Blackstone''s 
 land laid forth according to the grant.' — Old Col.Rec. 
 
 His estate consisted of about 200 acres. 
 
 t This is supposed by a writer in the Mass. His. Coll. to be properly the 
 name of a brook, now called Abbott's Run, which enters the river not far 
 from Mr. Blackstone's residence. 
 
 1 » Mr. William Blackstone was married to Sarah Stevenson, widow, the 
 4th of July, 1659, by John Endicott, Governor.'— Tozc/i Records of Boston. 
 She was the widow of John Stevenson of Boston, who had, by her, at least 
 three children — Onesimus, born 26th 10th mo. 1643; John, born — 7th mo. 
 1645 ; and James, born Oct. 1st, 1653. His second son, John Stevenson, 
 lived with his mother after her marriage with Mr. Blackstone, and, after 
 their decease, continued at the same place during the remaimler of his life. 
 
 i ' Mrs. Sarah Blackstone the wife of Mr. William Blaxslon, was buried 
 about the middle of Jane, IGIS:— Rehoboth Records. 
 
 Many of the ancient records mention the day of the burial, but not of 
 the deaths of persons. 
 
 + ' Mr. William Blacksion buried the 28th of May, 1765.'— jj. 
 
28 
 
 Around him was still a wilderness when death snatched him 
 from the sylvan retreat which he loved; but, (though the foot- 
 steps of men were fast approaching,) how would he be aston- 
 ished to behold the region around it (the place which he once 
 thought secure from the haunt of men) now swarming with an 
 industrious and thriving population ! How would he grieve to 
 find the stream, whose placid waters as they flowed by his 
 dwelling he delighted to contemplate, now interrupted by nu- 
 merous water-works, and the silence which then reigned around 
 him, now disturbed by the buzz of thousands of spindles ! To 
 "what ignoble purposes is his classic stream now devoted ! — 
 What a contrast ! It is a change which the peace-loving spirit 
 of Blackstone could not endure. To enjoy that solitude which 
 was congenial to his taste, he would now be compelled to seek 
 a new abode beyond the banks of the Mississippi. 
 
 Blackstone was by no means a misanthrope, but a man of 
 natural benevolence, who took this mode of indulging his love 
 for solitude, and securing the unrestrained enjoyment of his 
 own sentiments. He did not shun man because he hated him, 
 but because he loved solitude more than society. He was fond 
 of study and contemplation, and here he could enjoy both. 
 Possessing an independent and original mind, he could not 
 brook the dogmatical and persecuting spirit of the age ; and to 
 escape from its influence he fled to the wilds of America. 
 
 He was not idle, though in solitude. He cultivated his gar- 
 den and reared his orchard with his own hands ; and is said 
 to have been devoted to his books. — Though meditative in his 
 habits, — yet cheerful in disposition. He was acquainted with 
 Roger Williams, the father of Rhode Island — a kindred spir- 
 it; — and frequently went to visit him, and occasionally 
 preached at Providence and the neighboring towns. 
 
 He was a man of great eccentricity ; and often exhibited in 
 his conduct the most ludicrous oddities. Among other anec- 
 dotes, it is related of him that he had tamed a bull, (to supply 
 the place of ahorse,) on which he used to ride into Providence 
 to visit his friends. ' He was also remarkable,' says Mr. Bay- 
 hes, * ' for his love of children.' 
 
 * Memoirs of Plymoulh Colony^ — which is a work of great interest — cm- 
 bodying a large amount of historical iDformalion on the Old Colony. 
 
29 
 
 At a late centennial celebration in Boston, under the direc- 
 tion of the Mass. His. Society, a present of apples was sent to 
 their table from Cumberland, said to have grown on the trees 
 which grew from the sprouts of those in Blackstone's orchard. 
 Some of the trees planted by his own hands were living a hun- 
 dred and forty years after they were set out. 
 
 He left one son John Blackstone, who, it is supposed, 'set- 
 tled somewhere near New Haven.' Of him history says little 
 or nothing. But by diligent research I have ascertained a few 
 particulars. 
 
 He was a minor when his father died, and had guardians ap- 
 pointed by the Court, t He lived on his inheritance till 109:2 
 when he sold his lands to David Whipple, :j: and soon after re- 
 moved to Providence, and, for a while, contented himself with 
 the humble occupation of a shoemaker. There,§ it is proba- 
 able, he mariied his wife Katharine, and continued to reside 
 till 1718, when he returned to Attleborough, and, with his 
 wife, was legally warned out of town. ^ He is presumed to 
 be the person mentioned in the records, as no other of that 
 name has been known in this part of the country. It is gen- 
 
 t 'June 1st 1675. Lieut. Hunt, Ensign Smith and Mr. Daniel Smith are 
 appointed and authorized by the Court to take seme present care of the es- 
 tate of Mr. William Blackstone deceased, and of his son now left by him ; 
 and to see that the next Court he do propose a man to the Court to be his 
 guardian; which in case he do neglect, the Court will then see cause to 
 make choice of one for him.' — Old Col. Rec. 
 
 ♦ Oct. 2Tth 16T5. Mr. Nathaniel Paine and Mr. Daniel Smith are ap- 
 pointed and approved by the Court, to be guanl'ans unto John Ulackstoue, 
 the son of Mr. William Blackstone deceased.' — ib. 
 
 I The original Deeds, with John Elackstone"'s signature, are still in exis- 
 tence, and are in the possession of Mr. John Whipple of Cuiiiberlard. 'i'ije 
 first is dated Sept. lOth 1692. He spells his name iJ/ax/on, which u as un- 
 doubtedly, at the time, the true orthography. 
 
 i There is no record of his mariiage in this town. 
 
 IT For what cause does not appear, but may be conjectured. He had 
 probably squandered his property, fjr, tradition says, he inherited but a 
 small share of his father's prudence. 
 5 
 
30 
 
 erally supposed by historians that the family is now extinct. — 
 But it is not certain, however, (tliough probable) that the blood 
 of Blackstone 'runs not in the viens of a single human being.' 
 There is some reason to believe that his son emigrated to Con- 
 necticut, and settled on a neck of land, not far from New Ha- 
 ven, where, it is possible, some of his posterity may exist in 
 the female line. I have been informed that there was a family 
 of that name who lived there in seclusion for many years. 
 
 His son-in-law John Stevenson came with his mother when 
 she married Mr. Blackstone, being about 14 years old, and 
 lived with them till their death.* He came into possession of 
 a part of his father-in-law's estate, as appears by the following 
 order of Plymouth Court, passed June 10th 1675, about two 
 weeks after Blackstone's decease. 
 
 ' Whereas the Court is informed that one whose name is 
 John Stevenson, son-in-law to Mr. William Blackstone, late 
 deceased, was very helpful to his father and mother in their 
 life-time, without whom they could not have subsisted as to a 
 good help and instrument thereof, and he is now left in a low 
 and mean condition, and never was in any measure recom- 
 pensed for his good service aforesaid, and if, (as it is said at 
 least) his father-in-law engaged to his mother at his marriage 
 with her, that he should be considered with a competency of 
 land out of the said Blackstone's land then lived on, which 
 hath never yet been performed ; and forasmuch as the person- 
 al estate of the said William Blackstone is so small and incon- 
 siderable, that he the said Stephenson cannot be relieved out 
 of it; this Court, therefore, in consideration of the premises, 
 do order and dispose fifty acres of land unto the said John 
 Stevenson, out of the lands of the said William Blackstone, 
 and five acres of meadow, to be laid out unto him by Ensign 
 Henry Smith, and Mr. Daniel Smith and Mr. Nathaniel Paine, 
 according as they shall think meet, so as it may be most commo- 
 dious to him or as little prejudicial to the seat of Mr. William 
 
 * There is an error in a short sketch of Mr. Blackstone in the Mass. His. 
 Coll. where it is said that he left two children, a son. ' and a daughter mar- 
 ried to John Stephenson.^ The latter, as already mentioned, was the sou of 
 kit wife by her first husibaad. 
 
31 
 
 Blackstone as may be. By order of the Court for the Juris- 
 diction of New Plymouth.'*— O/c/ Col Rec. 
 
 * The bounds of this grant ar? recorded in the Recc-'!^ nfthe !V'orth Pur- 
 ehasc, Book Ut p. 47. Extracts are lunde for the gratification of those v, ho 
 may wish to know the situation of his lands. 
 
 ' Imp. FiTty acres of upland lying upon Patucket River, most of it upon 
 the South Neck, being partof that land that was left for Mr. William Black- 
 stone and granted by the Court to Jnhii Stevenson: bounded to the Cist- 
 ward the land of John Fitch and the Common; westerly, Peiuckct Kiver, 
 find Southerly ; to the northwrrd, the land of John Blackstone; it being 
 106 rods long.' 
 
 The five acre lot of meadow mentioned in the grant is also recorded as 
 laid out'jy the Commissioners. 
 
 1st. Tuo acres of meadow rr^joining to the said lands lying in two pieces ; 
 one piece within the former tract of land, and the other by the river side 
 upon the SouiiiernmoEt end of it. 
 
 £d. * Three acres of fresh meadow lying at the northeast corner of the 
 meadow commonly known by the name of BIackstone''s Great Meado'.v, :{: 
 from a whiic oak tree marked, and so through the breadth of the meadow to 
 the Bun, the Run Lounding it to the uorthards ; westward, the raeadbw of 
 John Blackstone : eastward, the swcmp; southward, the upland.' 
 
 There is anotlier tract which he probably purchased. ' Fifty acres of 
 upland, more or lets, bonnded east the land of Ensign Nich. Peck and Rob. 
 Miller; north, the land of Sam. Carpenter; west, a his.'jhway four rods wide 
 (between John Blackslone's land and this lot) and a little piece of common 
 land ; south, coming near John Fitch's grave, to the Common. 
 
 i here is to be taken out of this lot a highway 2 rods wide next to Sam. 
 Carpenter's land to meet with the highway at the east end of said Carpen- 
 ter's lot.' 
 
 Likewise 10 acres of land, allowed to John Stevenson by the king's jury, 
 for land for highways, taken out of his land, lying on the southcn'y side of 
 Abbott's Run, &c. 
 
 Another record of land commences thus; ' Likewise two acres of land 
 tliat I took up adjoining to ir.y own land, at the southerly end of it, whicb 
 I had m exchange with my brother John Blackstone, &C. 
 
 To gratify the curious, the boundaries of John Blackstone's lands are ad- 
 ded, by which ti)2 prncise location of his father's estate may be ascertained. 
 
 I:vp. A hundred and nfiy acres of upland, swamp, and meadow ground, 
 more or less, containing the V,'cst Plain (comu:oply so called) and land ad- 
 jacent; bounded, to the northward, the land of Isaac Alien; to the ioatb> 
 
 X Uften calltd in the Recordi The Pareon's Meadow, 
 
32 
 
 Stevenson acquired a taste for solitary life by living with 
 Blackstoue, and resided here, (it"^s believed, alone) till his 
 death. There is no evidence of his ever having been mafried. 
 His time was devoted to the cultivation of his lands and the 
 pleasures of hunting. He died Sept. 16th, 1695. His broth- 
 et James Stevenson, of Springfield, was appointed his Admin- 
 istrator; who returned an Inventory, Oct. 11th, 1695, from 
 which it appears that his whole estate was valued at jf 57. 5. 2.* 
 
 This is all the account which I can find of the first settler 
 within the bounds of the North Purchase, and of those con- 
 nected with him. But his name will be preserved in perpetual 
 remembrance, for it is inseparably attached to that noble river 
 which flows past the site of his ancient and solitary dwelling. 
 His name is also transferred to a work of art — to that Canal 
 which bears the wealth and produce of the interior of Massa- 
 chusetts to the original abode of Roger Williams. The Valley 
 of the Blackstone has become celebrated as a manufacturing 
 district, and contributes, by the advantages of its water power, 
 to the wealth and industry of New England. Hardly could 
 
 ward, the land of John Stevenson ; to the westward, Pawtucket river; to 
 the eastward, the land of John Stevenson, the highway, and the undivided 
 land ; there running through it a country highway to Pawtucket river, four 
 rods wide. 
 
 Likewise a parcel of fresh meadow commonly known by the name of 
 Blackstone's Meadow, being eight acres, I;ounded to the eastward, the 
 meadow of John Stevenson, &c. 
 
 Xifceime twenty acres (laid out to John Elackstone, granted to him by 
 the king's jury for a way taken through his farm to Patlucket Kiver,) run- 
 nin" 76 ."ods N. W. and by W. and 42 rods S. W. and by S. bounded round 
 by the undivided land ; this tract lying near the new road to Dedham. 
 
 Likewise two acres which he had upon exchange witL his brother John 
 Stevenson, adjoining to his own farm, on the westerly side of the country 
 highway, next the house ; bounded easterly by the highway, westerly his 
 own farm, and southerly by a small run of water; and in consideration of 
 it John Stevenson had two acres of what John Blackstone was to have al- 
 lowed by the king^s jury, for the highway through his land to Providence. 
 Records R. N, Purchase, Book 1, page 153. 
 
 * ' His house, lands, and meadows at 1 50, His gun, cutldss, and cartoucb 
 box IQ. 18. 0.' kc. &c. 
 
33 
 
 Blackstone — the lover of undisturbed solitude — have dreamed 
 when he forsook the Peninsula of Boston, and pitched liis 
 lonely dwelling on the hanks of this placid stream, that his 
 peaceful retreat would he so soon the scene of industry and 
 the abode of a numerous population, and its silence broken by 
 the busy works of art ! Were his spirit permitted to revisit 
 the scene of his former enjoyments — he would be obliged to 
 penetrate another wilderness— to form a new garden, and 
 plant a new orchard — and to seek in a more distant region of 
 the West a spot congenial to his taste.* 
 
 The place which he chose for his residence is a truly beau- 
 tiful and romantic spot — such as a recluse and a lover of na- 
 ture would select. The place where his house stood is a small 
 hill, the surface of which would make an acre or more ; on the 
 east is a gradual ascent, but on the west it rises abruptly from 
 the river to the height of 60 or 70 feet ; there the Blackstone 
 winds gracefully at its base,t forming a slight curve at a short 
 distance south of the hill. Its summit commands a fine view 
 of the 'valley of the Blackstone' to the distance of more than a 
 mile on the South. On the east is a delightful and fertile val- 
 ley consisting of a few acres, which opens to the south on the 
 borders of the meadow, and is bounded on the east and north 
 east by a gentle eminence, on the top of which runs the 'Men- 
 don road' so often mentioned in the ancient land records. 
 This valley was cultivated by the hands of Blackstone ; here 
 was his orchard, where are seen the stumps of apple-trees, cut 
 
 * Every tiling in relation to Blackstone is interesting to the public ; I 
 have, therefore, been minute in this description. 
 
 It coulJ never have occurred to him, who, to avoid the notice of men, 
 sought the shades of solitude, that future ages would take so deep an inter- 
 est in his history — that he should be an object of minute research to the an- 
 tiquarian — and that every circumstance, connected with his hfe, which could 
 be rescued from the Land of oblivion, should be sought out with so much 
 avidity! 
 
 tThe river, within forty years past, has enlarged its channel at this place 
 and now washes the very base of the hill, as if attracted to the spot by a 
 grateful remembrance of him who first sought its banks and loved its stream, 
 and whose honored name it now bears. The margin of the river was 
 formerly three rods at least west from the hill. 
 
34 
 
 down within a few years, which are said to have grown from 
 the sprouts of the first trees planted bjhim. His well is still 
 pointed out, at the southern border of this valley ; though now 
 filled up with moss and weeds, the pure water still hubbies up 
 from its fountains. His grave is also designated, though with 
 less certainty ; it is in the orchard, about two rods east from 
 the foot of the hill and north of the well. The 'flat stone which 
 it is said, marked his grave,' is not now visible ; it is either re- 
 moved or buried under the surface. 
 
 One Alexander, who was drowned in the river, was buried, 
 it is said, by the side of Mr. Blackstone. Is it not probable 
 that his wife is also buried at the same place ? 
 
 The spot on which he lived, has returned to its original 
 state of nature. Six or seven years ago, a heavy growth of 
 timber trees was cut from this hill ; and its surface is now 
 thickly covered with young and thrifty wood. Oaks of a hun- 
 dred years have grown on the garden of Blackstone ! 
 
 The first settlement within the bounds of the present town 
 of Attleborough was in the neighborhood of the Baptist Meet- 
 ing House, where Hatch's tavern now stands. It was commen- 
 ced by Mr. John Woodcock and his sons, soon after t'iti f.ist 
 division in 1GG9. Here he built a public liouse on the Bay 
 Road ; and laid out lands to the amount of about 300 acres, 
 which afterwards made an excellent farm. At this time and 
 subsequently he took up, in several parls of the town, about 
 600 acres,* part on his own shares and the rest on rights which 
 he purchased of Roger Amidowue, James Redeway, Andrew 
 Willett, «fcc. 
 
 His house was occupied for a Garrison. It was licensed in 
 1670, according to the following record. 
 
 * July 5th 1670. John Woodcock is allowed by the Court to 
 keep an Ordinarj' at the ten mile river (so called) which is in 
 the way from Rehoboth to the Bay ; and likewise enjoined to 
 keep good order, that no unruliness or ribaldry be permitted 
 there. — Old Col. Rec. 
 
 His name first appears in the Rehoboth records the 28th 4th 
 
 *A part of this was on Bungay River, (where Bishop's shop lately stood) 
 which he conveyed to bis «7n Jonathan, with the sawmill thereon standing. 
 
S5 
 
 mo. 1647, when he bought the lands of Ed. Patterson. He 
 was admitted a freeman of that town, May 14th 1673. 
 
 Woodcock was a man of some consideration in those days — 
 his name frequently appearing in town offices and on com- 
 mittees. June 2d 1C91 he was chosen Deputy to the General 
 Court from Rehoboth, and at several other times. He was 
 shrewd, hardy, fearless and adventurous — a character just suit- 
 ed to the times in which he lived, and the circumstances in 
 which he was placed. 
 
 He held Indian rights in very low estimation. On one oc- 
 casion he took the liberty of yaying himself a debt due to him 
 from a neighboring Indian, without the consent of the debtor, 
 or the intervention of judge, jury, or sheriff — for which achieve- 
 ment he received the following sentence from the Court, — aa 
 example of the rigid justice of the Puritans. 
 
 ' 1654. John Woodcock of Rehoboth, for going into an In- 
 dian house and taking away an Indian child and some goods 
 in lieu of a debt the Indian owed him, was sentenced to set in 
 th» stocks at Rehoboth an hour on a Training day, and to pay 
 a fine of forty shillings.' 
 
 Old Col. Rec. Court Orders, Book 3d. 
 
 Woodcock had two wives ; Sarah, who died in May 1676, 
 and a second one, Joanna, who survived him. He had a large 
 family of children, some if not all of whose names I have as- 
 certained : (though no record of them is preserved on the books) 
 viz. John, Israil, Nathaniel (killed by the Indians) Jonathan, 
 Thomas ; and at least — three daughters ; one, married to 
 Thomas Esterbrook, one, to Samuel Guild, and another, Deb- 
 orah, to Benj'n Onion May 24th 16S3. There were two oth- 
 ers of this name supposed to be children of John Woodcock, 
 viz. Alice, married to Baruck Bucklin, and Mary, married to 
 Jonathan Freeman. There was also a Sarah Woodcock who 
 married Alexander Bolkcom. 
 
 John Woodcock sen. died Oct. 20, 1701 — having arrived at a 
 very advanced age, in spite of many attempts which had been 
 made by the Indians to destroy him. It is said, that after his 
 death the scars of seven bullet holes were counted on his body ! 
 He was an Inveterate and implacable enemy to the Indians— 
 
S6 
 
 {because of which will hereafter appear in the notice of some 
 events in Phillip's War. In encounters with them, on several 
 occasions, he ran imminent risks of his life. He was foremost 
 in all enterprises, the object of which was the destruction of 
 the Indians. He was a very useful man as a pioneer in the 
 dangers of a new settlement — being cunning in contrivance, 
 and bold and active in execution. 
 
 Woodcock's Garrison* was a well known place of rendezvous 
 in the great Indian War. It was one in a chain of fortifications 
 extending from Boston to Rhode Island, There was one in 
 Boston ; one in Dedham at Ames' corner ; Woodcock's in this 
 place ; one, it is said, at Rehoboth,f now Seekonk ; and anoth- 
 er at Newport on the Island ; and perhaps others in the inter- 
 mediate spaces. 
 
 This stand, which is now owned and occupied by Col. Hatch, 
 is the oldest in the county of Bristol— a public house having 
 been kept on the spot, without intermission, from July 5th 
 1670, to this time June 1833~during a period of one hundred 
 and sixty-three years ! It is situated on the Boston and Provi- 
 dence turnpike. I have been at considerable pains to ascer- 
 tain the names of the several owners, in succession, and the 
 times at which they purchased — some brief notices of which 
 may be interesting to the reader. 
 
 It was established by John Woodcock, as already related in 
 1670 — the land having been laid out and cleared by him for 
 the purpose. He occupied it about 23 years. 
 
 Feb. 17th, 1693 — 4. John Woodcock sen. of Rehoboth, 
 (with Joanna his wife) for<£390 money in hand received, con- 
 veys to John Devotion of' Muddy River, formerly of Boston,' 
 a tract of land containing 210 acres, being 'at a place com- 
 monly called ten mile river by a highway called Wrentham 
 lane,' &.c. ' with the mansion or dwelling house, barn, and all 
 other out housing and buildings (the Smith's shop only except- 
 
 *rhis was probalily the only house (excepting immediate neighbors') on 
 the 'Bay roatl,' between Rehoboth and Dedham — though this was then the 
 main road from R. Island, Bristol and Rehoboth to Boston. 
 
 tSituated in the centre of the Great Plains, on the borders of which, the 
 first settlements were principally located. 
 
87 
 
 ed standing on the river ;')* also about 30 acres lyin^ on N. W. 
 side the country road formerly given to his son John Wood- 
 cock, hounded by ten mile R. &c. with his son's dwelling honse 
 and barn on the same. 'John Devotion took quiet possession 
 of the same, April 9tl) 1694, in presenee of Nathaniel Brent- 
 nall, William Chnplin.'t 
 
 Woodcock laid out the ancient Burying ground near his 
 house. In the above mentioned conveyance is the following 
 reservation. 'Except a small parcel of at least six rods square 
 or the contents thereof, for a burying place in which my wife 
 and several of my children and neighbors are interred, with 
 liberty for my children and neigld^ors to come upon and make 
 use thereof forever as occasion may be.'| 
 
 John Devotion occupied the premises more than 17 years. 
 He left no descendants here ; and after selling his estate re- 
 moved to Wethersfield, afterwards to Suffield.§ His wife's 
 name was Hannah. 
 
 July 10th 171 L John Devotion for c£400 money paid, con- 
 veys the said fiirm (containing 230 acres more or less) to John 
 Daggett of Chilmark in Dukes County, Martha's Vineyard, 
 
 * A shop now stands on llie same spot. 
 
 t In (his conveyance to Devotion is the following curious i(em: ' Also, 
 all the sail! John Wooilcock his riglit to, and privilege in, a house and pas- 
 tuie al Wrentham for accommodation of liis family and horses on Sabbath 
 davsand other |iiiblio times, as occasion may be.' 
 
 Previous to his removal here, he hnd a house at Rchoboth for a similar 
 purpose. Seepage 13. From this and other records it appears that he and 
 h\> family were very attentive to public worship. 
 
 :}: I his is the oIde^t grave yard in the town, — where the first settlers are 
 buried. It is situated on the easterly side of the roa I opposite the Hotel. 
 The first inte ment in this pla.e was that of Nathaniel Woodcock who was 
 killed by the Indians in Phillip's War, May 1676, and was b'lried on Iba 
 fpot where lie fell, v\ hich is still pointed out in the centre of the grave yard. 
 Ihiscemetciy is now in a state of dilapidation — many of the stones have 
 fallen il i«n, and the wImI.; is gii'ii; ra|ii>!ly to decay. It is the duty of 
 that iieij;hb( ihood or the lou n, (a duly which yiatiiu.le (!eiTiaii(is) to see 
 the ground decently enclo?ed and the stones erected, that the f:vv inciuoriali 
 which now exist of our early ancestry may l;e preserved. 
 
 ♦ He bad a son .Tohn Devotion, a schoolmaster, livi ig in Sv.ai-et iu 171€. 
 
38 
 
 (the first of that name who settled in this town) with 25 acres 
 on Nine mile R. (except 2 acres, the barn and orchard on it, 
 now in possession of Penticost Blackinton.) ' Also, one whole 
 share in the undivided lands in Attleborough. 
 
 April 16th 1722. J«iin Daggett, for .£550, sells the same 
 to Alexander Maxcy, ' being his homestead, containing; 170 
 acres in 2 parts on the Ten Mile R. &.c. at a place called 
 Mount Hope Hill.'* The said Maxcy died in about a year af- 
 ter this purchase. At the division of his estate (1730) the es- 
 tablishment passed into the hands of his oldest son Josiah Max- 
 cy. After his death in 1772, (if not before) it came into the 
 possession of his son Levi Maxcy, who occupied it till about 
 1780 when he sold it to Col. Israil Hatch the present occupant. 
 
 The old Garrison was torn down in 1806, and a large and 
 elegant building erected on the spot, 58 by 60 feet, 3 stories 
 high.t It thus appears that the first building erected on the 
 place stood one hundred and thirty six years. A great part of 
 the timber was said to be perfectly sound — pierced, however, 
 by many a bullet received in Phillip's War. A relic of this 
 house, it is said, was preserved in the archives of the Mass. 
 His. Soc. 
 
 Several families settled near Mr. Blackstone's seat soon af- 
 ter, if not previous to the war. 
 
 Another early settlement was at the Falls (so called) now 
 the Falls Factories. The natural advantages of a fine fall of 
 water attracted the settlers to the spot. The banks of rivers 
 were generally selected by the first occupants on account of 
 the ' natural meadows' which they afforded, and which were 
 highly valued at a time when the face of the country was cov- 
 ered with forests. 
 
 The first person who laid out lands at the latter place (as 
 near as can be ascertained from the records) was John Dag- 
 gett of Rehoboth, who, in Oct. 1677, sold 50 acres of it to his 
 
 * So called to this day. 
 
 t The original building only was taken down ; — an addition, built at 
 an early period, was moved a little back, where it now stands, * carved o'er 
 with many a long forgotten name.' A small remnant, one room, of the old 
 Garrisoa may sliil be seen adjoining the wood bouse. 
 
39 
 
 brother Thomas Daggett of Marthas Vinejard. Edward Hall* 
 also at an early period owned 50 acres here, which he gave by 
 will to his son John, and he sold it to John Stevenson and 
 Samuel Penfield ; the latter sold it, in 1G86, to Thomas Dag- 
 gett of Edgartovvn, and Joseph and Nathaniel Daggettt of 
 Rehoboth. This was the land immediately around the Falls 
 including the privilege. The first mill built there was a 'Corn 
 Mill,' owned or occupied by the above named Joseph Daggett, 
 at what time is not known. This was doubtless the lirst mill 
 in town. Blarch 30th 1703, the tovvn voted that Jos. Daggett 
 of Rehoboth have the privilege ' that the stream at the Ten 
 Mile River Falls shall go free of all sorts of taxes until a Corn 
 mill has the constant custom of three score families; and if a 
 saw mill be built, that to bear his equal share in public charges 
 in said town.' 
 
 Thomas Butler| also laid out land near the Mill. 
 
 The southeast corner of the town was early inhabited by 
 people from Rehoboth. The borders of the Bay Road which 
 passed through the neighborhood of Newell's and the City 
 were occupied by some of the first settlers. This was the 
 main route from Bristol to Boston, and was the first road in 
 town. 
 
 Proceedings of the Proprietors. 
 The Proprietors of the Rehoboth North Purchase soon be- 
 came a distinct body from the town, and kept separate books. 
 Before proceeding to other parts of the history of the town, it 
 may be proper to detail some of the transactions of the Pro- 
 prietors, which will throw light on our early history, and give 
 a view of the difficulties which they had to encounter in the 
 settlement. 
 
 * 'I bon pf Rehoboth, previously of Taunton. Admitted a freeman of 
 Massachusetts May 2, 16S8. One John Hall was admitted May 14, 1634, 
 and another May 6th, 1635. Edward had 7 children — John born before 
 bis father came to Kehoboth,— Samuel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Preserved, An- 
 drew, Benjamin, from 1655 to 166S. 
 
 t The iast two were the sons of John Daggett the first of Rehoboth. 
 
 :j: Ther« were three of the name of Butler in town. 
 
40 
 
 The Proprietors' Books commence in 1672. Previous to 
 this their proceedings were recorded in the Rehoboth town 
 books. A certain company (consisting of inhabitants of Reho- 
 both) purchased, as already appears a certain tract of land of 
 the Indians, through their agent, and tiie title was confirmed 
 hy the Government,* which tract was called The Rehoboth 
 North Purchase. There were 82 purchasers or share-hold- 
 ers, 76 of whom had whole shares, and 0, half sliares, making 
 79 whole shares, t They called meetings, (notified according 
 to law) and from time to time granted divisions of so many 
 acres to a share — which were laid out to the shareholders, by 
 metes and bounds, by a committee and surveyor chosen for the 
 purpose, under such regulations and instructions as were es- 
 tablished by the company and were recorded by the Clerk in 
 the Proprietors' Books. This constituted a valid right to the 
 lands so recorded. In this way all the original titles to land in 
 this town were obtained. A transfer of a share might be made 
 by deed, a record of the sale being entered in the Proprietors' 
 books. Or, a person might obtain a title to lands by purchas- 
 ing of a proprietor a right to lay out a certain number of acres 
 in a division already granted, which would be lecorded to him 
 in the same manner as to the original owner. 
 
 The Grant was first made to such inhabitants of Rehoboth 
 as held a fifty pounds estate and upwards, they having made 
 the purchase ; but in 1670 all who were then inhabitants of 
 that town were admitted as proprietors by entering their 
 names, as appears by the following extract from a Court order 
 passed Oct. 7th, 1670. 
 
