m •'ilii CteX 1-4- WITHSONIAN DEPqSlf* / 'i?ingig^f ii->j\.r3ii^3:isc Mxisiisjjcwr^i^ j^cawsiE HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GROTON, INCLUDING PEPPEEELL AND SHIRLEV, FROM THE FIRST GRANT OF GROTON PLANTATION IN 1655. WITH APPENDICES, CONTAINING FAMILY REGISTERS, TOWN AND STATE OFFICERS, POPULATION, AND OTHER STATISTICS. BY CALEB BUTLER. "Pleraque eorum quae referam parva forsitan et levia memoratu videri, non nescius sum." — Tacitus. " Small things, in the beginning of natural or politic bodies, are as remarkable as greater, in bodies full grown." — Qov. Dudley's Letter to Countess of Lincoln. BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, No. 24 CoNOBBss Street. 1848. ■:i ,n/. DESCENDANTS OF THE FIRST SETTLERS o? OLD GROTON, WHEREVER SCATTERED ABROAD, AND TO THa PRESENT INHABITANTS OF GROTON, PEPPERELL. AND SHIRLEY. THB FOLLOWING COMPILATIONS AND REMINISCENCES ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY- THBia HUMBLK SBRVANT, C. BUTLER. PREFACE. Chronicles of events and occurrences which happened to the inhabitants of those towns in New England which began to be settled during the first half century after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth, have become almost universal. The reminiscences furnished by these local histories are interesting to the present generation on several accounts. They afford us the means of comparing the hardships, trials and privations en- dured by our progenitors, with the ease, comforts and abundance enjoyed by us ; a comparison, which may well reconcile us to the trifling inconveniences and molestations we too often permit to make us discontented. A kind of melancholy pleasure is afforded by contemplating the courage with which they met, the fortitude with which they sustained, and the patience with which they endured the dan- gers, difficulties and destitutions to which they were constantly exposed. They will also furnish the future historian with materials for a more general, comprehensive and philosophical narrative. Groton, it is thought, affords as many incidents worthy of record, as almost any town in New VI PREFACE. England settled as late as 1655. It had its full proportion of suffering with Svvanzey, Brookfield, Deerfield, Hadlej, Laneaster, Medfield, Sudbury, &€., in the Indian wars of 1675 and 1676, and of 1694. its efforts and exertions also in the war of the Revolution, and the part taken by some of its inhabitants in the insurrection of 1787, deserve to be remembered ; the former for praise and imitation, the latter for caution and avoidance. In its topographical character, the fertility and productions of its soil, its eligible situation, and its literary and other advantages, it bears a favorable comparison with any other town equally remote from navigation and from the metropolis. The characters of some of its first settlers and suc- ceeding inhabitants are not without interest, both for instruction and amusement. Unfortunately, however, the time for successfully collecting, digest- ing, and recording the incidents of by-gone times, necessary to a complete history, has been too long deferred. Many transactions and occurrences com- mitted only to frail and erring memory, are either wholly lost, or are so faded and shadowed, that their beauty and correctness cannot be depended on ; and others, though placed upon record at the time they happened, have been corrupted by " moth and rust." As the habits, modes of living, opinions eccle- siastical or political, individual characters, and in line the whole history of any people, can be better learned from their own sayings, acts, and writings, than from description, the following pages are rather PREFACE. Vll a compilation of facts and documents, co])ies of pub- lic records, and other printed or written testimo- nials, than a regular history of the towns to which they relate. One main object of the author in taking copies, in preference to reciting in his own language, is to preserve the principal matters con- tained in three or four volumes of the oldest records of Groton, in the language and style of the clerks who penned them, from being entirely lost. They are already, by age and being often handled, much defaced and worn, and unless now or very soon copied, they will be illegible. The family registers of marriages, births and deaths, in the Appendices, will save much time and trouble in searching the originals, and preserve the records from total de- struction for a longer time to come. The reader is apprised that the orthography of the original has been made to conform to modern usage, but the words, with all their improprieties, bad construction and false grammar, have not been altered. It is thought that exact copies, verbatim et literatim^ would disgust, rather than instruct or amuse. In copies from the old records, dates are uniformly set down as they are found, except an error of the clerk has been rendered certain. Some improprieties will be found, especially in the Appendix, such as Nov. 31, Feb. 29, when not bissextile, children of the same parents born apparently within six months of each other ; but these are few. In dates previous to 1752, there is liability to err by not noticing the difference between old and new style ; and from Vlll PREFACE. January 1, to March 25, by a difference in com- mencing the year. That the reader may guard against errors in these dates, and understand how to compute and reduce any date to our present reckoning of time, as brief an account of style, and its change from old to new, and of the difference in time of commencing the year, as the nature of the subject will permit, is here given. A tropical year is a natural division of time, being that in Avhich the sun apparently moves from a tro- pic or equinox around the heavens to the same point again. A civil year consists of a certain number of days, classed into weeks and months. If the tropi- cal year consisted of an exact number of days, that is, if the sun returned to the tropic at precisely the same time in the day in which it left, the tropical and civil year might and would be forever the same, and the seasons would remain unmoved and fixed to the same months and days. But this is not the case. The civil year must of necessity consist of a certain number of days ; but the tropical year is found to consist of about 365 days, 5 hours, 48 min- utes, and 50 seconds. To fix a calendar, by which the two years should coincide as nearly as possible, (exactness being impossible,) has been a desideratum with astronomers, mathematicians, and sovereigns. The numerous abortive attempts made by different nations need not be mentioned. Julius Caesar, with the aid of Sosigenes, a famous mathematician of his time, was the first to adopt a method nearly correct. Finding that the tropical year consists of about SQ6 days and 6 hours, he fixed the common year of his PREFACE. jj. calendar at 365 days ; and as the fractional part of the day, 6 hours, would in four years amount to just one day, he made every fourth year to consist of 366 days, by counting the sixth of the calends of March (Feb. 24) twice, hence called Bissextile, or vulgarly Leap-year. Had SQ5 days, 6 hours, been exactly the amount of the tropical year, the desideratum would have been attained, and the seasons have remained fixed to the same days. As it is, it was the best arrangement of the calendar which hitherto had been made; no error therein was discovered for several centuries. It is still retained by the Russians. This is called the Julian, or Old Style, which commenced 46 years before the Christian era, the sun being in the vernal equinox that year on the 25th of March. The names of the months in Csesar's calendar were the same as in ours, and his year began as ours, January 1. At length it was discovered, that the assumed year of 365 days, 6 hours, exceeded the true tropical year by 11 minutes and 10 or 15 seconds, and that there- by the vernal equinox was receding from the 25th of March at the rate of that time annually, amounting to about one day in 130 years. Again in-enuity was applied to correct the calendar, and Various propositions made for the purpose, which it is un- necessary to state. Pope Gregory Xllf., finding that the feast days of the church \vere being de- ranged by the defect in the reckoning, undertook a reform of the Julian calendar. In the year 1583, having called to his aid the most eminent astrono- mers and mathematicians of the age, and they find- b PKF.FACE. ing that the vernal equinox, which happened on the Slst of March in the year 325, when the famous council of Nice was held, had receded to the 11th of March, he ordered ten days to be left out of the month of October in the year 1583, by counting the fifth day the fifteenth. This of course brought the e(|uinox of the next succeeding year to the 21st of March, where it was in the year of the Nicene council, when Easter and other church festivals were arranged. To prevent the recurrence of the recession of the equinoxes in future, Gregory or- dered, that three bissextile years in every four hun- dred thereafter, should be reduced to common years, viz. 1700, 1800, and 1900, in the then next four centuries, being a deduction at the rate of one day to about 130 years, the deficiency above stated. And by this arrangement, though not perfectly exact, the civil and tropical years will not vary to the amount of a day for 5,000 years to come. This is called the Gregorian, or New Style. This reformed calendar was soon after adopted by all the Catholic countries of Europe ; but the Protestants, from prejudice, or fear (as one of their clergy avowed) that " the hand of Joab ivas in it,^^ retained the old style. At length, however, prejudice and fear having ceased, or lost their power, the Parliament of Great Britain, in 1751, passed an act, adopting the new style, and ordering eleven days (the year 1700 having been reckoned a bissextile, and consequently making the difference one day more than at Gre- gory's reform,) in the month of September, 1752, PREFACE. Xi to be omitted, by calling the 3d day of that month the 14tli. Hence it is evident that to any date made according to old style, between 1582 and 1700, (1600 being bissextile, according to both reckonings,) 10 days must be added to render it new style;* and since 1700, (that being a common year with Catholics, but bissextile with Protestants,) 11 days must be added. The times at which to commence the year have been numerous, and have caused more errors, than the different calendars in other respects. The equi- noxes, solstices, certain festivals, and other epochs, have at different times and by different nations been the commencement of the year. Two or three of these only need to be mentioned. The Romans at one time had the year divided into ten months only, commencing with March, so that September, October, November and December had their numerical rank according to their Latin etymology. This year consisted of only 304 days, and the seasons consequently fast removed from their places. Two more months were therefore added, January at the beginning, said to be so called from two-faced Janus, one face looking back upon the old year, and the other forward to the new ; and February at the close of the year, after- wards placed between January and March. The number of days in these two months, when added * The landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was on the 11th of Decem- ber, 1620. Ten days o.ily should be added to make it correspond with new style. By some inadvertence the 22d instead of the 21st has been celebrated as the anniversary of that event. Xii rBKFACE. to tlie jear of 304 dajs, did not make it equal to a tropical year, so that Julius Cicsar, when he estab- lished his calendar, was under the necessity of add- ino- 90 days to the end of one year, hence called the year of confusion, in order to reduce the seasons to their proper places. The year then commenced January 1. This commencement of the year was not universally adopted. In England, the year at one time commenced at Christmas, at another at the Annunciation, March 25, and finally it was fixed by law in the reign of Henry MIL, at the Annuncia- tion. Historians, however, adhered to the 1st of January, and thus came the distinction of civil or legal year, and historical year. Hence also origi- nated the practice of double-dating between Jan- uary l,and March 25, thus: "Feb. 11, 1731-2," or " 173^," the numerator of the fraction expressing the civil or legal year, and the denominator the his- torical. This method, if strictly observed, would have plainly indicated the true time; but in many instances we find but a single date, and then we are in doubt, unless we can compare with some other date known to have been in the same year. In general it is supposed, thai a single date between Jan. 1, and March 25, previous to 1752, indicates the legal year ; but it is by no means certain. Another method of dating used by our Puritan ancestors occasions no little perj)lexity. The heath- enish names given to the months, and to the days of the week, were an offence to them ; so instead of them they used the ordinals, 1st, 2d, 3d, kc, both lor mojiths and d sys. Thus 10 d. 6 m. 1667, de- PREFACE. Xlll noted August 10, 1667, as they commenced the year with March 1. In this, however, it is not certain that every clerk was uniform. Some, it is thought, called January the first month, for there are instances of a double date in the year, when in the first or second month. These inconveniences and uncertainties were all remedied by the act of Parliament, by which the style was reformed. By that statute the legal was made to conform to the historical year, and to the common usage of the other nations of Europe, as well as to that of their own people, whose almanacs had long before, perhaps always, commenced the year with January 1. It is much to be regretted, that when these refor- mations were made by authority, the commencement of the year had not been fixed at the vernal equinox, and a disposition made of the days of the months a little different from our present calendar ; but a change would now be attended with very serious inconvenience, and perhaps insurmountable difficulty. The compiler will not further extend these pre- fatory remarks, already perhaps too prolix for pro- priety, by naming all, who have aided, assisted and encouraged him in the progress of his labor. They are one and all entitled to his sincere thanks and warmest gratitude for their courtesy, assistance and encouragement ; and they will please to accept the expression of them in this general form. It has not been thought expedient to encumber the margins with authorities for the assertions in XIV CONTENTS. the text, which are not copies. Due care and cau- tion have been taken to insert nothing for whkh there is not good evidence of its truth. What is stated as tradition, will be appreciated as such ; and copies of records, which compose so great a propor- tion of the volume, cannot with propriety be con- tradicted. That the following pages may afford some grati- fication to the antiquarian and genealogist, and not be wholly destitute of interest, instruction, and amusement to the general reader, is the hope and desire of the compiler. C. BUTLER. Groton, January, 1848. CONTENTS. HISTORY OF GROTON. CHAPTER I. TITLES TO LANDS. Titles to Lands in New England — Grant to Council of Plymouth Sale to Sir H. Roswel! — Confirmation of Charles I. to Roswell and others — Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay incorporated Grants for Townships and Plantations — Grant of Groton — Petition of Grantees, and Answer — John Tinker's Petition, and Proceedings thereon — Survey and Boundaries — Indian Deed and Title, . . 9 CHAPTER II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. Progress of the Settlement — Division or Partition of Common Lands — Separation of Proprietors and Inhabitants — Names of first Proprietors, and their several Proportions — Rightof Voting — Town Records — New Book of Proprietors' Lots — Further division of Common Lands — Rights of the Prescott Family, 25 CHAPTER III. EXTRACTS FROM THE EARLY RECORDS. Condition of early Settlers — Preservation of Trees — Controversy with John Lawrence, Sen. — Origin of Gratuities — First, or "Old Mill" — Mill at Stony Brook, or Forge Village — Saw Mill — Andrew, the In- dian — Decrees and Orders of Selectmen — Fences — Swine — Herding Cattle — Pound — Instructions to the Selectmen, . . . .33 XVI CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. HIGHWAYS AJJD BRIDGES. Roads of unnecessary Width — Bad Policv- — Sales of Roads — Highway to Chehnsford — Billeiica Bridge — Roads to Lancaster — Bridges over Lancaster or Nashua River — Agreement with Pepperell about Bridges— Agreement with Capt. Filch— Other Bridges, . . .45 CHAPTER V. DIVISION OF THE TOWN. Parcel with Nashobah set off to make Littleton — Compensation for tlie Loss by Groton Gore — Hon. William Prescott's country Seat — Line of New Hampshire run — Loss and Compensation — Harvard and Westford to have Parcels — Precinct of Pepperell — Districts of Shirley and Pepperell — Parcels to Dunstable — From Pepperell to Groton, . 58 CHAPTER VI. INDIAN WARS. Philip, Chief of the Wampanoags— His Foresight and Wars — Attack upon Groton, March 2d, 9th, and 13th — The Town burnt and desert- ed — Daniel Adams's Petition — Town Meeting at Concord — Petition for Relief— Squaws taken up by Sargeant Lakin — King William's W'ar — Officers — Garrisons — William Longley's Family killed, with others — Petition for Relief— Queen Anne's War — Tarbell Boys taken — Sheple's House burnt — John Shattuck and Son killed — Jacob Ames killed — Expedition to Norridgewock, and Death of Ralle — Lovell's War — His first, second, and last Expeditions — Lovell's Fight, and Consequences — Story of Chamberlain and young Paugus — Reflec- tions, 68 CHAPTER VII. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR." Incipient Causes — Instructions to the Representative — Resolves about Lidustry, Economy, Manufactures, and foreign Superfluities — Regu- lations about Funerals — Non-importation — Resolves on Rights, Privi- leges, Grievances, &.c. — Letter to Committee of Correspondence — Duty on Tea — Continental Congress Association — Signing Covenant and posting Names — Minute Men march — Recruits, Supplies, &c., duriiig the War — Shays's Rebellion, 114 CONTENTS. XVU CHAPTER VIII. MEETING-HOUSES, OR CHURCHES. First Meeting-House — Its Situation — Cost and Materials — Second House — Committee of Twelve to agree about its Location — Their Report — Its Site — Sales of Land to raise Money to finish it — Third House — Its Site — John Ames gives a Deed — Enlargement — A Bell — W. Martin's and Jona. Lawrence's Wills — A new Bell — Enlargement of the Common — Votes about repairing, or building, a new fourth Meeting-House — Trouble about finishing — Pews — Costs — Regulations — Presbyterian House — Union Meeting-House — Baptists, &c., .... 137 CHAPTER IX. MINISTERS, CHURCHES, AND CONGREGATIONS. Rev. John Miller — Rev. Samuel Willard — Rev. Gershom Hobart — Rev. Dudley Bradstreet — Rev. Caleb Trowbridge— Rev. Samuel Dana — Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D D. — Rev. Charles Robinson — Rev. George W. Wells— Rev. Joseph C. Smith— Rev. John Todd— Rev. Charles B. Kittredge — Rev. Dudley Phelps — Rev. Amasa Sanderson — Rev. Al- fred Pinney — Rev. Lewis Holmes, 154 CHAPTER X. GROTON MINISTERIAL FUND. Donation of Shadrach Whitney — Of Josiah Sartell, Esq. — Incorporation of the Trustees — Sale of Farms — Donations of the First Parish — Suit by an Heir of Col. Sartell — Attempts to divide or misapply the Fund, 20S CHAPTER XI. SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION. First Votes about Schools — School House — Town indicted — School Bill — Petition for Grant of Land — Schools kept in several Angles — Gram- mar School in four Places — Town again indicted — Children numbered — Town again indicted — Districts formed — A better System adopted — By-Laws adopted, and altered — First Library — Second Library — United — First Parish Library — Groton Lyceum — Groton Academy — Association — Subscribers — Incorporation — List of Trustees — List of Preceptors — Embarrassmeiits — Grant of Lands — Sale, and relief from Debts — Small Donations — Mrs. Brazer's Bequest — Generous Dona- tions of William and Amos Lawrence — Change of corporate Name — Further Donations — F\iture Prospects, ..... 217 C XVIU CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII. MISCELLANEOUS. Topographical Description— Boundaries— Extent— Landscape — Water — Minerals, Soil, and Productions— Post Office — St. Paul's Lodge— St. John's R. A. Chapter— Lodge of I. 0. of O. F.— Common Burying- Ground— Rural Cemetery — Thaumaturgia Pneumatica, or Witchcraft — Bounty for killing Wolves — Fines paid for not serving as Constable, for Swearing, and for Absence from Meeting — Lead Weights made Bullets— Court of Common Pleas, 242 CHAPTER XIII. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Notices of some of the Families of the First Settlers, and of distinguished Individuals, arranged in Alphabetical Order, 263 HISTORY OF PEPPERELL. CHAPTER XIV. INCORPORATION AND MEETING-HOUSES. West Parish — Boundaries and first Officers — First Meeting-House — Difficulty about its Location— Petition to Legislature and Committee to fix the Place — Timber moved — Progress of the Work — Incorpora- ted a District — Name — Bill— A new Meeting-House contemplated — A Fast — Dedication— Remodelling — Dedication— Second Parish — Meeting-House and Dedication, 305 CHAPTER XV. MINISTERS, CHURCHES, ETC. First preaching in Dwelling-Houses — A Call to Mr. Vinal — Call to Mr. Emerson — Ordination — Organization of the Church — Mr. f].'s Salary — Military trait — Death, and Character — Deacons— Mr. Bullard's Call and Ordination — His Ministry — Deacons — Death, and Character — Choice of Mr. Howe — Exclusive System — Cautious Measures — Ordi- nation — Breach of Promise — Division of the Town — Mr. Babbidge's Call and Ordination — Deacons — Centennial Celebration — Mr. Howe recognized as Pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Society — Sick- ness, Death, and Character — Mr. Andrews's Ordination — Deacons — Anniversary Festival, • 314 CONTENTS. XIX CHAPTER XVI. WARS AND WARRIORS. Mr. Emerson's Address to Capt. Lawrence's Soldiers — Capt. Lawrence's Death — Instructions to Representative — Letter to Committee of Corre- spondence at Boston — Further Instructions and Resolutions — Alarm of April 19, 1775— Battle of Bunker Hill— Col. William Prescolt— Hon. William Prescott, 326 CHAPTER XVII. REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES, . . . 347 CHAPTER XVIII. EDUCATION. Common Schools — Academy — Trustees — Instructors, .... 354 HISTORY OF SHIRLEY. CHAPTER XIX. FIRST SETTLEMENT, MEETING-HOUSES, ETC. Boundaries — Stow-Leg — Petitioners' Names — First Meeting and Offi- cers — Burying-Ground and Training-Field — First Meetiug-House — Second Meeting-House — Bell — United Believers, or Shakers — Uni- versalists — Orthodox Congregational Society, 358 CHAPTER XX. MINISTERS. « Mr. Goodhue — Mr. Sparhawk — Mr. Whitney — Church, Deacons, &c. — Mr. Whitney's Ministry, Character, &c. — Mr. Tolman — Ordination and Dismission — Mr. Chandler — Mr. Wood — Mr. Streeter — Mr. Browne — Mr. Eaton, 367 XX CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXI. REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Instructions to Representative on Stamp Act — On Circular from Boston — Resolution about Tea — About Boston Port Bill — American Associ- ation — Soldiers, 372 CHAPTER XXII. EDUCATION. First School — But one School for a Time — Six Districts — Those who have entered College, 377 CHAPTER XXIII. MISCELLANEOUS. Soil — Productions — Streams of Water — Manufactures — Provision for Paupers, • 379 APPENDICES. APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF GROTON, 3S3 APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF PEPPERELL, . . . .468 APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF SHIRLEY, 488 HISTORY OF GROTON. CHAPTER I. Title to lands in New England — Grant to Council of Plymoutli — Sale to Sir H. Roswell — Confirmation of Charles I. to Roswell and others — Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay incorporated — Grants for Townships and Plantations — Grant of Groton — Peti- tion of Gi-antees, and answer — John Tinker's Petition, and pro- ceedings thereon — Survey and boundaries — Indian deed and title. When North America was discovered by Europeans, discovery, and possession taken, were deemed to give a sufficient title to the Sovereigns by whose subjects the first discovery and entry were made, of all lands, coun- tries and territories so discovered and entered upon. The coasts of New England having thus become the property of King James the First of England, by the discoveries of John and Sebastian Cabot, Bartholomew Gosnold, and other navigators, he, in the eighteenth year of his reign, claiming the whole continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, granted to " The Council of Plymouth in the County of Devon for the planting, ruling, ordering and governing of New England in America," " all that part of America lying and being in breadth from forty degrees to forty-eight degrees of north latitude, and in length of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout the main land from sea to sea." " To be holden of him, 2 10 SALE OF LANDS TO ROSWELL AND OTHERS. his heirs and successors, as of his manor of East Green- wich, in the County of Kent,' in free and common soc- cage, and not in capite, nor by knights' service," the grantees " yielding and paying therefor the fifth part of the ore of gold and silver, which should happen to be found in any of the said lands." The Council of Ply- mouth by their deed indented, under their common seal, dated March 19th, in the third year of the reign of King Charles I., granted, bargained, sold, kc, to Sir Henry Roswell and five others, ''all that part of New England in America which lies and extends between a great river there, commonly called Monomack, alias Merrimack, and a certain other river there called Charles, being in the bottom of a certain bay there, commonly called Massa- chusetts," and also all the lands being within the space of three English miles on the south of Charles river and Massachusetts bay, and within the same space on the north of the river Monomack or Merrimack, and of all parts of said rivers and bay, and from the Atlantic sea or ocean on the east, to the Pacific sea or ocean on the west. Upon the petition of said Henry Roswell and others, his associates. King Charles I., on the fourth day of March, in the fourth year of his reign, by letters patent confirmed the lands so conveyed to them by the Plymouth Com- pany, to the said Henry Roswell and five others, and their associates, twenty in number, to have and to hold to them, &c., by the same tenure, and incorporated them by the name of " The Governour and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England." Holding under these grants, and by these titles, the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay made grants of lands to companies and individuals, for towns and plantations, usually annexing certain conditions to their ' A tenure called gavelkind, in which the lands descend to all the sons of the tenant in equal shares, and not to the oldest son alone, the more coni- iDon tenure iu England. GRANT OF GROTON. 11 grants ; such as that a certain number of settlers or fami- lies should within a stated time build and settle upon the same ; or that the gospel should be regularly preached, or a church gathered upon the granted premises. In this manner towns were constituted in Massachusetts, without any more formal act of incorporation. There were forty- four towns- thus established within the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies before the year 1655. The original petition for the plantation or town of Groton, is not found, or any record of it ; but the follow- ing copies of records and documents in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, show the names of some of the petitioners, and the purport of their petition. " At a General Court held at Boston the 23d of the 5th mo., 1655. " There being a petition preferred by Mr. Dean Win- throp, Mr. Thomas Hinckley and divers others for a plan- tation upon the river that runs from Nashua ^ into Merri- mack, called Petapawag, and another from some of the inhabitants of Concord for a plantation in the same place, to both of which the Court returned this answer, That the Court thinks meet to grant the petitioners eight miles square in the place desired, to make a plantation, which henceforth shall be called Groaten,'^ formerly known by the name of Petapawag, and that Mr. Danforth of Cambridge, with such others as he shall associate to himself, shall and * These towns were Boston, Salem, Ipswich, Newbury, Lynn, Gloucester, Rowley, Salisbury, Wenham, Manchester, Haverhill, Andover, Marble- head, Topsfield, Charlestown, Watertown, Medford or Mystic, Cambridge or Newton, Concord, Sudbury, Woburn, Reading, Maiden, Dorchester, Rox- bury, Weymouth, Dedham, Braintree, Medfield, Plymouth, Hingliam, Scituate, Duxbury, Marshfield, Hull, Taunton, Rehoboth, Barnstable, Sandwich, Yarmouth, Eastham, Lancaster, Springfield, Northampton. ^ Lancaster. * This name was undoubtedly given to the plantation by Dean Winthrop, the first named petitioner, a son of Governor Winthrop, who came from Groton, Suffolk county, in England. 12 PETITION OF GRANTEES. hereby is desired to lay it out with all convenient speed, that so no encouragement may be wanting to the petition- ers for the speedy procuring of a godly Minister amongst them, provided that none shall enjoy any right or portion of that land by gift, from the Selectmen of that place, but such as shall build houses on their lots so given them within eighteen months from the time of said town's lay- ing out, or town's grant to such persons, and for the pres- ent Mr. Dean Winthrop, Mr. John Tinker, Mr. Thomas Hinckley, Dolor Davis, William Martin, Matthew Harring- ton, John Witt and Timothy Cooper are appointed the Selectmen for the said town of Groton for two years from the time it is laid out, to lay out and dispose of particular lots, not exceeding twentjr acres to each house lot, and to order the prudential affairs of the place, at the end of which time, other Selectmen shall be chosen and appoint- ed in their rooms, the said Selectmen of Groton giving Mr. Danforth such satisfaction for his service and pains, as they and he shall agree." ^ " Boston, 16th, 3 m. 1656. " To the right worshipful the Governour, the worship- ful Deputy Governour and Magistrates, with the worthy deputies of this honorable Court : " The humble petition of certain the Inhabitants of Groton, humbly showeth, " That your petitioners having obtained their request of a plantation from this honorable Court, they have made entrance thereupon and do resolve by the gracious assist- ance of the Lord to proceed in the same (though the greatest number of the petitioners for the grant decline the work) yet because of the remoteness of the place, consid- ^ Immediately succeeding this record is the following: "Timothy Cooper hcing indebted to the country ten pounds upon the forfeiture of a bond which he stood engaged in, for Mr. John Jarvis upon his petition to this Court, it is remitted to 2O5." PETITION OF GRANTEES AND ANSWER. 13 ering how heavy and slow it is hke to be carried on, and with what charge and difficuhy it will be attended, your petitioners' humble requests are, <' 1, That they be not nominated or included in the Country taxes, until the full end of three years from these presents, in which time they accomit their expense will be great, to building a house, procuring and maintaining a minister, &c. with all other necessary town charges, (they being but few at present left to carry on the whole work,) and at the end of the term shall be ready by God's help to yield their rates according to their number and ability and what shall be assessed upon them. '' 2. That they may have liberty to make choice of other than Mr. Danforth for the laying out of their town bounds ; because of his desire to be excused, by reason of his urgent occasions otherwise, and that they be not stead- ily tied to a square form in their line of laying out. " So shall your petitioners be encouraged in this great work, and shall as duty binds, pray for your happiness, and thankful rest, Your humble servants. Dean Winthrop, Dolor Davis, William Martin, John Tinker, Richard Smith, Robert Blood, John Lakin, Amos Righenson." The following is a copy of the answer to the above petition. " At a Great and General Court held at Boston the 14th day of May, 1656. " In answer to the petition of the Inhabitants of Groton, 14 JOHN tinker's petition. it is ordered, that the said town of Groton be freed from rates for three years from the time of their grant, as is desired. " 2. That they may employ any other known artist in the room of Mr. Danforth, as need shall be. " 3. That the form of the town may a little vary from a due square, according to the direction of the Commit- tee." After the grant of the township, and before any consid- erable number of settlements were made in it, there seems to have been some improper management by the proprie- tors, or grantees, which hindered and delayed its settle- ment, as appears by the following petition of John Tinker, one of the grantees, and the proceedings of the General Court thereon. " To the Hon. General Court assembled at Boston, The humble petition of John Tinker humbly showeth, " That with unfeigned respect to the good and welfare of Church and Commonwealth, your petitioner hath en- deavored to answer the expectation and desires of this honourable Court and the whole Country, in erecting, settling, and carrying on the affairs of Groton, granted and intended by this honourable Court for a plantation, which notwithstanding, (all in vain,) continueth unpeopled, and so like to remain, unless by this honourable Court some wise and judicious committee be empowered to order and dispose of all points thereabout ; after which no doubt it will grow and prosper, which it is the humble desire and request of your petitioner, that so it may be ; and that your petitioner may be admitted and appointed faithfully to declare unto, and inform the said Committee, 1. what hath already been done ; 2. what are the grounds and reasons, wherefore it remaincth at the stay it doth, being so much desired by so many and such considerable persons PROCEEDINGS UPON JOHN TINKER's PETITION. 15 as it is, and 3. what he considereth needful to the further confirming what is done according to right to every per- son and cause, and the settling such due order, as may encourage the carrying on of all things to a prosperous issue ; unto which your 'petitioner shall readily address himself, as willing to submit to the good pleasure of this honourable Court, and such as are authorized by them, for such due satisfaction for all his care, time, costs, and pains in and about the said plantation, as shall be thought meet, and humbly begging the good favor of God to rest upon you, shall ever remain to this honourable Court and Country, Your humble servant, John Tinker." " The Committee having received this petition, do judge, 1st, that it will be very convenient, that a Commit- tee of three, or more, meet persons be nominated and empowered to examine the particulars therein mentioned, and make return of what they find to the Court of" (Elections ?) "21. 8. '59." " We, whose names are subscribed, being appointed and empowered by the General Court in Oct. 1659, for the examination of the proceedings about Groton plantation, and the entanglements, that have obstructed the planting thereof, we having taken pains to travel to the said place and examine the record of former proceedings in that place, as also the capacity of the place for the entertaining of a meet number of persons, that may carry on the af- fairs of a town, do apprehend (according to what infor- mation we have had) that the place will afford a comfort- able accommodation for sixty families at least, that may subsist in a way of husbandry ; and for such families as be there already planted, which are not above four or five, 16 PROCEEDINGS UPON JOHN TINKER's PETITION. we do not find, that their interest in such land as they claim is legal and just, nor yet consistent with the Court's ends in their grant of the said plantation. And for the further encouragement of such as now have a desire, and do present themselves as willing to plant themselves in that place, we crave leave humbly to present our poor apprehensions to this honored Court as followeth, " That the old planters and their assigns, whose names are John Tinker, Richard Smith, William Martin, Rich- ard Blood, Robert Blood, and John Lakin,^ that they re- tain and keep as their propriety (of such lands as they now claim an interest in) each of them only ten acres of meadow, twenty acres for the houselot, ten acres of inter- vale, and ten acres of other upland, and that the same be set out by a committee, so as may not unequally preju- dice, such as are, or may be their neighbors. " 2. That these lands and meadows be so divided as may accommodate at least sixty families ; and for that end that the first division of lands be made in the follow- ing manner, viz. such as have one hundred and fifty pounds estate, to be allowed equally with the old planters above, and that none exceed ; and that none have less than ten acres for their houselot and five acres of meadow, two and a half acres of intervale, and two and a half of other land for their planting in their first division ; and that none be admitted to have grants of lots there, but on conditions following, viz. 1., That they go up with their families, within two years after their grants on penalty of 8 Of the grantees here and heretofore mentioned, the names only of William Martin, Richard Blood, and Robert Blood appear in any of the town records as inhabitants ; whence it is inferred, that the others named never come to reside here. Dean Winthrop was son of John V/inthrop, first Governor of Massachusetts, and lived in Boston. John Tinker lived in Lancaster, and was town clerk there. Dolor Davis was of Cambridge, and died at Barn- stable. Of Richard Smith and Amos Richenson nothing is known. Farmer names a Richard Smith of Sudbury, and Amos Richardson, a tailor in Bos- ton, who were probably the persons above named. PROCEEDINGS UPON JOHN TINKEr's PETITION. 17 forfeiting their grants again to the town, and so many- twenty shiUings, as they had acres granted them for their house lots, and that the like injunctions be put upon those above named as old planters. 2. That all town charges, both civil and ecclesiastical, be levied according to each man's grant in this first division of lands, for seven years next ensuing, excepting only such, whose stocks of cattle shall exceed one hundred and fifty pounds estate. " 3. That the power of admission of inhabitants and regulating the affairs of the said place, be referred to a Committee of meet persons, empowered by this Court thereto, until the plantation be in some good measure (at least) filled with inhabitants, and be enabled regularly and peaceably to carry on the same themselves. " 4. That this honored Court be pleased to grant them immunities of all common and ordinary country charges, not exceeding a single rate, or a rate and an half, per annum for three years next ensuing. " 5. That in granting of lots, children have their due consideration with estates, their parents giving security to defray their charges of the place, as is before provided. Thomas Danforth, Edward Johnson, Ephr'm Child." " The Court approves of, and do confirm the return of the Committee, and do hereby further order and empower the aforesaid Committee for the ends abovementioned, until meet men shall be found amongst such as shall inhabit there, and be approved of by a County Court." The above copies are from the records of the General Court under date of May 22, 1661. The records of the Town show that " meet men " were found amongst the inhabitants in December, 1662, when Deacon James Par- ker, John Lawrence, William Martin, Richard Blood and 3 18 SURVEY OF THE TOWN. James Fiske were chosen Selectmen. The record is in the handwriting of Richard Sawtell, who was town clerk for several years. It is impossible at this time to know precisely what were the proceedings of the grantees, and what Avere the " entanglements " which so obstructed and hindered the planting of Groton ; but from the tenor of John Tinker's petition and the committee's report thereon, the plain inference is, that the Proprietors had included more lands in their lots than they were justly entitled to, or had pro- ceeded unfairly and illegally in setting them out, and had not admitted others to come in upon equitable terms, by which conduct, they had forfeited their rights in the grant. The names of Richard Smith and others mentioned in the report do not appear in an enviable light, John Tinker alone seems to be the champion of justice and equity. There are certain hereditaments in law called heir-looms, which are said to descend with the land. If any one im- agines at the present day, that he can discern the disposi- tion of Richard Smith and others in any of the present proprietors of that soil, which was the cause of those hin- drances and " entanglements," let him be assured, that some of the present freeholders of Groton inherit the spirit of good John Tinker. It appears by the following document, that the survey of the town ordered in 1665, was not completed till the year 1668. " Whereas the Plantation of Groton, containing by grant the proportion of eight miles square, was begun to be laid out by Ensign Noyes, and he dying before he had finished his work, it is now finished, whose limits and bounds are as foUoweth : " It began on the east side of Nashua river, a little be- low Nissitissit hills, at the short turning of the river, bounded by a pine tree marked with G, and so running BOUNDARY LINES. 19 two miles in a direct line to Buck meadow, which pertains to Boston farms, and so is bounded by Boston farms, Billerica land and Edward Cowell's farm, until you come to Massapoag pond, which is full of small islands, from thence it is bounded by Chelmsford and Nashobah lines, until you come to the most southerly corner of this plan- tation ; and from thence it runs west-northwest five miles and a half and sixty-four poles, which again reacheth to Nashua river ; thence the former west-northwest line is continued one mile on the west side of the river; and then it runs one third of a point easterly of north-and by- east, nine miles and one quarter; from thence it runneth four miles due east, which closeth the work to the river again, to the first pine tree below the Nissitissit hills, where we began. It is bounded by the farms and plan- tations as aforesaid, and by the wilderness elsewhere j all which lines are run and very sufficiently bounded by marked trees and pillars of stones. The figure or manner of the lying of it is more fully demonstrated by this plot taken of the same." "April, 1668, By Jonathan Danforth." These boundary lines and plot referred to, include the whole of what is now Groton, nearly the whole of Pep- perell and Shirley, large portions of Littleton and Dun- stable, and smaller portions of Harvard, Westford, and Nashua, N. H. If the aforementioned committee of the General Court included in their estimation of the capacity of the place for subsistence by husbandry those parts only, which had been planted by the Indians, and needed but little culture to render them productive, and the meadows, which then spontaneously produced fodder for cattle, their judgment may not have been very erroneous ; but if they included the whole of the territory as surveyed, and made their es- timation of its prospective capability of productiveness, 20 INDIAN TITLE. their foresight cannot be very highly appreciated. In the latter case their estimation was one family to each square mile, or six hundred and forty acres. There are now probably ten times the number of families estimated by the committee living upon the above described and bounded territory and subsisting principally by hus- bandry. Should our wisest and most intelligent men at this time undertake to predict what would be the pro- ductiveness, inhabitancy, or any other condition of Groton two centuries hence, they might judge as errone- ously as did Thomas Danforth, Edward Johnson, and Ephraim Child, nearly two centuries ago. After the distressing war, waged by the Indians under King Philip in the years 1675 and 1676 against the Eng- lish settlements in New England, had been closed, the proprietors of Groton seem to have thought, that their title to the plantation from Kings James and Charles of Eng- land, through the Council of Plymouth and the General Court of Massachusetts, was not complete ; and they there- upon undertook to strengthen it by grant from the abo- rigines. This would give them a title by ancient pos- sesssion, their former titles being by right of discovery. The following copies will show the proceedings of the inhabitants in this matter. Instructions to a Commildr, chosen 23(-/ of lOth monlli, I6i33. "John Page, John Parish, Ensign Lawrence. " As you are chosen a committee for and in behalf of the town, you are desired for to prove the right and title we have to our township by all the legal testimony, which can be procured, when the town is sent to by any authority ; and if any Indians can prove a legal title to the remainder of our township, you have power to buy it at as easy a lay as you can, and make it as good as may be in behalf of INDIAN DEED. 21 the town ; and you shall have reasonable satisfaction for your pains. " In the name of the Selectmen, Jonathan Morse, Clerk." At a town meeting 14th 11th mo. 1683-4 the above named committee presented their account of expenses in procuring a deed from certain Indians ; but it is so de- faced as not to be wholly legible. The town voted to put the deed on record, a copy of which follows : "To all people, to whom these presents shall come, know ye, that we, John, Tom Dublitt and his wife, and their eldest son, Little James Fox, alias Gasumbitt, Mr. Jacob, alias Patatuck, all of Weymessett, and Thomas Waban of Natick, all of them Indians and inhabitants as aforesaid, and within the Massachusetts Colony in New England, for and in consideration of the full and just sum of twenty and eight pounds ten shillings to us well and truly paid and security given to them according to law by Corporal John Page, Ensign Nathaniel Lawrence, and John Parish, all of the town of Groton, which is to the full satisfaction and content of the aforesaid Indians, and thereof and every part thereof do acquit, release, and dis- charge the said John Page, Nathaniel Lawrence, and John Parish and their heirs and administrators forever, by these presents, have granted, bargained and sold, aliened, en- feoffed and confirmed, and by these presents do fully, free- ly, clearly, and absolutely, grant, bargain, and sell, alien, enfeof and confirm to the now inhabitants of the town of Groton, aforesaid, and to their heirs and associates forever, all and every part of that tract of land, which is called Groton plantation, according to the full extent of the bounds thereof, on both sides of the Nashua river, as it is granted to them by the Honorable General Court of the Massachusetts Colony. To have and to hold the above 22 INDIAN DEED. said tract of land, with all the privileges and appurtenan- ces to the same appertaining, or in any way belonging, to them the said inhabitants of the town of Groton, and to their heirs and associates forever. And they the said Mr. John, Tom Dublitt and his wife, and their son, the eldest of them, Little James Fox, and Jacob Patatuck, and Thomas Waban, for themselves, their heirs and adminis- trators, do covenant, promise and grant, to and with the aforesaid John Page, Nathaniel Lawrence, and John Parish (as trustees for and in the behalf of the whole inhabitants of the aforesaid town of Groton) and with their heirs and assigns forever, that they the said Mr. John, Tom Dublitt and his wife and their eldest son. Little James Fox, alias Gasumbitt, and Jacob Patatuck and Thomas Wa- ban, and each of them are the true and proper owners of the above said tract of land, as to all manner of Indian title, that either is, or may be conceived to be. And that they have good right, full power, and lawful authority, the premises to grant, bargain and confirm to them the said inhabitants of Groton and to their heirs, associates, and assigns forever. And that they the said inhabitants of the town of Groton, their heirs, associates, and assigns forever, shall and may at all times, and from time to time forever hereafter quietly and peaceably have, hold, enjoy, and possess the said whole tract of land or plantation, with all the privileges, profits, and commodities of the same, without the lawful let, hindrance, eviction, expul- sion, suit, molestation or denial of them the said Mr. John, Tom Dublitt and his wife, and their eldest son. Little James Fox, Jacob, alias Patatuck, and Thomas Waban, their heirs or executors, administrators or assigns of them or either of them, or of any other person or persons what- soever, whether Indians or English, claiming or having any right, title, or interest therein or thereunto, by, from, or under, them or either of them, (as to Indian title of land,) or by any other lawful ways or means whatsoever. VOTE OF THE TOWN. 23 " In witness whereof the said Mr. John, Indian, Tom Dublitt and his wife, and their eldest son. Little James Fox, Jacob, alias Patatuck, and Thomas Waban, have af- fixed their hands and seals hereunto this tenth day of Jan- uary, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hun- dred and eighty three-four, and in the thirty and five year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, King Charles the second. Read, signed, and delivered in presence of us, Thomas Hinchman, f John Fiske, j (Names, marks, JoNA. Danforth, Sen. ^ and seals of the Samuel Brown, j Grantors.) James Rumbly Marsh. (^ " Pompequoosit, alias Mr. John, Thomas Reepamimp, alias Dublitt, and Sarah his wife, Gasumbitt, alias Little James Fox, and Patatuck, alias Jacob, Indians of Wey- messet, and Thomas Waban of Natick, acknowledged the within written instrument to be their act and deed, Janu- ary 11th, 1683-4, before Peter Bulkley, Assist." At the last mentioned town meeting, " Voted, That these public charges concerning the pur- chase of our Indian title shall be levied upon our first grants; and they shall pay, in whose hands they are found : that if any person do refuse to pay for the pur- chase of this Indian title of our township, their names are to be entered into the town book." It appears by records of the payments of several pro- prietors for this purchase, that the proportion was eight shilhngs and four pence to a ten acre right. Other persons besides the committee chosen by the town, appear to have obtained a title from Indians, for at a 24 VOTE OF THE TOWN. town meeting June 8th, 1702, the town voted to give Robert Robbins three acres of meadow and ten acres of upland near his meadow ; and to the heirs of Peleg Lawrence, deceased, three acres of meadow and ten acres of upland near the same, upon condition that they, Robert Robbins, and the heirs of Peleg Lawrence, "do de- liver that Indian title, that they now have, to the town." CHAPTER 11. Progress of the settlement — Division or partition of common lands — Separation of Proprietors and Inhabitants — Names of first Pro- prietors and their several proportions — Right of voting — Town records — New book of Proprietors' lots — Furtlier division of com- mon lands — Rights of the Prescott family. After the acceptance of the report of the Committee appointed and sent by the General Court to investigate the affairs of Groton in the year 1661, the settlement appears to have proceeded prosperously. Town records are in existence dated June 23, 1662. This is probably the first record ever made of any proceedings of the town. Votes passed at this date, and Dec. 24th of the same year, in relation to building a meeting-house, and a house for the minister. Selectmen and other town officers were chosen and other town business was transacted. What the number of inhabitants was at this time, is not known, but by their being able to settle a minister and build a meeting-house, it may be inferred, that the number was considerable.^ The first settlers of Groton, or proprietors of the land, were tenants in common of the whole township, though not in equal shares or proportions. They ex- ' As evidence that there were a considerable number of inhabitants, take the following records. "A country rate for the year 1665, the total sum being £11 5s 6d." " A county rate for the same year, the total sum being £1 15s 3d, both which rates, committed into the hands of John Page to gather, by order of the Selectmen." 4 26 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. pressed their several proportions by a certain number of "acre rights." One owned a "sixty acre right," another a " twenty acre right," another a " five acre right," &c. The whole township being equal to eight miles square, or 40,960 acres, and the whole number of " acre rights," only 755, a proprietor who owned a sixty acre right, would have been entitled upon partition, to about 3,242 acres, and one who possessed a one acre right only, to above 54 acres. In making the first division of lands, however, the proprietors were restricted to a small number of acres, as has been heretofore stated. In the year 1713, the General Court passed " An Act directing how meetings of proprietors of lands lying in common may be called." No distinction was made until after the passing of this statute between the inhabitants and the proprietors of Groton. Their transactions and records were all considered as those of the town, and kept in one book. In 1717 the proprietors called a meeting according to the provision of the statute, and from that time separate records were kept. At their first meeting, held March 4th, 1716-17, they chose a committee to find from the town book the names of all the original and ancient proprietors, and their pro- portional rights ; and also the names and rights of all others, who claimed by descent, purchase, grants by the proprietors, &c. This committee reported the names and rights of the original proprietors, as follows : Capt. James Parker, .50 acre right, William Martin, 20 Sargeant JohnLakin,20 " Lieut. Wm. Lakin, 20 ;/ Robert Blood, 20 Richard Clood, GO James Blood, 20 " Joseph Blood, 10 " Timothy Allen, 20 John Page, 20 Wm. Longley, Sen., 30 acre right. John Longley, 10 Samuel Davis, 20 Mat. Farnsworth,Sen.20 Tho's Tarbell, Sen. 20 Richard Sawtell, 20 James Fiske, 20 John Lawrence, 20 Richard Holden, 18 Simon Stone, 18 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 27 John Nutting, 17 acre right. Joseph Morse, 5 acre James Knap, 15 William Ellis, 5 John Clary, 15 Jonathan Sawtell, 5 Ralph Read, 15 Jonathan Crisp, 8 Ellas Barron, 15 Joshua Whitney, 8 Joseph Parker, 20 Jacob Onor, 6 John Morse, 12 Thomas Tarbell, Jr. G Nathaniel Lawrence ,10 Joseph Lawrence, 5 Daniel Pearce, 10 John Parish, 5 William Green, 14 Joseph Gilson, 9 Samuel Woods, 11 Thomas Williams, 5 Thomas Boyden, 7 Justinian Holden, 7 John Barron, 7 Zachariah Sawtell, 10 James Robinson, 7 Mr. Samuel Willard ,20 Benjamin Garfield, 10 Christopher Hall, 10 755 riffht. The committee at the same time reported a list of names of those, who claimed, and showed sufficient title to, the common lands, not original proprietors, with their several proportional interests therein. This list contains about sixty names, and their number of acre rights is four hundred and forty-five and a half. To this list the pro- prietors, by vote, added about twenty-five more, who produced satisfactory titles to two hundred and thirty-six acre rights. These claimants, for the most part, are said to have derived their titles by descent from their fathers, named in the first list, or by purchase of them. Jonas ■Prescott, however, is stated to have had a thirty acre right by a grant from the town. The committee reported at the same time, that in voting, the proprietors should vote according to the num- ber of acre rights they possessed, one vote to every acre right. Among the earliest votes of the town are the follow- ing. " At a general town meeting, December 24, 1662, it is agreed, that Richard Sawtell, being chosen to be the Town Clerk, shall have sixpence for recording and giving 28 INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. a transcript for every twenty acres of land to the several proprietors. "It is agreed, that all the lands that are, or shall here- after be, granted, shall be recorded with these expressions following, viz. To such a one, or such a one, teti or twenty acres, so and so bounded, be it esteemed more or less.'' Records of lands had been accordingly made in the town book, which contained the proceedings of the town, laying out of highways, rates and orders of the Selectmen, &c. This practice being inconvenient, the town, at a general meeting, held 12th day of 10th month, 1682, chose a committee of five men, to give instructions to the Se- lectmen. Their instructions are on record. The 7th instruction is this. " The Selectmen are to take special care, that there be a town book, and a sufficient man chosen to record our lands as may stand according to law." In compliance with this instruction, John Morse, who was Town Clerk from 1669 to 16S1 inclusive, copied the transcript of lands from the old book, in the winter of 1683-4, putting each proprietor's lots orderly together, and numbering them, first the uplands, then ihe meadows. The number of lots to each individual set out in this first division of land was very great. James Parker, who owned a fifty acre right, had no less than fifty lots of up- land, and twenty-eight of meadow, set off to him in seve- ralty. Those who had smaller proportions in the common lands, had a less number of lots ; but in all cases the lots were numerous. All the meadows were divided into small lots, so as to give each proprietor a lot in several meadows. For what purpose this was so done is not known with certainty. Some have supposed the inhabi- tants went in companies to make their hay, the better to defend themselves from the Indians. At the close of the description of each proprietor's lands, thus copied into the DIVISION OF LANDS. 29 new book, there is a certificate, of which the following is a sample. "Compared, approved, and confirmed, by the town's committee according to the order of the town. "Attest, John Morse, Clerk." " Nov. 2d, 1683." This book is now in a state of tolerable preservation, nearly the whole being legible. After the copying from the old book was completed, other proprietors' names, and other setting out of lands, were inserted by the proprietors' clerks, till the volume was filled, then other books were used for the like purpose. After the original proprietors, their grantees, heirs, or representatives, had had their house lots, meadows, inter- vals and uplands set out to them in severalty, and after considerable portions of land had been sold to purchasers for the purpose of raising money to build a meeting-house, and for other public purposes, much the greater quantity of land still remained common. The proprietors, there- fore, proceeded to make further division thereof in propor- tion as each had title thereto. At a meeting of the proprietors, held September 5, 1721, by adjournment from April 28, they voted, among other matters, " That there shall be, as soon as may be, two acres of upland or meadow, at the least, laid out to every person, who stands lawfully entitled to an acre right in the undivided lands in the town of Groton, and he who stands entitled to a five acre right, shall have laid out thereto ten acres of land or meadow, at least, out of the common and undivided land belonging to the proprietors in this town, and so proportionably for him, that has and stands entitled to a greater or lesser right or interest to said common lands ; that is to say, one half of said pro- portion to be laid out on the east side, and the other half 30 COMMON LANDS. on the west side of Lancaster river, so called, in this town, by the committee, or any two of them, or such as shall be chosen in their place hereafter ; and the said committee are directed to lay out, where the land shall happen to be meaner, and not so valuable, so much more as to make it equal in value in the judgment of the committee to the best ; and the lands so laid out shall be and remain to such person and his assigns forever, when recorded." The committee of the proprietors, chosen for this pur- pose, proceeded in conformity to this vote to lay out and set off to all proprietors who applied, such quantities of lands, as their respective rights entitled them to. There is a close similarity in their returns. A copy of one, as a sj)ecimen, follows. " Groton, March 23, 1721-2. Then we, the subscri- bers, laid out to a fifteen acre right, originally Ralph Read's, now claimed by Cornelius Whitney, fifty-five acres of land lying on the southeast side of pine meadow, the northwest corner being a great pine by his own meadow, bounded easterly to John Stone's meadow, the northeast corner an oak, the two southerly corners, pines ; all marked for corners ; what is above fifteen acres in quantity being added to make it equal in quality to fifteen acres of the best land in our judgment, allowance being made for a highway through the same, when needed. Said land being fully to satisfy said right in the new di- vision of the common on the east side the river. ZaCHAKIAH SawTELL, ^ Committee of PhiNEHAS Parker, > the Proprietors Nathaniel Woods, ' ) "^ ^'•°'°"-" " Which return or instrument above written being read at the meeting of the proprietors of Groton, September 21, 1724, accordingly was accepted, approved, and voted by the proprietors to be recorded in the proprietors' book of COMMON LANDS. 31 records, and that the land and premises therein mentioned and contained, shall be and remain to the lawful owner of the right to which the same is said to be laid out, his heirs and assigns for ever, provided the same infringe no former legal proprietor's grant. " Attest, John Longley, Proprietors' Clerk." At a meeting of the proprietors, January 17, 1726-7, another division of common and undivided lands was voted in terms similar to the former vote, with a proviso that the excess of land to make it equivalent to the best, should not exceed six acres for one. February 9, 1741, a third division of common lands was ordered, in which the apportionment was half an acre of the best land to a one acre right, or what should be equivalent to the best land, not exceeding four acres of the poorest land. November 14, 1748, a fourth division was made, in which one quarter of an acre of the best land, or its equivalent, not exceeding three acres of the poorest land, was set to a one acre right. The fifth and last division was voted February 4, 1760, in which one quarter of an acre of the best land was set to a one acre right, or an equivalent, not exceeding three acres of the poorest land, to an acre right. It is not to be supposed, that the owners of all the rights received their just and legal proportions of the com- mon lands, according to the several divisions ordered. The records show the contrary, especially so of the last division. Numerous complaints were made to the pro- prietors at different times, stating that some had received more than their shares ; that others had not received enough ; that the laying out by different committees in- terfered with each other, by reason of not knowing the boundaries ; upon which committees were chosen to ex- amine and correct mistakes ; but it was impossible that 32 MEETING OF PROPRIETORS. exact justice should be done to all. When a small right came by descent upon a large number of heirs, the frac- tions were so small, that they were not worth the trouble of looking after them ; and after the lapse of a little time, it was difiicult to trace out the true owners. Jonas Prescott, Sen., was early possessed of a thirty-one acre right. Upon his decease, his son, the Hon. Benjamin Prescott, became the proprietor thereof, who made large additions thereto. Upon his death, his son. Col, James Prescott, became the owner, and added largely to them. He dying, his rights came into the possession of his son James, the late Judge of Probate, who, according to docu- ments among the records of the proprietors, whose clerk he was for many years, became the owner of nearly three hundred acre rights, or more than one third of all the common lands. Meetings of the proprietors continued to be held after the last division was voted in 1760, at which transcripts of lands laid out by the committee were accepted and re- corded, at longer or shorter intervals, (one, of nine years, during the revolutionary war,) till 1829. The last tract of common land known to exist, was laid out to Bulkley Ames, Esq. Another meeting will probably never be holden. The proprietors, after the revolutionary war, styled themselves the proprietors of Old Groton. Their records are by a law of the Commonwealth to be deposited in the Town Clerk's office. CHAPTER III. Condition of early Settlers — Preservation of Trees — Controversy with John Lawrence, Sen. — Origin of Gratuities — First, or " Old Mill " — Mill at Stony Brook, or Forge Village— Saw Mill — Andrew, the Indian — Decrees and Orders of Selectmen — Fences— Swine — Herding Cattle — Pound — Instructions to the Selectmen. The following extracts ^ from the early records of the town, will assist in forming a notion of the condition, habits, customs and manners of the first settlers, as well as afford some entertainment to us, who live under such different circumstances, and are surrounded with such different objects. " At a general town meeting, December 24, (1662,) it is agreed by the town, that the wood and timber that • These extracts, from 1662 to 1707, are taken from the first book of town records. This book has long since been divested of its cover, its leaves sep- arated, worn and mutilated, so that the whole is not legible. From its hav- ing been the only book of records during the Indian wars, and having lost its cover and the leaves laid aside rolled together, it has acquired the name of the " Indian Roll." It seems to have been lost for a time. When the writer iirst saw it, in the town clerk's office, it was rolled up, and upon the envelope was written, "The Indian Roll, Found at Dea. Lawrence's, Feb. 21, 1807." Those parts of it containing the transcripts of land were copied, as has been stated in the text, by John Morse, in 1683, '84. The parts containing the laying out of highways, were, by vote of the town, passed May 1, 1723, collected into a report and recorded in the second book of town records. Such as is legible of the remaining parts, has been copied by the writer into a new book. 34 PRESERVATION OF TREES. grows ill the highway against any man's house lot, shall be his ; provided, that he shall not, upon penalty of pay- ing half a crown a tree, fall (fell) any tree upon the com- mon, except it appeareth they have not amongst these trees such tree or trees as will suit their necessity ; provi- ded also, that when they shall fall (fell) they shall not [words torn off or illegible] to the prejudice of the town, or any one of the inhabitants, by hindering the passage of carts or horses, Sic, upon the penalty of half a crown, if upon six days' warning they shall neglect (within the [words torn off or illegible] of warning) to clear the way for full and free passage." " At a general town meeting, held 5 March, 1665-6, it was agreed and voted, that there should be trees marked for shade for the cattle in all common highways." At the same meeting it was agreed and voted, "that the mark should be a great T ; " " that whoever shall fell or lop any such tree marked by the men appointed, shall pay for every tree fallen or lopped, [words illegible] shillings." At a meeting of the Selectmen, December 25, 1669, among a number of orders and decrees passed by them, one was for the preservation of trees ; making it penal to cut or leave trees incumbering the highways ; but the record is so mutilated that it cannot be fairly copied. " At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 13, 1673-4, it was then agreed upon, and by vote declared, that all such town highways regularly laid out and marked with the town mark, all the wood and timber upon these high- ways so marked, from half a foot and upward at stub, walnut trees and pine trees only excepted, shall be re- served for mending of the highways and other public works, and that no man shall fall any such tree or trees, upon the penalty of ten shillings a tree." " At a general town meeting, December 21, 1674, granted to William Longley, Jr., that he shall have lib- erty to fell those trees, that stand by his farm, shading his GRATUITIES OF LAND, 35 corn, to the sum of three or four, and that he will give the town as many trees for mending highway work." It is somewhat strange, that so much care should have been taken at that time to preserve timber and trees. Had the country been an entire forest, as we might have sup- posed, encouragement for cutting trees and clearing land might rather have been given, than penalties imposed for felling and lopping. In the year 1665, there was a dispute between the town and John Lawrence, Sen., and it was submitted to the determination of five men. The referees report and do <' declare, that they do thus determine, that is to say, his proportion of land being first made good according to his grant, we [words illegible] the remainder to be the town's land according as it is now bounded." This decision became important in its consequences. It seems that Lawrence had enclosed common or town's land, and that the decision of the referees was against him. But, at a town meeting held 21st of 7th mo. 1665, " It was this day granted and by vote declared, that John Lawrence shall quietly possess and enjoy a parcel of land now in contro- versy, and already within his fence and adjoining his house lot, containing two acres, more or less, bounded, he, and granted to him as a gratuity." " It is also granted that every inhabitant shall have the like privilege proportionably." And to make the matter more explicit, at a town meeting soon after, " It was this day agreed and voted, that in consideration of a gratuity formerly granted to every inhabitant, agreeable to John Lawrence, Sen. his grant the 21 of the 7 mo. '65, that every man shall have liberty to take up six acres to a twenty acre house lot, and in case it join to his house, every man shall take up proportionably thereunto, excepting such as have either the whole or any part thereof already ; but if more remote, every inhabitant shall have liberty to take up two for one." 36 CONTRACT FOR GRIST-MILL. It may be inferred from these records, that Lawrence was dissatisfied with the determination of the referees, and appealed to the town. The town it seems forgave him the wrong and injury, upon condition that every inhabitant might do the hke wrong and injury. These gratuities, sometimes called in succeeding records, "accommoda- tions," gave names to a brook, and a highway, near which some of the gratuities were laid out, now called, by con- traction, '"Tuity brook," and " 'Tuity road." About this time the inhabitants endeavored to procure the erection of a grist-mill. By a vote passed, they offered to Sergeant James Parker, John Page, James Knap and Thomas Tarbell, twenty acres of land where they might erect a mill ; that the same should not be taxed for the term of twenty years ; that no other person should build another mill, except upon his own land and for his own use only. A contract was accordingly made and record- ed, by which the abovenamed individuals covenanted to build a corn-mill upon Sandy Brook, unless " a more meet place, in the judgment of the workmen, should appear," to have it ready to grind by the first of the eleventh month, 1666, to keep it in good repair for twenty years, and " to grind the town's corn sufficiently," taking com- mon toll only. But by a vote of the town on the 6th of the fifth month, 1666, the covenanters were released from their obligation. " At a general town meeting, held 8th, 3d month, 1667, the town having further agitation about a mill for the town, and understanding that Capt. Clark, of Boston, had manifested a willingness to build a mill for the town, it was agreed, and by vote declared, that there should be three men chosen to go to Mr. Clark, and power given unto them at the same meeting, to make a firm agreement with the said Capt. Clark, in the behalf of the town," &c. " and the men chosen by the town as their trustees are GRIST-MILL BUILT. 