miillliiP«:: 
 
.-^^ 
 
 >^ ^-^^ 
 
 •^.t'^ 
 
 V. .-^ 
 
 
 "^ ■^-^\':^^^' 
 
 
 ^--^ 
 
 - ':>'' -5-. 
 
 
 ■'^^.^^' 
 
 cP' 
 
 >- V" 
 
 •*'^^\ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■^ 0' 
 
 * 
 
 
 s <■, 
 
 A^ 
 
 
'J- V 
 
 
 .0 o. 
 
 
-.,^^'' 
 
 '<■ ^m 
 
 to i'Tuimas .Dexter for a Siul- '^f O " -- + -i (^ ■-- . 
 .1 f) r) 0. 
 
 Lttlu'graiahea f'cr tht- ItuU'ry et' L\ im 
 
; f 
 
 I ♦ 
 
 HISTORY OF liYlVIV. 
 
 BY ALONZO LEWIS. 
 
 These hills, where once the Indian dwelt, 
 These plains, o'er which the red deer ran. 
 These shores, where oft our fathers knelt, 
 And wild doves built, unscared by man,— 
 I love them all, for they to me 
 Are as some pleasant memory. MS. Poems. 
 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PRESS OF J. H. EASTBURN, 60, CONGRESS ST. 
 
 1829. 
 
^^n^r'^ib,^'^/' 
 
 I . \.J 
 
 DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit : 
 
 District Clerk's Office. 
 
 Be it remembered. That on the ninth day of July, A. D. 1829, in 
 the fifty-third year of the Independence of the United States of America, 
 John II. Easlburn, of the said district, has deposited in this Office the title 
 of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words fol-' 
 lowing. 
 
 " The History of Lynn. ' By Alonzo J^ewis. 
 
 " These hills, where once the Indian. dwelt, 
 These plains, o'er which the red deer ran. 
 These shores, where oft our fathers knelt, 
 And wild doves built, unscared by man, — 
 .1 love them all, for they to me 
 Are as some pleasant memory. MS. Poems." 
 
 In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United Stales, entitled 
 " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of 
 Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and proprietors of such Copies, 
 during the times therein mentioned ;" and also to An Act entitled "An 
 Act supplementary to an Act, entitled. An Act for the Encouragement of 
 Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the Au- 
 thors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned ; 
 and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving 
 and Etching Historical and other Prints." 
 
 JOHN W DAVIS I ^^^''^ "-^ ^^^ District 
 JOHN >y. JJAVlh, ^ ^j. Massachusetts. 
 
i:p^tbodfction 
 
 When I began, some years since, to collect the facts of 
 which the following pages are composed, very little was known 
 of the early history of Lynn. It had not even been ascertained 
 in what year the town was . settled— tlie records for the first 
 sixty two years were, wholly wanting— and of all the inhabitants 
 for the first half century, the names of only six or seven were 
 known to a few lovers of antiquarian research. 
 
 It has been. said that the town records were burnt about the 
 year 1690; but that' they were in existence long after that 
 period is evident, from an orde'r respecting them, on the seventh 
 of March, 1715, when the inhabitants voted, " that whereas 
 some of the old town books are much shattered, therefore so 
 much shall be transcribed, out of one or more of them, into 
 another book, as the selectmen shall think best."* A few pages 
 were thus transcribed, and the volumes were then probably 
 thrown aside as useless. In my researches, I found several of 
 ■ tlie old records' of births and deaths, commencing in 1675, in a 
 very ruinous condition, and caused thera to be bound and' fur- 
 nished with indexes. The earliest record of the proceedings 
 of tlie town, which has been discovered, commences in the year 
 1691 ; and the earliest parish record in 1722. 
 I have spared no labor or expense in searching every at- 
 
 Town Rccoidi 
 
4 Introduction. 
 
 tainable source of information, to supply the deficiences of the 
 lost records. I have discov^ered numerous ancient manuscripts, 
 and among them a copy of three pages of the old town records 
 for 1638, and several in subsequent years. I have also found 
 a Journal, kept daily for forty four years, by Mr. Zaccheus 
 Collins, and another for twenty years, by Mr. Richard Pratt, 
 from which I have extracted some, interesting particulars. I 
 have transcribed from the records of state and county, as well 
 as from those of town and parish, and from various files of un- 
 published papers. It would have been quite as easy, in most 
 instances, to have conveyed the ideas in my own words, but as 
 I was pleased with, the quaintness and simphcity of the original 
 language, I thought that perhaps others might be equally so. 
 The records and files of our state government' afford, much in- 
 formation .respecting our early history ; but,- ii) their present 
 condition, a great amount of time and patierlce must be expen-. 
 ded, by any one who would obtain it. When the General 
 Court are truly apprized of the valuable and almost inexhausti- 
 ble treasures of historical knowledge contained in those records 
 and papers, they will probably cause them to be fairly copied 
 and furnished with a complete index. The records and papers 
 in other public offices, and particularly those of the Quarterly 
 Court at Salem, merit a similar attention. 
 
 I have given the names of nearly four hundred of the early 
 settlers, with short sketches of the lives of many. I have also 
 collected the names of some of the red people, and hope that 
 attention will be given by others to increase the number. This 
 is the first endeavour, in any town, to collect the names of all 
 the early settlers, with those of the original proprietors of the 
 soil who were contemporary with thera. I trust that no person 
 wdio is an inhabitant of Lynn, or interested in the details of an- 
 tiquity, will think that I have been too particular. A proper, 
 attention to dates and minuteness of .circumstance constitutes 
 the charm of hlstoiy; and the actions and manners of men 
 can never cease to be interesting. 
 
 There is something so natural in enquiring into the history of 
 
Introduction. ^ 
 
 those who have lived before us, and particularly of those with • 
 whom we have any .connexion, either by the ties of relation or 
 place, that it is surprising any one should .be ■ found by whom 
 this subject is regarded with indifference. The knowledge of 
 history was considered so important by the Monarch Bard, 
 that he commenced a song of praise to God for its enjoyment ; 
 and the relation in which we are placed cannot render it less 
 important and. interesting to us. To trace the settlement and 
 •progress of our native town — to read the history of the play- 
 place of our early hours, and which has been the scene of our 
 matwrer.joys — to folloAv the steps of our .fathers through the 
 course of centuries, and mark the gradation of improvement — 
 to learn who and what they were, from whom we are descended 
 — and still further, to be informed of the people who were here 
 before them, and who are now vanished like a dream of child- 
 hood ; and all these in their connexion- with the history of the 
 world and of man — must certainly be objects of pecuhar inter- 
 est to every inquishive mind. And. though' in -the pursuit of 
 these objects we.itie'et with hiuch that calls forth the tear of 
 sympathy and the expression of regret, we yet derive a high 
 dfegree of pleasure from being enabled to sit . v/iih our fajhers,, 
 in the shade of the oaks, and pines of "oldfen time," and hear 
 them relate' the stories of days which h.ave gone by. One of 
 the rnost useful faculties of the mind is the memory, and histo- 
 ry enables us to treasure up 'the m.emories of those who have 
 lived before us. Our existence might indeed be regarded' as 
 incomplete, if we could not coijimand the record of past time, 
 as well as enjoy the present, and hope for the happiness of the 
 future. Reality miist ever possess a stronger 'power over the 
 minds of reasonable and reflecting men than Imagination ; and 
 though Fiction frequently asserts, and soraetmies acquires the 
 supremacy, it is generally when she appears dresged in the ha- 
 biliments of Probability, and Historical Truth. 
 
 Aiiiong the pleasures of the mind, there are few which afford 
 more unalloyed gratification, than that which arises from the 
 remembrance of'thc loved and familiar objects of home, com- 
 
6 Introductioru 
 
 blued, as they always are, with the memory of the innocent 
 delights of our .childhood. This is one of the few pleasures of 
 which the heart cannot be deprived — which the darkest shades 
 of misfortune serve to bring out into a fuller relief— and which 
 the uninterrupted passage of the current of time tends only to' 
 polish and to brighten. When wearied with the tumult of the 
 world, and sick of the anxieties and sorrows of life, the thoughts 
 may return with delight to the pleasures of childhood, and ban- 
 quet unsated on the recollections of youth. Who does not re- 
 member the companions of his early years — and the mother 
 who watched over his dangers — and the father who counselled 
 him — and the master who instructed him— and the sister whose 
 sweet voice reproved his wildness ? Who does not remember ' 
 the tree under which he 'played-:— and the house in which he 
 lived — and even the moonbeam which slept upon his bed? 
 Who has not returned, in sunlight and in sleep, to the scenes 
 of his earliest and purest joys, and to the green and, humble 
 mounds where his sorrows have gone forth over the loved and 
 the lost who were dear to his soul? And who does not love 
 to indulge these remembrancesj though, they bring swelling 
 tides to his heart arid tears to his eyes ? And whosfe ideas aje 
 so limited that he does not extend his thoughts to the days and 
 the dwellings of his ancestors, until he seems to become a por- 
 tion of the mountain and. the stream., and to prolong . his exist- 
 ence through the centuries which are passed ? O the love of 
 Home ! — it was implanted in the breast of man, as a germ of 
 hope, which should grow up into. a fragrant flower, to win his 
 heart from the ambitions and the vanities of life, and woo him 
 back to tl 3 innocent delights of his mdrning hours. Sweet 
 Spirit of Home !-^— thou Guardian Angel of the good ! thou 
 earliest, kindest, latest friend of man ! how numerous are thy 
 votaries ! how many are the hearts which bow before tiiy sway ! 
 What tears of sorrow hast thou dried! what tears of recollec- 
 tion, of anticipation, of enjoyment, hast thou caused to flow ! 
 To all bosoms thou art grateful — to all climes congenial. No 
 heart that is innocent, but has a temple for thee — no mind, 
 
Introduction. 7 
 
 however depraved, but acknowledges tlie power which pre- 
 sides over thy shrine. 
 
 The advancement of the American colonies has been un- 
 parallelled in the annals of the world. Two hundred years 
 have scarcely circled their luminous flight over this now culti- 
 vated region, since the most populous towns of New England 
 were a wilderness. No sound was heard in the morning but 
 the voice of the Indian, and the notes of the wild birds, as they 
 woke their early hymn to their Creator ; and at evening no 
 praise went up to heaven, but the desolate howl of the wolf, 
 and the sweet but mournful- song of the muckawis.* The 
 wild powah f of the savage sometimes broke into the silence of 
 nnture, like the wailing for the dead ; but the prayer of the 
 Christian was never heard to ascend from the melancholy 
 waste. The mountains, which lifted their sunny tops above 
 the clouds, and the rivers, which, for thousands of miles, rolled 
 their murmuring waters through the desert, were unbeheld by 
 an eye that could perceive the true majesty of God, or a heart 
 that could frame language to his praise. At length the emi- 
 grants from England arrived, and the western shore of the At- 
 lantic began to hear the more cheerful voices of civilization and 
 refinement. Pleasant villages were seen in the midst of the 
 wide wilderness, and houses for the worship of God, and 
 schools for the instruction of children rose, where the wild 
 beast had his lair. The men of those days were compelled 
 to endure privations and to surpass difficulties which exist 
 to us only on the page of history. In passing through the 
 forest,. if they turned from the bear, it was to meet the wolf — 
 and if they fled from the wolf, it was to encounter the deadly 
 spring of the insidious catamount. At some periods, the plan- 
 ter could not travel from one settlement to another, without the 
 dread of being shot by the silent arrow of the unseen Indian ; 
 
 *The Indian name of thfe whip-poor-will. The sounds which strilte (he ear of one familiar with 
 the English language, like (he words whip poor will, fell on the tympanum of an Indian like the 
 jyllables of the word muck-a-wis. 
 
 t Powah was the designation of a priest of the red men, and their meetings for the exercise of 
 their rude worship, were also denominated powshs, or powows. 
 
8 Introduction. 
 
 nor could his children pursue their play in the shady woods, 
 or gather berries in the- green fields, without danger"of treading 
 on the coil of the rattlesnake, or of being carried away by the 
 remorseless enemy. The little hamlets, and the lonely dwel- 
 lings, which rose, at long intervals., over 'the plains,- and among 
 tlie forests, were frequently alarmed by the howl of the wolf 
 and the yell of the savage ; and often were their thresholds 
 drenched in the blood .of the beautiful and the innocent. The 
 dangers of those days have passed away, with the men who 
 sustained them, and we enjoy the fruit of their industry and 
 peril. They have toiled, and fought, and bled for our repose. 
 . Scarcely a spot of New England can be found which has not 
 been fertilized by the sweat or the blood of our ancestors. How 
 grateful should we be tp that-Being who has bestowed- on us 
 the reward of their enterprise ! 
 
 But the day on which the May-flower landed her passengers 
 on the Rock of Plymouth, was a fatal one for the aborigines of 
 America. From that day the townis of New England began to 
 spring up among their wigwams, and along their hunting 
 grounds ; and though sickness, and want, and the tomahawk, 
 made frequent and fearful incursions on the little bands of the 
 planters, yet their numbers have continued to increase, till they 
 have become a great and powerful community. It is indeed a 
 pleasing and interesting employment, to trace the progress of the 
 primitive colonies ; to behold them contending with the storms 
 and inclemency of an- unfriendly climate, and with the repeated 
 depredations of a hostile and uncivilized people, till we find 
 them emerging into a state of political prosperity, unsurpassed 
 by any nation of the earth. But it is painful to reflect, that in 
 the accomplishment of this great purpose, the nations of the 
 wilderness, who constitute4 a separate race, have been nearly 
 destroyed. At one period, the wliite people seem to have been 
 in danger of extermination by the warlike and exasperated 
 savages ; but in a few years, the independent Sassacus, and 
 the noble Miantonimo, and the princely Philip, saw their once 
 populous and powerful nations gradually wasting away and dis- 
 
Introduction, 9 
 
 appearing. In vain did they sharpen their tomahawks, and 
 point their arrows anew, for the hreasts of the white men — in 
 vain did they call on the spirits of their fathers, to animate their 
 hearts in their conflicts with the strangers — in vain did the val- 
 iant Wampanoag dispatch his trusty warriors two hundred 
 miles across the forest, to invite the Tarentines to lend their 
 assistance in exterminating the English. The days of their 
 prosperity had passed away. The time had come when a 
 great people were to be driven from the place of their nativity 
 — when the long line of kings and sachems, who had ruled 
 over the wilderness for unknown agesi, was to be broken, and 
 their light to be extinguished. The pestilence had destroyed 
 thousands of the bravest of their warriors, and left the remain- 
 der feeble and disheartened. Their hands were unnerved — 
 their councils were distracted. • Feuds and dissentions pre- 
 vailed among the tribes, and though they made frequent depre- 
 dations upon the defenceless settlements, and burnt many 
 dwellings, and destroyed many Uves, yet the emigrants soon 
 became the ascendants in number and in power ; and the feeble 
 remnant of the red men, wearied and exhausted by unsuc- 
 cessful conflicts, relinquished the long possession of their 
 native soil, and retired into the pathless forests of the 
 the west. 
 
 Much has been written to free .the white people from the 
 charge of aggression, and much to extenuate the implacability 
 of the savages. We should be cautious in censuring the con- 
 duct of men, through whose energies we have received many 
 of our dearest privileges ; and they who condemn the first set- 
 tlers of New England as destitute of all good principle, err as 
 much as they who laud their conduct with indiscriminate ap- 
 plause. Passionate opinion and violent acdon were the gener- 
 al faults of their time ; and when they saw that one principle 
 was overstrained in its effect, they scarcely thought themselves 
 safe till they had vacillated to the opposite extreme. Regard- 
 ing themselves, like the Israelites, as a peculiar people, they 
 imagined that they had a right, without an immediate warrant 
 2 
 
10 Introduction. 
 
 from Heaven^ to destroy the red men as heathen. The armrs. 
 which at first they took up with the idea that they were neces- 
 sary for self defence, were soon employed in a war of exter- 
 mination ; and the generous mind is grieved to think, that 
 instead of endeavouring to conciliate the Indians by kindness^ 
 they should have deemed it necessary to determine their de- 
 struction. The red men had undoubtedly good cause to be 
 jealous of the arrival of another people, and, in some instances, 
 to consider themselves injured by their encroachments. Their 
 tribes had inhabited the wilderness for ages, and the country 
 was their home. Here were the scenes of their youlliful 
 sports, and here were the graves of their fathers. Here they 
 had lived — and loved — and grown old with the hills and rocks. 
 They were indeed most cruel and implacable in their revenge, 
 and the relation of their barbarities is enough to chill the blood 
 of any sensitive person ; but it should be remembered tliat 
 those cruelties v/ere committed at a time; when the massacre 
 of six or eight hundred of the red people, sleeping around 
 their own hearths, was regarded as a meritorious service. In 
 resisting to the last, they fought for their country, for freedom, 
 for life ; they contended for the safety and happiness of their 
 wives and children, for all that brave and high minded men 
 can hold dear ; but they were subdued, and the few who were 
 not either killed or made prisoners, sought refuge in the darker 
 recesses of their native woods. The ocean, in which they had 
 so often bathed their athletic limbs, and the streams, which had 
 yielded their bountiful supplies of fish, were abandoned in silent 
 grief — and the free and fearless Indian, who once wandered in 
 all the pride of unsubdued nature, over our fields and among 
 our forests, was driven from his home, and compelled to look 
 with regret to the shores of the sea, and the pleasant' abodes of 
 his youth. A few indeed continued, for some years, to linger 
 around the shores of their ancient habitations — but they were 
 like the spirits whom Ossian has described, sighing in the wind, 
 around the dwellings of their former greatness. They are 
 gone— and over the greater part of New England the voice of 
 
Mroiu^ti^u P LIBRAftiY *^ 
 
 ihe Indian is heard no more. The names ^^^^^^m^'f^'^-^^'-''^ 
 hanl, and of Swampscot remain — and may the}"'ctJTmiTOrr'lo 
 remain, the imperishable memorials of a race, which has long 
 since passed away. 
 
 \n contemplating the destruction of a great people, the re 
 fleeting mind is naturally disposed to inquire into the causes ot 
 their decay, in order to educe motives for a better conduct, 
 that their wTongs may be in some degree repaired, and a snni- 
 lar fate avoided. If dissention weakened the power of the 
 tribes of tlie forest, why should it not impair the energies ol 
 ■ our free states ? If the red men have fallen through their neg- 
 lect of moral and religious improvement, to make way for a 
 more refined state of society, and the emanations of a purer 
 worship, how great is the reason to fear that we also may be 
 suffered to wander in our own ways, because we will not know 
 the ways of God, and to fall into doubt, disunion, and strife, 
 till our land shall be. given ta others as it has been given to us. 
 He who took the sceptre from the most illustrious and power- 
 ful of ancient nations, and caused the tide of their prosperity 
 and refinement to flow back and stagnate in the pools of igno- 
 rance, obscurity and servitude, possesses ample means to hiau- 
 ble the pride of any nation, when it shall cease to be guided by 
 his counsels. Already has an evil of the most alarming conse- . 
 quence passed far on its march of. desolation. Already has the 
 fondness for strong drink seized on thousands of our people, 
 bringing our young men to untimely graves, and in its rapid 
 and deleterious progress, sapping the foundations of moral ex- 
 cellence, and pulling down tlie glory of our country. , If we 
 may trust the appearances in our western regions, our land was 
 once inhabited by civihzed men, wlio must have disappeared 
 many years before the arrival of our fathers. Long may Heav- 
 en avert their destiny from us, to evince to the world how vir- 
 tuous a people may be, on whom the blessing of civil hberty 
 has fallen as an inheritance. 
 
 Tiie pohtical system of our nation is probably the best 
 which was ever devised for the common good ; but it practically 
 
12 Introduction. 
 
 embraces one evil too obvious to be overlooked by the 
 Christian. While it adopts the correct principle, that all men 
 have, by nature, the same civil rights, it retains, with strange 
 inconsistency, nearly one-fifth of the whole population in a 
 state of abject bodily and mental servitude. Christianity and 
 political expediency cry aloud for their emancipation, nor will 
 t^ey always remain unheard. Many generous minds are al- 
 ready convinced of the importance of an attention to this sub- 
 ject, and many more might speak in its behalf, in places where 
 they could not be neglected. Where are the ministers of our 
 holy religion, that their prayers are n©t preferred for the liber- 
 ation of men with souls as immortal as their own ? — ^Where are 
 the senators and representatives of our free states, that their 
 voices are not heard on the banks of the Potomac, in behalf of 
 that most injured race ? It is a duty which they owe, not only 
 to truth, justice, and humanit)", but to the great portion of the 
 union which they represent, and which has declared its decid- 
 ed disapprobation of slavery, that they protest against its con- 
 tinuance, and deprecate the evils which will result from it ; 
 nor can tliey be true to the trust which has been reposed in 
 them, if they make no effort for its abohtion. As an advocate 
 of the great principles of freedom and truth, I call on all who 
 have talents, and power, and influence, to exert them in favor 
 of that great portion of the immortal intelhgences of God, who 
 are crushed beneath the burdens of slavery, in this age of 
 professed Christianity and boasted freedom. On its own prin- 
 ciples our government has no right to enslave any portion pf its 
 subjects ; and I am constrained in the name of God and truth, 
 to say, that they must be free. No argument in favor of their 
 servitude should for a moment be weighed against religion and 
 truth. The inferiority of the dark to the white people, in their 
 mental capacity, is an ungenerous pretence ; for if those on 
 whom nature and education have conferred the highest degrees 
 of mental honor, have a right tD enslave all who are beneath 
 them in tliat respect, there is an end at once of all rational lib- 
 erty. That the black pcopl* possess mental powers capable 
 
Introduction. 13 
 
 i>f extensive cultivation, has been sufficiently evinced in the 
 instances of Gustavus Vasa, Ignatus Sancho, Lislct, Capitien, 
 Fuller, Wheatley, and many others ; and the period may arrive 
 when the lights of freedom and science shall shine much more 
 extensively on these dark children of bondage — when the 
 knowledge of the true faith shall awaken the nobler principles 
 of their minds, audits practice place them, in moral excel- 
 lence, far above those who are now trampling them in the dust. 
 How will the spirit of regret then sadden over the brightness of 
 our country's fame, when the muse of history shall lead their 
 pens to trace the annals of their ancestors, and the inspiration 
 of poetry instruct their youthful bards to sing the oppression of 
 their fathers in the land of freedom ! 
 
 I trust that the time will arrive when on the annals of our. 
 country shall be inscribed, the Abolition of Slavery — the time 
 when all the virtuous shall unite their exertions for the sup- 
 pression of intemperance and of vice in all its forms, and for 
 the promotion of those plans which embrace the welfare, not 
 merely of a part, but of the whole — that the unqualified appro- 
 bation of Heaven may be secured to our nation, and " that 
 glory may dwell in our land." 
 
 There were but few settlements made in JNIassachusetts be- 
 fore the year 1629. The colony at Plymouth was founded in 
 1620, and till 1692 continued a separate government. In 
 1C24, a settlement was begun at Weymouth, by the Reverend 
 William Morell, an Episcopal minister, who wrote a Latin 
 poem descriptive of New England. In 1625, a plantation was 
 commenced at Eraintrce. About the year 1626, the Rev. 
 WilHam Blackstone, an Episcopal minister, established his 
 residence at Boston ; but it does not appear that any other 
 settlers, except those of his own family, were there, until four 
 years afterward. In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Roger 
 Conant, with several others, commenced a settlement at Naum- 
 keag, now Salem. It was probably in 1627, that Mr. Thomas 
 Walford fixed his residence at Mishawum,now Charlestown ; to 
 which place, in 1628, a few persons removed from Salem. 
 
14 Introduction. 
 
 These towns iherefore, with the Episcopal settlements, at 
 Jamestown, in Virginia, begun in 1607, at Henrico, in 1611, 
 and at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, in 1623, may proper- 
 ly be regarded as the only permanent European settlements 
 within the limits of the United States, before the settlement of 
 JLynn. Different historians have assigned different dates to the 
 origin of these towns, but their settlement should certainly be 
 considered as beginning with the arrival of the first settlers, 
 whether few or many, if they continued till the arrival of others. 
 On the 19th of March, 1G28, the council at Plymouth, in En- 
 gland, sold all that part of Massachusetts, between three miles 
 north of Merrimac river and three miles south of Charles river, 
 to- six gentlemen, one of who'm was Mr. John Humfrey, who 
 afterward came to Lynn. 
 
 In delineating the annals of a single town, it can scarcely be 
 expected' that so good an opportunity will he afforded for vari- 
 ety of description and diirusiveness of remark, as in a work of 
 a more general nature. It is also proper to observe, that this 
 "Compilation was begun without any view to publication, but 
 solely to gratify that natural curiosity which must arise in the 
 mind of every man, who extends his thoughts beyond the per- 
 sons and incidents that immediately surround him. I niay 
 however be permitted to hope, that an attempt to dehncate with 
 accuracy, the principal events which have transpired within my 
 native town, for the space of two hundred years, will be inter- 
 esting to many, though presented without any endeavor to 
 adorn them with the graces of artificial ornament. To all 
 those who have assisted me in collecting information, I offer 'the 
 sincere expression of my gratitude; and am particularly in- 
 debted to the kindness of Hon. James Savage and Rev. Wil- 
 liam Jenks of Boston, John Farmer, Esq. of Concord, N. H. 
 Mr. William Gibbs of Salem, Mr. Benjamin Mudge of Lynn, 
 and Mr. Joshua Coffin, author of a manuscript History of 
 Newbury, an animated and interesting sketch, which I hope he 
 will soon present to the public. 
 
HISTORY OF LTNJV 
 
 1629; 
 
 The town of Lynn is one of the first which were planted Ifi 
 the State of Massachusetts. Its settlement was begun in the 
 year 1629. Among the authorities for assigning the settle- 
 ment to this year, is the Rev. Samuel Danforth's almanac foy 
 the year 1647. lie gives a list of the first towns settled in 
 this state, to which he prefixes these words — " The time when 
 these townes following began." By several ancient manu- 
 scripts, it appears that the settlement must liave commenced as 
 early as the last of June. 
 
 The Indian name of the river which now forms part of the 
 western boundary of the to'.vn, is Saugus ; by which appellation 
 the town was known for severalyears.^ The eastern extremity 
 was called Swampscot, which name it still retains.' Nahant, 
 an Indian word signifying an Island, is the original name of the- 
 peninsula which has become so celebrated. 
 
 The first white men who are known to have been inhabitants 
 of Lynn, were Edmund Ingalls, and his brother Francis In- 
 galls. A record, preserved in the family of the former, says 
 that " Mr. Edmund Ingalls came from Lincolnshire, in Eng- 
 land, to Lynn, in 1629." He was a farmer, and settled in the 
 eastern part of the town, near a small pond in Fayette street. 
 The place where his house stood is still pointed out by his de- 
 scendants. He had a malt-house near the margin of the 
 
 1 Colony Records. 
 
16 IIISTOIIV OF LYNN. [IHSO- 
 
 pond. When the. lands were divided in 1638, there were ap- 
 pointed " To Edmund and Francis Ingalls, upland and mea- 
 dow, 120 acres. Quarterly court files." He died in 1648. 
 His estate was valued at £135 8s. lOd., including "house and 
 lands £50." The name of his wife was Ann, and he had 
 nine children, six of whom, were born in England. 1. Robert, 
 who inherited his father's "house and houselot," and whose 
 descendants still remain at Lynn. 2. Elizabeth. 3. Faith ; 
 who married Andrew Allen. 4. John, to whom his father 
 gave " the house and ground that was Jeremy ffits, lying by the 
 meeting house," and "that three Acres-land he hath in Eng- 
 land."^ 5. Sarah, who married William Bitnar. 6. Henry, 
 who was born in 1627, and removed to Andover, where he 
 died in 1719, aged 92 years. A descendant of his, Captain 
 Henry Ingalls died in 1803, aged 84 years. In 1802, about a 
 year before his death, he added the following note to the family 
 genealogy. " Mr: Henry Ingals from whom all these spring, 
 was born in the year 1627, and He died in the year 1719, 
 who Lived Ninety two years, and two months after his Death, 
 T Henry Ingals was Born, who have Lived Eighty three years, 
 So that we two Henry Ingalsrs hath Lived on this Earth one 
 Hundred and Seventy Five years only two month between liis 
 Death and my Bearth." 7. Samuel. 8. IVlary. 9. Joseph. 
 The descendants of Mr. Edmund Ingalls, in this and other 
 toums, have been numerous and respectable, and several of 
 them eminent in the learned professions. 
 
 Francis Ingalls, brother of Edmund, was born in 1601. He 
 was a tanner, and lived at Swampscot. He built a tannery on 
 Humfrey's brook, where it is crossed by a stone bridge. The 
 vats were filled up in 1825. This is said to have been the 
 first tannery in New England. 
 
 On their arrival, the emigrants found the place inhabited by 
 Indians. They were a tribe of a great nation called Abergi- 
 nians, extending from Charles river to the Merrimac, formerly 
 governed by a powerful sachem, Nanepashemet,- or the New 
 Moon.^ He was killed about tlie year 1619; and the gov- 
 ernment was continued by his queen, called " Squaw Sachem," 
 to whom most of the tribes in Massachusetts were subject. In 
 1635, she had a second husband, whose name was Wappa- 
 cowet. 
 
 Montowampate, Sachem^ of the Saugus indians, lived on 
 Sagamore Hill, near tlie eastern end of tlie beach. . He was a 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 2 Prince. 3 Concord Rec. 4 Pronounced Sawkim. 
 
1629.] HISTORY OF LYNN. IT 
 
 son of Nanepashemet, and had jurisdiction of Lynn and Mar- 
 blehead. He died in 1633. He was called by the white 
 people, James 5 and he had a sister who was called Abigail. 
 The word Sagamore, or more properly, Sagamo, is only an- 
 other pronunciation of Sachem, a word meaning strength, and 
 applied by the red people, as a title to their^ chiefs. Saga- 
 more Hill therefore, is the same as Sachemauog Hill, or the 
 Hill of Kings. 
 
 Wonohaquaham, called John, was sachem of a tribe of In- 
 dians on the west of Saugus: He was a brother of Monto- 
 wampate, and lived first at the residence of his father m Med- 
 ford,i and afterward at Winnesimet, called by the first set- 
 tlers, Rumney Marsh, part of which is now in Chelsea, and 
 part in Saugus. 
 
 Winnepurkitt, who was at this time " a youth," thirteen 
 years of age, was a brother of Montowampate, and succeeded 
 him as sachem of Lynn. He was commonly called George 
 Rumney Marsh, .and was the proprietor of Deer Island in 
 Boston Harbour. In the latter part of his life he went to Bar- 
 badoes. It is supposed that he was carried there with the 
 prisoners who were sold for slaves at the end of Philip's war. 
 He died, soon after his return, in 1684, at the house of Mum- 
 inquash, aged 68 years. He married a daughter of Poquan- 
 num, called Ahawayetsquaine, who died in 1685. He had 
 three daughters. 1. Petagunsk, called Cicely. She had a 
 son, Tontoquon, called John. 2. Wuttaquattinusk, or the 
 Little Walnut, called Sarah. She had two sons ; Nonnupano- 
 how, called David ; and Wuttanoh, which means a Staff, cal- 
 led Samuel. 3. Petagoonaquah, called Susannah. The In- 
 dians are said to have been fond of receiving names from the 
 white people. They appear also to have been known by va- 
 rious names in their own language. VVuttaquattinnusk and 
 Petagoonaquah were both also called Wanapanequin. Their 
 names are variously speh in depositions and records, as they 
 were imperfectly understood from the nasal pronunciation of 
 the Indians. 
 
 An Indian chief, called by the English " Duke William," 
 and more commonly " Black Will,", was the proprietor of Na- 
 hant.^ He was killed by some of the wWte people in 1633. 
 His father, who was a sachem, lived at Swampscot, and died 
 before the arrival of the English. 
 
 1 Wood. 
 
IS 
 
 HISTORY OF LYNX. [1629 
 
 Poquannum, or Dark Skin, lived on Nahant. He had two 
 children. 1. Qucakussen, born in 1611, and generally known 
 by the familiar appellation of " Captain Tom-"' He remov- 
 ed to Mistick, and afterward to Patuckct. Mr. Gookin, in a 
 deposition, 16S6, says, he is "an Indian of good repute, and. 
 professes the Christian religion." 2. Ahawayetsquaine, called 
 Joane, who married Winnapurkitt. 
 
 Nahanton was a cousin of Montowampate, and was born in 
 1600.1 
 
 Nahanta was the wife of one of die chiefs, and according to 
 tradition, the saunks or queen of Montowampate. 
 
 Wenuchus was- one of the principal females, and probably 
 the same as Abigail. 
 
 Pahpocksit was a grand daughter of Wenuchus, and remov- 
 ed to Penacook, now Concord in New Hampshire. 
 
 Owussamug, called John, hved at Rumney ]\Iarsh. He had 
 a son IMuminquash, horn in 1G3G, and called James Rumney 
 Marsh. . . 
 
 Peckananynit, called Ned, was a servant of Mr. Zacheus: 
 Gould. In 16.52, he mortgaged to Henry Bartholomew, a 
 tract of land, about eight miles square, on the north of Merri- 
 mac river.' 
 
 The names of other Indians were, Appooquaharaock, Mana- 
 tahqua, Quanapowit, a kinsman of Winnapurkitt, and Wawpa- 
 tuck, or the. Goose. George, the sachem, had a brother who 
 was called George Indian. 
 
 The Saugus* Indians are said to have been very numerous,, 
 till they were reduced by a great sickness in 1617, which 
 ranged through most of their settlements, and in some places 
 left scarcely enough alive to bury the dead. ' In their persons, 
 the Indians were from five to six feet in height, of a reddish 
 and pleasant complexion, with black hair and black eyes. 
 Their whole form was a model of strength and activity. They 
 were unvexed by cares, undebased by rum, and were seldom 
 deformed or sick. They oiled their bodies with the fat of 
 bears and eagles, and tied their hair in a lock on the top of the 
 head, frequently with a snake skin. The dress of the men 
 was the skin of a wolf or bear, tied 'round the waist, and in 
 winter another throxvn over the shoulders, with mcccassins, or 
 shoes made of moose hide. • The dress of the women was 
 commonly of beaver skin. Their weapons were bows, arrows, 
 and tomahawks. Their bows were made of walnut, or some 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 
 
1629.] HISTORT 01- I.TNN. 19 
 
 Other elastic wood, and strung with sinews of deer or moose. 
 Their arrows were made of elder, and feathered with the 
 quills of eas^les. They were headed with a long sharp stone, 
 tied to a short stick, which was thrust into the pith of the elder. 
 Their tomahawks were made of a flat stone, sharpened to an 
 edge, with a groove in the middle. This was inserted in a 
 bent walnut stick, the ends of which were tied together. The 
 heads of their arrows and tomahawks are frequently ploughed 
 up in the fields ; and the bones of the aborigines themselves, 
 accompanied by shells and other implements, are sometimes 
 discovered, in digging wells and cellars. 
 
 The red men had iew arts, and only such as wei'e requisite 
 ito their subsistence. We are however indebted to them for 
 snow shoes, scoop nets, and the art of preserving flesh in snow. 
 They subsisted principally by hunting and fishing. Their only 
 objects of cultivation were corn, beans, pumpkins, and -squash- 
 es, which are all indigenous plants. Their season for planting 
 was when the leaves of the white oak v/ere as large as the ear 
 of a mouse. From- this observation was formed the rule of 
 the first settlers. 
 
 When the white oak trees look gosling grey. 
 Plant then, be it April, June, or May. 
 
 Their women performed all the labour of agricadture, and ho- 
 ed the corn with large clam shells. Their fields were ten- 
 ded with great care, and the corn was harvested in tbe 
 ground. When boiled in kernels, it was called samp ; when 
 parched and poimded for journeys, it was termed nokehike ; 
 and when pounded and boiled, it was called hominy. They 
 also boiled corn and beans together, \vhich they called succa- 
 tash. Berries were plenty, especially strawberries " very 
 large ones, some being two inches about,"i and these they 
 bruised in a mortar, and, mixing them with corn, made straw- 
 berry bread. Whortleberries also were employed in the same 
 manner. Some of their dishes are still well known, and highly 
 relished — their samp, their hominy or hasty pudding, their 
 stewed beans or succatash, their parched coin, their boiled and 
 roast ears, and their whortleberry cake. Their houses, or wig- 
 wams, were rude structures, made of poles set rotmd in the 
 form of a cone, and covered with bark and mats. They were 
 moved about by the women, to the hunting, fishing, and plant- 
 ing grounds. In winter, one great house, built with more care, 
 
 1 Weed. 
 
20 HISTORY OF LYNN, [1629. 
 
 served for the accommodation of many. They had two kinds 
 of boats, called canoes ; the one made of a pine log, twenty to 
 sixty feet in length, burnt and scraped out with shells ; the oth- 
 er made of birch bark, very light and elegant, They made 
 fishing lines of wild hemp, equal to the finest twine ; and used 
 fish bones for hooks. Their method of catching deer, was by 
 making two fences of trees, nearly a mile in extent, in the form 
 of an angle, with a snare at the place of meeting, in which they 
 frequently took the deer alive. 
 
 The Indians appear to have been very fond of amusement. 
 The tribes, even from a great distance, were accustomed to 
 challenge each other, and to assemble upon the Lynn Beach 
 to decide their contests. Here they sometimes passed many 
 days in the exercises of running, leaping, shooting, and other 
 diversions. Before they began their sports, they drew a line 
 in the -sand, across which the jjarties shook hands in evidence 
 of friendship, and sometimes painted their faces, to prevent re- 
 venge. A tall pole was then planted in the beach, on which 
 were hung beaver skins, money, and ornaments, for which they 
 contended ; and frequently all they were worth was ventured 
 in the play. One of their principal sports was football. Their 
 ball was not much larger than a handball, which they caus- 
 ed to mount into tlie air with their naked feet. They had an- 
 other game called puim, which was played by shuffling togeth- 
 er fifty or sixty short sticks, and contending for them. An- 
 other game was played with five fiat pieces of bone, black on 
 one side and white on the other. These were put into a wood- 
 en dish, which was struck on the ground, causing the bones 
 to bound aloft, and as they fell white or black the game 
 was decided. During* this play; * the Indians sat in a circle, 
 making a great noise, by the constant repetition of the word 
 huh, huh, — come, come, — from which it was called hubbub. 
 Their money was made of shells gathered on the beaches, and 
 was of two kinds. The on© was called wampum peag, or 
 white money, and was made of the twisted part of the conkle, 
 strung together like beads. Six of these passed for a penny, 
 and a fathom of six feet, for about five shiUings. The other 
 was called suckauhoc, or black money, and was made 6f the 
 thick part, or hinge, of the poquahoc clam, bored with a sharp 
 stone. The value of tlie black money was double that of the 
 white. These shells were also very curiously wrought into 
 pendants, bracelets, and belts of wampum several inches in 
 breadth, with the figures of animals and flowers. Their 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN 
 
 21 
 
 1629.] 
 
 sachems were profusely adorned witli it, and some of the prince- 
 ly females wore caps and aprons worth forty or fifty dollars. It 
 passed for beaver skins, and other commodities, as currently 
 
 as silver. 
 
 The Indians are supposed by some to be the remnants ot 
 the long lost ten tribes of Israel ; and their existence in tribes, 
 the similarity of some of their customs, and the likeness ol 
 many words in their language, seem to favor this opinion. 
 There can be little doubt that they came from the northeastern 
 part of Asia, at some very remote period. They have ever 
 been distinguished for friendship, justice, magnanimity, and a 
 high sense of honor. They have been represented as msensi- 
 ble and brutish; but with the exception of their revenge, 
 which was dreadful, they were not an insensate race. The 
 old chief who requested permission of the white people to 
 smoke one more whifF before he was slaughtered, was thought 
 to be an unfeeling wretch ; but he expressed more than he 
 could have done by the most eloquent speech. The red peo- 
 ple received the emigrants in a friendly manner, and taught 
 them how to plant ; "and when any of- the settlers travelled 
 through the woods, tliey entertained them with more love than 
 compliments, kept them freely many days, and often went ten 
 and even twenty miles to conduct them on their way. On the 
 arrival of the first ship, they are said to have taken rt lor a 
 winged island, and the discharge of cannon for thunder. They 
 were astonished at the operation of a windmill ; and when they 
 saw a ploughman break up more ground in an hour, than they 
 could open with their shells and sticks in a day, they said he 
 was Hobbamoc, or a demon. They had a rude worship, 
 which, according to their tradition, was once well attended ; 
 but, before the arrival of the English, it had greatly declined. 
 Their principal powah, or priest, was Passaconaway, who re- 
 sided at Pentucket, or Haverhill. They beUeved that after 
 ■ death they should go to the region whence came the pleasant 
 south west wind, where dwelt their great and benevolent god, 
 Cautontowit, and where they should enjoy perpetual pleasures, 
 and hunting and fishing without weariness. They endured 
 the most acute pains without a murmur, never laughed loud, 
 and their words and deeds were seldom strangers. The In- 
 dians in this neighborhood had no / nor r in their language. 
 They cultivated a kind of natural music, and modulated their 
 voices by the songs of birds. They had war and death songs, 
 and lullabies to quiet their children. The voices of their fe- 
 
22 HISTORY or LYNN. [1029. 
 
 males, it is said, were exquisitely harmonious ; and when heard 
 through the shadowy woods, might easily have been mistak- 
 en for the warbhngs of some melodious birds, or the notes 
 of a fine toned instrument. 
 
 The woods were filled with wild animals, of which the most 
 numerous were foxes. ^ There were also wolves, bears, 
 moose, deer, beaver, raccoons, and that most insidious and 
 deadly foe of human kind, the catamount. This animal has 
 never been particularly described, but many stories are related 
 ■of its attacks upon the early settlers. It is one of the numer- 
 ous varieties of the cat kind, from three to six feet in length, 
 with short legs, and commonly of a cinnamon colour. It climbs 
 trees, and leaps with surprising agility on the unwary traveller 
 whom it surprises in the forest. An Indian, in passing through 
 ihe woods one day, heard a rustling in the boughs overhead, 
 and looking up, saw a catamount preparing to spring upon liim. 
 He said he " cry all one soosuck" — that is, like a child — know- 
 ing that if he did not kill the catamount, he must lose_his own 
 life. He fired as the animal was in the act of springing, which 
 met the ball and fell dead at his feet. 
 
 The wild pigeons are represented to have been so numerous, 
 that they passed in flocks so large as to " obscure the light,"^ 
 and continued flying " for foure or five houres together," to 
 such an extent that a person could see neither " beginning nor 
 ending, length or breadth, of these millions."^ When they 
 alighted in the woods, they frequently broke down large limbs 
 of the trees with their weight, and the crashing was heard at a 
 great distance. A single fan:iily has been known to have killed 
 more than orie hundred dozen in one night, with poles and 
 other weapons ; and they were often taken in such numbers, 
 that they were thrown into piles, and kept to feed the swine. 
 The Indians called the pigeon wuscowhan, a word signifying a- 
 wanderer.. The harbour was frequently covered with wild 
 fowl, so that persons have killed " 50 Duckes at a shot ;" the 
 porpoises pursued their rude gambols along the shore, and 
 the seal slumbered on the rocks. The light birchen canoes of 
 the red men were seen gracefully skimming over the surface 
 of the bright blue ocean, which spreads its interminable ex- 
 panse toward the south ; while the half clad females were be- 
 held, bathing their olive limbs in the lucid flood, or sporting on 
 the smooth sands of the beach, and gathering the spotted eggs, 
 
 1 Town Records. 2 Dudley. S Wood. 
 
1630.] HISTORY OF LFNPf. 2^ 
 
 the beautiful shells, or the curious bones, which abounded 
 among the pebbles, to string into beads, or weave into wam- 
 pum, for the adornment of their necks and arms. At one 
 tim'e, an Indian was seen silently endeavoring to transfix the 
 wild duck or tlie brant as they rose and sunlv with the alter- 
 nate waves ; and at another, a glance was caught of the timid 
 wild deer, rushing through the shadow of the dark green oaks, 
 or the sly fox, bounding from rock to rock, among the high 
 cliffs of Nahant, and stealing along the shore to find his even- 
 ing repast which the tide had leffupon the beach. The Httle 
 sand birds darted along the thin edge of the wave — the white 
 gulls, in hundreds, soared screaming overhead — and the cur- 
 lews filled the echoes of the rocks with their wild and watery 
 music. This is no imaginary picture, wrought up for the em- 
 bellishment of a ff\nciful tale — but the delineation of an actual 
 scene which presented itself to the eyes of our fathers. 
 The first settlers, arriving at that particular time. 
 
 When all a man sailed by or saw was his own, 
 
 appropriated to themselves such portion of the land as appear- 
 ed most eligible. On the fourth of March, an order was pas- 
 sed by the Massachusetts company at London, that each per- 
 son who advanced fifty pounds, should have two hundred acres 
 of land, and that each one who came over on his own expense, 
 should have fifty acres. ^ This value of the land was chiefly 
 imaginary, for, many years afterward, it might have been 
 bought for about six cents an acre. On the twenty ninth of 
 October, the company chose Mr. John Winthrop governor, 
 and Mr. John Humfrey deputy governor," with the design 
 that they should embark with their families, as soon as conve- 
 nient, to superintend the affairs of the new colony. 
 
 1630. 
 
 Early in the spring, eleven vessels, having on board about 
 seven hundred persons, left the harbour of Southampton, and 
 sailed for New England. In the number of the passengers 
 were, Mr. John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts ; 
 Mr. Isaac Johnson and his wife, the lady Arbella, who came 
 
 1 Hubbard. 2 Col. Rec. 
 
24 HISTORY OF LINN. [1630. 
 
 "from a paradise of plenty and pleasure, which she enjoyed 
 in the family of a noble earldom, into a wilderness of wants ;"* 
 with many other persons of dignity, wealth, and repntation. 
 As Mr. Humfrey was not ready to remove, he did not embark 
 at this time, but on the twenty ninth of March, Mr. Thomas 
 Dudley was chosen in his stead.^ 
 
 The first settlers of the Massachusetts Colony were Episco- 
 palians. They are said to have been displeased with some 
 extraordinary ceremonies required of them, rather than with 
 the doctrines and discipline of the Church ; but to avoid mis- 
 representation it is best to let them speak their own language. 
 On the seventh of April, after they had gone on board the 
 ships, they addressed a letter " To the rest of their brethren 
 in and of the Church of England," in which they say — " We 
 desire you would be pleased to take notice of the principals 
 and body of our company, as those who esteem it our honour 
 to call the Church of England, from whence we rise, our dear 
 mother ; and cannot part from our native country, where she 
 specially resideth, without much sadness of heart, and many 
 tears in our eyes; ever acknowledging that such hope and 
 part as we have obtained in the common salvation, we have 
 received it from her bosom. We leave it not therefore, as 
 loathing that milk wherewith we were nourished there ; but 
 blessing God for the parentage and education, as members of 
 the same body, shall always rejoice in her good, and unfeign- 
 edly grieve for any sorrow shall ever betide her ; and while 
 we have breath, sincerely desire and endeavour the continu- 
 ance and abundance of her welfare, with the enlargement of 
 her bounds in the kingdom of Christ Jesus. "^ The senti- 
 ments expressed in this address seem to be those of feehng 
 hearts, warmly imbued with the devotion of their infancy ; and 
 far happier might it have been for them and their posterity, had 
 they retained their love for the Church, and planted her faith 
 in its purity. One who was well acquainted with many of 
 them, says, that they always walked in a distinct path from the 
 rigid separatists, nor did they ever disown the Church of En- 
 gland to be a true church, as retaining the essentials of faith 
 and order. "^ 
 
 On the morning of Saturday, June the twelfth, the ship Ar- 
 bella, which contained the principal persons, entered the har- 
 bour of Salem. In a few days all the other vessels arrived ; 
 
 1 Hubbard. 2 Col. Rec. 
 
^^*'^^-J niSTOllY OF r,YNN. 25 
 
 aiu] tlie passengers, dispersing along the shore of Massachu- 
 seus Bay, b?gaa to make settlements in the pathless woods. 
 Mr. i:>udley, in a letter to the Countess of Lincoln, says, that 
 some of tliem settled " upon the river of Sawgus." Others 
 went to Boston and Charlestown ; and the rest began new 
 settlements at Roxhury, Dorchester, Watertown, and Mead- 
 lord. The following are die names of some of the persons 
 who appear to have been inhabitants of Lynn this year. 
 
 Joseph Armitage lived on the Common, opposite the Acad- 
 emy, and his land extended to Strawberry Brook. He was 
 by occupation a tailor, and was admitted a freeman in 1G37. 
 Some years afterward he became the proprietor of a corn 
 mill and slitting mill on Sangns river.i In 1G46, his wife 
 Jane opened the first tavern in Lynn, which was called The 
 Anchor.2 He died 27 June, 1680, aged 80 years. His 
 wife died 3 March, 1677. His children were, 1. John. 2. 
 Rebecca, who married Samuel Tarbox in 1665. 
 
 Allen Breed was by occupation a farmer, and lived in the 
 western part of Snnmier street. He had two hundred acres 
 of land. He was born in 1501. The name of his wife was 
 Elizabeth, and his children were, Allen, Timothy, Joseph, 
 and John. His descendants are numerous; and" from him 
 the village in which he resided was called Breed's End. 
 
 William Ballard was a farmer, and lived on the Boston road, 
 westofSauguy river. He was admhted a freeman in 1638, 
 and in the same year was a member of die Quarterly Court ; t 
 Salem. His children were, 1. John. 2. Nathaniel. 3. 
 Elizabeth, who married George Abbot of Andover. 
 
 Edward Baker was a farmer, and lived on the south side of 
 Baker's Hill in Saugus. He was admitted a freeman in 1638 ; 
 and vvas buried 17 March, 1687. His wife Joan died 9 
 April. 1693. His sons were, 1. Edward, who married Mary 
 Marshall, 7 April, 1675. 2. Thomas, who married Mary 
 l>evvis, 10 July, 1689. 
 ^ Samuel Bennct was a carpenter, and a member of the An- 
 cient Artillery Company in 1639. A ])ine forest in the north- 
 ern part of ihe town, still retains the name of Bonnet's swamp. 
 He resided in the western part of Saugus, and when the towns 
 w ere divided, the line passed through liis land, eastward of his 
 house, so that afterward he was called an inhabitant of Boston. 
 - Nicholas Brown was a farmer, and lived in Walnut street, 
 
 1 Essex Reg. Deeds. 2 Col. Files. 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1630. 
 
 Saugus. He removed to Reading in 1644. He had a son 
 Thomas, who continued in Lynn, and died 28 August, 1693. 
 His descendants remain. 
 
 Thomas Coldam was admitted a h-eeman in 1634. He 
 kept Mr. Humfrey's windmill on Sagamore hill, and died 8 
 April, 1675, aged 74 years. 
 
 Clement Coldam resided in Lynn several years, and then 
 removed to Gloucester. He had a son Clement, horn in 
 1622, who continued in Lynn, and was a miller, and a mem- 
 ber of the Artillery Company in 1645. 
 
 Thomas Chadwell was a farmer, and lived in Summer street. 
 He died in February 1683. His sons were, Thomas, Moses, 
 and Benjamin. His descendants remain. 
 
 William Cowdrey was a fiirmer. He removed to Reading 
 in 1640. He was appointed Clerk of the Writs, 21 Februa- 
 ry, 1650 ; and was also Town Clerk, Selectman, and Repre- 
 sentative of Reading. He had a son Nathaniel. 
 
 Henry Collins was a farmer, and lived in Essex street. He 
 was admitted a freeman in 1637 ; and was appointed a m'em- 
 ber of the Quarterly Court at Salem, in 1639. He was buri- 
 ed 20 February, 1687. The name of his wife was Ann ; 
 and his children were, 1. Henry. 2. John. 3. Joseph. 
 His descendants remain. Among them was Abijah Collins, 
 born in 1 642 ; a tall and well formed person, of a strong mind 
 and extensive capacity. In his youth, he became enamoured 
 of a young woman, in one of the neighbouring towns, named 
 Sarah Braefoot. Some, of his relatives interposed obstacles in 
 the way of his union, which was' finally frustrated ; and from 
 that time his reason wavered, and he became as one who has 
 lost the guiding star of his existence, and wandered about, 
 occasionally entering houses, to solicit a cup of cold coffee, 
 of which he was particularly fond. Thus he continued till 
 his death, when he was eighty three years of age ; another in- 
 stance of the inutility and folly of attempting to prescribe a path 
 to youthful affection. 
 
 Thomas Dexter was a farmer, and lived on the western 
 bank of Saugus river, near the Iron Works. He was admitted 
 a freeman ISth May, 1631. He owned eight hundred acres 
 of land, and was called, by way of excellence, " Farmer Dex- 
 ter." He was a very active and enterprising man, and built a 
 mill, and a wear across Saugus river. Among his speculations, 
 he purchased Nahant of Black William, for a suit of clothes ; 
 which occasioned the town an expensive law suit in 1657. 
 
1630.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 27 
 
 He became one of the first proprietors of the town ol Sand- 
 wich in 1637, and promoted its settlement, but did not remove, 
 at that time. He had a son Thomas, a grandson Richard, and 
 a great grandson William, but none of his posterity remain at 
 Lynn. 
 
 William Dixey was born in England in 1G07, and came 
 over a servant with Mr. Isaac Johnson. On his arrival, appli- 
 cation was made by his master, for him and others,^ " for a 
 place to sitt downe in ; upon which," he says, " mr. Endecott 
 did give me and the rest leave to goe where wee would ; uppn 
 whicii I went to Saugust, now Linne, and there wee met with 
 Sagamore James and som other Indians, whoe did give me and 
 the rest leaue to dwell there or thereabouts ; whereupon I and 
 the rest of my master's company did cut grass for our cattell, 
 and kept them upon nahant for som space of time ; for the In- 
 dian James Sagamore and the rest did give me and the rest, in 
 behalf of my master Johnson, what land we would ;_ whereup- 
 on wee sett down in Saugust, and had quiet possession of it by 
 the above said Indians, and kept our cattell in nahant the 
 sumer following."' Mr. Dixey was admitted a freeman at the 
 first General Court in 1634, and some years afterward remov- 
 ed to Salem. 
 
 Robert Driver was a farmer, and lived in Shepard street, 
 on the south of which a creek still bears his name. He was 
 made a freeman in 1635, and died 3 April, 1680, aged 88 
 years. His wife Phebe died in February, 1683. He had a 
 son Robert, who was a soldier in Phihp's war, in 1675. 
 
 George Farr was a farmer in Essex street. He was ad- 
 mitted a freeman in 1635, and died in 1661. His wife Eliza- 
 beth was buried 1 1 March, 1687. His children were John, 
 Lazarus, Benjamin, Joseph, Mary, Martha, Ehzabeth, and 
 Sarah. 
 
 Jeremy Fitch was a farmer, and lived in Shepard street. 
 He removed to Reading in 1644. 
 
 Edmund Farrington was a farmer, and had two hundred 
 acres of land ; part of which was on the western side of Fed- 
 eral street, and part on the eastern side of Myrtle street, where 
 the land is well known as Farrington's Field. In 1655, he 
 built a mill on Water Hill, where a pond was dug, and a new 
 brook opened for half a mile, called Farrington's Brook. He 
 died in 1670, aged 88 years. His children were, 1. Mat- 
 
 1 Deposition in Q. C. Files, 1 July, 1657. 
 
28 nisTouY OK i-iNff. [1630. 
 
 thew. 2. Elizabeth, who married John Fuller in 1646. On 
 the sixteenth of June, 1666, he gave his son Matthew half his 
 corn mill, " except the tolc of rny son ffuller's grisis, which is 
 well and Duly to be ground tole free, during the hfe of my 
 .daughter Elizabeth. "i 
 
 Adam Hawkes was a farmer, and settled on the Hawkes 
 Farms in Saugus. He owned the land where the iron ore 
 was found, and filled up one of the mines, on the supposition 
 that it contained silver. Soon after his settlement his house 
 was burnt. The only persons in it, at the time of its taking 
 fire, were a servant girl and two twin infants, who escaped. 
 He died in 1671. His sons were, Adam, John, Moses, Ben- 
 jamin, and Thomas. His descendants remain. 
 
 Edward Holyoke was a farmer, and had five hundred acres 
 of land. He was a member of the Quarterly Court from 1639 
 to 1643, and in 1647 and 1G48; and was representative in 
 ten sessions of the General Court. On the fourteenth of May, 
 1641, he was a patentee .at Piscataqua, but did not remove. 
 He died at Rumney Marsh. 4 May, 1660. His estate was 
 valued at £681. His farm in Lynn, £400 ; his farm at Bea- 
 ver Dam, in Reading, £150; three acres of land on Nahant, 
 £6 ; two oxen, £12 ; four cows £16 ; and his books, £20 ; 
 among which seem to have been some valuable manuscripts. 
 In his will, he beseeches God to impress his children with the 
 importance of private prayer and public worship, and bequeaths 
 each of them a lock of his hair.^ His children were, 1 . Eli- 
 zur, who removed to Springfield, and married Mary Pynchon, 
 20 November, 1640. 2. Elizabeth, who married George 
 Keysar. An excellent spring of fresh water, in the western 
 part of the town, surrounded by five beautiful willows, is well 
 known by the name of Holyoke spring. A descendant of his, 
 Edward Augustus Holyoke, an eminent physician, died at Sa- 
 lem, 31 March, 1829, aged one hundred years and seven 
 months. 
 
 Edward Howe was a farmer, and was admitted a freeman in 
 1636. He was representative in seven sessions of the Gene- 
 ral Court, and a member of the Quarterly Court in 1637. He 
 died suddenly in April, 1639. After the court was ended at 
 Boston, having dined in his usual lu^alth, he went to the river 
 side, to pass over to Charlestown, and while waiting for the fer- 
 ry boat, fell dead on the shore. He is said to have been 
 "a Godly man."*"' He had a son Edward. 
 
 1 Essex Reg. Deeds. 2 Suffolk Reg. Deeds. 3 Winlhrop. 
 
1630.] HISTORY OK I.YNN. 20 
 
 Lieutenant Daniel Howe, brotiier of Edward, was adnrutcd 
 a freeman in 1634. He was representative in five courts, 
 and the first Lieutenant of the Artillery Company in 1638. 
 He was master of a vessel, and removed to New Haven. 
 
 Ephraim Howe, son of Daniel, was master of a vessel which 
 sailed from Boston. In September, 1676, his vessel, in which 
 <vere two of his sons and three other persons, was disabled olF 
 Cape Cod, by a storm, which carried away the rudder. They 
 were then driven about by the winds and waves for sever;d 
 weeks, till his two sons, lashed to the deck with ropes, perish- 
 ed with wet and cold. The vessel was thrown on a desolate 
 island, where tliree of the others soon died, Mr. Howe was ihus 
 leh alone, and found means to subsist for nine months, lodging 
 and praying in a cave, till he was taken off by a vessel in June.' 
 William Hathorne was born in England in 1607, was ad- 
 mitted a freeman in 1634, removed to Salem, and was a mem- 
 ber of the Quarterly Court in ]63l>. 
 
 Thomas Hudson was a farmer, and Hved on the western 
 bank of Saugus river. He owned the. land where the Iron 
 Works were situated, pait of which he sold for that purpose. 
 He had a son Jonathan. His descendants remain. My mother 
 is one of them. 
 
 Christopher Hussey was born at Darking in Surrey, England. 
 He went to Holland, where he became enamoured of Theodata, 
 daughter of Rev. Stephen Batche'or, wlio had resided there 
 several years ; but her father would not consent to their mar- 
 riage, unless Mr. Hussey would remove to New England, 
 whither he was preparing to go. i\lr. 'Hussey came to Lynn, 
 with his mother, widow Mary Hussey, and his wife, in 1630; 
 and here, in the same year, his son Stephen was born, who 
 was the second white child born in Lynn. He removed 
 to Newbury in 1636, and was chosen one of the first "7 men" 
 therein 1637."- In 163S he became one of the first settlers of 
 Hampton in New Hampshire, and was chosen a provincial 
 Conncellor.^ In 1685 he was cast away and lost on the coast 
 of Florida. His children were, 1. Stephen, born in 1630, 
 married Martha Hunker, and died at Nantucket in 1718, aged 
 88 years. 2. John, who married Rcl^ecca Perkins, by whom 
 he liad fourteen daughters and two sons. He removeil to New 
 Castle in Delaware, and died in 1711. 3. Joseph, who re- 
 sided in Hampton, and was a representative in 1672. 4. Hul- 
 
 1 Hubbard. 2 Collin. 3 Farmer. 
 
30 HIS'IORV OK LYNN. [1630. 
 
 dull, who was born in 1G40, and married John Smyth, of 
 Hampton. 5. Mary, who married Henry Dow, of Hampton.^ 
 
 Christopher Lyndscy lived at first with Mr. Dexter, and after- 
 ward resided on Nahant, where a hill, on the northeastern part, 
 is known by the name of Lyndsey's Hill. He died in 1668- 
 His sons were John and' Eleazer, w^hose posterity remain at 
 Lynn. 
 
 Thomas Newhall was a farmer, and owned all the eastern 
 side of Federal street. His house stood in the same place 
 with that of Mr. Amos Rhodes. His- children were, 1. John, 
 who was born in England, and married Sarah Lewis 10 
 April, 1646. This isthe earliest notice of a marriage at Lynn 
 which has been discovered. 2. Thomas, born in 1630, who 
 was the first w^iite child born in Lynn. He married Elizabeth 
 Potter, 29 December, 1652, and was buried 1 April, 1687, 
 aged 57 years. His wife was buried 22 February, 1687. 
 His children were, 1. Thomas. 2. John. 3. Joseph. 4. 
 Nathaniel. 5. Elisha. 6. Elizabeth. 7. Mary. 8. Samu- 
 el. 9. Rebecca. The descendants of Mr. Thomas Newhall 
 are more numerous than those of any other name at Lynn, and 
 there are many in the adjacent towns. 
 
 Robert Potter was a farmer, and lived in Boston street. He 
 was admitted a freeman in 1634. He had a daughter Eliza- 
 beth. 
 
 Jolm Ramsdell was a larmer, and died 27 October 1688, 
 aged 86 }ears. His wife Priscilla died 23 January 1675. 
 His sons were Jchn and Aquila, whose descendants remain. 
 
 John Taylor came from Haverhill, in England. His wife 
 and child died on the passage.^ He was admitted a freeman 
 19 October 1630. He lived on the western side of Saugus 
 river. 
 
 Captain Edward Tomlins was a carpenter, and was admitted 
 a freeman in 1631. He vyas six times chosen representative. 
 In 1 633 he built the first mill in Lynn, on Strawberry Brook, 
 which flows from the Flax Pond. At one of the court», he 
 agreed to repair IMistick Bridge for £22. In 1638, he was a 
 member of the Artillery Company. In 1640, he went to 
 Long Island, but returned to Lynn, and was appointed Clerk 
 of the Writs^ in 1643. He went to London in 1644, and in 
 1679 was at Dublin. 
 
 Timothy Tomlins, brother of Edward, was a farmer, and 
 
 1 Coffin. 2 Winthrop. 3 Col. Rec, 
 
1630.] HISTORY OF l.YNN. ^1 
 
 was admitted a freeman in 1633. He was representative in 
 thirteen sessions of the General Court. In 1040, he went 
 with those who began a new settlement on Long Island, and 
 returned. A pine ibrest in the northern part of the town is 
 well known by the name of Tomhns' Swamp. 
 
 Captain Nathaniel Turner lived in Nahant street. lie ap- 
 plied to be admitted a freeman, 19 October 1630, but did 
 not take the oath till 3 Jul)^ 1 032. He was representative in 
 the first seven sessions of the General Court, and a member of 
 the first Quarterly Court at Salem in 1636. In 1633, he was 
 appointed Captain of the militia, and in 1636 and 1637 had a 
 command in several expeditions against the Fequod Indians. 
 In 1638 he became a member of the Artillery Company ; and 
 in the same year sold his land on Sagamore Hill to Mr. Ed- 
 ward Holyoke, and removed to Quilipeake, widi others, where 
 a new settlement was begun and called New Haven. In 1639, 
 he was one of the seven" members of the first church in that 
 place. In 1640, he purchased, for the town, of Ponus, an In- 
 dian Sagamore, the tract of land which is now the town of 
 Stamford, for which he paid in " coats, hoes, hatchets, &ic." 
 His active and enterprising life was soon afterward terminated 
 in a melancholy manner. In January 1646, he sailed for Eng- 
 land, with Captain Lamberton, in a vessel which was never 
 heard of more. In June 1648, h is said that the apparition of 
 a ship was seen, under fidl sail, moving up the harbour of New 
 Haven, a little before sunset, in a pleasant afternoon ; and that 
 as it approached the shore, it slowly vanished.' Tiiis was sup- 
 posed to have been a reference to the fate of Captain Lam- 
 berton's ship. The following epitaph was written to the me- 
 mory of Captain Turner. 
 
 Deep in Atlantic caves liis body sleeps, 
 Where the dark sea its ceaseless motion keeps, 
 While phantom ships are wrecked alorg the shore, 
 To warn his friends that he will come no more ! 
 But He who governs all with impulse free, 
 Can bring from Bashan, and the deepest sea,2 
 And when he calls, our Turner must return. 
 Though now hi^ ashes fill no sacred urn. 
 
 Captain Richard Walker was a farmer, and resided on the 
 west of Sangus river. He was admitted a freeman in 1634, 
 
 1 Winthrop. Mather. 
 
 2 " I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring from the depths of the 
 sea." Ps. 68. 22. 
 
^- HTSTOnV OF I.VXN'. [IGSO, 
 
 aii.l wn^ buricHl !(! Mtiy, 16S7,' a-ed 95 years. His child- 
 ren were, I. Richard, who removed to Reachne;, where lie 
 was several times chosen representative. 2. Samuel, who 
 went to Reading. ;5 Tahitha, who married Daniel Kine;, jun. 
 II March, IGGC. 4. Elizabeth, who married Ralijli Kin-, 
 2 March, 1GG3. ^ ^ 
 
 Tliomas Willis was a farmer, and the first resident on Willis's 
 Hill, on which the Poor House is situated. The land on the 
 south has ever since been called Willis's Neck, and tlie mea- 
 dow on the north, Willis's Meadow. He was a representative 
 in the first General Court, in 1G34, and a member of the 
 Quarterly Court in ]G39. He became one of the first pro- 
 prietors f)f Sandwich in 1G37, but did not remove at that time. 
 Jolm White was a larmer, and was admitted a freeman, 4th 
 Marcl), 1G33. 
 
 William \Vitter was a farmer, and resided at Swampscot. 
 He says, " Blacke will, or duke williani, so called, came to my 
 house (which was two or three miles from Nahant) when 
 Thomas Dexter had bought Nahant for a suit of clothes, the 
 said Black will Asked me what I would give him for the Land 
 my house stood vppon, it being his laiid,^ and his flather's wig- 
 wame stood their abouts, James Sagoinore and John, and the 
 Sagomore of Agawame, and diuers more. And George Sago- 
 more, being a youth was present, all of ihem acknowlidgingc 
 Black will to be the Right owner of the Land my iiouse stood 
 on, and Sagomore Hill and Nahant was all his ;" and adds 
 "that he bought Nahant and Sagomer Hill and Swamscoate of 
 i31ack WiUiam for two pesde stones."' He died in 1G59, 
 aged 75 years. The name of his wife was Annis, and his 
 children were, 1. Josiah. 2. Hannah, who married Robert 
 Bm-din. 
 
 ^ John Wood was a farmer, and lived in Essex street. The 
 village in which he resided has ever since been called Wood 
 End. 
 
 William Wood was admitted a freeman 18 May, 1G31. 
 He resided at Lynn about four years, during which time he 
 wrote the work called ]N[ew England's Prospect, containing a 
 veiy favorable account of the early settlements. On the "fif- 
 teenth of August 1G33, he sailed, wiili Captain Thomas Graves, 
 for London; where, in 1G34, he published his book, in one 
 hundred pages, octavo. In 1635, he publislied a map of the 
 
 1 Lynn Records. 2 Depo. in Q. C. FiJcs, 15 and 27 April, 1657. 
 
 M* 
 
1630.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 33 
 
 eastern part of New England, engraved on wood. He re- 
 turned to Lynn, and in 1637 became one of the first proprie- 
 tors of Sandwich. He a0.erward removed to Concord, where 
 he died in 1G70, aged 88 years. His hand writing is said to 
 have been very handsome. 
 
 Captain Richard Wright was selected in 1632, to confer with 
 the governor about raising a public fund. He was admitted a 
 freeman in 1634. He removed to Boston, where, in 1636^ 
 he contributed 6s. 8d. "towards the maintenance of free 
 schoolmaster."^ 
 
 The first settlers of Lynn were principally farmers, and 
 possessed a large stock of horned cattle, sheep, and goats. 
 For several years, before the land was divided and the fields 
 fenced, the cattle were fed in one drove, and guarded by a 
 man, who, from his employment, was called a hayward. The 
 sheep, goats, and swine were kept on Nahant, where they 
 were tended by a shepherd. Nahant seems to have been 
 sold several times, to different individuals, by Black William, 
 who also gave it to the plantation for a sheep pasture. A 
 fence of rails put near together, was made across the reach 
 near Nahant, to keep out the wolves, as it is said those ani- 
 mals do not climb. When the people were about building 
 this fence, Captain Turner said, " Let us make haste, lest the 
 country should take it from us."^ In autumn the swine were 
 let loose in the woods, that they might fatten themselves on 
 nuts and acorns. The people of Lynn, for some years, seem 
 to have lived in the most perfect democracy. They had town 
 meetings every three months, for the regulation of their pub- 
 lic affairs. They cut their wood in common, and drew lots 
 for the grass in the meadows and marshes. These proved 
 very serviceable to the farmers, in furnishing them with suste- 
 nance for their cattle, which was probably the reason why 
 there were more farmers at Lynn than in any other of the 
 early settlements. Mr. Johnson says, "The chiefest com 
 they planted, before they had Plowes, was Lidian grain. — And 
 let no man make a jest at Pumpkins, for with this food the 
 Lord was pleased to feed his people to their good content, till 
 Corne and Cattell were increased." Their corn at the first 
 was pounded with a wooden or stone pestle, in a mortar made 
 of a large log, hollowed out at one end. They also cultivated 
 large fields of barlej and wheat. Much of the former \vas 
 
 1 Boston Rec. 2 Dep. in Q. C. Files, 27 April; 1657, 
 5 
 
34 HISTORY OF LYNK, [1630. 
 
 made into malt for beer, which they drank instead of ardent 
 spirit. They raised considerable quantities of flax, which was 
 rotted in one of the ponds, thence called the Flax Pond. 
 Their first houses were rude structures, widi steep roofs, cov- 
 ered with thatch, or small bundles of sedge or straw, laid one 
 over another. The fire places were made of rough stones, 
 and the chimneys of boards, or short sticks, crossing each other, 
 and plaistered inside with clay. Beside the haste and neces- 
 sity which prevented the construction of more elegant habita- 
 tions, the people who had wealth were advised to abstain from 
 all superfluous expense, and to reserve their money for the 
 public use. Even the deputy governor, IMr. Dudley, was 
 censured for wainscotting his house. ^ In a few years, houses 
 of a better order began to appear. They were built with two 
 stories in front, and sloped down to one in the rear. The win- 
 dows were small, and opened outward on hinges. They con- 
 sisted of very small diamond panes, set in sashes of lead. The 
 fire places were large enough to admit a four foot log, and the 
 children might sit in the corners and look up at the stars. On 
 whichever side of the road the houses were placed, they uni- 
 formly faced the south, that the sun at noon might " shine 
 square." Thus each house formed a domestic sun dial, by 
 which the good matron, in the absence of the clock, could tell, 
 in fair weather, when to call her husband and sons from the 
 field — for the industrious people of Lynn, then as well as nov\', 
 always dined exactly at twelve. It was the custom of the first 
 settlers to wear long beards, and it is said that " some had their 
 overgrown beards so frozen together, that they could not get 
 their strong water bottells into their mouths."^ In very hot 
 weather, " servants were priviledged to rest from their la- 
 bours, from ten of the clocke till two."^ The common ad- 
 dress of men and women was Goodman and Goodwife; none 
 but those who sustained some office of dignity, or belonged to 
 some respectable family, were complimented with the title of 
 Master. In writing they seem to have had no capital F, and 
 thus in the early records we find two small ones used instead ; 
 and one m with a dash over it, stood for two. The following 
 song, which appears to have been written about this time, 
 exhibits some of the peculiar customs and modes of thinking 
 dmong the early settlers. 
 