 ♦Whereas the lands on the Northerly side of Rehoboth now 
 sold by Deed and passed over to the Proprietors of that town 
 (viz.) to all that hold lands there from a fifty pounds estate 
 and upwards; yei by mutual agreement amongit themselves all 
 the inhabitants were taken in to be j(<int purchasers, it is de- 
 termined that the names of such as were not comprehended in 
 the above mentioned Deed shall be entered in their town rec- 
 
 * No purchase of Indian lands was valid wilbout the grant or conBima- 
 tion of the Government, 
 t What eoneidcraiiun was paid for the purcbaie doe« not appear. 
 
4\ 
 
 ords and in the public records of the Colony, to be, if they de- 
 sire it, as full and equal purchasers and projirietors in those 
 lands as the rest.' 
 
 These lands were at first exempted from full taxation, 'to 
 acconiniodate the poorer sort with land and yet so as not to 
 0()press tliein as much otlier\Mse.' The Court ordered 'that 
 all the North lands, both farms and else,' should be taxed in a 
 rate separate from the town of Rehoboth, and should pay 30 
 shillings in a £AQ rate to the Colony, and in the same propor- 
 tion in the Ministerial and other charges, 'until the Court 
 shall see cause otherwise to dispose coiiceiiiing them, until 
 which time they shall be and renjain within the Constablerick 
 of the township of Rehoboth.' Oct. 7, 1670. 
 
 The Proprietors sometimes exercised legislative powers, 
 whiL-h v,ere, however, to some extent, auttionzed by Statute. 
 
 June lOfh 1707. Voted, that all who have lands laid out in 
 the North I'luchase and have not renewed their bounds since 
 the 1st of March last, shall, between this date and the last of 
 St'ptember next, renew the same, orfivfiit the svm of ten shil- 
 ling-f to be reeovered as a debt due : the one half tn the informer, 
 and the other half to the Propriitors, ariy oneof ivhvm arc author- 
 ized to prusecute this art. 
 
 At the same meeting it was ordered that all the timber cut 
 on tlie undivided hin(l>' s^hoiild be forthwith seized ; and a com- 
 mittee was appointed to hear and determine by what right it 
 was cut, and if found without good right, then to take the 
 methods of the law in that case provided. 
 
 Sept. 16, 1707. Voted that the Committee with the survey- 
 or, shall lay out all needful highways for the Projjrietors 
 in said Purchase, and make restitution to persons whose lands 
 are taken for this purpose, in any of the undivided lands.* 
 
 Nov. 1708. The Proprietors chose a committee to look af- 
 ter the northerly bounds of their purchase. At this time com- 
 menced the long and tedious contest about the northern boun- 
 dary of the purchase which was the Old Colony line. The 
 subject was discussed at every meeting, and committees oflen 
 
 « A large proportion of the hig!n\ays in this town were laiJ out by tb« 
 P<opri«tori, Bceompanied bj tb« Selccimeo< 
 
43 
 
 appointed to devise means of protecting the riglits of the pur- 
 chasers. Petitions were sent to the General Court, counsel 
 were employed to defend their rights ; and finally a petition 
 and an agent were sent to England. 
 
 July 21st 1714. Voted that two acres of land on the hill 
 before Mr. David Freeman's, where the Burying place now is, 
 shall be laid out for a Burying place for Attleborough. This 
 is the grave-yard near the village called the City. 
 
 June 13th 1717. Voted unanimonsly that Col. Nath'l. 
 Paine Esq. Mr. Richard Waterman, Esq. Lieut. Anthony 
 Sprague, Mr. Dan. Jenks and Mr. Dan. Smith be a committee 
 to see to the Northerly bounds, hereby giving them full power 
 to act in all respects in behalf of the whole Propriety concern- 
 ing running the line between Atlleboro' Wrentliam and Ded- 
 ham, where it ought lawfully to be stated according to our 
 purchase deed. 
 
 July 14th 1717. The Committee were authorized to defend 
 all suits of law that may be commenced by any person or per- 
 sons against the Propriety, and to empower any attorney or 
 attornies that may be needful for advice ; and further to com- 
 mence any action or actions that they may think proper for the 
 benefit of the said Propriety. 
 
 Nov. 2d 1720. Voted that the former Committee still pro- 
 ceed with their Petitions, even until they send to England 
 about the right of our northern line (if they cannot be heard 
 in our own government), and that the expense be paid by the 
 proprietors according to their several interests. 
 
 Voted that one hundred acres of undivided land be sold to 
 defray the expenses of defending the northern line, t 
 
 Feb. 21st 1726 — 7. Voted that any person or persons who 
 will sue for our rights in the land challenged by Dorchester or 
 Stoughton, Wrentham and Beliingham, and to the South of 
 Nath. Woodward and Solomon Saffrey's line and on the north 
 of the town and all that part that lieth within their challenge, 
 shall have the fourth part of said tract of land if they recover 
 
 t At a subsequent meeting in 1752, the Clerk was authorized to sell to 
 any of the proprietors 79^ acres of undivided land at 8 shillings lawful mon- 
 ty I'tr acre. 
 
45 
 
 it to the use of the Propriety. Maj. Leonard Esq. Capt John 
 Foster and Ensign Daniel Peck appeared in said meeting and 
 accepted the offer. 
 
 June 5, 1727. At this meeting a petition in rhyme was pre- 
 sented by one Joshua Barrows,* at that time a well known ex- 
 tempore rhymster, of whose productions many specimens are 
 still remembered; and of whose wit and eccentricity tradition 
 has preserved numerous amusing anecdotes. He seems to 
 have suiFered the common fate of poets, poverty. His peti- 
 tion is recorded at length in the Proprietors' books,— which is 
 transcribed merely for the amusement of the reader. 
 ' Your Honors now I do implore 
 
 To read my poor petition ; 
 I hope your hearts will open be 
 
 To pity my condition. 
 Ten acres of the Common Land 
 
 I pray that you would give ; 
 Then thankful I will be to you 
 
 As long as I do live. 
 Such a kindness, I must confess, 
 
 From you I don't deserve ; 
 But when in health, I freely work — 
 Why should you let me starve ? 
 
 From day to day my daily bread 
 
 I get it by my sweat ; 
 But to my sorrow, I beg and borrow 
 
 When sickness doth me let. 
 
 No more in rhyme here at this time, 
 
 No more 1 have at hand, 
 And so I'll end, your faithful friend 
 And servant to command. 
 
 Joshua Barrows.' 
 Attleborough, June 5th 1727. 
 
 The prayer of this petition our good-natured forefathers 
 could not resist. ' Upon the hearing of the aforesaid petition 
 of Joshua Barrows, there were sundry persons in said meeting 
 
 * He is said to have been entirely illiterate. 
 
44 
 
 which were proprietors, which gave him land to take up upon 
 tlieir ris^hts — their names are as ft)lIo\vetli, &-c.' — making in 
 the wliole 13 acres, vviiich were laid out and recorded to liiin. 
 
 It appears from the report of a committee that an agent was 
 actually em|jloyed in Enirland to defend their boundaries. In 
 their account are the following items: 
 
 Paid for silver money to send to England £2i 17 6. 
 
 Paid to Nath. Brown for carrying the money to 
 
 Boston to send to England - - - £2 02 6 
 
 To ex])ense at Providence when both committees 
 met there to wait on Gov. Jencks, and writing 
 to send to England after his return from Eng- 
 land, &:.c. ifcc. - - - - - - ^176 
 
 Jan. 3d 1750—1. Chose Col. Thomas Bowen, Maj. John 
 Foster and Capt. Sam. Tyler a committee, fully empowering 
 them to prepare a petition praying the General Court that 
 some effectual method may be taken for the perfecting of a 
 straight line* from the middle of Accord Pond (so called) 
 westward to that station wliieli is three English miles south of 
 the southernmost part of Cliarles River, agreeable to a settle- 
 ment made by the Government of New Plymouth and the 
 Massachusetts in the year 1640. 
 
 Sept. 26th 1751. Made choice of James Otis of Boston and 
 John Foster of Attleborough, Esqrs. a committee in addition 
 to Benj. Day and Nath. Smith (chosen at a former meeting) to 
 present a petition about to be heard at the General Court at 
 
 * \h<' cause of dispute \va« an an^le in dm Old Colnny Line, wliic'i i? 
 eaid 1(1 h;ive ni-i:;iiuiied in ihis «ay : I'ln- Cotnii.issioners, who wrre appoint- 
 ed in 1640 l>y tlie two coloni°s to run thft line betueen them, CDnineneeJ 
 near liie slioi-eat a rock called niiuiid Ki.ck in the iniildle of Acconl Pond, 
 wliich IS in liie line between Sciiusiie ami Cohassett. (once pari of Hingiiaui) 
 intending to reach by a Mrai^ht line the most eioriherly point of Plynimth 
 Colony, on the easterly li e of R. IslatuI ; lnU when they had arrived x\iih n 
 about three miles they disoovered that tlieir cmirsp would carry them far to 
 the South of the intended point. Instead <d riciifying the whole lin.- iliey 
 made an angle and took a new cour-e so far north as to reach tiie tiue 
 point ! At this turn stood a large oak tree marked which was called Angle 
 Tree. A large Stone Monument has been since erected on the spot by 
 Attleborough and Wrentbao). 
 
45 
 
 their next session, and to pursue said petition until it is fully 
 determined by said Court ; and to petition anew if need be, to 
 have the line settled on the northerly part of our Purchase. 
 
 May 19th 1752. Chose a committee and gave them full 
 power to eject any person or persons out of the possession of 
 those lands they have possessed themselves of, within the 
 North Purchase Grant, without the consent of the Proprietors, 
 as also full power to sue and pursue any action brought for the 
 purpose, to final judgment and execution. 
 
 May 27th, 1754. The committees of Rehoboth N. Purchase 
 and Taunton N. Purchase entered into an agreement to com- 
 mence actions of ejectment against persons who had intruded 
 upon their respective purchases, the costs to be borne equally 
 by the two Proprieties. 
 
 Divisions of land in the IN. Purchase have been made among 
 the Proprietors at different times, as follows : 
 
 1. A Division of 50 acres to a share granted March 18, 1668-9 
 
 2. 
 
 a 
 
 o; 
 
 f50 
 
 acres to a share 
 
 was granted Feb. ISth 1684 
 
 3. 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 50 
 
 acres, 
 
 ,in2 
 
 1 parts, 
 
 25 
 
 acres each, Oct. 31, 1699 
 
 4. 
 
 u 
 
 C( 
 
 50 
 
 acres 
 
 in 2 lotments, 
 
 1703 
 
 5. 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 
 50; 
 
 acres 
 
 was 
 
 granted 
 
 June 10th, 1707 
 
 6. 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 50 
 
 n 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 
 
 July 21st, 1714 
 
 7. 
 
 (( 
 
 (i 
 
 20 
 
 (1 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 Feb.21st, 1726— 7 
 
 8. 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 10 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 C( 
 
 
 April 14th, 1735 
 
 9. 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 3 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 l( 
 
 
 April 4th, 1760 
 
 10. 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 2 
 
 (( 
 
 C( 
 
 Ci 
 
 
 1793 
 
 11. 
 
 (( 
 
 C( 
 
 2 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 li 
 
 
 1801 
 
 12. 
 
 (C 
 
 u 
 
 1 
 
 it 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 
 1820 
 
 1% 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 1 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 May 10th, 1833 
 
 The most valuable parts of this Purchase were taken up by 
 these divisions many years since. A small but broken and un- 
 productive remnant of this land yet remains common and undi- 
 vided on Cutting's Plain (so called) on the road from East 
 Attleborough to Wrentham. 
 
 From their records and the extracts which have been made, 
 it appears that the proprietors made their own regulations, 
 gave their own titles to lands, and in fact, enacted all their 
 7 
 
46 
 
 laws relative to the ownership and the original conveyance of 
 lands included in their purchases. 
 
 Names of the Clerks of the Propriety. 
 William Carpenter, Jr. chosen May 17th, 1682 
 Daniel Smith " May 31st, 1703 
 
 Noah Carpenter " April 23d, 1724 
 
 John Robbins, Jr. " May 1st, 1752 
 
 John Daggett " Dec 9th, 1763 
 
 Ebenezer Daggett " July 1st, 1793 and 
 
 continued till his death March 4th, 1832. Lucas Daggett cho- 
 sen May 10, 1833. 
 
 INDIAN WAR. 
 
 The few events, connected with this war, which occurred 
 here, should not be omitted in the history of the town. 
 
 The peaceful regions, which we now inhabit, once resound- 
 ed with the shrill and terrible war-whoop of the Indian. — 
 These fields and woods, these hills and vales were once trod 
 by the wild hunters of the forest. They were the domains of 
 another race of men, who have long since passed away and are 
 known only by the brief histories and scattered relics which 
 their conquerors have preserved. But whatever relates to them 
 is interesting. They were distinguished by many peculiarites. 
 They had their savage vices, but possessed at the same time 
 their savage virtues. They were hardy, bold and warlike. 
 
 The most important and critical period in the history of the 
 Colony was the Indian War of 1675—6. This was a gloomy 
 and fearful period to these infant settlements. The hour of 
 their destruction seemed to be drawing nigh. They were a 
 scattered people, — spreading over a wide extent of territory, — 
 peculiarly exposed in their lives and property, to Indian depre- 
 dations. The approaching contest required all the patience, 
 fortitude and courage which men are ever called to exercise. 
 They had to contend against fearful odds. Nearly all the New 
 England tribes, embracing many thousand warriors, had com- 
 bined for their destruction, guided by the matchless genius of 
 a Chief versed in all the arts of savage warfare. It was a war 
 
47 
 
 of extermination — a contest for victory in which there was no 
 quarter — no mercy. 
 
 In April 1676, the Indians, having suftered several severe 
 defeats in a body, adopted a new mode of warfare, and dis- 
 persed themselves in small parties over the country, burning, 
 killing and destroying wherever opportunity offered. Among 
 other outrages, they attacked Woodcock's Garrison, ' killed 
 one man and one of Woodcock's sons, and wounded another, 
 and burnt the son's house.' Some circumstances connected 
 with this event appear to have been accurately preserved by 
 tradition, from which and other sources are gathered the fol- 
 lowing particulars. 
 
 His sons were at work in a corn field near the house. The 
 Indians, concealed in a wood * adjoining the field, approach- 
 ed to its borders and fired upon them. The workmen fled to 
 the Garrison, leaving the dead body on the field. The In- 
 dians, to gratify their spite against the family, cut off the son's 
 head, stuck it on a long pole, which they set up on a hill at 
 some distance in front of the house and in full view of the fam- 
 ily, to aggravate their feelings as much as possible. From this 
 time Woodcock swore never to make peace with the Indians. 
 He ever after hunted them like wild beasts. He was a man of 
 resolute and determined character ; — and tradition says, that 
 not a few fell victims to his vengeance and a sacrifice to the 
 manes of his murdered son. 
 
 This attack was in May. The body of his son (whose name 
 was Nathaniel) was buried on the spot where he fell, nearly 
 in the centre of the yard vvhich has ever since been reserved 
 for a burying ground. 
 
 Pierce's Fight. — This town was the scene of one of the 
 most severe, bloody and fatal battles fought during the war. — 
 It took place on Sunday March 26th 1676, in that part vvhich 
 is now Cumberland R. I. near the Blackstone River. The 
 spot is still pointed out. 
 
 The Government of Plymouth, fearing that their settlements 
 would be again attacked, after so many outrages had been 
 
 * 2iow the meadow on the east of the turnpike below the bridge. 
 
48 
 
 committed in Massachusetts, ordered out a company for their 
 defence, consisting of 63 Englishmen and 20 Cape Indians,* 
 under the command of Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate. — 
 He immediately marched in pursuit of the enemy who were 
 supposed to be in the vicinity. He rendezvoused at the Gar- 
 rison inRehoboth on Saturday night. The next day, 'having 
 intelligence in his Garrison at Seaconicke that a party of the 
 enemy lay near Mr. Blackstone's, he went forth with 63 Eng- 
 lish and 20 Cape Indians ;' and soon discovered 4 or 5 Indi- 
 ans in a piece of woods who pretended to be lame and wound- 
 ed, but proved to be decoys to lead the whites into ambuscade, 
 for they soon discovered 500 more of the enemy. Pierce, 
 though aware of their superiority of numbeis, courageously 
 pursued them, when they began to retreat slowly ; but there 
 soon appeared another company of 400 Indians, who were 
 now able completely to surround him. A party of the enemy 
 were stationed on the opposite side of the River to prevent the 
 English crossing ; they were thus attacked in front and rear 
 by an overwhelming force. Thus all chance of retreat and 
 all hope of escape was cut off. This was a most trying mo- 
 ment. But there was no flinching — no quailing. Each one 
 knew that in all human probability he must die on that field, 
 and that too under the most appalling circumstances — by the 
 hand of a merciless enemy who souglit their extermination.— 
 But bravely and nobly did they submit to their fate. Each 
 one resolved to do his duty and sell his life at the dearest rate. 
 At such a time the awful war-whoop of the Indian would have 
 sent a thrill of terror to the hearts of any but brave men. At 
 
 * This account tliffers in some respects from that given by Churcb who 
 states that there were only 50 Whites and 20 Cape Indians. I have relied, 
 for the most of the particulars in this description, on a ' Continued Account 
 of the Bloody Indian War from March till August 16T6,' now in the hands 
 of Mr. S.G. Drake, Boston. It was published in London the same year; 
 and contains a minute and apparently accurate detail of this battle and 
 many of the other important events of the war. The work consists of a 
 series of letters written by a gentleman in Boston to his friend in London, 
 and published from time to time as they were received. One volume, (the 
 above mentioned) containing S or 4 letters, has been lately discovered ; — 
 and was never reprinted in this country. 
 
49 
 
 this critical juncture Capt. Pierce made an exceedingly judi- 
 cious movement. He formed his men into a circle, back to 
 back, with four spaces between each man — thus enlarging the 
 circle to its greatest extent — presenting a front to the enemy 
 in every direction, and necessarily scattering their fire over a 
 greater surface ; whilst the Indians stood in a deep circle, one 
 behind another, forming a compact mass, and presenting a front 
 where every shot must take effect.* He thus made a brave 
 resistance for two hours, (all the while keeping the enemy at a 
 distance and his own men in perfect order) and kept up a con- 
 stant and destructive fire upon the Indians. But no courage or 
 skill could prevail in such an unequal contest, or longer resist 
 such a force.! At last overpowered by numbers, Capt. Pierce 
 and 55 English and 10 Cape Indians were slain on the spot, 
 ' which in such a cause and upon such disadvantage may cer- 
 tainly be styled the Bed of Honor.' But this victory was gain- 
 ed at a great sacrifice. The Indians lost as many (not count- 
 ing women and children) as in the great swamp fight at Nar- 
 ragansett, which were computed at over 300 ! 
 
 This was the sorest defeat which the Colony of Plymouth 
 suffered during the war, and caused great distress every where, 
 for the numbers lost amounted to about one third of their reg- 
 ular force. According to Church, not a single white man re- 
 turned from this bloody and fatal battle-field. 
 
 As soon as the Rehoboth people received information of the 
 dangerous situation of Capt. Pierce and his men, they des- 
 patched a company to his assistance, who arrived in season only 
 to perform the last offices to the dead bodies of their countrymen. 
 
 The courage and resolution displayed on this occasion de- 
 serve commendation. These brave soldiers were entitled to 
 the gratitude of the Colony, for whose defence they had thus 
 sacrificed their lives. They were taken by surprise, and com- 
 pletely surrounded by a force ten times their superior. Pierce 
 
 * In the words of the account just rcfered to: ' Capt. Pierce cast bis tnett 
 into a Ring, and fought back to back, and were double-double distance all in 
 one ring, whilst the Indians were as thick as they could stand thirty deep.' 
 
 + Canonchet, a Narraganselt Chief, comiijaiided in this battle. He wag 
 soon after taken prisoner and executed. 
 
50 
 
 was a bold and adventurous man— fear formed no part of his 
 character. His men partook of his courage. They pushed 
 forward — perhaps imprudently — and thus fell into the snare 
 which their enemy had prepared for them. Considering the 
 numbers engaged, it was doubtless the most warmly and close- 
 ly contested of all the engagements which took place, during 
 that eventful period, between the white and the red men. Near- 
 ly 400 were killed on both sides. History has recorded, with 
 applause, every feat of bravery, when performed on a more 
 conspicuous station, whilst it has often overlooked the humble 
 though equally meritorious exploit. It requires more true 
 courage to die on such a field, with such a foe, than on the 
 plains of Warterloo, amid the ' pomp and circumstance of 
 glorious war.' 
 
 The following adventure in which ' Old Woodcock ' was 
 engaged, is abridged fi'om a communication in the Mass. His. 
 Coll. furnished by the research of the late Dr. Mann, formerly 
 of Wrentham. It rests upon the authority of tradition, but ap- 
 pears to be well authenticated. 
 
 A man by the name of Rocket, in searching for a stray 
 horse, discovered a train of 42 Indians, about sunset; from 
 their appearance he suspected they intended to attack the set- 
 tlement at Wrentham, the next morning, after the men had 
 dispersed to their work ; he therefore followed them, secretly, 
 till they halted for the night, when he hastily returned to the 
 settlement and gave notice to the inhabitants. A consultation 
 was held, at which it was agreed to attack the Indians early 
 the next morning. A company of 13 under the command of 
 Capt. Ware, was hastily collected from Wrentham and the vi- 
 cinity ; who, having secured the women and children and the 
 infirm in the Garrison, set out for the Indian encampment, 
 where they arrived just before day light ; and were posted 
 within a short distance, with orders to reserve their fire till the 
 enemy began to decamp. 
 
 Between day light and sun-rise the Indians suddenly rose 
 from their resting places, when, upon a signal given, a gener- 
 al discharge was made, which threw them into the utmost con- 
 sternation. Some, in their confusion, while attempting to es- 
 
51 
 
 cape, leaped down a precipi#% of rocks from 10 to 20 feet in 
 heiglit ; some of the fugitives were overtaken and slain. Two 
 of them, who were closely pursued, attempted to conceal them- 
 selves in Mill Brook, where they were found and killed. It ia 
 related that one Woodcock discharged his long musket called, 
 in those days, a buccaneer, at a fugitive Indian, at the distance 
 of SO rods, and broke his thigh bone, and then killed him. 
 
 The number of Indians killed was from 20 to 24 ; and not one 
 of the Avhites. The place, where this bold adventure occur- 
 red, is in that part of the ancient Wrentham which is now 
 Franklin. The large rock where the Indians were encamped, 
 is to this day, called Indian Rock. The time is not certainly 
 ascertained; but it was, without much doubt, in the Spring or 
 Summer of 1676, when the Indian forces were dispersed in 
 parties throughout the country. 
 
 Nine Men's Misery. This is the name of a spot in Cum- 
 berland, R. I. where nine men were slain in Phillip's war. 
 Tliis place is near the house of the late Elisha Waterman, Esq. 
 just north of ' Camp Swamp' (so called.) The only circum- 
 stances of this event which I have gathered are these : A com- 
 pany of nine men were in advance of, or had strayed from 
 their party for some purpose, when they discovered a number 
 of Indians near this spot, whom they immediately pursued and 
 attacked, but a large number of the enemy rushed out of the 
 swamp and surrounded them. The whites, placing their backs 
 to a large rock near by, fought with desperation till every one 
 of them was killed on the spot. The rest of their party, who 
 were within hearing of their guns, hastened to their succor, 
 but arrived too late to render them any assistance. Their 
 bodies were buried on the spot, which is now designated by a 
 large pile of stones. 
 
 I have seen no notice of this occurrence in history ; but as to 
 the main fact there can be no doubt. The bones of these men 
 were disinterred not many years ago, by some physicians (for 
 anatomical purposes) and were found nearly perfect. But the 
 people in the vicinity insisted upon their being restored, which 
 was accordingly done. One of the slain was ascertained to 
 
62 
 
 be a Bucklin of Rehoboth, from the remarkable circumstance 
 of a set of double front teeth which he was known to possess. 
 
 The time when this happened none of my informants can 
 tell ; but there is some reason for believing that it was at or 
 about the time of Pierce's fight.* 
 
 THE MINISTRY. 
 
 The town was not able to support a preacher for several 
 years after the incorporation. 
 
 The first settled minister in this town was the Rev. Matthew 
 Short. He was chosen Oct. 1st 1711, and ordained Nov. 12th 
 1712. Difficulties soon arose between him and his people, 
 which (after many ineffectual attempts to reconcile them) fi- 
 nally resulted in his dismission May 31st, 1715. He continu- 
 ed in this town only about four years, having preached one 
 year before his ordination. Of the previous or subsequent 
 history of Mr. Short but little is known. He removed to Eas- 
 ton and became the first settled minister of that town. 
 
 According to the articles of agreement made with Mr. Short, 
 Dec. 20th, 1711, he was to have .£50 a year for the first six 
 years ; one third to be in money, and ' the other two thirds in 
 grain, beef, pork, butter or cheese, any or either of them at 
 current price. 't At the 7th year his salary was to be raised 
 10 £60, payable as above, and there to continue until there 
 should be 100 families in town capable of paying public taxes 
 in the judgment of the selectmen for the time being, and then 
 it was to be £70 per annum. He was also to have the use of 
 the Ministerial house and lands so long as he should continue 
 in his pastoral office. 
 
 Mr. Short was married to Miss Margaret Freeman of Attle- 
 borough, by Justice Leonard, Dec. 27th, 1711. He had two 
 daughters while in this town, Anna and Judith. 
 
 * Several of the Rehoboth people were slain the 26th March, 1676, the 
 time of Pierce's fight ; viz. John Fitch, Jr. John Read, Jr. Benjamin Buck- 
 land, John Miller, Jr. Robert Beers (an Irishman and then an inhabitant of 
 Rehoboth) was slain the 28th March; Neheiniah Sabin, in June following. 
 
 t These articles were then valued as follows: Indian corn, 2 shil. 6d. per 
 bushel ; rye, 3 shil. 6d. per bushel ; pork, Sd. per lb ; beef, 2d. per lb : but- 
 ter, 6d. per lb; and good new milk ehecse 4d. per lb. 
 
53 
 
 The first meetinghouse was built in 1710. It was not, how- 
 ever, entirely completed until 1714. It was 30 feet square ; 
 and stood on the spot where the Hall of the Agricultural Soci- 
 ety now stands.* 
 
 A few extracts from the records detailing more particularly 
 the early proceedings relative to the settlement of the first 
 minister will be acceptable to the present generation. 
 
 March 25th, 1707. ' The meeting then held was for the 
 choosing of a learned orthodox minister of good conversation 
 to dispense the word of God to us in Attleborough ; voted to 
 give Mr. Fiske a call to preach for us. Likewise a committee 
 of nine was chosen to procure a minister to settle. It was 
 likewise voted to empower the said committee to treat with 
 the said Mr. Fiske as to his dispensing the word of God 
 amongst us, and to settle him, if he may be obtained ; and if 
 he may not, then any other minister that the town shall call, 
 being approved by the neighboring ministers. 
 
 May 20th, 1707. Voted to give Mr. More a call to preach 
 amongst us and to settle if he may be obtained. 
 
 June, 1707. Voted thai Hezekiah Peck and Jonathan Ful- 
 ler be a committee to see and get a petition written to the 
 General Court for some help towards the maintenance of a 
 minister.! 
 
 The sum of ^80 had been granted by the town, Nov. 22d, 
 1705, towards building a minister's house, ,£35 of which had 
 been collected; and on the 2d July 1707, the town voted that 
 the remaining =£45 should be levied and collected. 
 
 June 15ih, 1708. The meeting then held was for the choos- 
 ing of an able and orthodox minister to serve us in the work 
 
 * At a town meeting Feb. 9th, 1709 — 10, Voted to build a meeting house 
 SO feet square and 16 feet between joints, and to set it upon a piece of land 
 on the east side of the country roa.l near to the house of Cbri-.topher Hall, 
 and to get the timber for said house and to frame and raise it by the 1st of 
 June next. This lot of land was given to the town for this purpose by 
 Lieut. Moses Read. 
 
 tin 1710 the Mile and Half was re-annexcd to this town, which lestored 
 fourteen families, and enabled the people to support a preaclier without oth- 
 er assistance. 
 
64 
 
 of the ministry in this ph^ce ; it was voted that the committee 
 should treat with Mr. Wiswell to dispense the word of God to 
 us if he may be obtained ; if not, then with Mr. Fisher, if he 
 may be obtained ; if not, then with Mr. Hunt, if he may be 
 obtained; if not, then with Mr. Devotion, and if neither of 
 them may be obtained, then they may treat with any other 
 that shall be allowed of by the neighboring ministers, until 
 they have settled one in Attleborough.* 
 
 July 28th, 1710. Chose Mr. Ebenezer White for our minis- 
 ter, if he will stay with us, if not, then Mr. Myles. Mr. White, 
 it appears, did not at this time accept the invitation to settle. 
 He however preached for them nearly a year. 
 
 Oct. 9th, 1710. Chose a committee to see to the finishing 
 of the meeting house, and the 1st January next ensuing was 
 the time fixed for finishing it. Voted to raise a tax of =£60 as 
 a fund for said work, £5 to be in money, and the rest in corn, 
 rye, beef and pork, or in materials for the building. 
 
 Nov. 20th, 1710. Voted that the house which is built on the 
 ministerial lot should be given to the first minister that shall 
 serve the town seven years in the office of a minister, and so 
 living and dying amongst us, then to be his and his heirs for- 
 ever.t 
 
 Oct. 1st, 1711. At a meeting for the choice of an able or- 
 thodox minister to dispense the word of God to us in Attlebo- 
 rough, the town chose Mr. Matthew Short for their minister.^ 
 
 Nov. 5, 1711. Granted a tax of ^25 towards paying Mr. 
 Short ; =£10 in money and the other <£15 in grain, pork, beef, 
 butter, cheese, at current price. 
 
 *The inhabitants were so few (consisting of about 16 families exclusive 
 of the 14 who had been annexed to Rehoboth) that they were not able to 
 afford a competent salary, which was probably tiie cause of their embarrass- 
 ment in the settlement of a minister. 
 
 t The next settled minister acquired the property of this house (and also 
 the ministerial farm as will subsequently appear) by having fulfilled the 
 condition of the grant. 
 
 :}: March 18, 1711 — 12. ' Voted to build a pew for the minister in the 
 meeting house, and also agreed that Mrs. Short shall have the benefit and 
 privilege of sitting in the same during her abode in Attleborough. 
 