37 Sergeant James Parker, Corporal James Knap, and Benja- min Crisp." Tlie town clerk was directed to certify to Capt. Clark, that the committee had full power to contract with him in the town's behalf for the building of a mill. But nothing further is found on record about Capt. Clark. At a town meeting, of which the date is illegible, it " was agreed, and by vote declared, that the land and meadows, granted to John Prescott for to build the town a mill, namely, the five hundred acres of upland, and twenty acres of meadow, together with the mill, should be freed from all town's charges whatsoever, for the space of twenty years ; and this was the vote of the major part of the town that was present at the meeting : these four men manifested dissent at that time, — Richard Blood, James Fiske, William Longley, and Timothy Allen." A committee was then chosen to make the contract, who it is presumed performed the service, and a mill was accordingly built by John Prescott, who belonged to Lan- caster, or by his son Jonas, who was afterwards a distin- guished inhabitant of Groton. This mill was built in the southerly part of Groton, now the northerly part of Har- vard. That School District and section of the town still retains the name of " Old Mill." " At a town meeting, November 19, 1673, By agree- ment of the town, Jonas Prescott is to grind the town's corn for the town every second and every sixth day in every week." After King Philip's war, and the resettlement of the town, Jonas Prescott built a mill at Stony brook, near its issue from Forge pond, now in Westford ; and from an expression in the following vote, it may be inferred that the first mill at Harvard was not burned by the Indians, when they destroyed the greatest part of the town. " June 15, 1680, on a training day, granted unto Jonas Prescott, that he should take up a piece of land at Stony 38 SAW-MILL. brook, ill reference to the setting up of a mill there ; and he is to take it up on the right hand of the Bay path ad- joining to the pond. And he is not to come over the path ; and he is to run from Chelmsford line to the line of Sergeant Knap, and so much as he takes up there, he is to lay down as much again at one of the ends of his land that lies where the mill now standeth, two acres for one at Stony brook ; and he is to be at the charge of takhig up and laying down." " At a general town meeting at Groton, June 13, 1681 : Then granted to Jonas Prescott liberty to set up his corn mill at Stony brook, on the side next Concord, in any place between the spring and the bridge, and to have liberty to make use of so much and no more of the water, as may sufficiently serve for the said mill ; provided that what damage thereby may be to the town's highway, the said Jonas Prescott shall at his own charge constantly make good." " An agreement made between Jonas Prescott and the town of Groton, that he, the said Prescott, have liberty to set up a saw mill at Stony brook, and to have the use of the stream, upon conditions as followeth : first, that he shall accommodate the town with merchantable boards at sixpence a hundred cheaper than they are sold at any other saw mills, and for town pay, and that the town shall be supplied before any other person ; and he is to have this privilege, until there may appear something that may be of great advantage to the town, by town works or other ways : always provided, the saw mill do not hinder the corn mill." Among other instructions given to the Selectmen in the year 1681, is the fohowing, " 3d. That by reason of the complaint of several in- habitants, the Selectmen shall take special care, that Jonas Prescott do fulfil his agreement with the town." Previous to the erection of Prescott's mills, an Indian ORDER RESPECTING FENCES, 39 by the name of Andrew, sold his weir at Stony brook, as appears by the following record. " The twenty shillings due to Andrew, the Indian, from the town for his loarre at Stony brook, assigned by said Indian to Richard Blood, the said Richard Blood assigns it over to Lieut. James Parker." For about twenty years after the first settlement of Groton, until a provincial statute was enacted for " regu- lating fences, cattle, &ic.," the Selectmen exercised large legislative powers on these and other subjects. A few specimens of their orders and decrees follow. " At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 10 " * * * (probably 1670-1.) "To the intent we may preserve love and peace in the town, and preserve our corn from unnecessarily being destroyed, it is ordered, according to power given to the Selectmen to make orders according to their best discretion, we order that all the outside fences about all cornfields, orchards, and gardens, in the town shall be a sufficient five rail fence, or that is in the judg- ment of the viewers of the fences, equivalent thereto ; and if any man refuse or neglect to make such fences, and thereby occasion either his own or his neighbor's cattle to an ill haunt, which otherwise would be orderly, shall forfeit to the town for every such default, legally proved, as a fine, ten shillings ; and we do expect that the viewers of the fences should attend their duties herein according to law and town order." " At a meeting of the Selectmen, February 12, 1672, Concerning Swine, — To the end our meadows and corn fields should be preserved from damage, it is ordered, that all swine that go upon the common from three months old and upward, shall be ringed with two sufficient rings in each swine's nose, well put in, and to be ringed by the tenth of March, and so continue, from time to time, till the last of September, and to the end they may be so, we do further order, that the men that are chosen to look 40 ORDER RESPECTING SWINE. after swine, shall have sixpence a swine for every swine that they find unrhiged in the town from three months old and upward, and make it appear legally, that he or they have ringed them already according to this order. " And further we do order, that if any man's swine in this town take any man's cornfield, being legally proved, the owners of these swine shall forthwith secure them by yoking them or shutting them up, upon penalty of paying double damage, after the first time of damage being done." It appears that the cattle were not confined to enclosed pastures, but had the range of the whole country, under the care of herdsmen. " February 12, 1672. It was this day agreed upon that there shall be three herds; the cattle shall be divided into three herds, the one reaching from Matthias Farns- worth's, and so along the neck to James Fiske's and along till we come to Peleg Lawrence's, which herd is to go out by Indian hill, by James Fiske's, and the south side of Rock meadow. The second herd is to begin at Samuel Wood's, taking Nathaniel Lawrence and Thomas Smith, till we come at Thomas Williams and William Longley, taking in John Lakin and his neighbor's cattle ; and they are to go out with their herd by Nathaniel Lawrence's and into Unquetenasset woods, by Sargeant Lakin 's, and William Longley's, and Richard Blood's. The third herd to begin at Timothy Cooper's, and along the west side of Broad meadow to Jonathan Sawtell's, taking in the cattle of Richard Holden and Justin, and they likewise are to go into Unquetenasset woods, if they see cause. These several angles are to hire their herdsman, if the major part of any company agreeing thereto, the minor are to submit." Not knowing precisely where the houses of the inhabi- tants named in this order stood, we cannot define the limits of the several herds. But it is evident that the first COMMON POUND. 41 comprised the south part of the town ; the second, the north part ; and the third, the west part ; not, however, extending over Nashua river. These orders were passed by the Selectmen for several years in succession, with very little variation in expression or comprehension. '' At a town meeting held 5 March, 1665-6, the town agreed with John Page, Joseph Gilson, and Daniel Pearce, to make a common pound for the town's use, and they are to have fifty shillings for their pains, to be paid out of the next town rate. The said pound is to be made thirty feet square, six sufficient rails in height, not exceeding ten feet in length, the rails are two of them to be pinned at each end in every length ; they are to make the gate, and to find the irons, and to hang the said gate, with a lock and key for the said gate for the use of the town, for the aforesaid <£2 IO5. The place to be set up is near the meeting-house." ^ About this period it was customary for the town to choose large committees, whose duty it was to instruct the Selectmen in the management of the prudentials of the town. These committees would draw up their in- structions, and have them put on record xvith the trans- actions of the town. A few specimens of these instruc- tions follow. " In addition to the former instructions given by the committee chosen by the town in the year 1680, 10th of 10th mo. " 1. That the Selectmen shall take prudent and speedy care, that the meeting-house work shall go on ; and to that end, they stir up the constable, that he collect the pay, that it be in readiness to pay the workmen for their work, according to the covenant made with them ; and that they let out the rest of the work, so as it be most for the advantage of the town ; and the meeting-house being * The meeting-house was not yet built, but the site for it had been deter- mined. 6 4B INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. finished, in the place where it now standeth, the Select- men are to give an account to the town at their year's end of their receipts of rates, and the improvement of their disbursements. " 2. Moreover they are to take an account of the con- stables, the rates that are committed to them, of their im- provements and disbursements, and that the overplus, if Einy, it may be improved to the town's advantage. " 3. Furthermore, when there is an occasion for a town meeting, the Selectmen are to give reasonable warning of it, and the several particulars that are to be discoursed of that day ; and if there be an invoice to be taken, the several inhabitants are to bring it in that day, either by bill or some other manner ; and if any person neglect the same, they must expect to be rated by will or doom. " 4. That whatever rates, that are to be transmitted from the Selectmen to the constables, each man's estate shall be transcribed on the one side, and their sum on the other. " 5. And whatever mistakes in any man's rates, that do appear heretofore, they are to be amended in the next rates. " 6. And whatever defects or mistakes that do appear in any thing that do concern the meeting-house, they shall endeavor to amend and rectify the same. " T. And that all rates henceforward, that are made by the Selectmen, shall be set down in the town book with their sums. " 8. The Selectmen shall see that the rates referring for the time past for the defraying of Mr. Hobart's salary shall be cleared, and a general acquittance taken of Mr. Hobart for the same, that it be recorded in the town book, and so from year to year, the like care shall be taken by the Selectmen. " 9. That the Selectmen shall take care that no tran- sient person or persons coming into this town, may abide INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. 43 SO long in the town, without warning, as that continuing, may become a charge to the town. " 10. That the Selectmen do what they can to heal the differences that are in the town, in their managing the prudential affairs of the town, and do nothing to increase or augment the same. James Parker, Richard Blood, William Lakin, John Lakin, John Page." " The instructions given by the town's committee in the year 1682." " 2. That upon complaint of some of the inhabitants that the rates made by the Selectmen be justly propor- tioned to every man his just due to pay, and no more. " 3. That the Selectmen get a discharge from Mr. Hobart for his salary the year past. " 4. That the Selectmen take care that all the high- ways be sufUciently mended, from house to house, mill, market, and meeting. " 5. That those laws be read in public meeting, that is required, and all other duties belonging to Selectmen, as the law directs, be performed. " 6. Forasmuch as there has been complaint of many poor persons, that cannot pay rates, that the Selectmen are to make diligent search, whether it be so, that they may be passed in the rates, and take care to pay goodman Cady for a cord of wood. " 7. The Selectmen are to take special care, that there be a town book, and a sufficient man chosen to record our lands, as may stand according to law. " 8. That the Selectmen do attend to the law of the country concerning the Indians in this town. 44 INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. " 9. That the Selectmen do give a true account to the town of all the disbursements in the town this year. " 10. And also that Sabbath day's service may be per- formed in the season of it, that the Sabbath may not be profaned, as it is, too much." " At a Selectmen's meeting, December 10, 1689, Joseph Lawrence agreed with to sweep the meeting-house, hang out the flag, and carry water for baptizing children, for one year, and he is to have for that service the sum of 26s." In a schedule of the expenses of the town in the year 1687, is a charge for a constable's staff of £1 Is. CHAPTER IV. Highways and bridges — Roads of unnecessary width— Bad policy- Sales of roads — Highway to Chelmsford — Billerica bridge — Roads to Lancaster — Bridges over Lancaster or Nashua river— Agreement with Pepperell about bridges — Agreement with Capt. Fitch — Other bridges. The first highways laid out were of great and unneces- sary width, some of them being six or eight rods wide. The intentions of those, who laid them out, were undoubt- edly good, but the consequences were decidedly bad, some of which have continued to the present time. The inhabitants, whose lands bounded on the broad ways, observing the unnecessary waste of good land, were tempted to encroach upon it with their fences. The example of one would be naturally followed by another, and troubles soon arose and have been continued about encroachments upon the highways ever since. Had they been of a proper width only, encroachments would proba- bly not have been made so frequently. Committees have been chosen from time to time to see that encroachments should not be made, and to prosecute such as had made them. In other instances committees have been chosen to legalize the encroachments, by selling to individuals the lands they had taken from the highways into their enclosures. November 4, 1734, the town passed the following vote : " Voted and chose Benjamin Prescott, Nathaniel Saw- tell, Esqs., Capt. Sheple, Capt. Lawrence and Benjamin 46 SALES OF ROADS. Parker, a committee, and that the committee be directed and fully empowered to cause to be opened to their proper width, all the highways, private ways or town ways within this town, where they are straitened or encumbered, and pros- ecute all persons to effect, that have or shall be concerned in fencing in, or otherwise encumbering the same ; except the person or persons to whose land such highways, town ways or private ways join, shall be desirous to purchase some parts of the way adjoining to him ; in every such case the committee are hereby fully empowered to sell to such person or persons, such parts of the ways, as is not necessary to be used, for that purpose ; the ways laid out six poles wide, not to be made less in any place than four poles wide, and those that are now by record four poles wide, shall not be made less than three poles by such sale." By the power and authority given by this vote, the committee proceeded to make very extensive sales of strips of land enclosed by fences, for a number of years succeeding ; and in 1764, a new committee was chosen to give titles to persons of such strips, where it had not already been done ; the first committee, or a majority of them, probably being dead. In the year 1747, a committee was chosen to reckon with the committee who made sale of the highways, and they reported that the last mentioned committee had sold to the amount of one hundred and eighty-two pounds seven shillings and one penny, old tenor. Considering the number of the inhabitants, the dis- tance of the place from other settlements, — Chelmsfordj Dunstable, Billerica, Lancaster and Concord being the nearest, — and the great amount of labor necessary to construct a barely passable road over hills, streams, swamps and bogs, it is hard to conceive how they were able to make the communications and transportations absolutely necessary to provide for their sustenance. HIGHWAY TO CHELMSFORD. 47 As early as July, 1665, a highway had been laid out to Chelmsford, as appears by the following record. " The country highway being determined between this town and Chelmsford, by a committee chosen respectively by both towns, have agreed, and accordingly laid out the country highway from the meeting-house place in the * * * (old) cartway to Chelmsford meeting-house, six rods in width from place to place." This highway was probably where the county road from the first parish meeting-house, over the ridges to Forge village, is now travelled, or near it. " At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 10, 1672, a committee chosen to meet with Concord men, Chelmsford men, and Robert Blood, to lay out the way to the bay, between this and the spring, where it is most passable ; and the committee are. Major Willard, Sergeant Parker, James Knap." " The Major having not time to attend it, Richard Blood is chosen by the town in his room, March 17, '72-'73." This bay road, or road to the bay, as it is called in the records, lay through Chelmsford and Billerica. The bridge over Concord river was built at the expense of Billerica, Chelmsford, Groton, Dracut and Dunstable, and supported jointly by these towns for many years. Two highways from Groton to Lancaster were laid out within a few years after the first settlement. Of the first there is no record,^ but the record of the second sufficient- ly explains its necessity. " Wednesday, 4 June, 1673. Forasmuch as the coun- try highway, as it was formerly laid out by Lancaster and Groton, upon several years' trial proved to be very insufficient, and very difficult to be made passable, in regard it was for the most part lying in the intervales, wherein there are several soft places and little brooks, ' Mr. Abel Davis found traces of the first road, a few years since, upon his land, near the mouth of Nonacauicus brook. 49 HIGHWAY TO LANCASTER, upon which bridges and other matter for making the same passable, are apt to be raised and torn up by the floods, and upon experience of the same, Lancaster made apphcation to Groton for removing the said way to run more upon the upland, which was readily attended, and John Prescott, Sen., and Roger Sumner for Lancaster, and Sergeant Parker and Corporal Knap for Groton, were chosen committees by both towns to lay out the highway as aforesaid ; which was attended the day aforesaid, as folio weth, viz., first within the bounds of Groton they take their beginning at their meeting-house, to the mill of Jonas Prescott, by Matthias Farnsworth his house, six rods wide, turning out of the common mill way near twenty rods above the mill, and then it runs four rods wide through the land of the aforesaid Jonas Prescott, according as it is described by trees marked by the men aforesaid, and from the said Jonas Prescott's land to Pen- nicook river in Lancaster, through Swan swamp, six rods wide, as it is already marked out by the committee afore- said, and from the way aforesaid, butting upon Pennicook near to the night-pasture-wading-place, they take the way as it is left in width through the intervale, and over Nashua bridge, and so on to the meeting-house, and as it is to be understood, that the way in Lancaster bounds runs near the midway between the brook meadow and plum trees meadow, over a hill called Mahancknit's hill, and so along on the upland to the pond path, as it runs near to the still-river-meadow and Josiah White's meadow, until it comes to the Swan swamp path as afore- said ; 2 and to the confirmation hereof, the committee 2 The construction of this road was, if made passable for teams, undoubt- edly as great a tax upon the inhabitants, considering their wealth and num- bers, as that of constructing the Worcester and Nashua rail road, lying near the same route, would now be to the present inhabitants. Will there be as great a change of circumstances in the coming 174 years? BRIDGES. 49 aforesaid have hereunto put their hands, the day and year aforesaid. John Prescott, Roger Sumner, James Parker, James Knap." The exact location of this highway is not known ; but by comparing this with other records, it is sup])osed, that in Groton it passed between the Baptist raeeting-house and the common burying-ground, thence on the west side of Broad meadow, as the road now called Farmers' row, runs. Matthias Farnsworth, whose house it passed, is known to have lived on the south side of James's brook, some where near the houses of Ephraim Sawtell and Alva Wright. It probably crossed Sandy brook near Calvin Fletcher's saw mill, and thence followed the course of the present road to near the old mill. The Selectmen in 1669 had ordered a sufficient cart bridge to be built over Sandy brook; and Matthias Farnsworth was in the eleventh month of that year, viz., January, 1670, directed " to make a sufficient cart bridge over James's brook beneath his own house in that place where the surveyors shall judge it most con- venient." For the first thirty or forty years after the commence- ment of the settlement of Groton, there being no inhabi- tants on the west side of Nashua river, a bridge was not needed. The first movement (on record) about having one, is the following. "At a town meeting legally warned, August 22, 1699, the town did vote, that they would build a cart bridge over Lancaster river at Groton." Nothing further appears on the records about this or any bridge over Nashua or Lancaster river in Groton, for eighteen years, when the following vote was passed. " By the major vote agreed, that they will build a 7 60 BRIDGES. bridge over our river ; and also voted that they will have a committee to view the river in order thereto ; the men chosen for this committee are John Sheple, John Ames, Zachariah Sawtell, Joseph Parker, Jr., and John Holden ; and have by the major vote given this committee full power to state the place where the bridge shall stand, not extending np stream above Tarbell's fordway, nor down stream extending the Stony wading-place below Kemp's." Tarbell's fordway was between where Fitch's bridge now stands, and the bridge on the road to Sqiiannacook. Stony wading-place is the site of the mills, on the great road to Townsend. The aforementioned committee re- port thus. " Pursuant to said vote, we, the committee^ have viewed said river within the bounds and limits aforesaid, in order to perjixing and stating the place where the bridge shall stand over our river aforesaid, and we do all herein agree, and judge for and in behalf of this town of Groton, the best and the most commendable and conve- nient place for said bridge to stand, is at a place a little below the place known and called by the name of ' Wal- nut run,' across said river at or near a black oak tree, marked on the west side, which stands on the east side of said river, to a young black oak tree, which is on the west side of said river, with a heap of stones about it. As witness our hands." Signed by all the committee. It appears that the town did not immediately after this report, proceed to build the bridge ; for at a town meet- ing held June 11, 1722, a committee was chosen to answer in court to a complaint for not building a bridge over Lancaster river. And at a meeting, June 25, 1722, the town voted to build another bridge between Squanna- cook river and Mulpus brook, and chose two committees of three men each, to build the two bridges. These com- mittees proceeded some time in the work assigned them. BRIDGES. 51 June 10, 1723, the town voted that the committee for building the upper bridge should draw twelve pounds from the treasury for the work, and the other committee eighteen pounds. May 14, 1725. The town chose a committee of three persons to examine the accounts of the two committees for building the bridges. Aug. 27, 1725. The town voted, that the two com- mittees might give orders upon the town treasurer to the persons who had worked at the bridges, for the sums due them therefor, and ordered the town clerk to make a copy of all the accounts brought in by said committees. "Also voted and granted £159 19s. Id. to discharge the accounts of the two committees." And at the same meeting the following vote passed. " Voted, That Lieut. Boyden, Nathaniel Woods, and William Lawrence, be a committee to recover and take into their possession and custody the irons, plank, and timber, that has been got for, and used about, the bridges erected, or designed to be set up over Nashua river, and dispose thereof, or any part thereof, to the best advantage, the profits arising thereby to be accounted for, and paid to the town ; and the said committee are fully empowered to sue for and recover any such timber, irons, or plank, or other material used about each of said bridges, of any person or persons that have, or shall take or detain the same." So the works, after having been prosecuted for two or three years at great expense and labor, are abandoned, and no bridge over the Nashua is yet completed. The next year, March 15, 1725-6, the town voted, that they would build a bridge across Nashua river, but upon the question, whether at the town's expense, the vote was in the negative. Upon the question, whether the town would grant liberty to individuals to build a bridge, the vote was affirmative. 52 BRIDGES. '' Also voted that John Longley, Jonathan Page, Eph- rahn Sawtell, William TarbcU, and William Lawrence, with such others as will freely join with them, have liberty to erect and finish the bridge at ilie place prayed for, viz., between Squannacook and Mulpus brook, where said work has already been begun, provided they do it within two years ; and that for their encouragement therein, they have what hath already been provided for said bridge." May 19, 172G. A grant similar to the above was made to Jonathan Page, Samuel Parker, and John Holden, to build a bridge at Walnut run, on the same conditions, and with the same encouragement, as expressed in the above vote. As nothing further about bridges appears on the records for several years, it is inferred that both these bridges were erected and made passable within the two years limited by the above votes. Tantae iiiolis erat trans JJumen condere ■poiitem. At a town meeting, May 16, 1740, the town voted, " that there shall be a bridge built, rebuilt, erected, or set up across Lancaster river, near to Samuel Kemp's, Junior, where a bridge formerly stood," &c. Granted the sum of fifty pounds for the purpose, and chose a committee to perform the service, and require of the town of Town- send, that they pay part of the expense, and in case Townsend should refuse, that the representative of Groton in the General Court should petition to have them com- pelled to do it. But the next year, November 24, 1741, it was " voted to rebuild the bridge across Lancaster river at the Walnut run, or where the last bridge last stood." They also voted forty pounds for the purpose, and chose Ezra Parnsworth, Samuel Tarb«ll and Joseph Whitney, a committee to rebuild, and "to take care of the materials of the old bridge." So it appears that notiiing was etfected BRIDGES. 53 pursuant to the votes of May 16, 1740, as Samuel Kemp's, Jr., and Walnut run, mean one and the same place. And it seems by the following vote that the bridge was not rebuilt till the next year. " At a town meeting, August 24, 1742, voted, that the great bridge by Kemp's (so called) be raised at the town's cost — the committee appointed to build said bridge, to call such persons to raise said bridge as they shall think fit. And all such persons as are assisting in raising said bridge, shall be allowed the sum of five shillings, old tenor, each man, per day, and a dram." A bridge was built about this time at Stony wading- place ; for August 29, 1743, a committee was chosen to repair it. Among the records of 1750, is the following. " The town taking into consideration the great and heavy charge they labor under, and in particular to main- tain so many cart bridges over such a large and rapid river as Lancaster river is ; and it appearing to the said town, that the bridge at the Walnut run, so called, is much the less used by the inhabitants of the said town than any one of the others, that are built across said river ; but inasmuch as there is a country road laid out to, from, and over said bridge, which leads to Townsend line, so that the said town can't change or discontinue said road, or any part thereof; and whereas we have two other bridges on each side of the aforesaid bridge, and we have or can make convenient roads to each of said bridges to accommodate the inhabitants of Townsend and others, that have occasion to travel that way ; therefore voted, that William Lawrence, Esq., Capt. Samuel Tarbell and Capt. John Bulkley, be a committee to make application to the Court .of General Sessions of the Peace for the county of Middlesex, to get part of the road leading to Townsend exchanged, so as to lead or go over some of the other bridges, and the aforesaid bridge at the Walnut 54 BRIDGES. run, so called, discontinued ; or that the town of Town- send be obliged to help maintain it." By this it appears, that the number of bridges over Lancaster river, in Groton, in 1750, was the same as at present ; and they all stood at the same places, except, perhaps, the bridge at the Walnut run stood farther up the river, than Fitch's bridge now stands. In May, 1751, a committee was chosen to repair the bridge at Wood's fordway, viz., where the bridge now stands, on the road leading to Squannacook ; and in March, 1753, mention is made of repairing the bridge near Blood's fordway, which is now called Jewett's bridge. After Pepperell had become a district, there being two bridges, one half of each of which being in said district, and the other half in Groton, the following agreement was made and has been fulfilled by the parties thereto, to the present time. " Articles of agreement made and concluded upon, by and between William Lawrence, Esq., Samuel Tarbell, Gent., and Joseph Stone, Yeoman, all of Groton, a com- mittee for said town on the one party, and Peleg Law- rence, David Shattuck and Nehemiah Hobart, Yeomen, a committee for the district of Pepperell, on the other party, all in the county of Middlesex, witnesseth, that whereas there are two cart bridges now built or erected over and across Lancaster river, which are built between the said town of Groton, and the district of Pepperell, viz., one at the Stony wading-place, so called, the other a little below Joseph Blood's fordway, so called, and whereas the said town of Groton and the said district are obliged to main- tain the said bridges to the middle of the river, each on their own side, and inasmuch as it hath been considered by the said town and district, that it may become advan- tageous for both, for one to do all to one, and the other all to the other, therefore, we, the said William Lawrence, Samuel Tarbell, and Joseph Stone, in our said capacity BRIDGES. 55 of a committee for said town, do covenant and agree with the said Peleg Lawrence, David Shattuck, and Nehemiah Hobart, a committee for said district, that the said town of Groton shall from time to time, mend, maintain and keep in good repair, the bridge called the Stony wading- place bridge, so long as the county road shall be con- tinued there ; and the said district of Pepperell shall keep up and maintain a good cart bridge, where it is now, a little below Joseph Blood's fordway, so called ; and at all times keep the said Stony wading-place bridge in so good repair as to secure the said district from any charge by reason of a presentment by the grand jury, he, always provided, that in case there should be a presentment against the said district, then the said district to give the said town of Groton, or such person as they shall desire to appear and make answer thereto, full power to answer; and for want of such power, the said town of Groton shall be free from any charge on that account ; neither is it to be understood, that said town of Groton are to be held to make or maintain the said Stony wading-place bridge any longer than the said district make or maintain a good bridge near Blood's fordway, as aforesaid. For the true performance of the covenants and agreements aforesaid, we, the said parties, have set to our hands and seals, this 16th day of September, 1754. In the 28th year of his majesty's reign." Signed, sealed, he. At a town meeting in May, 1760, the town chose a committee to petition the General Court for leave to raise by a lottery a reasonable sum of money to maintain four bridges over Lancaster river, between Groton and the districts of Pepperell and Shirley, and one great bridge over Squannacook river at the mills. The bridge at Walnut run was omitted in this vote, but for what reason, does not appear. For many years after this period, persons were annually 66 RRIDGES. chosen to inspect and repair the great bridges ; one, the upper, or Page's bridge, one, that at Wood's fordway, and one, that at Stony wading-place. That at Walnut run, or Kemp's, now Fitch's bridge, was maintained by a few inhabitants, who were particularly accommodated by it. Afterwards the Selectmen were annually chosen for that purpose. In September, 1771, an article was inserted in the war- rant for a town meeting, " to choose some proper person or persons to view, mark, and purchase any such timber, as may be thought proper for the use of the great bridges across the river," and such committee was thereupon chosen. This was probably done under the apprehension that such timber would soon be scarce. In May, 1772, Col. Prescott, Dr. Prescott, and Capt. Amos Lawrence, were chosen to petition the General Court for relief about the bridges ; but it does not appear that any relief was granted. In the warrant for town meeting, October, 1779, the twelfth article was this. " To see if the town will keep the bridge over the river at Kemp's fordway in good repair for the future, or make the proprietors thereof any allowance for the same." Thereupon " Voted, That Capt. Fitch, Samuel Hemenway, John Simonds, James Adams, Caleb Blood, and Jacob Gragg, (persons living on the west side of the river,) be excused from any proportion of the highway taxes in this town in future, so long as they shall agree to keep in repair the bridge mentioned in the 12th article." In April, 1803, Capt. Zachariah Fitch proposed to the town, that he would support the bridge and the two highways leading from it on the easterly side of the river the distance of twenty rods, for the sum of thirty dollars per annum, which proposition the town accepted. In 1806 a committee was chosen to consider and report BRIDGES. 57 what was expedient relating to the support of that bridge, who reported that Capt. Fitch ought in justice to have a grant of thirty dollars, to make present repairs, and in ad- dition to thirty dollars annually, his proportion of the highway tax in future. This report was accepted. Capt. Fitch and his heirs have supported said bridge ever since. It is notorious, that the burden of making and support- ing highways and bridges falls very unequally upon towns, in proportion to their wealth and population. The towns of Billerica, Concord, Framingliam, Groton, Stow, Sudbury and Wajdand, in the county of Middlesex, are at more expense for bridges, than other towns in the county. Various movements have been made by those oppressed in this particular, such as appear by the fore- going votes of Groton, to obtain relief, and equalize the expenses, but none have been permanently successfuL Besides the five bridges over Nashua, and one over Squannacook rivers, within the bounds and upon the limits of Groton, there are two over Cow-pond brook, one over Nonacauicus, one over Sandy, one over Unquetenas- set, and nine over James's brook, besides many others over smaller streams. The whole length of highways is about one hundred miles. 8 CHAPTER V. Division of the ToM'n — Parcel witli Nashobah set off to make Little- ton — Compensation for the loss by Groton Gore — Hon. William Prescott's country seat — Line of New Hampshire run — Loss and compensation — Harvard and Westford to have parcels — Precinct of Pepperell — Districts of Shirley and Pepperell — Parcels to Dunsta-. ble — From Pepperell to Groton. The original grant of the plantation or township of Groton, as has been stated in Chapter I., was a territory comprising sixty-four square miles, or 40,960 acres. By the incorporations of Shirley and Pepperell, and by setting off parcels to other adjoining towns, Groton is now re- duced to a territory of about thirty-six square miles, or a little more than a moiety of its original size. The first dismemberment took place in the year 1715, when Nashobah was incorporated a town by the name of Littleton, and a large portion of Groton at the south-east part, was included within the bounds of the new town. The following proceedings of the proprietors or town of Groton, show the quantity of land thus set off, and other particulars in relation thereto. " At a legal town meeting, July 25, 1734, being assem- bled, &ic. " Whereas the Great and General Court have been pleased to grant the contents of eight miles square in answer to the petition of Dean Winthrop and others for a township to be called Groton, a plan whereof was pre- sented to the Court for confirmation. Anno Domini 1717, which plan was accepted, excepting where the same joined to Littleton, and a line established there, which GROTON GORE. 59 interfered with the said plan, so far as to take from the town of Groton about 2,788 acres and 40 perches ; and whereas there were two farms containing about thirteen hundred acres of land laid out within the said plan before the grant of the town, not considered, nor any allowance made in the said plan, nor to the town or proprietors, for the same ; wherefore, unanimously voted, that Benjamin Prescott, Esq., representative of this town, be desired and fully empowered to prefer a petition to the General Court, setting forth the true state and circumstances of the case of the town, for some of the unappropriated land of the province, as an equivalent for said farms and land taken off by the line established, dividing between Groton and Littleton ; and use his best endeavours to obtain a grant thereof." By the following it appears, that the representative was successful in his application. " At a legal meeting of the proprietors of common land belonging to the town of Groton, being assembled and met the 26th day of May, 1735, " Voted, That in consideration of the charge and ex- pense that Benjamin Prescott, Esq., has been at in peti- tioning for, and recovering the grant of ten thousand eight hundred acres of land in the gore between Town- send and Dunstable, to the proprietors of Groton afore- said, there be and there hereby is, granted and confirmed to the said Benjamin Prescott, his heirs and assigns for- ever, one thirteenth part of the said ten thousand eight hundred acres granted, as aforesaid," — " provided the said Prescott pay all the charges that has arisen about that affair, in surveying the land taken by Littleton, and taking the plan of the gore, and procuring the acceptance thereof." ^ * The descendants of the Hon. Benjamin Prescott, still own a farm in Pep- perell which was a part of said gore. It was the late Hon. William Pres- cott's country seat. 60 NEW HAMPSHIRE LINE RUN. In February, 1741, the long disputed line between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in con- formity to royal determination, was surveyed and marked by Richard Hazen. This line passed through Groton gore, leaving a large portion thereof, and a triangular piece of what was originally Groton, in the State of New Hampshire.^ Here again the proprietors of Groton sus- tained a loss of their lands ; but after a long delay they petitioned the General Court and received a compensation, as appears by the following records. "At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Groton, June 3d, 1771, " Voted, and chose a committee to petition the Great and General Court for a grant of land, in consideration of Groton gore, so called, that was lost by the late running of the line between this province and the province of New Hampshire." " July 8th, 1771. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Groton. " Whereas there is a grant of seven thousand eight hundred acres of the unappropriated lands lying in the westerly part of this province, made by the Great and ' The following action of the town took place the autumn before the run- ning of the line between the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire. " At a legal town meeting on the last Monday of September, 1740, " Being informed that the determination of his majesty and council re- specting the controversary bounds between the province of the Massachu- setts Bay and New Hampshire, how part of this town is excluded from the said province of Massachusetts Bay, to which they always supposed they belonged, therefore voted, that a petition be preferred to the King's most excellent majesty, setting forth our distressed circumstances, and praying that we may be annexed to the province of the Massachusetts Bay, and voted, nemine contradiccnte, that Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., of Boston, be, and he hereby is fully empowered to present to his majesty, and to appear and fully to act for and in behalf of the inhabitants and proprietors of this town respecting the subject matter of said petition, according to his best dis- cretion," Slc. PARCELS TO HARVARD AND WE9TF0RD, 61 General Court of said province, in June, 1771, to the pro- prietors of Groton, voted, that four hundred acres of said granted lands be given and granted by said proprietors to Col. James Prescott, Capt. Joseph Sheple, and Lieut. Jo- siah Sawtell, to them, their heirs and assigns," &c. "April 12, 1773. The committee appointed to lay- out the grant of land made by the General Court to the said proprietors in June, 1771, in lieu of Groton gore, so called, reported to the proprietors of said grant, verbally, that about the one half of the grant was laid out, and the plan was accepted by the Court ; that the other half was laid out, and a plan presented to the Court for acceptance, but was not accepted, but ordered to lie, till the line be- tween this province and New York was settled, the land lying near the said line." Upon the incorporation of Harvard, taken principally from Lancaster and Stow, Groton gave up a considerable territory to that new town, comprising the " old mill " portion. A portion on the east line of Groton was about the same time annexed to Westford, originally a part of Chelmsford. The following votes of the town show pretty definitely what parts were so set off. " At a town meeting March 3d, 1729-30. " Upon motion and application of Simon Stone, Jr., Jonathan Farns worth, Eleazer Robbins, Jonathan Farns- worth, Jr., Ephraim Farnsworth, Jeremiah Farnsworth, and Eleazer Davis, voted, that the town is willing the persons aforenamed, with the land on the southerly part of the town, as far as to the brook about six rods souther- ly of James Stone's house, ^ where the highway crosses said brook, so easterly and westerly on a parallel line with the south line of the township, to the towns of Littleton and Lunenburg, be annexed to some parts of the towns of ' Now Abel Stone's house. 62 HARVARD AND WESTFORD. Stow and Lancaster for a separate township, when the General Court pleases. The farm called ' Cauicus,' or Major Willard's farm, or such part thereof as shall fall within the line aforesaid, excepted, the property of said lands, divided or undivided, remaining to the proprietors thereof" " Upon reading the petition of Capt. Jonas Prescott, Abner Kent, Ebenezer Prescott, and Ebenezer Townsen, all of Groton, relating to their being annexed to the town of Westford ; therefore voted, that the town is willing that they be accordingly set off, according to their peti- tion, and the land therein contained, viz., from the north- west corner of Stony-brook pond, to the north-westerly corner of said Westford, commonly called ' Tyng's cor- ner,' south by the pond, in order to their being annexed to Westford aforesaid ; the property of said land, divided or undivided, remaining to the proprietors thereof" By the insertion of the last clause in each of the pre- ceding votes, the proprietors had no occasion to petition the General Court for remuneration. Dec. 16, 1730. A petition was presented to the Gover- nor General and House of Representatives, praying that a new township might be incorporated from parts of Lan- caster, Stow, and Groton, upon which an order of notice upon these towns issued. Aug. 17, 1730. The town of Groton chose a commit- tee to answer the petition, and endeavor to prevent any land upon the west side of the river to be taken from Groton, or any more on the east side, than had been voted on the petition of Simon Stone and others. And it seems that this committee succeeded in such endeavors, for the line described in Stone's petition is the present one be- tween Groton and Harvard, on the east side of Nashua river. Nov. 29, 1738. A petition signed by certam inhabitants PETITION FOR A NEW TOWN. 63 of Dunstable and Groton, to the number of twenty-one settlers and fifteen non-residents, was presented to " His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief; and to the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives in General Court assem- bled," showing that those of the petitioners, who belonged to Dunstable, were situated nine or ten miles from their meeting-house, and those in Groton, six miles, by reason of which they were deprived of the benefits of preaching ; that there was a tract of good land about six miles square, well situated for a township, bounded thus, " beginning at Dunstable line at Nashua river, so running by the westerly side of said river southerly one mile in Groton land, thence running westerly a parallel line with Groton north line, till it comes to Townsend line, and then turn- ing and running north to Groton north-west corner, then from Groton north-west corner, by Townsend line and by the line of Groton new grant, till it comes to be five miles and a half to the northward of Groton north line, from thence due east seven miles, thence south to Nashua river, and so by Nashua river south-westerly to Groton line, the first mentioned bound." That there were al- ready within these lines nearly forty families, and many more ready to come, were it not for their disadvantageous situation abovementioned, and praying that said territory might be incorporated into a distinct township. Upon this petition a particular order of notice issued, and James Minot and John Robeson, appointed by the House, and Thomas Barry, Esq., joined by the Council, were a view- ing committee, but the prayer of the petition was not granted. The following petition resulted in the setting off of Pepperell, first as a precinct and afterwards as a district. " To his Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's Province of 64 PETITION FOR A PRECINCT. Massachusetts Bay, in New England ; to the Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in General Court assembled on the 26th day of May, A. D. . 1742. The petition of us, the subscribers, to your Ex- cellency and Honors, humbly showeth, that we are the proprietors and inhabitants of the land lying on the westerly side of Nashua river, so called, in the north-west corner of the township of Groton, and such of us as are inhabitants thereon, live very remote from the public worship of God in said town, and at many times and seasons of the year are put to great difficulty to attend the same, and the lands bounded as followeth, viz., southerly on Townsend road, westerly on Townsend line, northerly on Dunstable west precinct and old town, and easterly on said river as it now runs, to the first mentioned bounds, being of the contents of about four miles square of good land, well situated as a precinct, and the town of Groton hath been petitioned to set off the lands bounded as afore- said, to be a distinct and separate precinct, and at a town meeting of the inhabitants of said Groton, assembled on the twenty-fifth day of May last past, the town voted the prayer of the said petition, and that the lands before de- scribed should be a separate precinct, and that the inhabi- tants thereon, and such others as hereafter shall settle on said lands, should have powers and privileges that other precincts in said province have, or do enjoy, as per a copy from Groton town book herewith exhibited may appear, &c. For the reasons mentioned, we, the subscribers as aforesaid, humbly pray your Excellency and Honors to set off the said lands bounded as aforesaid, to be a distinct and separate precinct, and invest the said inhabitants thereon, containing about the number of forty families, and such others as shall hereafter settle on said lands, with such powers and privileges as other precincts in said province have, he, and grant to your petitioners such other relief in the premises, as your Excellency and PETITION FOR SHIRLEY. 65 Honors in your great wisdom shall think fit, and your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. Benjamin Swallow, William Spaulding, Isaac Williams," (and others.) " The above petition was concurred in, in Council, June 26, 1742. T. Gushing, Speaker." "William Shirley." Several other petitions of the inhabitants of the north part of Groton and west part of Dunstable were preferred to the General Court about the time of the presentation of the above, praying a township or district ; but the last above was the successful one. The following petition commenced the separation of SHirley from Groton. " To the inhabitants of the town of Groton, assembled in town meeting on the first day of March, 1747. The petition of us, the subscribers, being all inhabitants of the town of Groton aforesaid, humbly showeth, that your pe- titioners all live in the extreme parts of the town, and by that means are incapacitated to attend the public worship constantly, either ourselves or families ; and being sensible that our being set off in order for a precinct will be of great service to us, we desire that we may be set off by the bounds following, viz., beginning at the mouth of Squannacook river, and so run up said river till it comes to Townsend line, and then by Townsend and Lunen- burg lines till it cometh to Groton south-west corner, and so by the south line of said town until it cometh to Lan- caster river, and then down said river till it cometh to Harvard corner, and then about a mile on Harvard north line, then turn north and run to the waste brook in 9 66 DUNSTABLE LINES. Coicors (Cauicns or Nonacaicus) farm, where people gen- erally pass over, and from thence to the mouth of Squan- nacook river, where we first began ; and your petitioners, as bound in duty, shall ever pray, &,c. John Whitney," and 32 others. " The above petition was read at the anniversary meet- ing in Groton, March 1, 1747, and the prayer thereof granted, except the land on the easterly side Lancaster river, and recorded. Thomas Tarbell, Town Clerk." This precinct was incorporated a district by the name of Shirley, January 5th, 1753 ; and the first one set off was incorporated a district by the name of Pepperell, April 12, 1753, These two districts joined with Groton in the choice of a representative to the General Court, as appears by the records, till the year 1775. An Act of the Legislature passed in the year 1786, made all districts which had been incorporated previous to 1777, towns, without any special Acts for each, by which Act Shirley and Pepperell became towns.^ By an Act of the Legislature, passed February 25, 1793, on the petition of sundry inhabitants of the north part of Groton, about twenty families with their estates were taken from Groton and annexed to Dunstable. By this the jurisdictional line between the two towns formed eighty-six angles, and was attended with much inconve- nience. It continued, however, to be the boundary line till February 15, 1820, when by another Act a line was established, taking one family and a considerable territory from Groton and annexing it to Dunstable, and forming but five angles. * From and after 1775, Shirley and Pepperell each chose representatives to the General Court, separate ftom Groton, and made their records as towns; but by what authority, I know not. I find no acts of incorporation. GROTON AT PRESENT. 67 By an Act, passed February 6, 1798, Moody Chase, Samuel Chase, and Simon Daby, (or Darby,) with their estates, lying at the south-west corner of Groton, on the easterly side of Nashua river, were taken from Groton and annexed to Shirley. Lastly, by an Act passed February 3, 1803, four acres and twenty rods of land on the west side of Nashua river near Fitch's bridge, were taken from Pepperell and an- nexed to Groton. From Groton, therefore, as originally granted and sur- veyed by Jonathan Danforth, have been taken nearly the whole of Pepperell and Shirley, large portions of Littleton and Dunstable, and less portions of Harvard and Westford, leaving it in no place bounded as at first, except on Townsend and Tyngsborough. And instead of sixty-four, it now contains about thirty-six square miles. CHAPTER VI. Indian Wars — Philip, chief of the Wampanoags — His foresight and wars — Attack upon Groton, March 2d, 9th and 13th — The town burnt and deserted — Daniel Adams's petition — Town meeting at Concord — Petition for relief — Squaws taken up by Sargeant La- kin — King William's war — Officers — Garrisons — William Long- ley's family killed, with others — Petition for relief — Queen Anne's war — Tarbell boys taken— Sheple's house burnt — John Shattuck and son killed — Jacob Ames killed — Expedition to Norridgewock, and death of Ralle — Lovell's war — His first, second and last expe- dition — Lovell's fight and consequences — Story of Chamberlain and young Paugus — Reflections. Of all the embarrassments, difficulties and discourage- ments, which the early settlers of Groton had to encoun- ter, those arising from the hostility of the aborigines, na- tives, or Indians, as they are more commonly called, were by far the most appalling and distressing. For the term of about fifteen years, however, after the settlement com- menced, it being a time of peace between the Massachu- setts colony and the Indians, nothing appears on record, that the settlers suffered or felt any alarm from their savage neighbors. But during this very period, Metacom, by the English named Philip, a sachem of the Wampa- noags, a tribe inhabiting some part of the State of Rhode Island, a courageous warrior, possessing a sagacity and foresight not common in a savage, had conceived, and was cautiously maturing a plan to extirpate the European population of New England. He rightly judged, that if the settlements by foreigners progressed as they had done, and were then doing, the rightful proprietors of the soil Philip's plan of war. 69 must rapidly fly before the usurpers, or suffer extermina- tion. He, therefore, in order to prevent what has long since happened, endeavored to unite the various tribes in and about New England in a plan to make a general and simultaneous attack upon the new settlers, and if possible, destroy them at once. He concealed his designs as well as he could from his intended victims. But one Sausa- man, an Indian, who was friendly to the whites, knowing the intentions of Philip, disclosed them ; and for that kind act was soon after killed by the Warapanoags. Where- upon three of his murderers were seized by the English of Plymouth colony, tried, convicted, condemned and executed. Philip himself was charged with being an accomplice, and not attempting to disprove the charge, it was thought he was guilty. Finding now that his plans were known to those upon whom they were intended to be executed, he no longer practised deception, but though unprepared for the contest, commenced open war. But for the disclosures of the unfortunate Sausaman, and for his commencing hostilities before his allies were fully prepared to join in the attack, he might probably have succeeded in his enterprise. Though the laws of the Colonies forbade selling fire arms and ammunition to the Indians, they had not been strictly obeyed, and the French at Canada, and the Dutch at New York, had trafficked with them in these articles; a French baron in particular residing in Penobscot had sup- plied them, so that at this time they had a considerable supply of guns, and had learned to use them expertly. The numbers of those combined in Philip's plot for ex- termination, cannot be estimated with any great degree of certainty. The whole number of white inhabitants at that time in New England has been estimated at one hundred and twenty thousand ; about the same number that our county of Middlesex alone now contains. Had they all dwelt on a territory not larger than Middlesex, 70 WAR COMMENCED. they could have defended themselves with less expense, and have suffered less than they did, being scattered over a country now comprising five States of the Union. This calamitous war commenced June 24, 1675, at Swanzey, now in the county of Norfolk. The Indians began by rifling some houses, killing some cattle, and menacing the inhabitants ; whereupon one of them was shot, and immediately eight or nine of the whites were killed. Brook field, Mendon, Lancaster, Sudbury, Marl- borough, Groton, and other towns of Massachusetts, were soon after the scenes of fire, slaughter, captivity, torture and sufferings, of which we at this time can give no ade- quate description. The events of this savage war will be narrated no farther than they have some connection with the settlement at Groton. The first mention of any thing in relation to the In- dians, or the war, in the records of Groton, is the follow- ing. " At a meeting of the Selectmen, July 22, 1675, a rate made for defraying the charge of the war, the sum of £23 14s. 4rf." " At a general town meeting held November 8, 1675, It was this day agreed upon and by vote declared, that there should be a committee chosen to treat with Mr. Willard about sending down to the General Court to inform and supplicate them, that we may have paid to us what is our due from the country, and also that the billet of the sol- diers may be upon the country's account ; and also if this would not do, for to stand it out at law with them." " At a general town meeting, held December 9, 1675, It was this day agreed upon and by vote declared, that the soldiers that are still remaining in the town, shall be con- tinued in the town at the town charge, till such time as we hear a return from the army gone against the Narra- ganset, and then * * * to meet again to consider what is * * * to be done." PETITION TO THE GENERAL COURT. 71 It is easily perceived by these votes, that the inhabi- tants at the time of the first, did not feel greatly alarmed, but at the time of the second they had become apprehen- sive of danger. The annual town meeting for the choice of town officers was held December 10, 1675, after which there are no records for the two next succeeding years. The following copies of original papers, written in the time of Philip's war, will aid us in estimating the alarm- ing, perilous and distressing condition of the inhabitants of the frontier towns in this eventful crisis. " To the Honoured Council of the Massachusetts sitting in Boston, the humble petition of us, whose names are subscribed, humbly shows, " That whereas it seemeth meet to your worships to commend unto our honored Major Willard, and impose upon him the maintaining a continued scout of forty troopers and dragoons to range between Groton, Lancas- ter and Marlborough, and those parts, we make bold humbly to present our conceptions upon that account. For Marlborough, we do conceive the present supply left there in garrison do answer the end more fully, and will also render our scout an unnecessary burden ; for Lancas- ter and Groton, we find by experience that the safety is little advanced in this way, by reason of so long absence and so great distance of this scout, necessary in this method. Besides the incumbrance lying upon us for quarters for horse and men, besides the drawing up of our men from several towns to such a limit seems to carry in- convenience with it ; the towns from whence our forces are raised, especially Chelmsford and Billerica, being weak and in want of more strength at home, and danger occur- ing to them, by the sudden and suspicious removal of the Weymessit Indians, whose troopers do hereupon desire a release. Moreover, the conceptions of the towns related 72 PLANS FOR DEFENCE. conceive, humbly, that a scout of garrisoned soldiers, though of a less number, and these footmen, whom the towns may out of themselves make dragoons, by order from authority as occasion may present, would be more for the security of the towns; besides the hazard in which so small a number must needs go in, as we have sufficient ground to suspect by experience, and many emergencies, which may suddenly fall out, before address be made to your worships. We humbly present to your honors' con- sideration, and if it seem rational, to alter or add to this matter according to your discretion. " Your honors' humble supplicants, James Parker, Th. Wheeler, Henry Woodhouse." " Groton, Feb. 6, 1675." (1676.) The foregoing petition is in the handwriting of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Willard, then minister of Groton, and son of Major Simon Willard, a prominent character of those days. It is seen by its date, that it was written three or four days before the burning of Lancaster, and about five weeks before that of Groton. '* Cambridge, 28 : 1 mo. 1676. " In obedience to an order of the Honorable Council, March, 1675-6, appointing us, whose names are under- written, as a committee to consult the several towns of the county of Middlesex, with reference to the best means of the preservation of our out-towns, remote houses, and farms, for their security from the common enemy, we having sent to the several towns to send us their appre- hensions by some one meet person of each town, this day we consulted concerning the same, and have concluded to propose as followeth. " 1. That the towns of Sudbury, Concord and Chelms- SCOUTS RECOMMENDED. 73 ford be strengthened with forty men apiece, which said men are to be improved in scouting between town and town, who are to be commanded by men of prudence, courage and interest in the said towns, and the parties in each town are to be ordered to keep together in some place commodious in said towns, and not in garrisoned houses ; and these men to be upon charge of the country. " 2. That for the security of Billerica there be a garri- son of a number competent at Weymessit, who may raise a thousand bushels of corn upon the lands of the Indians in that place, may be improved daily in scouting and ranging the woods between Weymessit and Andover, and on the west of Concord river on the east and north of Chelmsford, which will discover the enemy before he comes to the towns, and prevent lurking Indians about our towns. Also that they shall be in a readiness to succor any of the three towns at any time when in distress ; also shall be ready to join with others to follow the enemy upon a sudden after their appearing. " 3. That such towns as Lancaster, Groton, and Marl- borough, that are forced to remove, and have not some advantage of settlement (peculiar) in the Bay, be ordered to settle at the frontier towns, that remain, for their strengthening ; and the people of the said towns to which they are appointed, are to see to their accommodation in the said towns. " 4. That the said towns have their own men returned that are abroad, and their men freed from impressment during their present state. " 5. That there be appointed a select number of persons in each town of Middlesex, who are, upon any information of the distress of any town, forthwith to repair to the relief thereof; and that such information may be season- able, the towns are to dispatch posts, each town to the next, till notice be conveyed over the whole country, if 10 T4 STOCADOES DISAPPROVED. need be. And in reference to the line of stocadoes, pro- posed to the spsious consideration, after our best advice upon it, it is conceived by ourselves, and by all the per- sons sent by the several towns, that it is not admissible for the reasons following. " 1. The excessive charge to effect it, maintain and keep it, the line being conceived, by those that know it best, to be longer than is proposed ; neither can several fords fall in the line, unless it be run so crooked that it will be more disadvantage than profit. " 2. The length of time before it can be accomplished, in which time it is to be feared that many of the towns included will be depopulated, unless other means pre- vent. " 3. The damage it will be in taking off laborers, which in this season of the year had need be improved in sowing and planting, help in many places being very scarce. " 4. The useiiilness of it, when it is done, it being so easy a matter to break through it, and the rivers which are to fence a great part of these towns are fordable in several places, and in all other places passable by rafts, &,c., which is much in use by the Indians at this day. We might add the great discontent and mourning of the people in general, so far as we have had opportunity to discourse concerning it, that we fear the imposing of such a thing would effect an ill consequence. These things considered, besides several other reasons of weight, that might be added, cause us to present our apprehensions, as in the first place we did, that the drawing of this line at this time is not admissible : but all wnth humble submis- sion to your honors in the case. " Your humble servants, Hugh Mason, Jonathan Danforth, Richard Lowdon." APPORTIONMENT OF SOLDIERS. 75 Weymessit, named in the above report, was where the city of Lowell now stands. The tribe were generally- friendly to the English, but after the commencement of Philip's war, having suffered some injuries done tliem by mistake or otherwise, they did some damage in Billerica, Chelmsford and Dracut, and about this time suddenly left the place, and it was feared had joined the enemy ; so the English proposed to occupy their planting grounds. " For the better securing our frontier towns from the incursion of the enemy, it is ordered by this Court and authority thereof, that in each and every of these towns hereinafter mentioned, respectively, shall be allowed for their defence a suitable number of soldiers, well armed and furnished with ammunition fit for service ; the number or proportion in such towns to be as follows, viz. Groton, . . . 20 men. Weymouth, . 15 men Pawtucket, . — men. Billerica, . 20 men Sudbury, . 30 men. Andover, . . 20 men Braintree, . . 15 men. Concord, . 20 men Bradford, . . 10 men. Milton, . . . 10 men Haverhill, . . 20 men. Hing^ham, . . 20 men. Chelmsford, Medfield, . . 20 men. . 30 men. Dedham, . 