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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1944

HISTORY OF DRACUT

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HISTORY of DRACUT
MASSACHUSETTS

CALLED BY THE INDIANS AUGUMTOOCOOKE AND
BEFORE INCORPORATION, THE WILDERNESSE
NORTH OF THE MERRIMAC. FIRST
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IN 1669
AND INCORPORATED AS A
TOWN IN 1701

By Silas R. Coburn

"History baa a great office, to make the past intelligent
to the present for the guidance of the future."
Charles Knight

1922
Press of the Courier-Citizen Co.
lowell, mass.

Copyrighted, 1922
By Silas R. Coburn

DEDICATION

TO THE PEOPLE OF DRACUT, MASS.
and to all Descendants of those Sturdy Pioneers who
were the Early Settlers in this Vicinity
wherever their lot is cast
TXbts memorial
is Dedicated with Respect and Affection by
SILAS ROGER COBURN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction  ix
Chapter I — Settlement of Dracut  1
II — Period of the Glacial Movement  20
III— Indian History  30
IV — Early Grants and Allotments of Re
served Land  65
V — Establishment of the Province Line .... 97
VI— Early Wars  108
VII— The Revolutionary War  117
VIII— Shay 's Rebellion and War of 1812  162
IX — War of the Rebellion, Indian and
Spanish Wars  168
X — War with Germany and Her Allies .... 176
XI— Church History  182
XII— Mills and Industries  210
Including Woolen, Cotton, Carpet and Paper
Mills, Saw and Grist Mills, Fulling and
Carding Mills, Tanneries and numerous mis
cellaneous industries.
XIII — Schools, Libraries and Lyceums  225
XIV — Roads, Ferries and Bridges  241
XV — Cemeteries, Physicians and Tragedies . . 274
XVI — Mines, Quarries and Fisheries  285
XVII — Electric Service, Dracut Water Supply
System  294
XVIII— Survey of Roads  298
By Hon. B. F. Varnum.
XIX — Miscellaneous Subjects  312
XX — Biography and Genealogy  364
Concluding Remarks  434

INTRODUCTION
THE HISTORY OF DRACUT is now presented to the public
in accordance with the request of the citizens of the
town for a history which would embody in one volume the
various subjects which relate to its existence. I make no claim
to any special knowledge of events or superior ability to place
them upon record. No writer of a work of this nature can
prepare the material from a personal knowledge of the facts,
for the participants have, with a few exceptions, gone "To the
pale realms of shade, where each must take his chamber in the
silent halls of death," and even their existence has been
forgotten. Facts and information have been gathered from different
sources. The records of the town have been carefully studied,
though as the town clerks of the earlier years did not realize
the need of a full account of the transactions of the town, it
has been difficult to record the proceedings of those years. No
record of the first ten years of the town's existence has been
preserved, and whatever events of that period are here recorded
have been obtained from other sources.
The Registry of Deeds and probate records of Middlesex
County have been examined and much information from this
source supplements the records of the town. The State archives
have been examined and material relating to the years before
Dracut received a name has been gathered. Valuable assistance
has been rendered by members of Dracut families who have
preserved the business papers and letters of earlier days. Too
often these have been considered of no value and have been
destroyed. To the historian many of these seemingly worthless
papers have proved invaluable. These old documents yellow
with age, often nearly illegible,, in handwriting strange and
cramped, make clear many difficult problems in historical matters.
Old letters, old account books and old diaries have contributed
facts obtainable in no other way. The residence of a lifetime
in or near Dracut has assisted materially in the compilation
of this work. The many changes wrought in these years are
thus recorded from personal recollection, and acquaintanceship

i HISTORY OF DRAOUT
with the old residents has furnished opportunity for storing
the memory with their reminiscences. These facts have been
verified as far as possible by personal observation which has
extended over several years, as I long ago realized the value of
a town history and commenced collecting information, hoping
that in the future some one would weave it into a book and
thus retain it in a permanent form.
No history of Dracut has ever been published from which
to learn of the proceedings of earlier days and much which is
of value has been lost. As the present generation passes away
and traditions are forgotten, these collections will be of value
to those who take our places as citizens of the Town of Dracut.
In the collection of these facts I have been ably assisted by
many who have been interested in the production of a history
and I take this opportunity to acknowledge their kindness.
I feel especially indebted to the late Edwin M. Currier, formerly
of this town, as many a problem has been solved by him which,
only for his patient and careful study, would remain unsolved.
Much of the success attained by these records is due to his
unremitting labor. I am also indebted to Walter McK. Draycot
of Lynn Creek, B. C, Canada, for information relating to the
Dracuts of England which have given the town its name and
which is the only Dracut in the United States. A study of the
early records of England has enabled him to trace the history
of the name back to the time of the Norman Conquest in the
year 1066, and to the Roman occupation B. C. 54. I acknowledge
valuable assistance rendered by Miss Elizabeth Coburn of
Varnum Avenue, whose collection- of old papers furnished
information which could be gathered from no other source.
Many facts relating to Indian history and the Revolution have
been found among old papers owned and carefully preserved
by Mrs. Clarence G. Coburn, now residing in Pawtucketville,
and cheerfully placed at my disposal; also to Mr. W. T. S.
Bartlett and Mr. J. M. Wilson for contributions to the Indian
History. The trustees of the Dracut Town Library have assisted in
the work by advice in relation to publication of the book. The
financial assistance which makes it possible to place the history
before the public has been given by the citizens of the town,

INTRODUCTION xi
who at the annual town meeting held February 2nd of the
past year, 1921, voted to defray the expense and appropriated
money for this purpose, appointing the Library Trustees a
committee to attend to the publication. I wish to thank all who
by furnishing information or by words of encouragement have
assisted me in this work, which is the result of twenty-eight
years' study. I do not assert that the work in every respect
is absolutely correct. Errors will creep in however careful a
writer may be, and I trust that the reader will be lenient and
will understand the difficulties to be encountered in the
preparation of a work of this nature.
There are, to some extent, facts recorded in this work with
which the present generation is acquainted, but I believe that
as household utensils are placed upon the shelves of a museum
for the instruction of future generations who will know of them
only by tradition, so the same principle should apply in the
preparation of a history. The present generation will have
passed away, but the future generations will have the same
desire to study the acts of the former years which are possessed
by us. The peculiar manner in which the early documents were
written with the quaint spelling and abundance of capital letters
which preceded a general rule for their use has been retained.
It should be borne in mind that this was not the result of
ignorance on the part of the writers, but was the style then
in use. No doubt .the style of spelling in the time of Chaucer
and Spencer would present the same difficulties to our fore
fathers which theirs does to us, and in one or two centuries
those persons who examine the writings of the present day will
probably find as marked a contrast as exists at present between
the style now in use and that of a century ago. The English
language of the time six centuries ago can hardly be recognized
as the language of the present day and no one can predict with
any certainty what its future may be.
My object in writing this history has been to instruct and
entertain the readers. The work has been performed without
expectation of pecuniary reward. The formation of new
acquaintances, the study of the works of nature and the
satisfaction to be derived from the knowledge that those who

xii HISTORY OF DRACUT
study this history will be led to take a deeper interest in the
early days of the town's existence has provided ample
compensation. The amount I receive from the town I consider
a gratuity and wish to extend to my fellow-citizens my thanks
for the gift. After twenty-eight years of study and preparation
this history is now placed before the public, and it is my earnest
desire that the lessons of patience, patriotism and good
citizenship taught us by our ancestors may not be forgotten, but
may be transmitted from generation to generation.

0aZ&S Jf}. U<rh+tei

Dracut, Mass.,
January 1, 1922.

CHAPTER I
SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT OR AUGUMTOOCOOKE
DRACUT is located in Middlesex County, in the State of
Massachusetts. It is in latitude 42° 41' and longitude
71° 19'. It is a border town on the line between New Hampshire
and Massachusetts, and is about 34 miles west of the Atlantic
ocean at the mouth of the Merrimack river, 27 miles north of
Boston and 25 miles south of Manchester, N. H. It is bounded
north by Pelham, N. H., east by Methuen, south by the Merri
mack river and Lowell, and west by Tyngsboro. These are the
boundaries at the present time although greatly changed from
those which existed at the time of the incorporation of the town.
The establishment of the Province line and annexations of por
tions of the town to Lowell and Tyngsboro have contracted its
area. When first laid out, it was bounded on the west and north
west by Dunstable; on the north and east by wilderness land;
and south and southwest by the Merrimack river. According to
the surveyor's report, it contained 22,334 acres at the time of
laying out, which, from the liberal measurements of those times,
was probably nearer 30,000. In 1832 the area was stated to be
15,673 acres, and in 1914 it was 12,530 acres.
The population of the town as shown by census of Province,
United States and state is given:
1765 Prov  1173 1840 U. S  2188
1776 Prov  1173 1850 U. S  3503
1790 U. S  1217 1855 State  1966
1860 U. S  1881 1875 State  1116
1865 State  1905 1880 U. S  1595
1870 U. S  2078 1885 State  1927
1800 U. S  1274 1890 U. S  1996
1810 U. S  1301 1895 State  2443
1820 U. S  1407 1900 U. S  3253
1830 U. S  1615

2 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The early immigrants settled first upon or near the seacoast,
but being people of courage and enterprise, they gradually
occupied the wilderness which was unbroken to the settlements
in Canada. Chelmsford, which may be considered the mother
town of Dracut, was incorporated May 29, 1655, nearly half a
century before this town had a legal existence. The Merrimack
river was so much of a barrier to the further progress of settle
ment that a long interval elapsed between the dates of incorpora
tion of these two towns. Until Dracut became a town the
people who lived on the north side of the river were considered
as belonging to Chelmsford. We quote from an old record:
"Chelmsford also held jurisdiction over the settlements upon
the north of the Merrimack at what is now Dracut and the
part of Lowell which lies north of the river." The people
voted and paid taxes in Chelmsford and depended upon that
town for protection. This relation was confirmed by the Court
in 1667, and to show that the citizens in those days were careful
about the expenditure of money and would not pay taxes until
the legality of such payment was assured, and it was an obliga
tion to do so, the quaint order of the court is given :
"Farmes abt Vpon information of sundry ffarmes
Merrimac to erected above Merrimack River whose
belong to inhabitants pretend their sayd
Middlesex farmes to be out of the County of
Courts Middlesex and possibly be not con-
tayned in any county, it is therefore ordered by this Court & the
authority thereof that all and every the inhabitants of such
farmes as there are or shall be improved, in all points, have their
dependencies vpon & performe services & beare chardges w4
the sayd towne of Chelmsford & that the sajd ffarmes repair to
the courts of Middlesex for Justice & all till this Court take
further orders, any lawe or custome notwthstanding Oct. 7,
1667." Major Henchman, who had a garrison house on the Chelms
ford side of the river and who had charge of the defence of the
vicinity, in a letter to the Governor and Council dated July 12,
1669, says: "Wherefore, Honorable and Worshipful I judge it

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 3
highly needful and necessary that we have relief, and that
speedily of about twenty men or more for the repulsing of the
enemy^and guarding some outplaces, which are considerable on
each side of the Merrimac, as Messrs. Howard, Varnum, Coburn
&c who must otherwise come in to us, and leave what they have
to the enemy, or be exposed to the merciless cruelty of bloody
and barbarous men." [Fox's "History of Dunstable."] The
Chelmsford records give the names of six tax payers on the
north side of the river in 1671, viz., Samuel Varnum, John
Coborn, Robert Coborn, Edward Coburn Sr., Edward Coburn,
Jr., and Thomas Coborn.
The history of Dracut before its incorporation is meagre.
Some of the properties changed owners, but many were held
in possession by the Colburns, Varnums and Richardsons. Their
families had increased and they began to desire a town organiza
tion, and a settled ministry. Joining with four non-resident
owners, they presented a petition to the General Court to be
laid out for a township.
The petition for incorporation is as follows :
"To the Hon. Council & Representatives of his Majesty's
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in
General Court assembled February 1701.
"The petition of Samuel Sewall Esq., Benjamin Walker, John
Hunt & Jonathan Belcher, proprietors of part of the Tract of
Land called Dracut beyond Chelmsford in the County of Middle
sex on the North Side of Merrimack River and of Samuel
Varnum, Thomas Varnum, John Varnum, Joseph Varnum,
Thomas Colburne, Daniel Coolburn, Daniel Colburn, Jr., Ezra
Colburn, Joseph Colburn, John Colburn, Robert Colburn,
William Colburne, James Richardson, Ezekiel Richardson, Benja.
Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Ezra Colburn, Jr., Josiah Col
burne, Hannah Colburn, widow, Elizabeth Colburne, widow, &
Hannah Richardson, Inhabitants and Proprietors of the said
Tract of Land called Dracut, Humbly showeth
That the said Tract of Land (which adjoins to Dunstable on
the west and northwest & runs seven miles Eastward upon the

4 HISTORY OF DRACUT
River from Dunstable line and and six miles northward from
the River) lyes very commodious for a Township & hath about
twenty families already settled thereupon in which are about
Eighty Souls & Forasmuch as the making said place a Tounship
will not only be a great Encouragement to the Inhabitants
thereof & be the means for a settlement of the Ministry among
them (for the benefit of which they are now obliged to go to
Chelmsford, which is a great difficulty & cannot be attended by
their children & several others by reason of the distance thereof)
but will also be of considerable benefit to the Publick, and be a
great strengthening of the Frontier parts by reason of the
people which will be desirous to settle at said place when made
a Township because of the convenient situation thereof.
Your Petitioners humbly pray that by the grant of this
Hon.ble Court, the Tract of land aforesaid may be made a
Township, and that the Inhabitants, which are or shall settle
thereupon, may have and enjoy all Libertys, Privileges & Im
munities as the Inhabitants of other Towns within this Province
have & do enjoy. And your Pet,rs as in duty bound shall ever
pray etc. In the House of Representatives Febr 25 1701. Read
in the House of Representatives February 25 1701. Resolved,
That the prayer of the Petition on the other side be granted and
the Tract of Land therein described be made a Township &
called by the name of Dracut, provided that the Bounds Speci
fied Intrench not upon any former Grant as Grants of Townships.
That the Inhabitants of Land assist in the maintenance of the
ministry at the Town of Chelmsford as at present they do, until
they are provided with a Minister as the Law directs. That a
General Plot of said Land (taken by a sworn surveyor) be laid
before this Court at their Session beginning in May next. And
that if any Land shall happen to fall within the Bounds afore
said that hath not been heretofore granted it shall be reserved
to be disposed of by this government. Sent up by concurrence
Nehemiah Jewett, Speaker."
In the above petition, the first four persons mentioned were
not settlers or residents of the territory. Hunt and Walker
were sons-in-law of Alcock, who purchased the Western half

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 5
of the Russell grant, which is now the Navy Yard village and
the region about Hovey square, and Belcher owned the eastern
half which included the Center and Centralville. Samuel Var
num was the first of the name to settle here and Thomas, John
and Joseph were his sons. The name of Edward Colburn, who
came from Ipswich and who was the progenitor of the Colburns
and Coburns does not appear on the petition, although he was
living at the time, as his death occurred in 1712, but his sons,
Thomas, Daniel, Ezra, Joseph and Robert were signers. The
other Colburns, including John, must have been grandsons of
Edward, as his son John died in 1695.
The Richardsons were allied with the Colburns by marriage
and had settled here soon after the Coburns and Varnums had
arrived. The petition was favorably received and the report
is as follows: 1
" At a Great and General Court or Assembly of the Province
of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England begun and held in
Boston upon Wednesday the 28th day of May 1700 and con
tinued by several prorogations & adjournments unto Wednesday
the 18th day of February and then met Thursday Feb 26 1701.
A petition of Samuel Sewall Esq., Ephraim Hunt Esq., Benjamin
Walker, John Hunt & Jonathan Belcher Proprietors of part of
the tract of land called Dracut, beyond Chelmsford, in the
County of Middlesex on the North side of Merrimack River &
of Samuel Varnum & several others inhabitants and proprietors
of the said tract of land, praying that the said tract of land
which adjoins Dunstable on the West and Northwest & runs
seven miles Eastward upon the River from Dunstable line and
six miles Northward from the River may be made a Township
& that the Inhabitants which are, or shall settle thereupon, may
have and enjoy all liberties, priveleges & immunities as the In
habitants of other towns within the Province have and do enjoy,
was sent up from the House of Representatives with a resolve
passed by that House thereupon in the words following (being
a repetition of the foregoing resolve passed in the House of
Representatives) In Council 26th of February 1701, Read,
Concurred with and consented to.
Coppy examined. J. Willard Sec 'ry. ' '

6 HISTORY OF DRACUT
It is proper in this place to state the difference between the
old and new style of dating. The legal year at this time com
menced in March, February being reckoned as the twelfth month.
The new style which commenced the year with January was in
use upon the continent of Europe, but was not legally adopted
by Great Britain and her colonies until 1752, although used to
some extent. A careful inspection of the Court records will
show the old style of dating. Some writers have failed to bear
the difference in mind and have given the date of incorporation
which is not in accordance with the present style. On the 28th
of February the Court adjourned to the following April, the
opening of the session bearing the date of April 9, 1702. With
the resolve the petitioners were ordered to present a plot or map
of the township "in May next." This order was obeyed and
the surveyors' report with the plot bears date "ye 26: 3 mo.
1702, ' ' showing the Old Style as before. In accordance therefore
with the present new style, commencing the year with the first
of January, the correct date of the incorporation of Dracut is
February 26, 1702. The town seal bears the date, 1701.
The survey ordered by the General Court was made by
Jonathan Danforth, whose services as surveyor were in demand
throughout a large part of the County. The report is as
follows :
"26:3 mo. 1702 According to the order of the Honble Genl.
Court of last year there is laid out to the Inhabitants and pro
prietors of Dracutt, a tract of land for a township on the North-
side of Merrimack River, it begins at an Island lying in Merri
mack River called Wekasook and takes about half of it, and is
bounded by Capt. Scarlett and Dunstable line on the North West
as far as Kimballs f arme at Jerimies Hill which is about six miles
in a crooked line, then it is bounded by Dunstable line on the
west about 4 miles. It is bounded southerly by Merrimack River
about 7 miles by a straight line from Wekasook where we began.
The Southeast corner is a white oak marked with a D a Uttle
from the river and from thence it runs due North 6 miles, which
line is near parallel with Dunstable line on that side. Then by
a Northwest line it closeth to Dunstable line.
Jonathan Danforth surveyor."

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 7
At this time the Province line had not been established,
which, running through the town, caused all of the north part of
the town to lie in New Hampshire and this was later, with some
of the territory west of the brook at that time in Dunstable,
incorporated with the name of Pelham. Jeremies Hill lies west
of Beaver Brook between the Mammoth road and Hudson and
is the next high hill north of Gumpus Hill and Gumpus pond.
The earliest recorded deed to land in what is now known as
Dracut, Mass. This deed was made in 1664 and is one of the
deeds, a copy of which is at the local court house, among those
copied at such great labor and expense from the records at
Cambridge. "Articles of agreement made the 10th day of January in
the yeare of our Lord according to the computaccon of England
One Thousand Six hundred and sixty foure, betweene John
Evered als. In. Web of Drawcutt, upon Merrimack in the
County of Norfolke in New England gentleman, of the one party,
and Richard Shatwell of Ipswich in the county of Essex, yeom.
and Samuel Varnam of Ipswich aforesaid yeom. of the other pte
witnesseth that the said John Evered als. Web. for and in consid
eration of the sume of foure hundred pounds of Lawful money of
& in New England aforesaid to be payd to him the said John
Web, his heyres, Executor admetrator & assignes in mann &
forme following viz that is to say currant pay of New England
aforesaid, two third pts of the vallue of the said sume of foure
hundred pounds currant pay as aforesaid in wheate, mault, or
pease, and the other third part of the vallew of ye said sume of
foure hundred pounds aforesd and ye remainder of ye sd Sume
of foure hundred pounds in beeffs, porke or Indians neery to
be payd in equall pportions and in defect of the paymt of porke
to be payd in wheate & maute and in defect of any of the said
paymts or all the said paymts to be payd in marcchantable fish
currant price of New England, for the full paymt and in sattis-
faccon of the said foure hundred pounds aforesaid, to be payd
and sattisfied at, in before or upon the dayes & times hereafter in
and by these presents mentioned & reserved, that is to say one
third pt thereof to be payd at, upon, or before the tenth day of

8 HISTORY OF DRACUT
March wch shall be in the yeare of our Lord One Thousand six
hundred and sixty-five, and the second third part thereofto be
payd, at, upon, or before the tenth day of March wch shall be
in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred and sixty
and six and the other third part being the full remainder of the
said paymt for ye paymt & sattisfaccon of the said sume of
foure hundred pounds at upon or before the tenth day of March
wch shall be in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred
and Sixty seaven. Hath demised, given, granted, bargained,
sold, Aliened, Enfeoffed & confirmed and by these presents doth
demise, give, grant, bargaine, sell, alien, enfeoffe & confirme unto
them the said Richard Shatshwel and Samuel Varnum, the
moyty or one halft of the farme of Drawcutt aforesaid of up
land, meadow & pasture to be equally divided and also the feild
below the barne, now in tillage arrable land with the appurten
ances, except and always reserved out of the demised, grant,
bargain and sale to him, the said John Web, his hyres, excecutors
& assignes all the feild arrable land and tillage together with
all & all manner of houses, barnes, structures, edifices & buildings
whatsoever with the appurtenances and also the garden, the feild
mentioned to be called the upper feild and also reserved three
acres of the said lower feild aforesaid below the log fence neere
the barne together with that parcell of land fenced in with the
said log fence, neere the barne aforesaid with the appurtenances
the said moyty or one halfe of the aforesaid upland to be equally
divided meadow and Pasture to be lane out and equally divided at
both the ends of the said farme, that is to say at the east end and
west end, that is to say to by on both sides of the said John Web
Proporccon moyty or one half of the lands of the said farme,
the true intent and meaning hereof is that the moyty or one
halfe of the said land so demised & sold is to contene by estima
tion Eleven hundred acres at least, to be equally divided as
aforesaid, one hundred and acres of the pcell of Land called
Draw meadow with the upland belonging to it to be part of the
said Eleven hundred acres to have and to hold the said Lands
and premises so bargained & sold unto them the said Richard
Shatswell and Samuel Varnam, their heyres, Excecutors &
Assignes forever to enure to the sole & only propper use and
behooffe of them the said Richard Shatswell and Samuel Varnam

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 9
their heyres, Excecutors & assignes forever, and to no other
use behooffe, intent or purpose whatsoever. In witness whereof
the said partyes to these presents above mentioned have hereunto
put their hands & Seals the day and yeare first above written.
Mem. before the sealing and delivce hereof Mary Evered als. Web
the none wife of the said John Web, hath by these presents
covenanted and granted to joyne with the said John Web in the
bargaine & Sale of the said land & premises as witness her hand
and sale, hereunto set and subscribed.
In the presence of viz.
Hugh Stone.
Hen Nelson.
Jno. Evered als. Web and a seal.
Richard Shatswell and a seal.
Samuel Varnam and a seal."
Original Boundaries
By Edwin M. Currier
It is in many instances difficult or impossible to apply an
old plan to a modern map with satisfactory results. Measure
ments were far more liberal than indicated on paper. "The
seven miles in a strait line" was practically eight or about ten,
measuring by the curves of the river. What allowance was made
for the variation of the compass is not stated, or if they allowed
any. The actual limits of the township are to be ascertained by
other data.
The east line has never been changed save as cut off at
the north by the new province line of 1741. The west line in
cluded about one half of Wekasook or Tyngs Island. From
Wekasook, or Island brook as the eastern channel of the river
was called, the line ran about a mile, in a northeasterly course
to its first angle, now indicated by a stone post on the north side
of Bear meadow. In the survey of town bounds in Middlesex
county in 1907 this is the one called Corner 1, Lowell-Tyngsboro.
There is little doubt that this mile line was the bound between
the military grant, owned by Capt. John Webb, and a grant to
Richard Dummer and sold to Samuel Scarlet lying up on the
river in what is now Tyngsboro.