55 
 
 The second minister in town nas Rev. Ebenezer Wliite.* 
 He was chosen by the people July 18th, 1715 ; ordained Oct. 
 17th, 171G. He was minister of the town 11 years; and re- 
 mained here till his death, Sept. 4th, I72G. So far as appears, 
 he gave general satisfaction. He married Abigail Paine, and 
 had several children, Hannah, Martha, Edward, Experience, 
 and Thankful ; and two others who died infants. 
 
 Besides his regular salary Mr. White acquired a title to the 
 Ministerial farm and house (so called) by having fulfilled the 
 condition of the grant. 
 
 At a meeting of the Proprietors of the N. Purchase, Sept. 
 16, 1707, it was unanimously voted, ' that the surveyor with 
 the major part of tlie committee should fortiiwith lay out a hun- 
 dred acres of land within said Purchase, which shall be the 
 first settled minister's in Attleborough, that continueth to be 
 their minister for the space of seven years ; said land to be 
 said minister's, and his heirs' and assigns' forever.' N. P. 
 Rec. 2 Book, p. 3. Laid vut and Recorded \ B.p. 197, 199. 
 
 Several other grants and gifts have been made to the town 
 for the use of the ministry. 
 
 The Ministerial Lot (which has been a subject of so much 
 controversy in modern days) v/as granted at an adjourned 
 meeting of the Proprietors held at Rehoboth June 29, 1685, 
 in the words following: ' It was likewise voted and agreed un- 
 on (nemine cuntradicente,) that a hundred acres of land be 
 forthwith laid out at the Seven Mile River, where Rice Leon- 
 ard's lot was, and as near adjacent as maybe; which said 
 hundred acres of land perpetually to be reserved for the Min- 
 istry.' Rehohotli Town Rec.'UB. p. 4S. Bounds recorded N. 
 F. Reel B.p. 197. 
 
 The lot where the first meeting house stood was given by 
 Lieut. Moses Read. 
 
 ' Oct. 16, 1712. Laid out to Lieut. Moses Read two acres of 
 land by the meeting house ; bounded S. the stated road ; E. the 
 foot of the hill ; N. the land of the heirs of Christopher Hall ; 
 W. the country road. The above said land the said Lieut. 
 
 * Son of James White of Dorchester, Ms. baptized July 12, 1685 sjradua - 
 ted, Har. Col, 1703. 
 
5G 
 
 Read gave to the town of Attleborough for public use forever 
 and ordered it so to be put on record, as is attest by me 
 
 DANIEL SMITH, Clerk.' 
 R. !V. P. Rec. 1 B. p. 302. 
 
 Allowance for a highway through said lot, 2 B. p. 129. 
 
 Nov. 1st, 1734. Noah Carpenter, Sen. and Caleb Hall of 
 Attleborough, ' in consideration of love, good will and affec- 
 tion which we have and do bear towards the church and con- 
 gregation of the said Attleborough, called by the name of the 
 Presbyterian,' have given, granted, conveyed, &c. unto them, 
 their heirs and assigns forever, that is to be understood for the 
 especial use, benefit and privilege of that society forever, a 
 certain tract of land containing about 45 rods, where the new 
 meeting house now stands, bounded by the said Carpenter's 
 and the said Hall's lands and by tlie country road, &c. &.c. — 
 E. N. P. Rec. 2 B. p. 12G. 
 
 Rev. Habijah Weld, the third minister of Attleborough, was 
 distinguished for his usefulness in the ministry, and highly re- 
 spected as a man both at home and abroad. He united, to an 
 uncommon degree, the affections of his people, for the long pe- 
 riod of nearly 55 years during which he was their pastor. He 
 was a man of talents and respectable acquirements ; and was 
 extensively known. His character deserves a more particular 
 notice. 
 
 He was born in Dunstable, Mass. Sept. 2d. 1702 ; graduated 
 at Cambridge University in 1723 ; and was ordained pastor of 
 the first Church and Congregation in this town, Oct. 1st. 1727. 
 He died May 14th, 1782, in the 80th year of his age, and the 
 55th of his ministry. The following notice of his character is 
 extracted from a communication in Dr. Dwights' Travels, from 
 the Hon. David Daggett, now Chief Justice of the Supreme 
 Court of Connecticut. 
 
 ' Mr. Weld was below the middle stature ; and in the latter 
 part of his life, corpulent. His constitution was vigorous ; and 
 his mind almost singularly energetic. The stipend, which he 
 received from his parishioners, consisted of an annual salary 
 of two hundred and ^twenty dollars ; and the use of a parson- 
 age lot, which furnished him with wood, and a little pasture. "- 
 
57 
 
 With his patrimony he purchased a funu of about 70 acres, of 
 rnaderately good land and a decent house. He had fifteen 
 children ; ten of whom were married during his life, and one 
 after his death. The remaining four died while young. This 
 numerous family he educated with the means which have been 
 mentioned, in a manner, superior to what is usually found in 
 similar circumstances ; entertained much company in a style of 
 genuine hospitality ; and was always prepared to contribute to 
 the necessities of others. 
 
 For the regulation of his domestic concerns, Mr. Weld pre- 
 scribed to himself and his family a fixed system of rules, which 
 were invariably observed, and contributed not a little to tlie 
 pleasantness and prosperity of his life. His children, labor- 
 ers, and servants submitted to them with cheerfulness ; and his 
 house became the seat of absolute industry, peace and good or- 
 der. Breakfast was on the table precisely at six o'clock ; din- 
 ner, at twelve ; and supper, at six in the evening. After sup- 
 per he neither made visits himself, nor permitted any of his 
 family to make them.' 
 
 His observation of the Sabbath was peculiarly exemplary. 
 He permitted no act to be done in his house on that day, ex- 
 cept such as were acts of necessity and mercy in the stiict 
 sense. 
 
 'Mr. Weld was naturally of a very ardent disposition. Yet 
 so entirely had he acquired an ascendency over his temper, 
 that a censurable, or imprudent act is not known to have been 
 done by him, nor an improper word uttered. To vice and li- 
 centiousness, in every form, he gave no indulgence, either in 
 liis conversation, or his public instructions. On the contrary, 
 idleness, intemperance, profaneness, and all kinds of immoral 
 
 conduct, were reproved by him with undeviating severity. 
 
 His example in the practice of every virtue was such, as to cre- 
 ate in all classes of men entire veneration for his character. 
 
 It is doubted whether any person ever uttered a reproach af^ainst 
 Mr. Weld. 
 
 Nor was his piety less remarkable. Since the days of the 
 Apostles, it is questioned whether his zeal, fidelity, and intre- 
 pidity in the cause of his divine Blaster have been excelled 
 
68 
 
 During the long period of S5 years, he was never once detain- 
 ed from the pulpit by disease, nor from any other of his pasto- 
 ral duties. His prayers were wholly formed by himself; and 
 adapted with strict propriety to the various occasions on which 
 they were made. They were pertinent, solemn, and impres- 
 sive. His sermons were written, and were usually delivered 
 without variation from his notes. Yet at times he addressed 
 his congregation extemporaneously in a manner eminently for- 
 cible and aftecting. * * * 
 
 In his parochial visits he was accustomed to address the 
 truths and duties of the gospel to the hearts and consciences of 
 the family ; and never lost sight of the eternal interests of his 
 congregation. And, while he administered the balm of life to 
 the wounded spirit, he addressed the most solemn alarms, as 
 well as the most pungent reproofs to stubborness and impiety. 
 
 Mr. Weld continued his labors to the sabbath before his 
 death, without any visible decline in his powers either of body 
 or mind. On that Sabbath he preached two sermons from 
 these words : "He that believeth, and is baptized, shall bfe sav- 
 ed ; and he that believeth not shall be damned." On the Tues- 
 day following he rode in his chaise to Providence, ten miles ; 
 returned about four o'clock in the afternoon ; walked into the 
 house ; told his wife, that he was unwell ; requested her to op- 
 en a window, as he found a difficulty in breathing ; sat down ; 
 and instantly expired, of an Apoplexy. So well were his secu- 
 lar concerns arranged for his departure, that the settlement of 
 his estate cost less than five dollars. His excellent wife sur- 
 vived him many years ; and died after she had passed the age 
 of ninety, universally lamented. 
 
 At the death of Mr. Weld, only one of his congregation was 
 living, of those who assisted in his settlement. His parishion- 
 ers showed their sense of tlie loss, which they sustained in his 
 death, by an universal mourning. 
 
 The house of this gentleman was the resort of many distin- 
 guished persons from Boston, Providence, and various other 
 parts of New England ; and in no house were they received and 
 treated with more hospitality. His manners were at once dig- 
 nified and polite ; and every member of his family was courte- 
 
59 
 
 ous and well bred. Nothing was seen among them but harmo- 
 ny and goodwill. 
 
 That with such an income Mr. Weld could support so large 
 a family, and live in so hospitable a manner, will certainly ex- 
 cite not a little wonder. The explanation is found in his in- 
 dustry, regularity, and exactness, in all his concerns. Every 
 thing was managed in such a manner, that almost in the liter- 
 al sense nothing was lost. 
 
 ' In my opinion,' adds Mr. D. ' Mr. Weld was a more strict 
 observer of the divine law, and more eminently holy, than any 
 man whom I ever knew.' 
 
 Permit me to subjoin, says Dr. Dwight, that if all clergymen 
 sustained the same character, and lived in the same manner, 
 the world would speedily assume a new aspect, and its inhabit- 
 ants, a new character." 
 
 Mr. Weld married Mary Fox, by whom he had 15 children, 
 4 sons, and 11 daughters who were married as follows : .Jon- 
 athan Pliilbrook of Boston to Dorothy Weld Aug. 7th, 1759 ; 
 Rev. Oliver Noble of Newburyport to Lucy Weld, May 15th, 
 17G0 ; Doct. Cardee Parker of Coventry, Ct. to Mary Weld, 
 April 15th, 1762 ; Caleb Fuller of Windsor, county of Ware, 
 Me. to Hannah Weld, Oct. 23, 1762 ; Rev. Ezra Weld to An- 
 na Weld, Feb. 9, 1764 ; Rev. Oakes Shaw of Barnstable to 
 Elizabeth Weld, July 19, 1764; Rev. Timothy Alden of Yar- 
 mouth to Sarah Weld, Nov. 22d, 1770 ; Eliphaz Day of Attle- 
 boro' to Eunice Weld. 
 
 In 1728 a new meeting house was built by the town. 
 
 May 13, 1728. The town voted to enlarge the meeting 
 house by making an addition of 20 feet to the north end. But 
 in September following, a number of individuals engaged by 
 subscription to advance the sum of ^£'234 lOs. (in addition to 
 their proportion of the taxes) towards defraying the expenses 
 of a new meeting house, if the town would agree to build 
 anew, instead of enlarging the old. The town accordingly 
 voted, Nov. IS, 1728, to build a new house, and ordered it to 
 be 50 feet In length, 40 feet in breadth, and of a suitable 
 heiglith for one tier of galleries; and that it ' shall stand on a 
 
60 
 
 little hill on the north side of the Pound, about 15 or 16 rods 
 from the old meetings house.'* 
 
 The town constituted one Parish until April 7th, 1743, when 
 it was divided into ' two distinct and separate ' Parishes or Pre- 
 cincts by an act of the Legislature. The West constituted the 
 Jirst, and the East, the second Precinct. 
 
 Extracts from the Records of the first Parish. 
 
 Sept. 18th 1744. The sum of =£12, 14s. was granted to the 
 second precinct. This was probably a part of their share in 
 the meeting house. 
 
 March 27, 1777.t The salaiy of their minister, Mr. Weld, 
 was .£66, 13s. Ad. 
 
 Sept. 21st, 1779. Voted to raise Rev. Mr. Weld's salary to 
 $000. Paper currency was much depreciated. Sept. 29th, 
 1779, Voted to double his salary for the year. 
 
 iM arch 28, 1780. A meeting was called 'to see if the Pre- 
 cinct will apply to some one to assist Mr. Weld, in the work 
 of the ministry, under his present indisposition of body,' 4'c. 
 Voted that the two Deacons see that the pulpit is supplied in 
 case Mr. Weld is unable to preach. 
 
 June 3d, 1782. A meeting was held ' to see if the Precinct 
 will agree to pay the funeral charges of the Rev. Mr. Weld, 
 late of Attleborough, deceased.' 2d. ' To see if the Precinct 
 will choose a committee to seek a supply occasioned by the 
 death of our late Pastor.' 
 
 From this time till the settlement of Mr. Wilder, in 1790, 
 nearly 8 years, the parish was destitute of a settled minister. 
 The people were very much divided" on this subject. Many un- 
 
 * It was voted that those parts of the town which may be hereafter set 
 off as a precinct or town shall have the money repaid to them, which they 
 now pay towards the new meeting house. 
 
 t The last meeting, under the Provincial Government (March t776) was 
 warned, as usual, 'in the name of his Majesty the King of England,' &c. but 
 the next one, 17lh Sept. following, soon after the declaration of Indepen- 
 dence, was warned 'in the name of these States and in behalf of the good 
 people of this Province,' kc. 
 
61 
 
 successful attempts were made to settle a minister ; numerous 
 candidates were called ; but the people could make no choice. 
 They had been long united and harmonious under the ministry 
 of Mr. Weld ; some diversity of opinion and alienation of feel- 
 ing were to be expected after so long a calm. 
 
 Aug. 27, '82. Voted to hire Rev. Mr. Morey six weeks 
 longer. Oct. 30, '82. A meeting was called ' to see if the 
 Precinct will give Mr. Morey a call to settle in the ministry.' 
 1st. 'Voted to give him a call. 2d. Voted to re-consider it.' 
 
 Feb. 26, '83. Voted to treat with a committee in second 
 Precinct relative to Ministerial Lands. There was a dispute 
 between the two parishes for a long time in regard to their rel- 
 ative rights to these lands, which was finally terminated, I be- 
 lieve, by payment of a certain sum to the 2d parish. 
 
 At the same meeting, voted to hire Rev. Mr. Bradford 3 
 months. Voted to buy 100 sermons delivered by Rev. Mr. 
 Thacher,* on the death of Rev. Mr. Weld. Voted to apply to 
 Rev. Mr. Spalding of Rillingly, Ct. to come and preach a few 
 weeks.' 
 
 Aug. 18, '83. Voted 'to send to the President t of Yale Col- 
 lege to send us a candidate.' He accordingly sent ihem a 
 young man, who it appears, was not acceptable. 
 
 Oct. 29, '83. Voted to choose a committee to consult law- 
 yer Bradford| concerning the Ministerial Lands. 
 
 Dec. 15, '83. Rev. Mr. Britt was preaching as a candidate. 
 Subsequently Rev. Mr. Avery, — then a Mr. March — Mr. Hart 
 of Preston, Ct. — Mr. Damon, — Mr. Plum. 'Voted to send for 
 Mr. Huntington to preach for us.' Before the arrival of Mr. 
 Wilder, many other names of candidates appear. So irrecon- 
 cilable were the feelings, or opinions, or both, of the parish, 
 that it seemed next to impossible to make a selection. So great 
 was the distress of the people, amidst their divisions, that they 
 
 * The first settled minister of the second precinct. It was delivered be- 
 fore Mr. Weld's parishioners the Sabbath after bis death. 
 
 I Rev. Napthali Daggett, who was a native of this town, which is the 
 reason of their application to him. 
 
 if This Bradford was afterwards Lieut. Governor of R. Island— a man 
 very popular at that time, in his profession. 
 9 
 
62 
 
 at last appointed a ' Fast on account of their present difRcul- 
 ties.' In this they hit upon the right expedient, for it seemed 
 to have a very happy eflect, as they soon after agreed on a 
 candidate, the Rev. John Wilder, who, at a meeting, Jan. 4, 
 1790, gave an answer accepting the proposals of the parish — 
 which terminated their long and troublesome contest. He was 
 ordained, Jan. 27th, 1790. 
 
 Rev. John Wilder was dismissed Nov. 28th, 1S22. He had 
 been the settled minister of that parish upwards of 32 years. 
 
 To him succeeded Rev. Thomas Williams, fomerly of Con- 
 necticut, who was installed Sept. 29th, 1824. His connection 
 with the parish was dissolved Dec. llth, 1827. 
 
 The next settled minister was Rev. Charles J. Warren, who 
 was ordained Feb. 28th, 1828, and dismissed July Sth, 1830. 
 
 There is at present no settled minister connected with that 
 church. 
 
 The new meeting House, being the third in that society, was 
 built in the summer of 1828, and dedicated Jan- 1st, 1829. 
 
 EAST PARISH. 
 
 This parish was divided from the other April 7th, 1743, 
 about 90 years ago. 
 
 The first meeting of the Parish was the 6th of June succeed- 
 ing. On the 20th of the same month, a meeting was called 
 •to consider and see what the Parish will do in order to plac- 
 ing a meeting house for the public worship of God.' This is 
 the first record of au attempt to build a meeting house in this 
 part of the town. At the same time a committee was chosen 
 ' to agree with Mr. Willis, cr some other man for the present.' 
 It was also ♦ voted to choose a committee of two who should 
 apply, in the first place, to Rev. Mr. Willis, and if he cannot 
 be obtained, then to Mr. Read, and if he cannot be obtained, 
 then to Mr. Peter Thacher.' 
 
 At said meeting it was voted to set their Meeting House on 
 the Plain ' where the roads meet or cross each other.' 
 
 It appears by the records of the next meeting that they had 
 kir«d Mr. Thacher for a time. He was the first minister who 
 
65 
 
 preached here. He commenced August 20th, 1743, but wai 
 not ordained and settled till Nov. 30th, 1748, about 5 years. 
 
 Sept. G, 1743. 'Voted to proceed forthwith to build a meet- 
 ing House for the public worship of God.' The house was to 
 be 3-5 feet square and high enouf^h for one tier of galleries. A 
 committee was chosen 'to carry on the building of said house.' 
 At a subsequent meeting Oct. 18, 1743, 'voted to re-consider 
 the vote relating to tiie dimensions of the meeting liouse, and 
 to build one 45 feet long, and 35 feet wide, and high enough 
 for one tier of galleries.' This was the size of the house as it 
 was afterwards built. The M. House was commenced in the 
 Autumn of this year, but tlie interior was not finished till sev- 
 eral years subsequently. 
 
 On the 1st Nov. following, the Parish made choice of Rer. 
 Peter Thacher for their minister, 'by a free vote ;' and agreed 
 to give him, for a salary <£40, yearly, for 4 years, and at the 
 end of 4 years, to give him <£50 per annum, ' current money ;' 
 and also for a settlement <£300, ' old tenor,' to be paid in 4 years, 
 i. e. one quarter part each year. 
 
 The present Burying Ground in East Attleborough was laid 
 out Oct. 16, 1744, as appears by a vote of that date. 'Voted to 
 have a Burying Place in the Meeting House lot, and that it 
 should be at the Northwesterly corner of said lot.' This piece 
 of land was purchased previously by the Parish, and consisted 
 of two Acres, called the ' Meeting House Lot.' 
 
 Dec. 21st, 1747. Voted to give Mr. Thacher £000 old ten- 
 or, for his settlement ; and also 25 cords of wood, yearly. 
 
 Oct. 28th, 1748. Settled Mr. Thacher's salary at £400 per 
 annum, old tenor, ' reckoning silver money at 55 shills. per 
 ounce, and to rise and fall as silver shall rise and fall, so long 
 as he shall continue our minister.' At the saine time the Par- 
 ish chose a committee to provide for the ordination of Mr. 
 Thacher, which took place 30th of the next month. He con- 
 tinued the pastor until Oct. 2Gth, 1784, when he was dismis- 
 sed by vote of Parish. He had a few months previous to his 
 dismission, suffered an attack of the palsy, (which rendered 
 him unable to perform the duties of his station) of which h« 
 died Sept. 13th, 1785, in the 70th ye»r of his agt. H« preach 
 
64 
 
 ed in this town about 41 years — was a highly respectable and 
 useful man. He was born in Middleboro', and was the son of 
 Rev. Peter Thacher of that place.* Nov. 31st, 1749, he married 
 Bethiah, the oldest daughter of Obediah Carpenter, of Attlebo- 
 rough ; by whom he had 10 children, 7 sons and 3 daughters. 
 Several of his descendants are living in this town. 
 
 He published a Discourse on the death of Rev. Mr. Weld, 
 which has been reprinted. A small volume of his sermons was 
 also republished in 1798, by his son, entitled, ' Select Discours- 
 es on Practical Subjects. 
 
 After Mr. Thacher, and before the settlement of another 
 minister, there were several preachers here, Rev. Asahel Hun- 
 tington, Mr. Laughton, Mr. Farrington, of Wrentham, Mr. 
 Mead, ^c 
 
 The next settled minister was the Rev. Ebenezer Lazell of 
 Bridgewater, (a graduate of Brown University, 1788) who was 
 ordained Nov. 21st, 1792, and dismissed Jan. 3d 1797. He 
 continued here aboat 4 years. 
 
 His successor was the Rev. Nathan Holman, who was or- 
 dained Oct. 14th, 1800, and was dismissed May 22d, 1821, 
 having been settled here about 21 years. He graduated at 
 Brown University in 1797. 
 
 The present minister is the Rev. John Ferguson, formerly 
 of Providence, R. I. who was ordained Feb. 27th 1822. 
 
 A Parsonage House was built by the Parish in 1822. 
 
 The second Meeting House in the East Precinct, was built 
 in 1825. It was begun in the Spring of that year, and dedica- 
 ted in December following. It cost about $6000. 
 
 * Rev. P. Thacher, of Middleborough, was born Oct. 6, 1688, graduated 
 at Cambridge University, A. D 1706, ordained at that place, Nov. 2, 1709^ 
 and died April 22d, 1744, aged 56. He was the son of Rev. Peter Thacher, 
 minister of Milton, (by his wife Theodora, daughter of Rev. John Oxen- 
 bridge) who was the son of Rev. Thomas Thacher, of Boston, and was born 
 at Salem, July 18 th, 1651, graduated at Harvard College, 1671, ordained 
 June 1st, 1681, and died Dec. 27th 1727, aged 76. 
 
65 
 
 NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 This church was constituted in 1769. Its existence howev- 
 er, may be traced back as early as 1747. It was at first and for 
 many years afterwards of the Congregational order though dif- 
 fering from that denomination in some respects. 'There being, 
 say the Church records, a considerable number of christians in 
 this place that are dissatisfied with the Constitution of the stand- 
 ing order of Churches in the land : they with some others 
 formed themselves into a society to worship God according to 
 His word and spirit.' Jan. 20tli, 1747, the Church proceeded 
 *to set apart their esteemed Brother Nathaniel Shepartl by sol- 
 emn ordination as their Pastor,' who was removed by death 
 April I4th, 1752. 
 
 It was from the commencement a small and feeble church, 
 and continued ' through many trials and discouragements,' till 
 the year 1769, when by vote the church changed their consti- 
 tution 'from a Congregational to a Baptist Church in what is 
 called open communion.' At this time there were 6 male 
 and 4 female members who agreed in doctrine, and formed 
 fellowship with Bellingham Church. Two years previous, in 
 1767, the church moved Mr. Abraham Bloss from Sturbridge 
 to Attleborough, who preached here till his death Sept. 16th, 
 1769. 
 
 To him succeeded Elder Job Seamans, of ' Sackville, Cum- 
 berland county, and Province of Nova Scotia,' now in the Prov- 
 ince of New Brunswick. Mr. Seamans was born in Swansea, 
 Mass. in 1748. He removed to Sackville,* New Brunswick, 
 with Elder Mason's company who emigrated to that place from 
 Swansea, Mass. in 1763. He there became a preacher. He 
 was invited to become the pastor of the church in this town, 
 and removed here. In 1779 he, m conjunction with Elder Biel 
 Ledoyt, of Woodstock, Ct. was appointed by the Warren Asso- 
 ciation, a Missionary to visit various parts of New Hampshire. 
 In the course of the same year he returned to Attleborough, 
 where he remained, till 1788. In 1787, May 10th, he request- 
 
 * The place wag then called Taotarramar by the French, and was in the 
 
 Province of Nova Scotia.— 5fc Benedict's Jlislory, 
 
66 
 
 ed a dismission from the church in this place, which was reluct- 
 antly granted in June, 1788, when he removed to New London 
 N. H. where he had preached during liis mission, and was set- 
 tled over the new Baptist Church in that place, which he es- 
 tablished at the same time. Here he continued till his death 
 in 1830, at the advanced age of 83. 
 
 Mr. Seamans married Sarah Easterbrooks, by whom he had, 
 while here, 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. 
 
 Rev. William Williams,* who was a member of this church, 
 and the respected pastor of the Baptist Society in Wrenlham, 
 occasionally supplied the pulpit during the vacancies which oc- 
 curred after the removal of Mr. Seamans. 
 
 Nov. 1789, Elder Abner Lewis came from New Bedford to 
 Attleborough, and continued the pastor of the church until 
 Sept. 1795, when he returned to New Bedford. After this Mr. 
 Laben Thurber preached here till April, 1797, when he relin- 
 quished the office of a religious teacher, and removed to the 
 East part of the town. 
 
 Elder James Read, who was then resident in Assonet village, 
 Freetown, commenced preaching here in April, 1800, and was 
 so well approved, that in December of the same year the church 
 gave him an invitation to settle, which was accepted. In Feb- 
 ury following he removed to Attleborough ; and was installed 
 Auo-. 18th, 1801. — Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Gano, Providence : 
 charge, by Elder Pitman ; Right hand of fellowship, by Elder 
 Baker. At the same time, Edward Clark was ordained as an 
 
 * He was a celebrated instructor of youtli. He comnienceil a scliool for 
 fitting young men for college, near his Meeting lioiise in Wrentham, whiclj 
 he continued for many years witli distinguished success. He educated up. 
 wards of 100 students,* the most of vviiom graduated at Brovvu University 
 Many of them became distinguished men. — In the number of his pupils weie 
 Dr. Maxcy, Hon. David K. Williams, formerly Governor of South Caroli- 
 na, Hon. Tristam Burges, the present eloquent member of Congress from 
 II. Island, &c. 
 
 Mr. Williams himself was educated at Eaton's Academy, N.Jersey, and 
 graduated at Brown University, in 1769, which was the first class in that 
 institution. He married for his second wife, Miss Titus, the daughter of 
 Dca. J. Titus, of Attleborough. 
 
 • Benediet'i His. Bap. 
 
•7 
 
 Evangelist. Mr. Clark died April 22d, 1811, in the 72d year 
 
 of his age. 
 
 Elder Read continued in the ministry here till his death. — 
 He died Oct. 21st, 1814, in the 46th year of his age. He was 
 a worthy and useful minister, and universally respected as a 
 man. The records of the church hear ample testimony of ihe 
 estimation in which he was held by his people. 'In the prime 
 of his life and in the midst of his usefulness, the Lord, who do- 
 eth all things according to his good pleasure, hath seen fit to 
 remove him from the church militant to the church triumphant. 
 Leaving the wife of his youth to mourn the loss of a kind hus- 
 band, and three children to mourn the loss of a kind parent, 
 and this church and society to mourn the loss of a faithful min- 
 ister of the Gospel, and one whose faithful warnings will long 
 be had in remembrance by many of them.' His funeral sermon 
 was preached by Dr. Gano. 
 
 April 28th, 1815. Rev. Stephen S. Nelson, who was then 
 preaching in Uellingham, was invited 'to take the Pastoral 
 care of this church.' He was dismissed in May 1820. 
 
 Rev. Silas Hall, of Raynham, came here in 1823, and re- 
 mained four years. He was subsequently pastor of the Bap- 
 tist church, in Taunton. 
 
 Rev. William Phillips was ordained over this church Feb. 
 1827, and continued its pastor two years, when he was invited 
 to Providence, R. I. and was settled over the 2d Baptist church 
 in that place. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan E. Forbush, the present minister, was receiv- 
 ed into the church and chosen pastor, April 1st, 1832. 
 
 The first Meeting House was not finished till 1784, though 
 it was erected many years previous. The present Meeting 
 house was built in the spring of 1817. 
 
 SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 This church, which is now extinct, was established as early 
 as 1760. Its records cannot be found. April 20th, 1789, the 
 first and second Baptist churches in Attleborough met and 
 agreed upon fellowship as sister churches. Elder Elihu Dao-- 
 
68 
 
 gett* was the first preacher. It is believed that he was never 
 regularly settled here. He occasionally preached at the North 
 Baptist church. 
 
 The next preacher was Elder Elisha Carpenter. He was 
 settled as early as 1780, if not before, and remained pastor of 
 the Church till about 1798, when he removed to Providence, 
 N. Y. where he died. He was a native of this town — a son of 
 Elisha Carpenter — and was born Aug. 17th, 1745. His wife 
 was Anna Freeman of Attleborough. 
 
 Soon after Elder Carpenter's removal, the church was dis- 
 solved, and the members connected themselves with other 
 churches in the vicinity. The meeting house was taken down 
 about 1810. It stood on the south side of the road leading 
 from the late Thomas Cooper's to Capt. Joseph Tiffany's. 
 
 FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
 
 The first meeting was held Aug. 17th, 1816, when the socie- 
 ty was organized. It was incorporated Feb. 20th 1818, by the 
 name of the ' First Universalist Society in Attleborough.' 
 
 The first minister was the Rev. Richard Carrique. He 
 commenced preaching here in 1816; and was ordained Dec. 
 29th, 1818. A meeting house was built in the summer of 1818, 
 and dedicated Dec. 29th of the same year. It stands on the 
 old Post Road, a few rods south of the first Congregational 
 meeting house. Mr. Carrique was dismissed in March 1822. 
 
 The next minister was the Rev. Robert Kilhara, who com- 
 menced preaching March 18th, 1822, and was soon after in- 
 stalled. He was dismissed in April 1828. 
 
 To him succeeded the present minister the Rev. Nathaniel 
 Wright, who was installed in 1828. 
 
 *He was the son of Dea. Mayhew Daggett ; his wife was Rebeccah 
 Stanley, daughter of Jacob Stanley, one of the first of that name who came 
 here from TopsfielJ. He was interred in the N. Burying Ground. On his 
 grave stone is the following inscription : ' Sacred to the memory of Elder 
 Elihu Daggett, who died August 29th, 1769, in the 60th year of his age.'— 
 ' Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Rebeccah Daggett, (his widow) who died 
 September 20th, 1799, in the 8ilh year of her age. 
 
 What we left behind, others possess ; 
 
 What we gave to the poor, we carried with wi.' 
 