20 men " And it is further ordered, that each and every of the towns above mentioned, shall well and sufficiently main- tain their several proportions of men with suitable pro- visions, respecting diet, at their own proper cost and charge during the time of their service. " These garrison soldiers, together with those who are to be in the prosecution of the enemy, are to be raised out of the four counties in which the garrisons are to be set- tled, and that these soldiers that are raised out of the gar- rison towns, shall be allowed them in part of the garrison, according as their proportion shall be, and that the set- tling of these garrisons in the respective towns, as to the place, and also the commander-in-chief, together with di- 76 Hubbard's narrative. rection for the improvement of said garrisons to the best advantage for the security of towns and persons, it shall and is hereby left to the committee of militia in the seve- ral towns, who are hereby required and empowered to act therein according to this order. And tViis to be instead of a line of garrisons formerly proposed. " The deputies have past this with reference to the consent of the honored magistrates hereto. William Torrey, Clerk." " Not consented to by the magistrates. Edw. Rawson, Sec'y." In the year 1676, or 1677, the Rev. William Hubbard, minister of Ipswich, in the county of Essex, wrote " A Narrative of the Indian Wars," from the first settlement of the country to that time. A committee deputed by the Governor and Council of Massachusetts, " to peruse and licence the same," say of it, that " it is judged meet for public view, and we do accordingly order it to be im- printed, as being of public benefit, and judge the author to have deserved due acknowledgment and thanks for the same." Though there is a want of method and precision in his account of the destruction of Groton, and some confusion in his relating the several incidents thereof, I prefer giving that author's narrative, to any abridgement I might make of it. " March 2, (1676,) they assaulted Groton ; the next day over night. Major Willard with seventy horse came into town ; forty foot also came up to their relief from Water- town, but the Indians were all fled, having first burnt all the houses in the town save four, that were garrisoned, the meeting-house being the second house they fired ; soon after Capt. Sill was sent with a small party of FIRST AND SECOND ATTACK. 77 dragoons, of eight files, to fetch off the inhabitants of Groton, and what was left from the spoil of the enemy, having under his conduct about sixty carts, being in depth from front to rear above two miles, when a party of In- dians lying in ambush, at a place of eminent advantage, fired upon the front and mortally wounded two of the first carriers, who both died the next night, [and would] (had God permitted) have done eminent damage to the whole body, it being a full hour before the whole body could be drawn up, which was done with care and courage ; but the Indians, after a few more shot made without doing harm, retired, and made no further assault upon them, being the same party of Indians which the day before had burnt some part of Chelmsford. Soon after, this village was deserted and destroyed by the enemy, yet it was a special providence, that though the carts were guarded with so slender a convoy, yet there was not any considerable loss sustained. *' The surprisal of Groton was after this manner. On the 2d, the Indians came in the night and rifled eight or nine houses, and carried away some cattle, and alarmed the town. " On March 9th, about ten in the morning, a parcel of Indians, (having two days lurked in the town, and taken possession of three out-houses, and feasted themselves with corn, divers swine and poultry, which they there seized,) laid an ambush for two carts, which went from their garrison to fetch in some hay, attended with four men, two of whom espying the enemy, made a difficult escape, the other two were set upon, and one of them slain, stripped naked, his body mangled and dragged into the highway, and laid on his back in a most shameful manner ; the other taken captive and sentenced to death, but the enemy not concurring in the manner of it, exefcu- tion was deferred, and he by the providence of God es- caped by a bold attempt the night before he was designed 78 THIRD ATTACK. to have been slaughtered, and fled to the garrison at Lan- caster, the cattle in both towns wounded and five of them slain. " March 13, was the day when the enemy came in a full body, by their own account four hundred, and thought by the inhabitants to be not many less. The town was at this time (having been put into a fright by the sad catastrophe of Lancaster, the next bordering town) gathered into five garrisons, four of which were so near together, as to be able to command from one to the other, between which were the cattle belonging to those families driven into pastures, which afterwards proved their pre- servation ; the other was near a mile distant from the rest. " This morning the Indians (having in the night placed themselves in several parts of the town) made their onset, which began near the four garrisons ; for a body of them having placed themselves in ambuscade behind a hill near one of the garrisons, two then made discovery of them- selves, as if they stood upon discovery. At this time divers of the people, not suspecting any such matter, (for the day before many had been upon discovery many miles, and found no signs of an enemy being so near,) were attending their occasions, some foddering their cattle, some milking their cows, of whom the enemy might easily have made a seizure, but God prevented ; they having another design in hand, as soon after appeared. These two Indians were at length espied, and the alarm given ; whereupon the most of the men in the next gar- rison, and some also in the second, (which was about eight or nine poles distant,) drew out and went to surprise those two Indians, till our men reached the brow of the hill, then arose the ambush and discharged a volley upon them, which caused a disorderly retreat, or rather a rout, in Vhich one was slain and three others wounded. Mean- while another ambuscade had arisen, and come upon the back side of the garrison so deserted of men, and pulled THE TOWN BURNT. 79 down the palisadoes. The soldiery in this rout retreated not to their own, but passed by to the next garrison, the women and children meanwhile exposed to hazard, but by the goodness of God made a safe escape to the other fortified house, without any harm, leaving their substance to the enemy, who made a prey of it, and spent the resi- due of the day m removing the corn and household stuff (in. which loss five families were impoverished) and firing upon the other garrison. Here also they took some cattle. No sooner was the signal given by the first volley of shot, but immediately in several parts of the town at once, did the smoke arise, they firing the houses. In the afternoon they used a stratagem not unlike the other, to have sur- prised the single garrison, but God prevented. An old Indian (if an Indian) passed along the street with a black sheep on his back, with a slow pace, as one decrepid. They made several shot at him, at which several issued out to have taken him alive, but the watchman, seasona- bly espying an ambush behind the house, gave the signal, whereby they were preserved. " The night following, the enemy lodged in the town, some of them in the garrison they had surprised, but the body of them in an adjacent valley, where they made themselves merry after their savage manner. The next morning they gave two or three volleys at Capt. Parker's garrison, and so marched off, fearing, as was thought, that a supply might be nigh at hand. " This assault of theirs was managed with their wonted subtlety and barbarous cruelty, for they stripped the body of him whom they had slain in the first onset, and then cutting off his head, fixed it upon a pole looking towards his own land. The corpse of the man slain the week before, they dug up out of his grave, they cut off his head and one leg, and set them upon poles, and stripped off his winding sheet. An infant, which they found dead in the house first surprised, they cut in pieces, which afterward 80 BOASTING OF MONOCO. they cast to the swine. There were about forty dwelhng houses burnt at that time, besides other buildings. This desolation was Ibllowed with the breaking up of the town and scattering of the inhabitants, and removal of the candlestick, after it had been there seated above twelve years. " Concerning the surprisal of Groton, March 13, there was not any thing much more material, than what is already mentioned, save only the insolency of John Monoco, or one eyed John, the chief captain of the In- dians in that design ; who having by a sudden surprisal early in the morning seized upon a garrison house in one end of the town, continued in it, plundering what was there ready at hand all that day, and at night did very familiarly in appearance, call out to Capt. Parker, that was lodged in another garrison house, and entertained a great deal of discourse with him, whom he called his old neighbor, dilating upon the cause of the war, and putting an end to it by a friendly peace, yet oft mixing bitter sarcasms with several blasphemous scoffs and taunts, at their praying and worshipping God in the meeting-house, which he deridingly said he had burnt. Among other things, which he boastingly uttered that night, he said he burnt Medfield, (though it be not known whether he was there personally present or no,) Lancaster, and that now he would burn that town of Groton, and the next time he would burn Chelmsford, Concord, Watertown, Cam- bridge, Charlestown, Roxbury, Boston, adding at last in their dialect. What me will, me do. Not much unlike the proud Assyrian (if his power had been equal to his pride) sometimes threatened against Jerusalem, but was by the remarkable providence of God, so confounded within a few months after, that he was bereft of his four hundred and four score, (of which he now boasted,) and only with a few more braggadocios like himself, Sagamore Sam, Old Jethro, and the Sagamore of Q,uaboag, were taken by MONOCO HUNG. 81 the English, and was seen (not long before the writing of this) marching towards the gallows, (through Boston streets which he threatened to burn at his pleasure,) with an halter about his neck, with which he was hanged at the town's end, Sept. 26, in this present year, 1676.^ "After this, April 17th, Capt. Sill being appointed to keep garrison at Groton, some Indians coming to hunt for swine, three Indians drew near to the garrison house, supposing it to have been deserted, were two of them slain by one single shot, made by the Captain's own hands, and the third by another shot made from the garrison." It would be gratifying to be able to identify the spots where the principal events of this narrative transpired ; where stood the four garrisons, or garrisoned houses, which stood within call of each other, and where the one nearly a mile distant, which was the one taken by the enemy, and from which Monoco held converse with CapL Parker j behind what hill the ambush lay on the morning • In order to make this narrative consistent with itself, as to time and a regular succession of events, as they happened, conjecture and explanations are necessary. It seems there were three attacks upon Groton, ome on the second of March, one on the ninth, and the third and principal one on the thirteenth. On the second of March they rifled houses, carried away cattle, &c. ; on the ninth, feasted on swine, poultry, &c., killed one man, and made another cap- tive, who afterwards escaped to Lancaster; and on the thirteenth they burnt the town, killed one man, and wounded three. After this, the inhabitants removed to Concord. The words in the first paragraph, under date of March second, "the next day over night," are evidently a misprint. Major Willard with seventy horse, and forty foot, from Watertown, could not have come to the relief of the town upon such short notice. Besides, it is said, " the Indians had all fled, having burnt all the houses in town, except four garri- sons." Now this did not happen till the thirteenth. Suppose we read instead of " next day over night " next day fortnight ; then would Major Willard have come on the seventeenth, when, to be sure, the Indians had all fled. The first paragraph gives only the general result of the principal attack, and the particulars of the removal of the inhabitants. Then, in the second paragraph, the author gives the account of the first attack, and in tJie II 0» LOCALITIES OF GARRISONS. of the thirteenth, and in what valley the enemy revelled the night after. But these particulars are forever hidden from us and posterity. Such localities, however, are still known, as show nearly where some of the transactions happened, and after careful observation we may conjec- ture, with more or less confidence, where others took place. For instance, it is known that Capt. Parker's house lot was the land now owned by Dr. A. Bancroft and his son, on both sides of the great road, and his house probably stood as near the brook as was convenient. John Nutting's house lot joined Parker's on the north side of the brook, and his house might be within "eight or nine poles " of Parker's, at or near the house of Aaron Perkins. Mr. Willard, the minister, owned the house lot south of Parker's, and tradition places his garrison on the land of Jonathan Loring, partly between his house and the road. Here then were the sites of three of the four garrisons. Nutting's must have been the one from which the men went out to take the two Indians, who discovered third paragraph, under date of March 9, the particulars of the second attack; the last clause in this paragraph seems to have no connection with the rest. Then follow the particulars of the third attack, on the thirteenth, and the departure of the enemy on the fourteenth. The " place of eminent advan- tage," where the Indians fired on the teams which were carrying off" the inhabitants, under Capt Sill, is said to be the "ridges." A story is still occasionally told in relation to this place. It is said, that travellers, when crossing the ridges in the night time, frequently heard the cries and screams of women and children, reminding them of this attack upon the retreating inhabitants in former times. It once happened that Col. James Prescott, on returning from Boston late on a fine moon-shining night, when he came to this place, happened to think of the tales so often told about the " cries and screams " there heard, and could not forbear to listen a little, that he might himself be a witness of the fact. lie soon heard the usual noise ; but unwil- ling to be simply a confirmer of what others had told, he determined to know more of the matter; so tying his horse, he proceeded in the direction of the cries, till coming to the small pond on the north side the ridge road, he found the noise still onward. He went round to the north side of the pond, when by the aid of the full moon he was enabled to discover, not the ghosts of the women and children, who in olden time had there been frightened into shades, but a Utter of young minks. DANIEL ADAMs's PETITION. S3 themselves, and in their flight passed by to that of Capt. Parker, and from which Morioco conversed with Parker in the night. The fourth may have been north of Nut- ting's, or south of Mr. WiUard's. It is easy to conceive, then, that the ambush lay behind the hill on Dr. Ban- croft's land, formerly covered with pines, that the two Indians discovered themselves on that hill, being nearer to Nutting's garrison than Parker's. And where was the " adjacent valley," in which the Indians made themselves merry the night after, but on the land of the Rev. C. Walker, easterly of his house ? The following copies of original documents corroborate the above conjectures. " To the right Honorable the Governor and Council sitting in Boston. " The petition of Daniel Adams humbly showeth, that the petitioner went out as a volunteer upon the scout from Concord, in company with some of Concord and some of Lancaster, and they coming to Groton, your pe- titioner there killed an Indian, and hath received no wages from the country for any service that he hath done ; notwithstanding he hath been out upon the same account several times both the last summer and the last winter, and is now going out again under the command of Lieut. Curtis. " Your petitioner, therefore, humbly requests the favor of your honors to consider the premises, and to grant him an order to the treasurer for his satisfaction, according as the law allows in that case ; so shall he be ever engaged to pray, &:c. Daniel Adams." This original petition is endorsed, "21 April, 1676," and is accompanied with the following testimony. "At Groton, 14 March, 1676. There was Daniel Adams, who was very helpful to the town of Groton, 84 INDIAN KILLED ON PARKER's ISLAND. with some others of Lancaster, and the said Daniel Adams did kill one Indian at Mr. Willard's garrison. " Witness, John Cadye, and Samuel Woods.'^ " We who saw him fall to the ground and not rise again. As witness, Nicholas Cadye." " Samuel Woods, of Groton, about forty years of age, witnesses that he saw two Indians standing upon Capt. Parker's island, at Groton, and Daniel Adams shot at them, and one of them fell down and the other ran away. " 17th day of 2 month, 1676. " Mark (f) of Samuel Woods." " Alse Woods, aged about forty years, testifieth and saith, that at Groton, upon the day that most of the town was burnt by the Indians, she heard several say, that Daniel Adams had killed an Indian ; and she went up presently into Mr. Willard's garret, and saw two Indians standing over a dead Indian about half an hour, and then they carried him away, and further saith not. " The mark (O) of Alse Woods." Capt. Parker's island could be no other than Dr. Ban- croft's field, comprising the hill, behind which lay the ambush. The distance from Mr. Willard's garrison, sup- posing it stood on Jonathan Loring's land, is not too great to be within gunshot. If the whole number of whites killed at Groton, during Philip's war, are enumerated in the foregoing accounts, as probably they are, the loss of life was not so great at this place as in many others. The whole number of English killed and lost in New England during this war, is esti- mated by Hoit at six hundred, twelve or thirteen towns destroyed, and six hundred buildings, mostly dwelling houses, burnt. Dr. Trumbull's estimate, in every partic- PEACE RESTORED. 85 ular, is higher. He conchides that about one fencible man in every eleven was killed, every eleventh family burnt out, or that one eleventh part of the whole militia and of all the buildings were swept off by the war. The pious writers of those days complain bitterly of the cruelties of the savages in their manner of conducting the war, and treatment of captives. " Hell hounds," and " devil's imps," are epithets freely bestowed upon them ; but an attentive and candid examiner of the history of the times, and of all the circumstances of the case, espe- cially after reading the account of the '* swamp fight," in Rhode Island, in December, 1675, against the Narragan- setts, will find, that if retaliation is allowable in war to all but Christian warriors, no just cause of complaint can be found on account of the destruction of our villages by fire or otherwise ; or for tortures inflicted upon old age, women and children. King Philip having been killed, and most of his war- riors either killed, taken, or dispersed, a welcome peace was restored to this part of the province. Many of the inhabitants of Groton had resided in Concord from the breaking up of the settlement to the return of peace. The following is a copy from the Indian roll, aforemen- tioned, being the first record made after the choice of town officers, in December, 1675, a term of two years. " At a general town meeting of the inhabitants of Groton, warned by Capt. Parker, Lieut. Lakin, Ensign Lawrence, Goodman Morse, and assembled at Concord 12th of the 10th m., (December,) 1677. " Such as were present did then and there agree, that if the providence of God prevent not by death or sick- ness, or by the enemy, that then we will go up in the spring following and begin to repair our habitations again, if God permit; and for the true performance of this agree- ment we do engage the forfeiture of our whole right in 86 TOWN MEETING AT CONCORD. Groton unto those that do go up and carry on the work ; and to this agreement we have here set our hands. "James Parker, sen., Richard Blood, William Lakin, Nathaniel Lawrence, Jonathan Sawtell, John Morse, James Knap, Samuel Woods, his (L) mark, Nathaniel Blood, his (O) mark, Thomas Tarbell, John Parish, Peleg Lawrence." " Voted that all puhlic charges for this present year ensuing, shall be raised upon the first division of land granted, or accommodation of lands. " Chosen to warn a town meeting, Goodman Blood, Lieut. Lakin, Sargeant Knap, Ensign Lawrence and Thomas Tarbell, jr. The meeting to be the first Thurs- day in March. And this meeting town officers to nominate other public charges . " This meeting to be at Groton." ~ Whether this meeting to be held in Groton, March, 1678, w^as held according to the vote, does not appear. The first record made after the above, relates to the grant of lands to Mr. Gershom Hobart, the successor of Mr. Willard in the ministry ; and to his coming and settling as the minister of the town. It purports to be records of proceedings of a meeting held June 29, 1678, but written out from memory at a subsequent time. The date of the next meeting is illegible. The selectmen held a meet- ing 4th of 6th month, 1679, after which time the records are more ample and perfect. The following petition, probably sets forth in a true light the situation of the inhabitants upon their resettlement. " The humble petition and request of the greatest num- ber of the former inhabitants of the town of Groton, * This line in the margin. Blanks, torn and illegible. PETITION OP THE INHABITANTS. 87 " Humbly showeth to the honorable General Court, sitting in Boston, as folioweth, viz. We, who have been great sufferers by the hand of God in the last wars by our heathenish enemies, as is well known to all, &lc., by which we have been enforced to fly before our enemies, to our great and grievous loss and trouble ; by the good hand of God to us, have had so much reprieve and re- spite, as we have many of us had the liberty and opportu- nity to return to the place, though not to the houses of our former abode. And now being under and exercised with many and great difficulties, apprehending it our duty to address ourselves not only to our heavenly Father, but earthly fathers also, in this time of need, do humbly beg our case may be seriously considered and weighed ; and that some direction and relief may be afforded unto us. " Some of us, the inhabitants, have ventured our lives some while since to return again, and many others have followed us, whose welcome company is rejoicing unto us. Yet our poverty and the non-residence of others doth occasion us great and unavoidable trouble. We have, through God's goodness in blessing our endeavors and attempts, procured and obtained the ministry of the word among us, and have been at some considerable charge about it, and are willing, if God please, to keep and maintain it among us. But there are some discour- agements upon sundry accounts. We have had several town meetings to consult the good and welfare of the town and place, and how things may be carried on as to defraying public charges, and it hath been voted in our meetings, (our visible estate being small,) to lay it on the lands, that so an equality in some respects might be reached unto. This is by the most judged to be the present best, yea, the only present possible way for us to proceed in, which we desire your honored selves to put the countenance of authority upon. As also that our late dreadful sufferings, ruins, and impoverishments may 88 PETITION AND ANSWER. by your honored selves be so far minded and considered, that we may for the present, (till we a little recover our- selves,) be delivered from country charges. We would be rightly understood as to our first request, that the way by lands and accommodations for the levying of town charges, may be abated but for the present four years, till God by his providence may alter our capacity and condi- tion. Thus craving pardon for this our boldness, that success and a blessing may attend you in all your affairs, that God may accomplish his promises and build the waste places, set up his house and ordinances, where they have been removed, delight to build and plant us again, and not to pull us down and pluck us up, that we may yet see this desolation a quiet habitation. Thus pray your humble and unworthy petitioners. James Parker, Selectman and Clerk, -^ in the name of the rest." "At a town meeting at Groton, May 20, 1679, there read and voted by the inhabitants." " May 30, 1679. In answer to the petition of James Parker, in the name of the greater part of the inhabitants of Groton, it is ordered by this Court, and the authority thereof, that for three years next coming, in all levies made for the benefit of said place, and the maintenance of God's ordinances there, those that have lands there, and are not resident upon the place, shall pay rates for their lands, as those do that are resident, and the inhabitants resident be abated one single rate per annum to the coun- try, for the like time ; provided, that the cattle upon the plain be liable to pay rates also. Edward Rawson, Sec'ry." ' James Parker is no where else styled clerk. Perhaps he was town clerk in 1678 and 1679, when no records were kept. KING WILLIAM'S WAR. 89r From 1678, to 1689, there was generally peace between the settlements and the Indians. But the following copies from the " Indian roll," show that the Indians were not very desirable neighbors, even when not in a state of war. "January 31, 1681, (1682.) It is agreed upon by the selectmen, that the Indians shall be warned out of the town forthwith, and if they neglect the warning, and if any of them be taken drunk, or in drink, or with drink, then their persons are to be seized and brought before the selectmen, either by constable or by other person, and be punished according as the law doth direct ; and the in- former shall be satisfied for his pains." " March 28, 1682. Two squaws being apprehended in drink and with drink, brought to the selectmen one squaw ; Nehatchechin squaw, being drunk, was sen- tenced to receive, and did receive, ten stripes ; the other, John Nasquun's squaw, was sentenced to pay 3s. Ad. cash, and lose her two quart bottle, and the liquor in it, to Sargeant Lakin, who seized them." In 1689, King William's war, so called, commenced, and New England, especially the frontier towns, was again the scene of war, conducted with the usual barbari- ties and cruelties of savages. Many of the same towns and villages, which had been partially or wholly destroyed in Philip's war, were again attacked ; and if less property was destroyed, more lives in many places were lost. Immediately after the commencement of this war, the inhabitants of Groton made the following petition to the General Court, and sent James Knap and James Parker, jr., with it, to make explanations and obtain an answer. « Groton, July 16, 1689. " To the honored Governor and Council and Represen- tatives. " These lines show the request of your humble ser- 12 9U PETITION AND ORDER OF COURT. vants, the inhabitants of the town of Groton, in our present unsettled and almost distracted condition. We make bold to trouble you once more, craving your advice and assistance, if it may be obtained, that we may go on with our business, to gather in our harvest, and do other necessary work. The bearers hereof, James Knap, and James Parker, jr., are fully able to acquaint the honorable Council with our condition, both in military and other cases in the town. Our officers are by the new choice, James Parker, sen.. Captain, Jonas Prescott, Lieutenant, John Lakin, Ensign. " Per order of the town of Groton. Josiah Parker, Clerk." " July 17, 1689. The commission officers, nominated as above, are allowed and confirmed by the Governor and Council, and they do order Capt. Prout to deliver unto James Knap, and James Parker, jr., for the use of said town, forty pounds of powder, and one hundred weight of lead, taking their bill to repay it again unto the store at some convenient time, and do also appoint the Major of the lower regiment in that county, to order the impress- ing of ten soldiers, in a meet proportion out of the several companies under his command, to be sent as soon as may be to their relief. " By order of the Governor and Council. IsA. Addington, Sec'y." Aug. 12, 1689, the town voted, " that the selectmen should forthwith make a ten pound rate to maintain four soldiers at Mr. Hobart's garrison." Mr. Hobart, the minister, lived on the spot where the Baptist meeting-house now stands. GARRISONS IN 1692. 91 An arrangement of the garrisons for Groton was made March 17, 1691-92 as follows. 10 13 " Ensign John Lakin, and "j John Paris, Widow Blood, jr., William Saunders, John Lakin, ^ Nathaniel Blood, John Alexander, Benjamin Palmer, and their families. Enosh Lawrence, ^ "| Lieut. Lakin and 3 sons, Joseph Lawrence, Sam. Walmer( Warner?) James Blood, )■ John Shattuck, Samuel Kemp, Daniel Barney, and \ their families. J Lieut. Jonas Prescott and Widow Sawtell with him, Nathaniel Lawrence, James Knap, Elias Barron, Samuel Scripture, Ephraim Philbrick, Daniel Pierce, John Barron, Stephen Holden, John Perham, Samuel Davis, and their families. In all, thirty Capt. James Parker, "^ Samuel Parker, James Parker, Zac. Parker, William Longley, 1 1 John Nutting, Thomas Tarbell, James Robinson, James Nutting, and their families. William Green and "j John Lawrence, j Abigail Parker, widow, | Joshua Wheat, Samuel Church, | Joseph Parker, '11 John Greene, .' mer Daniel Cady, John Page and sons, | Samuel Woods, sen., I Thomas Woods, and | their families. J John Davis, Nicolas Cady, Cornelius Church, John Cady, Joseph Cady, Joshua Whitney, Joshua Whitney, jr., Peleg Lawrence, Jonathan Lawrence, James Fiske, Samuel Fiske, Robert Robin, and their families. John Farnsworth, "I Matthias Farnsworth, Benjamin Farnsworth, Samuel Farnsworth, Widow Farnsworth, j> Simon Stone, John Stone, Nicholas Hutchins, and their families. j 10 At Mr.Hezekiah Usher's farm, Samuel Bennett, Bennett, Three soldiers. 5 men. 91 men." 9^ SUPPOSED LOCALITIES. It would gratify curiosity to know the sites of these several garrison houses, and where each family lived, (for it is presumed that the above schedules contain every family in the town,) but this can be stated only in a general and imperfect manner. Ensign John Lakin, and the families named with him, are believed to have lived at that part of the town called Nod, being now included in school district No. V. Capt. James Parker's house lot lay on both sides of the county road, and is now owned by Dr. A. Bancroft. His garrison was probably near the brook bearing his name, James ; and the persons named under him, probably lived near him, in school district No. XIV. Enosh Lawrence, and those associated with him, occu- pied the northerly part of the town, embracing parts of school districts No. V. VI. and VII. William Greene, and his associates, dwelt in district No. I., from the first parish meeting-house southerly and easterly. Lieut, Jonas Prescott owned the mill at what is now called Forge village, in Westford, but he lived near where Stuart J. Park now lives, and the names directly under his, were those of his near neighbors, and those named in the other column lived between the ridges and William Green's associates ; occupying school districts Nos. X. and XIII. John P"'arnsworth, and his associates, lived in the south part of the town, embracing school districts No. II., XII. and the part of Harvard called " Old mill." The location of Mr. Lasher's farm and the Bennetts' is not known ; but as the brook rising in Harvard and run- ning into Spectacle pond is called " Bennett's brook," it is probable that Usher's farm was one of those mentioned in another connection, in the part of Groton now included in Littleton, and that the Bennetts lived in the vicinity of that brook. WILLIAM LONGLEY AND FAMILY KILLED. 93 No historian of those times gives so particular account of the calamities and sufferings of Groton, in King Wil- liam's war, as Hubbard did in Philip's. Cotton Mather, who wrote near the close of it, has the following. " On July 27, (1694,) about break of day, Groton felt some surprising blows from Indian hatchets. They began their attacks at the house of one Lieutenant Lakin, in the out skirts of the town, but met with a repulse there, and lost one of their crew. Nevertheless, in other parts of that plantation, (where the good people had become so tired out as to lay down their military watch,) there were more than twenty persons killed, and more than a dozen carried away. Mr. Gershom Hobart, the minister of the place, with part of his family, was remarkably preserved from falling into their hands, when they made themselves the masters of his house, though they took two of his children, whereof the one was killed, and the other some time after happily rescued out of his captivity." Among the killed were William Longley, his wife, four or five of their children, and two children of Alexander Rouse, a near neighbor. Among the captives was John Longley, a small boy, son of William. ) ' y' Mr. Longley was a large proprietor of lands, a respecta- ble townsman, and town clerk at the time of his death. Records of town meetings, held June 6, and 23, and July 19, of that year, are in his hand writing in the Indian roll. His house stood upon a small knoll a few rods south of the house where John Lawrence lived and died. A small stone, even with the surface of the ground, under a stinted apple tree, near the site of the dwelling house, is the only monument to mark the spot, where the bodies of this family were buried. How far length of time has corrupted, marred, or exaggerated the tradition respecting the slaugh- ter of this family, can never be known. As told by the oldest people now living, the story is as follows. The Indians, having lurked about the premises undis- 94 JOHN LONGLEY RANSONMED. covered, the day previous to the slaughter, watching a favorable opportunity to etfect their purpose, early in the morning of the fatal day turned the cattle out of the barn- yard into a cornfield, and lay in ambush. This trick had the desired effect, to draw out some of the family, prob- ably Mr. Longley and his sons, unarmed, to drive the cattle from the corn. The Indians then rose upon them, and either killed or took captive the whole family. It is said, however, that a daughter, Jemima by name, whom they had tomahawked and scalped, was found alive, sit- ting upon a rock, and that she survived many years, was married and had children. John, the lad before men- tioned, was carried to Canada, where he remained with his savage captivators for five years. His relatives at length ransomed him, but he had became so accustomed to savage life, that he left it with reluctance, and those who brought him away, were obliged to use force to accomplish their mission. It is further said of this lad, that after the Indians had proceeded some way from the place, and had made a halt, he told them that his father's sheep were shut up in the barn, and would there starve, but if they would permit him to go back, he would turn them out and return, and they consenting, he fulfilled his promise. He was afterwards a respectable inhabitant of Groton, holding many offices of honor and trust, in town and church, and represented the town in General Court. Gershom, son of the Rev. Mr. Hobart, whom Mather mentions as having been rescued from captivity, is said to have been carried to the eastward. The first information his friends received of him, was in May following his captivity, " at a fort a day's journey above Norridgwog, and his master's name was Nassacumbewit," the chief captain of the place. Both his master and mistress were kind to him, and afterwards granted his ransom. PETITION AND ANSWER. 95 Mather farther says, that in June, 1697, one man was killed at Groton, and another with two children carried into captivity. After the calamity of July 27, 1694, it appears that the inhabitants of Groton petitioned the General Court for relief and assistance, and thereupon the following order passed. " Upon reading the petition of the inhabitants of Groton, setting forth their great distress and impoverish- ment, by reason of the desolations made upon them by the enemy, praying to be eased and abated of their pro- portion of the last public tax assessment, amounting to the sum of fifty pounds. "Voted, That the said town be abated one half of the aforesaid sum of fifty pounds, and that Mr. Treasurer do suspend the calling in the other half until the fifteenth day of December next. The assessors forthwith to appor- tion the same upon their inhabitants, and to commit the lists thereof to the constables, that so they may be col- lecting. " October 22, 1694. Past in the affirmative by the House of Representatives, and sent up to his Excellency and Council for consent. Nehemiah Jewett, Speaker. " Voted a concurrence in council, die praedict. IsA. Addington, Sec'y'" From 1697, to 1702, the inhabitants of New England had a respite from savage warfare. But upon the acces- sion of Q,ueen Anne to the throne of Great Britain, a war with France ensued, and of course their colonies in America were involved in the general contest between the two nations. In 1704, the frontier towns in Massachu- setts were again exposed to tomahawks, scalping knives, fire and torture. 96 QUEEN ANNe's war. The following extracts are from Penhallow's " Wars of New England." ''August, 1704. Some afterwards fell on Lancaster and Groton, where they did some spoil, but not what they expected, for that these were seasonably strengthened." " Captains Prescott, Bulkley, and Willard, with their companies, were so intent upon pursuing the enemy, that they put them all to flight, and yet a little while after they fell on Groton and Nashua, where they killed Lieutenant Wyler [Wilder ?] and several more. It was not then known how many of the enemy were slain, it being customary among them to carry off their dead. However, it was afterwards affirmed that they lost six- teen, besides several that were wounded." "July 1706. Several strokes were afterwards made on Chelmsford, Sudbury and Groton, where three sol- diers, as they were going to public worship, were waylaid by a small party, who killed two and made the other a prisoner. "July 21, 1706. John Myrick, Nathaniel Healy, and Ebenezer Leger, of Newton, were killed by the Indians at Groton." Besides these instances of alarm, attack and suffering from a savage foe, others are known to have occurred, of which there is more or less authentic evidence. One, of which the tradition is undoubtedly nearly correct, is that of two lads, John Tarbell and Zachariah Tarbell, brothers, and sons of Thomas Tarbell, who were taken and carried to Canada. The story runs thus. One eve- ning, a little after sunsetting, the Indians came suddenly upon the inmates of a garrisoned house, which stood where the Rev. Mr. Sanderson's house now stands, or near that spot. They all escaped and got safely into the garrison, except these boys, who being on a cherry tree, had not sufficient time to descend and save themselves from captivity. The precise time of this event is not SHATTUCKS AND SHEPLES KILLED. 97 known, but it is said Zachariah was so young, that he entirely lost his native language, and the records of Groton show, that John was born July 6, 1695, and Zachariah January 25, 1700. So it was probably be- tween 1704 and 1708. Some years after, they both came to Groton on a visit, but having become accustomed to savage life, no persuasion prevailed on them to return and live with their friends and relatives. The present inhabitants of that name are their collateral kindred. Their descendants are still among the Indians in Canada, Another well attested fact is, that John Shattuck, and his son John, a young man about twenty years of age, were killed by the Indians when returning from their field, May 8, 1709. At another time the Indians attacked and burnt the house of a Mr. Sheple, killed him and his family, except his son John, whom they carried into captivity, where he remained about four years. During his residence with the savages, he became so well acquainted with their language and customs, that he could in after life deal and traffic with them to better advantage to himself than others could, who were not so well acquainted with them.'' During the time of Queen Anne's wai-, the town records are very scanty ; and no allusion is made in them to the distresses and sufferings from the enemy except the following, viz. "Groton, May 8, 1706. At a town meeting legally warned, they did by vote declare, they would and do de- sire that Thomas Chamberlain's mill may be upheld by a soldier, or soldiers, for the good of the town, by a peti- tion to the Court or authority." * It is matter of tradition, that " John Sheple's foot weighed just a pound," in allusion to his putting his foot in one scale of the balance, when weighing the Indians' furs and skins. 13 98 DESIGNS OF ABANDONING THE TOWN. By Other documents, however, it appears, that the town came near being deserted by the iuliabitants, and agahi abandoned to the enemy. The following are copies of documents in the ofilce of the Secretary of the Common- wealth. "To his Excellency the Governor, at Roxbury, (in her Majesty's service.) ''On a lecture day, Groton, July 9, 1707. May it please your Excellency, I have read your Excellency's order to the inhabitants, and the law against deserting the frontiers. I could do it no sooner, for several of the inhabitants were gone to Plainfield, and returned yester- day, only two stayed behind. One of those that designed to remove, is the bearer, and a selectman, and lives on the outside the town. I thought good to send him, who can acquaint your Excellency who is removed, and who is meditating the same. " Capt. Bulkley, and half his men, are gone to Lancas- ter, and the other half here, and do expect a release, they being men of considerable husbandry, the most of them. All the people, that will work in companies, have guards to cover them, to their content. If your Excellency please, I should be very glad of a release. I am " Your Excellency's most humble servant, JosiAH Parker." " Groton, July 9, 1707. " May it please your Excellency. — According to your Excellency's commands, we have sent an account of those, that are either actually removed, or are meditating of it. Our people are reduced to that degree, that they find themselves unable to subsist any longer — would pray your Excellency either to grant liberty for their remove, or that they may be reduced here entirely to garrison of the town militia for the preserving the frontiers. We NAMES OF THOSE GOING AND GONE. 99 thankfully acknowledge your Excellency's great care of us hitherto, and would pray the continuance of your regards, without which we are an undone people. We take leave to subscribe, (may it please your Excel- lency,) " Your Excellency's most obedient servants, John Farnsworth, ^ Jonathan Boyden, > Selectmen. Joseph Lakin, ) Joseph Lakin, Town Clerk." " John Stone, Jonathan Pa?e, Nathaniel Woods, Daniel Lawrence, John Shattuck, Nathaniel Parker, Benjamin Lakin, Jonathan Boyden, John Hutchins, Zachariah Lawrence, Edmund Chamberlain, John Hall, Samuel Shattuck, Zerubbabel Kemp, Zachariah Sawtell, John Gilson, Abraham Lakin, Josiah Lakin, Joseph Lakin, William Lakin, William Shattuck, John Farnsworth. Of the persons that are a con- sidering of going." " Joseph Perham, Samuel Davis, Daniel Cady, John Cady, Samuel Farnsworth, Joseph Boyden, Josiah Whitney, Cornelius Whitney, Joseph Lawrence. Ebenezer Nutting. Of persons gone." Joseph Lakin, John Farnsworth, Jonathan Boyden, Selectmen. Joseph Lakin, Town Clerk for Groton. After the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, there was a cessa- tion of hostilities, and the settlements in Massachusetts were extended a little further into the wilderness. Those towns which had during the former wars been frontiers, being no longer exposed to sudden incursions of the enemy, became more populous. 100 lovell's war. But by the instigation of a Jesuit priest, of the name of Ralle, residing with the Indians at Norridgewock, in 1722, the "three years' or Lovell's war" commenced, and the customary mode of falhng suddenly upon the settlements, killing and carrying captive to Canada, was pursued by the enemy. In the summer of 1723, one man was killed at Groton. Massachusetts resolved to re- taliate upon the Indians in their own mode of warfare, attack them at their residence, in Norridgewock, and put an end to the machinations of Ralle. Two hundred and eight men were put under the command of Captains Harman and Moulton, who proceeded with this force up the Kennebec river, came suddenly upon the village, killed Ralle and many of the Indians, some supposed about eighty, and burnt their habitations. The governments of Massachuselts and New Hamp- shire about this time offered a bounty of one hundred pounds ^ for every Indian's scalp, which should be taken and exhibited to the proper authorities. This inhuman expedient induced adventurers to make excursions into the wilderness to seek for gain, as well as renown. Vol- unteer companies were formed, who scoured the country in search of Indians, so that the war altogether resembled the hunting of ravenous beasts. Among those who engaged in tliis dangerous and difficult species of warfare, Capt. John Lovell, or Lovewell, of Dunstable, and his company of volunteers from Billerica, Concord, Groton, Haverhill, Dunstable and Woburn, eminently distinguished themselves. As six of this devoted band were inhabitants of Groton, one of whom immortalized his name by killing Paugus, the chief of the Pequawket tribe, the oft-told story of " Lovell's Fight " must not be omitted in an account of the wars of Groton. Capt. Lovell made three several excursions into the enemies' country. In the first, he left the settlements in ^ Tlie currency at this time being two and a lialf for one in sterling. FIRST AND SECOND EXPEDITIONS. 101 December, 1724, with a company of thirty men. Pro- ceeding northward of Lake Winnipisiogee, in New Hamp- shire, they found two Indians in a wigwam, one of whom they killed, the other, a small lad, they brought in alive. On exhibiting the scalp and captive at Boston, they re- ceived not only the stipulated bounty, but a handsome gratuity. Thus encouraged, the company being increased to the number of seventy, went out on a second expedi- tion, in February, 1725. Passing by the wigwam, they saw the body of the Indian killed two months before. Their provisions becoming short, thirty of their number were selected by lot and sent home. Tlie remainder, prosecuting the expedition still further, at length came upon the track of the game they were hunting for. Fol- lowing the trail till near evening, and coming to a height of land, they discovered a smoke ahead, which proceeded from the encampment of the Indians. They made a halt, and returned into a valley and encamped. Lovell and one of his men went and reconnoitred the Indians' camp. About midnight, the whole company went forward to the slaughter, having first muzzled their dogs to prevent an alarm. The Indians were ten in number. They were asleep, covered with blankets. The mode of attack was in sections, of five men in each, in as quick succession as possible. Lovell and a friendly Indian were in the first section, and before a gun was fired, this Indian removed a blanket with the muzzle of his gun, in order to find which way their heads lay, and make their immediate death more sure. Seven were killed as they lay, and two more as they attempted to rise. The tenth fled to a pond ^ near by, where he was overtaken by the dogs, which were let loose, and held fast till killed. They were all then scalped and their bodies thrown through a hole cut in the ice, into the pond. These Indians were found to be well supplied with new guns, ammunition, and a number of " This pond is situated in Wakefield, N. H., bearing the name of Lovell. 102 THIRD EXPEDITION. spare blankets, moccasins, snow-shoes, SiC, whence it was supposed they were direct from Canada, and on their way to attack some frontier settlement, and that these imple- ments were for the accommodation of such prisoners as they might capture. If this supposition were true, it would seem to afford some justification for Lovell and his men in the manner of their slaughter. With the scalps of these ten Indians, stretched on hoops and elevated on poles, this daring company made a tri- umphal entry into the town of Dover, New Hampshire, and thence proceeded to Boston, where they received the bounty of four hundred pounds sterling, equal to seven- teen hundred and seventy-seven dollars. Flushed with the success of these two expeditions, especially the last related, Lovell determined on a third, intending to proceed to the villages of Pequawket, on the head waters of Saco river, which were the occasional res- idence of Indians. Pie accordingly marched with his company, consisting of forty-six men, officers, surgeon and chaplain included, in April, 1725. They had not pro- ceeded far, when two soldiers, becoming lame, returned. Having arrived at the head of Great Ossipee Pond, another man falling sick, they made a halt and built a fort, wherein they left the sick man, the surgeon, and a part of their provisions, with a guard of eight men. The com- pany, thus reduced to thirty-four, proceeded towards Pequawket, till they came within a few miles of the vil- lages. They here heard, or fancied they heard, Indians about their camp in the night, and had good reason to suppose they were more numerous than themselves. In these circumstances, Lovell consulted his men, and offered, if they would request it, to lead them back, without seeing the object of their expedition. They answered, " We will not return and be called cowards." Early in the morning of the memorable eighth of May, while the company were attending prayers, the report of THE FIGHT. 103 a gun was heard, and an Indian discovered on a point of land on the opposite side of an adjacent pond. Supposing this Indian might be a decoy '' to lead them into an ambush, Lovell ordered his men to lay down their packs, that they might be ready for action on any emergency. Taking a circuit round the pond they met the Indian, fired at, but missed him. He returned the fire from two fowling pieces, and wounded Lovell himself and one of his men with small shot. Ensign Wyman fired, and killed him. Having taken his scalp, they returned to the spot where they had deposited their packs. During their absence, Paugus, the far-famed chief of Pequawket, with his warriors, whose numbers are said by some to have been forty-one, others say eighty, and some thought there were more, had found their packs, and finding by their number that Lovell's force was less than his, he removed them and lay in ambush. When Lovell and his men had arrived at the spot and were looking about for their packs, the ambush suddenly rose and rushed upon them, with their accustomed hideous yells. Lovell ordered his men to fire and reload with swan shot, as the enemy were within a few guns' length of them. Lovell was killed by the first shot of the enemy, and eight of his men soon shared the same fate. Lieut. Farwell, and two others, were wounded. Ensign Wyman assumed the command, and, perceiving that the Indians were endeavoring to sur- round them, ordered a retreat to the pond ; where, with a ledge of rocks projecting into the water on the one hand, and a brook, not fordable, on the other, they took their stand, placing themselves behind trees, for a protection against the bullets of the enemy. During the day the Indians endeavored in vain to persuade or compel them to surrender themselves prisoners. To this they would 'From evidence afterwards obtained, it is probable that this Indian was hunting and fishing, and that his shot was at some ducks. 104 PAUGUS KILLED BY CHAMBERLAIN. not consent ; victory or death being their choice. Some time in the day, the gun of John Chamberlain of Groton becoming foul, by continued firing, he undertook to wash and cleanse it at the pond. While in the act, he spied Paugus, whom he personally knew, performing the same process upon his gun, at a small distance. A challenge was immediately given and accepted, each confiding in his own dexterity, and predicting the speedy fall of his antagonist. Chamberlain trusting to the priming of his gun by a thump on the ground, had time to take de- liberate aim, while Paugus was priming from his horn. Chamberlain's ball reached Paugus's heart just as he was in the act of firing. His ball passed over Chamberlain's head. After this event, there was a short respite. The In- dians withdrew. Ensign Wyman and Chamberlain crept unperceived after them, and found them formed in a circle around one in the centre, whom they Avere qualifying, it was supposed, for a chief instead of the deceased Paugus. Wyman fired and killed their intended chief Then both hastened back to their fellows at the pond. Soon after this, the Indians renewed the combat, having, as was supposed, received a reinforcement. As night approached, however, they again withdrew, and left this courageous but forlorn little band to consider their melancholy situation, and deliberate upon what measures they should pursue, to save their lives. Upon examination, nine were found to be unhurt, eleven wounded, but not mortally, and three mortally wounded. Lieut. Robbins, whose thigh was broken, and whom it was impossible for them to carry ofi", requested to have his gun, (some say two guns,) loaded and left by his side, saying that if he should live till morning, when the Indians should come to scalp him, he would kill one more. As guns were heard in the morning, in that direction, no doubt he fulfilled his promise. RETURN OF THE MEN. 105 All, who were able, now ** withdrew from this mem- orable spot, and directed their course to the fort, where the guard, surgeon and provisions had been left, expect- ing there to find what they so much needed, food, and dressing of their wounds. In this, however, they were sadly disappointed. They found the fort abandoned. Some provisions, however, are by some accounts said to have been left in it. The cause of this sad disappoint- ment was this. At the commencement of the combat, in the morning, one of the men, whose name is not found in the roll of the company, and is intentionally and suc- cessfully concealed from the present generation, made his escape, hastened to this fort, and reported that Lovell and all his men were killed, which he had undoubtedly good reason to believe. Disappointed in the relief they here expected, and fearing the Indians might pursue and de- stroy them all, they separated, and arrived at the settle- ments, some sooner and some later, as their strength enabled them. Lieut. Farwell, Jonathan Frye, and Elias Barron, perished on the way. With them the journal of the expedition was lost. A party from New Hampshire were ordered to go to the place and bury the dead, but by some mistake they did not find the spot. Col. Tyng, of Dunstable, then, with a company, went out and found twelve dead bodies, buried them, and carved their names upon the trees. He also, at a little distance, found three Indian graves, which he opened, and in one of them found the body of Paugus, He also traced blood upon the ground to a great distance from the scene of action.^ * Belknap says, " After the rising of the moon." But the inoon was at the first quarter, and set about 1 o'clock, A. M. ' This account of " Lovell's fight," is taken principally from printed sources; but soiue of the incidents are fiom the lips of the wife of Josiah Johnson, one of the men. This woman was thirteen years old, when tlie 14 106 NAMES OF THE MEN. The three years', or Lovewell's war, closed in the win- ter or spring of 1726. From this time there was a general battle was fought, lived in Woburn, where Johnson belonged, afterwards married him, and they had a number of children. In the latter part of her life she lived in my father's family, often told the story, and always told it alike, agreeing with the printed accounts in general, and adding some par- ticulars. The ibllowing list of the men, is an exact copy of one made out by Eleazer Davis, of Concord, after he came home. «' Jn Account of the Mens Names and Place of Abode, that icas in the Fight at Piggwacket, on the Sth day of "May, 1725. " Capt. John Love well, Lieut. Josiah Farwell, Lieut. Jonathan Robbins, Ensign John Harwood, Sarg. Noah Johnson, Robert Usher. Samuel Whiting. 7 of Dunstable. Eleazer Davis, Josiah Davis, Josiah Jones, David Melvin, Jacob Farrah, Joseph Farrah, Eleazer Melvin. 7 of Concord. Ensign Seth Wyman, Corp. Thomas Richardson, Timothy Richardson, Ichabod Johnson, Josiah Johnson. 5 of Woburn. Chapl. Mr. Jona, Frye, of Andover, Saro- Jacob Fullam, of Weston, Corp. Edw'd Lingtield,of Nuttield. Jonathan Kittridge, Solomon Kies. 2 of Billerica. John Jefts, Daniel Woods, Thomas Woods, John Chamberlain, Elias Barron, Isaac Lakin, Joseph Gilson. 7 of Groton. Ebenezer Ayer, Abiel Asten.— 2 of Haverhill. Men killed on the spot. 1 Capt. Lovewell, of Dunstable, 2 Lieut. Robbins, ditto, 3 Ensign Harwood, ditto, 4 Robert Usher, ditto, 5 Jacob Fullam, of Weston, 6 Jacob Farrah, of Concord, 7 Josiah Davis, ditto, 8 Thomas Woods, of Groton, 9 Daniel Woods, ditto, 10 John Jefis, ditto, 1 1 Ichabod Johnson, of Woburn, 12 Jonathan Kittridge of Billerica. Men lost by the way, wounded. Lt. Josiah Farwell, of Dunstable, Chapl. Mr. Jona. Frye, of Andover, Mr. Elias Barron, of Groton. JVot icounded. 1 Ensign Wyman, 2 Edward Lingfield, 3 Thomas Ricliardson, 4 and 5 two Melvins, 6 Eben Ayer, 7 Abial Asten, 8 Joseph Gilson, 9 Joseph Farrah. Wounded men. 1 John Chamberlain, 2 Lt. Farwell, 3 Chapl Mr. Frye, 4 Sarg. Noah Jolinson, 5 Timothy Richardson, 6 Josiah Johnson, 7 Samuel Whiting, 8 Elias Barron, 9 Josiah Jones, 10 Eleazer Davis, 11 Isaac Lakin, 12 Solomon Kies." ANECDOTES OF THE FIGHT. 107 peace till 1744, when hostilities again commenced be- tween Eiisland and France, and the frontier towns of A grandson of this Eleazer Davis informs me, that his grandfather and Mr. PVye were togetlier on their i-eturn, and coming to a hrook, they saw eminence a few rods distant, crowned with a clump of thick bushes, and crouched down to await the approach of his mysterious enemy. He was not, however, mysterious to Chamberlain. The old man remembered every trait in the Indian character, and calculated with great accuracy as to the time and manner of Paugus's advance. Just as it was growing too dusky to distinguish a human form, except towards the west, the old man descried him creeping cautiously from a bunch of bushes, eight or ten rods above the mill, by the torrent, with his cocked rifle before him, and his hand upon the lock. The young savage heard the noise of the saw-frame, and could discern it in rapid motion, and shrunk back into the thicket. He came out again, a 110 YOUNG PAUGUS'S DEATH. fered to any considerable extent, during this war. One man, however, by the name of Jacob Ames, is said to have been killed, about this time, in the following manner. An Indian had been seen, for several days, lurking about the town, it was conjectured, upon some ill design. little distance from where he went in, and, with the wary motions of the ambush, reconnoitered the mill. Chamberlain marked him all the while, as the catamount eyes the fox. Young Pauguscame out of the bushes the third lime, and in a new quarter, and was stealthily advancing, when something seemed to catch his eye in the form of his father's slayer — he stopped short — brought his rifle to his eye, and, with quick aim, fired. The report rung sharp and low upon the still air, as if the gun itself were mutHed, or afraid to speak above its breath. Young Paugus crept out upon a mill log, that extended over the rapid, and stretching himself up to his full height, as if to ascertain, without advancing, the success of his shot. The old man could spare him no longer. He saw the well-remembered form of the old Pequawket chief, as the young savage stood against the sky of the west, which was still red with the rays of the sunken sun. He levelled the fatal gun — it blazed — young Paugus leaped into the air six feet, as the ball whistled through his heart — and his lifeless body fell far down into the rapid, that foamed below him, while his vengeful spirit fled and mingled with that sterner one, which parted long before at Lovewell's pond, in ' The land where their fathers had gone.' Chamberlain returned slowly and gloomily to his cottage. " The next morning a bullet hole through the centre of the old garment he had hung at the saw-frame, admonished him, that the aim, as well as the vengeance of old Paugus, had descended to his sons; and as he mused upon those he had slain, and reflected, that although he was old, he still n>ight have again to lift his gun against the blood of Paugus, or himself fall by their avenging hand, he wished bitterly, that some other bullet than his own had slain that renowned chief, and that they had never met to quench their battle thirst, and scour out their foul guns, upon the shore of Lovewell's pond."* * The pond in Wakefield, N. H., where the ten Indians were killed, in Lovewell's second expedition, bears this name, and not the one in Frycburg, Me., where the battle was fought. When, or where, Chamberlain died, I have not been able to ascertain ; but he was probably dead before 1777. He had two children, born in Groton before the fight ; the first, in 1713. If ever young Paugus sought to avenge his father's death, and it seems pretty evident, from tradition, that he did, it was probably at Groton, where the traditions place it, and the old dam, near school house No. 9, is said to have been the dam of Chamberlain's mill ; and, further, a deep hole in the brook, between the lands of Deacon Thomas Hutchins and Merick Lewis, is called " Paugus's hole," wherein it is said, Chamberlain sunk his body, after he had killed him. JACOB AMES KILLED. Ill Mr. Ames, who lived on the intervale, on the west side of Nashua river, now owned by John Boynton, Esq., went into his pasture to catch his horse. Discovering the Indian, he ran for his house ; the Indian pursued and shot him as he entered his gate. The dead body pre- vented the gate's closing, as it would otherwise have done of itself, and the Indian pressed in to enter the house, where Ames had a son and daughter. The son seized his gun, and shot at him, as he entered the gate. The ball, striking the latch of the door, split, and one part of it wounded the Indian, but not severely. As the son at- tempted to close the door against the enemy, after the shot, the Indian thrust his foot in, and prevented. The son called to his sister to bring his father's gun from the bedside, and at the same time striking the Indian's foot with the breach of his gun, compelled him to with- draw it, and closed the door. While the Indian was in the act of reloading his gun, the young man found means to shoot through a crevice and killed him. Two men, at work about a mile distant in a mill, Ezra and Benjamin Farns worth, hearing the reports of the guns, and suspect- ing the cause thereof, were soon at the place, and found the bodies of Ames and the Indian both weltering in their blood. This is the last man killed by an Indian within the bounds of Groton. The subject of this chapter affords abundant matter for contemplation and reflection. A race of human beings, ignorant and miserable, less than three centuries ago, numerous, but wholly destitute of the knowledge and skill to employ air, water, fire, and mechanics, advantageously, roamed over these lands al- most wholly uncultivated. Now view the contrast. Where the red man, with bow, arrows and tomahawk, pursued his game through wastes, wilds and woods, now cultivated fields, orchards and gardens, with rich pro- 112 CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRASTED. ducts, abound. The waters, from which he with rude spears, pots and weirs drew his daily food, and of which he made no use save to swim his frail canoe, now move millions of wheels, spindles and looms, to fabricate the necessaries, conveniences and luxuries of civilized life. Where once stood the uncouth wigwams of the wild-man, now arise richly garnished houses, in villages, towns and cities. But we cannot forbear to inquire, had our Puritan forefathers the same right to dispossess the aborigines of this country, and utterly annihilate the race, that the Israelites had to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, and take possession of the promised land ? They seem so to have believed, and so to have conducted. And more completely have the Massachusetts, the Narragansetts, the Pequots, the Paw tuckets, and Wampanoags been extir- minated, than were the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, the Hittites, and the Jebusites of old. How different, also, are our anxieties and cares, our pleasures and pains, our labors and amusements, from those of our predecessors, during the periods of Indian wars ! We can pursue our customary employments in our fields, workshops, or factory mills, in security ; they must have an armed guard, when abroad, and weapons by their firesides and bedsides at home. We, in our well- lighted and well warmed parlors, can cheerfully and happi- ly spend our long winter evenings with friends, wives, and children, in the improvement of our minds, or in innocent amusements. They, in their rude and cold cabins, must sit silent and gloomy, in dark corners, fearing to light up and warm their apartments, lest the savages should spy them through the cracks and crevices. We, when our day's toil, or evening occupations are finished, can re- pose unmolested and quiet in our own bed chambers. They, at night-fall, forsaking their dwellings, and leaving them to the mercy of a merciless enemy, sought safety CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRASTEB. 113 by their numbers, collected into garrisoned houses. We, without exerting our own strength, or that of dumb beasts, can visit our distant friends, go to our markets or populous cities, and return with almost the rapidity of light ; they, if they journeyed, were compelled to exhaust their own powers and those of their beasts, through rough and rugged paths, occupying days and weeks in going and returning. We have enough, and abound in the comforts, conveniences and luxuries of life ; they had a scanty supply of the bare necessaries. 15 CHAPTER VII. The Revolutionary War — Incipient causes — Instruction to the Repre- sentative — Resolves about industry, economy, manufactures and foreign superfluities — Regulations about funerals — Non-importa- tion — Resolves on rights, privileges, grievances, &c. — Letter to Committee of Correspondence — Duty on tea — Continental Con- gress Association — Signing covenant, and posting names — Minute men march — Recruits, supplies, &c., during the war — Shays's re- bellion. The sentiments and opinions of the people, in relation to the measures pursued by the government of Great Britain towards their provinces in America, which were the incipient causes of the Revolutionary war, and the separation of the provinces from their parent country, and becoming an independent nation, the part taken by them in resisting those measures, and uniting their energies to gain their independence, are prominent topics in the his- tory of every village in our country. Individuals uniting in small circles of neighbors and districts, these circles combining in larger associations of towns, and these again into conventions of counties and provinces, and the union and combined action of the whole, produce those revolu- tions, in governments and nations, which constitute a great portion of general history. The smallest matters, then, which took place at the commencement of, and even during, that struggle, which has had consequences of the greatest moment, not only to the United States, but throughout Christendom and the whole world, are INSTRUCTION TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. 115 interesting to us, the descendants of the actors therein, and must not be omitted in the present volume. At a town meeting holden in Groton, Oct. 14, 1765, almost ten years before hostilities commenced, the inhabi- tants voted to instruct their Representative in the General Court, and chose a committee to frame proper instruc- tions, who soon after reported the following, which, says the record, " being read, paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously accepted and ordered to be recorded." " To Abel Lawrence, Esq., Representative for the town of Groton, and districts of Shirley and Pepperell. " Sir, — We, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Groton, being legally assembled and met at the public meeting-house in said town, to consider what measures are needful to be taken at this alarming crisis, when the American subjects of Great Britain are univer- sally complaining of unconstitutional innovations, think proper to communicate our united sentiments and instruc- tions to you thereupon. *' We are greatly alarmed, and filled with the utmost concern to find, that such measures have been taken by the British ministry, and acts of Parliament made, which press hard upon the invaluable rights and liberties of the British American subjects, and more especially at the act called the " Stamp Act,^' by which we apprehend a very unconstitutional, unequal and insupportable tax is to be laid on the Colonies. And, if this should be carried into execution, we expect it will become a further grievance to us, as it will afford a precedent for the Parliament, in future time, to tax us without our consent, in all such ways and measures as they shall judge meet. We think it, therefore, our indispensable duty and undoubted privi- lege, in the most open but respectful terms, to declare our greatest dissatisfaction with this law. And we think it is incumbent on yon, Sir, to use your best endeavors 116 MEASURES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY. in the General Assembly, to have the just and unalienable rights of this province asserted, vindicated and left upon the public records ; and by no means to join in any pub- lic measures for countenancing and assisting in the execu- tion of the aforesaid law ; so that posterity may never have reason to charge the present time with the guilt of tamely giving away the unalienable rights and privileges of the people of this province. " And as at this time almost every avenue of our trade is obstructed, we doubt not but that you will take particular care, that there be no unusual and unnecessary grants made to those, that serve the government, and that the monies drawn from individuals of this province be expended with the best economy, and not upon any pre- tence whatever be applied for any other purposes, but what are evidently intended in the act for supplying the province treasury." Dr. Oliver Prescott, who was chairman of the commit- tee that reported these instructions, undoubtedly penned them. The selectmen having received from the selectmen of Boston a letter relating to the state of the country, called a town meeting, to be holden Dec. 21, 1767, for the pur- pose of devising measures to promote industry, economy and manufactures, and discouraging the use of foreign superfluities. Having met, and deliberated upon the business of the meeting, the inhabitants unanimously passed the follow- ing resolution, viz. " Whereas, this province labors under a heavy debt, incurred in the late war, and the inhabitants by this means must be for some time subject to very heavy and burdensome taxes ; and as idleness and the excessive use of foreign superfluities appear to be the chief cause of the RESOLUTION. 