10 HISTORY OF DRACUT
From Corner 1 the old line ran some thirty degrees east
ward of the north about a third of a mile to a corner now marked
by a stone post and called Corner 5, Dracut-Tyngsboro, on the
survey map before mentioned. This post stands on the east
side of Trotting Park road, a short distance south of the old
trotting park and eastward by Mud pond or Little Mascuppic.
The locality was called "Bear Meadow Plain." From this
point northward to the state line, the western bounds of the town
have never been changed as far as known. The writer has ex
amined five or six different plans, showing the old western
boundaries, but varying somewhat one from another. While
there may be errors in the foregoing description he feels
reasonably sure of its substantial correctness.
By resolve of the General Court, April 22, 1755, the estates
of Abraham, Thomas and John Littlehale were, on their petition,
annexed to the town of Dunstable. The new line commenced
at the mouth of Scarlet's brook and followed the brook up about
one fourth of a mile. Then from the brook it ran about twenty-
two degrees eastward of the north one hundred and eighty-six
rods to the old corner bound north of Bear meadow (corner 1
before mentioned) and about one hundred and forty rods from
the roadstone on Varnum avenue. From this angle, by five
courses, the old angle on Bear Meadow Plain is reached (corner
5). By reference to the map the singular projection of Tyngs
boro territory into the town of Dracut is noticeable. The granite
posts at the corners were placed in 1822, as chiseled on them.
A perambulation by the selectmen of the two towns Oct. 6,
1773, mentions both the old and new bounds; "Commencing at
the mouth of Scarlet brook and following up said brook to a
stake and stones, then an old stump with stones by it, near a
meadow, then cross the said meadow & not finding the bounds
there, then to a large pine tree marked, then to a stake and stones,
at the Corner of Samuel Colburns Willow House so called, then
to two Black oak trees marked, then to a small Birch tree
marked, then to a large crotched pine tree marked standing in
Dunstable old line." After perambulating the rest of the old
line to the state boundary, "We renewed the old bounds upon
the old line between the said towns. Beginning at the river upon
Wekasook Island at a white oak tree marked D. D. then to a heap

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 11
of stones where is a tree fallen down marked D. D. then to a
dry pine tree marked D. D. then not finding any more bounds
till we come to the crotched pine above mentioned; the above
said bounds first upon the new line then upon the old we
mutually agree to be the bounds between the two towns. ' ' Just
what was the structure called "Samuel Colburns Willow House"
we are not informed; but apparently it stood near the north
east corner of the territory annexed to Dunstable. The corner
post is ' ' forty nine feet distant from an angle in the wall at the
edge of Bushy Meadow." (Survey of 1907.) The east line
of Dracut, nominally six miles, was certainly seven or more, and
must have reached within half of a mile of the southern end of
Canobie Lake.
The perambulation of the Dracut-Dunstable line in Decem
ber, 1723, begins, "At a pine tree on the north side of Beaver
brook in sight of said brook, being marked and lettered with
F., it being fallen down we have laid stones about it ; from thence
running southward by the old marked trees, many of them
lettered D. D. till we come near to a place called the Stone Dam,
then not finding the old bounds we aGreed both parties to mark
a pine which stands on the east side of Beaver Brook 4 rods
from said Dam * * * * from said bound tree running south
ward to a pine tree marked and lettered D. D. So running to a
pine marked and stones about it near to a pine tree which is
called the South East angle of Henry Kimbals farm, and from
said pine tree we run the old bounds to Long Pond." Stone
Dam was a natural dam across Beaver brook where Butlers
mills (now Atwood's) at North Pelham, now stands.
Further data are given by a perambulation, December 15,
1733, omitting the numerous white oaks, black oaks, pine, etc.,
mentioned as bound marks: "Began at the Northern corner of
Dracut next to Methuen, so went on the North West line of Dra
cut crossing a meadow to a pine tree * * * * then a maple
with a heap of stones on the southerly side of Goldings Pond
otherwise called Cobets Pond crossing said pond, then a red
oak, then crossing Goldings Brook, then a pond crossing Drye
pond * * * * ; then a west line, a white oak near Beaver
Brook, then several pines lettered D. D. to Beaver Brook or Stone
Dam to a pine ye east side * * * * then a heap of stones on

12 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the end of Round Hill on the west side of the road, we did not
show the line to the tree lettered F." The pine tree marked F
near Beaver Brook is mentioned by Jonathan Danforth in his
survey of Dunstable in 1674. It cannot be located with accuracy.
According to Mr. Kimball Webster (History of Hudson, N. H.)
it later became the "northwest corner of Dracut, the northeast
corner of Nottingham and the southeast corner of Litchfield, as
these towns were chartered by Massachusetts; notwithstanding
that the south line of Londonderry, as chartered by New Hamp
shire was two miles south of the aforesaid ancient bound pine."
Mr. Kimball Webster locates this bound as a short distance north
of the point where the Worcester division of the Boston and
Maine Railroad crosses Beaver Brook and on the northwest side
of the brook.
In this connection it may be stated that Methuen as char
tered by Massachusetts, 1725, covered a part of the territory
north of Dracut occupied by Londonderry settlers. The charter of
the latter, 1722, gave them as far south as the present Pelham-
Windham line, although by their deed from Wheelwright, 1719,
they could claim only to the old line of Dracut. After this terri
tory was set off to New Hampshire, 1741, of course the London
derry charter was sustained. From the foregoing data a plan
may be drawn showing approximately the bounds of the northern
part of Dracut. Placing the northeasterly corner of the town
about one half mile south of Canobie Lake and a short distance
eastward of the Salem-Windham line, a northwesterly line will
cross the southerly Une of Corbett's pond, then Gouldrng's brook
and reach the point designated as Dracut northwest corner
about three fourths of a mile southwesterly from Windham
depot. Thence from the data quoted, the Une must run four
rods east of the Stone Dam and over the east side of Round HiU
a Uttle west of Mammoth road. The hiU is about one fourth of
a mile westerly of Hutchinson's bridge. From Round HiU the
Une continues on the same course, doubtless intended for a mag
netic north and south to the "Southeast angle of Henry Kim-
baU's farm," a Uttle west of Beaver brook. From all attainable
data this "southeast angle" was some quarter of a mile southeast
of the farm buildings on the old Darius Stickney place, and
near the electric road. From this angle the line ran in a south-

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 13
westerly course to the north end of Long pond touching the
pond on the northwesterly side as shown by the old map of 1702.
It is understood to have been the southerly boundary of the old
Stickney farm, eastward of the Stickney road. It would cross
the Dr. Batchelder place, now the residence of Mr. Frank
Stickney, north of the house, and cross the Tenney road east
ward of the Edmund Tenney house. Thence crossing Broad
Meadow, southward of the house, it would reach the Mammoth
road near the old Gumpus burying ground.*
By the adjustment of the boundary line between New Hamp
shire and Massachusetts, 1741, nearly one half of the original area
of Dracut came under the jurisdiction of New Hampshire. That
portion lying north of the Londonderry Une became part of the
new town of Windham chartered 1742. It had been considered
by Dracut as a part of the Reserved lands and lots had been
laid out to some of the proprietors, though it is not probable
that any Dracut people had settled there. In 1746 that part of
old Dracut between Windham and the new province Une, with
a section of Nottingham on the west and a small portion of
former Methuen territory on the east, was incorporated as the
town of Pelham. The present northeast corner of the town at
the angle formed by the junction of the Dracut-Methuen Une
with the state Une is on a hiU about one third of a mile south
of North or Whites Pond known as Poplar or Ayres hill. Refer
ence has been made to this hiU as being a double hill and it is
between the two summits where the boundary monument is
erected, lettered on the north side P 1890 and on the south side
D & M 1890.

In 1702 a petition was presented to the state authorities, the
substance of which is found in the reply of the Council:
•A singular error occurs in the record of the laying out of Dunstable 1674 :
"From the pine tree marked F to the angle of Kimballs farm the line
is said to run two degrees west of south. From the same angle to
Long pond it ran 'two degrees and a quarter westward of the south'
as it is stated a difference of only a quarter of a degree which is obvi
ously wrong. Probably 'south west' was intended instead of 'south.' Fox
seems to have been misled by this error in drawing the map for his
'History of Dunstable.' "

14 HISTORY OF DRACUT
"COUNCIL RECORDS Vol. Ill p. 316
AT A COUNCIL held at the Council Chamber in Boston
upon Saturday the 30th of May 1702. Upon reading the
Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dracut therein
setting forth that they are obliged to attend miUtary Exercises
at Chelmsford the next adjoining Town which being several
miles from their houses is not only a great hardship to them,
but doth much expose their wives and children to the Insolency
of the Indians and put them in fear, praying to be excused
from that difficulty and that some suitable person among them
selves may be commissioned to train and instruct them in
MiUtary Exercises. Ordered. That the Petitioners be discharged
from Attending of MiUtary exercises in the Town of Chelms
ford, and that Jonathan Tyng Esqr. major of the regiment
whereto they belong do appoint one of themselves to exercise
them upon the place until further order. Which order was
signed by the major part of the Council. Edw. Rawson, Secretary."
After the incorporation of the town the people continued
to act with Chelmsford in reUgious matters until the relations
were severed by the foUowing action of the General Court : " Jan-
awary the : 14 : 1705-6. It was voated that Draw Cut shall not
voate In Chelmsford." The descendants of the first settlers
realized the hardships which their ancestors endured to settle the
new town of Dracut and generaUy resisted aU efforts for a
change in its boundary lines.
In 1774 there was inserted in the town warrant an article
"to see if the town wiU vote off the easterly part as far up
Merrimac river as to a white oak on the bank of the river 10 rods
east of Ephraim Richardsons Brook to the Province line 40
perches west of George Burns' house in order to join with the
westerly part of Methuen for a town." The Une would have
been east of the Jonathan Fox house and near the Warren Rich
ardson house which was east of Marsh HiU on Burns hiU. The
town refused to consent to the proposition. In 1788 the inhabi
tants of that part of Dunstable east of the river petitioned the
General Court to be annexed to Dracut. The latter town at a

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 15
meeting held April 7, 1788 consented to receive them. The
Court however did not favor the petition and no further action
was taken.
About the year 1790 a petition was received requesting the
town to set off the west portion between a Une drawn from Merri
mack river at the "Sor Pit" * northward to the station tree on
Parker Varnums land, with Merrimack river on the west. The
object was to have Dracut, parts of Chelmsford and Tyngsboro
join to be incorporated as a new town. The Une would run
from a point in the river east of the mouth of Beaver brook to
the boundary pine monument on the State Une. The town re
fused to agree to the partition of its territory.
In 1805 the town was invited to become a part of New
Hampshire but again decUned to change. The boundary Unes
remained undisturbed for many years after the establishment of
the state Une in 1741, except for the change of bounds at the
west end in 1755 as before mentioned, but the Pawtucket falls
with their available power produced remarkable changes in a
short period of time. If the river had been unobstructed by
the falls, Chelmsford and Dracut would have retained their con
dition as towns in which the chief business was farming, and
LoweU would never have existed. The population, which was
greatly increased by the erection of the factories required a
large territory on which to reside. There were no street cars
and when the land on the Chelmsford side of the river was occu
pied as far as it was convenient for the operatives to reside while
employed in the mills, the land in CentralviUe was in demand
for homes. In 1844 CentralviUe was so thickly settled that the
roads on the hill leading up from Bridge street were laid out
by the town and accepted. The village was beginning to assume
the conditions of a city and demanded a fire engine and the
formation of an engine company. Although in need of fire pro
tection the project was not favorably received and the article
relating to it, which had been inserted in the warrant, was dis
missed. In 1851 the inhabitants of the village petitioned the Legisla
ture to be annexed to Lowell. The petition was granted and the
*The Saw pit was a deep hole in the river in the vicinity of the mouth
of Beaver brook.

16 HISTORY OF DRACUT
lines defined as follows: "So much of the town of Dracut in
the County of Middlesex as is commonly called CentralviUe thus
bounded to wit, Beginning at the thread of Merrimack river
near the foot of Hunts falls opposite the southeast corner of
the land of the Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on Merri
mack river thence running north 19° 30' west to the margin of
said river at said southeast corner bound thence in the same
course northerly 3827 feet to the northerly side of the new
County road leading from said county to Methuen thence North
89° west 5270 feet to the margin of said river near the end of
the waU opposite or near the head of Long Island thence westerly
in a direct Une to the thread of said river, then down said river
by the thread thereof to the point of beginning. ' '
Contrary to the usual course, the town had given its consent
to the division, January 20, 1851, by a vote of Yes, 126, No, 70.
The east Une of the part annexed to LoweU began at the river
opposite a group of islands caUed Abbott's islands and from
that point it ran to the northeast corner bound on Methuen
street nearly one fourth of a mile eastward from Beacon street.
From this corner it ran in a straight course reaching Bridge
street, a few rods south of Richardson street, which it crossed
diagonaUy to Hildreth street at the angle immediately south of
the house formerly owned by Warner Coburn. It reached Lake-
view Avenue near its junction with Aiken avenue. The original
size and shape of Long Island has been changed as that portion
of the river between the avenue and the island has been filled
and Aiken street now crosses it while the northerly end of Aiken
street bridge rests on the island. The introduction of street cars
again brought changes and was a further factor in the expansion
of the city and the Une was estabUshed which embraced more
of Dracut territory. This change was made in 1874. The Une
extended from the northeast corner which was the original bound
in 1851, which was on Methuen street and was carried over the
top of the hiU east of and near the high service reservoir and
through the Thomas Fay buildings to the present northeast
corner on WiUard Street south of the former town farm house.
From this point running in a straight Une it crosses Bridge street
in the hoUow below Dracut centre, and Hildreth street a few
rods below Hovey square reaching Lakeview avenue near Bach-

CAPTAIN NATHANIEL FOX

(Sec Page 387)

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 17
man street. It crosses Riverside street between the tenement
houses which were built by the Merrimack Woolen Co. and
reaches the Mammoth road at Ledge hiU continuing westward
reaching the river at Scarlet's brook. In 1879 several hundred
acres at the extreme southwesterly corner of the town were an
nexed to Lowell.
The town has not favored these annexations and in 1873 an
attempt was made to prevent the loss of more territory. A com
mittee was appointed to attend to the interests of the town and
if not successful in defeating the arrangement they were to ad
vocate the annexation of the whole town. But the division was
made and the lines drawn as stated. In 1904 another attempt
was made to annex more territory, which would include the Navy
Yard viUage, Hovey square and Dracut centre, but it was
strongly opposed and the project failed.
The name Draycot is of ancient British origin, and in use long
before the Roman conquest of B. C. 54. Until that time the
country was occupied by many savage tribes of Britons who were
almost continuaUy at war with one another. JuUus Csesar with
his Roman soldiers were masters of the known world. They had
subdued Gaul and the white cliffs of England across the channel
seemed to reveal more countries to be conquered. The Britons
were a courageous people and only yielded to the Romans after
many years of fighting. Throughout the period of the Roman
occupation, of the raid of the Picts and Scots, of the occupancy
by the Saxons and Normans, the name survived, being spelled
according to the manner of the language of the conquerors. This
accounts in a measure for the different ways of spelling with
which we meet in the ancient parish records. After the Norman
conquest (1066) surnames became common and the name of the
locaUty where a nobleman dwelt, or had his estate was often
adopted for his surname. Among the followers of WiUiam the
Conqueror was one of the Fitzanculph family called Lord Dra-
cota. This Fitzanculph was afterward Baron Malbans and
brother to PhiUp, whose son was Lord Dracota. This is re
corded in the early EngUsh record books and shows the existence
of the name at a very early date.
In 1322 the Scotch invaded England, and an order was given
in Draycot and other towns for the people to assemble and be

18 HISTORY OF DRACUT
ready to foUow their feudal lords to war. This order was read
in Draycot church. In 1086 by order of WiUiam the Conqueror
the Domesday Book was written in which was recorded the sur
vey of a great part of the landed estate of England. The name
in this old book is speUed in different ways according to the lo-
caUty of the town. Draycott in Cheddar, Somersetshire, was
speUed in the record to which reference was made, Dracota, also
Dracotta. The Saxon owner was Godewinns or Goodwin. Dray
cot in Lymington, near Bath, and Wells, Somersetshire, was
speUed Dracota, the Saxon owner being Alwe. Draycot-FoUot
and Draycot-Cerne, the last being in Wiltshire were respectively
Dracote, Saxon owner Levenot, and Draicote, Saxon owner
Edric. A brief mention of an early charter may be of interest
to lovers of ancient history.
DRAYCOTE CHARTER
"WiUiam Malbant grants to Hugh, son of Nicholas de
Draycot and his heirs Drayeote, CunshaU, Newton and Leye
(Leigh) and also a salting (a saltmarsh) in Wich-Cheshire,
Circa A. D. 1160."
In Staffordshire, WiUiam Malbane held, with other places,
Draycote-le-Moors. The name Draycot is a corruption of Tre-
Cord which means town in the woods. Tre or Dor meaning
town and cord meaning woods.
As Dracut in America bore an honorable part in the
struggle for Uberty and freedom from British oppression in the
Revolution, so Draycot in Staffordshire, more than 130 years
previous to the time of securing our independence, furnished
soldiers who fought for Charles I against CromweU in 1664, but
in this case they were on the side that met defeat. Richard
Draycot, the name having become a family name, retired to
Paynerley HaU, which he fortified, as was the custom, and sur
rounded it with three moats ; but resistance though stubborn,
was in vain, the castle was demoUshed and when peace was re
stored a brick building was erected on the site.
Like many other proper names the name in this country
may be found speUed in different ways. Drawcutt was a common
way of spelling the name in the early days, whUe we find in

SETTLEMENT OF DRACUT 19
the records of Chelmsford the name is speUed Draw Cut. In
a transference of property under date of 1665 the name is re
corded as Drawcutt aUas Augumtoocook. The substance of the
transfer wiU appear in the chapter on Indian History. The
earliest mention of the name as applied to this town is in a
transfer from John Evered aUas Webb to Samuel Varnum and
Richard Shatswell "1100 acres in Drawcutt on Merrimack
River," January 10, 1665.

CHAPTER II
PERIOD OF THE GLACIAL MOVEMENT
AS we study the formation of the earth with its hills and
vaUeys, its rocks and streams, too often we are led to think
that its present condition has existed since the creation.
But we are taught that since the planet caUed the Earth
assumed its present globular form there have been stupendous
changes. Mountain ranges have been upheaved, continents have
been submerged by the ocean, the land, now the site of large
cities, was once the bed of the sea, and the changes that are
taking place are continuous, but so sUght as the centuries pass
away, that in the short space of time aUotted to us as individuals
we are unable to detect them. Uncounted ages have passed away
since the Ught of the sun shone through the firemist that filled
the space which we now caU the solar system and the earth began
to take its form. Man takes note only of days, months or moons,
years and centuries.
Of the vast periods which he calls ages, cycles and eons he
has but faint conception. Scientists have divided geologic time
into five great eras or periods. The earUest is the Archaezoic,
then in their order, the Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and the
present or Cenozoic. During the last named period, and before
the advent of man, came the age of glaciers, of which this chapter
treats. To explain the meaning of the glacial period we may
consider it as one long winter of thousands of years, during
which time the ice and snow accumulated until it covered nearly
aU of the northern hemisphere. Exact data relating to depth
cannot be obtained, some estimating the thickness of the ice at
300 feet, others placing it at half a mile.
This great ice sheet traveUed slowly south and after the
passing of this age-long winter, thousands of years of graduaUy
increasing warmth succeeded and the present condition was the
result. In proof of the existence in the middle states of a former
tropical climate we may refer to the immense coal formations

PERIOD OF THE OLACIAL MOVEMENT 21
produced by the submergence of the land and the consequent
burial of gigantic ferns and tropical trees which could have
flourished only in a tropical heat. We quote from the Century
Book of facts : ' ' Geologists are generaUy agreed that long before
the advent of man, parts of the northern hemisphere were ele
vated several thousand feet higher than they are at present,
causing the cold of the Arctic Zone to extend far southward into
present temperate regions and that a vast glacier rising in the
vicinity of Hudson Bay covered the American Continent north
of the 40th parallel. The loose soil that covers so large a part
of the surface of the northern continent to a depth varying from
30 to 100 feet over which Ue the deposits of later ages, is con
sidered by geologists the effects of glaciers that, in the quarter-
nary or latest geological age, slowly moved southward across
the country." Having in a general way stated the facts relating to the
glacial period, we will consider first the effect of the changes
produced in the ponds and rivers.
The Merrimack River has been a great factor in the de
velopment of the town of Dracut. On account of its existence
on the south and west, the population of the town has increased
by the establishment of factories in Lowell, by the founding of
cities of LoweU and Lawrence which afford a market for farm
produce, and by providing an outlet for the brooks on whose
falls are placed the mills which add to the prosperity of the
town. During the early part of the last century the river provided
for the transportation, by rafts, of lumber to the ship building
yards of Newburyport, and, until a dam was built across the
river, the fish that came up the river at certain seasons of the
year assisted materially in providing food for the family and as
a medium of exchange for the necessaries of Ufe. Before the
glacial period the river flowed in a southerly course, reaching the
sea near Boston. The Middlesex canal when built, followed the
course of the river and while excavations were being made, indi
cations of the river bed of pre-glacial times were found.
In Prof. Shaler's "Aspects of the Earth" we read: "Dur
ing the last glacial period the old river valleys were to a great
degree worn away and the remaining portion of these troughs

22 HISTORY OF DRACUT
was to a considerable extent buried beneath a thick coating of
debris which the ice had worn from the surface of the land and
dropped upon that surface as it retreated. The result is that
in aU countries which were affected by the last glacial period the
river valleys have only here and there returned to their ancient
beds. Ever since the ice went away they have been engaged in a
struggle to restore their ruined ways. * * * We see a simple
indication of this confusion of the old drainage, brought about
by glacial action, in the vast number of lakes lodged within
depressions of the surface in New England as well as in all parts
of the glaciated district. We have only to compare the vaUey
of such a stream as the James River which lies south of the
glacial belt with a New England vaUey such as that of the Merri
mack to see the importance of the effects accomplished by a
glacial sheet on the river system. The valley of the James is
entirely without lakes, every part of its area slopes downward
toward the sea. In the valley of the Merrimack there are hun
dreds of these water basins. A very large part of its surface is
occupied by lakes which owe their origin to irregularities of the
surface produced by the last glacial period."
We also quote from Fox's "History of Dunstable": "The
valleys of the Merrimack are of alluvial formation. That they
have undergone great changes is very evident. Their general
appearance, the shape of their basins, their outlets, their different
levels and the stratified character of the soil, all show that at some
remote period the greater portion of these valleys must have been
covered with water in the form of lakes or large ponds. But
whatever may have been their origin, it is evident that the valley
of the Merrimack was once a succession of lakes, one ending at
Pawtucket Falls and another at Amoskeag Falls, through whose
rocky basins the waters at length burst their way and formed
their present lower channel leaving their former beds dry. ' '
There is no indication that the river above Lowell was ma
terially deflected from its course, but there is abundant proof
of the existence of one of these many lakes where Lowell and
some parts of Dracut now exist. Fox only mentions two, but
other writers call them a chain of lakes reaching far up into
New Hampshire. As the river became obstructed, the hills about
Dracut and vicinity caused a lake to be formed which gradually

PERIOD OF THE GLACIAL MOVEMENT 23
rose until a depression in the surrounding ridge allowed it to
overflow. This was some spot on Dracut heights near Indian
Orchard or lower down at Deer jump. GraduaUy overflowing,
it in time cut a new channel by way of what is now Lawrence
and HaverhiU, to the sea.
An examination of the river in the vicinity named will show
the soil to consist of glacial drift. For centuries the overflow of
the lake was counterbalanced by the supply received from the
overflow of lakes at the north, but the bed of the river being com
posed of loose soil and no ledge being present, the channel in
creased in depth and consequently the water in the lake was
gradually lowered until the present rocky bed was reached.
The electric road from Lowell to Lawrence is constructed in an
ancient bed of the river which may be seen in Dracut and
Methuen. The former banks are supported a part of the distance
by retaining walls. The marks of the high water of the lake were
plainly visible on the rocks at the Fletcher Street Ledge until
recently, when by excavations they were lost. The large boulders
now lying in the river were left when the loose soil was washed
away. A considerable area of the lake still remains and forms
the pond above Aiken Street bridge. The ledge at Hunts falls
below the mouth of the Concord River is an obstruction which
prevents further drainage. All streams show evidences of having
a larger volume of water than at present and the Merrimack is
not an exception. An old river bank may be seen between the
river and Lakeview Avenue. Much of this old bank has been
removed but it can be traced opposite the Reed estate, while the
old river birches growing between this bank and the present
limits of the river are proof of the years that have passed away
since its formation. The ponds which exist at the borders of the
town owe their formation to the glacial period. They occupy
the depressions of the land and their existence is due to the inflow
of streams which are prevented from causing an overflow by
drainage and evaporation.
We wiU consider secondly the effects of the glacial move
ment on the land. The changes in the contour of the land were
as remarkable as those pertaining to the rivers and ponds. As
the tremendous weight of the ice sheet moved south and passed
over hills and mountain ranges, it carried along billions of tons