69 
 
 HEBRONVILLE CHURCH. 
 
 This church was gathered hy Rev. Thomas Williams imme- 
 diately after his dismission from the West Parisli, in Decem- 
 ber, 1827. A small but neat meeting house was built at the 
 same time on the line between Attleborough and Seekonlv,half 
 in one town and half in the other — to which (and the neigh- 
 borhood) the name of Hebronville was given by the founder. 
 Rev. Mr. Williams became its first pastor. His connection 
 with this society was dissolved in April 1832. The preserit 
 pastor is Rev. Charles Simmons. 
 
 It appears from our records that the citizens of the town 
 took an early and active part in those proceedings which final- 
 ly led to independence. The spirit of the Revolution began 
 to move the people as early as 1773. They began to discuss 
 the origin and foundation of their rights, and to proclaim, in 
 bold language, their determination to maintain them. They 
 strenuously denied the claims of the mother country. This 
 prepared the way for that great contest which was approach- 
 ing and which soon after commenced. 
 
 Pages might be filled wiih the spirited addresses and resolu- 
 tions adopted in town meeting; but the limits of the work will 
 permit only a brief outline of the transactions of that day. 
 
 At a town meeting January 18th, 1773, a resolute and patri- 
 otic address was adopted and sent to the Committee in Bos- 
 ton. It is too long to quote entire. A {aw extracts will aftbrd 
 a specimen. 
 
 * We his Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects and freehold- 
 ers of the town of Attleborough, To the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence in Boston.' 
 
 After due professions of ' honor and praise to George the 
 3d, King of Great Britain,' &c., and praying that the ' jrolden 
 chance of succession by which the Protestant kings are held on 
 the throne of Great Britain may never be broken,' &c. the ad- 
 dress proceeds to say, 'Our present trials are very great. A 
 wise king once said that oppression maketh a wise man mad. 
 We hope not to turn maniacs, but to keep the advantage of 
 10 
 
70 
 
 our sr)irits. We will pray that all they that are Corls on earth 
 will remember that they must die like men, and the lofty, tow- 
 ering heads of Kings and Princes must be brought as low as 
 the meanest subject. And here we will make; a pause and en- 
 quire what we have done, what disloyalty there hatli been in 
 us that hath incurred the displeasure of our Gracious Majesty, 
 that could be the cause of threatening the ruining of us his 
 American subjects. And to set things in a clearer light, we 
 maybe justly entitled to a few notes of exultation. — In the 
 year 1745, when the British trumpet sounded war from be- 
 yond the seas to the Americans, — no sooner did our American 
 Parliament understand the certain sound of the martial trum- 
 pet but instantaneously a political convention is called, faith- 
 fulness aud loyalty in every countenance. Like Babylon of 
 old, one messenger runs to meet another, and one post to 
 meet another to tell the whole Province that the Kingdom 
 was invaded at one end. Forthwith orders are issued out to 
 the Colonels, and from the Colonels to the Captains, and at 
 the beat of the Drum volunteers paraded the ground like well 
 harnessed soldiers with courage bold, and like the war-horse 
 mocking at fear, marched with their commanders to the high 
 places of Louisbourg — stormed tlieir intrenchments ; made a 
 discovery of their subterraneous mines and galleries ; beat 
 down the strong holds; brake the jaws of the Gallic Lion, 
 and made a conquest of the city to the crown of Great Brit- 
 ain. And in the last war that hath been upon us, we have 
 joined our British brethren, warring and fighting through seas 
 of blood until we subdued the Canadian Province to the crown 
 of our Sovereign Lord George the 3d. And after all this, shall 
 we be conjugated, enslaved and ruined 1 Fathers, provoke 
 not your children to wrath lest they be discouraged on the one 
 hand, and encouraged on the other. We esteem our privileges 
 tantamount to our lives, and the loss of them death in conse- 
 quence ; and since there is no new discovered America for us 
 to flee to, we are almost ready to think that we will let go our 
 ploughshares and pruning hooks to be malleated on the anvil, 
 and not give up our dear-bought privileges to any Power on 
 earth. 
 
71 
 
 AikI now in a few words to say what our privileges are and 
 wherein they are violated: We think that our privileges take 
 their rise merely from nature. As we cnjigrated from our 
 niotlier country at our own expense and without any charge to 
 the Crown of Great Britain, our suhjection to tlie Crown of 
 Great Britain must be considered as an act of our own elec- 
 tion. How far that subjection was made and in what manner 
 the British government can possibly reach over the Atlantic to 
 havo any influence at all upon us, is known only by the stipu- 
 lation between us and the king of G. Britain expressed in our 
 Charter. Although it be allowed that any Plantation settled by 
 the order and expense of any .State remains naturally subjected 
 to that State, yet that not liaving been the case in our departure 
 from G.Britain we utterly disallow any right ofgovernment over 
 us but what is expressed in the Charter. We have no natural 
 and necessary connection with the Crown in point ofgovern- 
 ment but what springs from our own choice, and that choice 
 can be known but by the stipulation aforesaid which both ex- 
 presseth and limitelh the subjection which was our choice. — 
 This, we apprehend, is the true and just state of our privileges, 
 as they are interested in the present controversy. So that, 
 whatever act of government is exercised contrary to, or not 
 expressly provided for in the Charter, is an open infringement 
 of our privileges. 
 
 The appointment of a Governor altogether independent on 
 us, and who, according to the present state of things, can be 
 under no influence from our interest but whose personal interest 
 may naturally put him to the utter overthrow of our whole in- 
 terest, — we apprehend this to be an infraction of our Charter 
 rights and privileges. — The appointment of Judges from 
 home, if true, or the maintenance of them independent upon 
 us and dependent entirely upon the Crown, we think an in- 
 fringement upon our Charter rights, and which tends to cor- 
 rupt and destroy the very essence of our privileges. — The part- 
 ing our money among a set of men of no use to us or the com- 
 munity, without our consent, is a bold and unjust infringement 
 upon our privileges. — The subjecting civil cases to trial by 
 Court of Admiralty instead of Juries, and especially the 
 
73 
 
 taking from us the right of trying capital cases in any arti- 
 cles, and carrying our brethren, on suspicion of guilt, from all 
 who are acquainted with their character, or who can possibly 
 do them justice, and ordering them to be transported, at al- 
 most infinite expense three thousand miles for trial, is a most 
 barbarous, unjust, and unconstitutional affair.' 
 
 1774. 
 
 Sept. 12th. The town chose a committee to join with the 
 committees of ihe other towns in this county 'to consult the 
 safety and peace and prosperity thereof, as well as the whole 
 government and continent, upon any emergency.' The com- 
 mittee consisted of five, viz. Mr. Edward Richards, Dea. 
 Eben. Lane, Capt. John Daggett, Lieut. Moses Wihnartii, and 
 Mr. Elisha May. This was the first committee of safety chos- 
 en in this town. The practice of choosing sucli a committee 
 was continued till the close of the Revolution. 
 
 Sept. 29th. Capt. John Daggett was chosen Representa- 
 tive to the General Court at Salem ; and Dea. Eben. Lane, as 
 a 'committee man ' to join the Provincial Congress to be hold- 
 en at Concord on the second Tuesday of October next. 
 
 Dec. 6th. The town established a ' Superior and an Liferi- 
 or Court to hear and determine controversies that have arisen 
 or may arise in this town.' Five men were chosen to serve as 
 Superior Judges, viz. Dea. Eben. Larce 1st. Justice, Col. 
 John Daggett 2d, Capt. John Stearns 3d, Capt. Moses Wil- 
 marth 4th and Doct. Bezeliel Mann 5tl). Seven were ap- 
 pointed Inferior Judges, viz. Mr. Edward Ricliards, Lieut. 
 Elkonah Wilmarth, Capt. Jacob Ide, Capt. Stephen Richard- 
 son, Mr. Elisha May, Capt. John Tyler, Mr. Wm. Stanley. — 
 At the same time it was voted, ' that we will comi)ly with, 
 stand to, and abide by the Resolves, Listructions and Direc- 
 tions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses ;' and that 
 •all persons who refuse to comply with them shall be treated 
 as Infamous Persons.^ 
 
 It was also voted to choose a ' committee of Inspection to in- 
 quire and give notice of all persons who shall presume to make 
 use of any India Tea after the first of March next.' The ' af- 
 
73 
 
 fair of the chest of tea at Capt. Richardson's was left discre- 
 tionary with the Selectmen.' 
 
 Tiiese were no half-way measures, and were supported 
 throughout with the same resohition. 
 
 1775. 
 
 Jany. 2d. Chose Col. John Daggett ' to represent us at the 
 Congress to be holden at Cambridge on the 1st of Feby. next, 
 and to serve in that capacity until the month of May next or 
 until the time fixed for the dissolution of said Congress.' At 
 the same time a committee of 13 was chosen to procure ' sub- 
 scriptions for the relief of the suffering poor in the town of 
 Boston.'* 
 
 May 24th. Capt. John Stearns was chosen to represent the 
 town at the Provincial Congress to be held in the meetinff- 
 house at Watertown the 31st inst. The Committee of Corres- 
 pondence, this year, were Dea. Eben. Lane, Doct. Mann, and 
 Capt. Moses Wilmarth. 
 
 July 10th. Capt. John Stearns was elected representative 
 to the General Court to be held at Watertown 19th inst. 
 
 1776. 
 
 March 19th. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- 
 tion and Safety were Dea. Lane, Edward Richards, Capt. S. 
 Richardson, Lieut. Alexander Foster, Ens. Noah Fuller, Wm. 
 Stanley, Capt. Wilmarth, Eben. Tiftany, Sam. Atherton, 
 Thomas Starkey, Ellionah Wilmarth, Nathaniel Bishop, and 
 Capt. Jacob Ide. 
 
 May 22d. Capt. John Stearns, Representative. At his re- 
 quest, a committee, consisting of Capt. Elisha May, Capt. 
 Stephen Richardson, Rev. Peter Thatcher, Levi Maxy, and 
 Lieut. Alexander Foster, was chosen to draw up instructions 
 for the Representative, who made a report, from which ex- 
 tracts are given. 
 Capt. John Stearns, 
 
 Sir, — The town, reposing special confidence in your 
 ability and integrity, have chosen you their representative at 
 
 * This was on the ocosion of shutting the Port of Boslon by the British 
 Farliamsnt. 
 
74 
 
 the Great and General Court for this year. At your request 
 we take the liberty to suggest the following things to your at- 
 tention as matters of great importance: 
 
 If the Continental Congress should think it best to declare 
 for Independency of Great Britain, we unanimously desire you 
 for us to engage to defend them therein with our Hves and for- 
 tunes. * 
 
 The fortifying aud sufficiently providing for the defence of 
 all our sea-port towns, especially the Metropolis of this Colo- 
 ny, is of such consequence as that parsimony or delay therein 
 will be the worst of policy. We apprehend that the raising of 
 soldiers for the defence of the Colony is retarded and so ren- 
 dered both more chargeable and less useful, for want of suffi- 
 cient Bounty to encourage enlistments ; that the raising fewer 
 forces at a time than is necessary, which scatters the officers 
 with whom whoever enlists will desire to be acquainted, is a 
 like hindrance to a speedy raising of forces.' 
 
 After giving some further specific instructions, the report 
 concludes : ' Other things in general we refer to your wisdom 
 and fidelity, unless some special difficulty should occur, in 
 which case you will please take our minds as occasion shall 
 serve.' 
 
 At the same time it was voted, that the selectmen should or- 
 der the money out of the Treasury to pay the Minute Men 
 who marched ou the alarm occasioned by the battle at Bunker 
 Hill. 
 
 July 6th. Voted to raise the Bounty from .£3, to £12 for 
 the soldiers this tovvn are to furnish to go to N. York. 
 
 1777. 
 
 Jan. 27th. Voted to raise the Bounty for the soldiers who 
 
 * This seems to have been conceived in something of that holy ardor — 
 that sublime spirit of patriotism and self-devotion, which (in a few months 
 after) dictated those ever memorable words in the closing sentence of the 
 Declaration of Independence ; — ' we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our 
 sacred honor.' — immortal words, which sent such a thrill to the hearts of our 
 countrymen and inspired them with such an unconfjuerablc enthusiasm in 
 the ciuse of fiecdoni I 
 
75 
 
 went to N. York in July last, to $40 for each man, ' to such 
 as will take it.' 
 
 March 18th. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- 
 tion and Safety, this year, were Ed. Richards, Cyrel Carpen- 
 ter, Samuel Tiffany, Jr. Elisha May, and Nathan Tyler. 
 
 April 2d. A meeting was held to see if the town will give 
 some encouragement to the soldiery to enlist our proportion of 
 the 15 Battallions granted by this State to join the Continental 
 Array. 
 
 A committee was chosen to report upon the subject, and al- 
 so to state what is an average on the whole since the war com- 
 menced, who reported, that the bounty and wages given by 
 Congiess and our Court, aftorded a sufficient encouragement 
 for the first years' service ; that for the second year the town 
 allow £'2 per month in addition to the wages, and the same for 
 the last year. <£24 in addition to the bounty instead of the ad- 
 dition to their wages was offered to those who might prefer it. 
 
 The committee also reported, that the 8 months men, or 
 those who went into service in consequence of Lexington bat- 
 tle, have no allowance ; that the 6 weeks and 2 months men 
 have no allowance; that the year's men be allowed ^10 per 
 man ; that the Dorchester men have no allowance ; that the 
 men raised for 2 months in Sept. 1776, be allowed £7 per man ; 
 that the men raised for the Northern or Canada expedition be 
 allowed oflO per man; that the Quarter men, or those raised 
 for Rowland's Ferry, be allowed £6 per man. 
 
 May 22d. Chose Capt. John Stearns and Mr. William 
 Stanley Representatives. Appointed a committee to prepare 
 instructions to said Representatives, viz. Rev. Peter Thacher, 
 Capt. Elisha May, Col. John Daggett, Capt. Moses Wilmarth, 
 Mr. Levi Maxcy. Tiieir report, it appears, is not recorded. 
 
 Excused Capt. May from serving on Committee of Corres- 
 pondence, 4*c- — and elected Stephen Fuller in his room. Vo- 
 ted to enlarge said committee, and added Zephaniah Bishop, 
 Jacob Cushman, and John Sweetland. 
 
 1778. 
 
 Jan. 12th. A committee, consisting of Rev. Mr. Thacher, 
 Capt. Elisha May, Col. Stephen Richardson, Dea. Stanley, 
 
78 
 
 Capt. Caleb Richardson, Lieut. Elkanah Wilmarth, and Mr. 
 John Wilkinson, was chosen to prepare instructions to the rep- 
 resentatives of the town, relative to the Articles of Confedera- 
 tion. They presented a report which was accejjted. It shows 
 how perfectly convinced at that time our forefathers were of 
 the value and importance of a firm union of the States to the 
 well-being of the whole people. 
 
 To show the sentiments of the people a few extracts are 
 given. 
 
 'The subscribers, being chosen a committee ' to consider 
 what instructions it may be proper for them to ^'ive their rep- 
 resentatives relative to the Articles of Confederation and Per- 
 petual Union which are proposed to the consideration of the 
 Legislatures of all the united States as the basis thereof forev- 
 er,' and also 'relative to the resolves of the most Honorable 
 Congress, of the 7th and 22d of November last,' having ma- 
 turely considered the said Articles and resolves, do humbly of- 
 fer the following to the consideration of the town on this very 
 important subject : 
 
 To Messrs. John Stearns, and William Stanley, Represen- 
 tatives of the town of Attleborough, Gentlemen, We shall re- 
 joice at the arrival of the happy liour when the Independent 
 States of North America have a Union established upon equit- 
 able terms to continue as long as the sun and moon endure. 
 We are sensible of the utility and necessity of such a union to 
 our present exertions and the success of them, as well as for 
 the strength and flourishing condition of these Stales hereafter. 
 We would, therefore, be as distant as possible from offering 
 any thing to obstruct the speedy accomplishment of a thing so 
 desirable; yet we are constrained to desire explanation of the 
 4th paragraph in the 5th Article which determines, that, in 
 deciding questions in the United States in Congress assembled, 
 each State shall have one vote, which, if it exclude a voice in 
 Congress proportioned to the number or estate of the different 
 States, we apprehend, would be very unequal and not to be by 
 any means consented unto, t^'c. &.c. After stating specific 
 objections to some other articles, the report concludes : ' With 
 the foregoing emendations and explanations, we desire you to 
 
77 "■- 
 
 use your endeavors that the Delegates in Congress be impow- 
 ered to ratify the aforesaid Articles of confederation and Per- 
 petual union. As to the Resolves of the most Hon'ble Con- 
 gress, we only observe upon the 5th and 6th Resolves, that 
 the Regulating Bill formerly enacted and since repealed, though 
 framed with an honest and good design, yet was, as we appre- 
 hend, very injurious to the good and honest people of this 
 State, and was of no use to restrain oppressors and monopoli- 
 zers, but rather putan advantage of oppression into their hands, 
 and was a great means of sinking the value of our money, and, 
 therefore, we expect and desire you to oppose the carrying of 
 the said resolutions into execution.' 
 
 At the same meeting a committee was appointed to draft a 
 Petition, which was sent to the General Court, earnestly pray- 
 ing for the repeal of an Act calling in the Bills of Credit or 
 State Money. In this petition the people expressed their fears 
 of the consequences which would result from that Act to the 
 interests of the poor, &.c. 'We have waited a longtime,' say 
 they, ' in hopes that you would repeal that Act without our 
 troubling you with petitions ; but as we have hitherto been dis- 
 appointed, we are obliged, in justice to ourselves and to our 
 posterity, earnestly to pray for the speedy repeal of that Act.' 
 They express their opinion that the money ought to be called 
 in by degrees, as it was issued, that is, one emission at a time, 
 by taxing the inhabitants of the State until the whole is with- 
 drawn. 
 
 March 17th. The Committee of Correspondence, &.c. 
 were Elkanah Wilmarth, Ebenezer Tiffany, and Ephraiui Al- 
 len Jr. 
 
 May 12th. Voted to pay ^30 to each soldier who shall en- 
 list in the Continental Army to complete the number (13) re- 
 quired of this town by a late Resolve of the General Court. 
 Also voted to give ^£30 more as a bounty. 
 
 May 2lst. The Committee, chosen at a former meeting to 
 consider the Constitutiou * lately submitted to the people, not 
 
 * This was the first frame of Government subiriiUed to tlse jieopie of this 
 State. It was framed by a Convention 17T8-9, ami is coiniiionly called the 
 Rejccled Consdlulion. 
 
 11 
 
78 
 
 agreeing upon a report, the town appointed another commit- 
 tee of seven, viz. Rev. P. Thatcher, Rev. Habijah Weld, Elder 
 Job Seamans, Doct. Bezaliel Mann, Col. John Dagrgett, Col. 
 Stephen Richardson, Capt. John Stearns, who, finally, made a 
 report. The vote in town stood 51 Affirmative, 76 Negative. 
 
 1779. 
 
 March 16. The Committee of Safety were Capt. Caleb 
 Richardson, John Damon, Elijah Wellman. 
 
 May 18. Elisha May, Esq. was chosen representative. — 
 Voted to empower our representative to vote for the calling 
 of a Convention for the sole purpose of framing a new Consti- 
 tution. 
 
 June 21st. Voted to raise 13 soldiers (to serve 9 months) as 
 this town's proportion of the 15 Battallions furnished by this 
 State to fill up the Continental Army. On the question of 
 having a new Constitution there were 121 votes in favor ; and 
 none in the negative recorded. 
 
 Aug. 2d. This town sent three members to the Convention 
 which formed the present Constitution of Massachusetts. 
 
 'Chose Col. John Daggett, Capt. John Stearns and Major 
 Elisha May to attend the Convention* at Cambridge on the 
 first of September next for the sole purpose of framing a new 
 Constitution. 
 
 The town then took into consideration the proceedings of 
 the Convention held at Concord for regulating articles of mer- 
 chandize and country produce, and voted unanimously to ac- 
 cept of the doings of said Convention and to conform ourselves 
 to the proposed regulations. 
 
 Chose Col. Stephen Richardson, Mr. Levi Maxcy, and Mr. 
 Edward Richards members of the Convention to be held at 
 Concord on the first Wednesday of October next. 
 
 * This Convention met at the Meeting House in Cambriilge Sept. 1779, 
 continued till the 7th and then adjourned to Oct. 28th ; then met and con- 
 tinued till Nov. 11th and adjourned to Jan^ 5th 1780 at the Representa- 
 tive's Chamber, Boston; then met and continued till March 2d and ad- 
 journed to June Tth; then met and continued till June 16ih when it was 
 dissolved. 
 
79 
 
 1780. 
 
 March 21st. The Committee of Safety were David Rich- 
 ardson, Capt. Moses Wihnarth, and William Morse. 
 
 May 2d. The new Constitution was referred to a commit- 
 tee. 
 
 June 14th. Voted to raise 29 soldiers, for 6 months, as this 
 town's quota, to re-inforce the Continental Army, according 
 to a Resolve of the General Court of June 5th 1780. They 
 were to be paid by a tax on the town. 
 
 Sept. 4th. Voted to raise .£12,000 to defray the expenses 
 of the town the current year. Also voted to raise .£1400 hard 
 money to pay the soldiers who may engage to serve in the 
 Continental Army for three and for six months, according to 
 Resolves of the General Court of June 5th, 22d and 23d. — 
 Elisha May Esq. was chosen representative the two following 
 years — which brings us to the close of the Revolution. There 
 were no transactions of particular interest relating to the war 
 during these two years. 
 
 Military Services. 
 
 To furnish a full statement of the military services which 
 the citizens of this town rendered during the Revolutionary 
 war, — to ascertain the number of soldiers who enlisted and the 
 time for which they served — is not perhaps possible at this 
 day. But some general accounts may be collected which will 
 afford a tolerable view of their services. 
 
 It appears from the following anecdotes, that they were not 
 slow in acting up to the resolutions which they had adopted. 
 
 In December 1774, the Committee of Safety gave notice 
 that one Aldrich — a tory — who lived in Franklin, Mass. was 
 selling British goods contrary to the resolutions of the General 
 Court. Col. John Daggett of this town, a determined and reso- 
 lute patriot, immediately issued orders to the several companies 
 of this town to furnish a certain number of men, who being 
 collected, marched, in a bitter cold night, for the place of Aid- 
 rich's residence, to put a stop to his business. They were 
 joined on the way by volunteers from the neighboring towns. 
 They arrived late at night, and surrounding his Iiouse, ordered 
 
30 
 
 him out. He (and his associates who had assembled to de- 
 fend him) at first attempted to resist with arms, threatening to 
 fire upon them from the windows; and, assuming a tone of 
 confidence, ordered them to depart. Upon this the besiegers 
 were directed to point their guns towards the house. But find- 
 ing that his opponents were in earnest, and that threats could 
 not intimidate them, Aldrich at last came out. He was order- 
 ed to pull off his hat, while in the presence of the people's sol- 
 diers ! Here, before the whole company, he was compelled 
 to enter into an engagement not to ' vend any more British 
 goods during the present unhappy controversy between the 
 King and his colonies.' The prisoner was then released. The 
 next morning he fled to Boston, and was never after known in 
 these parts. 
 
 The captains from this town, who were engaged in this ad- 
 venture, were Capt. S. Richardson, of the North East Compa- 
 ny, Capt. Moses Wilmarth, S. E. Company, Capt. Jacob Ide, 
 S. W. Company, Capt. Jon. Stanley, N. W. Company. 
 
 AssoNETT Expedition. 
 
 Information having been received from the vigilant Com- 
 mittees of Safety, that the British had made a deposit of arms 
 and ammunition at Assouett village, (Freetown) for the use of 
 the loyalists. Col. Daggett of this town on the 9th of April, 
 1775, undertook an expedition for the purpose of seizing these 
 arms and breaking up the combination which had been formed 
 to favor the royal cause. He was accompanied by the sever- 
 al companies from this town with their captains (as before 
 named, except Elisha May in the room of Jon. Stanley) and 
 by some of the militia from Rehoboth and other towns. How 
 many others were concerned in the adventure is not known. 
 
 They discovered 40 stands of arms and equipments in 
 the possession of the tories, together with a large quan- 
 tity of ammunition — the whole of which was taken by the 
 patriots. All, who were suspected of favoring the British in- 
 terest, were required to swear not to bear arms against their 
 country. Nine staunch tories, who refused to take the oath 
 of fidelity to the Colonies, were made prisoners, and put under 
 
81 
 
 the charge of the company from East Attleborough— and 
 fortluvith marched to Taunton. Here their captors threaten- 
 ed to convey them to Sullivan's mines in Connecticut, if they 
 would not comply. To avoid this alternative, they at last sub- 
 mitted, and took the oath of allegiance to their country. They 
 were then dismissed. 
 
 This expedition deserves commemoration from the circum- 
 stance of its having been accomplished previous to the com- 
 mencement of open hostilities in any other part of the country. 
 It preceded, a few days, the first scene in the great drama 
 which opened on the plains of Lexington. It was appearing 
 in arms (though on a comparatively small scale) against the 
 royal government. The patriots expected resistance, and 
 were prepared with sufficient force to meet it. 
 
 The company of Minute Men — 60 in number— under the 
 command of Capt. Jabez Ellis, Enoch Robinson, Lieutenant, 
 on the day of the battle at Lexington received orders to march 
 instantly to Roxbury. We sat out at night* — stopped a short 
 time at Maxcy's, now Hatch's tavern — then went directly to 
 Dedhdm — where we found two tables by the road side gener- 
 ously provided with food for the soldiers who might pass that 
 way, — thus arranged to prevent any unnecessary delay — we 
 snatched a hasty breakfast and marched on — reached Roxbu- 
 ry about day-light — and were then marched round and round 
 Koxbury Meeting House, to make as much show of numbers 
 as possible in view of the British. Our company remained 
 there seven or eight days, and then were permitted to return 
 home.t 
 
 * The circumstances are given as related to the author by one of ihe sur- 
 vivors. 
 
 I Of one of these soldiers an anecdote is current among the survivors of 
 that day. One Henry Richardson of this town, a bold and honest but heed- 
 less fellow, on his way to Roxbury swore he would have one of the Red 
 coats before he went back. On his arrival at head-quarters, — the moment 
 he had opportunity — he charged liis long musket, and not thinking with 
 Fallstaff, that ' discretion is the better part of valor,' coolly marched down in 
 front of our lower guard, and taking deliberate aim at the opposite British 
 sentinel, discharged his musket, and badly wounded him, as his companions 
 were seen to lead him oif the ground, and his place was supplied by another. 
 
82 
 
 The same company went down to Roxbury the day of Bun- 
 ker Hill battle — stayed about a fortnight. While there a small 
 party of us went round to the Cambridge side to look at the 
 British, but soon the captain of a Fort called out to us, that 
 we had better not go in company, for the enemy would see ns 
 and fire at us ; and sure enough, in a minute or two, a cannon 
 ball came whizzing along close by us — and soon after, they 
 eent us a bomb. 
 
 May 1st 1775. A company of 64 men enlisted for 8 months, 
 under Capl. Caleb Richardson, in the Massachusetts Line (so 
 called) and were stationed at Roxbury. 
 
 July 1776. Another company, principally from this town, 
 enlisted 5 months in the recruits called the New Levies, under 
 Capt. Caleb Richardson, and Stephen Richardson, Lieutenant, 
 both of Attleborough, in the regiment of Col. Gary of Middle- 
 borough — Brigadier Gen. Fellowes, and did duty in and 
 about New York, and were at the disastrous retreat from Long 
 Island, &c.* Some of the other members of this company 
 were from the neighboring towns. 
 
 Sept. 1776. Another company was raised (part from Attle- 
 borough and part from Norton) under Capt. Elisha May of this 
 town, in the regiment of Col. Thomas Carpenter of Rehoboth, 
 and arrived at White plains before the battle. 
 
 In Oct. 1777, A whole company from this town marched to 
 Rhode Island, under Capt. Stephen Richardson, and served 
 one month in Spencer's • Secret Expedition,' so called. 
 
 Much to his astonishment, our hero was immediately arrested (for doing, as 
 he thought, so good a service) and put under guard ; but, on the represen- 
 tations of his friends, was soon after discharged without further punish- 
 ment, in consideration of his good intentions. ' 
 
 On meeting, afterwards, one of his townsmen, he exclaimed, with exulta- 
 tion, — ' There, I told you Fd have one of them are British rascals.' 
 
 » Capt. Moses Wilmarth, though he had served as a captain at home, 
 yet from a spirit of patriotism entered the service a^ a private soldier, in the 
 expedition to N. York. He was afterwards promoted, and continued, much 
 attached to the service, dusing the war. 
 
 Joel Read of this town (who is now living) was wounded at N. Yoik. 
 
83 
 
 Several men from this town were drafted in the expedition 
 against Ticonderoga in 1776. Served also at Saratoga. 
 
 Some of our soldiers enlisted for 3 years, and others during 
 the war. 
 
 The above accounts do not include the many individual en- 
 listments into the Continental army from this town, during the 
 war. 
 
 Militia — Rhode Island. 
 
 The Militia in this town and the vicinity were subject to fre- 
 quent drafts of men (more or less) from December 1776 until 
 after the evacuation of Rhode Island. Drafts were made in 
 January, February, March, May, June, July, and August 1777, 
 and at many other times. The men were stationed, the most 
 of the time, at Rowland's Ferry (Tiverton) and at Warwick. 
 
 The British took possession of Rhode Island in December 
 1776, and kept the surrounding country in a continual state 
 of alarm. They occupied it above two years. 
 
 General Sullivan, during his expedition to Rhode Island, 
 requested the Government of Massachusetts to send him a re- 
 inforcement, in consequence of the French forces having aban- 
 doned him. In compliance with this request, the following 
 orders were issued by the Council of this State, directing Col. 
 Daggett of the 4th Regiment (including, as now, Attleborough, 
 Mansfield, Norton, and Easton) to take charge of the detach- 
 ment. 
 
 ' State op Massachusettts Bay, 
 
 Council Chamber, Aug". I8th 1778. 
 