117 present distressed state of the province, — we, therefore, the inhabitants of this town, being sensible, that it is the duty of every well-wisher to his country, at all times, but more especially at this melancholy prospect, to endeavor by some method to extricate the inhabitants out of these embarrassed circumstances ; and being of opinion, that industry, economy, and application to our own manufac- tures, are absolutely necessary for the future well-being of the community, do promise and engage to and with each other, that we will, in our several stations and char- acters, from this time forward, discountenance and dis- courage idleness and the unnecessary use of all foreign manufactures and superfluities of what nature or denomi- nation soever. And, whereas, wool, flax and hemp are the natural produce of this province, we will, so far as we can, encourage the raising and manufacturing those arti- ticles, and also all other articles of manufactures which are or may be fabricated in North America, and more es- pecially in this province. We also further agree to strictly adhere to the late regulations respecting fune- rals.^ " Voted, unanimously, That Col. James Prescott, the representative for the town of Groton, be desired to re- turn a copy of these votes and resolutions to the gentle- men, the selectmen of Boston, with the thanks of this town, for the prudential measures they have been pursu- ing for lessening foreign importations, and encouraging frugality and our own manufactures, and for the laudable example the town of Boston have set the country." ' The regulations respecting funerals, were probably the same or similar to the " Association agreed upon by the Grand American Continental Con- gress," assembled at Philadelphia, in 1774, which were, " On the death of any relation or friend, none of us, or any of our families, will go into any further mourning dress, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, for gentlemen, and black ribbon and necklace for ladies, and we will discounte- nance the giving of gloves and scarfs at funerals." 118 NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT. In the warrant for March meeting, 1770, an article was inserted to consider how to prevent the importation of Enghsh goods ; upon which the town chose a committee, who reported, — *' Tliat we, the inhabitants of the town of Groton, do most heartily approve of the non-importation agreement, of the merchants ; and that we will not knowingly, directly or indirectly, purchase any goods of any person, that imports the same, or trades with an importer, contrary to the agreement of the merchants. We also appoint a com- mittee to inspect the buyers and sellers of goods within the said town, and to caution them against counteracting the intent and meaning of the non-importation agreement of this people." In January, 1773, the selectmen called a town meeting, by their warrant, " to inquire into and consider the mat- ters of grievance, which the people of North America, and the inhabitants of this province in particular, labor un- der, relating to the violation and infringement of their rights and liberties ; and to agree upon some salutary and constitutional method for redress ; and to give their representative such instructions as the town shall think fit." The inhabitants met, considered the subject, heard read a letter from the committee of correspondence, of the town of Boston, and chose a committee of eleven of the principal inhabitants, who, after an adjournment of a fort- night, reported as follows, viz. " The subscribers, a committee, chosen by the town of Groton to consider what is best for the town to do, and report a draft of votes and resolves, relative to the rights of this province and the violation of the same, beg leave to report the following resolves and votes, viz. " 1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town, that the people of this province are entitled by the royal char- RESOLUTION. 119 ter to all the rights, liberties and privileges of native Britons. " 2. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this town, as a part of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, have a right to keep and enjoy their private interest and proper posses- sions, and that no power on earth can justly take any part of them without the consent of the owners, or their representatives. Therefore, the raising of a revenue, by an act of the British Parliament, from the colonies, with- out their consent, and applying of it contrary to their approbation, — the extension of the jurisdiction of the courts of vice admiralty, — the affixing of stipends or sala- ries to the offices of the judges of our superior court, whereby they are made entirely independent of any grant from our Great and General Court, — and the act entitled, an act for the better preserving his majesty's dock-yards, magazines, ships, ammunition, stores, &.C., are, in our opinion, intolerable grievances, and contrary to the essen- tial principles of our constitution, and ought not to be submitted to any longer, than to obtain a redress in a con- stitutional way. " 3. Resolved, That every part of the British dominions have a right to petition, or join in petitioning and remon- strating, to the king of Great Britain, that all acts of Par- liament which are unconstitutional and grievous to them, may be repealed, and their grievances redressed, and that we will, in a manly, united manner, use all legal and con- stitutional methods to recover and preserve all the rights of America, sacred as our lives. " Then the town voted, that the representative be instructed, and he accordingly is instructed, to use his utmost endeavors, in every constitutional way, in the General Court, to obtain a speedy redress of all our griev- ances, that so Great Britain and the colonies may be re- stored to their former unanimity ; and more particularly, that he make inquiry mto the former support of the hon- 120 JUDGE&' SALARIES. orable judges of the superior court, and if it be not adequate to the dignity of their station, and trouble of their office, that he use his influence, that an honorable support be appointed them, upon such a lasting founda- tion, as the General Court in their great wisdom shall think fit, and that he in no wise consent to give up any of our rights, which we derive from nature or compact. " Voted, That the foregoing resolves, and these votes, be recorded in the town book, and a copy of the same trans- mitted to the committee of correspondence and commu- nication, of the town of Boston, with a letter to express our gratitude to the town, for their vigilance and activity for the common safety. Oliver Prescott, JOSIAH SaWTELL, Nath'l Parker, Joseph Sheple, . ^ ... „ T ri T ^Committee." JoNA. Clark Lewis, ' Isaac Farnsworth, Henry Farwell, Amos Lawrence, Three of the committee chosen, viz., Jonas Cutler, John Bulkley, and Col. James Prescott, did not sign the report, but for what reason does not appear. Col. Pres- cott was representative, and it seems proper he should not sign it. Cutler was a tory in time of the war. " To the Committee of Correspondence, within the town of Boston. " Gentlemen, — I am directed to transmit to you a copy of the proceedings of the town of Groton, being legally warned and assembled January 25, 1773, and observe to you, that we view ourselves, in connection with the other towns of this province, in the common cause of natural and constitutional liberty ; and with the utmost gratitude DUTY ON TEA. 1'21 acknowledge the vigilance and activity of the town of Boston for the general safety ; and that we are willing to correspond with the committees of other towns, that are and may be chosen within this province, so often as it may be thought requisite. " I am, gentlemen, with the greatest res]^ct, your most obedient, humble servant, Oliver Prescott, Town Clerk." The next subject, which agitated the whole commu- nity, was the memorable act laying a duty on tea. The inhabitants of Groton were called together for the special and only purpose of consulting and acting upon that which, most of all others, led to commencing hostili- ties between the colonies and Great Britain. The fol- lowing is the record of proceedings. "At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Groton, assembled at the public meeting- house, in said town, on Thursday, the IGth December, 1773, to consider what is proper for this town to do, relative to the large quantities of tea, belonging to the honorable East India Company, arrived and expected to arrive in this province, subject to an American duty. " The committee of correspondence for said town laid before them a letter, which had been agreed upon by the committees of several towns, to be sent to all the towns in this province, in order to know their minds at this critical juncture, and having read the same, as also the votes and proceedings of the town of Boston at their late meetings, — the town came into the following votes and resolves unanimously. " That we highly approve of the conduct of the town of Boston in their late town meetings, and the several resolves they came into relative to the teas sent by the East India Company to America ; and as we esteem the 16 122 DUTY ON TEA. late act of parliament for the benefit of said India Com- pany an intolerable grievance, and as a very subtile plan of the ministry to enforce and enslave the Americans, pre- ferring the public happiness to our own private advantage, we will readily afford all the assistance in our power to the town of Boston, and all other of our oppressed American brethren, and heartily unite with them in every constitu- tional method to oppose this and every other scheme, that shall appear to us to be subversive of American rights and liberties, and dishonorary to his Majesty's crown and dig- nity, at the risk of our lives and substance. "Voted, That our most cordial thanks be presented to the inhabitants of the town of Boston, for their wise, pru- dent and spirited conduct at this alarming crisis, and for their repeated vigilance and unwearied endeavors to re- cover and preserve the rights and liberties of America. " Voted unanimously. That the inhabitants of this town will not buy, sell, or make use of any tea, while subject to an American duty. " Voted, That the committee of correspondence for this town be desired to wait upon the several shopkeepers and traders within the town, and desire them not to buy, sell or any way dispose of any tea while subject to an Ameri- can duty. Oliver Prescott, "^ JosiAH Sawtell, I James Prescott, S'Committee." Amos Lawrence, | Isaac Farnsworth, J July IS, 1774, the town chose a committee to make report, what measures the town ought to pursue in rela- tion to the act of Parliament, commonly called the ^' Bos- ton port bill,^^ but their report does not appear on record. At a town meeting, held by adjournment, January 3, 1775, the following was adopted, viz. AMERICAN CONGRESS ASSOCIATION. 123 " Whereas, it is expressly recommended by the Conti- nental Congress, to the provincial conventions and to the committees in the respective colonies, to establish such further regulations, as they may think proper, for carrying into execution their association, — and, whereas, the Pro- vincial Congress did, on the 5th December last, resolve and recommend as their opinion for the effectual carrying into execution the American Congress Association, that from and after the 10th of October next, there shall not be sold or purchased, from Great Britain or Ireland, any molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee or pimento from the British plantations, or from Dominico ; wines from Ma- deira or the Western Islands, and foreign indigo, either before or after the first of December instant, unless the acts and parts of acts of parliament, enumerated in a para- graph of the American Association, subsequent to the fourteenth article, shall then be repealed. That the seve- ral towns and districts do forthwith assemble and choose committees of inspection for the purpose aforesaid, and that the towns do vigorously assist and support their committees in discharging the duties of their office, &c. Therefore, voted and chose, Dr. Oliver Prescott, Capt, Josiah Sawtell, Dea. Isaac Farnsworth, Mr. Moses Child, Dea. James Stone, Col. James Prescott, Lieut. Elisha Rockwood, Lieut. Isaac Woods, Joseph Allen, Jonas Stone, John Tarbell, Capt. John Sawtell, Jonathan Lawrence, Capt. Amos Lawrence, and Capt. Henry Far- well, a committee of inspection, whose business it shall be to see that the American Congress Association and the Provincial Congress resolv^es, and recommendations rela- tive thereto, be well and faithfully observed and complied with, and that this town will not fail of lending all neces- ary assistance to the said committee in doing their duty." At the March meeting, 1775, the committee reported to the town, " That some of the inhabitants had refused 124 REFUSERS TO SIGN. to sign the covenant agreed upon by the town in conse- quence of the recommendation of Congress, and that some others had not had the offer of signing." " There- upon the town voted, that all those persons, that have not had the offer of signing said covenant, have the lib- erty to do it within eight days from this time, and that all those who have already had the offer, and refused to sign, shall not be allowed to sign said covenant without first obtaining leave from the town. " Voted, That the names of those persons that refuse to sign the Association paper, shall be posted in the pub- lic houses in this town by the committee of correspon- dence, and their names entered in the town book by the town clerk." The record goes on stating, that the committee pre- sented the covenant to sundry persons,, for their signa- tures, who refused to sign ; but the committee delayed to post their names, according to the above vote, till the inhabitants grew uneasy about the matter; whereupon the committee set up the following notice, and the same was recorded by the town clerk, viz. "Incompliance with said vote, we hereby notify the public, that said Association paper was offered to the Rev. Samuel Dana, Joseph Sheple, Jonas Cutler and Joseph Chase, who did refuse to sign the same ; and it is expected, that all those who have signed said Associa- tion will remember their covenant." (Signed by the committee.) "Groton, April 12, 1775." Seven days after the last above date, hostilities com- menced between the provincials and the British troops, at Lexington and Concord. The alarm was given at Groton at an early hour, and the minute men, so called, were soon collected, pre- MINUTE MEN AND SOLDIERS. 125 paratory to march towards the scene of the first blood- shed in the war, wliich resulted in our independence. It now came to the test, whether the patriotic votes and resolves, heretofore so unanimously passed, would be followed up in meeting the disciplined forces of Great Britain, well armed and equipped, by cultivators of the ground, with such fowling pieces and muskets as they happened to hold. The decision was in the affirmative. Two companies of minute men, with officers complete, numbering in all one hundred and one men, marched on the ever memorable 19th of April, 1775, too late to take a part in the actions of that day, but to be at head quarters in readiness for future operations. The commanders of these companies, were Capt. Henry Far well, and Capt. Asa Lawrence. In the several resolves of the General Court, for enlist- ment of soldiers for the continental army, their clothing, provisions, &c., Groton stands the seventh town in the county of Middlesex. Cambridge, Concord, Marlborough, Reading, Sudbury and Woburn standing a little higher in the apportionments. Their quota of men, September 22, 1777, was 38. Shirts, shoes and stockings, June 21, 1779, 57. Beef, June 22, 1781, 8,845 lbs. The whole number of men, raised by GrotoUj engaged in some part of the war, with their bounties paid by the town, ap- pears by the following list made out by the selectmen, in compliance with a resolve of the General Court, of July 11, 1783. " Commonwealth of Massachusetts. " A return of the number of men raised by the town of Groton, in the county of Middlesex, as soldiers to serve in, or recruit or reinforce, the armies of the United States, and the bounties paid them for their respective services, agreeable to the requisition of the General Court, as by their resolve, dated July 11, 1783. 126 BOUNTIES TO SOLDIERS. No. of Bounties paid Total, men. each man. L. s. d. L 1. d. Eiivht months at Cambridge, in 1775, 93 5 465 Sii weeks at ditto, 1775, 24 10 24 Two months at do., Feb. and March, 1776, 22 16 9 29 8 6 la consequence of a resolve, June 24, 1776, 37 6 4 10 230 15 10 Do. do. Sept. 10, 1776, 20 3 11 4 71 6 8 Do. do. Nov. 30, 1776, 22 3 11 4 78 4 Do. do Dec. 1, 1776, 27 8 6 216 13 6 Four months at Dorchester, 177G, 11 6 3 6 Three months at Boston, 1776, 9 4 1 16 Six months at Hull, 1776, 1 2 13 6 2 13 6 By order of Council, Aprin2, 1777, 10 6 3 By resolve, April 30, 1777, 10 17 6 8 173 6 8 Do. June 14, 1777, 1 6 6 Six mos. at Providence, from June 24, 1777, 17 12 10 4 By resolve, Aug. 9, 1777, 12 5 8 4 65 4 Do. Aug. 9, 1777, 24 16 19 4 Do. Sept. 22, 1777, 38 8 15 4 Do Feb. 7, 1778, 22 6 6 12 Do. April IS, 1778, 6 20 7 6 122 5 Do. April 20, 1778, 16 32 10 520 Nine months at Rhode Island, 177S, 7 10 3 10 Six months at do , 177S, 6 6 116 Six months at Cambridge, 1778, 1 12 12 Months 9 1-2 at Providence, 15 18 13 10 Six weeks, do. 12 8 4 16 at Rhode Island, April 6,1779, 4 2 16 11 4 Pursuant to a resolve, April 27, 1779, 4 9 116 Two mos. at Providence, from June 8, 1779, 8 1 15 13 Nine mos. con. army, from June 9, 1779, 10 24 240 Agreeable to a resolve, Sept. 17, 1779, 2 1 15 3 10 Do. do. Oct. 9, 1779, 14 5 70 To guard convention troops, Cambridge, 4 14 4 16 Five months at Providence, 2 13 10 27 Pursuant to a resolve, June 22, 1780, 26 13 10 351 The sum in hard money, by the scale (of depreciation), £2,804 15 0. " Middlesex, ss., Groton, January 31, 1784. " We have examined the town books, and the militia officers' books, together with the best vouchers that we could obtain, and the foregoing is a true account, accord- ing to the best of our knowledge. Oliver Prescott, ^Selectmen Abel Bancroft, > of Amos Lawrence, Jr., ) Groton. '< February 2, 1784. Exhibited on oath before Israel Hobart, Esq." The period from the close of the Revolutionary war, to the adoption of the Federal constitution, was a time CRITICAL STATE OF THE COUNTRY. 127 of intense anxiety, and the transactions of that period, of momentous consequence to these United States. Independ- ence had been achieved, but unless a form of government could be devised and adopted, which would unite the several colonies in one national compact, independence might have proved a curse, rather than a blessing to those who had obtained it. The condition of the people was unfavorable for uniting upon any constitution, which should be proposed for their future government, so diverse were their several interests and opinions on political subjects. Most of the colonies had formed State constitutions, for their own particular government, and they were each disinclined to give up the powers necessary to form a Federal union. The soldiers, having left the camp and mingled with the peo- ple, had an unfavorable influence upon the industry, economy and morality of the people ; the enormous debts, both public and private, contracted through the severe struggle of a seven years' war, and the almost total want of a currency, wherewith to negotiate and discharge debts, were circumstances which might well fill all hearts with dismay. It is said the merchants, at this period, made large and unwarrantable importations of foreign merchan- dize, and not having an equivalent to export, the little specie they had in circulation was drained from the country, and increased the distresses, which were before almost insupportable. Burdens and grievances, whether real or imaginary, are increased by sympathy ; and the people, collecting in smaller or larger assemblies, commu- nicating with each other upon them, greatly enhance their own miseries. The people of Massachusetts had adopted a constitu- tion, formed by her ablest, wisest and most patriotic statesmen ; a constitution which has now stood three- fourths of a century without any material alterations, in none with its fundamental principles, and under which its 128 INSURRECTIONARY MOVEMENTS. citizens have enjoyed a state of almost uninterrupted hap- piness, and arrived at a state of unexampled prosperity. Yet the people, in less than six years after they had adopted it, became dissatisfied with it, commenced an insurrection, proceeded to open rebellion, and, but for the energy, patriotism and courage of those intrusted with the administration of the government, and a majority of the people, this constitution, which had not then been tried long enough to prove its excellency, might have been destroyed, and that at a time, when the patriots of all the colonies were devising a form of general government for all the colonies. Had so important a State as Massachu- setts, at that crisis, fallen into a state of anarchy, the present existing Union would probably have been wholly prevented, or at least for a long time delayed. Had the insurrectionists of Massachusetts succeeded in their schemes, and had their principles extended into the other States, of which at one time there seemed to be great danger, what would now have been the condition of our commerce, agriculture, manufactures, steamboats and rail- roads, and all the arts of civilized life ? But our limits will not admit of expatiating further upon this rebellion, except so far as Groton was particularly engaged in it. Unfortunately there were a majority of the legal voters and taxpayers in the town, who took part in resisting the due administration of government, when the inhabitants of various towns in this and other counties, in the Com- monwealth, were assembling in smaller and larger con- ventions, deploring the condition of the country, and making out catalogues of their grievances, as they termed them, the malcontents of Groton petitioned the selectmen of the town, to call a meeting of the inhabitants immedi- ately, and dictated the subjects to be acted upon at tlte meeting. The selectmen, who did not approve the measures proposed, complied with the request, and issued the following warrant. PETITION FOR TOWN MEETING. 129 " Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex, ss. " To Joseph Moors, Esq., one of the constables in the town of Groton, in said county, greeting. " You are hereby required to notify and warn the free- holders and other inhabitants of the said town, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to assemble and meet at the public meeting-house in said town, on Tuesday next, nine o'clock before noon, in consequence of the follow- ing request, signed by sixty-eight persons, and to act on the several articles therein contained, which request is as followeth, viz. " To the Gentlemen, Selectmen of the town of Groton. We, the lawful and legal voters of said town, humbly request, that a town meeting may be called as soon as possible, and insert the following articles in your war- rant, viz. *' 1. To choose a moderator to regulate said meet- ing. " 2. To choose a man suitable to take a copy of the votes passed in said meeting. " 3. To choose a committee to correspond with the other committees of any towns in this Commonwealth, relative to our public grievances, and that said committee draw up a petition, to lay before the General Court, for a redress of the same. " 4. To see if the town will give said committee in- structions relative to their proceedings. " 5. To see if the town will vote that the General Court be removed out of Boston. " 6. To see if the town will vote not to have any in- ferior court. " 7. To see if the town will vote not to have more than one attorney in a county to draw writs, and that he is paid the same as the state's attorney. " 8. To see if the town will vote that there be a stop 17 130 ARTICLES TO BE ACTED UPON. put to all law suits of a civil nature, until there is a greater circulation of money, than there is at present. " 9. To see if the town will vote, that there be a bank of paper money made, sufficient to pay our foreign debts, and to choose a committee to receive the produce of our land, at a reasonable price, in exchange for said money, and export the same to foreign parts, for money and bills of exchange, or other articles equal to the same, that will discharge the said debts, and also another bank to dis- charge our domestic debts. " 10. To see if the town will vote, that the said paper money be received in all payments equal to gold and silver, and he that refuses to take the same shall lose his debt. "11. To see if the town will vote, that all bonds and notes, or other debts, be discharged by them that they were first contracted with, or given to, or their heirs, Sic, and that said creditors shall make discharge of said debts, if a lawful tender be made. " 12. To see if the town will vote, that there shall be no distress made by any constable or sheriff, for rates or other debts, until there is a greater circulation of money than at present. *' 13. To see if the town will vote, that the first holders of public securities shall draw their full sum and interest, and all those that have purchased securities shall give in, on oath, what they gave for the same, and shall receive no more of the public treasury, including in- terest. " 14. To see if the town will vote to open the ports to all nations, that a free trade may commence, to the good of the community at large. " 15. To see if the town will vote to choose a com- mittee of safety, to see that there is no more infringe- ments made on our injured rights and privileges, and act anything relative to the above articles, or any other NAMES OF PETITIONERS. 131 things, which may be necessaiy for the good of the public at large. Benjamin Page, Ephraim Ward, Stephen Munroe, Jabez Holden, Ebenezer Tarbell, Jolin Moors, Amos Stone, John Park, Ebenezer Farnsworth, Jonas Stone, Jonathan Stone, Asa Stone, Thomas Hubbard, Jonatha» Lawrence, Robert Ames, Amos Ames, Oliver Shed, John Fisk, Asahel Wyman, John Sawtell, Jonathan Fiske, Amos Lawrence, Enoch Cook, Pelatiah Russell, Thomas Farwell, Richard Sawtell, Samuel Kemp, jr. Ephraim Kemp, Amos Adams, Caleb Blood, Benjamin Tarbell, Samuel Hemenway, Zachariah Fitch, James Sheple, Joseph Shed, Oliver Fletcher, Josiah Hobart, Oliver Parker, Royal Blood, Phineas Parker, Jonathan Worcester, Ephraim Nutting, James Woods, Nathaniel Sartell, Jacob Patch, Samuel Chamberlain, David Woods, John Woods, Benjamin Hazen, Jason Williams, Daniel Williams, Jacob Williams, Shattuck Blood, David Blodget, James Bennett, Isaac Lakin, Samuel Hartwell, his John (X) Lawrence, mark, John Gragg, Job Shattuck, Job Shattuck, jr., Benjamin Lawrence, Samuel Gragg, Jacob L. Parker, Jacob Gragg, Oliver Blood, Levi Kemp, Timothy Woods." Warrant dated June 24th, and meeting held June 27. This document plainly shows how utterly incapable a majority of the people were of judging rightly of the causes of their sufferings, and of the best remedies for re- lief; how crude and impracticable their notions were on financial affiairs, and due administration of justice. And how could they be otherwise ? Those, who had spent their time in the army, had not been in a school to 132 INJUDICIOUS MEASURES. learn the duties of jurists and statesmen ; and those, who had been on their farms, and in their shops, had no better opportunity to become wise legislators. The issues from the press had taught, that sovereignty belonged to the people, and that it was their right to exercise it ; but they had not taught them how to use it for their greatest benefit and happiness. The inflammatory writings of the time, roused the people to resist sovereign power ; but having framed and adopted a constitution of their own, and chosen officers to administer it, and make laws in conformity to it, they did not reflect or consider that the sovereignty was thereby delegated, and that tfeey had no right to resume it in a summary manner. They rather considered the rulers as their servants, whose services and directions they might accept or reject at pleasure ; and that the constitution and laws might be annulled and set aside, whenever they should deem it expedient. Thus ignorant of the true causes of their distress, and attribut- ing to government what the previous war and their pres- ent indolent habits and extravagant notions of liberty had unavoidably brought upon them, they probably proceeded conscientiously in resisting the laws, and opposing their due execution, unapprehensive of the disastrous conse- quences, which would follow, if their resistance and revolutionary measures should be successful. They made no discrimination between resisting the government which they had chosen for themselves, and which by peaceable means they could change, and the one in which they had no choice. What a striking contrast between the language of these rebels, and that of the patriots at the commencement of the Revolutionary war ! The first act of violence, committed by the insurgents, was forcibly preventing the courts of justice from hold- ing their sessions, and transacting their regular business. Job Shattuck, of Groton, who had been a soldier in the French war, and a commissioned officer in the Revolu- COURTS AT CONCORD PREVENTED. 133 tionary war, and who was otherwise qualified to be con- spicuous in such a cause, became the leader and com- mander of the insurgent forces, in Middlesex county. The historian, who wrote an account of this rebellion, the next year after it happened, and who had ample means of knowing the facts in relation to the transactions at Concord, when the court of common pleas and gene- ral sessions of the peace were there by law to be holden, says, " No sooner was it known by the insurgents, who were contemptible in point of strength and character, that government would not act with force, than they appeared in triumph on the spot." " They took possession of the court house, and paraded with great insolence before the court who had assembled at a small distance. One of their leaders ^ was exceedingly outrageous, and once threatened to put all persons to the sword, who would not join them in two hours. Such was the profanity of his language, that it at first staggered the less hardened party from Wor- cester, but a union of forces afterwards took place. Job Shattuck, their principal leader, sent a written message, that it was the sense of the people that the court should not sit. He afterwards affected to permit the court of sessions to sit, on condition of adjourning to a day pre- scribed ; but the issue was, that the rioters grew still more outrageous, and no court could sit at all." When the court was about to be holden at Cambridge, the Gov- ernor issued orders for the militia of Middlesex to be in readiness to march to that place. " But," says the histo- rian, " an influential character in Middlesex undertook to make an agreement with the leaders of that county, that no forces should appear on either side, and wrote a letter to the Governor on this subject to their satisfaction." But the insurgents did not abide by their agreement ; and they took measures to have a large and imposing force * Capt. Nathan Smith of Shirley. 134 PARKER AND PAGE ARRESTED. collected from Worcester and Bristol counties, to join those of Middlesex, at Cambridge. The historian proceeds : " Pursuant to this new scheme, a small party of Middlesex insurgents, headed by Oliver Parker, [of Groton,] (Job Shattuck, their former captain, coming in a more secret manner, in order to avoid the appearance of breaking his agreement,) marched into the town of Concord. Upon their arrival, Shattuck pro- ceeded in the night to Weston, to get intelligence of the Worcester forces, but though they had begun their march, they did not appear, and from this want of co-operation the whole plan fell through. " The leaders of the insurrectionists, having thus re- jected the pardon which was held up to them by the General Court," — '' warrants were issued for apprehending the head men of the insurgents, in Middlesex, and for imprisoning them without bail or mainprise. The execu- tion of these warrants was committed to the sheriff of Middlesex and others, to whose aid a party of horse, who had voluntarily associated for the support of government, under Colonel Benjamin Hitchborn, was ordered from Boston, early in the morning of the 29th of November. These were joined by a party from Groton, under the command of Col. Henry Woods, and the whole, consist- ing of more than one hundred, proceeded immediately for Concord. On their arrival there, the Groton horse, as being best acquainted with the country, and least liable to excite an alarm from an unfamiliar appearance to the inhabitants, were dispatched to secure the subjects of the warrant. These returned at night with two prisoners, Oliver Parker and Benjamin Page ; but Shattuck, the principal leader, had taken an alarm and escaped. Under this disappointment, at midnight, in the midst of a violent snow-storm, the whole party were ordered on to Shat- tuck's house, in Groton, where they did not arrive till late in the morning. A search was immediately commenced, SHATTUCK TAKEN. 135 and a judicious pursuit discovered him to a party of a few persons, led by Colonel Woods himself. Shattuck obsti- nately resisted, and was not taken till he had received several wounds, and which he returned without much injury." Thus three of the leaders of the rebels being secured, the adherents to the party in Groton, it is believed, did no more treasonable acts, but soon after went before a magis- trate, delivered up their arms, took the oath of allegiance, and became peaceable subjects of government. No less than seventy names of persons belonging to Groton, are found, who did so. It is not necessary, in relating the affairs of a single country township, to follow the narra- tive of the Shays rebellion farther j though it might teach the present and future generations a salutary lesson, to avoid treasonable resistance of government, and to aid in a firm support of law and order. The issue is well known. The strong arm of government, energetically and judiciously exercised, in a few months overcame all opposition, with very little bloodshed to either of the belligerents ; and the penitence of the prisoners, though convicted of the highest in the catalogue of crimes, pro- cured them a pardon from the executive. There are those of the present day, who do not duly distinguish between that liberty which is consistent with good government, and liberty degenerated to licentious- ness, who would probably have joined the insurgents, had they lived at that time, and who now half justify their proceedings, or at least go so far as to say, that much good accrued to the Commonwealth by them. True it is, that from every evil some good may arise ; but men are not to be envied, whose achievements are good, only that they may be set up as a beacon to warn others against falling into the same follies, errors and wickedness. The historian of the affair closes his account with the following pertinent remark. 136 INSURRECTION SUPPRESSED. " Thus was a dangerous internal war finally suppressed, by the spirited use of constitutional power, without the shedding of blood by the hand of the civil magistrate ; a circumstance which it is the duty of every citizen to as- cribe to its real cause, the lenity of government and not its weakness ; a circumstance, too, that must attach every man to a constitution, which, from a happy principle of mediocrity, governs its subjects without oppression, and reclaims them without severity." CHAPTER VIII. Meeting-bouses or churches — First meeting-house — Its situation — Cost and materials — Second house — Committee of twelve to agree about its location — Their report — Its site — Sales of land to raise money to finisji it — Third house — Its site — John Ames gives a deed — Enlargement — A bell — VV. Martin's and Jona. Lawrence's wills — A new bell — Enlargement of the Common — Votes about repairing, or building a new fourth meeting-house — Trouble about finishing — Pews — Costs — Regulations — Presbyterian house — Union meeting-house — Baptists, &c. There have been erected in Groton seven houses, pur- posely for places of public worship, exclusive of those in Pepperell and Shirley. The first record in relation to this subject is the fol- lowing vote, passed June 23, 1662. <' Also, that the meeting-house shall be set upon the right hand of the path, by a small white oak, marked on the south-west side with two notches and a blaze." The house, how- ever, was not built till 1666. During the time from the passing of this vote to the erection of the meeting-house, it appears, that the inhabitants met for worship at the minister's house. The following vote was passed some- time in 1663. " It is agreed by the major part of the town, that Mr. Willard shall have their interest in the house and lands that was devoted by the town for the ministry * * * * provided, they may meet in the house on the Lord's day, and upon other occasions of the town 18 138 FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. on meetings." A vote also passed, September 23, 1663, " That John Nutting shall keep clean the meeting-house this year, and for his labor he is to have fourteen shil- lings." The meeting-house here mentioned must have been the minister's house, as none other was yet built, as appears by the following vote. " At a town meeting, upon the 21st of the 7th month, 1665. It was this day agreed upon, that they will have a meeting-house forthwith." A committee was chosen at the last date to agree with the carpenters to carry on the work. " At a general town meeting held 5th of 8th m., 1666, it was voted by the major part of the town, that the meeting-house frame, that is now framed, is to be re- moved, and to be set up in a place near the corner of Jo- seph Parker's fence." A few other votes passed this year, 1666, respecting the work of the meeting-house, and the completion of it ap- pears by the following. "At a general town meeting, held 24th 10th m., 1666, it was agreed, and by vote declared, that all the lower seats in the new meeting-house, that now is, should be divided, six for men, and six for women, and also the front seats for the gallery ; the best provision that the town can provide both for the minister and also for the people to sit upon the next Lord's day come sevennight ; and every one to be placed in their places, as they shall con- tinue for the future." "At a general town meeting, held 31, 10 m., 1666. For better proceeding in setting seats for the women, as well as for the men, it was agreed and by vote declared, that the front gallery on the north side of the meeting- house should be divided in the middle, and the men that shall be placed there, their wives are to be placed by their husbands, as they are below." Some notion of the materials of which this meeting- MATERIALS AND EXPENSE. 139 house was composed, its cost and size, may be obtained from the following account, among the records of 1666. " A true account of all the particular sums of all the work done to the meeting-house, frame and other things, as nails, hooks, and hinges, and glass, and pulpit, he. £ s. d. 1 In** for thatch, 5 * It., to John Morse for thatching; and cutting withes, . I 13 It , for wages for those did attend the thatchers, . . . 5 14 8 It., carting clay and stones for daubing the wall and underpinning, 3 It., the daubing of meeting-house walls, . . . . 4 12 6 It., lathes, and nailing on, ....... 200 It., 40 lbs. nails, 3 12 3 It., for nailing on the clapboards, . . . . . 110 8 It., for getting the sleepers and laying of them, . . . 10 4 It., for plank 600 and half, 2 18 6 It., for seasoned boards, 700 and 5 feet, 2 12 10 It., for laying the lower floor, at 5*. 6d. per 000, . . 18 2 It., making doors and two pairs of stairs, 10 It., for laying => 40,382 of boards on the gallery floor, . 2 It., for shuts for the windows, and making provision ) 10 for Mr. Willard to preach till we have a pulpit, ) It., for making a pulpit, ....... 300 It., for glass for the windows, 3 5 It., for 200 of boards, and more nails, and more work done by cart- ing and laying seats, &c., 18 * 50 16 10 A structure of these materials, and at this expense, does not comport well with our notions of a house for public worship ; but taking into consideration the scanty means, and the small number of inhabitants the town contained one hundred and eighty years ago, we may justly suppose, that this house was the result of a greater effort of theirs, than the building of the present three churches would be for the present inhabitants. It is matter of much doubt, on what spot this first built church stood. Tradition says it stood near the crossing of the road leading from school-house No. 5, and the Nod road, so called. And in corroboration of this tra- dition, it is said, that an aged white oak near this spot was ' Imprimis. " Item. ^ Uncertain what quantity. ♦ This is the footing of the account. Probably some error in the copy. 140 SITE OF FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. felled a few years since, which had many nails, spikes and hooks in its trunk, denoting that it had been a pillar for fastening horses. But no good reason can now be assigned, why it should have been situated so far to the north. The principal men, both in note and number, were certainly not in that part of the town. It is well known, that James Parker, John Nutting, Thomas Tar- bell, William Green, James Fiske, and what is stronger evidence, the Rev. Mr. Willard, whose house had been the place of public worship for three or four years, were all seated along the site of the present principal village. Here were their garrisoned houses, four of them at least, and the fifth nearly a mile off. The frame, we have seen, was removed from the spot where it was first voted it should stand. But the precise spots where once stood the " small white oak, Avith two notches and a blaze," or the " corner of Joseph Parker's fence," will, I apprehend, be never again known. This meeting-house was burnt by the Indians in 1676, as has been related in a former chapter. Soon after the resettlement of the town, in the spring of 1678, the subject of building a new meeting-house was agitated, and, as appears by the following votes, caused like strifes and contentions to those on similar occasions in later times. " At a town meeting in Groton, it was agreed for the year ensuing, provided that the town do build a meeting- house, upon fifty pounds for this year." This vote passed December 11, probably in 1679, and the fifty pounds were probably the whole assessment for town charges. " At a general town meeting held June 8, 1680. It was this day agreed, and by a major part by vote de- clared, that the meeting-house shall stand where the other meeting-house (stood), or somewhere thereabout." " It was also the same day and at the same time voted, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINE, 141 that the meeting-house shall stand somewhere between Mr. Hobart's house ^ and the brook by the Captain's." At the same meeting, (22d 10 m., 1680), " It was agreed upon and by vote declared, that the difference con- cerning the meeting-house should be referred into the hands of these twelve men, viz. Capt. Parker, Richard Blood, Lieut. Lakin, Ensign Lawrence, Sarg. Lakin, Sarg. Knap, John Page, Jonas Prescott, John Morse, Joshua Whitney, William Green, Jonathan Morse, and in case these twelve men cannot agree, they have full power to choose a committee to put a final conclusion to issue the debate forthwith." Two days after their choice the committee reported as follows. " That they have agreed as followeth. " 1. That we do forgive each other wherein we have been instrumental of grieving each other in word or deed, referring to the difference, and that for the time to come we will do what we can to promote and increase love, and do nothing to break the peace now made, referring to our agreement about the standing and going on to finish the meeting-house in the place where it now standeth, and endeavor to satisfy (and) silence all our inhabitants. " 2. That the persons that drew the timber for the meeting-house frame, doing it without order, shall have nothing for their work, unless particular men will allow them any thing on their own good will. " 3. That those that raised the meeting-house shall bear their own cost and charge, both for time and pro- vision. " 4. That the whole town shall go on jointly together to finish the meeting-house, with all convenient speed. * Mr. Hobart's house stood on the site of the Baptist meeting-house ; and Captain Parker's was on the south side of the brook, where Dr. Bancroft now Uves, or thereabout. 142 SECOND MEETING-HOUSE EXPENSE. without any regret or reflections one upon another, in the place where it now standeth." The site of this second meeting-house is well known. It stood at the northeast corner of what is now called the old common, a few rods northerly of school-house No. 14. Within forty years last past, the lines upon which the underphming lay were distinctly visible, so that the length and breadth of the building could have been accu- rately measured. But the soil has since been removed, so that no trace remains. Among the assessments made in lOSO, are the fol- lowing. "A rate made for the meeting-house frame, the just sum is £32 19 8. " A rate made by the selectmen, for covering the meeting-house, roof and sides, windows, doors, stairs and pulpit, and the just sum is £44 2 5." At a town meeting, November 14, 1681, the town voted to raise money to finish the meeting-house by a sale of common lands ; and chose Capt. Parker, Lieut. Lakin and Sarg. Knap, a committee to make the sales. By an account of the sales recorded in the town book, it appears that Capt. Parker purchased a quantity not stated for £11 10s. Od. Joseph Parker, three hundred acres for £15 00s. Od. Sarg. Lakin, Henry Willard, Jonas Pres- cott and Peleg Lawrence, each one hundred acres, at five pounds for each hundred, or one shilling per acre, amount- ing in the whole to forty-six pounds ten shillings. "At a general town meeting upon the 23d 2 m., 1683, it was agreed upon and voted, that Mr. Hobart shall have liberty to make this pulpit for his ease and comfort, so as he do no ways deface the work now done, and will make it decent and comely, equivalent to the work underneath, upon his own charge." THIRD MEETING-HOUSE. 143 Nothing further is known respecting this second church, except, that having stood about thirty-five years, it was voted, after the third had been erected, to convert it into a school-house, as will be seen in a future chapter. The building of a third house for worship began to be in contemplation in the beginning of the year 1714. In January, the town voted, " that they will build a new meeting-house in some convenient time." February 1, they voted to build a meeting-house fifty feet long, and forty feet wide, and that the place for its standing should be determined at March meeting, by the voters, bringing in written votes, with their names on the vote. At March meeting it was determined, that the meeting-house should stand "at Green's," (the site of the present church of the first parish) ; seventy men bringing in their votes for that place, which must have been nearly or quite unani- mous. The other place proposed, was where the second house stood. It is not stated how many voted for that place. The size was altered by vote to forty by thirty- five feet, and it was also voted that the town should " be at no charge concerning a bridge over Broad meadow." Probably the people who lived in the westerly part of the town would have been better accommodated by having the house at the site of the old one, than at "Green's," and those in favor of the latter place engaged to accommodate them with the road across Broad meadow, at their individual expense. Several votes passed this, and the two succeeding years, for raising money, and finishing the meeting-house, by which it appears that it was not completed immediately. This meeting-house was set upon the land of Mr. John Ames, who, on the eighteenth day of January, 1716-17, in consideration of a certain pew in the meeting-house, voted or granted to him at a town meeting holden Novem- ber 5, 1716, and " that there be no farther trouble or con- troversy within the said town referring to the land on 144 HOUSE ENLARGED AND SEATED. which the meeting-house now stands, and other good considerations, bargained, sold, and conveyed to said town of Groton, a certain parcel of land, formerly belonging to Mr. Willard, containing about ninety-five poles, bounded southerly and southwesterly by highways, and otherwise by said Ames's land, (no length of lines being given,) the new meeting-house standing on the same." It appears, that in ten or eleven years after the erection of this house, the population of the town had so increased, that the meeting-house was not of sufficient capacity to accommodate them. They, therefore, in March, 1727-8, voted to enlarge, or make an addition to it, chose a com- mittee to consult workmen, and proceed to make the addition, and at the same time granted eighty pounds for the purpose, and in the course of the next year, eighty pounds more. October 27, 1729. The committee were empowered, in making the addition, to provide for the hanging of a bell. "August 17, 1730. Voted, That the ground (floor) all around the inside of the meeting-house, convenient for building of pews, be granted to the highest in pay, except polls, they building the same upon their own cost and charge." " Also, voted, That they will have five men for that committee to seat the meeting-house. Chose Justice Prescott, Lieut. Boyden, Capt. Sheple, Lieut. Hobart and Deacon Longley for that committee. Also, voted, for their instructions, that in seating the meeting-house, they left it with the committee, they having a particular regeird to the three last years' pay." " May 21, 1733. Voted, That such persons as desire it, have liberty to make glass windows in the meeting- house, for the conveniency of their pews, provided they maintain them themselves." Other votes passed at sun- dry times, giving liberty to individuals to build seats, LEGACIES FOR A BELL. 145 ornament, and improve several parts of the meeting-house at their private expense. William Martin, of Groton, by his last will and testa- ment, dated March 6, 1672, bequeathed to said town, the sum of ten pounds, " towards purchasing a meeting-house bell for the town's use." On the 27th day of October, 1729, the town chose Samuel Tarbell and Benjamin Prescott, Esq., " a committee fully empowered to inquire after, demand and receive, and if need be, sue for the money given the town by William Martin's last will and testament." Mr. Martin died March 26, 1672. His will had been duly approved, and his executor had also died. The above committee, under the authority of the town, sued Benjamin Lakin, one of the devisees or legatees of Martin, who had received his portion of the estate, as executor de bonis non, in his own wrong. This writ issued November 26, 1731, almost sixty years after the decease of the testator, and they recovered the legacy. August 25, 1732, the town voted, "That Benjamin Prescott, Nathaniel Sawtell and Lieut. William Lawrence, be a committee to provide the town with a bell for the meeting-house, to the value of one hundred and ten pounds, and to draw the money for that use, that was given by William Martin and Jonathan Lawrence, de- ceased. Jonathan Lawrence's will was dated August 27, 1725, and it was approved October 29, 1729 ; one hun- dred pounds were bequeathed to the town in and by said will, " towards the purchasing and procuring a good meet- ing-house bell, and the putting it up." May 14, 1752, the town " voted, that the selectmen take down the meeting-house bell forthwith, and that it be sent to Great Britain to be new run, and to know the present value thereof; and that William Lawrence, Esq., be desired to undertake to get a new bell, the weight thereof to be five hundred pounds, and that the name of 19 146 COMMON ENLARGED. Lieut. Jonathan Lawrence be set thereon." In December following, tlie town voted, "■ that the new bell be hung when it comes up," and a committee was then chosen to report how it should be hung, who reported at the same time, that it be " hung in a place built for that purpose fifteen feet high and twelve feet broad." But it is not probable that it was so hung, inasmuch as the town at the same meeting voted to build a new meeting-house, and immediately after proceeded in the business. At the time of making the addition to the meeting- house, as above related, the town, in order to enlarge the common, exchanged some lands with the llev. Mr. Trow- bridge, who then owned the land formerly owned by John Ames, adjoining the common, and on the west side of the highway, now owned by Jonathan Loring. The lane from the great road down to Broadmeadow was four rods wide, between the lands of Mr. Trowbridge on the north, and Eleazer Green on the south. The town un- dertook to convey two rods in width of the north side of this lane, benig abont sixty-four square rods, to Mr. Trowbridge, for the same quantity on the north and east sides of the common, as bought of John Ames. This addition to the common was in the shape of a carpenter's square, the longest and widest part being on the north side. The highway lately laid out on the northerly side of the meeting-house, takes a part of this land, and the parish have since purchased the triangular piece easterly of the meeting-house. The third meeting-house, built as we have seen in 1714, '15 and '16, with the addition thereto made in 1730, answered the purpose for a place of public worship, without any movement for repairs or building a new one, till about the year 1745. Pepperell having been made a precinct, and built a meeting-house, parochial affairs were transacted by the inhabitants as the first parish ; but the town clerk being clerk also of the parish, and the VOTES TO REPAIR AND TO BUILD. 147 records being kept promiscuously in the same book, it is difficult in some cases to distinguish them. Those which follow, in relation to repairing the old house and building a new one, appear to be partly those of the town, and partly of the parish. All the difficulties, divisions and strifes, commonly attendant on determining whether to repair or build anew ; and that determined, where the new shall stand, how large it shall be, in what style it shall be finished, he, he, seem to have occurred in this instance. " November 8, 1745. The parish voted to repair the meeting-house by clapboarding, shingling, he, to be done by the 29th of September next." " August, 1752. Voted not to build a new meeting- house at present." "September 11, 1752. Voted not to clapboard and shingle the old meeting-house. " Voted to build a new meeting-house with one tier of galleries, and in voting for its place, each man to write his name upon his vote to prevent further disputes. In counting the votes it appeared, that there were seventy-six votes for building said house as near where the present house now stands as conveniency will admit, and twenty- eight for the old place near the burying ground. " Voted, That the dimension of said house be sixty-five feet in length, and fifty feet in breadth, and twenty-six feet posts, and to have a belfry at one end of said house to hang the bell on. " At the same time, chose a parish committee to provide materials, and granted one hundred pounds for carrying on the work, and twenty pounds for the expense of the bell." " At a parish meeting January 8, 1753, voted to add to the committee, and not assess the one hundred pounds nor the twenty pounds at present." 148 FOURTH MEETING-HOUSE RAISED, " August 27, 1753. The town voted to assess the one hundred pounds to build the meeting-house." <' November 13, 1753. Voted to proceed with getting the materials for the new meeting-house by the first of March next." " March 5, 1754. Voted to raise three hundred pounds for the charge of the meeting-house ; and chose a com- mittee to sell or remove the old one." " April 15, 1754. Voted to build another porch, oppo- site the belfry." " May 6, 1754. Voted, that the meeting-house com- mittee provide one hogshead of rum, one loaf of white sugar, one quarter of a hundred of brown sugar. Also voted, that Deacon Stone, Deacon Farwell, Lieut. Isaac Woods, Benjamin Stone, Lieut. John Woods, Capt. Samuel Tarbell, Amos Lawrence, Ensign Obadiah Parker and Capt. Bancroft, be a committee to provide victuals and drink for a hundred men." " Then voted, that the selectmen provide some convenient place to meet in upon the Sabbath till further order." These preparations were made for the raising of the fourth meeting-house, which took place a few days after ; and this is the present meeting-house of the first parish, having stood almost a century. After the site and size of this house had been deter- mined, and the raising had been accomplished, and the outside perhaps finished, there were still important ques- tions to be settled, which held the inhabitants in a state of great inquietude and excitement. How many pews shall be built ? who shall build them ? the parish, or those who shall own them? what shall be their shape and dimensions ? where shall they be situated ? shall there be any in the gallery ? These were subjects which for a considerable time agitated the town, and on which various and sometimes contrary decisions were made. At a town meeting held December 2, 1754, it was QUESTIONS CONCERNING PEWS. 149 voted to have pews in the meeting-house. Also, that a committee of fifteen persons be appointed to measure and make plans of the lower floor and the gallery, in reference to pew ground, and to report at the adjourned meeting. At the time adjourned to, December 16, the committee made a report, which is not on record. A motion to ac- cept the report was made and negatived ; to accept as to the number and form of the pews, negatived ; to accept the number and form on the lower floor, negatived ; to accept as to pews on the lower floor, except the pews at the ends of the seats, passed in the affirmative. A motion for the town to build the pews, negatived ; a motion to sell the pew ground for three thousand five hundred pounds, negatived. The meeting was then adjourned to December 23d. At this second adjournment, the town first voted to reconsider all votes passed at the first adjournment. The several motions were then again made, and the questions put, and decided very nearly in the same manner as be- fore. The final determination was, that there should be a tier of pews all round the meeting-house by the walls, and a second tier on the floor, except at the ends of the seats ; and that there should be pews in the front gallery, and whether any more, left to the discretion of the finish- ing committee ; and the town were to build the whole number. The meeting was again adjourned to February 4, 1755. The following vote passed at this last time. " Voted, That the pew ground on the lower floor of the meeting-house, in said town, be granted unto thirty- seven of the highest payers, exclusive of polls, in said town, in consideration of their paying to the use of the town the sum of one hundred and thirty-three pounds six shillings and eight pence ; and that Col. Lawrence, Capt. Samuel Tarbell, Lieut. Benjamin Parker, Ensign Heze- kiah Sawtell, Esquire Prescott, Capt. Sawtell, Josiah Saw- tell, Elisha Rockwood and Capt. John Bulkley, or the 150 PEWS TO HIGHEST TAX PAYERS. major pan of them, be a committee in the name of the town to give a proper title to such as shall appear to pur- chase the same, in the judgment of the committee, and upon the following rules, what every man shall pay toward said house, as well as what the said committee shall order him or her to pay for their pew ground or pew. And upon any of the first thirty-seven refusing, to give the next first payer the offer, and so on in the same rule till all are disposed of; and the three last invoices taken by the assessors of the town to be the rule for said committee to govern themselves by ; and that such person or persons as shall purchase the said pews, shall take them for their seats, for themselves and family, in said house ; and such persons to pay for building their own pews ; always reserving the pew adjoining the pulpit stairs for the ministerial pew for said town." March 4, 1755. The following vote passed. " Voted, That the pew ground already granted to the seven-and-thirty first payers that desired the same, be con- firmed to them, their heirs and assigns forever." The business of reckoning and settling with the com- mittee for building this house, was the subject of much labor and long debates, but was brought to a close Decem- ber 31, 1759. The whole cost is stated to have been £905 195. lO^d. The following report of a committee is thought worthy of recital, as it may tend to show the habits and manners of the times. Some of the rules might be observed with propriety at the present time. " Groton, May 17, 1756. We, the subscribers, being appointed a committee to consider what regulations are proper on Lord's day, in the meeting-house, have this day attended that service and have agreed as followeth : " 1. That every person take their proper seat as soon as they come into the meeting-house. MEETING-HOUSE REMODELLED. 151 " 2. That no tobacco be used by chewing or smoking, or any trash be left in the meeting-house, either in the time of pubhc worship, or in the time of intermission. " 3. That after tlie blessing is pronounced, pews and all the fore seats, above and below, move out first, and after they have quitted their seats, the second seats to follow, and so on till the whole house be emptied ; and all persons quit the door as soon as they are out. "Also, a fine be paid by each person for any defect herein mentioned ; the sum of two shillings for the first default, and so add one shilling more for the second, and so on to add for every offence committed the like sum of one shil- ling to the first two shillings, &c., and also the one half of the fines above be to any person or persons who shall complain of any breaches hereof, and the other half to the poor of the town ; and a committee be chosen, whose names are James Prescott, Esq., Benjamin Stone and Josiah Sawtell, to have these orders to be enacted to be a law by the court of general sessions of the peace, if needed, as soon as may be." This fourth house was set on fire by lightning July 26, 1795, and the steeple and belfry somewhat injured ; but the fire was extinguished without any very great damage. It is said that on this occasion the ridiculous notion, that a fire kindled by lightning could not be extinguished by water, but could be by milk, induced some persons to carry milk from the neighboring dairy rooms for the pur- pose of preserving the meeting-house. This building, after having been several times repaired, and the inside altered, by removing seats and making pews in their stead, till the whole ground floor and most of the gallery was occupied by pews, remained substan- tially the same in outward appearance till 1839, when it was turned, the north end to the west and made the front, 152 PRESBYTERIAN MEETING-HOUSE. the inside all taken out, and the whole thoroughly re- modelled in conformity to more modern structures, and it now remains the place of worship for the inhabitants of the first parish and first church. A number of the church and people of Groton opposed the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Chaplin, as their minister and pastor, because they did not consider his doctrines and teachings purely Calvinistic. After his ordination, therefore, they absented themselves from regular attend- ance on public worship and Christian ordinances. What took place in the church thereupon will be related in an- other chapter. These disaffected persons built a house for public worship, placed at the forks of the roads, the one leading to Dunstable, the other to HoUis, New Hamp- shire, about one mile north of the first parish meeting- house, where Dea. J. Cragin's house now stands. It was boarded and shingled, and rough seats were placed in it. Occasional preaching and other Christian ordi- nances were dispensed therein for a few years only. As there were not then legal facilities for escaping taxation to the regular support of religious worship, that exist at this time, to effect this it was necessary for the seceders to form a society of a different denomination from Con- gregational, so they petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation as a Presbyterian society. To this the town assented October 27, 1788, and the act passed the 19th day of November following. The society, however, remained regularly organized but for a few years. The act of the Legislature of Massachusetts, passed in the year 1811, commonly called the Religious Freedom Bill, well suited the spirit of the times, and tended greatly to the division of towns and parishes, the multiplication of sects and religious societies, and the erection of numerous churches and chapels. The town of Groton, however, UNION MEETING-HOUSE. 153 was not seriously affected by these general disturbances so long as the venerable Dr. Chaplin continued able to perform the duties of minister and pastor. But when the infirmities of age prevented his discharging the pastoral duties, the usual distractions, strifes and contentions, with all the bitterness of party warfare, commenced, and ceased not till the minority finally seceded and left the majority quietly to enjoy their legal and religious rights and privi- leges. The seceders commenced the erection of a rneet- iug-house, decent for size and accommodations, in the summer of 1826. The corner-stone was laid July 4th, of that year, and the dedication was performed January 3, 1827. This house, called the " Union meeting-house," stands in a central position in the village, and this season, [1846,] it has undergone thorough repairs, and has been much improved in outward appearance, and conveniencies within. There have been a few of the Baptist denomination in the town for a number of years, but their numbers and abilities were not sufficient to enable them to build a house for worship, and support regular religious ordi- nances, till within a few years past. In the year 1841, they erected a small, but decent and commodious, meet- ing-house, at an expense of above $3,000, at the northerly part of the principal village, on the spot where the Rev. Mr. Hobart's dwelling-house stood, which was a garri- soned house in 1694. This house was dedicated Feb- ruary 2, 1842. Another association, with the denomination of Christ- ians, erected a building near the Union meeting-house, which was for some time occupied for religious and other purposes ; but in 1845, it was removed to a more central position, the lower part fitted for shops, and the upper made into a convenient place for concerts, lyceums, lec- tures and other assemblages of the inhabitants, and is de- nommated " Liberty Hall." 20 CHAPTER IX. Ministers, churches and congregations — Rev. John Miller — Rev. Samuel Willard — Rev. Gershom Hobart — Rev. Dudley Brad- street — Rev. Caleb Trowbridge — Rev. Samuel Dana — Rev. Daniel Chaplin — Rev. Charles Robinson — Rev. George W. Wells — Rev. Joseph C. Smith — Rev. John Todd — Rev. Charles B. Kittredge — Rev. Dudley Phelps — Rev. Amasa Sanderson — Rev. Alfred Pin- ney — Rev. Lewis Holmes. Religion was the principal efficient cause of the settle- ment of New England by Europeans. The emigrants, who first settled upon om' then inhospitable shores, brought with them their religious teachers, and one of their first employments was the organization of churches. And when the Legislature of Massachusetts made grants of lands for towns and plantations, the consideration was usually stated to be the establishment of a church ; and sometimes the grant was limited by a condition, that a sufficient number of families for carrying on church affiiirs should settle upon the lands granted, within a stated time. As a natural consequence of these consid- erations and conditions, the first settlers of a new town or plantation invariably either took with them their minis- ters, or procured one immediately after settlements were made. The first inhabitants of Groton took with them, or were immediately followed by Rev. John Miller as their minister. The first vote now to be found on record in Groton town books, and it is supposed to have passed at the first REV. MR. MILLER. 