24 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of earth and rocks. These immense boulders, enclosed in the
ice, scraped the surface, leveUing the hills and filling the streams
and vaUeys. As it crossed ledges it plowed furrows in the rocks,
which show the direction of the movement of the mighty mass.
All glacial drift contains boulders, cobblestones and pebbles in
a rounded form. This is caused by the rolling over and over of
these stones and thus they lose their sharp angles.
In one of the New Hampshire towns may be seen a large
rock from which a piece has been broken, while in Connecticut
the broken part has been found. Butterfield's Rock in Windham,
N. H., which is as large as a small cottage, and which Ues upside
down on a ledge which is composed of a different kind of stone,
is a proof of the irresistible power of a glacier when in motion.
In what is now the under part of this rock a large "pothole"
may be seen. For many years the pecuUar form of the hiUs and
ridges of New England remained a mystery. When examined
by Prof. Agassiz, he pronounced them to be the product of the
glacial period.
Dracut abounds in evidences of the ice age. The movement
of the ice tended to the levelling of hills and filling of valleys,
and if the great ice sheet had receded in the manner in which it
advanced, we should have level plains unbroken by vaUeys except
where great masses of rock, which form the ledges, stood bare and
desolate. But after centuries of grinding and scraping, the tem
perature of the air gradually rose and streams formed by the
melting of ice began to cut channels in the mass. By the action
of the water the more soluble matter was carried away, leaving
sand, pebbles, gravel, boulders and whatever was insoluble, and
when in course of time these rivers reached the ground, the sand
and pebbles were deposited in ridges of different heights and
lengths. These are caUed kames in Scotland, eskers in Ireland,
and osars in Sweden. Their general direction is southerly, but
Dot all directly north and south.
In east Dracut, a short distance north of the nickel mine,
there may be seen an esker running from northwest to southeast
about fifteen feet in height, with steep sides not unlike the roof
of a house. It may be found, but not so well defined, on the
north side of the road leading from Burns ' HU1 to Methuen and
near the residence of Franklin C. Wilson. On the eastward of

PERIOD OF THE GLACIAL MOVEMENT 25
the nickel mine hiU this esker forms a V-shaped junction with
another esker which comes from the direction of the Methuen
Une. From the junction, it pursues a course towards the river.
Another esker starts from near the site of the paper mill
above Parker Avenue and at Meadow bridge is cut through by
Beaver Brook, but on the south side of the stream it runs south
near the Merrimack Woolen mills, forming the high hills which
a few years ago could be seen as a bluff which was occupied by
the buildings caUed New England. This ridge loses its identity
before it reaches the outlet of Beaver Brook. Another esker
starts at Meadow Bridge and taking a course parallel with the
one last named is crossed by Pond Street and is very easily traced
south of the cemetery and, foUowing Riverside Street, is also lost
before reaching the river. A fourth esker commences at New
Boston cemetery and continuing in a southwesterly direction is
joined by another in New Boston village lying northwest of Rock-
wood D. Coburn 's house. These crossing the New Boston road
are cut through by Lakeview Avenue at H. Jesse Coburn 's
house. South of this point Beaver Brook has cut a channel across
it and it continues to the Old Meadow Road near its junction
with the electric car track. At Ward's ledge it disappears, but
reappears on the west side of the Mammoth road near Tolman
Avenue. This ridge has been changed by the carting away of
sand and gravel, leaving the rounded boulders in great heaps.
It reaches' Varnum Avenue near Brookside Street. It appears
on the south side of the river near Rolfe Street and continues
southerly. The material comprising these eskers when screened is of
excellent quality for mixing with lime or cement for building
purposes, and these hills which have been undisturbed for cen
turies are fast disappearing. The coarser material is used largely
by road builders. The rocks are so small that no blasting is re
quired to prepare them for the crusher. There is quite a differ
ence in the composition of the material of which these ridges
are composed. Near Beaver Brook sand predominates, while as
the vicinity of the river is reached the proportion of gravel and
boulders increases. Near Pleasant and Riverside Streets there
are large boulders which were imbedded in the sand which was
deposited there centuries ago.

26 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Eastward of the nickel mine on the farm of the late Theodore
Parker are moraines. These are glacial debris, sometimes in
ridges where the ice has plowed its way through or between hills
and left sand, gravel and boulders on each side of its course, or
again where the glacier has melted and leaves the mass in vast
heaps known as terminal moraines. One of these reaches the
river near Deer Jump.
The glacial deposit may take still another form known as
drumlins. These are hills of circular or oval shape and are of
earUer construction than the eskers. Huckleberry or Whortle
berry HiU near Lake Mascuppic, and Poplar HiU near North
Pond at the northeast corner of the town, are the two highest
and largest drumlins in Dracut. Then Christian HiU, Town
Farm Hill and Loon, or Malones Hill, rank next in size. At the
southeastern part of the town, near the Lawrence electric car
track there are remarkable specimens of these drumlins. Thy
are conical and their sides are very steep. In the extreme
eastern part there is a range of these hills reaching from the
river to Pelham Une.
Miss Harriet Rea of Lowell, who has given much study to
local geology in an article published a few years ago, says:
"Boston Harbor not only affords a deUghtful sail at this season
of the year, but is a place of geological interest. How many have
ever noticed the peculiar shape of its islands? Breeds Island,
Apple Island, Deer Island, Long Island, Winthrop, Fort Warren,
Fort Independence and others are aU alike in their physical
features. The outlines are oval. The trend of the islands is
from northwest to southeast. There is a longer slope on the east
than on the west side. They are beautiful in their soft, fresh
verdure, but one instantly exclaims 'Why are they aU made
from the same pattern 1 ' These islands are drumlins like our own
Fort Hill, left by the glacier when the ice and cold retreated
from Boston Harbor. During the glacial period * * * the ice
Uke that of Greenland must have been of greath depth and took
possession of this part of our country. Boston Harbor existed
before the glacier, but the ice sheet filled it up. When a warmer
climate returned and the ice began to melt and the streams to
flow, masses of earth, glacial drift and gravel were left in the
peculiar form now caUed drumlins. They are packed so hard

PERIOD OF THE GLACIAL MOVEMENT 27
and solid that an engineer will teU you that he would about as
soon cut the soUd rock through as some of these formations.
They never consist of rock like ordinary hills or mountains, but
are always formed of glacial drift. Why or how such pecuUar
shapes come to exist is open to conjecture or research. ' '
In the region west of the cross road from the Methuen road
to the Varnum Cemetery, they are thickly strewn and of various
sizes. From Dracut Center west to the Navy Yard Village, they
are not noticeable. Above New Boston Village and reaching up
into Pelham, there are large numbers of these drumlins. They
present a peculiar appearance in that locality as they may be
seen as circular hiUs of sand rising abruptly from the meadows
and swamps. The largest of these are known as Captain Bill's
island and the Gil island. They are more numerous in West
Dracut, the most prominent being the one on which stands the
Lowell General Hospital, now in Lowell. Huckleberry and Pop
lar hills, to which reference has been made, are called twin hills.
They are formed in pairs having two summits. This feature has
been observed by travellers in other parts of the country and is
the result of a law of nature of which we are ignorant. Third, the
effect of glacial action on the surface of the earth.
Prof. Shaler says : ' ' One naturally asks what was the use of
the engine set at work ages ago to grind, furrow and knead over
as it were, the surface of the earth. We have our answer in the
fertile soil which spreads over the temperate region of the globe.
The glacier was God's great plow * * * The hard surface of the
rocks was ground to powder; the elements of the soil were
mingled in fair proportion with the more arid and unproductive
districts, and a soil was prepared fit for agricultural uses of
man. ' '
The debris from the north which was deposited on the sur
face of the land contained much matter which was suitable for
the subsoil and wherever so deposited may be found our most
fertile fields. Eskers and drumlins have remained uncultivated
as the richer elements were dissolved. The rich, black soil from
which the grasses and plants derive their sustenance is the
product of vegetable and animal matter, which has been deposited
and has decayed since the glacial period. The tendency of the
ice was to level all uneven surfaces. The height of the moun-

28 HISTORY OF DRACUT
tains at the north was greatly reduced and their contents spread
over the surface of the country. As it passed over Dracut and
Tewksbury, it left the surface level. In proof of this there are
the high banks of the Merrimack River between CentralviUe and
the Methuen Une. Before the drainage of the lake began, the
chasm through which the river flows was a solid mass of glacial
drift. The overflow of the rim of the bowl which formed the
lake, and the action of the water of the river produced the pres
ent gorge. The only obstruction to this tremendous force was
the solid ledges.
In CentralviUe just north of the Henry Reed estate there
existed a ledge, the north side of which was precipitous and as
the mass of ice and gravel moved south and reached this ledge
the space on the north side was fiUed, forming the hill on which
the First Congregational Church building stands and over which
Orleans street has been constructed. The greater part of the
Navy Yard Village was a deep vaUey which became fiUed with
sand. Its depth is not known, as excavations thirty feet in depth
have been made without reaching the preglacial surface. In
1862, when the wooden miU was demoUshed and the foundations
of a new one were being prepared, it was necessary to drive piles
into the ground to a great depth until the original bed rock was
reached, as the glacial drift was unsuitable for foundations.
A stroU through any part of the town wiU reveal the fact
that Dracut abounds in evidences of the ice age of many thou
sand years ago, but for this work a single walk must suffice.
Starting at the Uttle brook caUed Tanhouse brook which flows
through the Navy Yard viUage and proceeding west the under
lying ledge is thickly strewn with boulders unearthed by road
builders and pipe layers. Descending by way of Waldo street
the lake bed forms the low land about Parker Avenue. Continu
ing through a footpath on the bank above the Paper miU dam
there may be seen a large rock deposited by glacial movement.
Just before reaching Meadow bridge a large drumlin has been
formed, while in the bed of the stream there are large boulders
which were left when the Ughter materials were carried to the
ocean. On the south side of the stream are the eskers, one of
which is known as MayhiU. Pond street has an abundance of
glacial boulders of all sizes which may be known by their rounded

PERIOD OF THE GLACIAL MOVEMENT 29
edges. On the right before reaching the car track at Moody
street is a drumUn, while running in a northeasterly direction
there were, until recently, long, high eskers, but they have nearly
disappeared, carried away for commercial purposes. Proceeding
west from the turnout at the electric road there are huge boulders
resembling groups of elephants, many of them rent asunder by
the presence of water in the seams which congealed and caused
them to divide. Such manifestations as these are proof of the
stupendous power of the movement of the ice centuries ago. No
data has been discovered by which we can reckon the centuries
which have passed since these masses were deposited. Geologists
reckon the time to be between twenty thousand and fifty thou
sand years ago.

CHAPTER III
INDIAN HISTORY
Dracut at Pawtucket Falls
By Joseph M. Wilson
THE Indian history of Dracut at Pawtucket Falls all centers
around Passaconaway, "The Child of the Bear," last chief
of the Stone Age. Daniel Gookin, the Indian magistrate, writes
that "The Ancient and Capital Seat" of the Merrimack VaUey
Indians was at Pawtucket FaUs.
This site as evidenced by the stone implements and orna
ments now in possession of the Lowell Historical Society, was
where the LoweU Textile School now stands, for from this spot
and the glacial drumUn, adjoining, used by the Indians as their
fort, these reUcs were gathered by a descendant of the Varnums.
We first hear of Passaconaway in history in 1627. Thomas
Morton, being in this country at this time, thus writes of him
in his "New EngUsh Canaan": " Papasiquineo the Sachem or
Sagamore of the territories near Merrimack River, a man of the
best note in aU those parts (and as my countryman, Mr. Wood,
declares in his prospect) a great nigromancer. That Sachem
or Sagamore is a Powah of greate estimation amongst all kinde
of Salvages then hee at their Revels (which is the time when a
greate company of Salvages meete from severaU partes of the
Countre in amity with the neighbors) hath advanced his honor
in his feats or jugUng tricks to the admiration of the spectators
whom hee endeavored to persuade that hee would go under the
water to the further side of the river to broade for any man to
undertake with a breath which thing he performed by swimming
over and deluding the company with casting a mist before their
eyes that see him enter in and come out ; but no part of the way
hee has bin seene; likewise by our English in the heat of aU
summer to make lee in a bowl of faire water first having the
water set before him hath begun his incantation according to

INDIAN HISTORY 31
their usual accustom and before the same has been ended a thick
cloude has darkened the aire and on a sudane a thunder clap
hath bin heard that has amazed the natives; in an instant hee
hath showed a firme peace of Ice to floate in the midste of the
bowle in the presence of the vulgar people which was doubtless
done by the agiUty of Satan his consort."
C. E. Potter, historian of Manchester, N. H., comments on
this as foUows: "From which marveUous story we are to infer
that Passaconaway to the character of a brave warrior added that
of a clever juggler. In fact he held his people in great awe of
him, the Indians supposing him to have supernatural power; to
have control over their destinies ; that he could make a dry leaf
turn green ; water burn, and then turn to ice, and could take the
rattlesnake in his hand with impunity. With such reputed
power and wisdom as a Sagamore, Passaconaway was the ac
knowledged head of the most powerful Indian confederacy east
of the Mohawks and as such received the title of Bashaba, a
title of much the same import as that of Emperor. ' '
In 1627, when Morton wrote, Passaconaway was Chief Saga
more of the Pawtuckets, Penacooks, Wamesits, Nashuas, Sou-
hegan, Namoskeages, Winnepesaukees, Ossipees, Pemmgwassetts,
Coosukes, Pequakes, Sacos, Piscataques, Newichewannocks, Aga-
wams, Wauchusetts, and Massachusetts which divisions were
similar to the Clans of Scotland.
The welcome to and confidence in the English by Passa-
conoway is shown in a deed from the Indians to John Wheel
wright and his associates dated the 17th day of May, 1629 :
"At a general meeting of Indians at Squamscott Falls,
Passaconaway, Sagamore of Pawtucket; Gunnaawitt of Pen-
tucket; Wahangnonawit of Squamscott and Rowle of Newich-
wannock expressed their desire to have the English come and
settle among them as among their countrymen in Massachusetts
whereby they hope to be strengthened against their enemies the
Tarranteens, and accordingly with the universal consent of their
subjects for what they deemed a valuable consideration in coats,
shirts, and kettles seU to John Wheelwright of the Massachusetts
Bay, Augustin Story, Thomas Wright, WiUiam Wentworth, and
Thomas Leavit all that part of the main land bounded by the

32 HISTORY OF DRACUT
river Pascatqua and the river Merrimack to begin at Newich-
wannock FaUs in Pascatqua river aforesaid and down said river
to the sea and along the sea shore to Merrimack River, and up
said river to the falls at Pawtucket, and from thence upon a
northwest Une twenty EngUsh miles into the woods; and from
thence upon a straight Une northeast till it meet with the main
rivers that run down to Pawtucket falls and Newichwannock
falls aforesaid, the said rivers to be the bounds from the thwart
or head Une to the aforesaid faUs and from thence the main
channel of each to the sea to be the side bounds; together with
aU the islands within the said bounds ; and also the isle of shoals
so caUed. The conditions of this grant were that Wheelwright
should within ten years begin a plantation at Squamscott falls;
that other inhabitants should have the same privilege with him ;
that no plantation should exceed ten mUes square ; that no lands
should be granted but in townships; and that these should be
subject to the government of the Massachusetts Colony until they
should have settled a government among themselves; that for
each township they should be paid an annual acknowledgment
of one coat of trucking cloth to Passaconaway, the chief Saga
more, or his successors and two bushels of Indian corn to Wheel
wright and his heirs. The Indians reserved to themselves free
liberty of fishing, fowUng, hunting and planting within these
limits. The principal persons of Pascatqua and the province of
Maine were the witnesses to the subscribing of this instrument
and giving possession of the lands."
We next come to the Indian deed of HaverhiU in which
Passaconaway is again recognized as Chief Sagamore of the
Merrimack Valley Indians:
"KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that we
Passaquo & Sagga Hen with the consent of Passaconaway have
sold unto the inhabitents of Pentucket aU ye lande we have in
Pentucket that is eight miles in length from ye Uttle river in
Pentucket, Westward six miles in length from ye aforesaid river ;
Eastward with ye Islands and the river that ye islands stand
in as far in length as ye land lays by as formerly expresses that
is fourteen miles in length, and we, ye said Passaquo & Sagga

INDIAN HISTORY 33
Hen with ye consent of Passaconaway have sold unto ye said
Inhabitants aU ye right to that we or any of us have in ye said
ground & Islands & Rivers. And we warrant against all or any
other Indians whatsoever unto ye said Inhabitants of Pentucket
to their heirs and assigns forever. Dated ye fifteenth day of
November Anno Dom. 1642.
WITNESS our hands and seals to this bargain of sale ye
day and year above written (in ye presence of us) we ye said
Passaquo & Sagga Hen received in hand for and in consideration
of ye same three pounds & ten shillings.
John Ward
Robert Clement
Tristiam Coffin
Hugh Shekritt
William White
The sign of
Thomas Davis
X The Mark of Passaquo
X The mark of Sagga Hen."
We next come to a treaty with Passaconaway as Chief Saga
more of the Merrimack Valley Indians :
"At a general Court held in Boston the 12th day of the
fourth month (June) 1644.
Passaconaway, Nahanancommock did voluntarille submit
themselves to us as appareth by their covenant subscribed by
their own hands heire foUowing & other articles to wch they con
sented. We have & doe by theise presents voluntarily & without
any constraint or persuasion but of our own free motion put our
selves our subjects Lands and estates under the Goverment and
protected by them according to their just laws and order so far
as we shall be made capable of understanding them. And we
doe promise for ourselves & and all our subjects to all our pos-
teritie to be true and faithful to the said Govrmt. & ayding to
the maintenance thereof to our best abilitie and from tyme to
tyme to give speedy notice of any conspiracie attempt or evil
intention of any which we shall know or heare of against the
same and we doe promise to be willing from tyme to tyme to be

34 HISTORY OF DRACUT
instructed in the knowledge and worship of God. In witness
whereof wee have heerento put our hands the day and year above
written. ' '
Charles Cowley writes in his "Memories of the Indians and
Pioneers of the Region of LoweU":
On the part of the Indians every stipulation in their in
strument was faithfully kept and performed. Would that the
same praise could be awarded to the whites. History must weep
to relate that within twenty years from the date of this treaty
of submission, Passaconaway was reduced to the condition of a
pauper, a stranger in the land of his fathers, dependent for his
subsistence on the cold charity of those who had dispossessed him
of his native soil.
In 1642, upon suspicion that a conspiracy was forming
among the Indians to destroy the EngUsh, forty men were sent
out to arrest Passaconaway, but he escaped by reason of a storm,
but his son Wannalaneit was taken and they barbarously led
him with a rope which he loosened and tried to escape. His cap
tors fired at him and came near hitting him, and he was retaken
and imprisoned at Boston. For this outrage the government of
Massachusetts feared the just resentment of Passaconaway and
they sent Cutshamekin whom they had arrested upon the same
occasion and had discharged to excuse the matter to the old Chief
and invited him to go to Boston and hold a conference with
them. The answer of the old Sagamore showed an independent
spirit : ' ' TeU the English when they restore my son and his squaw
then will I talk with them." This outrage upon the family of
Passaconaway must have made a deep impression upon his mind
and led him to doubt the sincerity of the professions of the Eng
Ush toward him, and in 1647 he exhibited this distrust in a
forcible manner. At this time the Rev. Mr. Eliot for the first
time came to Pawtucket Falls for the purpose of preaching to
the natives. It was the fishing season, and a vast number of
Indians were present. Among them was Passaconaway with two
of his sons. The old Chief refused to see Mr. EUot and retired
immediately from the neighborhood taking with him his sons
saying "he was afraid the EngUsh would kill him."

INDIAN HISTORY 35
In 1648, Mr. Eliot came again to Pawtucket as usual at
the fishing season, and the Old Sagamore had become convinced
of his sincere friendship and heard him gladly. Mr. EUot
preached to the assembled Indians from Malachi I; XI. This
verse he paraphrased thus : ' ' From the rising of the sun to the
going down of the same Thy name shaU be great among the
Indians; and in every place prayer shall be made to Thy name,
pure prayer, for Thy name shall be great among the Indians. ' '
The Indians paid the closest attention and after the dis
course proposed many appropriate and amusing questions.
Afterwards Passaconaway arose and amid the most profound at
tention announced his belief in the God of the English. He
remarked, says Mr. Elliot in a letter of date of Nov. 12, 1648
"That indeed he had never prayed unto God as yet for he had
never heard of God before as now he doth and that he did beUeve
what I taught them to be true. And for his own part he was
purposed in his heart from thenceforth to pray unto God and
that hee would persuade all his sonnes to doe the same pointing
to two of them who were there present and naming such as were
absent. ' '
In 1652 Passaconaway furnished several of his Indians as
guides to a committee of the General Court attended by Jonathan
Ince and John Sherman, surveyors, to find the most northerly
bound of the Merrimack River. The Indians had told them it
was at Aquedochtan, the outlet of Lake Winnepesaukee. On
their return they reported as follows:
The answer of John Sherman, Sergt. at Watertown, and
Jonathan Ince, student at Harvard CoUege, in Cambridge, to
Captain Simon WiUiard and Capt. Edward Johnson, Com
missioners of the General Court held at Boston May 27th, 1652,
concerning the latitude of the northernmost part of Merrimack
River :
"Whereas wee, John Sherman and Jonathan Ince, were pro
cured by the aforesaid Commissioners to take the latitude of
the place above named; Our answer is that at Aquedahcan the
name of the head of the Merrimack where it issues out of the
Lake caUed Winnapusseait upon the first day of August, one
thousand six hundred and fifty two, wee observed and by obser
vation found that the latitude of the place was forty three de-

36 HISTORY OF DRACUT
grees forty minutes and twelve seconds beside those minutes
which are to be aUowed for the three miles more north wch run
into the Lake. In witness whereof wee have subscribed our
names this nineteenth day of October one thousand six hundred
fifty two- John Endicott, Subi.
John Sherman,
Jonathan Ince."
In a letter of Oct. 29, 1649, Mr. EUot writes: "Passacona
way, the Great Sachem of all the tribes that dweU in the vaUey
of the Merrimack did exceeding earnestly and importunately in
vite me to come and Uve at his place and teach them. We used
many arguments ; this was one, that my coming once a year did
them but little good because they soon forgot what I had taught.
You do as if one should come and throw a fine thing among us
and we should catch at it earnestly because it appears so beauti
ful, but cannot look at it to see what is within ; there may be in
it something or nothing, a stick or a stone or precious treasure;
but if it be opened and we see what is valuable therein then we
think much of it. So you teU us of reUgion and we Uke it very
weU at first sight but we know not what is within; it may be
excellent or it may be nothing — we cannot tell ; but if you wiU
stay with us and open it to us and show us aU within we shaU
believe it to be as good as you say it is."
EUot afterwards compUed with the earnest invitation of
Passaconaway in that he writes, which Gookin confirms, that he
estabUshed schools and preaching at Nahamkeage and later Mag
istrate Daniel Gookin his Indian Court, the old building of
which is still standing. This then was in the wilderness and ac
knowledged to be the Indians' own land up to the miUtary
grant to John Evered and associates. After Magistrate Daniel
Gookin came Magistrate Jonathan Tyng. The Indian and Colo
nial Court building was afterwards used as a Tavern, the
Court Room becoming a dance haU. During King Philip's war
it was palisaded and used as a garrison by Edward Coburn
and sons.
We now come to the appropriation of an opening up of
the wilderness in this miUtary grant to members of the Ancient
and Honorable Company.