 Whereas Major General Sullivan has represented to this 
 Board that by reason of the absence of the French Troops, 
 which he expected would co-operate with him, he is in press- 
 ing need of a re-info rcement, therefore, 
 
 Ordered that the following Colonels be and hereby are di- 
 rected to detach from their respective Regiments tlie several 
 numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into 
 companies of sixty eight men each including one captain, two 
 subalterns, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and 
 one fifer, and see that they be equipped, armed, and accoutred, 
 
84 
 
 as the law directs, and order them to march immediately to 
 the Island of Rhode Island, and there to do duty during the 
 campaign on said Island : — viz. From Col. Havves' regiment, 
 one hundred and fifty men including officers and one Major; 
 from Col. Carpenter's regiment one hundred and fifty men in- 
 cluding officers; from Col. Daggett's regiment one hundred 
 and fifty men including officers and one Colonel; from Col. 
 Hathavvay's regiment one hundred and fifty men including offi- 
 cers and one Lieut. Colonel ; from Col. Sproat's regiment 
 one hundred and fifty men including officers ; from Col. Wil- 
 liams' regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers : 
 And make return to the Council without loss of time. 
 A true Copy. 
 
 Attest, JOHN AVERY Dy. Sec'y. 
 
 In obedience to these orders a regiment (consisting of 900 
 men) was formed out of the several regiments above named, 
 which repaired to R. Island, and served under the command 
 of Col. Daggett of this town, during the remainder of the cam- 
 paign. The company furnished by this town, as its quota un- 
 der this levy, was commanded by Capt. Caleb Richardson. It 
 was on the island at the time of the battle, and was partially 
 engaged in it.* 
 
 Col. Daggett also commanded the regiment (of which this 
 town furnished a portion) from Bristol County in Spencer's 
 Expedition. This regiment was supplied by alternate drafts 
 from the companies in the northerly and middle parts of the 
 county. 
 
 During the occupation of the Island by the British, as before 
 observed, the militia from all the towns in the vicinity were fre- 
 quently called upon to defend the shore, as constant apprehen- 
 sions were entertained that the enemy would attempt to land. 
 Attempts were indeed often made, but as often failed. Orders 
 would sometimes come for all the militia to appear at some 
 place near the Island. All hands would accordingly muster 
 
 * Two men from this town, who had belonged to the Continental array, 
 were killed in that action, viz. Lamed Hail and one Dyer formerly of lleho- 
 bolh. 
 
85 
 
 (whether by night or day) and make all haste for the scene of 
 parade. They were sometimes thus detained a week — 3 weeks 
 —and even 6 weeks at a time. On the appearance of a suffi- 
 cient force the enemy would for the time relinquish their de- 
 sign, and the greater part of the militia obtain leave to go 
 home. But sometimes before they arrived home, orders 
 would come for their immediate return. The yeomanry were 
 thus often obliged to leave the plough in the furrow, the mown 
 hay untouched, and the harvest rotting in the field. 
 
 Anecdote of Fayette. — While Sullivan was retreating from 
 the Island, Fayette, who brought up the rear, just as he was 
 leaving the field, espied a pick-axe, belonging to the Ameri- 
 can army, which had been accidentally left on the ground ; — 
 he instantly went back, dismounted and picked it up, exclaim- 
 ing, in broken English, as he rode off" with it on his shoulder, 
 ' They sha'nt have de pick-axe /' 
 
 The cannonade, (which was heavy) between the two ar- 
 mies, was distinctly heard and felt in this town, and produced 
 extreme anxiety in every family. 
 
 The time of Bunker Hill battle was likewise a day of sol- 
 emn feeling, and fearful expectation. The cannonade was 
 distinctly heard at this distance (35 miles) and the occasion of 
 it was fully recognized. It was so heavy as to shake the win- 
 dows in the houses, and the plate upon the shelves. The earth 
 trembled as in the heaviest thunder. The town was almost 
 deserted by all able to bear arras. Women were in tears for 
 the fate of fathers, husbands, and brothers who had gone to 
 the scene of action. 
 
 From the preceding account of the civil transactions and the 
 military services of this town, it appears satisfactorily that our 
 citizens furnished their full proportion to the ranks of the pat- 
 riot army, and did their duty faithfully in the day of trial. 
 
 In reviewing the proceedings in that contest which agitated 
 the country previous to the commencement of the Revolution, 
 one thing struck me as worthy of remark, (though not partic- 
 ularly noticed by historians) that the citizens of this State gen- 
 erally — the people as a body, felt a deeper interest — took a 
 more active part — and exerted a more direct influence in the 
 transactions of the day tlian the people, of any other State. — 
 The whole mass of our citizens seemed to be acting in con- 
 12 
 
cert, animated with one spirit — and in pursuit of one object. 
 Other States were indeed as zealously engaged in the great 
 work, but it was rather through the Legislature or the Gov- 
 ernment, than by the direct influence of the people. But the 
 citizens of this State entrusted it not to a few leaders or to any 
 body of men to vindicate their violated rights ; they were wil- 
 ling to do their part and to bear the burden themselves. Eve- 
 ry town and almost every individual felt it a duty to put forth 
 an effort in the cause. 
 
 It may be here remarked, that previous to this period, viz. 
 1745, Cumberland was separated from Attleborough, by Roy- 
 al Charter, and annexed to Rhode Island.* 
 
 * The new boundaries established by this charter took from Massachusetts 
 and annexed to Rhode Island a fine tract of land including all Bristol coun- 
 ty, R. I. Tiverton, Newport county, and Cumberland, Providence county. 
 
 Cumberland comprised nearly half of the original town. Its area is about 28 
 square miles ; and, taken together is an excellent tract of land. It is good 
 for grain, and orcharding, and especially for grass which is cut in great 
 abundance. Some parts of the town, however, are light and sandy. 
 
 It was incorporated in 1746. It was previously called Attleborough 
 Gore. It is well adapted to manufacturing purposes, having three streams, 
 Abbott's Run, Mill and Peter's Rivers, besides the Blackstone which is its 
 western boundary. A few years ago it had eight cotton manufacturing es- 
 tablishments, running 5524 spindles; one woollen factory ; two clothier's 
 works; six grain mills; nineteen shops for building boats, in which are 
 made annually about 700 boats, which are worth from 20 to 70 dollars each. 
 It had besides, 1 nail factory, 1 marble mill, S06 dwelling houses, 280 elec- 
 tors, 3 companies of militia, 1 rifle corps, and part of a company of cavalry. 
 Its population, in 1810, was 2,110. But the town has since materially in- 
 creased in population and amount of business. 
 
 It had four religious societies, two Baptists', one Methodist, and one 
 Quaker. Taxable property ia 1815 was 528,220 dollarg. 
 
87 
 
 GENEALOGY. 
 
 A brief genealogy of some of the earliest settlers in the town 
 is annexed, which is intended to include, so far as I have been 
 able to ascertain, tlie names of those who came into town pre- 
 vious to 1730, with the names of their children of the first gen- 
 eration, (space not permitting me to extend it any farther) and 
 also the previous place of tlieir settlement when known. This 
 will not contain the names of many who have all either re- 
 moved from town or whose families have become extinct. — 
 These sketches must necessarily be imperfect, from the defects 
 in the records and the general neglect of most families to pre- 
 serve any knowledge of their remote ancestry. The discovery 
 of many of these facts connected with the history of our an- 
 cestors, has been the result of fortunate accident. 
 
 Many of the first proprietors (who belonged to llehoboth) or 
 their descendants became the occupants of the lands which 
 they had purchased. But in process of time the cheapness of 
 the land invited many emigrants from various parts of the col- 
 onies of Massachusetts and Plymouth who either became share 
 holders or purchased Rights.* 
 
 Allen, Nehemiah, son of Isaac Allen 1st of Rehoboth, marri- 
 ed Anne Wilmarth, daughter of Thomas Wilmarth 2d, of that 
 town, came to Attleborough about 1710. He had 5 children, 
 viz. Isaac, John, Nehemiah, Daniel, Anne, who were born be- 
 tween the years 1711 and 1720. 
 
 Atwell, Richard, married Sarah Bolkcom (daughter of Alex- 
 ander Bolkcom) had 5 children by her, Sarah, Amos, Anne, 
 Richard, Ichabod, 1728 — 1739. His second wife was Mary 
 Lawrence, by whom he had one son, William, born 1741. 
 
 Barrows, Benajah, ancestor of all of that name in this town. 
 He came here about 1708 from Rehoboth where he had resided 
 for a short time. His wife was Lydia Bucklin daughter of Jo- 
 seph Bucklin one of the early settlers of that town — had 9 
 children, John born in Rehoboth 1707; Deborah b. 1711; 
 Joseph, 1713 ; Nehemiah 1715; Benjamin March 1717-18; 
 
 * Usually new comers, if tliey could not purcbase a share in the Undivi- 
 ded lands, bouglit a li'j^kl to lay out a definite number of acres in a division 
 already j^rauted. 
 
88 
 
 Elijah March 1719-20; Lydia 1722; Ichabod 1724. He 
 died Jan. 5, 1754. 
 
 Blackinton, Penticost, the ancestor of all the Blackingtons 
 in town, came to Attleborough previous to 1702 — from what 
 place is not known. His wife's name was Mary. He had at 
 least 4 children, Penticost, Mary, Benjamin, who came with 
 him, and Hepzibeth who was born here Dec. 1702; and John 
 and Penelope twins h. 1705 and both died 1706. Penticost 
 the 1st died Sept. 24, 1715. His son Penticost married Re- 
 beccah Figgett — had 8 children, Penticost, b. 1716; Rebec- 
 cah b. 1717 ; George b. 1720; Anne b. 1722 ; Mary b. 1724 ; 
 John b. 1727; Othniel b. 1729 ; Peter b. 1731. 
 
 Blanding, Obediah, came from Rehoboth, son of William 
 Blanding 1st of that name in Rehoboth, — married Elizabeth 
 "Weeks, — had 5 children, Ephraim, Samuel, Obediah, Eliza- 
 beth, Mehitabel, 1919 — 1727. Several others afterwards came 
 here from that town, descendants of William 1st. viz. Daniel, 
 Noah, Lamack, &c. 
 
 Bishop William, appears to be the first, came from Beverly 
 or Salem about 1703. His wife's name was Dorothy. He 
 had 8 children, Edward, Elizabeth, William, Martha, Rebec- 
 ca, Baily, Dorothy, John, 1701 — 1715. His second wife was 
 Tabitha Hadley, married 1719. 
 
 There were several others of this name, some of them, per- 
 haps, brothers of the above, viz. Daniel, (who married Eliza- 
 beth Brown 1734) Samuel (married Mary .) Joseph (mar- 
 ried Miriam Hodges) Thomas who married ' Sarah Hobel of 
 Pequonick ' and had one daughter born in New Brookfield 
 N. Y. 1744. 
 
 Bolkcom, Alexander, the let, who came to Attleborough, pre- 
 vious to 1692 ; from whom all in town are descended. He 
 married Sarah Woodcock, daughter of John Woodcock sen. 
 and had 7 children, William b. Sept. 3, 1692 ; Katharine b. 
 Feb. 7, 1694 ; Alexander b. April 4, 1696 ; John b. April 29, 
 1699 ; Baruck b. June 12, 1702; Sarah b. Feb. 8, 1703-4 : Jo- 
 seph b. Feb. 23, 1705-6. 
 
 Hedied Jan. 31, 1727-S. His son William married Mary 
 Tyler, Oct. 3, 1713 ; Alexander m'd. Martha Obinton, May 
 14, 1725 ; Baruck m. Patience Blake; John m'd. Mary Grover, 
 by whom he had 5 children, and afterward, Sarah Grover, by 
 
89 
 
 whom he had 8 children ; Joseph m'd. Mary Parminter, March 
 21, 1733-4. 
 
 Capron, Banfield, was the first of that name who came to 
 this country. From him all the Caprons in this vicinity are 
 descended. The name of his first wife was Elizabeth. His 
 children were Banfield, Joseph, Elizabeth Banfield, b. Oct. 22. 
 1684, Edward, John, Jonathan, b. March 10, 1705-6, Sarah 
 b. March 11, 1708-9. 
 
 His wife Elizabeth died March 10, 1735. He married Dec. 
 16, 1735, Mrs. Sarah Daggett (relict ofDea. John Daggett) and 
 died Aug. 25, 1752, at a very advanced age. He settled where 
 the late Joab Daggett lived, and laid out the lands there. Tra- 
 dition says, he came to this country alone when he was quite a 
 lad, as a cabin-boy, to seek his own fortune. 
 
 Carpenter, Josiah, Noah, William, Obediah, Sfc. came to At- 
 tleborough from Rehoboth, and were all descendants of Sam- 
 uel and William Carpenter, two of the earliest of that name in 
 Rehoboth. William Carpenter was admitted an inhabitant of 
 that town March 28, 1645. He was admitted a freeman of 
 Massachusetts, May 13, 1640. 
 
 Noah was the son of William of Rehoboth, b. March 28, 1672 
 married Sarah Johnson, Dec. 3, 1700 — by whom he had 13 
 children, Noah, Miriam, Sarah, Stephen, Asa, Mary (born in 
 Rehoboth) Margaret, Simon (died infant) Isaiah, Simon, 
 Martha, Elisha, Amy. He married Ruth Follet, May 1727, 
 by whom he had one daughter, b. May 1728. 
 
 Claflin, (formerly Mc'Claflin*) Antipas, came here from 
 Sudbury, Mass. had 3 children after his arrival in this town, 
 viz. Hepzebeth, b. Nov. 17, 1717 ; Antipas and Ebenezer, 
 twins, b. Feb. 8, 1720-21. His wife's name was Sarah. Oth- 
 er sons probably came with him, Noah, Phinehas, &c. 
 
 Cutting, the first and only one of this name, who came here, 
 was Aaron. His son Aaron, Jr. married Ruth Pratt, 1749, 
 (who died July 26, 1753) and for his second wife, Sarah Tuck- 
 er, by both of whom he had 9 children. 
 
 Daggett, John, ancestor of all the Daggetts here and in Con* 
 came to Aitleboro' from Chil mark, Marthas' Vineyard, about 
 
 * Sometimes spelt Meclothlin, and in one place, (R. N^,P. Rec. p. SS6) 
 Mack Cleaulan— a proof of the variation which names undergo io the course 
 of a few generations. Tradition says the family originated in Scotland. 
 
90 
 
 1709, with his wife Sarah, and 9 children, 4 sons and 5 daugh- 
 ters, viz. Mayhew, Ebenezer, Thomas, Napthali, Abigail, (who 
 m'd. Ebenezer Guild, Oct. 12, 1714) Jane, (m'd. Caleb Hall, 
 Nov. 9, 1721) Zilpha, (m'd. Nathaniel Robinson, July 18, 
 1721) Patience, (m'd. Noah Robinson, Oct, 4, 1723) Mary, 
 (m'd. John Titus, Jan. 18, 1727-8) all of Attleborough. 
 ^ Ebenezer married Mary Blackinton, (daughter of Penticost 
 the 1st) Nov. 9, 1721 ; Mayhew married Joanna Biven, (of 
 Deerfield, Mass.) Oct. 11, 1709; Thomas married Sarah Stan- 
 ley, (daughter of Stanley) March 21, 1722-3.* 
 
 Day, Samuel, appears to be the first— came from Rehoboth. 
 His wife was Priscilla. — He had several children, Samuel, Ed- 
 ward, b. June 9, 1705 ; John, b. Sept. 29, 1708 ; Priscilla, b. 
 Nov. 22, 1711 ; Benjamin, b. (in Attleborough) April 28, 1720; 
 and perhaps others. 
 
 One Robert Day was admitted freeman of Massachusetts, 
 May 6, 1635; and Ralph Day, May 1645. 
 
 Foster, John, came from Dorchester about 1712, — married 
 Margaret Ware— had 13 children, John, b. 1706; Robert, b. 
 1707 ; Ebenezer, b. 1709, (these three b. in Dorchester) Mar- 
 garet, b. (in Wrentham) 1712; Benjamin, b. 1714; Jonathan, 
 b. 1715 ; Sarah, b. 1718 ; Timothy, b. 1720 ; Nathan, b. 1722; 
 Esther, b. 1724 ; Michael, b. 1725 ; (and died 1726) Michael, 
 b. 1727 ; Mary, b. 1729. 
 
 Foster, Alexander, (another who came to town) whose wife's 
 name was Suanna,— had children, Elizabeth, Sarah, Alex- 
 ander, Edward, Suanna, Jane— from 1734 to 1746. 
 
 Freeman, David and Jonathan, inhabitants of Rehoboth, came 
 to Attleborough — probably tbe ancestors of all the Freemans 
 in this town. The name of David's wife was Mary. Some of 
 
 *By recent research I am able to trace this family ftill farther back : and 
 give the result for the information of numerous descendants here k elsewhere. 
 
 John tbe 1st of Attleborough, was the son of Thomas Daggett, Esq. of 
 Edgartown, who married Hannah, the oldest daughter of Gov. Mayhew, 
 and was brother to Thomas, Samuel, Joshua, Israil, Mercy. 
 
 Thomas the father (who was brother of John tbe first of Rehoboth) is 
 supposed to be the son of John Daggett, the first, who came to this country 
 in 1630, and was settled in Watertown 1642, and probably removed to 
 Marthas' Vineyard with Gov. Mayhew, when he settled the Island, in 
 1644. There is reason to believe that John the first of Watertown had a 
 brother Thomas who tttuje to New Englaud. 
 
91 
 
 his children were Ebenezer, b. April 13, 1684 ; Hannah, b. 
 April 24, 1686 ; Margaret, b. Feb. 9, 1688-9. 
 
 Jonathan's children were William, Mary, Jonathan, Mercy, 
 Samuel, Anne, David, 1690—1704. 
 
 French, John, son of John French 1st of Rehoboth, — came 
 from that town about 1710— married Martha Williams — had 
 five children, John (b. in Rehoboth) Ephraim and Martha 
 twins (died infants) Hannah, Samuel, 1709 — 1714. His 2d 
 wife was Abigail White, married May 23, 1728, by whom he 
 had 2 children, John b. 1729, Thomas b. 1730. 
 
 Thomas brother of the preceeding, also came from Reho- 
 both — married Mary Brown, Jan. 5, 1720-1, — had 6 children, 
 Thomas, Christopher, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Bridget, Sa- 
 rah, Hannah, 1722 — 1738. 
 
 Fuller. This name is numerous. The first are not all 
 known. One was John — whose children were Itharaan, Abi- 
 gail, John, Jeduthan, Abial, Joanna, 1702 — 1719. His 2d 
 wife was Mary Follet — had 1 daughter Sarah b. 1721. 
 
 Jonathan Fuller was an early settler of Rehoboth. Robert 
 and William Fuller admitted freemen Mass. 2d June 1641. 
 
 Guild, Ebenezer, came from Dedham — married Abigail Dag- 
 gett (daughter of Dea. John Daggett 1st) 12th Oct. 1714 ; had 
 several children, Joseph, Naphtali, Ebenezer, 1716 — 1722 — 
 John and Benjamin also came with him. 
 
 Hall. Edward and John came from England — soon to 
 Taunton — thence to Rehoboth. Ephraim, son of John, came 
 to Attleborough. John was admitted fr. Mass. 14th May 1634 ; 
 Edward, 2d May, 1638. John married Mary Newell of Rox- 
 bury, 18lh Nov. 1684. Edward died 27th Nov. 1670. 
 
 Christopher Hall also came to Attleborough — had two sons, 
 Caleb and Joshua. 
 
 Ide^, Nicholas, Lieut, (son of Nicholas 1st of Rehoboth, who 
 was there as as early as Apr. 9, 1645) was born Nov. 1654 ; 
 married Mary Ormsby, Dec. 27, 1628 ; bed 7 children, Na- 
 thaniel, Jacob, Martha, Patience, John, Benjamin, 1678 — 
 1693— all born in Rehoboth. Nicholas (by his 2d wife Eliza) 
 b. in Attleborough July 25, 1697. Nicholas sen. died .5th 
 June 1723. Nath died 14th March 1702-3. 
 
 Jacob (2d son) married Sarah Perry. His children were 
 Sarah, b. Dec. 13, 1712 ; Jacob, Sept. 26, 1723. 
 
92 
 
 John (3d son) married Mehetable Robinson May 14, 1719 
 —had 4 children, Sarah, John, Benjamin, Amos, 1720 — 1729. 
 
 Ingraham, Joseph, Beryamin, Jeremiah, jE///aA, descendants of 
 Benjamin, and of Jarrett whose name is on the list of Purchas- 
 ers, came from Rehoboth. Joseph married Mary Shepardson. 
 
 Elijah married Sarah Ide — had 8 children, Elijah, Jabez, 
 Sarah and William twins, Betty, Remember, Comfort, Jere- 
 miah, 1734—1746. 
 
 Maxcy, yl?e2;a«rfer,* came from Gloucester, Mass. with hia 
 family, about 1721, — settled on John Woodcock's farm and 
 continued the public house. His wife's name was Abigail. — 
 He died Sept. 20, 1723. His children were Alexander (who 
 died April 2, 1724) Joseph, Josiah, Abigail, (who married Ja- 
 cob Hascall of Gloucester) Mary (who married Wm. Ware 
 May 4, 1726) Esther (who married Neheraiah Ward Dec. 3d 
 1728) and Benjamin. 
 
 Josiah married Mary Everett daughter of Joshua Everett, 
 had 11 children. His 2d son Levi (whose wife was Ruth daugh- 
 ter of Jacob Newell) was the father of Jonathan, Milton, and 
 Virgil, graduates of Brown University — eminent in literary and 
 professional life. Levi, another son, who possessed superior 
 talents though not liberally educated — died at the South. 
 
 Martin, John, Robert, and Timothy, came from Rehoboth. — 
 Timothy married Mary, daughter of John Fuller, then of Re- 
 hoboth, afterwards of Attleborough, — had three children, Tim- 
 othy, Sarah, Abel. 
 
 Three of this name were admitted freemen Massachusetts, 
 Thomas, Martin, 22d May, 1639 ; John and Robert 13th May, 
 1640. John settled in Rehoboth. 
 
 Moore, Alexander^ married Alice Chaffee — had 8 children, 
 Samuel, Comfort, Jane, Betsey, Esther, Alice, Kate, Hannah. 
 
 Newell, Jacob, came here from Roxbury or Dorchester, about 
 1715, bringing with him his family of several sons, Jacob, Jo- 
 seph, Ephraim, &.c. Jason b. here, Dec. 12, 1717. His wife's 
 name was Joyce. He settled near the first M. -House, and 
 bought a part of Willett's farm, and, according to tradition, 
 distributed it among his 7 sons, which still remains in 7 divis- 
 ions. 
 
 * It is said that a brother carae with him to this country, and settled in 
 one of the Southern Stales. 
 
1^^ 
 
 Peck, Hezekiah, (son of Nicholas Peck, of Rehoboth) came 
 to Attleborough about 1700, with his family — married Debo- 
 rah Cooper, of the former place — had 7 children, Deborah, Ju- 
 ditb, Hannah, Hezekiah, Rachel, b. in Rehoboth ; Petronella, 
 Perthenah, 1687—1711. 
 
 Several other Pecks came here from Rehoboth, viz. John and 
 Elisha, brothers of Hezekiah ; Daniel and Ichabod, sons of 
 Jathniel who was the son of Joseph 1st.* 
 
 Read, Daniel, came to Rehoboth about 1716, with five chil- 
 dren, Beriah, Ichabod, Hannah, Abigail, Esther, Daniel (died 
 infant) 1707 — 1713. His first wife was Elizabeth Bosworth; 
 his second was Eliz. Ide by whom he had eight children, Dan- 
 iel, Noah, Eliz. Sara. Abigail, Rachel, Benj. Thankful, 1716 
 — 1734.t 
 
 At least two other Reads came here from Rehoboth, Moses, 
 and Ezra. Those of this name have been very numerous in 
 this town. 
 
 * He came to Rehoboth from Hingham, Mass. and probably to that place 
 from Hingham, England. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Peck and Mr. Robert Peck were admitted freemen, Mass. 
 ISth March 1638— 9. Robert was ordained teacher at Hingham 8lh Nov. 
 1638 ; and 27th Oct. 1641, returned to England with his family. Joseph's 
 name appears on the Rehoboth records April 9, 1645. On his way from 
 Hingham the following accident befel him. 
 
 1645. I. 25. 'Another strange accident happened by fire about this time. 
 One Mr. Peck and three others of Hingham, being about with others to re- 
 move to Seaconk (which was concluded by the Commissioners of the United 
 Colonies to belong to Plymoath,) riding thither, they sheltered themselves 
 and their horses in an Indian wigwam, which by some occasion look fire 
 and (although they were all four in it, and labored to their utmost, '&c.) 
 burnt three of their horses to death, and all their goods to the value of 50 
 pounds.^ 
 
 One John Peck was in Rehoboth as early as 29th March, 1645. (Win. 
 Jour. II. 216.) 
 
 Nicholas, John, Joseph, Jr. are suppoFsJ to be sons nf Mr. Joseph, who 
 came with him to Rehoboth ; if this supposition be true, then all of the 
 name are descended from him. 
 
 t Thomas Read, admitted freeman, Mass. April 1, 16.51; John, 13th May 
 1640; William, 14th Dec. 1638 ; Esdras, 2d June, 1641. John and Thom- 
 as (perhaps sons of John) srttlpd in [JKhnboih, «iid " ere the Miiceators of 
 thentifoerous progeny of Reads in that town and Attleborough. 
 
 13 
 
H 
 
 Richards, Edward tmd Nathan came from Dedham. From 
 them are descended those of that name in this town. The 
 first in Dedham was Edward who was admitted freeman 1641. 
 (Worthingtoji's His. Dcd.) 
 
 Richardson, Stephen, John, William, Seth, brothers, came to 
 Altleborough. Seth married Mary Brown. His children were 
 Stephen, Seth, (died) Mary, Abigail, Sarah, Seth, Phebe, 1714 
 —1725. 
 
 , Several others also came to this town, Timothy, Francis &c. 
 Ezeluel Richardson, freeman, Mass. 18th May, 1631 ; Samuel, 
 2d May, 163S. 
 
 Robinson. — Six of this name came to Attleborough from Re- 
 hoboth, viz. Nathl. Noah, John, Timothy, Samuel, Ebenezer.* 
 
 Nathaniel, raarried Zilpha, (3d daughter of Dea. John Dag- 
 gett 1st,) July 18, 1721; had 9 children, Nathan, Nathaniel, 
 George, Zilpha, Eliz. Elihu, Amos, Abigail, Margaret, 1722 — 
 1739. 
 
 Noah married Patience (4th daughter of John Daggett 1st) 
 Oct. 4, 1722— had 7 children, Zephaniah, Mary, Elijah, Wil- 
 liam, Huldah, Enoch, Comfort, 1723 — 1740. 
 
 John married Thankful Newell and had several descendants. 
 Timothy married Eliz. Grant. Samuel married Mary Cooper 
 first wife, Mary Ide second wife. 
 
 Ebenezer married Eliz. Read, and had 8 children, Meheta- 
 ble, Sarah, Ebenezer, Samuel, Eliz. Ezekiel, Dan, Martha, 
 1721—1738. 
 
 Stanley, Thomas, Nathaniel, Joseph, Samuel, Jacob, John, 
 came from Topsfield, Mass. and settled near the Falls. The 
 last three were brothers. Thomas and Samuel were here in 
 1707; Jacob came about 1717. Thomas married Mary Gould 
 — had 12 children, Thomas, Mary, Phebe, Nathaniel, Samuel, 
 Daniel, David (died infant) Martha, William, Abigail, Priscil- 
 la, David. 
 
 Jacob married Eliz. Guild. His children were Jacob, Ben- 
 jamin, Eliz. (died infant) Deborah, Jon. Eliz. Solomon, Abi- 
 gail. 
 
 * They were descendants of George Eobinsoii 1st of Eehoboth, whose 
 name is on our List of Purchasers. He married Joanna Ipgrahara. 
 
 William Robinson, freeman Mass. at Salem, 27th December, 1642; John, 
 2d June, 1641. 
 
d5 
 
 Nathaniel married Sarah Blackinton. His children were 
 Serviah, Sarah, Hepzibeth, Abner, Amy, Sibula, Israil, Penti- 
 cost, Anne, Nathaniel, 1721 — 1744, 
 
 Starkey, Andrew, came here about 1708. His first wife was 
 Mehitable Waite, by whom he had two children, Mehitable b. 
 May 1709; John b. July 1712. His second wife was Catha- 
 rine (daughter of Alexander Bolkcom) by whom he had three 
 children, Jemima, Andrew, Thomas, 1722—1733. Andrew 
 sen. died IGth August 1740. 
 
 Sweet, Henry, was here about 1G90, — had 5 children, John, 
 Phillip (died infant) Thomas, Michael (died infant) Dorothy. 
 He was one of the earliest, if not the first of that name. — Died 
 Sth December 1704. — Probably a descendant of John, admit- 
 ted freeman 1641. 
 
 Stveetland, John, came from Marblehead, with several others 
 of that name ; three of his children were Benjamin, Deborah, 
 Samuel, 1703—1711. He died 9th June 1711. 
 
 Tyler, Ehenezer, had 9 children, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, Phe- 
 be, Catharine, Hannah, d. John, Hannah, William, 1714 — 
 1731.* 
 
 <S'a?ra?/e? married Mary Capron — had 11 children, Mary, d. 
 Samuel, d. Moses, Samuel, Mary, Nathan, Huldah, Habijah 
 and Elizabeth twins, Ebenezer, Benjamin d. 
 
 Wilkinson, John, came here about 1700 — married Rachel 
 Fales. His children were 8, John, Joseph, Rachel, Mary, 
 Hepzibeth, Abigail, Sarah, Hannah, 1702 — 1723. He pur- 
 chased Capt. Willett's share in the undivided lands, probably 
 of his son Andrew. Died 24th Jan. 1724-5. 
 
 John Wilkinson, Maiden, died Dec. 1675. — Far. Reg. 
 
 IVilmarth, Thomas,f came to Attleborough about 1708, — 
 married Deborah Peck — had 7 children, Mary, Thomas, Deb- 
 orah, Elizabeth, Anne, Ebenezer, Eliphalet, 1709 — 1728. 
 
 Several other AVilmarths came from that town, Samuel, (son 
 
 * Tyler, Abraham, Haverhill 1650, died 6th May 1673. Job, Andover 
 1653, had a son Moses who died 1727 aged 85, having had 10 sons. Na- 
 thaniel, Lyuii 1642.— Far. iJeg. 
 