155 town meeting, the proceedings of which were recorded, is this. "At a general town meeting, June 23, 1662, it was agreed upon, that the house for the minister should be set upon the place where it is now framing." The second vote related to the site of their intended meeting-house. " At a general town meeting, March 18, 1663, it was generally agreed as followeth : «' 1. Voted, That Mr. Miller is by the consent of the town, manifested by vote, to be desired, if God move his heart thereunto, to continue still with us, for our further edification." Richard Blood dissented from this vote. '• 2. That Mr. Miller shall have a twenty acre lot set out to him, according to the town's grant to him." It would seem by these votes, that it was intended Mr. Miller should be the settled minister of the town, but he was suddenly removed by death. In the first return of births and deaths, by the town clerk of Groton to the clerk of the courts, his death is thus stated : " Mr. Jno. Miller, minister of God's holy word, died June 12, 1663." Mr. Miller, according to Mather, had been an ordained minister in England ; his name is among the early church members of Roxbury ; he preached some time in Rowley, as assistant to the Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, was afterwards settled at Yarmouth, and after this came to Groton. The people of Groton were not long without a minis- ter. On the 21st day of some month in 1663, from the connection it appears to have been June, the following vote passed. " That Mr. Willard, if he will accept it, shall be their minister as long as he lives, which Mr. Willard accepts, except a manifest providence of God appears to take him oflf." " These persons following do dissent from this 156 REV. MR. WILLARD ORDAINED. vote. Richard Sawtell, Samuel Woods, James Parker, John Nutting, James Fiske." It is somewhat remarkable that Mr. Willard should be settled with these men opposing. They must have been about a fourth part in number, and certainly some of the principal and most influential men of the town. At the same time, a vote passed granting Mr. Willard an interest in the ministerial house and lands. A little before or upon the 10th of September, 1663, a record was made, which is partly destroyed, but enough is legible to show, that some dissensions had taken place, and the inhabitants now express penitence for injuries done, and ask forgiveness of each other, and also of God. And a vote upon the tenth of September expresses, that Mr. Willard's salary shall commence on the first day of July, then past. So that Mr. V¥illard must have been at Groton in less than a month after Mr. Miller's death. Notwithstanding these votes, and also the circumstance that the title of deacon is given to James Parker, in the records of 1663, no church was yet organized, or gathered, according to the technical language of the times. The records of the first church in Roxbury have this memo- randum. " 1664, July 13, a church gathered at Groyton, and Mr. Willard ordained." This, then, is the date of the organization of the first church, and of the first ordi- nation in Groton. Mr. Willard's salary was voted and allowed in each and every year. The first year, from July 1, 1663, to July 1, 1664, was forty pounds ; the next year fifty, and for several years after sixty ; then sixty-five, and finally rose to eighty pounds.^ From what can be gathered from the ' An f^timate of the value of this salary, compared with the price of the necessaries of life, m.iy be made by the followiiip; statement of prices of articles, in which Mr. Willard was to receive a part of his salary, in the year 1667. " Wheat five shillings per bushel ; Indian corn three shillings per bushel ; pork throe pence per pound ; butter at six pence per pound." A CHARACTER. 157 votes of the town, respecting him daring his ministry, it seems, that he and his httle flock lived happily together, and that he was duly respected by the people of his charge. The Rev. Samuel Willard was son of Major Simon Willard, one of the first settlers of Concord, Mass., highly distinguished both as a civil and military character. He was born at Concord, January 31, 1G40 ; received the honors of college at Cambridge, 1659 ; was ordained at Groton, July 13, 1664; married Abigail Sherman, August 8, 1664, grand-daughter of Lord Darcy, Earl of Rivers, after whose death he married Eunice, daughter of Edward Tyng. He continued in the ministry at Groton till the town was burnt by the Indians, March 13, 1676. April 10, 1678, he was installed colleague pastor of the third church in Boston, (Old South,) and had the superinten- dence of Harvard College, with the title of Vice Presi- dent, from September 6, 1701, to August 14, 1707. He died September 12, 1707. It is said, he had twenty chil- dren ; six by his first wife, and fourteen by the second. Mr. Willard was an author of great celebrity. His dis- courses on various occasions and subjects were very inimerous, and a list of his printed w'orks comprises be- teen thirty and forty volumes, chiefly pamphlets, it is presumed; but his greatest work, entitled, "A Body of Divinity, in two hundred and fifty Expository Lectures on the Assembly's Shorter Catechism," was printed in a folio volume, the first of that size printed in America. The Hon. Josiah Willard, Secretary of the province, by appointment of the King, for thirty-nine years, was his son, and the late Rev. Joseph Willard, President of Har- vard College twenty-three years, was his great-grandson. No records of the church have been found, if any were kept, during the ministry of Mr. Willard, and after this lapse of time, nothing can be said of its members, officers, 158 KEV. MR, HOBART's CALL. prosperity or adversity. James Parker, only, is twice in the town records entitled deacon. The next minister of Groton was the Rev. Gershom Hobart. Upon the return of the inhabitants to resettle the town in the spring of 1678, Mr. Hobart accompanied them, or soon followed. The following record, being the first after the return, seems by the last sentence in it to have been made some time after the transactions it relates, from memory of the selectmen. " The record of the lands granted to Mr. Gershom Ho- bart, at a general town meeting, June 29, 1678, viz., all the common land, that lies near the place where the old meeting-house stood, Dunstable highway running through it, and the highway running into the Captain's land, where it may be judged most convenient by them, that are to lay it out. " 2. That piece of swamp and upland that lies between Timothy Allen, Joseph Gilson, the highway leading to the hawtree, and Lieut. Lakin's and John Parish. " 3. Three hundred acres taken out of the common land, in one or two places, where it is most convenient for him. " 4. Fifteen acres of meadow, seven given by particular men, the other to be made up by the rest of the town, according to their proportion. " 5. That he is to have out of the common equal privi- lege of wood, timber and commonage with the rest of the inhabitants of the town, acccording as he have need. Moreover he is to have the house that he now liveth in, with all the aforenamed privileges, performing the condi- tions as foUoweth, viz., that he accept of the call, and come to settle among us, to be the town's minister and the church's officer, then the above mentioned particulars to be his, and his forever. " This condition was consented to be written by the ORDINATION AND SALARY. 159 major part of the selectmen, evidenced by several wit- nesses to be the vote of the town, at the time above men- tioned." He was ordained November 26, 1679. It does not ap- pear by the records what salary he received for the first year, but at a meeting held 10th of 10th month, 1680, a salary of seventy pounds, to be paid in "corn, Indian, wheat, rye, barley, at price current, as the courts shall state it, and in other provision as God bless us withal, and thirty cords of wood." At another meeting held the 22d of the same month, the salary was reduced to fifty pounds, one quarter part to be paid in money. We should apprehend, at this time, that a minister did not need such a bestowment in lands as the town then granted. Mr. Hobart appears not to have lived harmoniously and happily with his parishoners. In the fore part of his ministry, the people were distracted with the question where their meeting-house should stand, and afterwards fixing Mr. Hobart's salary, which was done annually, caused much dissension and strife. The following copies, from the records of the town, will give some idea of the mutual feelings between pastor and flock. The subject of building the meeting-house has been treated of in the last chapter. "Instructions to the selectmen, December 11, 1682. " That the selectmen do make and maintain peace and love with one another in the town, especially with Mr. Hobart, in encouraging him in his work by forwarding one another in being willing to allow him honorable maintenance, as the law directs ; and that they warn the inhabitants together till they be agreed with him, and make no pact till the town be agreed with him." " At a general town meeting upon the 12th 10 m., 1682, it was agreed upon and voted by the town, that 160 CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT. they would give Mr. Hobait three score pounds, for this year's salary, in pay and specie as foUoweth, that is to say, fifteen pounds in money, and five-and-forty pounds in corn and provision ; one half to be paid by the first of March, and the other half by the next Michaelmas, and six-and-thirty cords of wood." Whereupon, ten persons, apparently principal men of the town, engaged to pay their proportion of a seventy pound rate, a quarter part in money, and forty cords of wood. Upon this, the town voted sixty-five pounds and forty cords of wood. The salary was the same the next succeeding year, and seventy pounds the next after. " At a general town meeting legally warned, December 14, 1685, the inhabitants of the town being generally assembled, then determined and voted, that they would give Mr. Hobart fourscore pounds this year, and so from year to year, and so not rising any higher, annually in specie as followeth : twenty pounds in money, eight pounds in pork, at eight pence per pound, and fifty-two pounds in corn, of all sorts, as it please God to bless them, to be paid in two terms, one half to be paid by the first of March next, and the other half by the tenth of Novem- ber next ; and forty cords of wood, which is to be paid yearly by the last of January next, and so annually from year to year, and not to rise any higher." " Understanding the pork to be paid in the first half year's pay, 1 assent to the vote, as witness my hand. Gershom Hobart." " The town dissented from Mr. Hobart's assignment to the vote above mentioned." The sentence over the signature, and the signature itself, in the original, are in the handwriting of Mr. Hobart. The disagreement upon the time that a small BKEACH WITH MR. HOBART. 161 part of the salary should be paid, seems to be too small to cause a dissension between a minister and his people ; but nothing else appears to have been in dispute. " At a general town meeting, Groton, December 28, 1685, the inhabitants of the town being assembled, then determined and voted, that Mr. Gershom Hobart has set himself at liberty from the said town, as to any engage- ment from him as their minister, as also he has freed the town from any engagement to himself, by Mr. Hobart's refusing and slighting what the said town olFered him for his salary,^ at two several town meeetings, as does appear recorded in the town book ; and that the town is yet ready and willing to agree with him for the future, if he see cause. From this vote no man dissented." At the same meeting, when the last vote above passed, another vote, to give Mr. Hobart one hundred pounds from year to year, ten pounds in pork at three pence per pound, and the rest " in such pay as shall please God to bless us withal," was passed, without stating at what time any part should be paid, but several of the principal men dissented. Then follows this record. " This hundred pound vote was confirmed at a general town meeting held at Groton, 4th 11th m., 1685-6, the second time, and Mr. Hobart's assignment to the four- score pounds vote was not assented to." So it seems the town, rather than yield as to the time of paying the pork, increased the salary twenty-five per cent., and the selectmen were ordered to make the rate accordingly. Peace, however, was not made between the parties. "At a general town meeting, held at Groton, July 27, 1686, it was then agreed upon and voted, that they would give to Mr. Gershom Hobart fourscore pounds a year, and so on annually, as he continues the town's minister ; one ' Seventy-five pounds had first been offered, then eighty. 21 162 TROUBLES WITH MR. HOB ART. quarter part in money, the otlier three parts in such as it please God to bless us withal ; in case the non-residents pay their proportion, as they have done formerly ; but otherwise, and if the non-residents be exempted, we do agree to give the said Gershom Hobart seventy pounds this year, and so annually, one quarter part in money, and if any person cannot pay his part in money he has liberty to pay his quarter part in corn, or other provision at half price." ^ On the last page of another town book, not used for the common records of town meetings, the above, under date of August 2, 1686, is recorded as " a final agreement between Mr. Hobart and the inhabitants," omitting, how- ever, what relates to non-residents, signed by " Josiah Parker, in the name and by the order of the town." Un- derneath, in the handwriting of Mr. Hobart, is the same assignment, respecting the time of paying the pork as before, and his signature. Then this record follows. "December 9, 1687, at a general town meeting, the town being then the general part of them together, then did hear the record which was between Mr. Gershom Hobart and the town of Groton, and there was very few or none of the inhabitants that had ever heard it before, and then they did see cause for to enter their dissent to this above record, and their reasons are these. " I. Their agreement with Mr. Hobart, for to give him eighty pounds, was upon this condition: that so long as the non-residents did pay with us, and no longer, and if they did get off from paying with us, then seventy pounds a year. 3 At a town meeting held August 12, 1689, it was agreed by James Parker, Jonas Prescott, John Farnsworth and Josiah Parker, that if those who were unable to pay their tax in money, would bring their grain, wheat at 2s. 6d per bushel, rye 2s Qd , corn Is Qd., within a neek, they would receiv^e it and pay the money; by which it would ser ;n that money was scarce, and that Mr. Hobart would not receive grain at half price. MR. HOBART LEAVES THE TOWN. 163 "2. The second reason is, because those men, that did engage for to pay money for those that brought them corn at * * * * per bushel was not entered, they do dissent from this agreement with the town, and refuse to take corn upon that account. " By me, William Longley, Cleric, by order of the town." It is probable that the dissension became so great about this time, that Mr. Hobart left the town. For the next record in which he is mentioned, is under date of Oct. 27, 1690, when it is voted, " that they will pay Mr. Hobart eighty pounds per year, according as it is written in the town book, for the year ensuing, provided lie come and be with us, so that we have a constant supply of preaching the word on Lord's day, by himself or some other auiherdocks minister of the gospel." And on the ISth of June, following, it was voted, " that they would stand to their covenant with Mr. Hobart, and honestly perform it to him, provided Mr. Hobart return to us and perform his duty amongst us, as was promised by him, when we en- tered into covenant with him," &:c. To this vote ten dissented. Mr. Hobart, however, did not listen favorably, and soon after, the town agreed to call a council respecting the settlement of some other minister ; and in December they voted, "to invite some meet person to preach God's word to them," and chose a committee for that purpose ; and again in the same month, they voted, " to give the minister, Mr. Hancock, eight pounds, money, for the first quarter of the year, and pay for his board besides." Other votes suc- ceeded which amounted to a call for Mr. Hancock to settle as minister ; but in October, 1692, a vote passed to give Mr. Carter a call, and to give him sixty pounds for this year. In May, 1693, the town voted to hire Mr. Hobart's 164 MR. HOBART INVITED TO RETURN. house for the minister, " if they can have it upon rational terms." Also, to purchase a piece of land to build a house upon, to be the minister's forever. In August, of the same year, a committee was chosen to purchase a place for the ministry, and four places were "propounded." "Mr. Hobart's, Joshua Wheat's, John Lawrence's and James Parker's." October 2, 1693, the town chose James Parker, senior, and William Longley, " for to go down and see for a minister to preach God's word to them." And on the ninth of the same month, wonderful to be told, they passed the following vote. " At a general town meeting, legally warned, the major part of the town did by vote declare, that they would give Mister Gershom Hobart a call to be their settled minister, if he will take satisfaction with what the town can do for him ; and for his encouragement the town did declare by the major vote, that they would give to Mr. Hobart sixty pounds this present year ; one fourth part in money, the rest in corn and provision, at town price, and forty cords of wood ; and the said Mr. Hobart to rise and fall with the people ; as the providence of God may be towards the people, and the said town will be at the charge of fetching Mr. Hobart's family up again, and give five pounds towards the repairing Mr. Hobart's house." This vote was renewed on the fourteenth day of No- vember following, with some slight variations and addi- tions. The first states the price of provisions ; corn at three shillings per bushel, rye at four shillings, wheat at five shillings, cow beef three pence per pound, ox beef two and a half pence, and pork three pence. The wood to be paid by the last of January ; the sixty pounds, one half first of March, the other part first of December. The other, proposed seventy pounds per annum, and no wood. Which of the propositions Mr. Hobart accepted does not appear. In December and January, votes passed allowing MR. hobart's death. 165 pay to sundry persons for fetching up Mr. Hobart's family and goods ; among others, " the town did agree to allow good-wife Church two shillings, in town pay, and no more." This might be for setting Mr. Hobart's house in order to receive him.'* Nothing further respecting ministers appears till the last of the year 1703, and during 1704, when several votes passed respecting salary, by which it seems prob- able, that Mr. Hobart preached till about the commence- ment of the year 1705, and no longer. During the year 1705, a Mr. John Odly, [quere, if it should not be Odlin, or Hoadley ?] preached and received a call by a town vote. The Rev. Gershom Hobart was one of the eight sons of Rev. Peter Hobart, first minister of Hingham, whose ancestry was from Hingham, in England, where the said Peter was himself born. From accounts of the Hobart family, given by Winthrop in his Journal, and by Lincoln in the History of Hingham, Gershom was not the only one of the name involved in difficulties and contentions. No record of the birth of any of his children can be found, but the children of three of his sons, Gershom, Shubael and Peter, are recorded, being born between 1715 and 1740. He is supposed to have died at Groion, December 19, 1705, aged 62. The immediate successor of Mr. Hobart, in the minis- try, was the Rev. Dudley Bradstreet. The first notice of him in the town records is this : " At a town meeting, legally warned, the 5th of March, 1706, the town did declare by vote, that they desire Mr. Bradstreet still, in order to settlement. At the same meeting, the town declare by vote, that they would give Mr. Bradstreet, for the ensuing year, seventy pounds ; one ■* Whether or not the reconciliation betwen the town or church, and Mr. Hobart, was brought about by an ecclesiastical council, does not appear, as the church records, if any were kept by Mr H., are undoubtedly lost. 166 MR. BRADSTREET SETTLED, quarter part money, and the rest in corn and provision at town price ; this, in order to settlement." '' The persons chosen for to discourse Mr. Bradstreet. Benjamin Farnsworth, Joseph Gilson, S. Parker." In April, 1706, the town voted a settlement of one hundred pounds to Mr. Bradstreet, and in May, they voted as follows : *' That they would make a good house of thirty-eight feet long, and eighteen feet wide, and a lean-io of eleven feet wide all the length of the house, and they will finish it comfortably ; and that they would build a good little barn for Mr. Bradstreet." And at this last meeting the town chose a committee to let out the house and barn to be built, and to buy a place for the minister. It afterwards appears that they bought of Capt. Parker, and built the house now owned by Thomas J. Nutting, or a part of it, standing southeasterly of the burying ground. Nothing appears on record, but that Mr. Bradstreet and the people lived in peace and harmony till the year 1711, when, by votes passed, it seems that some difficul- ties had arisen between them, and that advice had been taken of ministers and elders, which advice the town uniformly voted to follow. But nothing can be dis- covered of what caused the troubles. The following record sliows the conclusion of the matter, and the dis- mission of Mr. Bradstreet. " Whereas, at a meeting of the Rev. Elders and Mes- sengers lately convened at Groton, April 15, 1712, and at the meeting of said Rev. Elders and Messengers at Marl- borough, June 18, 1712, upon adjournment, advice hath been given to the Rev. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet, pastor of the church in Groton, and to the church of Christ there, that the said church and town should forthwith propose to dismiss the said Mr. Bradstreet from his office bond and relation to them, as the most probable expedient, in their judgment, to promote their peace and comfort. MR. BRADSTREET DISMISSED. 167 " In pursuance of the above specified advice, the church of Christ, in Groton, declare, and it is voted in and by said church, at their meeting orderly convened this day, that the Rev. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet is dismissed from, and is discharged of, his pastoral relation and office obli- gation to the church of Groton. " Voted, also, that our brethren, Capt. Prescott, Simon Stone, Jonas Prescott, jr., be desired and are empowered to present the above written votes of the church to the inhabitants of the town of Groton for their concurrence, and to join with such person or persons, as the town shall appoint, to present these votes, and the town's concur- rence therewith, to the Rev. Mr. Bradstreet. "Groton, July 22, 1712." " At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Groton, legally warned, to consider certain votes of the church of Christ, in Groton, referring to their discharging the Rev. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet from his pastoral relation to them, and his office bond to said church : " Voted, That the town doth concur with the votes of the church, referring to Mr. Bradstreet's dismission as above expressed ; and that the inhabitants of said Groton do release the said Mr. Bradstreet from the relation he stands in to them as their minister. " Voted, also, that Nathaniel Woods, Ephraim Pierce, with Capt. Prescott, Simon Stone, Jonas Prescott, Jr., chosen by the church to present their votes to the town, at this present meeting of the inhabitants, be a committee on the behalf of the town to present the votes of the church and town to the Rev. Mr. Bradstreet. " Groton, July 24, 1712." Mr. Bradstreet began a book of records of the church, the first now to be found, or known to have existed. The marriages, baptisms and admissions to the church 168 FIRST BOOK OF CHURCH RECORDS. are kept in Latin under the following titles. " Niiptias, Baptismata, Catalogus eorum, qui ad ccenam Dominicam fuere admissi," and "eorum, qui Feodus Bap. cognovere." But the records of most other matters are mostly in Eng- lish.^ The book commences with, " 1706." " D. Bradstreet in oftlcium pastorale apud Grotonenses, Nov. 27, inauguratus." Under the first head, marriages, sixteen couple are re- corded during his ministry. Under the second, baptisms, eighty-one persons are named baptized in Groton, and eleven in Dunstable. Under the third, admitted to the church in full communion, eleven only. Under the fourth, who owned the baptismal covenant, forty-nine. '" The following copy shows one of the customs of the churches in New- England in former times. "January 12, 1706-7. " Maria Parker, vidua, (nunc Johannis Nutting uxor,) TLoqvuai; rea sequentem in ecclesia confessionem exhibuit. " In quantum, magnam perpetravi nequitiam, et scortatione nefaria in Deum atrociter peccavi, baud sine magno religionis Christianaj dedecore, necnon summo animae nieae discrimine, simul ac Dei aperto populorum scan- dalo ac dolore. Spero equidem peccati ac amentiae istius nequissimi con- tritione vera cor meum affectum esse. Anima mea onere gravissimo deprimitur, quod in Dei foedere sanctissinio tarn false prevaricarem. Deum coeli et terrae efifectorem quam ardentissime, quam diutissime, preci- bus petivi supplex quod veram piamque in animam meam tristitiam infunderet, et ut vita^ novitate ac nova obedientia illi obediam, opesuadivina me peccatorem feliciter secundaret. Mihi maxime in consolationem fontem esse opertum pro peccato et pro separatione ex emunditia, et obnixe praecor, quod in isto fonte me puram ex emunditia me reddat Dominus. In quantum lapsu meo religionem veram contumeliaeffici,populoque ac ecclesiae Dei fui offendiculo, humilem me reddat Deus. Imprimis ac prae cseteris, a Deo, quem contumelia efhci, deinde ab ecclesia, populoque Dei quibus fui offen- diculo, condonationem impetro et implore. " Denique enixe rogo ut pro me Deum oretis, (divina aspiranti gratia) malas omnes relinquam vias, et ad Jehovam revertar, ut misereatur mei, et ad Deum, quia plurimum condonat." ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES. 169 The records of the proceedings of the church are unim- portant. "At a church meeting, February 2, 1707-8, John Farnsworth was duly elected a deacon for the church at Groton. D- Bradstreet." As there was some dissatisfaction in the church with this choice, they were permitted to vote again on the question, May 14, 1708, when he was again elected by three majority, and was confirmed." " At a church meeting, March 10, 1708-9. " Voted, That Deacon Farnsworth do, by the first op- portunity, provide a table cloth and platter, for the more decent celebration of the communion." The following may be thought worthy of notice, " At an association of churches at Marlborough, July 16, 1707. " To the Church of Christ at Groton. " Brethren, — The association of churches is a doctrine owned and pleaded by the Rev. Elders, whom God hon- ored greatly by making them the happy instruments of laying the foundations of the constitutions of the churches in this American world. The associated pastors of thir- teen churches have, out of a zeal for God's glory and their own and their churches' good and benefit, resolved by divine assistance to pursue the holy instruction left them by these worthy and learned persons, and to that end have determined not to manage any thing in their respective churches, which may tend to produce any embroilment in them, without the advice of those pastors with whom they are associated ; and accordingly desire the consent of the several churches, that the council to advise in and about such case shall be called out of those churches to which the pastors, with whom their 22 170 NOTICE OF MR. BRADSTREET. pastor is associated, doth belong ; that it is with you to signify your consent hereto. Joseph EstabrookSj Moderator." " At a church meeting at Groton, July 21, 1707. The abovesaid determination was then voted in this church, nemine contradicente. D. Bbadstbeet." The Rev. Dudley Bradstreet was born at Andover, April 27, 1678 ; graduated at Harvard College 1698 ; married Mary Wainvvright May 4, 1704. His father and his grandfather, (one of the Governors of Massachusetts,) had the same given name, Dudley. After he had been dismissed from Groton, he went to England, and there received episcopal ordination ; but before commencing his return voyage, died suddenly of the small pox. The births of two children are recorded. Simon, born at Andover, March 7, 1705-6; baptized by Mr. Barnard, March 10. Dudley, born at Groton, March 12, 1707-8; baptized the t4th. The births of two children of Dudley Bradstreet and Abigail his wife, are recorded in Groton ; the first, June 27, 1728 ; the other, August 7, 1730; probably grand-chil- dren of the minister. " At a town meeting, December 25, 1712, the town voted to concur with the church in 'setting apart one day of humiliation in this town,' and to invite Mr. Whiting, of Concord, and Mr. Eveleth, of Stow, to assist in the same," probably on account of their being destitute of a settled minister. Before settling another minister, after the dismission of Mr. Bradstreet, three persons at least were hired as candi- dates for settlement ; two of whom, Mr. Tufts and Mr. Cotton, received invitations to settle. A Mr. Barnard preached for some time, and he and Mr. Tufts were rival MR. TROWBRIDGE ORDAINED. 171 candidates before the town, and Mr. Tufts had the major vote. On the 2Sth of June, 1714, the town voted, that if Mr. Trowbridge woidd come and settle witli them, as their minister, they would give him seventy pounds per annum till settlement, and eighty pounds afterwards, aniuially ; one hundred and twenty pounds for settlement and thirty acres of woodland. "March 2, 1714-15. Caleb Trowbridge in officimn pastorale fuit apud Grotonenses inauguratus." Mr. Trowbridge pursued the same method of recording marriages, baptisms and admissions to the church, that his predecessor had begun, and for about half the term of his ministry it appears, that due care was taken to make regular entries ; but in later time it is believed many omissions were made. The number of baptisms, from his ordination to 1720, were ninety-one, and the next succeeding twelve years only twenty-four are recorded, but a number of blanks are left in the records. Seventy-seven more are recorded by the year 1742, after which there are none. One hundred and fifty-seven persons were admitted to the church in full communion, and eighty-seven to the baptismal covenant. But many omissions were undoubt- edly made in the latter part of his ministry. The marriages seem to have been more regularly recorded, and the whole number is three hundred and forty-nine couples. The proceedings of the church are more fully recorded by Mr. Trowbridge, than they had been by Mr. Brad- street. The following are some of the most important. '' Groton, April 22, 1715. At a church meeting. " Whereas, Deacon Whitney is old, and desirous of the choice of another to officiate in his place ; and, whereas. Deacon John Farnsworth is desirous of a new choice, 172 CHURCH RECORDS. unless he were more unanimously confirmed, the church did thereupon unanimously elect, or make choice of, Simon Stone and Thomas Tarbell, to officiate as deacons in the church of Groton. Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." " At a church meeting in Groton, 1722, John Longley was chosen deacon. Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." "At a church meeting. May 14, 1729, Daniel Farns- worth was chosen deacon by a great majority. Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." " Church meeting, September 23, 1742, James Stone chosen deacon." " At a church meeting in Groton, on the 14th of Sep- tember, 1733, voted that Deacon Longley, and brother Ephraim Pierce, be a committee as trustees for this church, to call for and receive of brother William Law- rence, the forty pound legacy that was given by Mr. Jona- than Lawrence, in his last will and testament, to this church, for the procuring some silver vessel or vessels for the Lord's table, and that they lay out the said forty pounds in such manner, or according to such instructions, as this church shall give them." By subsequent records it appears that the committee purchased two silver tankards with the forty pounds, charging nothing for their services, and received the thanks of the church. Rachel Hartwell was inquired of for absence from the communion, and advised. Jonathan Farnsworth, his son Jonathan, and Simon Stone, Jr., were dismissed from the church, in order to form a new church in Harvard. The following copy is found on a separate paper, the original and other matters being apparently lost. JONATHAN Lawrence's legacy. 173 ''At a church meeting in Groton, November 6, 1730. "Voted hy said church, that Deacon Simon Stone, Deacon John Longiey, and Deacon Daniel Farnsworth, members of said church, be a committee as trustees for said church, to receive the twenty pounds given by Jona- than Lawrence, late of said Groton, in his last will, to said church, the profits and income of which were ordered in said will to be accounted for to the settled or ordained minister or ministers of said town, successively, as may more fully appear by said will, reference thereto being had, and that they are hereby empowered to discharge the executor of said will, of the said twenty pounds, upon their receiving the same, and are instructed to let it out to interest, taking good security to themselves, as trustees and their successors in said trust ; the profits and incomes thereof to be accounted for to our Reverend Pastor, Mr. Caleb Trowbridge, so long as he continues sole minister of said town ; and are further instructed to offer said twenty pounds, as soon as they receive it, to our said pastor, to be in his hands and improvement during said church's pleasure. " A true copy : Caleb Trowbridge, Pasior." It appears, by later records, that Mr. Trowbridge took the twenty pounds into his own possession, and gave a bond to repay it. "At a church meeting, March 9, 1737-8, voted, that the deacons of the church be allowed, for their trouble in providing for the Lord's table, five shillings for each time of providing for the past, and seven shillings and sixpence for the future, till further order. Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." This sum was afterwards altered to one pound, old tenor ; and still later, that each communicant should con- tribute four coppers at each communion. 174 NOTICE OF MR. TROWBRIDGE. At a church meeting February 29, 1739-40, the subject of compelHng persons to confess themselves guihy of an offence, of which they said, " if not absohitely, yet next to impossible to convict them," was acted upon, and some relaxation made in the rule before adopted ; but a part of the record is so worn as to be illegible. The Rev. Caleb Trowbridge was born at Newton, No- vember 17, 1692; graduated at Harvard College, 1710; married Sarah Oliver, March 10, 1715, by whom he had one son ; afterwards married Hannah Walter, of Roxbury, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. Some of his descendants are still living in Groton. It is believed the inscription upon a slab of slate laid over his grave, is a true and impartial statement of his religious, moral and social character. " Underneath this stone lies the body of the Rev. Caleb Trowbridge, late pastor of the church of Christ in Groton ; born of reputable parents, in the town of Newton ; edu- cated at Harvard College, in Cambridge, New England ; of such natural and acquired endowments as rendered him an ornament and blessing in the several relations which he sustained. He was a good steward over the house of God, and discharged the duties of his pastoral relation with prudence and impartiality, diligence and fidelity. He was a tender and loving husband, an affectionate and kind parent, an agreeable and faithful friend, and a useful member of society. He was much beloved and respected, while he lived, and died greatly lamented the 9th day of September, A. D., 1760, in the sixty-ninth^ year of his age, and forty-sixth of his ministry, and is, we trust, re- ceiving the reward of his labors in the kingdom of his * If the record of his birtli is correct, taken from Newton town record?, he lacked two months of being sixty-eight years old. MR. DANA CALLED. 175 Lord. And, in honor to his memory, his loving people have erected this monnment over his grave. " Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. "The memory of the just is blessed." After the death of Mr. Trowbridge, it does not appear that any candidate for the ministry preached in the town, except Mr. Samuel Dana, the next ordained minister. At a town meeting, February 3, 1761, the town unani- mously made choice of Mr. Samuel Dana, for their minis- ter, and voted a settlement of two hundred pounds, and an annual salary of eighty pounds, or seventy pounds and good fire-wood, not exceeding thirty cords, at the election of Mr. Dana. He accepted the invitation to settle, and was ordained the third day of June following. No articles of faith or church covenant appear on the records of the church till about the time of Mr. Dana's ordination. The following was accepted by the church and pastor elect, June 1, 1761. " Groton Church Covenant. " We, who through the exceeding riches of the grace and patience of God, do yet continue members of this church, being sensible of our great unworthiness to be owned as the Lord's covenant people ; also acknowledging our great inabilities to keep covenant with God, or to per- form any spiritual duties, unless the Lord Jesus enable us thereunto, by his Spirit dwelling in us ; and being awfully sensible, that it is a dreadful thing for sinful dust and ashes personally, and, much more, socially, to transact with the infinitely glorious Majesty of heaven and earth, do, in humble confidence of his gracious assistance and acceptance through Christ, each one of us, for ourselves, declare our belief of the sacred Scriptures as the word of 176 CRURCH COVENANT. God, and perfect rule of faith and obedience, resolving by his grace to conform to them. " We adhere to the faith and order of the gospel, as exhibited in these churches, in their confession of faith and platform of church discipline, for the substance of them. " We give up ourselves in an everlasting covenant to the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, Son and Holy- Spirit, as to our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, to love, obey and serve him forever. " We own and submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, as the head of his body, the church, receiving and relying upon him as the great High Priest, Prophet and King of our salvation. " We give ourselves, each to other, by the will of God, engaging by his help to carry it towards one another as fellow members in church society, to watch over one another in brotherly love, and to walk together in a due subjection to, and attendance upon, the order and ordi- nances appointed by Christ, and enjoined upon his<. churches in the gospel. " We thankfully acknowledge, that our posterity are included in the gospel covenant, and accordingly promise to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to own them in their covenant relation, accord- ing to the rule of God's word. "We promise to preserve communion with the churches of Christ, walking together in the faith and order of the gospel, by giving and receiving mutual counsel and assistance in all cases wherein it shall be needful. And now we repair to the blood of the great sacrifice for the pardon of all our sins, depending entirely upon our Lord Jesus Christ for acceptance with God, and for his good Spirit to enable us to keep his holy covenant, praying that we may adorn the doctrines of our God and Saviour in all things, and avoid even the very appearance of evil ; CONFESSION OF FAITH. 177 earnestly praying that the Lord would take delight to dwell among us, that heaven's blessing may be upon us, and that his glorious kingdom may be advanced by us. Now to God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, be ascribed endless praises. Amen. James Stone, Moderator. "Assented to per Samuel Dana, Pastor elect" "At the meeting last mentioned, the church voted, also, with regard to admission of members to full com- munion, that the making a relation, (as it is commonly called,) shall not be a term of communion, but that any person, (if in a judgment of charity qualified,) shall be admitted to this privilege, upon his assenting in public to some such articles of faith as these following : still allowing liberty, to any who choose it, to make a relation. " You believe, that there is one God, in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. " You believe, that the sacred Scriptures are the word of God, and a perfect rule for our faith and practice. " You believe, that man is a fallen creature, and cannot be justified by the deeds of the law. "You believe, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour of men ; and that he will bestow salvation on those, who repent of their sins, believe in his name, and live according to the precepts of his gospel. " You believe, in the resurrection of the body, a future judgment, and state of rewards and punishments. " You believe, that baptism is an institution of Christ, and that the Lord's supper also is a sacrament, by which his church in this world should commemorate his dying love ; to which church you believe it is your duty to join yourself." The church also at this meeting, voted in relation to the confession necessary to be made by parents, to entitle 23 17S MR. DANA ORDAINED. their children to the rite of baptism, who might be sup- posed to have committed the offence of which, in Mr. Trowbridge's time, they supposed that, " if not absolutely, yet next to impossible to convict them," not materially varying from a " seven months' " rule heretofore adopted. These regulations were signed by the moderator, and assented to by the pastor elect. One proposal made by the church was not assented to, viz., " That a church meeting should be called at the request of ten members." Mr. Dana's objection to this was so strong, that the church, on the day of ordination, rescinded it, and notified the ordaining council of the fact. " Samuel Uana in officium pastorale apud Grotonenses, inauguratus fuit die Junii 3, 1761." At a church meeting, June 26, the foregoing covenant and regulations were consented to by the members, sig- nified by " the brethren holding up their hands, the sisters by standing up." Then follow the names of forty-two males, and forty-nine females ; one female omitted by mistake and entered on another page. Nothing appears on the records either of the town or the church, which shows that uninterrupted peace and har- mony, between pastor and people, did net subsist till the relation between Great Britain and her American colonies assumed a warlike appearance. Mr. Dana, at that event- ful crisis, believing that resistance would lead to greater evils, than were then endured, used his influence on the side of non-resistance. On a Sabbath in March, 1775, he preached a sermon "' which gave great offence to the peo- ple, who were generally inclined to unwavering resist- ance. He was not allowed to enter the meetina;-house on ' This wa« called the windy sermon, from the circumstance that it was on a very windy day, and while being delivered one of the horse stables was blown down. CONFERENCE WITH MR. DANA. 179 the next Sabbath, and his dismission by the town soon followed. The following is from the town records. " This memorandum witnesseth, that at a conference between Dr. Oliver Prescott, Capt. Josiah Sawtell, Dea. Isaac Farnsworth and Benjamin Bancroft, Ensign Moses Child and Mr. Jona. Clark Lewis, on the one side, and the Rev. Samuel Dana, on the other side, it was proposed and agreed to by all parties, that the pastoral relation between the said Samuel Dana and the inhabitants of Groton, should be dissolved, on conditions, the town when pro- perly met shall judge it expedient, and at the same time will restore the said Samuel Dana to the usual privileges and advantages of society and neighborhood, and use their influence to preserve him and his family and sub- stance from injury and abuse, ^ either from the inhabitants of this, or any of the neighboring towns. The said Samuel Dana, at the same time, giving the town the reasonable assurance in his power, that he will not only not oppose their political measures, but will unite with them agreeable to the advice of the Continental and Pro- vincial Congresses, and the votes of the town." An article was inserted in the warrant for May meet- ing, in relation to his dismission, and the following vote passed. " They took the second article into their consideration, and the Rev. Samuel Dana came into the meeting, and after some conference with the town, and the memoran- dum above being read and duly considered, he, the said Dana, desired the town would grant him a dismission from his pastoral relation and office, in the said town ; where- ^ It is matter of tradition, that the inhabitants were so enraged, that they phot bullets into Mr. Dana's house, to the great danger of his hfe and tlie lives of his fiimily. He lived in a part of the house which is now Daniel Hunt's hotel. 180 DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CHURCH. upon, the town voted nem. contrad. that the said Samuel Dana be dismissed from his pastoral relation and office aforesaid, and he is hereby finally discharged therefrom accordingly." His dismission by the church seems not to have been so easily effected. The church records are as follow. " 1775, March 12. Notified a church meeting to be at the meeting-house on Tuesday, 21st instant, at two o'clock, P. M., in general, to transact any matters they may judge proper, to put an end to the unhappy differ- ences subsisting among us. " 21st. Church met according to appointment, and after a few hours spent in saying but little, and doing nothing, adjourned to next Monday, two o'clock, P. M.. "27th. Church met, had a long conference, but they refusing to make any formal charges against the pastor, and the pastor refusing to make any confessions, till he should first know what would be satisfactory ; the meeting was finally dissolved without any vote being called, except to try their minds with regard to deferring the sacrament for the present, and dissolve the meeting, both which passed in the affirmative." So far is in the handwriting of Mr. Dana ; then follows in a different hand. " After the church meeting, on the 27th of March, 1775, was dissolved, they could not obtain another meeting by the appointment of their late pastor, notwithstanding they had informed him of a great many of their grievances, and repeatedly desired him to call a church meeting, both by verbal and written requests, one of which was signed by a great majority of said church, but received for answer, that he would not call a church meeting, nor attend one of their calling; saying, You may do as you please; I must do as I can. " Lord's day, May 25, 1775. Rev. Dr. Cooper, of Bos- ton, preached, and was desired by the deacons and some LEGACIES. 181 of the brethren of the church to appoint a church meet- ing, to be held at the public meeting-house on the next Monday." At the meeting so appointed, the church voted, " that what Mr. Samuel Dana has offered to the public for satis- faction, for his conduct in political matters, is by no means satisfactory to this church, as a brother." During Mr. Dana's ministry one hundred and twenty- four persons, (thirty-eight males, eighty-six females,) were admitted to the church in full communion ; two hundred, (seventy-seven males, one hundred and twenty-three females,) owned the baptismal covenant. Of the first class, fourteen confessed having committed the offence afore-mentioned, and of the last class, sixty-six, a propor- tion not indicative of good customs and morals. Bap- tisms, exclusive of adults, were seven hundred and seventy-two. Marriages, one hundred and sixty-six couples. During Mr. Dana's ministry two legacies, for the benefit of the poor of the church, were received, and the deacons chosen trustees thereof; one bequeathed by Captain Ephraim Sawtell, of thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence, the other by Samuel Barron, the sum not being mentioned in the record. But at a subsequent meeting of the church, the sum of one pound twelve shil- lings is mentioned as the annual interest thereof. The principal, therefore, was twenty-six pounds thirteen shil- lings and four pence. These sums, with a loss sustained by the depreciation of money at the close of the Revolu- tionary war, are still in trust of the deacons of the first church, for the benefit of the poor thereof, according to the direction of the testators. " March 28, 1776. Zachariah Longley was chosen to the ofiice of deacon." " December 31, 1773. The church made choice of 182 NOTICE OF MR. DANA. Isaac Farnsworth and Benjamin Bancroft, Jr., to the office of deacons." The Rev. Samuel Dana was born in that part of Cambridge which is now Brighton, January 14, 1739 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1755; married Anna Kendrick, May 6, 1762. They had two sons and three daughters, born in Groton. After his dismission from the town and church, as above related, he continued some years in Groton, and preached, it is said, eighteen months to the Presbyterian society. Afterwards he removed to Amherst, New Hampshire. He read law, and went into the practice of it in Amherst, and was appointed judge of probate for the county of Hillsborough. He died at Amherst, April 2, 1798, and was buried with masonic ceremonies, he being one of that order, and master of Benevolent Lodge at the time of his death. St. Paul's Lodge, of Groton, attended, and the Hon. Timothy Bigelow, the master thereof, delivered an eulogy on the occasion. Between the dismission of the Rev. Samuel Dana and the ordination of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, two candidates were employed to preach ; Mr. Chaplin and Mr. Bigelow. September 2, 1776, the town concurred with the church to hear these candidates four Sabbaths each. And De- cember 16, 1776, the town voted to concur with the church, in the choice of Mr. Chaplin for their pastor and minister, by a vote of forty-eight to twenty-three. And for settlement and salary, they voted two hundred pounds for settlement, and one hundred and ten pounds salary annually, for the three first years, and eighty-four pounds annually afterwards, so long as he should be minister, and varying according as the prices of the necessary articles of life should vary. This was altered at a subsequent meeting to one hundred pounds annually, for the three first years, and eighty pounds afterwards, and at this MR. CHAPLIN CALLED. 183 meeting the question of choosing Mr. Chaplin for minis- ter was again put, and all persons present, whether legal voters or otherwise, were desired to vote, and all, except one, voted in the affirmative.^ To the invitation given to Mr. Chaplin, he returned a negative answer, July 7, 1777, assigning for reasons, that the town was large, and would probably be a place of ^ The report of the town's committee, " chosen to consider the proper encouragement for Mr. Chaplin, their pastor elect," was as follows: " That the town give the said Mr. Chaplin two hundred pounds, as settlement. That the three first years' salary shall be one hundred and ten pounds each, and afterwards, eighty-four pounds annuallj', so long as the said Mr. Chaplin shall be our minister, as a standard to be settled on the capital necessaries of life, by a committee to be annually chosen by the town for that purpose, agreeably to the articles hereafter named, the price of which articles and the year of standard shall be settled by a committee appointed by the town at this meeting, which articles named, with their prices so stated, shall be entered on the town book for the rule of conduct for the town committees in future." The articles appear in the report of the next mentioned committee. This report was accepted, and a committee of five chosen to state the prices of the several articles of " capital necessaries of life," who at the adjourned meeting made the following report. " The committee appointed to state the prices of the articles named in the former report, &c., having taken great pains to ascertain their prices in 1774, obtained from two noted merchants, the prices of West India goods, as sold by them, therefore report. s. d. 1- " Wheat, 6 per bushel. Rye, 4 " Indian Corn, 3 " Barley, 3 8 " Oats, 1 8 " Beans, 6 (( Beef, 2 1 per lb.. Pork, 3 2 •' Mens' shoes. 8 per pair. Sheep's wool, I 4 per lb.. s. d. q. Flax, 9 2 per lb. Cotton Wool, 1 8 0" W. I. Rum, 3 per gall. N. E. Rum, 2 0" Molasses, 1 8 0" Best B. Sugar, 48 per cwt. Salt, 2 per bushel. Price of a good laboring man for a year, sixteen pou nds." There is great inconsistency in the quantities of the articles here enumer- ated as the " capital necessaries of life." Perhaps it was intended, that the amount of salary should depend in a great measure upon the yearly price of a laboring man, as by this schedule it does ; that item being three-fourths of the whole ; but, that brown sugar and rum should regulate one-half of the remaining fourth is quite unreasonable, while heef and pork are scarcely discernible in the computation. It would seem equitable, that if the value of a whole year's labor of a man were put into the schedule, a sufficient quantity of the several articles to support a small family, and no more, should 184 MR. Chaplin's salary. notoriety, and would require a minister of more talents and abilities than he possessed ; also, that the inhabitants were not sufficiently unanimous in their desire for his settlement. Whereupon the town voted to add one hun- dred pounds to the proposed settlement, and again voted on the question whether they would have Mr. Chaplin for their minister, by yeas and nays ; and upon counting, there were one hundred and one yeas, fourteen nays, and two neuters. To this second invitation Mr. Chaplin gave an affirmative answer October 27, 1777; and the first day of January, 1778, was fixed upon for his ordina- tion, which took place accordingly. Previous to the ordination, a committee of the church made report, " that the church covenant be continued as recorded in the church book." " That the terms of communion be the same as were established. also be put in. Perhaps neither the committee, nor the town collectively, perceived the unequal bearing the several articles would have in the com- putation, though it seems incredible, for the record says, " the report was read several times, and duly considei-ed by the town." The salary was annually computed by committees of the town, or first parish, according to the report of this committee, till 1S07, when, by agreement, the sum of the annual salary was fixed at six hundred and fifty dollars, which was continued to 1821, and then the interest of Groton ministerial fund, amounting to about the same sum, was adopted, which was regularly paid to January 7, 1826. The salary for the year 17S2, by the foregoing computation, amounted to £115 6s. 4irf— $.384,39. In 1788, it was £77 lis. 2i. Where born. Where educated. Time. Elizur Wright, Yale College, 1827-1828 * Rev. George Beecher, Litchfield, Ct., Yale College, 1829-1830 *Rev. James Towner, 1831-1835 Rev. Horace Henick, Dart. Coll. 1837-1840 Rev. Ezekiel H. Barstow, Dart. Coll. 1841-1844 Rev. Moses H. Wells, Dart. Coll. 1845 Rev. James Means, Amherst, N H. , Bowdoin Coll. At first, the tuition of a pupil was set at one shilling per week. The receipts at this rate, as might well be supposed, were unequal to the necessary expenditures ; and as there was no provision made for the payment of the instructors, except the receipts for tuition, they were long delayed of full payment for their services. The treasurer, having no funds, except the annual payment by the town of Groton of forty dollars on their treasurer's note, gave his note to preceptors Holyoke, Moor and Williams, which were not fully cancelled for several years. Under this state of embarrassment, the trustees made application to the Legislature for a grant of land to aid them in supporting the institution committed to their trust. Their petition was successful, and on the 27th of February, 1797, a grant was made of half a township of unlocated land, in the then district of Maine, equal to 11,520 acres, which being afterwards located, was sold to John Hodgden, of Weare, New Hampshire, at fifty cents per acre. As soon as the proceeds of this sale were received at the treasury, which was by several instalments, the cor- poration was relieved of its embarrassments, and a per- manent fund for the support of instruction was estab- lished. The price of tuition, in 1795, was raised to twenty cents per week. The fund or balance of credit in the treasury, including the town's note of $666 67, if the debts had all been paid, was the sum of $4,519 86, February 25, 1805. The compensation to instructors from 1800, was generally PURCHASES AND DONATIONS. 233 three hundred dollars per annum, together with one moiety of the receipts for tuition, for many years succeed- ing ; and in 1810, the price of tuition was raised to twenty-five cents per week. By prudent management of the financial concerns of the institution, the fund increased from the sum above- mentioned to $8,531 90, in 1826 ; being an increase of about two hundred dollars per annum. And during this period, the trustees purchased, for the use of the seminary, a set of instruments for land surveying, Hadley's quadrant, and several mathematical books. A preceptress for the instruction of females was first employed in the summers of 1807 and 1808. After several intermediate years, one was again engaged ; and since, a female department has become a permanent regulation.^ From the time of the incorporation of the trustees, to the year 1826, the donations to the Academy were few and inconsiderable. The following votes of the trustees will embrace them. '* January 20, 1795. At a meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy, voted the thanks of the trustees to the Hon. Oliver Prescott, Esq., for the donation which he has made of a folio Greek Lexicon, a quarto Bible, and Blair's Lectures in two volumes ; and to the Hon. James Winthrop, Esq, for the donation of Pike's Arithmetic to the school. Directed the secretary to present the grati- tude of the Board to Judge Winthrop for this liberality to the seminary." " February 25, 1805. The secretary presented a silver seal for the use of the trustees, of an oval figure, with the initials, T. G. A., on the surface, and announced that it was given to the Board by James Brazer, Esq. ' Miss Susan Prescott, now the wife of John Wright, Esq , of Lowell, was, for a time, the instructress of the female department, and afterwards, the principal of a separate school for young ladies, which was very celebrated, so long as it was continued. 30 234 DANA ESTATE PURCHASED. " Voted the thanks of the trustees to James Brazer, Esq., for the gift of said seal, and directed the secretary to cause an inscription to be engraved on it, purporting by whom it was given to the trustees." The common adage, that " to he thankful for a little is the way to get more,^^ seems to have been verified in the case of the trustees. Since 1826, the bequests and be- stowments to the seminary have been neither few nor small. The original trustees, who from small beginnings, had by rigid economy and judicious management raised the institution to a respectable standing, having all " rested from their labors," a somewhat different system of policy was introduced, the number of pupils was not uniformly so numerous, and the productive funds rather diminished than increased for the next succeeding ten years. One year, 1835, instruction was entirely suspended. At a meeting of the trustees, June 21, 1836, they voted, " That it is expedient to purchase a suitable house and other real estate for the use of the Academy and the accommodation of the preceptor." And they authorized the committee of finance to make such purchase. The committee thereupon, by purchase and exchange, procured the mansion-house formerly of the Hon. Samuel Dana, situated between the academy building and the common on which the first parish meeting-house stands, for the sum of two thousand dollars. This house became the residence of the instructors of the Academy till the present year, 1847. The first considerable endowment which was received from an individual was from Mrs. Hannah Brazer, widow of James Brazer, Esq., who had been a trustee from 1795 to 1818. By her last will and testament, made in 1825, she bequeathed to the trustees, for the use of the insti- tution, the sum of ^500, to be paid to them on the death of her brother, Samson Woods, and the same sum on the MRS. bkazer's legacy. 235 death of each of her four sisters respectively ; and also made the trustees residuary legatees of one moiety of her estate, specific legacies, debts and charges being first paid. The testatrix dying soon after the making of her will, and her brother Samson having previously died, her executors paid to the trustees, as residuary legatees, two hundred dollars, and the five hundred dollars payable on the death of Samson Woods. Two of the sisters have since died, and one thousand dollars thereupon paid into the treasury. The action of the trustees, upon this generous legacy, appears by the following report of a committee accepted and recorded, viz. : " The committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, at their annual meeting, August, 1826, to prepare some suitable notice of a communication of the executors of the will of the late Mrs. Hannah Brazer, informing them that she had bequeathed to this institution a moiety ^ of the remaining estate, after the payment of specified legacies, respectfully report — " That this Board feel sensibly their obligation for the benevolent bequest of the late Mrs. Hannah Brazer to this institution, as expressed in her last will ; and it adds much to their gratification to know, that this bequest accords with the known and expressed wish of her hus- band and our associate, James Brazer, Esq. "James P. Chaplin, " per order of committee. "Groton, Aug. 27, 1827." ' This instance of munificence has been followed by a succession of others of greater and more magnificent * It will be noticed that this expression does not fully show the nature of the legacy ; but the mistake arose from a similar expression and inaccuracy in the communication of the executors. 236 DONATIONS OF AMOS LAWRENCE. extent, by two brothers, who in their youth living within the sphere of easy access to its usefulness, received the rudiments at least of that education which has enabled them with persevering and prosperous enterprise to become distinguished patrons of their Alma Mater. The following copies from the records of the trustees will show in some measure the nature and extent of the generous bestowments of the two brothers. "August 22, 1838. At the annual meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy, the following resolution was moved and unanimously adopted by the board, to wit: " Resolved, That the thanks of this board be presented to Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, for his liberal dona- tion of books and philosophical apparatus to Groton Academy, and that the secretary be requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to Mr. Lawrence." " At a meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy, August 21, 1839. Resolved, That the secretary of this board of trustees be directed to repeat the expression of their thanks to Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, for the repeated instances of his munificence to Groton Academy ; and especially for his recent donation of a new and valu- able telescope, and of Bowditch's translation of Mechanique Celeste, by La Place, in four splendid quarto volumes." " Annual meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy, August 17, 1842— " Rev. Mr. Phelps offered the following preamble and resolution, which were unanimously accepted, and the secretary directed to transmit a copy of the same to Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, viz. : As this institution has repeatedly shared in the liberal benefactions of Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, and as it has recently received from him a donation of two thousand dollars, which has enabled the trustees to enlarge the building, to render its rooms more convenient and pleasant, and greatly to im- prove the adjacent grounds, therefore — DONATIONS OF WILLIAM LAWRENCE. 237 " Resolved, That the thanks of the trustees be pre- sented to Mr. Lawrence, for his generous aid in furnishing these additional means and facilities for moral and mental culture ; with the assurance, on their part, that they are deeply sensible to the increased obligation devolving on them, to watch carefully over the interests of this Aca- demy, arid do as much as in them lies, in order that it may meet the expectations of its patrons and friends, and be a rich and permanent source of benefit to the com- munity." " A special meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy was held on the 17th of April, 1844, in consequence of receiving the following letter from William Lawrence, Esq., of Boston: " Boston, April 6th, 1844. " To the Trustees of Groton Academy. " Gentlemen, — Born and educated in Groton, I feel a deep interest in its prosperity, and especially in your Academy, an institution which my honored father labored so hard to bring into existence more than half a century ago, and to which I am indebted for what little education I possess. " Having been highly blessed by God in my temporal concerns, 1 have thought I could not better dispose of a portion of my abundance, than to give to the Academy over which you preside, a sum of money for the advance- ment of education for all coming time. " I therefore hereby give to Groton Academy the sum of ten thousand dollars, and direct that the same shall be invested in such manner for the benefit of said corpora- tion, as the trustees thereof shall from time to time deem safe and expedient ; and that the net income thereof shall be applied in their discretion for the maintenance of edu- cation in that seminary. I am especially desirous that 238 CONDITION OF DONATION. such compensation shall be paid to the instructors of said Academy, as shall secure for it constantly the services of learned persons perfectly competent to all their duties. '• And this gift is therefore upon condition, that the present rate of charge for instruction in said Academy shall not be reduced. But whenever hereafter, in any year, the whole net income of the present funds and pro- perty of said institution, and of the fees received for instruction, added to the net income of said ten thousand dollars, shall be more than sufficient for the payment of liberal salaries to such instructors, so that a balance of said income shall remain unexpended, I request the said trustees, in their discretion, and if they deem it expe- dient, to pay and distribute such balance, or any of it, to and among such deserving male pupils in such institution, preparing for a collegiate education, as the trustees may think deserving of such aid ; but not more than one hun- dred dollars shall be paid or allowed to any one such pupil in any one year. And in granting such aid, I earnestly request, that no regard may be had to any sectarian views entertained by the pupils, on the subject of the Christian religion. " You will please draw on Messrs. Lawrence and Stone, Boston, for said sum of ten thousand dollars, in such sums and at such times as will suit your convenience. " Your obedient Servant, "William Lawrence." The following resolution was then unanimously adopted, to wit : " Whereas William Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, by a donation of ten thousand dollars to this Academy, has laid us, and the community in which we live, under deep and lasting obligations to him ; and whereas the respon- sibility of this Board is greatly increased by this muni- ficent act, therefore — CHANGE OF CORPORATE NAME. 239 " Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be presented to Mr. Lawrence, for this noble charity, and for the truly liberal conditions on which he has presented it to this institution, and that we pledge ourselves to him and the public, that we will use our best endeavors to appropriate the income of this fund in such manner as to secure the object of the donor in the cause of education. " Voted, That the portraits or busts of William and Amos Lawrence, Esquires, be obtained and placed in the Academy, to be preserved as a memorial of those benefac- tors of this institution, if those gentlemen will consent to sit for the same." At the annual meeting of the trustees, holden August 20, 1845, the principal instructor of the Academy gave information to the trustees, that " he had received from Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, a box of books, num- bering one hundred and sixty volumes, for the library of the Academy. And subsequently, from the same benevo- lent gentleman, an elegant illustrated copy of Wilkes's Exploring Expedition, in five volumes, with an atlas. Also, two eight-day clocks, one for the upper and the other for the lower room, in the Academy." Whereupon, the thanks of the trustees were once more extended to Mr. Lawrence. At the same meeting of the trustees, a committee was chosen to petition the General Court, to change the name of the corporation to " The Lawrence Academy at Groton." *At the succeeding session of the Legislature, the petition was preferred and granted. In July, 1846, Amos Lawrence, Esq., whose name has already been more than once used as that of a beneficent patron of the institution, purchased the Brazer estate, so called, being the mansion of the late James Brazer, Esq., and adjoining the Academy lot, for the sum of $4,400 ; and soon after conveyed the same by deed, to the trustees of the Lawrence Academy at Groton. This conveyance 240 BRAZER ESTATE GIVEN. is made upon the following considerations, expressed in the deed. " Born and educated in Groton, deeply inter- ested in the welfare of that town, and especially of the Lawrence Academy established in it by my honored father and his worthy associates, and grateful for the benefits, which his and their descendants have derived from that institution, I am anxious to promote its future prosperity ; trusting that those charged with the care and superintendence of it, will ever strive zealously and faith- fully to maintain it as a nursery of piety and sound learn- ing. Therefore, know ye, that the said Amos Lawrence, in consideration of the premises, and of one dollar," &c. He also requested the trustees to have all the buildings and fences upon this estate, put in a state of complete repair at his expense. This request has been complied with, at an expense of more than $1,200. In August, 1846, the trustees received a letter from William Lawrence, Esq., the liberal donor of the ten thousand dollars, before mentioned, in which he proposed to appropriate five thousand dollars to be expended by them for the following purposes, viz. 1. To enlarge the Academy building. 2. To erect a substantial stone and iron fence on the front of the Academy grounds, including the Dana and Brazer estates. 3. To purchase a suitable bell for the institution. 