INDIAN HISTORY 37
At the time of this military grant Namamocomuck, the
oldest son of Passaconaway was imprisoned in Boston for a debt
due from another Indian to one John Tinker and for which he
had become responsible. In order to raise the money to pay the
debt and charges the Indians petitioned the Court for the right
to sell the Island of "Wickasauke." The Court gave permission
to sell it as follows :
"License for Indians to sell an Island. Whereas this Court
is informed yt Pesacona way's sonne now in prision as surety for
ye payment of a debt of forty five pounds or thereabouts and
having nothing to pay but affirme that severall Indians now in
possession of a small Island in Merrimack River (about sixty
acres) the half whereof is broken up ; are willing after this next
yeares use of their sayd Island to seU theire Interest in ye said
Island to whoever wiU purchase it and so to redeem the sayd
Pesacona way's sonne out of prison. The magistrates are willing
to allow the sayd Indians liberty to sell ye sayd Island to En-
signe Jno. Evered as they and he can agree for ye ends afore
said. If their brethren the deputys consent hereto.
"Nov. 8th, 1659. The deputys consent hereto provided the
Indians have liberty to sell the sd. Island to him that will give
most for it.
Consented to by ye magistrate. Edw. Rawson, Secy.
June 7th, 1659.
"Laid out to Left. Peter OUver, Capt. James OUver, Capt.
James Johnson and Ensigne John Evered one thousand ace. of
land ; in ye wilderness on ye northerne side of Merrimack River ;
Lying about Nahamkeage being bounded with Merrimack Riv.
on ye south and on ye west ; the wildernesse elsewher surround
ing according to marked trees; as bye a plott taken of the same
is demonstrated. By Jonathan Danforth, Surveyr
The deputies approve of this returne with reference to the
consent of or Honnrd. Magists. hereto. William Torry, Cleric.
Consented to by ye magist. Edw. Rawson, Secre'ty."

38 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Up to this time aU the wilderness north of the Merrimack
belonged to Passaconaway and his tribes and seeing by this
grant that the EngUsh were going to claim it aU without con
sidering his or their rights, the foUowing spring at a great gath
ering of the Indians during the fishing season at Pawtucket f alls,
he abdicated his office as head of the nation and prophesied their
extinction in the following speech as reported by an Englishman
present :
' ' Hearken to the words of your father. I am an old oak that
has withstood the storms of more than an hundred winters.
Leaves and branches have been stripped from me by the winds
and frosts — my eyes are dim — my limbs totter — I must soon
fall ! But when a young man and sturdy, when my bow — no
young man of the Pawtuckets could bend it — when my arrows
would pierce a deer at an hundred yards — and I could bury
my hatchet in a sapling to the eyes — no weekwam had so many
furs — no pole so many scalp locks as Passaconaway! Then I
deUghted in war. The whoop of the Pawtuckets was heard when
the Mohawks came — and no voice so loud as Passaconaway 's.
The scalps upon the pole of my weekwam told the story of Mo
hawk suffering. The English came, they seized our lands ; I set
me down at Pawtucket. They fought with fire and thunder, my
young men were swept down before me when no one was near
them. I tried sorcery against them but stiU they increased and
prevailed over me and mind, and I gave place to them, I that
can make the dry leaf turn green again. I who have had com
munion with the Great Spirit dreaming and awake — I am
powerless before the Pale Faces. The oak wiU soon break before
the whirlwind — it shivers and shakes even now ; soon its trunk
wiU be prostrate, the ant and the worm wiU sport upon it. Then
think, my children, of what I say; I commune with the Great
Spirit. He whispers to me now — Tell your people Peace Peace
is the only hope of your race. I have given fire and thunder to
the pale faces for weapons — I have made them plentier than
the leaves of the forest and still shaU they increase; these
meadows shaU they turn with the plow — these forests shaU f aU
by the axe — the pale faces shaU Uve upon your hunting grounds
and make their viUages upon your fishing places. The Great

INDIAN HISTORY 39
Spirit says this, and it must be so. We are few and powerless
before them. We must bend before the storm; the wind blows
hard; the old oak trembles; its branches are gone; its sap is
frozen; it bends; it falls! Peace, Peace with the white men —
is the command of the Great Spirit — and the wish — the last
wish of Passaconaway."
In 1665 the Indians petitioned the Governor and Court as
f oUows :
"To the Worshipful Richard BeUingham, Esq., Gov., and
to the rest of the Honord Jenerall Court. The petition of us
poore neibor Indians whose names are hereunto subscribed
humbly sheweth that whereas Indians severaU years since we
yr. petits. out of pity and compassion to our pore brother and
countreman to redeem out of prision and bondage whose name
is Nanamocomuck, the eldest son of Passaconewa who was cast
into prison for a debt of another Indian unto John Tinker for
which he gave his word; the redemption of whome did cost us
our desirable posetions where we and ours had and did hope to
enjoy our Livelihood for ourselves and posterity; namely an
Island on Merrimack River called by the name of Wicomke which
was purchased by Mr. John Web, who hath curtiously given us
leave to plant upon ever since he hath possessed the same we
do not know whether to goe nor where to place ourselves for our
Livelyhood in procuring us bread; having beine very very so-
Ucitous wh. Mr. Webb to let us enjoy our said posetions againe
he did condecend to our motion provided we would repay him
his charges but we are pore and cannot doe so — or request is
Mr. Webb may have a grant of about 5C. acres of lands in the
wilderness which is our own proper lands as the aforesaid Island
ever was.
10-8-65 Nob How in behalf of
my wife and children
Unanunquosett
Wannalancitt Nonatominut"

40 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The petition was granted in the following terms :
"In ans. to this petition the Court grant Mr. Jno. Evered
five hundred acres of land adjoining to his lands upon condition
hee release his right in an Island in Merrimack river called Wi-
cosaeke which was purchased by him of the Indian petitioners —
also upon condition Wanalancett do release a former grant to
him of an hundred acres and the Court do grant said Island to
petitioners — John Parker and Jonathan Danforth are ap
pointed to lay out this grant of five hundred acres to John
Evered. Edw. Rawson, Secy.
14 Oct. 1665. Consented by the Deputies."
At this time Evered aUas Webb had from Bess, wife of
Nobb How, a daughter of Passaconaway, an agreement to release
all right, claim, or interest she had in the land Evered had ac
quired and foUowing this he acquired a deed from the sons of
Passaconaway with her of all the Court had granted him.
The original papers of agreement and deed are now in pos
session of a direct descendant of Edward Coburn, original per
manent settler of Dracut, and were but lately brought to light
having for years lain concealed in a secret drawer of an old desk.
This agreement and deed is as follows:
The Covenant of promise of Bess Nobb How wife *yy ye
Land of Augumtoocooke : "Be it known unto all men by these
presents that I Bess, wife of Nobb How of Wea-Wamesit in the
County of Middlesex in New England for and in consideration
of four yards of DuffiU and one pound of tobacco do hereby
covenant and promise to and with Captayne John Evered aUas
Webb of Draucutt in the County of Norfolk that I, the said Bess
for the consideration aforesaid will sign, seal and deUver a de
mand of covenant in writing of bargain and sale to the said John
Webb his executors, administrators and assigns, any or either of
them of me the said Bess of all the lands, premises and Heredita
ments now in the tenure, possession and holding of him, the said
John Webb, his assign or assigns, tenant or under tenants now
known and called by the name of Draucutt aforesaid and before
the alienation thereof called and known and reported to be caUed

INDIAN HISTORY 41
and known by the name of Augumtoocooke. In testimony
whereof I, the said Bess, have hereunto subscribed my name or
made my mark this six and twentieth day of the month of ApriU
in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred sixty and
five (1665)
Signed, and delivered in Bess — Nobb How, wife
the presence of Richard Shatewell, X her mark"
Samuel Varnum.
This is followed by a deed to Capt. John Evered alias Webb :
"To all Xtian (Christian) people to whom this present deed
of Bargayne and Sale shall come : GREETING :
Be it known unto aU men by these presents that wee Manu-
musett alias Annansauge, Nonatoonamit and Bess, the wife of
Nobb How for divers good causee and valuable consideration
we hereunto moving have devised, granted, bargayned, sold,
alyened, and enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents do
joyntly and severally devise, grant, bargayne, sell, alyen, enfeof e
and confirm unto Captayne John Evered alias Webb of Drawcutt
upon Mynomack alias Merrimack in the County of Norfolk, late
of the town of Boston in New England, Merchant, all and
singular one and every of right, title and titles, interest and
interests, challenge and challenges, property and properties,
deed and deeds, clayme and claymes whatsoever we all or any
of us have or may ever of right or of any rights ought to have
chaUenge or clayme whatsoever upon any pretense or color what
soever into or unto aU and every part of the Lands, premises,
hereditaments to those and every of them now or at any tyme or
tymes thereof in the tenure, use, occupation, holding, or posses
sion of the said John Evered, his heyres or assigns, tenants, or
under tenants now called and known by the name of Drawcutt
aforesaid lately called and known or reported to be called before
the alienation thereof Augumtoocook or by what other name or
names soever before the same hath been called or known or re
ported to be called or known or any part thereof.
Any tyme or tymes soever before the sealing and delivery
hereof to have and to hold all and singular ye said land, premises
hereditaments whatsoever as is in said presents before devised,
granted, bargayned, sold, alyened, enfeoffed and confirmed unto

42 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the said John Evered as aforesaid unto him the John Evered,
aUas Webb, his heyres and asignes forever, the same and every
part thereof to enure and be his sole and only power, benefit, use
and behoof of him, the said John Evered, aUas Webb, his heyres
and assigns forever and to their use and benefit or behoof what
soever. And furthermore we the said Manumusett, Nona-
toonamit and Bess, the wife of Nobb How doe by these presents
for us and every of us, jointly and severally covenant and
promise to and unto the said John Evered his heyres and assigns
aU and singular the said devised premises with theyr and every
of theyr appurtenances aforesaid from tyme to tyme and aU
tymes thereafter to warrant and defend against us and every
of us our heyres executors, administrators and assigns and every
of them and all manner of other person or person whatsoever
clayming the same or part thereof in, by, from or under or any
or either of us or either of our heyres executors or administrators.
In testimony whereof wee, the said Manumusett, Nona-
toonamit and Bess, the wife of Nobb How aforesaid have hereunto
sett our hands and seals or caused them to be sett and our names
with our marks subscribed the nineteenth day of August in the
year of our Lord God according to the computation of New
England aforesaid One thousand six hundred and sixty five.
Signed, sealed and deUvered
by Manumsett and Nonatoonamit
aforesaid according to the Manumusett s~*\ his
date aforesaid in presence of V.  / seai
us Joseph Maumauneronoote
X Nonatoonamit S~\ seal

His marke

o

Nimrod Indian Bess wife of Nobb How
his X marke her X mark (Seal)
(El) Hen Nelson Then appeared before me this
fifteenth of the sixth month 1666,
the three persons yt have here
unto signed, sealed and acknowl
edged the deed, before me
Daniel Gookin

INDIAN HISTORY 43
This instrument entered and recorded in ye County Records
for Norfolk County Page 74 this 5th day of the 9th mo. 1666.
(Register's name is torn off) "
It wiU be seen by this deed that Passaconaway kept to his
abdication and that deeds of lands were given by his children
and without obtaining his signature. At this time it is apparent
that Wannalancit's principal residence was at the island of
Wickasce and that Passaconaway was on the Indian reservation
of Pawtucket Falls on the north bank of the Merrimack which
later became a large part of Dracut. About Namkeke, as Gookin
writes, two miles from the Falls was Eliot's school, preaching
station and Gookin 's Indian Court. The following happening
related by Gookin shows the intense hostility of the Mohawks
and how near they came to Pawtucket in their raids :
"In the year 1670 a party of Mohawks looking for their
prey met with Indians in the woods belonging to Nahamkeke
upon the north side of the Merrimack river not far from English
houses. When falling upon Indians that were traveling in a
path they kiUed some and took some whom they also kiUed and
among the rest a young maid of about fourteen years of age was
taken, and the scalp of her head taken off and her skull broken
and left for dead with others. Some of the Indians escaping
came to their fellows and met a party of men. They went to bury
the dead bodies when they found the maid with Ufe in her,
so they brought her home and got Lieut. Thomas Henchman, a
good man and one that hath inspection over them by my orders
to use means for her recovery. Though he had little hope he
took the best care he could. As soon as he conveniently could, he
sent her to an ancient and skilful woman caUed Goodwife Brooks,
Uving at Woburn, about ten miles distant to use her best en
deavors to recover the maid, and by the blessing of God she did,
although she was about two years recovering her.
"I was at Goodwife Brook's in May 1673 and she showed me
a piece or two of the skull she had taken out, and in May 1674
I was among the Indians at Pawtucket to keep Court and Mr.
Eliot and Mr. Daniels and others with me. I saw the maid alive
and in health and looked upon her head which was whole except

44 HISTORY OF DRACUT
a little spot as big as a sixpence might cover and the maid
fat and lusty, but there was no hair come again where the
scalp was flayed off. ' '
It is recorded that in 1669, the year before this raid, Wanna-
lancit came down the river to Pawtucket and rebuilt the fort
as a protection from the Mohawks. This fort was the oval hiU
from which so many Indian relics have been taken, situated on
Riverside Street opposite the Lowell Textile School. It is evident
the raiding party kept weU away from the fort as this incident
was between the Merrimack and Lake Mascuppic. Another fact
in connection with this raid is that Gookin met the maid on her
recovery at the same time and place of Wannalancit's embracing
the Christian faith which he relates as foUows:
"At this place once a year at the beginning of May the Eng
lish magistrate keeps the court accompanied by Mr. EUot the
minister who at this time takes his opportunity to preach not
only to the inhabitants but to as many of the strange Indians
that can be persuaded to hear him of which sort usuaUy in times
of peace, being an ancient and capital seat of the Indians, they
come to fish ; and this good man takes opportunity to spread the
net of the gospel to fish for their souls. Here it may not be im
pertinent to give you the relation foUowing: May 5th, 1674, ac
cording to our usual custom Mr. EUot and myself took our
journey to Wamesit or Pawtucket and arrived there that even
ing. Mr. EUot preached to as many of them as could be got to
gether out of Matt. 22d, 1-14, the parable of the marriage of the
king's son. We met at the wigwam of one caUed Wannalancit
about two miles from the town near Pawtucket falls and border
ing upon Merrimack river. This person Wannalancit, is the
eldest son of old Passaconaway the chief est sachem of Pawtucket.
He is a sober and grave person and of years between fifty and
sixty. He has always been loving and friendly to the English.
Many endeavors have been used several years to gain this sachem
to embrace the Christian reUgion, but he has stood off from time
to time and not yielded up himself personally though for years
he hath been willing to hear the word of God preached, and to
keep the Sabbath. A great reason that hath kept him off I con-

INDIAN HISTORY 45
ceive hath been the indisposition and averseness of sundry of his
chief men and relations to pray to God which he foresaw would
desert him in case he turned Christian. But at this time, May
6th, 1674, it pleased God to so influence and overcome his heart
that it being proposed to him to give his answer concerning pray
ing to God after some deliberation and serious pause he stood
up and made a speech to this effect :
"Sirs: You have been pleased for years past in your
abundant love to apply yourselves particularly unto me and my
people to exhort, press and persuade us to pray to God. I am
very thankful to you for your pains. I must acknowledge, ' said
he, 'I have aU my days used to pass in an old canoe (alluding
to his frequent custom to pass in a canoe upon the river), and
now you exhort me to change and leave my old canoe and embark
in a new canoe to which I have hitherto been unwilling, but now
I yield up myself to your advice and enter into a new canoe and
do engage to pray to God hereafter. ' ' '
This act of Wannalancit's was the year before the com
mencement of King PhiUp's war, and there is a strong proba
bility that he knew that chief was making preparations for the
Indian uprising and was endeavoring to enlist the Merrimack
Valley Indians in the war to come, so he took a stand, that he
consistently followed, of peace throughout the struggle. Many
happenings are on record of this. Wannalancit withdrew into
the wilderness and this disquieted the Great and General Court
so on Sept. 8th, 1675 it ordered Capt. Thomas Brattle and Lieut.
Thomas Henchman to send a runner or two to Wannalancit,
Sachem of Naamkeke, who had withdrawn into the woods from
fear, to come in again and to inform the Indians at Penacook and
Naticook if they will live peaceably they shall not be harmed by
the EngUsh. Under date of Oct. 1st, 1675 they gave the foUow-
ing: "This our writing or safe conduct doth declare that the
governor and council of Massachusetts do give you and every of
you provided you exceed not six persons free Uberty of coming
unto and returning in safety from the House of Lieut. T. Hench
man of Naamkeke and there to treat with Capt. Daniel Gookin

46 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and Mr. John Eliot whom you know and (whom) we wiU fuUy
empower to treat and conclude with you upon such meet terms
and articles of friendship, amity, and subjection as was formerly
made and concluded between the EngUsh and old Passaconaway
your father and his sons and people ; and for this end we have
sent these messengers to convey these unto to you and to bring
your answer whom we desire you to treat kindly and speedily to
despatch them back to us with your answer.
Dated in Boston 1st October 1675.
Signed by order of the Council John Leverett, Gov'r.
Edward Rawson, Sec'y."
The message reached Wannalancit, but he decUned to return
and the government bringing force to make him, ordered the
noted Indian fighter, Capt. Samuel Mosely, with a company
of one hundred men to disperse the Indian enemy at "Penagog,"
said to be gathered there for the purpose of mischief, and Capt.
Mosely marched to Penaeook but found their fort entirely
deserted. Mosely burned their wigwam and destroyed their
dried fish which had been cured for their winter use. Daniel
Gookin says: "This was a mistake for there was not above one
hundred in aU the Penagog and Namkig Indians whereof Wanna
lancit was chief when the EngUsh drew nigh (whereof he
Wannalancit) had intelligence by scouts they left their fort and
withdrew into the woods and swamps where they had advantage
and opportunity enough in ambushment to have slain many of
the English soldiers without any great hazard to themselves;
and several of the young Indians incUned to it, but the Sachem
Wannalancit by his authority and wisdom restrained his men
and suffered not an Indian to appear or shoot a gun. They were
very near the English and yet though they were provoked by the
English who burnt their wigwams and destroyed their dried fish,
yet not one gun was fired at any EngUshman. ' '
At this time the Wamesit Indians who Uved below Pawtucket
Falls at the mouth of the Musketaquid River (Concord), who
acknowledged aUegiance to the Pawtuckets, were wrongly
accused of burning a stack of hay belonging to James Richardson
and aU the able-bodied men were arrested and taken to Boston.
Three of them were convicted and sold as slaves ; the others set

INDIAN HISTORY 47
free and as they were returning home, in passing through
Woburn, were fired upon by a man by name of Knight, kiUing
an Indian related to the principal Indians of Natick and
Wamesit. On the fifteenth day of November a barn of Lieut. James
Richardson of Chelmsford being burned, the Indians were
charged with it and a body of fourteen armed men went to the
wigwams of the Indians, caUed them to come out, — men, women
and children. Two of the EngUsh fired upon them, killing one
boy and wounding five of the women and children. There now
being no safety for them at their home, the entire tribe removed
into the wilderness to join Wannalancit. The English ordered
Lieut. Henchman to send after them and persuade them to come
back. An Indian, by the name of Weeoposit, was sent who found
the Indians about Penaeook, but could not persuade them to
come back. They were suffering much for food, but still they pre
ferred staying in the wilderness, but they sent back a letter giv
ing their reasons for leaving which was written by Simon
Betogkow, their Indian preacher and teacher, who had been
taught by Mr. EUot :
"To Mr. Thomas Henchman, of Chelmsford: I: Numphow
and John Line we send the messenger to you again with this
answer ; we cannot come home again ; we go towards the French ;
we go where Wannalancit is. The reason we went away from
our home we had help from the Council but that did not do us
good, but we had wrong by the EngUsh. 2dly: The reason we
went away from the English for when there was any harm done
in Chelmsford they laid it to us and said we did it and we know
ourselves we never did harm to the English, but we go away
peaceably and quietly. 3dly: As to the Island we say there is
no safety for us because many English be not good and maybe
they come to us and kill us as in the other case. We are not
sorry for what we leave behind, but we are sorry the English
have driven us from our praying to God and from our teacher
(Mr. Eliot). We did begin to understand a little praying to
God. We thank humbly the Council; we remember our love to
Mr. Henchman and Mr. James Richardson.
The mark of X John Line ) Their
The mark of X Numphow j Rulers"

48 HISTORY OF DRACUT
These Wamesits missed finding Wannalancit and the
Pawtuckets and most of them were forced to return to Chelms
ford from fear of starvation. Major Gookin, Major WilUard,
and Mr. EUot were appointed a committee to visit and comfort
them and to make necessary provision for them. On the 5th of
February, foUowing, they petitioned the Government and
Council, through Jerathmel Bowers, that they might be removed
from Chelmsford fearing to stay, and their petition being
neglected they fled again into the woods towards Pennakoog,
leaving only five or six in one wigwam who were lame and blind.
This wigwam was set on fire by some of the people of Chelmsford
and they were aU burned together.
The Wamesits succeeded this time in finding Wannalancit,
but not until a number had perished of hunger among whom
was Mystic George and Numphow, then Sagamore, the husband
of Bess, daughter of Passaconaway.
None of the Indians returned to Pawtucket until after the
close of King PhiUp 's War when a few came with Wannalancit
who at this time caUed upon the Rev. Mr. Fish of Chelmsford and
inquired if they had suffered much during the war. Mr. Fish
told him very Uttle for which he thanked God. The foUowing
March, 1677, this information was communicated to the Governor
and Council by James Parker from Mr. Henchman's farm "near
Merrimack Haste Post Haste."
"To the Honored Governor and Council. This may inform
your honors that Sagamore Wannalancit came this morning to
inform me and then went to Mr. Tyng's to inform him that his
son being on ye other side of Merrimack River, a hunting, and
his daughter with him up the River over against Souhegan upon
the 22nd of this instant he discovered 15 Indians on this side of
the River which he supposed to be Mohawks by their speech. He
caUed them; they answered, but he could not understand their
speech and he having canou there in the River he went to fech
his canou that they might not have anines of it; in the mene
time they shot about thirty guns at him and he being frighted
fled and came home to Nahamcook forthwith where their wig
wams now stand.
Rec'd 9 night 24 March 76-77." JaMES PaBKER-

INDIAN HISTORY 49
Wannalancit stopped about in the region of Wickasee until
September, but the EngUsh had taken his planting grounds.
Mr. Eliot says, "He (Wannalancit) was persuaded to come in
again; but the English having plowed and sown all their lands
they had but little corn to subsist by. A party of French Indians
(of whom some were of the kindred of this Sachem's wife) very
lately fell upon this people being but few and unarmed and
partly by persuasion and partly by force carried them away.
"The fact is Wannalancit saw his lands taken up and im
proved which the Legislature had granted him. ' '
This was the 19th of September, 1677. Major Gookin, the
fast friend of Wannalancit, gives the following reasons for his
leaving and retiring to St. Francis :
"First this man had but a weak company, not above eight
men. "Secondly, he lived at a dangerous frontier place for the
Mohawks that were now in small parties watching opportunities
to slay and captivate these Indians, had lately done mischiefs
a few miles off.
"Thirdly he had but little corn to live on for the ensuing
winter, for his land was improved by the English before he
came in.
"Fourthly, the Indians that came from the French were his
kindred and relations for one of them was his wife's brother;
and his oldest son also Uved with the French.
"Fifth, these Indians Informed him that the war was not
yet at an end and that he would live better and with more
safety among the Indians. ' '
AU the injury to Dracut in King PhiUp's war was when
"the strange Indians, " not the Pawtuckets, attacked and burned,
with one exception, all the buildings Edward Coburn had pur
chased of John Evered aUas Webb. This exception stiU stand
ing is what at present is known as the Major Durkee house, and
at that time was Daniel Gookin 's Indian Court. It then was
successfully defended by Edward Coburn and sons, having been
paUsaded and used as a garrison. It was at this time Samuel
Varnum and sons were crossing the river to milk his cows that
the Indians shot and killed two of his sons. In April, 1676, the