 I Grandson of Thomas Wilraarth Sen. who came into Bebabotb as early 
 as March 28, 1645, with bis wire and children. Tbii name wat anciently 
 •pBlt Wilmot. 
 
d6 
 
 of Thomas 2d of Rehobotli) Jonathan, Nathan, Stephen, (sons 
 of Jonathan of that place) Daniel, &c. 
 
 The Deanes came from Taunton ; Ellises, Drapers, &c. 
 from Dedham, subsequent to 1730. 
 
 It is not expected that the foregoing list includes all who 
 came previous to that period. The names of the original an- 
 cestors of some could not be ascertained. 
 
 One name was omitted in its proper place. Bourne, An- 
 drew, came (it is supposed from G. Britain) to Attleborough, 
 about 1720, and settled in the East part of the town. All of 
 that name in this vicinity are descended from him. 
 
 LIST OF THE NAMES OF PERSONS NOW IN TOWN, WITH THE 
 NUMBER OF EACH NAME AFFIXED, TAKEN FROM THE TAX LIST 
 OF 1832. 
 
 A, Albey 1 — Alger 2 — Aldrich 1 — Allen 8 — Alexander 1 
 — Arnolds— Atherton 2 — Atwell 1. 
 
 Ba Babcock 3 — Bacon 2 — Barrows 8 — Bates 6— Bailey 1 
 Baldwin 1 — BishopS— Blake 1 — Blackington 9— Blackwell 1 
 — Blanchard 1 — Blanding4 — Bliss 5— Bolkcora 8 — Bosworth 
 1 — Bourne 1 — Bowen 5 — Bragg 2 — Briggs 7 — Brown 4 — 
 Bruce 1— Bullock 2. 
 
 C Capron 11 — Cargill 1 — Carpenter 14 — Chace2 — Chan- 
 dler 1— Cheever 1— Cluckering 1— Claflin 14 — Clark 2— 
 Clayes 1— Clinlock Mc 1— Cobb 2— Codding 3— Cole 2— Col- 
 vin 1 — Cook 1 — Cooper 3— Cornell 2 — Crocker 1 — Crowning- 
 shield 1 — Cutting 1 — Cummins 5 — Cushman 3. 
 
 D, Daggett 11— Dart 1— Day 2— Davis 1— Deane 11— 
 Derry 1 — Dodge 2 — Draper 17 — Drake 2 — Dunham 2. 
 
 E. Earl 1— Eddy 1-Eldridge 3— Ellis 3— Everett 4. 
 P. Fales 1— Fairbrother 2— Field 3— Fisher 6— Follet 2 
 
 Forbush 1 — Foster 6 — Franklin 1 — Freeman 7 — French 7 — 
 Frost 1 — Fuller 21— Furguson 1 — Furthington 1. 
 
 O. Gardner 2— Gay 1— George 2— Gilbert 1— Giles 1— 
 Goff 1— Grant 3— Green 3— Guild 2. 
 
 H, Hall 4— Hamar 1— Harkness 1 — Harris 2— Hatch 4 — 
 Haven 2 — Hayward 1 — Hicks 1 — Hitchcock 1 — Holman 3— 
 Holmes 7— Horr 2— Horton 1 — Hunt 2— Huntress 1. 
 
97 
 
 Za Ide 6 — Ingalls 1 — Ingrahara 4. 
 
 JTb Jackson 2 — Jewett 2— Jillson 5 — Jones 1. 
 
 1£, Kent 1 — Kempton 2— Knowles 1. 
 
 Ii. Lane 1 — Latham 1 — Lathrop 1 — Lavery 1 — Lee 1 — 
 Lewis 1 — Lindsey 3. 
 
 m. Manu 1— Martin 6— Mason 3— May 3— Metcalf 1— 
 More 3— Morse 6— Morey I. 
 
 iNTa Newell 4 — Newman I. 
 
 P, Paine 3— Parmenter 3— Peck 6— Perry 5— Pidge 2— ■ 
 Pierce 3— Pike 5-PhilIip l~Pond 1— Price 3. 
 
 It. Read 9— Richards 22 — Richardson 15— Riley 1— 
 Rhodes 2 — Robinson 9— Rogers 1— Rounds 1. 
 
 S. Sanford 2— Savery 1— Shaw 3— Sheldon 1— Shepard 1 
 — Shepardson 1 — Skinner 1— Slack 3 — Smith 1 — Sprague 1 
 Stanley 13 — Starkey 3 — Stearns 1 — Strafford 1 — Stratton 1 — 
 Streeter 1 — Swan 1 — Sweet 6. 
 
 T. Thacher 2— Thayer 3— Thurber 2~-Tiffany 2— Tiffl 3 
 — Tingley 2-Titus 2— Towne 3— Tripp 3— Tucker 1— Turn- 
 er 1— Tyler 1. 
 
 IV. Walker 1— Walton 1-Walcot 3—Warner 1— Wel- 
 man 4— Westcot 2 — Wheeler 1 — Whipple 3 — Whiting 4 — 
 White 7— Wilder 2— Williams 6— Wilmarth 11— -Wiiherell 4 
 — Withington 2 — Woodcock 2 — Wood 3 — Worseley 1 — 
 Wright 1. 
 
 There are about 200 different names (sirnames) on the List, 
 and 618 different persons. There are, of course, some other 
 names in town wich are not in the assessor's Rates ; but the 
 above catalogue includes the most of them. These items, in- 
 different to some, may be curiosities to others. 
 
98 
 
 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 From this town from its Incorporation, in 1694, to 1833. Elec- 
 tions were in May unless otherwise designated. 
 
 1709* David Freeman 
 
 1710 David Freeman I 
 
 1711 David Freeman 
 
 1712 Capt Joseph Brownt 1738 
 
 1713 Mr. David Freeman 1739 
 Lieut. Nicholas Ide§ 1740 
 
 1714 Lieut. Nicholas Ide 1741 
 
 1715 David Freeman 1742 
 
 1716 David Freeman 1743 
 
 1717 David Freeman 1744 
 
 1718 David Freeman 1745 
 
 1719 Jeremiah Whipple 1746 
 
 1720 Dea. John Daggett 1747 
 David Freeman^ 1748 
 
 1721 David Freeman 1749 
 
 1722 No one would accept. 1750 
 
 1723 Capl. John Foster 1751 
 
 1724 Mr. Nathl. Carpenter 1752 
 
 1725 Capt. John Foster 1753 
 
 1726 Capt. Joseph Brown 1754 
 
 1727 Capt. Joseph Brown 1755 
 
 1728 Capt. Joseph Brown 1756 
 
 1729 Mr. Nathl. Carpenter 1757 
 
 1730 Capt. John Foster 1758 
 
 1731 Capt, John Foster 1759 
 
 1732 Capt. John Foster 1760 
 
 1733 Nathaniel Carpenter 1761 
 
 1734 Sent an excuse. 1762 
 
 1735 Nathaniel Carpenter 1763 
 
 1736 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 1764 
 
 1737 John Robinson 1765 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 1766 
 John Foster, Esq. 1767 
 
 Timothy Tingley 
 Samuel Tyler 
 Ahasel Read 
 John Foster, Esq. 
 John Robbins 
 John Robbins 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 
 Maj. John Foster 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler 
 Perez Bradford, Esq.| 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler 
 Capl. Samuel Tyler 
 Benjamin Day 
 Benjamin Day 
 Benjamin Day 
 Benjamin Day 
 Name not on record. 
 Name not on record. 
 Lieut. Josiah Maxcy 
 " Josiah Maxcy 
 " Josiah Maxcy 
 Dea. Benjamin Day 
 Japhesh Bicknell 
 Stephen Fuller 
 Stephen Fuller, Esq. 
 Stephen Fuller, Esq. 
 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 
 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 
 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 
 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 
 
 » The reader will perceive that no representative was chosen during the 
 first fourteen years after the incorporation. The reason is given in the 
 extracts from the town records, page 22, 24. 
 
 t Son of IVIr. John Brown of Rehoboth (well known in the history of 
 the Old Colony) came here about 1769 from Kingston, II. 1. (o which he 
 had removed about 1702. In this list the lilies, generally given according 
 to the custom of the times, are retained as they appear on record. 
 
 i Nov. 1713. "IT June 1720. 
 
 X July 22d, 1746, Capt. M»yhew Daggett was chosen. 
 
99 
 
 1768 John Daggett 
 
 1769 John Daggett 
 
 1770 John Daggett 
 
 177 1 John Daggett 
 
 1772 John Daggett 
 
 1773 Capt. John Daggett 
 
 1774 Capt. John Daggett 
 
 1775 Capt. John Daggett 
 
 1776 Capt. John Stearns 
 
 1777 • Capt. John Stearns 
 
 William Stanley 
 
 1778 Capt. Elisha May 
 
 1779 Capt. Elisha May 
 
 1780 Capt. EHsha May 
 John Daggett 
 
 1181 Ehsha May 
 
 1782 Name not found. 
 
 1783 Col. Steph. Richardson 
 
 1784 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1785 Col. S. Richardson 
 
 1786 Capt. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1787 William Stanley 
 
 1788 Elisha May. Esq. 
 
 1789 Capt. C. Richardson 
 
 1790 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1791 Elisha May( Esq. 
 
 1792 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1793 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1794 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1795 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1796 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1797 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1798 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1799 Col. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1800 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1801 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1802 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1803 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1804 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 
 
 1805 Ebenezer Bacon 
 
 1806 Joel Read, Esq. 
 
 1807 Ebenezer Bacon 
 
 1808 Joel Read 
 
 1809 Joel Read 
 
 1810 Joel Read 
 
 1811 Joel Read 
 John Richardson 
 Benjamin Bolkcom 
 
 1812 John Richardson 
 Joel Read 
 Benjamin Bolkcom 
 
 1813 Joel Read 
 Benjamin Bolkcom 
 John Richardson 
 
 1814 Capt. Thomas French 
 Jabez Newell 
 
 1815 A. Richardson, Jr. 
 
 1816 Ebenezer Daggett Esq. 
 
 1817 Sent no one. 
 
 1818 " " " 
 
 1819 " " " 
 
 1820 A. Richardson Jr. 
 
 1821 A. Richardson Jr. 
 
 1822 Ebenezer Daggett Esq, 
 
 1823 Ebenezer Daggett Esq. 
 
 1824 Sent no one. 
 
 1825 William Blackinton 
 
 1826 William Blackinton 
 
 1827 George Ellis 
 Elkanah Briggs 
 A. Richardson Jr. 
 
 1828 George Ellis 
 Elkanah Briggs Esq, 
 
 1829 Elkanah Briggs Esq. 
 
 1830 Elkanah Briggs Esq. 
 
 1831 Abijah M. Ide Esq. 
 
 1832 Abijah M. Ide Esq. 
 
 1833 Abijah M. Ide Esq. 
 
160 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Rev. Naputali Daggett, D. D. President of Yale College, 
 was the son of Ebenezer Daggett and Mary his wife, and was 
 born in Attleborough (at the residence of the late Ebenezer 
 Daggett Esq.) Sept. 8th 1727. He was the second son among 
 S children. His father dying while he was yet young, he was 
 left under the direction of a mother, who was, however, in ev- 
 ery respect, peculiarly qualified to discharge the duties which 
 devolved upon her. He soon after commenced studies prepar- 
 atory to college. He entered Yale College in 1744, and grad- 
 uated in 1748, at the age of 21. He was distinguished during 
 his college life for industry and close application. 
 
 He was settled as minister of Smithtown on Long Island in 
 1751. In Sept. 1755 he was elected the first Professor of 
 Divinity in Yale College, which appointment he accepted, and 
 removed to New Haven, and was inducted into office on the 
 4th of March following.* This office he held during his life. 
 After the resignation of Mr. Clap Sept. 10th 176G, he officia- 
 ted as President till April 1st 1777, when he resigned the of- 
 fice, but still continued to hold that of Professor of Divinity. 
 The learned Dr. Stiles was his successor in the Presidency. 
 
 During the barbarous attack on New Haven by the British 
 army, in July 1779, he took an active part in the defence of 
 the country, and was distinguished for his resolution and intre- 
 pidity .t He was taken prisoner and came near losing his life. 
 
 * The foundation of this Professorship was laid in 1746 by a donation 
 from the Hon. Phillip Livingston, of New York; and having received a 
 considerable addition by another donation from Mr. Gershom Clark, of 
 Lebanon, with some appropriations by the college, it afforded a sufBcient 
 salary for the support of such an office, which was accordingly establis^hed 
 in 1755. A house for the use of the incumbent was erected by subscription ; 
 and finished in 1758. 
 
 t He had made himself obnoxious by his open, and active opposition to 
 the British cause. He had often inculcated upon the students under bis 
 charge,— in the pulpit and in the lecture-room, — the duty of resistance to 
 British oppression. He had therefore incurred the special displeasure of 
 the invaders. He had openly preached and prayed against the success of 
 their cause. He knew no dilTerence between preaching and practicing; 
 and when the crisis came, he carried his own principles into action. He 
 •bouldered bis musket and went into the field with the lest to repel the in- 
 
101 
 
 Dr. Daggett died, (in consequence of the wounds he had re- 
 ceived on that occasion) Nov. 25th 1780 at the age of 53. He 
 presided over the University about eleven years, and held the 
 office of Professor of Divinity twenty-five years. Possessed of 
 a strong, clear, and comprehensive mind, he applied himself 
 with assiduity and success to the various branches of knowl- 
 edge, particularly to the learned languages and divinity. Dr. 
 Holmes in his life of President Stiles, says, 'he was a good 
 classical scholar; well versed in moral philosophy; and a 
 learned divine.' Clearness of understanding and accuracy of 
 thought were characteristics of his mind. He received the 
 honorary degree of Doctor in Divinity from Yale College, and 
 also from Nassau, New Jersey. He published a sermon on the 
 death of President Clap 17G7 ; another delivered at the ordina- 
 tion of Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin 1770; and a third delivered at 
 the ordination of Rev. J. Howe, 1773. 
 
 CoL. John Daggett, an elder brother of the preceding — 
 born Sept 2d 1724 or 5 — was one of the principal public char- 
 acters and leading men of the town, especially during the try- 
 ing period of the Revolution. He and Col. May were the two 
 
 vailers. He was taken prisoner by the enemy. Tliey beat, and bruifed 
 him, and offered bira every indignity in their power. His clerical charac- 
 ter, in their eyes, was no exemption from the most outrageous abuses. They 
 demanded of him, who he was — be unhesitatingly replied, " My name is 
 Napthali Daggett — I am one of tl)e officers of Yale College — I recjuire you 
 to release me." "But we understand you have been in the habit of pray- 
 ing against our cause." "Yes — and I never made more sincere prayers in 
 Biy life." 
 
 He was at first left for di?ad on the ground. He was >aved by the intre- 
 pidity of the lady into whose bouse he had been cotveyed. After the Urit. 
 ish bad retired, an officer and a file of soldiers were sent bacic to convey 
 him a prisoner on board tlieir transports. They came to the house and in- 
 quired for liim, and were answeied by the lady (who appeared at thedtor, 
 and resolutely refused to ad(nit them) that be was so badly woundid.it 
 would be impossible to convey hitn on board alive, "My orders," said 
 the officer, "are positive, to take him with me." But you would not sure- 
 ly carry away a d)ing man ;— he is now in the agonies of death. After 
 repeated demands and refusals, the officer fuially determinnl to return and 
 report the case to his superior and ask for further orders. But he never 
 catut back aTter his prisoner. 
 
 14 
 
on whom the town placed the utmost reliance. He was pos- 
 sessed of a strong and sound mind, and was marked by a reso- 
 lute and decided character. He was a puritan in the plainness 
 and simplicity of his manners, and was a firm friend to the civ- 
 il institutions and republican customs of New England. 
 
 He was commissioned one of his Majesty's Justices of the 
 Peace under the Provincial Government before the Revolu- 
 tion. He took an early and decided stand (with many other 
 patriotic citizens of this town) in the commencement of those 
 proceedings which produced the Revolution. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Provincial Congress which assembled at Cambridge. 
 For a long succession of years he was elected a member of the 
 Legislature ; and was also a member of the Convention which 
 formed the Constitution. He was generally called to serve on 
 the most important committees which were raised in town 
 meeting to consider the many difficult subjects which were 
 then brought before the people during and subseq ueiit to tiie 
 Revolution. Col. Daggett commanded the regiment from the 
 county of Bristol both in Spencer's and Sullivan's Expedi- 
 tions on Rhode Island, — in '77 and '79. 
 
 At home he was extensively employed as a surveyor, and 
 was engaged in various other kinds of public business such as 
 the ordinary transactions of life require between citizens. He 
 died universally respected, January 20th 1803, at the age of 79. 
 
 A third brother, Doct. Ebenezer Daggett, was a respecta- 
 ble physician, who settled in Wrentham village where he ac- 
 quired an extensive practice. He married Miss Metcalf, 
 
 daughter of Timothy Metcalf Esq. of Wrentham, by whom 
 he had several children. 
 
 His son, Rev. Herman Daggett, graduated at Brown Univer- 
 sity in 1788, and pursued his professional studies with Dr. 
 Emmons of Franklin. He was settled, a few years, in the min- 
 istry on Long Island ; and afterwards removed to Ridge- 
 field, Connecticut, and finally to Cornwall, where he died in 
 1832. He was principal of the Foreign Mission School es- 
 ta|)lished at the latter place. 
 
103 
 
 DocT. Bezaleel Mann — a well known and worthy physi- 
 cian of this town, — deserves a notice in these sketches. He 
 was a descendant of Rev. Samuel Mann the first minister of 
 Wrentham. He studied his profession with Dr. Hewes of 
 Foxhorough, and commenced business in this town sometime 
 previous to 1750. Dr. Mann had the reputation of being a 
 skillful physician, and had acquired an extensive circle of 
 practice. His character is justly portrayed in his epitaph. 
 
 "Bezaleel Mann mort. die Octo. tert. 1796, an. aetat. 74. 
 Early imbued with the principles of moral rectitude, he sus- 
 tained through the diversified concerns of a long and active 
 life, the character of an honest man. As a physician, he com- 
 manJed, during the period of near 50 years, that unlimited 
 confidence and respect, which talents alone can inspire. The 
 features of his mind were sketched by the glowing pencil of 
 nature, filled up with qualities that adorn humanity, and 
 shaded with few infirmities the frequent attendants on mental 
 excellence." 
 
 " Bebe i\lann,* his wii'e, mort. die Octo. tert. 1793, aetat. 61. 
 She was a person of bright genius, of few words, and much 
 reserved in mind. From early youth she marked all her paths 
 with virtue, and timely took the advice Christ gave to his dis- 
 ciples, and made to herself a friend of the mammon of un- 
 righteousness, and when she failed, could, with christian con- 
 fidence, say, that her witness was in heaven and her reward 
 on high. 
 
 This stone is erected by the grateful hand of filial piety to 
 protect the awful dust of revered parents." 
 
 These inscriptions may be found in Alden's valuable Collec- 
 tion of Epitaphs. 
 
 Dr. Mann had several sons who entered the professions. — 
 His son Preston, who is a physician, was graduated at Brown 
 University, and settled in Newport, R. I. where he is now liv- 
 ing. Another son, John Milton, was also a graduate at Brown 
 University, became a physician, and removed to the State of 
 N. York, where he was drowned in attempting to cross the Riv- 
 er Hudson. His second daughter married one of his students, 
 Dr. SethCapron of this town, who, with another son, Newton, 
 
 * She was a daughter of Mr. £z«kiel Carpeuter of tbi» town. 
 
104 
 
 removed to the State of New York, where they are now hving. 
 His second son, Herbert, was educated a physician, and enter- 
 ed, as surgeon, on board the privateer General Arnold, Capt. 
 Magee, and was lost in that terrible storm which ensued, in 
 Plymouth Harbor, 26th Dec. 1778. The stone which is here 
 erected to his memory contains the following epitapli : 
 
 'In memory of doctor Herbert Mann, who, with 119 sailors 
 with Capt. James Magee, master, went on board the brig Gen- 
 eral Arnold, in Boston Harbor, 25th Dec. 1778, hoisted sail, 
 made for sea, and were immediately overtaken by the most 
 tremendous snow storm with cold, that was ever known in the 
 memory of man, and, unhappily, parted their cable in Ply- 
 mouth harbor, in a place called the Cow-yards, and he, with 
 about 100 others, was frozen to death ; sixty-six of whom were 
 buried in one grave.* He was in the 21st year of his age. — 
 And now Lord God Almighty, just and true are all thy ways, 
 but who can stand before thy cold V 
 
 Hon. Elisha May was a distinguished citizen of this town, 
 who was often employed in public office, and whose name is 
 still held in reverence by those who remember him. Courte- 
 ous and gentlemanly in his manners, and honorable and up- 
 right in his principles, he was universally esteemed. Intelli- 
 gent and active in business, he was well qualified to fulfil the 
 various offices to which he was elected. He discharged the 
 various duties which devolved upon him, with ability, and en- 
 tire satisfaction to his constituents. He was, in fine, one of the 
 most valuable citizens of this town. He died Nov. 15th, 1811, 
 in the 73d year of his age. His character is justly though 
 briefly described by one who was personally acquainted with 
 him. The following extract is from a Discourse delivered at 
 his interment, by the Rev. John Wilder, then the pastor of the 
 1st Congregational Church in this town. 
 
 ' His memory will long be precious, not only to his near rel- 
 atives and friends, but likewise to his intimate acquaintance, 
 to his neighbors, to the religious society in this place, and to 
 the inhabitants of the town. For he is the man whom his fel- 
 
 * In the town of Plymouth. 
 
105 
 
 low-citizens have delighted to honor ; nor was he unworthy 
 their respect and confidence. For blessed with a sound mind, 
 a retentive memory, a quick discernment of men and things, a 
 polite address, an honest heart, and an education considerably 
 above mediocrity, he was singularly qualified for public employ- 
 ments of various kinds. And his worth was early discovered ; 
 for at the time of the Revolutionary war he was an active and 
 useful member both in the military and civil departments. — 
 Since that period he was employed, without opposition, as a 
 legislator, or a counsellor, until he chose to retire. For about 
 27 years in succession, one excepted, he was called to a seat 
 in the Legislature, and chiefly in the upper house. For almost 
 forty years together he has been moderator of the town 
 meetings in this place ; in which office he was equalled by few, 
 and exceeded by none. He had the honor of being au elector 
 of the President of the United States. As a magistrate through- 
 out the Commonwealth, he did much business, and to very 
 general satisfaction. He was justly celebrated both at home 
 and abroad, for his wisdom in adjusting and settling differences 
 between contending parties. As a politician he was a friend 
 and disciple of Washington. As a man he was prepossessing 
 and engaging. As a friend he was faithful and constant. As 
 a neighbor he was kind and obliging. As a husband he was 
 attentive and tender. As a parent he was pleasant and af- 
 fectionate. As to his religion, he was a firm believer in the 
 christian system, and a very constant, attentive, and appai- 
 eutly devout attender on public worship, all his life.' 
 
 John Foster, Esq. appears from the records to have been a 
 useful public man in his day, though but few facts of his life 
 are known to the author. He was chosen moderator of town 
 meetings for a long succession of years — was a surveyor of 
 lands — an active justice of the peace — and for several years a 
 representative of the town, 4*c. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, S. T. D. President of Rhode Island, 
 Union and Columbia colleges, was one of the most eminent 
 pulpit orators of this country. He was born in this town, Sept. 
 
106 
 
 2d, 1768. He prepared for college, in the school of the Rev. 
 William Williams, of Wrentham, which was then the most cel- 
 ebrated institution in the vicinity, and the resort of a great 
 many young men for the pursuit of classical studies. He grad- 
 uated at Brown University in 1787, and was immediately ap- 
 pointed a Tutor. He was ordained pastor of the 1st Baptist 
 Church in Providence, Sept. 8, 1791, and at the same time was 
 appointed the first Professor of Divinity in that college.* Af- 
 ter the death of President Manning, he was unanimously elect- 
 ed President, A. D. 1792, at the early age o^ twenty -four ! — • 
 He presided over this University for eleven years, with disUn- 
 guished success and with a splendid reputation for eloquence 
 and learning. His administration was marked by mildness, 
 urbanity and dignity. Under bis guardianship the University 
 acquired a distinguished name for oratory. Guided by his fos- 
 tering genius, it sent forth a constellation of eloquent and ac- 
 complished speakers, who have shone in various departments 
 of public life, and whose eloquence has been felt in the pulpit, 
 at the bar, and in the halls of legislation — many of whom have 
 acquired a national renown. He was peculiarly fitted to stamp 
 impressions of his own character on the minds of those around 
 him, and to infuse his own spirit into theirs. He acquired a 
 salutary influence over the youth committed to his charge. He 
 imbued their hearts with a taste for literature and with a love 
 of truth and moral beauty, — and excited in their bosoms, the 
 most ardent aspirations after excellence. He knew well how 
 to kindle and fan the flame of Genius. His memory is cher- 
 ished by all his pupils with peculiar aff"ection and gratitude. — 
 In speaking of the University, it has been truly said, that he 
 was one ' whose name and fame are identified with its repu- 
 tation, and whose mingled mildness, dignity, and goodness, 
 equalled only by his genius, learning and eloquence, subdued 
 all envy, made all admirers friends, and gave him an irresisti- 
 ble sway over the minds of those placed under his care.'t 
 
 Though accomplished in every department of learning, he 
 was distinguished more particularly as a Belles Lettres scholar* 
 
 *He was (be first and only professor of divinity ever appointeit in Brown 
 University. 
 
 t Hon. Virgil Maxcy's Discourse before the Pb't Beta E«ppa of Brown 
 Univernty, Sept, 4tli, 1853. 
 
His oratory was in some respects peculiar. There was noth- 
 ing in it like rant or affectation — no appearance of that popu- 
 lar declamation which is so often eniplr>yed to captivate the 
 multitude. There was apparently no attempt in it to produce 
 effect — no labored display — but every thing appeared easy, 
 natural and unstudied. It was deep — impassioned — but not 
 declamatory. His voice was not naturally powerful, but he 
 had it perfectly under his control through all its intonations. 
 He usually commenced in a calm and moderate tone, but grew 
 warmer and more animated as he advanced in his discourse, 
 and gradually and imperceptibly gained upon the attention and 
 feelings of his hearers, until every one present was wholly en- 
 grossed upon the subject of the speaker. Indeed, he himself 
 seemed completely absorbed in his own subject, and by the in- 
 fluence of sympathy carried his audience with him. 
 
 His delivery was remarkably expressive. Every sentiment 
 he uttered came from the heart and vibrated through his whole 
 frame.— Every cord and muscle was an echo to his soul. His 
 elocution was full of grace — yet his potoer was not in this 
 
 — It was in the life, — the soul, — which he infused into his voice, 
 
 — his gestures, — and his countenance,— all expressive and har- 
 monious. His eloquence was at once graceful and forcible. — 
 In a word, he had in perfection, what Demosthenes called Ac- 
 tion. 
 
 He did not neglect to cultivate the minor graces of elocu- 
 tion. He never made a prayer or delivered any thing in pub- 
 lic, extempore, even on the most ordinary occasions, in which 
 every sentence and every word were not accurately arranged 
 and in iheir right place. Though his voice was naturally fee- 
 ble, it was able to occupy a large compass, and every word 
 and every syllable he uttered, in the largest audience, fell dis- 
 tinctly on the ear of the most distant auditor. 
 
 The fullovving extract will show the estimation in which he 
 was held at the South. It was written but a short time previ- 
 ous to his death, and contains a brief but lively description of 
 the impressive effects of his eloquence, even when his powers 
 were impaired by advancing age and feeble health. 
 
108 
 
 From the Charleston City Gazette. 
 Extract of a letter from a gentleman residing in Columbia, to his 
 
 friend in Charleston. 
 
 "Columbia, 6th July, 1SJ9. 
 
 "Last Sunday we went to hear Dr. Maxcy. It being the 
 4th of July, it was a discourse appropriate to that eventful pe- 
 riod. I had always been led to believe the Doctor an eloquent 
 and impressive preacher; but had no idea, till now, that he 
 possessed such transcer.dant powers. I never henrd such a 
 stream of eloquence. —It flowed from his lips, even like the oil 
 from Aaron's head. Every ear was delighted, every heart was 
 elated, every bosom throbbed with gratitude. Such appropri- 
 ate metaphor ! such grand, such sublime descriptions! such 
 exacted ideas of Deity ! and delivered with all the grace, the 
 force, the elegance of a youthful orator ! I was sometimes in 
 pain, lest this good old man should outdo himself and become 
 exhausted; but as he advanced in his discourse, he rose in an- 
 imation, till at length he reached heights the most sublime, 
 and again descended with the same facility with which he soar- 
 ed. So far as I can judge, (and your partiality, I know, will 
 allow me to be no mean critic) there was not heard the slight- 
 est deviation from the most correct enunciation and grammat- 
 ical arrangement; all the powers of art seemed subservient to 
 his absolute control. In short, I never heard any thing to 
 compare to Dr. Maxcy's sermon, in all the course of my life; 
 and, old as I am, I would now walk even twenty miles through 
 the hottest sands to listen to such another discourse. I am 
 persuaded, I shall never hear such another in this life." 
 
 His most celebrated performance, while he presided over 
 Brown University, regarded as a specimen of pulpit oratory, 
 was his sermon on the existence and attributes of God, deliv- 
 ered at Providence in 1795, which is frequently spoken of, 
 even at this day, and produced at the time the most lively and 
 striking effect on the audience. Those who heard it will nov- 
 er forget it. The impression it produced was the result, in a 
 great degree, of the manner of its delivery. Such a brilliant 
 effort of eloquence has seldom been witnessed in any house of 
 public worship. This discourse, though enlivened by a bold, 
 luxuriant, and brilliant imagination, and a loftiness of concep- 
 tion, is yet characterized by hie usual neatness and eimpHciJ/ 
 
109 
 
 of language. Indeed, in his highest flights, his style of writing 
 was always remarkable for a pure English idiom and a clas- 
 sical simplicity of language. In fine, he was an eloquent ora- 
 tor and a learned scholar. 
 
 In 1802, Dr. Maxcy resigned the Presidency of Brown Uni- 
 versity, and accepted that of Schenectady, N. Y. where he 
 remained till the establishment of the new College in Colum- 
 bia, S. Carolina, in 1804, of which he was appointed the first 
 President, and immediately removed to that place, where he 
 continued till the day of his death, June 4th 1820, at the age 
 of 52. He was appointed to the office of Pi-esident the young- 
 est, and presided the longest in proportion to his years, of any 
 person in this country. He was connected with some college, 
 either as student or officer, nearly 38 out of the 52 years of 
 his life. 
 