 1 Winthrop. 2 Wood, 
 
1/630.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 The place where we live is a wilderness wood, 
 Where grass is much wanting that's Iruitflil and good ; 
 Our mountains and hills, and our valleys below, 
 Beuig coimnonly covered with ice and with snow. 
 
 And when the northwest wind with violence blows, 
 Then every man pulls his cap over his nose ; 
 But if any is hardy and will it withstand, 
 He forfeits a finger, afoot, or a hand. 
 
 But when the spring opens we then take the hoe, 
 And make the ground ready to plant and to sow ; 
 Our corn being planted, and seed being sown. 
 The worms destroy much before it is grown. 
 
 And while it is growing some spoil there is niadc 
 By birds, and by s(|uirrels, that pluck up the blade ; 
 And when it is come to full corn in the ear. 
 It is often destroyed by raccoon and by deer. 
 
 And now our old garments begin to grow thhi. 
 And wool is much wanted to card and to spin ; 
 If we can get a garment to cover without. 
 Our other in garments are clout upon clout. 
 
 Our clothes we brought with us are apt to be torn, 
 They need to be clouted 2 soon after they're worn; 
 But clouting our garments, they hinder us nothing, ^ 
 Clouts double are warmer than single whole clothing. 
 
 If fresh meat be wanting to fill up our dish, 
 
 We have carrots, and i)uinpkins, and turnips, and tisli ; 
 
 And if there's a mind for a delicate dish, 
 
 We haste to the clam banks, and there we catch lisli. 
 
 'Stead of pottage, and puddings, and custards, and pies, 
 Our turnips and parsnips are common su|)plies-, 
 We have pumpkins at morning, and pumpkins at noon, 
 If it was not for pumpkins we should bo undone. 
 
 If barley be wanting to make into malt. 
 
 We must then be contented, and think it no fault ; 
 
 For we can make liquor, to sweeten our lips. 
 
 Of pumpkins, and parsnips, and walnut tree chips. 
 
 Now while some are going, lei others be coming. 
 For while liquor's boiling it must have a scumming ; 
 • But I will not blame them, for birds of aleatlier. 
 By seeking their fellows, are flocking together. 
 
 Then you whom the Lord intends hither to bring. 
 Forsake not the honey for fear of the sting; 
 But bring both a quiet and contented inintl, 
 And all needful blessings you surely will find. 
 
 35 
 
 1 Patch. 2 Patching. 3 That's some consolatioii. 
 
36 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1630. 
 
 There is a story that two of the first settlers went to Nahant 
 for fowl, and separated. One of them killed a seal among the 
 rocks, and dragged him over on the north side of Pond Beach. 
 He then went to shoot some birds, and when he returned, 
 found a large bear feeding on his seal. He fired at him a 
 charge of shot, which caused him to fall, and then beat him 
 with his six foot gun till it broke. The bear stood up, wound- 
 ed the man, and tore his clothes ; but the man extricated him- 
 self, and ran into the pond, where he remained till his com- 
 panion came. They then returned to the town, and informed 
 the people, who went down in the evening and made a great 
 fire on the beach, which was kept burning through the night, to 
 prevent the bear from coming off. In the morning they went 
 to Nahant and killed him.^ 
 
 The General Court, for the first four years, consisted of the 
 Governor, Deputy Governor, twelve Assistants or magistrates, 
 and all who had obtained the privileges of freemen. Instead 
 therefore of sending representatives, the whole number of 
 freemen attended the court in person. An order was made 
 that no persons should be admitted to the privileges of free- 
 men, but such as were members of some church, and had cer- 
 tificates from their ministers that their opinions were approved. 
 This policy was continued, till it was abrogated by an order of 
 the King, in 1662. 
 
 After the Indians had become acquainted with the use of 
 guns, and had seen their superiority over bows and arrows, 
 they would give almost any amount in land, wampum, or beav- 
 er skins for them. This caused an apprehension of danger, 
 and on the twenty eighth of September, the court ordered that 
 " noe person whatsoever shall, either directly or indirectly, im- 
 ploy or cause to be imployed, or to their power permitt any In- 
 dian to vse any peece vpon any occasion or pretence whatsoev- 
 er, under payne of xs. ffyne for the first ofience, and for the 
 2 offence to be ffyned and imprisoned at the discretion of the 
 court."2 
 
 The following order was passed for regulating the prices of 
 labor. " It is ordered that no master carpenter, mason. Join- 
 er, or bricklayer, shall take above 16d. a Day for their work, 
 if they have meate and Drinke ; and the second sort not above 
 12 d. a Day, under payne of xs. both to Giver and receiver." 
 This order probably occasioned some dissatisfaction, as the 
 
 1 Wood. Tradition. 2 Col. Rec. 
 
1631.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 87 
 
 court, some months after, determined that wages should be 
 left unlimited, " as men shall rcasonahly agree. "^ 
 
 A company of militia was organized, of which Richard Wal- 
 ker was Ensign ; and, judging from their titles, Daniel Howe 
 was Lieutenant, and Richard Wright Captain. The officers 
 were not chosen by the people, but appointed'by the Governor 
 and court of Assistants. The company possessed two iron 
 cannon, called " sakers^" or " great guns."i 
 
 Much mischief was occasioned among the cattle for many 
 years, by the wolves, which used to travel in companies of 
 " ten or twelve."^ On the thirtieth of September, Governor 
 Winthrop thus remarks — " The wolves killed some swine at 
 Saugus." On the ninth of November, the court ordered that 
 if any Englishman killed a wolf, he should have one penny for 
 each cow and horse, and one farthing for each sheep and swine 
 in the plantation. Wolves appear to have been plenty, and 
 very troublesome. Many of the pits which were dug to en- 
 trap them, are still to be seen in the woods, particularly on the 
 north of Blood's swamp. It is said that a woman, as she was 
 rambling in the woods for berries, fell into one of these pits, 
 and was unable to extricate herself. In the evening a wolf 
 paid her a very unceremonious visit, and came tumbhng down 
 at her side, through the bushes with which the pit was cover- 
 ed. Finding himself entrapped, -and being as muth afraid of 
 the woman as she was of him, he retired to the opposite corner 
 of the pit ; and thus they sat through the night, os;ling each 
 other with any looks but those of an enamoured couple. In 
 the morning some people came to the pit, from which they 
 took tlie woman without injury, and prevented all future visits 
 from her shaggy and unwelcome companion. 
 
 1631. 
 
 In the early part of this year provisions were very scarce, 
 and many persons were obliged to dejiend for subsistence on 
 ground nuts and clams. In some places fasts were appointed, 
 as many of the poor were in danger of perishing. Wheat was 
 sold for fourteen shillings sterling a bushel f and Indian corn, 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 Wood. 3 $3,11. 
 
38 HISTORY OF LYNN. [lC31. 
 
 brought from Virginia, for eleven shillings. i The price of cat- 
 tle for several years continued very high. A good cow was 
 valued at twenty five pounds,'^ and a yoke of oxen at forty .^ 
 
 On the third of February, the court laid a tax of sixty 
 pounds, to make a palisade or defence about Newtown, now 
 Cambridge. The proportion of Saugus and Marble Harbour, 
 or Lynn and Marblehead, was six pounds."* 
 
 On the eighteenth of February, a vessel, owned by Mr. 
 John Glover, of Dorchester, was wrecked on Nahant. The 
 crew were all saved.^ 
 
 The court, on the first of March, ordered, " that if any per- 
 son within the Lymitts of this Pattent, doe trade, trucke, or 
 sell any money, either silver or golde to any Indian, or any 
 man that knowe of any that shall soe doe and conceale the 
 same, shall forfeit twenty for one. Further it is ordered, that 
 whatever person hath received an Indian into their fiamylie as 
 a servt. shall discharge themselves oi them by the 1th of May 
 next, and that noe person shall hereafter entertain any Indian 
 for a servt. without licence from the court."^ 
 
 jNIontowampate, the Lyni> Sachem, having been defrauded 
 ot twenty beaver skins, by a man in England, named Watts, 
 went to Governor Winthrop, on the twenty sixth of March, to 
 solicit his assistance in recovering their value. The Gover- 
 nor entertained him kindly, and gave him a letter to Emman- 
 uel Downing, Esq. of London.^ Tradition asserts that he 
 went to England, where he was received with much respect, 
 and obtained remuneration for his fur ; but disliking the En- 
 glish delicacies, he hasted back to Saugus, to the enjoyment of 
 his clams and succatash. 
 
 At this time there was no bridge over Saugus river, and the 
 people who travelled to Boston, were obliged to ford the stream 
 at a considerable distance from its mouth. The following ex- 
 tract from a letter written by Mr. John Endecott of Salem, to 
 Governor Winthroji, on the twelfth of April, ilhistrotes this cus- 
 tom. " Right Worshipful — I did hope to have been with you 
 in person at the court, and to that end I put to sea yesterday, 
 and was driven back again, the wind being stiff against us ; and 
 there being no canoe or boat at Saugus, I must have been 
 constrained to go to Mistic, and thence about to Charlestown, 
 which at this time I durst not be so bold, my body being at 
 
 1 $2,44. 2liflll,ll. 3 $177,77. 4 Col. Rec. 5 Winthrop. 
 
1631.] HISTORY OF LYiVN. S^^ 
 
 present in an ill condition to tuke cold, and therefore I pray 
 you to pardon me." 
 
 A quarrel had arisen, a short time previous, between IMr. 
 Endecott and Mr. Thomas Dexter,, in which the Salem magis- 
 trate so far forgot his dignity as to strike Mr. Dexter, who 
 complained to the court at Boston. It was on this occasion 
 that Mr. Endecott wrote the letter from which the preceding 
 extract is made. He thus continues — " 1 desired the rather to 
 have been at court, because 1 hear I am much complained of 
 by goodman Dexter for striking him. I acknowledge I was 
 too rash in striking him, understanding since it is not lawful 
 for a justice of peace to strike. But if you had seen the man- 
 ner of his carriage, whh such daring of me, with his arms 
 akimbo, &lc. it would have provoked a very patient man. — He 
 hath given out, if 1 had a purse, he would make me empty it ; 
 and if he cannot have justice here, he will do wonders in Eng- 
 land ; and if he cannot prevail there, he will try it out with 
 me here at blows. — If it were lawful for me to try it at blows, 
 and he a (it man for me to deal with, you should not hear rye 
 complain." The jury to whom the case was referred, render- 
 ed the following verdict on the third of May. " The Jury 
 finds for the plaintiff, and cesses for damages X £."^ Beside 
 the evidence of the blow, Mr. Endecott manifests somewhat of 
 an irritable disposition in his letter ; and Mr. Dexter was far 
 from being a man who stood for nice points of etiquette. Some 
 years afterward, having been injured or insulted by Samuel 
 Hutchinson, he met him one day on the road, and jumping from 
 his horse, bestowed " about twenty blows" on the poor man's 
 " head and shoulders," to the no small danger and deray of 
 his senses, as well as sensibilities.- 
 
 April 12, "It is ordered that every Captaine shall traine his 
 companie on saterday in every weeke."^ 
 
 May 18. " It is ordered that no person shall kill any wild 
 swine, without a general agreement at some court. "^ 
 
 July 5. A tax of thirty pounds was laid, for the purpose of 
 opening a canal from Charles river to Cambridge. The pro- 
 portion of Lynn was one pound. ^ 
 
 Masconomond the Sachem of Agawam, now Ipswich, with 
 some of his people, by acts of violence against the Kennebec 
 Indians, called Tarentines, had incited them to revenge. On 
 the eighth of August, about one hundred of the Tarentines land- 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 Q. C. Files. 
 
40 HISTORY OF LYN^^ [1632. 
 
 ed, from three canoes/ at Agawam, in the night, and killed 
 seven Indians. In the assault they wounded Montowampate, 
 and Wonohaquaham, who were on a visit at that place, and 
 carried away the wife of the former a captive. Masconomond 
 seems to have been regarded as censurable, for, on the fifth of 
 July, the court passed an order, forbidding him to enter any 
 Englishman's house within one year, under a penalty of ten 
 beaver skins.^ 
 
 The Lynn people were soon after alarmed by a report that 
 the Tarentines intended an attack on them, and appointed men 
 each night to keep a watch. Once, as Ensign Richard Walk- 
 er was proceeding to relieve the guard, about midnight, he 
 heard the bushes break near him, and felt something brush 
 hard against his shoulder, which proved to be an arrow that 
 had been shot at him, and passed through his coat and " buff 
 waistcoat." As the night was dark, he could see no one, but 
 turning toward the place whence the noise had proceeded, he 
 discharged his gun, which being heavily loaded, split in pieces. 
 Hq then assembled the guard and returned to the place, when 
 he had another arrow shot through his clothes. Deeming it 
 imprudent to proceed in the darkness against a concealed ene- 
 my, he desisted from further search till the morning. The 
 people then assembled, and brought out their two iron can- 
 non, which they discharged into the woods; after which the 
 Indians gave them no further molestation.'^ 
 
 The Lynn queen was restored on the intercession of Mr. 
 Abraham Shurd, who traded with the eastern Indians. She 
 returned to Lynn on the seventeenth of September. For her 
 ransom, the Tarentines demanded a quanuty of wampum and 
 beaver skins.'* 
 
 On the twenty fifth of October, governor Winthrop, with 
 several of his officers, visited Lynn on foot, through the ford 
 of Saugus river. They passed the night in town, and on the 
 next day went to Salem. ^ 
 
 1632. 
 
 At the court, on the ninth of May, two men from each town 
 were appointed, to consult with the Governor about raising a 
 
 1 Winthrop says 30. 2 Col. Rec. 3 Johnson. 1 Winthrop. 
 
1632.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 41 
 
 public stock. The persons selected for Lynn were, Captain 
 Richard Wright, and another whose name was not recorded. 
 
 At the same ccmt, "a proposition was made by the people, 
 that every company of trained men might choose their owa 
 captain and officers ; but the governor, giving them reasons to 
 the contrary, they were satisfied without it."^ 
 
 The Reverend Stephen Batchelor, with his family, arrived at 
 Boston on Thursday, the fifth of June. He came in the ship 
 William and Francis, captain Thomas, which sailed from Lon- 
 don on the ninth of March, with about sixty passengers. He 
 immediately came to Lynn, where his daughter resided, and 
 fixed his abode here. He was now 71 years of age. In his 
 company were six persons who had belonged to a church with 
 him in England ; and of those he constituted a church at Lynn, 
 to which he admitted such as were desirous of becoming mem- 
 bers, and immediately commenced the exercise of ihe minis- 
 terial duties, without installation. One of his first ministrations 
 was to baptize four children, born before his arrival ; two of 
 whom, Tiiomas Newhall and Stephen Hussey, were born the 
 same week. Thomas, being the oldest, was first presented, 
 but Mr. B. put him aside saymg "I will baptize my own child 
 first " 
 
 The church at Lynn was the fifth in Massachusetts. The 
 first was gathered at Salem G August, 1620; the second at 
 Dorchester in June 1630; the third at Charlestown, 30 July, 
 and afterward removed to Boston ; the fourth at Watertown 
 on the same day, and the fifth at Lynn in June 1632. The 
 first meeting house was a small plain building, without bell or 
 cupola, and stood on the eastern side of Shepard street. It 
 was placed in a small hollow, that it might be the better shel- 
 tered from the winds, and was approached by descending sev- 
 eral steps. Before this, the people of Lynn had no setded 
 minister, but part of them attended public worship at Salem. 
 
 On the fourteenth of June, captain Richard Wright and sev- 
 eral odiers were returning from Pemaquid, in a small vessel, 
 loaded with goods to the value of about eight hundred dollars. 
 At the mouth of Piscatoqua river, one of the men began to 
 light a pipe of lobacco, and was requested to desist, as there 
 was some powder in the vessel ; but he replied that he would 
 take one pipe at whatever consequence. The fire was pres- 
 e;;tly communicated to vhe powder, which exploded and de- 
 
 1 Winthrop. 
 
42 HISTORY OF LYNN. * ' [1632. 
 
 stroyed the vessel and goods. The man who occasioned the 
 mischief, had his hands and feet blown off, and was killed ; 
 but the rest o*"ihe crew escaped. ^ 
 
 Governor Wintlirop, in his History, August fourteenth; re- 
 marks ; "This week they had, in barley and oats at Sagus, 
 about twenty acres, good corn, and sown with the plough." 
 
 On the foiu'th of September, Richard Hopkins, of Water- 
 town, was arraigned for selling a gun and pistol, with powder 
 and shot, to Montowampate. The sentence of the court was, 
 that he should "be severely whipt, and branded whh a hott 
 iron on one of his cheekes."^ One of the Saugus Indians gave 
 the information, on a promise of concealment : for his discove- 
 ry would have exposed him to the resentment of his tribe. ^ 
 
 September 4. " Mr. Turner is chosen constable of Saugus 
 for this year, and till a new be chosen, and did nowe lake an 
 oath to his place belonging."- 
 
 In consequence of a su3])icion that the Indians were con- 
 spiring the destruction of the English, the neighbouring chiefs 
 were called before the governor, on the fourteenth of Septem- 
 ber. ^ The readiness with which they appeared evinced their 
 friendly disposition. 
 
 Mr. Batchelor had been in the performance of his pastoral 
 duties about four months, when a complaint was made of some 
 irregularities in his conduct. He was arraigned before the 
 court at Boston, on the third of October, when the following 
 order was passed. " Mr. Bachelr is required to forbeare ex- 
 erciseing his giftes as a pasf or teacher publiquely in o^ Pat- 
 tent, unlesse it be to those he brought v/ith him, for his con- 
 tempt of authority, and till some scandles be removed."^ This 
 was the commencement of a series of difficulties which agitat- 
 ed the unhappy church for several years. 
 
 October 3. " It is ordered that Saugus plantnt'on shall have 
 liberty to build a ware upon Saugus Ryver ; also they have 
 promised to make and continually to keepe a goode foote 
 bridge, upon the most convenient place there."- This wear 
 was chiefly built by ]\Jr. Dexter, for the purpose of taking bass 
 and alewives, of which many were dried and smoked for ship- 
 ping. It crossed the river near the Iron Works. The bridge 
 was only a rude structure of timbers and rails. 
 
 " It is further ordered that no person shall take any tobacco 
 publiquely, under pain of punishment ; also that every one shall 
 
 1 Winthrop. 2 Col. Rec. 
 
1633.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 43 
 
 pay Id. for every time he is convicted of taking tobacco in 
 any place. "^ 
 
 On the second of November, a vessel commanded by cap- 
 tain Pierce, and loaded with fish, of which JMr. John lium- 
 frey was part owner, was wrecked off cape Ciiarles, and 
 twelve men drowned. - 
 
 November 7. " It is ordered that the Capt. shall train their 
 company es but once a monethe."^ 
 
 " It is referred to Mr. Turner, Peter Palfrey, and Roger 
 Conant, to sett out a proportion of land in Saugus for John 
 Humfrey Esqr." Mr. Turner was also one of a committee to 
 settle a difference, respecting the boundary line, between 
 Charlestown and Cambridge. i 
 
 1633. 
 
 Several vessels, which had been sent to Pemaquid, in pur- 
 suit of some pirates, returned in January. They stopped at 
 Richman's Isle, now a part of Scarborough, in Maine ; where 
 they found Black William, whom they hanged, in revenge for 
 the murder of Walter Bagnall, who was killed by the Indians 
 on the third of October 1631. Governor Winthrop says that 
 Bagnall " was a wicked fellow, and had much wronged the 
 Indians." Thus terminated the existence of a chief, who had 
 welcomed the English, and bestowed benefits on them. 
 
 In the course of a few months, Mr. Batchelor so far suc- 
 ceeded in regaining the esteem of the people, that the court, 
 on the lourth of March, removed their injunction, that he 
 should not preach in the colony, and left him at liberty to re- 
 sume the performance of his public services. 
 
 At the same court, Mr. Thomas Dexter was ordered to " be 
 set in the bilbowes, disfranchised, and fined X £. for speaJcin^ 
 reproachful and seditious words against the govermncnt here 
 established."^ The bilbowes were a kind of stocks, like those 
 in which poor Hudibras. was confined. One of these elegant 
 and commodious appendages of the law, was placed near the 
 meetinghouse; where it stood the terror and punishment of 
 
 1 Col. Ree. 2 Winthrop. 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OF LYNN. - [1G33 
 
 all such evil doers as spoke against government, chewed to- 
 bacco, or went to sleep in a sermon two hours long. 
 
 March 4. " Mr. Nathaniel Turner is chosen Capt. of the 
 military company att Saugus."^ 
 
 " Edward Howe is fined xx s. for selling stronge v.-aters, 
 contrary to f»rder of court. "^ 
 
 Captain Turner gave " X £. towards the sea fort ; built for 
 the defence of Boston harbor. Captain Richard Wright gave 
 " 400 ft. 4 inch planke," for the same iiurpose.^ 
 
 At a town meeting, on the twelfth of July, the inhabitants 
 made a grant to Mr. Edward Tomlins, of a privilege to build 
 a mill on Strawberry Brook, a little below the Flax Pond. 
 This was the second mill in the colony ; the first having been 
 built at Dorchester, in the same year. At this time, the pond 
 next above the Flax Pond, was a piece of meadow ground, 
 and some years after, a dam was built, and the pond first flf)vv- 
 ed, by Mr. Edward Tomlins, from whom it is called Tomlins' 
 Pond. In 1078, George Keysar testifies, that, "being at a 
 town meeting in Linne Meeting house many years ago, ]\Ir. 
 Edward Tomlins made a complaint to the Towne of Linne, 
 that there was not water enough in the great pond next to the 
 Towne of Linne, to serve the mill to grind theire giist in the 
 sumer time, and he desired leave of the Towne to make a dam 
 in the upper pond to keep a head of water against the height of 
 sumer time, that soe he might have a supply of water to giind 
 their Grist in the drought of sumer. And the Towne of Linne 
 granted him his request, that he should make a dam there, 
 where the old trees lay for a bridg for all people to go over, 
 insteed of a bridg, and the place was granted to him freely by 
 the Towne of Linne for ye use of ye Mill."- Clement Cold- 
 am junior testifies, "that the grant of ye old mill was in July 
 12, 1633, To Edward Tomlins, wh was ye Second mill in 
 this collenyey, and after that the Towne saw that the mill could 
 not supply the Towne, they gave leave to build an overshoot 
 mill upon the same water, with a since called the old since, 
 being built by Mr. Howell, the second owner of the mill, and 
 then Mr. Howell did sell the same mill to John Elderkin, and 
 Jo" Llderkin did sell it to Mr. Bennett, and Mr. Bennet sold 
 it to Goodman Wheeler, and Goodman Wheeler sold it to 
 John Ballard, and John Ballard sold it to Henry Roads, and 
 this I tcstifye, that the water to supply the mill with was grant- 
 Col. Rec. 2 Depo. in Essex Reg. D. 3 June 1678. 
 
1633.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 45 
 
 ed to the mill, before any meadow in the town was granted to 
 any man, (we mowing all common then,) and this I teslilie that 
 1 kept the key of" the old since lor Mr. South, wliich is since 
 about 27 or 28 years ago."^ 
 
 The following description of ancient Saugiis and Nahant is 
 extracted from " Nev^ England's Prospect," written this year 
 by William Wood ; which, he says, was undertaken, " be- 
 cause there hath been many scandalous and false reports past 
 upon the Country, even from the sulphurous breath of every 
 base ballad monger." 
 
 " The next plantation is Saugus, sixe miles Northeast from 
 Winnesimtt. This Towns is pleasant for situation, seated at 
 the bottom of a Bay, which is made on the one side with the 
 surrounding shore, and on the other side with a long sandy 
 Beach. This sandy Beach is two miles long at the end, where- 
 on is a necke of land called Nahant. It- is sixe miles in cir- 
 cumference, well wooded with Oakes, Pines, and Cedars. It 
 is beside well watered, having, beside the fresh Springs, a 
 great Pond in the middle, before which is a spacious Marsh. 
 In this necke is store of good ground, fit for the Plow ; but for 
 the present it is onely used for to put young Cattle in, and 
 weather goates, and Swine, to secure them, from the Woolues ; 
 a few posts and rayles, from the low watar markes to the shore, 
 keepes out the Woolves and keepes in the Cattle. One 
 Blacke William, an Indian Duke, out of his gpnerosity, gave 
 this place in general! to this plantation of Saugus, so that no 
 other can appropriate it to himselfe. 
 
 " Vpon the South side of the sandy Beach the Sea beateth, 
 which is a true prognostication to presag>e stormes and foule 
 weather, and the breaking up of the Frost. For when a 
 storme hath.beene, or is likely to be, it will roare like Thunder, 
 being heard sixe miles ; and after stormes casts up great stores 
 of great Clamnies, which the Indians, taking out of their shels, 
 carry home in baskets. On the North side of this Bay is two 
 great Marshes, which are made two by a pleasant River which 
 runnes between them. Northward up this river goes great 
 store of Alewives, of which they make good Red Herrings ; 
 insomuch that they hav^e been at charges to make them a 
 wayre, and a Heriing house, to dry these Herrings in ; the 
 last yenre were dried some 4 or 5 Last,^ for an experiment, 
 which proved very good ; this is like to prove a great inrich- 
 
 1 Depo. 24 May 1677. 2 Nahant. 3 About 150 barrels, 
 
46 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1633. 
 
 inent to llie land, (being a staple commoditie in other Coun- 
 tries,) for there be such innimicrable companies in every river, 
 that I have seen ten thousand talccn in two houres, by two men, 
 Avithoiit any weire at all, saving a few stones to stone their pas- 
 sage up the river. There likewise come store of Basse, which 
 the Indians and English catch with hooke and line, some fifty 
 or three score at a tide. At the mouth of this river rvinnes up 
 a great creeke^ into that great Marsh, which is called Rumny 
 Marsh, which is 4 miles long, and 2 miles broad, halfe of it 
 being ^[arsh ground, and halfe upland grasse, without tree or 
 bush ; this INIarsh is crossed with divers creekes, wherein lye 
 great store of Geese and Duckes. There be convenient ponds 
 for the plantin^g- of Duck coyes. Here is likewise belonging to 
 this place, divers fresh meddovves, which afford good grasse ; 
 and foure spacious ponds, like little lakes, wherein is store of 
 fresh fish, within a mile of the towne ; out of which runnes a 
 curious fresh brooke, that is seldom frozen by reason of the 
 w-armenesse of the water ; upon this stream is built a water 
 Milne, and up this river come Smelts and frost fish, much big- 
 ger than a Gudgeon. For wood there is no want, there being 
 store of good Oakes, Wallnut, Cedar, Aspe, Elme. The 
 ground is very good, in many places without trees, and fit for 
 the plough. In diis place is more English tillage, than in all 
 New England, and Virginia besides ; which proved as well as 
 could be expected ; the corn being very good, especially the 
 Barly, Rye, and Gates. 
 
 " The land afFordeth to the inhabitants as many varieties as 
 any place else, and the sea more ; the Basse continuing from 
 the middle of Aprill to Michaelmas,- which stayes not half that 
 time in the Bay f besides, here is a great deale of Rock cod 
 and Macrill, insomuch that shoales of Basse have driven up 
 shoales of jMacrill, from one end of the sandie beach to the 
 other; which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheelbar- 
 rowes. The Bay which lyeth before the Towne, at a low 
 spring tyde will be all flatts for two miles together; upon which 
 is great store of Musclebanckes, and Clam bancks, and Lob- 
 sters amongst the rockes and grassie holes. These flatts make 
 it unnavigable for shippes ; yet at high water, great Boates, 
 Loiters,* and Pinnaces of 20 and 30 tun, may saile up to the 
 plantation ; but they neede have a skilfull Pilote, because of 
 many dangerous rockes and foaming breakers, that lye at the 
 
 1 Chelsea River. 2 September 29. 3 Boston Harbour. 4 Lighters. 
 
1633.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 47 
 
 mouth of that Bay. The very aspect of the place is fortifica- 
 tion enough to keepe off an unknowne enemie ; yet it may be 
 fortified at little charge, being but few landing places therea- 
 bout, and those obscure." 
 
 Of the health of New England, Mr. Wood remarks, " Out of 
 that Towne from whence 1 came, in three years and a half, 
 there died but three, one of which was crazed before he came 
 into the land, the other two were Children, borne atone birth ; 
 to make goode which losses, I have scene foure Children Bap- 
 tized atone time." 
 
 Prefixed to Mr. Wood's book is the following address, writ- 
 ten by some one in England, who signs himself S. W. proba- 
 bly Samuel Whiting, 
 
 Thanks (o tliy travel, and thyself, who hast 
 Much knovvledffe in so small rooine comptly plac'd. 
 And thine experience tJiiis a mount dost inalte. 
 From whence we may New England's prospect take, 
 Thousjh many thousands distant ; therefore thou 
 Thyself shall sit upon mount praise her brow. 
 For if the man who shall the short cut find 
 Vnio the Indies, shall for that be shrin'd. 
 Sure thou deservest tiien no small praise who 
 So short cut to New England here dost shew ; 
 And if than this small thanks thou get 'st no more 
 Of thanks, I then will say the world's grown poor. 
 
 The " curious fresh brooke," which Mr. Wood notices, is 
 Strawberry Brook, which possesses an unconnnon degree of 
 warmth. The Flax Pond, from which it descends, is fed by 
 many springs beneath it, and the water flows out swiftly, for 
 the supply of several mills. An old gentleman, who lived on 
 its margin, said, that for a considerable distance from its source, 
 he had never known it frozen during seventy years. 
 
 A tax made by the court, on the first of October, will show 
 the relative importance of the several towns. The apportion- 
 ment was, to Dorchester 80 pounds ; to Boston, Charlestown, 
 Cambridge, Watertown, and Roxbury, each 48 pounds ; Lynn 
 36; Salem 28; Medford 12; Winnessimet and Agawam, 
 each 8 pounds. At several assessments, Lynn was in advance 
 of Salem, and at one time of Charlestown. ^ 
 
 A scarcity of corn was occasioned this year, by the spoil 
 which the swine made at harvest. On the fifth of November, 
 the court ordered, " that no man shall give his swine any corn, 
 but such as, being viewed by two or three neighbours, shall be 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 
 
48 HISTORY OF LYNN. [l634. 
 
 judged unfit for man's meat ;" and " that every plantation may- 
 agree how many swine evfery person may keep."^ 
 
 The court ordered, that every man in eacli plontatinn, ex- 
 cept magistrates and ministers, should pay for three day's work, 
 at one shilling and six pence each, for completing the fort in 
 Boston Harbour.^ 
 
 1'he ministers of Lynn and the western towns were, this 
 year, in the practice of meeting at each others' houses, once in 
 two weeks, to discuss some important question. The minis- 
 ters of Salem were averse to this practice, fearing that it might 
 eventuate in the establishment of a presbytery.^ 
 
 On the fourth of December, corresponding with the sixteenth 
 of new style, the snow was " knee deep," and the rivers fro- 
 zen. ^ 
 
 In December the small pox prevailed among the Indians and 
 destroyed great numbeis.^ Montowampate died, with most of 
 liis people. In some instances the English helped to bury 
 whole families, yet escaped the contagion.^ .It is said that 
 Montowampate and his brother, the sagamore of Winesimet, 
 j)romised that if they recovered, they would live with the En- 
 glish, and serve their God. 
 
 1634. 
 
 The inconvenience of having the legislature composed of the 
 whole number of freemen, and the danger of leaving the plan- 
 tations exposed to the attacks of the Indians, induced the peo- 
 ple to form a House of Representatives, who first assembled on 
 the fourteenth of May. 'J 'he representatives from Lynn were,. 
 Captain Niidianiel Turner, Mr. Edward Tomlins, and Mr. 
 Thomas Willis.^ 
 
 The persons whose names are first found at Lynn this year, 
 are the i'oUowing. 
 
 Boniface IJurton was a farmer, and was admitted a freeman 
 6?v!ay, 1G35. He died 13 June, 1069, aged 113 years.'* 
 
 Edward Dillingham Uved in Nahant street, and removed to 
 Sandwich in 1637. 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 Winthrop. 3 I. Mather. 4 Q. C. Files. 
 
i 634.] BISTORT OF LYNN. 49 
 
 William Edmonds, was admitted a freeman in 1635, and 
 died 4 August, 1693. His children were, 1. John. 2. Sam- 
 uel, who married Elizabeth Bridges, 27 January, 1685. 
 
 Henry Feake was admitted a freeman 14 May, 1632, and 
 removed to Sandwich in 1637. 
 
 John Hawkes, was admitted a freeman in 1634, and died 5 
 August, 1694. 
 
 Nathaniel Hathonie. His children were, 1. Ebenezer, 
 who married Esther Witt, 26 December, 16S3. 2. Nathan- 
 iel. 
 
 John Hall, was admitted a freeman 14 May, 1634. Ed- 
 ward Hall, son of John, was a farmer, and died in 1669. His 
 children were, Joseph, Ephraim, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and 
 Martha. His descendants remain. 
 
 William Hedge, was admitted a freeman in 1634, and re- 
 moved to Sandwich in 1637. 
 
 John Hedire, was born in 1610. 
 
 Thomas Hubbard was admitted a freeman in 1634, and re- 
 moved to Billerica. 
 
 John Humfrey, with his wife, the lady Susan, a daughter of 
 the Earl of Lincoln, arrived in July 1634. He brought with 
 him a valuable present from Mr. Richard Andrews, an alder- 
 man of London, consisting of sixteen heifers, at this time valu- 
 ed at more than eighty dollars each. One of them was de- 
 signed for each of the ministers of New England, and the re- 
 mainder were for the poor.^ He went to reside on his farm 
 at Svvampscot, which was laid out by order of the court. It 
 contained five hundred acres, " between Forest River and the 
 cliff." The bounds extended " a mile from the Seaside," and 
 ran " to a great white oak by the Rock," and included " a 
 spring south of the oak."^ It is mentioned in the record, that 
 the men wiio worked on this farm experienced inconvenience 
 from the sand, which was blown into their eyes when carriages 
 passed over the beach. The " Great oak" is yet standing, and 
 it is hoped that it will be permitted to remain as a relic of an- 
 cient time. 
 
 O spare the tree, whose flewy tears 
 Have fallen for two hundred years ; 
 Beneath whose shade in days of old. 
 The careful shepherd watched liis fold ; 
 On whose green top the eagle sate. 
 To watch the fish hawk's watery weight ; 
 
 1 Winthrop 2 Q C Files, 
 
50 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1634. 
 
 And oft in moonlight by whose side, 
 The Indian wooed his dusky bride. 
 It speaks to man of earlier lime, 
 Before the earth was stained with crime. 
 Ere cannon waked our peaceful plains, 
 When silence ruled her vast domains. 
 O as you love antiquity, 
 Spare, woodman, spare the Old Oak Tree. 
 
 Mr. riumfrey immediately entered on tlie duties of an As- 
 sistant, having been cliosen bei'ore his arrival ; and soon after 
 built a windmill on Sagamore Hill. 
 
 Captain Thomas Marshall lived on the old Boston road, and 
 was admitted a freeman in 163.5. He was a member of the 
 Artillery Company in 1640, and was six times chosen repre- 
 sentative. He acquired his title of Captain from Oliver Crom- 
 well, in whose wars he was a soldier, and was a man of great 
 Irankness and hospitality. I\I]-. John Dunton, in his Journal 
 says, " About two of the clock I reached Capt. Marshal's 
 house, (which is half way between Boston and Salem,) here 
 [ staid to refresh nature with a pint of sack and a good fowl, 
 Capt. Marshal is a hearty old gentleman, formerly one of Oli- 
 ver's soldiers, upon which he very much values himself; he 
 had all the history of the civil wars at his finger's end, and if 
 we may believe him, Oliver did hardly any thing that was 
 considerable without his assistance ; and if I'd have staid as 
 long as he'd have talked, he'd have spoil'd my ramble to Sa- 
 lem." He died 23 December 1689. His wife Rebecca died 
 in August 1693. He had several children. 1. John, who was 
 born 14 January, 1659 ; 2. Thomas, who removed to Read- 
 ing. 
 
 Jonathan Negus was born in 1601, and was admitted a free- 
 man in 1634. 
 
 Nicholas Potter was a mason. 
 
 Joseph Rednap was a wine cooper from London, and was 
 admitted a freeman 3 September, 1634. He died on Friday, 
 22 January, 1686, aged 110 years.- He had a son Benjamin. 
 
 Daniel Salmon was born in 1610, and was a soldier in the 
 Pequod war in 1636. He had a son Daniel, born 2 May, 
 1665. 
 
 Samuel Smith was a farmer, and lived at Swampscot. His 
 descendants remain. 
 
 1 1686. 2 Sewall. 
 
1635.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 51 
 
 John Smith was a fanner, and was admitted a freeman in 
 1633. He removed to Reading. 
 
 Henry Stevens was a servant to Mr. John Hmnfrey. 
 
 Samuel Syrnonds, died 26 July, 1675. 
 
 Thomas Talmadge, was a farmer, and was admitted a free- 
 man in 1634. He had a son Thomas. 
 
 Bray Wilkins was a farmer, and lived on the western side of 
 the Flax Pond. He was admitted a freeman in 1634. He 
 removed to Salem VilJage and there died at a very advanced 
 age. 
 
 On the third of September, the .court ordered, "that Mr. 
 Edward Tomlins, or any other putt in his place, by the com- 
 missioners of war with the help of an assistant, shall have pow- 
 er to presse men and carts, for ordinary wages, to helpe towards 
 makeing of such carriages and wheeles as are wanting for the 
 ordinances."! 
 
 On training day. Captain Turner, by direction of J\Ir. Hum- 
 frey, went with his company to Nahant, to hunt the wolves by 
 which it was infested.^ 
 
 1635. 
 
 The dissentions which had commenced in Mr. Batchelor's 
 cliurch at an early period, began again to assume a formidable 
 appearance. Some of the members, dishking the conduct of 
 the pastor, and " withall making question whether they were a 
 church or not,""^ withdrew from the communion, in conse- 
 quence of this, a council of ministers was held on the fifteenth 
 of March. Being unable to produce a reconciliation, they ap- 
 pointed another meeting, and went to attend a lecture at Bos- 
 ton. Mr. Batchelor then ]-equested the disaffected members 
 to present their grievances in writing, but as they refused, he 
 resolved to excommunicate them, and wrote to the ministers at 
 Boston, who immediately returned to Lynn. After a delibera- 
 tion of three days, they decided, that although the church had 
 not been properly instituted, yet the mutual exercise of their 
 religious duties had supplied the defect. 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 Q. C. Files. 3 Winthrop. 
 
h2 
 
 UISTOKY OF LYNN', [l636i 
 
 The stand;ird borne at this time was a Red Cross in a white 
 field. This sacred emblem was not congenial to the ieelings of 
 Mr. Endecott/and he ordered it to be cut out from the banner 
 at Salem. This occasioned much dissatisfaction among the 
 people, and a committee of one person from each town, was 
 appointed in May, to consider of the offence. They judged it 
 to be " great, rash, and without discretion," and disqualified 
 liim, for one year, from bearing any public office. ' 
 
 May 6. " There is 500 acres of land, and a freshe pond, 
 with a little Island, conteyning about two acres, granted to 
 John Humfrey, Esqr. lying between north and west of Saugus ; 
 provided he take no part of the 500 acres within 5 miles of 
 any Town now planted. Also it is agreed that the inhabitants 
 of Saugus and Salem shall have liberty to build foure bowses 
 upon the said Island, and to lay in such provisions as they shall 
 judge Necessary for their use in tyme of neede."^ The land 
 thus laid out, was around Humfrey's Pond in Lynnfield, and 
 extended half a mile on the eastern side, three fourths of a 
 mile on the northern side, and on the west included Stone's 
 Meadow. 
 
 On the sixteenth of August, happened one of the most tre- 
 mendous storms ever known in New England. It beat down 
 the corn, overturned houses, and tore up by the roots " many 
 hundred thousands of trees."- The east wind blew Avith such 
 violence, that the tide was turned before the ebb had half fal- 
 len, and the sea is said to have risen fourteen feet, so that the 
 Indians were compelled to climb trees for safety, and some of 
 them were drowned. A vessel was wrecked at Cape Annj 
 and twenty one persons lost, among w^hom was the Reverend 
 John Avery, with his wife and six children. The only per- 
 sons saved were Mr. Anthony Thacher and his wife.^ 
 
 The following persons appear at Lynn this year. 
 
 Godfrey Armitage was a farmer, and was admitted a free- 
 man in 1G3S. Thomas Armitage removed to Sandwich in 
 1637. 
 
 Robert Bootefish was admitted a freeman 6 May, 1635, and 
 removed to Sandwich in 1637. He had a son Robert. 
 
 George Burt came to Lynn in 1 635, and died 2 November, 
 1661. Re was a farmer, and the value of his estate was 
 £144,4,9. He had three sons. 1. George, who went to 
 
 ICol. Rec. 2 Morton. 3 Winthrop. 
 
1635.] HISTORT OF LYN?<. i)J 
 
 Sandwich in 1637. 2. Hugh. 3. Edward, who removed to 
 Charlestown. 
 
 John Carman, removed to Sandwich in 1637, 
 
 Edmund Freeman, removed {'rom Lynn, and became one of 
 the first proprietors of Sandwich in 1637. He was an Assist- 
 ant of Plymouth Colony in 1640. 
 
 Dennis Gerry. Thomas Sayre was a farmer. Job Sayre 
 removed to Long Island in 1640. Thomas Stanley. 
 
 Samuel Graves was a farmer, and lived on the Turnpike, 
 west of the Floating Bridge, and from him that village has ev- 
 er since been called Graves End. He had a son Samuel, 
 whose descendants remain. 
 
 Thomas Tupper, removed to Sandwich in 1637. He had 
 a son Thomas, who, in 1693, was a missionary to the Indians. 
 
 The difficuldes in Mr. Batchelor's church did not cease with 
 the decision of the council, but continued to increase ; till Mr. 
 Batchelor, perceiving no prospect of their termination, request- 
 ed a dismission for himself and first members, which was 
 granted. The celebrated Hugh Peter, who had just arrived 
 in America, was next employed to preach, and the people re- 
 quested him to become their minister, but he preferred exer- 
 cising the duties of that office at Salem. He was a very en- 
 terprising man, and procured a considerable amount, in mo- 
 ney and goods, for the benefit of the colony ; but he seems to 
 have been much better adapted for a politician than a minister. 
 He was a great favourite of Johnson, the Woburn poet, who 
 thus alludes to his preaching, and to the difficulties at Lynn. 
 
 " With courage, Peters, a soldier stout. 
 
 In Wild'eincsse for Christ begins to war; 
 Much uorlve lie finds 'mongst people yet hold out, 
 
 With fluent tongue he stops phantastic jar." 
 
 He returned to England in 1641, and unhappily became in- 
 volved in the ambitious designs of Cromwell — preached the 
 funeral sermon over the '' grey discrowned head" of the unfor- 
 tunate Charles the First — and was executed for treason, on 
 the sixteenth of October, 1660. 
 
 Among the benefactors of the colony, were some in this 
 town. Mr. Dennis Gerry gave by his will, £300 ; Mr. Samu- 
 el Graves nearly £o'jO ; and Mr. Edmund Freeman twenty 
 corslets. 
 
 Representatives, March 4, Nathaniel Turner, Timothy 
 Tomlins ; May 6, Nathaniel Turner, Edward How ; Septem- 
 ber 2, Nathaniel Turner, Edward Tomlins. 
 
54 KI3T0RY OF LYNN. [l636. 
 
 1636. 
 
 Mr. Balchelor had been readily dismissed from his pasto- 
 ral charge, in the expectation that he would desist from its ex- 
 ercise or remove from town ; instead of which, he renewed his 
 covenant with the persons who came with him from England, 
 intending to continue his ministrations. The people opposed 
 this design, and complained to the magistrates, who forbade 
 his proceeding. Finding that he disregaided their injunctions, 
 and refused to appear before them, they sent the marshall to 
 compel him. He was brought before the court of Assistants, 
 at Boston, in January, and discharged on engaging to leave the 
 town within three months. There are reasons for supposing 
 Mr. Eatchelor to have been censurable ; but the court seem 
 to have been somewhat arbitrary in compelling him to leave 
 the town. 
 
 The Reverend Stephen Batchelor was born in England, in 
 the year 1561. and received orders in the established Church. 
 In the early part of his life he enjoyed a good reputation, but 
 being displeased with some of the ceremonies of the Church, 
 and refusing to continue his conformity, he was deprived of his 
 permission to perform her services. Tlie Church has been 
 much censured for her severity, and all uncharitableness and 
 persecution are to be deprecated ; but in ejecting her minis- 
 ters for nonconformity, after they had approved her mode of 
 worship, and engaging themselves in the support of her doc- 
 trines, the Church is no more censurable than all other com- 
 munities, with whom the same practice is common. On leav- 
 ing England, Mr. Batchelor went with his family to Holland, 
 where he resided several years. He then returned to London, 
 from which place he sailed on the ninth of March 1632, for 
 New England. He came to Lynn about the middle of June, 
 and continued his ministerial labours, with iiiterruption, for 
 about three years. He was admitted a freeman on the sixth 
 of May, 1635, and removed from Lynn in February, 1636. 
 He went to Ipswich, where he received a grant of fifty acres 
 of land, and had the prospect of a settlement ; but some dif- 
 ficulty having arisen, he left the place. In the very cold win- 
 ter of 1637, he went on foot, with some of his friends to Mata- 
 keese, now Yarmouth, a distance of about one hundred miles. 
 There he intended to plant a town and establish a church ; but 
 finding the difficulties great, and " his company being all poor 
 
1636.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 55 
 
 men,"i he relinquished the design. He then went to Newbury, 
 where, on the sixth of July, 1638, the town granted to him and 
 his son-in-law, Christopher Hussey, two portions of land which 
 had formerly been given to Edward Rawson, Secretary of 
 State, and Mr. Edward Woodman. On the sixth of Septem- 
 ber, the General Court of Massachusetts, granted him permis- 
 sion to commence a settlement at Winicowett, now Hampton 
 in New Hampshire. In 1639, the inhabitants of Ipswich vot- 
 ed to give him sixty acres of land on Whortleberry Hill, and 
 twenty acres of meadow, if he would relinquish their previous 
 grant of fifty acres, and reside with them three years ; but he 
 did not accept their invhation. On the fifth of July, he and 
 Christopher Hussey sold their houses and lands in Newbury to 
 Mr. John Oliver, for "six score pounds," and went to Hamp- 
 ton, where a town was begun, and a church gathered, of which 
 Mr. Batchelor became the minister. He had not resided 
 there long before dissentions commenced, and the people were 
 divided between him and his colleague, Mr. Timothy Dalton. 
 In 1641 he was accused of irregular conduct, and was excom- 
 municated. Soon after, his house took fire, and was consum- 
 ed, with nearly all his property. In 1643, he was restored to 
 the communion, but not to the office of minister. In 1644, 
 the people of Exeter invited him to settle with them ; but the 
 General Court of Massachusetts, on the twenty ninth of May, 
 sent an order to forbid his settlement till they should grant per- 
 mission. On the twentieth of April, 1647, he was at " Straw- 
 berry Bank," now Portsmouth, where he resided three years. 
 In 1650, he married his third wife, being then nearly ninety 
 years of age, and in May, was fined by the court, ten pounds, 
 for not publishing his marriage according to law ; half of which 
 fine was remitted in October. In the same year the court 
 passed the following order, in consequence of a matrimonial 
 disagreement. 
 
 "It is ordered by this Court, that Mr. Batchelor and his 
 wife shall lyve together as man and wife, as in this Court they 
 have publiquely professed to doe, and if either desert one an- 
 other, then hereby the Court doth order that y^ Marshall shall 
 apprehend both ye said Mr. Batchelor and Mary his wife, and 
 bring them forthwith to Boston, there to be kept till the next 
 Quarter Court of assistants, that farther consideration thereof 
 may be had, both of them moving for a divorce, and this order 
 
 1 Winllirop. 
 
56 HISTORY OF LYNN. [lC36. 
 
 shall be sufficient warrant soe to doc, provided notwithstanding, 
 that if they put in £50, each of them, for their appearance, 
 with such sureties as the Commissioners, oi any one of them 
 for the County shall think good to accept of, that then they 
 shall be under their baile to appear at the next Court of assist- 
 ants, and in case Mary Batchelor shall live out of the jurisdic- 
 tion, " without mutual consent for a time," that then the 
 Clarke shall give notice to magistrate att Boston of her ab- 
 sence, thut farther order may be taken therein." 
 
 Soon after this order, Mr. Batchelor returned to England, 
 where he married his fourth wife, his third wife Mary being 
 still living. In October, iGoJ, she petitioned the court, in the 
 following words, to free her from her husband. 
 
 " To the Honored Gov Deputy Governor with the Magis- 
 trates and Deputies at the General Court at Boston. 
 
 The humble petition of Mary Bacheler Sheweth 
 
 Wi-,py,^oe yo"f ^.c^itiorer h ving formerlv lived with Mr. Ste- 
 ven Bacheler a minister in this Collany as his lawfull wife &. 
 not unknown to divers of you as I conceive, and the said Mr. 
 Bacheler upon some pretended ends of his owne hath trans- 
 ported himselfe unto ould England for many years since and 
 betaken himselfe to another wife as your petitioner hath often 
 been crediblv informed, and there continueth, whereby your pe- 
 titioner is left destitute not only of a guide to her and her chil- 
 dren, but also made uncapable thereby of disposing herselfe 
 in the way of marriage to any other without a lawful permis- 
 sion, and having now two children upon her hands that are 
 chargej.ble to her in regard to a disease God hath been pleased 
 to lay upon them both, which is not easily curable, and so weak- 
 ened her estate in prosecuting the means of cure that she is not 
 able longer to subsist without utter ruining her estate, or ex- 
 posing herself to the common charity of others, which your pe- 
 titioner is loth to put herself upon, if it may be lawfully avoided 
 as is Vv'ell known to all or most part of her neighbours. And 
 were she free from her engagement to Mr. Bachelor, might 
 probably soe dispose of herselfe as that she might obtain. a 
 meet helpe to assist her to procure such means for her lively- 
 hood and the recovery of her children's health, as might keep 
 them from perishing, which your petitioner to her great grief is 
 much afraid of, if not timely prevented. Your petitioner's 
 humble request therefore is that this Honored Court would be 
 pleased seriously to consider her condition for matter of her 
 relief in her freedom from the said ]\Ir. Bachelor, and that she 
 
1636.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 57 
 
 may be at liberty to dispose of herselfe in respect of any en- 
 gagement to iiiin as in your wisdomes sball seein most expe- 
 dient, and your petitioner shall humbly pray he. 
 
 Mary Bacheler."i 
 At this time Mr. Batchelor must have been in the ninety 
 sixth year of his age. How much longer he lived, and how 
 many more wives he married, is unknown. He has long since 
 gone to his last account, and his errors and follies, of whatever 
 kind, must be left to the adjustment of that tribunal, before 
 which all must appear. He had undoubtedly many virtues, or 
 he would not have had many friends, and they would not have 
 continued with him through all the changes of his fortune. Mr. 
 Prince says that he was " a man of fame in his day, a gentle- 
 man of learning and ingenuity, and wrote a fine and curious 
 hand." It was on his separation from the church at Lynn, 
 with his subsequent misfortunes, that Mr. Edward Johnson 
 wrote the following lines: 
 
 " Through ocean large Christ brought thee for to feede 
 His wandering flock, with's word thou oft hast taught ; 
 
 Then teach thy selfe with others, thou hast need, 
 Thy flowing fame unto low ebbe is brought. 
 
 Faith and obedience Christ full neare hath joined. 
 Then trust on Christ, and thou again mayst be 
 
 Brought on thy race, though now far cast behinde. 
 Run to the end and crowned thou shalt be." 
 
 Mr. Batchelor had several children, four of whom, at least, 
 were born in England. 1. Theodata, who married Christo- 
 pher Hussey. 2. Deborah, who married John Wing of Lynn, 
 and removed to Sandwich in 1637. 3. A daughter who mar- 
 ried a Sanborn, and had three sons, whose names were John, 
 Stephen, and William, all born before 1647. 4. Nathaniel, 
 who removed to Hampton, where he had a son Nathaniel, 
 born before 1647, and where some of his descendants remain. 
 5. A son, who removed to Reading, where he had a son Hen- 
 ry, who came to Lynn, where several families of his descend- 
 ants remain. 
 
 The dissentions in the churches at Salem and Lynn, and 
 the scarcity of provisions, occasioned a fast to be proclaimed, 
 which was observed on the twenty first of February.^ 
 
 On the third of March the court enacted that each town 
 should have power to regulate its own affairs, to set fines on 
 
 1 Col. Files. 2 Winthrop. 
 
58 HISTORY or LYNN. [163G. 
 
 offenders, not exceeding twenty shillings, and to choose a num- 
 ber of " prudential men," not exceeding seven, to order their 
 municipal concerns.^ This was the legal origin of those offi- 
 cers since called Selectmen, though some of the towns had 
 similar officers before. They were at first chosen for only 
 three months ; and the town continued to choose seven till 
 1755, when the number was reduced to three. They had 
 also a number of officers, who were called tythingmen, because 
 each one was set over ten families, to observe their conduct, 
 and report any violation of the public regulations. 
 
 Mr. John Humfrey and Captain Nathaniel Turner were ap- 
 pointed by the same court, to lay out the bounds of Ipswich. 
 
 Mr. Timothy Tomlins was licensed as a retailer, " to draw- 
 wine for the town of Saugus."^ 
 
 A Quarterly Court was instituted at Salem, for the trial of 
 ordinary cases, within the county. The members, or judges, 
 were appointed annually. This year there were four, of whom 
 Captain Nathaniel Turner was one. The first session com- 
 menced on the twenty seventh of June. A fine of ten shil- 
 lings was required of Thomas Stanley, the constable of Lynn, 
 for not appearing ; and a record made in September, says, 
 " Now it is in corn in Mr. William Wood's hands. "^ 
 
 The following inhabitants are found at Lynn this year. 
 
 James Axey was a farmer, a Representative in 1654, and 
 died in 1669. His wife Francis died a few months after .^ 
 
 John Bancroft died in 1637. He had two sons, Thomas 
 and John. His descendants remain. 
 
 James Boutwell, farmer, freeman 1638, died 1651. His 
 wife was Alice, and his children, Samuel, Sarah, and John. 
 
 Edward Burcham, freeman 1638, and Clerk of Writs 1645. 
 
 George Burrill was descended from an honorable family in 
 England, and lived on the western side of Willis's Hill. He 
 was by occupation a farmer, and had two hundred acres of 
 land. He had three sons, 1. George. 2. Francis, born 
 1626, died 10 November, 1704. 3. John, born 1631, died 
 24 April, 1703. The name of his wife was Lois, and his chil- 
 dren were, 1. Hon. John, born 15 October, 1658. 2. Sa- 
 rah. 3. Thomas. 4. Anna. 5. Theophilus, 6. Lois. 7. 
 Samuel. 8. Mary. 9. Hon. Ebenezer. 10 Ruth. 
 
 Timothy Cooper, farmer, died March, 1659, His children 
 were, Mary, Hannah, John, Timothy, Dorcas, and Rebecca. 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 Q. C. Rec. 
 
1636.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 50 
 
 William Hardier died 1661. He had a son William, who 
 removed to Long Island in 1640. 
 
 Edward Howell, farmer, freeman 1638, had 500 acres of 
 land, and lived on the bound of Saugus and Reading. 
 
 Philip Kertland was the first Shoemaker known at Lynn. 
 He removed to Long Island in 1640. His son Philip remain- 
 ed at Lynn, married Ruth Pierce, and died 27 June, 1688. 
 
 Nathaniel Kertland. farmer, was buried 27 December, 1686. 
 His children were, Nathaniel, Sarah and Priscilla. 
 
 Francis Lightfoot, freeman 1636, died 1646. He came 
 from London, and the name of his wife was Anne. 
 
 Oliver Purchis, freeman 1636, Representative 1660, Assist- 
 ant 1685, Town Clerk 1686, removed to Concord 1691, and 
 died 20 November, 1701, aged 88 years. 
 
 Thomas Townsend was a farmer, lived near the Iron Works, 
 and died 22 Dec. 1677. His sons were John and Thomas. 
 
 Nicholas Batter, farmer, freeman 1638. Hugh Burt, born 
 1591. John Cooper, farmer, removed to Cambridge. Zach- 
 ary Fitch, freeman 1638, went to Reading. William Ham- 
 mond, freeman 1636, died 1637. John Kertland. Anthony 
 Newhall. John Pool, farmer, whose descendants remain. 
 WilUam Walton, freeman 1636. Matthew West, freeman 1637. 
 
 Representatives. March 3, Nathaniel Turner, William 
 Wood ; May 3, N. Turner, Edward Howe ; September 8, 
 Timothy Tomlins, Daniel Howe. 
 
 The year 1636 has been rendered memorable by the com- 
 mencement of a great war with Sassacus, sachem of the Pe- 
 quod Indians. Some of his tribe had murdered a boats' crew 
 in Connecticut river, which induced the white people to take 
 up arms. On the sixteenth of June, Governor Vane directed 
 Lieutenant Howe to have the mihtary company at Lynn in 
 readiness ; and in August a requisition was made for ninety 
 men from Massachusetts, who were divided into four compa- 
 nies, one of which was commanded hy Captain Turner. They 
 had orders to put to death all the red men on Block Island, 
 and to demand the murderers of the Pequods, with a thousand 
 fathom of wampum, and some of their children as hostages. 
 On arriving at Block Island, they destroyed seven canoes and 
 sixty wigwams, with many acres of corn, and killed one Indian, 
 the rest having fled. They then went to Pequod, now New 
 London, where they burnt the canoes and wigwams, and kil- 
 led thirteen Indians. They returned on the fourteenth of Sej)- 
 tember. 
 
CO HISTORY OF LYNN. [1636. 
 
 Tlie Rev. Samuel Whiting arrived from England in June, 
 and was installed pastor of the church at Lynn on Tuesday, 
 the eighth of November. The council remained two days, 
 and found much difficulty in organizing the churdh, which was 
 composed of only six members, beside the minister. The 
 dissentions which existed in this and the other churches, with 
 all the profidess controversies by which they have since been 
 agitated, may be fairly referred to the separation from the 
 Church, for whose increase and welfare the emigrants, on their 
 departure, expressed so high a regard, and which, in the wil- 
 derness, they suffered themselves so soon to forget. Practices 
 were early introduced, which have since been generally re- 
 garded as injudicious, and the way was opened for the endless 
 diversity of individual opinion. The reading of the Bible as a 
 part of the public service was considered a superstidous prac- 
 tice ', and even the Lord's prayer, that pure and perfect pat- 
 tern of address to the Deity, was seldom heard. Ministers be- 
 gan to be ordained by those who had no authority, the ceremo- 
 ny of marriage was commonly performed by the civil magis- 
 trate, and the dead were buried without prayer. There were 
 many who disapproved these departures from die salutary prac- 
 tice of their early devotion, and among these were several of 
 the ministers, who, when they found the people resolved en- 
 tirely to abandon the Church, left them, and returned home. 
 Though many years have passed, the diversities of opinion res- 
 pecting the faith and order of the Gospel, seem in no degree to 
 have lessened ; but surely if peace and happiness are objects of 
 regard, then it is desirable that men should be united in their 
 ^^ew of a subject, which of all others is the most important. 
 The benefits of Christianity might have been much more ex- 
 tensively diffiised, had its advocates been as industrious in pro- 
 moting union, as they have been in devising ways by which 
 they might aifFer. The Church, like the light of heaven, is 
 not restricted, but universal; and how transcendently glorious 
 above all others, in modern times, will be the day, on which it 
 can be said that men have united in her support — when each 
 religious sect shall relinquish its distinguishing characteristics, 
 and the union of the Church be complete. Such a union is 
 both the duty and the interest of Christians, and would con- 
 duce more to the conversion and happiness of the world, than 
 all the partial and divided exertions which have been made 
 for centuries. 
 
XiAlDY SITSAT^ HUMFRET. 
 
 FaTtiiig from her CljllclrerL. 
 1641. 
 
 XiUiaiiraphecl fcr the History o/ Lynn . 
 
1637.] HISTORY OF LYNN. Gl 
 
 1637. 
 
 On Tuesday, the tenth of January, Captain Nathaniel Tur- 
 ner's house, on Sagamore Hill, was burnt. The fire originat- 
 ed in an oven, about midnight. The family fortunately escap- 
 ed.i 
 
 On the eighteenth of April, one hundred and seventy five 
 men were detached, to be sent against the Pequods.^ Boston 
 furnished 26, Lynn 21,^ Cambridge 19, Salem 18, Ipswich 17, 
 Watertovvn 14, Dorchester 13, Charlestown 12, Roxbury 10, 
 Newbury 8, Hingham 6, Weymouth 5, Medford 3, and Mar- 
 blehead 3. Captain Turner commanded the men from Lynn, 
 and the whole were under the direction of Captain Israel 
 Stoughton. The Connecticut troops attacked the Pequods on 
 the morning of the twenty sixth of May. Guided by an Indian, 
 they arrived some hours before daybreak at the foot of a small 
 hill, on Avhich Sassacus had built a rude fort, surrounded by a 
 palisade of trees. The enclosure contained a large number of 
 wigwams, in which the Indians were asleep. The soldiers 
 came to the fort in silence, discharged their muskets on the 
 slumbering natives, and then- set fire to the camp. The wig- 
 wams, composed of bark, mats, and dry limbs, were instantly 
 in a blaze over the heads of the astonished Indians, and the 
 flames wound up their spiral wreaths among the tall trees of 
 the forest, catching upon their branches, and sending up a thous- 
 and combined fires, in one huge pyramid of flame toward the 
 sky, edged by a deep and palpable cloud of black smoke, 
 which soon spread itself far over the adjacent country, giving 
 awfid warning of the fate of the bravest of the Pequod race. 
 Of nearly six hundred Indians, many of whom were women, 
 and old men, and helpless children, who had laid down that 
 night to sleep, beneath the shelter of their own frail roofs, scarce 
 ten escaped. The dead and the dying lay piled in wide cogi- 
 fusion upon the ground, amid the wreck of their ruined home ; 
 and the smoke of the smouldering bodies and the burning blood 
 went up toward heaven for many days. The soldiers from 
 Lynn did not arrive till some days after the massacre, and 
 returned on the twenty sixth of August. The unfortunate Sas- 
 
 1 Winthrop. 2 Col. Rec. 3 Sixteen at first, and five afterward. 
 9 
 
62 HISTOliy OF LYNN. [l63t°- 
 
 sacus, after this desolation of his tribe, and ruin of his hopes, 
 fled to the Mohawks. He was soon after murdered, as was 
 supposed, by an Indian of the Narragansett tribe, who were 
 his enemies, and a lock of his hair was sent to Governor Win- 
 throp. Thus perished Sassacus, the last and noblest of the 
 Pequods ; a Chief, who, in the struggles of Greece, would have 
 received the fame of a hero,^n the war of American Free- 
 dom, the praise of a patriot. 
 
 On the twenty third of June, Governor Winthrop \asited 
 Lynn, and was escorted by the inhabitants to Salem. He re- 
 turned on the twenty-eighth, travelling in the night, in conse- 
 quence of the heat, which was so excessive that several per- 
 sons died.i There were at this time but thirty-seven ploughs, 
 in the whole colony, most of which were at Lynn.^ 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Gobbet arrived from England on the twen-' 
 ty-stxth of June, and was soon after installed a colleague in the' 
 ministry with Mr. Whiting.^ Though a small portion only of 
 the people had assented to the covenant, yet there were many 
 inhabitants who needed the public services of the ministry; and 
 the ministers w'ere not then settled by the covenanters, but by a 
 general vote of the town. Mr. Whiting was styled the pastor, 
 as being the principal, and Mr. Gobbet was called teacher, an 
 office in some degree subordinate, though his talents were su- 
 perior. 
 
 This year a large number of people removed from Lynn, 
 and commenced a new settlement at Sandwich. The grant of 
 the township was made on the third of April, by the General, 
 Court of Plymouth Colony. " It is ordered that these ten men 
 of Saugus, namely, Edmund Freeman, Henry Feake, Thomas 
 Dexter, Edward Dillingham, Wilham Wood, John Carman, 
 Richard Chadwell, William Almy, Thomas Tupper, and 
 George Knott, shall have liberty to view a place to sit down 
 on, and have sufficient land for three score families, upon the; 
 conditions propounded to them by the Governor and Mr. Wins- 
 low."3 The other proprietors were, George Allen, Thomas 
 Armitage, Anthony Besse, Mr. Blackmore, George BHss, 
 Thomas Boardman, Robert Bootefish, Wilham Braybrook, 
 John Briggs, Thomas Burge, Richard Burne, George Burt, 
 Thomas Butler, Thomas Chillingworth, Edmund Clark, George 
 Cole, John Dingley, Henry Ewer, John Friend, John Fish, 
 
 1 Winthrop. 2 Graham. 3 Plymouth Rec. 
 
1637.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 63 
 
 Nathaniel Fish, Jonathan Fish, Peter Gaunt, Andrew Hallet, 
 William Harlow, William Hedge, Joseph Holway, William 
 Hurst, John Joyce, Richard Kirby, Thomas Lander, John 
 Miller, William Newland, Benjamin Noye, Mr. Potter, James 
 Skippe, George Slawson, Michael Turner, John Vincent, Pe- 
 ter Wright, Nicholas Wright, Richard Wade, John King, John 
 Winsor, Mr. Wollaston, and Thomas Willis. Their minister 
 was the Rev. WiUiam Leveridge.^ Mr. Dexter and Mr. Wil- 
 lis did not remove at this time. 
 
 The following persons were also at Lynn as early as this 
 year. 
 
 Abraham Belknap. He had two sons, Abraham and Jere- 
 my. From him descended Dr. Jeremy Belknap, the histori- 
 an of New Hampshire. 
 
 Edmund Bridges died in 1686. The name of his wife was 
 Mary, and his sons were John and Josiah. 
 
 Jenkin Davis, joiner, freeman 1637, died 1661. His wife 
 was Sarah, and he had a son John. 
 
 Joseph Floyd lived in Fayette street, and afterwards remov- 
 ed to Boston. In 1666, his house and six acres of land, 
 bounded " west next the town common and east next a little 
 river,"- were sold for thirty eight pounds to " Henry Silsbe of 
 Ipswich." The little river is Stacey's Brook. 
 
 Christopher Foster, farmer, freeman 1637, lived in Nahant 
 street. 
 
 George Fraile died 9 December 1663. He had a son 
 George, who was accidentally killed in 1669, by " a piece of 
 timber, of about fifteen hundred v/eight, rolling over him."-^ 
 
 Nathaniel Handforth was a " haberdasher" from London, 
 and lived on the north side of the common. He was buried 
 13 September 1687, aged 79 years. 
 
 Thomas Ivory, died in 1664. He had a son Thomas. 
 
 Richard Johnson came over in 1630, and lived with Sir 
 Richard Saltonstall at Watertown. He was admitted a free- 
 man in 1637, and in the same year came to Lynn, and settled 
 as a farmer on the eastern end of the common. He died in 
 1666, aged 54 years. His children were, Daniel, Samuel, 
 Elizabeth, and Abigail. His descendants remain. 
 
 Thomas Keysar was mate of a vessel which sailed from 
 Boston, commanded by James Smith. 
 
 1 Sandwich Rec. 2 Essex Reg. Deeds. 3 Q. C. Files. 
 
64 HISTORY OF LYNX. [1637. 
 
 Thomas Laighton, farmer, freeman 1638, lived in Franklin 
 street. He was Representative in 104G, and Town Clerk in 
 1672. He died 8 August 1697. His children were Thomas, 
 Margaret, Samuel, Rebecca and Elizabeth. 
 
 Richard Longley, farmer, had two sons. 1. William, free- 
 man 1638, and Clerk of the Writs 1655. 2. Jonathan. 
 
 John Pierson, farmer, lived in Nahant street, and removed 
 to Reading. The name of his wife was Madehne. 
 
 Richard Roolton had a son Edmund, who died 4 March 
 1675. 
 
 Richard Sadler, farmer, freeman 1638, came from Worces- 
 ter in England. He lived near the great rock in Holyoke 
 street. He was a member of the Quarterly Court in 1639, 
 and Clerk of the Writs in 1640. He had a son Richard, 
 born 1610, who returned to England in 1647, and was ordain- 
 ed 16 May 1648. 
 
 William Andrews, Richard Brooks, Goodman Cox, Good- 
 man Crosse, John Deacon, blacksmith, John Elderkin, Wil- 
 liam George, Francis Godson, Henry Gaines, farmer, John 
 Gillow, died 1673, the name of his wife was Rose, Thomas 
 Halsye, farmer, James Hewes, Robert Hewes, William Hewes, 
 Jeremy Howe, Jolm Hudson, Samuel Hutchinson, Thomas 
 Hutchinson, Philip Kneeland, Thomas Paine, freeman 1641, 
 Robert Parsons, freeman 1638, Thomas Parker, farmer, Jo- 
 seph Pell, freeman 1638, Nicholas Poor, WilUam Partridge, 
 Thomas Read, Isaac Robinson, Jarrett Spenser, freeman 1637, 
 Michael Spenser, freeman 1638, Josias Stanbury, George 
 Taylor, farmer, freeman 1638, his wife Elizabetli died in 1668, 
 William Thorn, removed to Long Island in 1642, Mr. Wathin, 
 George Welbye, Richard Wells, Edward West, Thomas 
 Wheeler, farmer, freeman 1637, Nathaniel Whiteridge. 
 
 The members of the Quarterly Court this year were John 
 Humfrey and Edward Howe. 
 
 In a tax of £400, the proportion of Lynn was £28,16. The 
 Court ordered that no person should make any cakes or buns, 
 except " for burials, marriages, and such like special occa- 
 sions."^ 
 
 A town meeting was held this year, in which Daniel Howe, 
 Richard Walker, and Henry Collins, were chosen a committee 
 to divide the lands, or as it was expressed in the record, " to 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 
 
1638.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 66' 
 
 lay out fFarmes."2 The land was laid out in those parts of the 
 town best adapted to cultivation, and the woods were reserved 
 as common property, and called the " town common," not be- 
 ing divided till 69 years after. 
 