50 HISTORY OF DRACUT
General Court ordered Lieut. James Richardson to build a garri
son house at Pawtucket falls and it was placed under his com
mand. It was located on the Indian reservation and was never
attacked by the Indians. This was in excellent condition when
torn down.
Our ancestors, in their desire to possess the land, were
blinded and did not understand the Indians and never seemed to
realize that they were composed of the good and the bad, but in
every controversy acted on the theory that they were all bad.
Jeremy Belknap, D. D., author of the "History of New
Hampshire," bears testimony as follows:
"However fond we may be of accusing the Indians of
treachery it must be confessed that the example was first set
them by the Europeans. Had we always treated them with
justice and humanity, which our religion inculcates and our true
interest at all times required, we might have Uved with them in
as much harmony as any other people on the globe. ' '
George Catlin, in his "Manners, Customs and Conditions of
the North American Indians" bears the following testimony:
"I fearlessly assert to the world and I defy contradiction that
the North American Indian in his native state is everywhere a
highly moral and religious being endowed by his Maker with an
intuitive knowledge of some great author of his being and the
Universe in dread of whose displeasure he constantly lives with
the apprehension before him of a future state where he expects
to be rewarded or punished according to the merits he has gained
or forfeited in this world. ' '
The incidents related by Magistrate Gookin of the raid
by the Mohawks was from the river toward Lake Mascuppic.
When Dracut was incorporated in 1701-2 its bounds commenced
and took in a part of Wannalancit's island of Wickasee, and the
falls at that place furnished the fish to fertiUze the corn planted
on the island, but the great fishing place was the Pawtucket falls
from which an enormous quantity of salmon, shad, alewives and
Lamprey eels was each year secured and a year's supply of dried
and smoked fish stored. The fishing season brought a great

INDIAN HISTORY 51
gathering of the Indians of the Merrimack VaUey and it was the
time of council, merry-making and match-making. In aU deeds
given by the Indians the right to fish and hunt was reserved.
With the departure of Wannalancit to the French, the Paw
tuckets never returned to the Falls.
Jeremy's Hill in New Hampshire is often mentioned in early
deeds and the following Indian deed dated 1659 but not recorded
until 1679 is here given.
"Know All Men By These Presents that I Nedacockett, an
Indian born within that tract of land now inhabited and known
by the name of Matachusetts, having by lawful right a tract of
land which was given my father and uncle, at their death, have
upon due consideration and for a debt due to Jeremiah Belcher
of Ipswich in New England which has been owing to him seven
or eight years of about twenty six pounds, do give and fuUy
grant and make over and sell all my right of that land of mine
which butting against Pawtucket and so running along Haver-
hillward as far as old WiUiam 's Wigwam and so up the country
to a Hill called Jeremy's with all meadows; and this I make
over to Jeremy Belcher of Ipswich as above to enjoy with peace
and quietness and his heirs forever as witness my hand and seal
dated the 28th of March 1659.
Signed and delivered in presence of us
John Denison
Lidia Jordan. Nedacockett (a mark and seal)
Recorded Feb. 27th, 1679."
Of localities named we present a map of grants of land on
the north bank of the Merrimack from Webb's dated 1659 to 1693
which shows the great Indian reservations of Pawtucket FaUs
which commenced on the river above the Lowell General Hospi
tal; from thence to easterly side of Spruce Swamp; thence to
Long Pond (Lake Passaconaway) taking in part of the pond;
thence down Alewive or Double Brook to Beaver Brook; from
thence up the river to the starting point. There still remains in
the woodland, not far from the Lowell General Hospital, a part
of the Indian ditch which marked the reservation. There was

52 HISTORY OF DRACUT
an Indian settlement at Long Pond which, in justice, should be
named the Indian name of Lake Passaconaway as Tyng's pond
has regained its Indian name Lake Mascuppic. The records
plainly show that the Indian Court was at Nahamkeag which was
the land by the river at the point of the grant to the members
of the Ancient and Honorable ArtiUery Company.

As Chapter V, relating to the establishment of the Province
line, is written to prove the important part taken by Dracut
when the line was surveyed in 1721, so in the article prepared by
Mr. Wilson abundant proof is presented which shows conclu
sively that the territory now Dracut was the capital seat of the
great chief Passaconaway, whose jurisdiction extended over the
tribes who dwelt in the valley of the Merrimack. This locaUty
held the same relationship to the others that a capital city does
to a state. It was the home of the chief, the location of the court
and the place where the first schools for the Indians were es
tablished. The article prepared by Mr. Wilson closes after re
cording events which preceded the commencement of King
Philip's war in 1675. The following records relate more to the
customs and habits of the Indians and their history during the
Colonial period. An effort has been made to avoid repetition but
to retain the quaint manner of writing of those early days some
of the contents of those early documents are recorded a second
time. The time of the arrival of the Indians in this country and
the place from which they came has long been the problem
which learned men have tried to solve. They had no written
language and consequently no records for the antiquarian to
study. Their houses were wigwams composed of frail, perish
able material and their abiding places only in such localities as
suited their present needs. They located near a river which was
a natural highway for journeying in their canoes as their natural
indolence caused them to be averse to the labor of walking.
They also derived much of their food from the river, and long
practice made them skiUful in the use of nets and seines. By
killing deer and trapping beaver and other animals and dress
ing the hides, much of their clothing was procured. As many of

INDIAN HISTORY 53
the tribes were enemies, they chose those locations most suited
for defence and safety. The productiveness of the soil did not
influence their choice as they knew nothing of agriculture
beyond the raising of yellow corn, beans and squashes and all
drudgery of this kind was performed by the squaws. The vast
forests of pine and oak trees were of value to them only as homes
for the wild animals which they hunted for food.
Their encampments were sometimes found at a distance from
the river, but would be near a ledge which would be composed
of stone suitable for arrow heads, hatchets, motars, etc. In
the Dracut museum there are fragments of a stone basin found
while excavating a cellar at the Navy Yard village, also stone
hatchets found at New Boston village, a stone knife shaped Uke
a chopping knife and used for scraping the flesh from hides, a
butterfly ornament, a stone gouge and arrow heads all found in
Dracut. The methods, by which the Indians were able to cut
and shape their flint arrow-heads, were for a long time a problem.
They knew nothing of the use of iron or steel, but the articles
fashioned show skilful work. Selecting proper shaped bones
they placed them in the ground and let them remain until the
fatty matter was all extracted, and with this hard bone they
were able to shape their implements of war and hunting. There
were workmen whose duties were to shape these implements, and
long practice made them skilful in their work. They studied
carefully the grain of the stone and understood the direction
and force of the blow as is the custom of the lapidary of the
present day when he shapes precious gems.
An Indian encampment mentioned in County records has
been identified as being located on the high ground a few rods
east of Long Pond and near its southern extremity. Here the
Indians cooked their fish and the ashes and charred wood which
have been turned out by the plow with the many Indian utensils
found here in former times are proof of the location of the camp
ground. This field is a part of the Varnum farm now owned
by Joseph P. Varnum. They acknowledged a chief or sachem
who was the supreme head of the tribe, also sagamores who were
next in rank while subject to the chief. They claimed certain
locations not as we do by individual ownership but as tribal
possessions. When the white men came here, the Pawtucket tribe

54 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of Indians was located near the FaUs. The Indians gave the
name to the vicinity of the f aUs as it meant in their language
place of a loud noise. Pautuck means a water faU from pau a
loud noise and tugh, place. The Wamesits lived near Concord
River where a part of LoweU is now located. Both tribes were
friendly and peacable.
The spirit of cruelty and the love of war was lacking and
they were subject to invasions of the Mohawks who Uved to the
west and who were fierce and warUke. The chief, whom the
whites found on their arrival, was named Passaconaway and he
is entitled to the credit of reaUzing the situation in which the
country was placed and of forecasting accurately the future. In
his deaUngs with the whites we have an iUustration of the pro
verb that history repeats itself. Three thousand years before
this time, when the Hebrews were about to enter Canaan, a
woman of that nation said to the spies: "I know that the Lord
hath given you this land and that a terror is faUen upon us
and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you."
In the same spirit Passaconaway addresses his people when he
conferred the office of sachem on his son, Wannalancit: "I am
now going the way of all flesh. I am ready to die and not likely
to see you meet together any more. I will now leave this word
of counsel with you. Take heed how you quarrel with the
EngUsh. Hearken to the last words of your father and friend.
The white men are the sons of the morning. The Great Spirit is
their father. He shines bright about them. Sure as you Ught
the fires the breath of Heaven will turn the breath upon you and
destroy you. Remember it and Uve."
As their numbers decreased, they quietly withdrew and be
came identified with Canadian tribes. The settlers were not to
be allowed to occupy their land in peace, for soon after the
Varnums and Coburns arrived, a war of extermination of the
settlers was commenced by King Philip and relentlessly carried
on. No one was spared, while buildings were burned and cattle
driven off and great havoc made before the savages could be
overcome. The towns in the Connecticut vaUey were destroyed
and as they advanced eastward the settlements in the Merrimack
valley were attacked. Although to some extent Chelmsford was
forewarned it did not escape their fury. Extracts from early

INDIAN HISTORY 55
histories relating to this territory record these facts. As this
occurred before the organization of the town this locaUty was
called Chelmsford.
Fox, in his "History of Dunstable," records: "February
25 1675 an attack was made by the Indians upon Chelmsford
and several buildings were burned, Colburn 's garrison, on the
east side of the river was strengthened but nearly all the other
settlements were deserted."
Another writer says: "At Chelmsford the Wamesit Indians
about March 18th 1676 fell upon some houses on the north side
of the river and burned down three or four that belonged to the
family of Edward Colburn. ' '
Another early historian writes: "Chelmsford, where were
many deserted houses burned in the beginning of April 1676
belonging to one Ed. Colburn that had formerly purchased the
Seat of Capt. Web."
Drake, in his "Indian Wars," says: "Mar. 18th 1675 at
Chelmsford the said Wamesit Indians fell upon some houses on
the North side of the River burnt down three or four that be
longed to the family of Edward Colburn : the said Colburn with
Samuel Varnum his neighbor being pursued as they passed over
the river to look after their Cattell on that side of the river."
As Edward Colburn 's land was on the Merrimack River
these houses stood on what is now Varnum Avenue or near it.
The historians who have given us the facts have evidently
reasoned from the proximity of the Wamesits that they were the
aggressors in the destruction of these buildings, but a study of
their disposition leads to the conclusion that it was not this peace
ful tribe, but either the Mohawks from New York or some
wandering parties of King PhiUp's men who burned and
destroyed wherever they found the white man.
On the highland overlooking the river and between the
Hamblett or Garrison House Cemetery and Riverside Street,
there was a Garrison House erected. ReaUzing the need of a fort
for protection from the raids of the Indians, Lieut. Thomas Rich
ardson received orders to erect one and he chose this site on what
is now Riverside Street. It was later the home of Joseph, the
youngest son of Samuel Varnum, and probably the one who was
wounded at Meadow bridge, as will be recorded later. It was

56 HISTORY OF DRACUT
demoUshed about 1880. The older residents will remember the
low posted two-story building with its large chimney and ancient
appearance. Like other block houses, it was built with pro
jecting stories. The first rested on the cellar waU and was of the
same size. Th second was larger than the first and the top or
attic was still larger.
Mr. Atkinson C. Varnum was interested in Dracut history
and preserved much valuable information relating to the early
days. His manner of writing and presentation of facts are ex-
ceUent and his description of the garrison house will be recorded
in his own words: "The old two story pitched roof house in
Dracut, known as the Garrison house, and situated on the
westerly side of the road leading from Pawtucket Bridge to the
Navy Yard, is being demoUshed to make way for the march of
improvement. The house is forty-five feet front by twenty-two
feet deep and was built by the early settlers of Dracut in 1674
as a place of rendezvous in case of an attack by the Indians for
the safety of the women and children, and for the better defence
of their property by the men. The roof was about one third
pitched and persons could stand under the ridge pole of the
attic. The flooring and framing timbers were sixteen inches
square and are all hewed instead of being sawed. They are of a
reddish variety of pitch pine. The second story projected over
the first in order to afford an opportunity to shoot through loop
holes downward upon any foe that might make an attack upon
the garrison. The perpendicular projecting timbers of the
second story terminated in an ornamental finish at their lower
extremity and appear as sound as when put into the framework
of the building 212 years ago. The bricks of which the lower
portion of the chimney was constructed were made in Scotland as
appears from the inscription on them. A portion of the basement
is partitioned off from the rest by a heavy stone wall. This en
closure is supposed to have been made for the better safety and
security of the women and children who sought safety from time
to time in the basement. ' '
It may be added that the house was ceiled or wainscotted
over the plastering with oak plank to make it bullet-proof. There
was also a stockade made of logs standing upright and set in the
ground with a gate which was closed at night. In time of alarm

INDIAN HISTORY 57
the settlers, with their famiUes, would stay at this house for
safety. Those were the times when men working in the field had
their muskets at hand and who, on Sunday, carried them to
church and stacked them near the door while the sentry kept
watch from some elevated platform to give the alarm if the
savages appeared.
In his search for early Dracut history Mr. A. C. Varnum has
found traditions which, while they cannot be verified, are highly
probable. He writes in his reminiscences: "At one time the
garrison was surrounded by the Indians who had already got in
side of the stockade. Pursued by them into the house, the
soldiers prepared to meet the invaders as best they could. The
Indians kiUed the trumpeter who stationed himself at the door,
but they were met with such spirit by the gallant defenders that
not one of them went out of the fort alive. On another occasion
the Indians planned an attack on the garrison. When they were
first seen there was no one in the house but a woman and her
children, the soldiers having gone out to make some investiga
tions. The woman who kept a sharp lookout, saw the enemy
lurking around, and with great presence of mind put on the
uniform of a 'Hussar' and taking a musket began walking back
and forth in front of the house. In a short time she went out
of sight and changed her uniform. All this time the Indians lay
watching these movements supposing they had not been seen, but
from what they saw imagined the fort was too strongly gar
risoned for a successful attack and so they withdrew and left the
brave woman unmolested."
At the time of the demolition of the building, its value as a
historical landmark was not appreciated. Fortunately an ex
cellent picture of the building was secured, but not until the
wings, sheds and stockade had been removed.
In 1859 a writer in the Lowell Citizen says: "A party of
men returning from the meadows where they had been after
hay were waylaid and fired upon by the Indians at the fordway
which is called Old Meadow Bridge." Taken by surprise some
were kiUed and others wounded, but the name of only one has
been preserved. Joseph Varnum was wounded but recovered and
lived many years. No date is mentioned but as these attacks

58 HISTORY OF DRACUT
occurred usually during King Philip's war there can be little
doubt of its being Joseph, son of Samuel Varnum who came from
Ipswich. After the close of Queen Anne's war a treaty of peace with
the Indians was concluded at Portsmouth, but their treacherous
nature rendered treaties unreUable. While with some tribes
their honor or interest would incUne them to peace, other tribes
would disregard the agreement. In 1724 a party of Mohawks
attacked Dunstable killing and carrying away the settlers as
captives. Realizing their danger Chelmsford and Dracut sent
men to aid their neighbors in defending their homes. Their
leader, John Love well, with others, petitioned for a Ucense to
shoot the Indians. This was probably granted, as two Dracut
men, Henry Coburn and John Varnum, served in LoveweU's first
expedition, Varnum re-enlisted and served in a second
expedition. The settlements were constantly threatened by the Indians
and they were obliged to depend largely on themselves for pro
tection. The petition to which reference has been made is as
follows :
' ' The humble memorial of John Lovel, Josiah Farwell, Jona
than Robbins all of Dunstable sheweth, That your petitioners
with near forty or fifty others are inclinable to range and to
keep out in the woods for several months together, in order to
kill and destroy their enemy Indians, provided they can meet
with Incouragement suitable. And your petitioners are Im-
ployed and desired by many others, Humbly to propose and
submit to your Honors consideration, that if such soldiers may
be allowed five shilUngs per day, in case they kill any enemy
Indian and possess their scalp they will Imploy themselves in
Indian hunting one whole year; and if within that time they
do not kill any they are content to be allowed nothing for their
time and trouble."
Reed's "Hildreth Family" records a muster roll of the
company in His Majesty 's service under the command of Eleazer
Tyng. Ephraim Hildreth, rank, sergeant, residence Dracut.
Entrance on the service June 10, 1725. Till what time in the
service Nov 3 1725. Whole time in service 21 weeks."

INDIAN HISTORY 59
The English government did not recognize any rights which
the Indians might have in the land and granted those lands
without regard to any claims of former ownership. The grantees
in the interest of peace in many cases purchased the land from
the Indian claimant. The price paid was often small in propor
tion to later values, but it satisfied the Indians and made them
more friendly disposed towards the white people. Mrs. Clarence
G. Coburn has in her possession an old deed, found with other
papers where for many years they had lain concealed in a secret
drawer in an old desk, and brought to light in later years by the
loosening of some of the ornamental work. The ink retains its
color while the paper is yeUow with age. Previous to the writing
of the deed Webb prepared a paper which he presented to Bess,
an Indian squaw, with the promise in case she signed it of tobacco
and "duffiU." This contract may be found in the first section
of this chapter on Indian history.
Bess was the daughter of Passaconaway and wife of Nobb
How or Numphow the Sagamore of Wamesit. The duffiU men
tioned was a stout cloth which, like camlet, was in use and from
references to it, it was probably cloth of a superior quaUty.* The
poet Wadsworth, in the poem entitled ' ' Goody Blake and Harry
GUI," refers to "Good duffel gray and flannel fine."
The Richard Shatswell, whose name appears as one of the
witnesses, came to this vicinity at an early date and purchased
large tracts of land. He was contemporary with Tyng, Hench
man, Webb, Varnum and Coburn, and, in common with the first
three named, had no intention to settle, but purchased for pur
poses of speculation. He came from Ipswich and sold land to
Edward Coburn receiving in return Coburn 's property at
Ipswich. The great pine tree standing at the N. W. corner of
Edward Tyng's grant was known as Setchel's pine. (See Early
Grants.) His name appears spelled in different ways as, Shats-
weU, Shadswell, Satchel, Setchel, Sethell, Sachel, Stitchell, Chad-
well and Chatswell. There is a meadow on Coburn 's sawmill
brook caUed ' ' The Cathole. " It is reasonable to infer that it was
once the property of Chatswell, but in transferring it by deed to
•Webster's Dictionary defines it as "A kind of coarse woolen cloth having
a thick nap or frieze."

60 HISTORY OF DRACUT
different parties the name became at length Cathole. The
Samuel Varnum named was from Ipswich and the first of the
name to settle in this vicinity.
The original deed is in possession of Mr. J. B. V. Coburn of
LoweU and is a valuable reUc, as it shows the actual marks made
by the Indians and the signature of Daniel Gookin, who for
many years was the agent in charge of the Indians and a re
liable historian. In an agreement between the inhabitants of
Chelmsford and the Indians of Wamesit, in 1665, in relation to
the divisional line, the name of "nobhow" appears as one who
signed the paper for the Indians. It would appear from this
transaction that Bess had an interest in the land north of the
river, while her husband, Nob, had authority relating to land
on the Concord river. It has already been stated that Bess Nob
How or Numphow was the daughter of Passaconaway. Nona
toonamit or Nonatonemut was his son. The identity of the other
signer is not so certain. Manumusett or Annaniange, as near as
the name can be deciphered, may have been the same person as
Unanquosett, another son of Passaconaway which is quite reason
able to suppose. The name of the third witness in fuU is EUz-
abeth Henry Nelson. She was a servant maid in the household
of Captain Webb, and after his death she received a legacy with
some wages due from his estate, for which she gave a receipt to
Thomas Henchman the administrator.
Bess appears in later years as the sole grantor in a deed
dated April 29, 1684, of which we give an abstract: "Old Bess
Numphow widow (the reUct of John Numphow of Waymesit
deceased) now of Waymesit near Pawtucket, in consideration of
a valuable sum of money to Samuel SeweU of Boston, Merchant
a small tract of land between three and four hundred acres near
Wekasook bounded by Merrimake River on the west, by Samuel
Varnum southwardly and Eastwardly, by a farm that was Capt.
Scarletts North westerly, containing the whole tract of land that
Capt. John Hull Esq. deceased purchased of Thomas
Hinchman. ' '
The land thus conveyed is thought to have been the Westerly
end of the MiUtary grant, with a part of the BiUerica grant, and
extended from the river northward to Huckleberry hiU. It was
formerly owned by Capt. John Webb and from his estate it

INDIAN HISTORY 61
passed to Thomas Henchman who gave a title to Capt. John
Hull father-in-law of Judge Sewell. The Sewells sold in 1715
to John Colburn who, in 1721, sold to John Littlehale. Later
a portion of this property passed again to the Colburns. In
1755 on petition of the Littlehales to the General Court the
homesteads and other lands were annexed to Dunstable and are
now a part of the town of Tyngsboro.
Another old deed has reference to a portion of the town of
Dracut. March 28, 1659, Nedacocket, an Indian, for a debt
which he owed to Jeremiah Belcher amounting to 26 pounds
sold "AU my right of that land of mine which lyeth on the
other side of Merrimac River Butting against Panteukit and so
running along to HaverhiUward as far as to old Williams Wig
wam and so up the country to a hiU caUed Jeremys HiU with all
the meadows." Old WiU is mentioned on the records of Haver-
hiU as having a "planting ground" not far from Spicket River.
As Jeremys hill is in the west part of Pelham above Gumpus* a
line drawn from a point "HaverhiUward" to Jeremy's Hill and
"Butting against Panteuket" would include the greater part
of Dracut. But this would be done to satisfy the Indian, who
supposed he had certain rights to the land. Jeremy, who is sup
posed to have dwelt near the hill in Pelham, which still bears his
name, was a signer to this deed with Nedacockett. In 1710
Belcher's son, Jeremiah Belcher, Jr., petitioned the General Court
for a grant of land on the right of his father, and the Court
ordered the town of Dracut to lay out a tract of three hundred
acres. This tract was an oblong 200 by 240 rods between Island
and North ponds bounded on the northeast by the latter pond,
and on the east by the line of the town. This would include
Poplar hiU which now lies at the northeastern corner of the
town. About thirty years after the actual settlement of the town
another deed was recorded as foUows :
"To all Christian people to whom this present deed may
come. Greeting
Know ye that I, Master John Thomas Sagamore Minister of
Natick The right heir of the soille of Dracut for three hundred

62 HISTORY OF DRACUT
pounds of silver to him in hand, weU and truly paid, ye Minister
of Natick John Thomas by John Colburne, Thomas Colburne,
Robert Colburne, Daniel Colburne, Ezra Colburne, Joseph Col
burne, The Hannah Richardson, widow, Thomas Varnum John
Varnum Joseph Varnum of Dracut near Chelmsford in the
County aforesaid. Whereof the said John Thomas doth acknow
ledge doth release and discharge the said John, Thomas, Robert
&c and doth freely bargain and convey to the above named John,
Thomas, Robert &c Two or three thousand acres of land, be it
more or less bounded on Merrimac River on ye South and
on Master Sewalls farm on the west and so running a straight
Une to ye North Side of Lond Pond to a tree with stones by it
and marked, and so running Nor East to a Brook caUed Beaver
Brook and containing aU the land that the above named Col
burns and Varnums possessed and running on Beaver Brook to
a farm caUed Chelmsford land and so running west to a corner
pine tree marked and then running South to another pine tree
marked and thence running east to another corner bound and
running south to Merrimac River at Pau-Tucket, and there
bounded by a white oak tree to have and to hold to the said John
Colburne, Thomas Colburne &c their heirs administrators and
assigns forever. In witness whereof the said John Thomas has
affixed his hand and seal hereunto set this seventh day of the
fourth month caUed April in the year of our Lord One Thousand
seven hundred and one, in the thirteenth year of the reign of our
sovereign Lord King WiUiam. John Thomas his seal and
mark. ' '
By "Chelmsford land" reference is probably made to the
500 acres on the west of Beaver Brook including Pawtucket-
viUe known as The Indian Reservation which had been pur
chased by parties Uving in Chelmsford.
In 1629, John Wheelwright purchased of the Indians a
large tract of land between the Piscataqua and Merrimack rivers,
extending from the sea to "Pentucket Falls and from thence in
a north west Une twenty English miles into the woods."
Whether or not this deed covered the soil of Dracut is uncertain,
depending on whether Pentucket (crooked place) is meant the
falls at Lawrence or LoweU. It is evident that Wheelwright laid

INDIAN HISTORY 63
no claim to the land bounding south on the Merrimack where
towns were later laid out by authority of the General Court of
Mass. In 1719 the grandson of Wheelwright sold to the settlers
of Londonderry by virtue of this deed a tract of ten square
miles bounding on the Dracut Une.
Reference has been made to Bess, wife of Nob How, a
daughter of Passaconaway who was at the head of a confederacy
of several tribes which included the Wamesits and Pawtuckets.
They were peaceful tribes and largely engaged in agriculture.
On the South were the Pequots, who were the leaders in the
war for the extermination of the white people in 1675 known
as King Phibp 's war, on the east were the Tarratines, and on the
west the Mohawks, aU fierce warUke tribes who at intervals
would attack the peaceful tribes for the purpose of plunder.
The purpose of the organization was defence against these
tribes. King PhiUp endeavored to enlist these tribes to assist in
the war, but they refused to join him. While Passaconaway
had a residence at Pennacook Island and other homes on the
Merrimack, the region in which Dracut is situated was included
in his jurisdiction. In 1660, realizing that his days were
numbered, he, according to custom, deUvered a farewell address
and conferred upon his son, Wannalancit, his authority as chief
tain, who in 1669, built a fort at Pawtucket for protection against
his enemies the Mohawks.
This was the year in which Edward Colburn came to
Dracut and purchased a garrison house near Varnum Avenue.
Passaconaway had at least six children, among them Nanamoco-
muck, a sagamore of the Wachusett tribe, which was about the
vicinity of the Wachusett mountains, Unanunquosett, and Nona-
tomenut, also Bess wife of Nob How, the two last named appear
ing on the Indian deed on another page and Wannalancit, who,
as stated, succeeded his father.
Reference has been made in Mr. Wilson's article to an
Indian ditch. In the history of LoweU there are also references
to an Indian ditch which was between the settlements of the
Wamesits on Concord River and the town of Chelmsford. These
were shaUow trenches resembling a furrow made by a plow and
were designed to show the boundaries of their reservations. The
ditch which evidently reached from Merrimack river to Long

64 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Pond, marking the west bound of the Indian Reservation of 500
acres, has nearly disappeared by reason of cultivation of the land
and other causes, but a few rods in length remains on a knoll a
few rods from the Lowell General Hospital in a northerly direc
tion. As the knoll is not suitable for cultivation, this interesting
relic has been preserved, the work of a race once the dwellers
of this locality, but which long ago passed away to be succeeded
by the white man.