 In 1801 he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divin- 
 ity from Harvard University. 
 
 His vvife was Susan Hopkins, a daughter of Commodore 
 Eseck Hopkins of Providence, by whom he had several daugh- 
 ters, — and four sons, all of whom have been liberally educa- 
 ted. Several of the sons still survive and are in the profes- 
 sion of the law. His widow is still living in Columbia, S. C. 
 
 He published a Discourse on the death of President Man- 
 ning, 1792 ; a Sermon on the Existence of God demonstrated 
 from the works of creation, 1795; a Discourse on the Atone- 
 ment, in two parts, 1796; an Address to a Class, 1797; an 
 Address to the graduating class, 1801 ; an Address to the 
 graduating class, 1802 ; an Oration on the 4th of July ; and a 
 Funeral Sermon before the Legislature of Soutii Carolina, 
 1818. 
 
 This is necessarily, a brief, and, I fear, an imperfect sketch. 
 It requires an abler pen than mine to portray the amiable and 
 brilliant character of Maxcy, and to do justice to his splendid 
 talents as an orator. Tliose only who knew him in the merid- 
 ian of life, and who have seen and felt the power of his elo- 
 quence, can give an adequate description. His memory de- 
 mands a tribute of filial aft'ection from someone of his many 
 distinguished pupils, who are so deeply indebted to his example 
 and instructions for the eminence which they now enjoy in 
 
 public life. 
 
 15 
 
no 
 
 Hon. Ebenezer Daggett, whojdi-ed recently, while a mem- 
 ber of the Senate from Bristol District, affords the example of 
 a life worthy of imitation by his fellow citizens. He was the 
 youngest son of Col. Daggett whose life has been previously 
 noticed, and wa« born April 16, 1763. Few men in this town 
 have devoted so large a portion of their time to the public ser- 
 vice, fie held a commission of the Peace for nearly 30 years, 
 and honorably discharged its most important duties. He serv- 
 ed the town at various times in the capacity of Selectman and 
 Town Clerk upwards of twenty years. He represented the 
 town several years in the General Court- A large part of the 
 last thirty years of his life was occupied in some public em- 
 ployments. In various ways he rendered himself serviceable 
 to his fellow citizens. In the spring of 1831 he was elected a 
 member of the Senate for this District. At the succeeding 
 November election he was re-chosen to the same office ;-^and 
 while in the discharge of the honorable and responsible duties 
 of this station, he was called by the order of Providence to close 
 bis life, at Boston, on the 4th of March, 1632, in the 69th year 
 of his age. 
 
 Possessed of natural abilities above mediocrity, which he 
 had improved by self-education, he always directed them to 
 useful purposes. Plain and unassuming in his manners, mild 
 and uniform in his disposition — he had won the confidence of 
 his fellow-citizens, but never sought after the honors which 
 were bestowed upon him. Guided by fixed and pure princi- 
 ples, he was upright and honorable in all his dealings with his 
 fellow-men ; and preserved a character of unsullied integrity, 
 through a long and active life. He was regarded by his neigh- 
 bors as their father and adviser. If they were in difficulty or 
 doubt, they came to him for counsel and assistance, and both 
 were freely offered. So great was their confidence in his in- 
 tegrity and judgment, that he was generally the chosen umpire 
 in cases of controversies between his fellow-citizens. He was, 
 in fine, in the true and enlarged sense of the word, a useful 
 man. His life, indeed, as has been justly remarked of him, af- 
 fords an encouraging example of the truth, that respectable 
 talents united with integrity and industry will raise a man to 
 honor and usefulness. 
 
 The following remarks on the character of the deceased, are 
 
Ill 
 
 extracted from a Funeral Discourse, delivered at Attleborough 
 22d April, 1832, by Rev. Mr. Ferguson. 
 
 ' Where is that venerated liusband and father, that highly es- 
 teemed and useful citizen, who scarce four months ago, stood 
 bending under the bereavement of Providence, an unexpected, 
 yet quiet and submissive mourner* in the house of the Lord ? 
 Alas! he has gone down to the grave tmto his son, mourning. 
 The last opportunity which I enjoyed of conversing with our 
 departed friend, was on the eve of his leaving home to attend 
 to his official duties, in the Legislature, as a member of the 
 Senate. I mention this circumstance, because it was then 
 abundaiitly evident, that those official honorSj which are gen- 
 erally sought as the rewards of successful competition, may 
 come to be regarded as a burden rather than an honorable dis- 
 tinction. During our conversation he lamented, that official 
 duties obliged him at such a time to leave home, and to mingle 
 in scenes so foreign to the state of his mind. He regretted 
 that the choice of the people had not fallen upon some other 
 candidate, and remarked, that such scenes were better adapt- 
 ed to gratify those who were young and aspiring, than the aged 
 and afflicted. It is known to you all, that from that tour of 
 duty, he never returned. To an observer it must have been 
 evident, that to commune with his own heart — to mingle his 
 sympathies with those of his family, and to prepare himself for 
 his own great change, wouW have been more congenial to his 
 mind, than the halls of Legislation, and the investigation of 
 our political relations. In his case, moreover, political em- 
 ployments had long ceased to be a novelty. He was emphati- 
 cally a public man. Twenty years ofhis life had been occu- 
 pied in superintending the interests of the town. Twice he 
 was elected to the Senate ; — and perhaps no man among us 
 has been more called upon to administer upon the estates of 
 the deceased and to act as the guardian of the orphan. The 
 general character which he sustained through life was that of 
 uniformity, uprightness, and moderation. In the hottest strife 
 of parties, although a public and a decided man, he never 
 could be regarded as a partisan. He had been an actor and 
 in some respects a public character from the time of the Revo- 
 
 * For the sudden aad violent death of a beloved son. 
 
112 
 
 lution ; but through all the changes of the eventful times in 
 which he lived, he continued to the last to stand forth before 
 his fellow-citizens, in the character of an honest, upright, and 
 consistant man. 
 
 His last sickness commenced on the 23d of February. He 
 had, the day before, in apparent health, attended the Centen- 
 nial Celebration of the birth of Washington, and vralked in 
 procession with the other members of the Senate ; but all be- 
 yond was his dying sickness. Early on the succeeding morn- 
 ing, he was violently attacked with a fever, which terminated 
 in death on the 4th of March. 
 
 I have felt it my duty, in view of his public character, to en- 
 ter into details which, in other circumstances, might have been 
 inexpedient. In the relations of life; in his intereourse be- 
 tween man and man ; in the maintenance of a character for 
 uniformity, uprightness, and self-possession, his works praise 
 him, and he is with us, for an example. In all that is beyond, 
 it is ours to consign him to his grave and to his God. Happy 
 would it be for our community, were our party divisions always 
 controlled by men of equal mildness and moderation — happy 
 would it be for our community, did all our public men mani- 
 fest an equal regard for the maintenance of orderj morals, 
 and religion.' 
 
 There were many other worthy and useful citizens, who de- 
 serve commemoration in this place, — who, though dead, yet 
 live in their works. But at this distance of time it is difficult 
 to ascertain the peculiar traits of their character, and the 
 events of their lives. The retired but useful employments in 
 which they were engaged, and the 'even tenor of their lives,' 
 supply but few prominent incidents for the pen of the biogra- 
 pher. The sketches already given afford a respectable list of 
 public men for a humble country town like ours. 
 
113 
 
 A LIST OP THE Graduates at Brown Ukivbrsity from 
 
 THIS TOWN. 
 
 Graduated. 
 
 1776. Preston Mann, A. M. son of Doct. Bezeliel Mann, Phy- 
 sician — settled in Newport, R. I. 
 
 1783. Othniel Tyler, A. M. son of John Tyler, Lawyer, Sud- 
 bury, Mass. 
 
 1787. John Milton Mann, son of Dr. Bezeliel Mann, Phy- 
 sician, settled in Hudson, N. Y. and was drowned in 
 crossing the river of that name. 
 
 1787. Jonathan Maxcy, S. T. D. son of Levi Maxcy, born 
 Sept. 2d, 1768, President of Providence College, Un- 
 ion, Schenectady N. Y. and Columbia College, S. C. 
 died at the latter place June 4th, 1820, set. 52. 
 
 1788. Jesse Blackington, son of Peter Blackington, resides in 
 
 Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, Ohio. 
 
 1788. William May, son of Elisha May, born Jan. 26th 1764, 
 student of law, died July 12th 1790, in the 27th year of 
 his age. 
 
 1789. Paul Draper, A. M. son of Stephen Draper, born Sept. 
 
 19th 1767, entered on board an American man of war, 
 and was never after heard of. 
 
 1790. Aaron Draper, son of Josiah Draper, born Nov. 29th 
 1764, never studied a learned profession — settled in 
 Providence R. I. where he died. 
 
 1802. Gardner Daggett, A. M. son of Elijah Daggett, born 
 Dec. 20th, 1782, lawyer, Providence, R. I. where he 
 died. 
 
 1802. Milton Maxcy, son of Levi Maxcy, born Jan. 1st 1782, 
 lawyer in Beaufort, S. Carolina, where he died of the 
 yellow fever in 1818. 
 
 1803. Jason Sprague, A. M. son of John Sprague, was, for 
 some time. Preceptor of the High School in Newport, 
 R. I. He died in the United States army. 
 
 1804. Virgil Maxcy, son of Levi Maxcy, lawyer in Baltimore 
 Maryland, now Solicitor of the Treasury of the United 
 States, Washington City. 
 
 1807' Lorenzo Bishop, son of Kephaniah Bishop, born Aug. 
 20th 1785, student of law, died in Attleborough, May 
 26th 1809, Bet. 33. 
 
114 
 
 1809. Jacob Ide, A. M. Rev. son of Jacob Ide, minister ia 
 Medway, Mass. 
 
 1809. William Tyler, Rev. A. M. son of Ebenezer Tyler, 
 minister at Weymouth, and now at South Hadley, Mass. 
 
 1811. Benjamin Cozzens, A. M. son of Benjamin Cozzens, 
 formerly lawyer at Pawtucket — now resides at Provi- 
 dence, R. I. 
 
 1811. Hartford Sweet, A. M. son of Gideon Sweet, born Oct. 
 30th, 1790, had not finished studying his profession — 
 died at the South in 18 . 
 
 1817. Everett Bolkcom, son of Jacob Bolkcom, born Sept. 
 1796, lawyer, Attleborough, died Dec. 19th, 1823, 
 set. 27. 
 
 1821. James O. Barney, Rev. son of Barney, of Provi- 
 dence, R. 1. minister at Seekonk Centre, Mass. 
 
 1821. Moses Thacher, Rev. A. M. sou of Thacher, min- 
 ister in North Wrentham, Mass. 
 
 1822. Preston Cummings, Rev. son of David Cummings, min- 
 ister in Dighton, Mass. 
 
 1822. Henry H. F. Sweet Rev. son of Henry Sweet, born 
 Nov. 1st, 1796, minister in Palmer, Mass. died Feb. 
 20th 1827, ffit. 30. 
 
 1822. John Wilder, Rev. A. M. son of John Wilder, minister 
 in Charlton, now in Concord, Mass. 
 
 1823. Benoni Allen, Rev. son of Allen, preacher in 
 
 Ohio. 
 
 1824. Ira Barrows, M. D. son of Barrows, physician, 
 
 Pawtucket, Mass. 
 
 1825. Hermon Bourne, M. D. son of Andrew Bourne, physi- 
 cian, Boston, Mass. 
 
 1825. William S. Stanley, M. D. son of Thomas Stanley, phy- 
 sician in Mamaroneck, N. Y. 
 
 1825. Samuel T. Wilder, son of John Wilder, lawyer, Roch- 
 ester, N. Y. 
 
 1826. Jason B. Blackington, A. M. son of William Blacking- 
 ton, lawyer, in Holden, Mass. now in Ohio. 
 
 1826. John Daggett, A. M. son of Ebenezer Daggett, lawyer, 
 
 Attleborough. 
 1831. Salmon C. Perry, son of Josiah Perry. 
 
115 
 
 There have been graduates from this town at several of the 
 other New England Colleges. A full list of their names has 
 not been obtained. Among them was, 
 
 John Barrows who graduated 1776 at Harvard College, 
 was son of John Barrows. He married his wife in Cambridge, 
 and settled, as a schoolmaster, in Dighton, Mass. where he 
 died. 
 
 At Yale College, in 1748, Naphtali Daggett, of whom a 
 sketch has been already given. In 1762, Philip Daggett, 
 brother of the last named, was born 11th September, 1739; he 
 settled and died in New Haven. Henry Daggett, who grad- 
 uated at Yale College, in 1771, son of Elder Elihu Daggett 
 (mentioned in page 68) was born 9th April, 1741 — settled at 
 New Haven, where he was at first a merchant, subsequently, 
 Police magistrate, Alderman of the city, &c. He died 11th 
 Aug. 1830. In 1783 graduated the Hon. David Daggett, 
 L. L. D. the present distinguished and learned Chief Justice of 
 the Supreme Court of Connecticut. He was formerly a Sena- 
 tor of the United States, and has been for several years Pro- 
 fessor of Law in Yale College, &c. In 1761 graduated Rev. 
 Pelatiah Tingley, A. M. son of Timothy Tingley. 
 
 He was a Baptist preacher, and was settled in Sanford, 
 Maine. About 1780, he became a seceder from the prevailing 
 sect of Baptists, and was the first minister who uinted with El- 
 der Benjamin Randall, the founder of the new sect, usually 
 denominated Arminian or Free-Will Baptists, who rejected the 
 leadinj; doctines of Calvinism.* 
 
 NAMES OF SEVERAL FORMER PHYSICIANS IN AtTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 Doct. Joseph Daggett (of Rehoboth) — Doct. Hewes,— 
 
 Dr. Abijah Everett— Dr. Bezeliel Mann — Dr. Richard Bowen, 
 (iif Rehobolh) — Dr. Josepli Bacon — Dr. Comfort Fuller (son 
 of Noah Fuller) —Dr. Comfort Capron, (surgeon in the Revolu- 
 tionary war) — Dr. Thomas Stanley. 
 
 * See Benedict's His. Bap, vol. II. 410, where he is erroneously said to be 
 a graduate of K. Island College. 
 
116 
 
 MISCEIiLANEOUS— TOPOGRAPHY, STATISTICS, &c 
 
 This town was incorporated in 1G94. It derived its name, 
 without doubt, from the town of Attleborough in Norfolk coun- 
 ty, England, whence probably some of our early inhabitants 
 emigrated to America, and settled, first at Hingham, or Wey- 
 mouth, thence removed to Rehoboth, and afterwards became 
 purchasers and settlers of this town; and, in remembrance of 
 their native place, selected this name. This origin of the name 
 is confirmed by the circumstance, that, in the English town, 
 there is a river called Bungay, of about the same size as the 
 one of the same name in this town. 
 
 At the time of the incorporation it contained upwards of 30 
 families, which, if we assumed only five as the number in each 
 family (which is probably too low for that period) would make 
 150 inhabitants. In 1790 the town contained 2166 inhabi- 
 tants ; in 1800, 2430; in 1810, 2716; in 1820,3055; and at 
 the last census in 1830, 3215, exclusive of 12 families, contain- 
 ing about 50 persons, which, since 1820, have been set oft' to 
 Wrentham by the establishment of a new boundary between 
 the towns, or rather, by restoring it to the original line, that 
 of the old colony. 
 
 A Table of the Population of this town in 1S30, with the dif- 
 ferent ages, 4*c. 
 
 1 under 5 
 198 
 209 
 
 5 to 10 110 to 15115 to 20 
 162 163 170 
 182 186 204 
 
 20 to SO 130 to 40 
 233 189 
 356 231 
 
 40 to 50 
 142 
 151 
 
 Males 
 Females 
 
 50 to 60160 to 70 
 
 82 70 
 
 115 75 
 
 TO to 80180 to 901 
 
 31 8 Colored Males 9 
 
 32 15 " Females 2 
 
 Whole number of females 1758 ; males 1457. Excess of 
 females over males 301. 
 
 Number of inhabitants in Bristol County 49,592. In Massa- 
 chusetts 610,408. White males 294,685 ; do. females 308,674. 
 Colored males 3,360 ; do. females 3,685. Total males 298,- 
 045 ; do. females 312,359. Excess of females 14,314. 
 
 In the United States, Males white and colored, 6,521,409; 
 Females white and colored, 6,333,481. Excess of males 187,- 
 928. Total 12,854,890. Add 11,130 seamen, &c. making the 
 whole population of the United States, 12,866,020. 
 
117 
 
 The whole area of the town, according to the survey order- 
 ed by the legislature, is 29,000 acres — by valuation 26,000. 
 
 Number acres of woodland 2,158; fresh meadow 1,767; 
 tillage lands, including orchards, 1,205; pasture lands, 4,703; 
 unimproved and unimprovable* land, 12,740 ; covered with 
 water 360 acres. 
 
 Number Dwelling Houses 409 ; Barns 345 ; 1 Tan-house ; 
 28 Shops ; 12 Stores ; 3 Grist Mills ; 7 Saw Mills ; 8 Cotton 
 Factories, containing about 13,000 spindles, and 350 Power 
 Looms. 
 
 Amount of stock in trade, $22,000 ; money at interest, $16,- 
 400 ; stock in Bank, 6,700. Of the latter there is now much 
 more. 
 
 Whole length of roads in town is 100 miles. Number of 
 Polls 591 ; Voters, on an average, 550. In 1790, according 
 to Dr. Dwight, number of dwelling houses was 314. There 
 are 23 School Districts, numbering on an average about 45 
 scholars each. 
 
 Rivers. They are worthy of notice not so much for their 
 size, as for the valuable water privileges which they afford, 
 and which are now occupied for manufacturing purposes. — 
 There are several streams of water in this town, the principal 
 of which is the Ten Mile River. It rises in the southerly part 
 • of Wrentham, on the farm of Mr. John Fuller, and running in 
 a southerly course through this town and through Seekonk, 
 empties into Seekonk Cove, an arm of the Narragansett. Its 
 length in this town is 3 miles ; its whole length is about 25 
 miles. Its average width is two rods and a half. This stream 
 is exceedingly important to the interests of the town, for on 
 this are our principal manufacturing eslabhshments. 
 
 There is another stream of considerable size, called the Sev- 
 en Mile River, whicli crosses the road near Newell's Tavern, 
 and bearing a southerly direction unites with the Ten Mile 
 River, a little above Kent's Factory, near the line of Pawtuck- 
 et. Its length is about ten miles. 
 
 •This is a large estimate — doubtless more llian truth will warrant. There 
 is strictly but little land in tbts town which is absolutely unimprovable for 
 purposes of agriculture — for tillage or grazing^ '1 here is, however, a large 
 quantity which is not actually \ini\er conslanl cultivation ; but there is only 
 a gmail proportion of this which is not oc.ca.->lunaUi/ cultivated 
 16 
 
118 
 
 Anotlier small stream, called Abbott's Run,* rises in the 
 nortiieasterlj part of Cumberland, and crossing the line, sev- 
 eral times, between that town and thi^, falls into the Black- 
 stone Kiver just below the Valley Falls. 
 
 The third or fourth in size is Bungay (or sometimes Bungee) 
 River, which has its source in the northerly part of the town 
 near Mansfield line, a little below the Witch Pond, and after 
 a journey of about five miles, over an unusually level bed, falls 
 into the Ten Mile River nearly in the centre of the town, be- 
 tween the Farmer's and Mechanick's Factories. Originating 
 in a number of Springs it is an unfailing stream at all seasons 
 of the year. A channel has been cut this year (1833) from 
 the Witch Pond into the head of this stream. This Pond (as 
 it is called) is an extensive quagmire, including about 15 acres ; 
 only a small part of which is covered with water. It is rather 
 singular in its appearance ; and may be justly considered a cu- 
 riosity. A hard bottom has never been discovered in any part 
 of it. In some places it will bear the weight of a man, but if 
 he stands for a time, he will gradually sink till he is unable to 
 extricate himself. 
 
 The topography of the town contains nothing peculiar ; and 
 it is therefore needless to enlarge upon it, as is often done in 
 the sketches of our towns. Suffice it to say that, in this res- 
 pect, it is similar to most towns in this vicinity — that its sur- 
 face presents the usual diversity of hills and vales — that its soil 
 embraces much land that is poor, and considerable that is good; 
 and that its natural and agricultural products are the same as 
 those of neighboring towns. 
 
 There are two societies for the purpose of social improve- 
 ment ; — 'The Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, 
 Arts, and Social Intercourse,' incorporated in 1816. It has a 
 library of about 300 volumes. It holds its anniversary on the 
 22d Feb. in memory of the Father of his Country., The sec- 
 ond is the 'Social Library and Farmers' Historical and Geo- 
 graphical Society,' established in 1805. The library contains 
 about 200 volumes. 
 
 * Said to have derived its name from one Abbott, a boy, who was drown- 
 ed there in the early settlement of the place. It is supposed by some that 
 the Indian name of this stream was Wawepoonseag ; but this is doubtful 
 conjecture. 
 
119 
 
 A Lyceum was established in 1830. 
 
 The town has 4 organized companies of Militia, 1 company 
 of Cavalry, (mostly from this town) and one Independent foot 
 company by the name of the 'Washington Rifle Corps,' which 
 was chartered June 9th, 1815. Its uniform is a green frock, 
 with pantaloons of the same color, or else white, and mili- 
 tary caps with black plumes. It has enjoyed the reputation of 
 being one of the finest and best disciplined companies in the 
 Brigade. 
 
 In October, 1821, a splendid and appropriate standard, in- 
 scribed with the motto, ' Protect what your father^ s ohlaincd^ 
 was presented to this company by the Ladies of Attleborough, 
 accompanied with a patriotic address — which was received 
 with that gallantry which becomes the soldier. In their ad- 
 dress, the fair donors expressed the strongest assurance that 
 if the dreadful din of war should ever again disturb our belov- 
 ed country, this band would be found in the advanced guard 
 of its brave defenders, asserting its rights and maintaining its 
 honor ; charging them to imitate the virtues of the illustrious 
 patriot whose name they bore ; — 'to protect what our Fathers 
 won,' that they might continue to enjoy the rich blessings 
 which we inherit from them. 
 
 In reply, they declare that the name of Washington is alone 
 sufficient to inspire the hearts of American soldiers with the 
 liveliest feelings of patriotism— but when that name is heard 
 from the lips of Columbia's Fair, and the Banner of our coun- 
 try is received from their hands, a noble ambition fires their 
 bosoms with a firm determination to shield, from every attack, 
 the freedom bequeathed to us from our fathers ; and in conclu- 
 sion assure them, that this standard shall never be wrested 
 from their hands by a foreign enemy, or rent by an internal 
 foe. The whole ceremony on both sides was impressive and 
 interesting, and was conducted on both sides with propriety 
 and dignity. 
 
 The Names of its several commanders are 1st, Capt. Elihu 
 Daggett, Jr.— 2, Caj)t. Chester Bugbee— 3, Capt. William Ev- 
 erett— 4, Capt. Wiilard Robinson — 5, Capt. Virgil Blackington 
 — 6, Capt. David E. Holman. 
 
 In the winter and spring of 181G, this town was visited by 
 the most fatal sickness which was ever knov/n in these parts. 
 
120 
 
 It extended to several other towns adjoining ; but did not prove 
 so fatal as here. It swept off in the short spare of 90 days, 
 about 100 inhabitants, a large proportion of them heads of 
 families, and many of them the most useful and respectable 
 citizens of the town. It was commonly called the cold plague. 
 It generally terminated in a few days. Very few who were 
 attacked with it, recovered. No disease of the same kind has 
 ever been known here either before or since that period. 
 
 No Bills of Mortality have been regularly kept ; and the av- 
 erage age of the inhabitants in any given period cannot be as- 
 certained. There have been several instances of very long 
 lives. Dea. Elkanah Wilmarth died at the age of 99 years 
 and 7 months. Mary Freeman, relict of Jon. Freeman, died 
 March 4th, 1762, aged about 100 years. 
 
 Wid. Sarah Claflin, relict of Antipas Claflin, died in Sept. 
 1777, supposed to be 100 years and 6 mouths old. Capt. Sam- 
 uel Robinson lived to approach very near the age of 100. — 
 Zephaniah Robinson also reached a very advanced age. 
 
 John Shepard (who was a native of Foxborough where he 
 lived till a few years before his death) died in this town in 
 1809, at the extreme age of 105 years. He retained all his 
 faculties of mind and body, except his eye sight, to the last, 
 and was just able to walk, with a little assistance, till a few 
 days before his death.* He lived over a hundred years on his 
 native spot. He was a man of pious character ; — cheerful in 
 disposition — ^jocose, witty, and of a quick understanding. He 
 was deprived of his eye sight on a sudden, during the night — 
 and was not himself aware of it, until the next morning, when 
 he sought in vain for the light of day. He could distinctly rec- 
 ollect events which had occurred a century before. 
 
 He had one son and several daughters. Two of his daugh- 
 ters lived to upwards of 80 years ; and another, Mrs Mary 
 Mann, of Wrentham, who died in 1828, lived to the age of 97 
 years. She retained all her faculties, and usual cheerfulness 
 and vivacity till the last fifteen years of her life. She abstain- 
 ed almost wholly from animal food, and never was in the hab- 
 it of drinking tea or coffee, and wondered how people could 
 
 * It is of him that the well known anecdote is told, that he lived in two 
 Counties and four different towns, and yet never moved [during that time] 
 from the spot where he wae born. 
 
12i 
 
 love either. Her most common food was milk. She adhered 
 to the same fashion in dress for 80 years. 
 
 A more particular description of the different Manufactur- 
 ing establishments in this town is here subjoined. 
 
 The first factory in course was the Beaver Dam Factory, 
 (recently owned by Bugbee & Haven) which was burnt in the 
 summer of 1832. 
 
 The Falls Factory (so called) was built by the 'Falls Manu- 
 facturing Company', which was incorporated in 1813. It was 
 commenced in the fall of 1809— in February, 181 1, it was 
 burnt and immediately rebuilt. The privilege has about 30 
 feet fall, and was the first occupied as a Mill Seat in this town. 
 The establishment employs 40 hands— 25 of them females.— 
 It consumes about 150 bales New Orleans Cotton per year — 
 manufactures 250,000 yards cloth, light calico printing. No. 
 20. The building is wood, 70 feet by 34,-3 stories high. A 
 New Reservoir was raised here in 1831, which covers 125 
 acres. Connected with this establishment are 1 Machine Shop, 
 1 Saw Mill, 1 Blacksmith's Shop, and a Grist Mill. In addi- 
 tion to this factory, a new, handsome and durable building, 
 made of stone procured in the neighborhood, was erected in 
 1831, 68 feet by 38 — 4 stories high, with a projection of 15 feet, 
 and is filled with new and improved machinery. It is run by 
 Jon. 4* Geo. Bliss, and employs about 40 hands. 
 
 *The Farmers' Factory,'' was established in 1813, by the 
 Farmers' Manufacturing Company. It is now owned by Jon- 
 athan and George Bliss. Number of hands employed is 23, 
 of which 17 are females. No. bales cotton (New Orleans) 
 consumed per year, about 75 — yards cloth (calico printing. 
 No. 30) manufactured per year, 135,000. It has about 13 feet 
 fall. 
 
 Mechanics' Factory, commenced in 1811. The first firm 
 was Ingraham, Richardson Sf Co. The second was Whita- 
 ker, Richardson &, Co. — The next took the name of The Me- 
 chanics' Manufacturing Co. The establishment is now owned 
 by Samuel and Jesse Carpenter. It has about 40 looms, 1030 
 spindles, Patterson Machinery, — manufactures per annum 
 about 291,000 yards, calico prints, No. 27, — employs 38 hands 
 — 27 females. The building is 3 stories high — 84 feet by 32. 
 Connected with it is 1 Triphammer shop — and Grist Mill.— 
 
122 
 
 This village now constitutes a school district, No. 22. Twen^ 
 ty-three years ago it numbered 1 child. It has now 35 schol- 
 ars in families belonging to the establishment. A school is 
 kept from 6 to 8 months per annum, — at which 24 scholars usu- 
 ally attend. 
 
 Dodge's Factory, is the next in course. It was established 
 in 1809, by Eben. Tyler, Esq. of Pawtucket, Nehemiah Dodge, 
 Peter Grinnell &. Son, and Abner Daggett of Providence, Elias 
 Ingraham and Edward Richardson, of Attleborough, under 
 the firm of The Attleborough Manufacturing Company, Eben. 
 Tyler, Agent. The building at first was 88 feet by 31 — 3 sto- 
 ries high including the basement story. In 1820 it contained 
 1320 spindles, when Josiah Whitaker and John C. Dodge, of 
 Providence, purchased one half of the factory. In the spring 
 of 1821, the name was changed to that of the Tyler Manufac- 
 turing Company, under the agency of J. C. Dodge. In 1822, 
 Nehemiah and John C. Dodge, purchased the remainder, and 
 continued the business under the style of N. and J. C. Dodge. 
 In 1829, they built an addition to the factory, of 96 feet, mak- 
 it 184 feet by 31. It now contains about 4000 spindles and 
 92 power looms, and gives employment to 130 hands. It is 
 the largest establishment of the kind in town. The village, 
 which is known by the name of Dodgeville, has been recently 
 very much improved under the superintendance of the present 
 agent. It contains a population of 260 persons (all connected 
 with the manufacturing establishment) 1 Machine Shop, 1 
 Picker House, 1 store, 1 Blacksmith shop, 4 Barns, 15 Dwel- 
 ling Houses, many of them new. It forms district No. 23, and 
 has a new, commodious and uncommonly well-finished school 
 house, where a school is kept the greater part of the year. 
 
 The Atherton Factory, now owned by Thomas Harkness and 
 Thomas J. Stead, of Providence, was established about 1812. 
 The spot was anciently known as Chaffee's Mills, where a saw 
 mill and Grist-mill were early built. An addition was made to 
 the factory in 1828— making the building now 98 feet by 32. — 
 It employs about 60 hands— 40 females— consumes about 250 
 bales New Orleans cotton per year — manufactures cloth No. 
 26-28. It has 1600 spindles and 42 looms. In connection 
 with it is a Grist mill. The establishment has been owned and 
 improved by several difierent companies. It was incorpoia- 
 
ted in 1816, by the name of 'The Atherton Manufacturing Com- 
 pany.' 
 