 On the fifteenth of November, the name of the town was 
 changed from Saugus to Lynn. The name was given in re- 
 spect to Mr. Whidng and others, who came from the town of 
 Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn, in Norfolk, England. The re- 
 cord of the court on this occasion consists of only four words, 
 " Saugust is called Lin ;" which relates only to the alteration 
 of the name ; the town having been incorporated in 1630, by 
 admission as a member of the colony. It was bounded on the 
 west by Boston, which then included Chelsea, and on the east 
 hy Salem. 
 
 1638. 
 
 The committee appointed by the town to divide the lands, 
 completed their task, and a book was provided in which the 
 names of the proprietors, with the number of acres allotted to 
 each, were recorded. That book is lost, but a copy of the 
 first three pages has been preserved in the files of the Quar- 
 terly Court at Salem, from which the following is transcribed. 
 I have taken the justifiable liberty, in this instance, to spell the 
 words correctly, and to supply a few omissions, which are in- 
 cluded in brackets. The word " ten," which is added to ma- 
 ny of the allotments, implies that a separate lot of ten acres 
 was granted. 
 
 PAGE I. 
 
 " These lands following were given to the Inhabitants of the 
 town of Lynn, Anno Domini 163S. 
 
 To the Right Honorable the Lord Brooks, 800 acres, as it is 
 estimated. 
 
 To Mr. Thomas Willis, upland and meadow, 500 acres, as it 
 is estimated. 
 
 2 Q. C. Files. 
 
■66 HISTORY OV LYNN. [lC38. 
 
 Mr. Edward Holyoke, upland and meadow, 500 acres, as it 
 is estimated. 
 
 Henry Collins, upland and meadow, 80 acres, and ten. 
 Mr. [Joseph] Floyd, upland and meadow, 60 acres, and ten. 
 Edmund and Francis Ingalls, upland and meadow, 120 acres- 
 Widow Bancroft, 100 acres. 
 Widow Hammond, 60 acres. 
 George Burrill, 200 acres. 
 John Wood, 100 acres. 
 Thomas Talmage, 200. 
 Nicholas Brown, 200. 
 William Cowdrey, 60. 
 Thomas Laighton, 60. 
 John Cooper, 200. 
 Allin Breed, 200. 
 John Pool, 200. 
 Edward Howe, 200, and ten. 
 Thomas Sayre, 60. 
 Job Sayre, 60. 
 Thomas Chadwell, 60, 
 William Walton, 60. 
 Christopher Foster, 60. 
 William Ballard, 60. 
 Josias Stanbury, 100. 
 Edmund Farrington, 200. 
 Nicholas Potter, 60. 
 William Knight, 60. 
 Edward Tomlins, 20, and twenty. 
 [" Mr." ] South, 100. 
 Boniface Burton, 60. 
 John Smith, 60. 
 Mr.' Edward Howell, 500. 
 
 PAGE II. 
 
 To Nicholas Batter, 60. 
 
 Mr. [Richard] Sadler, 200, and the rock by his house. 
 
 Joseph Armitage, 60. 
 
 Godfrey Armitage, 60. 
 
 To Matthew West, upland and meadow, 30, and ten, 
 
 George Farr, 30, and ten. 
 
 James Boutwell, 60 acres. 
 
 Zachary Fitch, 30, and ten. 
 
1638.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 67 
 
 Jarrett Spenser, 30 acres. 
 Jenkin Davis, 30, and ten. 
 George Taylor, 30, and ten. 
 [William] Thorn, 30, and ten. 
 Thomas Townsend, 60. 
 Thomas Parker, 30, and ten. 
 Francis Lightfoot, 30, and ten. 
 Richard Johnson, 30, and ten. 
 Robert Parsons, 30, and ten. 
 Edward Burcham, 30, and ten.- 
 Anthony Newhall, 30. 
 Thomas Newhall, 30. 
 Thomas Marshall, 30, and tenv 
 Michael Spenser, 30, 
 Timothy Tomlins, 80. 
 [William] Harcher, 20. 
 Richard Roolton, 60. 
 [Nathaniel] Handforth, 20. 
 Thomas Hudson, 60. 
 Thomas Halsye, 100. 
 Samuel Bennett, 20. 
 John Elderkin, 20. 
 Abraham Belknap, 40. 
 Robert Driver, 20. 
 Joseph Rednap, 40. 
 [John] Deacon, 20. 
 Philip Kertland, senior, 10. 
 
 PAGE III. 
 
 To Philip Kertland, junior, 10. 
 [Goodman] Crosse, 10. 
 Hugh Burt, 60. 
 [Goodman] Wathin, 10. 
 Richard Brooks, 10. 
 Francis Godson, 30. 
 
 George Welbye 
 
 William Partridge, upland, 10 acres. 
 
 Henry Gains, 40. 
 
 Richard Wells, 10, 
 
 [Joseph] Pell, 10. 
 
 John White, 20. 
 
 Edward Baker, 40, 
 
(38 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 [1638. 
 
 James Axey, 40. 
 
 William Edmonds, 10. 
 
 Edward Ireson, 10. 
 
 Jeremy Howe, 20 
 
 William George, 20. 
 
 Nathaniel Whiteridge, 10 
 
 George F'rail, 10, 
 
 Edmund Bridges, 10. 
 
 Richard Longley, 40. 
 
 Thomas Talmadge, junior, 20. 
 
 Thomas Coldam, 60. 
 
 Adam Hawkes, upland, 100. 
 
 Thomas Dexter, 350. 
 
 Daniel Howe, upland and meadow, 60. 
 
 Richard Walker, upland and meadow, 200. 
 
 Ephraim Howe, next to the land of his father, upland, 10. 
 
 [Thomas] Ivory, 10. 
 
 Timothy Cooper, 10. 
 
 Samuel Hutchinson, 10, by estmiation, 
 
 Mr. Samuel Whiting, the pastor, 200. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Cobbet, the teacher, 200. , , r i 
 
 " These three pages were taken out of the town book ot the 
 Records of Lynn, the 10th. 1 mo. Anno Dommi 59, 60, [10 
 March 1660,]" by me, , 
 
 Andrew Mansfield, Town Recorder. 
 
 Thou-h the 8630 acres of land, thus laid out among 100 
 families,'' comprised the best portion of Lynn and Saugus, 
 the people thought they had not sufficient room, and petitioned 
 the Lurt for more. On the thirteenth of March, " Lynn was 
 granted 6 miles into the country ; and Mr. Hawthorne and Leilt 
 Davenport to view and inform how the land beyond lyeth 
 whether it be fit for another plantation or no. '^ ^he land laid 
 out by this order was for many years called Lynn End, and 
 now constitutes the town of Lynnfield. The court afterwards 
 very prudently ordered, that the Governor and Assistants should 
 "take care that the Indians have satisfaction for their right at 
 
 Lvnn "^ 
 
 The preceeding winter was extremely severe , the snow con- 
 tinued from November sixteenth, to the fourth of April, and the 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 
 
1638.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 60 
 
 spring was so cold that the farmers were compelled to i)lant 
 their c^rn "two or three times. "^ 
 
 The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company was organized 
 on Monday, the first of June. Mr. Daniel Howe of Lynn was 
 chosen Lieutenant. In the afternoon, between the hours of three 
 and four, there was a very great earthquake. People found it dit- 
 ficult to stand, and furniture and chimneys were thrown down. 
 Shocks were repeated for several weeks. Other members of 
 the Artillery Company from Lynn, at different times, were, in 
 1638, Nathaniel Turner, Richard Walker, and Edward Tom- 
 lins; in 1639, Samuel Bennet; in 1640, John Humfrey, and 
 Thomas Marshall ; in 1641, John Humfrey, jr. Robert Bridges 
 and Adam Ottley ; in 1642, John Cole; in 1646 William 
 Clark; in 1673, John Taylor; in 1694, Thomas Baker; 
 in 1717, Benjamin Gray; and in 1733, Benjamin Hallowell. 
 
 The tax laid upon the town this year, at two assessments, 
 was £105 sterling, in a general tax of £1500. 
 
 William Knight came from Salem this year, and was admit- 
 ted a freeman on the second of May. He died in 1654. 
 
 George Keysar was a tanner at Swampscot. He was ad- 
 mitted a freeman 14 December. He married Elizabeth 
 Holioke, and had a son named Elizur. He died at Salem in 
 September 1690. 
 
 Other iohabitants were, Peter Busgat, Isaac Disberoe, Rich- 
 ard Graves, Thomas Graves, James Hubbard, Robert Lee, and 
 Henry Phillips, and William Wells. 
 
 A settlement was this year begun at Hampton, in New 
 Hampshire, by Rev. Stephen Batchelor and others. The 
 grant of the court was made on the sixth of September, to Mr. 
 Batchelor, Mr. Christopher Hussey, widow Mary Hussey, and 
 fourteen others, the principal of whom, at an early period, were 
 inhabitants of Lynn. 
 
 Some of the farmers were in the practice of pasturing their 
 cows in one drove, and watching them alternately. When it 
 came to Mr. John Gillow's turn, an evil disposed person de- 
 tained him in conversation, till the cows strayed into a field of 
 corn, where two of them ate so much that they became sick, 
 and one died. It happened that these two cows belonged 
 to the man who caused the mischief, who brought an action 
 against Mr. Gillow before the court of Assistants at Boston, 
 on the seventh of September. As it was proved that the man 
 
 1 Winthroi). 
 10 
 
70 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1639. 
 
 had boasted of having designed that the cattle should stray, 
 the case was decided in Mr. Gillow's favor.^ 
 
 1639. 
 
 The town continued to receive accessions of inhabitants, 
 amona; whom this year were the following. 
 
 Andrew Mansfield came from Exeter, in England, to Boston, 
 in 1636. He was by occupation a farmer, and lived in Boston 
 street. The neighbourhood of his residence was from him 
 called Mansfield's Eud. He was Town Clerk in 1660, and 
 died in 1692, aged 94 years. He had a son Andrew, born in 
 1630, who was chosen Representative in 1680. His descend- 
 ants remain. 
 
 Edmund Lewis, farmer, freeman 1636, came from England, 
 and was one of tlie first setders at Watertown, where, in 1638 
 he was appointed to lay out lands. He came to Lynn this year, 
 and was the first person known to have resided in the street 
 which is called by his name. He died January 1651. The 
 name of his wife was Mary, and his children were, John, Thom- 
 as, James, and Nathaniel. His brother, William Lewis, was 
 one of the first settlers at Roxbury, and afterward removed to 
 Boston. His children were 1 John, born November 1635. 
 2 Christopher, born in 1636. 3 Lydia, born 25 Decem- 
 ber, 1639. 4 Josiah, born 28 July, 1641. 5 Isaac,_born 
 15 April, 1644, from whom the author of these annals is de- 
 scended. The posterity of these two brothers are numerous. 
 At one time there were six men of the family at Lynn named 
 
 John. J J- J 
 
 Thomas Farrar, farmer, lived in Nahant Street, and died 
 
 23 February 1694. His children were, Thomas, Hannah, 
 
 Sarah, Susannah, and Elizabeth. 
 
 John Tarbox. His children were, 1 John. 2 Samuel, who 
 
 married Rebecca Armitage 14 November, 1665, had eighteen 
 
 children, and died 12 September, 1715, aged 93 years. 3 A 
 
 daughter. His descendants remain. 
 
 John Farrington, Jervas Garford, freeman, 1639, Benjamm 
 
 GiUow, Thomas Gillow, William King, Michael Milner, remov- 
 
 1 Winthrop. 
 
1G39.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 71 
 
 ed to Long Island 1640, John Pickering, removed to Salem, 
 William Taylor, Edward Taylor, removed to Reading. 
 
 Another grant of land was made to the town, on the seventh 
 of September. " The petition of the Inhabitants of Lynn, for 
 place for an inland plantation at the head of their bounds, is 
 granted them, 4 miles square, as the place will afFoard ; upon 
 condition that the petitioners shall, within two years, make some 
 good proceeding, in planting, so as it may be a village fit to 
 con^tain a convenient number of inhabitants, which may in dewe 
 time have a church there ; and so as such as shall remove to in- 
 habit there, shall not withall keepe their accommodations in 
 Linn above 2 years after their removal to the said village, vpon 
 pain to forfeite their interest in one of them at their election ; ex- 
 cept this court shall see fit cause to dispense further with them."^ 
 The settlement thus begun, was at first called Lynn Village, 
 and afterwards Reading. The land was purchased of the In- 
 dians for ten pounds sixteen shillings, and the deed was signed 
 by Sagamore George, his sister Abigail, and Quanapowitt. Thus 
 the town included within its boundary the five modern towns, 
 Lynn, Saugus, Lynnfield, Reading, and South Reading. 
 
 Two other settlements were this year begun by people who 
 removed from Lynn ; one at Barnstable, and the other at Yar- 
 mouth, where Mr. Batchelor and his company attempted to 
 settle. 
 
 The General Court allowed the town fifty pounds to build a 
 bridge over Saugus river, and fifty shillings annually to preserve 
 it in repair. A tax of one thousand pounds was laid, of which 
 the proportion of Lynn was £79,19,9. The court forbade 
 the people to spread bass or cod fish upon their lands for tlie 
 purpose of enriching the soil ; and passed the following order 
 for the regulation of Ladies' dress. " No garment shall be 
 made with short sleeves ; and such as have garments with short 
 sleeves, shall not wear the same, unless they cover the arm to 
 the wrist; and hereafter, no person whatever shall make any 
 garment for women, with sleeves more than half an ell wide ;"i 
 that is, twenty two and a half inches. On the third of De- 
 cember, the court laid a fine of ten pounds upon the town, for 
 not maintaining a watch against the Indians. 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 
 
72 HISTORY OF LYNN [1640. 
 
 1640. 
 
 In the short space of ten years from its settlement, we have 
 seen five other towns deriving their origin from Lynn ; yet the 
 place continued to abound with inhabitants, and this year be- 
 held the commencement of the sixth. About " forty" fami- 
 lies, " finding themselves straitened, "^ left the town with the 
 design of settling a new plantation. They invited Mr. Abra- 
 ham Pierson of Boston to become their minister, who with 
 seven of the emigrants entered into a church covenant before 
 they left Lynn. They sailed in a vessel commanded by Cap- 
 tain Daniel Howe, to Scout's Bay, in the western part of Long 
 Island, where they purchased land of Mr. James Forrett, 
 agent of Lord Stirling, and agreed with the Indians for their 
 right. On receiving information of this, the Dutch laid claim 
 to that part of the island, on account of a previous purchase 
 of the Indians, and sent men to take possession, who set up the 
 arms of the Prince of Orange on a tree. The Lynn people, 
 disregarding the claims of the Dutch, cut down the trees and 
 began to build. Captain Howe likewise took down the Prince's 
 arms, and instead thereof an Indian drew a very "unhandsome 
 face." This conduct highly incensed the Dutch governor, 
 William Kieft, whom Mr. Irving, in one of his humorous 
 works, has characterized by the appellation of " William the 
 Tesly," but whom Mr. Hubbard denominates " a discreet 
 man," who, en the thirteenth of May, sent Cornelius Van Ten 
 Hovcn the secretary, the undersherifF, a sergeant, and twenty 
 five soldiers, to break up the settlement. They found eight 
 men, with a woman and an infant, who had erected one cot- 
 tage, and were engaged in building another. They took six of 
 the men, whose names were John Farrington, William Har- 
 cher, Philip Kertland, Nathaniel Kertland, Job Sayre, and 
 George Wells, and brought them before the governor. These 
 he examined on oath, and then put them in prison, where they 
 remained while he wrote a Latin letter to the governor of Mas- 
 sachusetts. To this Mr. Winthrop replied, in the same lan- 
 guage, that he would neither maintain the Lynn people in an 
 unjust action, nor suffer them to be injured. On the reception 
 of this reply, the Dutch governor liberated the men, after they 
 had signed an agreement to leave the place. They accord- 
 
 1 Winthrop, 
 
1640.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 73 
 
 ingly removed more than eighty miles, to the eastern part of 
 the island, where they purchased land of the Indians, and 
 planted a town, which, in remembrance of the place fiom 
 which they sailed in England, they called Southampton. 
 
 At the court, on the thirteenth of May, William Hathorne, 
 Samuel Symonds, and Timothy Tomlins, w^ere appointed to 
 lay out " the nearest, cheapest, safest, and most convenient 
 way" between Lynn and Winnesimet ferry. ^ 
 
 Lynn village, now South Reading, was ordered to be exempt- 
 ed from taxes, as soon as seven houses should be built, and 
 seven families settled. ^ 
 
 The court ordered that grain should be received as a lawful 
 payment for debts; Indian corn at 5s. rye at 6s. 8d. and wheat 
 at 7s. a bushel. The price of a cow was £5.^ 
 
 A tax of £1200 was laid upon the colony. The proportion 
 of Lynn was £85. 
 
 Mr. Richard Sadler was appointed Clerk of the Writs. 
 The duties of this office were, to fill warrants in civil actions, 
 and to keep a record of births and deaths. It was legally dis- 
 tinct from the office of Town Clerk, who was at the first call- 
 ed the Town Recorder, though in many instances both offices 
 were held by the same individual. 
 
 Mr. Humfrey's barn at Swampscot, with all his corn and 
 hay, to the value of one hundred and sixty pounds, was burnt 
 by the carelessness of his servant, Henry Stevens, in setting fire 
 to some gun powder. At the court of Assistants, on the first 
 of November, " Henry Stevens, for firing the barn of his mas- 
 ter, Mr. John Humfrey, he was ordered to be servant to Mr. 
 Humfrey for 21 years from this day, towards recompensing 
 him."^ The court afterward allowed Mr. Humfrey for his loss 
 and his good services, £250.^ 
 
 During a sermon this year, a man named Taylor became 
 distracted. It was by some supposed to have been occasioned 
 by his selUng the milk which his cow yielded, as he came over 
 in the ship, at too dear a rate. Governor Winthrop expresses 
 a doubt of this being the cause. 
 
 There was one woman in the town at this time, who con- 
 tended that all things ought to be common, as at one time 
 among the early Christians; but she found it difficult to per- 
 suade the people that she had as good a right to their property 
 as themselves. She went " from house to house," helping her- 
 
 1 Col. Rcc. 2 !it;22,22. 3 $1,111 11. 
 
74 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1640. 
 
 self to such little accommodations as she wished, till her de- 
 mands became so extravagant that she was brought before the 
 Quarterly Court at Salem. On the twenty ninth of September 
 the following record was made. " Mary Bowdwell of Lyn, 
 for her exorbitancy, not working, but hveing idly, and stealing, 
 and taking away other victuals, pretending communitie of all 
 things ; The court sentence that she shall be whipped ; but 
 throwe their clemency she was only admonished, and respited 
 till next courte." 
 
 This year a new version of the Psalms was made for public 
 worship. It was an octavo volume of 400 pages, and was the 
 first book printed in America. The following is a specimen of 
 the poetry. 
 
 PSALM 44. 
 
 Vr eares have heard our fathers tell 
 
 & reverently record : 
 The wondrous workes that thou hast done 
 in olden time Lord. 
 
 How thou didst cast the Gentiles out 
 
 & stroid them with strong hand 
 planting our fathers in their place 
 
 & ganest to them their land. 
 
 They conquered not by sword nor strength the land 
 
 of thy behest. 
 But by thy hand, thy arm, thy grace 
 
 because thou louedst them best. 
 
 Inhabitants. Samuel Aborne, farmer, resided at first on 
 the Common, and then removed to Lynnfield, where his de- 
 scendants remain. John Breed, died in 1678; the name of 
 his wife was Sarah. Hugh Churchman died in 1644. Wil- 
 liam Clark, farmer, died 5 March 1683; his children were 
 Hannah, John, Lydia, Sarah, Mary, and Elizabeth; his de- 
 scendants remain. Thomas Clark removed to Reading. Went- 
 worth Daniels. Thomas Gains. Zaccheus Gould, had a son 
 Daniel. Samuel Hart lived in Hart street. Isaac Hart, re- 
 moved to Reading. 
 
 The Lady Deborah Moody came to Lynn this year. In 
 1635, she went from one of the remote counties in England, 
 to London, where she remained in opposition to a statute, which 
 directed that no persons should reside beyond a limited time 
 from their own homes. On the twenty first of April, the court 
 
1641.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 75 
 
 of the Star Chamber ordered, that " Dame Deborah Mowdie" 
 and others " should return to their hereditaments in forty days, in 
 the good example necessary for the poorer class." On the fifth 
 of April 1640, soon after her arrival at Lynn, she united with the 
 church of Salem. On the thirteenth of May, the court 
 granted her 400 acres of land.^ In 1641 she purchased Mr. 
 Humfrey's farm," called Swamscut," for which she paid £1 IOO.2 
 Some time afterward she became imbued with the erroneous 
 doctrine, that the baptism of infants was a sinful ordinance, and 
 was excommunicated. In 1643, she removed to Long Island. 
 Governor Winthrop says, " The Lady Moodye, a wise and an- 
 ciently religious woman, being taken with the errour of deny- 
 ing baptism to infants, was dealt witha! by many of the elders 
 and others, and admonished by the church of Salem, whereof 
 she was a member, but persisting still, and to avoid further 
 trouble, Sic. she removed to the Dutch, against the advice of 
 all her friends." After her arrival at Long Island, she expe- 
 rienced much trouble from the Indians, her house being as- 
 saulted by them many times. Her wealth enabled her to ren- 
 der assistance to Governor Stuyvesant, in some trouble with the 
 neighbouring settlers in 1654 ; and so great was her influence 
 over him, that he conceded the nomination of the magistrates 
 that year to her.^ In Q. C. Rec. her son is styled Sir Henry 
 Moody 
 
 1641. 
 
 Lord Say, having an intention of forming a plantation at 
 New Providence, one of the Bahama Islands, had engaged 
 Mr. Humfrey in the design, with the promise of making him 
 governor of the new colony. Some of the Lynn people had 
 determined to accompany him ; but the intention was frustrat- 
 ed, by the island falling, for a time, under the government of 
 Spain. 
 
 Mr. John Humfrey was a native of Dorchester, in Dorset- 
 shire, England, a lawyer, and a man of considerable wealth, 
 
 1. Col. Rec. 2 $4,488 88. Q. C. Rec. 3 S. Wood, 
 
7C HISTORY OF LYNN. [1641. 
 
 and good reputation. He married Susan, the second daugh- 
 ter of Thomas, Earl of Lincoln, and sister of Frances, the 
 wife of Mr. John Gorges, and of Arbella, the wife of Mr. 
 Isaac Johnson. He was one of the most influential in pro- 
 moting the settlement of the colony, and the people of Mas- 
 sachusetts will ever regard him as one of their earliest and 
 most efficient benefactors. He was one of the original paten- 
 tees of the colony, and the treasurer of the company at Ply- 
 mouth, in England ; and by his exertions many donations were 
 obtained, and many persons, among whom were some of the 
 ministers, were induced to emigrate. He was chosen Deputy 
 Governor in 1630, and Assistant in 1632, both before his ar- 
 rival ; and such was the respect in which he was held, that 
 when the formulary for the constituling of freemen was in de- 
 bate, an exception was made in favor of " the old planters" 
 and " ]Mr. Humfrey." He arrived at Lynn in 1634, received 
 several liberal grants from the court, and fixed his residence at 
 Swampscot. In discharging the duties of an Assistant in the 
 general government, he devoted his time and energies for seven 
 years to the service of the state, and seems not to have been 
 surpassed in devotedness to her welfare. He became a mem- 
 ber of the Artillery Company in 1640 ; and In June 1641, 
 was appointed to the command of all the militia in the county, 
 with the title of Sergeant Major General. But with all his 
 honors and possessions, a shade of dissatisfaction had spread 
 itself over his prospects, which his numerous misfortunes con- 
 tributed to darken. The disappointment of the Bahamas must 
 have been severely felt, by a mind so ambitious of honor as 
 his appears to have been ; and it is not improbable that he ex- 
 perienced a secret chagrin at seeing the young and uninform- 
 ed Henry Vane promoted to the office of governor, above one 
 whose years, knowledge, and services, entided him to prece- 
 dence. It is probable likewise that his affection for his wife, 
 whose hopes were in the land of her nativity, had some influ- 
 ence in determining his conduct. Living so far removed from 
 the elegant circles in which she had delighted, and having lost 
 the sister who might have been the companion of her solitude, 
 the Lady Susan was weary of the privations of the wilder- 
 ness, the howling of the wild beasts, and the uncouth manners 
 of the savages, and had become lonely, disconsolate, and 
 homesick. She who had been the delight of her father's 
 house, and had glittered in all the pride of youth and beauty, 
 in the court of the first monarch in Europe, was now solitary 
 
1641.] 
 
 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 and sad, separated by a wide ocean from her father's home. 
 The future greatness of America, which was then uncertain 
 and ideal, presented no inducement to her mind to counterbal- 
 ance the losses which were first to be endured ; and the cold 
 and barren wilderness of Saugus, })opulated by its few lonely 
 cottages, round which the Indians were roaming by day, and the 
 wolves making their nightly excursions, had nothing lovely to 
 offer to sooth her sorrows or elevate her hopes. What the mis- 
 fortunes and disappointments of Mr Humfrey had begun, her im- 
 portunities completed. He sold the principal part of his farm 
 to Lady Moody, and returned to England with his wife, on the 
 twenty sixth of October. They were much censured for leaving 
 their children, but their intention of visiting the Bahamas, and 
 the approaching inclemency of the season, rendered it imprudent 
 to take them, and they undoubtedly intended to return or send 
 for them. That Mr Humfrey possessed deep sympathies, his 
 letters sufficiently evince ; and it would be extremely uncharitable 
 to suppose that the Lady Susan was without the endowments of 
 maternal love. A woman of high feelings and keen sensibili- 
 ties — the daughter of an English Earl — and according to Mr. 
 Mather's own account, of " the best family of any nobleman 
 then in England" — it cannot be supposed that she was destitute 
 of those affections which form the characteristic charm of her 
 sex. The emotions of the heart are not always regulated by 
 rule, and disappointment sometimes makes sad havoc with the 
 best feelings of our nature, 
 
 Tis thus with the dreams of the high heaving heart. 
 They come but to blaze, and they blaze to depart ; 
 Their gossamer wings are too thin to abide 
 The chilling of" sorrow, the burning of pride ; 
 They come but to brush o'er its young gallant swell, 
 Like bright birds over ocean, but never to dwell.' 
 
 They embarked from King's Beach, near Black Will's Cliff. 
 The misfortunes which afterward befel some of the children, 
 inflicted a wound on the heart of the affectionate father from 
 which he never recovered. In a letter to Governor Winthroj), 
 dated 4 September 1646, he says, "It is true the want of that 
 lost occasion, the loss of all I had in the world, doth, upon 
 rubbings of that irreparable blow, sometimes a little trouble 
 me ; but in no respect equal to this, that I see my hopes and 
 possibilities of ever enjoyin^g" those I did or was willing to suf- 
 
 1 J. Neal. 
 11 
 
78 HISTORY OF LY5N. [1641. 
 
 fer any thing for, utterly taken awny. But by what interme- 
 diate hand soever this has befallen me, whose neglects and 
 unkindness God 1 hope will mind them for their good, yet I de- 
 sire to look at his hand for good I doubt not to me, though I 
 do not so fully see which way it may work. Sir, I thank you, 
 again and again, and that in sincerity, for any fruits of your 
 goodness to me and mine ; and for any thing contrary, I bless 
 his name, I labor to forget, and desire him to pardon." Mr. 
 Humfrey died in 1661, and in the same year^ his administra- 
 tors, Joseph Humfrey and Edmund Batter, claimed the 500 
 acres of land "by a pond of iresh water" in Lynnfield, which 
 had been given him by the court. Mr. Robert Ingalls bought 
 nine acres of the farm at Swampscot for 280 pounds, and Mr. 
 Richard Johnson had 60 acres of the salt marsh for 30 pounds. 
 The windmill on Sagamore Hill was valued at 60 pounds. 
 The character of Mr. Humfrey has been drawn with concise- 
 ness by Governor Winthrop, who represents him to have been 
 " a gentleman of special parts of learning and activity, and a 
 godly man." His children were John, Joseph, Theophilus, 
 Ann, Sarah, and Dorcas. The first married William Palmer, 
 of Ardfinan, Ireland, and afterward the Rev. John Miles of 
 Swanzey. I have in my possession a deed signed by her, and 
 sealed with the arms of the house of Lincoln. 
 
 In die early part of this year, says Governor Winthrop, " a 
 goodly maid of the church of Linne, going in a deep snow 
 from Meadford homeward, was lost, and some of her clothes 
 found after among the rocks." 
 
 Several families in Lynn and Ipswich had made an agree- 
 ment to remove to Long Island and form a new settlement } 
 but the court disapproved, and persuaded tliem to relinquish 
 their design.^ 
 
 The following persons make their first appearance at Lynn 
 this year. 
 
 Robert Bridges. He was admitted a freeman on the second 
 of June. He had a large share in the iron works, and appears to 
 have gone out to England on that account in 1643. He was 
 captain of the militia, and a member of the artillery company. 
 In 1644 he was chosen representative, and appointed a mem- 
 ber of the Quarterly Court at Salem. In 1646 he was chosen 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the next year 
 became an Assistant, in which office he continued till his death 
 
 1 Winthrop. 
 
1642.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 7 
 
 in 165G. He is said by Mr. Johnson, to have been " endued 
 with able parts, and forward to improve them to the glory of 
 God and his people's good." 
 
 Daniel King was a merchantj and lived at Swampscot, where 
 a beach still beai-s his name. He died 27 May 1672, aged 
 70. His sons were Daniel and Ralph. 
 
 Richard Moore died 1 January 1689. He had a son John. 
 His descendants remain. 
 
 Edward Richards was " a Joiner," a freeman in 1641, and 
 died 26 January 1690, aged 74. His descendants remain. 
 
 Other inhabitants were, Edmund Audley ; William Cantle- 
 bury moved to Salem and there died. His widow Beatrice 
 married Francis Plummer of Newbury ; John Cole, who died 
 8 October 1703; George Davis, removed to Reading ; Dan- 
 iel Fairfield ; Joseph Howe ; William Hubbard ; Abraham 
 Otdey ; Adam Ottley, who married a daughter of Mr. John 
 Humfrey ; Edward Paine ; Hugh Stacey ; John Stacey, 
 whose descendants remain ; and William Stark. 
 
 1642. 
 
 The winter was exceedingly cold, with deep snow, and the 
 harbor was passable with teams for five weeks. The Indians 
 said that the weather had not been so cold for forty years. 
 
 A great alarm was occasioned through the colony by a re- 
 port that the Indians intended to exterminate the English. 
 The people were ordered to keep a watch from sunset to sun- 
 rise, and blacksmiths were directed to suspend all other busi- 
 ness till the arms of the colony were repaired. A house was 
 built for the soldiers, and another, about forty feet long, for a 
 safe retreat for the women and children of the town, in case of 
 an attack from the Indians. These houses were within the 
 limits of Saugus, about eighty rods from the eastern boundary, 
 and about the same distance south of Walnut street. The cel- 
 lars of both these buildings remain, and near them, on the 
 east, is a fine unfailing spring. 
 
 1 Winthrop. 
 
80 HISTORY OF LTX:<. [1643. 
 
 The inhabitants whose names are first found this year, are the 
 following. Andrew Allen, He removed to Andover. Hugh 
 Cawkin, freeman 1G42, removed to Gloucester, of which place 
 he was representative in 1650. Thomas Ewington. Henry 
 Jones. John Mansfield, tailor, freeman 1643, died in 1671, 
 aged 52. Robert JNIansfield. Thomas Mansfield. John 
 Maddox came from Bristol, Eng. and died in Newbury, Mass. 
 Thomas Putnam. Roger Scott. John Tillton. William 
 Tillton. Daniel Trumbull. Nathaniel Tyler. 
 
 A general tax of eight hundred pounds was laid, of which 
 Lynn paid forty five. 
 
 At the Salem Court, 12 July, " George Sagamore and Ed- 
 ward, alias Ned," prosecuted Francis Lightfoot for land. The 
 case was referred to the Boston court. 
 
 Governor Dudley, in a letter to his son in England, dated 
 2S Nov^ember, remarks, "There is a want of schoolmasters 
 hereabouts." 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, 14 December, " The Lady Debo- 
 rah Moodie, INIrs. King, and the wife of John Tillton," were 
 presented, " for houldinge that the baptising of Infants is noe 
 ordinance of God." 
 
 1643. 
 
 Much difficulty was occasioned for several years, by an er- 
 roneous opinion which some of the people entertained, that the 
 baptism of infants was sinful. ]Vlr. William Witter was pre- 
 sented at the Salem Court for his conduct in this respect, and 
 on the twenty eighth of February the following record was 
 made. " William Witter — Now comeing in, answered hum- 
 bly, and confessed his Ignorance, and his willingness to see 
 Light, and, (upon Mr. Norris our Elder his speech,) seemed 
 to be stagered, Inasmuch as tliat he came in court meltinglie. 
 Sentence — Have called our ordenonce of God, a badge of the 
 [wicked woman] on some Lecture day, the next 5th day be- 
 ing a public fast. To acknowledge his fait. And to ask Mr. 
 Cobbett forgiveness, in saying he spok against his conscience. 
 And enjoyned to be heare next court att Salem." At the same 
 court, Roger Scott was presented, " for common sleeping at 
 the publick exercise upon the Lord's day, and for striking him 
 
l645.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 81 
 
 that waked him." In December following, not having amend- 
 ed his conduct, he was sentenced by the court, " to be severe- 
 ly whipped." It was the custom at this time, during the pub- 
 he service, for a person to go about the meeting to wake the 
 sleepers. He bore a long wand, on one end of which was a 
 ball and on the other a fox tail. When he observed the men 
 asleep, he rapped them on the head with the knob ; and rous- 
 ed the slumbering sensibilities of the ladies by drawing the 
 brush lightly across their faces. 
 
 On Sunday morning March 5, there was an earthquake. 
 A controversy was in agitation respecting the right of the 
 assistants to a negative vote upon the resolves of the represen- 
 tatives. Mr, Cobbett wrote a treatise, in which he advocated 
 the right of the assistants, and the question was finally decided 
 in their favor. 
 
 On the fifth of June, says Governor Winthrop, " there arose 
 a sudden gust at NW. so violent for half an hour as it blew 
 down multitudes of trees. It lifted up their meeting house at 
 Newbury, the people being in it. It darkened the air with 
 dust, yet through God's great mercy it did no hurt, but only 
 killed one Indian. It was straight between Linne and Hamp- 
 ton." 
 
 In June, Mr. Edward Tomlins was appointed by the court a 
 commissioner to treat with the Indians. He was also appoint- 
 ed Clerk of the Writs, instead of Mr. Richard Sadler. ^ 
 
 An Iron Mine having been discovered on the land of Mr. 
 Adam Hawkes, in Saugus, information was sent to England ; 
 where a company was formed, called the Company of Under- 
 takers for the Iron Works. It consisted of the following gen- 
 tlemen. 
 
 Lionel Copley, Esquire, of York County, England. 
 
 Nicholas Bond, Esquire, of Westminster. 
 
 Thomas Pury, Esquire, of Westminster. 
 
 John Becx, London, Merchant. 
 
 William Beauchamp, London, Merchant. 
 
 Thomas Foley, London, Gentleman. 
 
 William Greenhill, Stepney, Middlesex County. 
 
 Tiiomas W^eld, Minister, Gateshead, Durham County. 
 
 John Pococke, Merchant Tailor, London. 
 
 William Becke, Merchant Tailor, London. 
 
 William Hicocke, London, Citizen.- 
 
 Mr. John Winthrop, junior, came fi-om England witli work- 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 SuOblk Reg. Deeds. 
 
82 HISTOUY OF LYNN. [1644% 
 
 nren, and stock to the amount of one thousand pounds, for com- 
 mencing ihe work. A Foundry was erected on the western 
 bank of Saugus river, upon land now owned by Mr. Thomas 
 Mansfield, where large heaps of scoria are still to be seen. 
 The iron ore was very plenty, about one mile north of the 
 Foundry ; and according to several accounts, some lead was 
 discovered, which the people at first imagined to be silver. 
 The village at the Foundry was called Hammersmith, by some 
 of the workmen who came from a place of that name in Eng- 
 land.i Mr. Endecott, in a letter to Governor Winthrop, De- 
 cember 1 ) says, " 1 want much to hear from your son's Iron 
 and Steel. "^ Mr. William Wood says that Iron Avas discover- 
 ed as early as 1633. 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, December 27, Mr. Joseph Armi- 
 tage was presented, " for procuring a warrant for seaventy per- 
 sons to appeare forthwithe before the Governor, which we con- 
 ceave may be of dangerous consequence." The court fined 
 liim ten pounds. 
 
 1644. 
 
 The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works, on the 
 seventh of March, laid before the court ten propositions for the 
 advancement of their designs; the most important of which 
 were granted. They were allowed permission to make use of 
 six places, three miles square in each place, wherever they 
 might choose, without interfering with previous grants. Their 
 privileges were to continue twenty one years ; with exemption 
 of themselves, their workmen, and stock, from all public taxes, 
 for ten years. ^ 
 
 On the twentieth of May, the court allowed the town " thir- 
 ty sacre shot" for their two great guns, of which Captain Ro- 
 bert Bridges had the care. At the same court the name of 
 Lynn Village was altered to Reading.^ 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, on the twenty seventh of August, 
 the following persons were presented. " Wm. Hewes and 
 John his son, for deriding such as Sing in the Congregation, 
 tearming them fooles ; also William Hewes for saying Mr. 
 
 1 Essex Reg. Deeds. 2 Hazard's Col. 3 Col. Rec. 
 
1644.] HISTORY or lynx. Bo 
 
 Whiting preaches confusedly ; also John Hewcs for charging I^Ir. 
 Cobbitt with falshood in his doctrine. Wm. Hevves and John 
 his son shall pay 50s. a peece for a fine, and yt it be Injoyned 
 they shaU make an humble confession at Lynn, at a publick 
 meeting, vvh according to it ye Court will consider of their 
 fines." 
 
 The following persons appear at Lynn this year. 
 
 John Diven. He died 4 October 16S4. He had a son 
 John. 
 
 John Fuller came from England, with his brother Samuel, 
 in 1630, and when they arrived at Boston "only seven huts 
 were erected." After residing in that place for several years, 
 Samuel went to Scituate, and John, in 1044, came to Lynn, 
 and settled at the western end of Water Hill street. He was 
 chosen Representative in 1655, and Clerk of the Writs in 
 1662. He died 29 June 1666. The name of his wife was 
 Ehzabeth, and he had five children. ^ Lieut, John, who was 
 born in 1621, married Elizabeth Farrington, and died 29 
 April 1695. 2. William. 3. Susannah. 4. Elizabeth. 5. 
 James. A number of his decendants have borne respectable 
 offices, and several families of them remain. 
 
 Henry Roades was a farmer, and hved on the western side 
 of Saugus river. He was born in 1(508. He had two sons, 
 Jonathan and Henry, and his descendants remain. 
 
 Other inhabitants were Henry Fitch, Richard Ireson, Rob- 
 ert Pinion, Nicholas Pinion, Richard Woodman and Thomas 
 Purchis. 
 
 On the thirteenth of November, the Iron Company present- 
 ed to the court seven more propositions; in reply to which, the 
 court, in addition to their former grants, allowed them three 
 years " for ye perfecting of their worke, and furnishing of ye 
 country with all sorts of barr iron." They gave any of the 
 inhabitants liberty to share in the work, by bringing in within 
 one year, no less than 100£ a person, with allowance to y^ ad- 
 venturers Sic. for 1000£ already disbursed;" if they would 
 complete the finery and forge, as weU as the furnace, which " is 
 already set up." They gave them liberty, in all waste places, 
 " to make use of all yron ston, or yron oare," to cut wood, and 
 to make ponds and highways. They likewise granted them 
 immunities, civil and religious, equal with any in the jurisdiction ; 
 and recommended them to provide religious instruction for the 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 
 
?4 HISTORY OF LY:fN'. [1645. 
 
 families of their workmen, who were to be free from all traiu- 
 ins;s and watchinss.^ 
 
 1645. 
 
 Among the inliabitants found at Lynn this year, are the fol- 
 lo\\"in2;. 
 
 Arzbell x\nderson. He came from Scotland, and was a work- 
 man at the Iron Foundry. He died in 1661. 
 
 Samuel Appleton was a descendant of John Appulton, who 
 died at Great Waldingfield, England, in 1436. His father 
 Samuel resided at Ipswich. His son Samuel married Eliza- 
 bedi Uhitiingham of Boston, and had tliree cliildren, ]\Iaiy, 
 Hannah, and Elizabeth. 
 
 3Iac Galium More Do^^Tling came from Scotland, and was a 
 workman in the Iron Foundry. He died m 16S3. 
 
 Richard Ha%en, farmer, lived near the Flax Pond. His 
 wife Susannah died 7 February, 1682. His children were, 1. 
 Hannali, born 22 December, 1645. 2. ]Mary. 3. Joseph, 
 who was one of the first settlers of Framinghani. 4. Richard. 
 5. Susannah. 6. Sarah. 7. Jolm. 8. ^lartha. 9. Samuel. 
 10. Jonatlian. 11. ^Sadianiel, 12. Moses. A descendant of 
 his. Rev. Samuel Haven D. D. was minister at Portsmouth. 
 
 Joseph Jenks came from Hammersmith, in England. He 
 was a blacksmith, and worked at the Iron Foundry. He died 
 in March, 1683. He had, beside two daughters, five sons. 
 1 . Joseph, who removed to Pai^-tucket, where he built a forge 
 which was destroved in Pliilip's wars. In 1680 he was cho- 
 sen an Assistant of Rhode Island colony. His son Joseph, in 
 1726, was elected Governor of Rhode Island. 2. George, 
 or "William, who 'went to Virginia. 3. Samuel. 4. John, 
 born Julv 27, 1660, d. 1698, 5. Daniel, who went to Cum- 
 berland, in the State of Rhode Island. 3Ir. Jenks is frequent- 
 Iv mentioned in the records of the court, as a very insjenious 
 and useful man, and his descendants through out New England 
 are numerous and respectable. Among them is the Rev. 
 "William Jenks, D. D. of Boston. 
 
 1 Col.Rec. 
 
1645.] HISTORY OF LYNM. 85 
 
 Richard Leader was agent for the company of Undertakers 
 of the Iron works. 
 
 Henry Styche Uved at the Iron works. He was alive in 1653, 
 and was then 103 years of age.^ 
 
 Other inhabitants were, Theophikis Bayley, farmer, who died 
 14 February 1694, Richard Bayley, William Bitnar, Tobias 
 Haskell, Myhill Lambard, Quentin Pray, Richard Pray, and 
 William Prichett. 
 
 The establishment of the Iron Foundry at Lynn was highly 
 approv^ed by the Court, who passed the following order on the 
 fourteenth of INI ay. 
 
 " Whereas it is now found by sufficient purpose yt ye iron 
 worke is very successful, (both in y^ richness of ye ore and 
 ye goodness of ye iron,) and like to be of great benefit to 
 y® whole Country, especially if ye inhabitants here should be 
 interested therein, in some good proportion, (one halfe at the 
 least,) and whereas ye time limited for adventurers to come in 
 wilbe expired in ye 9th mo. next : This Cort taking ye same in- 
 to serious consideration, and being carefull yt such an opportu- 
 nity, for so great advantage to ye Comon wealth might not be 
 let slip: have taken order, yt speedy notice thereof should be 
 given to every towne, within this iurisdiction expecting yt all 
 such persons, as are of sufficient ability, and intend their owne 
 benefit, with ye Comon good will forthwith appeare to com in 
 to share in ye worke, according totheire abilities, and for their 
 bettr instruction, and direction herein, they are hereby to un- 
 derstand that yr is already disbursed between 1200 £, and 
 1500£, wih wch ye furnace is built, wth yt w^i belongeth to it, 
 and good quantity of mine, Coale, and wood provided, and 
 some tuns of sowe iron cast, and some other things, in readi- 
 ness, for ye forge he. they are also to know yt no adventuier 
 is to put in les?e yn 100 £ : but divers may ioyne togeather to 
 make up yt sum : so it come all undr one name, y^ wilbe neede 
 of some 1500 £ to finish ye forge &:c wch wilbe accepted in 
 mony, beaver, wheate, coales, or any such Comodities, as will 
 satisfy ye Workmen, and these are to be paid in to Mr. Henry 
 Webbe of Boston, by such direction as they may receive from 
 ye undertakers, Mr. John Winthrope iuni : maior Sedgwick, 
 Mr. Henry Webb aforesaid, and Mr. Joshua Hewes ; the newe 
 adventurers are also to know, yt they must beare their pt, in 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 
 12 
 
86 HISTORY OF LYNN [1645. 
 
 such losse, as is befallen ye first stock, by forbearance, or 
 otherwise, to ye time of ye newe adventurers paying in their ad- 
 ventures, and all such, as will adventure are desired to hasten 
 their resolutions yt ye worke may go on spedily."^ 
 
 A question has arisen, whether the first forge might not 
 have been established at Braintree. It certainly was not. 
 The first purchase of land for the iron works at Braintree, 
 which has been discovered, was not till some months after this 
 time, namely, on the twenty ninth of September 1645, when 
 George Ruggles sold Richard Leader twenty acres.^ The 
 grant of " 2860 acres," made for the iron works " to be set 
 up" at Braintree, was not laid out till the eleventh of January 
 1648."' It is certain that an Iron Foundry was in successful 
 operation at Lynn as early as 1645, and as mention is only 
 made by the court of one forge, it follows of course that it must 
 have been this. In 1691, iron ore, called " Rock mine," was 
 taken from the ledges at Nahant for the forge at Braintree. 
 
 The court ordered, that youth, from ten to sixteen years of 
 age, should be exercised, on training days, in the use of small 
 guns, half pikes, and bows and arrows. They also ordered, 
 that any person who should make or publish a false report, 
 should be fined ten shillings, or set in the stocks.^ 
 
 Mr. Edward Burcham was chosen " Clarke of the Writts, 
 and to record deaths, births, and marriages for ye Towne."i 
 
 " Thomas Layton hath Liberty granted him by the house of 
 deputies, to drawe wine for ye town for one yeare."* 
 
 " Thomas Layghton, Edw. Burcham, and Thorns. Puttnam 
 are chosen by ye house of dept^ to end small controversies."* 
 
 The number of inhabitants having been considerably dimin- 
 ished by the removal of so many families to Reading, Long 
 Island, and other places, a petition was presented to the court 
 fer an abatement of taxes. The original paper, very much 
 -torn and trampled by tlie mob, which dilapidated Governor 
 Hutchinson's house and papers in 1765, is still in existence. 
 It conamences with " humbly shewing, that whereas the overrul- 
 ■inge Providence of God hath much weakened our hands, 
 {which yet were never of like strength with others about us,) to 
 "bear such a share in the Publique disbursements and debts of 
 <the country as formerly, we therefore make bold truly to In- 
 forme this honoured Court of our Infeebled estate witli which 
 we have more Immediate cause to be best acquainted. Those 
 
 } Col. Rec. 2 Suf. Reg. Deeds. 3 Bost. Rec. 
 
1G45.] HISTORY OV LYNN. 
 
 87 
 
 fewe able persons which were with and of us, Its not unknowne 
 how many of them have deserted us ; as my lady Moody, 
 whose share, in a former rate of this town, at 80£ was above 
 4 £. and her estate, left now in a life rate, pays not 1 £. 10 s. 
 Mr. Howel 6 £. Mr. Willis 5 £. Mr. Keayne 2 £. Mr. 
 Edward Tomlins neare 3 £. John Poole 1 £ 15s. Mr. Sad- 
 ler 1 £. 10 s. Nic Browne as much. Lieftenant Walker 1 £. 
 Wm. Halsey 1 £. John Cowper 1 £. Mr. Wade 12 s. 
 James Hubbard 12 s. Wm. Cowdrey, Wm. Blott, Wm. Mar- 
 tin, Thomas Marshall, Zachary ffitch, 10 s. each of them, be- 
 sides above 20 more whose share in such a rate was, some 8, 
 some 7," he. The petitioners state, that between " two and 
 three hundred acres" of the deserted farms " is soe overrun 
 with Sorrel that it is scarce quittinge cost to such whose ne- 
 cessities is such as "wdth us force them to improve the same. 
 We would not envy our neighbor townes, which are of the ris- 
 inge hand by tradinge or otherwayes, we rather wish theyr 
 prosperity, but for ourselves, we are neither fitted for or inured 
 to any such course of trade, but must awayte God's blessinge 
 alone upon our Lands and Cattel ; our Earnest Request there- 
 fore is, that this honoured Court, in which is the Confluence 
 of the wisdom, fidelity, and Equity of the Country, would 
 please seriously to weigh the premises touching our present es- 
 tate, and proportion out such share of Pubhque Charges, ac- 
 cording not to our supposed but real Abilities which the Lord 
 hath left us, and we shall cheerfully put too our shoulders and 
 continue our joynt prayers for you and yours. Resting yours 
 to serve and obey in the Lord."^ This petition was signed by 
 Thomas Putnam, Francis Lightfoot, Henry Collins, William 
 Longley, and Thomas Laighton, " of ye 7 men in ye name of 
 ye whole." The court, in their reply say, " We conceive the 
 estate of lin should be considered ;" and when they laid the 
 tax, which was £616,15, they required only £25 from Lynn. 
 
 Some of the inhabitants of Lynn and Salem petitioned the 
 court for liberty to form an independent company. The court 
 gave permission, and a band was formed, called " ye Military 
 Company of Lynn and Salem. "^ 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, on the fifth of July, Samuel Ben- 
 net was presented, " for saying, in a scornful manner, he neith- 
 er cared for the Towne, nor any order the Towne could make."^ 
 
 Captain Robert Bridges was appointed by the court, a com.- 
 missioner to negotiate between Lord De La Tour and Mon- 
 
 1 Col. Files, 2 Q. C. Files. 
 
88 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1645. 
 
 sieur D'Aulney, the governors of the French provinces on the 
 north of New England. He was accompanied by Richard 
 Walker and Thomas Marshall. For their " good service" in 
 this embassy, Captain Bridges was allowed ten pounds, Lieu- 
 tenant Walker four pounds, and Sergeant Marshall forty shil- 
 lings. ^ 
 
 On the fourteenth of October, the Company of Undertakers 
 for the Iron Works presented a petition to the court, which 
 was granted. As the answer of the court comprises some in- 
 teresting information respecting the Iron Works, it is transcribed. 
 
 " 1 . It was graunted and by this Courte ordered. That the un- 
 dertakers, their agents and assigns, are hereby granted the sole 
 priviledge and benefitt of making Iron and managing of all Iron 
 mines and workes that now are, or shall be discovered and 
 found out, or hereafter shall be in this Jurisdiction, for the terme 
 of twenty one yeares from the former graunt: Provided that 
 the said adventurers, their agents or assignes, doe within three 
 yeares from the former date, use their best endevours to their 
 utmost skill to perfect so many of the said workes, that the In- 
 habitants of this Jurisdiction be furnished with barr Iron of all 
 sorts for their use, not exceeding twenty pounds p tunne. Pro- 
 vided also, that it shall be in the liberty of any within this Ju- 
 risdiction to be adventurers with the undertakers, yt by the last 
 day of this October they bring in their adventures, not lesse in 
 one mans name than ffiffty pounds, wth allowance to y^ adven- 
 turers, for the stocke of one thousand pounds, by them already 
 disbursed. 
 
 2. The Courte doth hereby further graunt to the said under- 
 takers, their agents and assignes, in all places of waste and lands 
 not impropriated to any towne or person, that the said underta- 
 kers, their agents or assignes, at all times during the said terme 
 of twenty one yeeres, shall and may freely and at their own dis- 
 cretion have and take, all manner of wood and timber, to be 
 converted into coales, or any other uses for the service of the 
 undertakers, as also all manner of earth, stones, turfe, clay and 
 other materialls for buildings and reparation of their workes, 
 forges, mills, or houses built, or to be built, or for making or 
 moulding any manner of gunnes, potts, and all other cast Iron 
 ware, and for converting wood into charke coale, and also to 
 gett digg and carry away of all manner of stone Iron oare and 
 wood of all soarts ; and any other materiall, or thinge of use 
 
 1 Col.Rec. 
 
1645.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 89 
 
 for their workes, and it is hereby also grauiited to the said un- 
 dertakers, their agents, or assignes, that tiiey shall have free 
 liberty to make all convenient wayes and passages, as also all 
 manner of dammes watercourses, sluces ponds for water, in all 
 waste grounds, or other convencyes, to, from and for the ser- 
 vice of the said workes built or to be built not impropriated to 
 any tonne or person, during such time as the said workes shall 
 continue, Provided, if by any pond sluce damme or any other 
 worke (though in land impropriated) they should spoile, or any 
 wayes prejudice the land appropriated to any towne or person 
 the said undertakers shall make due and just satisfaction. 
 
 3. Also the Courte doth hereby further graunt to y^ said 
 adventurers, their agents, or assignes, in all the grounds that 
 are or shall be appropriated, that the said adventurers their 
 agents or assigns shall have free liberty at all times during the 
 terme to digg gett carry away all manner of stone, or Iron oare 
 and to make and use all convenient wayes and sluces water- 
 courses pooles, dammes, ponds for water and other convenien- 
 eyes, to, from, and for the service of the said workes through 
 all the said grounds, that are or hereafter shall be impropriated 
 (except bowses orchards not exceeding three ackers and yards) 
 giving such due and fuh recompense for the same to the own- 
 ers thereof, for the time being, as three indifferent men shall 
 adiudge, whereof one to be appointed by the said courte at the 
 next generall meeting after the undertakers, their agents or as- 
 signes, shall make or use any of the said wayes, or watercour- 
 ses, or other particulars therein mentioned for the services 
 aforesaid, and one other by the owner of the land for the time 
 being, and the third by the undertakers or adventurers. 
 
 4. The Courte hereby doe further graunt unto the said ad- 
 venturers and to theire heires and assignes forever, so much 
 land now or hereafter to be in this Jurisdiction, as aforesaid, as 
 shall containe in sixe places three miles square in each place, 
 or so much in quantity as containeth three miles square not ex- 
 ceeding fower miles in length to be sett out in such places and 
 parcells, as the said undertakers or their agents shall make 
 choyce of, not being already impropriated as aforesaid, upon 
 wch said land the said adventures shall have free liberty and 
 hereby doe undertake that within the said term of [twenty one] 
 yeeres, to search sett out and find convenient places within the 
 said compass of land ; for the building and setting up of sixe 
 forges, or furnaces and not bloomaryes only, or so many more 
 
90 IIISTOHY OF LYNN. [1045. 
 
 as they slmll have occacon for, for the making of Iron as afore- 
 said, wch they shall (the Iron stone and other materialls appear- 
 ing proper and fitt for the making of Iron as aforesaid) build 
 and sett up within the terme aforesaid Provided that y^ Courte 
 may graunt a plantacon in any place where the courte doth 
 thinke meete, the undertakers or their agents their residing 
 having first notice thereof, and not making choyce of the same 
 for pte of the land to be sett out and graunted to them, for the 
 design of planting the said Iron workes and making Iron as 
 aforesaid, 
 
 5. And it is further granted and ordered that what quantity 
 of Iron of all sorts and quallityes the said adventurers their 
 agents, or assignes shall make more then the Inhabitants shall 
 have need or use of for their service to be bought and paid for 
 by the said Inhabitants as aforesaid they shall have free liberty 
 to transport the same by shipping to other pts or places of the 
 world and to make sale thereof, in what way and place the 
 said adventurers shall please for their best advantage. Provided 
 they sell it not to any person or state in actuall hostillity with us. 
 
 6. It is further graunted and ordered that the said undertakers 
 and agents, and servants, shall from the date of their presents 
 have and enjoy all libertyes and immunityes wdiatsoever, pres- 
 ent or to come, equal with any in this jurisdiccon, according to 
 the lawes and orders thereof, for the time being, and acording 
 to the rights and priviledges of the churches. 
 
 7. Itt is also graunted that the undertakers and adventurers, 
 together with their agents, servants, and assignes, shall be and 
 are hereby free from all taxes, assessments, contributions, and 
 other pubhcke chardges whatsoever, for soe much of their 
 stocke or goods as shall be employed in and about the said Iron 
 workes for and during the terme of [twenty one] yeeres yet to 
 come from the date of their presents. 
 
 8. Itt is also hereby further graunted and ordered that all 
 such clarkes and workmen as myners, founders, fyners hammer 
 men, and collyers necessarily imployed, or to be imployd in and 
 about the said workes, buih or to be built, for any the services 
 thereof, shall from time to time during the terme of [twenty one] 
 yeeres, be and hereby are absolutely freed and discharged of 
 and from all ordinary trainings, watchings, etc. but that evy 
 person at all times be furnished with armes, poud^^ shott, etc- 
 acording to order of courte. 
 
 9. Lastly, Itt is ordered by ye Courte, that in all places 
 
1646.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 91 
 
 where any Iron worke is sett up, remote from a church or con- 
 gregation, unto wch they cannot conveniently come, that the 
 undertakers shall provide some good meanes whereby their fam- 
 ilyes my be Instructed in the knowledge of God, by such as 
 the courte or standing Councell shall approove of."^ 
 
 On the twenty second of December, " Thomas Hudson of 
 Linne, granted unto Thos. Hutchinson of Linne, sixty acres 
 of ground amongst the ffurnaces, adjoyning to Goodman Town- 
 send's fferme.""^ 
 
 1646. 
 
 The proprietors of the Iron Works, in the beginning of this 
 year, made an agreement with Thomas Dexter, for opening a 
 new watercourse, and enlarging the pond. They purchased 
 " all that parcell of land neere adjacent to the Grantor's house, 
 which shall necessarily be overflowed by reason of a pond of 
 water, there included, to be stopped to the heighth agreed on 
 betwixt them ; and sufficient for a watercourse intended to be 
 erected, togetlier with the land lying betweene the ould water- 
 course and the new one. And also five acres and halfe in the 
 cornfield next the Granter's house," for which they allowed 
 £40. They agreed to make a fence " toward Capt. Bridge's 
 house," with " a sufficient cart bridge over the said water- 
 course," and " to allow sufficient water in the ould river for 
 the Alewives to come to the wyres before the Grantor's 
 house. "^ This extension of the pond caused it to overflow 
 three acres of land belonging to Mr. Adam Hawkes.^ The 
 whole amount purchased was forty five acres. 
 
 On the eighteenth of February, Mr. William Witter was 
 presented at the Quarterly Court, " ffor saying that they who 
 stayed while a Childe is baptised, doe worshipp the dyvill ; also 
 Henry Collense and Martha West, deling with him about the 
 former speeche, speak to them after this manner. That they 
 who stayed at the baptising of a Childe, did take the name of 
 the Father, Sonn, and holly ghost in vain and broke the Sab- 
 oth, (and confesseth and justifieth his former speech.) Sen- 
 tence of Court is, an Iniunction next Lord's day being faire, 
 that he make a publique confession to Satisfaction, in the open 
 congregation at Lyn, or else to answer it at the next General 
 
 1. Col. Rec. 2. Suf. Reg. Deeds 3 Q. C. Files. 
 
92 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1646. 
 
 Court. And concerning his opinion, the court hath yet pa- 
 tience toward him, till they see if he be obstinate, and only ad- 
 monish him."i 
 
 On the sixth of May, Mr. John Lewis was admitted a free- 
 man. 
 
 By permission of the court, Mr. Leader purchased " some 
 of the country's Gunnes," to melt over .at the Iron Foundry .^ 
 
 On the tenth of June, Mr. Joseph Jenks presented a petition 
 that the Court would patronise his improvements in mills, and 
 the manufacture of sythes. " In Ansr to a peticon of Joseph 
 Jencks for liberty to make experience of his abillllyes and In- 
 ventions for ye making of engines for mills, to goe with water, 
 for the more speedy despatch of worke than formerly, and mills 
 for the making of sithes and other edge tooles, with a new In- 
 vented sawemill, that things may be afforded cheaper than for- 
 merly, and that for fourteen yeeres without disturbance by any 
 other's setting up the like Invention, that so his study and costs 
 may not be in vayne or lost, this peticon was graunted, so as 
 power is still left to restrayne the exportation of such manufac- 
 tures, and to moderate the prizes thereof, if occacon so require."^ 
 
 Mr. Daniel King complained to the Court that his goods had 
 been taken, to the amount of fifty shillings, by " the captain of 
 ye trayned band of Lin, for supposed neglect of trayning, he 
 being lame, and willing to find a sufficient man." The court 
 ordered him to pay the fifty shillings for the past, and ten shil- 
 hngs annually for the future. ^ 
 
 Much damage was done to the corn, wheat, and barley, this 
 summer, by a species of large black caterpillar.^ 
 
 On the fourth of August, Mr. Thomas Dexter was presented 
 at the Quarterly Court " for a common sleeper," in meetings 
 for public worship, and fined. ^ 
 
 The proprietors of the Iron Works addressed a letter to the 
 court in May, which was answered in September. In their re- 
 ply, the court say, "We acknowledge wth you that such a sta- 
 ple comodity as Iron is a great meanes to enrich y^ place where 
 it is, both by furnishing this place wth yt comodity at reasona- 
 ble rates, and by bringing in other necessary comodityes in ex- 
 change of Iron exported, but as we use to say, if a man lives 
 where an axe is worth but 12 d. yet it is never the cheaper to 
 him who cannot get 12 d. to buy one. So if your Iron may 
 not be had heere without ready mony what advantage will that 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 2 Col. Rec. 3 Col. Files. 4 Winthrop. 
 
1647] HISTORY OF LTxrc. 
 
 93 
 
 be to us if wee have no money to purchase it. Itt is true some 
 men have here Spanish mony sometimes, but httle comes to 
 our Smiths hands especially those of inland tounes. What 
 raonyes our Smithes cann gett you may be sure to have it be- 
 fore any other ; if we must want Iron so often as our mony 
 failes you may easily Judge if it were not better for us to Pro- 
 cure it from other places (by our corne and pipe staves &tc) 
 then to depend on ye comming in of mony wch is never so 
 plentifuU as to supply for ye occacon."^ 
 
 In October, Captain Robert Bridges was chosen Speaker of 
 the House of Representatives.^ 
 
 On the twenty sixth of October, a petition was presented to 
 the court, that Jane Armitage might be permitted " to keep an 
 Ordinary," which was granted. It was signed by Mr. Whiting, 
 Mr. Cobbet, and thirty two others. This tavern was opened on 
 the north side of the Common, opposite the Academy, and was 
 called " The Anchor." It was kept in the name of the wife, 
 because Mr. Armitage was involved in pecuniary difficulties.^ 
 
 On the night of the fourth of November, began " a most 
 dreadful tempest at northeast, with wind and rain." The roof 
 of Lady Moody's house at Salem was blown ofF.^ 
 
 At the court, in this month, " on the motion of the deputies 
 of the towne of Linne ; It is ordered that there shal be once 
 a weeke a market kept there on every third day of the weeke, 
 being their lecture day."^ 
 
 1647. 
 
 On the twentieth of January, Richard Leader sold to Joseph 
 Jenks, the privilege to build a forge at the Iron Works, for the 
 manufacture of sythes.^ 
 
 On the twenty sixth of May, Captain Robert Bridges was 
 chosen an Assistant.^ 
 
 In June, an epidemic sickness prevailed through the whole 
 country, supposed to have been the influenza.^ 
 
 The names of persons first found at Lynn this year, are the 
 following. Richard, John, and Robert Blood ; the last two of 
 whom removed to Concord. Matthew Boomer. John Dia- 
 
 1. Col. Rec. 2 Winthrop. 
 
 13 
 
94 HISTORY OF LTNN. [1048. 
 
 mond, ancestor of the celebrated Mary Pitcher. William Ed- 
 wards, died 1G93. John Hardman. Benjamin Hearndale. 
 William Hacker, Edmund Needham, died 16 May, 1677. 
 Jonah Needham, died 24 October 1674, aged 64 years. 
 Thomas Pigden. Charles Phillips. Henry Reinolds. John 
 Turner. The last four were workmen at the Iron Foundry. 
 
 In October, the court ordered, that every town containing 
 fifty families, should have a school for reading and writing ; and 
 that all towns containing one hundred families, should maintain 
 a grammar school.^ 
 
 An order was passed, that if any young man should address 
 a young woman, without the consent of her parents, or, in their 
 absence, of the county court, he should be fined five pounds.^ 
 
 The court fixed the prices of grain to be received for taxes ; 
 Indian corn at 3s. rye and peas at 3s. 6d. barley at 4s. and 
 wheat at 4s. 6d. a bushel.^ 
 
 Among the presentments at the Quarterly court, was the 
 following. December 14. "The town of Lynn, for want of 
 a staff for the constable.""^ 
 
 December 29. " John Turner, living at the Iron Workes 
 at Lin, being convicted before the court for stabbing Sara 
 Turner, his daughter in law — the sentence of court is, that he 
 shall be severely whipped. "^ 
 
 1648. 
 
 On the twenty third of March, the court allowed the town 
 twenty pounds, toward repairing the " great bridge " over Sau- 
 gus river. On the eighteenth of October, thirty shillings were 
 granted annually for the same purpose. ^ 
 
 On the twenty-seventh of April, Captain Robert Bridge's 
 house, near the Iron Works, was burnt.^ 
 
 In June, Margaret Jones, of Charlestown, was executed at 
 Boston, for a witch. This was the first execution for this 
 offence in New England, and should have been the last. 
 
 In a letter to his son, dated August 4, Mr. Winthrop re- 
 marks ; " The iron work goeth on with more hope. It yields 
 now about 7 tons per week, but it is most out of that brown 
 earth which Ues under the bog mine. They tried another 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2. Winthrop. 3. Q. C. Files, and Rec. 
 
1649 J, HISTORY OF LYNN. 96 
 
 mine, and after 24 hours they had a sum of about 500, which 
 when they brake, they conceived to be a 5th part silver. There 
 is a grave man of good fashion come now over to see how 
 things stand here. He is one who hath been exercised in 
 iron works." In another letter, September 30, he says, "The 
 furnace runs 8 tons per week, and their bar iron is as good as 
 Spanish. The adventurers in England sent over one Mr 
 Dawes to oversee Mr Leader, but he is far short of Mr Leader. 
 They could not agree, so he is returned by TenerifFe." 
 
 1649. 
 
 The Rev Thomas Cobbet preached the Election sermon 
 before tlie court, on the third of May. 
 
 On the tenth, the Governor and Assistants, among whom 
 was Captain Robert Bridges, signed a protestation against the 
 prevailing custom of wearing long hair, " after the manner of 
 ruffians and barbarous Indians."^ 
 
 On the seventh of September, Nicholas Pinion was present- 
 ed at the Quarterly court, for swearing. " The deposition of 
 Quinten Pray. This deponent saith yt meetinge wh Nichs 
 Pinion ye last Lord's day, cominge out of his corne, hee heard 
 ye said Pinion sware — all his pumpkins were turned to 
 squashes." The court, as a comment upon Mr Johnson's text, 
 " let no man make a jest at pumpkins," fined him.^ 
 
 On the eleventh, Matthew Stanley was tried for winning the 
 affections of John Tarbox's daughter, without the consent of 
 her parents. He was fined £5, with 2s. 6d. fees. The pa- 
 rents of the young woman were allowed six shillings for their 
 attendance three days.^ 
 
 1650. 
 
 The following persons appear to have been inhabitants of 
 Lynn as early as this year. 
 
 Hugh Alley, farmer, lived in Market street. He had a son 
 Hugh. His descendants remain, and are numerous. 
 
 John Alley, farmer, had two sons, John and Hugh. 
 
 1 Hutchinson. 2 Q. C. Roc. and Fila*. See page 13. 
 
96 
 
 HISTORT OF LTIfN [1651. 
 
 Robert Howard, had a son Edward, and his descendants 
 remain. 
 
 Richard Hood came from Lynn, in England. He died 12 
 September. 1695. His sons were Joseph and Benjamin, and 
 his descendants remain. 
 
 John Hood was a brother of Richard. 
 Joseph Holloway died 29 November, 1693. He had a son 
 Joseph, and his descendants remain. 
 
 Henry Leonard was a workman at the Iron Foundry. The 
 family of the Leonards have been extensively engaged in the 
 manufacture of iron, in various places, for many generations. 
 
 Robert Rand, farmer, Fayette street. His children were 
 Robert, Zachary, Elizabeth, and Mary, and his descendants 
 remain. 
 
 Captain Shubael Walker, was buried 24 January, 1689. 
 John Witt died in December, 1675. His children were 
 Ann, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Martha, John, and Thomas. 
 His descendants remain. 
 Jonathan Witt died in 1665. 
 
 Thomas Wellman died in 1672. His children were Abi- 
 gail, Isaac, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary. 
 
 Other inhabitants of Lynn, between 1650 and 1675, were 
 the following. John Andrews. John Atwell, whose descend- 
 ants remain. Thomas Brewer. William Barber. Thomas 
 Berry, whose descendants remain. Robert Bates. Thomas 
 Burrage. Benjamin Brisco, shoemaker. William Croft. 
 George Darling. William Dyer. Allister Douglas. Joseph 
 Fisk. Joseph Hichin, whose descendants remain, and spell 
 their name Hitchings. Samuel Hunt. John Lovell. Thomas 
 Norwood. JohnPaule. Samuel Penfield, who married Mary 
 Lewis, November, 1675. John Gingle. Ebenezer Stocker, 
 whose descendants remain. John Vinten. Simon Younglove. 
 From 1675 the records are entire, and it is hoped that the 
 guardians of our public property will be careful to preserve 
 them. 
 
 1651. 
 
 Mr. Richard Leader, the agent for the Iron Works, was ar- 
 raigned by the court, on the seventh of May, for reproaching 
 Governor Endecott, the court, and the church at Lynn. In 
 their first excitement, the court fined him two hundred pounds, 
 
1651.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 97 
 
 which were afterward reduced to fifty. Mr. Leader made an 
 acknowledgment, and the fine was finally remitted. ' After this, 
 Mr. John GifFord appears as agent. He married the widow 
 Margaret Temple, and had a son Phihp. 
 
 On taking the management of the Iron Works, Mr. GifFord 
 raised the dam, which caused the water to overflow six acres 
 of " plowland" belonging to Mr. Adam Hawkes. For this, on 
 the twentieth of June, an agreement was made, in which Mr. 
 Hawkes was allowed £8 for damages.^ 
 
 On Sunday, the twentieth of July, three men of the Baptist 
 persuasion, whose names were John Clarke, John Crandall, 
 and Obadiah Holmes, came from Newport, and went to the 
 house of William Witter, at Swampscot, where IMr. Clarke 
 began to preach. On hearing this, Captain Bridges, the ma- 
 gistrate, sent two constables to apprehend them, as disturbers 
 of the peace. In the afternoon they were taken to IVIr. Whi- 
 ting's meeting, where they refused to uncover their heads. Mr. 
 Bridges ordered a constable to take oft' their hats, when one of 
 them attempted to speak, but was prevented. At the close of 
 the meeting, one of them made some remarks, after which they 
 were taken to the Anchor tavern, and guarded through the 
 night. In the morning, they were sent to Boston, and imprison- 
 ed. On the thirty first, the court of Assistants sentenced Mr. 
 Holmes to pay a fine of thirty pounds, Mr. Clark of twenty, 
 and Mr. Crandall of five. The fines of Clark and Crandall 
 were paid ; but Mr. Holmes refused to pay his, or suffer it to 
 be paid, and was retained in prison till September, when he 
 was dismissed with thirty stripes. While in prison Mr. Clark 
 consented to a proposal to dispute with the ministers ; and after 
 his liberation, published a small book, entitled " 111 news from 
 New England ;" to which Mr. Cobbet wrote an answer.-^ 
 
 On the fourteenth of October, the court made an order 
 against " the intolerable excess and bravery" of dress. They 
 ordered that no person whose estate did not exceed £200 
 should wear any great boots, gold or silver lace or buttons, or 
 silk hoods, ribbons or scarfs, under a penalty of ten shiUings.^ 
 
 " In answer to a petition of George Indian at Lynn, This 
 Court refers him to bring his action in some inferiour court, 
 against any that ungenerously withold any land from him."^ 
 
 1 Col. Rec. 2 Q. C. Files, 3 Col. Rec. Allen, Benedict, Savage. 
 
98 HISTORY OF LYNW. [1651. 
 
 The following description of Lynn is from a work published 
 
 by Mr. Edward Johnson. 
 