DEACON GEORGE HOVEY

<See Pase 400)

CHAPTER IV
EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS OF RESERVED LAND
ALL references to the present territory of Dracut, when occu
pied by the Indians, are to the Willdernesse North of the
Merrimack. The Indians kept no records and the ownership of
the land was not individual but tribal. The governments of the
old world claimed sovereignty by rights of discovery. The
French possessed Canada; the Dutch, New York; the Swedes,
Delaware; the Spaniards, Florida; and the English, New Eng
land and Virginia.
The first task of the settlers was to clear away the forests
and disperse the wild beasts and Indians, which were the sole
occupants of the land. Gradually removing from the seaeoast,
as new territory was required, they reached the Merrimack river
and in 1653 the town of Chelmsford was incorporated.
The settlers of the new towns were in indigent circum
stances. Very little money was in circulation. They needed
bridges, school buildings and houses of worship, and application
was made to the Colonial authorities for assistance. As funds
were needed "advances" so called, were made by men of
financial ability and their loans to the treasury were repaid by
liberal grants of land in the wilderness. Sometimes these grants
were given to civil or military officials for services rendered.
Again a grant would be made to assist a needy town. In this
way a great part of the territory of Dracut was parcelled out
before settlement. It is fortunate that records have been pre
served by which the ownership of all parts of Dracut may, in a
general way, be found. It is sometimes difficult to locate the
exact boundary lines, but distances from water courses, when
given, assist in finding the locations, and very early deeds often
refer to the lines in a manner inteUigible to the student.
The Military Grant
Four members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company, for services rendered, received a grant of land. Re
taining the early spelling we find:

66 HISTORY OF DRACUT
"June 7. 1659. Laid out to Left, peter OUver: Capt. James
OUver: Capt. James Johnson and ensign John Evered one
thousand ace. of land in ye wildernesse on ye Northerne side
of merrimack River, Lying about Nahamkeage being bounded
by merrimack Rivr on ye South and on ye west, the wildernesse
else wher Surrounding according to marked trees as bye a plot
taken of the same is demonstrated." John Evered for reasons
unknown to us adopted the name of Webb, by which name he
is generally known. He, by deed dated June 7, 1664, became
sole owner of this tract. The deed states that ' ' we, Peter OUver
and Sarah his wife James olUver & mary his wife, & James
Johnson and Abagail his wife for and in consideration of a
Warehouse built on a parcle of Land on the Southerly part of
the Dock called and known by the name of Peter olliver's Dock
by John Evered, Aleus Web and by him Declard Long Sinse
into their possession &c Have given unto the sd John Evered
Aleus Webb all that our Several Parcels of Land being Two
Hundred and Fifty Acres of upland & Meadow and in the whole
containing seven hundred and Fifty acres be it more or less
granted unto us severally and Layed out unto us in one peace. ' '
This is dated "the 27 Day of June 1664 it being in the 15th
year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second
By the Grace of God of England, Scotland France & Ireland
King Defender of the faith."
"Nahamkeage" (variously spelled) meant "eel land" or
fishing place, and was the Indian name for the region on and near
the river above Pawtucket falls. The plan is on file in the State
archives, and the location and bounds can be approximately
given. As the site of the first settlement it possesses pecuUar
interest. The west bound commenced at the east channel of the
river, or Wekasoak brook, as it was called, opposite Tyng 's Island,
now in possession of the Country Club. The line ran from this
point about a mile in a northeasterly direction, crossing Scarlet's
brook, thence in a southeasterly course 536 rods to a point near
the junction of Westmeadow road with Varnum Avenue. Thence
it must have run on or near Varnum Avenue 112 rods to an
angle south of the LoweU General Hospital. From this point it
turned 67 rods to the river, perhaps a few rods westerly of the

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 67
mouth of Clay Pit brook crossing the east end of the Boulevard.
With the liberal measurements of those days it is Ukely that
these distances exceeded the recorded figures.
Another deed dated January 10, 1664, records the sale by
John Evered alias Webb of Drawcutt on Merrimack in the
County of Norfolk to Richard Shatswell and Samuel Varnum of
Ipswich for £400 one half of the farm of Drawcutt aforesaid
"except the fields and the houses, barnes structures edifices and
buildings and the garden, the field mentioned to be called the
upper field and three acres of the lower field below the log
fence next the barne to containe 1100 acres. ' '
Of the grantors and grantees in these two deeds we have Uttle
knowledge except Samuel Varnum, who became a settler. They
appear to have been speculators, who for convenience erected
buildings for shelter until they could dispose of their holdings.
Varnum purchased as above recorded in 1664, but there is proof
that he lived on the Chelmsford side of the river.
Four years later, Edward Colburne of Ipswich, a former
neighbor of Samuel Varnum, purchased, Sept. 30, 1668, of John
and Mary Webb for £1300 the remainder of their land, "Com
monly called and known by the name of Dracut on the Merri
mac. ' ' It was bounded by the Merrimack river on the south, by
Richard Shatswell on the east, by Shatswell and Varnum on the
northeast. Colburn was to pay "two thirds in wheat and malt
and one third in beef, pork, and Indian corn. ' ' This transaction,
like many others, was conducted by barter, owing to the scarcity
of money. Varnum and Colburn became permanent residents
upon the property, a part of which stiU remains in possession of
their descendants. The Billerica Grant — 800 Acres
Lying to the north of the miUtary grant was a grant to
the town of Billerica. This town had petitioned for aid, and in
answer the court granted 4000 acres, of which 800 laid within
the bounds of Dracut. The record of the laying out, June 6,
1663, gives the length of boundary lines and mentions ad
joining properties, Mr. Dummer 's farm in Dunstable, Mr.
Webb's farm, Long Pond, "Mascuppet" pond, Tray Table Rock,

68 HISTORY OF DRACUT
etc., from which data the tract can be located. It included
Lakeview Park and the easterly end of Willow Dale, the most
of Huckleberry hill and extended northward to the southeast
end of Long Pond. The easterly angle of the grant must have
been between Totman and Mammoth roads. This tract was soon
purchased by Webb and later by Edward Colburn and Samuel
Varnum who became owners of the miUtary grant, as Richard
Shatswell sold his share to them.
The Batter Grant
Edmond Batter was a prominent man in Salem, and apply
ing for a tract of land was given a location in the "Wilder
nesse." "3 m 1662 Layd out to Edmond Batter of Salem two
hundred and fifty acres of land, more or lesse, in the Wildernesse
on the north side of Merrimacke River and on the west of Beaver
Brooke beginning at a place called Double Brooke Meadow, it
Joynes to Beaver Brooke about sixty two poles, it lyeth forty
two pole wide at the Southe end and so lyeth on both sides of
Alewive Brooke and reacheth up to a great pond commonly
called Long Pond wch lyeth in the way between Patucket &
Jeremies Hill." As it reached from Long pond to Beaver
brook it is easy to locate it.
There is no stream corresponding to Alewive brook, unless
the branch of Double brook coming in from the west was so
called. The tract probably laid on each side of Double brook
covering desirable meadows. There are many references to this
brook and it is often spelt ' ' Dubble. ' ' The tract would Ue west
of what is now Collinsville and included the farm of Joseph P.
Varnum.
Grant to John Martyn
"21 Oct 1663 In answer to the petition of John Martyn,
the Court judgeth it meete to grant the petitioner 100 acres of
upland, to be layd out lying next to Ensign John Evered alias
Webb his land." "18 May 1664 Layd out to John Martyn of
Chelmsford 100 acres of land, more or less, on the north of
Merrimack river, bounded by the said river on the south 97 pole

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 69
and by the Indian plantation on the east 143 pole and from
thence it runs to Mr. Webbs farme, which lyne is 200 & 10
pole, bounded there by the wildernesse, and on the west side
it is bounded by Mr. Webbs farme.
Laid out by Jona. Danforth, Surveyor, The Court doth allow
and approve of this return."
This tract must have included the site of the Lowell General
Hospital and Flag Meadow brook and assists in determining
the west bound of the Indian reservation. The grant later came
into possesion of the Varnums.
The Indian Reservation
In 1653, John EUott, fearing the encroachment of white
settlers upon the Indian villages at Pawtucket and Wamesit,
petitioned the General Court for a reservation of land for them.
In answer the Court granted, under date of May 18, 1653, a
tract on both sides of the river and covering the most of what
is now Lowell.
Five hundred acres were laid out on the north side of the
river. No plan is on file nor any description of the laying out
of the five hundred acres, but it reached from the river near
the head of the falls to Beaver Brook above Meadow bridge.
A deed of transfer of adjacent property shows the northern
bound to have reached to Long Pond, from which angle it
turned southerly to Merrimack river. It was certainly bounded
westerly near the river by Martyn 's grant.
In 1686, the Indians sold their land to Jonathan Tyng and
Thomas Hinchman, who in turn sold it to fifty inhabitants of
Chelmsford. The tract became known as "Chelmsford" land
and later came into possession of Thomas, John and Joseph
Varnum, the sons of Samuel Varnum. This included all the
land from the Navy Yard to the boulevard and from the Merri
mack to the paper mill.
Thus by the purchase of the five grants already described
the Varnums and Colburns owned from Tyng's Island to Beaver
brook and from the river to Long Pond. The divisional line
between the properties belonging to these two families on the

70 HISTORY OF DRACUT
river appears to have been a little above the Thomas Varnum
farm, opposite the Old Meadow road. This seems highly
probable, as the land west of this line was Colburn land, while
on the east it was Varnum land and portions of it are still in pos
session of the descendants of the original owners bearing those
names. Edward Colburn divided his property between his seven
sons and one daughter, who had married Thomas Richardson.
These sons, whose names are given in another chapter, came
into possession of the property, but were not all settlers on it
as one, Robert, lived at Beverly and among his numerous
descendants none are found in Dracut or vicinity. As these
several divisions of land contained a large number of acres
they, in the next generation, were again divided and passed
from father to son but the incorporation of LoweU and the intro
duction of railroads has made a great change in the farms of the
early days. Streets and dwelling houses now occupy the corn
fields and forests. The Russell Grant
Richard Russell came from Herefordshire, England, in 1640,
to Charlestown and engaged in business as a merchant. He
soon became prominent in the affairs of the Colony. As his
ability was recognized, he was advanced from one office to another
of more responsibility, becoming finally treasurer of the Colony.
A tract of land having been assigned him, the report of the
survey is : "12 November 1659 Layd out to Mr. Richard Russell
Treasurer one thousand and sixe hundred acres of land, on the
northerne side of Merremacke River in the wildernesse, begin
ning right over against Wajmesicke, being bounded with Beaver
Brooke on the west, Merremacke River on the south, the wilder
nesse elsewhere sourrounding, acording to marked trees, as is
more fully demonstrated by a plott taken of the same wch is on
file by Jonathan Dunf orth Surveyor. ' ' The original plan is on
file in the State archives. This is further described as: "a
parcell of land graunted in the yeare sixteene hundred & fifty to
Robert Saltonstall in right of Sir Richard Saltonstall for
fower hundred pounds lajd out by him in ye comon stocke,
provided that Mr. Russell shall and is hereby engaged to secure

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 71
the countrje from any challenge wch shall or may be made to
the land herein mentioned by the heirs or executors of the sd
Robt SaltonstaU or any other as by any right from him. ' '
Thus is seems that the Court gave an equivalent to a quit
claim deed and placed the responsibility of a challenge on
Mr. Russell, but no record of any such challenge has been found.
The grant to Saltonstall was 3000 acres and apparently it had
not been laid out before Russell petitioned for a portion. There
is no reason to suppose that the remainder of the SaltonstaU
grant was within the bounds of Dracut.
The east line of the Russell Grant commenced at the river
about opposite the Gen. Butler residence, thence running over
Christian hiU, practically on the line of Beacon street, crossing
WiUard street, and forming the east bound of the Clough
place, it reaches the Common at the Center, a little east of
the Yellow Meeting house and near the line of the horse sheds
and "Widow Masseys well," on the north side of Arlington
street. It foUows the old highway (Chapman street) to Fox
avenue, thence on the west of Albert Fox's house to Eugene
Fox's house, a few feet westerly of it. The north end is in a
wall about forty rods south of the Marsh Hill road.
The north line of the grant runs somewhat south of the
west through the woods above the rifle range to an angle south
east of the Selden Colburn house. Then turning southwesterly
it reaches Beaver brook, near the site of the paper mill. Thence
in a line about a mile long, partly on the brook, but taking in
30 acres on the west side, it reached the river a little west of the
mouth of the brook.
In 1671, Russell sold one half of the grant to John Alcock.
In 1687 a division was made by the surveyors between James
Russell, the son of Richard, and the Alcock heirs. October 15,
1701, Russell sold his half (the eastern portion) to Gov. Jonathan
Belcher. The deed states that the tract "was formerly improved
by John Whittacur on account of the above said partners both be
fore and after division." "The division begins at a stake by
Meremack river a little to the southward of the place where said
Whittacur dwelt by the Brookside and from thence across Wil
kinsons Brooke east 30 degrees northerly 96 pole to another stake
and from thence to run two miles norward four and a half degrees

72 HISTORY OF DRACUT
westward parallel with the outside line which is the end of the
said farme at a stake, and from thence one hundred and thirty
eight pole betwixt the parallel Unes to a Pillar of stones which
is the corner of said ffarme and from thence to run parallel with
the former line, being 136 pole wide and three miles wanting
40 poles long on the outside to a Walnutt Tree near Merrimack
River and so to butt on ye sd River southerly till it come to ye
stake below the place where Whittacur dwelt." Wilkinsons
brook was later known as Richardsons brook from families of
that name who settled on it. In recent years it has been turned
into a sewer. It ran under Hildreth street westerly but curved
south and easterly and it entered the river a few rods above
Central bridge.
The ' ' 96 pole ' ' line must have started at the river near the
eastern end of Bunker Hill, so called, and have run to a point
on Hildreth street near the Warner Coburn house where the
street curves to the east. Belcher's purchase would cover from
Beacon street to Hildreth street, as far north as Aiken avenue,
and a strip through Dracut Centre to the western slope of
Marsh Hill. June 11, 1709, the heirs of John Alcock sold their
share of the 1600 acres to Ephraim Hildreth of Chelmsford.
"Butted and bounded upon Merrimack River upon a ditch
which divides it from the land of Jonathan Belcher easterly.
Southeasterly by a Burrough called formerly Whittakers
Burrough. ' '
Mr. Whittaker then may be considered as the first dweller
in CentralviUe and the first tiller of its soil. Hildreth 's purchase
will be further described under the head of a following grant to
Billerica. Governor Belcher divided his share into house lots
and sold to John Colburn, Josiah Richardson, Ephraim Hildreth,
Hugh Jones and others. The Russell grant included all of
CentralviUe west of Beacon street, Dracut Centre and the Navy
Yard village as far as the northerly end of the rifle range.
The Billerica Grant of 1667
Two tracts of land within the limits of the town were
granted to the town of Billerica. One has been described lying
east of Tyng's pond, while the other was located on the east
side of Beaver brook. The surveyor 's report is as follows :

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 73
"Layd out to Billirieca five hundred acres of land in the
wildernesse, on ye North side of Merimack River and on the
east side of Beaver Brooke a little below Patucket. It is bounded
on the south and ye southeast wholly by lands formerly granted
to Richard Russell esquire and on ye west by ye aforesaid beaver
brooke elsewhere by the wildernesse, ye Une on ye east side of it
is 196 pole in length running half a point westward of ye north
which is (exactly) ye continuance of ye long line on ye east side
Mr. Russels farme, als both the lines on the north side of it
are exactly parallel to ye lines on the south side of it, the most
northerly of which is 165 pole longe & runs one half a point
westward of ye southwest, the other line runes two degrees
westward of ye Southwest & by South four hundred and eighty
seaven pole, which closeth to the brooke all which are sufficiently
bounded by mark 't trees and pillars of stone. ' '
This includes all the land lying between the south line of Mr.
Finacom's farm and the south Une of the late Selden Colburns
farm. West of Hildreth street it includes all between the cross
road leading from Hildreth street to the paper mill and Elmer
Coburn 's at New Boston village, also all lying between the
paper miU and Jesse Coburn 's house. The east Une extended
from a point on Marsh Hill south of the road, and running a
few rods east of the Augustus Coburn house to a point in the
meadows northeast of the house and near the state line. From
this point running westerly it formed the southerly bound of the
Elijah Coburn farm, part of which is owned by Mr. Finacom.
In 1694, the town of Billerica exchanged this property with
Palsgrave Alcock, son of John Alcock, for a similar tract within
the bounds of that town. In 1709, the Alcock heirs sold this
grant of 500 acres with one half of the Russell grant, a total of
1300 acres, to Ephraim Hildreth, as before stated. Hildreth
divided his property and sold land to Ebenezer Goodhue, Josiah
Richardson, several of the Colburns and others. Some of this
property still remains in possession of the Hildreth heirs.

74 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The Tyng Grant
Hon. Edward Tyng was a man of prominence in the Colony,
and father of Jonathan Tyng of Tyngsboro, at whose home he
died in 1681. In 1660 he had a grant of land, of which we find
the following record :
"3 mo 1660 Laid out to Mr. Edward Tyng of Boston Two
hundred and fifty acres of land in ye wilderness on ye Northerne
side of merimack River being butted and bounded by a farme
laid out to Mr. Russell on ye south east, ye wildernesse elsewhere
surrounding according to marked trees as is more fully
demonstrated by a plott taken of ye same by Jona. Danforth
Surveyor. 4 Oct 1660 Consented to by ye magistrates.
Edward Rawson"
There is an error in this report, as Mr. Russell's line did not
bound it on the south. The grant of 500 acres to the town of
Billerica, which was made later, lies between Russell's and
Tyng's. In 1664, Tyng exchanged this property with Capt.
Webb for an equal number of acres on the west side of the river
near Salmon brook in Dunstable. Webb sold the eastern half
of his new purchase to Shatswell and Varnum. A plot on file
in the State office shows his divisional line from north to south,
and bears this endorsement on the west-side: "Mr. Webbs share
of that farm," and on the east, "Ri Shatswell & Samuel Varnum
their part of ye upland." The South line of the grant is un
marked, but is supposed to have commenced at the southwest
corner of the farm now owned by William Finacom, from which
it ran westerly about one half mile to a point northeasterly of
the Benjamin Crosby house. The east line ran north from the
Finacom corner one mile, forming the west line of the Finacom
land (formerly Elijah Coburns) and the west line of the Gilbert
Coburn farm in Pelham, N. H. The northeast corner is near the
Beaver brook meadows on land formerly owned by William Lyon
and called the "Island." The northwest corner is on the same
island about seventy rods further west, where was located
"Setchell's corner pine" mentioned in deeds and plans. The
west line was near the Old Meadow road, so called, north of the
Dana Coburn house.

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 75
The divisional line is indicated part of the way by an old
wall. There are no houses and but Uttle cultivated land on this
tract. On the southern end of this grant is located the spot
where, in 1741, the two surveyors, Richard Hazzen and George
Mitchell, commenced their surveys for the present State line,
the former going west, and the latter to the ocean on the east,
and where the Pine Tree monument marks the three mile limit
from Pawtucket falls. The Webb Grant of 1665
Before this date Tyng's or Wicosuck island was in possession
of the Indians. For those who desired to engage in agriculture
it was an excellent location as, being surrounded by water,
the growing crops were secure from the devastation of wild
animals. By the payment of a fine which had been imposed upon
an Indian, Webb earned their gratitude and, by the consent of
the General Court, purchased the island. But the Indians
realizing their mistake applied to the Colonial authorities for
re-instatement. The Court record is to this effect : " 11 Oct 1665
In ansr to the petition of Nobstow, Wannalancet, Nonatomenut,
Indians, the Court judgeth it meete to grant Mr. John Evered
alias Webb five hundred acres of land adjoining to his land now
in his possession vpon condition that he release his right of
interest in an Island in Merrimacke River called Wicosuck."
"15 May 1667 Layd out 500 acres of land in the wildernesse on
the eastern side of Beaver Brooke joyning to land formerly
granted to Mr Edward Tyng of Boston. Forty acres of it lyeth
joyning to the most westerly angle of the forenamed farme and
four hundred & twenty acres of it lyeth joyning to the east side
of the aforesaid farme, and forty acres at the north end of the
farme. All which joyneth together excepting onely one small
parcell of about twenty & two acres in common between Beaver
Brook and Mr. Tyngs farme aforesayd, otherwise Beaver Brook
doe bound this land on the northwest from the most northerly
corner of it which is upon the brooke, the other part of the
farme is sufficiently bounded : but it lying so much skirting
upon Mr Tings ffarme according to the nature of the grant and
Mr Webbs desire."