4. The remainder of the sum, if any, to be added to the general fund. With this generous appropriation, the trustees have enlarged the building to nearly double its former size, being now seventy feet in length ; erected a handsome and durable fence, of beautiful Fitchburg granite and cast iron, three hundred and forty feet in length, in front of the buildings ; purchased a bell of five hundred pounds weight ; levelled and smoothed the whole surface of the grounds, and made suitable "partition fences. FUTURE PROSPECTS. 241 Situated as this institution now is, with its large funds, extensive library, handsome philosophical and other ap- paratus for instruction, in a flourishing country village of more than a hundred fine dwelling-houses, surrounded with some of the richest and best cultivated lands in the Commonwealth, enjoying an unrivalled western prospect, bounded by the grand Monadnock, petit Monadnocks, Watatuck and Wachusett, and embracing the smaller hills of Mason, Temple, New Ipswich and Ashby, with the villages of Ashby, Lunenburg and Shirley in the view, it must necessarily, under the prudent and judicious management of an efficient board of trustees, and learned and well qualified instructors, take an elevated position among the seminaries of New Englaad. 31 CHAPTER XII. Miscellaneous — Topographical Description — Boundaries — Extent — Landscape — Water — Minerals, Soil and Productions — Post Office — St. Paul's Lodge — St. John's R. A. Chapter— Lodge of L O. of O. F. — Common burying ground. — Rural Cemetery — Thaumatur- gia pneumatica, or witchcraft — Bounty for killing wolves — Fines paid for not serving as constable, swearing, and absence from meeting — Lead weights made bullets — Court of Common Pleas. Groton, according to its present limits, is bounded northwesterly by Pepperell, northerly by Dunstable, easterly by Tyngsborough and Westford, southeasterly by Littleton, southerly by Harvard, and southwesterly by Shirley. No part of the boundary lines coincide with the original lines run by Jonathan Danforth, except on Townsend and Tyngsborough. Its shape is very irre- gular, and its boundary lines numerous, owing to the many changes made by setting off parcels to the adjacent towns. It contains about 27,350 acres of land, 500 of which are covered by water, rivers, ponds and brooks, and about the same quantity occupied by highways. Rail- roads ^ have taken and are taking up a large quantity. It ' Fitchburg railroad runs through the southerly part of the town about three miles. Worcester and Nashua railroad enters the south-west corner, aud runs about nine miles in the limits, passing through the middle. Stoney- brook railroad enters at the south-east part, and runs to Fitchburg and Wor- cester, crossing about three miles. Shirley and Peterboro' railroad com- mences at said crossing and runs to Townsend line, about six miles. Total, twenty-oqe miles. SURFACE AND SOIL. 243 is situated north-westerly from Boston, by the commonly travelled road about thirty-five miles. ^ The most prominent feature in the landscape of Groton, viewed from an eminence, is a range of hills scattered through the middle from north to south, partly cultivated and partly covered with their natural growth of forest trees. These hills, with the exception of two or three at the southerly part of the town, are arable to their tops, and having a fertile soil, their mingled shades of green cultivated vegetables and patches of woodland afford a beautiful prospect. There is one peculiarity in the forma- tion of these hills worthy of notice. They are almost invariably double or treble, vallies of greater or less depth running between their prominences uniformly from north to south. Such as are contained in the above exception afford abundance of granite suitable for masonry. Four or five of the highest of these hills are from two hundred and fifty to two hundred and seventy-five feet above the waters of the Nashua. The descent from them to the river westerly, being from one to two miles, is undulating, gradual, and affording some of the richest and most pro- ductive land in the country. The descent eastwardly is composed of gravelly knolls and ridges, swamps, bogs, and ponds, much inferior in fertility to the western slope. On the west side of the Nashua, between Pepperell and Shirley, is a large swell rising to the same height as the highest hills aforementioned. The lands bordering upon Nashua and Squannacook riv- ers, are narrow strips of intervale and more extensive sandy plains; the former being suitable for the cultivation of Indian corn, potatoes and grass, the latter for rye. So that the whole town affords all the varieties of soil common in the country, from the richest and most productive to the poor- est and most barren ; the good land, however, predominates. '^ The exact course and distance from the first parish meeting-house to the State-house, according to the late trigonometrical survey of the Common- wealth, is, S. 56° 34' 20" ; E. 163037.8 = .30 miles 281 rods 1.3 feet. 244 S^UANNACOOK RIVER — JAMES's BROOK. By an inspection of the map it will be seen that Groton is abundantly supplied with water. First, the Nashua, formerly called Lancaster river, runs through the town nearly in the middle, as it existed before its division, from south to north, bearing a little easterly, and now forming parts of the divisional lines between Groton and Shirley and Pepperell, and having one school district of Groton on its west side, between Shirley and Pepperell. The falls in this river, where within or bounding on Groton, sufficient for mill privileges, are but two ; Stoney-wading place, where the great county road crosses, and Babbi- tassett. The former is occupied by a saw-mill, grist-mill, shingle-mill, paper-mill, and carding factory. The latter is occupied on the west side in Pepperell. Squannacook river, the next stream in size, forms the present boundary line between Groton and Shirley, from Townsend line to its mouth at the Nashua. This affords several sites for mills, three of which are now occupied for sawing, grinding, and the manufacture of paper. James's brook, formerly the outlet of Martin's pond,'' now receiving its waters from Half-moon and Broad meadows only, first takes a southerly course from the middle of the town, then westerly into the Nashua, near the mouth of the Squannacook. On this brook once stood a mill, on the land now of Benjamin Moors, The name was unquestionably given to it from James Parker, who lived near it in the centre of Groton. Sandy brook, in the south part of the town, takes its 3 In a warrant for town meeting, September 17, 1798, is the following arti- cle: "Art. 8. To see if the town will order the water running from Martin's pond to be turned into the old channel through the town, and to appoint some proper person or persons to remove the obstructions and effect the business." The record of proceedings under article 8th_is, " Passed in the negative." So it seems, that the water from the pond formerly passed through Hog swamp. Great Half-moon meadow and Broad meadow, making James's brook a much larger stream than it now is. At the present outlet there is an ap- pearance of a channel dug through a small ridge of land ; and this channel has been lately widened and deepened, so that the pond is much contracted, and the surface of the water much lower than formerly. I SEVERAL BROOKS. 245 rise from Long pond, runs into Sandy pond, and thence south-westerly, meeting the brook from Harvard, on which stood Jonas Prescott's " old mill," nearly two cen- turies ago, and thence, under the name of Nonacauicus, Cauicors or Cauicus, into the Nashua, near the crossing of the Fitchburg railroad. On this brook stands C. Fletcher's saw-mill, and a grist-mill formerly stood at the Fitchburg railroad crossing, but has of late been discontinued. The brook now issuing from Martin's pond, takes a southeasterly course, meeting another of about the same size at school-house No. 9, arising from meadows and springs near the middle of the town, runs into Cowpond meadows, where it meets another from Indian meadow and other low grounds in school district No. 10, and also the outlet of Knap's pond, and falls into Whitney's pond. Lathrop's mill is on this stream just above its entrance into the pond. A short brook from Baddacook or Batta- cook pond also falls into Whitney's pond. On this stands a grist-mill known as Wood's mill. The brook issuing from Whitney's pond is called Cowpond brook ; it empties into Massapoag pond on the confines of Dunstable and Tyngsborough. A small stream formed from hills on the northerly and easterly sides of Chestnut hills, called Walnut-run, flows easterly, and meeting with another branch called Haw-tree brook, passes through Scull-mea- dow, and forms Unquetenassett, or Uncutenorsett as it is sometimes written, which runs northerly through that part of Dunstable formerly Groton, into Nashua river. The situation of the several ponds, and their relative sizes, may be better learned by looking on the map, than by any description that can easily be given of them. The names of the principal are, Sandy, Long, Knap's, Duck, which has neither inlet nor outlet, Whitney's, Baddacook or Battacook, and Martin's. Three more, part only in Groton, are Spectacle, Forge and Massapoag. This last merits a more particular notice. Danforth, who surveyed 246 MASSAPOAG POND. and laid out the plantation in 1668, represents it " full of small islands." Its area was then equal to a square mile or more. Its outlet was on the easterly side, and as it was the reservoir into which Cowpond brook poured its waters, a considerable mill-stream issued from it. The waters passed without any rapids for a considerable dis- tance, atfording no favorable site for a mill. The north end of the pond was bounded by a ridge of loose sand, rising but little above the surface of the water, and being about six rods only in width ; on the opposite side of which was a descent of about forty feet. Here then, was an eligible spot for an overshot mill. At a town meeting held May 21, 1688, a grant was made to Samuel Adams of a small pond near Buck meadow, and leave given to drain it by a brook running into " Tyng's cove." At the same meeting, for the encouragement of any who would set up iron-works at Massapoag, a grant was offered of the wood on the easterly side of Unquetenassett brook. It is said, that Adams, who is supposed to have accepted the grant, erected a grist-mill at the site abovementioned, con- ducting the water across the sand-bank to the flume of his mill. At the time of a flood about the year 1700, (the precise time is not known,) a breach was made across the sand-bank, and it being very loose and moveable, the whole bank was soon torn down by the water to the depth of more than thirty feet : and consequently a sheet of water of that depth, where the pond was so deep, and where of less depth the whole water upon the surface, flowed sud- denly ofl" (all in one night,) with irresistible violence.'* The mill of course was demolished, and the stones, though diligently sought for, and even the skill of the famous Moll Pitcher, of Lynn, employed in the search, have never yet been found. The bottom of the pond being uneven, * It is said that Mr. Adams was not at home at the time of the accident; that his negro servant saw the first rent made by the water, and afterwards said, he could have stopped it with his hat full of sand, but having a grudge against his master he permitted the process to go on. .♦J ii'l'l'irs-on 'rtiulo •IpS tell ■h \car lU Ainiis .Uri:anih>r 16 (I'i'o. W . WL'sivn 1G W "! H '. Teniivif 17 la:'' Si'montis SOAP STONE AND IRON ORE. 247 fish in abundance were left in the cavities, which were easily taken, and the inhabitants of the neighboring towns, as well as of Groton, came and carried off loads of them. Where the water formerly issued from the pond, a small brook now runs in, and the outlet is, at the place of disruption, called the "gulf." The water finds its way into the old channel, two or three miles from the pond, in a north-westerly direction from Dunstable meet- ing-house. The land left bare by this accident is now mostly woodland, on which are oaks and pines two and a half feet in diameter. The prevailing growth is white pine. Some part is cultivated and some is pasture. The artificial prospect of Groton is not inferior in its kind to the natural landscape. A view from the hills on the east side of the street, on a pleasant summer's morn- ing, or from Farmers' row, when the sun is declining in the west, having in sight the whole street, three-fourths of a mile in length, handsomely studded with neat and well painted dwellings, the Lawrence Academy and three churches, with stately spires pointing heavenward, is not exceeded in beauty by any country village in the Com- monwealth. In the mineral kingdom, Groton cannot be said to be rich. Granite of good quality abounds in the hills in the south part, and occasional boulders are found in most parts of the town, which can be advantageously used. A quarry of soap-stone is wrought to considerable extent, situated about one mile and a quarter northerly from the village. Iron ore is found in several parts of the town, but especially in the north part, and was formerly used by a company formed for the purpose of manufacturing it ; but the quality proved to be bad, and except for castings it has not of late been used. At Massapoag pond, there are chalybeate springs, both on the eastern and western shores, issuing from the banks near the present surface of the water. Houses have been erected on both sides of the 248 SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. pond, near the springs, for the accommodation of pleasure parties and occasional visitors, rather than for invalids. Peat or bog meadows, of greater or less extent, are found in all parts of the town. Two of the largest, one situated on the south-westerly side of the village, and the other on the north-easterly side, containing, perhaps, one hundred acres each, are in a state of successful cultivation, as are also some others in different parts of the town. Portions of these meadows were indispensable to every first settler's farm, as the principal or only resource for food for his cattle. They were, consequently, highly estimated, and divided out to the settlers in almost innu- merable small lots ; and it is believed, that in the assess- ment of taxes, these meadows were rated higher than any land of the same quantity.^ For the last century they have much depreciated in value, and have become entirely useless as mowing ground, being overgrown with weeds, bushes, brush-wood and in some instances large trees. Draining and cultivation are now necessary to render them productive. Groton has all varieties of soil, from the richest and most productive, to very poor and barren. A portion, of about nine square miles in and about the centre, is not exceeded in fertility and feasibility in cultivation by any in the Commonwealth. There are many detached farms in other parts of the town, having good land and poorer intermixed, but this tract is wholly and entirely capable of the highest state of cultivation, richly recompensing the cultivator with abundant crops. The productions are principally Indian corn, barley, oats, potatoes and rye, but hay is the chief article for the market. Hops were for' merly grown in great abundance, but the uncertainty of their price, more than the failure of having good crops, has discouraged the growers. ^ On a loose leaf iq the Indian roll, it is said there were more than seven hundred acres of taxable meadow in the town. This was about the year 1680. POST-OFFICE. 249 The best varieties of apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, &c., are more sought for and cultivated than for- merly ; and a surplus of them are carried to the Lowell market. The natural growths of the forest are chestnut, the common varieties of the oak and pine, walnut, maple and birch. The chestnut and shagbark walnut are sources of profit on many of the farms. September 29, 1800, a Post-office was established in Groton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana was appointed and commissioned the Postmaster. No mail, however, was delivered at the office until the last week in November following. For the first year, or part thereof, the mail from Boston was brought to this office by way of Leominster. This appears by a letter from the Postmaster General to the Postmaster at Groton, dated December 18, 1800, appa- rently in answer to a request to have the mail brought direct from Boston. In this letter the Postmaster General says, " It appears to me, that the arrangement which has been made for carrying the mail to Groton is sufficient for the accommodation of the inhabitants, as it gives them the opportunity of receiving their letters regularly, and with dispatch, once a week. The route from Boston, by Leominster, to Groton, is only twenty miles farther than by the direct route, and the delay of half a day, which is occasioned thereby, is not of much conse- quence to the inhabitants of Groton. If it should prove that Groton produces as much postage as Lancaster and Leominster, the new contract for carrying the mail, which is to be in operation on the first of October next, will be made by Concord and Groton to Walpole, and a branch from Concord to Marlborough. " I am respectfully, Sir, your obedient servant, Jas. Habersham." 32 250 POSTMASTER AND REVENUE. What faith would James Habersham then have had in a prediction, that in less than half a century, accommoda- tions not only for conveying a mail, but for an unlimited number of passengers and weight of freight, three times every day, each way between Boston and Groton, would be in operation ? The amount of postage, after deducting the Post- master's percentage and necessary expenses, for the first year after the establishment of the office, was about twelve dollars, or three dollars per quarter. In the year 1802, it was thirty-six dollars, or nine dollars per quarter. During that year, the mail was conveyed once a week only, to and from Boston by stage. In July, 1804, Judge Dana resigned the office, and the Hon. William M. Richardson, since Chief Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire, was appointed in his stead. In January, 1812, Judge Richardson resigned, and Abraham Moore, Esq., was appointed. During Judge Richardson's term of office, the net revenue to the department rose from nine dollars to about twenty-eight dollars per quarter. August 14, 1815, A. Moore, Esq. resigned, and Mr. Eliphalet Wheeler was appointed. But as there was some misunderstanding respecting Mr. Wheeler's political creed, he was not commissioned, as was supposed, on that account, and on the twenty-ninth of January, following, James Lewis, Esq., who was orthodox in that respect, was appointed and commissioned Postmaster. The average revenue, during Mr. Moore's term of office, was about thirty-three dollars per quarter. July 1, 1826, Caleb Butler, who had been assistant in the office, and performed most of the duties for eight years, was appointed and commissioned Postmaster. During Mr. Lewis's term of office, the revenue rose to fifty dollars per quarter. POSTMASTER AND REVENUE. 251 C. Butler, Esq., was removed in January, 1839, and Mr. Henry Woods was appointed in his stead. During this term of C. Butler's office, the revenue rose from fifty dollars to more than one hundred and ten dol- lars per quarter. Mr. Woods, dying in January, 1841, Mr. George S. Boutwell was appointed and commissioned his successor. But, upon the change in the administration of the general government, C. Butler was reinstated in office, May, 1841. January 1, 1847, C. Butler, being again removed for political heresy, as was supposed, no cause being assigned, to his knowledge, for the removal, Capt. Welcome La- throp, whose political creed was of the right stamp, was appointed Postmaster. During the last term of C. Butler's office, a material change was made in the rate of the postage of letters. The experiment of a cheap rate was put upon trial. From May 14, 1841, to December 31, 1844, the net revenue averaged one hundred and twenty-four dollars and seventy-one cents per quarter. Under the new law, for the first year and a half, the revenue has been one hundred and four dollars and seventy-seven cents per quarter. Had the former rates remained, the natural increase of business should have raised it to one hundred and fifty dollars per quarter. The department, which for some years before had fallen short of supporting itself, now became a heavy charge upon the treasury. Whether the present rates will eventually raise a sufficient revenue to meet the expenditures, remains to be seen. The greatest difficulty to be overcome is, evasion of the post office laws, and frauds upon the department. St. Paul's Lodge of free, ancient and accepted Masons was installed at Groton, in due form, August 9, A. L. 5797, James Brazer, Esq., was first M., Dr. Oliver Pres- cott, Jr., Esq., S. W., and Thomas Whitney, Esq., J. W, 252 FREE-MASONS AND I. 0. OF O. F. Most Worshipful Isaiah Thomas, sen., Esq., was G. M., and Rev. T. Mason Harris delivered a discourse on the occasion. The whole number of persons made Masons, since the installation, is two hundred. The following named per- sons have been Masters of the Lodge. James Brazer, Esq., Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr. Esq., Hon. Timothy Bigelow, Mr. John Lorinof, declined, Wallis Little, Esq., Hon. James Prescott, Dr. John Walton, Caleb Butler, Esq., Hon. John Abbott, James Lewis, Esq., Abel Tarbell, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Moors, Capt. Thomas Farnsworth, Mr. Jeremiah Kilburn, Col. William Buttrick, Capt. Daniel Shattuck, Mr. Luther S. Bancroft. St. John's Royal Arch Chapter, was installed at Groton in the autumn of A. L. 5804. During the first twenty years of its existence, a large number of companions were exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Masonry ; but the number of acting members was never large, and bui few being inhabitants of Groton, it became difficult to collect a sufficient number to carry on the business of a Chapter. Regular meetings were for some time discontinued, and, finally, in A. L. 5843, the Grand Chapter of Massachu- setts assumed the charter, records, regalia and other property, and St. John's Royal Arch Chapter no longer exists. The following named persons were High Priests for a longer or shorter time. Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., Esq., Caleb Butler, Esq., Hon. John Abbott, Hon. James Lewis. Groton Lodge No. 71, L O. of O. F., was instituted May 28, 1845. The petitioners for the Lodge were E. M. Taylor, G. H. Brown, Edwin Coburn, Artemas Wood, Jr., and J. H. Searls. First officers installed, E. Coburn, N. G. ; E. M. Taylor, V. G. ; George H. Brown, Secr'y ; J. H. Searls, Treasurer. First representative to Grand BURYING PLACE AND CEMETERY. 253 Lodge, G. H. Brown. Number of members admitted before March 1, 1847, sixty-eight. Groton has but one common burying place. This is situated in the north part of the principal village, near the site of the second meeting-house, (and perhaps of the first,) which was built in the town. Its shape is nearly a right angled parallelogram, about thirty-two by fifteen rods, and, of course, contains three acres. Tombs have been erected, within a few years past, along the whole of the north side and part of the east end. It is supposed that the first settlers buried their dead in this place, though there is no monument bearing an inscription, to tell whose dust lies there, earlier than that of James Pres- cott, 1704. This is an un wrought flat stone, the name, age and time of death indented with a common pick. Compared with the numbers, whose remains lie buried here, elegant monuments, or even " frail memorials," " with uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked," are few. Some of white marble, and decent workmanship, stand here and there, and others of slate, interspersed with more ordinary ones, bearing only the names, births and deaths of those whose dust lies beneath them. A handsome pyramid of granite has been erected over the family tomb of the late Samuel Lawrence, Esq. In the present year, 1847, April 10th, an association was formed and organized, according to law, for the pur- pose of providing, preparing and embellishing a lot of ground for a rural cemetery. They have purchased twelve acres of land for the purpose, situated about one mile northerly of the first parish meeting-house, on the south-easterly side of the Dunstable road, enclosed it with a plain, substantial fence, and planted more than two thousand trees and shrubs upon it. 254 THAUMATURGIA. August 24, 1847, the cemetery was consecrated by ap- propriate religious ceremonies, each of the settled minis- ters in the town, taking part in the exercises. The site is favorable for the purpose intended. It has a moderate elevation, commanding a very extensive and variegated western prospect. Should the contemplated improve- ments and embellishments be successfully and tastefully made, the respect thereby paid to the memory of the dead may redound to the honor of the living. The reverend and learned Cotton Mather, D. D. and F. R. S., in his great work called his Magiialia, entitles Book VI. Thaumaturgus, i. e. Liber Memorabilium, or Book of Wonders ; and the seventh chapter of that book he calls, Thaumatographia Pneumatica, or, A Relation of the Wonderful Works of Spirits. In this chapter he gives various accounts of persons bewitched, houses haunted at sundry times and places, embracing the more general workings of Satan at Andover, Danvers and Salem, in the year 1691. Of fourteen examples, which he says are ^'•rniranda sed credenda" strange but true, one has its locality in Groton, viz. "The Second Example." " In the town of Groton, one Elizabeth Knap, (October, 1671,) was taken after a very strange manner; sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing, sometimes roaring, with violent agitations, crying out money ! money ! Her tongue would be for many hours together drawn like a semicircle up to the roof of her mouth, so that no fingers applied to it could remove it. Six men were scarce able to hold her in some of her fits, but she would skip about the house, yelling and howling and looking hideously. " On December seventeenth, her tongue being drawn out of her mouth to an extraordinary length, a dcemon began manifestly to speak in her, for many words were ELIZABETH KNAP. 255 distinctly uttered, wherein are the labial letters, without any motion of the lips at all ; words, also, were uttered from her throat, sometimes when her mouth was wholly shut, and sometimes words were uttered when her mouth was wide open, but no organs of speech used therein. The chief things that the dcemon spoke, were horrid railings against the godly minister of the town ; but like- wise he sometimes belched out most nefarious blas- phemies against the God of heaven. And one thing about this young woman was yet more particularly remarkable ; she cried out in her fits, that a certain woman in the neighborhood appeared unto her, and was the only cause of her afiiiction. " The woman thus cried out upon was doubtless a holy, a devout, a virtuous person; and she, by the advice of her friends, visited the afflicted. The possessed creature, though she was in one of her fits and had her eyes wholly shut, yet when this innocent woman was coming, she discovered herself wonderfully sensible of it, and was in grievous agonies at her approaches. " But this innocent woman, thus accused and abused by a malicious devil, prayed earnestly with, as well as for this possessed creature ; whereupon coming to herself, she confessed that she had been deluded by Satan, and compelled by him unreasonably to think and speak evil of a good neighbor without a cause. After this, there was no further complaint of such an one's apparition, but she said some devil, in the shape of divers, did very diversely and cruelly torment her, and then told her it was not he but they, that were her tormentors."^ Among other annoyances endured by the early settlers of the town, the ravages of beasts and birds of prey were * Had the Rev. and learned Cotton Mather lived a century and a half later, Groton would have furnished him with several more examples of 256 MAGICAL RODS. not the least, as the votes of the town granting bounties for killing these marauders, and the sums drawn from the Thaumaturgia, which he might have given with the same asseveration, " miranda sed crcdenda," as he did to the fourteen mentioned in tlie text. For instiinee he might have related " The Fifteeeth Example." " It fell out at Groton that an untenanted house, belonging to one Jason \\'illiams, was taken possession of by a daemon or daemons, and divers hideous noises were heard therein by sundry credible persons, who often repaired thither of a pleasant evening, to hear them. The said noises much resembled the fluttering of bats or swallows in some old hollow tree or chimney ; yet nothing was visible ; and those who had designed to inhabit there were so affrighted, that they were fain to relinquish their intentions; to the great damage of the owner and disturbance of the neighborhood." " The Sixteenth Example." "The devil, for some unknown, but undoubtedly selfish and wicked purpose, did so endue certain persons, of whom one Nathaniel Sartell was one, with miraculous gifts and faculties, by which they were enabled to show exactly where were veins and springs of water, and where lay ores of silver and other precious metals and hidden treasures, though all far beneath the ground, and not discernible to other persons. These wonders they were wont to perform by means of rods of steel or witch-hazel, cunningly wound about with cords and prepared by diabolical incantations. And it was very remarkable, that when these gifted persons were hired by good honest people, to show them where to dig wells with an assurance of finding water, they would point out the most convenient spots for those who hired them, where in truth they could find water, though sometimes they were necessi- tated to dig very deep for it. And they would also show unfrequented dismal places where ores of gold and silver abounded ; but then it was so deep in the bowels of the earth, that none could be come at, but a few specimens and fragments of no value at all. And then again these magical rods, in the hands of persons who possessed the skill and faculty to use them, would point out the deposits of pots and chests of ready coined gold and silver, hidden by Capt. Kidd and other pirates, of which tlie devil has the special care. But when even the most devout, pious and godly Christians, with the Bible, Prayer-book, and Pilgrim's Progress lying near them, to keep off" infernal spirits, had dug down to within an inch or two of the treasures, a daemon, in shape of some huge monster, with hideous yawning mouth and enormous white teeth ; or of some ugly night bird, with eyes as big as saucers, would appear, as if on purpose to mock them, and hinder them from adding wealth to their wisdom ; and upon the slightest word or whisper from one of the party, the chest, almost within their grasp, would move off with a rumbling noise, to some distant and less attainable spot. BOUNTY ON WOLVES. 257 treasury, in consequence thereof, plainly show. As a sample of the votes at various times passed, take the following, May 22, 1749 : " Voted, That the sum of forty shillings be paid out of the town treasury, to any of the inhabitants or any other person, that shall kill any grown wolf within the town of Groton, within one year, or take the track in said town and follow the same and kill it where they will ; and the neighboring town, that will join with us, and pay to any Under such discouragements some began to think the handlers of these rods were imposed on by the devil, and were no better than conjurors and impostors." "The Seventeenth Example." " In the year 1797, divers persons, to outward appearance as harmless, as honest, and as godly as their neighbors, were accustomed- to meet statedly, and shut themselves up in secret conclave for hours together, admitting no one, except of their own crew, to see or know what was transacted by them. And although some of the wiser sort entertained suspicions, that their assemblages were no better than those of witches, warlocks and demons, with Beelzebub to preside; and although, at sundry times, superhuman noises and sulphurous fumes proceeded from the den where they met, yet these nefarious meetings were suffered to be held for more than a score of years, and their horrid machinations to spread and ripen, till both church and state came near being swallowed up in utter ruin by them. At len°-th it being supposed that sundry horrid murders had been committed by them! and it becoming manifest that they were all, like Dr. Faustus, leagued with the devil, under tremendous and nefarious oaths and imprecations, to take away the rights, liberties, and privileges of the people, a general alarm was raised, the plots and conspiracies were exposed, and the people were mar- vellously enlightened concerning their perilous condition. Whereupon all who were known to have been present at those midnight orgies, or had made league with any dsmon, (except a few who voluntarily came forward and humbly confessed their guilt,) were treated as common enemies ; no aid or comfort was afforded to them, and they were deprived of all places of profit and honor both in church and state; and the discoverers and exposers of these abominable and treasonable deeds, were promoted to supply their places, in gratitude for their meritorious services. And so it came to pass that not only Groton, but the whole country, was wonderfuUy-nay miracu- lously delivered from the bondage, slavery and dominion of Satan, to which these miscreants would fain have surrendered it ; and all this was accom- plished without a single punishment, (which they so richly merited,) by the hand of the public executioner." 33 258 COMBINATION OF TOWNS TO KILL WOLVES. of our inhabitants in the following manner, that is to say, the town of Westford twenty shillings, the town of Littleton twenty-two shillings and sixpence, the town of Dunstable ten shillings ; then the town of Groton to pay to any of the inhabitants of the aforesaid towns the sum of forty shillings in the same manner as abovesaid ; and if the town of Harvard comes into the same method, and pays twenty shillings, Lunenburg twenty-five shillings, Townsend ten shillings, and Hollis ten shillings, to any of our inhabitants that shall kill any grown wolf, as aforesaid, then any of their inhabitants shall receive of the town of Groton the sum of forty shillings, as afore- said ; and such and so many of the said towns that shall join, shall be entitled to the forty shillings, as aforesaid, provided said wolf be killed within one year, and within the bounds of any of these towns that shall join and pay as aforesaid, or take the track in any of the abovesaid towns, and follow the same until they shall kill said wolf ; and the head of any wolf killed as aforesaid, and brought to the selectmen of either of the abovesaid towns that shall join as aforesaid, or to the major part of them, and the ears of the said w-olf cut off by one of the constables in their presence, and the major part of the selectmen belonging to the town in which the wolf be killed, certi- fying the same under their hands, shall be sufficient to entitle the person that shall kill the wolf, as aforesaid, to the aforesaid sum." The bounty for killing crows has, with some inter- mission, been continued till within a few years. During the revolutionary war such was the scarcity of hard money, and the difficulty of collecting taxes, that no suitable person would willingly accept the office of constable and collector, the duties of which were united. Many, who were chosen to the office, paid their fines, rather than perform the duties ; and it seems probable, that men unable to pay a fine were sometimes chosen to the FINES PAID BULLETS RUN. 259 office with the expectation that they would so pay. In 1777, Amos Ames paid a fine. In 1778, Joseph Allen, Nathan Ames and Caleb Blood, paid fines. In 1779, Na- thaniel Stone, David Green and Jacob Gragg, Jr., did the same. In 1780, Robert Ames ; and in 1782, Asahel Wy- man, Ebenezer Procter, Enoch Cook and James Blood, Jr., all paid fines; and Jonas Stone in that year consented to serve, on condition of receiving the fines of Cook and Wyman ,• and Daniel Woods did the same for the fine paid by Procter. What the real value of these were, under the depreciated state of the currency, is difficult to tell. The nominal sum which Robert Ames paid in 1780, was eighty pounds. Another small source of revenue in these difficult times was, fines imposed for profane swearing, and non-attend- ance on public worship. In 1779, Israel Hobart, Esq., is credited for two pounds eight shillings, being a fine by him received for the former offence ; and Gabriel Lakin paid thirty shillings for the latter offence. At the annual town meeting, May, 1777, — " Voted, That the selectmen be directed to take the lead weights from the meeting-house windows, and cause them to be run into bullets for the town stock." The Court of Common Pleas sat in Groton in Mayj 1779 and 1780. It was in session in the meeting-house on the remarkable dark day. May 19, 1780, and candies were necessarily used. The following contributions made by the congrega- tion are recorded in one of the church books. « 1761, July 19. For Daniel Harper, of Harvard, now resident at D. Canada, £2 3s. Oo?." " 1762, December 27. For Merrick Gould, £5 2s." " 1763, December 8. For Jno. Butterfield, of Shirley, £5 9s. 7K" " 1767. For Eleazer Gilson, of Pepperell, about £5." 260 CONTRIBUTIONS — DARK DAY. " 1768, September. For the sufferers by the fire at Montreal, £3 6s. 5 Co., where are made 400,000 yards of cloth annually. As the Fitchburg railroad passes directly through this already flourishing village, oflering a passage of only about two hours to Boston, three times a-day, it seems to promise to be a permanent place of much business. Shirley, as most other towns have done, has provided a farm and comfortable buildings, at which to support such as are unable to provide for themselves the neces- saries of life. Until 1837, paupers were distributed amongst such inhabitants as would provide for them at the lowest rate ; a practice in many other towns. In that year, the town purchased a farm stock and farming tools, at an expense of about $3,700, at which this unfor- tunate class of persons have since been comfortably fed, clothed, and lodged. APPENDIX HISTORY OF GROTON The following family lists of marriages, births, and deaths, are compiled from the records in the clerk's office in Middlesex county, the first two books of records in Groton, with some addi- tions from private sources, where correctness could be relied upon. It is not pretended that the lists are complete, or any wise nearly so. Many families are undoubtedly wholly omitted, and omissions are more or less frequent in families which micrht seem to be complete. The marriages are more nearly complete than the births ; and the births, than the deaths ; and yet there are no marriages found on record from 1686 to 1706, except a few from Middlesex records, about 1690. Great care has been taken to put the dates precisely as they stand in the records. There are a few apparent inconsistencies in them, and probably some mistakes will be made, owing to the change of style in 1752. The inquirer may consult that part of the Preface relating to the change of style, for the best means to avoid error in this particular. The object of the compiler in giving this long Appendix is twofold ; to assist the genealogist, or any one wishing to trace his ancestry ; and to preserve the records of the town. The first two volumes of the town records, from which these lists are principally made, are so torn and shattered, that the lapse of a few years more would place them beyond the possibility of being copied. A volume of this publication may chance to be pre- served till after the original manuscripts shall be no more. And 384 GROTON. the searcher in genealogy can now find, in a few moments, in this alphabetical arrangement, what would require hours of toil to obtain from mutilated leaves of old records. Jonathan Adams and Submit Farwell. (Married, April 30, 1752.) Submit, born June 3, 1753. Alice, " Jan. 19, 1756. Jonathan, « March 5, 1759. Amos Adams and Sarah. Amos, born Jan. 9, 1768. Sarah, " April 20, 1770. William, " Sept. 13, 1772. Molly, " Feb. 25, 1775. Alice, « Aug. 29, 1777. Emma, " Feb. 2, 1780. Robert Aiken and Anna. Ebenezer, born March 2, 1733. John Ames, died July 9, 1724. John Ames and Elizabeth. John, born May 6, 1725. Jacob, " Oct. 26, 172^ Elizabeth, " Aug. 18, 1728. Sarah, " Feb. 15, 1731. Hannah, " March 17, 1732. Mary, " March 1, 1733. Eleazer, " April 3, 1736. Simon, " July 20, 1737. Priscilla, " April 24, 1739. Samuel, " March 20, 1743-4. John Ames, died July 30, 1743. ( Qu. Father, or son ?) Stephen Ames and Jane Rob- bins. (Married, April 14., 1731.) Jane, born Dec. 6, 1733. Hannah, " April 28, 1736. Stephen," March 4,1738-9. Jacob Ames and Ruth Shattuck. (Married, Nov. 14, 1727.) Jacob, born Dec. 12, 1728. Samuel, " Feb. 11, 1731-2. Ruth, " April, 23, 1735. James, born March 21, 1739. Elijah, " March 27, 1741. Jonathan, " July 5, 1743. John, " May 15, 1746. Elizabeth, " June 13, 1749. David, « Oct. 7, 1752. Jacob Ames, Jr., and Olive. Olive, born Nov. 4, 1750. Levi, » May 1, 1752. Jacob, " Feb. 8, 1754. John Ames and Susanna Nut- ting. (Married, May 6, 1756.) John, Susanna, Eleazer, Susanna, Joseph, Ephraim, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Abel, Ephraim, born Aug. 23, 1756. « April 20, 1758, [died May 18, 1758. " April 16, 1759. " May 14, 1761. " March 17, 1764. I " July 9, 1766, ^ [died July 23, 1766. [ " July 11, " Aug. 13, 1768. Nov. 15, 1770. March 3, J 773. [died May 3, 1774. Amos Ames* and Abigail Bulk- ley. (Married, Oct. 27, 1757 ) Amos, born April 15, 1758. Moses, " Nov, 14, 1759, [died May 23, 1783. Simeon, « Sept. 25, 1761, [died Sept. 25, 1784. Abigail, " Nov. 28, 1763. Eli, " May 4, 1765. Peter, " Nov. 7, 1767. Hannah, " Jan. 30, 1770. Bulkley, " July 20, 1772. Abel, « Sept. 3, 1774, [died Aug. 14, 1775. Betsey-Bulkley, born Dec. 10,1776. * Died, Aug. 4, 1817, set. 83. APPENDIX. 385 Robert Ames and SarahWoods. (Married, Dec. 2, 1762.) Robert, born Oct. 12, 1763. Sarah, " May 27, 1765. Prudence, « Dec. 29, 1767. Bethiah, " Nov. 31,* 1770. Molly, « Dec. 5, 1772. Abel, « May 7, 1778. Samuel, " Dec. 9, 1781. Molly, " Feb. 23, 1786. * Error in the record. John Archibald and Catharine. John, born Sept 2, 1740. Thomas, « Sept. 2, 1742, [died May 28, 1751. David, " Nov. 14, 1743. William, « May 7, 1749, [died Sept. 8, 1757. Rebekah, " Oct. 3, 1750. Mary, " Jan. 9, 1753. David Archibald and Hannah. Edmund, born March 12, 1770. [died Aug. 14, 1772. William, " March 30, 1772. Edmund, " Dec. 17, 1774. Molly, " July 26, 1777. Asa, " March 16, 1780. [d. Asa, " Sept. 16, 1784, at Ashby. Thomas Baker and Marcy, born Aug. 22, 1769. Thomas, " Sept. 28, 1771. Bulah, " Aug. 29, 1774. Jeremiah Ball and Mart. Ebenezer, born June 22, 1729, at North Town. Capt. Benjamin Bancroft* and Anna Lawrence.! Benjamin, born Sept. 29, 1724, at Charlestown. Edmund, " Nov. 23, 1726, do. Anna, " Dec. 20, 1728, at Groton ; d.Nov.l806. 49 Mary, born April 4, 1731, [died Dec. 1, 1732. Joseph, " Sept. 5, 1733, [died Nov. 24, 1737. Mary, " Feb. 6, 1735, [died Nov. 25, 1737. Joseph, « Aug. 1, 1738, [died Nov. 2, 1745. Sarah, " Nov. 2, 1740, [died Nov. 2, 1745. Jonathan, " Jan. 27, 1743, [died Oct. 26, 1745. "■ Died, April 3, 1790, set. 88. t Died, July 21, 1787, set. 86. Dea. Benjamin Bancroft, Jr.* and Alice Tarbell.! (Married, Oct 18, 174-9.) Benjamin, born Aug. 7, 1750. Abel, " May 28, 1752. Thaddeus, " April 12, 1754. William, " May 2, 1756. Joseph, " July 3, 1760. Samuel, " July 6, 1764. Sarah, " July 29, 1767. John, " Jan. 28, 1771. * Died, Oct. 27, 1804, set. 80. t Died, Nov. 29,1781. Edmond Bancroft* and Eliza- beth Atherton, Rachel H. Barron. (Married, Dec 30. 1747.) Edmund, born Sept. 22, 1748, [died June 25, 1777. Joseph, " April 13, 1750, [died Sept. 17,1766. Mary, " Nov. 14, 1752, [died Oct. 17,1755. Maria, " April 17, 1755, [died Oct. 17, 1755. Anna, " Feb. 8, 1758 ; of Rachel. Jonathan, " Jan. 5, 1761. Joseph, » Jan. 7, 1763. Thomas, " Oct. 26, 1764, [died 1847. Amos, " May 23, 1767. Rachel, " March21, 1769. Luther, " April 30, 1771. Elizabeth, " Sept. 21, 1773. * Died, Jan. 3, 1784. 386 GROTON. Reuben Barrett .and Sarah. Reuben, born Sept. 15, 1751. Joseph Barns and Sarah. Mary, born April 21, 1754, [died April 21, 1754. Molly, " April 9, 1755. Amos, " Jan. 9, 1757. Nathaniel Barrett and Abi- gail. Reuben, born May 16, 1750. Isaac, " Aug. 16, 1752. Ellis or Elias Barron and Anna.* Grace, born July 29, 1665. Mehitabel, " June 22, 1668. Timothy, " April 18, 1673. Dorothy, " 6 d. 1 m. 1674. * Died, 3d. 11m. IG74, ael. 37. Stephen Barron and Sybil Parker. (Married, April 17. 1734-5.) Silas-Parker, born Sept. 17, 1736. Silas Barron and Rebekah Parker. (Married, June 4, 1760.) Samuel, born Aug. 19, 1764. Benjamin, " Jan. 25, 1768. Sybil, " June 29, 1771. John Barron* and John, born April 4, 1665. Elizabeth, " Sept. 28, 1677. Moses, " March 26, 1669. g!'«' «>• I " June 14, 1672. Elias, ^ * Died, Jan. 1, 1693. Nicholas Bartlett* and Mart, Elizabeth, Mart. Mary, born Sept. 13, 1734. John, " June 15, 1736. Samuel, " Nov. 17, 1737, [died Dec. 10, 1737. Elizabeth," Oct. 6, 1738. Samuel, " July 24, 1740. Thomas, born March 22, 1742. Sarah, " Sept. 14, 1743. » Died, March 16, 1743-4. Samuel Bartlett and Anna. Lucy, born March 29, 1776. Benjamin, " June 29, 1778. James Bennett and Hannah. James, born Feb. 19, 1704. Josiah, " Feb. 22, 1706. Elizabeth, " Sept. 12, 1708. George Bennett and Mart. {Married, Dec. 20, 1701 ) Lydia, born Sept. 29, 1706. Moses Bennett and Ann Blanchard. (Married , Aug. 11, 17 9.) Abigail, born Auor. 31, 1720. Stephen, (( Oct. 16, 1723. Moses, (I Aug. 15, 1726. David, u May 15, 1729. Eunice, l( March 27, 1731. Jonathan (( May 17, 1733. James, u Dec. 5, 1736. Anna, (( Nov. 8, 1739. Benjamin Bennett * and Mart Lakin. f (Married, March 27, 1723.) Benjamin, born Jan. 29, 1723-4. Joseph, " Dec. 15, 1725. Aaron, " Aug. 24, 1728, [died Nov. 2, 1728. Mary, " Oct. 14, 1729. Abigail, " Dec. 3, 1731. Bathsheba, « March 31, 1736, [died July 7, 1736. Esther, « June 24, 1737. * Died, Sept. 25, 1757. t Died, Oct. 15, 1761. Benjamin Bennett, Jr. and Sarah Lakin. (Married,Jau. 8, 1746.) Samuel, born Feb. 27, 1748. APPENDIX. 387 Moses Bennett and Sarah Blood. (Married, Feb. 17, 1746.) Stephen, born April 22, 1747. Moses, « March 18, 1748. John, " July 1, 1751. Sarah, « Nov. 17, 1752. William Bennett and Mary,* SARAH.f William, born Aug. 23, 1742. Lemuel, « Oct. 26, 1745. * Died, July 7. 1753. t Died, Sept. 23, 1736. Stephen Bennett and Eliza- beth. John, born Feb. 25, 1775. Thomas Bennett and Ltdia. Anna, born Aug. 9, 1765. Naomi, " Aug. 27, 1767. Thomas, " Sept. 11, 1769. William, " May 16, 1772. Imla, " Oct. 5, 1774, at Shirley. Phinehas," June 13, 1777. John Blair and Agnes. Esther, born J'eb. 26, 1746. [died April 26, 1751. Mary, " March 4, 1748. William, " May 21, 1751. James Blanchard and Anna.* Elizabeth, born June 25, 1694. Josiah, " June 24, 1698. Anna, " March 11, 1701. Eunice, " Feb. 8, 1702. [died April 3, 1710. * Died, Feb. !J, 1704. Jacob Blanchard and Rebecca. Jacob, born Feb. 15, 1753, at [Hollis ; died Dec. 21, 1769. Rebecca, " Feb. 22, 1756. Lucy, " Dec. 15, 1757. Nathaniel, " May 29, 1760. Lucy, " April 29, 1762. Samuel Blodget and Sarah Spencer. (Married, Dec. 6, 1744.) Samuel, born Aug. 17, 174-. John, " May 20, 174-. Thomas, " March 19, 175-. Nathaniel Blodget and Mart. Abraham, born Jan. 16, 1746. Isaac, " Feb. 26, 1748. Richard Blood * and Isabel. Mary, born — ; d. Apl. 19, 1662. James, " — ; killed by Ind's. Nathaniel, " — . * Died, 7 d. 10 m. 1683. James Blood * and Elizabeth Longley, Abigail. (Married, Sept. 7, 1669.) Richard, born May 29, 1670, [died July 8, 1670. Mary, " Sept. 1, 1672. Elizabeth, " 27 d. 2 m. 1675. Hannah, ; died 6d. 11m. 1675. .James, born Aug. 12, 1687, of Ab- igail. John, " March 16, 1689. Martha, " Oct. 20, 1692. * Killed by Indians. Nathaniel Blood and Anna or Hannah Parker.* Anna, born March 1, 1671. Elizabeth, " Oct. 7, 1678. [Married Samuel Shattuck. Sarah, born 17d. 2m. 1675. Mary, " April 17, 1678. Nathaniel, " Jan. 16, 1679. Joseph, " Feb. 3, 1681. * Died, Jan. 14, 1728, eet. 82. Joseph Blood and Hannah. Mary, born Aug. 23, 1708. Hepzibah, " June 26, 1711. Nathaniel Blood and Hannah. William, born Dec. 13, 1711. Nathaniel, " May 9, 1714. Jonathan, « Sept. 5, 1717. 388 GROTON. Benjamin, born Aug, 22, 1719. Anna, Sarah, Daniel, Mary, Shattuck, Feb. Jan. Aug. Jan. Nov. 5, 1721 29, 1724. 5, 1727. 28, 1729-30. 21, 1733. James Blood and Catharine. James, born Sarah, " Elizabeth, " Solomon, " Simeon, " Silas, " Lois, " Simon, " Sampson, " Eunice, " Oct. Jan. March March Sept. Sept. Aug. Aug. Oct. June 26, 1714. 20, 1716-17. 22, 1718-19. 13, 1720-21. 15, 1722. 8, 1725. 25, 1727. 4, 1729. 16, 1731. 22, 1735. John Blood and Joanna Nut- ting. (Married, July 13, 1712.) ' John, born Feb. 18, 1713-14. Elizabeth, " March 19, 1715-16. David, " Sept. 28, 1718. Lydia, " Sept. 28, 1720. William, " Dec. 9, 1722. Moses, " Nov. 25, 1724. Hannah, " July 7, 1727. Oliver, " July 9, 1729. Caleb, " Nov. 23, 1734. Ebengzer Blood and Abigail. Abigail, born Sarah, Dorcas, " Mary, " Ebenezer " Thomas, " Robert, " Hannah, " Elizabeth, " Elizabeth, " Susanna, " Aaron, " Josiah, " Eleazer, " May 21, 1721. Aug. 21, 1722. Jan. 18, 1724. Sept. 9, 1725. June 30, 1727. Dec. 17, 1728. Feb. 16, 1730. Sept. 15, 1732. Sept. 3, 1734, [died Jan. 1, 1735. March 2, 1735-6. March 3, 1737. [died July 26, 1738. Oct. 26, 1739. June 2, 1742. July 16, 1744. Robert Blood and Sarah. Robert, bom Dec. 26, 1733. William Blood and Martha Lawrence, Luct Fletcher. (Married Lucy, Jan. 5, 1740.) Martha, born Jan. 25, 1736; mar- i ried John Nutting. William, " Aug. 13, 1748, of Lucy. Lucy, " Aug. 15, 1750. James Blood, Jr. and Mart GiLSON. (Married, Feb. 4, 1741-2.) James, born Sept. 23, 1742. Levi, « March 27, 1744. Mary, " Aug. 6, 1746. Lucy, " Jan. 25, 1749. Sybil, « Feb. 15, 1751. John Blood, Jr. and Abigail Parker. John, Abigail, Abigail, Nehemiah, " Eunice, " Sarah, « John, " Edmund, " (Married, Dee. 8, 1741.) born Sept. 25, 1742. Feb. 3, 1744. Oct 2, 1745. Nov. 18, 1747. May 4, 1753. Aug. 7, 1758. April 15, 1761, at Pepperell. July 26, 1764, do. Benjamin Blood and Eunice. Eunice, born July Benjamin, " July Edmund, Deborah, Joshua, Rachel, Ann, 9, 1747. 1, 1749. 16, 1751. 1, 1753. 26, 1756. April 13, 1758. Nov. 29, 1760. June Oct. Jan. James Blood, Jr. and Eliza- beth Jewett,* Marct Shat- tuck. (Married E., Jan. 12, 1769; M., Dec. 27, 1774.) Eber, born Dec. 31, 1769. Ascenath, " Sept. 20, 1776. Talmai, " March 7, 1778. * Died, April 9, 1773. APPENDIX. 389 Joseph Blood, Jr.* and Han- nah BLoor.f (Married, Sept. 9, 1742.) Joseph, born July 29, 1743, [killed at Bunker Hill. Hannah, " June 30, 1746. Lemuel, " Nov. 30, 1749. Hepzibah, " April 8, 1751, [married Ben. Jaquith and Ebenezer Ball ; died Nov. 4, 1823. Mary, " Sept. 12, 1754. Royal, " Oct. 8, 1758. Henry, « July 4, 1761. Lucy, « May 20, 1763. William, « Feb. 14, 1765. * Died, Jan. 5, . t Died, March 25, 1796. Oliver Blood and Sarah Darling.* (Married, Nov. 8, 1751.) Oliver, born Oct. 31, 1752. Sarah, « Oct. 9, 1754. Lydia, « March 31, 1756. John, « Nov. 10, 1759. Annis, " Nov. 6, 1762. Jonathan," March 31, 1765, [died 1846. * Died, Oct. 1812, set. 85. Simon Blood and Anna Shat- TUCK. (Married, Feb. 1,1753.) Catharine, born Oct. 27, 1753, [married Edmund Blood. Anna, " Feb. 25, 1756. Rachel, " Aug. 17, 1758. Elizabeth, " July 14, 1762. Eunice, " Feb. 25, 1766. Caleb Blood and Hannah Hol- DEN,* Elizabeth Farnsworth. (Married H., Nov. 1,1753; E., March 3, 1774.) Caleb, born Oct. 24, 1755. Hannah, John, David, } Samuel, ^ Timothy, Sept. 23, 1757. Sept. 6, 1759, July 8, 1762. March 18, 1775, [died Jan. 13, 1777. Thomas, born Aug. 31, 1776. Timothy, " Sept. 8, 1778. Elizabeth, « Aug. 25, 1780. Levi, " Sept. 14, 1782. [died Sept. 29, 1782. Sally, " Aug. 31, 1783. Luther, " Oct. 1, 1785. Nancy, " May 27, 1791. * Died Sept. 1, 1773. Hspc femina, prseter quinque, quos vivos ediderat, du- odecim caeteros prsemature exnixa, teriium decimum parturiens, expiravit. Obsletrix ita dixit. Samuel Bowers and Esther. Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1710. Samuel, " Dec. 21, 171L Esther, " Oct. 15, 1715. Jerahmael, " Aug. 11, 1717. Nehemiah, « Sept. J4, 1719. Joshua, " July 9, 1721. Hannah, « Jan. 23, 1722-3. Samuel Bowers, Jr. and Debo- rah Farnsworrh. (Married, March 19, 1734-5.) Samuel, born Dec. 6, 1735. Jonas, " Jan. 31, 1737. Isaac, « June 26, 1741. Phinehas, " Sept. 31, 1743, [died Sept. 12, 1745. Deborah, " Sept. 2, 1746. Phinehas, « Oct. 2, 1750, [died July 27, 1767. Nathaniel Bowers and Eliza- beth Blood. (Married, Feb. 8, 1742-3.) Nathaniel, born Nov. 27, 1743. Nathaniel, " Nov. 15, 1746. John, " Sept. 3, 1749. James, " March 10, 1751. Nehemiah Bowers and Sarah. James, born July 16, 1746. Jonathan, " Oct. 24, 1748, at Lu- nenburg; died Feb. 2, 1749. Sarah, " Jan. 25, 1749,* at Lu- nenburg. * Error in the record. 390 GROTON. JosHCA Bowers and Sarah Farnsworth. (Married, April Sf), 1749.) Molly, born Feb. 19, 1751. Sarah, " June 25, 1752. Joshua, " Nov. 17, 1755. Samuel Bowers * and Abigail Warren. (Married, May 8, 1759.) Deborah, born June 27, 1761. Samuel, " Sept. 17, 1764. * Died, Aug. 30, 1764. Isaac Bowers and Priscilla Dodge. (Married, March 23, 1762.) Sybil, born, Isaac, " John, » Benjamin, " Priscilla, " Mary, " Sarah, « Phinehas, " Jonas, " Samuel, " Joseph, " Oliver, " May 7, 1762. Jan. 20, 1764. Feb. 25, 1765. Oct. 27, 1766. July 10, 1768. Jan. 5, 1770, [died Sept. 21, 1775. Aug. 22, 1771, [died Sept. 23, 1775. Dec. 15, 1772. July 12, 1774. Nov. 28, 1775. March 14, 1777. July 1, 1778. Thomas Botden* and John, born Dec. 6, 1672. * Died, Nov. 15, 1719. Joseph Boyden and Rebecca. Joseph, born Oct. 6, 1705. Jonathan Botden and Eliza- beth. Josiah, born Sept. 21, 1701. Jonathan, " Feb. 13, 1705-6. Elizabeth, " March 10, 1707. Lydia, " March 23, 1711. Martha, " June 15, 1715. Mary, " Jan. 1,1720. JosiAH Boyden and Eunice Parker,* Jane. (Married E., Jan. 17, 1729.) John, born Feb. 28, 1731. Eunice, " May 22, 1733. Josiah, " May 22, 1734. John, " Jan. 12, 1735. Mary, " Sept. 2, 1740. Jonathan, " Dec. 6, 1741. Samuel, " May 25, 1751, of Ja Sarah, " Nov. 14, 1752. Jane, " July 24, 1754. * Died, Jan. 1, 1745. Jonathan Boyden, Jr. and Mart. Jonathan, born April 8, 1736. Jonathan Botden and Eliza- beth Sawtell. (Married, Nov. 15, 1769.) William, born Aug. 26, 1770. Molly, " March 12, 1772. Betty, " Jan 26, 1774. Jonathan, " June 21, 1776. Eunice, " May 25, 1780. Samuel, " July 27, 1782. Sarah Boynton wife of Joseph Boynton, died Feb. 27, 1718-19. Daniel Boynton and Jemima Brown. (Married, June 1, 1721.) Jane, born May 13, 1722. Moses, " April 10, 1724. Aaron, « Feb. 4, 1726. Samuel, " March 21, 1729. Abraham Boynton and Esther. Josiah, born June 4, 1743. Isaac, " Aug. 11, 1745. John, « July 23, 1748. Abraham, " Nov. 20, 1750. Rev. Dudley Bradstreet * and Mary Wain w right. (Married, May 4, 1704.) Simon, born March 7, 1705-6. Dudley, " March 12, 1707-8. * Died, 1714, in England. APPENDIX. 391 DuDiET Bradstreet and Abi- gail Lakin. (Married, April "28, 1727.) Abigail, born June 27, 1728. Mary, " Aug. 7, 1730. Ann, " May 18, 1735. Lucy, « April 8, 1738. Sarah, « Sept. 26, 1740. Hannah, » Aug. 13, 1743. Jonas Brooks and Dinah, born July 7, 1763. William Brown and Margaret. Elizabeth, born May 5, 1755. Mary, " April 22, 1757. William, j Ann, < Aug. 7, 1758. Col. John Bulklet and Abigail,* Mary. Elizabeth, born Aug. 25, 1734. John, " Feb. 12, 1736-7. John, " 1738. Peter, " May 9, 1740, [died May 10, 1765. John, " June 22, 1749, [died Dec. 16, 1774. Elizabeth, " Nov. 29, 1751. * Died, April 15, 1747 John Burt and Elizabeth Nut- ting. (Married, May 9, 1725-6. James, born June 19, 1727. William, " Feb. 1, 1729. Sarah, " June 26, 1731. John, « Dec. 22, 1735. Elizabeth, « Sept. 13, 1737. Daniel, " Jan. 27, 1739-40. Phinehas Burt and Sarah Bush. (Married, Jan. 2, 1735-6.) Sarah, born Aug. 1, 1737. Phinehas, » Jan. 30, 1738. John, " Feb. 20, 1740. Elizabeth, " Jan. 20, 1743. Mary, " June 20, 1746. Simeon, « Feb. 5, 1748. John Bush and Ruth. Sarah, born Aug. 28, 1714. John, " June 4, 1717. Wiiu^m,!" Oct. 31,1719. Elizabeth, « Feb. 20, 1723-4. Eleazer Butterfield and Mary. Eleazer, born March 12, 1752. John Butterfield and Martha. Henry, born March 14, 1759. Abraham Byam, of Chelmsford. Mary-Fiske, born March 2, 1707-8. Daniel Cady and Mary, Abigail. Mary, born Aug. 10, 1684. Ezekiel, " Sept. 29, 1686. Rachel, " July 18, 1689. Daniel, " March 26, 1692. Jane, « April 1, 1696. Ezra, « Aug. 11,1699. Josiah, " Feb. Eunice, " Oct. Ephraim, " Feb. /, 1702. 20, 1704.* 19, 1704-5, of Abigail. * Error in the record. James Cady* and Hannah. Elizabeth, born April 10, 1606. * Died, Dec. 2, 1690. Joseph Cady and Sarah. Joseph, born Oct. 3, 1690. James, " Nov. 22, 1694. Isaac, " Jan. 17, 1696-7. Abigail, " June 22, 1699. Stephen, " June 16, 1701. John Cady and Joanna, Eliza- beth. Jonathan, born Jan. 22, 1693. Joanna, " Oct. 14, 1695. John, « Aug. 7, 1699, of Elizabeth. Elizabeth, " March 5, 1701. 392 GROTON. John Cadt and Martha. John, born Dec. 23, 1743. Elizabeth," July 21, 1745. Martha, " Feb. 27, 1748. Jonathan Capron and Alice. Thankful, born June 13, 1762. Rhoda, " June 12, 1764. Thomas Chamberlin and Eliz- abeth,* Abigail. Gershom, born Sarah, Elizabeth, Abigail, Thomas, Jane, Sarah, [died March 29, 1699. May 23, 1699. [died — 14, 1699. May 26, 1700, of Abigail. June 21, 1701. Feb. 3, 1703. Feb. 2,1705-6. Aug. 4,1709. * Died, June 13, 1699. Edmund Chamberlin and Abi- gail. Elizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1705. John Chamberlin and Abigail Woods. (Married, Oct. 13, 1713.) Elizabeth, born Oct. 27, 1713. Hannah, John, Sarah, Abigail, Thomas, Jan. 18, 1716. March 24, 1720. April 27, 1727. Jan. 8, 1732. Sept. 2, 1735. Samuel Chamberlin, of Chelms- ford. Anna-Gilson, born Mar. 7,1710-11. John Chamberlin, Jr. and Ra- chel Lawrence.* (Married, Dec. 3, 1745.) Rachel, born July 10, 1747, [died Oct. 13, 1756. Abigail, " Sept. 8, 1749. John, " Feb. 27, 1752. Ede, " Oct. 9, 1754. » Died, Oct. 6, 1756, set. 29. Phinehas Chamberlin and Lydia Williams. (Married, March 19, 1744-5.) Phinehas, born Jan. 9, 1745. Eleazer, " March 13, 1746. Joseph, " Oct. 13, 1748. Vid. Pepperell. Joseph Chandler and Sarah. Thomas, born Jan. 20, 1746. John, « May 29, 1749. Benjamin Chase and Rachel. Benjamin, born Oct. 1, 1741. Solomon, « Sept. 8, 1743. Ebenezer, John, John, June 4, 1745. Sept. 4, 1747, [died Oct. 1, 1749. Feb. 12, 1749. John Chenet and Susanna. John, born July Susanna, " May Molly, Luther, Tirza, Luther, 29, 1763; 27, 1765. 13, 1767. 2, 1770. March 17, 1773. July 7, 1775. Sept. April Moses Child and Sarah. Asa, born April 8, [died June Sally, « March 26, [died May April 4, June James, " Sarah, " Susanna, " Elisha, " Prudence, " Betty, " Isaac, " Anna, " Feb. Oct. Aug. Nov. July Sept. 26, 9, 31, 30, 2, 27, 23, [died Oct. 1759, 16, 1759. 1760, 25, 1760. 1762. 1763. 1766. 1767. 1769. 1771. 1774. 1777, 17, 1777. Cornelius Church * and Mart. (Married, June 4, 1670.) * Died, Dec. 2, 1697. Samuel Church and Elizabeth. Jonathan, born Feb. 12, 1786-7. APPENDIX. 393 William Colburn* and Anna. Anna, born March 19, 1773. * Died at Fort George, Oct. 26, 1776, set. 29 years. John Coles had a daughter, born Feb. 20, 1672; Hepzibah, probably. Jonathan Collier and Tabitha. Jonathan, born Jan. 17, 1775. JosiAH CoNANT and Rachel Ho- BART. (Married, May 12, 1748 ) Rachel, born March 29, 1749. Josiah, " Aug. 31, 1750. Benjamin, " June 27, 1752. Robert, " Nov. 5, 1754. Shebuel, " Dec. 23, 1756, at Pepperell Enoch Cook and Mart. Enoch, born Nov. 15, 1771. John, " April 16, 1774. Timothy Cooper and Sarah Morse. (M.-xrried, .Tune2, 1669 ) Timothy, born March 24, 1669-70. John, " March 5, 1671. [died April 28, 1672. Sarah, " March 20, 1672-3. John, " 5d. 3 m. 1675. John Craig and Meriam Fiske, Wid. (Married, Nov. 22, 17.53 ) David, son of John and Jemima Craig, born Sept. 3, 1754. Samuel Craig and Mary Conn. (Married, March 27, 1755.) John, born Jan. 11, 1756. Michael Crecy and Catharine Wetherbee, of Bolton. (Married. Dec 20, 1752) Elizabeth, born June 26, 1754. Jonathan, " June 15, 1756. 50 JonathanCrecy and AnnaDavis. (Married, July 21, 1759 ) Henry, born Feb. 11, 1760. Betty, " April 8, 1762. William, « Dec. 8, 1763. Dorcas, " July 15, 1766. Sarah, " May 8, 1768. Levi, " April 1, 1770. John Cummings and Elizabeth. Hannah, born May 20, 1690. Samuel Cummings and Eliza- beth. Samuel, born March 6, 1709. Jerahmael, " Oct. 10, 1711. James, " July 14, 1713. Samuel Cummings and Prudence Lawrence. (Married, July 18, 1732-3.) Mary,* born April 22, 1734. * Perhaps the same as next preceding. John Cummings and Sarah Law- rence, of Littleton. (Married Jan. 2, 1735-6 ) John, born March 16, 1736-7. Eleazer, " May 15,1739. Sarah, " Dec. 11, 1741. Peter, " June 5, 1744. Mitty, " Dec. 25, 1751. Reuben, " Jan. 10, 1757. Sybil, " March 15, 1760. William Cummings and Lucy* Ebenezer, born April 17, 1735. Lucy, April 18, 17.37. Bridget, Sept. 16, 1739. William, Oct. 2, 1741. Elizabeth, Jan. 11, 1743-4 Phillip, Nov. 26, 1745. Rebekah, May 11, 1748. Simon Daby and Mary.* Sarah, born Aug. 31, 1751. [died Sept. 31, 1751. Phebe, ; died Sept. 20,1751. * Died, Aug. 31, 1751. 394 GROTON. William Dalrtmple* and Eliz- abeth Blood. (Married, Nov. 4, 1746.) Rebckah, born March 30, 1747, [died Nov. 25, 1766, at Newbury port. Elizabeth, " Sept. 1, 1748. Jtuiies, " May 26, 1750, [died Oct. 16, 1753. William, " Oct. 10, 1751. Sarah, " March 23, 1753. Abiirail, " May 2, 1755. James, " Jan. 8, 1758, [died Feb. 3, 1760. Mary, " Oct. 17,1759. Jane, » July 20, 1763. Anna, " April 30, 176.5. John, " April 11, 1767. * Died, May 1, HB":. Rev. Samuel Dana and Anna Kendrick. Luther, born Aug. 13, 1763. Amelia, " April 14, 1765. Samuel, " June 26, 1767. Thesta, " Au^. 14, 1769. Anna, « June 16, 1771. John Darby and Mart. Mary, born Jan. 3, 1705-6. Samuel Davis* and Mary. A daughter, born Jan. 31, 1662. John, " March 10, 1664, [died Oct. 25, 1704. Sarah, " 12 d. 6 m. 1667. Jan. 10, 1669. V Samuel, Barnabas, A daughter. April 17, 1672, [died Aug. 1790. 10 d. 2 m. 1674. * Died, Dec. 28, 1699. John Davis and Mehitabel. Mehitabel, born June 22, 1693. Sarah, " Sept. 22, 1694. John, " May 6,1698. Abigail, " July 24,1699. Lydia, " March 10, 1704. Samuel Davis and Anna. Samuel, bom Aug. 16, 1694. Anna, " May 24, 1697. Mary, born May 20, 1699. Barnabas, " Dec. 19, 1700. Simon, Amos, " Experience, " Nov. 1, 1702. Oct 15, 1705. Nov. 23, 1707, at Chelmsford. Nathaniel Davis and Rose. Joanna, born Sarah, " Eleanor, " Martha, " Mary, " Nathaniel, " Zachariah, " Ezekiel, " Elizabeth, " Isaac, " Eleazer, " Jan. March Dec. June March March March Jan. Aug. May Aug. 26, 1702. 10, 1704. 2, 1706. 4, 1711, 8, 1712. 12, 1714-15. 11, 1716-17. 8, 1723. 28, 1724. 13, 1727. 8, 1729. John Davis and Rebekah Burt. (Married, June 13, 1723.) John, bom Nov. 10, 1725. Zebudah, " April 11, 1728. Rebekah, " Oct. 29, 1729. Aaron, " April 11, 1732. Meriam, " May 10, 1734, [died Sept. 30, 1736. Ruth, " Feb. 1735-6, at Hartford. Ezra, " Aug. 23, 1738, do. Daniel Davis and Lydia Ames. (Married, March 21, 1726-7.) Eleazer Davis and Sarah, Eleazer, born Sept. 25, 1730. Benjamin Davis and Anna, born Benjamin, " Joseph, " Joshua, " David, " Sarah, " James, " Henry, " Elizabeth, " Eleazer, " Joseph, " Feb. 2, April 8, March 14, [died Feb. Aug. 30, Aug. 6, May 24, June 22, Oct. 11, March 10, [died Feb. Sept. 6, Sept. 27, 1742. 1744. 1746, 13, 1762. 1748, 1751. 1754. 1756. 1758. 1761, 27, 1762. 1763. 1765. APPENDIX, 395 John Derbyshire and Mart. Oliver, born Dec. 8, 1708. James Dickerson* and Sarah. Samuel, born Aug. 11, 1752. * Died, July 5, 1754, cet. 38. Isaac Dodge and Elizabeth. Isaac, born Feb. 8, 1775. Samuel, « April 15, 1783. Daniel Douglass and Lydia La KIN. (iVIarried Aug. 5, 1740.) Daniel, born July 2, 1740, some mistake. John Dudley and Sybil Rus- sell, of Harvard. (Married, March 1, 1759.) Sybil, born Dec. 5, 1769. John, " Oct. 11, 1761. Elizabeth, " Nov. 30, 1763. Jason, " July 8, 1766. Hannah, " Nov. 13, 1768. Parker Russell, May 27, 1771. Molly, " Aug. 29, 1773, at Harvard. Francis, " Dec. 31, 1775, do. Lucy, " Nov. 14, 1781, do. John Dustin and Mary. Hannah, born April 15, 175-. Nathaniel " Dec. 28, 1751, Lydia, " Feb. 21, 1754. Sarah, " June 14, 1756. Lucy, « Jan. 1, 1758. Gardner Dustin and Rachel. John, born Nov. 19, 1762. Timothy Dustin and Eunice. Abel, born Nov. 27, 1773. Elias Elliot and Ruth Law- rence. (Married, Dec. 18, 1729.) William, born July 22, 1730. Rachel, " Aug. 10, 1732. Oliver, born Aug. 24, 1734. Jeremiah, " May 22, 1737. Abigail, " March 16, 1740. Elizabeth, " July 4, 1743. Rev. Joseph Emerson and Abi- gail. Mary, born Oct, 19, 1751. Vid. Pepperell. Daniel Farmer and Elizabeth. Thomas, born Dec. 2, 173- Abigail, " Oct, 1, 1735. Elizabeth, " Feb, 4, 1740-1. Matthias Farnsworth and Mary. 1 Matthias, born . 2 John, " . 3 Benjamin, " . 4 Samuel, " Oct, 8, 1669, 5 Abigail, " Jan, 17, 1671. 6 Jonathan, " 1 d. 4 m. 1675. 7 Joseph, "diedFeb.20, 1686-7. II. (I. 1 ) Matthias Farnsworth, Jr. and Sarah. 1 Joseph, born Jan. 17,1682. [died Feb, 2, 1682. 2Ebenezer, " 3 Josiah, (probably) . * Sarah, " 5 Matthias, born Aug. 6, 1690. ,1, (1.2) John Farnsworth and Hannah Aldis. (Married, Dec. 8, 1G86.) 1 Abigail, born Oct, 17, 1687. 2 John, " Dec. 1,1689, [died Sept. 4, 170.3, st. 14, 3 Daniel, born May 1 1, 1692. 4 Nathan, " March 13, 1696, [died Aug. 4, 1753. 5 Joseph, " Feb. 26,1698. 6 Jeremiah, " Mar. 24, 1700-1. Hannah, " July 21, 1702. Rachel, " Dec. 8, 1704. Sarah, " Nov. 20, 1707. 396 GROTON. II. (1.3) Benjamin Farnswortii and Mary Prescott. iMary, born, Jan. 5, lfi96. 2 Martha " Jan. 9, 16U8, [died Feb. 1), 1C98. 3 Benjamin, " Jan. 16, 1699. 4 Isaac, " July 4, 1701. 5 Ezra, « Jan. 17, 1703. 6 Amos, " Nov. 27, 1704. 'Lydia, « Sept. 26, 1706. 8 Aaron, « Aug. 29, 1709. 9 Jonas, '■• Oct. 4, 1713. Deborah » 1715. Samuel Farnsworth and Ma- RAH WiLLARD. (Married, Dec. 12, 1706.) Mary, born, Sept. 13, 1707, at Kingston. Samuel, " June 29, 1709. David, " Aug. 4,1711. II. (1.6) Jonathan Farnsworth and Ruth. 1 Ruth born April 2, 1699. 2. Jonathan " March 17, 1701. Jan. 2, 1702-3. April 28, 1705. Sept. 15, 1707. Sept. 9, 1709. Dec. 1, 1711. Feb. 8,1713-14, [died July 25, 1715. Au^. 10, 1710. .Tuly 12, 1718. April 28, 1720. May 30, 1723. April 25, 1725. 3 Ephraiin, " 4 Reuben " •'' Phinehas, " 6 Priscilla " 7 Nathaniel," 8 John " 4 William, Abigail, Kezia, Sarah, Lydia, 9 Hannah, " 10 Simeon " 11 Susanna, " 12 Elias, 13 John, Silas 111. (l. 3 II. 3) Ebenezer Farnsworth and Eli- zabeth Whitney. (Married, April 17, 1707.) 1 Elizabeth, born Jan. 27, 1707-8. 2 Matthias, " Sept. 20, 1709. 3 Ebenezer, " Dec. 16, 1711, [died Oct. 11, 1723. born Aug. 4, 1714. " Sept. 2, 1718. " April 17, 1723. " Aug. 5, 1725. « Dec. 20, 1729. III. (l. 1 II. 3) Josiah Farnsworth and Mary Pierce. (Married March 1719-20) 1 Josiah, born Jan. 4, 1720-1. Mary, 3 Oliver, " 4 Ebenezer," 5 James, " 6 Jeremiah," 7 Thomas, " 8 Joseph " 9 Oliver, " 10 Mary, " June 5, 1722, [died young. Aug. 30, 1723. March 22, 1725-6. Dec. Aug. April Nov. Jan. Feb. 2, 1727. 29, 1729. 1, 1731. 27, 1732. 16, 1734-5. 2, 1736-7. III. (1.2 II. 5) Joseph Farnsworth and Re- BEKAH. Mary, born March 12, 1727-8. Rebekah, " July 23, 1729. Daniel, " March 5, 1731. III. (1.6 11.2) Jonathan Farnsworth and Mary. Mary, born June 18, 1726, [died March 17, 1727-8. Jonathan, born Nov. 22, 1727. Betty, Joseph Abel An infant Elias Lemuel Rachel Oct. 13, 1729. May 19, 1734. 1736. Nov. 20, 1737, [died young. Aug. 3, 1740. III. (l. 3 II. 3 ) Benjamin Farnsworth* and Pa- TIENCE,t ReBEKAh4 1 Oliver, born Nov. 9, 1727. 2 Susanna, " Nov. 29, 1729. 3 Benjamin, « Feb. 24, 1736, of Rebekah. APPENDIX. 397 4 Solomon, born Oct. 13, 1738. 5 Ebenezer, " Nov. 22, 1739. * Diefl Sept. 18. 1757, of small-pox. t Died .luly 10, 1734, set. 30. t Died Oct. 1, 17.56 Isaac Farnsworth and Sarah Page. (Married, April, 1723.) 1 Isaac, born Nov. 30, 1723, at Groton. William, " Feb. 26, 1725, at Lunenburg. Sarah, " Nov. 27, J 727, do. Lydia, " July 24, 1729, [died young. Lydia, " July 5, 1730. Molly, " June 6, 1735. Esther, " III. (l. 3 II. 5 ) Ezra Farnsworth and Eliza- beth Lakin, Abigail Pierce. (Married, April i.'6, 1726.) 1 Simon, born March 28, 1727. 2 Elizabeth, " Jan. 10, 1728-9. 3 Ruth, « Aug. 21, 1732. 4 Abigail, " July 26, 1736, of Abigail. 5 Prudence, " July 18, 1740. 6 Ezra, " Sept. 21, 1744. Ephraim, " Aug. 9, 1747, [died Sept. 2, 1755. III. (l. 3 II. 6 ) Amos Farnsworth* and L'tdia LONGLET. (Married, March 20, 1734-5.) Sarah, born Oct. 10, 1736, [died Sept. 20, 1756. Rachel, " Jan. 29,1737-8. Lydia, » Nov. 4, 1739. Susanna, " Aug. 25, 1741. Lucy, « Nov. 17, 1743, [died June, 1802, at Nova Scotia. Amos, « June 29, 1746, [died July 4, 1749. Jonas, " Aug. 18, 1748. Mary, born 1752, [died June 30, 1790, at Nova Scotia. Amos, " April 28, 1754. Benjamin, " Oct. 24, 17.59, [drowned Dec. 5, 1775. * Drowned, Dec. 5, 1775. HI. (1.3 II. 8) Aaron Farnsworth, Hannah Barron, Sarah Bennett, Eli- zabeth. (Married, Marcti 24, 1729.) Zaccheue, born Nov. 19, 1719. Isabel, Mary, Hannah, Eunice, Samuel, Esther, Aaron, Timothy, Nov. 12, 1730. Jan. 29, 1732. June 11, 1734. Nov. 26, 1735. Aug. 13, 1737. July 24, 1739. Jan. 5, 1745, of Sarah. July 28, 1751, of Elizabeth. in. (1.3 n. 9) Jonas Farnsworth and Thank- ful Ward, of Worcester. Azubah, born June 23, 1740. Martha, " May 21, 1742. Jonas, " Oct. 2, 1744. Deborah, " Sept. 15, 1746. Daniel, " Aug. 14, 1748. Isaac, " Aug. 9, 1750. Thankful, " Aug. 3, 1752. Peter, " Aug. 18, 1754. Joel, " May 28, 1759, at Groton. III. (i. 3 11. 3 ) Ephraim Farnsworth and De- borah. Deborah, born Sept. 17, 1727. Ephraim, " 1734. Ill, (i. 3 n. 4) Reuben Farnsworth and Mary. Mary, born Sept. 16, 1730. Ruth ~ 1736. 398 GROTON. III. (l. 3. II, 5) Phinehas Farnsworth and AzcBAH Burt.* Azubah, born Jan. 17, 1731. Phinehas, " 1733. Sybil, « 1736. Kezia, « 1742. Sarah, " 1745. Joshua, " 1749. # Died, 1812, set. 100. III. (l. 3 II. S ) Jeremiah Farnsworth and Sarah. Hannah, born March 26, 1729. Sarah, " Aug. 22, 1730. IV. (l. 3 II. 3 III. 2 ^ Matthias Farnsworth and Abigail Shed.* (Married, Feb. 24, 1729-30.) 1 Ebenezer, born May 10, 1731. 2 Matthias, " Dec. 25, 1732. 3 Abigail, " Nov. 19,1735. 4 Mary, " 1736, probably. 5 Dinah, " Sept. 15,1737. 6 Anna, « Dec. 29,1739. 7 Samuel, " Feb. 4,1742. 