 " Her scituation is neere to a River whose strong freshet at 
 breaking up of Winter fiUeth all her Bankes, and with a furious 
 Torrent ventes itself into the Sea. This Towne is furnished 
 with Mineralls of divers kinds especially Iron and Lead, the 
 forme of it is almost square, onely it takes two large a run mto 
 the Land-ward (as most Townes do,) it is filled with about one 
 Hundred Houses for dwelling. There is also an Iron Mill m 
 constant use, but as for Lead they have tried but httle yet. 
 Their meeting house being on a Levell Land undefended from 
 the cold North west wind ; and therefore made with steps de- 
 scending into the Earth, their streets are straite and comly yet 
 but thin of Houses, the people mostly inclining to Husbandry 
 have built many Farmes Remote. There Cattell exceedingly 
 multiplied. Goates which were in great esteeme at theire first 
 comming, are now almost quite banished, and now Horse, kine 
 and Sheep are most in request with them." 
 
 In his rema-ks on manufactures, Mr. Johnson says, " All 
 other trades have fallen into their ranks and places, to their 
 great advantage, especially Coopers and Shoemakers, who had 
 either of them a corporation granted, inriching themselves by 
 their trades very much. As for Tanners and Shoemakers it 
 being naturalized into their occupations to have a higher reach 
 in managing these manifactures thery other men in New Eng- 
 land are° having not changed their nature in this, between them 
 both they have kept men to their stande hitherto, almost doub- 
 ling the price of their commodities, according to the rate they 
 were sold for in England, and yet the plenty of Leather is 
 beyond what they had there, counting the number of the people, 
 but the transportation of Boots and Shoes into forraign parts 
 hath vented all however."^ * 
 
 The manufacture of shoes had not, at this time, become a 
 principal business at Lynn. A few persons practised the em- 
 ployment regularly ; but they traded with merchants at Boston, 
 and did not^export for themselves. The shoes which they 
 made were principally of calf skin, for Morocco had not been 
 introduced. Cloth was worn only by the most wealthy ; and 
 if a lady in the more common ranks of life obtained a pair ot 
 stuff shoes, to grace the nuptial ceremony, they were afterward 
 laid aside, and carefully preserved through life, as something 
 too delicate for ordinary use. 
 
1662.] HISTORY OF LYNIt. 99 
 
 1652. 
 
 Winnepurkitt, the Lynn Sac;amore, on the first of April, 
 mortgaged " all that Track or Neck of Land commonly called 
 Nahant," to Nicholas Davison of Charlestown, " for twenty 
 pomids sterling dew many yeer." The deed was signed with 
 his mark, which has somewhat the form of a capital H in 
 writing.' 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, on the twenty ninth of June, the 
 following presentments were made. "We present Ester, the 
 wife of Joseph Jynkes Junior ffor wearing silver lace ;" and 
 " Robert Burges for bad corne grinding." Other persons were 
 presented for wearing great boots and silk hoods.^ 
 
 Mr. GifFord this year increased the height of the dam at the 
 Iron Works, by which ten acres of IMr. Hawkes's land were 
 flowed ; for which he agreed to give 16 loads of hay yearly, 
 and 200 cords of wood. Afterward he agreed to give him 
 £7, "which ends all, except that 10s. is to be given him 
 yearly." By this agreement the water was to be so kept " that 
 it may not ascend the top of the upper floodgates in the pond, 
 or pier then within foot and a halfe of the top of the great Rock 
 that lies in the middle of the pond before the gates. "^ 
 
 On the twenty seventh of November, William Witter was 
 presented for neglecting the public ordinances, and being re- 
 baptized.- 
 
 This year a mint was established at Boston for coining silver. 
 The pieces had the word Massachusetts, with a pine tree on 
 one side; and the letters N. E. 1652, and IIL VL or XIL de- 
 noting the number of pence, on the other. It is said that the 
 dies for coinage were made by Joseph Jenks, at the Iron 
 Works. 
 
 1653. 
 
 On the seventh of March, the boundary line between Lynn 
 and Reading was established."' 
 
 This year, Mr. Thomas Savage, of Boston, attached the 
 Iron Works at Lynn, for the amount owed to him and Henry 
 
 1 Suf Reg, Doeds, 2 Q. C, Files. 3 Reading Rec. 
 
100 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1654. 
 
 Webb. On the fourteenth of September a special court con- 
 vened at Boston, for the trial. Mr. Savage obtained for him- 
 self £894 2s. and for Henry Webb £1351 6s. 9d. The 
 total account of Mr. John GifFord, agent for the company, was 
 £16,284 7s. 4d.i 
 
 1654. 
 
 The selectmen of Boston agreed with Mr. Joseph Jenks 
 " for an Ingine to carry water in case of fire."^ This is said 
 to have been the first Fire Engine made in America. 
 
 In August, the court fixed the prices of grain ; Indian corn 
 at 3s. rye and peas at 4s. and wheat and barley at 5s. a bushel.^ 
 
 At a town meeting, on the twenty eighth of December, a 
 grant was made to Mr. Edmund Farrington, allowing him the 
 privilege to build a grist mill, in Water Hill street, on condition 
 that grain should be seasonably and faithfully ground ; other- 
 wise the privilege was to revert to the town."^ 
 
 1655. 
 
 On the twenty third of May, the court granted to Mr. Joseph 
 Jenks, a patent for an improved sythe, " for the more speedy 
 cutting of grasse, for seven years. "^ 
 
 This year an epidemic prevailed through New England. 
 
 On the twenty seventh of November, Mr. William Longley 
 was appointed Clerk of the Writs. ^ 
 
 1656. 
 
 This year the Rev. Thomas Cobbet relinquished his con- 
 nexion with the church at Lynn, and removed to Ipswich. 
 He was born at Newbury, in England, in 1608. Though his 
 father was poor, he found means to gain admission at the Uni- 
 versity of Oxford, which he left during the great sickness in 
 1625, and became a pupil of Dr. Twiss, in his native town. 
 
 1 Col. Rec. and Files. 2 Boston Rec. 3 Town Rec. 
 
1650.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 101 
 
 He was afterward a minister of the established Church. He 
 came to Lynn in 1637, and was welcomed by Mr. Whiting, 
 with whom he had commenced a friendship in England. Mr. 
 Mather says, "they were almost every day together, and 
 thought it a long day if they were not so ; the one rarely tra- 
 velling abroad without the other." Mr. Cobbet preached at 
 Lynn 19 years, and 29 at Ipswich. In 1666, he preached the 
 election sermon, from II. Chronicles. 15 chapter, 2 verse. 
 He died on Thursday, 5 November, 1685, and was buried on 
 the next Monday. At his funeral were expended, one barrel 
 of wine, £6,8; two barrels of cider, lis. 82 pounds of sugar, 
 £2,1 ; half a cord of wood, 4s. four dozen pair of gloves, " for 
 men and women," £5,4 ; with " some spice and ginger for the 
 cider."' It was the custom at funerals to treat all the company 
 with cider, which in cold weather was heated and spiced. In 
 the year 1711, the town of Lynn paid for "half a barrel of 
 cider for the widow Dispaw's funeral." Wine was distributed 
 when it could be afforded. Gloves were commonly given to 
 the bearers and principal mourners, and by the more wealthy, 
 rings were sometimes added. Mr. Cobbet appears to have 
 been much esteemed. The following epitaph to his memory 
 is the best of Mr. Mather's productions. 
 
 Sta viator ; thesaurus hie jacet ; 
 
 THOMAS COBBETUS ; 
 
 Cujus, 
 
 Nosti preces potentissimas, ac mores probatissimos, 
 
 Si es Nov-Anglus. 
 
 Mirare, si pietatem colas ; 
 
 Sequere, si feUcitatem optes. 
 
 The sense of which is preserved in the following translation. 
 
 Stop traveller, a treasure's buried here ; 
 Here Cobbet lies whose merits claim a tear. 
 His prayers were powerful, his manners pure, 
 As thou, if of New England's sons, art sure. 
 If thou reverest piety, admire ; 
 And imitate, if joy be thy desire. 
 
 I\Ir. Cobbet possessed good learning and abilities, and wrote 
 more books than most of the early ministers of New England. 
 Among his works were the following. 
 
 1 Ipswich Rec. 
 14 
 
102 
 
 itISTOUY OF LYNN. [166G. 
 
 1. A treatise asserting the right of the Magistrates to a nega- 
 tive vote on the resoh^cs of the Representatives. 1643. 
 
 2. A defence of Infant Baptism. 1645. This is said to 
 have been an admirable summary of the principal arguments 
 for and against the subject, and an able exposition of the error 
 oi those who deny the validity of this important rite. 
 
 3. The Civil Magistrate's power in matters of religion, mo- 
 destly debated, &c. with a brief answer to a certain slanderous 
 pamphlet, called "111 News from New England." 1653. The 
 " slanderous pamphlet" to which he refers, was the one written 
 by Mr. John Clarke, the Baptist, in 1652. 
 
 4. A discourse on Prayer. Mr. Mather remarks that, " of 
 all the books written by Mr. Gobbet, none deserves more to be 
 read by the world, or to live till tlie general burning of the 
 world, than that of Prayer." 
 
 5. " A fruitful and useful discourse, touching the honor due 
 from Children to their Parents, and the duty of Parents toward 
 their Children." London, 1656, 243 pages, octavo. 
 
 6. A treatise on ecclesiastical order and discipline. 
 
 7. Sermons. 
 
 The following beautiful picture of the enduring affection of a 
 mother, is from the discourse on the dudes of children. 
 
 " Despise not thy mother when she is old. When she was 
 young, yea, when she was middle aged, thou prisedst, and re- 
 spectedst, and didst reverence and obey her ; do it as well 
 when she is old ; hold on doing of it to the last. Age may 
 wear and waste a mother's beauty, strength, parts, limbs, senses, 
 and estate ; but her relation of a mother is as the sun when he 
 goeth forth in his might, for the ever of this life, that is, always 
 in its meridian, and knoweth no evening. The person may be 
 gray headed, but her motherly relation is ever in its flourish. 
 It may be autumn, yea winter, with the woman; but with the 
 mother, as a mother, it is always spring." 
 
 In descanting on the duties of children, he says ; " How 
 tender were your parents of their dealings with men, to dis- 
 charge a good conscience therein ; of their very outward garb, 
 what they ware, and of what fashion, and the like ; but you 
 their children regard not what you do, nor how you deal with 
 others, nor what you wear, nor of what fashion, so the newest. 
 Did ever your good father or grandfather wear such ruffianly 
 hair upon their heads? or did your godly parents frisk from one 
 new fangled fashion to another, as you do ?" 
 
 The following anecdote is related by Mr. Mather. *' The 
 
1656.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 103 
 
 ungrateful inhabitants of Lynn one year passed a town vote, 
 that they could not allow their ministers above thirty pounds 
 apiece that year, for their salary ; and behold, the God who 
 will not be mocked, immediately caused the town to lose three 
 hundred pounds in that one specie of their cattle, by one dis- 
 aster." 
 
 In a long and very interesting letter, written to Increase Ma- 
 ther in 1G77, and which is yet unpublished,^ Mr. Cobbet relates 
 the following incident. "About the year 1628: when those 
 few yt^ came over with Collonel Indicot and begun to setle at 
 Nahumkeeck, now called Salem, and in a manner all so sick 
 of theyr journey, that though they had both small and great 
 guns, and powder and bullets for y™' yet had not strength to 
 mannage y™. if suddenly put upon it ; and tidings being cer- 
 tainly brought yin on a lord's day morning yt a thousand In- 
 dians from Saugust, (now called Lyn,) were coming against 
 y™ to cut y"™ off, they had much adoe Amongst y^ all to charge 
 2 or three of theyre great guns and traile y™ to a place of 
 advantage, where the Indians must pass to y'"? and there to 
 shoot ym off; when they heard by theyre noise which they 
 made in the woods, yt the Indians drew neare, ye noise of 
 which great Artillery, to which the Indians w^ere never wonted 
 before, did occasionally, (by the good hand of God,) strike such 
 dread imto ym, yt by some lads, who lay at scouts in the woods, 
 they were heard to reiterate that confused outcrie, (O Hobba- 
 mock, much Hoggery,) and y" fled confusedly back with all 
 speed, when none pursued ym. One old Button,^ lately living 
 at Haverhill, who was then almost the only haile man left of 
 yt company, confirmed this to be so to me, accordingly as I 
 formerly had been informed of it." 
 
 On the twelfth of October, 1676, one of Mr. Gobbet's sons, 
 named Thomas, a seaman at Portsmouth, was taken, and car- 
 ried to Mount Desert, by the eastern Indians. He was detain- 
 ed a prisoner till December, when some vessels went out with 
 directions to stipulate for peace. They arrived at Penobscot 
 on the eighth of December. On the next day articles of agree- 
 ment with the Indians were signed. On the eleventh, Thomas 
 was sent to Penobscot ; and on Wednesday, the thirteenth, he 
 
 1 Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
 2 Common contractions in writing u'erc, y> the, y'" them, y" then, 
 y'' their or your, yt that, \v'> which, and vv' what. 
 
 3 Matthias Button, a Dutchman, who Uved in a thatched house ift 
 Haverhill, in 1670. Coffin. 
 
104 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1656. 
 
 was liberated by Madockawando, an Indian chief, who received 
 a fine coat in exchange. On this subject Mr. Cobbet thus 
 writes, in his letter to Increase Mather. "As to what you 
 querie, whether there were not answers of prayer respecting 
 n)y captured son, Surely I may truly say his wonderfuU pre- 
 servations in all that 9 weeks time after he was taken, and de- 
 liverance at ye last, they will be put on that account as answers 
 of prayer ; for he was constantly pleaded for by Mr. Moody^ 
 in his congiegation for that end, from his first being taken (of 
 which they first heard) till his redemption. So was he in hke 
 sort pleaded for by Mr. Shepard in his congregation at Charles- 
 towne, and by ray desire signified that way, by Mr. Philips, 
 Mr. Higginson, Mr. Buckley, in theyr congregations, and I 
 doubt not by yourself, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Allin, in the 3 Bos- 
 ton churches, besides the prayers going constantly that way for 
 him in ye families and closets of godly ones, which heard of 
 his captivity and hazard. He was constantly, as there was 
 cause, remembered in our congregation for that end, and which 
 I may not omit to mention : When Mr. Moody, by a post sent 
 hither, sent me the first news of his taking by the Indians, and 
 their further rage in those parts, calling out for further prayers 
 — I presently caused one of our Deacons to call to my house 
 yt very day, as many godly men and theyr wives as were near 
 us, to spend some hours in prayer about the same : about 30 
 met, several of them prayed, Capt. Lord was with them in it, 
 and w ith me also, who began and ended that service ; and hav- 
 ing bcg'd some amends of our wasted son Eliezer at home as 
 a pledge of ye desired mercies to our captived son abroad as 
 granted, my heart I must acknowledge to the Lord's praise, 
 was sweetly guided in the course of that service, and I was 
 even persuaded that the Lord had heard our prayers in yt re- 
 spect and could not but express as much to some of our godly 
 friends ; so was one of our sisters, (as since she informed my 
 wife,) as confidently persuaded that she should ere long see 
 him returned, and that in comfortable plight, as if he were 
 already come." He says that his son Eliezer began to amend, 
 " insomuch that he who before could not walk up and down 
 the town without stagering, could yet walk up that high hill 
 (which you know of,) that is by Mr. Norton's, now our house." 
 Mr. Cobbet was much respected for his piety and the fer- 
 vency of his prayers. One of the soldiers in Philip's war, 
 
 1 Rev. Joshua Moodey, of Portsmouth. 
 
1657.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 105 
 
 whose name was Luke Perkins, says, that when lie was de- 
 tached, in 1675, to go against the Indians, he went to request 
 the prayers of Mr. Cobbet, who prayed that the company might 
 be preserved, and they all returned in safety.^ 
 
 Some women of his neighbourliocd were one day attempting 
 some trick of witchery, when their minister appeared. " There," 
 said one of them, " we can do no more ; there is old crooked 
 back Cobbet a coming." 
 
 For a considerable time, he was in the practice of walking 
 from Ipswich to Boston, once in two weeks, to attend Mr. Nor- 
 ton's lecture, and to see his old friend, Mr. Whiting. He used 
 to remark that it was worth a journey to Boston, " to hear one 
 of Mr. Norton's good prayers." 
 
 The parents of Mr. Cobbet came over some time after his 
 arrival. The name of his wife was Elizabeth, and he had four 
 sons. 1. Samuel, who graduated in 1663. The name of his 
 wife was Sarah, and he had a daughter Margaret, who was 
 born 17 August 1676, and died in the next year. 2, Thomas 
 3. John. 4. Eliezer*. 
 
 On the fourteenth of June, in consequence of the scarcity of 
 cloth, the court authorized the Selectmen of every town, to 
 assess each family at one or more spinners ^ 
 
 On the nineteenth, Mrs. Ann Hibbins was executed at Bos- 
 ton for witchcraft.- 
 
 On the twenty fourth, Thomas Laighton, Thomas Marshall, 
 and James Axey, were appointed commissioners to try small 
 causes.^ 
 
 In July, the first persons called Quakers arrived at Boston, 
 from Barbadoes. As their conduct and opinions were regard- 
 ed as subversive of civil and religious order, the court passed 
 some severe laws against them, and four of them were after- 
 ward pubhcly executed. On the ninth of September, 1661, 
 the King sent an order to Governor Endecott, by Samuel Shat- 
 tuck of Salem, to discontinue all severities against them. 
 
 1657. 
 
 Sagamore Winnepurkitt petitioned the General Court, on the 
 twenty first of May; that he might possess some land, formerly 
 owned by his brother on Mistic river. He was referred to the 
 County Court.'^ 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 2 Col. Rce. 3 Col. Files. 
 
106 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1657. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Dexter, who claimed Nahant as a purchase 
 from Black William, commenced an action, at the Quarterly- 
 Court, on the third of June, against the town, for occupying it. 
 The case was defended by Thomas Laighton, George Keysar, 
 Robert Coats, and Joseph Armitage, in behalf of the town. 
 The following depositions were given. 
 
 1. " Edward Ireson, aged 57 yeares or there abouts, sworne, 
 saith, that liveing with Mr. Thomas Dexter, I carried the fenc- 
 ing stufFe which master Dexter sett up to fence in Nahant, his 
 part with the rest of the Inhabitants, and being and living with 
 mr Dexter, I never heard him say a word of his buying of 
 Nahant, but only his interest in Nahant for his fencing with the 
 rest of the inhabitants, this was about 25 yeares since, and after 
 this fence was sett up at nahant, all the new comers were to 
 give two shillings sixpence a head or a piece vnto the setters 
 up of the fence or inhabitants, and some of Salem brought Cat- 
 tell alsoe to nahant, which were to give soe."^ 
 
 2. " The Testimony of Samuel Whiting seni" : of yc Tov\Tie 
 of Linne, Saith, that Mr Humphries did desire that mr Eaton 
 and his company might not only buy Nahant, but the whole 
 Towne of Linne, and that mr Cobbet and he and others of the 
 Towne went to mr Eaton to offer both to him, and to com- 
 mit themselves to the providence of God, and at that time 
 there was none that laid claim to or pleaded any interest in 
 nahant. Save the town, and at that time farmer Dexter lived 
 in the Towne of Linne. "^ The person to whom Lynn was 
 thus offered for sale, was Theophilus Eaton, afterward gover- 
 nor of Connecticut. He came to Boston 26 June 1637, and 
 went to New Haven in August of the same year. 
 
 3. "The Dep. of Daniel Salmon, aged about 45 yeares, 
 saith, that he being master Humphreye's servant, and about 23 
 yeares agon, there being wolves in nahant, commanded that the 
 whole traine band to goe drive them out, because it did belong 
 to the whole towne, and farmer Dexter's men being then at 
 training, went with the rest."^ 
 
 4. " This I Joseph Armitage, aged 57 or there abouts, doe 
 testifie, that about fifteen or sixteen yeares agoe, wee had a 
 generall towne meeting in Lin, at that meeting there was much 
 discourse about nahant, the men that did first fence at nahant 
 and by an act of generall court did apprehend by fencing that na- 
 hant was their es, myself by purchase haveing a part therein, 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 
 
1658.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 107 
 
 after much agitation in the meeting, and by persuasion of mr 
 Cobbitt, they that then did plead a right by fencing, did yield up 
 all their right freely to the Inhabitants of the Towne, of which 
 Thomas Dexter senr was one."^ 
 
 5. "We, George Sagomore and the Sagomore of Agawam, 
 doe testify that Duke William so called did sell all Nahant unto 
 fFarmer Dexter for a suite of Cloathes, which cloathes ffarmer 
 Dexter had again, and gave vnto Duke William so called 2 or 
 3 coates for it again. "^ This deposition was signed with an S, 
 as the mark of Masconomond ; and with a bow and arrow, as 
 the mark of Winnepurkitt. 
 
 Other depositions were given by Richard Walker, Edward 
 Holyoke, George Farr, Christopher Lindsey, William Dixey, 
 William Witter, John Ramsdell, John Hedge, William Marcher, 
 and John Legg. The court decided in favor of the defend- 
 ants, and Mr. Dexter appealed to the Court of Assistants.'^ 
 
 A vessel owned by Captain Thomas Wiggin of Portsmouth 
 was wrecked on the Long Beach, and the sails, masts, anchor, 
 &;c. purchased by Thomas Wheeler, on the third of June.^ 
 
 1658. 
 
 At the court of Assistants on the thirteenth of May, the towns 
 of Lynn, Heading, and Chelsea, received permission to raise a 
 a troop of horse. ^ 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, on the twenty-ninth of June, Lieu- 
 tenant Thomas Marshall was authorized to perform the cere- 
 mony of marriage, and to take testimony in civil cases. ^ 
 
 This year there was a great earthquake in New England,^ 
 connected with which is the following story. 
 
 Some time previous, on one pleasant evening, a little after 
 sunset, a small vessel was seen to anchor near the mouth of 
 Saugus river. A boat was presently lowered from her side, 
 into which four men descended, and moved up the river a con- 
 siderable distance, when they landed, and proceeded directly 
 into the woods. They had been noticed by only a few indi- 
 viduals ; but in those early times, when the people were sur- 
 rounded by danger, and easily susceptible of alarm, such an 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 2 Q. C. Rec. 3 Essex Reg. Deeds. 4 Col. Rec. 
 
108 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1658. 
 
 incident was well calculated to awaken suspicion, and in the 
 course of the evening the intelligence was conveyed to many 
 houses. In the morning, the people naturally directed their 
 eyes toward the shore, in search of the strange vessel — hut she 
 was gone, and no trace could be found either of her or her 
 singular crew. It was afterward ascertained that, on that morn- 
 ing, one of the men at the Iron Works, on going into the foun- 
 dry, discovered a paper, on which was written, that if a quantity 
 of shackles, handcuffs, hatchets, and other articles of iron man- 
 ufacture, were made and deposited, with secrecy, in a certain 
 place in the woods, which was particularly designated, an 
 amount of silver, to their full value, would be found in their 
 place. The articles were made in a few days, and placed ii? 
 conformity with the directions. On the next morning they 
 M^ere gone, and the money was found according to the promise ; 
 but though a watch had been kept, no vessel was seen. Some 
 months afterward, the four men returned, and selected one of 
 the most secluded and romantic spots in the woods of Saugus, 
 for their abode. The place of their retreat was a deep narrow 
 valley, shut in on two sides by high hills and craggy precipi- 
 tous rocksj and shrouded on the others by thick pines, hem- 
 Iocs, and cedars, between which there was only one small 
 spot to which the rays of the sun at noon could penetrate. On 
 climbing up the rude and almost perpendicular steps of the 
 rock on the eastern side, the eye could command a full view 
 of the bay on the south, and a prospect of a considerable por- 
 tion of the surrounding country. The place of their retreat 
 has ever since been called the Pirates' Glen, and they could 
 not have selected a spot on the coast for many miles, more 
 favorable for the purposes both of concealment and observation. 
 Even at this day, when the neighborhood has become thickly 
 peopled, it is still a lonely and desolate place, and probably not 
 one in a hundred of the inhabitants has ever descended into its 
 silent and gloomy recess. There the pirates built a small hut, 
 made a garden, and dug a well, the appearance of which is still 
 visible. It has been supposed that they buried money ; but 
 though people have dug there, and in several other places, none 
 has ever been found. After residing there some time, their 
 retreat became known, and one of the king's cruisers appeared 
 on the coast. They were traced to their glen, and three of 
 them were taken, and carried to England, where it is probable 
 they were executed. The other, whose name was Thomas 
 Veal, escaped to a rock in the woods, about two miles to the 
 north, in which was a spacious cavern, where the pirates had 
 
1659.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 109 
 
 previously deposited some of dieir plunder. There the fugitive 
 fixed his residence, and practised the trade of a shoemaker, 
 occasionally coming down to the village to obtain articles of 
 sustenance. He continued his residence till the great earth- 
 quake this year, when the top of the rock was loosened, and 
 crushed down into the mouth of the cavern, enclosing the un- 
 fortunate inmate in its unyielding prison. It has ever since 
 been called the Pirate's Dungeon. A part of the cavern is 
 still open, and is much visited by the curious. 
 
 1659. 
 
 A road was laid out from Lynn to Marblehead, over the 
 Swampscot beaches, on the fifth of July. In reference to the 
 part between Broadway and King's Beach, the Committee say, 
 " it has been a country highway thirty and odd years, to the 
 knowledge of many of us."' 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, on die twenty ninth of November, 
 " Thomas Marshall, of Lynn, is alowed by this court, to sell 
 stronge water to trauillers, and alsoe other meet provisions."^ 
 
 1660. 
 
 Mr. Adam Hawkes commenced a suit, in June, against Mr. 
 Oliver Purchis, agent for the Iron Company, for damage by 
 overflowing his land. The following papers relating to this 
 subject, were found in the files of the Quarterly Court. 
 
 " The deposition of Joseph Jenks senior, saith, that having 
 conference with adam hawkes about the great dam at the Iron 
 works at Lin, he complayned that he suffered great damage by 
 the water flowing his ground. I answered him, I thought you 
 had satisfaction for all from the old companie, he said he had 
 from the old company, and further saith not." 
 
 " This, I Charles Phillopes do lestifie, that I, keepeing of 
 the watter at the Irene Workes, since Mr. Porchas came there, 
 Mr. Porchas did att all times charge me to keepe the watter 
 Lowe, that it might not damage Mr. Hawkes, which I did, and 
 had much ill will of the workmen for the same." 
 
 1 Q. C. Files and Rec. 
 
110 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1661. 
 
 Others testified that the lands had been much overflowed. 
 Francis Hutchinson said, that the water had been raised so 
 high, that the bridge before Mr. Hawkes's house had several 
 times been broken up, and " the peces of tember raised up 
 and Made Sweme." John Knight and Thomas Wellman were 
 appointed to ascertain the damage. They stated that the corn 
 had been " Much Spilled,''^ and the wells " sometimes fflot- 
 ed j" that the English grass had been much damaged, and tlie 
 tobacco lands much injured, "inlaying them so Coulld." They 
 judged the damage to be " the ualloation of ten pounds a 
 yeere."^ 
 
 1661. 
 
 " At a Generall Towne Meetinge, the 30th of December, 
 1661, vpon the request of Daniell Salmon for some land, in 
 regard he was a soldier att the Pequid warrs, and it was order- 
 ed by vote yt Ensign John fFuller, Allen Breed Senior, and 
 Richard Johnson, should vevv the land adjoyninge to his house 
 lott, and to giue report of it vnto the next towne meetinge."^ 
 
 1662. 
 
 Mr. William Longley prosecuted the town, for not laying 
 out to him forty acres of land, according to the division of 
 1638. The case was defended by John Hathorne and Henry 
 Collins. In March, the court decided that he should have tlie 
 forty acres of land or forty pounds in money .^ 
 
 On the twenty fifth of March, John Fuller was appointed 
 Clerk of the Writs, and Thomas Marshall and Oliver Purchis, 
 commissioners.^ 
 
 On the thirteenth of May, the boundary line between Lynn 
 and Boston was marked. It ran " from the middle of Bride's 
 brooke, where the foot path now gpeth."-^ This line has since 
 become the boundary between Saugus and Chelsea. 
 
 For the first time since the organization of the general gov- 
 ernment in 1634, the town of Lynn sent no representative. 
 
 1 Spoiled. • 2 Q. C. Files and Rec. 3 Town Rec. 
 
1663.] HISTORY OF LYNN. HI 
 
 1663. 
 
 On the evening of January twenty sixth, there was an eartli- 
 quake. 
 
 Mr. John Hathorne complained to the church at Lynn, that 
 Andrew Mansfield and William Longley had given false testi- 
 mony in the recent land case, for which they were censured. 
 They appealed to the county court, accusing Mr. Hathorne of 
 slander, of which he was found guilty. On the fourth of April, 
 the court directed the following letter to the church at Lynn. 
 
 " Reverend and loveing fFriends and brethren, wee under- 
 stand that John Haythorne hath accused Andrew Maynsfielde 
 and William Longley in the church of Lyn, for giving a false 
 testimony against himselfe and H. Collins att the court of Ips- 
 wich in March was 12 month, and for which the said Mansfield 
 and Longley stand convicted in the church, and finding them- 
 selves aggrieved thereat, hath brought their complaint against 
 the said Haythorne in several actions of slander, which hath had 
 a full and impartiall heareinge, and due examination, and by 
 the verdict of the jurie the said Haythorne is found guilty. 
 Now because it is much to be desired that contrary judgments 
 in one and the same case may be prevented, if possibly it may 
 be attained, and one power strive not to clash against the other, 
 we thought it expedient, before we give judgment in die case, 
 to comend the same to the serious consideration and further 
 examination of the church. We doubt not but that there hath 
 been even more than a few both in the words and carriage of 
 all the parties concerned, (though not the crime alleadged,) 
 which if it may please God to put into their hearts to see and 
 owne soe as may give the church opportunity and cause to 
 change their mynd and reverse their censures, so farr as con- 
 corns the particular case in question, wee hope it will be ac- 
 ceptable to God, satisfactory to ourselves and others, and the 
 beginning of their owne peace and quyet, the disturbance where- 
 of hitherto we are very sensible of and shall at all tymes be 
 ready to afford ym our best releive as we may have opportu- 
 nity or cognizance thereof. Had you been pleased, before 
 your final conclusion, to have given us the grounds of your of- 
 fence, wee should kindly have resented such a request, and 
 probably much of your trouble might have been prevented. 
 We have defer'd giving judgment in this case till the next ses- 
 
112 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1663. 
 
 sion of this Court, to see what effect this our motion may have 
 with ym. Now the God of peace and wisdome give ym un- 
 derstanding in all things, and guide ym to snch conclusions, in 
 this and all other causes of concernment, as may be agreeable 
 to his will, and conducing to yr peace and welfare. Soe prayes 
 yr ffriends and brethren 
 
 Robert Lord, Clerk. 
 Apr. 4, 03. 
 
 By order of the County Court at Ipswich." 
 
 To this letter Mr. Whiting made the following reply, on the 
 fourth of May. 
 
 " Honoured and Beloved in ye god of Loue.* 
 
 we haue receiued your Letter which you haue beene pleas- 
 ed to send to vs. wheirin we perceiue how tender you are of 
 our peace &; how wisely careful, you declare yor selves to 
 bee in preuenting any clash y* might arise betweene ye ciuil 
 &£ ecclesiastical powers, for which wee desire to returne 
 thanks from our hearts to god and unto you concerning y& 
 matter you signify to vs. what y pleasure is yt wee should at- 
 tend vnto, we in al humillity of mind & desirous of peace, 
 have been willing to proove ye partyes concernd, to see w* er- 
 rors they would see &t owne ; and for his pt yt complayned 
 to vs, hee doth acknowledge his vncomly speeches Si carriage 
 both vnto ye marshall. hee being y^^ courts officer. &; also, to 
 brethren in ye church. In ye agitation of ye matter and doth 
 condemne himselfe for Sin in it. but for ye other parties yt stand 
 convicted, they either doe not see or wil not acknowledg any 
 error concerning their testimony : wh we Judge they ought, 
 wherefore we humbly present you with these few lynes ; not 
 doubting but they will be pleasing to god. St acceptable to 
 you. what ever hath beene suggested to yr selves by others. 
 yt beare not good will to ye peace of our church ; wee are 
 sure of this. &; our consciences bear vs witnesse : yt wee 
 have done nothing in opposition to you. or to cast any reflection 
 vpon your court proceedings : but have Justified you al along 
 in what you had done : Secundum Allegata et probata :^ In 
 al our church agitations which our adversaries can tell, if they 
 vvould witnesse : but by reason of this, yt some of our brethren 
 did sweare contrary oatlies. we thought it our duty vpon com- 
 
 1 This letter is written in a handsome manner, and is transcribed with 
 the strictest regard to spelling and punctuation. 
 
 2 According as they were alleged and proved. 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. U^ 
 
 16C3.] 
 
 plaint made to vs. to search, whoe they were yt swore truly 
 k, who did falsifie their oath, fc after much debate & dis- 
 pute on Sunday dayes about this matter : we did Judge those 
 two men faulty, which in conscience, we dare not goe back from, 
 they continuing as they doe to this day. Could we discern, 
 any token of these mens repentance, for this yt they are, espe- 
 tially one of them, censured in ye church for, we should cheer- 
 fully take, off ye censures, but Inasmuch as they Justify them- 
 selves, and tel vs if it were to doe agayne they would doe it. 
 & lift up their creses^ in high Langwage h come to such anni- 
 mosities, from ye Juries verdict, we desire ye honoured court, 
 would not count vs transgressors, if we doe not recede fro wt 
 we have done. Espetially considering what disturbers, they 
 have beene to vs ; Espetially one of them for these seueral 
 yeers. Now therefore. Honoured h dear Sirs. Seeing by wt 
 we haue done we have gone in or owne way. as. a church: in 
 ye search after Sin we hope ye Court will be tender of vs and 
 of him yt complayned to vs on yt accot. k, if we humbly crauei 
 yt it be not grieuous to you yt we humbly tell you y* in our 
 Judgmt. ye discipline of these churches must fall : &£ if soe : 
 of wt sad consequence it wil be. we Leaue it to those yt are 
 wiser then^ ourselues to Judge, for this case being new k neuer 
 acted before in this Country, doth, not only reflect on our 
 church, but on all ye churches in ye country ; for if dehn- 
 quents. yt are censured in churches : shal be countenanced by 
 authority, agnst ye church in their acting in a Just way: we hum- 
 bly put it to ye consideration of ye Court, whether there will not 
 be a wide door openned to Erastiannisme^ wh we hope all of 
 vs do abhor, from our hearts. Now ye god of peace himselfe. 
 give ye Country. Courts. &i church espeace. alwaies by al 
 meanes. grace be with you all in christ Jesus : Amen : 
 
 Samuel Whiting. 
 
 Dated ye 4th. 3d. 63. 
 
 with ye consent U vote of ye church." 
 
 On the next day, the Court replied as follows. 
 
 " Reverend and beloved. Wee are very sorry our endeav- 
 ours have not produced that effect we hoped and desired, but 
 seeme to have beene interpreted co ntrary to our intention s, 
 
 1 Crests. 2 Crave. 3 Then was formerly used for than. 
 
 4 Thomas Erastus, in 1647, during the civil wars in England, contend- 
 ed that the Church had no power to censure or decree. This opmion was 
 termed Erastianisra. 
 
114 HISTORY OF LYNN. [l€64. 
 
 (and, we conceive, our wotds,) as an incroachment and de- 
 structive to the right and power of the churches. Wee have 
 beene taught, and doe verily believe, the civil and ecclesiastical 
 power may very wel consist, and that no cause is so purely ec- 
 clesiastical, but the civil power may in its way deale therein. 
 We are far from thinking the churches have no power but 
 what is derived from the christian magistrates, or that the civil 
 magistrate hath ecclesiastical powers, yet may, and ought, the 
 matter so requiring, take cognizance aud give judgment in solv- 
 ing a case, not in a church but civil way. Wee suppose wee 
 have kept much within these bounds in the case that hath beene 
 before us, and that our opinion and practice herein hath been 
 as clear from Erastianisme, as some men's assertions have been 
 from the opposite error, and the declared Judgments of our 
 congregational divines. In that point, we own and desire so 
 to regulate our proceedings accordingly. The God of order 
 guide all o^ ministrations to his glory, and the peace and edifi- 
 cation of his people. 
 
 By order and unanimous consent of the County Court, sitting 
 at Ipswich, May 5th. 1663. p. me. 
 
 Robert Lord, Cleric. 
 
 1664. 
 
 On the twenty eighth of June, Theophilus Bayley was li- 
 censed to keep a pubUc house.^ 
 
 This year the wheat is first mentioned to have been blasted,^ 
 and little has been raised on the sea coast of New England 
 since. ^ 
 
 A public fast was appointed on account of dissentions and 
 troubles. 
 
 In November, a comet appeared, and continued visible till 
 February. 
 
 1665. 
 
 On the twenty seventh of June, Thomas Laighton, Oliver 
 Purchis, and John Fuller, were appointed commissioners to try 
 small causes.^ 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 2 Hubbard. 3 Col. Files. 
 
16(56.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 115 
 
 On the twenty ninth of November, Mr. Joseph Jenks was ad- 
 monished by the court, for not attending public worship. ^ 
 
 1666. 
 
 Mr. Andrew Mansfield was chosen Town Recorder. 
 
 On the seventh of December, the court assembled for re- 
 ligious consultation and prayer, in which Mr. Whiting and Mr. 
 Cobbet sustained a part. 
 
 1667. 
 
 At the Quarterly Court, on the twenty sixth of June, Nathan- 
 iel Kertland, John Witt, and Ephraim Hall, were presented, 
 ^' for prophaining the Lord's Day By Going to William Craft's 
 house, in time of pubhke exercise, (they both being at meeting,) 
 and Drinkeing of his sider, and Rosteing his Aples, without 
 €ytherthe consent or knowledge of him or his wife."^ 
 
 Mr. Joseph Jenks presented a petition to the court for aid to 
 commence a wire manufactory, but did not receive sufficient 
 encouragement.^ 
 
 1668. 
 
 The ministers of the several towns assembled in Boston, on 
 the fifteenth of April, to hold a public disputation with the Bap- 
 tists, Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet were among the principal. 
 
 On the thirteenth of June, Robert Page of Boston was pre- 
 sented, " for setinge saille from Nahant, in his boate, being 
 Loaden with wood, there by Profaining the Lord's daye.""^ 
 
 Land on the north side of the Common was this year sold 
 for £4, an acre;^ and good salt marsh, for £1, 10."^ 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 2 Hubbard. 3 Col. Files. 
 
116 HISTORY OF LTNN [1669. 
 
 1669. 
 
 On the twenty ninth of April, the boundary line between Lynn 
 and Salem was defined. It ran from the west end of Brown's 
 pond, in Danvers, " to a noated Spring," now called Mineral 
 Spring ; thence to " Chip Bridge" on Hawthorn brook, and 
 tlirough the house of Daniel King senior, to the sea shore. 
 
 1670. 
 
 The court ordered, that the lands of deceased persons might 
 be sold for the payment of their debts. Before tliis, if a person 
 died in debt, his land was secure. The method of conveyance 
 was by " turfe and twig ;" that is, the seller gave a turf from the 
 ground, and a twig from a tree, into the hands of the buyer, as 
 a token of relinquishment. 
 
 1671. 
 
 On the eighteenth of January, there was a great snow storm, 
 in which there was much thunder and lightning. 
 
 The following memorandum is copied from the leaf of a 
 Bible. May 22. " A very awful thunder, and a very great 
 storm of wind and hail, especially at Dorchester town, so that 
 it broke many glass windows at the meeting house." 
 
 Mr. Samuel Bennett prosecuted Mr. John Gifford, the for- 
 mer agent of the Iron Works, and attached property to the 
 amount of £400, for labor performed for the company. On 
 die twenty seventh of June, the following testimony was given. 
 
 " John Paule, aged about forty-five years, sworne, saith, that 
 living with Mr. Samuel Bennett, upon or about the time that tlie 
 Iron Works were seased by Capt. Savage, in the year 53 as I 
 take it, for I lived ther several years, and my constant imploy- 
 ment was to repaire carts, coale carts, mine carts, and other 
 working materials for his teemes, for he keept 4 or 5 teemes, 
 and sometimes 6 teemes, and he had the most teemes the last 
 yeare of tlie Iron Works, when tliey were seased, and my mas- 
 ter Bennet did yearly yearne a vast sum from the said Iron 
 
1671.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 117 
 
 Works, for he commonly yearned forty or fifty shillings a daye 
 for the former time, and the year 53, as aforesaid, for he had 
 five or six teemes goeing generally every faire day."^ 
 
 The Iron Works for several years were carried on with vig- 
 or, and furnished most of the iron used in the colony. But the 
 want of ready money on the part of the purchasers, and the 
 great freedom with which the company construed the liberal 
 privileges of the court, caused their failure. The owners of 
 the lands which had been mjured, commenced several suits 
 against them ; and at last hired a person to cut away the flood 
 gates and destroy the works. This was done in the nigfii, 
 when the pond was full. The dam was high, and just below 
 it, on the left, stood the house of Mac Galium More Downing. 
 The water rushed out, and flowed into the house, without dis- 
 turbing the inhabitants, who were asleep in a chamber. In the 
 morning, Mrs. Downing found a fine Uve fish flouncing in her 
 oven. The works were ranch injured, and the depredator 
 fled to Penobscot. The Foundry finally became the property 
 of Major Samuel Appleton. By some means he became ob- 
 noxious to the law, and an ofl:Jcer was sent to apprehend him. 
 Seeing the oflicer approach him, he fled to the hill near his 
 house, and from a rock which has ever since been called Ap- 
 pleton's Pulpit, he held a conference with the officer's party 
 below. Finding his stipulation vain, he fled from the hill, 
 mounted his horse, swam him through the river, and escaped 
 into the woods. The suits against the iron works were pro- 
 tracted for more than twenty years. ]\Ir. Hubbard says " that 
 instead of drawing out bars of iron for the country's use, there 
 was hammered out nothing but contention and law suits." The 
 works were continued, though on a smaller scale, for more 
 than one hundred years from their establishment. But they 
 have long been discontinued, and nothing now is to be seen of 
 them, except the heaps of scoria, nearly overgrown with grass, 
 and called the " Cinder Banks." Several old families still re- 
 tain utensils "which were cast at an early period. One of these 
 is a small vessel, capable of containing about one quart; and 
 another, a large iron plate, bearing the date 1650. No men- 
 tion is made of the failure of the ore, of which specimens may 
 yet be obtained ; and it probably remains in sufiicient quantity 
 to reward the future labors of enterprize and industry. 
 
 1 Q. C. Files. 
 IG 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY OF LYNK. [1672, 
 
 1672. 
 
 Mr. Daniel Salmon attached the property of the town, to 
 the value of forty pounds, for not laying out the land granted to 
 him in 16G1. On the twenty seventh of June, the Quarterly 
 Court required the town to give him about six acres, near his 
 house. 
 
 1673. 
 
 On the eighteenth of June, a new road was laid out from 
 Lynn to Marblehead, on the north of the former road. It is 
 now called Essex Street. 
 
 1674. 
 
 Some of the inhabitants of Salem attempted to form a new 
 church, and engaged Mr. Charles Nicholet for their minister ; 
 but their design being opposed, they came to Lynn to com- 
 plete it. Mr. Rogers, Minister of Ipswich, wrote a letter to 
 Mr. Phillips, Minister of Rowley, requesting him to assist in 
 preventing the accomplishment. This letter was handed to 
 Major Dennison, who subjoined the following approbation. 
 " Sir, Though I know nothing of what is above written, I can- 
 not but approve the same in all respects." On Sunday, the 
 eleventh of December, the delegates from the churches of Bos- 
 ton, Woburn, Maiden, and Lynn, widi the governor, John Le- 
 verett, assembled at Lynn, and formed a council. They chose 
 the Rev. John Oxenbridge, of Boston, moderator, and agreed 
 that the new church should be formed. Afterward, the dele- 
 gates of the churches of Salem, Ipswich, and Rowley, arrived ; 
 when the vote of the council was reconsidered, and decided in 
 the negative. In the curious church records of Rowley, it is 
 said that " This work was begun without a sermon, which is 
 not usuall. There was also a breaking out into laughter, by a 
 great part of the congregation, at a speech of Mr. Batters, that 
 he did not approve of what Major Hathorne had spoken. Such 
 carriage was never known on a first day, that I know of." Af- 
 ter the frustration of this design, Mr. Nicholet went to England. 
 The evil effects of the separation from the Church began to 
 
1675.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 119 
 
 be experienced at a very early period. The dissenters had 
 forsaken an establishment which they admitted was a safe path 
 to salvation, and though they retained what they regarded as 
 the essentials of rehgious order, yet they had opened the way 
 for continued separation, and they could scarcely complain that 
 others wished to avail themselves of licenses to which they 
 conceived they had an equal right. I do not think however, 
 that men have a right to form their own separate modes of 
 church government, merely because they have the power. 
 Whatever the truth may be, no man has a right to forsake it. 
 He is bound to it as much for the sake of others as for his 
 own. If one man may not abandon the truth, neither have 
 any number a r'ght to do it, however virtuous may be their 
 character, and however honest their motives. 
 
 1675. 
 
 This year is remarkable for the conmiencement of a great 
 war with the Wampanoag Indians, just one hundred years be- 
 fore the war of American Freedom. They were governed by 
 a great chief, called King Philip, who lived at Mount Hope, in 
 Bristol, Rhode Island, and from him it has been called Phihp's 
 War. It began in June, and was extended to some of the 
 tribes in the eastern part of New England. As we have re- 
 ceived the history of this war only from the pens of white men, 
 it is probable that many incidents, which might serve to illus- 
 trate its origin, have been passed unnoticed ; and had the re- 
 lation been given by one of the Indians, the causes might have 
 appeared far more justifiable on their part. It is certain that 
 the Indians regarded themselves as the rightful proprietors of 
 the soil ; and there can be no doubt that encroachments were 
 made, if not by the colonial governments, yet by white men, 
 who, in the ironical language of one of the best poets of mod- 
 ern time, had adopted 
 
 " The simple plan, 
 That they should take who have the power. 
 And they should keep who can." 
 
 Some of the Indians had been killed by the white people ; and 
 other injuries of less importance might have contributed to aggra- 
 vate the feelings of a people barbarous indeed in their general 
 character, but yet highly susceptible of honorable and ungcn- 
 
120 HI8T0RT OF LTNIf. [1676. 
 
 erous treatment. One of the causes of the eastern war, was 
 an insult imposed upon the red people, by some sailors, on the 
 river Saco. Meeting with a canoe, in which were the wife 
 and child of Squando, a Sachem, and having heard that young 
 Indians could swim naturally, they overset the boat, to witness 
 the result. The child instantly sunk ; but the mother dived, 
 and brought it up. It died soon after, and its death was charg- 
 ed to the inhumanity of the white men. 
 
 On the twenty ninth of August, there was " a very great 
 wind and rain, that blew down and twisted many trees. "^ 
 
 The first inhabitant of Lynn called a Quaker,"^ is mentioned, 
 in the records of that society, this year. " Taken away by 
 Nathaniel Kertland, John Burrill, and Thomas Laigliton, for 
 the priest, Samuel Whiting, one cow, valued at £3." Others 
 afterward suffered, for refusing to perform military service, and 
 pay parish taxes, by having " sheep, corn, hay, shovels, tongs, 
 chains, and pots of money," taken away. 
 
 The troops from IVIassachusetts, which were sent against the 
 Indians, were placed under the command of Major Samuel 
 Appleton, of Lynn. The military company of Lynn, at this 
 time, was commanded by Captain Thomas Marshall, Lieuten- 
 ant Oliver Purchis, and ensign John Fuller. 
 
 On the thirtieth of November, fifteen men were impressed at 
 Lynn, by order of the court, in addition to those who had pre- 
 viously been detached. There names were, Thomas Baker, 
 Robert Driver, Job Farrington, Samuel Graves, Isaac Hart, 
 Nicholas Hitchens, Daniel Hitchens, John Lindsey, Jonathan 
 Locke, Charles Phillips, Samuel Rhodes, Henry Stacey, Sa- 
 muel Tarbox, Andrew Townsend, and Isaac Wellman.^ 
 
 On the twenty ninth of December, there was " A dreadful 
 fight with the Indians, and continued that winter."* This was 
 the great swamp fight, at South Kingston, Rhode Island, in 
 which eighty white men, and more than three hundred Indians 
 were killed. In the number of the slain were three of 
 Major Appleton's men, one of whom was Mr. Ephraim 
 Newhall. 
 
 1676. 
 
 The war with the Indians was prosecuted, by both parties, 
 vvitli die most determined vigor and cruelty. Many towns 
 
 1 Bible Leaf. 2 Col. Files. 3 George Oakes. 
 
1676.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 121 
 
 were burnt, and many of the inhabitants put to death in the 
 most barbarous manner. Great numbers of the Indians were 
 also killed, and those who were taken prisoners were most cru- 
 elly sold for slaves to the West Indies, against the earnest en- 
 treaties of some of the principal officers. At last, Philip was 
 pursued to a swamp, near his residence at Mount Hope, and 
 killed, on the morning of Saturday, the twelfth of August. Af- 
 ter his death, Annawon, Tispaquin, and others of his chiefs and 
 warriors, submitted themselves, on the promise that their lives 
 would be spared ; but they were unmercifully put to death. 
 From the expressions of some of them, it is probable that they 
 did not wish to survive the destruction of their nation. 
 
 Thus fell Philip, the last great king of the Wampanoags — 
 the last formidable enemy of the English. Like Sassacus, he 
 foresaw the destruction of his nation ; but he was at first 
 friendly to the white people, and wept when he heard that 
 some of them had been killed. The pen of the historian will 
 do justice to his patriotism, and the harp of the poet will eu- 
 logize him in strains of immortality. 
 
 A law had been passed, prohibiting the friendly Indians from 
 going more than one mile from their own wigwams. On the 
 twenty fifth of October, the court agreed that they might go out 
 to gather " chesnuts, and other nuts in the wilderness," if two 
 white men went with each company, whose charges were to be 
 paid by the Indians. 
 
 The injuries which the Indians received in the early history 
 of our country, cannot now be repaired ; but the opportunity 
 is afforded for our national government to manifest its high 
 sense of magnanimity and justice, and to evince to the world 
 that republics are not unmindful of honor and right, by redress- 
 ing any wrongs which the existing red men have received, and 
 by providing for their welfare, in a manner becoming a great 
 and powerful nation, which has received its extensive domains 
 from a people, who are now wandering as fugitives in the land 
 of their fathers. Such conduct, it may reasonably be expect- 
 ed, will receive the approbation of heaven ; and it cannot be 
 supposed, that He who watches the fall of the sparrow, will 
 regard its neglect widi indifference. 
 
 The leaf of the Bible says, there was " a great sickness 
 this year." 
 
122 HISTORV OF LYNN. [1677. 
 
 1677. 
 
 The following letter was addressed by Mr. Whiting to In- 
 crease Mather. 
 
 "October 1, 1677. 
 
 " Reverend and Dear Cousin. I acknowledge myself much 
 engaged, as to God for all his mercies, so to yourself for your 
 indefatigable labors, both in our church here, and in your writ- 
 ings, which of your love you have sent to me from time to time ; 
 and especially for your late book which you sent to me, where- 
 in you have outdone any that I have seen upon that subject. 
 Go on, dear cousin, and the Lord prosper your endeavors for 
 the glory of his great name, and the good of many souls. And 
 let me beg one request of you, that you would set pen to paper 
 in writing an history of New England, since the coming of our 
 chief men hidier ; which you may do, by conferring with Mr. 
 Higginson, and some of the first planters in Salem, and in 
 other places ; which I hope you may easily accomplish, having 
 by your diligence and search found out so much history con- 
 cerning the Pequot war. And the rather let me entreat this 
 favor of you, because it hath not been hitherto done by any in 
 a polite and scholar like way ; which if it were so done would 
 glad the hearts of the Ijord's people, and turn to your great ac- 
 count in the last and great day of the Lord Jesus. Thus com- 
 mending my love to you, and your loving consort, with thanks 
 to you for your kindness to me and my son when we were last 
 with you at your house, beseeching the Lord to bless you and 
 all yours, not knowing how shortly I must put off this earthly 
 tabernacle, I rest, 
 
 Samuel Whiting."^ 
 
 At this time there w^as but one Post Office in Massachusetts, 
 which was at Boston. On the third of December, the court of 
 Assistants appointed John Hayward Post Master for the whole 
 colony. 
 
 On Thanksgiving day, the fourth of December, happened 
 one of the greatest storms ever known in New England. It 
 blew down many houses and many trees. 
 
 1 Lib. of Mass. Hist. Soc. 
 
1678.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 123 
 
 167S. 
 
 One of the first inhabitants of Nahant was James Mills. His 
 occupation was that of a shepherd, and he lived on the spot 
 where Rice's tavern stands, which has been, for many years, 
 ill possession of the family of Breed. His children were Sa- 
 rah, James, Dorothy, John, Mary, Sarah second, and Rebecca. 
 A little bay, on the south side of Nahant, from its having been 
 the favorite bathing resort of his daughter Dorothy, is still call- 
 ed Dorothy's cove. 
 
 The selectmen, or, as they were called, " the seven pruden- 
 tiall men," this year, were, Thomas Laighton, Richard Walker, 
 Andrew Mansfield, William Bassett, Nathaniel Kertland, John 
 Burrill, and Ralph King. 
 
 The price of corn this year was two shillings a bushel. 
 
 On the tenth of June, the first Quaker meetinghouse, in 
 Lynn, " was raised on Wolf Hill," near the spot where their 
 meetinghouse now stands. 
 
 The whole town, till the year 1715, was regarded as con- 
 stituting one parish. The inhabitants generally voted together 
 in its pecuniary affairs, made agreements with the ministers, 
 and paid their taxes in accordance. The first church which 
 they formed was in conformity with the faith of John Calvin. 
 The covenant was long, and, as respects the language, well 
 written ; but it has since been laid aside for another more com- 
 pendious. 
 
 Next came the Baptists, about twelve years after the settle- 
 ment of the town. They made a greater departure from the 
 Church, by denying the right of infants to be baptized, and of 
 adults to partake of the communion, unless baptized by immer- 
 sion. They found a few supporters, several of whom were 
 brought before the court for their belief; but they did not suc- 
 ceed in forming a society. 
 
 Then, forty five years after the settlement, came the follow- 
 ers of George Fox, at first called Quakers, and afterward 
 Friends, who made a still wider separation. They contended 
 that all the existing modes of church government were incor- 
 rect ; that tlie custom of ordaining and paying ministers was 
 improper ; and that the sacraments of Baptism and die Lord's 
 Supper, two divine ordinances instituted by our Savior himself, 
 should be wholly set aside. This })ersuasion was a great trial 
 
124 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1678. 
 
 to the chr.rches of New England, and is mentioned in the ser- 
 mons of that age as one of the greatest deUisions which ever 
 came over a Christian hind. Tlicy formed a society, which 
 was the second religious assemhly in the town. 
 
 It is not my design to censure any class of men for their re- 
 ligious belief, for even the Founc'er of the Cluu'ch came not 
 to condenni the world, but that the world through Him might 
 be saved ; but I do consider it my right and my duty to say, 
 that I regard all the divisions and dissentions of the Christian 
 world, as opposed to the true spirit and intention of the Gos- 
 pel, and as essentially detrimental to its prosperity. I regard 
 it as the duty of all good men to employ their best exertions to 
 promote union, and to induce all men to return to the fold of 
 Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. I do not ex- 
 pect that the union of the Church will be effected without op- 
 position. Human opinion is hard to be shaken, but it will be 
 shaken, and the throne of God will shine out in most resplen- 
 dent beauty. 
 
 It may not be deemed uninteresting by the inhabitants of 
 Lynn, to mention a book, written by the Kev. Nathaniel Ward, 
 of Ipswich, which perhaps occasioned more excitement than 
 any other ever written in New England. It is entitled " The 
 Simple Cobler of Agawam, willing to help mend his native 
 country, lamentably tattered both in upperleather and sole, 
 witli all the honest stitches he can take." It was first published 
 in quarto, at London, in 1645, and passed through five editions. 
 It abounds in the most pungent wit and satire, interspersed with 
 some observations of very good sense. He remarks, " What a 
 high pitch of boldness it is, for a man to cut a principal ordi- 
 nance out of the kingdom of God — what a cruelty it is, to di- 
 vest chilch'en of that only external privilege which their heav- 
 enly Father hath bequeathed them, to interest them visibly in 
 Himself, his Son, his Spirit, his covenant of grace, and the 
 tender bosom of their careful mother, the Church — what an 
 inhumanity it is to deprive parents of that comfort they may 
 take, from the baptism of their infants, dying in their child- 
 hood." The book concludes with the following stanza. 
 
 " And farewell, simple world ; 
 
 If thou'lt thy cranium mend, 
 There is my Last and All, 
 
 And a Shoemaker's End." 
 
1C79.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 125 
 
 1G79. 
 
 In the number of the early ministers of New England, there 
 were few who deserved a higher celebrity, for the purity of 
 their character, and the fervor of their piety, than the Reverend 
 Samuel Whiting. His name has been frequently overlooked 
 by biographers, and little known and estimated even in his own 
 parish. He has no stone erected to his memory, and the very 
 place where he was buried is know only to a few. Had not 
 JNIather sketched his life, and Thomson written his elegy, his 
 name would scarcely have survived. 
 
 " Dust long outlasfs the storied stone. 
 But Thou — thy very dust is gone." 
 
 This is another instance of the truth of the observation, that 
 men are indebted to the poet and the historian for their remem- 
 brance to after ages. An honorable memorial of the deserving 
 dead is one of the rewards of goodness, and the very desire of 
 remembrance is itself a virtue. We naturally love the idea that 
 we are remembered by others, and that our names will be 
 known beyond the circle of those with whom we shared 
 the endearments of friendship. It is sweet to think that we 
 have not altogether lived in vain — to persuade ourselves that 
 we have conferred some slight benefit on the world, and that pos- 
 terity will repay the pleasing debt by mentioning our names 
 with expressions of regard. It is not vanity — it is not ambition 
 — it is a pure love of mankind — an exalting sense of right, that 
 twines itself around every virtuous and nol)le mind, raising it 
 above the enjoyment of worldliness, and making us wish to pro- 
 long our existence in the memory of the good. 
 
 . Mr. Whiting was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, England, 
 on the twentieth of November, 1597. His father, Mr. John 
 Whiting, was Mayor of that city in 1600, and 1608 ; and his 
 brother John obtained the same office in 1655. Having com- 
 pleted his studies in the school of his birth place, young Samuel 
 entered the university at Cambiidge ; where he had for his 
 classmate, his cousin, Anthony Tuckney, afterward Master of 
 St John's college ; with whom he commenced a friendship, 
 which was not (juenched by the waters of the Atlantic. He 
 received impressions of piety at an early age, and loved to in- 
 dulge his meditations in the retired walks of Emanuel College. 
 Having taken his degrees, he entered into holy orders, and be- 
 17 
 
126 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1679. 
 
 came chaplain in a family consisting of five ladies and two 
 knights, Sir Nathaniel Bacon and Sir Roger Townsend, with 
 whom he resided three years. He then went to Lynn, where 
 he spent three years more, a colleague with Mr. Price. While 
 at that place, complaints were made to the Bishop of Norwich, 
 of his nonconformity in administrating the services of the Church, 
 on which he removed to Skirbick. There the complaints 
 were renewed, on which he determined to sell his possessions 
 and embark for America. He remarked, " I am going into the 
 wilderness, to sacrifice unto the Lord, and I will not leave a hoof 
 behind me." The beauty, piety, and harmony of the Church, 
 in our own time, induce us to wonder why a pious man should 
 have objected to her services. But the Church, at that period, 
 demanded more than is now required ; and the dissenters, by 
 their repugnance to those ceremonies and requisitions which 
 were excessive, were driven to revolt against those forms which 
 were really judicious. 
 
 Mr. Whiting sailed from England in the beginning of April, 
 1636, and arrived at Boston on the twenty sixth of May. He 
 was very sea sick on his passage, during which he preached but 
 one sermon. He observed, that he would " much rather have 
 undergone six weeks imprisonment for a good cause, than six 
 weeks of such terrible sea sickness." He came to Lynn in 
 June, and was installed on the eighth of November, at the age 
 of thirty nine. He was admitted to the privileges of a freeman 
 on the seventeenth of December. His residence was nearly 
 opposite the meeting house, in Shepard street. He had a 
 walk in his orchard, in which he used to indulge his habit of 
 meditation ; and some who frequently saw him walking there, 
 remarked, " There does our dear pastor walk with God every 
 day." An anecdote, related of him, will serve to illustrate bis 
 character. In one of his excursions to a neighboring town, he 
 stopped at a tavern, where a company were revelling. As he 
 passed their door, he thus addressed them. " Friends, if you 
 are sure that your sins are pardoned, you may be wisely 
 merry." He is reputed to have been a man of good learning, 
 and an excellent Hebrew scholar. In 1649, he delivered a 
 Latin oration at Cambridge ; a copy of which is preserved in 
 the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He em- 
 ployed much of his leisure in reading history ; and he could 
 scarcely have chosen a study more indicative of the seriousness 
 and solidity of his mind. He possessed great command over his 
 
1679.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 127 
 
 passions, was extremely mild and affable in his deportment, and 
 his countenance was generally illumined by a smile. He 
 was chosen moderator in several ecclesiastical councils, and 
 appears to have been generally respected. In his preaching, 
 he was ardent and devoted ; but he was less disposed to fright- 
 en his hearers by wild and boisterous efforts, than to win them 
 to virtue by mild and persuasive eloquence. 
 
 In the latter part of his life, Mr. Whiting was afflicted by 
 a complication of disorders, and endured many hours of most 
 excruciating pain. But his patience was inexhaustible, and his 
 strength enabled him to continue the performance of the public 
 services till a very advanced age ; in which he was assisted 
 by his youngest son, Joseph. A short time before his death, 
 he presented to the general court a claim, for five hundred 
 acres of land, which he had by deed of gift, from his brother 
 in law, Mr Richard Wesdand, an Alderman of Boston, in En- 
 gland, who had loaned money to the colony of Massachusetts. 
 As the claim had been some time due, the court allowed him 
 six hundred acres. He made his will on the twenty fifth of 
 February, 1679. He commences thus. " After my committ- 
 ing of my dear flock unto the tender care of that great and 
 good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ." He gave his son 
 Samuel, at Billerica, his house and four hundred acres of land 
 at Dunstable, valued at £ 362, and fourteen acres of marsh at 
 Lynn. He remembered his son John, at Leverton, in England, 
 and his daughters, at Roxbury and Topsfield ; and bequeathed 
 his dwelling house, orchard and eight acres of marsh, at Lynn, 
 to his son Joseph. His money and plate amounted to £ 77, 2 ; 
 and his whole estate to £ 570, 15, 6. He died on the eleventh 
 of December, 1790, at the age of eighty two ; having preached 
 at Lynn forty three years. 
 
 The death of Mr. Whiting called forth the following elegy 
 from the pen of Mr Benjamin Thomson, a schoolmaster, born 
 at Braintree, and the first native American poet. 
 
 UPON THE VERY REVEREND SAMUEL WHITING. 
 
 Mount Fame, the glorious chariot of the sun ! 
 Through the world's cirque, all you, her heralds, run. 
 And let this great saint's merits be revealed, 
 Which during life he studiously concealed. 
 Cite all the Levitcs, fetch the sons of art, 
 In these our dolors to sustain a part ; J 
 
 Warn all that value worth, and every one 
 Within their eyes to bring a Helicon; 
 
128 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1679. 
 
 For in this single person we have lost 
 31 ore riches than an India has engrost. 
 
 Wiien Wilson, that plerophory of love, 
 Did IVoni our banks up to his centre move, 
 Rare Whiting quotes Colunjbus on this coast. 
 Producing gems of which a king might boast. 
 More splendid far than ever Aaron wore, 
 Within his breast this sacred father bore. 
 Sound doctrine, [Jrim, in his holy cell. 
 And all perfections. Thummim, there did dwell. 
 His holy vesture was his innocence ; 
 His speech, embroideries of curious sense. 
 Sucli awful gravity this doctor used, 
 As if an angel every word infused; 
 No turgcnt style, but Asiatic lore ; 
 Conduits were almost full, seldom run o'er 
 The banks of time — come visit when you will. 
 The streams of nectar were descending still. 
 Much like se|)temfluous Nihis, rising so, 
 He watered Cliristians round, and made them grow. 
 His modest whispers could the conscience reach. 
 As well as whiriv/inds, which some others j)reach. 
 No Boanerges, yet could touch the heart. 
 And clench his doctrine with the meekest art. 
 His learning and his language might become 
 A province not inferior to Rome. 
 Glorious was Europe's heaven, when such as these, 
 Stars of his size, shone in each diocese. 
 
 Who writ'st t!ie fithers' lives, either make room, 
 Or with his name begin your second tome. 
 Aged Polycarp, deep Origen, and such, 
 Wliose worth your quills, your wits not them enrich ; 
 Lactantius, Cyprian, Basil too, the great. 
 Quaint Jerome, Austin, of the foremost seat. 
 With Ambrose, and more of the highest class, 
 In Christ's great school, witli honor I let pass, 
 And humbly pay my debt to Whiting's ghost. 
 Of whom both Englands may with reason boast. 
 Nations for men of lessor worth have strove 
 To have the fame, and in transports of love 
 Built temples, or fixed statues of pure gold. 
 And their vast worth to after ages told. 
 His modesty forbade so fair a tomb. 
 Who in ten thousand hearts obtained a room. 
 
 What sweet composure in his angel face ! 
 What soft affections ! melting gleams of grace! 
 How mildly pleasant ! by his closed lips 
 Rhetoric's bright body suffers an eclijjse. 
 Should half his sentences be fairly numbered. 
 And weighed in wisdom's scales, 'twould spoil a Lombard, 
 
1679.] 
 
 HISTORY OF LYNN. 129 
 
 And churches' homihes but homily be, 
 
 If, venerable Whiting, set by tiiec. 
 
 Profoundest judgment, with a meekness rai'e, 
 
 Preferred him to the modei-atur's chair, 
 
 Where, like truth's champion, -with his piercing eye, 
 
 He silenced errors, and bade Hectors fly. 
 
 Soft answers quel) hot passions, ne'er too soft, 
 
 Where solid judgment is enthroned aloft. 
 
 Church doctors are my witnesses, that here 
 
 Affections always kejjt their proper sphere, 
 
 Without those wilder eccentricities, 
 
 Which spot the fairest fields of men most wise. 
 
 In pleasant places fall that peo])le's line, 
 
 Who have but shadows of men thus divine ; 
 
 Much more their presence, and heaven piercing prayers, 
 
 Thus many years to mind our soul affairs. 
 
 A poorest soil oft has the richest mine ! 
 This weighty ore, poor Lynn, was lately thine. 
 O wondrous mercy ! but this glorious light 
 Hath left thee in the terrors of the night. 
 New-England, didst thou know this uiighty one, 
 His weight and worth, thou'dst think thyself undone. 
 One of thy golden chariots, which among 
 The clergy rendered thee a thousand strong ; 
 One who for learning, wisdom, grace and years, 
 Among the Levites hath not many peers: 
 One, yet with God, a kind of heavenly band, 
 Who did whole regiments of woes withstand ; 
 One that prevailed with heaven ; one greatly mist 
 On earth, he gained of Christ whate'er he list; 
 One of a world, who w^as both born and bred 
 At wisdom's feet, hard by the fountain's head. 
 The loss of such a one would fetch a tear 
 From Niobe herself, if she w^ere here. 
 What qualifies our grief, centres in this ; 
 Be our loss ne'er so great, the gain is his. 
 
 The following epitaph has been applied to him by Cotton 
 Mather. 
 
 "In Christo vixi morior, vivoque, Whitingus ; 
 Do sordes morti, cetera, Christe, tibi." 
 
 In Christ I lived and died, and yet I live ; 
 My dust to earth, my soul to Christ, I give. 
 
 Mr. Whiting published several works, the principal of which 
 are the following. 
 
 1. A Latin Oration, delivered at Cambridge, on Commence- 
 ment day, 1649. 
 
 2. A Sermon, preached before the Ancient and Honorable 
 Artillery Company, at Boston, 1600. 
 
130 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1679. 
 
 3. "A Discourse of the Last Judgment, or short notes upon 
 Matthew 25, from verse 31 to the end of the chapter, concern- 
 ing the Judgment to come, and our preparation to stand before 
 the great Judge of quick and dead ; which are of sweetest com- 
 fort to the elect sheep, and a most dreadful amazement and ter- 
 rour to reprobate goats." Cambridge, 1CG4, 12 mo, 160 pages. 
 
 4. "Abraham's humble intercession for Sodom, and the 
 Lord's gracious answer in concession thereto." Cambridge, 
 1666, 12 mo, 349 pages. From this work the following ex- 
 tracts are taken. 
 
 "What is it to draw nigh to God in prayer ? It is not to come 
 with loud expressions, when we pray before Him. Loud cry- 
 ing in the ears of God, is not to draw near to God. They are 
 nearer to God, that silently whisper in His ears and tell Him 
 what they want, and what they would have of Him. They 
 have the King's ear, not that call loudest, but those that speak 
 softly to him, as those of the council and bed chamber. So 
 they are nearest God, and have His ear most, that speak softly 
 to Him in prayer. 
 
 " In what manner are we to draw nigh to God in prayer ? 
 In sincerity, with a true heart. Truth is the Christian soldier's 
 girdle. We must be true at all times ; much more when we 
 fall upon our knees and pray before the Lord. 
 
 " We, in this country, have left our near relations, brothers, 
 sisters, fathers' houses, nearest and dearest friends ; but if we 
 can get nearer to God here. He will be instead of all, more 
 tlian all to us. He hath the fullness of all the sweetest relations 
 bound up in Him. We may take that out of God, tliat we 
 forsook in foiher, mother, brother, sister, and friend, that hath 
 been as near and dear as our own soul. 
 
 " Even among the most w-icked sinners, there may be found 
 some righteous; some corn among the chaff — some jewels 
 among the sands — some pearls among a multitude of shells. 
 
 " Who hath made England to differ from other nations, that 
 more jewels are found there than elsewhere ? or what hath that 
 Island that it hath not received ? The East and West Indies 
 yield their gold, and pearl, and sweet spices ; but I know 
 where the golden, spicy, fragrant Christians be — England hath 
 yielded these. Yet not England, but the grace of God, that 
 hath been ever with them. We see what hope we may have 
 concerning New-England ; though we do not deserve to be 
 named the same day witli our dear motlier." 
 