76 HISTORY OF DRACUT
It is evident that the Webb grant bounded or "skirted"
Tyng's on the west, north and east. There is no plan now on
file, but the portion lying northwesterly and northerly of the
Tyng land was called the Colburn Old Meadows, and of this a
plan is preserved. The bulk of this grant laid on the east side
of Tyng's covering the farm of William Finacom and the Gilbert
Coburn farm which were formerly one property, and embracing
the stretch of meadows on the Coburn sawmill brook between
the Marshhill farms and the Highland school district in Pelham.
It probably reached eastward nearly to Burns' hill. The tract
was long known as the Colburn New Meadow Farm. In 1668,
after disposing of most of his Dracut property, Capt. Webb
was drowned in Boston Harbor, and his wife sold the remainder
of his holdings, much of which came into possession of the
Colburns.
The Conant Grant
"When the vessel which bore the first Governor of
Massachusetts (Endicott) was entering the harbor of Salem,
she was anxiously watched from the beach by four individuals
styled in the quaint chronicles of the day as Roger Conant and
his three sober men. Roger Conant and his three sober men
waded into the water and bore him on their shoulders to land. ' '
(Extract from address of Dr. J. G. Palfrey at Danvers Cent.
Celebration, 1852.)
Roger Conant was the first settler of the name in New
England. He was born in Devonshire in 1592 and came to this
country in 1623. In 1625, he took charge of the Cape Ann
settlements and with others founded the City of Salem, then
called Naumkeag. He is said to have built the first house therein.
In 1639, he was one of the deputies from Salem and was Justice
of the Quarterly Court of Salem three years. He died in 1679.
The Court record 8 June, 1671 is: "In answer to the petition
of Roger Connant, a very auntient planter, the Court judgeth it
meete to grant the petitioner two hundred acres of land where
it is to be found out free from any former grant."
Three years later, under date of May 28, 1674 the record
reads: "Layd out to Mr. Roger Conant of Beverly alyas Basse

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 77
River one parcel of land in the wilderness on the eastern side
of Merrimack River, two hundred acres of land be it more or
less, lying adjoining to Mr Webbs five hundred acres and begins
at a great pine tree marked with E which is the N. W. Corner of
Mr Edward Tyngs farme and from this pine it runs eighty three
degrees and a half westward from the North 130 pole which
reacheth to Beaver Brooke, and from the same pine tree it runs
eleven degrees westward from the South two hundred and fivety
pole, from thence it runs eighty fower degrees and a halfe west
ward from the South one hundred and thirty two pole. The
last line is parallel to the second line & closeth to Beaver Brooke.
The lines are all runne and several trees bounded with the rest
well marked, it lyeth in the forme of a long square. Layd out
by Jona. Danforth Surveyor 22 (3m) 1674."
No plan is on file in the State archives, but one was found
in possession of the late SeweU Crosby. It was drawn by James
Ingalls, Surveyor, 1744, and shows a divisional line from east
to west across the middle. The southeast corner, as pointed out
by Mr. Crosby, is at a rock in a wall, seven or eight rods east
wardly of the Rockwood Coburn house, which is the only
dwelling on the tract. The southwest corner is at a point in the
woods north of the road from Collinsville to New Boston Village,
but not definitely located. The western line forms the eastern
bound of the Clement farm and reaches to the brook a little north
of Pelham line. The east Une forms the west bound of the Dana
Coburn farm. The north line is near the old Beaver brook
meadows in Pelham. The tract passed into possession of the
Colburns and was called the ' ' Connet Farm. ' '
The Symonds Grant
Samuel Symonds settled in Ipswich in 1637, and early held
office in the town and colony. He was Deputy Governor, 1673-
1678. The Court granted him several tracts of land, one of 500
acres being in Dracut. The record of the laying out is interest
ing: "7 May 1662 Layd out to the wor'pffu Mr Symons five
hundred acres of land, more or lesse, in the wildernes on the
north of Merrimacke River lying by the rivers side right over
against Mrs. Margaret Winthrop farme of three thousand acres

78 HISTORY OF DRACUT
which lyeth in the bounds of Billirikey at the mouth of the
Concord Ryver vpon a brooke caUed by the Indians Pophessgos-
quoekegg, beginning about one hundred and forty sixe pole
below the sayd brook and so running from Merremacke vp into
the country northwest & by north about fower hundred ninety
fower pole, then running Southwest and by west about on
hundred and ninety fower pole, then runing downe to Merri
macke againe wch west side of it is three hundred seventy three
pole, and by Merremack River upon a crooked line two hundred
and twelve but upon a square line one hundred and fifty fower
pole which parcell of land is about fower and seventy acres ; also
lajd out to him a parcell of meadow of about thirty acres lying
in Small Spangs at the head of this ffarme, the which lyith wthin
three quarters of a mile of the land. The whole is five hundred
acres. ' '
The tract passed into the possession of Deane Winthrop
and is still known by the name of "Winthrops Farm." The name
still lingers and it is not unusual to hear a farmer say that he is
"going down to Winthrops." The east line is marked for part
of its length by a stone wall. Commencing on the river about
forty rods above the mouth of Varnums brook at Bell Grove, the
line comes to the highway a few rods east of the Dana Richardson
house and about forty rods east of Richardsons brook. North
of the road it runs through a wooded section east and northeast
of Loon hill. The west line was, beyond doubt the northeasterly
bound of the Jonathan Fox farm, formerly the Ephraim Rich
ardson farm, and the southwesterly bound of the George KeUey
farm. The stream which runs through this tract has been caUed
Winthrops, Coburns, and latterly Richardsons brook. The
Indian name Pophessgosquockegg, is thus defined by Gordon
in his "Early Grants." "Pophessgo in an English attempt
at spelling Papaska, a double hill, and Squockegg is a horrible
travesty of Squamenguck, place to cure salmon. ' ' In one place
on the records it is spelled Pohpossegosquohockegge.
Winthrop farm passed into the joint ownership of Ephraim
Hildreth and Josiah Colburn, the last named settled near the
brook, where his descendants remained many years, but about
1820 he sold to the Richardsons. The grant includes the Ken
wood section, the farms of R. Rhomberg and Geo. KeUey, Loon

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 79
Hill and much woodland and meadow north and northeast of the
hill. The thirty acres of meadow belonging to this grant laid
adjoining on the north but is difficult of exact location.
The Caldicot and Negus Grants
' ' Laid out to Richard Colicutt of Boston 200 acres of land in
the wilderness N. E. of merrimack lying upon Beaver Brook
northward of Waymesick about 7 miles from Merrimack River.
It lyeth upon the east side of said Beaver Brook beginning at
ye mouth of a smaU Brook yt comes into ye said Beaver Brook,
and so runs up ye said brook 230 poles bounded by ye said Brook
on the west by a great white oak, from thence it runs E. N. E.
217 poles which extends about 20 pole eastward of the aforesaid
little brook unto a pine marked C, from thence it runs due
South 30 poles, from thence it runs So. So West two hundred
and seventy six poles which closeth to the mouth of the little
Brook running into Beaver Brook. J. Danforth Surveyor."
At the same time : ' ' Laid out to Jonathan Negus of Boston
200 acres of land in the wilderness on the Nor East of Merrimack
River upon a branch of Beaver Brook next adjoining to land
lately layd out to Mr. Richard Collecut. It begins at a maple
tree marked in a maple swamp in the South South west line of
the said Collecuts farm, and so is bounded by the said farm on
the west and extending 60 and 8 pole beyond the said farm due
north unto a pillar of stones lying on the south side of a rocky
hill & from thence it runs east by north 156 pole unto a pine
marked with NN from thence it runs due south 212 pole, from
thence it runs due west 100 & 90 pole to the first maple which
is the closing line."
In 1682, the Negus grant was purchased by Peter Goulding
of Boston, who sold it the same year but, very singularly, the
tributary of Beaver Brook still retains the name of Goulding 's
brook, sometimes corrupted to "Golden." A plot of both
Negus and Caldicot grants is on file. None of the bounds have
been located, but the Caldicot grant covered the land between the
two brooks at their junction, and extending nearly to the Moody
Hobbs ' farm on the road from Pelham Center to Windham. The
Hobbs' road crosses Goulding 's brook and in a southeast direc
tion diagonaUy across the Negus grant to the Gage Hill road.

80 HISTORY OF DRACUT
There are probably no houses on either grant. Gage's or Island
Pond brook runs through the Negus grant which was at one time
owned by Thomas Robins and the brook was then called Robins '
brook. The Grant of 1693
The settlers upon the grants near the river and west of
Beaver brook had now obtained title to much of the land on
that side of the brook, besides about a thousand acres on the
east side of the brook. Between these properties was an ir
regularly shaped tract of many acres as yet claimed by no one,
but which the settlers were obliged to traverse in going from
their homes to their lands farther from the river. With a shrewd
foresight they now took measures to secure this tract for them
selves, and the fourteen heads of families thereupon presented
a petition to the General Court. The petition:
"Humbly sheweth That ye petitioners have been att great
cost and paines in settling themselves upon their present Im
provements wch att their owne proper charge they purchased
without haveing one foot thereof given them, besides have greatly
Suffered in their persons and Estates by the heathen in the Last
and the present warr, by fires, Killing and wounding of Sundry
of their neighbours and otherwise They have been Greatly Im
poverished. And there being a tract or parcell of barren Wast
or Woodland unimproved and not as yett Taken up by any,
lyeing between the Lands and meadows of yr petitioners con-
taineing about two hundred Acres extending the whole Length
of their Lands as more particularly appears by the Draught
thereof annexed thereto. And yr petitioners haveing noe out-
lett or commons to their Lands for firewood or pasturing for
their Cattle Finds it to be an Incredible Inconvenience to their
Improvements.
Your Petitioners Therefore humbly prayes that yor
Excellency and this honrd Court will please take the
premise's into consideration and favor them, soe as that
the said Tract of Land may be Granted and Confirmed to
them for the enlargement of Their streightened accom
modations.

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS

81

And yr petitioners as in duty
Thomas Varnum
Edward Coburne
John Coburne Senr.
Thomas Coburne Senr
Daniel Cobourne
Ezra Cobourne
Joseph Cobourn

bound shaU ever pray.
Daniel Rolf e
Thomas Richardson
Thomas Vernon
John Vernon
Joseph Vernon
John Cobourne junr
Thomas Cobourne junr'

The Court granted this petition Nov. 27, 1693. The three
Vernon names were afterward erased and written Varnum in
another hand.

With the petition the following plan was filed

Meadows of the
Petitioners

Chandlers farmes on
the northeast

Northside
This small parcell is the land petitioned for.

farmeson ye
West side

Lands of the Petitioners

500 acres of
Chelmsford land
adjoining on the east

Merrimack River on the South

There is probably an error in the copying of the drawing
as Chandler's farms would lie on the northwest in Dunstable.
The "500 acres of Chelmsford land" was the Indian Reserva
tion, already described. The 200 acres for which they petitioned
was a very elastic term. It covered an ungranted tract adjoin
ing their homesteads on the north, all the land between Long
pond and Beaver brook, also all of Collinsville east of the brook,
with New Boston district as far east and north as the lines of
the Conant, Tyng and Billerica grants. Its south line would be
near the paper mill and Meadow bridge. It was long known as
the "Lands of the Fourteen Petitioners." This was divided
among them. The last division appears to have been made in
1718, and lotted out all of the Collinsville and New Boston land,

82 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and some of the Long Pond lots, besides some of the meadow
land on Beaver brook north of the Webb grant, purchased of
Solomon Wood. The Long pond lots reached from the pond to
Beaver brook and contained thirty acres each, northward of the
Batter Grant. The Reserved Lands
No grants of land were made by the General Court in the
territory of Dracut later than 1693. There still remained a large
area of ungranted or wilderness land. In the resolve of the court
granting the petitioners leave to lay out their township, we
find the following condition, viz: "And that if any land shaU
happen to fall within the bounds aforesaid that hath not been
heretofore granted, it shall be reserved to be disposed of by this
Government. ' '
Thus the town could occupy or dispose of this land only
with the consent of the Court. There were reasons why the town
should have this consent. The people wanted to build a meeting
house and support a minister, and revenues derived from this
land directly and indirectly would prove of much benefit in the
establishment of a church. Another reason was that they
wanted to control the disposition of the land. Undesirable
persons or squatters, as they were called, could occupy the land
if unclaimed while if the town held the ownership legal means
could be taken to eject them. No action was taken in relating
to the granting of the lands until 1709. This antedates the town
records by one year and is all that is known of the action of the
town from 1702 to 1710, as all records of the intervening time
have disappeared.
Under date of February 6, 1709, it is recorded that John
Varnum, who was town clerk, by order of the town, petitioned
the General Court for permission to dispose of the land. It is
directed: "To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Captain-
General and Governor-in-Chief, The Hon.ble the Council and
Representatives in General Court assembled Feb. pro. 1709.
The petition of John Varnum of Dracut within the County of
Middlesex and others the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 83
said town Humbly sheweth etc" Following the statement found
in the petition and survey at the time of the incorporation of the
town the body of the petition is:
"Now so it may please your Excellency & this Hon.ble
Assembly pursuant to a Clause in the aforesaid Grant that the
Inhabitants of the said Land assist in the maintenance of the
Ministry at Chelmsford as at present they do, until they are
provided with a Minister as the law directs, they have ac
cordingly paid the Ministry dues there, But being desirous to
settle the Ministry & Gospel Ordinances among themselves as in
duty bound, for their own benefit and advantage & the Benefit
of their Families & posterity, have for two or three years past
had some young SchoUars, Candidates for the Ministry to preach
unto them, and at present have young Mr. Cheever of Marble-
head with them attending that Work with general acceptance
and approbation & have good hopes they shaU obtain him to
settle among them if they can give him Encouragement. They
therefore humbly pray, that it would please this Hon.ble
Assembly for the better Enabling them so to do to Order and
Grant that the reserved Land lying within the Boundaries
aforesaid mentioned in the afore recited Order may be alotted
to & among such as shaU come to settle with them, as the Free
holders & proprietors may think fit. John Varnum"
The answer was favorable and the following order re
turned :
"Feb 6 1709 In Council, Read and Ordered that Colo.
Jonathan Tyng Capt. John Lane Capt. Edward Johnson & Lieut.
HiU with such as shaU be added to them by the Representatives,
be a committee to make enquiry into the Quantity of the
Reserved Lands mentioned in the within recited order & make
Report thereof to this Court at their next sitting & what number
of Inhabitants it may be capable of entertaining to make a Strong
town. Sent down in concurrence Isa Addington Sec

84 HISTORY OF DRACUT
In the House of Representatives Sep'r 7 1709 Read &
Concurred & that Mr. John Stevens be added to the said
Committee. John Clark Speaker
J. Willard Sec'ry."
The report of the committee is indicated by the following
action of the Court as copied in the book of records of the
town: "26 June 1710. Ordered that the eleven thousand acres
of Reserved lands reported by the committee be added to the
town of Dracut."
Apparently the committee was instructed to lay out lots.
Under date of November 27, 1710, we have: "The committee
appointed agreed to lay out 15 lots and to lay out to each lot
15 acres of meadow or good swamp land to make meadow and to
make up the lots as soon as any persons shall appear to take
them up. ' '
Under date of May 15, 1712, in a report made to the
committee by Joseph Varnum, Ephraim Hildreth and Samuel
Danforth, who had been selected to lay out the lots it is re
corded : ' ' We have laid out 300 acres for the ministry and one lot
for the minister on the north of Beaver Brook near Tony
Brook. There is about 250 acres laid out on the west of Gould-
ings for the 7 lots upon Gumpas to make them equal with the
River lots."
The committee made a further report to the General Court,
June 13, 1712 :
"We have as report followeth laid out 300 acres for the
ministry in said town, and 50 acres more adjoining unto it for
the first settled minister in said towne, because we could find
no convenient place for him in The Reserved lands for the
settling of a minister, the former proprietors out of their own
proper right have given 30 acres of land for a house lot to the
first settled minister. Also we gave orders for the laying out
of 200 acres for the school in said town, and we have laid 23
house lots in the reserved lands 15 of these we laid out in a
small tract of land which lyeth on the great river below, 15
acres of meadow or muck meadow to each lot, and these lots
ordered to pay 17 shillings a piece yearly to the support of the

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 85
ministry & 40 shillings each for the defraying charges expended
and shall be expended. We have laid out 8 lots more remote
which lots we order to pay 10 shillings yearly to the support
of the ministry in said town & 20 shillings each lot for defraying
charges. Further we have granted to the several 15 acres of
meadow land the full 30th part of the Reserved lands in said
town proportional for small lots. Agreed and concluded that
no persons shall make sale of his or their lot or lots taken up
as above said without leave first had and obtained power from
the General Courts committee then being or the selectmen of
the said Town of Dracut or the major part of them, and that
these residents or said proprietors as to the selling of the above
said shall cause and determine their being accepted and
approved of as settled inhabitants of the said Town of Dracut.
Jona Tyng
John Lane
John Stearns."
The records of the town are supplemented by a small volume
known as the Proprietors' records, still preserved among the
town archives in its original form, bound in boards and covered
with sheepskin. The opening of these tracts to the settlers
attracted the attention of citizens of the towns already in ex
istence and the committee was obliged to exercise its judgment
in the acceptance of these parties who, it was hoped, would
add materially to the numbers and welfare of the town. In
the majority of cases the families who came were desirable and
while some are known only by name to the present generation,
others have remained and been instrumental in the upbuilding
of the town. The committee did not allow color to debar any one
from becoming a citizen if he appeared desirable in other
respects. One negro, to whom reference will be made, was
accepted and granted several lots.
These lot owners were called Proprietors and the old book
at the town office, to which reference has been made, is called
the Proprietors' Record and the old road on Marsh Hill which
has been discontinued as a highway is called the Proprietors'
road. Many of these lots were bounded by marked trees or heaps

86 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of stones which disappeared long ago and only the general loca
tion can be determined. The first entry on the Proprietors ' book
is as follows:
"We do except of ye parsons within named, to be Pro
prietors of the Reserved Land in the Township of Dracutt and
do order their Loots and thir Nams to be entered in the Book
of records for Dracutt accordingly, Jonathan Tyng, John Lane,
John Stearns.
This is a trew Coppy of the General Corts order.
Wittnas Ouer Hands Joseph Varnum
Ezekiel Cheever
James Fales"
"These are the names of the men that have the Loots now
in possession with ye consent of ye General Corts Committee and
sum that have sould to others with ye consent of ye Selectmen of
the Town of Dracut. Selectmen : John Varnum, Joseph Colbon,
Ebenezer Goodhue.
Benjamin Barans 1 Ebenezer Goodhue 2 Ezekiel Cheever
3 James Colbon 4 Benjamin Hoore 5 Ebenezer Wright 6
Onesimus (Onesiphorus) Marsh 7 Benjamin Barans 8 Solo
mon Wood 9 Josiah Richardson 10 Nathaniel Fox 11 An
thony Neggerow 12 Ezekiel Cheevers 13 WilUam Reed 14
Nathaniel Cheevers 15 Samuel Prime 16 John Higginson.
These are the fifteen that Lye between mr. Belchers Farme and
mr. Winthrips Farme and every man's nam is seet to his Loot.
Samuel Prime, his Loot Lyes below mr. Winthrip 's Farme Lying
on Merrimack river. John Higginson 's Loot lyes on merrimack
river below samuel Prime's Loot. Ministers Loot and ministers
Farme lies at Gompos on ye north sid of bever Brook. Solomon
Wood's Loot lies on Gompos Brooke. George Brouen 2 Joseph
Crosby 3 Ezekiel (Cheevers) 4 CaUup (Caleb) BaUe 5 John
Hayward Cheyney Flage these two Loot Lye on the north sid
of Bever Brook west of the ministers Farme. Solomon Wood,
his Loot Lyes on ye east Side of Bever Brook and on ye north
sid of ye Colbons ould Meddowes. John Barans, hesacaah
Townasane, Joseph Whittier these three Loots lye north of mr.

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 87
Winterips Farme." These are recorded in the Proprietors
Record which bears the following endorsement: Dracutt March
ye 5th 1733-4. This Book Delivered To Nathaniel Fox Pro
prietors Clark To Record in the Proprietors Book all that is
Written in the within Written Book Delivered To him By us the
Subscribers. Joseph Varnum )
Ephraim Curtis }- Committee"
Nathaniel Fox J
The record of the river lots was later placed upon the town
book, which gives the number of acres to each lot varying from
36 to 60 acres and totalling about 700 acres. Their dimensions are
only to be ascertained from subsequent deeds of transfer. Many
of these lots changed hands several times and became divided.
A brief notice will be given of the original proprietors and their
lots as far as known. As before stated, the owners were required
to pay 17 shillings yearly.
The first lot was laid out to Benjamin Barans or Barron.
The family was here at the time of the Revolution, when five of
the names appear on the rolls of American Soldiers. The lot
passed in 1750 into possession of Richard Thissell or Thistle,
who settled upon it, and his descendants remained there many
years. It was bounded on the west by the line of the Russell
Grant or practically Beacon street. Laid out as 44 acres it was
sold to ThisseU as 50, showing the liberal measurements of the
times. It bounded 30 rods on the river and extended 400 rods
northward, or nearly to the junction of Beacon and Willard
streets where it was 9 rods in width.
The second lot, Ebenezer Goodhue's, contained 46 acres. He
has direct descendants in town at the preesnt time. The third
lot was Ezekiel Cheever 's of Salem, and contained 46 acres. This
family was prominent in Dracut, the last of the name, Hannah
Cheever, passing away in 1894 at the old Cheever homestead,
then owned and occupied by Charles Hazen Stickney. The
fourth lot was James Colburn 's, who had 46 acres. He was a
grandson of Edward, who came from Ipswich. Benjamin Hoar
of Concord had the fifth lot, 45 acres, but he early sold to Ben
jamin Barron.

88 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Parts of the second, third, fourth and fifth lots passed into
the possession of Benjamin Wood and his sons, a prominent
family in the town. Ebenezer Wright of Chelmsford had the
sixth lot, 46 acres; he also bought some of the other lots. He
appears to have been a resident of Dracut for a time, but sold
his property and in 1723 was a resident of Dunstable. The seventh
lot, 50 acres, was laid out to Onesiphorous Marsh (called Onesi-
mus on the record) . He was from Bradford, but settled in Dracut
on other land which had been laid out to him. The eighth lot
was laid out to Benjamin Barron, owner of the first lot. It con
tained 60 acres. It passed into possession of John Barron of
Concord, who removed here and probably settled on the north
end of the lot, and was succeeded by his son, Eliseus, who lived
near the northerly end of Tenth street. The ninth lot was laid
out to Solomon Wood of Bradford, who had other lots laid out
to him, all of which he sold and never became a resident of the
town so far as known.
The tenth lot was laid out to Josiah Richardson and con
tained 50 acres. He was from Chelmsford and died in 1711,
and the following year his son Josiah, was granted permission
by the town to settle on the lot. In 1727, he purchased of Jona
than Belcher a large tract of land in the former Russell Grant
in CentralviUe, on which he is known to have resided. He is
said to have sold one half of this lot in 1712 to his cousin, Joseph,
son of Thomas Richardson, who had a ferry across the Merri
mack. If so, he did not retain it very long, for he was a resi
dent in 1715 of Bradford. The eleventh lot of 50 acres was laid
out to Nathaniel Fox of Concord. From the town records we
have the following: "July ye last day 1714 Mr. Fox came to
Dracut." He was the ancestor of the Fox family which has
numbered amongst its members many worthy citizens. His river
lot passed through many hands and was at one time called the
John Cheever farm. The twelfth lot was owned by Anthony,
the Negro, who exchanged it with Ezekiel Cheever for a lot of
50 acres on the Cedar pond road, or Haverhill path as it was
sometimes called.
The thirteenth lot was Ezekiel Cheever 's, 46 acres. The
fourteenth lot was William Reed's of Chelmsford. The fifteenth
river lot was laid out to Nathaniel Cheever, 36 acres. He ob-

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 89
tained the ownership of the southern portion of the twelfth, thir
teenth and fourteenth lots which, with the southerly part of the
fifteenth, he sold to Josiah Richardson of the fourth generation
and owner of the tenth lot. His purchase was inherited by his
son, Ephraim. It was long known as the Ephraim Richardson
farm, being owned by three generations of that name and later
known as the Jonathan Fox farm, now owned by his son, John
C. Fox. As previously stated in the report of the committee, 15 acres
of meadow were granted to each lot and later other tracts were
granted to these proprietors. Eastward of these fifteen lots was
the grant to Samuel Symons (Winthrop farm), already de
scribed. Below this grant on the river was a lot of 60 acres laid
out to Samuel Prime of Rowley, who had, in addition, other
tracts of land laid out to him, some of which adjoined his 60
acres. He sold his land to Joseph Varnum, whose son, Samuel,
later married Prime's daughter, Mary. Joseph Varnum had
other land laid out to him in this vicinity and acquired more by
purchase. In 1737, he deeded to his son Samuel : ' ' 700 acres in
the easterly part of Dracut commonly caUed and known as the
Prime lot, bounded south by Merrimack river, west by Winthrop
farm and by land I have given my son John Varnum. ' ' A plan
of this farm is on file. It laid over two hundred rods on the
river, from the line of the Winthrop farm on the west to the
Higginson Une at Deer Jump. It was somewhat fan shaped and
reached northward over a mile to a point north of the nickel
mine, including Belle Grove and the Old Varnum farms on the
Methuen road.
Next, below Varnum 's land on the river, was a lot of 200
acres laid out to the Rev. John Higginson of Salem, a very schol
arly man and one of the best writers of his time, as well as an
eloquent preacher. Some poet has written : —
"With him Gospel and Deeds each had its column,
His head an index of the Sacred Volume,
His very name a title page ; and next
His life a commentary on the text."
In 1742, the lot was purchased by Timothy Parker, thus
introducing that numerous family into Dracut. The lot was