8 Samson, " March 12, 1745. Elizabeth, " June 25, 1747. * Died, May 11, 1726. IV. (l. 3 II. 3 III. J ) Oliver Farnsworth and Sa- rah Tarbell. (Married, Dec. 15, 1749.) Susanna, born July 5, 1750. Oliver, » Oct. 18, 1751. Sarah, " May 11,1753. Eunice, " Jan. 2, 1755. Edmund, " March 20, 1756. Emma, " Sept. 18, 1757. Polly, " — ; d.Nov. 30, 1840. Maria, " June, 1761. Edmund, " July, 1762; died Sept. 30, 1756. Lydia, " 1764. Betsy, " Eda, born Benjamin, " Levi, " IV. (l. 3 II, 3 III, 5) Ebenezer Farnsworth and Sarah Nichols.* (Married, Feb. 18, 1767.) Rebekah, born Aug. 8, 1767. Sally, " Sept 21,1769. Thomas, " Dec. 9, 1771. Joseph, " June 14, 1777-8. William, " March 21, 1780. Polly, " April 5, 1782. Benjamin, " 1785. * Died, Sept; 13,1782. IV. (l. 1 II. 3 III. 4 ) Ebenezer Farnsworth and Mary Nichols. (Married, Feb. 20, 1755.) Harbor, born June 10, 1756. Ebenezer, « April 12, 1758, [died May 11, 1761. Edmund, " Aug. 15, 1760. IV. (l. 3 II. 3 III. 4 ) William Farnsworth and Ruth HOBART. (Married, March 24, 1736-7 ) William, born Dec. 27, 1737. Ruth, " March 22, 1739-40. Gershom, " May 2, 1743. Mary, " June 2, 1745. IV. (l. 1 II. 3 III. 1 ) JosiAH Farnsworth and Han- nah BUTTRICK. (Married, June 27, 1742) Mary born Dec. 10, 1748. Josiah, " Sept. 22, 1749. Betty, " Sept. 22, 1751. IV. (l 3 II. 4 III. 1 ) Dea. Isaac Farnsworth* and Anna Green.-I- (Married, Dec. 4, 1744.) Anna, born Jan. 23, 1746. Isaac, " Jan. 14, 1748. Elizabeth, " March 24, 1750. Olive, " June 19, 1753. APPENDIX. 399 Sally, born April 12, 1755, at Pepperell. Molly, « Nov. 28, 1758. John, « Jan. 19, 1765. Samuel, " Sept. 29, 1767. * Died, Oct. 1812, cct. 88. t Died, Nov. 1812, eet. 89. IV. (l. 3 II, 5 III. 6) Ezra Farnsworth and Eliza- beth Sheple. Eunice, born Jan. 10, 1767, [died Oct. 9, 1814. Ephraim, « Jan. 12, 1769, [died March 19, 1812. Ezra, « Nov. 30, 1770. Abel, " July 15, 1773. Joseph, " July 10, 1775. Betsey, " Sept. 2, 1777. Patty, » March 7, 1780, [married Elisha Jacobs ; died May 26, 1840. Simon, " April 10, 1782. James, " June 14, 1784. Mary, « March 28, 1787, [married Asa Andrews ; died Jan. 31, 1846. V. (l. 3 II. 3 III. 2 IV. 8 ) Samson Farnsworth and Ra- chel Shattuck. (Married, Sept. 23, 1766.) Samuel, born Sept. 16, 1767. Phillip, » April 2, 1769. Rachel, Matthias, by a second wife. Thomas Farr and Mary. (From Burgoyne's army.) William, born March 9, 1779. Thomas Farrington and Joan- na,* Betty Woons.f (Married B., Oct. 6, 1768 ) Elizabeth, born, Sept. 2, 1758. Thomas, « Oct 1, 1760. March, " Nov. 13, 1762. Frederic, " Nov. 13, 1764, [died Jan. 1770. Daniel, " April, 1767, [died Jan. 1770. Vassall, born July 20, 1769. Putnam, " Dec. 3, 1770. Phillip, « Jan. 7, 1772. Abel, " April 13, 1775, * Died, June 24. 1767. t Died, May 6, 1775, at Kenneljec. Joseph Farwell* and Hannah. Hannah, born May 6, 1701, [died May 11, 1762. Elizabeth, « Dec. 31, 1703. Edward, " July 12, 1706. Mary, « Feb. 5, 1709. John, " June 23, 1711. Samuel, « Jan. 14, 1714. Daniel, « May 20, 1717. Sarah, " Feb. 26, 1721. * Died, Aug. 21, 1740, eei. 70. Joseph Farwell and Mary GiLSON. (Married, Dec. 14, 1719.) Anna, born Feb. 20, 1721. Isaac, " March 16, 1722, [died May 10, 174U. Joseph, « Sept. 20, 1725. Jonathan," May 15,1730. Thomas, « July 30, 1733. Oliver, " June 24, 1735. Mary, « Sept. 4, 1738. Susanna, " Aug. 8, 1742. William Farwell and Eliza- beth. Elizabeth, born Nov. 2, 1713. William, " Feb. 1, 17 J 5. John, " Oct. 16, 1717. Oliver, " Jan. 13, 1722. Henry, » July 21, 1724. Edward Farwell and Anna. Edward, born Nov. 25, 1731. Submit, « Dec. 19, 1733. Thomas Farwell and Eliza- beth Pierce. (Married, Dec. 24, 1723.) Thomas, born July 26, 1725, [died Sept. 8, 1725. 400 GROTON. William Farwell, Jr.* and Sarah. Eunice, born April 20, 1742. Elizabeth, " April 13, 1744. Henry, " May 15, 1746. Sarah, " Nov. 28, 1748. Susanna, " Jan. 28, 1751. * Died, Feb. 14, 1754.. JosiAH Farwell and Lydia. Lydia, born Oct. 23, 1751. Hannah, " July 31, 1753, [died Sept. 1, 1753. Josiah, " Sept. 1, 1754. Mary, " Nov. 8, 175G. Samuel Farwell and Elizabeth Moors. Sarah, born Dec. 4, 1763. Lydia, " Oct. 14, 1765. Jonathan, " Dec. 6, 1767. Jonathan Farwell and Eunice. Joseph, born Aug. 26, 1759. Leonard, " Oct. 2, f760. Thomas Farwell and Sarah. Ephraim, born Oct. (Married, J Samuel, born Elizabeth, Eunice, Abraham, John, Sarah, Lydia, Susanna, Joseph, Isaac- Moors, une 23, 173- April 10, Jan. Oct Aug. Jan. Dec. Aug. July 19, 12, 18, 27, 96, 4, 20, March 27, April 12, ) 1736. 1739. 1741. 1743. 1745. 1747. 1749. 1751. 1754. 1757. Thomas, Joseph, Sarah, Levi, William, Jan. May June Nov. 31, 1760. 26, 1763. 13, 1765. 9, 1768. 7, 1770. March26, 1780. Abel Farwell and Hannah. Lemuel, born Jan. 4, 1770. Feb. 29, 1772. March 23, 1774. ^ Daniel Farwell and MARvr^v :^ Daniel, born April 22, 1740. Anna, " Isaac, " Timothy, " Mary, " Edmund, " Zaccheus, " Benjamin, " May 4, 1742. March 28, 1744. Feb. 21, 174.5. Feb. 6, 1747. July 13, 1750. June 27, 17.53. July 2, 1756 Capt Henry Farwell and Lydia Tarbell, Sarah Taylor, of Westford. (Married L., Dec. 6. 1749 ; S., June 3, 1761.) Anna, born Oct. 17, 1750, [died Feb. 20, 1754. Samuel, » May 21, 1752. William, " Feb. 16, 1754. Lydia, " Oct. 25, 1762, [died Dec. 16, 1763. Solomon, ? ^^ Abel, I Solomon, Leonard, Russell, Hannah, Betsey, James, April 16, 1776. June 4, 1778. May 17, 1781. July 15, 1783. Dec. 14, 1784. David Farwell and Submit. David, born May 25, 1765. William Farwell and Esther Woods. (Married, June 26, 1760.) Bounker, born May 4, 1761, [died Sept. 29, 1764. Esther, " June 28, 1763. Naomi, « April 5, 1766, [died April 25, 1769. Naomi, " Aug. 16, 1769, [died Jan. 1, 1836. Zebulon, " Oct. 4, 1771. Amaziah Fassett* and Ede. Araaziah, born Feb. 27, 1769, [died Oct. 17, 1795. Ede, " Oct. 16, 1770. Abiel, " Aug. 1, 1772. Nabby, " Jan. 16, 1775, [died Oct. 22, 1795. " Died a prisoner in Boston, July, 1775. APPENDIX. 401 John Fife and Jane Irvine. (Married, April 22, 1731.) John, born Aug. 20, 1734. James Fiske and Tabitha. Mary, born Sept. 11, 1790. James, Samuel, " John, " Ann, " Jonathan, " Feb. 11, 1694-5. July 10, 1696. Dec. 10, 1699. April 16, 1702. Sept. 10, 1705. Samuel Fiske and Susanna. Samuel, born March 5, 1704. Susanna, " Feb. 8, 1706. Experience, « April 29, 1708. Thomas, " Feb. 21, 1712. Meriam, " April 18, 1716, [died Mar. 26, 1718-19. Meriam, born July 3, 1720. Samuel Fiske and Elizabeth Parker. (Married, Jan. 12, 1726-7.) Elizabeth, born Aug. 13, 1727. Samuel, Eleazer, " Susanna, " Mary, " Josiah, " Sarah, " Nathan Fi Sarah, born Elizabeth, " Jonathan, " David, " Eleazer, " Patience, " Nathan, « Simeon, •' Oct. 12, 1729. Nov. 23, 1731. Sept. 29, 1734. Oct. 4, 1736. Sept. 27, 1739, [died Aug. 2, 1742. Nov. 1, 1742. SKE and Patience. Feb. 6, 1731. Aug. 21, 1733. Nov. 21, 1738. April 27, 1741. Dec. 24, 1743. Aug. 28, 1747, [died Oct. 15, 1747. Oct 20, 1749. Oct. 8, 1752. James Fiske and Lydia Bennett. (Married, March 23, 1736-7.) James born June 28, 1738. Lydia, " Feb. 20, 1740. Peter, ' March 16, 1743. Mary, « June 9, 1746. John, " March 30, 1749. 51 Thomas Fiske and Mary Parker. (Married, 11, 17il.) Mary, born Oct. J 8, 174.3. Thomas, " March 12, 1745. John, " July 23, 1748. Sarah, " x\pril 27, 1750. Jonathan Fiske and Jemima. Benjamin, born Nov. 4, . Joseph Fletcher and Eliza- beth. Elizabeth, born April 27, 1736. Thomas, Jonathan, Susanna, Emma, Sarah, Joseph, Lucy, Sept. 11, 1738. March 19, 1741. Oct. 27, 1743. 7, 1746. 2, 1749. 18, 1752, 16, 1755. April Sept. June April GershOxM Fletcher and Lydia. Gershom, born Sept. 30, 1737. Olive, " Aug. 14, 1741. John Fletcher and Lydia Patch. (Married, June 23, 1736.) Paul, born June 5, 1737, [died Dec. 2, 1738. John, " Dec. 28, 1738. Paul, " March 11, 1740. Mary, " April 6, 1742. Oliver Fletcher and Olive. Olive, born Sept. 24, 1760. Oliver, " Jan. 12, 1762. Phebe, " Jan. 28, 1764. Sadoc, « Nov. 1, 1766. Paul Fletcher and Anna Wil- LARD of Lancaster, Abigail, and Thankful. (Married A., Aug. 20, 1760.) Anna, born June 4, 1761. Daniel, " March 13, 1763. Lydia, " March 2, 1769, of Abisrail- Paul, " July 12, 1775, of Thankful 402 GROTON. EzEKiKL Fletcher and Bridget. Ezekiel, born Aug. 15, 1767. Bridget, " Nov. 2^2, 17()8. Vryling, " Jan. 28, 1770. Nancy, " Sept. '2, 1772. Lyman, " June 2, 1773. Rebekah, " Aug. VJ, 1775. Samuel Flood of Andover, and TRYPHE>rA Powers. (Married, Dec. 8, 17^-2.) Mary, born Oct. 15,1744. Martha, " Feb. 18, 1746. Samuel, " April 21, 1749. Timothy," July 21, 1751. StephejS^ Foster and Sarah Bt-OOD. (Married, July 5, 174-7 ) Nathaniel, born Aug. 17, 1755. Simeon Foster and MartLakin. (Married, Dec. 15, 1761) Esther, born Oct. 16, 176.3. Eunice, " Dec. 31, 1764. Simeon, " May 2, 1767. Andrew, " April 16, 17()9. William, « Feb. 23, 1773. Philip Fowler and Abigail. Oliver, born Aug. 15, 1747. John Frost and Ruth. 16, 1714-15. 7, 1716. 5, 1717-18. 20, 1719. 1, 1722. 28, 1723. 26, 1725. 28, 1727. 14, 1729. 6, 1731. 23, 1734. 23, 1737. John Frost, Jr. and Mindwell. Joseph, born Aug. 8, 1751. Marcy, " June 14, 1755. Jonathan-Bigelow, Nov. 20, 1759. Joseph, " Aug. 19, 1762. Jemima, born Jan. Lydia, " Sarah, « July Jan. Keziah, " March Deborah, " June Abigail, " John, " May Aug. Scripture, " March Abigail, " Feb. Tryphena, " Patience, " May April Submit, " Oct. Patrick Garvin and Marv. James, born Oct. 2, 1730. Joseph Gilson and Mary. Joseph, born 8 d. 1 m. 1666-7. Sarah, " June 25, 1669. John, " 23 d. 2 m. 1674, [died Sept. 10, 1707. John Gilson and Sarah. John, born March 2, 1697. Sarah, " May 1, 1700. Michael, « Oct. 14, 1702. Susanna, « May 28, 1704. Ebenezer, " Dec. 10, 1707. Joseph Gilson and Hepzibah, Elizabeth. Anne, born Oct. 22, 1690. Jeremiah, " Jan. 10, 1696. Sarah, " Dec. 25, 1698. Mary, ♦' Feb. 8, 1703, of Elizabeth. Eleazer Gilson and Hannah Farwell. (Married, May 6, 1719.) Eleazer, born Feb. 19, 1720. Hannah, March 7, 1722. Esther, July 30, 1724. Eunice, Nov. 8, 1726. Samuel, .Tan. 7, 1728. Simon, Dec. 22, 1730. Peter, Feb. 3, 1732. Lydia, Sept. 17, 1735. Joseph G iLsoN and Mary Mary, born Feb. 16, 1718. Elizabeth Feb. 11, 1720. Anne, u July 25, 1722. Sarah, u Sept. 27, 1724. Joseph, (1 Dec. 1, 1726. Ruth, (( March 21, 1728. Jonathan, l( Jan. 7, 1730. Joseph, (( May 27, 1733. Daniel, li March 28, 1736. John Gilson and Mary Shat- tuck. (Married, Dec. 8, 1722 ) Mary, born Nov. 17, 1723. John, « May 12, 1726. APPENDIX. 403 David, born May 7, 1728. [died Sept. 1, 1728. Jonathan, " Aug. 2(j, 1729, [died Oct. 22, 1744. Jeremiah, " Aug. 1, 1731, [died Oct. 11, 1731. David, " Dec. 7, 1732. Amasa, " Aug. 25,' 1735. Solomon, " July 17, 1737. Sarah, " Dec. 22, 1743. Michael GiLsoN and Susanna Sawtell. (Married, April^iS. ITZG.) Zachariah, born April 16, 1727. [died Oct. 29, 173.5. Rachel, " Jan. 30, 1728-9. Michael, " Feb. 24, 1730-1. Jacob, " Dec. 17, 1732. [died Oct. 31, 1735. Benjamin, " Feb. 16, 1735. Zachariah, " Jan. 14, 1736-7. Susanna, « July 28, 1739. Elizabeth, « July 11,1741. TiMOTHT GiLsoN and Persis. Jonathan, born Dec. 15, 1726. Timothy, " Oct. 29, 1730. Isaac Gilson and Dorothy Kemp. (Married, Jan. 15, 1729 ) Isaac, born Oct 3, 1731. Dorothy, " Sept. 17, 1733. Joseph, " April 6, 1741. Ebenezer Gilso.v and Annes Searl. (Married, Jan. 23, 1733-4.) Annes, born Oct. 25, 1734. Ebenezer, " June 4, 1745. Sarah, " July 18, 1748. John Gilson, Jr. and Hannah, Prudence Lawrence. (Married P. Lawrence, Jan. 19, llSi.) Kezia, born May 22, 1748. John, " June 14, 1750. Samuel, " Aug. 4, 17.52. Abel, " June 14, 1764, of Prudence. Daniel, " Oct. 21, 1765. Peter Gilson and Sybil Whit- ney. (Married, May 27. 175G ) Sybil born Jan. 18, 1757. Lydia, " Aug. 28, 1759. Solomon Gilson and Mary. Solomon, born Sept. 13, 1758. Simeon, " April 21, 1761, [died Aug. 9, 1842. Jonas, " Oct. 19, 1763. Mary, " June 20, 1766, [died July 2, 1766. Molly, « Aug. 13, 1767. Levi, " Feb. 16, 1770. Asa, " July 18, 1772. Lucy, " Jan. 1, 1775. Peter, " March 24, 1777. Susan, " April 23, 1779. Amasa Gilson and Widow Ceu- lah Phelps. (Married, July II, 1759) Abijah, born Nov. 5, 1760. Daniel Gilson and Apphia. Daniel, born Sept. 9, 1761. Joseph, " March 7, 1763. Abigail, " June 11,1766. Samuel, " July 7, 1768. Abner Kent, " Feb. 4, 1771. Nehemiah Gilson and Abigail. Nehemiah, born July 10, 1766. Nathaniel, " March 24, 1768. Sybil, " June 9, 1770. Jacob Blanchard, Sept. 5, 1772. Oliver, " March 15, 1776. Nabby, " Dec. 15, 1777. Asahel, " Feb. 27, 1780. Isaac, « Sept. 26, 1783. Adam Gold and Rebecca. Dorcas, born 8 d. 7 m. 1683. Nehemiah Gould and Esther Bowers. (Married, Nov. 1, 1737 ) Esther, born Dec. 31, 1738. Nehemiah, " Nov. 28, 1741, [died Mar. 19,1745. 404 GROTON. James, Jonas, born Lydia, Mary, Nehemiah, Jonas, Jan. 28, 1743. Jan. 26, 1745, [died Feb. 11,1745. Jan. 25, 1740. Feb. 5, 1748. Jan. 13, 17.52. Feb. 8, 1749. JoiVATHAX Gove and Maky. John, born Feb. 17, 1771. Lucinda, " May 15, 1772. Jacob Gragg and Margaret. Jacob, born March 18, 1739. John, " July 9, 1741. Thomas, " July 21, 1746. Susanna, " Oct. 22, 1749. Samuel, " Feb. 15, 1752. Margaret, " May 2, 1754. Jacob Gragg, Jr., and Mary. Joseph, born May 6, 1767. Jacob " March 9, 1769. Mary, " April 18, 1771. Abigail, " April 3, 1773. John Graves and Susanna. Susanna, born Dec. 22, 1764. John, Hannah Joseph Benjamin, Rachel, Aug. 16, 1766. April 11, 1768. Oct. 8, 1770. Oct. 28, 177-. Feb. 22, 177-. William Green and Mary. William, born July 13,1665. Anna » 12 d. 3 m. 1667. John, " March — , 1669. Eleazer, » May 20, 1672. Elizabeth " lid. 1 m. 1680. Hannah, died 28 d. 1 m. 1682. Hannah, born 10 d. 2 m. 1683. John Green and Mary. Mary, born Nov. 3, 1690. Hannah, » Jan. 5, 1694. John, " Nov. 1, 1696. Eleazer Green* and Eliza- beth.! Eleazer, born Jan. 26, 1696. I A daughter,boTn Jan. 29, 1698, [diedFeb. 13, 1698. Elizabeth, « June 10, 1704. James, " Jan. 20, 1708-9. * Died, Sept. 10, 1737. t Died, ftlarch 18, 1744. John Green and Hannah. John, born Nov. 30, 1720. Eleazer Green and Arna Tarbell.* Eleazer, born July 25, 1723. ^ Anna, James, " Elizabeth, » Sarah, " Thomas, « Samuel, " Nehemiah " July 23, 1725. June 19, 1728. Feb. 23, 1730. Sept. 2, 1733. Aug. 27, 1736. Sept. 10, 1739. Jan. 25, 1741-2. * Died Nov. 27, 1753. William Green and Haknah HOLDEN. (Married March 9, 1727.) William, born Dec. 25, 1727. Simon, " Sept. 15, 1729. Jonas, " March 15, 1731. Hannah, « Dec. 4, 1732. Jonathan Green and Mary Lakin. (Married, Feb. 5 Sarah, born Dec Josiah, Mary, Jonathan, Lucy, David, Eunice, 1724-5.) 24, 1725. Feb. 26, 1727-8. June 22, 1731. May 11, 1733. Feb. 5, 1736. March 10, 1741, [died Nov. 11, 1822. March 1, 1745. James Green and Sarah Shat- TUCE. (Married, April 26, 1739.) Sarah, born Dec. 30, 1739. Isaac Green and Martha. Elizabeth, born April 10, 1742. Nehemiah, " ^Oct. 1, 1744. Susanna, " 'March 20, 1746. Martha, '^ April 19, 1749. APPENDIX. 405 Mary, born April 6, 1751, [died Nov. 12,1753. Abigail, " March 18, 1753. Isaac, " May 11, 1755. Eleazer Green and Sarah. Molly, born Aug. 15, 1751, at Pepperell. Eleazer, " Oct. 15, 1753, [d. Dec.l3, 1724, at Pepperell. Mary, " Dec. 24, 1755, at Pepperell. Sarah, " Dec. 1, 1759. Anna, " Oct. 10, 1762. Elizabeth, « Oct. 10, 3705. Josiah Sartell " Sept. 6, 1769. Thomas, « April 13, 1772. Benjamin Green and Ruth. Jabez, born Dec. 31, 1767. Benjamin, " Jan. 21, 1770. Ruth « Sept. 10, 1771. Ede, « Oct. 30, 1773. Leonard, " Aug. 10, 1775. Jonas Green and Jemima Hol- den. Abigail. (Married Jemima, June 29, 1758.) Betty, born Sept. 23, 1760. Nathaniel > " March 31, 1762. Jonas, ^ [J onasd.April2,1762. Jemima, ii March 4, 1764. Lydia, 11 Oct. 19, 1765. Jonas, •\ Josiah, y " Oct. 15, 1767. Reuben, ^ TReuben died 'Oct.17,1767. Abigail, <( Sept. 5, 1769. Rachel, « July 12, 1771. Joshua, a Aug. 23, 1776, of Abigail, Guy, a Aug. 23, 1778. Hannah, (( May 1, 1780. Asa, (( Jan. 31, 1782. Jonathan, u May 7, 1784. Hannah, u Feb. 19, 1786. Polly, u Sept. 2, 1788. David, i( May 6, 1791. Rebecca, (( April 29, 1793. Benjamin Hadlet and Mehi- tabel.* Thomas, born Aug. 11, 1712. Sarah, " Nov. 22, 1713. [died Aug. ,3, 1731. Benjamin, " July 25, 1715. Mehitabel, « Feb. 14, 1716-7. John " Sept. 28, 1719. Phebe, " Sept. 25, 1721. Simon, " March 20, 1723. Hannah, " Feb. 10, 1725. Eleazer, " Nov. 8, 1727. Ann, » April 9, 1730. * Died, April 13, 1749, tet. 57. Christopher Hall and Sarah. Grace, born Nov. 25, 1672. John, « April 9, 1681. John Hall and Mary. Benjamin, born June 7, 1703. Sarah, » Feb. 3, 1705-6. Nathan Hall and Mary. Mary, born March 9, 1745. Nathan, " Aug. 2-3, 1748. Mehitabel, " 1750. Samuel Hartwell and Sarah HOLDEN. (Married, June 9, 1737.) Sarah, born March 19, 1737-8. Rachel, « Dec. 19, 1739. Priscilla, « Feb. 20, 1745. Samuel, " July 11, 1748. Samuel Hartwell and Sarah. Sarah, born May 29, 1733. Ebenezer Hartwell and Ra- chel. Ebenezer, born April 21, 1736. Oliver, " April 22, 1739. James Hartwell and Jemima Frost. (Married, Feb. 22, 1737-8.) Jemima, born March 27, 1741. Molly, " March 19, J 748. Amasa, " Feb. 28, 1745. Susanna, " April 15, 1748. 406 GROTON. Jonathan, born April 20, 1750. Elizabeth, " April 3, 1753. Sarah, " Nov. 21, 175(J. Ebenezer Hartwell and Mary. Molly, born Oct. 22, 17G4. Lucy, " May 14, 17GG. * Died, April, 1767. Nathaniel Harris and Anne. Fullum, born May 4, 1750. Jane, " Jan. 1, 1752. EzEKiEL Haskel and Rebecca. Mary, born June 3, 1771. BenjaminHazen* and Elizabeth Blanchard, Betty Nutting. (Married E., July 25, 1717-18 ; B., April t, 1740.) Elizabeth, born Feb. 5, 1719. Timothy, " Sept. 11, 1720. Eunice, " Oct. 20, 1722. [died Nov. 14, 1728. Hepzibah, " Feb. 19, 1724-5. Betty, " Nov. 30, 1740. Mary, " April 28, 1743. Benjamin " Dec. 7, 1745. John, " May 31, 1749. David, " Oct. 29, 1751. Eunice, " April 30, 1754. * Died, Sept. 28, 1755. S vMUEL Hazen and Sarah. Edward, born Jan. 2, 1738. Robert Henry and Eleanor. Sarah, born Feb. 10, 1744. Anna, " April 3, 1747. Robert, " April 10, 1749. Eleanor, " May 19, 1751. Rev. Gershom Hobart* and Sarah. f ^^aCt^ Dorothy, born June 10, 1G8G. Joanna, " Dec. 30, 1G9G. Other children not recorded. * Died, Dec. IS. 1707. t Died, April 14, 1712. GershOxM Hobart and Lydia Nutting. (Married, Feb. 26, 1713-14.) Ruth, born Nov. 8, 1714. Gershom, « July 13, 1717. Josiah, " July 18, 1719. Jeremiah, " Feb. 5, 1722. Jonathan, " March 10, 1724-5. Lydia, « Nov. 12, 1729. r John, « March 30, 1731. Shebuel Hobart and Martha. Shebuel, born Sept. 29, 1715. Nehemiah, " March 13, 1717. Martha, " Oct. 7, 1718. Mary, " Aug. IG, 1720. Israel, " July 2, 1722. Emma, " March 21, 1724, Rachel, « May 23, 1725. Deborah, " May 13, 1727. Peter Hobart and Sarah. Sarah, born March 4, 1717-18. Peter, " Aug. 7, 1720. David, " Aug. 21, 1722. Samuel, " Aug. 11, 1734. James, " Jan. 16, 1738-9. Jemima, " July 4, 1741. [The aforenamed Gershom, Shebuel, and Peter, were undoubtedly sons of the Rev. Gershom Hobart.] Shebuel Hobart, Jr. and Es- ther Parker. (Married, June 7, 1739.) Esther, born Feb. 2, 1740. William, " June IG, 1742. Jonas, " Nov. 4, 1744. Edmund, " March 14, 1745. Abigail, " Aug. 9, 1748. Martha, " Dec. IG, 1749. James, " Feb. 2G, 1753, at HoUis. Mary, « Dec. 9, 1755, do. Isaac, " Feb. 15, 1757, do. Solomon, " July 21, 1760, do. Gershom Hobart, J r. and Mary. Gershom, born Sept. 26, 1744. APPENDIX. 407 Nehemiah Nehemiali, Caleb, Shebuel, Daniel, Rachel, Elizabeth, Joel, Hulda, Hulda, HoBART and Rachel. born Oct. 4, 1742, [died March 7, 1758. " April 1(5, 1744. " Dec. 15, 1746. « Feb. 24,1748-9. " April 1, 1751. " June 18, 1753, at Pepperell. « March 31, 175G, " « Aug. 8, 1759, " [died Sept. 1, 1761. " Dec. 10, 1761. Josiah Hobart and Emma. Martha, born July 1.3, 1748, [died June 18, 1765. Josiah, " Sept. 1, 1750, [died June 12, 1765. Emma, " Feb. 21, 1753, [died June 12, 1765. Jotham, " Sept. 7, 1754, [died June 14, 1765. Israel Hobart and Anna Law- rence. (Married, July 7, 1748.) Israel, born May 21, 1749. William, " May 23, 1751.' Anna, " Feb. 13, 1753. Susanna, " July 12, 1755. Benjamin, " March 1, 1757. Phebe, " Aug. 6, 1759, [died Nov. 2, 1759. Phebe, " Nov. 19, 1760. Nehemiah, " April 21, 1764. [died Dec. 3, 1764. Samuel, « Mar. 13, 1766. [died Dec. 26, 1769, at Townsend. Susanna, " Mar. 20, 1770, at Townsend. Jeremiah Hobart* and Hannah Green. (Married, March 4, 1752) Hannah, born March 1, 1753. Jeremiah, " Oct. 13, 1755. Simon, " Feb. 7, 1758, [died July 4, 1755. Tryphena, " Dec. 4, 1759. Nathaniel, " March 1, 1762. Levi, born Jan. 22, 1764, [died Sept. 4, 1782. Nabb'y',! " Dec. 24, 1766. Emma, " April 18, 1771. David, » June 18, 1774. [died April 30, 1782. * Died, Dec. 27, 1820, eet. 80. Gershom Hobart and Phebe. Phebe, born April 17, 1770. Justinian Holden and Mariah. Mariah, born May 20, 1680. Samuel Holden and Anna. Ann, born March I, 1682. Richard Holden, died March 1, 1696. John Holden* and Sarah DAVIS.f (Married, Nov 22, 1715 ) Sarah, born Sept. 5, 1717. John, " Oct. 15, 1719. Rachel, » March 13, 1722. Caleb, " Feb. 1, 1723-4. Amos, " June 16, 1726. Isaiah, " Aug. 10, 1728. Nehemiah," March 12, 1731. Lois, " March 2, 1732. Hannah, " June 24, 1735. Daniel, " Dec. 10, 1738. * Died, Dec. 27, 1753. t Died, Dec. 21, 1733. Stephen Holden and Hannah Sawtell, Sarah. (Married H., Sept. 2, 1710.) Stephen, born June II, 1720. Charles, « Oct. 22, 1721. Hannah, " Sept. 30, 172.3. Philemon, " Feb. 28, 1725. Submit, " Nov. 21, 1729. Nathaniel, " , [died May 15, 1740. Relief, « April 2, 1750, of Sarah. Jonas, " Sept. 8, 1751. Ephraim, " Sept. 16, 1753. Content, " May 8, 1756. 408 GROTON. Nathaniel Holden and Abigail Stone. (Married, March 24, 1718 ) Abigail, born Sept. 15, 1719. Nathaniel, " Oct. 2, 1721, [died April 30, 1740. Isaac, " Nov. 19, 1723. Lydia, " Dec. 6, 1725, [died Feb. 5, 1744. Mary, " April 3, 1728. Prudence, " April 2G, 1730. Asa, " Aug. 23, 1732. Stephen Holden, Jk. and Sarah. Sarah, born March 24, 1741. Francis, " Mny 6, 1743. Stephen, " March 1(5, 1744. Charles, " July 17, 1747. Zachariah, " April 3, 17.10. Sawtell, " May 13, 1752. William Holden and Annes Nutting. (Married, Nov. 10, 1747.) Annes, born Aug. 27, 1748, [died May 28, 1749. Annes, " Nov. 16, 1749, [died Nov. 16, 1749. William, " Aug. 1, 1751, [died Feb. 14, 1755. Nathaniel, " Aug. 15, 1753. Annes, " July 6, 1758. Jonathan Holden* and Debo- rah HOOGHTON. (Married, April 26, 1742.) Robert, born March 5, 1743. John, " Jan. 28, 1745, [died Oct. 7, 1747. Deborah, « Feb. 20, 1747, [died Sept. 1, 1753. Jonathan, " Nov. 16, 1749. Mary, " Oct. 11, 1751, [died Sept. 10, 1753. Deborah, " Oct. 24, 1753. Mary, " Sept. 15, 1756. Hannah, " May 8, 1758. ♦ Died, Sept. 13, 1758, eet. 53. Jonathan Holden and Hannah Woods. (Married, March 15, 1758.) Hannah, born Aug. 30, 1759. Elizabeth, " Nov. 2, 1762. Jabez Holden* and Rachel Farnsworth. (Married, June IG, 171)1.) Sarah, born Aug. 13, 1762. Jabez, " July 2, 1766. Olive, « Sept. 17, 1768. Samuel, " June 17, 1772. * Died, Aug. 11,1783. Caleb Holden and Abigail. Abigail, born March 25, 1748. Sarah, « Jan. 11, 1749. Philemon Holden and Lucy Walker. (Married, Jan. 10. 1751.) Lemuel, born June 27, 1751. Amos Holden and Prudence Holden. (Married, Feb. 6, 1750-1.) Amos, born Sept 21, 1752. Isaac Holden and Sarah. Sarah, born Jan. 19, 1759, [died March 6, 1759. Joshua Holden and Sarah BiGELOW. (Married, June 8, 1761.) Joshua, born Oct. 28, 1765. Sarah, " March 9, 1767. Isaiah Holden* and Betty Shed. (Married, Dec. 23, 1762 ) Betty, born Sept. 23, 1763. Edmund, " Oct 19, 1765. Oliver, « Dec. 3, 1767, [died, 1822. Jonathan, " Oct 24, 1769. * Died, Nov. 1811, set. 82. APPENDIX. 409 Lieut. Jonathan Hubbard and Rebekah. Abigail, born June 25, 1721. John, " May 24, 1723, [died Feb. 17, 1724. Mary, " May 12, 1725. John, « April 3, 1727. Nathan Hubbard and Mary Patterson. (Married April 2, 1745.) Thomas, born Nathan, " Mary, " Betty, " Phinehas, " Jonathan, " Hezekiah, " Lucy, " Emma, " Hannah, " Susanna, " Abigail, " Dec. 28, 1745. June 2, 1747. Jan. 9, 1748. Dec. 24, 1750. Feb. 25, 1751. [died Mar. 10,178G. — ;d. Oct. 2,1757. Jan. 19. 1755. Aug. 20, 1757. July 10, 17G1, [died Mar. G, 1765. Oct. 3, 1703, [died Mar. 5,1708. April 23, 1765. Nathaniel Hunt and Hep- ZIBAH. Zibah, born March 31, 1752. John Hutchins and Abigail. John, born Oct. 13, 1693. Joshua, Abigail, " Elizabeth, » Benjamin, " Nov. 5, 1G90, [married Mary Shed July 12, 1722. Sept. 14, 1698. Sept. 6, 1700. Aug. 17, 1705. Henry Jefts and Mary. John, born Oct. 2, 1739. Thomas, " Oct. 20, 1741. Ebenezer Jefts and Elizabeth FaRNSWORTH. (Married, Dec. 30, 1729.) John, born Jan. 10, 1730. Elizabeth, " June 14, 1732. 52 Sarah, born July 12, 1734. Lydia, «' Sept. 14, 17.39. Martha, " Oct. 11, 1744. Obadiah Jenkins and Lydia. Joel, born Sept. 12, 17.50. David, " March 4, 1758. Lemuel " Aug. 1, 1763. Joseph Jewett and Jane. Nehemiah, born Feb. 28,1716-17. Jedediah, " Sept. .5, 1719. Jane, " April 12, 1722. Benjamin, " Nov. 30, 1724. Nehemiah Jewett and Lydia. Nehemiah, born May 15, 1740. David, '' Dec. 30, 1742. Lydia, " Feb. 28, 1744. Solomon, " July 25, 1747. Jedediah Jewett and Eliza- beth Shattuck. (Married, July 17, 1711.) Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 174.5. Kezia, " Oct. 6, 1748. Ede, « Jan. 4, 1752. Samuel Kemp and Sarah. Jonathan, born April 6, 1008. Mehitabei, " Jan. 4, 1073. Bethiah, « 9d. 5 m., 1683. Jonathan Kemp and Mary. Joseph, born Sept. 10, 1099. Mary, " May 27, 1702. Zerubbabel Kemp and Mary. Ebenezer, born Feb. 28, 1704. Zerubbabel," Oct. 12, 170.5. John, « Jan. 18, 1707-8. Mary, " April 8, 1713. Samuel Kemp and Sarah, Sarah, born Oct. 9, 1713. Samuel, William, Susanna, David, Esther, Ebenezer, April 13, 1716. April 20, 1718. May 14, 1720. Sept. 30, 1722. Oct. 9, 172.5. April,—, 1729. 410 GROTON, Samuel Kemp, 3d, and Eliza- beth GiLSON. (Married Feb. 2, Joseph, born Jan. Ephraim, " March Samuel, " Aug. Elizabeth, " Nov. Mary, " April Eunice, " July Ruth " Jan. Eunice, " April Jonas, July 173C-7 ) 1(1, 1737. 22, 1741. 1, 1743. f), 1745. 6, 1748. K), 1750. 19, 1753. 4, 1758. 27, 1760. John Kemp and Sarah Holden. (Married, Nov. 4, 1731.) John, born June 4, 1732. Lawrence, " Sept. 24, 1733. Oliver, " July 11,1735. Jabez, " March 19, 1736-7. Stephen, " Sept. 19, 1739. Lucy, " April 24, 1742. i Amasa, " May 21, 1744. Sarah, " May 29, 1746. Zerubbabel Kemp, Jr., and Abi- gail Lawrence. (Married, Nov. 23, 1737.) Mary, born Nov. 3, 1738. Abi72. Josiah, " 14cl.7in. 1G75. * Died, March 21, 1G97. William Laki?«* and Eliza- beth. William, born Sept. 2, IGSO, [died April 14,1755. Hannah, " Feb. (i, J (594. Lydia, " Jan. 14, 1697. John, " March 31, 1700. Isaac, " Dec. 11, 1702. * Died, March 18, 1735. Joseph Lakin* and Abigail. Joseph, born May 4, 1G9G, [died Aug. 19, 1743. Abigail, " July 20, 1G98. Jacob, " Dec. 7, 1700. Mary, " April 12, 1703. Lydia, " March 15, 1707. * Died, April 1, 1747. Abraham Lakin and Abigail. Abraham, born Dec. 15, 1701. Abigail, " April 9, 1704. Ebenezer, « July 19, 1707. Samuel, " April 6, 171.3, Josiah Lakin and Lucy. (Married Dec. 12, 1704.) Sarah, born May 12, 1705. Eunice, " Oct. 7, 1707. Jane, " Dec. 25, 1710. Mary, " Feb. 26, 1718-19. Esther, " May 30, 1721. Benjamin Lakin and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, born Aug. 23, 1707. Benjamin, " Sept. .5, 1709. Ruth, Jane, Martha, Rachel, May 12. 1711. Oct. 28, 1713. Oct. 2, 1715. May 8, 1717. Jonathan Lakin and Wid. Sa- rah Corey of Concord. (Married March 24, 1712-13.) Lydia, Mary, Jonathan, " April 28, 1719. James Lakin and Elizabeth Williams. (Married Feb. 12, 1717-18.) James, born Aug. 21, 1718. Robinson, " Feb. 17, 1720. Ambrose, " April 30, 1722. Elizabeth, « Aug. 12, 1724. Hannah, " Sept. 15, 1726. Nathaniel, « Dec. 13, 1728. Susanna, " Sept. 24, 1731. Mary, " April 24, 1734. Sybil, " Jan. 2, 1737. John Lakin* and Sarah, Lydia Parker. (Married Lydia, October 27, 1729.) Sarah, born March 3, 1724. John, u Oct. 26, 1730, of Lydia. Lydia, (( Jan. 3, 1734. Sybil, (( Oct. 16, 1739. Hannah, u Aug. 24, J743. Joseph, if Nov. 23, 1746. Eunice, (( Aug. 19. 1750. David, (( Oct. 10, 1753. [died March 3, 184G. * Died Jan. 16, 1770. born Mar. 29, 1715-16. Isaac Lakin and Elizabeth Shattuck. (Married Jan. 2, 1725-6.) Isaac, born Dec. 6, 1727. Josiah, " April 9, 1730. Simeon, " Nov. 24, 1732. Sarah, " Oct. 22, 1735. Levi, " Jan. 7, 1747. Jacob Lakin and Eunice Lakin. (Married Jan. 28, 1729-30.) Eunice, born Jan. 23, 1730-1. William Lakin and Miriam. William, born May 22, 1732. j Oliver, " Feb. 24, 1733-4. Gabriel, " June 22, 1736. i Lemuel, " May 13, 1739. [died at Lake George, I Oct. 8, 1756. 412 GROTON. Mary, born April 25. ") Elizabeth, " Oct. 12. | Jonathan, " Sept. 24. )- ^'ear Abigail, « Feb. 24. | '""' °'^- Miriam, " March,!. J Ebenezer Lakin and Lydia La- kin. (Married Jan. 13, 1731-2) Lydia, born Aug. 5, 1732. Abigail, " Sept. 3, 173(3. Phebe, " Sept. 12, 1738. Robinson Lakin and Hannah Dodge. (Married April 15, 1746.) Anna, born .Tan. 16, 1746. James, " June 2, 1749. Elizabeth, June 2, 1751. Simon Lakin and Hannah But- ler. (Married November 7, 1734.) Simon, born July .^, 1736. Hannah, " March 18, 1738-9. Simeon Lakin and Mart. Mary, born May 31, 1752. Elizabeth, " Dec. 10, 1753, or 1754. Sarah, « Nov. 15, 1756. Isaac L \KIN and Mart Law rence. Molly, born May 5, 1755. Isaac, (( Mar. 1, 1758. Eunice, n July 27, 1760. Naomi, li April 13, 1762. Rachel, (k Oct. 12, 1764. David, u May 15, 1767. James, li Nov. 13, 1769. Elizabeth, (( Nov. 19, 1771. Lemuel, (( Oct. 9, 1773. Jonas, u July 16,1776. Sybil, (( May 20, 1780. Ebenezer, born April 13, 1765, [died March 13, 1766. " Feb. 3, 1767. " March 25, 1772. Ebenezer, Abigail, Gabriel, ) Mary, ^ Sept. 26, 1779. William Lakin and Anna Gragg. (MarriedFeb. 2, 1758.) William, Ann, Lemuel, Robert, Jonas, Joel, born Oct. 11, 1758. " Feb. 26, 1761. " Jan. 9, 1763. " Feb. 24, 1765. » May 4, 1767. Gabriel Lakin and Phebe La- kin. (Married April 13, 1758.) Phebe, born Nov. 26, 1758. Lydia, " Aug. 31, 1760. Eunice, " Feb. 12, 1763. Oliver Lakin and Stbil, Oliver, born Feb. 11, 1765. Peter, " Oct. 11, 1767. John, » June 8, 1782, [at Hancock. David, " Jan. 2, 1785. Ambrose Lakin and Dorothy GiLSON. (Married, Jan. 15, 1752.) Susanna, born Oct. 8, 1753. Ambrose, " Sept. 22, 1756. Abel, " Oct. 15, 1759. Molly, " Feb. 22, 1767. Thomas, " Sept. 3, 1770. Jonathan Lakin and Jemima Williams. (Married, Aug. 1, 17G8.) Jemima, born June 22, 1770. Miriam, " March 21, 1773. Samuel Larrabee and Anna. Stephen, born Aug. 4, 1747. Anna, " April 28, 1750. Samuel, " Aug. 1, 1752. John Laughton and Jane. John, born Jan. 24, 1767. Rebecca, " Feb. 17, 1769. Thomas, " April 21, 1771. Oliver, " Oct. 24, 1773. Molly, " Sept. 28, 1776. APPENDIX. 413 John Lawrence, Sen.* and Eliz- ABETH,f Susanna Batchei.er.| (Married Susanna, Nov. 2, 1664, at Charlestown.) 1 John, born 14d. Im. 1G35, at VVatertown. 15d. 8m. 1639, do. 30d. 3m. 1643, do. [died younof, do. 16d. 5m. 1645, do. 10d.llm.1647, do. 5d.lm.l648-9. do. 2 Nathaniel, " 3 Joseph, " 4 Jonathan, " 5 Mary, " 6 Peleg, " ^ EnoshjOr ? ^^ Enoch, \ 8 Samuel, " 9 Isaac, " 10 Elizabeth, " 3 Eleazer, born Feb. 28, 1674. 4 Jonathan, » March 29, 1679. Oct. 6, 1681. Jan. 3, 1686-7, [died April 26,1687. — ; d. 10 d. 8 m., 1675, ffit. 1. 5 Abigail, 6 Jeremiah, Elizabeth- \ Lawrence, \ do. do. May 9, 1655, at Boston. 11 Jonathan, " at Watertown. 12 Zachariah," 9d. Im. 16.^8, do. 13 Abigail, " Jan. 11, 1666, of Susanna, at Groton. 14 Susanna, " July 3, 1667, do. * Died at Groton, July 11, 1667. t Died at Groton, Aug. 29, 1663. % Died at Charlestown, July 8, 1668. II. (1.2) Nathaniel Lawrence and Sa- rah Moss or Morse of Sud- bury, Hannah or Anna. (Married Sarah, March 13, 1660-1.) 1 NathanieljbornApril 4, 1661, at Sudbury. 2 Hannah, « July 3,1664, at Groton. 3 John, " July 29, 1667, [d. March 12, 1746, at Lexington. 4 Mary, " March 3,1669-70. 5 Sarah, " May 16, 1672. 6 Elizabeth " 6il. 7 m. 1674. V Deborah, " Mar. 24, 1683. 8 Hannah, " April 26, 1687, of Hannah. 9 Mary " Oct. 16, 1690. 10 Jonathan, " June 14, 1696. ir. (1.6) Peleg Lawrence and Eliza- beth. 1 Eliab, born Jan. 9, 1669. 2 Samuel, " Oct. 16,1671. II. (1.7) Enosh Lawrence * and Ruth Shattuck. (Married, March 6, 1676-7.) 1 Nathaniel, born Feb. 21, 1678. 2 Daniel, " March 7, 1681. 3 Zachariah, " 16 d. 5 m. 1683. 4 Jeremiah, " May 1, 1686. * Died, Sept. 28, 1744. III. (l.2 II. 3) John Lawrence* and Anna. 1 John, born June 10, 1688. 2 Thomas, " . 3 Jonathan, " . 4 William « 1697. 5 Samuel, « July 9, 1700. 6 Anna, « 1702. 7 Isaac, " . 8 Sarah, « . 9 Benjamin, baptized May 3, 1713. 10 Amos, born Feb. 10, 1715-16, [baptized Feb. 19, 1715. * Died, March 12, 1746. The above from records at Lexington. III. (l. 6. II. 3) Eleazer Lawrence and Mary. 1 Elizabeth, born Feb. 28, 1699. 2 Peleg, " June 1, 1701. 3 Jonathan, " Oct. 4, 1703. 4 David, " Dec. 26, 1705. 5 Samuel, « May 22, 1714. 6 Experience, " June 22, 1719. III. (i. " II. 1 ) Nathaniel Lawrence and Anwa or Hannah. Nathaniel, born May 1.3, 1702. James, " Aug. 26, 1705. Anna, " July 8, 1708. Enosh, " Nov. 15, 1710. Sarah, " Mar. 1.5, 1713. Martha, " Dec. 7, 1715. 414 GROTON. Joseph, born April 10, 1717-18. Benjamin, " Nov. 0, 1720. Rebecca, " April 17, 1724. Lois, " Sept. 6, 1726. Eunice, " July 25, 1728, [died Nov. 15, 1747. III. (1.7 II. 2) Daniel Lawrence and Sarah. Daniel, born April 22, 1702. Isaac, « Feb. 25, 1704-5. III. (i. '^ II. 3) Zachariah Lawrence and Abi- gail. Zachariah, born May 8,1708. Ruth, " Sept. 3, 1710. Jeremiah, " Dec. 7, 1713. Josiah, " July 4, 1715, [died Nov. 13, 1717. Abigail, " May 16, 1718. Elizabeth, " July 31, 1720. Josiah, " Oct. 11, 1723. Rachel, (no date.) IV. (1.2 II. 3 111.2) Thomas Lawrence and Pru- dence. 1 Prudence, born Sept. 14, 1715. 2 Mary, » Sept. 7, 1718. 3 Thomas, " Sept. 3, 1720. 4 Jonathan, " Sept 2, 1725. IV. (l. 2 II. 3 III. 4 ) CoL. William Lawrence * and Susanna Prescott. f (Married June 27, 1722.) 1 William, born May 7, 1723, [died April 11, 1780. 2 Susanna, " Feb. 5, 1725-6. 3 Anna, " Jan. 24, 1727-8. 4 Abel, " Feb. 25, 1729, [died Sept. 20, 1770. 5 Sarah, " Mar. 12, 1732, [died Aug. 28, 1778. ePhebe, " Sept. 20, 1734. * Died May 19, 1764. t Died Sept. 10, 1771. IV. (l. 2 II. 3 III. 10 ) Amos Lawrence * and Abigaijl Abbott.! (Married Mov. 7, 1749.) 1 Amos, born Sept 9, 1750. 2 Nehemiah, " Jan. 14, 1752. 3 Samuel, " April 24, 1754. / 4 Asa, " June 1, 1756, [died Nov. 6, 1759. * Died June 20, 1785. t Died January 6, 1784. IV. (l. 6 II. 3 jii, 2) Peleg Lawrence and Ruth. 1 Oliver, born March 18, 1728-9. 2 Ruth, " Jan. 28, 1730-1. 3 Mary, " March 23, 1733. 4 Ephraim, " March 31, 1735. 5 Asa, " June 14, 1737. 6 Sarah, « July 24, 1739. IV. (l. 6 11. 3 III. 3 ) Jonathan Lawrence and Try- PHENA. Jonathan, born Aug. 27, 1728. Isaac, " May 19, 1731. Abel, " July 16, 1733. Tryphena, " Sept. 26, 1735. Betty, " Feb. 24, 1737. Olive, " May 19, 1740. Peter, " Oct. 17, 1742. Abigail, " July 26, 1745. x IV. (l. 7 II. 1 III. 1 ) Nathaniel Lawrence Jr. and Dorothy Chamberlin. (Married March 24, 1729.) Dorothy, born Feb. 8, 1729-30. Nathaniel, " May 24, 1732. Thomas, " Aug. 18, 1734. Isaac, " Jan. 8, 1736-7. Abigail, " June 21, 1739. John, " Nov. 13, 1741. IV. (1.7 II. 1 ,11.2) James Lawrence and Mary Martin. (Married Feb. 20, 1732-3 ) Mary, born March 17, 1734. James, » April 11, 1736. Lemuel, " June 1, 1745. Benjamin, " Oct. 19, 1747. APPENDIX. 415 IV. (i. 7 II. 1 in, 4 ) Enosh Lawrence and Sarah Stevens. (Married January 29, 1733-4.) Samuel, born Sept. 12, 1734. Richard, « July 15, 1736. July 24, 1738. Aug. 6. 1740. July 16, 1742. Mar. 23, 1744. Enosh, Sarah, Lydia, Stephen, Daniel, I Lois, Mar. 28, 1746. [Daniel died Oct. 30, 1747. Hannah, born April 12, 1748. Benjamin Lawrence and Re- Rebekah, Benjamin, Anna, Margaret, Sarah, Phebe, Ruth, Rachel, Deborah, Salmon, BEKAH. born Jan. 10, " Sept. 1, " Nov. 14, " Jan. 3, « April 2, « Oct. 19, " Jan. 3, « Mar. 16, « July 1, " April 23, 1744. 1746. 1748. 1751. 1753. 1755. 1758. 1760. 1762. 1765. Joseph Lawrence and Eliza- beth. Elizabeth, born Oct. 11, 1739. Zeruiah, " March23, 1741. Anna, " Dec. 1, 1743. Lucy, " May 7, 1748. Vid. Pepperell. Zachariah Lawrence, Jr. and Sarah Lawrence. (Married Dec. 5, 173t.) Sarah, born Oct. 2, 1735, [died May 20, 1738. Sarah, « April 7, 1738. Daniel, " Feb.24, 1740-L Jeremiah Lawrence and Eliza- beth Chamberlin. (Married March 23, 1736-7.) Abigail, born Aug. 16, 1738, [died Sept. 17, 1738. Abigail, " Aug. 22.1739. Mary, « Jan. 8, 1743-4. [died Jan. 27, 1743-4. Elizabeth, born May 9, 1745. Jeremiah, " July 30, 1750. Esther, " Sept. 9, at Pep- [perell. Thomas Lawrence and Sarah Houghton. (Married July 3, 1744.) Edmund, born April 14, 1745. Sarah, " Feb. 20, 1747. Alice, " Sept. 13, 1749. Maria, " April 5, 1752. Thomas, « Dec. 25, 1757. V. (i. 2 II. 3 III. 2 ,v. 4 ) Jonathan Lawrence and Es- Mary, born Esther, Prudence, Sarah, Jonathan, Thomas, Anna, Levi, Abigail, William, Asa, Joel, Jan. 21, Dec. 15, Nov. 30, May 30, Oct. 15, Jan. 15, [died Jan. Jan. 18, Aug. 14, Dec. 13, [died Dec. 4, March 13, July 21, 1744. 174-. 1748. 1751. 1753. 1756, 24, 1756. 1757. 1759. 1761, June 3d. 1762. 1765. 1767. Isaac Lawrence and Mary. Isaac, born Benjamin, " Mary, " Dorothy, " Eunice, " Nathaniel, " Lydia, " Daniel, " Martha, " Anna, " Susanna, •' Oct. 30, 1759. July 15, 1761. Sept. 3, 1763. July 29, 1766. April 9, 1767. July 29, 1769. April 21, 1772. Sept. 14, 1774. Nov. 3, 1777. Jan. 2, 1781. May 13, 1783. Samuel Lawrence and Re- bekah. Rebekah, born March 2, 1763. Hannah, " Dec. 26, 1765. Jabez, « March 19, 1767. 416 GROTON. Samuel, born Feb. 23, 1769. Oliver, " Aug. 17, 1770. Bridget, " May 3, 1774. Abijah, « July 6, 1777. V. (l. 2 11,3 1,1.4 IV. 4) Abel Lawrence and Mary BULKLEY. (Married, Nov. 14, 1751 ) ^^if^'Uorn, Oct. 14, 1752. John, ^ ' ' [Abel died July 14, 1753. Abel, born July 31, 1754. Mary, " July 12, 1757. V. (l. 6 11, 3 ,11, 2 ,v, 5 ) Capt Asa Lawrence and Abi- gail. Rogers, born March 6, 1764. Elizabeth, « Sept. 4, 1758. [died June 28, 1785. Rowland, " March 25, 1763, [died June 17, 1812. Ephraim, " . Didamia, " Aug. 24, 1771, [died Oct. 18, 1778. Philomela," Oct. 22,1773, [died Aug. 18, 1775. Horatio-Gates, June 11,1778, [died Oct. 28, 1778. Abigail, born . Asa, " . V. (1.2 II. 3 III. 10 IV. 2) Nehemiah Lawrence* and Esther. Sally, born April 3, 1775. Polly, " Nov. 4, 1777. Esther, " Nov. 8, 1780. Sukey, " Sept. 22, 1782. * Died, July 13, 1786. V. (l. 2 II. 3 III. 10 IV. 1 ) Amos Lawrence, Jr.* and BETTT.f Amos, born Sept. 30, 1773. [died Oct. 4, 1773. Abigail, " Oct. 9, 1774. [died Aug. 13, 1775. Amos, born July 10, 1776. [died April 17, 1822. Abigail, " April 27, 1778. Asa, « July 21, 1780. Betsey, " June 24, 1782. * Died, May 1, 1798. t Died, July 24, 1822, »t. 72. V. (1.2 II. 3 II,, 10 IV. 3) Lieut. Samuel Lawrence* and Susanna Pakrer-j Luther, born Sept. 28, 1778. [died April 17, 1839. Samuel, " July 2, 1781. [died May 21. 1796. William, " Sept. 7, 1783. Amos, " April 22, 1786. Susan, «' May 24, 1788. Mary, " Nov. 12, 1790, ' [married Saml. Woodbury. Abbott, born Dec. 16, 1792, [married Katharine Bigelow. Eliza, born March 13, 1796, [married Dr. Joshua Green. Samuel, born Jan. 15, 1801. * Died, Nov. 8, 1827, a?t. 73. t Died, May 2, lS4o, at. 89. Samuel Leamond and Mary. Samuel, born 29 d. 2 m. 1667. Ebenezer Lewis* and Sarah Bennett. (Married, Aug. 21, 1773.) William, born March 25, 1774. Sarah, " Feb. 26, 1776. * Died at the hospital at Cambridge, Jan. 10, 1776, aet. 25. William Little and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, born Nov. 12, 1752. William, " April 11, 1754. Rebekah, " March 3, 1757, at Shirley. William Longley, Sen.* * Died, Nov. 29, 1680. APPENDIX. 417 John Longley and Hannah. William, born March 12, 1669. Margaret, " Oct- 28, 1671. Mary, " 10 d. 11 m. 1673. William Longley and Lydia, Deliverance i^Bjts«. (Married, May 15, 1672 ) Lydia, born Id. 1 m. 1673-4. William, " 17 d. 12 m. 1675. Joseph, " Jan. 6, 1686-7. John Longley* and Sarah Pres- C0TT,f Deborah Houghton. Sarah, born March 28, 1706. William, " Feb. 13, 1708. John, » Jan. 6, 1710. Jonas « Jan. 22, 1712. Lydia, " June 26, 1716, mar- - — ~ ried Amos Farnsworth. Zachariah, born Aug. 30, 1721, of Deb. ; died Sept. 2, 1723. Joseph, born Sept. IS, 1724, died at Greenbush, of wounds, in 1758. Jonathan, born Nov. 18, 1726. Zachariah, " June 7, 1729. Nathaniel, " Sept. 6, 1731. Robert, " March 11, 1733-4. * Died, May 25, 1730, oet. 67. t Died, March 8, 1718. WirLLiAM Longley and Mary. William, born Jan. 24, 1734. Mary, i( Oct. 17, 1736. William, u May 23, 1738. Sarah, (( Feb. 18, 1739-40 Lydia, (( Dec. 31, 1743. Israel, « Oct. 12, 1745. Nehemiah (f Sept. 4, 1747. Mary, (i Nov. 4, 1749. Joshua, (( July 23, 1751. Vid in Shirley. Joseph Longley and Mary. Joseph, born Aug. 6, 1744. Edmund, " Oct. 31, 1746, [died Nov. 29, 1842. Phebe, » Nov. 26, 1748. John, " Feb. 17, 1750. Vid. in Shirley. 53 Zachariah Longley and Jemima Moors. (Married, March 7, 1753.) Jemima, born Feb. 10, 1754. Zachariah, " Nov. 6, 1755. Susanna, " Jan. 8, 1758. Lucy, " May 29, 1760. Asa, " July 19, 1762. Deborah, " June 5, 17(54. Lydia, " June 4, 17()6. John, " April 13, 1768. Sarah, " Aug. 24, 1770. Joseph, <' Jan. 6, 1773. Benjamin, " Dec. 26, 1775, The following are true copies, verbatim et literatim, from the church and town records: "1742 Dec. 28 Priamus, Capt. Boyden's negro manservant to Margr't. molatto formerly servant to S. S. both of Groton." " Zelah Lew, son of primus Lew, Negro and Margret Jiis wife born at Groton Nov. 5 1743." "phebe Lew, Daughter of pri- mus Lew, Negro and margret his wife born July 5 1745." " Peter Lue son of primus Lue, Negro and margret his wife bora July 5 174-." " Lucy Lew Daughter of primus Lew and marget his wife was born July 8 174-." William Martin died March 26, 1672, set, about 76. Mary, his wife, died Aug. 14, 1669. Benjamin Martin and Sarah. Mary, born April 30, 1713. Elizabeth, " March 30, 1716. Sarah, " June 6, 1718. Anna, " Feb. 26, 1719-20. Benjamin, " May 30, 1722. Bridget, « May 10, 1725. Alathea, " Jan. 24, 1727-8. Esther, " July 28, 1730. Abigail, " Sept. 27, 1733. 418 GROTON. born Oct. 13, 1759. Joseph Metcalf and Margaret, Ezekiel- Shattuck, Samuel, " March 15, 1761. Margaret, " March 19, 17(i3. Sarah, " Sept. 7, ]7()5. Thankful, « Aug. 14, 17G7. Mr. John Miller, Minister of God's holy word, died June 12, 1663. Daniel Mixer and Jddith. Isaac, born Aug. 28, 1701. Abraham Moors and Elizabeth GiLSOiV. (Married, Nov. 21, 1717.) Elizabeth, born Feb. 5, 1719. Timothy, " Sept. 11, 1720. John, " Oct. 14, 1722, [died Mar. 28, 1746. Isaac, " Dec. 24, 1724, [died Feb. 8, 1745. Abraham, " March 25, 1727, [died Aufif. 15, 1738. Jonathan, " Feb. 13, 1728-9. Jemima, " Nov. 12, 1732. Susanna, " Auo^. 4, 1735. Joseph, " May 30, 1738, [died July 25, 1820, a3t. 82. Timothy Moors and Ltdia. Elizabeth, born July 6, 1745. Lydia, John, Lydia, Anna, Molly, Timothy, Abraham, Sarah, Jemima, Sybil, Aug. 12, 1746. " Dec. 25, 1747. » March 10, 1750. " Aug. 14, 1751. " April 13, 1753, [died May 13, 1847, oldest person in town. " Feb. 2, 1755, [died 1846. " Aug. 1, 17.57. " Nov. 19, 1759. " Dec. 1, 1761. " Sept. 6, 1764. Joseph Morse and Susanna. Joseph, born Nov. 11, 1667. Samuel, " Sept. 4, 1670. Mary, " Feb. 11, 1672. Hannah, " 7 d. 2 m. 1674. Jonathan Morse, died July 31, l(i86. Dr. Benjamin Morse* and MARY.f * Died. IMav^l, 18.33, tet. 93. t Died, Dtc IG, 1835, tet. 9-1. William Nevers and Rebekah. Rebekah, born Aug. 20, 1750. Ruth, « May 31, 1753. Samuel Nichols or Nickles and Mary. Betty, born Aug. 9, 1742. Samuel, « July 16, 1744. Thomas, " April 8, 1751. John Nutting and Sarah. Sarah, born May 29, 1663. Ebenezer, " 23 d. 8 m. 1666. Jonathan, " 17 d. 8 m. 1668. James Nutting and Lydia. )>^ ^ Ij Sarah, Lydia, " .loanna, " Ruth, " Elizabeth, " William, " born March 11, 1681 " June 3, 1686, " Feb. April Nov. 21, 1690-1. 17, 1693. 5, 1698. died June 12, 1712, 86 1. 23. John Nutting and Mary, Mary Parker. (M.arried Mary, lid. 10m. 1674; Mary i'arker,Jan.3, 1707-8.) Ebenezer, born Nov. 20, 1686. Jonathan, " July 7, 1689. Jonathan Nutting and Mary Green.* William, born Nov. 20, 1712. Sarah, » Feb. 92, 1714-15. Mary, " Nov. 19, 1718. Jemima, " Sept. 19, 1720. Lydia, '• Nov. ^0, 1723. Deborah, " Sept. 30, 1728. Anna, " May 22, 1730. * Died, Sept. 24, 1778. APPENDIX. 419 Eeenezer N Sii (Married James, born Ruth, » Abigail, " Ebenezer, " Lydia, " David, " Jacob, " Benjamin, " Phebe, '' UTTiNG and Ruth ATTUCK. Dec. 13, 1711.) April 10, 1713. May 12, 1715. Feb. 8, 1717-18. Nov. 24, 1719. April 28, 1721. Aug. 20, 1724. Feb. 9, 1727-8. Dec. 30, 17;30. May 28, 1737. Isaac Nutting and Lypia Nut- ting. (Married July 13, 173n-7.) Hepzibah, born March 21, 1737. Isaac, Ruth Eleazer, Sybil, Jacob, Thomas, March 29, 1739. April Jan. Feb. Jan. July 7, 1741. 6, 1743. 28, 1745. 23, 1747. 29, 1750. Daniel Nutting and Hannah. Hannah, born IMay 28, 1714. Daniel, Betty, Eunice, Ezekiel, Samuel, July 10, 1716. " Mar. 20, 1718. « Feb. 23, 1719. " Feb. 13, 1721. " Feb. 27, 1723. Eleazer Nutting and Abigail Davis. (.Married June 23, 1719.) Abigail, born May 6, 1720. Patience, " Aug. 2, 1722. Eleazer, " Jan. 21, 1725-6. Sarah, " Oct. 4, 1734. Ezekiel Nutting and Abigail. Ezekiel, born April 22, 1751. Abigail, " Oct. 10, 1753, [died July 10, 1847. Esther, « Nov. 13, 1759. Hannah, " June 6, 1761. Ephraim Nutting and Jerusha Parker. Jonathan, born May 19, 1755. Relief, " Sept. 28, 1758. Nathan, " Mar. 16, 1761. Ephraim, " Aug. 18, 1765. Daniel Nutting, Jr. and Eliza- beth. Simeon, born July 6, 1747. Mary, " April 10, 1749. Elizabeth, " Mar. 3, 1752. Eunice, " May 7, 1754. Daniel, " May 23, 1756. Abel, " Sept. 13, 1758. John Nutting, Jr. and Mary. Ephraim, born Sept. 1, 1728. Joseph, " Feb. 15, 1730. Mary, « Jan. 10, 1732. Susanna, " Nov. 12, 1734. John, " Aug. 7, 1737. Ephraim Nutting, Jr. and Phebe Nutting. (.Married Feb. 21, 1759.) Phebe, born Feb. 12, 1760. Sybil, " May 19, 1762. Nathaniel Nutting and Eliza- beth Page. (Married March 26, 1731.) Elizabeth, born Dec. 6, 1732. Nehemiah, Sarah, Hannah, Nathaniel, Prudence, Jonas, Miriam, Amos, Susanna, Elizabeth, David, Nov. 26, 1734. May 14, 1736. Sept. 4, 1738. May 12, 1740. June 12, 1742. 2.5, 1744. Mar. 7, 1745. Sept. 5, 1746. July 17, 1748. June 9, 17.50. Mar. 10, 1751. William Nutting * and Joan BoYNTON.f (Married Jan. 18, 1737-8.) Jane, born April 1, 1741. Jonathan, " Aug. 25, 1743. Ann, " Sept. 27, 1745. Sarah, " Feb. 9, 1747. Eunice, " April 14, J 750. William, " July 10, 17.52, [died April 18, 1832. Mary, " Feb. 27, 1755. 420 GROTON. Abel, born April 29, 1757, [died June 6, 1759. Abel, " Oct. 23, 1761. Molly, " July 21, 1764, [died Feb. 10, 1766. * Died June 2, 177(3. t Died Feb. 7, 1803. JosiAH Nutting and Mart Blood. (.Married Dec. 18, 1743.) Mary, born April 8, 1745. Lucy, " Nov. 5, 1746. Josiah, " Feb. 16, 1748 Hannah, " Nov. 17, 1750. John Nutting, 3d, and Eliza- beth Nutting. (Married Oct. 3, 1759.) Mary, born April 26, 1760, [died July 8, 1765. Joseph, " Mar. 12, 1762. Elijah, " Feb. 16, 1764. Thomas, " May 18, 1766. Mary, " Jan. 25, 1768. John, " July 11,1770. Mercy, " Mar. 23, 1772. Josiah- Woods, Oct. 12, 1774. Amos, " Augf. 1, 1776. Elizabeth, " July 20, 1778. Elisha, " Feb. 14, 1781. Olive, " Oct. 22, 1784. John Page and Faith Dunster. (Married May 12, \G6i.) John, born Dec. 10, 1669. Samuel, " June 4, l(i72. Mary, " 9d. 11m. 1674. Samuel Page and Martha. Elizabeth, born Mar. 23, 1719. Daniel, " Aug. 10, 1722. Jonathan Page * and Mahy. A daughter died Dec. 28, 1706, 3 days old. Faith, born Nov. 6, 1707. Jonathan, " June 5, 1710. [died Aug. 30, 1751. John, " Jan. 30, 1712. Joseph, " Oct. 22, 1714. Mary, " Feb. 20, 1716-17. Benjamin, born July 19, 1719. Simeon, " Jan. 23, 1722. Sarah, « Dec. 10, 1724. * Died Oct. 10, 1751, set. 74. John Page and Mart Parker. (Married Sept. 12, 1733.) Molly, born Nov. 15, 1734. Submit, " Dec. 25,1736. Sybil, " Aug. 28, 1740. John, » June 9, 1743. Phinehas, " May 24, 1745. Lemuel, " Sept. 2, 1747. Lucy, " June 1, 1750. Emma, " April 12, 1755. Joseph Page and Abigail Shed. (Married Nov. 21, 1739.) Joseph, born Aug. 26, 1740. Jonathan, » July 22, 1742. Abigail, " Feb. 23, 1743. Daniel, " July 18, 1745. Susanna, " June 29, 1747. Eunice, " July 1, 1749, [died July 1.3, 1749. Silas, " Aug. 26, 1750. Rebekah, " Jan. 22, 1753. Maria, " May 17, 1/55. Lemuel, " Aug. 14, 1757. Prudence, " Mar. 9, 1760. Simon Page and Hannah. Simon, born June C, 1742. James, " April 22, 1744, [died Sept. 23, 1775. Hannah " May 31,1746. Lydia, " Dec. 10, 1748. Jonas, " Sept. 2, 1750. Belly, " May 22, 1752. Abel, " Aug. 15, 1759, [at Shirley. Peter, " Sept. 29, 1761, [died July 8, 1773 — drowned. Vid. Shirley. Benjamin Page and Sarah. Sarah, born Dec. 5, 1750. Benjamin, " May 26, 1753. Ruth, " June 10, 1756. Henry, " Mar. 18, 1758, [died April 18, 1759. APPENDIX. 421 Daniel Page and Abigail John- son. (Married Feb. 9, 1768) Abigail, born July 11, 1768. Sarah, " Feb. 26, 1770. Ephraim, " Mar. 4, 1772. Silas Page and Eunice. Silas, born May 4, 1774. Richard, « Jan. 21, 1776. Joseph Page, Jr., and Eunice. Luther, born Nov. 21, 1771, [died Aug. 25, 1775. Lucy, " Nov. 6, 1778, [died May 14, 1790. Robert Parish and Mart. Mary, born Jan. 5, 1667. Anna, " Sept. 2, 1669. Robert, " Nov. 20, 1670. Anna, « Sept. 10, 1772. Mary, « 8 d. 7 m. 1674. Thomas, died April, 1668. John Parish and Mary. Lydia, born April 20, 1686-7. Elizabeth, " Mar. 19, 1690-1. James Park and Jane Riches. (Married Oct. 11, 1739) William, born April 14, 1740. John Park and Jean Stewart. Jean, born Nov. 16, 1767. Elizabeth, " Mar. 29, 1770. Stuart-James, Feb. 7, 1773. Mart, wife of Thomas Parish, died 8 d. 8 m. 1674, ajt. 2-3. Thomas Park and Rosanna COAN. Mary, born Feb. 20, 1769. James, '• Sept. 28, 1770. Anna, " Nov. 2,1772. Margaret, born Jan. 27, 1775. Thomas, " Mar. 21, 1777. William, Elizabeth, Aug. 8, 1779. James Parker and Elizabeth Long, of Woburn, Eunice, Wid. (Married 23 d. 3 m. 1645.) 1 Elizabeth, born April 12, 1645, [at Woburn. Anne, " 5d. 11m. 1646. 2 Hannah, " Jan. 5, 1647. [at Woburn ; m. Nath'l Blood. 3 John, " Feb. 28, 1649. 4 Joseph, " 1651. 5 James, " m. Mary Parker 6 Josiah, " 1655, [m. Eliz. Saxon, of Boston. ■^ Samuel, " m. Abigail Lakin. 8 Joshua, " Mar. 13, 1658, [at Chelmsford ; m. Abi- gail Shattuck. 9 Zachariah, « Jan. 14, 1659, [at Chelmsford. 10 Eleazer, « Nov. 9, 1660, [at Groton. 11 Sarah, « Dec. 12, 1697, [of Eunice ; m. Jer. Shattuck. Joseph Parker and Elizabeth, Hannah. 1 Sarah, born Nov. 16, 1666, [died Sept. 15, 1704. 2 Elizabeth, " Aug. 31, 1679. ^ 3 Simon, " Aug. 27, 1687. jj 4 Joseph, " Mar. 1,1689, [of Hannah. 5 Benjamin, " Dec. 3, 1691, [died Oct. 29, 1769. 6 John, " Aug. 26, 1695. James Parker and Mart Par- ker. (Married Dec. 11, 1673.) 1 Mary, born Sept. 20, 1680. 2 Samuel, " Sept. 22, 1682. 3 Phinehas. 4 James, " Mar. 24, 1686-7. 5 Abraham, « Jan. 4, 1690. ^r^- 422 GROTON. n. (1.6) JosiAH Parker and Elizabeth Saxon, of Boston. Elizabeth, born Aug. 31, 1679. John, " April 13, 1G81. Sarah, " May 1, 1G83. II. (1.7) Samuel Parker and Abigail Lakin. 1 James, born April 28, 1086, [married Abigail Prescott. 2 Robert, born April 2, 1GS8. 3 Samuel, " ; married Deborah Prescott. 4 John, " ; married Joan- na Ames. 5 Abigail, " Aug. 22, 1696, [married Thos. Tarbell. 6 Jonathan, born ; married Sa- rah ; both died Sept. 21, 1723. 7 Rachel. 8 Eunice, born Mar. 11,1705, [married Josiah Boy den, Jan. 12, 1730. II. (1.8) Joshua Parker and Abigail SiiATTUCK of Watertown. Abiel born ; a daughter . H. (1.9) Zachariah Parker and Eliza- beth. Elizabeth, born April 10, 1686. Benjamin, " Aug. 19, 1690. II. (l 10) Eleazer Parker and Mary. Anna, or ) ^^^^_^ ^ -^ j^ j^g^^ Hannah, ^ ' ' Eleazer, " Sept. 2.5, 1695. Mary, " July 21, 1()97. Zachariah, " Jan. 29, 169!». Thomas, " Dec. 7, 1700. Mehitabel, " June 6, 1702. Elizabeth, " May 21, 1704, [married Samuel Fiske, III. (i. 4 II. 3) Joseph Parker and Abigail Sawtell. (Marriod Jan. 24-, 1715-16.) Mary, born Oct. 12, 1716. Josiah, " Jan. 3, 1717, Obadiah, " Sept. 11, 1719. Joseph, " April 16, 1721. Abigail, " Feb. 27, 1722-3. Hannah, « Oct. 14, 1724, [died Dec. 5, 1731. Timothy, " June 5, 1726. Nehemiah, " Dec. 2, 1727. Joshua, " Jan. 25, 1729-30. Ephraim, " Mar. 25, 1232. Sarah, " June 15, 1734. Tryphena, " April 15, 1736. Sybil, " Mar. 5, 1737. Zachariah, " June 28, 1740, [died Aug. 27, 1740. III. (l. 4 II. 4) Benjamin Parker * and Mary Sawtell. t (Married Oct. 23, 1718.) Benjamin, born Aug. 19, 1719. Nathaniel, " July 17, 1721. Amasa, " Nov. 12, 1722. Mary, " May 7, 1728, [died Jan. 19, 1736. Sarah, " Jan. 27, 1731-2. Mary, " Jan. 30, 1737. Anna, " July 12, 1748. * Died Oct. 29, 17G9. ] Died June IS, 17G6. John Parker and Mary Brad- street. (Married, Nov. 29, 1715.) Gideon, born July 11, 1719. Mary, " April 7, 1722. Abel, " Jan. 17, 1724. Sarah, " April 14, 1726. John, " Oct. 13, 1728. III. (l. 5 II. 3 ) PniNEHAS Parker* and ABiGAiL,f Elizabeth. 1 Phinehas, born Nov. 22, 1709. 2 Abigail, " Sept. 19, 1711. ^ Mary, " Jan. 31, 1713-14. 4 Elizabeth, " Aug. 17, 1715. APPENDIX. 423 5 Leonard, born June 3,1718. 6 Sarah, " Nov. 27, 1719. 7 Esther, " Jan. 23, 1721-2. s Eunice, " April 1,1725, of Elizabeth. * Died, Aug. 13, 174.4. t Died, Feb. 4, 172-. James Parker and Abigail Prescott. 1 Sybil, born June 18, 1712. 2 Emma, " 3 Submit, " 4 Abigail, 5 Peter, 6 Ann, 7 James, Sept. 23, 1713. Sept. 10, 1715. Mar. 19, 1717. Aug. 6, 1719. Nov. 16, 1720. Feb. 20, 1722-3. u 8 Jonas, " Mar. 25, 1727. Samuel Parker and Deborah Prescott, Sarah. 1 Samuel, born Sept. 28, 1715. 2 Susanna, " April 1, 1717. 3 Simon, " April 30, 1719. 4 Rebekah, " Mar.5, 1721-2. 5 Solomon, " Sept. 26, 1722. > a 6 Sarah, " Dec. 2, 1725, of Sarah. 7 Jane, " April 27, 1728. 8 Deborah, « Aug. 25, 1731. 9 Lemuel, " Feb. 3, 1734-5. III. (l. 7 II. 4) John Parker and Joanna Ames. (Married, May 22, 1719.) 1 John, born Dec. 12, 1719. 2 Robert, " Jan. 20, 1720. Jerusha, Sarah, Bulah, Jonathan, Relief, Deborah, Oliver, June 20, 1725. June 8, 1727. Oct. 10, 1729. Dec. 1, 1732. June 4, 1736. Feb. 23, 1738. in. (1.7 II. 6) Jonathan Parker* and Mary Pierce.* (Married, Oct. 27, 1720.) Jonathan, born Jan. 1, 1722. * Died, Sept. 21, 1723. Nathaniel Parker* and Lydia. Sarah, born April 12, 1705. Nathaniel, " May 9, 1707. William, " July 28, 1709, [diedJunel8, 1712. Lydia, « Oct. 30, 1711. Deliverance, July 28, 1714. William, " Nov. 14, 1716. * Died, July 6, 1716. Lydia, the widow, married Josiah Sawtell, Feb. 10, 1717-18. Isaac Parker and Ruth. Isaac, born Mar. William, " Aug. Thomas, Esther, Ruth, Sept. Sept. July Nathaniel, " Feb David, " Feb Anna, " Nov. Abraham, " Sept. 7, 1709. 19, 1710. 24, 1712. 24, 1714. 2, 1716. 25, 1717-18. 20, 1719-20. 9, 1721. 24, 1726. Obadiah Parker and Hannah. Abijah, born Hannah, " Obadiah, « Abigail, " Oliver, " Jacob, " Rebekah, « Simeon, " Elizabeth, " Mar. 11, 1727. Oct. 31, 1729. April 19, 1730. Jan, 19, 1731-2. Oct. 15, 1733. Oct. 10, 1735, [died Sept. 18, 1736. April 4, 1741. Feb. 19, 1742^, [died Sept. 1, 1758. Jan. 9, 1745. Isaac Parker and Mart. Mary, Isaac, Ruth, Thomas, Rebekah, Jacob, born Nov. " Sept. " Jan. " Aug. May April 17, 1729. 13, 1730. 27, 1733-4. 1, 1736. 12, 1738. 9, 1740. 424 GROTON. Elizabeth, born Feb. 3, 1744. Sarah, " Nov. 4, 1746. Elijah, " July 4, 1750, [at No. 4 IV. (l. 5 II. 3 III. 1) Phinehas Parker, Jr. and Mary Kemp. (Married Feb. 11,1730-1.) Jonathan, born Aug. 17, 17.31. Thomas, " Oct. — , 1734. Phinehas, « Sept. 22, 173(3. Zachariah, " July 24, 1739. William Parker and Susanna Kemp. (Married March 30, 1736.) Susanna, born Feb. 10, 1736-7. William, " Sept. 28, 1741. Sybil, " May 1, 1744. Samuel, " Mar. 7, 1746. Isaac, " Jan. 22, 1749. Levi, " June 25, 1752. Susanna, " Oct. 10, 1755. Robert Parker and Deborah. A son born and died. May 28, 1746. Martha, born July 4, 1747. A son born and died Apr. 7, 1749. Lepha (Relief) Mar. 27, 1750. Alice, born Feb. 6, 1752. Lucy, « Oct. 19, 1753. John, " Aug. 24, 1755. Jonathan, " Mar. 27, 1757. Benjamin, " Sept. 3, 1758. Robert, " Feb. 15, 1760. Deborah, " Aug. 26, 1762. Susanna, " Mar. 19, 1765. Emma, " Nov. 8, 1766. A son born and died, Apr. 8, 1769. Thomas, Ib-n July 22, 1770. JosiAH Parker* and Elizabeth. Martha, born Jan. 7, 1737. Josiah, " Feb. 13, 1739. Elizabeth, " Dec. 28, 1740. Joseph, " June 28, 174.3. Hannah, " Feb. 28, 1745. • Died Aug. 28, 1747. IV. (l. 7 II. 3 hi. 1) Samuel Parker, Jr. and Mart La KIN. (Married, March 23, 1738-9.) Samuel, born April 7, 1740. Nathaniel Parker and Johan- na h. Nathaniel, born Aug. 27, 1738. Elizabeth, » May 9, 1741. Lydia, " Mar. 31, 1742. IV. (l. 5 II. 3 III. 5 ) Leonard Parrer and Abigail. 1 Leonard, born April 6, 1742. " Aug. 31, 1743. 2 Abigail, 3 James, 4 Levi, 5 Phinehas, 6 Jonas, 7 Abigail, ? 8 Emma, ^ 9 Sarah, 1" Sybil, Nov. 26, 1744. Dec. 28, 1746. Sept. 23, 1748. June 15, 1750. Nov. 14, 1752. Mar. 27, 1754. Dec. 18, 1755. Nathaniel Parker, Jr. and El- eanor Walker. (Married, May 25, 1741.) Nathaniel, born Dec. 2, 1741. Sybil, " Oct. 13, 1743. Abel, « Nov. 24, 1745. David, « Oct. 15, 1747. Jonathan Parker and Eleanor Hunt. (Married, July 12, 1742.) Jonathan, born April 19, 1744. IV. (l. 7 II. 1 III. 5) Peter Parker and Prudence Lawrence. (Married, March 4, 1741-2 ) Eleazer, born April 4, 1743. Sybil, « Nov. 6, 1745. Peter, " Jan. 15, 1747. James, " Aug. 23, 1751. IV. (l. 7 II. 3 III. 3) Simon Parker and Mary. Solomon, born Oct 23, 1742. Rebekah, " Jan. 30, 1744. APPENDIX. 425 Lucy, born Mar. 17, 174G. Martha, " Mar. 23, 1748. Simon, " Sept. 13, 1754. Samuel Pakker an Abigail, born June 11, Phebe, " Dec. 26, Samuel, Asa, Ebenezer, Eunice, Nathan, Marcy, Daniel, Lucy, Amos, Aug. 9, Aug. 6, July 14, April l»i, May 6, July 3, Dec. 16, Oct. 25, Mar. 1, d Abi 1752. 1753. 1755. 1757. 17.59. 1761. 17(i3. 1765. 1766. 1768. 1771. EL. 1 bb I -J I - J-" Amasa Parker and Sarah. Sarah, born Feb. 4, 1755. Benjamin, " Aug. 27, 1758. Joseph, " Nov. *^0, 1760. Nathaniel Parker and Eunice Lakin. (Married Dec. tH, 1748.) Jacob, born Ausr. 25, 1749, [died Nov. 5, 1749. Jacob-Lakin, " Aug. 30, 1750. Eunice, (( Sept. 18, 1752. Mary, (( ; died May 30, 1753. Winslow, (I Aug. 2, 175.5. Didamia, (( July 19, 17.57. Jesse, u Oct. 9, 1760. Junia, (( Oct. 22, 1762. Imla, a Jan. 12, 176.5. Mary, a Dec. 12, 1766. Eber, n Feb. 26, 1770. Nathaniel, (( Dec. 28, 1771. Timothy, born Oct. 26, 1767. Sybil, " Sept. 29, 17G9. * Died April 5, 1759, set. 33, nearly. Oliver Parker and Jane Nut- ting. (Married Aug. 7, 17.j9 ) Oliver, bom Mar. 4, 1760. William, « Nov. 24, 1761. Stephen, " Feb. 14, 1763. Miliil, " Feb. 27, 176.5. Henrj^ " Nov. 19, 1766, [died iNov. 21, 1766. Simon, " Ang.2l, 1767, Jane, " Mar. 7, 1769, [died Mar. 17, 1769. .Iune20, J 770. Sept. 28, 1772. Feb. 20, 1775. Ezekiel, ' Jonathan, ' Sarah, ' David- , Hobart, Dec. 2, 1779. Abel Parker and Esther Shattuck,* Sarah. (Married Eslher, May 10, ]7o0.) Esther, born Sept. 12, 1750. Mary, " Sept. 21, 1752. Abel, " Nov. 18, 1754. John, " April 15, 17.57. Abial, " Nov. 2.5, 1762, of Sarah. Gideon, " June 8, 1764. Sarah, " April 18, 1766. 54 Oliver Parker and Eunice.* Rebekah, born Nov. 22, 1760. Eunice, " Dec. 11, 1761. Elizabeth, " Sept. 23, 1763. Simeon, " May 4, )7().5. Oliver, " Feb. 4, 1767. * Died Feb. 8, nC?. Ephraim Parker and Azubah. Tryphena, born Aug. 14, 1760. Sybil, " May 31, 1762. Joshua, " May 26, 1764. Ephraim, " June II, 1766. Azubah, " Feb. 7.) James, born Oct. 23, 17()7. Eleazer, " Feb. 5, 1770. Sybil, " July 20, 1772. Sarah, " July 23, 1774. Samuel Parker and Rebekah Hunt. (Married Dec. 27, 17f^8.) Sybil, born Aug. 23, 1770. Peter Parker, Jr.* and Mart. Mary, born Dec. 12, 1771. Prudence, " Aug. 12, 1774, at Shirley. Peter, " May 29, 1777. * Died Marcli 28, 1777. Phinehas Parker* and Relief Parker. t (Married May 2(3, 1773 ) Lefy, (Relief,) born April 10, 177G. * Died Jan. IJ, ISOy. t Died Aug. 28, 1826. Isaac Patch, Jr. and Joanna. Isaac, born Feb. 8, 1739. Hannah, " Dec. 21, 1741. Phebe, " Dec. 22, 1743. Edith, " Jan. 14, 1747. Stephen, " Feb. 10, 1748. Ebenezer Patch* and Sarah.j Jacob, born April 5, 1747. Simon, " July 11, 1749. Oliver, " Feb. 10, 1751. Benjamin, " May 23, 1754. Sanih, " Sept. 15, 1756. Ebenezer, " Dec. 30, 1758, [died July 9, 1763. Ruth, born June 23, 1760. Samuel, " July 9, 1765. Ede, " April 2, 1769. • Died Jan. U). 1777. t Died June 12, 17i^3. Jacob Patch and Mary Hazen.* (Married Jan 'J, 1772.) Jacob, born Nov. 22, 1772. Sarah, " Dec. 12, 1774, [died Nov. 2, 1775. Jesse, " Aug. 5, 1776, [died Sept. 10, 1777. Molly, " Mar. 27, 1778. David, " Jan. 11, 1780. Lydia, " Jan, 24, 1782. Zara, " June 21, 1784. Ednmnd, " Feb. 24, 1786. » Died Aug. 28, 1828. James Patterson and Mart. Sybil, born July 22, 1747. Nicholas, " Mar. 22, 1749. Joseph, " Dec. 25, 1751. Joseph Perham and Dorothy. Jonathan, born and died, Dec. 30, 1700. Elizabeth, " Jan. 16, 1703. Obadiah Perry and Catharine. Catharine, born June 11, 1749, at Natick. Elizabeth, « June 19, 1751, at Mendon. Mary, « July 20, 1754. William, « Mar. 23, 1757. Anna, " Aug. 25, 1760. Jonathan Phelps and Bulah. Francis, born Aug. 2, 1757. Ephraim Philbrook and Eliza- beth. Abigail, born Mar. 6, 1686-7. Elizabeth, " Nov. 18, 1690. Ephraim, " May 7, 1699. Seth Phillips and Lydia. Isaac, born Feb. 6, 1717-18. 'Amos, " Oct. 27, 1719. APPENDIX. 427 Elizabeth, born Oct. 26, 1721. Jeiiiiina, " Dec. », 1723. Samuel, " Jan. I!), 1725-6. Lvdia, « Dec. 2:5, 1727. Seth, " Feb. 8, 1729-30. Susanna, " Dec. 2, 173.3. Kezia, " Mar. 25, 1734-5. Nehemiah, " June 20, 1736. Samuel Phillips and Abigail Frost. (Married Doc. 2. 1743 ) Nehemiah, born Feb. 28, 1744. Deborah, " April 6, 1746. Sybil, " May 5, 1748. Ruth, " Mar. 4, 1750. Charles Phipps and Han.nah Pierce. Charles, born Sept. 9, 1751. Daniel Pierce and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, born May 16, 1665. Daniel, " 28 d. 9 m. 1666. John, " Aug. 18, 1668. Ephraim, " Oct. 15, 1673. Josiah, " 2d. 3m. 1675. Daniel Pierce and Abigail. John, born Feb. 18, 1698. Isaac, " Feb. 25, 1701. Daniel Pierce and Eleanor BOYNTON. (Married Dec. 9, 1719 ) John, born Oct. 4, 1720. Isaac, " Dec. 9, 1722. Daniel, " Feb. 4, 1724-5. Hannah, « Mar. 4, 1726-7. Samuel, " June 14, 1729. Elizabeth, " Nov. 9, 1732. Ephraim Pierce* and Mary. Mary, born Aug. 9, 1696. Elizabeth, " July 24, 1698. Ephraim, " Mar. 12, 1700. Sarah, « Mar. 8, 1702. David, " May 23, 1704. Jonathan, " April 15, 1706, [died Sept. 23, 1723. Ephraim, born Oct. 15,1707. Abiirail, " Nov. 1, 1710. Lydia, " Nov. 20, 1713, [died Sept. 24, 1723. * Died Sept 27, 1710-1. Ephraim Pierce and Esther Shed. (Married Oct. ;"n, 17".'! ) Esther, born May 29, 1722. Jonathan, " Nov. 22, 1724. [I'erhaps there were only two Daniels and one Ephraim, parents above iiaiiiid.] Stephen Pierce* and Rachel. Rachel, born Oct. 21,1723. Stephen, " Nov. 6, J 725, [died Mar. 6, 1733. Jonathan, " April 1 1, 1727. Elizabeth," May 26, 1739. Susanna, " May 20, 1731. Mary, " June 24, 1732. Sarah, " Aug. 18, 1733, [died June 1, 1737. Isaac, « Feb. 24, 1734-5, [died May 24, 1737. Jacob, " Oct. 16, 1736. Thankful, " June 5, 1744. * Died July 6, 1761. Ebenezer Pierce and Mart. Ebenezer, born Sept. 15, 1732, Rachel, " Jan. 7, 1734-5. John, " July 7, 1737. Richard, " Jan. 8, 1739. Abigail, « April 30, 1743. Isaac, " June 20, 1745. Abigail, " June 20, 1748. Simon Pierce and Susanna Parker. (Married .May 26, 1737.) Simon, born Mar. 4, 1738. Susanna, ' Deborah, ' Mary, Ephraim, Samuel, Solomon, Lemuel, Solomon, Nehemiah, Sarah, April 17, 1739. Feb. 26, 1741-2. Mar. 29, 1743. Dec. 30, 1745. Nov. 11, 1747. Sept. 27, 17.50. July 5, 1752. Nov. 1, 1754. Aug. 1, 1756. May 9, 1758. 428 GROTON. Jonathan Pierce and Ruth Gils ON. (Married INov. — , 1730. Jonathan, born Dec. 3, 1751. Benjamin, " June 5, 1754. Rnth, " June — , 1757. Molly, " Mar. 25, 1751), [died Jan. I'i, 1766. Stephen, " Aug. V.i, 1761, [died Jan. 14, 1766. Joseph, " May 15, 1764, [died Jan. 20, 1766. Ruth, " April 17, 1767. Solomon, " Sept. 2, 1771. William Pierce * and Sarah. Sarah, born Nov. 3, 1740. William, " May 27, 1742. John, " Jan. 2(>, 1743. Lucy, " April 20, 1745. Elizabeth, " May 7, 1747. Lydia, " Nov. 8, 1748. Silas, " July 27, 1750. Olive, " Mar. 4, 175 J. [died Mar. 4, 1752, Anna, " Mar. 3, 1753, [died Aug. 18, 1775. * Died May IG, IToJ., ecI. 40, John Pierce and Hannah. Hannah, born Jan. 5, 1743. John Pierce and Sarah. Sarah, born Aug. 8, 1770. George Pierce and Deborah. Sarah, born Mar. 5, 1760. Samuel Pierce and Lucy Wal- LINGSFORD. (Married Dec. 1, I7GV ) Lucy, born Jan. 14, 1766. Isaac, " Nov. 14, 1767, [died Jan. 29, 1829. Samuel, " Dec. 31, 17(i9. Elijah, " Dec 2, 1771. Ezekiel, " Au, at [Lunenburg. Joseph, " Mar. b, 1740-1. Anna, " Aug-. 7, 174-2. Isaac, " April 7, 1744. Thomas, " Mar. IG, 174.5. Abraham, " June 10, 1748. David, " May 15, 1750. David Saunderson and EuiNICE. David, born July 27, 1737. Joseph, " May 24, 1741. Benjamin," Aug. 25, 1743. Obadiah Sawtell and Hannah. Abigail, born Mar. 13, KJGS-G. Jonathan Sawtell * and Mary. {Married Julys, 1GG,5 ) Mary, born Oct. IC, 1(507. Elizabeth, " Feb. 3, KJliS. Hannah, " Oct. 6, 1H70. Abigail, " Mar. 5, 1()71. Sarah, " 24 d. 12 m. 1G73. * Died Jan. G, IGDO. Zachariah Sawtell and Mary* Anna, born 14 d. 1 rti. 1673-4. * Died Dec. 2, 1699. OfiAniAH Sawtell and Hannah. Elnathan, born Mar. 27, KJ83. Josiah, " Aug. 14, 1G87, [died Oct. 4, 1G90. Hannah, « June 8, 1695, [married Stephen Holden. Abigail, born Mar. 13, l(i97, [married Joseph Parker. Obadiah, born Mar. 18,1701. Hezekiah, " Mar. 2, 1703. ^ Zachariah Sawtell * and Mary. Mary, born April 11, 1697, [married Benjamin Parker. Zachariah, born Nov. 18, 1699, [died Mar. 5, 1752. Samuel, " Dec. 13, 1700. David, " Mar. 30, 1702. Daniel, born Sept. 21, 1704, [married Elizabeth Heald, of Concord. Susanna, born Jan. 28, 1708, [married Michael Gilson. Zachariah, born April 24. 1712. Sarah, » Mar. 29, 1715. Anna, " Sept. 13, 1717. Elizabeth, " Sept. 28, 1720. * Died Oct. 2, 1737. Ephraim Sawtell and Abigail.* Abigail, born Jan. 23, 1714. Uriah, " Sept. 23, 1716. Amos, " Dec. 22, 1718. Eunice, " Oct. 7, 1720. Sarah, " Oct. 7, 1722. Hannah, " Mar. 19, 1725-6. John, " April 18, 1729. _. * Died Dec. 4, HiS. Josiah Sawtell and Lydia. Barsheba, born Oct. 1, 1721. Susanna, " Mar. 7, 1724. Jonathan, " April 23, 1726. Obadiah Sav/tell and Rachel Parker. (iMarriod ISov. IG, 1721.) Simon, born Nov. 14, 1722. Lois, Esther, " Nathaniel, " Rachel, " Solomon, " July 4, 1724. Mar. 9, 1725-0. Feb. 12, 1729,. '^ June 9, 1731. Oct. 10, 1737. Hezekiah Sawtell* and Joan- na Wilson, f Jonathan, born June 6, 1724. Hezekiah, " Dec. 11,1725. Elnathan, " Oct. 21, 1728. Haimah, " Oct. 11, 1730. . Obadiah, " Oct. 1 1, 17-32. '' Ephraim, " Jan. 18, 1734. Richard, " June 21, 1737^ Elizabeth, " June 13, 1739. Nathaniel, " Oct. 6, 1743. Esther, " Aug. 31, 1745. Rebekah, " Oct. 8, 1747. * Died March 18, 1779. t Died Sept. 11, 1786. «.^' h.^ APPENDIX. 433 Daniel Sawtell and Esther.* Eleazer, born Dec. 22, 1728. Sarah, " Aug. 9, 1730. Esther, " July 3, 1732. Daniel, " Aug. 15, 1734. Jacob, " Nov. 30, 1737. Oliver, " June 1, 1743. Susanna, " Aug. 10, 1748. David Sawtell and Eliza - BETH.* Hannah, born April 19, 1725. David, " Sept. 26, 1726. Samuel, " Sept. 10, 1729. Moses, " Jan. 24, 1731-2. Jonas, " July 26, 1734. Elizabeth, « July 12, 1737. Abel, « July 23, 1739-40 John, " July 17, 1743.. Died Nov. 23, 1772, aet. 70. Zachariah Sawtell, Jr., and Abigail. Zachariah, born Nov. 25, 1734, [died Feb. 22, 1752. Joseph, " July 28, 1738, [died June 6, 1757. Asa, " July 11, 1740. Joel, " May 17, 1742, [died Dec. 15, 17,52. Lot, " April 22, 1744, [died Oct. 22, 1752. Abigail, « Feb. 2, 1745, [died Oct. 12, 1752. Lydia, » May 17, 1749, [died Dec. 8, 1752. Marcy, " Oct. 18, 1750. Lucy, " Jan. 1, 1753. David Sawtell, Jr., and Re- bekah. Anne, born May 1, 1748. Solomon, Michael, " Zachariah, " Susanna, " Abel, " Rebekah, " April 9, 1750. July 8, 175L Dec. 2, 1754. Mar. 1, 1757. April 4, 1760. Dec. 11, 1762. 55 Jonathan Sawtell and Mary. Jonathan, born Jan. 31, 1753. Mary, Joanna, Abigail, Hezekiah, Maria, Rebekah, Josiah, Sept. 15, 1754. June 17, 1756. June 27, 17.58. Feb. 26, 176L *^ Jan. 18, 1763. Jan. 28, 1765. Nov. 24. 1766. Samuel Sawtell and Ltdia. Lucy, born Feb. 15, 1754. Sybil, " April 22, 1757. MosEs Sawtell and Elizabeth. Nathan, born Feb. 24, 1758. Vid. Sfiirley. John Sawtell, Jr., and Susan- nah. Edmund, born Nov. 17, 1760. Susannah, " Dec. 4, 1761. Emma, " July 15, 1764. John, " April 21, 1766. Lydia, " April 4, 1768. Nathaniel Sawtell and Abi- gail. Alice, born Oct. 26, 17G5. Henry, " April 25, 1767, at Shirley. Nehemiah," July 12, 1769. Nathaniel, " Sept. 19, 1771. Benjamin, " Oct. 11, 1773. Ephraim Sawtell and Abigail. Abigail, born Nov. 3, 1758. Lucy, " Jan. 20, 1760. Josiah, » Jan. 30, 1762. Molly, " Dec. 3, 1763. Eli, " Nov. 26, 1765. Josiah, " Jan. 24, 1768! Ephraim, " June 2-3, 1770. Sarah, » Nov. 20, 1772. Obadiah Sawtell and Mart. Obadiah, born Nov. 29, 1757. Joseph Sawtell* and Lydia. f Zachariah, born Feb. 26, 1761. Joseph, '.<■ May 8, 1764. 434 GROTON. Jesse, born Feb. 29, 1767. Lydia, " Feb. 18, 1773. Lot, " May 12, 1776. Lucy, " Oct. 24, 1777. * Died March — , 1822, set. 84. t Died July 5, 1829. John Scott and Mart. Mary, born April 11, 1733. John, " Dec. 15, 1736. Thomas, " Mar. 1, 1738-9. William, " July 1, 1742. Aaron, " Aug. 1, 1744. Abigail, " June 3, 1747. Samuel Scripture and Eliza- beth. Samuel, born 4 d. 8 m. 1675. Mary, Abigail, Ruth, Lydia, Feb. 7, 1680. Jan. 28, 1686-7. Feb. 2, 1696. June 28, 1700. Samuel Scripture, Jr., and Mary,* Elizabeth. Sarah, born Dec. 16, 1700. Jemima, " April 19, 1703, [died Sept. 30, 1723. Samuel, « April 25, 170.5, [died Sept. 28, 172.3. James, ; died Sept. 28, 1723. Samuel, " April 27, 1727, of Elizabeth. * Died Sept. 25, 1723. John Scripture and Abigail. Sarah, born Dec. 3, 1719. Samuel Scripture, Jr., and Mary. Mary, born May 5, 1747. James, " Jan. 11, 1749. Oliver, " Dec. 19, 1750. William Shattuck and Han- nah. Ruth, born Oct. — , 1694, married Ebenezer Nutting. William Shattuck married De- liverance Pease, March 24, 1718-19. [Perhaps the same as above. William, Sen. of VVaterlowii, had a son William, and John also had a William. I'erhaps the two above named ] John Shattuck* and Mart. John, born Jan. 6, 1690, died Mar." 8, 1709 ; killed by Indians. Jonathan, born June 29, 1693, [married Elizabeth Chamberlin. David, born April 28, 1696. Mary, « April 11, 1699, [married John Gilson. Sarah, " Oct. 5, 1701. Lydia, « Mar. 1, 1704, [married Isaac Williams. Patience, born Feb. 18, 1708-9. * Died March 8, 1709, killed by Indians. Samuel Shattuck* and Eliza- beth BLOOD.f Samuel born April 7, 1696. James, " Feb. 9, 1699, [married Sarah Chamberlin. Jeremiah, born June 11, 1703. Elizabeth, " July 22, 1705, [married Isaac Lakin. Ruth, born Feb. 6, 1708-9, [married Jacob Ames. John, " Jan. 21, 1711. David, " Aug. 4, 1713. Sarah, " Dec. il, 1716-17 Rachel, " June 9, 1719. * Died July 26, 1758. t Died Oct. 20, 1759. William Shattuck and Abigail Shattuck, Margaret Lund.* (Married Abig lil, Man 'h 15, 1710-11. ) William, born Jan. 25, 1711-12. Abigail, " Nov. 11, 1718. Jeremiah, " Oct. 2, 1721. Zachariah, " Mar. 16, 1724. Sarah, « Jan. 13, 1726. Ezekiel, " June 12, 1730, of Margaret. Margaret, " July 4, 1732. Job, " Feb. 11, 1735-6. Died June 13, 1764. APPENDIX. 435 Jonathan Shattuck and Eliza- beth Chamberlin. (ftlarried June 23, 1711). ) Jonathan, born April 2, 1720. Elizabeth, (( Jan. 12, 1721-2. John, (( Mar. 12, 1724. Esther, it May 21, 1726. Kezia, u June VJ, 1728. Mary, «( Sept. 22, 17:}0. Zaccheus, (( May 2(), 17.34. Eunice, a Mar. 5, 173.5-6 Timothy, (i Aug. 8, 1738. Samuel Shattuck, Jr., and An- na Williams.