1C79.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 131 
 
 In enumerating the evils, with v/hich the people of New- 
 England were obliged to contend, he says, it is cause " for hu- 
 miliation, tliat our sins have exposed us to live among such 
 wicked sinners" ; with whom he ranks " Atheists and Quakers." 
 
 Mr. Whiting married two wives in England. By his first 
 wife he had three children. Two of them were sons, who, 
 with their mother died in England. The other was a daugh- 
 ter, who came with her father to America, and married Mr. 
 Thomas Weld of Roxbury. 
 
 His second wife was Elizabeth St. John, of Bedfordshire, to 
 whom he was married in 1630. She came to Lynn with her 
 husband, and died on the third of March, 1677, aged seventy 
 two years. She was a woman of uncommon piety, seriousness, 
 and discretion ; and not only assisted her husband in writing his 
 sermons, but by her care and prudence relieved him from all 
 attention to temporal concerns. By her he had six children ; 
 four sons, and two daughters. One daughter married the Rev. 
 Jeremiah Hobart, of Topsfield ; and one son and one daughter 
 died at Lynn. The other three sons received an education at 
 Cambridge. 
 
 1. Rev. Samuel Whiting junior, was born in England 1633. 
 He studied with his father at Lynn, and graduated at Cam- 
 bridge in 1653. He was ordained misister of Billerica, 11 
 November, 1663 ; preached the ArrUllery Election Sermon in 
 1682 ; and died 28 February 1713, aged 79 years. The name 
 of his wife was Dorcas, and he had ten children. 1. Elizabeth. 
 2. Samuel. 3. Rev. John, minister at Lancaster ; where he was 
 killed by the Indians, 11 September 1697, at the age of 33. 4. 
 Oliver. 5. Dorothy. 6. Joseph. 7. James. 8. Eunice. 9. Benja- 
 min. 10. Benjamin. 
 
 2. Rev. John Whiting, graduated at Cambridge in 1653. 
 He returned to England, became a minister of the Church, and 
 died at Leverton, in Linconshire very extensively respected. 
 
 3. Rev. Joseph Whiting, graduated in 1661. He was or- 
 dained at Lynn, 6 October 1680 ; and soon after removed to 
 Southampton, on Long Island. He married Sarah Danforth, 
 of Cambridge, daughter of Thomas Danforth, deputy Governor; 
 by whom he had six children, bora at Lynn. 1. Samuel, born 
 3 July, 1674. 2. Joseph, born 22 November, 1675. 3. Joseph, 
 born 8 May, 1677. 4 Thomas, born 20 May, 1678. 5. 
 Joseph, born 14 January, 1680. 6. John, born 20 January, 
 1681. All, except the first and sixth, died within a few weeks 
 of their birth. 
 
132 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1681. 
 
 Of the descendants of Mr Whiting, now living, are the Rev. 
 Samuel Whiting, minister at Billerica ; and Henry Whiting, a 
 Major in the service of the United States, and author of a 
 beautiful little Indian tale, entiled Ontwa, or the Son of the 
 Forest. 
 
 1680. 
 
 On the sixth of October, Mr Jeremiah Shepard was ordained 
 pastor, and Mr Joseph Whiting teacher, of the church at 
 Lynn. 
 
 On the eighteenth of November, a very remarkable comet 
 made its appearance, and continued about two mouths. The 
 train was thirty degrees in length, very broad and bright, and 
 nearly attained the zenith. A memorandum, on a Bible leaf, 
 thus remarks. " A blazing star, at its greatest height, to my 
 apprehension, terrible to behold." It was regarded by most 
 people with fear, as the sign of some great calamity. This was 
 the comet on which Sir Isaac Newton made his interesting ob- 
 servations. While the party, who were predominant in reli- 
 gious affairs, were noting every misfortune, which befel those 
 of a different opinion, as the judgments of God ; they, on the 
 other hand, regarded the earthquakes, tha comets, and the 
 blighting of the wheat, as manifestations of his displeasure 
 against their persecutors. 
 
 Dr. Philip Read, of Lynn, complained to the Court at Salem, 
 of Mrs. Margaret Gifibrd, as being a witch. She was a re- 
 spectable woman, and wife of Mr John Gifford, formerly agent 
 for the Iron Works. The complainant said, " he verily believed 
 that she was a witch, for there were some things which could 
 not be accounted lor by natural causes." Mrs Gifford gave 
 no regard to her summons, and the court very prudently sus- 
 pended their inquiries. 
 
 1681. 
 
 In town meeting, on the second of March, the people voted, 
 that Mr Shepard should be allowed eighty poun(.ls, lawful money, 
 a year, for his salary ; one third of which was to be paid in 
 money, and die other two thirds in articles of domestic produc- 
 tion, at stipulated prices. Besides the salarv, a contribution 
 was to be kept open. 
 
1682.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 133 
 
 1682. 
 
 The meeting house, now belonging to the first parish, was 
 this year removed from Shepard street to the centre oi the Com- 
 mon, and rebuilt. The new house was fifty feet long and forty 
 four wide. It had folding doors on three sides without porches. 
 The top of each door was formed into two semicircular arches. 
 The windows consisted of small diamond panes, set in sashes 
 of lead. The floor was at first supplied with seats ; and 
 pews were afterward separately set up by individuals, as they 
 obtained permission of the town. By this means the interior 
 came at length to present a singular appearance. Some of the 
 pews were large, and some small — some square, and some ob- 
 long — some with seats on three sides, and some with a seat on 
 one side — some with small oak pannels, and some with large 
 pine ones — and most of them were surmounted by a little balus- 
 trade, with small columns, of various patterns, according to the 
 taste of the proprietors. Most of the square pews had a chair 
 in the centre, for the comfort of the old lady or gentleman, 
 the master or mistress of the family by whom it was occupied. 
 One pew, occupied by black people, was elevated above the 
 stairs in one corner, near to the ceiling. The galleries were 
 extended on three sides, supported by six oak columns, and 
 guarded by a turned balustrade. They were ascended by two 
 flights of stairs, one in each corner on the south side. The 
 pulpit was on the north side, and sufficiently large to contain ten 
 persons. The top of the room was unceiled for many years, 
 and exhibited enormous beams of oak, traversing the roof in 
 all directions. The roof presented four pediments, and was 
 surmounted by a cupola, with a roof in the form of an inverted 
 tunnel. It had a small bell, which was rung by a rope descend- 
 ing in the centre of the room. The town meetings continued 
 to be held in this house tifl 180G. 
 
 A house was built for the sexton, a few poles east of the 
 meeting house, which is still standing, with a small garden en- 
 closed. This house, after some years, became private proper- 
 ty, and as such it remains. It is hoped that the good taste of 
 the people of Lynn will induce them to improve the first oppor- 
 tunity to purchase this land, and remove the house, with the 
 town house and gun house, to some more suitable place ; by 
 which the beauty of the Common would be much increased. 
 18 
 
134 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1685. 
 
 This year, the heirs of Major Thomas Savage sold the six 
 hundred acres, called Hammersmith, or the lands of the Iron 
 Works, to Samuel Appleton of Lynn, for £250. In 16S8, Mr. 
 Appleton sold this tract of land, " antiently purchased of Thomas 
 Dexter and others," with the Iron Works upon it, to James 
 Taylor, then of Boston, for £500. Mr Samuel Appleton, the 
 second of that name, does not appear to have been a regular 
 inhabitant of Lynn, though he is mentioned as being sometimes 
 here. His home was at Ipswich. His son Samuel, the propri- 
 etor of the Iron Works, was an inhabitant of Lynn, and had 
 three children born here. He removed to Boston about tlie 
 year 1683, and was a Colonel in the unsuccessful attack on 
 Port Royal in 1707. 
 
 The law, passed in 1659, that no person should observe the 
 festival of Christmas, on the penalty of five shillings, was 
 this year very properly repealed. 
 
 1684. 
 
 Winnapurkitt, the last Sagamore of the Saugus Indians, died 
 this year. He was tlie proprietor of the tract of land on which 
 Marblehead is built ; which was sold to that town, by his 
 heirs, on the sixteenth of July. 
 
 A letter, written at Haverhill this year, by N. Saltonstall, to 
 the Captain of a militia company, tlius proceeds. " I have 
 orders also, to require you, to provide a flight of colors for 
 your foot company, the ground field or flight whereof is to be 
 green, whh a red cross in a white field in the angle, according 
 to the ancient custom of our own Enghsh nation, and the English 
 plantations in North America, and our own practice in our 
 ships." This was the American standard, tiD tlie stripes and 
 stars were mtroduced in 1776. 
 
 1685. 
 
 The following singular deposition is transcribed from the files 
 of tlie Quarterly Court, and is dated July 1, 1685. 
 
 " The deposhion of Joseph Farr and John Burrill, junior, 
 testifieth and saith, that they being at the house of Francis 
 Burrill, and there being some difference betwixt Francis Bur- 
 
1687.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 135 
 
 rill and Benjamin Farr, and we abovesaid understanding that 
 the said Benjamin Farr had been a suitor to Elizabeth Burrill, 
 the daughter of Francis Burrill, and he was something troubled 
 that Benjamin had been so long from his daughter, and the 
 said Francis Burrill told the said Benjamin Farr that if he had 
 more love to his marsh, or to any estate of his, than to his 
 daughter, he should not go into his house ; for he should be 
 left to his liberty, he should not be engaged to any thing more 
 than he was freely willing to give his daughter, if he had her ; 
 and diis was about two days before they was married," 
 
 At a town meeting, on the first of December, the people 
 voted, that no "inhabitant should cut any green tree upon the 
 common lands, which was less than one foot in diameter. 
 
 1686. 
 
 Mr. Oliver Purchis was chosen Town Clerk. 
 
 " A great and terrible drouth, mostly in the 4th month, and 
 continued in the 5th month, with but little rain ; but the 18th, 
 being the Sabbath, we had a sweet rain." ^ 
 
 1687. 
 
 At a town meeting, on the fifteenth of February, " the town 
 voted the Selectmen be a committee to look after encroached 
 lands, or highways, from Francis Burrill's barn to the gate that 
 is by Timothy Breed's, or parcels of lands in places least pre- 
 judicial to the town, and make good sale of any of them on the 
 town's behalf, for money to pay the Indians at the time appoin- 
 ted, and the necessary charges of that affair." - 
 
 On the sixteenth of February, Captain Thomas Marshall 
 exchanged, with the town, his right in Stone's meadow, in 
 Lynnfield, for a right in Edward's meadow ; and the town, at 
 the request of Mr. Shepard, made a grant of it to the ministry. 
 
 1 Biblo J^oaf, 2 Town Records. 
 
136 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1689. 
 
 1688. 
 
 The revenge which had been burning in the breasts of the 
 eastern Indians for twelve years, for their friends killed and sold 
 into slavery in 1C7G, this year broke out into open war. Their 
 animosity was increased by the instigation of Baron De St. 
 Castine, a Frenchman, who married a daughter of Madocka- 
 wando, the Penobscot Chief. His house had been plundered 
 by Sir Edmund Andros, the governor of Massachusetts, and 
 this induced him to join with the Indians. The French, of Can- 
 ada, also united with them in their depredations ; which were 
 continued with intervals, till 1698, under the appellation of Cas- 
 tine's war. A company of soldiers from Lynn, were impress- 
 ed, by order of the governor, and sent out against the Indians, 
 in the depth of winter. One of the soldiers from Lynn, Mr. 
 Joseph Rarasdell, was killed by them, at Casco Bay, in 1690. 
 
 1689. 
 
 The government of Sir Edmund Andros was not congenial 
 with the feelings of the people of New England. He had 
 been appointed Governor, not only of Massachusetts, but of all 
 New England, in 1 686 ; and his administration for nearly three 
 years, was characterized by acts of arbitrary power. On the 
 eighteenth of April, 1689, the people rose in arms, resumed 
 the power from Sir Edmund, and confined him a prisoner on 
 Fort Hill, in Boston, until he was sent back to England. 
 
 Among the instances of his assumption, was that of claiming 
 the Nahants, with the intention of bestowing them upon his 
 Secretary, Edward Randolph, as a reward for his services. 
 The following papers, transcribed from the files of the Court, 
 will exhibit his encroachments, upon the rights of the people of 
 Lynn, and their sufi:erings during his administration. 
 
 " At Lynn, the 24th May, 1689, upon a signification from 
 Captain Jonathan Corwin of the Committee of the County of 
 Essex, to make enquiry into the grievances suffered under the 
 late government, that it is expressed, that this town, or any 
 inhabitants therein, that have been aggrieved or burthened, do 
 manifest the same under their hand, to the Committee afore- 
 said, or to Captain Jonathan Corwin to make known the same. 
 Wc the Committee, chosen by the inhabitants of Lynn, on the 
 
1689.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 137 
 
 20th of May, 1689, to consider of the signification abovesaid, 
 and to draw up what grievances and burthens we have sustained 
 by the late government, &;c. do declare,viz. that this poor town of 
 Lynn have sustained great wrong and damage by the said kite 
 government ; in that our orderly, honest, and just rights, in a tract 
 of land within the bounds of Lynn, called Nahants, that harh 
 been injoyed, possessed, built upon, and improved, by lenciug, 
 planting, and pasturing, he. by the township of Lynn, well 
 onivnrd to sixty years ; and yet by the unjurious, unjust, and 
 covetous humors of some very illminded persons, upon petitions 
 preferred — as Mr. Randolph first, and Mary Dafiin ot Boston 
 in the second place, when Mr. Randolph could not make his 
 petuion true and vaUd, then he throweth in Mary Daffin her 
 petition for the same lands, and as unjustly founded as Mr. 
 Randolph's. But on their two petitions and vain pretences, we, 
 the poor people of Lynn, have been, by orders from the gov- 
 ernor and council, called, summoned, and ordered to appear 
 at Boston, and to shew and make good title to said lands, be- 
 fore Sir Edmund Andros, and his council, at one sitting, and a 
 second sitting, and so a third, and a fourth, to our great loss, 
 and expense of time and monies, and no advantage nor bene- 
 fit to us, because of delays and procrastinations, to scrue our 
 monies out of our hands, and to make us pay, with a ven- 
 geance, for such writings as we must be constrained to take 
 forth. And thus we have been grieved and oppressed, and 
 put to loss, cost; and damage, near one hundred pounds, and 
 never the better, no justice done us, and at last put upon a 
 threatened necessity of patenting our own old enjoyed proper- 
 ties, and a denial of our rights in any of our commons, always 
 injoyed, but now called King's lands, and we denied to be any 
 town. Thus we have been perplexed, vexed, and oppressed, 
 and impoverished ; and except the Lord had wrought for us, 
 whose name we bless, and give thanks to the worthy gentle- 
 men, his instruments, we had been the worst of bondmen. — 
 Furthermore, we were debarred, by the late government, of 
 our constant liberty of town meetings but once in a year, where- 
 by we could not meet to consult of defending our rights in the 
 premises, because it should be charged with riot ; and also of 
 keeping a watch for our security from any dangers we had too 
 just cause to fear, which was our great grief and burthen ; and 
 our abuses by the profane farmers of excise ; and our sons, 
 neighbours, and servants, impressed and sent out so remote in 
 the winter season, and constrained hereunto, and all sufferings, 
 
138 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1689. 
 
 and we iindei"stand not upon what grounds. Per order of, or in 
 the name of the Town and Committee. 
 
 Oliver Pcrchis Cleric. 
 Boston, in JVew England, January 24, 1689, [90.] 
 Sworn by Mr Oliver Purchis, before 
 
 Thomas Danforth Deputy Governor.''^ 
 
 " Jeremiah Shepard, aged forty two years, and John Burrill, 
 aged fifty seven years, we whose names are subscribed, being 
 chosen by the inhabitants of Lynn, in the Massachusetts Colony 
 in New England, to maintain their right to their properties and 
 lands, invaded by Sir Edmund Andros's government, we do 
 testify that, (beside Sir Edmund Andros iiis unreasonable de- 
 mands of money, by way of taxation, and that without an 
 assembly and deputies sent from our towns, according to an- 
 cient custom, for the raising of money and levying of rates,) 
 our properties, our honest, and just, and true titles to our land 
 were also invaded ; and particularly a great and considerable 
 tract of land, called by the name of the Nahants, the only 
 secure place for the grazing of some thousands of our sheep, 
 and without which our inhabitants could neither provide for 
 their families, nor be capacitated to pay dues, or duties for the 
 maintenance of the public, but, (if dispossessed of, the town 
 must needs be impovershed, ruined, and rendered miserable. 
 Yet this very tract of land, being petitioned for by Edward 
 Randolph, was threatened to be rent out of our hands, not- 
 withstanding our honest and just pleas for our right to the said 
 land, both by alienation of the said land to us by the original 
 proprietors, the natives, to whom we paid our monies by way 
 of purchase, and notwithstanding near sixty years peaceable 
 and quiet possession, and improvement, and also enclosure of 
 the said land by a stone wall ; in which tract of land also, two 
 of our patentees were interested in common with us, viz. Major 
 Humfrey and Mr. Johnson ; yet Edward Randolph petitioning 
 for the said land. Sir Edmund, the governor, did so far comply 
 with his unreasonable motion, that we were put to great charges 
 and expense for the vindication of our honest rights thereto. 
 And being often before the governor. Sir Edmund, and his 
 council, for rehef, yet could find no favor of our innocent cause 
 by Sir Edmund ; notwithstanding our pleas of purchase, an- 
 cient possession, enclosure, grant of general court, and our 
 
1691.] HISTORT OF LYNX. 139 
 
 necessitous condition ; yet he told us that all these pleas were 
 insignificant, and we could have no true title, until we could 
 prove a patent from the king ; neither had any person a right 
 to one foot of land in New England, by virtue of purchase, 
 possession, or grant of court ; but if we would have assurance 
 of oin' lands, we must go to the king for it, and get patents of 
 it. Finding no rehef, (and the governor having prohibited 
 town meetings,) we earnestly desired liberty for our town to 
 meet, to consult what to do in so difficult a case and exigency, 
 but could not prevail ; Sir Edmund angrily telling us that there 
 was no such thing as a town in the country ; neither should we 
 have liberty so to meet ; neither were our ancient records, (as 
 he said,) which we produced for our vindication of our title to 
 the said lands, worth a rush. Thus were we from time to 
 time unreasonably treated, our properties, and civil liberties, 
 and privileges invaded, our misery and ruin threatened and 
 hastened, till such time as our country, groaning under the 
 unreasonable heavy yoke of Sir Edmund's government, were 
 constrained forcibly to recover our rights and privileges. 
 
 Jeremiah Shepard. 
 
 John Burrill." 
 
 " Jeremiah Shepard, minister, and John Burrill, heutenant, 
 both of Lynn, personally appeared before us, and made oath 
 to the truth of this evidence. 
 
 John Hathorne, ) ^.o,v«„., » 
 
 ONATHAN L/ORWIN, ) 
 
 Salem, February 3, 1689, 90. 
 
 The first monthly meeting of the society of Friends in Lynn, 
 was held at the house of Samuel CoUins, on the eighteenth of 
 July. There were but five Lynn men present. 
 
 1691. 
 
 Lieutenant John Burrill was chosen Representative " to the 
 great and generall court." The pay of a representative was 
 three shillings a day. 
 
 Mr. John Burrill junior, was chosen Town Clerk, in which 
 office he continued tliirty years. 
 
140 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1692. 
 
 April 14. " Clement Coldam and Joseph Hart were chosen 
 cannoners, to order and look alter the great guns." 
 
 July 13. Lieutenant John Fuller was chosen Clerk of the 
 Writs. It is thus evident that this office was not the same as 
 that of Town Clerk. 
 
 On the northern shore of Nahant is a ledge of rock, which 
 contains a portion of iron. Some of it was smelted in the 
 foundry at Saugus, and more was taken for the forge at 
 Braintree. " It was voted that Mr. Hubhard of Braintree, 
 should give three shillings for every ton of Rock Mine, that he 
 has from Nahant, to the town, for the town's use, and he to 
 have so much as the town sees convenient." 
 
 Mr. William Bassett was Quarter Master in the militia, and 
 collector of the parish taxes. People who held offices, were 
 generally better known by their titles, than by their first names. 
 
 December 21. At a meeting of the Selectmen, "Mr. 
 Shepard, with his consent, was chosen Schoolmaster for the 
 year ensuing." 
 
 1692. 
 
 January 8« " It was voted that Lieutenant Blighe should 
 have liberty to set up a pew, in the north east corner of the 
 meeting house, by Mr. King's pew, and he to maintain the 
 windows against it. 
 
 " The town did vote, that Lieutenant Fuller, Lieutenant 
 Lewis, Mr. John Hawkcs senior, Francis Burrill, Lieutenant 
 Burrill, John Burrill junior, Mr. Henry Rhodes, Quarter Mas- 
 ter Bassett, Mr. Haberfield, Cornet Johnson, Mr. Bayley, and 
 Lieutenant Blighe, should set at the table. 
 
 " It was voted, that Matthew Farrington senior, Henry 
 Silsbee, and Joseph Mansfield senior, should set in the dea- 
 con's seat. 
 
 " It was voted, that Thomas Farrar senior, Crispus Brew-er, 
 Allen Breed senior, Clement Coldam, Robert Rand senior, 
 Jonathan Hudson, Richard Hood senior, and Sergeant Haven, 
 should set in die pulpit. 
 
 " The town voted, that them that are surviving, that was 
 chosen by the town a committee to erect the meeting house, 
 and Clerk Potter to join along with them, should seat the in- 
 habitants of the town, in the meeting house, both men and 
 
1692.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 141 
 
 women, and appoint what seats they shall set in ; but it is to 
 be understood, that they are not to seat neither the table, nor 
 the deacon's seat, nor the pulpit, but thern to set there as are 
 voted by die town." 
 
 " The town voted that Mr. Shepard sliould have liberty to 
 remove Mr. Shepard's pew, and to set it adjoining at the east- 
 ward end of the pulpit." — t. r. 
 
 Lieutenant John Lewis, Cornet Samuel Johnson, John Witt, 
 Joseph Breed, Thomas Farrar, junior, Joseph Newhall, and 
 John Burrill, junior, were chosen Selectmen, " to order the 
 prudential affairs of the town." These were the first Select- 
 men of Lynn whose names are regularly recorded. 
 
 " The town voted, that the persons undernamed, in answer 
 to their petition, should have liberty of the hindmost seat in the 
 gallery to set in, and fit it up as well as they please, in the 
 northeast corner, provided they do no damage in hindering the 
 light of the window. Sarah Hutchins, Mary Newhall, Re- 
 beckah Ballard, Susannah Collins, Rebeckah Collins, Ruth 
 Potter, Jane Ballard, Sarah Farrington, Rebeckah Newhall, 
 Elizabeth Norwood, Mary Haberfield." t. r. 
 
 The year 1692 has been rendered memorable in the annals 
 of our country, by the great excitement and distress occasioned 
 by imputed Witchcraft. It was an awful time for New Eng- 
 land. Superstition was abroad in her darkest habiliments, 
 scourging the land with the judgement of God. No one but 
 trembled before the breath of the invisible distroyer, for no 
 one was safe. It seemed as if a legion of the spirits of dark- 
 ness had been set free from their prison house, with power to 
 infect the judgement of the rulers, and to sport, in their wanton 
 malice, with the happiness and the lives of the people. The 
 stories of necromancy in the darkest ages of the world — 
 the tales of eastern genii — the imaginary delineations of the 
 poet and the romancer — wild, and vague, and horrible as 
 they may seem — fall far short of the terrible realiues, which 
 were performed in the open daylight of New England. The 
 pesdlent blast that passes over a land, and causes its victims, as 
 they inhale it, to fall — silently — one by one — and without warn- 
 ing — seems but a shadow of the desolation which passed 
 through the principle towns of Essex. The mother at mid- 
 night pressed her unconscious children to her trembling bosom 
 — and the next day she was standing before a court of awful 
 men, with her life suspended on the breath of imagination— or 
 10 
 
142 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1694. 
 
 barred within the wails of a prisou, and guarded by an armed 
 man, as ii she were a thing to be feared — or swinging in the 
 breeze between earth and sky — modest, gentle, defenceless 
 woman — with thousands of faces gazing up at her, with com- 
 mingled expressions of pity and imprecation. The father too 
 returned from his work at eve, to his peaceful household — and 
 and in the morning he was Iving extended on a roudi plank — 
 with a hea\y weight pressing on his breast — till his tongue 
 had started from his mouth — and his soul had gone up to Him 
 who gave it — and all this, tliat he might be made to confess 
 an imaginai^" crime. 
 
 The alarm of witchcraft commenced in February, in what 
 is now the first parish in Danvers, and extended through seve- 
 ral of the neighboring towns. \Mthin six months, thirteen 
 women and six men were hung, and one man pressed to death. 
 More than one hundred other persons were imprisoned, of 
 whom the four following belonged to Lynn. 
 
 1. Thomas Farrar was brought before the court at Salem, 
 on the eighteenth of May, and sent to prison at Boston. He 
 hved on Sagamore Hill, and died 23 February, 1694. Thomas 
 Farrar, junior, mentioned on tlie preceding page, was his son. 
 
 2. Elizabeth Hait, the wife of Isaa<: Hart, who lived in 
 Boston street, was arraigned and sent to Boston on the same 
 day witli jNIr. Farrar. She died 28 Xovember, 1700. 
 
 3. Sarali Bassett, wife of William Bassett, junior, who lived 
 in Nahant street, was tried at Salem on ihe twenty third of 
 May, and sent to prison at Boston. 
 
 4. Sarah, wife of John Cole, was tried at Charlestown, on 
 the first of February, 1693, and acquitted. Elizabeth, ^^^fe of 
 John Proctor of Danvers, one of the accused, was a daughter 
 of William Bassett of Lvnn. 
 
 1694. 
 
 The society of Friends ha%"ing increased, Mr Shepard be- 
 came alarmed at their progress, and appointed the nineteenth of 
 July, as a day of fasting and prayer, " diat tlie sphitual plague 
 might proceed no further." 
 
 At a town meeting on the twenty fifth of July ; " The 
 constables personably appearing, and declaring that they had 
 all warned their several parts of tlie town, according to their 
 warrants, and so many being absent from said meeting ; the 
 
1G95.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 143 
 
 town did then vote and give power to Jacob Knight, in behalf 
 of the towm, to prosecute against any and every person or per- 
 sons, tliat has not attended this meeting, according to the bye 
 laws, or town orders." t. r. 
 
 The practice prevailed for many years, of warning out of the 
 town, by a formal mandamus of the selectmen, every family 
 and individual, rich or poor, who came into it. This was done 
 to exonerate the town from any obligation to render support in 
 case of poverty. One old gentleman, who had just arrived in 
 town, to whom this order was read, took it for a real intima- 
 tion to depart. " Come wife," he says, " we must pack up. 
 But there — we have one consolation for it — it is not so desira- 
 ble a place !" 
 
 1695. 
 
 The property of the Nahants appears to have been a cause 
 of contention from the first settlement of the town. This year 
 they were claimed by the heiresses of Richard Woody of 
 Boston ; into whose claim they probably descended by a mort- 
 gage of one of the Sagamores. At a town meeting, on the 
 eighteenth of October, " There being a summons read, wherein 
 was signified that the lands called Nahants were attached by 
 JNIrs. Mary DafFern of Boston, and James Mills summoned to 
 answer said Daffern at an inferior court, to be liolden in the 
 county of Essex on the last Tuesday of December 1695 ; the 
 town did then choose Lieutenant Samuel Johnson, Joseph 
 Breed, and John Burrill, junior, to defend the interests of the 
 town in the lands called Nahants, and to employ an attorney 
 or attorneys, as they shall see cause, in the town's behalf, 
 against the said Daftern, and so from court to court, till the 
 cause be ended — they or either of them — and the town to bear 
 the charge." — t. r. 
 
 The following is transcribed from the records of the Quar- 
 terly Court, December thirty first. 
 
 " ]Mrs. Mary Daffern and Mrs. Martha Padishall, Widows, 
 and heiresses of Richard Woodey, late of Boston, deceased, 
 plaintiffs, versus John Atwill junior, of Lynn, in an action of 
 trespass upon the case, &;c. according to writ, dated 30th 
 September, 1695. The plaintiffs being called three times, 
 made default, and are nonsuited. The judgement of the court 
 is, that plaintiffs pay unto the defendants costs." 
 
144 HibTour OF lynn. [1697. 
 
 1696. 
 
 January 1 3. " The Selectmen did agree with Mr. [Abra- 
 ham] Normenton to be Schoohnaster for the town, for the year 
 ensuing ; and the town to give him five pounds for his labor ; 
 and the town is to pay twenty five shillings towards the hire of 
 Nathaniel Newhall's house to keep school in, and the said Mr. 
 Normenton to hire the said house." — x. r. 
 
 Immense numbers of great clams were thrown upon the 
 beaches by storms. The people were permitted, by a vote of 
 the town, to dig and gather as many as they wished for their 
 own use, but no more ; and no person was allowed to carry 
 any out of the town, on a penalty of twenty shillings. The 
 shells were gathered in cart loads on the beach, and manufac- 
 tured into lime. 
 
 This year, two Quakers, whose names were Thomas Farrar 
 and John Hood, for refusing to pay parish taxes, sufiered 
 nearly one month's imprisonment at Salem. 
 
 The winter of this year was the coldest since tlie first settle- 
 ment of New England. 
 
 1697. 
 
 On the eighth of January, the town, by vote, set the prices 
 of provisions, to pay Mr. Shepard's salary, as follows. Beef, 
 3d. pork, 4d. a pound. Indian corn, 5s. barley, barley malt, 
 and rye, 5s. 6d. and oats, 2s. a bushel. 
 
 March 8. " The town did vote, that every householder in 
 the town should, some time before the fifteenth day of May 
 next, kill or cause to be killed, twelve blackbirds, and bring 
 the heads of them, at or before the time aforesaid, to Ebenezer 
 Stockcr's, or Samuel Colhns's, or Thomas Burrage's, or John 
 Gowing's, who are appointed and chose by the town to receive 
 and take account of the same, and take care this order be duly 
 prosecuted ; and if any householder as aforesaid shall refuse 
 or neglect to kill and bring the heads of twelve blackbirds, 
 as aforesaid, every such person shall pay three pence for 
 every blackbird that is wanting, as aforesaid, for the use 
 of the town." — t. r. 
 
1702.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 145 
 
 1698. 
 
 On the fourth of January, Oliver Elkhis and Thomas Dar- 
 hng killed a wolf in Lynn woods. On the twenty eighth of 
 February, Thomas Baker killed two wolves. This year also, 
 James Mills killed five foxes on Nahant. Twenty shillings were 
 allowed by the town for killing a wolf, and two shillings for a 
 fox. 
 
 The to^vn ordered that no person should cut more than sev- 
 en trees on Nahant, under a penalty of forty shillings for each 
 tree exceeding that number. 
 
 This year the first stone was erected on the burying ground, 
 which was then unenclosed, over the body of Mr. John Clif- 
 ford, who died on the seventeenth of June, in the sixty-eighth 
 year of his age. 
 
 1699. 
 
 The platform of the meeting house was covered with lead. 
 The bell was taken down, and sent to England to be exchanged 
 for a new one. Mr Shepard's salary was reduced to sixty 
 pounds. 
 
 On the seventh of November, the town ordered that any 
 person v/ho should follow the wild fowl in the harbor, in a 
 canoe, to shoot at them, or frighten them, should pay twenty 
 shillings ; and Thomas Lewis and Timothy Breed were chosen 
 to enforce the order. 
 
 1700. 
 
 On the twenty fifth of May, Mr. John Witt killed a wolf. 
 
 At a meeting of the Selectmen on the seventh of June, Mr. 
 Shepard was chosen to keep a grammar school ; for which 
 thirty pounds were the next year allowed. 
 
 1702. 
 
 On the sixteenth of March, Mr. Walter Phillips killed a 
 wolf. 
 
146 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1706. 
 
 On the fourteenth of December, ten pounds were allowed 
 for the maintenance of a grammar master ; " and such master 
 to have over and above the said ten pounds 2 pence per week 
 for such as are sent to read, 3 pence per week for them that 
 are sent to write and cipher, and G pence per week for them 
 that are sent to learn Latin, to be paid by parents and masters 
 that send their children or servants to learn as aforesaid." t. k. 
 
 1704. 
 
 This year another war was prosecuted with the French and 
 Indians, called Queen Anne's War. It was begun by the 
 Indians in the preceding year, and was productive of the most 
 dreadful cruelty. Several of the soldiers from Lynn were 
 taken prisoners. It continued about a year. 
 
 Colonel Benjamin Church, who commanded in this expedi- 
 tion, wrote a letter to Governor Dudley, requesting. " That 
 four or five hundred pair of good Indian shoes be made ; and 
 let there be a good store of cow hides, well tanned, for a sup- 
 ply of such shoes, and hemp to make thread, and wax, to 
 mend and make more such shoes when wanted, and a good 
 store of awls."^ 
 
 On the sixth of March, the town, " being informed that sever- 
 al persons had cut down several trees or bushes in Nahants, 
 whereby there is like to be no shade for tlie creatures," voted 
 that no person should cut any tree or bush there, on a penahy 
 often shillings. 
 
 Mr. Ivory Curwin was master of the grammar school. 
 
 1706. 
 
 This year the common lands were divided among the free- 
 holders, according to their possessions within fence. The 
 Nahants, which Avere now established as the property of the 
 town, were included in the division. The Common only was 
 excepted, which was called the Training Field. The division 
 was made by a committee of three persons, inhabitants of other 
 towns, who were chosen on the fifteenth of April. They were 
 Captain Samuel Gardner of Salem, Mr. John Greenland of 
 
 I Church's Indian Wars. 
 
1712.] HISTORT OF LYKW. 147 
 
 Maiden, and Lieutenant Joseph Stacey of Chelsea. They 
 were directed to allow each proprietor at least one fourth part 
 upland, and as near his own home as might be consistent with 
 the welfare of the whole. In other respects they were to be 
 governed by such rules, of their own forming as they should 
 consider most equitable. These rules were the following. 
 
 1. Each person's land was affixed to the right owner; those 
 persons, whose names, by reason of poverty or captivity, had 
 been oiiiitted, were added ; and those persons who had built 
 houses after 1694, were privileged only for the number of 
 acres they possessed. 
 
 2. Those who had from five to seven acres, were privileged 
 for one acre more. 
 
 3. Those who had from eight to twenty acres, were allowed 
 only for the exact number. 
 
 4. Those who had from twenty to thirty acres, were privi- 
 leged for only one fourth part above twenty acres ; and those 
 who had thirty acres, were allowed for only one eighth part 
 above that number. The proprietors were also privileged to 
 pass freely over each other's lots, with teams, according to 
 their own convenience. A few of the proprietors entered their 
 dissent, in the town book, against this privilege. The wood 
 lands were laid out in ranges, forty poles in width; and these 
 were subdivided into lots, containing from twenty poles to 
 thirty five acres. The Nahants were laid out in similar ranges, 
 and subdivided into small lots, containing from twenty poles to 
 five acres. 
 
 The town tax was one hundred and ten pounds ; eighty 
 pounds for Mr. Shepard's salary, and thirty pounds to pay the 
 Schoolmaster, and other town debts. The school was kept 
 three months. ]\lr. Shepard was allowed twenty cords of 
 wood, included in the salary. The price of oak wood, this 
 year, was ten shillings a cord. 
 
 1712. 
 
 That part of the town now called Lynnfield, was set off as a 
 district, on the seventeenth of November. The inhabitants 
 were to be freed from parish taxes, as soon as a meeting house 
 should be built, and a minister settled. The people of Lynn- 
 field, in the town records, are called " our neighbors, the 
 farmers." 
 
148 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1716. 
 
 This year, all the shells, which came upon the Nahant 
 beaches, were sold by the town, to Daniel Brown, and William 
 Gray, for thirty shillings. They were not to sell the shells for 
 more than eight shillings a load, containing forty eight bushels, 
 heaped measure. The people were permitted to dig and 
 gather the clams as before, but thsy were required to open 
 them on the beach, and leave the shells. The house in which 
 I was born, was plaistered with lime made from these shells. 
 
 1713. 
 
 Mr. John Merriam was employed as Schoolmaster. The 
 school was called a grammar school, because Latin was taught 
 in it. The other studies were reading, writing, and ciphering. 
 English grammar was not a common study, and no book on 
 that subject was introduced into general use, till about seventy 
 years after this time. No arithmetic was used by the scholars, 
 but the master wrote all the sums on the slate. No spelling 
 book was used. The reading books were the New Testa- 
 ment, and the Psalms of David — the translation which is found 
 in the Prayer Book of the Church. 
 
 1715. 
 
 The first meeting house in the second parish, now Lynnfield, 
 was built. When the building of the first parish meeting house 
 was in contemplation, the people of the northern part of the 
 town, being obliged to travel six or eight miles to meeting, 
 wished to have the hor.se placed in a central situation, and a 
 committee was appointed to " chuse" a place. They selected 
 a hill, nov/ included in the bounds of Saugus, which was thence 
 called Harmony Hill. It was afterward determined to place 
 the house on the Common, and the people of Lynn continued 
 to attend meeting there till this year. 
 
 1716. 
 
 A gentleman, whose name was Bishop, was Schoolmaster. 
 Mr. Ebenezer Tarbox was chosen, by the town, as Shepherd. 
 Three porches were added to the first parish meeting house ; 
 and a curiously carved and pannelled oak pulpit, imported from 
 England, was set up. 
 
1718.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 149 
 
 1717. 
 
 Two great storms, on the twentieth and twenty-fourth of 
 February, covered the ground so deep with snow, that people 
 for some days could not pass from one house to another. Old 
 Indians, of an hundred years, said that their fathers had never 
 told them of such a snow. It was from ten to twenty feet deep, 
 and generally covered the lower story of the houses. Cotta- 
 ges of one story were entirely buried, so that the people dug 
 paths from one house to another, under the snow. Soon after, 
 a slight rain fell, and the frost crusted the snow ; and then the 
 people went out of their chamber windows, and walked over 
 it. Many of the farmers lost their sheep ; and most of the 
 sheep and swine which were saved, lived from one to two 
 weeks without food. One man had some hens buried near his 
 barn, which were dug out alive eleven days after. During this 
 snow, a great number of deer came from the woods for food, 
 and were followed by the wolves, which killed many of them. 
 Others were killed by the people with guns. Some of the 
 deer fled to Nahant, and being chased by the wolves, leaped 
 into the sea, and were drowned. Great damage was done to 
 the orchards, by the snow freezing to the branches, and splitting 
 the trees as it fell. This snow formed a remarkable era in 
 New E'lgland ; and old people, in relating an ev^ent, would say 
 that it happened so many years before or after the great snow. 
 
 The town tax this year was £237. Mr. Shepard's salary 
 was eighty-seven pounds ; and the rest was for the school, and 
 other town debts. 
 
 1718. 
 
 In the beginning of this year, Mr Shepard was unwell ; and 
 a gentleman, whose name was Townsend, was employed to 
 preach five sermons ; for which the town paid him fifty shil- 
 hngs. The Selectmen, on the fifth of March, were directed to 
 employ a schoolmaster ; and in their agreement with him, "to 
 have relation to some help for Mr Shepard in preaching." 
 
 According to tradition — which may not very safely be relied 
 on in matters of importance, though it may assist in "delineatin"- 
 manners and customs, it was about this time that potatoes were 
 first introduced into Lynn. Mr John Newhall received two or 
 three, which he planted ; and when he gathered the produce, 
 
 20 
 
150 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1720. 
 
 a few of them were roasted and eaten, merely from curiosity ; 
 and the rest were put into the shell of a gourd, and hung up in 
 the cellar. The next year he planted them all, and had enough 
 to fill a two bushel basket. He knew not what to do with so 
 many, and gave some of them to his neighbors. Soon after, 
 one of them said to him ; " Well, I have found that potatoes are 
 good for something. I had some of them boiled, and ate them 
 with fish, and they relished very well." It was several years 
 after this, before potatoes came into general use, and then only 
 in small quantities. A farmer, who kept a very particular ac- 
 count of every day's employment, first mentions " patatas," as 
 a common article, in 1733. 
 
 At this time, tea was little used, and teakettles were unknown. 
 The vfater was boiled in a skellet ; and when the ladies went 
 to visiting parties, each one carried her teacup, saucer, and 
 spoon. The teacups were of the best china, and very small, 
 containing about as much as a common wine glass. 
 
 1719. 
 
 The northern lights were first observed this year, on the 
 seventeenth of December. The people were much alarmed at 
 their appearance. The northern hemisphere seemed to be on 
 fire ; and it is said thai the coruscations were distinctly heard, 
 like the rustling of a silken banner. 
 
 1720. 
 
 Whoever has attentively read the lives of the early ministers 
 of New England, as Avritten by the Rev. Cotton Mather, must 
 have observed, that they are represented to have been men of 
 uncommon learning, piety, and worth. This may be imputed 
 partly to the embellishments of his pen, and partly to the fact, 
 that they were born and educated in the bosom of the Church, 
 and in the best Universities of Europe. We are greatly indebt- 
 ed to Mr. Mather for his account of these ministers ; but we 
 should have been far more grateful to him, if he had been more 
 particular with regard to dates and facts respecting the subjects 
 of his biography, instead of devoting so much time and space 
 to remarks on the worthies of Greece and Rome ; for we could 
 
1720] HISTORY OF LYNN. 151 
 
 easily have presumed his acquaintance with ancient history and 
 the classics, without so ostentatious a display of it. The Rev. 
 Stephen Batchelor he did not notice ; and the sketch, in the 
 first part of this work, is the first particular account of hiin that 
 has been given. Since that was written, 1 have ascertained 
 that he died at Hackney, in England, at the age of about one 
 hundred years. In his life of Mr. Cobbett, he has given us but 
 one date with certainty — the rest have been supplied by labo- 
 rious research. It is now my province to introduce some uc- 
 count of one of the early ministers of Lynn, who died tiiis year, 
 and of whom no particular biography has before been written. 
 Throughout the whole of this work, it is my endeavor to present 
 facts, dates, and original extracts, illustrative of circumstance 
 or character; and not to embellish by fine wrought description, 
 or to bestow virtues where they were not possessed. 
 
 The Rev. Jeremiah Shepard was the fourth son of the Rev. 
 Thomas Shepard, minister of Cambridge ; who came from 
 Towcester, in England, in 1635. His mother, who was his 
 father's third wife, was Margaret Boradile. He was born at 
 Cambridge, on the eleventh of August, 1648; and graduated 
 at Harvard College in 1669. He was the first minister of 
 Lynn, who wj.s born and educated in America. His brother 
 Thomas was minister of Charlestown, and his brother Sanuiel 
 minister of Rowley. In 1675, he preached as a candidate at 
 Rowley, after the death of his brother; and in 1678, at Ips- 
 wich. He came to Lynn in 1679, during the sickness of Mr. 
 Whiting ; and was ordained on the sixth of October, 1680. — 
 He was admitted a freeman in the same year. He resided, at 
 first, in the street which has been called by his name ; and af- 
 terward built a house, which was burnt down, on the north side 
 of the Common, a little distance eastward from the old Anchor 
 Tavern. In 1689, he was chosen representative to the gene- 
 ral court ; and this is perhaps the only instance in the early 
 history of New England, in which a minister of the gospel sus- 
 tained that office. He died on the third^ of June, 1720, aged 
 seventy-two ; having preached at Lynn forty years. 
 
 The life of Mr. Shepard was distinguished by his unvaried 
 piety. He was one of those plain and honest men, who 
 adorn their station by spotless purity of character ; and has left 
 a name to which no one can annex an anecdote of mirth, and 
 
 1. Lynn Records. 
 
152 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1720. 
 
 which no one attempts to sully by a breath of evil. He was in- 
 defatigable in his exertions for the spiritual welfare of his peo- 
 ple ; but his dark and melancholy views of human nature tend- 
 ed greatly to contract the circle of his usefulness. It is the 
 practice of many who attempt to direct us in the way of truth, 
 that, instead of laying open to us the inexhaustable stores of 
 happiness, which the treasury of the Gospel affords — in- 
 stead of drawing aside the veil which conceals from man's dark- 
 ened heart the inexpressible joys of the angelic world, and in- 
 ducing us to follow the path of virtue, from pure affection to 
 Him who first loved us — they give unlimited scope to the wild- 
 est imaginations that ever traversed the brain of a human be- 
 ing, and plunge into the unfathomable abyss of superstition's 
 darkness, to torture the minds of the living by stirring up the 
 torments of the dead, and driving us to the service of God, by 
 unmingled fear of his exterminating wrath. It is not requisite 
 for the prevalence of truth, that we should be forever familiar 
 with the shadows that encompass it. The mind may dwell 
 upon darkness until it has itself becom.e dark, and callous to 
 improvement — or reckless, and despairing of good. That Mr. 
 Shepard's views of human nature, and of the dispensation of 
 the Gospel, were of the darkest kind, is evident from the ser- 
 mons which he has left ; and these opinions unfortunately led 
 him to regard the greater part of the christian world as out of 
 the way of salvation, and to look upon the crushed remnant of 
 the red men as little better than the wild beasts of the forest. — 
 In alluding to the mortality, which prevailed among the Indians 
 in 1733, he says that, "The Lord swept away thousands of 
 those salvage tawnies, those cursed devil worshippers." 
 
 His writings exhibit occasional gleams of genius and beauty ; 
 but they are disfigured by frequent quotations from the dead 
 languages, and by expressions inconsistent with that nobleness of 
 sentiment, and purity of style, which should be sedulously cul- 
 tivated by the young. It was the custom in his time, to pro- 
 long the sermon at least one hour, and some times it was exten- 
 ded to two ; and a sand glass was placed on the pulpit to. 
 measure the time. In one of his sermons he alludes to this 
 practice. " Thou art resdess till the tiresome glass be run out, 
 and the tedious sermon be ended." He published the following 
 »vorks. 
 
 1. "A sort of Believers never saved." Boston, 1711, 12 mo. 
 
 2. " Early Preparations for Evil Days." Boston, 1712, 24 mo. 
 
 3. " General Election Sermon." Boston, 1715, 12 mo. 
 
1721.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 153^ 
 
 The following epitaph was transcribed [^from his grave stone 
 with much difficulty ; having become nearly obliterated by 
 the dilapidations of more than one hundred years. 
 
 " Elijah's mantle drops, the prophet dii s, 
 
 His earthly mansion quits, and mounts the skies. 
 
 • So Shepard's gone. 
 
 His precious dust, death's prey, indeed is here, 
 But's nobler breath 'mong seraphs does appear ; 
 He joins the adoring crowds about the throne, 
 He's conquered all, and now he wears the crown." 
 
 The name of Mr. Shepard's wife was Mary. She died 28 
 March, 1710, aged 53 years. He had nine children, 1. Han- 
 nah, born 1G7G, married John Downing of Boston, 1698. 2. 
 Jeremiah born 1677, died 1700. 3.T\Iehetabel, died 16S8. 
 4. Nathaniel, born 16 June, 1681, removed to Boston. 5. 
 Margaret, died 1683. 6, Thomas, born 1 August, 1687, died 
 1 709. 7. Francis, died 1692. 8. John, married Alice Tucker, 
 1722. 9. Mehetabel second, married Rev. James Allin 
 of Brookline, 1717. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Henchman, v/ho had been invited, in Februa- 
 ry, to settle as a colleague with Mr. Shepard, was ordained min- 
 ister of the first parish in December. His salary was £115 ; 
 and he received £160, as a settlement. Twenty persons, " cal- 
 led Quakers," were exempted, some entirely and others in 
 part from the payment of parish taxes. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Sparhawk was ordained minister of the second 
 parish, now Lynnfield, on the seventeenth of August.^ His 
 salary was seventy pounds. 
 
 Mr. John Lewis was master of the Grammar School. The 
 school was kept in four places ; on the Common, at Wood End, 
 in the west parish, and in the north parish. 
 
 1721. 
 
 The general Court, of the preceding year, ordered fifty 
 thousand pounds to be emitted in bills of credit. Of this, 
 Lynn received £124, 4, as its proportion, which was loaned 
 at five per cent. This money, which was afterward called 
 Old Tenor, soon began to depreciate ; and in 1750, forty five 
 shillings were estimated at one dollar. 
 
 1. Lynnfield Records. 
 
154 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1721. 
 
 The small pox prevailed in New England. In Boston more 
 than eight hundred persons died. If the small pox of 1633 was 
 a judgement upon the Indians, for their erroneous worship, was 
 not tliis equally a judgement upon the inhabitants of Boston ? 
 Some men are very free in dealing out the judgements of God 
 to their enemies, while they contrive to escape from the conse- 
 quence of their own reasoning. If a misfortune comes upon 
 one who differs from their opinions, it is the vengeance of 
 heaven ; but when the same misfortune becomes their own, it is 
 only a trial. One might suppose that the observation of Solo- 
 mon, that " all things happen alike to all men," and that still 
 more pertinent remark of our Saviour, respecting the tower of 
 Siloam, would teach men understanding. ^ But though he spoke 
 so plainly, how many do not rightly understand the doctrine of 
 that inimitable Teacher. 
 
 Doctor John Henry Burchsted died on the twentieth of 
 September, aged 64 years. He was born in Germany in 
 1657, and came to Lynn about the year 1685. He married 
 widow Mary Kertland, and had a son, Dr. Henry Burchsted, 
 born 3 October, 1690. He resided in Essex Street, on the 
 same spot where the house of Dr. Richard Hazeltine now stands. 
 The following is his epitaph. 
 
 " Silesia to New England sent this man, 
 
 To do their all that any healer can ; 
 But he who conquered all diseases must 
 Find one who throws him down into the dust. 
 A chemist near to an adcptist come, 
 Leaves here, thrown by, his caput mortuura. 
 Reader, physicians die as others do ; 
 Prepare, for thou to this art hastening too." 
 
 The Honorable John Burrill died of the smallpox, on the 
 tenth of December, aged 63 years. He was born on the 
 fifteenth of October, 1658, and lived on the v/estern side of 
 Willis's Hill. He married Mary Stovvers of Chelsea, on the 
 twenty eighth of July, 1680, and left no children. He was 
 Town Clerk for thirty years, and was twenty one times elected 
 Representative. He was Speaker of tlie House for several years, 
 and at the time of his death was a Counsellor. He gained a 
 reputation which kw men, who have since filled his stations, have 
 surpassed. The purity of his character, and the integrity of his 
 life, secured to him the warmest friendship of his acquaintance, 
 and the unlimited confidence of his native town. He was affa- 
 ble in his maners, and uniformly prudent in his conduct. His 
 
1722] HISTORY OF LYNPf. 155 
 
 disposition was of the most charitable kind, and his spirit regu- 
 lated by the most guarded temperance. He willingly contin\ied 
 in the House many years, when he might have been raised to a 
 more elevated office ; and his thorough accquaintance with the 
 forms of legislation, the dignity of his de})ortraent, and the 
 order which he maintained in debate, gave to him a respect and 
 an influence, which probably no other Speaker of the House 
 ever obtained. Governor Hutchinson, in his History ot Mass- 
 achusetts, compares him to the celebrated WiUiam Pitt, Speak- 
 er of the English House of Commons. His death was lamented 
 as the death of no inhabitant of Lynn has since been 
 lamented ; and his name is treasured in the hearts of the people, 
 as one of the brightest ornaments of the town. The following 
 epitaph is on his grave stone. 
 
 " Alas ! our patron's dead ! Tlie country — court — 
 The church — in tears, all echo the report ; 
 Grieved that no piety, no mastering sense, 
 No counsel, gravity, no eloquence, 
 No generous temper, gravitating to 
 Those honors, which they did upon him throw, 
 Could stay his fate, or their dear Burrill save 
 From a contagious sickness, and the grave. 
 The adjacent towns this loss reluctant bear, 
 But widowed Lynn sustains the greatest share ; 
 Yet joys in being guardian of his dust, 
 Until the Resurrection of the Just." 
 
 1722. 
 
 Between the years 1698 and 1722, there were killed in 
 Lynn woods, and on Nahant, four hundred and twenty eight 
 foxes ; for most of which the town paid two shillings each. 
 In 1720, the town voted to pay no more for killing them, and 
 the number since this time is unrecorded. We have also no 
 account of the immense multitude which were killed during 
 the first seventy years of the town. If these animals were as 
 plenty in the neighborhood of Zorah, as they were at Lynn, 
 Sampson probably had little difficulty in obtaining his alleged 
 number. 
 
 1 Lynn Records. 
 
;156 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1729. 
 
 1726. 
 
 A ship yard was open at Lynn, where the wharves have 
 since been built, near Liberty Square. Between this year and 
 1741, two brigs and sixteen schooners were built. i It is said, 
 that before the first schooner was launched, a great number of 
 men and boys were employed, with pails, in filling her with 
 water, to ascertain if she was tight. As this story rests only 
 on tradition, 1 do not vouch for its correctness. 
 
 1727. 
 
 An earthquake happened on the twenty ninth of October, 
 about twenty minutes before eleven, in the evening. The 
 noise was like the roaring of a chimney on fire, the sea was 
 violently agitated, and the stone walls and chimneys were thrown 
 down. 
 
 The town, on the twenty second of November, fixed the 
 prices of grain ; wheat at 6 s. barley and rye at 5 s. Indian corn 
 at 3 s. and oats at 1 s. 6 d. a bushel. 
 
 1728. 
 
 The general court having, the proceeding year, issued sixty 
 thousand pounds more, in bills of credit, the town received 
 £130, 4, as its proportion, which was loaned at four per cent. 
 
 A school house was built in Laighton's lane, now Franklin 
 Street. 
 
 1729. 
 
 A great snow storm happened on the fifteenth of February, 
 during which there was much thunder and lightning. 
 
 The general court was held in Salem, on the twenty eighth 
 of May, in consequence of the measles at Boston. 
 
 At the request of the first parish, Hr. Henchman relinquished 
 his salary of £115, and trusting enUrely to the generosity of the 
 
 1 Collin's Journal. 
 
[1731. HISTORY OF LYNN. 157 
 
 people for his support ; in liis own words, " depending on what 
 encouragement hath been given me, of the parish doing what 
 may be handsome for the future." At the end of the year, the 
 contribution amounted to £143, 1, 4. 
 
 1730. 
 
 On Sunday evening, April twelfth, there was an earthquake.^ 
 
 On Monday, August twenty fourth, " Governor Jonathan 
 Belcher went through Lynn, and the people paid their respects 
 to him in an extraordinary manner."^ 
 
 On the thirty first, Mr. Andrew Mansfield was killed in a 
 well, at Lynnfield, by a stone falling on his head.^ 
 
 On the twenty second of October, the northern lights appear- 
 ed very brilliant and awful, flashing up in red streams.^ 
 
 1731. 
 
 The Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk was dismissed from the pas- 
 toral charge of the north parish, now Lynnfield, on the first of 
 July, having preached eleven years. He was a son of Mr. 
 Nathaniel Sparhawk of Cambridge. He was born in 1694, and 
 graduated at Harvard College in 1715. He was ordained on 
 the seventeenth of August, 1720 ; and died on the seventh of 
 May, 1732 ; about one year after his separation from that 
 church. A part of his people had become dissatisfied witli 
 him, and some, whom he considered as his friends, advised him 
 to ask a dismission, in order to produce tranquillity. He asked 
 a dismission, and it was unexpectedly granted. A committee 
 was then chosen to wait on him, and receive the church re- 
 cords ; but he refused to deliver them. Soon after, he took 
 to his bed, and is supposed to have died in consequence of his 
 disappointment. I have sixteen papers of his hand writing, 
 being the confessions of faith of his wife and other members of 
 his church. He married Elizabeth Perkins, who died 12 May, 
 1768, aged 68 years. He had four children. 1. Elizabeth, 
 born 28 December, 1721. 2. Nathaniel, born 24 September, 
 1725, died 11 December, 1728. 3. Edward Perkins Spar- 
 hawk, born 10 July, 1728, and graduated at Harvard College 
 in 1753. He married Mehetabel Putnam, 1759, who died 8 
 
 1. Collins's Journal 
 21 
 
158 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1736. 
 
 September, 1778. He was never ordained, though he preach- 
 ed many times in the parishes of Essex. I have twenty six of 
 his manuscript sermons, and seventeen interleaved almanacs. 
 He appears not to have approved the settlement of Mr. Adams 
 as minister of the parish for whicli he was a candidate, and 
 calls him " old Adams,the reputed teacher of Lynnfield." He is 
 the first person whom I found in our records, having three names. 
 The custom of giving an intermediate name seems not to have 
 been common, till more than one hundred years after the set- 
 tlement of New England. 4. John, born 24 October, 1730, 
 was apprenticed as a shoemaker, and afterward became a phy- 
 sician in Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. Stephen Chase, of Newbury, was ordained minister of 
 the second parish, on the twenty fourth of November. His 
 salary was one hundred pounds. 
 
 On the third of August, the school house was removed from 
 Franklin street to Water Hill.^ 
 
 1732. 
 
 On the fifth of September, there was an earthquake without 
 noised In October, an epidemic cold affected most of the 
 people in Lynn. It ranged through America, and passed to 
 Europe 
 
 1733. 
 
 A settlement was begun at Amherst, in New Hampshire, 
 by people from Lynn. 
 
 A memorandum respecting the town meeting, on the fifth of 
 March, says ; " At this meeting we had a great debate and 
 strife, so that the town was much in a hubbub."^ 
 
 1736. 
 
 The first meeting house in the third parish, now Saugus, 
 was built this year. 
 
 1 Collins's Journal. 
 
1740.] HlSTOllY OF LYNN. 159 
 
 1737. 
 
 On Sunday, February sixth, there was an eartlKjuake.' 
 
 At this time, there were fourteen chaises, nine vehicles call- 
 ed chairs, and one colash, owned in Lynn. 
 
 The roof of the first parish meeting house was altered, 
 and the windows changed from lead to wooden sashes. 
 
 Square toed shoes went out of fashion this year, and buckles 
 began to be used. 
 
 1738. 
 
 On the thirty first of March, two houses were burnt ; one of 
 which belonged to Mr. Edmund Lewis, and the other to Mr. 
 John Hawkes.^ Mr. Richard Mower was schoolmaster. 
 
 1739. 
 
 On the third of March, Mr. Theophilus Burrill's barn was 
 burnt.i 
 
 Mr. Edward Cheever was ordained minister of the third 
 parish, on Wednesday, the fifth of December. 
 
 Mr. Edmund Lewis, and Mr. Ralph Lindsey, were chosen 
 by the town, to enforce an act of the general court, to prevent 
 the destruction of deer. 
 
 1740. 
 
 The Rev. George Whitefield came to New-England, and 
 preached in many towns. 
 
 A fatal disease, called the throat distemper, prevailed in 
 Lynn, and many fell victims to it. In October, six children 
 died in one week.' 
 
 In a great snow storm, on the seventeenth of December, a 
 schooner was wrecked on Nahant rocks.^ 
 
 The winter was exceedingly cold, with many storms. The 
 rivers were frozen in October. Snow began to fall on Thanks- 
 giving day, November thirteenth, and on the fourth of April 
 following, it covered the fences.' 
 
 1. Collins's Journal 
 
160 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1744. 
 
 1741. 
 
 A difference had existed, for several years, between Mr. 
 Henchman and his parish, in consequence of their refusal to 
 make so large an addition as he desired to his salary, on which 
 he declined to accept it. This year he offered to preach lec- 
 tures to them gratuitously, for which he received their thanks, 
 and an increase of his salaryJ 
 
 Great commotions were excited in the neighbouring towns, 
 by Mr. Whitefield's preaching. In some places, meetings were 
 held almost every evening ; and exhortations and prayers were 
 offered by women and children, which had never before been 
 done in New^ England.- 
 
 On the eighteenth of February, the Winnesimet ferry boat 
 was overset, and a Frenchman drowned.^ 
 
 1742. 
 
 An evening meeting of^the followers of Mr Whitefield, on 
 die eleventh of March, is'thus noticed. "This evening sundry 
 young persons were struck, as they call it, in the religious man- 
 ner. This is the first of so in our town.^" 
 
 On the eighteenth of June, Mr. Nathaniel Collins's house was 
 struck by lightning.^ 
 
 On the twelfth of October, Mr. Jonathan Norwood fell from 
 a fishing boat, near Naliant, and was taken up dead. On the 
 thirteenth of July, 1643, Mr. Moses Norwood, of Lynn, was 
 drowned at Boston. 
 
 1744. 
 
 On Sunday morning, June third, there was an earthquake, 
 sufficiently violent to throw down stone wall. It was repeated 
 on the twentieth.^ 
 
 On the fourteenth, a small company of men were impressed, 
 to be sent, with other troops from Massachusetts, against the 
 French and Indians, who were making depredations on the 
 northern frontier. The town was furnished with a stock of pow- 
 der, which was stored in a closet, beneath the pulpit of the first 
 parish meeting house. 
 
 1 Parish Records. 2 Collins's Journal. 
 
1746] HISTORY OF LYNN. 161 
 
 On the thirty first of December, Mr. Theopiiilus Merriam 
 was found dead on the ice, on Sansus river. 
 
 1745. 
 
 On the evening of March ninlh, there was a night arch. 
 
 The Rev. George Whitefield came to Lynn, on the third of 
 July, and requested Mr Henchman's permission to preach in his 
 meeting house, which was refused. Some of the people resolv- 
 ed that he should have liberty to preach ; and taking the great 
 doors from Mr. Theophilus Hallowell's barn, and placing them 
 upon some barrels, they made a stage, on the eastern partol the 
 Common, from which he delivered his address. He had in the 
 preceeding year, visited Lynn, and received a denial of the same 
 request. After the first application and refusal, Mr. Hench- 
 man addressed a letter, in a printed pamphlet, to the Rev. 
 Stephen Chase of Lynnfield, containing reasons for declining 
 to admit Mr. Whitefield into his pulpit. Some of these reasons 
 were, that Mr. Whitefield had disregarded and violated the 
 most solemn vow, which he took when he received orders in 
 the Church of England, and pledged himself to advocate and 
 maintain her discipline and doctrine — that he had intruded into 
 places where regular charches where established — that he used 
 vain boasting, and theatrical gestures, to gain applause — that he 
 countenanced screaming, trances, and epileptic fallings — that 
 he had defamed the character of Bishop Tillotson, and slan- 
 dered the colleges of New England. To this letter, Mr. William 
 Hobby, minister of Reading, made a reply ; and Mr. Henchman 
 rejoined in a second letter. The controversy extended 
 throughout New England, and many pamphlets were written, 
 both for and against Mr. Whitefield. Some good seems to 
 have been done by him, in awakening the people to a higher 
 sense of the importance of piety ; but seeking only to awaken 
 them, and not to direct them to the Church, of which he was 
 a minister, they were left to form new separations, and to build 
 up other faiths. 
 
 1746. 
 
 On the eighteenth of August, the corn was liin-t by a frost. 
 
 A packet schooner, commanded by Captain Hugh Allen, 
 passed from Lynn to Boston. It continued to sail for many 
 years. 
 
162 JIJSTORY OF LYNN. [1750. 
 
 1747. 
 
 The Rev. Edward Cheever relinquished his connexion with 
 the second parish, of which he liad been minister for eight 
 years. He was a son of Mr. Thomas Cheever, of Lynn, and 
 was born 2 May, 17] 7. He graduated at Harvard College in 
 1737, and was ordained in 1739. He removed to Eastham, 
 where he died, 24 August, 1794, aged 77 years. 
 
 1749. 
 
 The drought of this summer was probably never exceeded 
 in New England. The preceding year had been unusually 
 dry, but this was excessively so. There was but little rain 
 from the sixth of May to the sixth of July. A memorandum 
 in the eighteenth of July, says ; " Extreme hot dry weather, 
 such as has not been known in the memory of man — so scorch- 
 ed that the creatures can but just live for the want of grass."^ 
 The effects of the drought were so great, that hay was import- 
 ed from England. Immense multitudes of grasshoppers ap- 
 peared. They were so plenty on Nahant, that the inhabitants 
 walked together, with bushes in their hands, and drove them 
 by thousands into the sea. 
 
 1750. 
 
 John Adam Deaggeor, a shoemaker, from England, came 
 to Lynn. He was one of the best workmen for ladies' shoes 
 who had ever appeared in the town. At the time of his arrival, 
 tlie business of shoemaking at Lynn was very limited, and the 
 workmen unskilful. There were but three men who conducted 
 the business so extensively as to employ journeymen. These 
 were, John Mansfield, Benjamin Newhall, and William 
 Gray, grandfather of William Gray, Lieutenant Governor of 
 Massachusetts. The workmen had frequently obtained good 
 shoes from England, and taken them to pieces, to discover how 
 they were made. By the instruction of Mr. Deaggeor, they 
 were soon enabled to produce shoes nearly equal to the best 
 
 1. Collins. 
 
[1755. HISTORY OF LYNN. 163 
 
 imported from England. Shoemakers, from all parts of tlie 
 town, went to him for information ; and he is called, in the 
 Boston Gazette of 17G4, " the celebrated shoemaker of 
 Essex." He resided in that part of the town called Mansfield's 
 End. He married Susannah Nevvhall, in 1761 ; and had three 
 children ; Caroline, Sarah, and Joseph. He served in the war 
 of the revolution, and was a steady, capable, and industrious 
 man. But like many who have consulted the public interest 
 more than their own, he was poor, and died in the Lynn Alms 
 House, in 1808. 
 
 1752. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Roby was ordained minister of the third parish, 
 now Saugus, in August. 
 
 The school house was removed from Water Hill, to its former 
 place in Franklin street, on the twenty ninth of September ; 
 and on the twenty seventh of November, it was again removed 
 to the eastern part of the common.' 
 
 The Selectmen were allowed two shillings a day for their 
 services. Dr. Nathaniel Henchman was schoolmaster. 
 
 1755. 
 
 A shop on the Common, belonging to Mr. Benjamin James, 
 was burnt, on the fourth of February.- On the twenty fourth, 
 a schooner, from Salem, was cast away on Little Beach, at 
 Nahant.' 
 
 On Sunday, April twenty seventh, the Society of Friends, 
 for the first time, had two meetings in one day.^ 
 
 The Rev. Stephen Chase resigned the care of the second 
 parish, now Lynnfield. He graduated at Harvard University, 
 in 1728 ; and was ordained 24 November, 1731. He married 
 Jane Winget of Hampton, in 1732 ; and his children, born at 
 Lynn, were, Abraham, Stephen, Jane, Stephen second, and 
 Mary. He removed to Newcastle, in New Hampshire, where 
 he settled and died. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Adams was ordained minister of the second 
 parish, on the fifth of November. 
 
 The greatest earthquake ever known in New England, hap- 
 pened on Tuesday, the eighteenth of November^ at fifteen 
 
 1 Collins. 2. Pratt 
 
164 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1761 
 
 minutes after four, in tlie morning. It continued about four 
 minutes. Walls and chimnies were thrown down, and clocks 
 stopped. On the same day Lisbon was destroyed. On the 
 following Saturday there was another earthquake.' 
 
 A whale, seventy five feet in length, was landed on King's 
 Beach, on the ninth of December. Dr. Henry Burchsted 
 rode into his mouth, in a chair drawn by a horse ; and after- 
 ward had two of his bones set up for gate posts, at his house in 
 Essex street, where they stood for more than fifty years. 
 
 1756. 
 
 At this time there lived in Lynn a singular person, whose 
 name was Jonathan Gowing. At the age of twenty seven he 
 suddenly became deranged, and continued so for three weeks, 
 during which time he was confined. Before this, he had been 
 remarkable only for his stupidity and indolence, being ex- 
 tremely careful to do nothing which should be of the least 
 service to any one. He was now suddenly metamorphosed 
 into the most sprightly and active disposition, full of vivacity, 
 quickness of apprehension, and liveliness of imagination, to a 
 degree which seemed almost miraculous. He performed a 
 great variety of the most singular and amusing tricks, without 
 injury ; and the sallies of his wit and humor were such as to 
 astonish every one. He was visited by all classes of people, 
 from the illiterate laborer to the man of science, and all were 
 delighted by the keenness of his perception ; and completely 
 foiled in any attempts to surpass him in the exercise of wit and 
 humor. 
 
 There was at the same time a man in Reading whose name 
 was Joseph Emerson, celebrated for his wit, who valued him- 
 self very highly for the possession of this talent, and took great 
 pains to excel in it. Having heard of Jonathan's surprising 
 ability, he determined to put it to the test ; and a day was 
 appointed, when the parties were to meet at the tavern in 
 Saugus, for the exercise of their facetious powers. Public 
 notice was given, and so large a number of people assembled, 
 that there was not room for them in the house. Preparation 
 was therefore made in an adjacent field, and managers were 
 appointed to regulate the crowd and preserve order. The 
 rival wits commenced with some pleasant ceremony and com- 
 pliment, and as the conversation proceeded, they became face- 
 
1758.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 165 
 
 tioLis and witty at each other's expense. After a little time, 
 the champion from Reading gained the ascendancy, and re- 
 tained it so long, that the company were generally persuaded 
 that Jonathan would not be able to extricate himself. During 
 all this time however, the Lynn wit manifested the most per- 
 fect indifference, and seemed to be utterly careless of the 
 result. Presently he gave a sudden change to the conversation, 
 and m.ade every thing that the other said turn against him. A 
 person who was present says, that the exercise of his wit was 
 " beyond all human imagination." His opponent, who was 
 regarded as the archest fellow in the province, was completely 
 confounded ; and so great was his chagrin and disappointment, 
 says a physician who was present, that he immediately fell 
 into faintings, like one in the agonies of death, and refused all 
 the anodynes which were offered him.^ As for Jonathan, he 
 was perfectly indifferent of his success, and praise or dispraise 
 were alike to him. He retained his facility of wit for several 
 months, and then relapsed into his former indolence ; and such 
 was the stupidity of his disposition, that it became proverbial, 
 and when any one was slow of apprehension, the expression 
 was — you are as dull as Jonathan Gowing. 
 
 1757. 
 
 There was an earthquake on the eighth of July, at fifteen 
 minutes after two of the clock. ^ 
 
 On the afternoon of Sunday, August fourteenth, the people 
 were alarmed, during meeting time, by the beating of drums ; 
 and on the next day, twenty men were impressed, and marched 
 to Springfield.-^ 
 
 1758. 
 
 A company of soldiers, from Lynn, marched for Canada, 
 on the twenty third of May. 
 
 In a thunder shower, in the fourth of August, an ox, belong- 
 ing to Mr. Henry Silsbe, was killed by the lightning. 
 
 A sloop from Lynn, commanded by Captain Ralph Lindsey, 
 was cast away, on the fifteenth of August, near Portsmouth. 
 
 I.Ms, of Dr. John Perkins of Lynnfield 2. Collins. 3. Praft. 
 
 22 
 
166 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1761. 
 
 1761. 
 
 The Honorable Ebenezer Burrell was born on the thirteenth 
 of July, 1679. He was representative from Lynn six years ; 
 and in 1731, and 1746, was chosen councellor. He was sent 
 u commissioner to Casco Bay,to treat with the Indians, on the 
 seventeenth of July, 1732; and returned on the fifth of Au- 
 gust. He hved at Swampscot, at the place where Mr. Hum- 
 frey formerly resided ; and died on the sixth of September, 
 1761, aged 82 years. He married Martha Farrington, by 
 whom he had ten children. 1. Ebenezer, Esquire, born 6 
 February, 1702 ; died 20 May, 1778, aged 76 years. He 
 was town clerk 17 years, and representative 12 years. He 
 had eleven children ; one of whom, James, born 1 1 March 
 1744, removed to Providence; whose son. Honorable James, 
 LLD. a graduate of Brown University in 1788, and a senator 
 in Congress, died at Washington city, in 1820, aged 46 years. 
 2. John. 3. Martha. 4. Theophilus, Esquire, born 21 May, 
 1709. 5. Mary. 6. Eunice. 7. Lois. 8. Samuel, born 1 April. 
 1717, was five times representative of Lynn. 9. Sarah. 10, 
 Lydia. 
 