 All the above mentioned manufactories are on the Ten Mile 
 River. 
 
 The City Factory, owned by Daniel Read & Co. situated 
 on the Seven Mile River, (which is the only cotton factory on 
 that stream) was built in 1813. It was burnt in 1826, and re- 
 built immediately after. The building is now 40 feet by 34 — 
 3 stories high. Number of hands employed is 17, of whom 12 
 are females. It runs 700 spindles and 20 looms — consumes 
 50 bales New Orleans cotton, and produces about 1800 yards 
 per week. In connection with it is 1 Machine shop, which 
 employs 12 workmen — and 1 Grocery Store. 
 
 Lanesville Factory, situated on Abbott's Run, was built in 
 1826, 70 feet by 36 — 60 feet high (including 4 stories and the 
 garret) generally employs about 70 hands, of whom 30 are fe- 
 males — consumes 4 bales New Orleans cotton per week, and 
 manufactures 400,000 yards calico printing cloths, No. 25.^ 
 It has about 12 feet fall ; and runs 2000 spindles and 50 looms. 
 Connected with it are a Grist mill. Saw mill. Machine shop 
 for repairs, and a variety store. It is owned by Milton Bar- 
 rows and others. This establishment has created around it a 
 neat and handsome little village — like many of the New Eng- 
 land factory villages.* 
 
 Button Factory — Robinson, Jones, Sf Co. This was the 
 first button manufactory in the United States. The original 
 Company (of which the present are the successors) began the 
 business on a small scale, and it has been gradually increased 
 until it has reached its present extent. They met with many 
 embarrassments and discouragements hi the early stages of the 
 business. 
 
 The manufacture of Metal Buttons was commenced in 1812 
 by Col. Obed and Otis Robinson ; and that of Glass Buttons in 
 
 * This little stream, which rises antl terminates in Cumberland, its whole 
 course not being more than 8 or 9 miles, isyetable to furnish water power 
 for several factories and other mills. The first factory is Walcott's, in Cum- 
 berland—the next is Lanesville, in Attleborough— the third is French's 
 Factory, in Robin Hollow (so called) — 4th, Abbott's Run Mills, which in- 
 clude two factories. On this stream above Lanesville, are also several 
 Gristmills, Sawmills, Machine shops, &c. On a branch of this stream, 
 near its junction with the Elackstone, is Carpenter's Factory. 
 
124 
 
 1323, by Richard Robinson 4* Co. consisting of Richard Rob- 
 inson, Virgil Blackington, and Willard Robinson — which firm 
 was continued till about 1817, from which time it was carried 
 on by Richard Robinson alone till 1826, when a new compa- 
 ny was formed, under the same style of Richard Robinson & 
 Co. for the term of 5 years, which expired in May 1831. At 
 this time the present firm was established, consisting of Rich- 
 ard and Willard Robinson, William H. Jones and H. M. Dra- 
 per, under the name of Robinsons, Jones, 4* ^o. They com- 
 menced business in a small shop about 35 feet by 22, an addi- 
 dition to which was made in the summer of 1826— in which the 
 machinery was carried by horse power. It was in the latter 
 part of the year 1826 that they began to work on the Gilt 
 Button. 
 
 In 1827 the Company erected a Brick factory 2 stories high, 
 60 feet by 25 — and in 1828 the business required an addition 
 of 25 feet long. The machinery is carried by water power (on 
 the Ten Mile River) : the Rolling Mill connected with the es- 
 tablishment was built in 1822, 60 feet by 25. In 1 832 the com- 
 pany built another shop, of wood, 1 story high, 60 feet by 25. 
 
 The number of hands employed is 75, of whom 30 are fe- 
 males. They manufacture about 100 gross per day. At dif- 
 ferent times they have produced various kinds — from 1826 to 
 1832, they manufactured the common gilt, which competed in 
 a good degree with the English. Since 1832 they have manu- 
 factured all the varieties which the market demands, the com- 
 mon Button, the Navy, the Military, Fancy, and Sporting But- 
 tons — which have been acknowledged superior to any other in 
 the market, in the beauty, finish, and durability of the work. 
 This company has brought the manufacture of this article to 
 such perfection, by various improvements and the skill of the 
 workmen, as to compete fully with all others in the market 
 whether domestic or foreign — indeed, if proper encouragement 
 should be given by adequate protection to this branch of in- 
 dustry, it would soon be sufficient to supply all our home de- 
 mands and exclude the foreign entirely from our markets. — 
 This company have received all the contested premiums which 
 have been offered by the Institutes of New York, Philadelphia, 
 and Boston — sometimes jointly with others. They have in 
 their possession 3 Medals (silver) and 3 Diplomas. 
 
125 
 
 Several important iraprovementein the mode of manufacture 
 have been made by one of the firm, Mr. Willard Robinson, for 
 some of which patents have been secured. 
 
 A common gilt button which appears when finished so sim- 
 ple, undergoes in the course of being manufactured over 30 
 different processes— some of which require great skill and ex- 
 perience. Each button is separately handled twenty one times. 
 Some of the females mentioned as connected with this es- 
 tablishment are employed principally in drying, sorting, pa- 
 pering, and packing — and others in edging, cramping, placing 
 the eye and preparing it for soldering. It furnishes for females 
 a neat, agreeable and profitable occupation. 
 
 The capital employed by this establishment is about $50,000. 
 They use in gilding about $15,000 worth of pure gold, gener- 
 ally obtained in its natural state ; and consume 40 tons of Le- 
 high Coal, annually. 
 
 The number of tenements occupied by those employed in the 
 factory is 13. Several pew dwelling houses have been lately 
 erected for their use. 
 
 Agencies for the sale of this article have been established in 
 all the principal cities in the Union. Some of the articles ha've 
 been exported to foreign countries— to S. America, Hayti, and 
 several of the West India Islands. The button now manufac- 
 tured is equal in every respect to the English, and perhaps su- 
 perior in durability. 
 
 Another manufactory of Buttons was established in Oct. 1832, 
 by a different firm, under the name of Robinson, Hall & Co. 
 The shop is situated near Newell's Tavern, on the Seven Mile 
 River — it is 30 feet by 20. An additional shop is 'now build- 
 ing, 35 feet by 25, 3 stories high. This establishment employs 
 19 hands, of whom 10 are females; and when the new building 
 is completed, it is estimated, it will employ from 25 to 30 hands 
 in all. This company manufactures the Plain Metal Buttons 
 —both Coat and Vest button of 3 different prices ; and produces 
 about 75 gross per day. 
 
 Manufactory of Jewelry — Draper^ Tifft Sf Co. — com- 
 menced in 1821. They now manufacture, annually, to the 
 amount of $15-20,000 worth. They employ from 12 to 15 
 hands — part of them females. The building occupied for this 
 business is two stories high, 40 feet by 22. Sales of the man- 
 ufacture are made principally at New York and Philadelphia. 
 17 
 
126 
 
 They formerly carried on to a large amount the manufacture 
 of Patent Brass Door Ketches or Fasteners. The establish- 
 ment is located on the Turnpike near Hatch's Hotel. 
 
 Manufactory of Power loom shuttles — by Col. Willard Black- 
 ington, at East Attleborough — commenced in the fall of 1827 — 
 emplops 12 journeymen. About 25 doz. shuttles are produced 
 per week in the establishment, at the rate of $6 per doz. He 
 also supplies a large amount of shuttle mountings for the use 
 of other shuttle makers. The whole amount of the manufac- 
 ture of this establishment is about ^10,000 per a/iH?/m. The 
 work has an extensive sale throughout the U. States — in Ma- 
 ryland, Georgia, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, 
 Ohio, and in all the New England States. Agents for the sale 
 of this article are established at Pawtucket, George Mumford ; 
 N. Adams, Ms. S. Burlingame ; Pi'ovidence, R. I. Peter Grin- 
 nell & Son ; Norwich, Ct. Smith, Goddard & Coats ; N. York, 
 C. N. Mills ; Troy, N. Y. J. Merritt & Co. : Philadelphia, W. 
 Almond; Baltimore, Wells Ap Chace, &c. &c. 
 
 Hervey M. Richards has established a Jewelry Shop near 
 the Union House on the Turnpike, — manufactures a variety of 
 articles, watch keys, finger rings, guard chains, breast pins, &.c. 
 — commenced in 1831 — employs 12 hands — 3 females.— 
 Amount of manufacture about $8,000 per year. The building 
 is 2 stories, 32 feet by \(S. He rents another shop on the sapj^Q 
 road, which employs 5 workmen. 
 
 Samuel Phillip's Jewelry Shop, near the city— employs 
 about 6 hands — manufactures the usual variety. Alfred Bar- 
 rows has also established a workshop of the same kind. 
 
 Richards Sf Price have a Jewelry Shop — commenced in 
 1830— employs 6 hands— situated between the Turnpike and 
 the Falls Factory. 
 
 Dennis Everett's Jewelry Shop — commenced business in 
 1831 — employs now 4 hands. 
 
 The manufacture of Glass Buttons and steps was commenc- 
 ed 6 years ago by Richard Everett, who employs in this work 
 4 hands. 
 
 Jesse F. Richards Sf Edwin Ellis have lately commenced 
 the business of making Brass Butts and Castings, and the oth- 
 er kinds of brass work. 
 
 Virgil Blackington also manufactures Glass Steps, and em- 
 ploys two hands. 
 
APPEl^DIX. 
 
 [The preceding pages having been sent to the press as fast as they were 
 written, many subjects were oraitted in their proper places, which would 
 have been included in the body of the work, if the author had suspected, at 
 the time, that it would have been extended to its present size. Some of 
 them are here added.] 
 
 CAPT. THOMAS WILLETT. 
 
 Some notice of Capt. Thomas Willett who stands at the 
 head of our list of Proprietors, and whose life is but little 
 known, will not be deemed inappropriate. His history does 
 not exclusively belong to this town, but, as he took so actvie 
 and important apart in the original purchase and settlement 
 of this and the neighboring towns, a brief sketch of his life 
 seems to be demanded by the interest which our citizens must 
 feel in his character. 
 
 Capt. Willett was one of the last of the Leyden company, 
 and came here about 1630. He was a very young man when 
 he arrived in this country. He was a merchant by profession, 
 and in his travels had become acquainted with the Pilgrims 
 in Leyden, and had probably spent much of his time with them 
 in Holland previous to their emigration to this country. He 
 at first resided in Plymouth, and soon became a useful and dis- 
 tinguished man in the colony. 
 
 Soon after his arrival in 1630, though, as already observed, 
 Q young man, he was sent by the company of Plymouth, who 
 had established a trading house at Kennebeck, to superintend 
 their business as agent. While he was residing there, Gov. 
 Winthrop relates of him the following curious anecdote : 
 
 'At Kennebeck, the Indians wanting food, and there being 
 store in the Plymouth trading house, they conspired to kill the 
 
128 
 
 English there for their provision ; and some Indians coming 
 into the house, Mr. Willett, the master of the house, being 
 reading the Bible, his countenance was more solemn than at 
 other timas, so as he did not look cheerfully upon them, as he 
 was wont to do ; whereupon they went out and told their fel- 
 lows, that their purpose was discovered. They asked them 
 how it could be. The others told them that they knew it by 
 Mr. Willctt's countenance, and that he had discovered it by a 
 book that he was reading. "Whereupon they gave over their 
 design.'— Win. Jour. I. 322. 
 
 In 1647 he became the successor of Miles Standish in the 
 command of the famous military company, at Plymouth.* 
 
 He was, in 1651, elected an Assistant of the Governor, and 
 was annually continued in that office till 1665, when other du- 
 ties obliged him to decline, and James Brown, of Swansea, 
 was chosen his successor. At this time he was selected by the 
 Plymouth Court, agreeably to the request of his Majesty's 
 Commissioners, to attend them at New York, (which had just 
 been surrendered by the Dutch) for the purpose of assisting 
 them in organizing the new government. 
 
 It is mentioned by Davis in a note to his edition of Morton's 
 Memorial, that 'Col. Nichols (one of the Commissioners) in a 
 letter to Gov. Prince, written from New York, the spring after 
 the reduction of the Dutch settlements, requests that Capt. 
 Willett may hare such a dispensation from his official engage- 
 ments in Plymouth Colony, as to be at liberty to assist in mod- 
 elling and reducing the affairs in this settlement, into good 
 English. He remarks that Mr. Willett was more acquainted 
 with the manners and customs of the Dutch than any gentle- 
 man in the country, and that his conversation was very accept- 
 able to them.' 
 
 He executed his duties here to the entire satisfaction of all 
 concerned ; his services were so highly appreciated, and he 
 
 • •! 
 
 •March Till, 1647. The Military Company of New Plymouth, having 
 according to order proposed unto the Court two men for every especial of- 
 fic« of their band, the Court do allow and approve of 
 
 Capt. Thomas Willett, for Captain. 
 
 Mr, Thomas Southworth. for Lieutenant. 
 
 Mr. William Bradford, for Ensign.' 
 
 Old. &ol. Rc$. 
 
n9 
 
 rendered himself so popular with the people, that after the or- 
 ganization of the government, he was chosen the first English 
 Mayor of the city of New York. He was elected the second 
 time to the same office. ' But,' (as Mr. Baylies the historian 
 of Plymouth Colony has justly remarked) ' even this first of 
 city distinctions conferred by that proud metropolis, did not 
 impart more real honor to his character than the address and 
 good feeling manifested by him in effecting the peaceable set- 
 tlement of the humble town of Swansea.' 
 
 The Dutch had so much confidence in his integrity, that he 
 was chosen by them the umpire to determine the disputed boun- 
 dary between New York and New Haven. 
 
 He was also for a number of years one of the commissioners 
 or delegates of the United Colonies. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of Rehoboth, Capt. "Willett re- 
 moved to Wannamoisett, now a part of Swansea, where he re- 
 sided during most of the remainder of his life. A grant of the 
 greater part of that township (Swansea) was made to him and 
 others. With him was associated Mr. Myles, (the first Bap- 
 tist minister in New England) and they two are justly esteem- 
 ed the founders of Swansea. The manner in which they con- 
 ducted the settlement of that plantation was just and honora- 
 ble, and reflects much credit on the character of both. 
 
 Capt. Willett always cultivated a friendly intercourse with 
 the Indians, and gained their confidence and good will. Hence 
 he was generally employed by the colony in the purchase of 
 lands from the native chiefs.* 
 
 The following order relating to him was passed by the Ply- 
 mouth Court. 
 
 March 1665-6. In reference to an order of Court bearing 
 date the third day of October 1665, wherein our Honored Gov- 
 ernor Major Winslow, Capt. Southworth, and Mr. Constant 
 Southworth were appointed to be a committee in reference to 
 a certain tract of land purchased by Capt. Willett on the north 
 side of Rehoboth, which said order empowereth the said Com- 
 mittee to dispose and settle a proportion of the said lands on 
 the said Capt. Willett as they shall think meet ; and the Court 
 
 • He was the original purchaser of the Rehoboth North Purchase (Allle- 
 korough and Cumberland) — Taunton North Purchaie (Norton, Mansfield 
 and Etiton) and many other tracti of land in the vicinitj. 
 
ISO 
 
 do therefore settle and confirm lihto hitn four or five hundred 
 acres of the said lands, to be laid out for him on the Easterly 
 side or end of the said lands, to him and his heirs forever.* 
 
 Rehoboth also voted him a grant for his services to that tovrn. 
 '21st 12th mo. 1660. In town meeting it was voted that Mr. 
 Willett should have liberty to take up five hundred or six hun- 
 dred acres of land northward or eastward beyond the bounds 
 of our town, where he shall think it most convenient to him- 
 self. — Rehoboth Reeords. 
 
 Capt. Willett married Mary Brown (supposed to be the 
 daughter of Mr. John Brown the 1st) at Plymouth, 6th July, 
 1636, by whom he had several children ; Thomas ; Hester b. 
 6th July, 1647; Rebecca, d. 2d April 1652 ; James, b. Nov. 
 24,1649; Andrew; Samuel; Hezekiah, who died 26th July, 
 1651 ; Hezekiah (2d) b. 16th Nov. 1652,— &c. 
 
 His son James married Eliz. daughter: of Lieut. Peter Hunt 
 of Rehoboth, 17th April, 1673; Hezekiah 2d, married Anna, 
 daughter of Mr. John Brown 2d, of Rehoboth, 7th Jan. 1675» 
 and was killed soon after by the Indians in Philip's War. — 
 John Safiin (who had resided in Situate and Swansea) marri- 
 ed a daughter of Capt. Willett, and settled in Bristol, R. I. 
 and Samuel Hooker^ of Farmington, Ct. married another 
 daughter.! 
 
 Several of his descendants have become distinguished in the 
 history of the country. His grandson Francis was a promi- 
 nent man in Rhode Island colony. Another descendant,! his 
 
 * This grant was laid out to faitnand recorded in the Rehoboth North 
 Purchase Books. It lies on the Seven Mile River, and has always borne 
 the name of Willett's Farm. In 1720 it was divided into two parts be- 
 tween Capt. Samuel Tyler and Joyce Newell, widow of Jacob Newell. — 
 This farm was originally laid out with great regularity — in parallel lines— 
 and its subsequent divisions hav6 been preserved in good shape. 
 
 } Baylies' Memoirs of Plymouth Colony. 
 
 1 1 find the following on the Boston Records (copied from Dorchester} 
 by which it appears that there was a Thomas Willett in the latter town— 
 probably the same. His wife, p -rhaps, resided there during his absence in 
 Kennebeck. — 'John, sob of Thomas Willelt and Mary his wife, born 8th 
 5th mo. 163 — ; Jonathan b. 27ih 5th mo. 1638, d. 15th 6lh mo. lb; Mary 
 b. 26th 6 mo. 1639 ; Mehitible b. 14th 1st mo. 1641. 
 
 jf. A descendant of Samuel. 
 
131 
 
 great grand-son, Col. Marinus Willett, (lately deceased) serv- 
 ed with distinguished honor in the Revolutionary war ; and 
 had also been Mayor of New York city. Memoirs of his life 
 have been recently published by his son William M. "Willett. 
 
 After a lesidence of a few years in New York, he returned 
 to his seat in Swansea, where, after a life of distinguished use- 
 fulness, he died 4th of August,* 1674, at the age of 63. He 
 was buried at the head of Bullock's Cove (in what is now See- 
 konk) where a rough stone is erected to his memory, contain- 
 ing a brief and rudely-carved inscription (which is now legible) 
 as follows : 
 
 16741 
 
 y^evt 3L2?«tJ» tie aJottj of tjie fa)ortj|)» STJomas lESSillttt, SBsqt. tojo 
 
 BieU ^uflust jc 4tJ) Cn tfte 64tJ) gear of j&fs afle anno— 
 
 WHO WAS THE FIRST MAYOR OF NEW YORK, 
 
 AND TWICE DID SUSTAIN THE PLACE. 
 
 His wife Mary is buried by his side. She died about 1669. 
 
 Thus the first English Mayor of the first Commercial me- 
 tropolis in America, lies buried on a lonely and barren heath, 
 in tiie humble town of Seekonk, at a place seldom visited by 
 the footsteps of man, — with nought but the rudest monument 
 to mark the spot. 
 
 The farm which he laid out in this town, at High Squissit, 
 and agreeable to the reservation in the Deed, (see p. 8) con- 
 sisted of about 500 acres, (besides his meadow and several 
 other lots) and was situated on both sides of the Seven Mile 
 River, beginning near Newell's tavern. 
 
 His share in the R. N. Purchase was sold by his son Capt. 
 Andrew Wiliest Jo John Wilkinson the 1st. 
 
 The Stone Monument erected at the angle in the Old Col- 
 ony Line (which is referred to, in a note, page 44) contains the 
 following inscription. On the south side is written 'Plymouth 
 Colony' — on the north, 'Massachusetts Colony.' 
 
 " This Monument by order of Government to perpetuate 
 the place on which the lale Station or Angle Tree formerly 
 stood. 
 
 * In the Old Colony Records it is said to have been the Sd Aug. but I 
 have chosen to rely on the inscription upon his grave stone. 
 
132 
 
 The Commissioners appointed by the old Colonies of Ply- 
 mouth and Massachusetts to run and establish this line in 1664, 
 were Robert Stetson, Constant Southworth, Josias Winslow, 
 Jos. Fisher, Roger Clap, and Eleazer Lusher. They began 
 this work the 10th of May the same year, and marked a tree 
 then standing on this spot, it being three miles south of the 
 southernmost part of Charles River. 
 
 Lemuel RoUock, Esq. was appointed Agent to cause this 
 monument to be erected. — By order of the General Court. 
 
 The Selectmen of the towns of Wreiatham and Attleborough 
 were present, viz. Elisha May, Ebenr. Tyler, and Caleb Rich- 
 ordson, Esqrs. of Attleborough ; and Samuel Fisher, John 
 Whiting, Nathan Hawes, Nathan Comstock, and Nathaniel 
 Ware of Wrentham. 
 
 From this Stone* the line is East 20 Degrees and a half 
 North to Accord Pond. 
 
 Done at Wrentham, Nov. 29th, 1790, by Samuel Fisher & 
 Son." 
 
 The line on which this stands — the boundary between Ply- 
 mouth and Massachusetts Colonies — was a frequent subject of 
 dispute during the existence of the colonies. Tlie line was 
 run five or six times by Commissioners appointed for the pur- 
 pose. This now constitutes the boundary between Wrentham 
 and Attleborough. 
 
 The original title to the North Purchase was derived from 
 Alexander, the son of Massasoit, and the elder brother of the 
 celebrated Philip, Sachem of Pockanoket. The deed is trans- 
 cribed in pages 6-7. His original name was Mooanam, af- 
 terwards Wamsutta, or Wamsitta, and finally Alexander Pock- 
 anoket, which last name was bestowed upon him, and that of 
 Philip upon his brother, by the Plymouth Court, on occasion 
 of the death of their father Massasoit. It appears to have been 
 a custom with the aborigines in this part of the country, at 
 least with their Chiefs, t© assume new names on the decease of 
 any one of the family to which they belonged. This custom 
 
 ♦ The stone is about 14 feet in height, and two feet in width, and of itn- 
 nense weight. 
 
133 
 
 may perhaps be traced to some Eastern origin, as many of the 
 Indian ceremonies have already been, by historians. 
 
 A record of this transaction is preserved on the Old Colony 
 Books, which, as I have never yet seen it in print, is here 
 copied. 
 
 'June 6th 1660. At the earnest request of Wamsitta desir- 
 ing that, in regard his father is lately deceased, and he being 
 desirous, according to the custom of the natives, to change his 
 name, that the court would confer an English name upon him, 
 which accordingly they did, and therefore ordered that for the 
 future he shall be called by the name of Alexander Pokano- 
 ket ; and desiring the same in behalf of his brother, they have 
 named him Phillip.' 
 
 The colonists during this friendly intercourse could not have 
 imagined that, in the course of a few years, the younger broth- 
 er upon whom they were bestowing the name of an ancient 
 conqueror, and who was possessed of all the natural talent and 
 ambition, but not the power or the good fortune of his great 
 namesake, would become their most dangerous enemy, and 
 the terror of all New England. 
 
 This document record clearly proves that Massaoit (con- 
 cerning the time of whose death there has been much contro- 
 versy among his historians) died a short time previous to Junt 
 6th 1660. 
 
 The circumstance of the bestowment of these names upon 
 these brothers is mentioned by the ancient historians (but not 
 the occasion of it) and without fixing any precise date. They 
 have usually assigned a date several years earlier as the peri- 
 od of Massasoit's death ; but modern biographers and histori- 
 ans have generally supposed it several years later than the 
 true period.* 
 
 From some circumstances within my knowledge it would 
 
 » B. B. Thatcher ia his Intlian Biography lately puhlislied, maintains 
 that Massasoit's death must have occurred several yeai!< siiUspquenl to ICGl. 
 His words are, ' Their father not being mentioned as having atlfnded them 
 at the observance of the ceremony (the confirmation of a (rcaiy &c.) has 
 probably occasioned the suggestion of his death. U woulil l<e a suflicient 
 expltnation of bis absence, however, ilint he was novv an old man, and that 
 the distance of Sowarns from Tlym uuh was more than ';'J ui !.«.'' Vol. I. 
 Chapt. Vll. p.m. 
 
 IS 
 
1S4 
 
 appear that among some tribes of the natives the custom pre- 
 vailed of changing their habitations on the decease of any 
 member of the family. I have heard the following circum- 
 stances related: On the farm of the late Ebenezer Daggett, 
 Esq. formerly resided, previous to its occupation by the whites, 
 several persons by the name of Read, who were said to be of 
 a mixed race, part Indian and part Negro, and who were al- 
 ways observed to change the location of their huts on the death 
 of any one of their number. This occurred several times with- 
 in the observation of the early settlers. This custom they 
 probably derived from their Indian descent. The survivors, 
 who lived till after the ' East Bay Road' was established which 
 passed near their dwellings, desired that they too might be bu- 
 ried near that road with their heads towards it, that they might 
 hear the news when the great Post stage passed ! Their request 
 was complied with; and they were buried about ten rods from 
 the route where the road formerly passed, with their heads in 
 that direction. The place where they were buried is still 
 pointed out on a rising ground or valley between two hills. 
 The hillocks (3 or 4 in number) were distinctly visible within 
 my remembrance. Thus ihey seemed to have no ideas of a 
 physical extinction by death, — which was agreeable to the 
 Egyptian notion. They seemed to consider death as some sort 
 of natural change merely, and not a destruction of the material 
 system. — Singular conceptions ©fa future existence. 
 
 ^' Among the early settlers of this town was one Joseph Chap- 
 lin, who became a Proprietor, and a great landholder. He 
 came here from Rowley, Mass. and was the son of Rev. Hugh 
 Chaplin.— [/^ar. Reg. 
 
 He was a man of singular tastes and habits. He lived 
 alone, completely a hermiv's life — abjuring all society, espe- 
 cially that of the female sex. The cause of this seclusion is 
 not certainly known— though tradition says, it was the faithless- 
 ness of a young lady to whom he was engaged in early life. 
 He built him a house — cooked his own food — and made his 
 own clothes. He laid out a large (juantity of land (in the 
 whole over 700 acres) and kept a large stock of cattle. He 
 
135 
 
 planted *everal orchards and raised a variety of fruits. He 
 laid out the most of that large tract of laud called the 'Half- 
 way-Swamp.' He died about the year 1750, at a very ad- 
 vanced age, and his property was inherited by his nephews, 
 Jonathan Chaplin, Elizabeth (who married Samuel Searl) and 
 John Chaplin, all of Rowley, Mass. Chaplin was not mo- 
 rose, but naturally benevolent; and would permit the neigh- 
 boring women to come and partake the abundant fruits of 
 his orchard, but was always careful to retire out of sight on the 
 occasion. His only companions were a number of large cats. 
 He was several times chosen on some town committee. 
 
 In the first burying ground is the following inscription, 
 which is worthy of preservation. It is the celebrated epitaph 
 on the Negro Slave, named Caesar, who was given to Lieut. 
 .Josiah Maxcy by his mother when he was a child. He was 
 admitted to communion with the Baptist church in that place. 
 Though simple hearted, he proved through along life remark- 
 ■ably honest and faithful to his masters. He survived his first 
 master, and after his own death, was buried in the same grave 
 yard : a decent stone was erected to his memory by his young- 
 er master, Levi Maxcy, with this inscription — which may y ; 
 be seen in the northeast corner of the burying ground, n 
 Hatch's tavern. 
 
 * Here lies the best of slaves, 
 Now turning into dust; 
 Casar, the Ethiopian, craves 
 A place among the Just. 
 
 His faithful soul has fled 
 To reahiis of heavenly light, 
 And by the blood that Jesus shed, 
 Is changed from Black to While. 
 
 January 15, he quitted the stage, 
 In the 77th year of his age.' 
 1T80. 
 
136 
 
 The Commissioners who were appointed by his Majesty in 
 1664, passed the following order respecting the boundary be- 
 tween Rhode Island and Plymouth Colonies, a part of which 
 was the West line of the Rehoboth North Purchase. 
 
 'To the Great and General Assembly of Plymouth, and also of 
 Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. 
 
 By the power given us by his Majesty's Commission under 
 his great seal of England, and directed by his Majesty's in- 
 structions to make a temporary settlement of the bounds 
 claimed by any Colony, of which we can make no final judg- 
 ment by consent of parties, that the peace of the country may 
 be preserved, till his Majesty's judgment and determination of 
 their bounds be known, 
 
 We order and Declare, the salt water to divide the main 
 land and Rhode Island from Seconet Rocks northward to the 
 point of the main land which next over against Mount Hope 
 point to the said Mount Hope point, not touching upon Rhode 
 Island, and so another right line from Mt. Hope point to the 
 next point upon the main land, and so from point to point and 
 from the last point a right line to the River's mouth called 
 Seaconke, and up said river called Seaconke below and Pau- 
 tucket above till it meets with the Massachusett's line, to be 
 the present bounds between his Majesty's colony of Plymouth 
 and Rhode Island, till his Majesty's pleasure be further known 
 concerning them. And we desire each colony to give the 
 reasons of their pretences and a draught of their country ac- 
 cording to their charters that we may give his Majesty true in- 
 formation of them, which we promise to do. 
 
 Given under our hands and seals at Newport on Rhode Is- 
 land March the 7th 1664.' Robert Carr (seal) 
 
 George Cartwright (seal) 
 Samuel Maverick (seal) 
 
 A true copy examined with the original. 
 
 Per J. WiLLARD, Sec^y. 
 
 ERR4.TA.. In the list of Proprietors, page 11, by Ro6er Joani, so spelt 
 in the original, vvas intended Robert Jones. 
 
 In tiie note, page "10, the date, July 5lh, 1671, should be connected with 
 the succeeding words, it being the time of the passing of the order which is 
 there quoted . 
 
 In the last note, page 27, for 1765, read 1675. 
 
 In pages 79 — 80, for Aldrich read Nathan Aldis. 
 
 Page 61, erase the second Note. Page 93, line 9 from the top, for to 
 rea-d from. Page 94, line 5 from top, erase the name Se//i. Page 98, in 
 second Note, second line, for 1769 read 1709. Page 10^, second line from 
 bottom, for His second daughter read His daughter Eunice. 
 
 92 
 
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