* (Married Jan. 27, 1725-fi.) Samuel, born Sept. 25, 1726, first birth on west side Nashua river. Benjamin, born Dec. 9, 1728. Anna, " April 13, 1731. Elizabeth, » Jan. 11, 1734. Isaac, " Sept. 1, 1736. Rachel, " Aug. 21, 1738. Philip, " Jan. 18, 1745. * Died Aug. 19, 1757. James Shattuck and Sarah Chamberlin. (Married Nov. 22, 1726.) Sarah, born Sept 16, 1727. Ruth, " Jan, 7, 1733. Thomas, « Jan. 29, 1735-6. Jemima, " July 6, 17.38. Reuben, " April 21, 1741. Abigail, " May 8, 1744. Joseph, " Oct, 1, 1747. Moses, " Jan. 24, 1751, [married Abigail Woods. Jeremiah Shattuck and Sarah Parker. (Married July?, 1724.) Nathaniel, born Aug. 12, 1724. Jeremiah, " April 11, 1726. Elizabeth, " May 17, 1728. Oliver, " Aug. 15, 1730. Sarah, " Dec. 8, 1732. David, " Feb. 19, 1735. Solomon, " June 9, 1737. Nehemiah, « Feb. 21, 1739-40. David Shattuck and Dorothy. David, born Oct. 11, 1736. Simeon, " Sept. 12, 1738. Dolly, " Sept. 28, 1740. Levi, " Aug. 17, 1742. Phebe, " June 22, 1744. Hannah, " May 16, 1746. Lydia, " Aug. 3, 1748. Jonathan Shattuck, Jr., and Kezia Farnsworth. Kezia, born Feb. 4, 1744. Jonathan, " Mar. 16, 1746. Annis, « Oct. 2, 1749. Eleazer, " Oct. 15, 1751. John Shattuck and Sarah. Maria, born Sept. 26, 1740. Martha, " June 29, 1745. Peter, " April 2, 1748. Job Shattuck * and Sarah Hartwell, Elizabeth Gragg,! Widow. Job, born Dec. 10, 1758, [died May 4, 1827. Sarah, " Dec. 27,17(,0, [married Benjamin Simpson. Ezekiel, born April 12, 1763, [died April 1, 1813. William, " Mar. 8, 1765, [died Oct. 9, 1806. Rachel, " July 12, 1767, [married Oliver Hartwell ; died July 12, 1817. Daniel, " Feb. 11, 1770, [died April 8, 1831. Noah, « Aug. 30, ITW: ^t- Margaret, " Mar. 13, 1774, [married Jonathan Bennett, Esq. Anna, born Feb. 6, 1779, married Thomas Bennett, died Feb. 7, 1843. * Died Jan. 13, 1819. t Died June 1, 1824. Jeremiah Shattuck and Lydia Lakin. (Married Aug. 10, 1749.) Lydia, born Mar. 1 9, ] 750. Phebe, " June 26, 1752. Jeremiah, " June 24, 1754. 436 GROTON. Ebenezer-Lakin, bor. Sep. 8, 1756. Abraham, born Oct. 12, 1759. Samuel Shed, Elizabeth and Martha. Esther, born March 24, 1703, [married Ephraim Pearce. John, born Dec. 21, 1706. Abigail, " Nov. 7, 1708. Martha, " Mar. 9, 1717-18, [of Martha. Daniel Shed * and Abigail.! Daniel, born June 12, 1715. Abigail, " Mar. 15, 1718. Rebekah, " Sept. 11, 1721. Elizabeth, " May 9, 1724. * Died Oct. 2, 1723. ] Married Daniel Farnsworih. Jonathan Shed and Sarah Bar- ron. (Married April 13, 1722.) Sarah, born Oct. 19,1722. Esther, Jonathan, Samuel William, Oliver, Abel, Aug. 23, 1724. July 4, 1726. Mar. 17, 1732-5. April 15, 1735. Feb. 11, 1738-9. Mar. 9, 1742-3. John Shed and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, born Sept. 1, 1733. Rachel, " Jan. 29, 1735-6. Sarah, " July 17,1738. Jshp,., " Dec. 20, 1740. David, " Mar. 1, 1742. Samuel, « July 22, 1745. Joseph, " May 19, 1748, at Pepperell. Daniel Shed and Mary. Mary, born Aug. 12, 1743. Daniel, " April 15, 1746. William, » June 16, 1748. Jonas, " Aug. 24, 1750. Rebecca, " Aug. 26, 1753. Amos, " June 29, 1758. Samuel, " Oct. 21, 1760. Sarah, " Oct. 13, 1763. Oliver Shed and Mart. Oliver, born Aug. 21, 1763, [died July 29, 1827. Jonathan, " Mar. 10, 1766. Abijah, " Oct. 25, 1768. Molly, " Mar. 28, 1771. Asa, " Feb. 16, 1774, [died Feb. 1812. Jepthah, " July 1, 1783. William Shed * and Lydia, Elizabeth. Amos, born April 17, 1766. William, " May 2, 1769. Lydia, " Nov. 9, 1772. Simeon, " Aug. 7, 1773, of Elizabeth. * Died March 18, 1806. John Sheple * and Lydia. Jonathan, born Sept. 1, 1700. John, Jane, Mary, Nathaniel, Joseph, April 1, 1703. April 6, 1705. Dec. 20, 1712. Nov. 16, 1714. May 22, 1721. * Died Sept. 4, 1736. John Sheple, Jr., and Eliza- beth BoYDEN. • (Married Feb. 16, 1723-6.) John, born Dec. 10, 1727. Elizabeth, " May 22, 1730. Mary, " Feb. 20, 1732-3. Josiah, " June 15, 1735. Jonathan, " March 2, 1738. Lemuel, " Aug. 1, 1740. Lydia, « April 10, 1743. Abel, « May 25, 174-. Sarah, " Dec. 25, 174-- Jonathan Sheple * and Lydia Lakin. (Married Dec. 26, 1728.) Jonathan, born Aug. 5, 1729. Nathaniel, » Feb. 23, 1731-2. William, " Nov. 11, 1733. Oliver, " Jan. 18, 1735-6. * Died Nov. 4, 1744. Joseph Sheple and Eunice. Eunice, born Oct. 31, 1744. APPENDIX. 437 Betty, Mary, " Joseph, " James, " Wilder, « Phiuehas," born Oct. 5, 1746. " April 20, 1747. " Mar. 8, 1748. " June 1, 1751. May 5, 1754. Oct. — , 1756. Er- ror? John Sheple* and Abigail.! Abigail, born Nov. 15, 1755. John, " Feb. 3, 1757. Elizabeth," June 5,1759. Hannah, « Aug. 26, 1761. Mary, « Nov. 26, 1763. * Died Nov. 19, 1785. t Died March 5, 1766. Oliver Sheple and Mary. Sybil, born Sept 19, 1755. Joseph Simonds and Mitty. Joseph, born Sept, 25, 1771. Mitty, " Mar. 23, 1774. Asa, « April 6, 1776. Walter Skinner and Hannah. Hannah, born Mar. 12, 1669. Thomas Smith and . Anna, born April 17, 1672. James, « 14 d. 2 m. 1674. Nathaniel Smith and Esther, Susanna. Esther, born May 20, 1719. Nathaniel, " Dec. 28, 1721. John, " Jan. 22, 1724-5, of Susanna. Edward, « Mar. 4, 1726-7. Jonathan, " Sept. 24, 1729. Jerusha, " June 21, 1732. Joseph, " Mar. 4, 1736. Thomas Smith and Lydia. Lydia, born Jan. 1, 1736. Thomas, " June 20, 1738. William, " May 4, 1741. John, " May 5, 1743. Samuel, " July 30, 1745. Margaret Smith, died March 29, 1740, ffit. 63. NathanielSmith and Priscilla. Susannah, born Mar. 2, 1753. John Solendine and Susanna. Susanna, born Feb, 11, 1718. William, " April 23, 1721. John, «' April 28, 1725. Sarah, " May 8, 1727, [died Feb. 24, 1754. John, « Nov. 10, 1729. Isaac, " April 18, 1732. John Spafford and Anna. Silas, born Oct. 28, 1743. John, " Mar. 24, 1745. Thomas, " April 20, 1747. Anna, " Feb. 6, 1748. Jonathan, " April 26, 1751. Joseph Spalding and Mary. Betty, born Dec. 4, 1728. Deborah, " . Abel, " Jan. 4, 1735-6. Joseph, « Feb. 16, 1739-40. William Spalding and Hepzi- William, born Eleazer, " Hannah, " Elizabeth, " Joseph, " Lemuel, " Thomas, « Honora, " Abel, " April 4, 1732. May 2G, 1733. Mar. 30, 1735. Mar. 11, 1736-7. April 20, 1739. Nov. 14, 1741. Oct. 7, 1743. April 1, 1746. June 12, 1749. William Spalding and Mary. William, born July 19, 1759. Mary, Sybil, » Jonathan, " Josiah, " Elizabeth, " Sarah, " Mary, " Oct. 14, 1760. May 25, 1762. Sept. 1, 1763, May 15, 1765. June 7, 1767. Nov. 13, 1768. April 30, 1772. Ebenezer Sprague and Eunice. Ebenezer, born Jan. 21, 1727-8. 438 GROT ON. Hezekiah Spraoue* and Eliza- beth. Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1731. John, Jonathan, William, Hezekiah, Aug. 22, 1733. Oct. 30, 1735. Mar. 22, 1738. May 23, 1740. * Died April 29, 1740. Joseph Stevens and Elizabeth. William, born Oct. 26, 1724. Jonas, " April 26, 1727. Lucy, " Aug. 6, 1730, at North town. Peter Stevens and Ltdia. John, born May 12, 1760. Peter, " Mar. 23, 1762. Simon, " April 2, 1764. Josiah Stevens and Mart. Thomas, born July 28, 1767. Josiah, " July 20, 1769. David, " Oct. 30, 1772. Dea. Simon Stone and Sarah. Susanna, born Oct. 23, 1694. Isaac, " May 4, 1697, [died Sept. 30, 1723. Benjamin, " Aug, 12, 1706. Hannah, ; died Sept. 27, 1723. Lydia, ; died Sept. 30, 1723. John Stone, Jr. and Elizabeth Farwell. (Married Dec. 22, 1722.) John, born Nov. 5, 1723. Elizabeth, " Sept. 26, 1725. David, " Auff. 7, 1728, [died Oct. 10, 1758. Mindwell, " April 10, 1731. Nathaniel, " Sept. 27, 1733. Sarah, " Oct. 20, 1735. Thomas, " May 18, 1739. Abel, " April 9, 1742. Esther, " June 18, 1744. Asa, " July 13, 1748. Dea. James Stone* and Mary Farwell. (Married Dec. 28, 1726.) James, born Aug. 1 1, 1727. Mary, Jonathan, " William, " Abigail, " Sarah, " Joel, " Salmon, " Hannah, " Levi, " Feb. 23, 1728-9. Dec. 12, 1731. Feb. 27, 1733-4. Dec. 2, 1736. June 12, 1739. May 1, 1742. April 17, 1744. Oct. 29, 1747. May 16, 1750. * Died Feb. 27, 1783. Simon St one, J R. and Sarah. Simon, born Sept. 10, 1714. Ephraim, ( Jan. 2, 1715-16. Oliver, ( Jan. 20, 1719-20. Sarah, ( Jan. 27, 1721-2. Isaac, ( Feb. 17, 1723-4. Hannah, ( April 18, 1726. Elias, ( April 2, 1728. Amos, ( Sept. 9, 1729. John Stone and Sarah. John, born Sept, 23, 1699. James, " Jan. 23, 1701. Joseph Stone* Joseph, born Dec. Mary, Sybil, Isaac, Jonas, Sarah, Silas, Lydia, Simon, Amos, Aug. " Oct. " Dec. " Nov. " Feb. " Feb. « April " Nov. July Samuel, " Nov. Thankful, " Oct. * Died Sept. 10, t Died Sept. 5, - and MARY.f 30, 1729 28, 1731. 16, 1733. 25, 1735. 11, 1737. 4, 1740. 11, 1742. 1, 1744. 1, 1746. 24, 1749. 7, 1751. 10, 1754. , set. 75. John Stone, Jr. and Anna,* Jerdsha. Abraham, born May 8, 1748. John, " June 17, 1750. Israel, " Feb. 17, 1752. Nathaniel, " Dec. 11, 1754, [died Nov. 14, 1756. APPENDIX. 439 Anna, born June 4, 1755, [died Oct. 29, 1756. Anna, " July G, 17tJ0, of Jerusha. * Died Nov. 10, 1736. David Stone* and Lydia. Lydia, born Mar. 12, 1753. Anna, " Aug. 16, 1755, [died May 7, 1756. David, " Feb. 19, 1756, [died Nov. 6, 1756. * Died Oci. 10, 1758. Nathaniel Stone* and Sybil. Nathaniel, born Sept. 1, 1759. Sybil, « Nov. 24, 1761. Hannah, " Oct. 10, 176.3. Olive, " Jan. 15, 1766. Rhoda, « Oct. 22, 1767. Joseph, «' Dec. 19, 1769, [died Nov. 10, 1772. Molly, " Dec. 29, 1771. Isaac, " Jan. 6, 1774. Joseph, " Feb. 7, 1776. * Died Sept. 1811, set. 78. Abel Stone and Betty, born Dec. 25, 1763. Abel, " Mar. 8, 1765. Lucy, " Aug. 12, 1766. James Stone, Jr. and Deborah. James, born May 3J, 1749. Jonathan, " Oct. 24, 1750. Lemuel, " Aug. 23, 1753. Eunice, " Jan. 10, 1760. Jonathan Stone and Sdsanna. Susanna, born Dec. 3, 1756. Jonathan, " April 10, 1758. Eunice, Molly, Solomon, Moses, Molly, Sally, Oliver, Abraham, Oliver, Feb. 10, 1760. Dec. 26, 1761, [died Jan. 17, 1762. Feb. 7, 1763. Nov. 4, 1764. Feb. 6, 1767. May 9, 1769. Nov. 27, 1770, [died Aug. 10, 1775. Dec. 6, 1772, [died Aug. 4, 1775. Nov. 16, 1778. Joel Stone and Eunice. Joel, born Oct. 30, 1765. Salmon Stone and Susanna. Ede, born June 24, 1768, [died Oct. 29, 1768. Levi Stone* and Lydia.I Sally, born Dec. 24, 1776. i Lydia, " Jan. 22, 1778. Lucy, « Nov. 8, 1779, [died Aug. 24, 1781. Lucy, " Jan. 1, 1782. Levi, " Mar. 17, 1784. Betsey, « Mar. 28, 1786. James, " April 28, 1788. Hannah, " Dec. 9, 1789. [died Sept. 27, 1792. John, " Jan. 11, 1792, [died May, 1812. Samuel, " Dec. I, 1798. * Died Feb. 4, 1830. i Died Feb. 13, 1830. Jonas Stone and Rebekah.* Jonas, born Jesse, " Timothy, " Rebekah, " Joseph, " Sally, Rebekah, " Betty, " * D Mar. 5, 1766. Oct. 21, 1768. Jan. 22, 1771. Mar. 9, 1773, [died May 19, 1777. April 15, 1775. April 9, 1777, [died Sept. 30, 1778. July 17, 1779. June 13, 1782. led Jan., 1824. Amos Stone and Molly Moors.* Amos, Molly, Lydia, Joseph, Abigail, Timothy, Nathaniel, Milly, Susan, Abraham, born Sept. 21, " April 21, " Mar. 29, " Mar. 28, " Oct. 26, « May 21, " April 8, " Nov. 28, " Sept. 24, " July 20, Died May 13, 1847, 1776. 1778. 1780. 1782. 1783. 1785. 1787. 1789. 1790. 1793. oet. 94. 440 GROTON. Daniel Stone and Martha. Jeremiah, born Jan. 22, 1770. David, « Mar. 23, 1772. Sewall- ,, ^ y -,774 Corning, ^^./^ j^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ Asa Stone and Patty. Asa, born Jan. 21, 1777. Patty, Emma, " William, " William, " Patty, " Sukey, " John, Rachel, — Mar. 15, 1779, [died Aug. 15, 1782. June 10, 1781. June 3, 1783, [died Feb. 11, 1784. Feb. 20, 1785. Sept. 5, 1787. Nov. 21, 1789. ; died Sept. 28, 1784. -; died Nov. 7, 1784. John Swallow and Deborah, Sarah. John, born Feb. 22, Amaziah, " Nov. 22, Benjamin, " Oct. 21, Sarah, " Peter, " Mary, " Deborah, " Elizabeth, " Hannah, " Nov. 25, Oct. 9, Feb. 28, Feb. 9, Dec. 17, Jan. 17, Jonathan, " June 22, 1729-30. 1731-2. 1736, of Sarah. 1741. 1743. 1746. 1748. 1750. 1754, at Dunstable. 1757, at do. Thomas Tarbell and Hannah* or Anna. (Married June 30, IG66.) Thomas, born July G, 1667. Anna, " June 10, 1670. William, " Oct. 1, 1672. Mary, " 2 d. 2 m. 1675. * Died Dec. 29, 1680. Thomas Tarbell* and Eliza- beth Blood. {Married Dec. 1, 1686.) Thomas, born Sept. 15, 1687. William, " June 10, 1689. Elizabeth, " Aug. 19, 1691. Sarah, born Sept. 29, 1693. John, " July 6,1695. Samuel, « Oct. 14,1697. Zachariah, « Jan. 25, 1699-1700. Anna, « May 28, 1702. James, " Feb. 13, 1704-5. Eleazer, " April28, 1707. * Died Jan. 24, 1717. Thomas Tarbell and Hannah, Abigail Parker. (Married Abigail Jan. 1, 171G-17.) Hannah, born July 1, 170:i. Rachel, Sarah, Thomas, " Abigail, " Sarah, " Jonathan, " Eunice, " David, " Emma, " Solomon, " Esther, " " Dec. 8, 1704. « Nov. 20, 1707. " Feb. 2, 1719, of Abigail. " June 6, 1722. " Apr. 14, 1726. Feb. 27, 1727. Mar. 7, 1730-1, [died Nov. 10, 1751. Aug. 21, 1732. June 16,1734, [died Nov. .3, 1751. Mar. 11, 1736-7. May 4,1739. William Tarbell and Mary Farnsworth. 26, 1719. 14, 1721. 19, 1723. 11, 1725. 2, 1728. 4, 1729-30. 18, 1731. 13, 173:3-4. 30, 1736, Jan. 25, 1825. 11, 1739. Samuel Tarbell and Lydia Farnsworth. (Married Dec. 29, 1725.) Lydia, born Oct. 9, 1727. William, born June Mary, " John, Sept. Aug. James, " Oct. Elizabeth, " May Alice, Mar. Susanna, " Mar. Hannah, " Mar. Benjamin, " Oliver, " Sept. [died July Anna, " Nov. 12, 1729. Sybil, Jan. 16, 1732-3 Deborah, " Nov. 18, 1734. Martha, " Oct. 2, 1736. Sarah, " May 15, 1740. APPENDIX. 441 Mary, born July 25, 1742. Samuel, " April 4, 1746. Eunice, " July 6, 1753. Eleazer Tarbell •end Eliza- beth Bowers. (Married Dec. 20, 1727.) Elizabeth, born April 13, 1729. Zachariah, " Dec. 27, 1730. Eleazer, " Aug. 26, 1735. Jonas, " Mar. — , 1738. Sarah, " Seph 19, 1741, at Lunenburg. Samuel, " Sept. 18, 1744,do. Thomas Tarbell, Jr. and Esther. Sarah, born Jan. 19, 1742. Nathaniel, " Dec, 4, 1744. Edmund, " April 4, 1747. John, " June 4, 1749. Thomas, " Oct. 8, 1751. Jerusha, " Sept. 25, 1753. Jonathan Tarbell and Lydia.* Jonathan, born Oct. 23, 1755. Thomas, " Oct. 17, 1758. Ebenezer, Solomon, « Died July 16, 1805. Sept. 10, 1762. William Tarbell* and Sarah. William, born April 6, 1745. Nehemiah, " Oct. 3, 1747. Sarah, " Mar. 26, 1750. * Died Dec. 26, 1757. John Tarbell and Sarah Par- ker,* Hannah.j Sarah, born Jan. 20, 1759, [died Sept. 25, 1797. John, " Jan. 26, 1761. Alice, " Dec. 23, 1763. Edmund, " June 7, 1766, [died June 20, 1797. Elizabeth, " April 9, 1769. ' Asa, " Mar. 18, 1772. Abel, " Aug. 26, 1773. Hannah, " May 17, 1777. Peter, " Sept. 21. 1780. * Died April 9, 1754. t Died Aug. 6, 1729. 56 Benjamin Tarbell* and Azu- BAH. Benjamin, born Feb. 19, 1762. William, » Oct. 13, 1764. Jonas, " Feb. 17, 1767. Daniel, " Mar. 9, 1769. Sybil, " May 28, 1771. Azubah, " Oct. 20, 1775. Amos, " Jan. 31, 1778, Alice, " June 26, 1782. » Died Jan. 25, 1825. Oliver Tarbell and Lucy. Oliver, born April 15, 1766, [died May, 1766. Lucy, " June 6, 1767, [died Jan. 14, 1770. Oliver, " April 26, 1769. Lucy. " June 2, 1771. Abraham Taylor and Lydia. Leonard, born Oct. 20, 1735. Amos Taylor and Bridget. Amos, born Sept. 7, 1748. Edmund, " May 4, 1750. Thaddeus Taylor and Bridget. Thaddeus, born Oct. 25, 1768. Joshua Todd and Elizabeth. Jane, born July 10, 1751. Rev. Caleb Trowbridge* and Sarah Oliver,! Hannah Wal- ter. (Married Sarah, March 10, 1715 ) Oliver, born May 16, 1716, [died Sept. 28, 1723. Caleb, " Aug. 6, 1719, of Hannah. Nehemiah, " Sept. 19, 1721, [died Nov. 7, 1721. Nehemiah, " Oct. 14, 1722. Sarah, " Dec. 3, 1724. Hannah, " May 16, 1729. Maria, " Dec. 23, 1731. Thomas, " Nov. 12, 1734. Abigail, " Nov. 30, 1740, [married Hon. Eben. Champney. * Died Sept. 9, 1760. t Died Jan. 16, 1717. 442 GROTON. Caleb Trowbridge, Jr. and Elizabeth.* John, born April 8, 1739. Hannah, " July 15, 1741. Elizabeth, " Nov. 3, 1743. Sarah, « Oct. 4, 1745. Susannah, " June 8, 1747. Rebekah, « May 3, 1749, [died Jan. 4, 1753. Lydia, « April 3, 1751, [died Jan. 4, 1753. Edmund, « April 8, 1753. Rebekah, » May — , 1754. * Died Oct. 25, 1760. Nehemiah Trowbridge and Abigail.* Abigail, born June 11, 1765, [married Francis Champ- ney ; died, 1840. Mary, born June 27, 1776, [married Jonathan Loring. * Died Oct. 14, 1811. Thomas Trowbridge and LucT Woods, Ruth Nevers. Thomas, born . Lydia, •' Dec. 25, 1768, at Shirley. Oliver, « Oct. 23, 1764, do. Ruth, " , of Ruth. Lucy, " . Jonas, •' Oct. 19, 1773. Sally, " Hannah, " — . Martha, " . Abigail, " '—• John Trowbridge and Eliza- beth. Elizabeth, born Dec. 4, 1767. Anna, " Jan. 9,1770. Relief, " Nov. 19, 1771. John, " Aug. 13, 1773. Phinehas, " Sept. 2, 1775. Bela, « July 24, 1777. Edmund, " Jan. 31, 1780. Zebadiah, " Feb. 11, 1782. Jepthah, " Nov. 13, 1783. Moses Trull and Dorotht. Amos, born Oct 22, 1741. Josiah Tucker and Abigail. Hannah, born Feb. 7, 1729. Mary, " Mar. 12, 1731. Elizabeth, « Feb. 19, 1733-4. Phebe, " Aug. 25, 1736. Abigail, " Feb. 10, 1739. Swallow, " Aug. 26, 1742. James Tufts of Medford, and Phebe Woods. (Married Oct. 25, 1733.) James, born Aug. 27, 1734. Phebe, " Feb. 3, 1735. Hannah, " Mar. 27, 1738. Jonas Varnum and Lydia Boyden. (Married Feb. 12, 1733-4.) Lydia, born Oct. 5, 1735. Jonas, " Jan. 9, 1737. Mary, " Dec. 11, 1739. Elizabeth, " Mar. — , 1742. Sarah, " Feb. 4, 1745. Martha, " July 12, 1750. Hannah, " Nov. 25, 1752. Phinehas Wait* and Mart Hubbard. (Married March 14. 1731-2.) Elizabeth, born Jan. 31, 1732. Dorothy, " Sept. 9, 1734. Phinehas, " Nov. 12, 1736. * Died May 30, 1777. Phinehas Wait, Jr. and Sarah, Ede.* William, born Oct. 30, 1762. Sarah, " July 24, 1764. Mary, " June 25, 1766. John, " April 14, 1768, [died Mar. 3, 1776. Elizabeth, " April 18, 1770, [died Oct. 19, 1795. David, " Mar. 13, 1772. Joseph, " Mar. 1, 1774, [died June 23, 1774. Phinehas, " May 9, 1775, [died Aug. 10, 1775. APPENDIX. 443 Anna, born Jan. 26, 1778, of Ede ; died Sept. 14, 1795. Levi, born Jan. 26, 1780. Phinehas, " April 26, 1782. Thomas, " Nov. 15, 1786. Melinda, " April 18, 1791. * Died Oct. 8, 1793. Seth Walker and Eleanor. Abel, born April 20, 1734. Sybil, " Mar. 23, 1735-6. Ephraim Ware and Martha Parker.* Sarah, born Sept. 18, 1769. Bela, « July 12, 1771, [died Feb. 27, 1772. Bela, " July 9, 1773, [died Aug. 10, 1775. * Died April i, 1776. Richard Warner and Sarah GiLSON. (Married IMay 17, 1709.) Joseph, born Jan. 12, 1710, [died April 30, 1743. Rachel, " April 6, 1712, [died Sept. 23, 1723. Mary, " Mov. 10, 1714. Eunice, " July 21, 1716. Josiah Warren and Sarah Tarbell. (Married March 20, 1772 ) Josiah, born Jan. 23, 1773, [died Aug. 18, 1775. Sarah, " April 28, 1775. Jonas, « Nov. 6, 1777. Abijah Warren and Prudence Lawrence,* Susanna Green. (Married Prudence, Oct 29, 1766 ) Sally, born May 30, 176-. Prudence, " July 6, 1769. Abel, " Sept. 12, 1774, of Susanna. * Died Feb. 10, 1773. Moses Wentworth and Mind- well Stone. (Married Feb. 3, 174.7-8 ) Elizabeth, born Jan. 11, 1748. Eunice, " Dec. 18, 1750. Phebe, " Feb. 26, 1753. Oliver, » Feb. 8, 1762. Ephraim Wesson and Lydia. Ephraim, born Sept. 24, 1754. James, " June 10, 1757. Aaron, " Oct. 1, 1759. Samuel, " May 25, 1762. Sarah, " July 1, 1764. Joshua Wheat and Elizabeth, Moses, born Sept. — , 1686. Abraham Wheeler and Han- NAH. Abraham, born April 9, 1743. Hannah, " Sept. 18, 1744. Maltha, " Mar. 10, 1745. Shadrach, » April 14, 1747, [died Aug. 1, 1747. Abigail, " May 15, 1748. Zadock, " April 23, 1750. Shadrach, " Feb. 15, 1751, [died April 8, 1755 Alice, " Sept. 24, 1753. Walter, « Jan. 30, 1755. Jesse, « Nov. 24, 1757. Lucy, " June 26, 1761. John Whitaker, Jr. and Thankt FUL. David, born Jan. 26, 1768. John, " Feb. 12, 1770. Susanna, " Mar. 18, 1772. Hezekiah Whitcomb and Han- nah. Hezekiah, born Dec. 22, 1707. Jonathan Whitcomb and Deb- orah.* Benjamin, born Dec. 31, 1711. 444 GROTON. Abner Whitcomb and Sarah. Abner, born Feb. 18, 1760. Samuel, ' Jan. 31, 1763. John, ' Aug. 31, 1764. Ebenezer, " July 30, 1766. Oliver, ' June 18, 1768. Eli, ' Feb. 18, 1770. Sarah, ' Feb. 2, 1772. Ira, ' Feb. 13, 1774. Thomas White and Hannah. Thomas, born Mar. 9, 1750. Hannah, " Feb. 14, 1752. Loammi, " Oct. 18, 1754. Francis, " June 29, 1757. Asa, " Jan. 8, 1760. Molly, » July 31, J762. Elizabeth, " Mar. — , 1765, [died, aet. 14 days. Mehitabel," Jan. 19, 1767. John, " Aug. 11, 1770. Thomas White, Jr. and Ruth. Thomas, born Jan. 21, 1772. .John- ^, Feb. 10, 1774. Farns worth, Joshua Whitney and Lydia. Joshua, born June 14, 1666. Sarah, " Oct. 10, 1668. Mary, " 1 d. 5 m. 1675. William Whitney and Lydia,* Margaret. William, born May 5,1701. Lydia, " Dec. 26, 1710. Joshua, " Nov. 1, 1714. John, " Jan. 30, 1717-18. Elizabeth, " Aug. 12, 1719. * Died Jan. 22, 1716. Cornelius Whitney and Sarah. Sarah, born April 17, 1715. Abigail, " Dec. 9, 1717. Matthias, " May 26, 1720. Mary, " Aug. 20, 1722. Joshua, " Dec. 1, 1724. Lydia, '• April 23, 1729. garah, " Jan. 8, 1731-2. Timothy Whitney and Submit. Sybil, born Mar. 31, 1739. Joseph Whitney and Abigail Nutting. (Married Dec. C, 1737.) Abigail, born Aug. 16, 1740. Benjamin," Oct. 27,1741. Lydia, " Aug. 10, 1743. Elijah Wiles and Anna. Elijah, born Nov. 10, 1745, [died Dec. 27, 1745. Elijah, " Nov. 9, 1746. Anna, » Feb. 22, 1748 Ivory, » Nov. 25, 1751. Rev. Samuel Willard and Abigail Sherman. (Married Au^. 8, 1664.) Abigail, born July 5, 1665. Samuel, " Jan. 25, 1667. Mary, " Oct. 10, 1669. John, " Sept. 8, 1673. Elizabeth, " 27 d. 12 m. 1674. Henry Willard and Mary. (Married 18 d. 5m. 1674..) Henry, born 11 d. 2 m. 1675. Simon, " Oct. 8, 1678. Mary, " Sept. 3, 1682. Moses Willard and Susanna. Jemima, born June 29, 1728. Susanna, " Feb. 20, 1729-30. Huldah, " May 27, 1732. James-Nutting, born May 28, 1734, [at Lunenburg. Moses, born Aug. 15, 1738, at do. Thomas Williams * and Mary. (Married July 11, 1666.) Thomas, born 17 d. 1 m. 1666-7. John, " Nov. 3, 1668. Mary, " Feb. 3, 1672. Hannah, « 1 d. 12 m. 1674. * Died Aug. 3, 1704. APPENDIX. 445 Thomas Williams and Eliza- beth. Sarah, born June 8, 1692. Elizabeth, " Feb. 21, 1()94. Isaac, " June 19, 1(>99. Anna, " April ], 1702, [married Samuel Shattuck. Abigail, born July 5, 1704. Jason Williams and Mary. Jason, born Dec. 25, 1721. Josiah, " Aug. 9, 1725. Mary, " Mar. 7, 1729-30. Josiah, " April 4, 1735. John Williams and Margaret. William, born Dec. — , 1723. Margaret, " May 17, 1726. Anne, " Oct. 20. 1728. Sarah, " Sept. 10, 1731. Mary, " Dec. 7,1733. Elizabeth, " Sept. 23, 1736. Isaac Williams and Lydia Shattuck. (Married May 22, 1723) Thomas, born Oct. 24, 1724. Lydia, " Oct. 26, 1726. Jerusha, " Dec. 29, 1728. Elizabeth, " April 23, 1730. Isaac, " May 22, 1732. Sarah, " Oct. 12, 1734. Jonathan, " May 25, 1736. Anna, " June 15, 1738. John Williams, Jr., and Eliza- beth Cutter. (Married May 5, 1741.) Deborah, born Oct 26, 1741. Elizabeth, " May 15, 1744. John, « July 4,1746. Jason Williams and Jemima Nutting. (Married April 3, 174.9.) Jemima, born Oct. 10, 1749. Elizabeth, " Mar. 14, 1751. Jason, " Oct. 5, 1752. Daniel, " Feb. 17, 1754. Jacob, '' Aug. 28, 1755, [died May 2, 1829. Simeon, born June 10, 1758. Eunice, " July 23, 1760. Levi, " Jan. 26, 1762. Capt. John Williams* and Molly Everett. John, born Dec. 28, 1770, [died Oct. 19, 1773. Molly " July 7, 1772, [died Sept. 24, 1773. John, " April 1, 1774. Quincy, " Oct. 10, 1775. Molly, " Oct. 19, 1777, [died Nov. 7, 1777. Lucinda, « Nov. 22, 1780. Molly, " Sept. 22, 1782, [died Feb. 22, 1784. Lewis, " July 19, 1784. Clarissa, " Jan. 13, 1786. Everett, " April 26, 1788, [died June, 7, 1788. Persis, " May 19, 1789. Everett, " April 26, 1791. * Died July I, 1822, lel. 82. Joseph Wilson and Sarah. Joseph, born Feb. 2,3, 1733-4. Sarah, " July 26, 1736. Elizabeth," July 4, 1739. John, " Sept. 7, 1742. David, " June 3, 1745. Esther, " June 14, 1748. Susanna, " Aug. 14, 1751. Benjamin Wilson and Ruth Bush.* (Married Sept. 28, 1738.) Ruth, born Jan. 14, 1738. Benjamin, " Dec. 26, 1740. Betty, " Feb. 3, 1742, [died April 12, 1743. Susan, " Oct. 26, 1744. * Died Nov. 4, 1744, aet. 25 yrs. 3 days. Zachariah Withee and Esther Kemp. (Married July 21, 1748.) Abigail, born Dec. 15, 1749. Zachariah, " July — , 1752. Samuel, " April 24, 1754. Susanna, " Nov. 4, 1756, 446 GROTON. Luke, born Nov. 13, 1759. Zoah, (a son) April 27, 17G8. Charles Witherell and Ruth. Obadiah, born Aug. 20, 1748. Charles, " May 27, 1751. Samuel Woods and Alice. Thomas, born Mar. 9, 1G63. Elizabeth, " Sept. 17, 1665. Nathaniel, " Mar. 27, 1667-8. Mary, " Aug. 2, 1670. Abigail, " Aug. 19, 1672. Hannah, " 18 d. 7m. 1674. [died Sept. 29, 1703. Nathaniel Woods and Alice. Nathaniel born Oct. 19, 1694. Daniel, " Aug. 10, 1696. John, " Mar. 4, 1698. Isaac , « Feb . 20, 1699- 1 700 . Bathsheba, " April 5, 1702, [married Collins Mores. Hannah, born Mar. 16, 1704, [married John Farmer. Phebe, " Feb. 13, 1705-6. Aaron, " May 26, 1707. Moses, " July 6, 1709. Reuben, " April 11, 1711. Pliebe, " Mar. 13, 1713. Jonathan, " June 4, 1716. Nathaniel Woods and Sarah Brown * of Stow. (Married July 3, 1721.) * Died March 3, 1724-5. Married \V id. Mary Derbyshire, Sept. 14, 1723. Samuel Woods and Hannah. Susannah, born . Rachel, " . Alice, " Dec. 26, 1700. Abigail, " Sept 12, 1703. Esther, " Nov. 13, 1705. Joseph, " June 21, 1707. Martha, " April 15, 1709. Thomas Woods and Hannah, Esther, born July 29, 1697. Josiah, " Sept. 15, 1701. Elizabeth, born Nov. 9, 1702. Thomas, " Nov. 25, 1705. Samuel Woods * and Patience BiGELOW.f (Married Nov. 29, 1720.) Elizabeth, born Aug. 29, 1721. Samuel, " Dec. 2, 1722. Hannah, " Dec. 1, 1724. Abigail, " Dec. 11, 1726. Eunice, « Feb. 24, 1729. James, " Aug. 22, 1731. William, " Oct. 17, 1735. Mary, " Mar. 16, 1738. * Died April 10, 1773. t Died Jan. 23, 1771. Nathaniel Woods, Jr., and Alice. Daniel, born Dec. 10, 1726. Ebenezer, " Dec. 19, 1728. Oliver, " Sept. 26, 1730. Nathaniel," June 3, 1732. John, « July 1,1734., Isaac Woods and Abigail Stevens. (Married Sept. 21, 1723.) Isaac, born Oct. 29, 1725. Ephraim, " April 25, 1727, [died Aug. 12, 1757. Thomas, " Dec. 29, 1728, [died Feb. 10, 1756. Nehemiah, " Dec. 6, 1731. Henry, " Sept. 4, 1733. Jonas, " May 21, 1735, [died Aug. 22, 1756, at Fort Wil- liam Henry. Caleb, born Jan. 22, 1737. Prudence, " Oct. 8, 1738, [died Oct. 27, 1738. Samson, " May 6, 1740, [died Aug. 22, 1757, at Albany. Sarah, born Aug. 17, 1742, [married Robert Ames. Solomon, born Aug. 29, 1747. John Woods and Sarah Long- ley. (Married June 3,"1725.) Sarah, born May 6, 1726. John, " Aug. 27, 1728, [died Aug. 31, 1728. APPENDIX. 447 Susanna, born May 5, 1730. Alice, " May 30, 1732. Lucy, « May 18, 1735, [married Thomas Trowbridge. John, born Aug. 1, 1737, [died June — , 1823. Benjamin," Oct. 13, 1739, Abigail, " Jan. 21, 1745. David, « Dec. 31, 1746. Amos Woods and Hannah Nut- ting. (Married Julys, 1733.) Hannah, born Mar. 4, 1734. Esther, « June 12, 1736. Mary, « Feb. 31, 1737-8. Sybil, " Feb. 6, 1740. Lydia, " Jan. 23, 1745. Amos, « Dec. 17, 1748. Aaron Woods and Sarah Boyn- TON. (Married April 3, 1739.) Sarah, born Jan. 30, 1739-40. Lemuel, " Sept. 23, 1742. MosEs Woods and Esther Houghton. (Married Nov. 22, 1733.) Esther, born Sept. 2, 1735. Hannah, Bathsheba, " Deborah, " Martha, " Anne, " Moses, *' Sept. 28, 1737. Nov. 3, 1739. April 14, 1742. April 3, 1744. Sept. 9, 1746. Feb. 16, 1749. Jonathan Woods and Mart. Mary, born Jan. 31, 1738-9. Jonathan, " Phebe, » Joseph, " Rachel, " Jonathan, " Alice, " Levi, " April 3, 1741. Feb. 14, 1742. May 4, 1745. Mar. 30, 1746. May 5, 1749. Feb. 14, 1750. May 10, 1753. Ebenezer Woods and Eunice BOTDEN. (Married June 25, 1752.) Alice, born April 12, 1753. Ephraim W« JODS and Bathshe- Sybil born Mar. 31, 1752. Reuben Woods and Wid. Sub- mit Whitney. (Married June 11, 1741.) Reuben, born Mar. 30, 1742, Abel, [died Oct. 24, 1760 Jan. 2, 1743. Betty, Timothy, Submit, Sept. 18, 1745. May 3, 1747. Feb. 18, 1748. Daniel, Jan. 27, 1750. Anna, Jonathan April 16, 1753. April 26, 175.5. Abigail, Mar. 20, 1757. Oliver, Reuben, Sept. 17, 1758. Dec. 7, 1760. Samuel Woods and Tabitha. Maria, born June 23, 1748. Rebekah, " Mar. 24, 1750. Samuel, "» April 14, 1753. Sarah, " April 3, 1756. Mary, " Dec. 1, 1757, [died Sept. 15, 1758. Nathaniel Woods and Anne. Anne, born Feb. 16, 1755 Aug. 9, 1756. Nov. 29, 1757. Nov. 22, 1759. Sept. 6, 1760. May 29, 1763. John- French, Jonas, " Alice, " Nathaniel, " Peter, " Nehemiah Woods and Sarah. Jonas, born Sept. 4, 1759. Henry Woods and Deborah Parker. (Married April 13, 1756.) Henry, born Dec. 1 1, 1756. Deborah, " Aug. 2, 1758. Solomon Woods and Mary. Mary, born Jan. 24, 1771. Susanna, " Nov. 12, 1772. 448 GROTON, Isaac, born Feb. 13, 1775. Asa, " Nov. 17, 1776. Diclamia, " Oct. 28, 1778. Prudence, " May 22, 1780. Solomon, " April 10, 1782. John Woods, Jr.* and Hannah Goodhue. (Married Nov. 10, 1708 ) Oliver, born Sept. 9, 1769. Achsah, " April 28, 1771. Lucy, " Mar. 12, 1773. Eber, " June 27, 1774. John, " July 31, 1776. * Died June, 1823, set. 86, nearly. David Woods and Deborah. David, born Deborah, " Sarah, " William, " Ezra, " Warren, " Silas, " Emerson, " Charlotte," Ziba, " Imri, " April Oct. May Jan. Jan. Mar. Nov. Mar. Aug. Feb. June 25, 1771. 5, 1772. 11, 1774. 7, 1776. 12, 1778. 12, 1780. 23, 1781. 21, 1783. 25, 1785. 22, 1787. 14, 1789. Caleb Woods and Betty Cum- MiNGS, of HoUis. (IVlarried Nov. 26, 1767.) Caleb, born Sept. 4, 1768. Betty, " May 16, 1770. ll7eZ" N-. 24.1771. Sept. 12, 1773. July 23, 1775. Aug. 23, 1777. Mar. 24, 1779. Mar. 29, 1781. June 10, 1784. Caty, Alethea, " Noah, " Jonas, " Rebekah, '^ Henry- ^^ Farwell, Hannah- ^^ Farwell, Aug. 11, 1786. Lemuel Woods and Sarah. Sarah, born Jan. 16, 1769. Abel Woods and Anna. Abel, born Feb. 17, 1768. Benjamin, " Mar. 10, 1770. Anna, " July 15', 1772. Phillip, « Aug. 16, 1774. Patty, " Sept. 16, 1776. Elizabeth, " May 27, 1779. Jacob, " June 21, 1782. Samuel Woods, Jr. and Re- bekah Brooks. (Married Aug. 13, 1771.) Samuel, born Oct. 6, 1771. James Woods and Abigail Howard. (Married Feb. 6, 1760.) James, born April 19, 1761. Nahum, » l^fov. 14, 1763. Jotham, " Mar. 3, 1766. Abigail, " Jan. 20, 1769. Rachel, » April 9, 1771, [married Bill-Wright Stevens. Asa Worcester and Anna Parker. (Married Dec. 15, 1763.) Anna, born Dec. 10, 1765. Mary, " Mar. 20, 1767. Abigail, « Feb. 26, 1769. Samuel Wright and Hannah Lawrence. (Married Jan. 18, 1732-3.) Samuel, born Oct. 15, 1733. David, " Josiah, " Jonas, " Nathaniel, " Daniel, " Nathaniel, " Aug. 19, 1735. July 31, 1737. Aug. 12, 1739. Aug. 5, 1741, ■ [died Mar. 6, 1743. Sept. 20, 1743. Sept. 26, 1746. APPENDIX, 449 ILLEGITIMATES. Mothers. Mary Ames, Rebecca Archibald, Lydia Bennett, Lydia Bennett, Anna Blanchard, Elizabeth Buttrick, Sarah Davis, Mary Davis, Barbara Farmer, Abigail Farmer, Elizabeth Holden, Bethiah Kemp, Sybil Kemp, Ruth Lakin, Phebe Lawrence, Phebe Lew, Sarah Nichols, Phebe Nutting, Zebina, (slave of^ Abraham Moors, ^ . Children. Thomas, Edmund, Esther Woods, < Nathan Fisk, ) ^ Samuel Fisk, ^ Simon Lakin, Joseph, William Holden, Anna, < Lydia Nutting', I Rachel Nutting, Abigail Corey, Oliver Sheple, Joseph Saunderson, Calvin, William Farwell,* Eleazer, William Barr, John Trowbridge, Lydia Nutting,f Titus, May 24, 1754. Aug. 9, 1772. Mar. 19, 1725-6. April 14, 1730. Mar. Oct. Feb. Jan. Oct. Oct. Nov. Dec. Aug. July Oct. 24 d. May Jan. Feb. 21, 1713. 26, 1743. 17, 1723-4. 25, 1777. 27, 1729. 27, 1739. 10, 175(j. Hi, 1782. 30, 1714, at Chelmsford. 13, 1763. 1, 1737. 12 m. 1675. 6, 1778. 18, 1762. 21, 1769. Mar. — , 1761. # Died June, 1819, set. S'J. t Died Aug. 16, 1781. MARRIAGES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. 1664, 1665, 1666, , May 17. 1710-11, , Mar. 7. -i7, , Jan I. 1717, July 25. « Nov. 21. 1717-18, Jan. 14. " Feb. 12. 1718, April 30. " Dec. 11. i( Dec. 11. 1718-19 , Mar. 24 1719, May 6. " May 22. : KiHred;;(', of Billeri- Stephen Farr, of Stow, [ca, Isaac Wil'.iniiis, of Newton, Richard Warner, [insford. Sain'l Chaiiiberlin, of Ciicl- Wiiliani Siiatlnck, John Goss, of Lancaster, Ebenezer Nutting, John Blood, Jonaiiian Lakin, John Chaniberlin, [ly, Siinioel Winter, of Killing- Geishoin Hobait, William Powars, of Concord, Thomas Farr, Joseph Powars, Jo.ieph Saunderson, John Parker, Joseph Parker, Jonathan Whilconib, John Holden, [ble, William Lund, of Dunsta- Thonias T.trbell, Benjamin Hazen, Abraham Moors, Jos'.ah Sawteli, of Lancaster, James Lakin, Jonas Prescott, Jr., Benjamin Parker, Naihauiel Holden, William Shattuck, Eleazer Gilson, Joim Parker, Eleazer Nuiting, Jonalhati Shattuck, Moses Bennett, Stephen Holden, J(jhii Spencer, Daniel Pierce, William Banks, Joseph Farwell, Josiali Fainsworlh, Jonathan Parker, Samuel Woods, Robert Robbins, of Littleton, Zachariah Maynard, of Sud- Ehenezer Prescott, [bury, Daniel Boynton, Nathaniel Woods, Ephraiin Pierce, Obacliah Sawtell, Richard Rice, Robert Dick>on, Eleazer Green, Jr., Jonathan Shed, F.lizabeih Whitney. Al.ioail Cr.dy. Mary Fi.ske. Maiy Abbott, of Andovcr. Sarah Sloiie. Martha Whitney. Sarah Gilson. Sarah Gilson. Abigail Shattuck. Mary Woods. Ruth Shattuck. Joanna Nutting. [cord. Wid. Sarah Corey, of Con- Abigail Woods. Elizabeth Philbrook. Lydia Ntitiing. Lydia Perham. Elizabeth Powars. Hannah Whitcomb, both Sarah Page, [of Nashobah. Mary Brad.-itreet. Abigail Sawtell. Deliverance Nutting. Sarah Davis. Rachel Holden. Abigail Parker. Elizabeth Blanchard. Elizabelii Gilson. Wid. Lydia Parker. Elizabeth Williams. Mary Page. Mary Sawtell. Abigail Stone. Deliverance Pease. Hannah Farwell, Joanna Ames. Abigail Davis. Ellzvibeth Chamberlin. Anna Blanchard. Hannah Sawtell. Bethiah Kemp. Eleanor Boynton. Hannah Wortsamog, late of Lancaster, by Francis Fulltim, Justice. Mary Gilson. Mary Pierce, Sarah Pierce. Patience Bigelow. Wid.ElizabethCummings. Hannah Waters. Hannah Farnsworth. Jemima Brown. Sarah Brown, of Stow, Esther Shed." ^' • Rachel Parker. Sarah Corey. Wid. Abigail Parker, Anna Tarbell. Sarah Barren. APPENDIX. 451 17->2, Nt'.: 1723, 1724-5, 1725, 1725-6, 1726, 1726-7, 1727, 1727-8, 1723, (t ■< 1728-9, 1729, (< li (C 1729-30 Tilay 2. Callins Mores, of Oxford, Mmv :^I). Jnhn BLincliard, of Dun-ta- Jiiiii' 27. William Liu\iince, [ble. July 12. .Foshim Hutchins, Sept. 22. Josepli Blanclianl, of Dun- Dec. 8. John Gilson, [stable, Dec. 2(). John Stone. Jr., Mar. 27. Benj;iiniii Bennett, April 30. 'rh(ji!ins Woods, May 22. Isaac Williams, Dec. 24. Thomas Farwell, July 7. Jeremiah Shattuck, Feb. 25. Jonathan Green, April 27. John Farmer, of Billerica, June 3. John Woods, June 15. David Pierce, Sept. 14. Nathaniel Woods, Sept. 21. Isaac Woods, Oct. 20. Daniel F.irnsworth, Dec. 19. Samuel Tarhell, Jan. 13. Timothy B-irron, Jan. 27. Samuel Shattuck, Jr., J;ni. 27. Isaac Lakin, P'eb, 16. J"hn Slieple, Jr., Mar. 9. John Burt, April 26. Ezra Farnswoi ih, April 26. Michael Gil-on, [m.sford. May 31. Timothy Spaulding,of(Jhel- Nov 22. James Shattuck, Dec. 28. James Stone, Jan. 12. Samuel Fiske, Mar. 9. William Green, Mar. 21. Daniel Davis, April 20. Dudley Bradstreet, [cord, Autr. 4. Ebenezer Hartwell,ot Con- Sept. 28. Samuel Cumniings, Sept. 28. Moses Willard, Nov. 8. Jonas Gilson, Nov. 8. Jonathan Page, Nov. 14. Jacob Ames, Nov. 23. John Grout, Dec. 20. Eleazer Tarbell, Feb 27. Samuel Davis, Feb. 28. Daniel Sawtell, May 9. Joseph Stone, June 20. Hezekiah Usher, [stable. Sept. 26. Joseph Blanchard, of Dun- Oct. 11. John Stevens, Dec. 26. Jonathan Sheple, Feb. 4. Nathaniel Lawrence, Jr., Mar. 24. Aaron Farnsworth, May 17. Thomas Wartley, Sept. 11. John Wheelock, Oct. 27. John Lakin, Dec. 18. Elia.s Elliot, Dec. 30. Ebenezer Jefis, , Jan. 7. Josiah Boyden, Jan. 13. Isaac Gilson, Jan. 28. Jacob Lakin, Feb. 2. Nathan Barron, Bnlhsheba Woods. Mary Sawtell. Susanna Prcscolt. Sarah Shed. Ribekah Hobart. Mary Sliatluck, Elizabeih Faiwell. Mary Lakin. Abiir.iil Chamberlin. Lvdia Sliatluck. Elizabeth Pierce. Sarah Parker. Sarah Lakin. Hannah Woods. Sarah Loni>ley. Elizabeih Bowers. VVid Mary Derbyshire. Abigail Stevens. Wid. Abigail Shed. Lydia Farnsworth. Hannah Fletcher, of Chel- Amia Williams, [msford. Elizabeth Shattuck. Elizabeih Boyden. Elizabeih Nutting. Eliz.ibeth Lakin. Hannah Sawiell. Thankful Prescott. Sarah Chamberlin?^ Mary Farwell. Elizabeth Parker. Hannah Holden. Lydia Ames. Abigail Lakin, 4ih. Rachel Farnsworih. Sarah Hastings, ll"^a> Hannah Hastings, ! S.^| Hannah Goodridge, | ^= I Mary Farnsworth, J =^ j Ruth Shattuck, ^. _, _ Joanna Boynton,^ key iiiiis. Elizabeth Bowers, ^^^^^^gf Sarah Boynton, \t. hiiis. Esther Heald, of Concord. Mary Prescott. , ,, , t both of Abigail Cleaveland,? Charles- Rebecca Hubbard. '"""• Martha Farnsworth. Lydia Lakin. Dorothy Chamberlin. Hannah Barron [Dunsfa. Mehitabel Yarrow, both of Martha Woods, both of Lan- Lydia Parker. [caster. Ruth Lawrence. Elizabeth Farnsworth. Eunice Parker. Dorothy Kemp. Eunice Lakin. Abial Yarrow. 452 GROTON. 17-2!)- ■30^ , Feb. 24. 17:w, May 7. 1730- •1, Jan. 12. Jan. 28. Feb. 9. F.h. 11. 1731, tt i< Mar. 26. April 14. April 22. April 27. May 13. >( June 25. Nov. 4. Nov. 30. 1731- o Jan. 5. Jan. 6. Jan. 13. Mar. 14. 1732, April 4. April 9. April 25. April 2(5. It >< July 12. Oct. 26. Oct. 26. Nov. 2. « Nov. 14. Nov. 23. 173-2- ■3, Jan. 4. Jan. 18. >( J.n. 30. Feb. 20. 1733, It June 21. July 5. Sept. 12. Oct. 25. Nov. 1. N..V. 22. (( Dec. 6. 1733-4, Jan. 23. " Jan. 2'.). '< Feb. 2d. 1734, Sept. 18. Nov. 7. Upo. 5. 1734- -5, Ft'b. 12. Mar. 19. Mar 20. 1735, April 17. Nov. 25. 1735- -0, Jan. 21. " Jan. 28. Feb. 11. Feb. 25. 1736, Mar. 30. ti May 13. June 23. 1736-7, Jan. 13. »' Feb. 2. 4i Mar. 22. Matthias Farnsworth, Nathan Whipple, Jonathan Gates, of Stow, Jonas Variiuin, [nenburg. Jeremiah Noicross, of Lu- Phinehas Parker, Jr., Nathaniel Nutting, Stephen Ames, John Fife, David Ri;ssell, Ephraini Nutting, Eleazer Lawrence, John Kemp, Samuel Ramlall, of Stow. Sliailrach Whitney ,of North Wiliiaiii Spauldmg. [Town. Ebenezer Lakin, Phinehas Wail, [Town, Jrtnies Hosley, of Noith John Scott, John Albee, Jonathan Pratt, Thomas Merrifield,[namisco Solomon Prentice, of Hassa- Ephraim Cady,of KiUinijly, David Farmer, of Lunen- John Shed, [bur^, Joisiah Uiliard, Jr., of Lu- William Loniiley, [nenburg, Samuel Wright, Saniuel Cummings, James Lawrence, [burg, John G(5odri Oct. 9. X Nov. 4. (t Nov. 5. >( Nov. 20. «« Dec. 3. " Dec. 3. 1746-7, Jan. 8. i( Feb. 17. 1747, April 2. (( April 20. t( April 23. i( June 25. << July 7. (( Sept. 1. t( Nov. 10, (( Nov. 25. t< Nov. 26. <( Dec. 2. Mar. 3. 1748, May 12. Joseph Blood, Jr , [send, Wm. Richardson, of Town- Primus, (negro man ser ) Jonatlian Sliattuck, Jr., Nathaniel Bower.s, Joseph Dodge, Jonathan Holden, Timothy Moors, Jonathan Parker, Josiah Farnsworth, Joseph Stevens, of New Samuel Phillips, [Ipswich, Samuel Flood, of Andover, Josiah Nutting, David Kemp, Thomas Jewett, of Boxford, John Courtney, Benjamin Lawrence, Thomas Lawrence, William Williams, Isaac Farnsworth, Samuel Blodget, of West- Ephiaim Whitney, [ford, Jaiiiee Patterson, Jedediah Jewett, Phinehas Chamberlin, Nathan Hubbard, William Tarbell, Jr., Moses Blood, Thomas Williams, John Pratt, Robinson Lakin, Simon Blood, Amos Sawtell, Samuel Scripture, Jr., William Dalrymple. John Russell, Benjamin Swallow, John Chamberlin, Jr. Josiah Lawrence, Benjamin Bennett, Jr., Moses Bennett, Jr., [send, William Wallis, of Town- John Darby, of Harvard, William Scott, of Dunsta- Hezekiah Sawtell, Jr., [ble, John Stone, Jr., David Nutting, William Holden, Oliver Wheeler, of Acton, Benjamin Wilson, Abijah Willard, of Lancas- David Sawtell, Jr., [ter, Moses Wheeler, Edmund Bancroft, William Blood, Moses Wentworth, Ephraim Chandler,of West- Zachariah Shattuck, [ford, Silas Blood, Hannah Blood. Marv Huliart. Margaret, J ,i,imed Lew .' Kezia Farnsworth. Elizabeth Blood. Wid, Mary Irvine. Deborah Houghton. Lydia Nutting. Eleanor Hunt. Hannah Buttrick. Elizabeth Sawtell. Abigail Frost. Tiypliena Powars. Mary Blood. Hannah Sawtell. Martha Hale. Dorcas Barney. Ruth Dodge. Sarah Houghton. Mary Perkins. Anna Green. Sarah Speticer. Esther Woods. Wid. Elizabeth Bartlelt. Elizabeth Shattuck. Lydia Williams. Mary Patterson. Sarah Woods. Elizabeth Stone. Mary Rolf. Hannah Bowers. Hannah Dodge. Sarah Gilson. Elizabeth Fletcher. Mary Green. Elizabeth Shed. Mary Cranson. Wid Hannah Green. Rachel Lawrence.^ Elizabeth Lakin. Sarah Lakin. Sarah Blood. Eunice Nutting. Elizabeth Holden. Mary Dalrymple. Margaret Dodge, of Lu- Aniia Pratt. [nenburg. Rachel Lakin. Annis Nutting. Abigail Woods. Sarah Whitney. Elizabeth Prescott. Rebekah Pratt. Elizabeth Holden. Elizabeth Atherton. Lucy Fletcher. Mindwell Stone. Wid Abigail Blood. Elizabeth Fisk. Alathea Martin. APPENDIX. 455 Josiah Connnt, Nathaniel Shattuck, Amos Taylor, Israel Hobart, John Green, Eleazer Gilson, Jr., Zachariah Withe, Stephen Foster, James Stone, Jr., Samuel Foster, Jauies Parker, Jr., Nathaniel Parker, Jerahmael Povvars, William Bush, Abraham Parker, Jason Williams, Joshua Bowers, Jeremiah Shattuck, [vard, Joseph Fairbanks, of Har- Benjamin Bancroft, Jr., Henry Farwell, Jonathan Sawtell, Oliver Farnsworth, Eleazar Nutting, Artemas Ward, of Shrews- Jonathan Pierce, [bury, Josiah Williams, Eleazer Green, Jr., William Green, Jr., Philemon Holden, Jonathan Longley, Amos Holden, f Abel Parker, John Shattuck, I John Green, I Richard Adams, I Jacob Ames, •{ Amasa Turner, James Green, John Longley, .- / -# Oliver Blood, /7r2 f^O ^^*t Samuel Gilson, " l^ William Elliot, Jonathan Gilson, [ford, Jonas Prescott, Jr., of West- Moses Haskell, of Harvard, Floyd Pratt, of Maiden, Abel Lawrence, Jonas Longley, Bezaleel Sawyer, of Lan- Ambrose Lakin, [caster, Benj. Brooks, Jr., of Town- Jeremiah Hobart, [send, Elnathan Sawtell, David Stone, Jonathan Adams, of Con- Joseph Parkhurst, [cord, Joseph Bennett, Josiah Chamberlin, Moses Hassell, of Harvard, 1748 <( May 12. May 14. May 21. July 7. July 1(3. July 21. July 21. Auo^. 5. It Sept. 13. Nov. 24. It Dec. 22. «' Dec. 28. 174S-9, Feb. 9. " Mar. 1. t( Mar. 16. 1749, April 5. April 26. « Aug. 10. <( Oct. 4. (< Oct. 18. (( Dec. 6. « Dec. 13. « Dec. 14. 1749-50 , Mar. 22. 1750, July 31. t( Nov. 8. <( Nov. 29. « Dec. 19. p. Kuth Nevers. Rebecca Page. Sarah Farnsworth. Sarah Bennett. Su.^an Green. Relief Phillips. Sarah Allen. [Pepperell. Mary Witherell, both of Abigail Fassett, both of Thankful Stone. [Westford. Phebe Brooks. Elizabeth Dustan. Ruth Kemp. Deborah Holden. Elizabeth Farnsworth. Rebekah Blanchard. Sarah Fitch, of Pepperell. Sarah Lawrence. Thankful Beeman. Mary NutUng. Hannah Brooks. [stable. Lucy Tarbox, both of Dan- Hannah Blood. Abigail Rockwood. Anna Blood. Abigail Dalrymple. [perell. Dorothy Hudson, of Pep- Martha Shaltuck, of do. Sarah Houston, of Dunsta- Jemima Lakin. [ble. Molly Sawtell. Lucy Chase. TOWN CLERKS, FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME. Richard Sawtell, from 1662 to 1664, inclusive. James Fiske, 1665. William Longley, 1666, 1687, and from 1692 to 1694. John Page, 1667. Richard Blood, 1608. John Morse, from 1669 to 1676, and from 1679 to 1681. James Parker, 1678, probably. Jonathan Morse, 1679, and from 1682 to 1685. Josiah Parker, 1680, and from 1688 to Hi90. Jonas Prescott, 1691. James Blanchard,from 1695tol703. Thomas Tarbell, 1704 and 1705. Joseph Lakin, from 1706 to 1722, and 1727. John Longley, from 1723 to 1726, 1728 and 1729. Jonathan Sheple, 1730, and from 1734 10 1744. Thomas Tarbell, Jr., from 1731 to 17.3.3, and from 1745 to 1756. Abel Lawrence, from 17.57 to 1764. Hon. Oliver Prescott, from 1765 to 1777. Dea. Isaac Farnsworth, from 1778 to 1781, and from 1785 to 1787. APPENDIX. 461 Abel Bancroft, 1782 and 1783. Jonathan Keep, 1784. Lieut. Nathaniel Sartell, 1788, de- clined. Joseph Shed, from 1788 to 1795. Dea. Samuel Lawrence, from 179G to 1798. Dea. Samuel Rockwood, from 1799 to 1803. Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., from 1804 to 1811. Dr. Joseph Mansfield, from 1812 to 1814, and 1818. Caleb Butler, Esq., from 1815 to 1817, and from 1823 to 1831. Noah Shattuck, Esq., from 1819 to 1822. John Boynton, Esq., 1832, 1833, and from 1837 to 1845. John G. Park, Esq., from 1834 to 1836. George S. Boutwell, Esq., 1846. The five last named, and none other, are now living. Various were the modes of expression, chirographies and orthogra- phies, used by the several clerks. Richard Sawtell's style, in each of these particulars, was very good, and very similar to the records in the county offices, made at and about the same period. His records prove him to have been a scholar. A similarity in the records of the next four succeeding clerks to that of Richard Sawtell, is discernible; though each of them appears to be much his inferior in scholarship. John Morse was a very distinguished clerk. More of his writings and copyings remain in the clerk's office than of any other one. His chirography resembles German text. His orthography, use of capi- tals, and mode of expression, were uniform, consistent, and as correct as any of his time. The laying out of lands and highways, decrees and orders of the selectmen, with the usual transactions of the town at their public meetings, during the period of his clerkship, mostly remain in legible and intelligible form, though penned one hundred and seventy years ago. Thomas Tarbell, Sen., wrote in quite a fair and legible hand ; but his use, or rather nonuser, of capitals, and his orthography, were abominable. Take a specimen, selected at random. " grotton march 8 1704 " at a legul townmeting the town did yot that thay wul met for the futer to chus town offesurs the fust tusday of march annuelly " thomas tarbell dark." Joseph Lakin's hand-writing was intolerably bad, and his spelling as incorrect as Tarbell's. For example : " At a leagall townmeting being met chose Capt John Sheple to sarve for and represent them in the great and generall court and aseMbeley to be conuenied, hild and capt for his maiesties servis at the court house in Boston this August currant 1721. " Joseph lakin dark." 462 GROTON. The town records were not made or kept in any tolerable or decent style from the time of John Morse, 1682, till Abel Lawrence was chosen clerk, in 1757. He first recorded a warrant for a town meet- ing, and introduced the practice, which was afterwards pursued. A. Lawrence, the two O. Prescotts, A. Bancroft, L Farnsworth, S. Lawrence and S. Rockwood, wrote fair and legible hands, and their style of composition was for the most part good. De vivis nil dicendum est. REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL COURT. The first mention of a representative in the records of Groton, is about the time the charter of William and Mary was received, in 1791. The choice of representatives is not then recorded ; but receipts for their pay, and some other records, show that they were chosen. Copies of the records follow. " Groton, April 12, 1G93. Know all people by these presents, that John Page, Sen. doth fully and clearly acquit the town, selectmen and constables, for serving the town as a representative at the first [session] held in Boston in the year 1692. As witness my hand, " John Page, Senior." "Groton, April 12, 1693. Know all people by these presents, that Nathaniel Lawrence, Sen., hath received full satisfaction for serving the town as a representative in the two first sessions. " I say received by me, " Nathaniel Lawrence." The charges made at the same time are, " Paid to John Page, Sen., two pounds sixteen shillings and nine pence in money." " Paid to Nathaniel Lawrence, Sen., eight pounds in money." Feb. 6, 1693. The town voted to petition the General Court, "that their representative might be released from attending the session any more." May 15, 1693. The town voted, " that they would not send nor choose any person nor persons for to represent them in the General Court or Assembly." Oct. 30, 1693. " Capt. James Parker was chosen to represent the town at the Great and General Assembly held at Boston the eighth day of November ensuing." APPENDIX. 463 Notwithstanding the foregoing receipt of Dea. Nathaniel Lawrence, it appears the town was threatened with a suit by him for thirty-six shillings for his services as representative ; probably for a short period of service after the town petitioned for his release from attending. Jan. 1693-4. The town voted not to pay Dea. Lawrence, and chose a committee to defend in any suit which might be brought by him. About this time he removed with his family to that part of Cambridge which is now Lexington, Whether a suit was commenced or not does not appear; but ten years after, May 17, 1703, the town voted, " that they would pay Dea. Lawrence for money that the Deacon demands for serving the town as a representative in the year 1693 ; " and also, " to borrow the money of Thomas Williams for four months and pay one shilling interest for it for that time." An indication of great embarrassment, if not extreme poverty! The following is a list of the representatives, so far as the records show. Under the charter of William and Mary : John Page, Sen., ) 1692 and Dea. Nath'l Lawrence, <, 1693. Capt. James Parker, Nov. 1693. Capt. Jonas Prescott, 1699 and 1705. Simon Stone, 1706. Ensign John Farnsworth, froml709 to 1713 inclusive, except 17n. Capt. John Sheple, 1716, 1721, 1722, 1725, 1726, and 1728. Capt. Jonas Prescott, Jr., 1720. Lieut. Benjamin Prescott, 1723, 1724, 1727, and from 1734 to 1738, inclusive. Dea. John Longley, from 1729 to 1731, inclusive. Nathaniel Sawtell, 1733, 1739, and 1741. Col. William Lawrence, from 1742 to 1761, except 1743, 1750, and 1754. Abel Lawrence, from 1762 to 1765, inclusive. Col. James Prescott, from 1766 to 1778, except 1776. Col. Josiah Sartell, 1776. DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION FOR FORMING THE CON- STITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. Hon. James Sullivan, Aug. 16, 1779. REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. Dea. Isaac Farnsworth, 1781 ; cho- sen in 1782, and declined. Israel Hobart, Esq., 1782 and 1783. Dr. Benjamin Morse, 1784, 1787, 1788, and 1789. (Town indicted for not sending, 1786.) Ebenezer Champney, Esq., 1785. Aaron Brown, Esq., from 1791 to 1793, inclusive. Hon. Timothy Bigelow, from 1793 to 1806, except 1803. Hon. Samuel Dana, 1802, 1803, and from 1825 to 1827. 464 GROTON. Joseph Moors, Esq., from 1805 to 1809, and 1811 to 1814. Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., 1809 and 1810. James Brazer, Esq., 1810. Thomas Gardner, Esq., 1811. Luther Lawrence, Esq., from 1812 to 1822, 1829 and 1830. (No one chosen in 1823.) JVoah Shattuck, Esq., 1824. (No one chosen in 1828.) Caleb Butler, Esq., 1829 ; declined. William Livermore, 1829 and 1830. John Boynton, Esq., from 1831 to 1835, and 1840. Capt. John Rockwood, 1832 and 1833. Timothy Blood, 1834 and 1835. Dr. Joshua Green, 1836 and 1837. John G. Park, Esq., 1836 and 1838. Capt. Daniel Shattuck, 1838. (No one chosen in 1839.) George S. BoulweU, from 1841 to 1843, and 1846 and 1847. William Livermore, Jr., 1844 and 1845. DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION FOR ADOPTING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, IN 1788. Dr. Benjamin Morse, Joseph Sheple, Esq. Both opposed the adoption. DELEGATES TO THE STATE CONVENTION FOR ALTERING THE CONSTITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. Hon. Samuel Dana, Luther Lawrence, Esq. REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. Hon. Samuel Dana, 1814 and 1815. Hon. William M. Richardson, 1811 to 1814. SENATORS FOR THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. Hon. James Prescott, 1780. Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 1797 to 1800. Hon. Samuel Dana, from 1805 to 1812, and 1817. Hon. Stuart J. Park, 1837 and 1838. MEMBERS OFTHE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS. Hon. James Prescott, from 1781 to 1783. Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 1802. CENSUS. By a census taken between 1763 and 1765, Groton had a population of 1,400 inhabitants. In 1776, it had 1,639 " 1790, " 1,840 " 1809, « 1,800 « In 1810, it had 1,886 inhabitants. 1820, " 1,897 " 1830, " 1,925 " 1840, « 2,139 " APPENDIX. 4G5 POLITICAL PARTIES. The first subject which divided the people of the United States into two great political parties, after the revolutionary war, was the expe- diency of a federal union of the then thirteen separate States under a national constitution. During the progress of measures to form such a constitution and frame of government as would be accepted by the people, and to procure its acceptance, the energies of the greatest, the wisest, and the most intelligent men in the nation were unremittingly exerted, and their exertions were barely successful. The names then appropriately applied to the parties for and against the proposed consti- tution and frame of government, were Federalists and j^nti- Federalists. At this period a majority of the people of Groton were anti-federalists, and chose two delegates, who in convention opposed the adoption of the constitution. The majority, however, was soon reversed. These party names, though correctly applied for the time, did not long designate the character of the parties. The Federalists were content with their appellation for some twenty or more years, but their oppo- nents bestowed upon them the titles of aristocrats, 7nonarchisls, torics, &c., while on the other hand the Federalists stigmatized the Anti- Federalists as anarchists, jacobins, democrats, &c. The constitution and form of government adopted being truly and strictly republican, that name ought to have been adopted by all, and all should have united in supporting it in purity. But tiiough appropriate, it is scarce- ly used at present, except by foreigners. As different subjects of legislation and different measures of admin- istration have in the progress of time occupied the attention of the people, different names and appellations have been assumed and be- stowed by advocates and opposers thereof. Without naming others. Whig and Democrat have for some time been, and are now the names by which the parties are distinguished. Some of the prominent measures pursued and advocated by one party, by whatever appella- tion known, including federalists and whigs, have been, building and supporting a respectable navy ; encouraging commerce, agriculture, manufactures, mechanical arts, and internal improvements, by granting corporate powers to companies for the accomplishment of objects beyond the power of individual exertion ; providing a convenient and safe currency, and thereby enabling capitalists to engage in enter- prises, which afford constant and lucrative employment for the labor- ing classes ; establishing a judicious tariff, by which the expenses of government might be raised upon foreign luxuries, and at the same time encouragement given to the domestic production of necessaries 69 466 GROTON. and conveniences ; and finally, maintaining peace with all nations. And the party favoring these measures have opposed building gun- boats for national defence ; embargoes, non-intercourses ; embarrass- ing derangements and restrictions in the currency; and especially involving the nation in unprofitable, impolitic, destructive wars. The other party uniformly opposed what this advocated, and advocated what this party opposed. The degree or amount of patriotism possessed by each party has not probably been so unequal, as that of talents, education, intelligence, integrity ; but patriotism without these is comparatively of but little estimation. And abilities, capacity and knowledge are not held in such disproportion by them, as they would have been, but for that "ruling passion," . " July 12. " July 12. " Aug. 1.5. " Oct. 11. " Oct. 18. " Pec. 12. 17<;0,Feb. 1. " Oct. 28. " Nov. 13. Amasa Turner, of Lancas- James Green, [ter, John Longley, Oliver Blood, Samtiel Gilson, William Elliott, Ebenezer Woods, Solomon Parker, Simon Blood, [send, George Campbell, of Town- John Wallis, Jr., of do. Simeon Green, Benjamin Jewelt, Ebenezer Pierce, Ldiimnd Parker, [send, Joseph Butterfield,of Town- Ephraiiri Hall, [send. Jonathan Wallis, of Town- John Swallow, James Shaltuck. Jr., Temple Kendall, Simon Gilson, David Shatluck, John Woods, James Lawrence, Jr., Kobert Blood, Jolm Nuttincr, [Reading, Ebenezer Hartshorn, of Samuel Wright, Oliver Farmer, of Billerica, Edmund Parker, Nathaniel Shaltuck, Isaac Williams, Jr., Rev. Josiah Goodhue, Daniel Shed, David Shattuck, Isaac Woods, Oliver Elliott, of No. I, Josiah Wright, of No. 1, John Chamberlin, Job Shattuck. FJeazer Gilson, James Hosley, of Townsend, Jonathan Jefts, Charles Witherel, [ghegan, Ebenezer Wesson, of Sou- Ezekiel Perham, [burg, Nehemiah ivaiie, of Lunen- Eleazer Whipple, Josiah Boydtm, of Groton, Samuel Kemp, Ebenezer Gilson, Zaccheus Shatluck. Thomas Heald, of Westford, Isaac Woods, Whitcoiiib Powars.of Hollis, Zaccheus Farnsworth, Nathaniel Parker, James (Sonant, (?) Saiiiael Perham, Eunice Saunderson. Elizabeth Sheple. Elizabeth Patterson. Sarah Darling. Elizabeth Shed. Elizabeth Williams. Eunice Boyden. Hepzibah Douglass. Anna Shattuck. Mary White, Jr. Mary White. Mary Shattuck. Sarah Flagg, of Hollis. Elizabeth Turner. Lydia Varnum. Susanna Adams. Hannah Spaulding. Mary Barlen, of Hollis. Sarah Lawrence, both of Phebe Tucker. [No. 1. Abigail Cummings, both of Sarah Fisk. [Dunstable. Sarah Burt. Jerusha Smith, both of Gro- Elizabelh Fisk. [ton. Mary Fisk. Martha Blood. [stable. Mary Whithemore, of Dun- Abigail Flagg, ot Hollis. Rachel Shed. Elizabeth Green, of Groton. Ruth Shaltuck. Elizabeth Tucker. Mrs. Ehzab. Fletcher, both of Hannah Lakin. [Dunstable. Esther Woods. Anna Hazelton, of Harvard. Mary Fisk. Dolly Shattuck. Mary Patch, of Groton. Sarah Hartwell, both of Sybil Lakin. [Groton. iSarah Shed. Lydia Lawrence, both of Sarah Tarbell. [No. 1. Ruth Davis, of HolUs. Eunice Turner. Sarah Shaltuck. Abigail Chambeilin. Saiah Nutting. [ton. Lydia Phillips, both of Gro- Hannah Darby, of Groton. Azuha Chiimlierlin. Elizabeth Boynton. Mary Woods. fLJiz.ibeth Lawrence. Abigail Whitney. Ruih Shattuck. [Townsend. Betty Campbell, both of Mary Hulson. APPENDIX. 485 1760, Nov. 27. " Dec. 11. 17Gl,Jan. 15. " Feb. 11. « Feb. V2. " Mar. ly. " June 25. " Oct. 1. " Oct. 19. " Oct. 27. 1762, Jan. 7. '« Mar. 16. " Aug. 5. " Aug. 5. " Aug. 12. " Nov. 2. " Dec. 8. « Dec. 30. 1763, Mar. 10. " April 27. « Oct. 26. 1764, Feb. 9. " Aug. 2. «' Oct. 11. " Dec. 20. 1765, Mar. 14. " Mar. 14. 1766, Mar. 12. " April 3. " April 17. <« April 22. " July 23. " Sept. 2. " Sept. 9. " Nov. 4. 1767, Jan. 22. " Jan. 22. " Feb. 3. " Sept. 24. " Nov. 26. «' Nov. 26. " Dec. 31. 1768, Jan. 21. " Mar. 3. " Mar. 17. " Aug. 23. " Nov. 23. « Dec. 1. 1769, June 13. " Au6. Lucy, " June 4, 17()8. Sarah, " May 23, I7(i9. John, " Dec. 21, 1772. Benjamin, " Nov. 10, 177.5. * Died Feb 11, 1781, a-t 18 years. John Dwight and Susanna. Susanna, born Dec. 2, 1771. John, " Dec. 22, 1773. Sally, " Feb. 18, 1776. Betty, " Mar. 1, 1778. Francis, " June 17, 1780. Priscilla, " May 30, 1782. John Egarton and Abigail Par- ker. (Married. 1772.) Leonard, born Sept. 23, 1773. John, " April 1, 1775. Joseph, " Nov. 8, 1777. William, " Dec. 27, 1780. Abigail, " July 1.5, 1784. Sally, " Jan. 2, 1788. Sylvia, " Feb. 28, 1794. William Farwell and Sarah. Sybil, born Jan. 1, 1757. William, " Sept. 23, 1761. Oliver Fletcher and Sarah. Oliver, born Nov. 28, 1768. Sarah, " April 27, 1770. Joanna, " June 12, 1772. Olive, « Feb. 28, 1775. Lucy, " July 2, 1776. 490 SHIRLEY. Betsey, born Feb. 5, 1 779. Milly,' " May 12, 1784. Samdel Flood and Tryphkna.* Philip, born Oct. 14, 1753. Daniel, " Jan. — , 1756. William, « Aug. 2, 1758. * Died Aug. 3, 17j8. Abijah Frost and Sarah. Scripture, born Nov. 4, 1758. Tryphena, " Mar. 2(i, 17(11. Sarah, " June 10, 17G5. Mary, « Feb. 10, 170!7. Hannah, " Mar. 14, 1770. Elizabeth, " April 13, 1773. John Gorden and Mart Camp- bell. (Married Oct. 28, 17G2.) Joseph, born May 17, 1763. Elizabeth," Mar. 16, 1765. Daniel, " Feb. 14, 1768. Samuel Gorden and Eleanor. Samuel, born May 27, 1765. Sarah, " Feb. 10, 1767. Elizabeth, " Jan. 23, 1769, Jonathan Gould died Oct. 7, 17.58. Lydia, his wife,died Sept. 28, 1758. Samuel Gould and Elizabeth, Betty, born Jan. 29, 1769. Lydia, » Sept. 24, 1770. Sarah, " Oct. 23, 1772, [died same day. Molly, « Feb. 28, 1776. Phinehas,*' Oct. 25, 1778, at Lunenburg-. Hannah, " Mar. 11, 1781, at do. Moses Gould, Jr., and Submit. Jeremiah, born Jan. 27, 1760. Moses, " Sept. 1, 1761. Ebenezer Gowen* and Abi- gail. Joseph, born Nov. 25, 1757, [died Sept. 2, 1776. Ebenezer, born Mar. 10, 1761, [died Oct. 10,1761. Ebenezer, " Sept. 29, 1762. Ezekiel, " Mar. 2, 1761. William, " Jan. 4, 17(i7. Nabby, " April 26, 1769. Thomas, « April 11, 1772, [died Au?. 20, 1773. Elizabeth, " April .5, 1773, [died Oct. 11, 1775, " Oct. 9, 177.5. Asa, Thomas,f Joseph, Molly, April '.8, 1778. Oct. 8, 1780. * (lowiiio;, or Going, t Died Nov. 9, 1778. Daniel Harper and Rachel. Rachel, born April 1, 1761, at Ashburnham. James- ,, ^^^^^ 10, 1762, do. Colman, Daniel, " Mar. 10, 1766. Mary, " Feb. 27, 1770, at Littleton. Aaron, " Jan. 29, 1772, do. Ezekiel, " Feb. 8, 1778. Thaddeus Harrington and Thankful. Ammi, Abigail, Ruhamah,' " Sept. 5, 1762. Vashti, " Jan. 28, 1767. born Sept. 10, 1760. Francis Harris and Susanna. Sarah, born Nov. 20, 1747, [died Oct. 4, 1756. Francis, " May 20, 1752, [died Oct. 11, 17.56. Asa, " Oct. 27, 1754, at Lunenburg. Sarah, « May 2, 1757. Abigail, " Aug. 9, 1759. Hannah, " Mar. 14, 1762. Francis, " June 21, 1764. John Harris and Bulah. Emma, born July 22, 1757. APPENDIX. 491 Am ASA Hartwell and Lydia. Lydia, born Jan. 28, 1774. Abel, " Feb. 9, I77li. Anna, or ,, r, i. i.^ i- — o „ ' " Feb. lb, 1//8. Lucy, " April .5, 1780. Ainasa, " Mar. 26, 1782. Henry ?Iaskell and Rebecca,* Martha Little. f (Married Martha, Deo 21, 1772 ) Prudence, born April 1, 1772. Martha, " Mar. 20, 1774, of Martha. Jane, " Feb. 4, 177(i. Henry, " Nov. 20, 1777, [died May 24, 1778. * Died April 8, 1772. t Died Sept. "ZS, 1773. Edward Hazen and Sarah. Benjamin, born Oct. 21, 17.58.') m Sarah, " Jan. 21, 1760, | J [died Mar. l.l, 1760. } i Edward, born Jan. 21, 1761. j x Paul- Willard, " P^eb.2I, 1763. j < Silas, " Jan. 13, 1765. William, " Feb. 7, 1767. Samuel Hazen, Jr. and Eliza- beth. Sarah, born Oct. 25, 1765. Jane, " Oct. 10, 1767. Elizabeth, " April 8, 1770. Samuel, " Sept. 16, 1772. Thomas, " Mar. 11, 1775. Pe, 1789 ; married Martha Lincoln. Jonas Parker and Elizabeth. Jonas, born Oct. 9, 1774. Thomas-Little, " Feb. 22, 1776. Betty, " Nov. 29, 1777. William, " Dec. 11, 1779. Rebecca, " Nov. 12, 1781. Phinehas, " Feb. 2, 1784. Lydia, " Nov. 8, 178.5. Joseph, " Nov. 17, 1787. Abel Parker and Sarah. Abigail, born May 5, 1753. Sewall, " Mar. 15, 175.5. Abigail, " Mar. 29, 1772. Sewall, " Mar. 15, 1775. Peter Parker and Mary. Prudence, born Aug. 12, 1774. James Patterson* and Eliza- beth. James, born May 8, 1754. Jane, " June 23, ]7.5(>. Thomas, " Mar. 25, 1759. * Died iMay 4, 1759. John Patterson and Jane. Lemuel, born Jan. 8, 1759. Sarah, " Mar. 19, 17(il, [died Mar. 21, 1764. John, " Dec. 8, 1762. Samuel, " Oct. 3, 1764. Sarah, " Feb. 3, 17(i7. James, " July 26, 1769. Hezekiah Patterson and Mary. Jonathan, born May 9, 1763, [died Sept. 16, 1765. Hezekiah, " Aug. 2(i, 17(55. Joanna, " Feb. 2(5, 17(i8. Mary, " Sept. 7, 1770. APPENDIX. 495 Feb. 18, 1772. Jan. 27,^ 1774, at rownsend. Feb. 22, 177(). April 22 1778. April 1), 1780. April 21, 1782. Jan. 31, 1784. Nov. 14, 1785, of Patience Feb. 21, 1787. Sept. 9, 1788. Mar. 9, 1790. Thomas Peabodt and Elizabeth LoNGLEi,* Patience Bartlet. (Married ElizalM'th. 1770; I'tuience, 1785 ) Ruth, bori Elizabeth, " Olive, " Polly, » Luther, " Calvin, " Sally, « Thomas, " William- ^^ Bartlett, Silence, " Edmund- „ Longley, * Died Feb. 3, 178k John Pierce and Hannah. John, born May 2, 17.53. Sarah, " April 27, 175G. Solomon, " Nov. 18, 1759. William Porter and Mary. John, born Dec. 4, 1747, at Lunenburg. Mary, " Feb. 3, 1750, do. William, " July 20, 1753. Jerahmael Powars and Eunice. David, born Sept. 13, 1751, at Groton. Eunice, " July 26, 1754, [died April 20, 1756. Eunice, " June li>, 1757. Asahel, " Sept. 29, 1759. Peter, " Aug'. 24, 1762. Moses, " Aug. 27, 1764. Blanchard, « May 16, 1769, at Winchester. Anna, " Oct. 2, 1774, at Springfield, N. Y. David Pratt and Susanna. Anna, born June 27, 1772. Hannah, " Feb. 11, 1774. David, « Oct. 18, 1775. Charles Richards and Janet. John, born Margaret, " Wenham ; Charles, born Mitchel, " Edward, " Elizabeth, « Moses, " Eleanor, " Suraina, " Jan. 13, 1729-n0,at Marblehead. June 24, 1732, at died Aug. 28, 1752, May 27, 1735, at Wenham. Oct. 7, 1737, do. Aug. 25, 1740, at Lunenburor. Feb. 22, 1742-3, at Groton. May 24, 1745, do. April 26, 1748. Sept. 15, 1750. Charles Richards, Jr. and Anna. Charles, born Sept. 5, 1757. Mary, " Aus- 20, 1759. Daniel, " Aug. 23, 1761. Mitchel Richards and Esther. John, born Sept. 18, 1762. MitcLel, (i June 19, 1764. Jonas, (( May 4, 1768, at Lunenburg Esther, (( Mar. 11, 1773. Elizabeth (( May 28, 1775. Martha, (( Jan. 27, 1780. John Russell and Mart. Hannah, born Oct. 24, 1754. Hezekiah Sawtell and Marga- ret. Hannah, born Sybil, » Thankful, " Eunice, " Phebe, « Esther, " Sarah, " Elizabeth, " Dorcas, " Susanna, " Hezekiah, " John, « July 17, 1752. Sept. 11, 1754, . [died June 9, 1765. Aug. 24, 1756. Nov. 11, 1757, [died Oct. 2, 1765. Dec. 11, 1759. July 30, 1761. Sept. 26, 1762, [died Mar. 23, 1764. Jan. 22, 1765. April 1.5, ]7()6. Nov. 14, 1767. June 7, 1769. Oct. 23, 1770. 496 SHIRLEY. Elnathan Sawteli, and Mart. Elnathan, born Sept. 14, 1753. Joseph, " Nov. 25, 1755. Molly, " Sept. 13, 1757. Obadiah Sawtell and Mary,* Sarah. Lydia, born May 15, 17G0. Solomon, " Feb. 23, 1762. Sarah, « April 2, 1764. Daniel, " July 18, 1766. Rebecca, " June 3, 1768. Zachariah," Mar. 11,1770, [died Feb. 12, 1771. Ede, " June 17, 1772, [died Aucr. 4, 1772. Mary, " Sept. 6, 1778, of Sarah. » Died Feb. 11-, 1773, set 38 years. MosES Sawtell and Elizabeth. Had 1 child in Groton, q. v. David, born Oct. 17, 1763. Reuben, " Feb, 26, 1766. Rhoda, " Jan. 12, 1768. Amaziah," Jan. 20, 1770. Tabitha," May 25, 1772. Richard Sawtell and Eliz- BETH. Sybil, born Dec. 6, 1763. Sally, " Nov. 3, 1765. Richard, " Feb. 6, 1768. Maria, " Aug. 1.3, 1770. Phinehas, " Jan. 22, 1773, [died Sept. 20, 1775. Nabby, » July 1, 1779. Nathan Smith and Rebecca.* Ezra, born May 29, 17—. A , " May 13, 1757. Daniel, " Oct. 31, 1762. » Died Feb. 12, 1784. SiLVANUS Smith and Agnes. Silvanus, born Oct. 11, 1766. Ruth, " Jan. 28, 1768. Hugh, " July 23, 1769. Lucy, " Sept. 6,1772. Daniel, born Sept. 8, 1773. Jerusha, " Sept. 30, 1775, [died Dec. 30, 1789. Agnes, " Nov. 7, 1777. Ephraim Smith and Hannah. Sarah, born April 15, 1765. John Solendine and Dorcas.* John, I born May 22, 17.53. Dorcas, ^ " May 23, 1753. * Died 3Iay 23, 1753. Stephen Stimpson and Maria. Asa, born April 27, 1773, at Templeton. Thirza, " April 28, 1775, at Groton. Ruth, " Feb. 7,1777. Thomas- j i I'/m r Jan. 1, 17/9. Lawrence. ' Stephen, " Feb. 25, 1781. Stephen, " July 12, 1783. David, " Oct. 10, 1785. Sally, " Jan. 20, 1788. Nabby, " April 12, 1791. Solomon, " May 4, 1793. Lucy, " April 4, 1795. Seth Walker and Abigail. Nathaniel, born Nov. 6, 1742, at Groton; died Sept. 23, 1753. Sybil, born March 3, 1745, at do. Seth, " April 5, 1747, at do. Abigail, " June 10, 1750, at do. Asa, " Sept. 7, 17.53. Isaac, " Mar. 30, 1756. Taber, " June 2, 1758. Samuel Walker and Mary. Samuel, born Mar. 23, 17.53. Mary, " Mar. 10, 1755. Bathsheba, Feb. 25, 17.57. Abel, " July 11, 1759. John, " June 3, 17()2. Lydia, « Mar. 3, 1765. Isaac, « Mar. 18, 1767. Ephraim Warren and Sarah, Ruth. Jacob, born Dec. 2, 1762. APPENDIX. 497 James, Ruth, Benjamin, William, Charles, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Lucy, Ephraim, born Nov. 7, 1766. Dec. 21, 1768. Aug. 15, 1770. Oct. 6, 1772. May 7, 1774. Nov. 26, 1776. Sept. 18, 1778. July 26, 1781. May 26, 1786, of Ruth. Sept. 16, 1788. Jonathan Warren and Joanna. Betty, born Feb. 21, 1771. John, « Nov. 18, 1774 William White, Jr., and Sa- rah. Nathaniel, born Dec. 21, 1752. John Whitney and Hannah. Salmon, born June 28, 1759. John, " Feb. 23, 1761. Ezra Whitney and A son born May 17, 1756. A daughter born Dec. 18, 1757. Names illegible. Abner Whitney and Sarah. Abner, born Oct. 22, 1755. Royal, " Sept. 11, 1757. Rev. Phinehas Whitney * and Meriam Willard, f Lydia Bowes, t Jane Gaffield,§ Wid. (Married Lydia, 1770.) Thomas, born Mar, 19, 1771, mar- ried Henrietta Parker ; died Jan. 14, 1844. Nicholas-Bowes, [born March 21, 1772, married Nancy Adams ; died Nov. 6, 1835. Lydia, born Sept. 8, 1773, married John Watson. Elizabeth, born Nov. 8, 1775, mar- ried Dr. Amos Parker. 63 William, born Oct. 30, 1778, mar- ried Betsey Fisk and Martha Simonds; died Jan. 30, 1837. Rebecca Cook, born Sept. 2, 1781, married William B. Meriam. Phinehas-Sullivan, born July 6, 1785, married Lucy Cobb and Julia Ann Robinson. Sarah, born Dec. 19, 1787. Clarissa, " Dec. 2, 1790, married Henry Isaacs. Charles, " Jan. 2, 1794, married Dolly Davenport ; died Oct. 6, 1832. ,^ ,- * Died Dec.«W;i8S& t Died ftlar. 20, 1769. X Died Oct. 11, 1805. \ Died ftlar. 4, 1U24. Elijah Wilds and Anne. Molly, born Dec. 25, 1754, at Groton. Olive, " April 7, 1757. Phebe, " Feb, 15, 1761. Susanna, June 24, 1763. Elijah Wilds and Eunice Saf- FORD. (Married, 1771.) Eunice, born Oct. 11, 1772. Abigail, " Oct. 1, 1774. Olive, " Aug. 15, 177a Anna, " Feb. 15, 1779. Martha, " Dec. 26, 1781. Sarah, wife of Joseph Wilson, died Dec. 30, 1762. William Williams and Mary. Mary, born Jan. 4, 1745. William, (( April 18, 1747, [died April 15, 1752. Susa, u Aug. IQ, 1749. Isaac, u April 30, 1753. William, (( May 20, 1754. John, « June 14, 1757. Thomas, (( Feb. 22, 1760, [died July 23, 1763. Thomas, (( July 10, 176-. Rebecca, (( July 26, 1766. Sarah, u May 17, 1770. 498 SHIRLEY. Lemuel Woods and Sarah. Sarah, born Jan. 16, 1769, at Groton. Hannah, " Oct. 6, 1770, at Pepperell. Molly, « June 10, 1772. Stephen, " May 3, 1774. Lydia, « April 15, 1776. Levi, « May 19, 178-. William Worcester and Sampson, born June 11, 1771. JosiahJWilliams and Prudence. Prudence, boTn June 26, 1751, at Josiah, Groton. June 26, 1753. No record of marriages is found previous to 1775, except the fol- lowing : 1762, July 1. Nathan Smith,Jr. and Ruth Moors. 1762, Oct. 28. John Gordon and Marv Campbell. 1763, Jan. 27. Samuel Nichols and Elizabeth Patterson. 1763, June 16. Joshua Pierce and Eleanor Safford. DISTRICT AND TOWN CLERKS OF SHIRLEY. Joseph Longley, 1753 to 1758, in- clusive. Jonathan Moors, 1759 to 1762. Obadiah Sawtell, 1763, 1773 to 1776, and 1779 to 1783, and 1785. John Longley, 1764 to 1770, and 1772. Francis Harris, 1771. John Ivory, 1777 to 1778. John Kelsey., 1784 and 1786. Joshua Longley, 1787 to 1799, and 180L Thomas Whitney, 1800, and from 1802 to 1841. James P. Whitney, 1842 to 1845. Zenas Brown, 1845 to REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT, Obadiah Sawtell, 1776. Nathaniel Holden, from 1806 to 1810, inclusive. John Egarton, 1811 and 1812. Adolphus Whitcomb, 1827 to 1829. James P. Whitney, 1830 and 1832. Israel Longley, 1833 and 1834. Leonard M. Parker, 1835, (removed to the Senate.) Zenas Brown, 1835 and 1836. Thomas H. Clark, 1840. Thomas Whitney, Jr., 1841. Augustus G. Parker, 1842. Jonas Holden, 1843. John K. Going, Jr., 1845. Charles Butler, 1847. SENATORS FROM SHIRLEY. Hon. Leonard M. Parker, 1818 to 1821, and 1836 to 1838, and 184a Hon. Jaraes P. Whitney, 1845 and 1846. APPENDIX. 499 DELEGATE IN THE PIIOVINCIAL CONGRESS, 1st AND 2d. Francis Harris. DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION TO ADOPT THE CONSTI- TUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Obadiah Sawtell. DELEGATE TO ALTER AND AMEND THE STATE CONSTITU- TION, IN 1821. Nathaniel Holden, Esq. POPULATION OF SHIRLEY, AT SEVERAL TIMES. In 1760, 430 inhabitants. In 1820, 922 in liab 1790, 677 " 1830, 991 (( 1800, 713 « 1840, 957 (( 1810, 814 THE END. v-- Qj-t^l^^ ^u^V^os A Lt %• m J J -i 16 78 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 078 531 3 ^1