 The Rev. Nathaniel Henchman was a son of Mr Nathaniel 
 Henchman, a book binder, and deacon of a church in Boston. 
 He was born^ on the twenty second of November, 1700; and 
 graduated at Harvard University in 1717. He was ordained 
 minister of the first parish in Lynn, in December, 1720. — 
 His residence was on the north side of the Common, where 
 he built the house now owned by Mr.George Bracket. He 
 died^ on the twenty third of December, 1761, aged 61 ; hav- 
 ing preached forty one years. In the early part of his min- 
 istry, Mr. Henchman enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his 
 people. His learning was extensive, and his integrity and 
 virtue entitled him to high respect. He was strongly attached 
 to regularity and order, and disinclined to every species of 
 enthusiasm. He thought the services of the Sabbath, in gen- 
 eral, were sufficient, and was decidedly opposed to evening 
 meetings. By his omitting to deliver lectures, and refusing 
 to admit itinerant preachers into his pulpit, disaffections were 
 created, which deprived him of the regard of many of his peo- 
 
 1 Lynn Record, in the hand writing of Dr. Nathaniel Henchman, 
 Town Clerk. 
 
 2 " About one or two o'clock, in the morning." Collins. 
 
1762.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 167 
 
 pie. The occasion of these difficulties is to be imputed to 
 the opinions of the time, rather than to any want of urbanity 
 on the part of Mr. Henchman, who was very affable in his 
 manners, and treated Mr. Whitefield with great civility and 
 respect in his own house, and invited him to remain longer.' 
 He published the following pamphlets. 
 
 1. Reasons for declining to admit Mr. Whitefield into his 
 pulpit ; addressed to the Rev. Stephen Chase of Lynnfield. 
 Boston, 1744, 8vo. 
 
 2. A letter to Rev. William Hobby of Reading, in reply 
 to his vindication of Mr. Whitefield. Boston, 1745, 4to. 
 
 The following epitaph Avas written for Mr. Henchman. 
 
 Three times aloud the summons hath been blown, 
 To call Lynn's watchmen to the highest throne. 
 First Whiting left the church her loss to weep ; 
 Then Shepard next resigned his peaceful sheep ; 
 Our other shepherd now gives up his trust, 
 And leaves his charge to slumber in the dust. 
 A few fleet years, and the last trump will sound. 
 To call our Henchman from the silent ground. ^ 
 Then we who wake, and they who sleep must come, 
 To hear the Judge pronounce the righteous doom. 
 
 Mr. Henchman had two wives ; 1. Deborah Waker, in 
 1727, and 2= Lydia Lewis, in 1734. He had five children. 1. 
 Dr. Nathaniel, born 1 April 1728, graduated at Harvard Uni- 
 versity in 1747, was town clerk of Lynn for two years, and 
 died 30 May, 1767, aged 39. His son. Dr. Nathaniel, born 
 4 May 1762, removed to Amherst in New Hampshire, and 
 died 27 May, 1800, aged 38. His son. Dr. Nathaniel, the 
 fifth and last of that name, was born at Amherst, in 1786, and 
 died at Woodville, Mississippi, 5 September, 1819, aged 33. 
 2 Daniel, born 23 November, 1730, removed to Boston. 
 3. Anna. 4. Lydia. 5. Anna second. 
 
 On the twelfth of March, at twenty minutes after two, in the 
 morning, there was an earthquake ; and on the first of Novem- 
 ber, between eight and nine in the evening, another.^ 
 
 1762. 
 
 The summer of this year was remarkably dry. On Wednes- 
 day, the twenty eighth of July, a day of fasting and prayer was 
 
 1 Whitefield's Journal — Dr. Wigglesworth's Letter. 
 
 2 The word henchman signifies a warder or watchman. 
 
 3 Collins. 
 
168 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1766. 
 
 observed, in consequence of the drought ; and on the Sunday 
 following, there was " a fine shower of rain."* 
 
 1763. 
 
 Mr. John Treadwell was ordained minister of the first parish, 
 on the second of March. 
 
 1765. 
 
 This year an act was passed, by the Parliament of England, 
 called the Stamp Act ; requiring the people of the American 
 Colonies to employ papers stamped with the royal seal, in all 
 mercantile and legal transactions. This act called forth a gen- 
 eral spirit of opposition, particularly in Boston ; where, on the 
 night of the twenty sixth of August, a party of the people col- 
 lected, and nearly demolished the house of Lieutenant Gover- 
 nor Hutchinson, and several others. In many other places 
 the people manifested their displeasure, by tolling bells, and 
 burning the effigies of the stamp officers. 
 
 Mr. William Perkins was born on the eighteenth of Feb- 
 ruary, 1738, and graduated at Harvard University in 1758. 
 He was schoolmaster, in the first parish, for several years ; and 
 died on the ninth of October, 1765, aged 27. He was much 
 admired and respected for his uncommon abilities, extensive 
 acquirements, and unaffected manners. 
 
 1766. 
 
 On Saturday, the eighth of February, an English brig, from 
 Hull, was cast away on Pond Beach, on the south side of 
 Nahant. 
 
 This year the stamp act was repealed. The people of Lynn 
 manifested their joy by ringing the bell and making bonfires. 
 On the first of December, they directed their representative, 
 Ebenezer Burrill, Esquire, to use his endeavors to procure an 
 act to compensate Mr. Hutchinson, and others, for their losses 
 in the riot of the preceding year. 
 
 1 Collins. 
 
1770.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 169 
 
 1768. 
 
 On the seventh of November, Mr. John Welhnan and Mr. 
 Young Flint, were drowned in Chelsea river, and their bodies 
 taken up the next day. 
 
 A Catamount was killed by Mr. Joseph Williams, in the 
 Lynn woods. 
 
 1769. 
 
 A snow storm, on the eleventh of May, continued twelve 
 hours. 
 
 On Wednesday evening, July nineteenth, a beautiful night 
 arch appeared. It was widest in the zenith, and terminated in 
 a point, at each horizon. The color was a brilliant white, and 
 it continued most of the evening. 
 
 On the eighth of August, as a party were going on board a 
 schooner in the harbor, for a sail of pleasure, the canoe, in 
 which were six women and two men, was overset, and two of 
 the party drowned. These were Anna Hood, aged 23, daugh- 
 ter of Mr. Benjamin Hood ; and Ahce Basset, aged 17 years, 
 daughter of Mr. Daniel Bassett. 
 
 In a great snow storm on the eighth of September, several 
 buildings were blown down, and a sloop driven ashore at 
 Nahant. 
 
 1770. 
 
 After the repeal of the stamp act, the English Parliament, 
 in 1767, passed an act imposing duties on imported paper, 
 glass, paints, and tea. This again awakened the opposition of 
 the colonies. The General Court of Massachusetts, in 1768, 
 published a letter, expressing their firm loyalty to the king, 
 and their unwillingness to submit to any acts of legislative op- 
 pression. This letter displeased the Enghsh government, the 
 General Court v/as dissolved, and seven armed vessels, with 
 soldiers, were sent from Halifax to Boston, to ensure tran- 
 quillity. On the fifth of March, 1776, a part of these troops, 
 being assaulted by some of the people of Boston, fired upon 
 them, and killed four men. The soldiers were imprisoned, 
 tried, and acquitted. 
 
170 HISTORY OF LYNN. , [1772, 
 
 On the twelfth of April, the duties on paper, glass, and paints, 
 were repealed ; but the duty on tea, which was three pence 
 on a pound, remained. On the twenty fourth of May, the 
 inhabitants of Lynn held a meeting, in which they passed the 
 following resolutions. 
 
 " 1. Voted, we will do our endeavor to discountenance the 
 use of foreign tea. 
 
 2. Voted, no person to sustain any office of profit, that will 
 not comply with the above vote. 
 
 3. Voted, no taverner or retailer shall be returned to ses- 
 sions, that will not assist in discountenancing the use of said 
 tea ; and the selectmen to give it as a reason to the sessions. 
 
 4. Voted, unanimously, that we will use our endeavors to 
 promote our own manufactures amongst us."' 
 
 The disaffection against the English government, appears to 
 have been occasioned, not so much by the amount of the duty 
 on the tea, as by the right which it implied in that government, 
 to tax the people of America without their consent. The colo- 
 nies had always admitted their allegiance to the English crown ; 
 but as they had no voice in parliament, it was ungenerous, if 
 not unjust, in that parliament, to impose any taxes which were 
 not necessary for their immediate benefit. 
 
 A great storm, on the nineteenth of October, raised the tide 
 higher than had been known for many years 
 
 1771. 
 
 On the ninth of January, Mrs. Rebecca Hadley, wife of Mr. 
 Thomas Hadley, of Lynnfield, left her house to visit an ac- 
 quaintance, and did not return. On the twenty sixth she was 
 found, drowned in the stream above the mill pond, into which 
 she probably fell, in attempting to cross it. 
 
 1772. 
 
 Mr. Sparhawk, of Lynnfield, in his diary thus remarks. 
 " An amazing quantity of snow fell in the month of March, 
 such as I never knew in the time that 1 have lived." On the 
 fifth of March, the amount of snow which fell, was 16 inches ; 
 
 1. Town Records. 
 
1773] HISTORY Oh' LYNN. 171 
 
 on the ninth, 9 inches ; on the eleventh, 8 inches ; on the 
 thirteenth, 7 inches ; on the sixteenth, 4 inches ; and on the 
 twentieth, 15 inches. Thus the whole amount of snow in 
 sixteen days, was nearly five feet, on a level. 
 
 On the fifteenth of May, Abigail Rhodes, a daughter of Mr. 
 Eleazer Rhodes, was lost. On the twenty fourth, a great 
 number of people went in search of her, in vain. On the 
 second of June, another general search was made ; and on the 
 twenty first of July, her bones were found, in a swamp in Lynn 
 woods. 
 
 Dr. Jonathan Norwood kept the town school. He was a 
 son of Mr. Zacheus Norwood, and was born on the nineteenth 
 of September, 1751. He graduated at Harvard University, 
 in 1771, and hved on the north side of the Common. 
 
 1773. 
 
 The opposition to the duty on tea continued unremitted. 
 The East India Company sent many cargoes to America, 
 offering to sell it at a reduced price ; but the people resolved that 
 it should not be landed. Seventeen men, dressed like Indians, 
 went on board the vessels in Boston harbor, broke open 342 
 chests of tea, and poured their contents into the water. 
 
 A town meeting was held at Lynn, on the sixteenth of De- 
 cember, in which the following resolutions were passed. 
 
 " 1. That the people of the British American Colonies, by 
 their constitution of government, have a right to freedom, and 
 an exemption from every degree of oppression and slavery. 
 
 2. That it is an essential right of freemen to have the dis- 
 posal of their own property, and not to be taxed by any power 
 over which they have no control. 
 
 3. That the parliamentary duty laid upon tea landed in 
 America, is, in fact, a tax upon Americans, without their 
 consent. 
 
 4. That the late act of parHament, allowing the East India 
 Company to send their tea to America on their own account, 
 was artfully framed, for the purpose of enforcing and carrying 
 into effect the oppressive act of Parliament, imposing a duty 
 upon teas imported into America ; and is a fresh proof of the 
 settled and determined designs of the ministers to deprive us 
 of liberty, and reduce us to slavery. 
 
 5. That we highly disapprove of the landing and selling of 
 
172 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1775. 
 
 such teas in America, and will not suffer any teas, subjected to 
 a parliamentary duty, to be landed or sold in this town ; and 
 that we stand ready to assist our brethren of Boston, or else- 
 where, whenever our aid shall be required, in repelling all 
 attempts to land or sell any teas poisoned with a duty."' 
 
 A deer was this year started in the Maiden woods, and 
 chased, by some hunters, through Chelsea, to the Lynn marsh. 
 He plunged into the Saugus river, and attempted to gain the 
 opposite shore ; but some Lynn people, coming down the river 
 in a boat, approached ; and throwing a rope over his horns, 
 brought him ashore at High Point. 
 
 1774. 
 
 The destruction of the tea at Boston gave great offence to 
 the English government, and an act was passed, by which the 
 harbor of Boston was closed against the entrance or departure 
 of any vessels. The inhabitants of Lynn held several meet- 
 ings, in which they expressed their disapprobation of the 
 shutting of the port of Boston, and their abhorrence of every 
 species of tyranny and oppression. 
 
 On the seventh of October, a congress of delegates from the 
 several towns of Massachusetts, assembled at Salem, to con- 
 sider the state of public affairs. The delegates from Lynn 
 were Ebenezer Burrill Esquire, and Captain John Mansfield. 
 On the fourteenth, they adjourned to Cambridge. They made 
 addresses to Governor Gage, and to the clergy of the province, 
 chose a committee of safety, and recommended measures for 
 the regulation of public conduct. 
 
 This year the northern lights cast a luminous night arch, of 
 a milk white hue, across the heavens, from the east to the 
 western horizon. Another night arch appeared in 1775 ; and 
 in 1776, another.2 
 
 1775. 
 
 On the morning of Wednesday, the nineteenth of April, the 
 inhabitants of Lynn were awakened, by the information that a 
 detachment, of about eight hundred troops, had left Boston, in 
 the night, and were proceeding towards Concord. And who 
 
 1 Town Records. 2 Perkins's Mb. 
 
1775.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 173 
 
 were the men, lliiis marching at midnight, tlirough the peaceful 
 villages of New England, startling the slumbers of unsuspecting 
 innocence ? ]\Ien from the land of Shakspeare and Pope, of 
 Clarendon and Howard ; men from the land of genius and 
 refinement ; a land whose pride, for ages, has been her free 
 spirit, and her principles of civil liberty. Had England un- 
 derstood her true interests, she would have said to the men 
 whom she sought to subjugate ; Americans, your fathers were 
 subjects of our king, and you have sprung from our blood. But 
 you have now becoflie a great people, and you are too remote 
 for our legislation. We wish not to control your energies ; 
 be free. We seek not your tribute, we ask not your homage. 
 We wish only to convince you, that your fathers erred in aban- 
 doning the salutary discipline of the Church, in which they 
 were educated. We wish to convince you that the Church is 
 the fountain of life, the purest in practice, and the noblest in 
 sentiment, of all the communities of men, because her doc- 
 trines are from God. We wish you to be persuaded that you 
 will find no certain repose to your minds, no 
 
 '♦ Calm, sheltered haven of eternal rest," 
 until your numerous sects shall return to the common fold. 
 Go, then, build up a nation on the purest principles of civil 
 and rehgious hberty, speaking the same language, and main- 
 taining the same faith, until that language and that faith shall 
 become universal. Was this her language ? No. Influenced 
 by ignorant and designing counsellors, by men who possessed not 
 the true spirit of EngHshmen, she sent her armies three thou- 
 sand miles across the Atlantic, to march, in the silence of mid- 
 night, to the accomplishment of their dark designs. 
 
 On receiving the intelligence that the troops had left Boston, 
 many of the inhabitants of Lynn immediately set out, widiout 
 waiting to be organized, and with such weapons as they could 
 most readily procure. One man, with whom I was acquainted, 
 had no other equipments, than a long fowling piece, without a 
 bayonet, a horn of powder, and a seal skin pouch, filled with 
 bullets and buck shot. The English troops arrived at Lex- 
 ington, a litde before five in the morning, where they fired 
 upon the inhabitants, assembled in arms before the meetin."- 
 house, and killed eight men. They then proceeded to Con- 
 cord, where they destroyed some military stores; bm !;ciug 
 opposed by the militia, they soon began to retreat. The peo- 
 ple from Lynn met them at Lex.ingti)n, on their return ; and 
 joined in firin^j at them from the walls and fences. In one 
 
 23 
 
174 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1775- 
 
 instance, says my informant, an English soldier, coming out of 
 a house, was met by the owner. They levelled their pieces 
 at each other, and firing at the same instant, both fell dead. 
 The English had sixty five men killed, the Americans fifty. 
 Among these were four men from Lynn, who fell in Lex- 
 ington. 
 
 1. Mr. William Flint. He married Sarah Larrabee, 5 
 June, 1770. 
 
 2. Mr. Thomas Hadley. His wife is mentioned in 1771. 
 2. Mr. Daniel Townsend. He was born 26 December, 
 
 1 738. A stone has been erected to his memory, at Lynnfield, 
 with the following inscription. 
 
 *• Lie, valiant Townsend, in the peaceful shades, we trust. 
 Immortal honors mingle with thy dust. 
 What though thy body struggle in its gore ? 
 So did thy Saviour's body long before ; 
 And as^hc raised his own, by power divine. 
 So the same power shall also quicken thine. 
 And in eternal glory mayst thou shine." 
 
 4. Mt. Abednego Ramsdell. He was a son of Noah Rams- 
 dell, and was born 11 September, 1750. He had two bro- 
 thers, older than himself, whose names were Shadrach and 
 Meshech. He married Hannah Woodbury, 11 March, 1774, 
 and resided in the eastern part of Essex street. He had gone 
 out early on that morning to the sea shore, with his gun, and 
 had killed a couple of black ducks, and was returning with 
 them, when he heard the alarm. He immediately threw 
 down the birds, and set off. He was seen passing through the 
 town, running in haste, with his stockings fallen over his shoes. 
 He arrived at Lexington about the middle of the day, and fell 
 immediately. 
 
 In the number of the wounded were, Mr. Joshua Felt, and 
 Mr. Timothy Munroe ; the latter of whom had thirty two 
 bullet holes shot through his clothes. Mr. Josiah Breed was 
 taken prisoner, and carried to New York ; but was afterward 
 released. 
 
 The war was now begun in earnest. On the twenty third 
 of April, the people of Lynn chose a committee of safety, to 
 consult measures of defence. This committee consisted of the 
 Rev. John Treadwell, minister of the first parish, the Rev. 
 Joseph Roby, minister of the third parish, and Deacon Daniel 
 Mansfield. A company of alarm men was organized, under 
 the command of Lieutenant Harris Chadwell. Three watches 
 
1776.] HISTORY OP LYNN. 175 
 
 were stationed each night; one at Sagamore Hill, one at the 
 south end of Shepard street, and one at Newhall's Landing, on 
 Saugus river. No person was allowed to go out of the town, 
 without permission ; and the people carried their arms to the 
 place of public worship. Mr. Treadwell, always foremost in 
 patriotic proceedings, appeared, on the Sabbath, with his car- 
 tridge box under one arm, and his sermon under the other j 
 and went into the pulpit with his musket loaded. 
 
 On the seventeenth of June, was fought the memorable 
 battle of Bunker Hill. The Lynn regiment was commanded 
 by Colonel John Mansfield. It consisted of four companies, 
 under Captains William Farrington, Rufus Mansfield, Daniel 
 Parker, and Nathaniel Bancroft. This regiment arrived in 
 Charlestown at an early hour, and was ordered to reinforce the 
 troops already engaged. But Colonel Mansfield, receiving 
 secondary orders from Major Gridley, marched his regiment to 
 Cobble Hill, to cover the field pieces ; in consequence of 
 which, the soldiers from Lynn were not actively engaged. 
 The English, in this battle, lost two hundred and twenty six 
 men killed, and the Americans, one hundred and thirty nine. 
 
 Mr. John Lewis died this year, aged ninety two. He lived on 
 the place of his ancestors, in Boston street, and was for many 
 years a deacon of the first parish. He owned the second 
 tannery in Lynn, which was on the brook opposite his house. 
 He was a gentleman extensively beloved and respected. He 
 married Mary Burrill in 1715, and had five children. 1. Lydia, 
 who married Rev. Nathaniel Henchman, in 1734. 2. Sarah. 
 3. Mary, who married Rev. John Carnes, in 1747. 4. Lois. 
 5. John, who was born 7 November, 1724; graduated at 
 Harvard University, in 1744 ; and died 21 October 1754. 
 
 1776. 
 
 In January, the English troops were quartered at Boston, and 
 the American at Cambridge, separated by Charles river. It 
 was the intention of General Putnam to cross over to Boston, 
 as soon as the river should become sufficiently frozen. Three 
 of his soldiers, one of whom was Mr. Henry Hallowell of Lynn, 
 hearing of this design, set out to try the strength of the ice, by 
 throwing a large stone before them. A party of about fifty of 
 the English soldiers, on the opposite shore, commenced firing 
 at them ; which they only regarded by mocking with their 
 voices the noise of the bullets. They continued on the ice till 
 
I'TjO HISTORY OF LYNN. [1776. 
 
 the English parly retired ; uhcii, thinking that they had gone 
 to procure a cannon, they returned, after picking up more than 
 seventy balls on the ice, which they presented to General 
 Putnam, as trophies of their venturesome exploit. The sol- 
 diers from Lynn v/ere under the command of Captain Ezra 
 Nevvhall. 
 
 On the twenty first of J\lay, the people of Lynn voted, that 
 the ministers should be invited to attend the annual town meet- 
 ings, to begin them with prayer. I was once at the meeting of 
 a town, in New Hampshire, in which this practice prevails, and 
 was convinced of its propriety. There are occasions, on which 
 prayer is made, which are of less apparent importance, than the 
 choice of men, to govern the town or commonwealth, and to 
 make laws, on which the welfare, and perhaps the lives of the 
 people may depend. 
 
 A company of soldiers was furnished for an expedition to 
 Canada. On the second of August, the town allowed them fif- 
 teen pounds each, and voted that ten pounds should be given 
 to any person who would voluntarily enlist. 
 
 An alarm was made, at midnight, that some of the English 
 troops had landed on King's beach. In a short time the town 
 was all in commotion. Many person left their houses and fled 
 into the woods. Some families threw their plate into the wells 
 and several sick persons were removed. Some self possession, 
 was however manifested. Mr. Frederick Breed, for his exer- 
 tions in rallying the soldiers and marching them to Wood End, 
 where he found the alarm to be false, received a commission 
 in the army, and afterward rose to the rank of Colonel. 
 
 For the following anecdotes, I am chiefly indebted to Mr. 
 Henry Hallowell, who was in the army several years. 
 
 ' When the troops were on Dorchester heights, many hogs- 
 heads of sands were prepared, and placed in readiness to be 
 rolled down, to break the ranks of the English, if they should 
 attempt to ascend. 
 
 ' While a part of the American army was stationed in Fort 
 Washington, at New York, General W^ashington's barge, by a 
 stratagem, passed all the English vessels in the harbor and came 
 up toward the fort. A party of the American soldiers was or- 
 dered to fire upon her, and just as they were about to obey, 
 Captain Knox's artillery, from the fort, threw a cannon ball on 
 board of her, and killed several men. 
 
 ' Tiie engineer, who built Fort Washington, was a French- 
 man. He had a negro, to whom he entrusted his concerns. 
 
1777.] HISTCRY OF LYNN. 177 
 
 and one day the plan of the fort was missing. The negro was 
 suspected to have talcen it, and General Washington ordered 
 him to have ten lashes a day till he confessed. He was laid 
 upon his face, with his hands and feet extended and fastened 
 to four stakes, and whipped for many days, but made no con- 
 fession ; and soon after the fort was taken by the English. 
 Several Lynn men were among the prisoners. 
 
 ' At Trenton, says Mr. Hallowell, I was taken sick with a 
 fever, and carried to Philadelphia, where I found many sick. 
 Ralph Lindsey, David Newman, and Ephraim Twist, of Lynn, 
 died. Twenty five persons were buried in one day.' 
 
 1777. 
 
 The Rev. Benjamin Adams was born at Newbury, in tlio 
 year 1719, and graduated at Harvard University in 1738. He 
 was ordained minister of the second parish, now Lynnfield, on 
 the fifth of November 1755 ; and died on the fourth of May, 
 1777, aged 58 ; having preached 21 years. He married Re- 
 becca Nichols, andhad seven children, 1. Rebecca. 2. Dr. Ben- 
 jamin Adams, born 7 September, 1758 ; died 16 January 1811,- 
 aged 63. 3. Elizabeth. 4. Sarah. 5. Ann. 6, Joseph, and 7, 
 Nathan, twins, born 11 April, 1769. 
 
 ' While I was with part of the army at Worcester, says Mr. 
 Hallowell, our Lieutenant Colonel, Farrington, was broken for 
 making paper money, and Major Ezra Newhall, of Lynn, was 
 appointed in his place. Captain Allen was appointed Major. 
 He was aftervt^ard killed, at Northampton, while on a huntinr 
 party, by one of his neighbors, who mistook him for a deer. 
 
 ' At the north, the English appeared very powerful, and had 
 many wild Indians to keep in their front, who harassed us by 
 killing our men. After the Americans had taken Fort Stanwix, 
 about three hundred Indians came and joined our army, under 
 General Gates. About one half of the English army was com- 
 posed of Indians and hired German soldiers. 
 
 ' I was at the house, says Mr. Hallowell, where the celebrat- 
 ed Jane Mac Crea resided, and saw her while alive. Her 
 lover, who was in the English army, sent for her, and offered a 
 small party of Indians a quantity of rum, to convey her to him 
 in safety. Some other Indians heard of it, and determined to 
 obtain the reward ; to prevent which, the first party of Indians 
 killed her. On the same day, a Heutenant and several soldiers 
 
178 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1777. 
 
 were killed by the Indians, and were buried in the woods ; but 
 Jane was brought to the American camp, and buried, in great 
 respect, with the honors of war. 
 
 ' Many barbarities were committed by the Indians of botli 
 ' parties. The enemy Indians fired into one house, and killed a 
 mother and five children. Tliey also killed Colonel Alden at 
 Cherry Valley, and another of our officers, while he was drink- 
 ing at a spring. Our Indians, one day, took an enemy Indian 
 and brought him into camp. As they passed along, they were 
 amusing themselves by sticking pins into his face. 
 
 ' The southern men had two bad quarrels with the northern 
 men, so that we had to turn out a large party to quell them. 
 Captain Shays, who afterward rose against our state government, 
 belonged to our regiment, and was considered a good officer 
 then. 
 
 * One day a soldier went to sleep on his blanket, and a large 
 rattlesnake came and took a place with him. Some soldiers 
 killed the snake, before they waked the man. 
 
 ' A battle was fought at Saratoga, on the nineteenth of Sep- 
 tember, and a bloody time it was. In the midst of it, our men 
 broke their ranks, and began to plunder the dead. Colonel 
 Newhall determined, in case of another battle, to shoot the first 
 man who should do the like again. The soldiers, generally, 
 would rather go to battle, than to hear preaching. 
 
 ' On the seventh of October, another battle was fought ; and 
 after a great slaughter, the English retreated. On entering 
 their works, we found a German soldier still on sentry. He 
 asked for quarter, but our adjutant ordered him to be shot. In 
 the pursuit, we took a captain and fifty men, with much equi- 
 page; among which was General Burgoyne's marquee, which 
 fell to the lot of Colonel Newhall. In their retreat, they set 
 fire to a village, which was burning on our approach. They 
 then fortified themselves on a hill, at some distance ; but our 
 army being soon reinforced, General Burgoyne surrendered on 
 the seventeenth.' 
 
 In the winter of this year, Mr. John Lewis, aged 26, and 
 Benjamin Lewis, aged 15, brothers, of Lynn, died on board the 
 Jersey prison ship, in the harbor of New York. Their deaths 
 were principally occasioned by severe treatment, and unwhole- 
 some food, prepared in copper vessels. 
 
1780.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 179 
 
 1780. 
 
 The town of Lynn granted as much money as would pur- 
 chase twenty seven hundred sih'er dollars, to pay the soldiers. 
 Within two years, the town granted seventy thousand pounds, 
 old tenor, to defray their expenses. The principal money in 
 circulation was the paper money issued by Congress, which had 
 greatly depreciated. A soldier of the revolution says, that in 
 1781, he sold seventeen hundred and eighty dollars, of paper 
 money, for thirty dollars in silver. 
 
 The continental currency, as it was called, consisted of small 
 pieces of paper, about two inches square. The two dollar bills 
 bore a hand, making a circle with compasses, with the motto, 
 tribulatio dital, trouble enriches. The device of the three 
 dollar bills was an eagle, pouncing upon a crane, who was bi- 
 ting the eagle's neck, with the motto, exitus in dubio, the event 
 is doubtful. On the five dollar bills was a hand, grasping a 
 thornbush, with the inscription, sustine vel abstine, hold fast 
 or touch not. The six dollar bills represented a beaver felling 
 a tree, with the word perseverando, by perseverance we pros- 
 per. Another emission bore an anchor, with the words, " In 
 te Doviine speramus,^^ In thee, Lord, have I trusted. The 
 eight dollar bills displayed a harp, with the motto, majora 
 minoribus consonant, united we stand. The Thirty dollar 
 bills exhibited a wreath on an altar, with the legend, si recte, 
 fades, if you do right, you will succeed. I remember that, 
 when I was a child, I had thousands of dollars, of this uncurrent 
 money, given me to play with. 
 
 The nineteenth of May was remarkable throughout New-Eng- 
 land for its uncommon darkness. It began about the hour of 
 ten in the morning. At eleven, the darkness was so great, that 
 the fowls retired to their roosts, and the cattle collected round 
 the barns, as at night. Before twelve, candles became requi- 
 site, and many of the people of Lynn omitted their dinners, 
 thinking that the day of judgement had come. The darkness 
 increased through the evening, and continued till midnight. It 
 was supposed, by some, to have been occasioned by a smoke, 
 arising from extensive fires in the western woods, and combin- 
 ing with a thick fog and clouds from the sea. They who look 
 to higher causes, see the operations of God in all the changes 
 of nature. " Clouds and darkness are round about Him, who 
 walketh on the wings of the wind." 
 
180 HISTOUY OF LYNN. [1783. 
 
 1782. 
 
 The Rev. John Treadwell relinquished the care of tlie first 
 parish. He was born at Ipswich, 20 September, 1738, and 
 graduated at Harvard University in 1758. He was ordained 
 on the second of March, 1763, and preached at Lynn nine- 
 teen years. He resided in tlie house on the corner of Boston 
 and Hart streets, next to the Lewis place. On leaving Lynn, 
 he returned to Ipswich; and in 1787, removed to Salem; 
 where he died, on the fifth of January, 1811, aged 73 years. 
 He was a representative from the towns of Ipswich and Salem, 
 a senator of Essex county, and a judge of the court of common 
 pleas. He married Mehetable Dexter, in 1763 ; and had one 
 daughter, who married a Cleaveland ; and one son, John Dex- 
 ter Treadwell, born at Lynn, 29 ^lay, 1768, graduated at 
 Harvard University in 1786, a respected physician at Salem. 
 
 1783. 
 
 This 3'ear, the war, which had spread its gloom through the 
 colonies for more than seven years, was finally terminated, by 
 a treaty of peace, signed on the third of September ; and the 
 thirteen United States took their rank, as a free and indepen- 
 dent nation. 
 
 It is to be regretted, that there was not then — that there is not 
 even 7iow, generosity enough in the nation to admit the slaves 
 to participate in the benefits of freedom. The declaration of 
 American hidepcndence, published in 1776, maintains that " all 
 men" are endowed with the unalienable right of " liberty ;" yet 
 a large portion of the subjects of our government are violently 
 deprived of its enjoyment. The constitution of Massachusetts 
 promulgated in 1780, asserts that " all men are born free ;" and 
 with a spirit worthy of that assertion, all men in this Common- 
 wealth are made free. At the commencement of the war, there 
 were more than forty slaves in Lynn ; all of whom were set at 
 liberty before the close of this year. ]\Iost of the wealthy far- 
 mers had one in each of their families ; and when they married 
 their children were slaves. There was a slave in Lynn, in 
 1675, named Domingo Wight, who had a wife and two chil- 
 dren. Another slave, in 1714, named Simon Africanus, had a 
 wife and six children. Mr. Zacheus Colhns had four slaves, 
 whose names were Pharaoh, Essex, Prince, and Cato. Prince 
 
1782.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 181 
 
 was piuchased at Boston, in 174G, for £170, old tenor ; about 
 seventy five dollars. In 1757, he married a negro girl, belonging 
 to Mr. Zacheus Gould, whose name was Venus. Mr Joshua 
 Chcever had a slave, named Gilt, whom he freed in 1756, on 
 the solicitation of his wife ; who made it a condition of the mar- 
 riage covenant, that their slave should be free at the age of 25. 
 John Bassett had a slave, named Sampson, whom he Uberated 
 in 1776 ; because "all nations were made of one blood." 
 Thomas Cheever had two slaves, Reading and Jane, who were 
 married in 1760. Samuel Johnson had a slave, named Adam, 
 who married Dinah in 1766. 
 
 There was a slave at Lynn, called Pompey, who obtained 
 his freedom about the year 1750, and lived on Saugus river. 
 He had been a king in Africa, and as such he was regarded by 
 his people in this country. Every year, during his life, the 
 slaves, not only of Lynn, but of Boston, Salem, and the neigh- 
 boring towns, obtained leave of their masters, for one day, to 
 visit King Pompey. This, to them, was a day of real happi- 
 ness. Far from the eye of their masters, they collected on a 
 little glade by the river side, and fancied themselves, for a 
 few short hours, on the banks of the Gamba. Each youth on 
 his way gathered wreaths, and each maiden flowers, of which 
 they formed a crown to place on the head of their acknowledged 
 prince. The old men talked of the happy days they had seen 
 in their native land, and called to mind the wives and the chil- 
 dren of their earlier years; while the youths and the maidens 
 wandered along the river side, or strayed through the forest, 
 and exchanged smiles, and formed dreams of happiness, which 
 the future did not fulfil. 
 
 Hannibal, a slave belonging to Mr. John Lewis, was an ex- 
 ample of the good efi:ects which education and proper treat- 
 ment might produce in the black people. He was brought 
 from Guinea when a boy, and was treated rather as a servant 
 than a slave. On arriving at manhood, he married Phebe, 
 a slave belonging to IMr. Eben Hawkes. To encourage him 
 in his labor, each day's work was limited, and he was told that 
 all which he earned by extra labor, should be his own. He 
 applied himself to his work with diligence ; and by swingling 
 flax, and performing other service for his neighbors, he earned 
 sufficient to purchase the freedom of three children, at one 
 hundred pounds, old tenor, each. The purchase of his wife 
 was a more difficult task. Phebe was a faithful slave, and Mr. 
 Hawkes was unwilling to part with her service ; he therefore 
 
 24 
 
182 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1783. 
 
 fixed the price of her freedom at forty pounds, lawful money. 
 But Hannibal, with a rnoiive of hope before him, was not to be 
 discouraged, and in a few years he could call her his own. 
 His own freedom was then restored to him. By further indus- 
 try, a piece of land was purchased, on the south side of Pine 
 Hill, where a house was built, which the family found to be a 
 home of peace. Hannibal was appointed sexton of the first 
 parish, and the duties of that office he faithfiilly performed for 
 many years. He possessed a strong mind, and was much re- 
 spected for his honesty, integrity, and morality. He used to 
 remark that " negro's skin is black, but his heart is white." 
 He married in 1762, and died on the twenty first of December, 
 1803, aged about 70 years. His sons were, Bristol, Adam, and 
 Hannibal ; and his daughters, Bilhah, Moriah, Phebe, Ann, 
 Hannah, and Catharine. Hannibal, born 26 October, 1787, 
 received a good town school education, and was an industri- 
 ous and respectable young man. He married at Boston, re- 
 moved to St. Domingo, and is now an officer in the govern- 
 ment of Hayti. 
 
 Mr. Joseph IMottey was ordained minister of the north par- 
 ish, in the twenty fourth of September. 
 
 On the twenty ninth of November there was an earthquake. 
 
 1783. 
 
 A manuscript, wrhten about this time, by Dr. John Perkins, 
 of Lynn, is preserved in the hall of the Antiquarian Society at 
 Worcester. It is a quarto volume, of 368 pages. He says 
 that he was born at Lynn End, now Lynnfield, on the ninth of 
 March, 1698. At the age of twelve he was put to a grammar 
 school ; two years after which his father died. At the age of 
 sixteen he began to study physic, and at twenty, went to reside 
 with Dr. Wiliiam Davis of Boston. He afterward practised at 
 Topsfield, then at York, in the district of Maine, where he dis- 
 liked, and returned to Lynnfield in 1720. In 1728, he remov- 
 ed to Boston, and in 1732 went to London, where he remain- 
 ed two years. He then returned to Boston, where he success- 
 fully continued the practice of physic for forty years, till the 
 commencement of the war, when he again returned to his na- 
 tive place. In 1755 he published a tract on the causes of 
 earthquakes. He was the first physician who practised the 
 cooling regimen, in cases of small pox, in America ; and he 
 wrote an essay on this subject, which was published in the 
 
1790.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 183 
 
 London Magazine. His memoir contains many observations 
 on epidemical and other diseases, and many pages against the 
 doctrines of the materialists. His wife, Clarissa, died in 1749, 
 and he wrote a poem on her death. He also versified the 127 
 and 148 Psalms, at the request of the Rev. Joshua Moodey 
 of York. 
 
 1784. 
 
 The Rev. Obadiah Parsons was installed pastor of the first 
 parish, on the fourth of February. 
 
 On the twenty eighth of October, General La Fayette pas- 
 sed through the town, on a visit to the eastward. He stopped 
 at Newhall's tavern, in Saugus. 
 
 1786. 
 
 In April, ]VIr. Benjamin Ingalls, while throwing an anchor 
 from a boat in the harbor was drawn overboard, and drowned. 
 
 The first rock spHt in Lynn, was opened this year, by John 
 and Elijah Gore. Before this, the people selected the most 
 regular un wrought stones for building. 
 
 On the ninth of December, there was a very great snow 
 storm. The snow was supposed to be about seven feet deep , 
 on a level.' 
 
 1789. 
 
 General Washington passed through Lynn, in October. 
 The inhabitants were greatly delighted to see him, and the 
 principal road, now Boston street, was lined with people, who 
 came forth to look at him, as he proceeded to Salem. 
 
 1790. 
 
 Mr. Jesse Lee, an English Methodist, came to Lynn, and 
 preached at a private house, on the fourteenth of December. 
 This was the beginning of the first Methodist Society in this 
 place. 
 
 1. Sparhawk's JournaK 
 
184 HISTORY OF LINN. [1793. 
 
 The eigliteenth of December was the coldest day known for 
 many years. The thermometer was twenty degrees below 
 zero. 
 
 1792. 
 
 The Rev. Obadiah Parsons relinquished his connexion with 
 the first parish, on the sixteenth of July. He was born at 
 Gloucester, received a degree at Harvard Univerity in 1768, and 
 on the fourth of February, 17S4, was installed at Lynn, where 
 he preached eight years. He returned to Gloucester, where 
 he died in December 1801. His first wife was Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Rev. Edward Wigglesworth of Danvers ; his se- 
 cond wife was Sally, daughter of the Hon. Peter Coffin of 
 Gloucester. He had nine children, whose names were, Eliza- 
 beth Wigglesworth, William, Sally Coffin, William second, 
 Sally Coffin second, Obadiah, Polly, Harriet, and Sally. 
 
 On the tenth of August, Mr Joshua Howard, aged 29 years, 
 went into the w^ater, after laboring hard upon the salt marsh, 
 and was immediately chilled and drowned. 
 
 1793. 
 
 A boat, containing five persons, was overset, near the mouth 
 of Saugus river, on the fourteenth of December, and three per- 
 sons drowned. These were Mr. John Burrill, aged 67, Mr. 
 William Whittemore, aged 17, and William Crow, aged 15 
 years. They had been on an excursion of pleasure to the 
 Pines, the afternoon was pleasant, and just at the close of it 
 they started for home. They had proceeded but a short dis- 
 tance when they were struck by a squall, which frightened 
 them and caused them to seek the shore, which they would 
 probably have regained, had they been more quiet ; but being 
 impatient, one of them jumped upon the side of the boat, 
 which caused it to be be overset, and they were all turned into 
 the water. Two of them swam to the shore in safety. INIr. 
 Burrill and the boy also gained the beach, but died in a few 
 minutes. The body of Mr. Whittemore was not found till the 
 next day. 
 
1795.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 185 
 
 1794. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Gushing Thacher was ordained minister of the 
 first parish, on the thirteenth of August. 
 
 A new school-house was built by a few individuals and pur- 
 chased by the town. It is now the property of the sixth 
 district. The town granted two hundred pounds for the sup- 
 port of schools. 
 
 In the prospect of a war with France, the government of the 
 United States required an army of eighty thousand men to be 
 in preparation. Seventy five men were detached from the 
 militia at Lynn. The town gave each of them twenty tluee 
 shillings, and voted to increase their wages to twelve dollars a 
 month. 
 
 On the nineteenth of October, David Newman, aged three 
 years, a son of Mr. Eli Newman, was drowned. 
 
 1795. 
 
 On the night of the ninth of December, the Scottish brig, 
 Peggy, Captain John Williamson, from Archibat, Cape Breton, 
 was cast away on the western end of the Long Beach. There 
 were twelve men on board, only one of whom escaped. This 
 was Hugh Cameron, a native of Greenock, in Scotland. He was 
 ordered into the long boat, to make fast the tackle, and at the 
 moment of his entering it, a wave separated it from the vessel, 
 and swept his unfortunate comrades from their last hold on life. 
 The names of those who perished were, John Williamson Capt- 
 ain, Robert Smith mate, John Munson, George Mackenzie, 
 Alexander Lament, Robert Mackellar, Peter Black, Archibald 
 King, John MacRecber, and James MacBride, mariners, and 
 Mr Thomas Bunon, passenger. The vessel was loaded with 
 thirty five hundred quintals of dried fish, consigned to Mr. 
 Thomas Amory, of Boston. The vessel was completely wreck- 
 ed, being dashed by the waves upon the hard sand, until 
 scarcely two planks were left in union. The cargo, and the 
 fragments of the wreck, were scattered in melancholy and pro- 
 miscuous ruin along the Beach, and the eastern shore of Little 
 Nahant, interspersed with the bodies of the unfortunate crew ; 
 and many teams were employed, for several days, in transport- 
 ing them to the town. The bodies of the eight first mentioned 
 
186 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1798. 
 
 persons were found on the Beach ; and, on the eleventh, they 
 were conveyed to the first parish meeting house, where an affec- 
 ting sermon was preached, by the Reverend Thomas Gushing 
 Thacher, from Job 1, 19. During the delivery of the discourse 
 Mr. Cameron stood in the centre aisle, where he was addressed 
 in the following words. 
 
 " You, my distressed brother, exhibit a principal character 
 in this tragedy. I would not add to your already oppressed 
 bosom ; I would rather administer the balm of comfort, the 
 consolations of friendship and sympathy. Of this awful event, 
 you alone are " escaped to tell us." You see before you the 
 lifeless corpses of your worthy commander, and those of your 
 comrades in toil and distress. You see that, though perfect 
 strangers, we participate your sorrows and wish to alleviate 
 them. How great, how singular the providence, that from 
 twelve men, you alone are spared. You now stand before God 
 and this great assembly, in his temple. What then will you 
 render unto God, for all his benefits ? By a continuance of the 
 smiles of Providence, you may now expect again to behold 
 your friends and connexions. You will be the melancholy 
 messenger of melancholy news. Perhaps I may never see you 
 more ; certainly I do not expect again thus publickly to 
 address you. Let me then most affectionately exhort you, by 
 the solemnities of a dying hour, as you value your own soul, 
 and by a regard to that Providence which has preserved you, 
 to repent of all your sins, and to turn unto the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, on whose merits alone are founded our hopes of pardon 
 grace, and glory. The Lord bless you ; the God of Abraham 
 of Isaac and Jacob bless you, my brother." 
 
 The bodies of the eight drowned men were then buried in 
 one grave, in the old burying ground. The body of Mr. John 
 MacRecber was afterward found, and deposited beside them. 
 
 1798. 
 
 On the twenty sixth of July, Abigail Witt, a child of Mr. Dan- 
 iel R Witt, was drowned. 
 
 On the twenty fifth of August, as several persons were sailing 
 in a boat, in Saugus river, a gun was accidently discharged, 
 and Amos Ballard, aged eleven years, a son of Mr. John 
 Ballard, was instantly killed. 
 
 In the prospect of a war with the French government, the 
 
1798.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 187 
 
 people of Lynn sent the following address to President Adams, 
 
 " To His Excellency John Adams, President of the United 
 States of America 
 
 " At a period which so seriously arrests the attention of every 
 American and true friend to his country as the present, the in- 
 habitants of Lynn, in the state of Massachusetts, feel it to be 
 their duty, and impressed with the just, wise, and prudent ad- 
 ministration of the executive and the rulers in general of the 
 American republic, ardently embrace an opportunity to an- 
 nounce their determined resolution to support their constitution 
 of government, whh all they hold most sacred and dear ; con- 
 vinced, as we are, that the President has, by fair, unequivocal, 
 and full instructions, which he has given to our envoys, to ad- 
 just, and amicably accommodate all existing difficulties between 
 the United States and the French Republic, done all, consis- 
 tent with the honor, dignity, and freedom of his country, to pre- 
 serve peace and good understanding with that nation. Not- 
 withstanding our envoys are commissioned with full power to 
 settle all amnesties with the French agents upon the broad basis 
 of equality, they are treated with neglect, and refused an aud- 
 ience, lest their reasonings should show to the world the integ- 
 rity of our government, and disclose their iniquity. Legisla- 
 tors, Guardians, the most nefarious designs have been plotted to 
 subvert our government, subjugate our country, and lay us im- 
 der contribution. But thanks be to the Sovereign of the Uni- 
 uerse, that we do not experience the fate of Venice, nor groan 
 under the oppression of subdued nations. We are a free peo- 
 ple, and have a sense of the blessings which we enjoy under 
 that liberty and independence which we have wrested from the 
 hand of one king, and will not supinely submit to any nation. 
 We wish not to behold our fields crimsoned with human blood, 
 and fervently pray God to avert the calamities of war. Never- 
 theless, should our magistrates, in whom we place entire confi- 
 dence, find it expedient to take energetic measures to defend 
 our coasts, we will readily co-operate with them in every snch 
 measure. Nor do we hesitate, at this interesting crisis, to echo 
 the declaration of our illustrious chief, that " we are not hum- 
 bled under a colonial sense of fear ; we are not a divided peo- 
 ple. Our arms are strong in defence of our rights, and we 
 are determined to repel our foe." 
 
 To this address the President made the following reply. 
 
188 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1800. 
 
 To the Inliabitnnts of Lynn, in the state of Massachusetts. 
 
 " Gentlemen, your address to the President, Senate, and 
 House of Re[)resentativcs, adopted at a legal town meeting, has 
 been handed to me by your representative in Congress, Mr. 
 Sewell. When the inhabitants of one of our towns, assembled 
 in legal form, solemnly declare themselves impressed, with the 
 wise, just, and prudent administration of our rulers in general, 
 and that they will support their constitution and govern- 
 ment, with all they hold most sacred and dear, no man, who 
 knows them, will question their sincerity. The conviction you 
 avow, that the President has done all, consistent with the 
 honor, dignity, and freedom of his country, to preserve peace 
 and good understanding vt'ith the French, is a gratification to 
 me, which I receive with esteem. As the treatment of our en- 
 voys is without a possibility of justification, excuse, or apology, 
 I leave it to your just resentment. Your acknowledgment of 
 the blessings you enjoy, under your hberty and independence, 
 and determination never supinely to surrender them, prove you 
 to deserve them. John Adams." 
 
 1799. 
 
 On the second of August, about noon, a barn, belonging to 
 Mr. Micajah Newhall, on the South side of tlie Common, was 
 struck by lightning and burnt, with a quantity of hay, barley, 
 and one of his oxen. 
 
 1800. 
 
 On the seventh of January, a funeral sermon was preached 
 before the Methodist Society, by Mr. William Guirey, on the 
 death of General George Washington, who died on the four- 
 teenth of December, in the preceding year. 
 
 On the thirteenth of January, a funeral procession was formed, 
 in honor of the departed Washington. The Inhabitants assem- 
 bled at the school house, on the western part of the Common. 
 The scholars walked first, with pieces of crape on their arms, 
 followed by a company of militia with muffled drums, the mu- 
 nicipal officers, and citizens. The proceession proceeded to 
 the first parish meeting house where a chaste and classic eulo- 
 gy was pronounced by the Rev. Thomas Gushing Thacher. 
 
 On Sunday afternoon, March first, there was an earthquake. 
 
1800.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 189 
 
 For more than twenty years from the adoption of the state 
 constitution in 1780, the people of Lynn do not appear to Imve 
 been much agitated by any conHict of pohtical opmions. Ihe 
 insurrection in the central counties of Massachusetts m 1786, 
 was the first event which disturbed the public peace ; and m the 
 following year, some of the inhabitants, among whom was the 
 father of the writer, went voluntarily to suppress the rebellion. 
 The administration of the national government, from its com- 
 mencement in 1789, seems to have been generally approved 
 till 1794, when a treaty of amity was concluded with England, 
 by John Jay, Chief Justice of the United States, with the sanc- 
 tion of President Washington. This treaty served to evince 
 the existence of two great parties throughout the Union, who 
 were separated by their different views of the nature and ex- 
 tent of republican government. One of these parties, denomi- 
 nated Federalists, contended that the president, with the con- 
 sent of two thirds of the senate, had a constitutional right, in 
 the most extensive sense, to make foreign alliances, on terms 
 the most favorable to the public welfare. The other party, 
 styled Democrats, considered this power to be so restricted, as 
 not to infringe the particular rights of any state. Both these 
 parties were republican in their general views, and were un- 
 doubtedly influenced by the purest regard to the general good, 
 though they were reciprocally viewed as being hostile to it. 
 The course of political events brought other occasions of dif- 
 ference, and in a few years the tide of party feeling rolled over 
 the land hke a flood. 
 
 In 1781, all the votes given in the town, which were forty- 
 four, were for John Hancock, the first governor under the new 
 constitution. The smallest number was in 1784, when there 
 were only twenty-seven votes for governor, and six for sena- 
 tors. The spirit of party began to be more plainly manifested 
 in 1800, when there were one hundred and thirteen votes for 
 Caleb Strong, the Federal governor, and sixty-eight for El- 
 bridge Gerry, the Democratic candidate. The political excite- 
 ment however appears to have been very small, and conducted 
 altogether without animosity. There was but one list of sen- 
 ators brought forward till 1801, and the Federalists retained 
 the ascendancy till 1804. 
 
 Among the inhabitants of Lynn who deserve an honorable 
 memorial was Dr. John Flagg. He was a son of the Rev. 
 Ebenezer Flagg, minister of Chester In New Hampshire. He 
 25 
 
190 HISTORY OF LTNN. [1800. 
 
 was born in 1743, and graduated at Harvard University in 1761. 
 He studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Osgood of An- 
 dover, and commenced pratice at Woburn. In 1769 he came 
 to Lynn, where his prudence and skill soon secured to him the 
 esteem and confidence of the people. In the dangerous period 
 which succeeded the commencement of hostilities with Eng- 
 land, he was chosen a member of the committee of safety, and 
 received a commission of lieutenant colonel, which he soon re- 
 signed, that he might devote himself exclusively to the duties 
 of his profession. In 1782 he was elected a member of the 
 Massachusetts Medical Society, at a time when the number of 
 its fellows was restricted to seventy in the whole commonwealth. 
 He also received a commission of justice of the peace, which 
 he continued to hold till the time of his death. He was highly 
 esteemed for his temperance, humanity, and benevolence, as 
 well as for his extensive and successful practice as a physician. 
 He bowed to death, " whose triumphs he had so often delayed 
 and repelled," on the twenty-seventh of May, 1793, aged 50 
 years. He married Susannah Fowle of Woburn, who is yet 
 living, at the age of 82 ; and had one daughter, Susannah, who 
 was married to Dr. James Gardner, 28 February, 1793, and 
 died 3 February, 1806. 
 
 On the eleventh of June, Mr. Samuel Dyer, a gentleman 
 from Boston, was drowned in Humfrey's pond, in Lynnfield. 
 
 On the twenty-sixth of July, Mr. Nathaniel Fuller, aged 38 
 years, was drowned from a fishing boat, near Nahant. 
 
 The sufierings of several persons from Lynn, who were ship- 
 wrecked this year, are worthy of notice. Three men, whose 
 names were John Newhall, James Parrott, and Bassett Breed, 
 in the employment of William Gray Esquire, of Salem, en- 
 tered the ship William Henry, which sailed for Europe, with 
 a valuable cargo of sugar and coffee, on the twenty-second 
 of April. On the eleventh day of their voyage, during which 
 they had much bad weather, they found themselves about one 
 hundred and fifty leagues to the eastward of Grand Bank. In 
 the middle of the night, when all the crew, except the regular 
 watch on deck, were seeking that repose, which nature denies 
 not to the weary mariner in an hour most rude, they were sud- 
 denly awakened by a dreadful crash — and instantly the rushing 
 of water was heard, pouring through the vessel's side, and rip- 
 pling through the thousand crannies of her hold, and around 
 their births. They sprung from their hammocks, on which 
 
1800.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 191 
 
 they had lain down without divesting themselves of their clothes, 
 and rushed through the water to the deck. The ship had 
 struck on an island of ice, and was sinking. She had stove in 
 her starboard bow, through which the water was gushing Uke 
 a brook. With an axe, and with their knives, they cut away 
 the lashings of the longboat, cast it overboard, and the whole 
 crew, which consisted of fifteen persons, leaped into it. In the 
 morning they found themselves in the midst of the ocean, in an 
 open boat, with nothing in view but islands of ice, and endless 
 waves. They had saved nothing from the ship, but a small 
 trunk belonging to the captain, a sail, a fishing line, and the axe 
 with which they had cut away the ropes. They soon discovered 
 an object afloat, which fortunately proved to be the binnacle, con- 
 taining the compass, which they took up. The weather was 
 foggy, and the sea rolled its waves like mountains, uphfting the 
 boat upon their summits, and then dashing it down into the dark 
 hollows. Night approached, and fatigue brought its short slum- 
 bers — and day returned without food, and no vessel appeared 
 for their reHef. They found some water which had fallen 
 from the clouds into the hollow of an island of ice, and lay 
 mingled with the salt spray ; and this was their principal sup- 
 port. On the fourth day they caught a fish, which some of 
 them devoured without cooking, but others were too faint and 
 sick, from their long fast, to swallow it. The fifth day came, 
 and still they were contending with the turbulent waves, which 
 were marching in ceaseless succession, over the dark plain of 
 the mighty deep, with their white plumes blown backward by 
 the gale. On the sixth day they discovered land, which proved 
 to be a cape on the eastern part of Newfoundland, near Cape 
 Race. They went ashore, found the place uninhabited, and 
 laid down to sleep. On repairing to the beach in the morning, 
 they found their boat stove, and filled with sand and water. 
 They remained on shore three days, during which they sub- 
 sisted on sea peas, thistles, and cranberries. Several of the 
 crew were so frozen as to be unable to walk, but having 
 repaired their boat, they pushed it off, and were again on 
 the water. After rowing several hours, they discovered a 
 small vessel, containing four men, who would at first afford 
 them no relief, supposing them to be pirates, but after much 
 entreaty, they threw out a rope, and towed them into St. Mary's 
 Bay. From thence they found a passage to St. John's, where 
 they were furnished, by the American consul, with a small ves- 
 sel, in which they returned home. 
 
192 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1800. 
 
 The sufferings of these men were however not so intense as 
 those of Mr. James Larrabee of Lynn, and the rest of the crew 
 of the ship Commerce. This vessel, which belonged to Bos- 
 ton, was stranded on the coast of Arabia, on the night of the 
 tenth of July, 1792. The crew consisted of twenty white men, 
 thirteen Lascars, and one African. Finding the coast sandy 
 and uninhabited, they put off in three boats, and cruised along 
 the shore. The sea ran so high that they were soon compel- 
 led to take the men from the smallest boat, and let her go adrift. 
 On the third day, one of the other boats was overturned, and 
 three men were drowned. The rest were landed, and were 
 plundered by several companies of Bedouins, of almost every 
 article of clothing. Thus exposed, they were compelled to 
 travel for several hundred miles, with scorching sands and rocks 
 beneath their feet, and a burning sun above their heads. For 
 many days they travelled on without food, but sometimes found 
 fish among the rocks, and received water from the wandering 
 Bedouins, whom they occasionally met, or found it in springs, 
 at long intervals. Many of their number were overcome 
 by hunger, thirst, and heat, and falling down one by one 
 upon the sands, were left alone to perish. At length the few 
 who had strength to proceed, met with a company of Arabs, 
 with camels, who agreed to carry them to a town. On the 
 twelfth of August, about five weeks after their shipwreck, they 
 reached Mascat, where the English consul caused them to be 
 clothed and shaved, and paid the Arabs for their conveyance. 
 In a few days Mr. Larrabee left Mascat, and by various pas- 
 sages, in about a year returned to Lynn. The African and the 
 Lascars were never heard of more ; and of the twenty white 
 men, only eight were known to have survived.^ One of them, 
 Mr. Valentine Bagley, is yet living at Amesbury. 
 
 On the twenty-first of September died Mrs. Anne Carnes, 
 aged 24 years, wife of Burrill Carnes, Esquire. This lady 
 was the last branch of an ancient and respectable family.- Ab- 
 salom Zeagers, Esquire, her grandfather, was one of the first 
 settlers in Essequibo, now a part of the province of Dutch Gui- 
 ana, in South America. He was highly distinguished in life, 
 held several respectable offices, and died in 1778. He mar- 
 ried Anne Bevin, at Antigua, who died in 1777, distinguished 
 for her piety and benevolence. The Hon. Samuel Zeagers, 
 
 1 Saunders's Journal. 2 Rev. T. C. Thacher's Sermon. 
 
1800.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 193 
 
 the father of Mrs. Carnes, was born at Antigua, educated at 
 one of the universities in Holland, became a counsellor and 
 judge in the colony of Essequibo, and died in 1791. Mrs. 
 Carnes received a refined education from a learned instructor, 
 Mr. William Payne, preceptor of Clinton Academy in the state 
 of New York. She was extensively and sincerely beloved, 
 and was remarkable for her pure dovotion, the true nobility of 
 her mind, and the possession of those amiable qualities which 
 render the female character most admirable. 
 
 Amid the attention which is given to the various concerns of 
 humanity, surely one page may he spared as a tribute to the 
 excellence of woman. In the course of History, the virtues and 
 the worth of man are delineated in all the features of strong and 
 admirable portraiture; but woman — the inspiration of exist- 
 ence, the sou] of humanity, without whom the world would be 
 but a resplendent desert, and life itself a burden to its lordly 
 and lonely possessor — Woman is overlooked with indifference, 
 as if she were not entitled even to a small share in the record 
 of human events. When man is consigned to tbe tomb of his 
 fathers, his worth is recorded on monuments of marble, and his 
 virtues illuminate the page of history ; but the grave of woman 
 is passed in silence and neglect. She who is the mother of 
 man, the wife of his bosom, the daughter of his affection — she 
 who has shared all his dangers and encouraged his footsteps up 
 the steep ascent of fame — she who in the hour of sickness has 
 been his comforter, in the day of adversity his support, and in 
 the time of trial his guardian angel — generous, virtuous, unas- 
 suming woman — is permitted to go to her everlasting sleep, 
 with no mention of her name, no record of her virtues. Poetry 
 indeed has extolled her, but even poetry has praised her but 
 half. It has represented her chiefly as a thing of beauty, an 
 object of youthful admiration, a creature of light and fancy, full 
 of fascination and the blandishments of love. Poetry and ro- 
 mance follow her in the sunny days of youth and beauty ; but 
 when the time of her maturity and usefulness arrives, they 
 abandon her for other pursuits, and leave her alone to encoun- 
 ter the trials, and sickness, and sorrows of home. It is there, 
 in the unobserved paths of domestic life, that the value of wo- 
 man is to be estimated. There may be found unwavering 
 faith, untiring affection, hope that endures all afflictions, and 
 love that bears all trials. There may be found the smile of 
 unfailing friendship, mantling over a breaking heart — die unob- 
 
194 HISTORY or LYNN. [1802. 
 
 trusive tear of sympathy, falling in the silence of solitude. 
 There may be found a being, like a spirit from another world, 
 watching through the long dark hours of night, over the pros- 
 trate form of manhood, wasting by slow consuming sickness, 
 and performing all the numerous duties, and encountering all 
 the innumerable trials of common life, with the enduring pa- 
 tience of years, and with no reward but the satisfaction of her 
 own secret heart. Man performs the public toils of life, and 
 participates the honors of the world and the recompense of 
 fame ; but woman, who has formed man for his high destiny, 
 and whose virtues and amiable qualities constitute the refine- 
 ment of society, has no share in such rewards. But history 
 cannot do justice to her merits ; she must be satisfied with the 
 living admiration of her excellence on earth, and the everlast- 
 ing remuneration of her virtues in heaven. 
 
 1801. 
 
 On the eighth of October, Theophilus Ingalls, of Lynn, aged 
 18 years, was killed on board the brig Traveller, at Ports- 
 mouth. He was assisting to set up the starboard foretopmast 
 shroud, when the handspike, rigged in the salvage, broke, and 
 he fell backward on the deck^ opened his skull, and survived 
 only three hours. 
 
 A large meteor appeared in the northwest, on the evening 
 of Friday, October sixteenth. This appears to have been one 
 of the most brilliant meteors ever seen in New England. Its 
 apparent magnitude was more than half the size of the full 
 moon, and the light which it threw out was very great. It 
 passed swiftly to the west. 
 
 1802. 
 
 This year a turnpike was projected from Salem to Boston, 
 through the centre of Lynn. On the sixth of March, Dr. Ed- 
 ward Augustus Holyoke and others, of Salem, were incorpo- 
 rated as the proprietors. 
 
 John Carnes, Esquire, died on the twentieth of October, aged 
 78 years. He was born at Boston in 1 724, and graduated at 
 Harvard University in 1742. He was soon after settled in the 
 
1803.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 195 
 
 ministry at Stoneham, where he remained several years. He 
 then removed to Rehoboth, where he was installed, and con- 
 tinued to perform the ministerial duties till a short time before 
 the commencement of hostilities with England. He then re- 
 turned to Boston, where he remained during the occupancy of 
 the town by the EngUsh troops, and on his liberation, entered 
 the American army as chaplain. At the close of the war he 
 came to Lynn, where he received a commission of justice of 
 the peace, and was for nine years elected representative to the 
 general court. In 1788, he was a member of the convention 
 assembled to ratify the constitution of the United States. He 
 sustained through Hfe a good reputation, and was esteemed a 
 patriotic and useful citizen. He married Mary, a daughter of 
 Mr. John Lewis; and on coming to Lynn, after the death of 
 her father, fixed his residence at the Lewis place in Boston 
 street. He had several children, two of whom are yet living 
 in Boston ; John, the eldest son, and Mary Wadsworth, the 
 youngest daughter. 
 
 1803. 
 
 The Rev. Joseph Roby died on the thirty-first of January, 
 aged 79 years. He was born in Boston in 1724, received a 
 degree at Harvard University in 1742, and was ordained a 
 minister of the third parish, now Saugus, in 1752. He was 
 a pious and venerable man, and was highly esteemed for his 
 social and domestic virtues. He was an excellent scholar, and 
 was on terms of intimacy with the most learned ministers of his 
 neighborhood, particularly Dr. Thacher of Maiden, Dr. Osgood 
 of Medford, and Dr. Payson of Chelsea, who used frequently 
 to assemble for conversations on theology, literature, and natural 
 philosophy. He was particularly fond of astronomy, and the 
 terms of the abstruse sciences were familiar to him as " hoxise- 
 hold words." On the approach of danger from that war which 
 separated the colonies from their parent stem, he was chosen 
 a member of the committee of safety, and seems to have been 
 strongly imbued with love for his native land. But while he 
 regarded the encroachments of England as a just cause for ap- 
 prehension and resistance, and made strenuous exertions to 
 strengthen the spirit of independence, he yet viewed that na- 
 tion, in its civil, religious, literary, and commercial relations, as 
 
19G HISTORY OF LYNN. [1803. 
 
 entitled to high respect ; and on die restoration of peace, was 
 one of the first to advocate an honorable intercourse, on terms 
 of the most generous amity. He published two sermons, both 
 of Uiem on the occasions of a general fast, one in the year 1781, 
 and the other in 1794. He married Rachel Proctor, of Bos- 
 ton, by whom he had seven children ; Joseph, Rachel, Mary, 
 Henry, Thomas, the first minister of Otisfield in Maine, Eliza- 
 beth and Sarah. 
 
 The ship Federal George, of Duxbury, sailed from Boston 
 in February, bound to Madeira, with a cargo of flour and corn. 
 In the number of the crew were three men from Lynn, whose 
 names were Bassett Breed, Parker Mudge, and Jonathan 
 Ward. In the midst of the Atlantic they were overtaken by a 
 great storm, which, on the twenty-second, capsized the vessel, 
 carried away her masts and bowsprit, and when it subsided left 
 the deck two feet beneath the water. The crew, which con- 
 sisted of seven men remained lashed upon the windlass for 
 twenty-four days. Their sustenance, for the first part of the 
 time was a small piece of meat, and a box of candles, which 
 floated up from the hold. They afterward succeeded in ob- 
 taining a bag of corn, and some flour soaked with salt water. 
 Their allowance of drink, at first, was a cofFee-pot cover full 
 of water twice a day. This was afterward reduced to one half, 
 and then to one third. On the eighteenth of March, they were 
 relieved by the Duke of Kent, an English merchant ship, re- 
 turning from the South Sea. When they were taken from the 
 wreck, they had but one quart of water left. 
 
 On Sunday, the eighth of May, a snow storm commenced, 
 and continued about seven hours. The snow was left upon 
 the ground to the depth of one inch. The apple trees were in 
 blossom at the time. 
 
 On the eighth of July, Mr. William Cushman, aged 23 years, 
 a workman on the Lynn Hotel, was drowned from a raft of 
 timber, in Saugus river. 
 
 On Sunday, the tenth of July, about three of the clock in 
 the afternoon, a house in Boston street, near the corner of 
 Farrington street, was struck by lightning, and Mr. Miles Shory 
 and his wife were instantly killed. The bolt appeared like a 
 large ball of fire. It struck the western chimney, and after 
 descending several feet, separated. One branch melted a 
 watch, which hung over the chamber mantel, passed over the 
 cradle of a sleeping infant, covering it with cinders, and went 
 
1803.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 197 
 
 out at the north chamber window. The other branch descend- 
 ed with the chimney, and when it reached the chamber floor, 
 separated into two parts, above the heads of the wife and hus- 
 band, who were passing at that instant from the parlor to the 
 kitchen. One part struck Mrs. Shory on the side of her head, 
 left her stocking on fire, and passed into the ground. The 
 other part entered JMr. Shory's bosom, passed down his side, 
 melted the buckle of his shoe, and went out at one of the front 
 windows. There were four families in the house, which con- 
 tained, at the time, nineteen persons, several of whom were 
 much stunned. One man, who stood at the eastern door, was 
 crushed to the floor by the pressure of the atmosphere. When 
 the people entered the room in which Mr. Shory and his wife 
 lay, they found two small children endeavoring to awaken their 
 parents. An infant, which Mrs. Shory held in her arms, when 
 she was struck, was found with its hair scorched, and its little 
 finger nails slightly burned, crawling over the breast of its 
 mother, endeavoring to obtain the food of its life from fountains 
 that were sealed. She is yet living, the wife of Mr. Sam- 
 uel Farrington, in Front street. Mr. Shory was a native 
 of New Hampshire, about twenty-nine years of age. Mrs. 
 Love Shory, aged twenty-eight years, was a daughter of 
 Mr. Allen Breed of Lynn. On the next day they were 
 buried. The coffins were carried side by side, and a double 
 procession of mourners, of a great length, followed the bodies 
 to their burial in one grave. 
 
 On the next Sabbath, a funeral sermon was preached by the 
 Rev. Thomas Gushing Thacher, at the first congregational 
 meeting house, from Job, chapter xxxvii, verses 2, 3, 4. At 
 the close of the service, a house in Market street, owned by- 
 Mr. Richard Pratt, was struck by lightning. It descended the 
 chimney, separated into three branches, did considerable dam- 
 age to the house, and left Mr. Pratt senseless on the floor, for 
 several minutes. 
 
 Within three weeks, ending on the sixteenth of August, 
 twenty-three of the inhabitants of Lynn died. 
 
 On Sunday, the twenty-eighth of August, at one o'clock in 
 the morning, the hotel, on the western part of Nahant, owned 
 by Captain Joseph Johnson, took fire, and was consumed, with 
 all its contents. The family were awaked by the crying of a 
 child, which was stifling with the smoke, and had just time to 
 escape with their lives. A black man, who slept in the upper 
 26 
 
198 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1804. 
 
 story, saved himself by throwing a feather bed from the win- 
 dow, and jumping upon it. 
 
 On the eighth of September, Mr. John Ballard, Mr. John 
 Pennerson, and his son, went out on a fishing excursion. On 
 the next day the boat came ashore at Nahant, with her sails set, 
 the lines out for fishing, and food ready cooked. Nothing more 
 was ever heard of the crew ; but as Mr. Pennerson was a 
 Frenchman, and as a French vessel had been seen that day in 
 the bay, it was conjectured that they were taken on board, and 
 carried to France. 
 
 On Thursday, the twenty-second of September, the Salem 
 Turnpike was opened, and began to receive toll. An elegant 
 hotel was this year built in Lynn, by the proprietors of the turn- 
 pike, which was begun to be raised on the twenty-eighth of 
 May. The number of shares in this turnpike were twelve 
 hundred, and the original cost was one hundred and eighty-nine 
 thousand dollars. This road will become the property of the 
 Commonwealth, when the proprietors shall have received the 
 whole cost, with twelve per cent, interest ; and the bridge over 
 Mystic river, when seventy years shall be accomphshed. This 
 turnpike, for nearly four miles, passes over a tract of salt marsh, 
 which is frequently covered by the tide. When it was first 
 projected, many persons esteemed it impracticable to build a 
 good road on such a foundation. One person testified that he 
 had run a pole down to the depth of twenty-five feet. Yet this 
 turnpike proves to be one of the most excellent roads in Ame- 
 rica, and the stock is the best property of the kind in the Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 1804. 
 
 After the elevation of Mr. Jefferson to the presidential chair, 
 the democrats in this town began more ostensibly to increase, and 
 this year, for the first time, manifested a decided superiority. 
 At the choice of governor, in April, 145 votes were given for 
 Caleb Strong, and 272 for James Sullivan ; and this year for 
 the first time a democratic representative was chosen. The 
 parties now began to regard each other with manifestations of 
 the most inveterate hostility, and the political arena presented 
 a field of civil warfare without its bloodshed. The most stren- 
 uous exertions were made by one party to maintain the ascen- 
 
 • 
 
1804.] Ill STORY OF LYXN. 199 
 
 dency, and by the other to regain it. No man was permitted 
 to remain neuter ; and if any one presuming on his indepen- 
 dence, ventured to form an opinion of his own, and to regard 
 both parties as passing the bounds of moderation, he was viewed 
 as an enemy by both; or if his principles disposed him to unite 
 with one party, he was considered unworthy of all confidence 
 by the other. This rage of party continued for several years, 
 and was so violent in some instances, as to be in danger of de- 
 generating into personal hatred and settled animosity. 
 
 This year a powder house was built, near High Rock, at an 
 expense of one hundred and twenty dollars. 
 
 On the fourth of August, the body of a woman was found in 
 the canal, on the north side of the turnpike, a short distance 
 west of Saugus bridge. She was ascertained to have been a 
 widow Currier, who was travelling from Boston to Marblehead. 
 The manner of her death was unknown. 
 
 Mr. William Frothingham was ordained minister of the sec- 
 ond parish, now Saugus, on the twenty-sixth of September. He 
 continued to perform the duties of that office till the year 
 1817, when he was dismissed on his own request. 
 
 One of the greatest storms ever known in New England, 
 commenced on Tuesday morning, the ninth of October. The 
 rain fell fast, accompanied by thunder. At four in the after- 
 noon the wind became furious, and continued with unabated 
 energy, till five the next morning. This was probably the 
 severest storm after that of August 1635. The damage occa- 
 sioned by it was very great. Buildings were unroofed, barns, 
 chimnies, and fences were blown down, and orchards greatly 
 injured. The chimney of the school house, on the western 
 part of the common, fell through the roof in the night, carrying 
 the bench at which I had been sitting a few hours before, into 
 the cellar. Many vessels were wrecked, and in several towns 
 the steeples of meeting-houses were broken off, and carried to 
 a great distance. The number of the trees uprooted in the 
 woodlands was beyond calculation. Thousands of the oldest 
 and hardiest sons of the forest, which had braved the storms 
 of centuries, were prostrated before it, and the woods through- 
 out were strewed with the trunks of fallen trees, which were 
 not gathered up for many years. 
 
200 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1806. 
 
 1805. 
 
 For one hundred and seventy-three years, frora the build- 
 ing of the ftrst parish meeting-house, the people had annually 
 assembled in it, for the transaction of their municipal concerns. 
 But this year, the members of that parish, observing the dam- 
 age which such meetings occasioned to the house, and believ- 
 ing that, since the incorporation of other parishes, the town had 
 no title in it, refused to have it occupied as a town house. 
 This refusal occasioned much controversy between the town 
 and parish, and committees were appointed by both parties to 
 accompUsh an adjustment. An engagement was partially made 
 for the occupation of the house, on the payment of twenty-eight 
 dollars annually ; but the town refused to sanction the agree- 
 ment, and the meetings were removed to the Methodist meet- 
 ing-house, on the eastern part of the common. 
 
 The Lynn Academy was opened on the fifth of April, under 
 the care of Mr. William Ballard. A bell was presented to this 
 institution by Col. James Robinson. 
 
 An earthquake happened on the sixth of April, at fifteen 
 minutes after two, in the afternoon. 
 
 On the eleventh of May, Mr. John Legree Johnson's house, 
 on the east end of the common, was struck by lightning. 
 
 A society of Free Masons was constituted on the tenth 
 of June, by the name of Mount Carmel Lodge. 
 
 On the twenty-fourth of July, Mr. Charles Adams fell from 
 the rocks at Nipper Stage, on Nahant, and was drowned. 
 
 1806. 
 
 A total eclipse of the sun happened on Monday, the sixteenth 
 of June. It commenced a few minutes after ten in the fore- 
 noon, and continued about two hours and a half. The sun 
 rose clear, and the morning was uncommonly pleasant. As 
 the eclipse advanced, the air became damp and cool, like the 
 approach of evening. The birds at first flew about in astonish- 
 ment, and then retired to their roosts, and the stars appeared. 
 The shadow of the moon was seen travelling across the earth 
 from west to east ; and at the moment when the last direct ray 
 
1807.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 201 
 
 of the sun was intercepted, all things around appeared to waver, 
 as if the earth was falling from its orbit. Several persons 
 fainted, and many were observed to take hold of the objects 
 near them for support. The motion of the spheres was dis- 
 tinctly perceptible, and the whole system appeared to be disor- 
 dered. It seemed as if the central orb of light and animation 
 was about to be forever extinguished, and creation was returning 
 to its original nonentity. The most unreflecting mind was made 
 sensible of its dependence, and the soul involuntarily sought 
 the protection of its Maker. The total darkness endured about 
 three minutes. When the sun came forth from his obscurity, 
 it was with overwhelming lustre ; the dreadful silence, which 
 had spread its dominion over the universe, was broken ; the 
 cocks began to crow, the birds renewed their songs, and man 
 and nature seemed to rejoice, as if returning to existence, from 
 which they had been shut out by the unwonted darkness. 
 
 The anniversary of American Independence was this year 
 publicly celebrated in Lynn, for the first time. As the spirit 
 of party was exercising its unabated influence, the inhabitants 
 could not unite in performing the honors of the day, and made 
 tv/o processions. The Federalists assembled at the First Con- 
 gregational meeting-house, where an oration was delivered by 
 Mr. Hosea Hildreth, preceptor of the academy ; and the De- 
 mocrats met at the First Methodist meeting-house, where an 
 oration was pronounced by Dr. Peter G. Robbins. The De- 
 mocrats dined at the hotel, and the Federalists in the hall of 
 the academy. The orations and toasts of both parties were 
 highly imbued with that spirit of pohtical animadversion, which, 
 for several years, had continued to emanate from all parts of 
 the nation. 
 
 1807. 
 
 The town having determined that no person, who was not an 
 inhabitant should have the privilege of taking any sand, shells, 
 or sea manure from the Lynn beaches, this year prosecuted 
 several of the inhabitants of Danvers, for trespassing against 
 this order. The decision of the court established the right of 
 the town to pass such a vote, and left it in legal possession of 
 all the natural treasures which the sea might cast upon Its 
 shores. 
 
202 I1I5T011Y OF LYNN. [1808. 
 
 The depression of commerce and manufactures, at the close 
 of this year, was very great. This was principally occasioned 
 by the state of affairs in Europe, and the spoliation of proper- 
 ty in American vessels, by the governments of France and 
 England, which, in the prosecution of their hostilities, had made 
 decrees affecting neutral powers. On the twenty-second of 
 December, Congress passed an act of embargo, by which all 
 the parts of the United States were closed against the clear- 
 ance of all vessels. 
 
 1808. 
 
 The enforcement of the embargo law occasioned great suf- 
 fering throughout the Union, particularly in commercial places. 
 The harbors were filled with dismantled vessels, which lay rot- 
 ting at the wharves. Thousands of seamen were thrown out 
 of employment, the price of provisions was enhanced, and the 
 spirit of desolation seemed to be spreading her dark wings over 
 the land. While the Democrats were disposed to regard this 
 state of things, as requisite to preserve the dignity of the nation, 
 and the energy of government, the Federalists viewed it as an 
 impolitic, unjust, and arbitrary measure, by which the interests 
 of commerce were sacrificed to the will of party. The spirit 
 of opposition, in this difference of opinion, was put forth in its 
 utmost strength. At the election in April, the greatest number 
 of votes was produced which had at that time been given in 
 the town; of which 418 were for James Sullivan, and 273 for 
 Christopher Gore. On the second of May, the people assem- 
 bled for the choice of representatives. The Democratic party 
 voted to choose three, and the Federalists were inchned to 
 send none. As there was some difficulty in ascertaining the 
 vote, it was determined that the people should go out of the 
 house, and arrange themselves on different sides of the com- 
 mon, to be counted. The Democrats went out, but a part of 
 the Federalists remained, and took possession of the house. 
 They chose a town clerk, to whom the oath of office was ad- 
 ministered, voted to send no representative, and made a record 
 of their proceeding in the town book. The other party then 
 returned, and chose three representatives. Several of the prin- 
 cipal Federalists were afterward prosecuted for their infringe- 
 ment of a legal town meeting ; but as it appeared on examina- 
 
1809.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 203 
 
 tion, that none of the town meetings had been legal for many- 
 years, because not called by a warrant, they were exonerated. 
 On the twenty-ninth of August, a meeting was held to petition 
 the president to remove the embargo ; but the town voted that 
 such a proceeding would be highly improper, and passed seve- 
 ral resolutions, approving the measures of the administration. 
 On the following day, the Federalists prepared a memorial, 
 expressing their disapprobation of the embargo, and requesting 
 its repeal, which was transmitted to the President. The feel- 
 ings of both parties appear to have been raised to a degree of 
 excitement, which could only be sustained by political events 
 of unusual occurrence. 
 
 On the twentieth of September, the house of widow Jerusha 
 Williams, in Market Street, was struck by lightning. On the 
 same afternoon, the lightning fell on a flock of sheep at Na- 
 hant, which were gathered beside a wall for shelter, and killed 
 eighteen of them. 
 
 On the night of Monday, October thirty-first, Mr. Theophilus 
 Breed's barn, on the south side of the common, was burned ; 
 and on the night of the following Thursday, a barn belonging 
 to Mr. Jacob Chase, on the opposite side of the common, was 
 consumed ; both of them having been set on fire by a mischie- 
 vous boy. 
 
 A company of Artillery was incorporated by the General 
 Court, on the eighteenth of November, and two brass field 
 pieces allowed them. 
 
 1809. 
 
 This year the inhabitants petitioned the General Court for 
 an act to establish the proceedings of the town in their previous 
 meetings, which had been illegal, in consequence of the meet- 
 ings having been called by a notice from the Selectmen, instead 
 of a warrant to a constable. A resolve confirming the pro- 
 ceedings of the town was passed by the Court on the eighteenth 
 of February. 
 
 The embargo law was repealed by Congress, on the twelfth 
 of April, and an act of non-intercourse with France and Eng- 
 land, substituted in its place. 
 
204 HISTOKY OF LYNN. [1810. 
 
 1810. 
 
 The fourth of July was this year celebrated by both politi- 
 cal parties, who very patriotically and cordially united for that 
 purpose. They formed a procession at the Lynn hotel, which 
 was then kept by Mr. Ebenezer Lewis, and proceeded to the 
 First Congregational meeting-house, where an oration was de- 
 livered by Dr. Peter G. Robbins. They then returned to the 
 hotel, where they dined, and offered a wreath of toasts in hon- 
 or of the day. The young Federalists had a separate cele- 
 bration. 
 
 This year the school-house in FrankHn street was built, and 
 a hotel at the Mineral Spring. 
 
 On the twenty-fifth of August, Mr. David Dunn was drown- 
 ed from a gondola, in Saugus river. 
 
 On Friday evening, November ninth, there was a loud earth- 
 quake. 
 
 1811. 
 
 On the eighth of January, Ayer Williams Marsh, aged five 
 years, was killed by the falling of an anvil, from a cheese press. 
 
 A great snow storm commenced on the second of February, 
 and continued three days. It was piled up in reefs, in some 
 places more than fifteen feet. In Market street, arches were 
 dug beneath it, high enough for carriages to pass through. 
 
 On the Fourth of July, the officers of Lynn, Marblehead, 
 and Danvers, had a military celebration at Lynn. The young 
 Federalists also partook of a dinner in the hall of Lewis's hotel, 
 which was tastefully decorated for the occasion, by the young 
 ladies. 
 
 The seventh of July was excessively hot. The thermome- 
 ter rose to 101 degrees in the shade. Mr. John Jacobs, aged 
 70 years, while laboring on the salt marsh, fell dead in conse- 
 quence of the heat. 
 
 On the seventh of August, GeorgC; a black man, aged 20 
 years, a servant at the hotel, was drowned, while bathing in the 
 fatal river Saugus. 
 
 A splendid comet was visible on the eleventh of October, 
 between Arcturus and Lyra. Its train was estimated to be forty 
 
IS 12.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 205 
 
 millions of miles in length. It remained visible for several 
 months. 
 
 A separation was this year made of the Methodist society, 
 and a new society was formed in the eastern pan of the town, 
 called Wood End, where a meetin2;-house was built, which was 
 dedicated on the twenty-seventh of November. 
 
 The first Methodist Society of Lynn was organized on die 
 twentieth of February, 1791. On the twenty-first of June fol- 
 lowing, a house of worship was raised, which was so far com- 
 pleted as to be dedicated on the twenty-sixth of the same month. 
 This was the first Methodist meeting-house in Massachusetts. 
 Several members of the first Congregational church united with 
 this society, and with them the two deacons, who took with 
 them the vessels of the communion service. These vessels con- 
 sist of four large silver tankards, eleven silver cups, and one 
 silver fount for baptism, presented to the first Congregational 
 society by the Hon. John Burrill, Theophilus Burrill, Esq. 
 and Mr. John Breed. The removal of this plate occasioned a 
 difference between the societies, and the first church was com- 
 pelled to borrow vessels from the church at Saugus for the 
 communion. The deacons afterward offered to return one half, 
 and in prospect of a prosecudon they relinquished the whole. 
 In 1794, the Congregadonal church invited those of its mem- 
 bers who had seceded to the Methodist society, to be reunited ; 
 and within a few years, one of the deacons, and several of the 
 other members returned. 
 
 1812. 
 
 The Hon. Joseph Fuller was chosen a senator for Essex 
 County. 
 
 On the eighteenth of June, the Congress of the United States 
 declared war against England. On the eighteenth of July, a 
 town meeting was called, by recjuest of the Federalists, to pe- 
 tition the government to discontinue the war. When the peti- 
 tion for calling the meedng had been read, the Democrats 
 voted, without hesitation or debate, to throw it under the table. 
 They then proceeded to pass resolutions, evincing their entire 
 approbation of the measures of the administration, pledging their 
 exertions for the siipport of the government, and expressing; 
 25 
 
206 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1813. 
 
 their disapprobation of the conduct of the Federal party, in 
 terms the most positive and decided. 
 
 A new meeting-house was this year built by the first Metho- 
 dist Society, on the common. The burial ground in Union 
 street was opened. 
 
 1813. 
 
 The pastoral relation between the Rev. Thomas Cushing 
 Thacher and the first parish, was dissolved on the third of 
 February. A portion of his people seem to have been dissat- 
 fied with him, and the circumstances of the parish were viewed 
 as requiring a separation, with which he appears to have com- 
 plied whh reluctance. In his last communications to the peo- 
 ple of his charge, he says — " The hnpressive hour has arrived, 
 when motives of commanding authority compel me to request 
 your consent, that the pastoral connexion existing between us, 
 should be forever dissolved. No common consideration could 
 induce this request, no trifling privations ought to do it, and no 
 mind possessed of the smallest degree of religious sensibihty, 
 but must feel on such an occasion. I became your minister 
 under an idea of an engagement for life, resigned all other 
 prospects, devoted to you the morning and vigor of my days, 
 on the faith of your contract became a husband and a father, 
 and in this way have, in a great measure, lost the opportunity 
 of qualifying myself for any other pursuits in life. I have lived 
 with you almost nineteen years, and have endeavored not to 
 shun to declare the whole counsel of God ; and if I know my 
 heart, have always desired the best good of you and your chil- 
 dren. In the discharge of these duties, I am sensible of many 
 imperfections, and have to lament that the cause of religion has 
 been so little effectual in my hands. After living with you so 
 long, and patiently enduring so much, I am now called to 
 throw myself, whhout fortune, on the world, and at a period 
 when, from general embarrassment of the country, even the 
 young and vigorous feel so much difficulty in finding support — 
 I am called upon, having passed the meridian of life, and being 
 surrounded by a helpless family, to go elsewhere, and find, if I 
 can, a precarious subsistence." On his separation, the people 
 made him a present of eight hundred dollars, and the council 
 gave him a recommendation in favor of his moral character. 
 
1813.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 207 
 
 His father was the Rev. Peter Thacher, minister of Brattle 
 street church, in Boston. He was born at Maiden and grad- 
 uated at Harvard University, in 1790. He was ordained at 
 Lynn in 1794, and now resides at Cambridge Port. His ser- 
 mons are characterized by a purity and felicity of expression, 
 and a classic elegance of style. The following is a list of his 
 printed works. 
 
 1. A sermon on the annual Thanksgiving, 1794. 
 
 2. A sermon at the interment of Eight Seamen, 1795. 
 
 3. An eulogy on the death of Washington, 1800. 
 
 4. A sermon on the death of Mrs. Ann Games, 1800. 
 
 5. A masonic address, delivered at Cambridge. 
 
 6. A sermon on the death of Mr. Shory and wife, 1803. 
 
 In the town meeting in March, thirty-nine tythingmen were 
 chosen. 
 
 The celebrated Mary Pitcher, a professed fortune teller, 
 died on the ninth of April, 1813, at the age of 75 years. 
 Her grandfather, John Diamond, lived at Marblehead, and was 
 for many years celebrated for the exercise of the same preten- 
 sions. She was married to Robert Pitcher of Lynn, in 17G0, 
 and had several children. This person has been more cele- 
 brated than any individual of her class in modern times. Not 
 only was her name known in most towns throughout the United 
 States, but probably there is not a port in Europe, visited by 
 American ships, that has not heard of the skill of" Moll Pitcher." 
 Many persons came from places far remote, to consult with her 
 on affairs of love or loss of property, or to obtain her surmises 
 respecting the vicissitudes of their future fortune. Every youth 
 who was not assured of the reciprocal affection of his fair one, 
 and every maid who was desirous of anticipating the hour of 
 her highest felicity, repaired at evening to the humble dwelling 
 of Molly Pitcher, which stood on what was then a lonely road, 
 near the foot of High Rock, with a single habitation nearly oppo- 
 site, at the gate of which stood two bones of the great whale, 
 which the waves of ocean, in the liberality of their power, had cast 
 upon the beach. To that place also were seen repairing sailors 
 from the neighboring commercial towns, who were desirous of 
 ascertaining the probable success of their future voyages. 
 Many a reputable merchant too, of whose treasures on the 
 faithless waves, the courier of intelligence had not brought the 
 expected information, and being fearful of betraying the nature 
 of his business by inquiring directly for " Moll Pitcher," has 
 raised a smile by asking in what part of the town he should 
 
208 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1813. 
 
 find the bones of the great whale. Her skill was principally 
 exercised for the discovery of things lost, either material ob- 
 jects which had been mislaid or purloined, or the affections of 
 some disconsolate fair one, which had taken the advantage of 
 some favorable apportunity to elope. Her power of evil, if she 
 possessed any, was never exerted, unless to punish such delin- 
 quents as refused to pay her for the knowledge which she pre- 
 tended to impart. Some instances have been related, in which 
 she has evinced an unusual degree of discernment ; while in others 
 her assertions have had no relation to facts, but appear to have 
 been the result of mere guess work and presumption. Her 
 only ostensible means of obtaining secret knowledge, was the 
 simple use of tea-grounds poured into a cup ; and as the grains 
 w'ere disposed in a peculiar manner, or assumed a particular 
 form, so she judged of the things to which she fancied a resem- 
 blance. She also availed herself of every ordinary mode of 
 information, particularly by causing one of her domestics to 
 talk with her visitors, to elicit the nature of their business, 
 while she remained in an adjoining room, pretending to be ab- 
 sent. These arts, added to her natural shrewdness, and readi- 
 ness to seize the slightest hint which might assist her in her 
 surmises, appear to have constituted the whole amount of her 
 power. Her sagacity bore no proportion to the infatuation of 
 those who trusted to it. She seems even to have admitted this, 
 especially in one instance, when some gentlemen offered her a 
 large sum, if she would inform them what ticket would draw 
 the highest prize in a certain lottery. " Do you think," said 
 she, " if I knew, I should not buy it myself?" Whatever may 
 have been the witchcraft recognised in the Hebrew law, 
 whether an actual communication with evil spirits, or the prac- 
 tice of deception by the means of false pretensions, an impar- 
 tial investigation of the facts respecting " Moll Pitcher," justify 
 the conclusion, that her skill had no other foundation, than the 
 practice of uncommon arts, assisted by an unusual degree of 
 shrewdness and discernment. 
 
 On the first of June, the people of Lynn were called forth 
 by an occasion of unusual interest. The English frigate Shan- 
 non, commanded by Captain Brock, being expressly fitted for 
 the purpose, approached the harbor of Boston, and challenged 
 the American frigate to batde. The hills and the house-tops 
 were crowded with anxious spectators, and the whole scene 
 presented a panorama of uncommon sublimity and intense solici- 
 tude. The Chesapeake, commanded by Captain James Law-- 
 
1814.] HISTOBY OF LVNN. 209 
 
 rence, sailed out beyond Nahant, in all her pride and beauty, 
 and engaged widi her adversary. Alter a short and desperate 
 conflict, Captain Lawrence fell, the colors of the Chesapeake 
 were lowered, and the Shannon with her prize departed for 
 Halifax. 
 
 The anniversary of American Independence was this year 
 celebrated by the people of Lynn. An oration was delivered 
 at the First Congregational meeting-house, by Robert W. Tre- 
 vett, Esquire ; after which a considerable number of the uihabi- 
 tants dined at the Hotel. 
 
 ]Mr. Isaac Hurd was ordained pastor of the first parish, on 
 the fifteenth of September. 
 
 1814. 
 
 The district of Lynnfield, which was separated from Lynn 
 on the third of July 1782, was this year incorporated as a town, 
 on the twenty-eighth of February. On the same day, the 
 Lynn Mechanics' Bank was incorporated, with a capital of one 
 hundred tliousand dollars. The Town-House on the Com- 
 mon was begun the same month. 
 
 A company of militia, consisting of seventy-eight men from 
 Essex county, was detached, in July, for the defence of the 
 sea-coast. Of this number, Lynn furnished fifteen, and the 
 whole were placed under the command of Captain Samuel 
 Mudge, of this town. On the first of August, they mustered at 
 Danvers, and on the next day marched to Salem, and encamp- 
 ed on Winter Island. On the twenty-seventh, a violent storm 
 blew down most of the tents, and on the next day the detach- 
 ment removed to Fort Lee. On the night of the twenty- 
 eighth of September, a great alarm was occasioned by some 
 men who were drawing a seine at Beverly. Alarm guns were 
 fired about midnight, and in less than thirty minutes the Salem 
 regiment was drawn up for orders. Nearly sixty old men of 
 that town also took their arms, went directly to the fort, and 
 patriotically offered their services to Captain Mudge. The 
 alarm spread to the neighboring towns, and within an hour 
 the Lynn regiment was in arms, and on its march toward Sa- 
 lem. The promptitude whh which these two regiments were 
 formed, the self-possession manifested by the officers and sol- 
 diers, and the readiness with which they marched toward what 
 
210 HISTORY OF LYNN. [I8I4. 
 
 was then confidently believed to be a scene of action and dan- 
 ger, has rarely been surpassed. The company was discharged 
 on the first of November. During a considerable part of this 
 season, guards were stationed in Lynn, on Long Wharf and 
 Saugus Bridge. The town, Avith its accustomed hberality, 
 allowed to each of its soldiers, who went into service, thirty dol- 
 lars, in addition to the pay of the government, which was only 
 eight dollars a month. 
 
 An instance has recently been discovered of a request, made 
 by some of the inhabitants of Lynn, to the General Court, for 
 a remuneration of their services in the war with the Indians, in 
 1G76, which was granted with that prompt liberality, so gene- 
 rally manifested by our ancestors, whenever the claims of merit 
 or misfortune were presented. As this petition is interesting, 
 it is transcribed from the files of the Court. 
 
 " To the Honoured Governour and Company, the General 
 Court of the Masschusetts Bay, that is to be assembled the 27 
 May 1685, the humble petition of several inhabitants of Lynn, 
 who were sold, impressed, and sent forth for the service of the 
 country, that was with the Indians in the long march in the Nip- 
 mugg' country, and the fight at the fort in Narragansett, humbly 
 showeth. That your petitioners did, in obedience unto the au- 
 thority which God had set over them, and love to their country, 
 leave their deare relations, some of us our dear wives and chil- 
 dren, which we would have gladly remained at home, and the 
 bond of love and duty would have bound us to choose rather 
 soe to have done considering the season and time of the year, 
 when that hard service was to be performed. But your peti- 
 tioners left what was dear to them, and preferred the publique 
 weal above the private enjoyments, and did cleave thereunto, 
 and exposed ourselves to the difficulties and hardships of the 
 winter, as well as the dangers of that cruel warr, with conside- 
 ration to the enemy. What our hardships and difficulties were 
 is well known to some of your worships, being our honoured 
 magistrates, as also what mercy it was from the Lord, who 
 alone preserved us, and gave us our lives for a prey, by lead- 
 ing us through such imminent dangers, whereby the Lord gave 
 us to see many of our dear friends lose their blood and life, 
 which might have been our case, but that God soe disposed 
 toward us deliverance and strength to returne to our homes, 
 which we desire to remember and acknowledge to his most glo- 
 rious praise. But yet we take the boldnes to signifie to this 
 
 1 Worcester County. 
 
1814.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 211 
 
 honored Court, how that service was noe whitt to our particular 
 outward advantage, but to the contrary much to oar disadvan- 
 tage. Had we had the liberty of staying at home as our neigh- 
 bors had, though we had paid double rates, it would have been 
 to our advantage, as indeed we did pay our properties by our 
 estates in the publick rates, to the utmost bounds. Notvvitii- 
 standing all, yet we humbly conceive that by the suppression of 
 the enemy, which God of his great mercy vouchsafed, wee 
 poor soldiers and servants to the country were instruments to 
 procure much land, which we doubt not shall and will be im- 
 proved, by the prudence of this honoured Court, unto people 
 that need most especially. And we, your poor petidoners, are 
 divers of us in need of land, for want whereof some of us are 
 forced upon considerations of departing this Colony and Gov- 
 ernment, to seek accommodations, whereby the better to main- 
 taine the charge in our families, with our wives and children, 
 and to leave unto them when the Lord shall take us away by 
 death, which we must expect. And divers of us have reason 
 to fear our days may be much shortened by our hard service 
 in the war, from the pains and aches of our bodies, that we feel 
 in our bones and sinews, and lameness thereby taking hold of 
 us much, especially at the spring and fall, whereby we are hin- 
 dered and disabled of that ability for our labour which we con- 
 stantly had tlirough the mercy of God before, that served in 
 the warrs. Now your poore petitioners are hopeful this hon- 
 oured Court will be moved with consideradon and some respect 
 to the poor soldiery, and particularly to us, that make bold to 
 prefer our petition, humbly to crave, that we whose names are 
 hereunto subscribed, may be so graciously considered by this 
 honored Court as to grant us some good tracks of land in the 
 Nipmugg country, where we may find a place for a township, 
 that we, your petitioners, and our posterity may live in the same 
 colony where our fathers did, and left us, and probably many 
 of those who went fellow soldiers in the war may be provided 
 for, and their children also, in the portion of conquered lands 
 their fathers fought for. Your petidoners think it is but a very 
 reasonable request, which will be no way offensive to this hon- 
 ored Court, which if they shall please to grant unto your pet- 
 tioners, it will not only be satisfaction to their spirits for their ser- 
 vice already done, but be a future obligation to them and theirs 
 after them for future service, and ever to pray." This peti- 
 tion was signed by twenty-five inhabitants of Lynn, whose 
 names were, William Bassett, John Farrington, Nathaniel Bal- 
 
212 HISTORY OF LYNN. [l8lG. 
 
 lard,Timolliy Breed, Jonathan Locke, Daniel Johnson, Widow 
 Hathorne, Samuel Tarbox, Samuel Graves, John Edmunds, 
 Samuel Johnson, Daniel Golt, Joseph Havvkes, Andrew Towns- 
 end, John Davis, Joseph Collins, Samuel IMovver, Robert Pot- 
 ter, senior, Joseph Mansfield, Robert Driver, John Richards, 
 John Linzey, Philip Kertland, Joseph Breed, Henry Rhodes. 
 It was also signed by sixteen persons ol" other towns. On 
 the third of June, the Com-t granted them a tract of land in 
 Worcester county, eight miles square, on condition that thirty 
 familes, with an orthodox minister, should settle there within 
 four years. 
 
 The people of Lynn appear to have suffered in other in- 
 stances iVom the Indians. Penhallow informs us, that in 1724, 
 the Indians " fell on a slooop at Kennebunk, which belonged to 
 Lynn, and killed the whole company." 
 
 On the night of November nineteenth, Mr. Ward Hartwell 
 of Charlemont, New-Hampshire, perished in attempting to 
 cross Lynn Beach. 
 
 An earthquake happened on the twenty-eighth of Novem- 
 ber, at twenty minutes past seven in the evening. 
 
 1815. 
 
 The second parish of Lynn was incorporated on the seven- 
 teenth of February, as a separate town, by the name of San- 
 gus. On the same day, a treaty of peace with England, which 
 was signed at Ghent on the twenty-fourth of December pre- 
 ceding, was ratified by Congress. 
 
 A very great storm on the twenty-third of September, 
 occasioned much damage. The wind blew violently from the 
 south-east, and buildings, fences, and trees, fell before it. A 
 part of the roof of the Academy was taken off, and carried 
 by the wind more than half-way across the common. The 
 spray of the ocean was borne far upon the land, and the fruit 
 on trees several miles from the shore, was impregnated with salt. 
 
 1816. 
 
 The Baptist Society in Lynn was incorporated on the fif- 
 teenth of April. Their first minister was the Rev. George 
 
ISIG.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 213 
 
 Phippen, who was succeeded by the Rev. Ebenezer Nelson 
 junior. The house in which they worship is the one built by 
 the Methodists, in 1791. 
 
 The ministerial connexion between the Rev. Isaac Hurd and 
 the First Congregational Society, was dissolved, on the twenty- 
 second of May, by mutual consent. Mr. Hurd was born in 
 Charlestown, and removed to Exeter. 
 
 On the twenty-second of November, the old bell was taken 
 from the First Congregational meeting-house, and a new one, 
 of a much larger size, substituted in its stead. At the same 
 time, a new bell was placed on the First Methodist meeting- 
 house. 
 
 This year, the covenant of the First Congregational church 
 being lost, a committee was appointed to prepare a new one. 
 A copy of the original covenant has since been found, written 
 on the leaf of a pocket bible, belonging to the Rev. Nathan- 
 iel Henchman. The following is a transcript. 
 
 " The Covenant of the First Church of Christ in Lynn." 
 1636. 
 
 "We do give up ourselves to God, the Father, Son, and 
 Holy Ghost, as to the only true and living God ; avouching 
 God the Father to be our father; embracing the Lord Jesus 
 Christ as our only Saviour, in all his offices, prophetical, sacre- 
 dotal, and regal ; depending on the Blessed Spirit of Grace to 
 be our Sanctifier, Teacher, Guide, and Comforter, and to make 
 effectual appHcation of the redemption purchased by Christ 
 unto us ; promising by the assistance, and through the sanctify- 
 ing influences of that Blessed Spirit, to cleave unto this one 
 God and Mediator, as his covenant people. We believe the 
 revelation God hath made of himself, and our duty, in his word, 
 to be true ; and through grace strengthening, we promise to 
 comply with the whole will of God, so far as he shall discover 
 it to us. We promise, by the assistance of Divine Grace, to 
 walk before God in our houses, in sincerity of heart ; that we 
 will uphold the worship of God therein ; endeavoring to bring up 
 all under our inspection, in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord. We shall endeavour the mortification of our own sins, 
 and we covenant to reprove sin in others, as far as the rule re- 
 quires ; promising in brotherly love to watch over one another, 
 and to submit ourselves to the government of Christ in this 
 church, and to attend the orders thereof. We do likewise 
 solemnly agree by all means to study and endeavour the peace 
 of this church, and the maintenance of the puritv of the worship 
 28 
 
214 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1816. 
 
 of God therein ; that so the blessing of God may be vouchsafed 
 to this his heritage. We do also give up ourselves to one 
 another in the Lord, solemnly binding ourselves to walk 
 together in the ways of his worship, and to cleave to his ordi- 
 nances, according to the rules of his word. This you heartily 
 comply with and consent to. You are now members in full 
 communion with this church, purchased by the blood of Christ ; 
 and you do now seriously, solemnly, deliberately, and forever ; 
 in the presence of God, by whom you expect shortly to be 
 judged, and by whom you hope to be acquitted ; in the pre- 
 sence of an innumerable company of elect angels, and in the 
 presence of this assembly ; give up yourselves to God, the Fa- 
 ther, Son, and Holy Ghost ; avouching the Lord Jehovah to be 
 your God. You give up yourselves unto this church ; submit- 
 ting to the holy rule and ordinance of it ; putting yourselves 
 imder the care and inspection of it ; promising to embrace 
 counsel and reproofs with humbleness and thankfulness ; and 
 duly to attend the administration of the ordinances of the Gos- 
 pel in this church ; so long as your opportunities thereby to be 
 edified in your holy faith shall be continued. We then, the 
 church of the Lord, do receive you into our sacred fellowship, 
 as those whom we trust Christ hath received ; and we promise 
 to admit you to all the ordinances of the Gospel in fellowship 
 with us ; to watch over you with a spirit of love and meekness, 
 not for your halting but helping ; to treat you with all that af- 
 fection which your sacred relation to us now calleth for ; and to 
 continue our ardent prayers for you, to the Father of Light, that 
 you may have grace to keep this solemn covenant, you have 
 now, before God, angels, and men, entered into ; that so the 
 sure mercies of the everlasting covenant may be your portion 
 forever. Amen." 
 
 To those persons who did not wholly unite with this church, 
 but only assented to the covenant, for the privilege of having 
 their children baptized, the following was read, immediately 
 after the words " consent to." 
 
 " You do now in the presence of God, angels, and this as- 
 sembly, avouch this one God in 3 persons to be your God ; 
 engaging to be his, only, constantly, and everlastingly. You do 
 further promise to labour in preparing for the table of the Lord, 
 that in due time you may make your approaches to God, and 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord and Giver of eternal life, in 
 all his ordinances and appointments ; that at last you may 
 give up your account with joy, unto Christ, the Judge of all." 
 
1817.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 215 
 
 The following is the covenant adopted this year. 
 
 " You declare your belief in one God in three persons, 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; that Jesus Christ is the only 
 Redeemer and Savior of men ; that he died to make atone- 
 ment, and rose, and ascended into heaven to make interces- 
 sion with the Father for sinners. You do now, in the pre- 
 sence of God, his holy angels, and these witnesses, give up 
 yourself to Him, in an everlasting covenant, through the me- 
 diation of his Son. You believe the scriptures to have been 
 given by the inspiration of God ; that they are profitable for 
 doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in 
 righteousness. You do sincerely repent of all your sins, and 
 humbly ask forgiveness of God ; resolving, in reliance on 
 his gracious assistance, and the sanctifying influence of his 
 spirit, unfeignedly to forsake them. You promise seriously to 
 read the word of God, and by the help of his divine grace, to 
 practice all the duties enjoined therein ; that forsaking the vices 
 and follies of the world, you will endeavor to walk in the com- 
 mandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. You ac- 
 knowledge us to be a church of Christ, and that, while in com- 
 munion with us, you will attend upon the ordinances, and sub- 
 mit to the discipline of the church, as experienced among us, 
 and as far as it is in your power promote its increase and wel- 
 fare. These things you believe and promise. We then, the 
 church of our Lord Jesus Christ in this place, do admit and 
 receive you into our fellowship to watch over you in the Lord, 
 to walk together in brotherly love, and to conduct towards you 
 as becometh our sacred relation. In token of which, we com- 
 mend you to God, and to the word of his Grace, which is 
 able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among 
 those who are sanctified." 
 
 1817. 
 
 Friday the fourteenth of February, was one of the cold- 
 est days that happened for many years. The thermometer 
 was eighteen degrees below zero. 
 
 The incorporation of Lynn Academy was dissolved, by an 
 act of the General Court, on the sixteenth of June. 
 
 A marine animal, of a very singular appearance, is said to 
 have been first observed this year, on the nineteenth of Au- 
 gust, in the waters of Gloucester harbour. It was represented 
 
216 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1818. 
 
 as a serpent, from fifty to seventy feet in length, moving very 
 swiftly, in undulations, with its head sometimes resting on the 
 water, and sometimes raised several feet above it. Statements 
 were publicly made of its appearance again in August, 1818, 
 and in July, 1819, ofF Scituate. On the thirteenth and four- 
 teenth days of August, in the same year, several hundred per- 
 sons were collected on Lynn Beach, by a report that it was to 
 be seen. On the fifth of August, 1820, it was again said to 
 liave been observed off Swampscot ; on the second of August, 
 1821, off Portsmouth; on the eighth near Nahant ; on the 
 twelfth of July, 1823, near Egg Rock; and some time after- 
 ward off Charleston, South Carolina. That some unusual ap- 
 pearance was observed in the w^aters, is evident from the de- 
 positions of numerous individuals. I have never seen the 
 animal, but many respectable j)ersons have testified of its ap- 
 pearance, at different times, and in different places ; and their 
 accounts have generally agreed whh this description. 
 
 An earthquake happened 'on Sunday, September seventh ; 
 and another on the fifth of October. 
 
 The Schoolhouse in Chesnut Street was built this year. 
 
 1818. 
 
 On Friday, the thirteenth of January, the thermometer was 
 eleven degrees below zero. 
 
 Mr. Otis Rockwood was ordained pastor of the First Con- 
 gregational Society, on the first day of July. 
 
 A stone building was this year erected at Nahant, for a 
 Chapel and Library, in vi'hich the Episcopal service was occa- 
 sionally read. An elegant folio Prayer Book, formerly belong- 
 ing to George the fourth of England, was presented to this 
 library by the lady of Governor Gore ; and several hundred 
 volumes of miscellaneous works were added, by gentlemen and 
 ladies of Boston, and other places. 
 
 A difference having for some lime existed between the town 
 and the proprietors of Nahant, respecting the privileges of the 
 town in the beaches, coves, and inlets, of that island, commit- 
 tees where chosen by both parties, to settle the dispute. These 
 committees could not agree, and referred the subject to five 
 gentlemen of other towns. After a careful inquiry, the com- 
 mittee of arbitration were convinced that the dispute involved 
 
1818.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 217 
 
 important consequences, and declined making a decision. The 
 subject yet remains undetermined ; the inhabitants of tlie town 
 continue to claim their ancient privileges, and the proprietors of 
 Nahant in some instances have obstructed them, by wharves 
 and fences, running out to the water's edge. 
 
 In the records, the bounds of the lots bordering on the sea 
 are not particularly defined, and the privileges and appurtenan- 
 ces granted by the town to the proprietors are not not express- 
 ly stated. The proprietorship and privileges of Nahant appear 
 to have been subjects of dispute and litigation from the settle- 
 ment of the town. That Thomas Dexter purchased the island, 
 in 16.30, of Duke William, for a suit of clothes, is evident from 
 the testimonies already given, to which the following may be 
 added. 
 
 1 . " This I Christopher Linsie doe testifie; that Thomas 
 Dexter bought Nahant of Blacke Will, or Duke William, and 
 employed me to fence part of it, when I lived with Thomas 
 Dexter." 
 
 2. " I John Legg, aged 47 years or thereabouts, doe tes- 
 tifie, that when I was Mr. Humphrey's servant, there came un- 
 to my master's house one Blacke Will, as wee called him, an 
 Indian, with a compleate Suit on his backe, I asked him where 
 he had that suit, he said he had it of fFarmer Dexter, and he 
 had sould him Nahant for it.'" 
 
 But though it is evident that an agreement was made by Mr. 
 Dexter with the Indian Chief, he does not appear to have oc- 
 cupied the land but a short time ; and the town evidently regard- 
 ed it as their property, as will appear by the following extracts 
 from the town records. 
 
 1. January 1 1, 1635. " It is also voted by the freeman of 
 the towne, that these men underwritten shall have liberty to 
 plant and build at Nahant, and shall possess each man land for 
 the said purpose, and proceeding in the trade of fishing. 
 Mr. Humfreys, Daniel How, Mr, Ballard, Joseph Redknap, 
 Francis Dent, Timothy TomUns, Richard Walker, Thomas 
 Talmage, Henry Feakes." 
 
 2. January 18, 1635. "It is ordered by the freemen of 
 the towne, that all such persons as are assigned any land at 
 Nahant, to further the trade of making fish. That if they do 
 not proceed accordingly to forward the said trade, but either 
 doe grow remiss, or else give it quite over, that then all such 
 
 1 Depositions in Quarterly Court, 1657. 
 
218 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1818. 
 
 lotts shall be forfeited againe to the towne, to dispose of as shall 
 be thought fit." ^ 
 
 As the persons to whom this grant was made, forfeited their 
 right by neglect, the town afterward passed the following order : 
 
 " At a towne meeting held February 24, 1656, It was voted 
 that Nahant should be laid out in planting lotts, and every 
 householder should have equal in the dividing of it, noe man 
 more than another, and every person to clear his of wood in 6 
 years, and he or they that do not clear their lotts of the wood, 
 shall pay 50 shillings for the towne's use. Alsoe every house- 
 holder is to have his and their lotts for 7 years, and it is to be 
 laid downe for a pasture for the towne, and in the seventh year, 
 every one that hath improved his lott by plandng shall then, 
 that is in the seventh year, sow their lott with English Corne, 
 and in every acre of land as they improve, they shall with 
 their English corne, sow one bushel of Enghsh hay seed, and 
 soe proportionable to all the land thai is improved, a bushell of 
 hay seed to one acre of land, and it is to be remembered that 
 no person is to raise any kind of building at all, and for laying 
 out this land there is chosen Francis Ingals, Henry Collins, 
 James Axee, Adam Hawckes, Lieut. Thomas Marshall, John 
 Hathorne, Andrew Mansfield." 
 
 Immediately on the passing of this order, Mr. Dexter 
 brought forward his claim to Nahant, on the plea of his pur- 
 chase of Duke William ; but the case was decided against him, 
 as mentioned under the date of 1657. In 1687, Mr. Edmund 
 Randolph presented a petition to Governor Andross, for the 
 gift of Nahant, which was opposed by the inhabitants of Lynn, 
 as noticed in 1689. Against these claims a memorial, signed 
 by seventy of the inhabitants, was presented to the Court, in 
 which the right of the town was supported. The memorialists 
 say — " We have honestly purchased the said tract of land with 
 our money of the original proprietors of the soil, viz. the na- 
 tives, and have firme confirmation thereof under hand and seal, 
 according to law. We have improved said land upwards of 
 fifty years, for soe long since it hath been built upon, and in- 
 habited by tenants, paying their acknowledgments yeare after 
 yeare," In 1695, the claim of Mr. Dexter was renewed by 
 Mar/ DafFern, one of his descendants, who was nonsuited. — 
 Since that time the right of the town does not appear to have 
 been disputed. A second division of the lands was made in 
 
 1. Files of Colony Court. 
 
1819.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 219 
 
 1706, and the rights and privileges of the proprietors not be- 
 ing defined, remain a suhject for iuturo adjustment. 
 
 The First Social Library in Lynn, was incorporated. 
 
 1819. 
 
 A Society of Christians was this year organized, on the 
 twenty-seventh of January, by the name of St. John's Church. 
 Impressed with the beauty and order of the American Epis- 
 copal Church, they adopted her liturgy, and pledged them- 
 selves to be governed by her rules. The Rev. Thomas Car- 
 lile, minister of St. Peter's Church, in Salem, was chosen Rec- 
 tor ; and an elegant service of Plate for the Communion, was 
 afterward presented by Mr. John Sowdon, of Boston. Their 
 place of worship was the Academy. The services were for 
 some time performed by Mr. Carlile, and afterward by Mr. 
 Chase and Mr. Jones. Bishop Griswold visited this Church, 
 and spoke in the most respectful terms of its order and devo- 
 tion. This was the iirst attempt to form an Episcopal Church 
 at Lynn, although professors of that faith have been found in 
 the town before. By a record of the first parish it appears, 
 that on the 24th of March, 1773, Mr. John Lewis was ex- 
 empted from the payment of parish taxes, " on account of his 
 professing to be a Churchman." 
 
 On the thirty-first of January, Mr. Jonathan Mansfield was 
 drowned in the Flax Pond. On the sixth of April, Mr. Wil- 
 liam Phillips was drowned at the mouth of Saugus river; and 
 on the fourth of September, Mr. Asa Gowdy was drowned 
 near the same place. 
 
 A new Comet made its appearance this year, which was 
 observed to cross the sun's disc, at Greenwich, England, on 
 the twenty-sixth of June. 
 
 Tuesday, the sixth of July, was an uncommonly warm day. 
 The thermometer, at noon, stood 100 degrees in the shade, and 
 in the open sun, it rose to 120. 
 
 This year a farm, containing forty-eight acres, was pur- 
 chased by the town, on Willis's Hill, on which a new Aims- 
 House was built. 
 
220 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1821. 
 
 1820. 
 
 On the fourteenth of February, two barns in Summer street, 
 belonging to Mr. Joseph Breed, were burned by the careless- 
 ness of a boy. The inhabitants of the town, with that promp- 
 titude of generosity by which they have ever been character- 
 ized, immediately appointed a committee, who obtained funds 
 by subscription, and within a week, built him a good barn, 
 which they well stocked with hay. 
 
 This year an elegant Hotel was built of stone, on the east- 
 ern part of Nahant. 
 
 1821. 
 
 On the twenty-fifth of January, the thermometer was sev- 
 enteen degrees below zero. 
 
 The corner stone of Masonic Hall was laid on the twenty- 
 fourth of June. An address was delivered by the Rev. Cheev- 
 er Felch. 
 
 The Rev. Joseph Mottey died on the ninth of July. He 
 was born at Salem, on the fourteenth of May, 1756, and grad- 
 uated at Dartmouth College in 1778. After having been em- 
 ployed as an assistant in PhiUips and Dummer Academies, he 
 was ordained at Lynnfield, then the third parish of Lynn, on 
 the twenty-fourth of September, 1783. He married Eliza- 
 beth Moody of York, in the State of Maine, who died on the 
 twenty-seventh of August, 1787, aged 32 years. He had five 
 children, Charles, Elias, Charles Edward, Eliza, and one 
 other daughter. Mr. Mottey was characterized by an extreme 
 degree of sensibility, and an uncommon fondness for retire- 
 ment. He performed the ministerial duties in his parish for 
 nearly thirty-eight 3^ears, and though he resided within nine 
 miles of his native town, he never preached in it. His man- 
 ners were affable, his conversation easy and agreeable, and his 
 mode of preaching mild and persuasive. His printed works 
 are the following. 
 
 1. The right hand of fellowship at the ordination of Rev. 
 Thomas Gushing Thacher. 
 
 2. Two sermons on the death of IMr. Roby, 1803. 
 
 3. An address on the establishment of Peace, 1805. 
 
1822.] HISTORY OF LVNN. 221 
 
 4. An article on original sin, in the Christian Disciple, 1820. 
 This year the town was divided into eight new school dis- 
 tricts. 
 
 " 1822. 
 
 A great disturbance was this year occasioned in the society 
 of Quakers at Lynn. A division of opinion had some time 
 before been formed among the members ; both parties pro- 
 fessing to maintain the sentiments of the ancient Quakers. The 
 contention became violent, and opposite opinions were fre- 
 quently advanced in the same meeting. Several members of 
 one party, conceiving it to be their duty to bear testimony against 
 what they deemed the spiritual pride and formality of the other 
 party, on Wednesday, the fourteenth of February, took places 
 in the high seats, where the ministers, overseers and elder- 
 ly people were accustomed to sit. From these, one of 
 them was taken by several persons, and expelled with such 
 violence, that, in his resistance, the seat was broken. On the 
 following Sunday, they again took places in the high seats. 
 One of them had a sword by his side, which, he said, was an 
 emblem of the warlike disposition of the other party. Several 
 persons advanced, and amid a great disturbance and outcry 
 among the men, and fright among the women, they cut the 
 belt, and took the sword away. In the afternoon a large con- 
 course of men and boys, from other societies, assembled around 
 the house. A great tumult was soon occasioned, by the attempt 
 to remove several persons from the high seats. Much noise 
 was made by screaming and crowding ; some persons had their 
 clothes torn, others were pushed out of the house, and one per- 
 son was lamed. The deputy sheriff v/as called from the first 
 parish meeting-house, who came and read the riot act in the 
 street. Four of the persons who had taken the high seats 
 were apprehended, and carried to a neighboring building, where 
 they were confined for the night. On the next day, they were 
 committed to prison at Salem, where they remained till the 
 time of their trial, at Ipswich, on the sixteenth of March. Two 
 of them were then discharged, and the others fined. A report 
 of this trial was published, with a review in a separate pamphlet. 
 Several persons were disowned for their conduct and opinions, 
 and many left the society voluntarily, and went to other places 
 of worship. 
 
 29 
 
222 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1824. 
 
 The members of the Ej)iscopal Church continued to wor- 
 ship in the Academy about four years, and made preparations 
 for building a church, and obtaining an act of incorporation. 
 But finding that many of their number were disposed to form 
 an independent society, tliey rehnquished their designs, and dis- 
 continued their meetings. 
 
 The first Circulating Library at Lynn was opened this year, 
 by the author of this sketch. 
 
 The Second Congregational Society was incorporated on 
 the fifteenth of June ; and on the twenty-fifth of November, the 
 corner stone of the first Unitarian meeting house was laid, with 
 an address by the Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, of Chelsea. 
 
 As some workmen were this year digging a cellar in Liberty 
 street, they found the skeleton of an Indian. It was more than 
 six feet in length, and the skull was of an uncommon thickness. 
 Two large clam shells were found buried with it. 
 
 1823. 
 
 The coldest day this year, was the first of March. The 
 thermometer was seven degrees below zero. 
 
 The second congregational meeting house was dedicated on 
 the thirtieth of April. 
 
 The Hon. Aaron Lummus was chosen a Senator for Essex 
 County. 
 
 1824. 
 
 The tide, during great storms, had for many years been 
 making its encroachments upon Lynn Beach, washing its sands 
 over into the harbor, and sometimes making deep channels, as 
 it ran across in rivulets. Li compliance with a petition of the 
 town, the General Court, on the eighteenth of February, made 
 a grant of fifteen hundred dollars, to which the town added 
 fifteen hundred more ; and by the aid of this fund, a cause- 
 way was constructed, about half the length of the beach, to 
 prevent the encroachments of the tide. 
 
 The thermometer, on the twenty-fifth of February, was ten 
 degrees below zero. 
 
1825.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 223 
 
 John Gilbert Pratt, aged eight years, son of Mr. Micajah C. 
 Pratt, was drowned, on the fourteenth of April, from a boat, 
 in the harbor. 
 
 On the twenty-first of June, Mr. Joseph Searl, of By field, 
 was ordained pastor of the Congregational society in Lynnfield. 
 He continued his connexion with that parish, till the seven- 
 teenth of September, 1827, when he removed to Stoneham. 
 
 The French General Lafayette, who served in the army of 
 the confederation, in the war of independence, this year came to 
 America, and was received with general gratulation and welcome. 
 He passed through Lynn on the thirty-first of August. He was 
 received at Saugus bridge by an escort, consisting of a battahon 
 of cavalry, the Lynn Rifle Company, Lynn Light Infantry, the 
 Salem Cadets, and a large number of officers and cidzens, by 
 whom he was conducted to the Lynn Hotel, were an address 
 was delivered to him by Captain John White, to which he 
 made an affectionate reply. After being introduced to many 
 gentlemen and ladies, with several revolutionary soldiers, he 
 ascended an open barouche, and passed through two lines of 
 the children of the town, who threw flowers into his carriage 
 as he proceeded. A salute of thirteen guns was fired, on his 
 entrance into the town; and another of twenty-four, when he 
 left the Hotel. On his way he passed through seven beau- 
 tiful arches, decorated with evergreens, flags, and festoons of 
 flowers ; and bearing inscriptions in honor of Lafayette and 
 Freedom. Proceeding through the principal streets, he was 
 received, at the eastern boundary of the town, by another es- 
 cort, and conducted to Marblehead. 
 
 Mr. James Dimon Green was ordained pastor of the Second 
 Congregational Society, on the third of November. 
 
 1825. 
 
 For several days in the month of April, the moon and stars, 
 with the planet Venus, were visible, for several hours, in the 
 middle of the day. There were no clouds, and the sun shone 
 with a dim light. 
 
 On the twentieth of April, a piece of land, adjoining the 
 Quaker burial Ground in Lynn, was purchased, by several indi- 
 viduals, and opened as a free burial ground. This was done, 
 because that society had refused to permit a child to be buried 
 
224 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1825. 
 
 in their ground, without a compliance with prescribed conditions. 
 This refusal, and the subsequent removal of the bones of the 
 dead from the Quaker burial ground at Boston, became the 
 subject of remark in the public papers ; and particularly of 
 several poetical pieces in the Lynn Alirror, in which the con- 
 duct of the Quakers, as a public body, was strongly censured. 
 A writer in the Boston Centinel, with the signature of " Poetus 
 Minus," having undertaken to rejjly to those remarks, and being 
 unable to refute them, attempted to divert their force, by a 
 violent, personal, and ungentlemanly attack upon my individual 
 character, which certainly had no connexion with the sub- 
 ject. The gentleman Editor of the Centinel told me, that the 
 essay of Poetus Minus found its way into his columns, without 
 his knowledge or consent, and that had he been acquainted 
 with the circumstances, it would not have been admitted. As 
 the essay was anonymous, no one is under any obligation to 
 believe, — or to notice it ; — but as interested persons have been 
 disposed to employ it to the prejudice of the truth, I shall 
 make a plain statement of facts, to show how the public faith 
 has been imposed upon. After the writer in the Centinel had 
 asserted that the child was not denied interment, I called on 
 the parents, who gave me the following testimony. 
 
 " We do by this certify, that on the death of our child, in 
 the month of April, 1825, we applied to the Society of Friends, 
 of which the ciiild, as well as its father, was a member, for 
 permission to bury it in the Friend's burying ground, and were 
 virtually denied. Daniel Newhall, 
 
 Lynn, August 24, 1826. Mary Newhall." 
 
 The afflicted mother herself wrote an article, which was 
 published in the Centinel, in which she maintains the truth of 
 this statement, and says, in reference to the request, that the 
 Committee " were expostulated with, and the reasonableness 
 of the thing enforced, but to no purpose." The anonymous 
 writer says that the society purchased the ground, but the fol- 
 lowing testimony fully disproves that assertion. 
 
 " This may certify, that in the month of April, 1825, we 
 purchased and appropriated a piece of land in Lynn, to be used 
 as a Free Burying Ground, and that the Society of Friends 
 did not purchase it. James Pratt. 
 
 Lynn, December 16, 1826. Isaiah Breed." 
 
 The original deed of purchase by these two individuals, and 
 the deed of conveyance to fifty-one other persons, are both now 
 in my possession. 
 
1825.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 225 
 
 The writer has charged me with burning the works of 
 Shakspeare and Pope, from an impression that their writings 
 have an immoral tendency. 1 did not burn them. Both the 
 works to which he alludes are now in my library, with the fol- 
 lowing testimony of the Town Clerk and his lady, that they 
 are the same copies. 
 
 " This may certify that we have this day seen the very copies 
 of the Plays of William Shakspeare, and die Poetical Works of 
 Alexander Pope, which Alonzo Lewis owned, when he board- 
 ed at our house, in the year 1817. Samuel Hallovvell. 
 
 Lynn, December 16, 1826. Lydia ITallowell." 
 
 His unprovoked attempt to cast an aspersion upon the faith 
 of the Church, and his denial of the Resurrection-, have suffi- 
 ciently evinced the spirit which influenced him. St. Paul does 
 not term them " fools," who believe in the resurrection of the 
 body. He employs the strongest reasoning to prove that the 
 body will rise. Indeed this faith was so clear to him, from the 
 resurrection of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Master, that he seems to 
 consider the matter beyond all dispute or doubt ; and applies the 
 term " fool" to the person who does not believe that God can 
 as easily restore the body from the grave, as He can renew a 
 plant from the seed, without destroying its identity. The re- 
 surrection of the body has been the hope of tlie good in all 
 ages, from the pious Job, who said, " I know that though after 
 my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see 
 God," to the humblest believer in the Gospel, who, after the 
 numerous trials and ills of mortal hfe, lays down his body, in 
 the sure and certain hope, in the words of Jesus himself, that 
 God " will raise him up at the last day." 
 
 He has overlooked the tendency of his own reasoning, if it 
 has any tendency. He says that the magistrates of Boston 
 would not have permitted the removal of the remains of the 
 dead, had it been improper ; yet those magistrates are contin- 
 ually passing orders, the operation of which is in direct oppo- 
 sition to the opinions of his society. 
 
 The assertion that I have dealt " promiscuous satire" on all 
 the modes of religious faith, is false. It is false that I have 
 injured the sensibilities of any widow. 
 
 This is plain serious prose, and it is true. His essay is a 
 piece of mock poetical sublimity, interspersed with impreca- 
 tions, and gross personal invective, and it is not true. 
 
 Having corrected so many false statements, it is unnecessary 
 to pursue the writer through all his misrepresentations. I have 
 
226 HISTORY 01-' LYNN. [1825. 
 
 110 enmity against him, and have never made a personal allu- 
 sion to him or any other individual ; though he has sought for 
 years to injure my reputation, by means, which no man, possess- 
 ing the finer feelings of humanity, would have employed. I can- 
 not imagine why a person, who retains good understanding, 
 should wish to deceive others. Deception can only originate 
 from ignorance or depravity. A mind of discernment cannot 
 easily deceive itself, and cannot expect to deceive that Being 
 who has access to every thought of the heart. Falsehood and 
 error may prevail for a time, and self-interest may profit, and 
 self-love be gratified by their dominion ; but it is only a weak 
 or a corrupt heart which exults in their delusion. 
 
 On Thursday, the twenty-third of June, immediately after 
 the commencement of twilight, a remarkable sungush appeared. 
 It proceeded from the place of sunsetting, and rose perfectly 
 straight, perpendicular, and well-defined, to the height of twen- 
 ty degrees. Its color was a beautiful bright red, and its width 
 equal to that of a broad rainbow ; The clouds around were 
 variegated with the finest colors, and the pageant continued 
 about fifteen minutes. 
 
 On Saturday, September third, the first newspaper printed 
 in Lynn, was published by ]Mr. Charles Frederic Lummus, with 
 the tide of the Lynn Weekly Mirror. 
 
 A comet was visible in October, on the right of the Pleiades, 
 vvhh a train about six degress in length. 
 
 The Hon William Gray died at Boston, on the third of No- 
 vember, aged 75 years. He was born at Lynn, on the twenty 
 sevendi of June, 1750. His grandfather, Mr, William Gray, 
 a respectable farmer, in 1701 resided on Water Hill, where the 
 house of Mr. Benjamin Phillips now stands. His father, Mr. 
 Abraham Gray, born 13 January, 1715, was one of the first 
 shoe manufacturers in Lynn, who employed journeymen and 
 apprentices. He received such an education as could at that 
 time be obtained in a town school ; and, at the age of thirteen, 
 having a strong inclination to mercantile pursuits, was placed 
 in the counting house of Mr. Derby, a respectable merchant 
 in Salem. As a reward for his faithfulness and diligence, he 
 was indulged with the privilege of sending what are termed 
 adventures, or articles of hmited worth, at his own risk, in the 
 ships of his employer ; and was generally so fortunate as to 
 obtain returns of far increased value. On his arrival at man- 
 hood, he entered extensively into the European and East India 
 trades, and by his industry, ability, and uncommon success, ac- 
 
1826.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 227 
 
 cumulated an amount of property which perhaps no individual 
 in America has ever surpassed. His attachment to his native 
 town induced him to confer benefits on many of its families, 
 . and to give employment to many of its inhabitants. His great 
 success in trade gave an impulse to the mercantile business 
 of Salem, which it might not otherwise have experienced ; 
 and the amount which he added to the prosperity of that an- 
 cient and respectable town, occasioned the following epigram. 
 
 " Salem and Lynn for Gray's birth now contest ; 
 Lynn gains the palm, but Salem fares the best." 
 
 After the embargo, Mr. Gray removed to Boston, and in the 
 years 1810 and 1811, was elected Lieutenant Governor of the 
 Commonwealth, His enterprise and integrity insured him high 
 respect among merchants, and his benevolence and virtue ob- 
 tained for him the gratitude of the poor, and the esteem of all. 
 He had one daughter, Jerusha, and five sons who arrived to years 
 of maturity. These are William R. Henry, Francis C. Esq. 
 John C. Esq. and Horace ; all of whom received an education 
 at Harvard University. Three of them are merchants of good 
 reputation, and two are eminent lawyers in the city of Boston. 
 
 The coldest day this year was Wednesday, December four- 
 teenth, when the thermometer was eleven degrees below zero. 
 
 1826. 
 
 On Wednesday, the first of February, the thermometer was 
 sixteen degrees below zero. Nearly two-thirds of the people 
 of Lynn were sick with the influenza. Thi? distemper pre- 
 vailed throughout the United States, and extended to the isles 
 of the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 On the twelfth of April, a schooner, loaded with about six 
 hundred bushels corn, struck on a rock near the mouth of Sau- 
 gus river, and sunk. 
 
 The Lynn institution for Savings was incorporated on the 
 twentieth of June. 
 
 The festival of St. John, June 24, was celebrated by Mount 
 Carmel, and five other lodges. An address was delivered in 
 the first Methodist meeting house, by Caleb Cushing, Esquire, 
 of Newburyport. 
 
 The Quaker meeting house in Boston, and the burial ground 
 
228 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 [1827. 
 
 adioinins, having been for some lime disused, had fallen to de- 
 cay. As none of the society remained in the city, the monthly 
 meeting determined to remove the bones of the dead, and se 
 the land. The disinterment commenced on the twenty-eighth 
 of June, and was finished on the sixth July. The remains of 
 one hundred and eleven persons were taken up; of whom 
 seventy-two were adults, and thirty -nme youth. The relics of 
 one hundred and nine were put into six boxes, and conveyed 
 to Lynn, and placed in the Quaker burial ground. Mr. Jo- 
 seph Hussey. who had two sisters buried m Boston, was un- 
 willing that they should be removed with the rest, and caused 
 their remains, so dear to his memory, to be deposited in the 
 cemetery of King's Chapel. 
 
 A Society foi the promotion of Industry, frngality, and 
 Temperance, was organized on the twentieth of December. 
 
 1827. 
 
 Mr. Micaiah Collins died on the thirtieth of January, at the 
 age of 62 years. He was born on the nineteenth of April, 
 1764, married Hannah Chase of Salem, and left no children. 
 He was, for nearly thirty years, a useful and respected schoo- 
 master,and was much beloved by the pupils ^^h°.^«^f ^| "^ 
 instruclions. He was also, for some time, a min ster of he 
 society of Friends, and in that ^f ^^^^^ ^^^f J^^^J*' 
 meetings of Quakers throughout the United States He was 
 generaSy regarded as a peaceable citizen and a virtuous man 
 ^ On tlfe thirtieth of April, Mr. Paul Newhall was drmvned 
 from a fishing boat, at Swampscot, m attempting to Pf ^^ Dreart 
 Ledge. His body was found umnjured, thirty-nine days alter, 
 having probably been caused to rise by heavy thunder, which 
 agitated the water. , ^ -r^^^ 
 
 ^On the night of Thursday, May tenth, a schooner from Ken- 
 nebec, loaded with hay and wood, was driven, by a stoim, upon 
 Lvnn Beach, and dismasted. . 
 
 'Mr Solomon Moulton died on the twenty-sixth ot i\la}, 
 aged twenty years. He was the author of several pieces in 
 the Lynn MnL with the signature of Lilley. He was much 
 esteemed for the purity of his character, the generosity ot fiis 
 disposition, the fervency of his friendship, and the evidence 
 
1827.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 229 
 
 which he gave of possessing poetical abilities, and his memory 
 is afieciiouately cherished. To employ his own words — 
 
 Tis tlie last rite tliat man can do for man. 
 When life is o'er, wiili kind and gentle hand, 
 To lay his brother's body in the grave. 
 
 The anniversary of Independence was this year celebrated 
 at Lynn. The rising sun was welcomed by a salute of twenty- 
 four guns, from the summit of Estes' Hill, which was repeated 
 at noon, and sunset, by the Lynn Artillery Company. A pro- 
 cession was formed at Mechanic's Hall, which passed, under 
 the escort of the Lynn Rifle Company, to the eastern Metho- 
 dist meeting house, which was elegantly decorated, by the la- 
 dies, with evergreens and flowers. In the procession was a 
 company of twenty-four misses, belonging to the second dis- 
 trict School, dressed in white, with wreaths of natm-al roses on 
 their heads. They were in two sections ; the first consisted 
 of thirteen, representing the early states of the Union, bearing 
 a white silk banner, with the words " Original States." The 
 other section consisted of eleven, representing the younger sis- 
 ters of the Union, bearing a banner with the inscription " New 
 States." At the meeting house, they recited a responsive cho- 
 rus, written for the purpose, w^iich made a very pleasing im- 
 pression. The Declaration of Independence was read by Mr. 
 Samuel J. Ireson, and a beautiful ode was sung, written for 
 the occasion by Mr. Enoch Curtin. Some remarks were 
 made, by the author of this imperfect sketch, which the audi- 
 ence were pleased to term an oration. 
 
 Edwin Brown, aged 12 years, a son of Mr. Ezra Brown, 
 was drowned, while bathing, near Sagamore Hill, on the eighth 
 of July. 
 
 On Tuesday evening, August twenty eighth, a most beauti- 
 ful pageant was displayed in the heavens. It took the form 
 of an arch of bright light, which spanned the whole hemisphere 
 from west to east. During the first part of the evening the 
 northern lights were uncommonly luminous, and a light vapor 
 was floating in the atmosphere. At half past nine, this vapor 
 rose, and became sufliciently compact to receive the reflection 
 of the Aurora, which formed a magnificent arch of flame-color- 
 ed light. Its apparent breath at the centre, was about twice 
 the length of the Yard L, and the perspective caused it to ap- 
 pear narrower at the extremities. It continued in its splendor 
 about an hour, and then gradually faded away. It resembled 
 a path of fire across the heavens, and perhaps no one, who 
 30 
 
230 HISTOUY OF LYNN, [1828. 
 
 did not behold it, can imagine its sublimity, perfection, and 
 and brightness. On the night of the twenty fourth of Septem- 
 ber, the northern lights were also very bright, and on the fol- 
 lowing evening still more so ; passing at one time in long 
 streamers apparently into the southern hemisphere ; and at 
 another, flashing upon the low vapor like lightning, down to the 
 very house tops. The eastern part of the horizon was so 
 bright that it cast shadows. 
 
 The first Congregational meeting-house was moved from 
 the Common on the eleventh of April. It was throughly re- 
 paired, with the addition of a new vestry and steeple, and 
 dedicated on the seventeenth of October. 
 
 A great snow storm commenced on Wednesday, the seventh 
 of November, and another on the following Wednesday with 
 high wind, which drifted the snow; and the weather till the end 
 of the month, continued colder than had been known at that 
 season for many years. 
 
 1828. 
 
 A whale was brought on shore at Whale Beach, Swamp- 
 scot, on the second of May. It was sixty feet in length, and 
 twenty five barrels of oil were extracted from it. 
 
 The fourth of July was this year celebrated. An oration 
 was delivered at the first IMethodist meeting house, by the Rev. 
 James Diman Green. 
 
 A code of By-Laws for the town, was approved by the 
 court, on the eighth of July. They were principally designed 
 to prevent irregular behaviour in the streets, and damage of 
 public and private property. 
 
 The pastoral connexion of the Rev. James Diman Green 
 with the second Congregational Society, was dissolved, at his 
 request, on the fourth of August. 
 
 Flora, a black woman, died on the first of October, aged 
 one hundred and fifteen^ years. She was born in Africa, where 
 she had two husbands and five children. She related many 
 interesting anecdotes of the customs of her tribe, particularly of 
 their hunting the lions and great serpents. She said that she 
 was a daughter of one of the principal men ; and when one of 
 their chiefs died, it was their practice to build a house over his 
 
1829.] HISTORY OF lynn. 231 
 
 remains, as they considered it an indignity to his memory 
 to suffer the rain to fall on his grave. One day, a party of 
 slave dealers came, and set fire to their village, when the in- 
 habitants fled. Her mother, she said, was unable to run 
 fast, and as she was unwilling to escape without her, she re- 
 mained, and was taken. Separated from some of her dear- 
 est friends, and from her children, she was brought to America, 
 and after much suffering, arrived at Marblehead in 174S, where 
 she fortunately became the property of a man who was dispos- 
 ed to treat her with kindness. She afterward married three 
 other husbands and had five more children^ before she came to 
 Lynn. She was a sensible and pious woman, and retained her 
 strength and her memory till a few days before her death. 
 She daily knelt down in prayer ; her words were simple, but 
 plain and direct, and those who heard her felt as if they were 
 in the presence of one who was talking with God. The tears 
 were in her aged eyes as she spoke of her children and her 
 native land. She said, " I have lived long, and suffered much 
 Oh, a great deal ! — but He has been good to me. I love my 
 merciful Father, and want to go and be with him." She was 
 buried from the eastern JMethodist meeting house, and her 
 funeral was attended by many black people from the neighbor- 
 ing towns, and by a large concourse of white persons, by whom 
 she was respected. 
 
 In a storm, on the twenty second of November, a schooner, 
 belonging to Freeport, was cast upon the Lobster Rocks. 
 The crew, with a lady passenger, immediately left the vessel, 
 which was found in the morning, drifted upon Chelsea Beach. 
 
 The Lynn Lyceum was established on the twenty third of 
 December. 
 
 1829. 
 
 One of the most beautiful appearances of nature was presen- 
 ted on the morning of Saturday, the tenth of January. A 
 light rain had fallen on the preceeding evening, and when the 
 sun rose, the whole expanse of hill and plain displayed the 
 most enchanting and dazzling prospect of ghttering frost. The 
 tall and branching trees were bent, by the weight of ice, into 
 graceful arches ; and resembled magnificent chandeliers, glit- 
 tering with burnished silver. Each branch and twig was 
 covered with crystal, which glowed with such lustre in the 
 
232 HISTORY OF lynn. 1829.] 
 
 morning liglit, that the eye could scarce sustain the brillianc}^ 
 The tops and sides of the houses were plated as with the pur- 
 est silver, and the herbage in the fields presented the appear- 
 ance of fancy work, formed of glass and gems. As far as the 
 eye could reach, all was one resplendent surface of polished ice ; 
 and in some places, the trees which stood in colonnades, were 
 bent till their tops touched together, and formed long arcades 
 of crystal, decorated widi brilliant pearls, and sparkling with 
 reflected light. Each branch bent heavily with the weight of 
 its transparent covering of ice ; and as they were gently moved 
 by the light breeze, every twig twinkled in the sun, like a 
 clustre of diamonds. 
 
 But the scene in the open village, although so liighly beau- 
 tiful, was far exceeded by the magnificent lustre of the woods. 
 It was there that nature wrought with all her power, and dis- 
 played her skill in all its beauty. The majestic hemlocs bent 
 their heavy branches to the ground, loaded as with a weight of 
 gold, and formed delightful bowers, sparkling with gems, and 
 illuminated with colored light. The evergreen cedars, that 
 stood thick between, were covered with crystal gold, and glow- 
 ed with emeralds of the deepest green. The silver tops of the 
 graceful birches crossed each other, like the gothic arches of 
 some splendid structure, built by Nature herself for the wor- 
 ship of Omnipotence ; while the slender shafts, and the glitter- 
 ing rocks, resembled columns, and altars, and thrones ; and 
 the precipitous cliffs looked down, like towers and battlements 
 of silver ; and far above all, the tall pines stood up, and glitter- 
 ed in the frosty air, like the spires of a thousand cathedrals, 
 overlaid with transparent gold, and burnished by the cloudless 
 sun. 
 
 This beautiful and surprising exhibition continued undis- 
 turbed for two whole days. On the third morning, the warm 
 fingers of Aurora found the frozen chords which upheld the 
 glittering show. They severed at the touch — and down fi-om 
 lofty spire and stately elm, came showering gems and pearls, 
 that tinkled as they bounded on the crystal plain. The ice 
 which had confined the mighty arms of aged forest trees, came 
 crashing down, breaking the frosted shrubs beneath, and send- 
 ing through the woods a mingled sound, like falling towers, and 
 the far dash of waters. The admirer of the works of nature, 
 who, during the continuance of this beautiful scene, was in the 
 majestic woods, will never forget their indescribable splendor, 
 or doubt the power and skill of Him, who, with such slight 
 means as the twilight vapor, and the midnight rain, can form 
 
1829.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 233 
 
 an arch of fire in heaven ; oi- create an exhibition of glory and 
 grandeur on earth, so far surpassing the utmost beauty of the 
 works of man. 
 
 In a snow storm, on tlie sixth of February, a woman 
 perished on Farrington's Hill, on the turnpike, one mile east- 
 ward of the Lynn Hotel. Another great storm commenced 
 OD the twentieth, when several vessels, belonging to Swanipscot, 
 were driven out to sea. One of them remained five days, and 
 went on shore at Chatham, where the crew were much 
 frozen. The greatest degree of cold, this year was on Mon- 
 day, the fifth of February, when the thermometer was six de- 
 grees below zero. 
 
 On the night of the fifth of March, a schooner, loaded with 
 coffee, struck on Shag Rocks, on the south side of Nahant, and 
 was entirely dashed to pieces. No traces of the crew were 
 found, and it is probable that they all perished. 
 
 Dr. John Flagg Gardner died at Ipswich on the fourteenth 
 of IMarch, aged thirty-five years. He was a son of Dr. James 
 Gardner of Lynn, and was born 27 May, 1794. He gradu- 
 ated at Harvard University in 1813, and after completing his 
 studies with his father, and at the medical school in Boston, 
 he settled in the practice of medicine at Ipswich. He was 
 esteemed for his ability as a physician, and beloved lor his dis- 
 position as a gentleman. 
 
 Great excitement was occasioned this year in Lynn, as it 
 had been in many other towns for some years previous, by the 
 disclosures respecting Freemasonry. On the first of April, 
 ]Mr. Jacob Allen of Braintree, gave an exhibition of some of the 
 alleged mysteries of that institution, at Liberty Hall ; and on 
 the sixth, the inhabitants, in town meeting, voted, that they re- 
 garded Freemasonry " as a great moral evil," and its existence 
 " as being dangerous to all free governments," and gave Mr. 
 Allen the use of the town Hall to continue his exhibitions. 
 
 The canker worms, for seven years, have been making great 
 ravages among the fruit trees. Many orchards have borne but 
 litde fruit during diat time, and the leaves and blossoms have 
 been so thoroughly devoured, that the trees have appeared as 
 if scorched by a fire. 
 
 In a very great thunder shower on the thirtieth of July, a barn 
 on Nahant was struck by lightning, and Mr. William Hogan, a 
 carpenter was killed. 
 
 In September, a stone beacon, twenty feet in height, was 
 erected on the outer clilFof Dread Ledge, by order of the United 
 States' government, at an expense of one thousand dollars. It 
 was thrown down by a storm, on die Uiirty-first of October. 
 
234 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1829. 
 
 On the tweli'lh of October, at seven o'clock in the evening, 
 a brilliant meteor appeared in the south-east. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Fuller died on the seventh of November, aged 
 82 years. He was a patriotic citizen and a benevolent man. 
 He was lor several years a selectman, and in 1820 was chosen 
 a delegate to amend the state constitution. His son, Hon. Jo- 
 seph Fuller, was born 29 March, 1772, and died in 1815, aged 
 43 years. He was six times chosen representative, and was 
 elected a senator for Essex county in 1812. He was also the 
 first President of the Lynn Mechanics' Bank, and an associate 
 Judge of the Court of Sessions. 
 
 Mr. David Hatch Barlow was ordained minister of the Sec- 
 ond Congregational Society, on the ninth of December. 
 
 The town tax this year was 8500 dollars ; of which 3200 
 dollars were appropriated for the support of Schools. The 
 number of ratable polls was 1457, and the voters 1276. The 
 number of marriages was fifty four, and the births were two 
 hundred and forty three. The deaths were ninety seven of 
 whom twenty were of the following ages ; 71, 87, 60, 87, SO, 
 88, 73, 64, 87, 69, 70, 68, 76, 86, 75, 82, 63, 64, 72, 83; 
 making in all 1505, or an av^erage of 75 years; probably a 
 greater number of persons than ever before died in the town 
 in one year. There arc now ninety four persons living more 
 than seventy years of age. The oldest person is Mrs. Han- 
 nah Hudson, whose age is ninety one years. 
 
 We have thus passed through two hundred years of the an- 
 nals of Lynn. The thirtieth of June, 1829, completed the 
 second century, since the first known settlement of white men 
 was made in the town. Could the men of that early day re- 
 turn to the place of their ancient forest, how would they be 
 surprised to find it traversed by beautiful streets, filled with 
 neat houses, and inhabited by thousands of their happy des- 
 cendants, whose children sleep undisturbed, where theirs were 
 frightened in the day time by companies of Indians, and alarm- 
 ed at night by troops of wolves, trotting by the doors of their 
 cottages! How would they be pleased to see Nahant, which 
 was once the portion of foxes, now bright with beautiful dwel- 
 lings, furnished with every accommodation of comfort and pleas- 
 ure, and visited from afar by the best and fairest of the land. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF LYNN. 
 
 LYNN is pleasantly situated on the northern shore of Mas- 
 sachusetts Bay ; and is bounded on the west by Saugus river 
 and town, on the north by Lynnfield and Danvers, and on the 
 northeast by Salem. It is the oldest town, excepting Salem, 
 in Essex county, and the fifth in population. It contains 6150 
 inhabitants ; the increase for the last ten years having been one 
 hundred and sixty-three annually. Since its setdement, in 
 1629, ten towns, containing twenty-six churches, and more 
 than twenty thousand inhabitants, have derived their origin 
 from the same source. These towns are, Lynn, Saugus, 
 Lynnfield, Reading, South Reading, Sandwich, and Yarmouth, 
 in Massachusetts; Hampton and Amherst in New-Hampshire ; 
 and Southampton on Long Island. 
 
 Lynn is nine miles northeast of Boston, and five southwest 
 from Salem. Its length is nearly six miles on the sea coast, 
 and it extends about four miles into the woods. From the cen- 
 tre of the southern side, a beach of sand projects into the sea 
 nearly two miles, and terminates in a peninsula, called Nahant, 
 which would otherwise be an island. The whole town some- 
 what resembles a triangle, with a pendulum suspended from 
 the base. It contains 9360 acres. The southeastern part 
 is a tract of excellent salt marsh ; and the northern part is a 
 range of woodland and pasture. The inhabited part of the 
 town is an extensive plain, gently undulating, toward the ex- 
 tremities, into graceful elevations, skirted on the south by the 
 sea, and defended on the north by a range of rocky hills. Near 
 the centre is a beautiful common, three fourths of a mile in 
 length, containing twenty-one acres. 
 
 Within the limits of the town are eight ponds, some of which 
 are large, and contain an unfailing supply for several mills. 
 
23G HISTORY OF LYNN% 
 
 The river Saugns lias its source in Reading pond, about eight 
 miles from the sea. For the first half of its course, it is only- 
 sufficient for a mill stream, but becomes wider toward its m.outh, 
 where it is about six hundred feet in breadth. It is very irre- 
 gular in its course, winding in numerous circumvolutions, and 
 flowing three miles in the distance of one. In several places, 
 after taking a circuitous route of half a mile, it returns to with- 
 in a few rods of the place whence it deviated. The harbor is 
 formed by marshes on one side, and by the beach on the other, 
 and is only sufficient for small vessels. A turnpike from Sa- 
 lem to Boston passes through the centre of the town, on which 
 are two bridges. One is a draw-bridge over Saugus river, 
 540 feet in length. The other is a floating bridge, across a 
 pond, in the eastern part of the town. It is 500 feet in length 
 composed of timber and plank, resting on the surface, and 
 rising and falling with every increase and diminution of the 
 water. It is a curiosity, and reminds one of the Persian's 
 bridge of boats across the Hellespont. 
 
 A large portion of the inhabited part of the town, between 
 the hills and the sea, is alluvion, formed of alternate strata of 
 clay, sand, and gravel, chiefly covered with vegetable soil. 
 In some parts the gravel and sand predominate, and in others 
 the clay. Extensive beds of clay have been opened in se- 
 veral parts of the town and wrought into bricks. A manufac- 
 ture of pottery, from the finer kinds of this clay, was some 
 years since begun in Saugus, and continued for some time 
 with good success. An alluvion commences at King's Beach, 
 and passes up Stacey's Brook, through Graves End, into the 
 northern part of the town. A stratum of clay, several inches 
 in thickness, belonging to this alluvion, rests upon the sand of 
 King's Beach, beyond the line of low water. The numer- 
 ous beaches on the shore of the town, and around Nahant, are 
 an alluvial deposite of fine, siliceous, whitish grey sand, cover- 
 ed, in some places, with long ridges of pebbles. Marl is found, 
 but not in large quantities. This is a substance composed of 
 carbonate of lime and clay, and is valuable for its power of 
 enriching certain soils, when mixed with them. There are 
 
HISTOTIY OF LYNN, 237 
 
 several fine meadows of peat, both fibrous and compact. This 
 is a formation of the stems, leaves, and roots of vegetables, 
 more or less decomposed, and intermixed with earth. The 
 meadows where it is formed, were formerly ponds. It is dug 
 by a kind of long spade, which cuts it into regular solids, 
 about three inches square, and two feet in length. It is then 
 piled and dried for fuel, and produces a constant and intense 
 heat. The cavities whence it is taken are soon filled with 
 water, and in a series of years, are again stocked with a new 
 formation of peat. A meadow between Orange and Chatham 
 streets, contains an alluvial deposite of rich, black soil, more 
 than twelve feet deep. In digging to the depth of three feet, 
 the trunk of a large oak was found ; and at the depth of six 
 feet, a stratum of leaves and burnt wood was discovered. 
 
 The northern part of the town abounds with rocky hills. 
 The principal rocks are porphyry, greenstone, and sienite. 
 Porphyry commences at' Red Rock, near the Long Beach, 
 and passing through the town in a gentle curve, towards the 
 northwest, forms a range of hills, including High Rock, 
 Lover's Leap, and Sadler's Rock, and continues though Sau- 
 gus. It is composed of petrosilex, feldspar, and quartz. Its 
 color is commonly reddish, in some instances quite red, and in 
 others brownish or gray. The term, porphyry, is derived 
 from a Greek word, signifying purple. It gives fire with steel, 
 and is susceptible of a high polish. The best specimens are 
 equal in beauty to the porphyry of the ancients. The por- 
 phyry of Nahant is of darker color, approaching to black. 
 Specimens of clinkstone porphyry are found, which, when 
 struck, give out a metallic sound. Greenstone composes hills 
 in the eastern part of the town, and is separated from porphyry 
 by Stacey's Brook. It is of a greenish color, composed of 
 hornblende and feldspar. Sienite is found in the northern part 
 of the town, in Lynnfield, and on Nahant. It is composed of 
 feldspar, hornblende, and quartz, and its color is gray, or red- 
 dish white. It has its name from Siena, a city of Egypt, 
 
 whence it was obtained by the ancients, for the purposes of 
 31 
 
238 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 architecture. It is found in great variety, from very fine to 
 very coarse, and is sometimes disintegrated into gravel and 
 sand. It is much used for building, and for millstones. From 
 the presence of magnetic iron ore, it frequently attracts the 
 magnet. Granite occurs in roundish masses, and is composed 
 of grains of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It is not so abundant 
 as formerly, the best specimens having been used for building. 
 Gneiss is found on Nahant. Puddingstone occurs on the 
 beaches, and in other places. It is composed of oval pebbles, 
 about the size of a full raisin, united by a flinty cement, and 
 bears some resemblance to plumpudding, from which it has 
 its name. 
 
 Various minerals occur in the town. One of the most fre- 
 quent is Petrosijex. It is of different colors, and is found 
 either by itself, or constituting the basis of porphyry. Egg 
 Rock, some of the ledges at Nahant and Swampscot, and the 
 most common pebbles on the beaches, are petrosilex. Feld- 
 spar is found at Nahant, in separate masses, and sometimes finely 
 crystallized. It is also freely disseminated through formation 
 rocks. Quartz is abundant, especially at Nahant. It is there 
 finely crystallized into regular six sided prisms, terminated by 
 six sided pyramids, as correctly shaped as if formed by the 
 hand of an artist. Some of the crystals are from three to six 
 inches in length and half an inch in diameter, very hard, white, 
 and translucent. They are sometimes found in clusters, inter- 
 woven like the roots of a tree. Quartz is frequently found in 
 beautiful, white, polished, semitransparent pebbles, on the 
 beaches. It alsa occurs in veins, and disseminated through 
 formation rocks. Its color is sometimes yellow. Prase, is 
 found at Nahant. Hornstone occurs on the west of High 
 Rock. Prehnite is found at Nahant, of the fibrous variety, 
 and of green color. Epidote, of a beautiful green, and 
 sometimes finely crystallized, is found at Nahant, in great 
 abundance. It traverses sienite, greenstone, and petrosilex in 
 veins, of various thickness. Hornblende forms cliffs and ledges 
 on Nahant. A curious vein of hornblende two inches in thick- 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. 239 
 
 ness, passes through a ledge on the northern shore of Nahant, 
 for a distance of about two hundred feet, in a direction from 
 southeast to northwest. Argillaceous slate occurs at Nahant. 
 Manganese and Sulphuret of Copper are found in Lynn, and 
 fine specimens of Antimony in Saugus. A mine of Iron Ore 
 was formerly wrought in Saugus, and Iron still exists there. 
 Shale, which is a strong indication of coal, has been ob- 
 served, and the earth has been opened at Nahant and other 
 places, in consequence but no coal has yet been discovered. 
 Carbonate of Lime is found. The shells on the beaches are 
 of this substance, and wei-e formerly burned to obtain lime 
 for making mortar. Fine specimens of Chalcedony, of a milk 
 white color, have been found at Nahant, in pebbles on the 
 beaches. Jasper occurs in several places. There is a rock 
 of this mineral near the river, in Saugus ; and a beautiful 
 specimen of deep red Jasper, traversed by fine veins of blue 
 chalcedony, has been discovered at Swampscot. It is suscep- 
 tible of a very fine polish, and may be manufactured into seals, 
 pendants, and other ornaments. The Indians commonly form- 
 ed the heads of their arrows of Jasper and Porphyry. 
 
 Lynn contains a great variety of plants, " from the cedar to the 
 hyssop." The principal trees are white and pitch Pine, which 
 cover many acres, and fill large swamps. The next in abun- 
 dance are red and White Cedar. The white grows on low 
 grounds, the red on hills, and is peculiarly valuable for posts, 
 being very durable. It is seldom found of large growth, being 
 usually cut down when it attains a diameter of about eight 
 inches. It formerly was permitted to grow very large. I 
 have seen cedars of the ancient growth more than three feet in 
 diameter. There are also white, black, and red Oak, Walnut, 
 Maple, Sycamore, Elm, Locust, Hornbeam, Lime, Hem- 
 loc. Spruce, Ash, Birch, Willow, Catalpa, Alder, Wild Cherry, 
 Plum, and others. The tree which attains the greatest size, 
 is the Sycamore, or buttonwood. The largest of this kind 
 now standing in the town, are two sycamores at the gate of 
 Lewis Place, in Boston-street, eighty feet in height, and eleven 
 
240 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 in circumference. The largest Elm is in Nahant-slreet, sixty- 
 four feet in height, and fourteen in circumference. The Great 
 Oak in Essex-street, is fifty feet in height, and nine in circum- 
 ference. One of the most common shrubs is the Barberry. — 
 The root is used for giving a yellow color to morocco leather, 
 and many tons are annually dug for that purpose. The fruit, 
 which is bright red, grows in clusters, and is valuable as a pre- 
 serve. The flowers of this shrub are extremely sensitive. — 
 When they are fully expanded, if the inside of the filament be 
 touched with a straw, it instantly contracts with violence. — 
 Many tons of Sumach are annually gathered, and employed in 
 the manufacture of morocco leather. Whordeberries are very 
 plenty, and most other berries are common. Probably more 
 than one hundred barrels are gathered annually. Grapes are 
 found in the woods, and the vines might be easily cultivated. 
 The Sea Pea grows at Nahant. The town presents an excel- 
 lent field for the Botanist. Most plants, common to this re- 
 gion, are found here, and many of foreign origin are cultivated. 
 I have observed more than three hundred kinds, among whicli 
 are some of the valuable shrubs so highly esteemed by the 
 Indians, for their medicinal properties. 
 
 The wild animals with which our forests were formerly filled, 
 have nearly all disappeared. The wolf has departed, and the 
 red deer is gone. The bear is not seen in his ancient soli- 
 tudes, and the catamount no longer springs on the defenceless 
 wanderer in the woods. Sometimes a wild-cat comes from his 
 sterile haunts to the sea-shore for food, but the gunner seldom 
 suffers him to return. One of these animals was observed, a 
 few years since, lurking around Red Rock, and was shot by a 
 sportsman, after a desperate attempt to escape. In 1813, a 
 large number of raccoons were driven, by the war, from the 
 woods on the northern frontiers, and came down towards the 
 sea. Several of them repaired to Swampscot, where they 
 were soon killed. Almost the only animal now found in the 
 woods, is the harmless squirrel. Sometimes a timid rabbit 
 darts from the bushes, 
 
 Or tlic wild i'o.\ ap[icars, in nionieiiluiy view ; 
 
HISTOIIY OF LYNN. 241 
 
 but with the exception of a few serpents, the woods are unmo- 
 lested, and the child may sleep in the shadow of the pines 
 without fear. 
 
 The wild doves continue to make their annual visits, but 
 their flocks appear smaller every year. Instead of darkening 
 the air, as formerly, by their numbers, the sportsman can sel- 
 dom find enough to compensate his time. The waters con- 
 tinue to be filled with fish, as in the days when the Indian 
 caught them in his bark canoe. The fishing business is chiefly 
 followed at the village called Swampscot, in the eastern part of 
 the town. About one hundred men are employed, and more 
 than one thousand tons of fish, of various kinds, are taken an- 
 nually. The brooks are frequented by alewives, of which 
 several hundred barrels are gathered each year. Forty bar- 
 rels have been taken in a seine, at one time, in Saugus river. 
 The fish called nippers, are taken with a rod and line from the 
 rocks at Nahant. In the coves around Nahant, the singular 
 animal called the sea-anemone or rosefish, is found. They 
 appear to possess the combined properties of an animal and a 
 vegetable. They grow, in great numbers, commonly in clus- 
 ters, in the salt water pools, between those rocks which are 
 covered at high tide. They are a dark green pulpy substance, 
 adhering closely to the rocks. When fully expanded, they 
 present a cylindrical form, from one to three inches in diame- 
 ter, and from four to twelve inches in length, with an unfolded 
 top, somewhat resembling a rose, in the centre of which is the 
 mouth, and from the sides of which, fine soft antennae, or 
 branches, are thrown out, in all directions, and kept continually 
 in motion. When touched, the living flower suddenly draws in 
 all its feelers, closes its leaves, and shrinks close to the rock, 
 where it remains in the form of an oblate sphere, somewhat 
 resembling an onion. Those who search for this curious pro- 
 duction of nature, may find it at the eastern extremity of Na- 
 hant, among the rocks, at low water. 
 
 In the slight glance at animated existence, which a work of 
 this kind will admit, 1 cannot overlook the firefly, with which 
 
242 HiSTour of lynn. 
 
 our meadows are so beautifully illuminated every summer 
 evening. I have stood for hours to gaze with admiration on 
 thousands of these charming creatures, pursuing their evening 
 sports, and apparently taking ineffable delight in illuminating 
 the gloom with their phosphoric radiance. One of these little 
 creatures, in the most perfect darkness, will emit sufficient light 
 to read the finest print. They appear to possess the extraor- 
 dinary power of extracting the luminous fluid from the atmos- 
 phere, which they secrete in the viscera, and conceal or exhibit 
 at pleasure. Wonderful creatures ! — how admirable is your 
 structure ! — with what delight do you inspire us ! How strong 
 is the proof you convey to us, of the inexhaustible resources, 
 and the intelligent goodness of the Creator ! Who, that lives in 
 the days when science has shed her light through every de- 
 partment of nature — who, that has observed with an attentive 
 eye, and a perceptive mind, the operations of Providence in all 
 his works, from the most magnificent to the most minute — from 
 the entire worlds and systems, which roll through boundless 
 space, to the little bird that declares his omnipotence from the 
 shadowy branches — can doubt the power, the knowledge, or 
 the goodness of God ? 
 
 A considerable degree of attention is given to agriculture. 
 The farmers have much improved their lands by cultivation, 
 and by procuring seaweed and rockweed from the beaches for 
 manure. These substances have been freely mingled with the 
 soil, and since their use, the crops of English grass have been 
 increased in nearly a tenfold proportion. The other principal 
 products are, Indian corn, barley, and the common vegetables. 
 Wheat and rye are sometime sown, but they are usually blight- 
 ed. The cold and damp sea breezes, which frequently pre- 
 vail, have an unfavorable effect ; and the soil appears to be 
 uncongenial to the finer sorts of grain. The sandy surface 
 naturally produces sorrel, and the gravelly barberry bush. The 
 low lands in the woods furnish grapes, the meadows are filled 
 with cranberries, and the marshes with samphire ; and the soil 
 generally appears to be adapted to the production of those 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. 243 
 
 plants which contahi the greatest degree of acid. This aci(Ui- 
 lous quality of the soil, probably renders it unfit for the culture 
 of wheat. 
 
 Springs are frequent, and some of them uncommonly cold 
 and pure. Many springs gush up beneath the water in ponds, 
 and the edge of the sea. Several of the best are below the 
 level of the tide, from which they are defended ; and one of 
 them is covered twice a day with salt water. The wells are 
 usually dug from fifteen to thirty feet, and the town is well 
 supplied with wholesome water. A Mineral Spring is found 
 near the eastern border of the town, on the margin of a pond. 
 It possesses aperient and antiscorbutic quahties, and has a strong 
 taste of iron. A handsome hotel has been erected near it, 
 which is visited by invalids and parties of pleasure. 
 
 The eminences, in different parts of the town, afford a va- 
 riety of pleasant prospects. High Rock, is in the centre, one 
 hundred and eighty feet in height, and overlooks the principal 
 part of the town, with Nahant. It also furnishes a view of a 
 large portion of Massachusetts Bay, with many of the towns on 
 its shore. About half a mile north of the Lynn Hotel, is a 
 beautiful and romantic elevation, called Lovers Leap. It is a 
 precipitous rock, sixty feet in height, on the side of a hill, sur- 
 rounded by tall trees. It forms the termination of a pleasant 
 promenade, and affords a beautiful prospect. Half a mile fur- 
 ther west is Pine Hill, one of the highest eminences in the 
 town ; from the top of which, with a good glass, a most delight- 
 ful panorama is exhibited, of all the towns on the shore of 
 Massachusetts Bay, from Marblehead to Scituate. The blue 
 top of Monadnoc is also seen, towering alone in the north. 
 At the southwestern extremity of Pine Hill, is Sadler's Rock, 
 so named from one of the early settlers, who lived at its foot 
 A small distance towards the north, is a rock which has been 
 struck by lightning. A solid piece of the rock, about three 
 tons in weight, was split off by the lightning, and thrown nearly 
 two hundred feet, to the foot of the hill, where it lay for many 
 years. The place from which it was severed, and the deep 
 
244 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 channel of the bolt down the side of the rock, are still to be 
 seen. A few rods from tliis, where the road is crossed by 
 Beaver Brook, is a flat rock, imbedded in the earth, over which • 
 the wheel of the carriage passes, in which is impressed the per- 
 fect print of a Cow's foot, as correctly shaped, as if it had been 
 made by the animal. A detached stone, which hes near, has 
 the impress of a child's feet, deep and legible. About one 
 mile further, toward the north west, is a solitary hill in the 
 woods, called the Lantern. A short distance from this is a 
 cavern in a rock, on the side of a hill, called the Pirate's Dun- 
 geon. It is the place where a pirate, named Thomas Veal, in 
 the early history of the town, fixed his abode. It was thrown 
 down by an earthquake, in 1658. Before that time, it is said 
 to have been a spacious cavern, but now the aperture is only 
 about five feet in height, and extends only fifteen feet into the 
 rock. The needle is very strongly attracted around this rock, 
 either by the presence of magnetic iron ore, or some metalbc 
 substance, buried in its interior. In the northern part of the 
 town is Sunadin Rock, which furnishes a view of Monadnoc 
 and Wachusett, with the chain of the Green Mountams for 
 nearly two hundred miles. 
 
 There are twenty one beaches on the shores of Lynn and 
 Nahant, beside numerous coves and inlets. Great quantities 
 of sea plants, are thrown upon these beaches by every storm, 
 and gathered by the farmers, for the enrichment of their lands. 
 Beginning at the south eastern extremity of the town, you pass 
 over Phillips Beach, which is one mile in length. On the 
 nothern side is a large pond, and at the western end is Phillips 
 Point, jutting out abruptly into the water, and forming a fine 
 fishing stand. A httle further toward the west, is Dread Ledge, 
 running far out into the sea, to the great danger of vessels pass- 
 ing near the shore. Half a mile from this is Whale Beach, 
 ninety rods in length, in the centre of which is Lady Susan's 
 Rock. The best panoramic view of Nahant is obtained from 
 the eastern extremity of this beach, where the majectic promon- 
 tory is seen, reaching out into the ocean at it full extent. At 
 
> 
 
TIISTORV or LYNN. 245 
 
 the western end is Fishing Point, which affords accommodations 
 for parties of pleasure. North west of this, is Blaney's Beach, 
 one hundred and six rods in length, on which immense num- 
 bers of fish are landed, by the boats which are kept in constant 
 employment by the inhabitants of the village of Swampscot. 
 Next to this is King's Beach, two hundred and twenty-six rods 
 in length, extending from Black Will's Cliff on the east, to 
 Red Rock on the west. 
 
 Nahant is a peninsula on the south of Lynn. In the beauty 
 and sublimity of its scenery, combined with its peculiar advan- 
 tages of health and pleasure, it is not surpassed by any place 
 on the coast of America. It consists of two, elevated, rock- 
 engirdled islands, called Great and Lhde Nahants, united to- 
 gether by a beach, half a mile in length, and connected to the 
 main land by another beach, one mile and a half in length. 
 From the centre of the town, the Long Beach projects directly 
 into the sea, and is washed by the waves of the great ocean on 
 the eastern side, and on the western by the waters of the harbor. 
 It is a gently curving bar, of fine, silver}^, gray sand, rising so 
 high in the centre as generally to prevent the waves from pass- 
 ing over it, and almost imperceptibly sloping to the water on 
 each side. It is unbroken by land, or rock, or shrub, for its 
 whole extent, and the broad ridge of dry sand, which passes 
 through its centre, is interspersed with shells, and pebbles, and 
 fragments of coral and other substances, which the storms have 
 cast upon it, among which the white gull lays her spotted eggs, 
 in little cavities scooped in the sand, and soaring overhead, 
 startles the traveller by her shrilling shriek. The portion of 
 the beach which is left by the tide, is broad enough for fifty 
 carriages to pass abreast, and presents a perfectly smooth sur- 
 face of pure, fine sand, beaten hard and polished by the con- 
 stant breaking of the waves, on which the horse's hoof leaves 
 no print, and the wheel passes, without sound or trace, like a 
 velvet roller on marble. The hard sand frequently retains 
 sufficient water, for an hour after the tide has left it, to give it 
 the ajjpearance of glass, in which objects are reflected as in a 
 32 
 
246 HisToiiY or lynn. 
 
 mirror. It is one of the purest delights of existence to ride 
 there. When the animated horse passes swiftly along, with his 
 mane blown out by the strong sea breeze, and his feet rapidly 
 touching the sand, his perfect image is reflected beneath, with a 
 corresponding motion, like a shadowy spirit travelling below, 
 with his visionary mane floating on the unreal breeze, and the 
 clouds deeply pictured beyond, like things of another world. 
 When the strong west wind blows, this beautiful appearance is 
 broken, the dry sand of the ridge is put in motion, and is seen 
 swiftly flitting in white streaks, like little rivulets, towards the 
 edge of sea, rendering the traveller dizzy by their variable and 
 rapid motion. The exact length of the beach, measuring on the 
 curve of high water, is 514 rods, which is somewhat more than 
 one mile and a half. The ridge of dry sand and pebbles is 
 twenty eight rods wide, and the tide flows out thirty two rods. 
 The beach was formerly further toward the east, and nearer a 
 straight line than it now is. Within the memory of persons 
 yet living, it has changed nearly half its breadth, and after great 
 storms, a part of the marsh, which was formerly all on the west- 
 ern side, has appeared beneath the loose sand on the eastern 
 side. I have seen stumps of trees on the seaside, which 
 never could have grown there, had the soil always been sand, 
 exposed to the action of the tide. A rock, formerly in the 
 harbor, round which the birds used to dive, is now entirely 
 covered by the sand. Should the beach ever be broken, the 
 harbor will be destroyed, and the sea will beat directly upon 
 the wharves. To prevent this, a sea guard, 274 rods in length, 
 has been constructed of planks and sand, on that part of the 
 ridge nearest Nahant ; but it has not always been found suffi- 
 cient to resist the enormous power of the waves. In a great 
 storm, on the sixteenth of February, 1757, two merchant ves- 
 sels, from London, valued at one hundred thousand pounds 
 sterling, were wTCcked upon this beach. 
 
 Little Nahant is a hill, consisting of two graceful elevations, 
 rising eighty feet above the sea, and defended by battlements of 
 rock, from twenty to sixty feet in height. It is about half a 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. 247 
 
 mile in length, and contains forty two acres, seventeen of which 
 are in good cultivation. Passing along the northern shore, you 
 come to a deep cavern, high up in the rock, above the water, 
 called the Wolf's Cavern, where swallows now build their nests. 
 The southeastern extremity is a precipitous rock, towering sixty 
 feet perpendicularly above the tide. While looking down 
 upon the sea, as it was dashing its heavy waves against the base 
 of this cliff, I was reminded of the Bard of Gray, when he 
 stood alone 
 
 On a rock, wliose haughty brow 
 Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming tiood. 
 
 Proceeding toward the west, you come to Fox Cavern, a 
 deep fissure in the cliff, across which is a natural rock bridge, 
 through which the water rushes in a beautiful manner. Near 
 this is the Great Furnace, a chasm in the rock, fifty feet deep, 
 and twenty feet wide, in which, during an easterly storm, the 
 water dashes and boils with astonishing fury. Next to this is 
 the Grotto, thirty six feet in height, covered by a large flat 
 stone. It is open to the sea, which enters it at high water. A 
 short distance from this is a fissure, called the Little Furnace. 
 It extends into the land nearly two hundred feet, and is about 
 thirty feet deep. The sides are perpendicular, between which 
 the waves are driven with great fury, and recede over the 
 loose pebbles, with a hoarse murmur, as if angry at their tem- 
 porary imprisonment. The western end of this island, is a 
 bluff, thirty feet in height, and almost perpendicular, near the 
 edge of which the road passes. The Nahant Beach, which 
 connects the two islands, is one hundred and seventy rods in 
 length, and is nearly equal, in breadth and beauty, to that which 
 unites them with the town. 
 
 The outer portion of the peninsula, called Great Nahant 
 is about two miles in length, and in some parts half a mile broad 
 containing four hundred and sixty-three acres. The surface is 
 uneven, rising into elevations, from forty to one hundred feet 
 above the level of the sea. The shores are extremely irregu- 
 lar, being composed, in many places, of huge precipitous rocks» 
 
248 HISTORV OF LYNN. 
 
 in some places resembling iron, rising from twenty to sixty feet 
 above the tide, with a great depth of water below 5 and in 
 others, stretching out into beautiful beaches, or curving into de- 
 lightful recesses, and coves filled with pebbles, of every variety 
 of form and color, from burning red to stainless white. The 
 whole outline presents the most agreeable interchange of scene- 
 ry, from the low beach, that glistens beneath the thin edge 
 of the wave, to lofty precipices, and majestic cliils that rise. 
 Like moonlight battlements, and towers decayed by time. 
 Passing along the northern shore you come to a cliff forty 
 feet perpendicular, called John's Peril. Many years ago, a 
 person named John Breed, attempted to drive his team between 
 a high rock on the hill and this cliff. Finding the danger of 
 such a hazardous undertaking, he had but just lime to unbind 
 his oxen, when the cart went over the edge of the cliff, into 
 the rocky chasm beneath, and was dashed into a hundred 
 pieces. About one quarter of a mile eastward from this is a 
 remarkably cold spring, into which the sun never shone. It 
 flows fiom an aperture under the cliff, above the reach of the 
 tide. One of the early inhabitants of Nahant, being sick, one 
 day asked for water, which was denied him. Watching an 
 opportunity, he escaped from his bed, and ran about a mile, 
 to this spring, from which he drank as much water as he wanted, 
 and immediately recovered. Proceeding over Stoney Beach 
 you come to a black ledge, called Iron Mine, in which is an 
 opening, like a tunnel, nearly thirty feet deep, called the 
 Dashing Rock, into which the water is sometimes forced and 
 thrown upward, with great power and finy. A singular vein, 
 about two inches in thickness, runs across the whole of this 
 ledge in a straight line. It appears as if the rock had been 
 split by a convulsion, and the rent filled by some melted sub- 
 stance, which hardened as it cooled. In the great cliff on the 
 eastern side of Lindsey's Hill, is the Spouting Horn. It is a 
 winding fissure, in the lower projecting bed of the cliff, passing 
 into a deep cavern under the rock, which rises sixty feet above, 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. 249 
 
 nearly perpendicular. The water is driven, for about one hun- 
 dred feet, between two walls of rock, twenty feet apart, and 
 is then forced into the cavern, about thirty feet, with great 
 violence, from which it returns ia spray and white foam. Du- 
 ring a great easterly storm, at about half tide, when the waves 
 are coming in with all their power, the water is driven into this 
 opening with a tremendous force, that seems to jar the foun- 
 dations of the solid rock, and each wave sounds like subterrane- 
 an thunder. Towards the southeast, Saunders' Ledge stretch- 
 es far into the sea, on the right of which is Rose Fish Cove, 
 where, in the httle mossy pools, at low water, the sea anemone 
 may be found in great numbers. Passing over Hood's Point, 
 and Bass Beach, you come to Cedar Point, one of the most 
 pleasant headlands on the island. On the south is Canoe 
 Beach, and beyond this, a cliff of irregular rocks, the princi- 
 pal of which is Bennett's Head. The extremity of the prom- 
 ontory is called East Point. It is in latitude 42° 26' North, 
 and longitude 6*^ 8' East. 
 
 Returning on the southern side, over a long cliff, the eye 
 rests on a Natural Bridge thrown across a deep fissure ; and 
 beyond this is a tall rock, standing alone in the tide, called Pul- 
 pit Rock. Westward a lofty cliff projects, in which there is a 
 curious recess, called the Swallow's Cave. Descending a 
 steep gravelly bank, the path suddenly opens on a massy ledge, 
 through which the cavern passes. The entrance is five feet 
 high, and ten feet wide ; after a (ew steps, the passage in- 
 creases to fourteen feet in breadth, and twenty in height. 
 Toward the centre it becomes narrower, and at the distance of 
 seventy-two feet from the entrance, it opens into the sea. — 
 Through this cavern the water rushes at high tide, with great 
 fury and reverberation, and at low water it is left open to the 
 inspection of the curious. Great numbers of swallows inhabit 
 this cavern, in the summer season, and build their nests in the 
 upper part, where they entertain visitors by their busy chatter- 
 ing. South of the Swallows' Cliff is Pea Island, an irregular 
 
250 tllStORY OF LYNN* 
 
 rock, about thirty rods broad, on which the sea pea grows. It is 
 joined to the Swallows' Cliff by a beach, thirteen rods long, 
 over which the water flows at high tide. Southeast of Pea Is- 
 land, are two large ledges rising above the w'ater, called Shag 
 Rocks, on which several vessels have been wrecked. On the 
 west of the Swallows' Cove, is a beautiful arch in the rock, 
 beneath the cliff, called the Grotto, Westward of this is Jo- 
 sephs' Beach, sometimes called Pearl Beach, sixty eight rods 
 in length, terminating at Bass Rock. Beyond, is Curlew 
 Beach, sixty rods in length, extending to Nipper Stage. Next 
 is Crystal Beach, forty six rods in length, where crystals of 
 quartz have been found in abundance. Northwest of this, 
 Dorothy's Cove forms a majestic curve of one hundred rods, 
 to Rock Point, from which Pond Beach stretches out one hun- 
 dred and forty rods, bounded by a long ridge of beautiful peb- 
 bles, which separates it from Bear Pond. On the southwest, 
 Bayley's Hill rises one hundred feet above the sea, on the west 
 of which are two fine ranges of sand, called Lewis Beach and 
 Coral Beach. Beyond these, the majestic promontory of 
 Bass Point extends into the sea, and forms the southwestern 
 extremity of Nahant. On the north are Reed Cove and West 
 Cliff, from which Johnson's Beach extends forty six rods, and 
 the western shore is terminated by an abrupt cliff, called Black 
 Rock ; from which the beach is unbroken for more than two 
 miles. 
 
 On the south of Nahant, at some distance from the shore, 
 is a rock, covered at high water, called Sunk Rock. On 
 the western side, is a cluster of rocks, discernable at low wa- 
 ter, called the Lobster Rocks ; and westward of these is Sloop 
 Rock ; all or which are dangerous to vessels entering the har- 
 bor. On the east of Nahant, at the distance of three fourths of 
 a mile, is a white rock, rising one hundred feet above the sea, 
 called Egg Rock. Great numbers of gulls, and other sea- 
 birds lay their eggs upon it ; and it is sometimes used as a pas- 
 ture for sheep. It contains about three acres, and belongs to 
 Salem. 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. 251 
 
 Nahant is mncli visited by persons for the improvement of 
 health, and by parties of pleasure, from the neighgbouring towns, 
 for whom it furnishes every accommodation. Two steam boats 
 are constantly running from Boston during the pleasant season, 
 but a ride by land, over the beaches, is much more delightful. 
 A spacious and elegant hotel has been erected, of stone, near 
 the eastern extremity. It contains nearly a hundred rooms, 
 and is surrounded by a double piazza, commanding the most 
 delightful prospects. Several other hotels and boarding houses 
 are situated in the village, and about twenty beautiful cottages, 
 the summer residence of gentlemen of fortune, are scattered 
 over the peninsula. There is also a neat stone building erect- 
 ed for a chapel, which serves for a library and school room. 
 
 The air of Nahant is uncommonly pure and exhilarating ; 
 and is generally regarded as conducive to the highest degree of 
 health. The whole scenery is delightful, and is worth going a 
 thousand miles to view. On the north is the beautiful town of 
 LynU; with its white houses, its green trees, and its hills of por- 
 phyry — the pleasant village of Swampscot, with its cluster of 
 slender masts, and its beach covered with boats — the high land of 
 Marblehead, streching far to the east — Baker's Island, with its 
 light house — and Egg Rock, standing alone, like a fortress 
 in the sea. On the west is Bunker Hill, with its monument of 
 rock — the majestic dome and the lofty spires of Boston — the 
 whole range of towns along the coast,for more than forty miles — 
 the beautiful green islands, with the forts and the lighthouses, in 
 the bay of Boston — and, far beyond all, the Blue Hills, softly 
 mingling with the sky. On the southeast you have the Ocean, 
 the vast, the deep, the interminable Ocean — stretching out in 
 its endless magnificence. In a calm day, you may sit upon the 
 rocks, and watch the ground swell coming in for miles, slowly 
 upheaving the surface of the liquid plain, and then depressing 
 it with as gentle an undulation, as if Ocean were indeed a living 
 thing slumbering with heavy breath. Far beyond, at the edge 
 of the blue horizon, you behold a long line of ships, widi their 
 white sails gleaming in the sun, tracing their path across the 
 
252 HISTORY OF LYNX. 
 
 majestic deep. At a little distance from the shore is a row 
 of huge porpoises, rolling and tumbling after each other, and 
 breaking the uniformity of the water by their rude gambols- 
 At about the same distance, sit a flock of black ducks, silently 
 rising and sinking with every motion of the tide. On the 
 smooth sands of the beach, the edge of the sea terminates in a 
 white line, constantly broken, and as constantly renewed, gent- 
 ly roUing the pebbles, and tinkling the shells with a light and 
 silvery cadence. Along the rough edges of the cliiF, the waves 
 break in hoarser murmurs, dashing among the rocks, waving the 
 blue flowery tops of the green sea plants in the pools between, 
 and gliding over the shelving projections of the ledge in fanci- 
 ful cascades. He who frequents the shore will observe, that 
 every ninth wave runs farther upon the beach, and breaks with 
 more force upon the rocks, than the preceeding. This ap- 
 pearance was noticed by Hoel, an ancient bard of Wales. 
 My love is of the hue of the foam of the ninth wave. 
 Then when the night comes down, and the broad moon ri- 
 ses over the bright ocean, the whole scene is softened by her 
 influence. The sounds of day are hushed, and the silence is 
 only broken by the low and pensive murmur of the waves. The 
 beaches glisten beneath her ray, and the various substances, 
 which the tide has cast upon them, glitter with a phosporic 
 glow, of such intense briUIancy, that the eye is deceived into 
 the momentary belief that they are fire. The pebbles of quartz 
 and chalcedony, give out all their lustre, and sometimes look 
 like live coals. The green uplands smile in the soft radiance, 
 and as the moonlight strikes the summits of the taU rocks. 
 
 Their giant shadows frown, 
 From lofty cliff to cave, descending sombre down. 
 
 At Nahant may also be witnessed one of the sublimest spec- 
 tacles in nature — a view of the Ocean, in a storm. Standing 
 upon a high promontory, and surrounded on three sides by the 
 sea, the waves are beheld accumulating, and swelling, and roll- 
 ing, and foaming onwards, like animated mountains, and break- 
 
HI3T0RV OF LYNN. 253 
 
 ing, with angry force, against the invincible barrier of rocks, 
 that rises abruptly to check their course, dashing the white 
 foam more than a hundred feet into the air, and sending the 
 salt spray far upon the green highland. The deep, heavy 
 roar of the sea, as it is stopped in its majestic march by a slen- 
 der bar of sand, sounds like continuous thunder, and may he 
 heard many miles. At no place, on the western continent, are 
 the beauty and sublimity of nature more delightfully combined 
 than at Nahant. 
 
 The principal business of Lynn is the manufacture of La- 
 dies' shoes. For the first hundred years from the settlement 
 of the town, this business was very limited. Few persons fol- 
 lowed it constantly, and the farmers only pursued it in the in- 
 tervals of their common employment. The shoes were gen- 
 erally made of neats' leather or woollen cloth. In 1750, Mr. 
 John Adam Deaggeor came from England, and gave this busi- 
 ness its first impulse. After his arrival, shoes were manufac- 
 tured of finer stufis — of calamanco, silk and satin. They were 
 made with long straps, for the ladies, like the gentlemen, wore 
 buckles, and the rands were commonly white. The reputation 
 of Lynn shoes soon found way to the cities of the south, and the 
 manufacturers began to extend their business by taking apprenti- 
 ces and employing journeymen. Tn 1783, Mr. Ebenezer Breed 
 made a visit to England, and on his return, introduced the 
 manufacture of Morocco leather into America. For this im- 
 portant service, he received a complimentary letter, containing 
 the thanks of the National Committee of Commerce and Man- 
 ufactures. He also brought with him two men from Sheffield, 
 in England, to instruct in the manufacture of crosscut and 
 court heels; and in the ensuing year, he procured two other 
 workmen to make improvements, and by his exertions the bu- 
 siness was essentially promoted. Mr, Amos Rhodes and Col. 
 Samuel Brimbelcom were also among those who took an early 
 and very active part in its extension. There are now sixty- 
 two principal manufactories, and fifteen hundred mechanics 
 employed. About the same number of females are engaged 
 in binding and trimming, and by their industry and economy 
 33 
 
254 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 contribute to the support and respectability of their families. — 
 One million five hundred thousand pair of shoes are annually 
 made, which are distributed to various parts of the United 
 States, or exported to other countries. The flourishing state 
 of the shoe business is indebted in a considerable degree, to 
 the enterprise of Ebenezer Breed, a gentleman who, in early 
 life, enjoyed the smiles of fortune and friends, and whose mis- 
 fortunes deserve commiseration. The shoemakers of Lynn 
 would confer an honor on themselves and their occupation, by 
 imparting comfort to the age of one, who has spent so many 
 years in promoting the prosperity of their employment. 
 
 There are in the town five morocco manufactories, four tan- 
 neries, and a manufactory of lasts. There is also an extensive 
 establishment for coloring and printing cloths and silks, called 
 the Lynn Printing Company. There are two manufactories 
 of glue, and two mills in wliich large quantities of grain and 
 spices are ground. At one of these mills, seventy tons of cho- 
 colate are annually made ; and at the other, an apparatus has 
 been constructed for sawing marble. Salt is formed at 
 the works on the harbor, but the business is not extensively 
 pursued. There are six wharves, and several vessels employ- 
 ed in the wood and lumber trade. There are seven fire en- 
 gines, four companies of militia, and one of artillery. There 
 are also a Light Infantry and a Rifle Company, in the best 
 state of military discipline. 
 
 The public buildings are six meeting-houses, eight school- 
 houses, an academy, three taverns, a town house, an alms- 
 house, a post-offlce, and a bank. The religious societies are, 
 two Congregational, two Methodist, one Baptist, and one soci- 
 ety of Friends. The service of the Church has been occa- 
 sionally performed. Other institutions are, a Lyceum, a Tem- 
 perance Society, a Masonic Lodge, a Savings Bank, an In- 
 surance Company, a Society for providing Watchers for the 
 Sick, a Social and a Circulating Library. The ladies have a 
 Benevolent and a F^ragment Society. 
 
 There are eight principal Schools in Lynn, beside primary, 
 infant, and private schools. The whole number of scholars 
 
HISTORY OF LYNN. 255 
 
 is fifteen hundietl. An Academy was established in 1805, and 
 flourished for several years, but lately it has been somewhat 
 neglected. Much attention has recently been given to the 
 important subject of common education, and the schools are 
 reported, by the Committee, to be in a more prosperous state 
 than at any former period. When the importance of educa- 
 tion to individual happiness and public prosperity is duly esti- 
 mated, it is confidently lioped that the inhabitants of Lynn will 
 never suffer their interests to languish, by neglecting to pro- 
 vide the best means in their power for the instruction of their 
 children. 
 
 The IMinisters of Lynn, in 1829, are Rev. Otis Rock- 
 wood, David H. Barlow, Abraham D. IMerrill, and Joseph A. 
 Merrill. The Instructors are. Dyer H. Sandborn, Joseph H. 
 Towne, Asa U. Swinnerton, Jeremiah Sandborn, Horace 
 Spaulding, and Alonzo Lewis. The Physicians are, Hon. 
 Aaron Lummus, James Gardner, MD. MMSS. Richard Ha- 
 zelton, MD. MMSS. John Lummus, I\ID. Edward L. Coflin, 
 MD. MMSS. and Willir^m B. Brown, MD. The Lawyers 
 are, Robert W. Trevel', Isaac Gates, and Jeremiah C. Stick- 
 ney. Esquires. 
 
 In closing this little history, I may be permitted to express 
 ray gratitude to all who have assisted me by their encourage- 
 ment. That a few errors may be found in a work comprising 
 such a variety of facts and dates, is not singular. Some difli- 
 culty was experienced in ascertaining the early Representa- 
 tives, as there were several of the same name, and the places 
 from which they came were not designated. The annexed 
 list is probably correct. On page 33, the sentence containing 
 the word Concord should be omitted; and on page 164, that 
 which contains the word Lisbon. Mr. Cobbct, page 100, 
 went to Ipswich in 1G55 ; and Edward Tomlins, page 66, had 
 "200 and twenty" acres allowed him. It may be added, that 
 the first Sunday School, in this town, was opened in the year 
 1816, by the author of this sketch. I have been censured, 
 in one instance, for stating the simple truth, that the first set- 
 
256 HISTORY OF LYNN. 
 
 tiers of this colony were Episcopalians; a fact as susceptible of 
 proof as any part of history whatever. Prince, who stands in 
 the first rank of our historians, says, " They had been chiefly 
 born and brought up in the National Church, and had, until 
 their emigration, lived in communion with her. Their minis- 
 ters had been ordained by her Bishops, and had officiated in 
 her parochial churches, and had made no secession from her 
 until they left their native land." The author of the Planter's 
 Plea, printed in 1630, says, " It may be with good assurance 
 maintained, that at least three parts of four, of the men there 
 planted, are able to justify themselves to have lived in a con- 
 stant course of conformity unto our Church government and 
 orders." Numerous other testimonies might be adduced, but 
 fortunately the first settlers of Massachusetts have placed this 
 question beyond dispute. They acknowledge, in a paper 
 signed by their own hands, that the Church of England is their 
 dear mother, and that her children are nearest God's throne of 
 mercy. This is their own language, nor have I taken the ad- 
 vantage of any circumstance to gain a purpose by misrepre- 
 sentation. I have no possible inducement to deceive man- 
 kind. I have sought to introduce no new Gospel, but that 
 which was spoken at the beginning ; to call the attention of 
 men to the true faith, the only certain path of salvation. But 
 this is a subject too important for the slight notice that can be 
 admitted into a historical sketch, which has already been un- 
 usually extended. That the inhabitants of Lynn may discern 
 their true interest, and be united in its pursuit — that the 
 two next centuries may add still more to their happiness and 
 prosperity than the past have done — that the people of the 
 United States may forego all sectional prejudices of religion, 
 and politics — that the voices of slavery and oppression, may 
 no more be- heard in our land — and that its inhabitants may 
 be as renowned for their love to the Church, as they are for 
 their attachment to the principles of civil Uberty — is the sincere 
 desire and prayer of the author. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 REPRES 
 
 1634, May 14 
 
 Sept. 3. 
 
 1635, March 4. 
 May 6. 
 Sept. 2. 
 
 1636, Mar. 3. 
 May 25. 
 Sept. 8. 
 
 Dec. 7. 
 
 1637, Apr. 18. 
 
 May 17. 
 Sept. 26. 
 Nov. 2. 
 
 1638, Mar. 12. 
 
 May 2. 
 
 Sept. 6. 
 
 1639, Mar. 13. 
 
 May 22. 
 
 Sept. 4. 
 
 1640, May 13. 
 Oct. 7. 
 
 1641, June 2. 
 Oct. 7. 
 
 ENTATIVES. 
 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Edward Tomhns, 
 Thomas Wilhs. 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Edward Tomhns, 
 Thomas Willis. 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Timothy Tomlins. 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Thomas Smith. 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Edward Tomlins, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Wilham Wood. 
 Nathaniel Turner, 
 Daniel Howe. 
 Daniel Howe, 
 Timothy Tomlins. 
 Daniel Howe. 
 Timothy Tomlins, 
 Daniel Howe. 
 Timothy Tomlins, 
 Daniel Howe. 
 Timothy Tomlins, 
 Daniel Howe. 
 Timothy Tomlins, 
 Daniel Howe. 
 Edward Howe, 
 Timothy Tomlins. 
 Edward Howe, 
 Timothy Tomlins. 
 Edward Howe. 
 Timothy Tomlins. 
 Edward Howe. 
 Timothy Tomlins, 
 Edward Holyoke. 
 Edward Holyoke, 
 Edward Tomlins. 
 Timothy Tomlins, 
 Richard Walker. 
 Edward Holyoke, 
 Timothy Tomlins. 
 Edward Holyoke, 
 Richard Walker. 
 Edward Holyoke, 
 Nicholas Brown. 
 
 1644. 
 
 1645. 
 1646. 
 
 1647. 
 1648. 
 
 1642. Edward Holyoke. 
 
 1643. Edward Holyoke, 
 Edward Tomlins. 
 Robert Bridges. 
 Edward Tomlins. 
 Robert Bridges. 
 Robert Bridges, Speaker, 
 Thomas Laighton. 
 Edward Holyoke. 
 Edward Holyoke 
 Thomas Laighton. 
 
 1649 to '53. Thomas Laighton. 
 
 1654. James Axey. 
 
 1655. John Fuller. 
 Thomas Laighton. 
 
 1656 to '58. Thomas Laighton. 
 1659. Thomas Marshall. 
 
 May 30. Thomas Marshall, 
 
 Dec. 19, Thomas Laighton, 
 Oliver Purchis. 
 
 Thomas Laighton. 
 
 None. 
 
 Thomas 3Iars]iall. 
 
 May 18. Thomas Marshall, 
 
 Aug. 3. John Fuller. 
 1665 to '67. Oliver Purchis. 
 1668. Thomas Marshall. 
 1669 to '73. Oliver Purchis. 
 1674 to '78. John Fuller. 
 1679. Richard Walker. 
 1680 to '83. Andrew Mansfield. 
 1684 to '86. Oliver Purchis. 
 1687 to '88. None. 
 1689. Rev. Jeremiah Shepard, 
 
 Capt. Oliver Purchis. 
 
 None. 
 
 John Burrill, jun. hon. 
 
 J.Burrill, sen. J. Burrill, jr. 
 " "But one to serve ar a time." 
 1693 to '96. John BmTill,jun. 
 1697. John Burrill, sen. 
 1698 to 1701. John Burrill, jun. 
 
 1702. John Person. 
 
 1703. March 1. John Person. 
 May 1-3. Sannicl Johnson. 
 
 1704. John Burrill. jun. 
 
 1705. Joseph Newhall, 
 
 1706. John Pool. 
 
 1660. 
 
 1661. 
 1662, 
 1663, 
 1664 
 
 1690. 
 1691. 
 1692. 
 
258 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 John Burrill,juii. Speaker. 
 
 Samuel Joliiison. 
 
 JohnBinrillJun. Speaker. 
 
 Jolin Person, 
 to '19. Joliu Burrill, jun. 
 to '24. Ricliard Johnson. 
 
 Ebenezer Burrill, hon. 
 to '27. Thomas Cheever. 
 to '30. Ebenezer Burrilh 
 , May 17. Ebenezer Burrill, 
 
 June 4. Richard Johnson. 
 , Richard Johnson, 
 to '39. William Collins, 
 to '42. Thomas Cheever. 
 to '45. William Collins. 
 . Ebenezer Burrill. 
 to '48. William Collins, 
 to '50. Benjamin Newhall. 
 . None. 
 
 to '56. Benjamin Newhall. 
 . William Collins, 
 to '62. Benjamin Newhall. 
 . William Collins, 
 to '73. Ebenezer Burrill, esq. 
 . May 19. Ebenezer Burrill, 
 
 Ocf. 17. Ebenezer Burrill, 
 " " John Mansfield. 
 . Feb. 1. John Mansfield. 
 
 May 31. Nath'l Bancroft. 
 
 July 12. Edward Johnson, 
 to '77. Edward Johnson. 
 . Holton Johnson. 
 . May 19. Holton Johnson. 
 
 Aug. 2. Samuel Burrill. 
 
 Sept 26. Samuel Burrill. 
 1780 to '81. Samuel Burrill. 
 
 1782. Holton Johnson. 
 
 1783. Samuel Burrill. 
 1784 to '90. John Carnes. 
 1791 to '93. Ezra Collins, 
 1794 to '95. John Carnes. 
 1796 to 1800. James Robinson. 
 
 1707. 
 1708. 
 1709. 
 1710. 
 1711 
 1720 
 1725. 
 1726 
 1728 
 1731, 
 
 1732, 
 1733 
 1740 
 1743 
 1746 
 1747 
 1749 
 1751 
 1752 
 1757, 
 1758 
 1763 
 1764 
 1774 
 
 1775 
 
 1776 
 
 1778 
 1779 
 
 CLERKS OF THE WRITS. 
 
 1640. Richard Sadler. 
 
 1643. Edward Tomlins. 
 
 1645. Edward Burcham. 
 
 1655. William Longley. 
 
 1662. John Fuller. 
 
 1691. John Fuller, jun. 
 
 1666. 
 1672. 
 1686. 
 1C91. 
 1722. 
 1749. 
 1755. 
 1756. 
 1765. 
 1767. 
 1775. 
 1777. 
 1784. 
 1785. 
 1786. 
 1804. 
 1820. 
 
 TOAVN CLERKS. 
 
 Andrew Mansfield. 
 Thomas Laighton. 
 Oliver Purchis. 
 Hon. John Burrill. 
 Richard Johnson. 
 John Fuller. 
 Joseph Fuller. 
 Ebenezer Burrill, Esq. 
 Dr. Nathaniel Henchman. 
 Ebenezer Burrill, Esq. 
 Benjamin Newhall, Esq. 
 William Collins. 
 Benjamin Johnson. 
 William Collins. 
 Ephraim Breed. 
 Henry Hallowell. 
 Samuel Hallowell. 
 
 1661. 
 1663. 
 1737. 
 1744. 
 1747. 
 1747. 
 1753. 
 1758. 
 1771. 
 1779. 
 1779. 
 
 1788. 
 
 1801. 
 1808. 
 1810. 
 1812. 
 1813. 
 
 1813. 
 
 1816. 
 
 1817. 
 
 1817. 
 1817. 
 1821. 
 
 GRADUATES 
 HARVARD UNIVERSITY. 
 
 * Deceased. tRpn'oved. 
 
 * Rev. Joseph Whiting. 
 
 * Samuel Cobbet. 
 *Rev. Edward Cheever. 
 *Dr. John Lewis. 
 
 *Dr John Lewis. 
 
 * Dr. Nathaniel Henchman. 
 *Mr. Edw. P. Sparhawk. 
 *Mr. William Perkins. 
 *Dr. Jonathan Norwood. 
 *Rev. Thomas Roby. 
 Abijuh Cheever, 3IMSS. 
 
 Saugus. 
 iJohn Dexter Treadwell, 
 
 MD. AA.MMSS. Salem. 
 *Dr. Joseph Mansfield. 
 fRev. James Johnson. 
 f James Hawkes, Dart. C. 
 I Mr. John Bulfinch. 
 
 * John Flagg Gardner, MD. 
 
 MMSS. 
 f Charles A. Cheever, MD. 
 John LummuB,MD. Brown 
 
 Univei-sity. 
 Edward L. Coffin, MD. 
 
 M3ISS. 
 f Rev. Samuel Brimhelcom. 
 t Horatio Newhall, MD. 
 t Henry Bulfinch. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Academy, 200, 215.219. 
 Adams 163, 177, 188, 
 Agriculture, 33, 62, 86, 218, 242. 
 Afarms, 40, 79, 165, 176,209. 
 Amherst settled, 158. 
 Anecdotes, 22, 26, 36 to 42, 69, 72, 
 73, 82, 87, 95, 97, 103 to 107, 115 
 to 120, 126, 134, 143, 149,164, 
 172, 175, 192, 196, 208, 248. 
 Animals, 7, 22, 33, 36 to 39, 45, 46, 
 55, 69, 73, 98, 144, 145, 148, 149, 
 155, 169, 172, 240. 
 Animal flower, 241, 249. 
 Artillery, 37, 51, 69, 82, 140, 203. 
 Assistants, 50, 76, 78, 81, 93. 
 Bank, 209. 
 
 Baptisfs,75,S0,91.97, 115, 123,212. 
 Barlow, 234. 
 Barnstable settled, 71. 
 Batchelor, 41 to 57, 69, 151. 
 Beaches, 20, 45, 201, 222, 244. 
 Black William, or Manatahqua, 17. 
 
 26, 43, 45. 
 Boston, 13, S3, 110. 
 Botany, 19, 45, 49, 149, 239. 
 Boundaries, 43, 58,65, 110, 116. 
 Bridges, 71, 94, 116, 136. 
 Bridges, hon. 78, 87, 91, 93, 94. 
 Brooks, 27, 30, 44, 47, 116. 
 Bunker-Hill, 175. 
 Burial Ground, 145, 223. 
 Burrill, 58, 66, 139, 154, 166, 184. 
 By-laws, 230. 
 Carnes, 192, 194. 
 Centinel, 223. 
 
 Chase, 150 ; Rev. Carlton, 219. 
 Cheever, 159, 162, 163. 
 Christmas, 134. 
 
 Church, 24, 54, 60, 118, 124, 130, 
 148, 1.50, 161, 216, 219, 222, 255. 
 Children, first born, 29, 30. 
 Clerks of the Writs, 73,86, 100, 110, 
 
 140, 258. 
 Cobbet, 62, 68, 81, 95, 100, 115. 
 Cold, 48, 68, 79, 144, 159, 184, 215 
 .216, 220, 222, 227. 
 Comets, 114, 132, 204, 219, 226. 
 Commissioners, 86, 105, 110, 114 
 
 Congregationalists, 41, 51, 57, 
 
 111, 115, 118, 123, 213,222. 
 Corn, 19, 33, 37, 42, 47, 73, 92, 
 
 123, 144, 156, 161. 
 Courts, 4, 36, 38, 58, 111, 156, 
 Courtship, 94, 95, 134. 
 Counsellors, 154, 166. 
 Curiosities, 243, 245. 
 Customs, 34, 35, 42, 43, 44, 64, 
 
 94, 97, 99, 101, 102, 105, 116, 
 Dark Day, 179. 
 
 Deaggeor, John Adam, 162, 253, 
 Dexter, 26, 39, 42, 43, 68, 91, 
 
 106, 217. 
 Droughts, 135, 162, 167. 
 Deaths, 63, 78, 120, 130, 157, 
 174, 186, 194, 196, 204, 212, 
 Drowned, 160, 169, 170, 183, 
 185, 186, 190, 196, 198, 199, 
 204, 219,223, 228, 229. 
 Dungeon, 109, 244. 
 Earthquakes, 81, 107, 111, 156, 
 158, 159, 160, 163, 165, 167, 
 188, 200, 204, 212, 216. 
 Eclipse, 200. 
 
 Embargo, 202, 203, 
 
 Episcopalians, 13, 24, 219, 222, 
 iFarmers, 32, 62, 69,86, 218, 24: 
 
 Fasts, 37, 57, 114, 142, 167. 
 
 Fires, 28, 61, 73, 94, 100, 159, 
 I 197, 203, 220. 
 
 Fish, -.••5,71, 245. 
 
 Flagg Dr. John, 189. 
 
 Freemen, 36. 
 'Freemasons, 200, 220, 227, 233 
 
 Frosted trees, 231. 
 
 Frothingham, 199. 
 
 Geology, 236. 
 
 Gray Hon. William 226, 
 
 Gravesend, 53, 
 
 Green, 223, 230. 
 
 Griswoid, Bishop, 219. 
 
 Heat 62, 162, 204, 219. 
 
 Henchman, 153, 156, 160, 161, 
 
 History, 5, 122. 
 
 Home, 6, 77. 
 
 Humfrey, 14, 23, 49, 52, 58, 3 
 
 iHurd, 209, 213. 
 
 60, 
 94, 
 
 71, 
 144. 
 
 92, 
 
 171, 
 234, 
 184, 
 200, 
 
 157, 
 182, 
 
 163, 
 
 166. 
 
 75, 
 
2G0 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Indians, 4, 7 to 9, 16, 17, 36 to 42. 
 
 48 59,61,72,7910 81, 97,99, 103, 
 
 105, 110, 119 to 121, 134, 136,146, 
 
 160, 210, 212, 217, 222, 
 
 Independence, 201, 204, 209, 229, 
 
 Insfructers,38, 80, 140, 144, 146, 148, 
 
 153, 159, 163, 168, 171, 228. 
 Ingalls, 15, 66. 
 
 Inhabitants, 4, 15,25,33,36,38,48, 
 52. 58, 62, 65, 69, 70, 74, 7S, 80, 
 83, 84, 93, 95, 120, 123, 233, 234. 
 Iron mines and works, 28, 81 to 8o, 
 88, 91 to 99, 108, 116, 134, 140. 
 Jenks, 84, 92, 93, 100, 115. 
 Jones, Rev. Lot, 219. 
 Kertland, 59, 67, 72,115. 
 Lafayette, 183, 233. 
 Lands, 23, 43, 52, 64, 65, 68, 71, 
 110, 111, 115, 116, 118, 135, 146. 
 Lewis, 30, 70, 92, 141, 153, 175, 219. 
 Libraries, 219, 222. 
 Lightning, 160, 165, 188, 196, 200, 
 
 203 233 
 Lynn,'l5, 27, 33, 45, 65, 94, 98, 235. 
 Lynnfield, 68, 147, 148, 209. 
 Lyceum, 231. 
 Marriage, 30, 107. 
 Meetinahouses, 41, 123, 133, 140, 
 148,158, 200, 206, 213, 222, 230, 
 Meteor, 194, 234. 
 Methodists, 183, 205. 
 Militia, 37 to 44,51,76,86,87,92, 
 107, 120, 134, 146, 165, 176, 185, 
 Mills,'27, 30, 44, 50, 100. 
 Mineralogy, 238. 
 Mineral Spring, 204, 243. 
 Ministers, 13, 41, 48, 51, 53, 60, 62, 
 115 125,132, 150, 153, 158 to 163, 
 168, 182 to 185, 194, 199,209, 216, 
 223, 234, 257. 
 Mottey, 132, 220, 
 Nahant,ll, 15, 26, 27, 30to 38,45, 
 
 85,99, 105, 115, 123, 136, 140, 
 
 143, 146, 159, 162, 163, 168, 185, 
 
 197, 200, 216, 237, 245. 
 Newspaper, 226. 
 
 Ni<Tht arches, 161, 169, 172, 229. 
 Northern hghts, 150, 157, 229. 
 Old tenor, 153, 156, 179, 
 Parsons, 183, 194. 
 Peace, 180, 212. 
 Physicians, 132, 154, 167, 182, 189 
 
 238, 
 Pirates. 43, 107. 
 Pitcher, Molly, 207. 
 Ponds, 27, 30, 34, 36, 47, 235. 
 
 IQuakers, 105, 120, 123, 139, 142, 144. 
 
 163, 231, 223, 227, 228. 
 Reading, 71, 73, 82, 99. 
 Records, 3, 65,110, 217. 
 Representatives, 36, 48, 257. 
 Roby, 163, 195. 
 Rockwood, 216, 
 
 Salem, IS, 24, 52,103,116, 118. 
 Sandwich settled, 62. 
 Saugus, 15, 25, 38, 42,45,212. 
 Sea Serpent, 215. 
 Senators, 205, 222. 
 Selectmen, 58, 123, 141, 163. 
 Schools, 94, 145, 147, 149, 156, 158, 
 204, 216, 221, 234, 255. [See 
 Instructers.] 
 Ship-building, 156. 
 
 IShipwrecks, 29, 38, 41, 43, 52, 107, 
 159, 163, 165, 168, 185, 190, 192, 
 196, 227, 228, 231, 233, 246. 
 Shepard, 132, 139,149, 151, 
 Shoes, 16, 59, 98, 124, 159, 162, 253. 
 Sickness, 93, 122, 154, 158. 
 
 Slavery, 12, 180,230. 
 
 Societies, 227, 228, 254. 
 
 Southampton settled, 72. 
 
 Sparhawk, 153, 157. 
 
 Standard, 52, 134, 
 
 Stars visible, 223, 
 
 Storms, 52, 68 78 to 81, 93, 116, 
 120, 122, 149, 156, 159, 169, 170, 
 183, 196, 199, 204, 209, 212, 230, 
 
 Sungush, 226. 
 
 Swampscot, 11, 15, 16, 32, 241, 245. 
 
 Taverns, 38, 39, 47, 64, 69, 71, 73, 
 80, 86, 147, 149, 234. 
 
 Tea, 150, 169, 171. 
 
 Thacher, 185, 206. 
 
 Tomlins, 30, 44, 51, 58, 73, 
 
 Town Clerks, 64, 115, 154, 166, 
 
 Treadwell, 168, 175, 180. 
 
 Turner, 31,33, 42, 43, 44, 51, 5S to 61. 
 
 Turnpike, 194, 198. 
 
 War, 59, 119, 1.36, 146, 160, 165, 
 172, 185, 186, 205, 209. 
 
 Washington, 176, 183, 188. 
 
 Whafe, 164, 230. 
 
 Wheat, 114, 242. 
 
 Whiting, 60, 62, 68, 106, 112, 115, 
 122, 125. 
 
 Winthrop, 23, 40, 42, 62. 
 
 Witchcraft. 94, 105, 132, 141, 207. 
 
 Woodend, 32. 
 
 Woman, 76, 102,130, 193. 
 
 Yarmouth settled, 71. 
 

 •^ 
 
 "^. 
 
 
 
 Q^ a ci O -4 'J.'' 
 
 '?/. ^ , V ■» ^0 
 
 •c 
 
 ^W^ ''■K^ A 
 
 -^'' 
 
 
 •f,. .-^^ 
 
 
 
 
 -"- "91 \ 
 
 
 
 -.V ^, 
 
 ,->' 
 
 
 ^. " ' » 
 
 o- 
 
 ■^ ^;>-\\I 
 
 /:- 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 x^' 
 
 '^. " » 1 
 
 3^ ,c"" ''^^-V 
 
 
 A^-^ "-^ 
 
 
 * ..V "^^ 
 
 ^. 
 
 ." -^' 
 
 
 
 ^■.> ^N^ -V 
 
 .X^'' *^ 
 
 
 ^V ,V *''^,VA"o '^ .<i'-^ 
 
 ,.<?- 
 
 
 ^'l*^ 
 
 ■x^"^-^ 
 
 Js^ V 
 
 M oNc, <:^'''-^^ ,A^ --. '^: 
 
 ^ ■'<'-. 
 
 
 "^/-^ v^ 
 
 S-^\- 
 
 1^. y , 
 
 -0' . 
 
 %'^'^' 
 
 
 ■s> ■"■>>. 
 
 
 
 •?='^ 
 
 
 % 
 
 .^ ' ■ ^ 
 

 o 0' 
 
 
 V 
 
 
 ^^^- v^^ 
 
 
 0" 
 
 00' 
 
 '^^l&"/ > 'S. 
 
 .J- 
 
 
 
 
 ° "^x "^"^ 
 
 .x^- ^M-^\ ^ 
 
 i'"^' 
 
 ^V -A 
 
 ,^^"'^^. 
 
 £-- 
 
 
 ■-/ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 ,0^^ 
 
 00' 
 
 
 vOo, 
 
 
 »"^' "^ -■)£■■■■ ' ' <^^ ■ - A"^ 
 
 \V 'J^. 
 
 
 
 ^C-^^ 
 
 A^^' -V 
 
 ^\^'^:i*/''^ 
 
 ■ ' ■ s ' /\ 
 
 
 -0' c 
 
 
 ^.> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 00' 
 
 '^^. .<^ 
 
 .v 
 
 .'■r. 
 
 ■•v^ 
 
 -S 
 
 <^r 
 
 'V-' 
 
 i^ 
 
 
 
 '• ''^^. 
 
 .*^ 
 
 
 ■-'' '^^ V* 
 
 
 
 
 xO°^ 
 
 
 %, 
 
 ,.-\/.. 
 
 .>:^'^ 
 
 
 ,-0 
 
 
 
 
 \^' '■<<. 
 
 3^ 
 
 
 .^^' 
 
 
 ■f,. .A^ 
 
 .vV>'