90 HISTORY OF DRACUT
bounded on the river 180 rods from Varnum line at Deer Jump
to the east line of the town and extending northward one mile
to the nickel mine. Thence the line ran northeasterly parallel
with the river to the town line. Thus briefly stated is the names
of the original lot owners in that portion of Dracut on the river
through which is the electric road over which the cars pass be
tween Lowell and Lawrence.
The tract of two hundred acres laid out for the support of
schools has been identified. It extended from the Cedar pond
road on Marsh Hill southward to Fox Avenue, and from Belcher's
east line which was in the vicinity of the old highway west of
Dracut reservoir, eastward to the J. Wallace ThisseU house, now
owned by Henry Fox. The northwest corner was near the house
of Eugene C. Fox. It was divided into fifteen lots. The first three
covered the Samuel Worcester farm now owned by D. Stedman
Fox. The Hildreth and Fred Fox farms lying on the east were
for the most part included in this tract. The Cedar pond (now
Peters pond) road is at present a right of way, it being super
seded as a highway when the present Marsh Hill road was
opened; it runs at right angles with the old road and is known
as The Proprietors' road. On the northwest of Beaver brook in
the triangle between the brook and Dunstable line were laid out
the seven Gumpus or Gumpsted lots of fifty acres each, as men
tioned. According to the record of 1710, the owners were : George
Brown and Joseph Crosby of Billerica Caleb Ball John Hay
ward and Cheney Flagg of Concord. They disposed of their lots.
Zechariah Colburn purchased Flagg 's lot and Benjamin Rich
ardson became the owner of Hayward 's. They laid north
of Collinsville. Referring to the report made by the men who laid out the
lots, we find a lot of 300 acres and another of 50 acres north of
Beaver brook near Tony brook. They seem to have been con
sidered as lying in the Gumpus district, but if they were near
or opposite Tony brook, which enters Beaver brook from the east
a few rods below the Abbott bridge, which is the stone bridge
south of Pelham centre, they may have included the south part
of Pelham which lies west of Beaver brook and extended north
to the center of the town. These were the ministers' farm and
ministers' lot. In the same report we find "8 lots more remote,"

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 91
but they cannot be identified. In 1716, the Proprietors were
desirous of dividing the remainder of the reserved lands and
petitioned Jonathan Tyng, a Justice of the Peace, to call a
meeting of the Proprietors, which he proceeded to do. The war
rant is given on account of its being a literary curiosity and
shows the manner of writing and spelling which was common
two centuries ago. No marks of punctuation seem to have been
used: ' ' To Capt Joseph Varnum of Dracutt in the County of Mid
dlesex yeoman greeting whereas application to me Jonathan
Tyng one of his majisties justes of the peace within sd County
By five of the Propriators of the common or undivided Land of
sd Town Praying for a warrent to Call a Proprietor meeting
Showing By Sundry Weighty Reasons That There is Great ne-
sesity of the same for the ordering and Desposing of the Common
Land as aforesd.
I Do Therefore Pursuant To The Direction of the Law ap
point the Last Thursday of March Currant for the Propriety as
aforesd To meet at the house of the A Bove sd Capt Varnum
at Two of the oclock in the afternoon For the Ends Following.
To chuse a Propriaty Clark according to Law. (2) To chuse
a committee or Agents To mannag in Behalf of the Proprietors.
(3) To a Gree how to Despose of aney Part of sd Land as Shall
Be Thought best when mett Together. (4) To agree how to call
a propriators meatings for the futer I Do also order and Direct
that you the a Bove sd Joseph Varnum Do Post up a Copey or
Copies of these orders is some publick Place or Places of the sd
Town Fourteen Days Before sd meating That all the Propriators
may be Duly Notified To meat For The ends aforesd hereof Fail
not Dated March ye 14th 1715-16 Jonathan Tyng, Justis Peace"
The return of the warrant is brief.
"Dracut March ye 29 1715-16 In Observation To The
within Writt I have Notified the Proprietors of the undivided
land in Dracut as within Mentioned To meat Time and place
Joseph Varnum."

92 HISTORY OF DRACUT
A record of the meeting may be found in the Proprietors'
Record book at the Dracut Town office. It is here reproduced,
a few of the legal terms being omitted for the sake of brevity.
"At a Ginerall meating of the Propriators of the common
and undivided Land Beloning to the Township of Dracutt con
vened the Last thursday in March 1716 By Vertue of a warrant
from the honorable Colonel Jonathan Tyng Esqr Justic of the
Peace in Middx Diricted to Cap" Joseph Varnum Bareing Dait
ye 14th Day of March 1715-16 the Propriators Being mett at
the House of Captt Joseph Varnum at the Time and Place Pre
fixed in the sd worron.
Made choice of Ezekiel Cheever of Salem for the moderator
of this meating to mannage the several things contained in sd
warrant. Hy Coarsen for a Clark Nathaniel Fox.
21y Chosen for a committee as they shall agree upon Mr.
George Brown of Bilricah Capt Joseph Varnum Ezekiel Chever
Mr Nathaniel Fox Mr. James Fails.
31y Voted this committee now chosen shall go upon the un
divided Land that is not yet laid out and Lay it out into Two
Squadrons and the Land that Lyeth nearest Vnto the River
Shall Be Laid out for the Lots that are Laid out upon the River
and that Land that Lyeth next the Gumset Lotts Shall Be Laid
out for the Gumsett Lotts a Lowing them the Land that was over
for them which is not yet Laid out so answer the 13 acres that
was Laid out the Each River Lott.
41y Voted that there shall be a considerable Quantite of
upland Laid out by this Commity unto each mans medow of
that Land that Lyeth aBout his meadows for his Better accom
modation according to the quantity of meadows that each man
haith and so much upland ay man haith Laid out to his meadow
shall Be Reackond to him as so much of his share of undivided
Land. 51y Voted that when the Land is Laid out into Squadrons
then there shall Be an Hundred and Thirty acres Laid out for
each mans Lott of more if the Committee shall judge it best to
lay out more at first and all the Rest of the Vndivided Land
Which Remains after the meadows are accomedaited with what

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 93
the committee shall judge suitable and conveanant to Be Laid
out to them and the 130 acres Laid out each mans Lott and all
that Remains shall Be Laid out at the next laying out Be it
more or less.
61y Voted that this committee or the major Peart of them
are fully Impowered To Layout aU the Vndivided Land as soon
as convenently Be Done and they shall Be aLowed four shilUngs
a Day By the Propriators for the servise herein.
71y Voted this committee are Impowered to sell some of
this Land that is not yet Divided To pay the charge of Laying
out this Land if they see cause and the sale to Be Posted up in
some publick place.
81y Voted That For The Time To come any two of the com
mittee and the Clark shall have Power to call a Propriator meat
ing By setting up a Notification in some Publick Place fourteen
Days Before sd meating.
91y Voted that this committee shall have Power to imploy
the Surveir or artis in Laying out this Land so much as shall Be
needful & the Propriators to Bear the charge of it. lOly Voted
that this committee shall Have full Power To Lay out what High
Ways thay shall judge needful Illy It is votted and aGreed
upon that no man shall Debar an other From coming to his
medows But Every man shall have sufficiant Liberty To come
to his meadows For moing and makeing and careing of his hay.
These are the several things that were a Greed upon at this
meating and Uoted With a clear and unanimous Uote.
Atest Ezekdj:l Cheever moderator of sd meating a Trew
Copey ATeste Nathaniel Fox. Propriety Clerke."
The remainder of the book contains records of lots of land
laid out and the locating of roads. Many of the lots are im
possible to locate and a general description only can be given.
The expressions "for quantity and quality" are often used,
which implies that the number of acres laid out to a proprietor
were governed somewhat by the value. With arable land, a
generous tract of meadow or swamp that could be made into
meadow, was provided. With these a liberal amount of wood
land was assigned, which though not as valuable was necessary

94 HISTORY OF DRACUT
for their wood and timber. The English government reserved
every straight pine tree above a certain size, marking it with
a broad arrow. These were to furnish masts for the Royal Navy,
and a penalty was attached for their destruction except by
officers who had authority to cut them. This may to some ex
tent account for the fact that so much oak timber was used for
frames for buildings.
Northward of the lots described as lying on the river and
east of the Russell Grant, the line, as stated, crossing Central
viUe Heights and near Dracut Center Church building, was a
large territory. The 200 acre lot has been described. Opposite
this, on the south of Fox avenue, was a tract of 49 acres, divided
into eight lots. It extended from the old highway opposite
Albert Fox's house, now Chapman street, to the line of the farm
formerly owned by Calvin Richardson.
Eastward of these lots and extending to the east line of
the town, there were lots assigned to different ones, amongst
them Nathaniel Fox, whose descendants in the seventh genera
tion occupy them, William Colburn, who lived near the Wallace
Thissell farm; Ephraim Curtis, who lived at the farm now
owned by Mr. Daigle ; Joseph Varnum and Onesiphorous Marsh,
who settled on their lots. Commencing at the line of the Billerica
Grant, near Frank P. Fox's, and running eastwardly over Marsh
and Burns' Hills to the vicinity of the Corliss Smith farm, was
a range of twelve or more lots. They were bounded south on
the Cedar Pond road, which is north of the Dracut reservoir and
north on the Colburn New Meadow Farm, which was the
meadows lying north of Marsh Hill.
Beginning at the west end, the first lot of 50 acres was laid
out to Nathaniel Fox and Onesiphorous Marsh. The last named
evidently sold to Fox, where descendants are now in possession ;
it included the Darius L. Fox farm. Then in succession from
west to east the proprietors were John Barron, Benjamin Wood,
Anthony Negro, Ephraim Curtis, Ezekiel Cheever, and Ebenezer
Thornton. The last named had the seventh and eighth lots of
62 acres each. Beyond these lots the owners were Cheever,
Thornton, Marsh and Josiah Richardson. The seventh and
eighth lots laid out to Thornton passed in 1789 with some of
the other lots on the west to the Peabody family. The ninth lot

EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS 95
came into possession of Ephraim Hall about the time of the Revo
lution and was long owned by his grandson, the late Ira Hall;
it is now owned by Bert A. Cluff. A tract of woodland near or
on Burns Hill is still known as Thornton Woods. The twelfth
lot was purchased in 1729 by Joseph Chamberlain. Directly
westward of the residence of Corliss Smith may be seen the re
mains of an old cellar where stood the Chamberlain house. The
Chamberlain lot, when purchased, was bounded eastward by the
"homestead of Anthony Negro."
East and northeast from this point to the east line of the
town and embracing Cedar (now Peters) pond were many lots
which cannot now be identified. Very singularly the name of
Cedar pond is still given to a little pond lying north of Peters'
pond. It is possible that in former times it was a part of the
larger pond. In this vicinity a tract of 15 acres of meadow was
laid out to Rev. John Higginson, who had the river lot already
described. It was long known as the Higginson meadows and
lies in Pelham, south of the road leading from Pelham center to
Methuen. From these meadows flows a brook called at that
time Dennison 's, but later West or Bartlett's brook. Northward
of the present state line was a range of lots extending from
"Colburns Old Meadows and T Cove" on the west to the east
line of the town. Colburns Old Meadows were north of New
Boston Village and T Cove was a well-known bound and seems
to have been the name applied to the easterly end of the Old
Meadows, about a fourth of a mile west of the County road
through Pelham, now Bridge street.
The southerly bound of this range of lots was the Coburn
New Meadow Farm, already described as lying north of Marsh
hill. The northerly bound cannot be definitely located, but as
several lots abutted on Island Pond on the north, it shows that
the range reached from the Old Meadows in a northeasterly di
rection and covered all of school district No. 5, called the Cur
rier district in Pelham. These were owned by those men al
ready mentioned, viz : Thornton, Curtis, Wood, Barron, and
Marsh to which may be added the names of Nathaniel Cheever
and William Colburn, and the tract comprised at least 800 acres.
The greater part of this land was sold by the proprietors to in
vestors who were not residents of the town and later it came

96 HISTORY OF DRACUT
into possession of actual settlers. Northeast of Island pond a
lot of 300 acres had been laid out to Jeremiah Belcher on his
petition by right of an Indian deed to his father, reference to
which may be found in the chapter on Indian History. North
ward of the range described was upland and meadow called the
Tony Brook lots. The brook, sometimes called Mirey Brook,
rises east of the Asa Carlton farm and runs northwesterly
through the Hobbs farm entering Beaver brook a short dis
tance below the stone bridge south of Pelham center called
Abbott bridge.
Northeast of Tony brook, a lot of 250 acres was laid out to
Ebenezer Wright and 73 acres to Benjamin Wood. These would
include the Atwood farms, east of Pelham center. Lots are men
tioned as lying on Island pond brook which is the outlet of
Island pond and is known as Gage's brook. With the exception
of the small grants to Caldicot and Negus, the latter caUed
Goulding Farm, all of the territory north of the tracts described
was reserved land and was laid out in lots. They were usually
located with reference to certain natural features as Goulding 's
Pond, Goulding 's Brook, Ledge of Rock's Pond and the Dis
tracted Meadows. The latter are partly in the Gage Hill dis
trict and partly over the Windham line. Goulding 's Pond is
in Windham and is called Cobbett 's Pond. It is one of the
sources of Goulding 's brook which flows into Beaver brook near
Pelham center. Ledge of Rock's Pond has been called Gould
ing 's but is now Simpson's Pond.

<ZPlreudt tfg^mJy £3 t^&f %f- * J 102-
Cj J^~JL^ &o~j<ytt, t?~™ys~

Vtc 2c' lu *f
3lo 2ft Iba fa

DRACUT 1702

1 — Pawtucketville 6 — Kenwood
2 — Collinsville 7 — East Dracut
3 — New Boston Village 8 — Gage Hill, Pelham
A — Marsh Hill 9— Pelham Center
5 — Navy Yard Village

CHAPTER V
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE LINE
THE first charter of the Massachusetts Colony given by King
Charles I under date of March 1, 1628-9, granted to the
Colony ' ' all that part of New England lying between three miles
to the north of the Merrimack and three miles to the south of the
Charles river and of every part thereof in the Massachusetts
Bay; and in length between the described breadth from the
Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea." At that time little was
known of the interior of the country and the king and his coun-
cnlors labored under two errors. The first was the assumption
that the continent was narrow, as in Central America. They
supposed that the Pacific Ocean or South Sea as they called it
would be reached about where the Middle States are located. If
this grant was accepted as stated it would give to the state its
present width but would be 3000 miles long, including a portion
of every state now lying west of Massachusetts in this latitude,
between the two oceans.
The second error laid in the supposition that the course of
the Merrimack river was like that of the Charles river, practi
cally east and west not realizing that for a large part of its
course it ran north and south. This error was the cause of a
controversy between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, which
has ended only in recent years. As the true course of the Merri
mack became better known, Massachusetts claimed her territory
to extend to three miles north of the source of the river and the
General Court in 1652, appointed a commission to ascertain that
point. The order appointing a commission was in part as
follows :
"31d. 3m. 1652. Concerning the north lyne of this juris-
diccon itt was this day voted vppon pvsall of our charter, that
the extent of our lyne is to be from the northernmost parte of
the River Merremacke and three miles more north, where it is to
be found be it a hundred miles more or lesse from the sea and
thence vppon a straight lyne east and west to each sea."

98 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Two men were appointed, viz. : Capt. Simon WiUard, who
had fought in the Colonial service against the Indians and who
was an ancestor in a direct line of the writer, and to whom many
in eastern Massachusetts may trace their descent, and Capt.
Edward Johnson, an influential man in the colony. These com
missioners with surveyors and guides ascended the river and
located its source at a place called by the Indians Aquedahtan,
now known as the Weirs. At this point they found a large
granite boulder in the bed of the stream near the outlet of the
lake on which they cut the letters

EI

SW

WP

ENDICVT Gov.

IOHN

Bearing in mind that at that time the letters I and J were the
same letter and that WP probably meant worshipful, we may
read it Edward Johnson, Simon Willard, Worshipful John Endi-
cott, Governor. This stone and inscription being later covered
with water, it was forgotten until 1833, when excavating for a
dam it was recovered. A point three miles north terminated at
a pine tree known as Endicott 's Pine, and here the commissioners
located the northern boundary of Massachusetts. According to
their interpretation this would give to this state the larger part
of what is now New Hampshire with a considerable part of York
county in Maine.
"The New Hampshire grantees placed a different construc
tion upon the language of the charter and claimed that the
northern line could not be in any place more than three miles
to the north of the middle of the river. The territory there
fore lying between these extremes became ' disputed territory. ' ' '
"Subsequently, in 1667, at a hearing before the King
Charles II and Council, the agents for Massachusetts, by advice,
so far modified their claim as. to disclaim all right of jurisdiction
beyond three miles north of the river according to its course,
that is, their line should run parallel with the river from its
mouth to Endicott 's rock and thence due north to Endicott 's
Tree, and thence due west to the South Sea. It was determined

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE LINE 99
that they had a right as far as the river extended. Massachu
setts, however, continued to retain jurisdiction over those parts
of the towns already granted, which were more than three miles
north of the Merrimack, of which New Hampshire continued to
complain. " ( " History of Haverhill. ' ' )
In 1692, under William III, a new charter was granted
to Massachusetts, which denned the northern bound as "extend
ing from the great river commonly called Monomack, alias Mer
rimack on the north part and from three miles northward of the
said river to the western sea."
"About the year 1720, New Hampshire began to claim
that the line should commence at the point three miles north of
the mouth of Merrimack river and from thence run due west to
the South Sea. With the setting up of this new claim com
menced a series of disputes, contentions, and suits that lasted
nearly a third of a century." ("History of Haverhill.") In
1731, a royal order was issued, referring the matter to a board
of commissioners. This board met at Hampton and after several
weeks of discussion agreed upon the east bounds of New Hamp
shire, a different matter in dispute, but not upon the southern
bounds and by agreement this question was submitted directly
to the King, at that time George II. It was not until August 5,
1740, that a decree was issued by the king and council which
ordered: "That the northern boundary of the Province of
Massachusetts Bay is and be a similar curve line pursuing the
course of Merrimac River at three miles distance on the north
side thereof beginning at the Atlantic Ocean and ending at a
point due north of a place in the plan returned by the com
missioners called Patucket Falls and a straight line drawn from
thence due west across sd river tiU it meets His Majestys other
Governments. " ( " Hist, of Haverhill. ' ' )
Again the want of information of the course of the river led
the king and council into error, they failing to understand the
southerly trend of the river from its mouth to Pawtucket Falls.
By this decision New Hampshire was given more than she had
ever claimed. Massachusetts feeling herself unjustly treated
refused to join in the survey of the line, and Governor Belcher, as
authorized by the decree appointed George Mitchell and Richard
Hazen, spelled Hazzen, surveyors. Selecting a point at the

100 HISTORY OF DRACUT
bend of the Merrimack river below Pawtucket FaUs, they
measured a line three miles north which terminated at a large
pine tree at the northern end of the farm formerly owned by the
late Zechariah Coburn, now in possession of James W. Mozley.
This was known as Mitchell's Boundary Pine and was the point
from which the two surveyors started out. Mitchell surveying
the line parallel with the river from this point to the sea, and
Hazen running the line west.
The diary of the latter surveyor has been preserved and we
copy that portion of it relating to Dracut.
"Saturdayy March 21 1741 Concluded at what part of the
falls to begin to measure a due North line (the place concluded
on being directly opposite to Tyngs Saw Mill and called the
Great Bunt). The said Mitchell set forward on his Course &
measured the said three miles which ended about fourteen poles
Southerly of Colburns Old Meadow & near the Easterly end of
it, where the said Mitchell caused a pitch pine to be marked and
erected a pillar of stones around the same tree & then we parted
and I set forward on my Course from sd Pine Tree a course due
West or according to my instructions, that is West 10° North
variation allowed pr order of the Governor and Council and
the same night measured lm 16p to Beaver River. This line
crossed Conants Farm (see Early Grants) and meadow and
Nathaniel Clements lot. Monday Mar 23. We began to meas
ure a little after sunrise and the same day went on our course
4m 24p. In this days travel at 40h 40? from Beaver River
we crossed the path which leads from Dracutt Meeting house to
that part of the town caUed Gumpass at which path WiUiam
Richardsons house bore north of us and distant about 40 poles,
and Nathaniel Clements Southerly and distant about 60 poles."
Nathaniel Clement was the great great grandfather of the
late Asa Clement, and his house was located on the slope of the
hill south of the present Clement buildings. Capt. William
Richardson was the great grandfather of the late Honorable
George F. Richardson of Lowell, and his house stood on the right
hand side of the road beyond the Clement farm and north of
the Pelham line. The highway now called Mammoth Road was

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE LINE 101
then caUed the "Path," as the highway was not laid out until
1792; while Dracut Meeting House refers to the first church
structure erected in Dracut and stood on Varnum avenue. The
Peter Coburn house, which is the old house south of the Clement
farm and still in existence, was undoubtedly the first house built
in this neighborhood and the "path" led past these houses. We
quote from the diary : " At the end of 274 poles from the path
we came to a pond called Long Pond the general bearings
whereof were North and South, in our way crossing said Rich
ardsons land and Clements. The pond was 74 poles over and
on the west side of it Dracut and Nottingham join together."
The diary records the survey which ended April 16th at Hudson
River. In several places reference is made to the snow being
three feet deep and at one place near five feet, yet at the end of
the diary he records: "The weather proved so favorable that
we never stopt in the woods for any foul weather nor did we make
a camp any one Night & Stretchd our Blankets but three times
aU the Journey but Lodged without any Covering Save the
Heavens and Our Blankets."
All records or marks of the exact spot on the Merrimack
river where they started are lost, but according to the journal,
they surveyed, a line running three miles north of a place called
the Great Bunt, which is the broad expanse of the river west of
the mouth of Beaver brook below Pawtucket falls, long known
as Pawtucket Pond. By the establishment of this new province
line the town lost about half of its territory and with other towns
similarly affected felt much aggrieved. At a town meeting held
November 26, 1741, it was voted: "That a petition be preferred
to ye Kings most excellent majesty setting forth our distressed
circumstances and praying that that part of sd town that is
taken away by said line may be annexed to ye sd province of
Massachusetts Bay, and that Messrs. John Varnum, Darius
Richardson and Nathaniel Fox or any two of them be a committee
and be fully empowered to sign one such petition and prefer it
to ye Court of Great Britian. ' '
It was first necessary to present the petition to the General
Court for its sanction. The Court, while sympathizing with the
town, did not grant their request, but appointed a committee
who reported as follows : ' ' The committee appointed on the peti-

102 HISTORY OF DRACUT
tion of John Varnum of Dracutt have taken ye same under
consideration and apprehend that for Ending the Difficulty
mentioned in said petition and all difficulty of ye Sort In any
other towns within ye Province Bordering on the Province of
New Hampshire, a committee be appointed by the Genl Court
to Goe into the said several towns and Enquire what number of
Polls and ratable Estates is taken off from this Province by the
Lines Lately run Betwixt said Provinces and make Report
thereof to this Court as soon as may be, and that in the meantime
the Constables of Dracutt and Nottingham be released from
Charlestown gaol."
What offence had been committed by these constables does
not appear. Referring to this matter, a writer says of this
transaction : " No record thereof appears in the Town of Dracut.
It is probable that the town still insisted on its rights and
instructed its constables to regard that part of the town thrown
into New Hampshire by the new line as still a part of the
original town and under its jurisdiction, although why said
constables should have been arrested by the Massachusetts
authorities does not appear."
It appears that one of the peculiar results of this division
of the town was to cause the Ministers' Commons, or land which
belonged to the parish, as a perquisite of the minister for the
pasture of his cattle or supply of his fuel, to be situated in New
Hampshire. The town was afterward allowed, by the act of the
legislature, to dispose of this tract with the proviso that the
proceeds should be applied to the support of the ministry of the
town. Thus, so far as the town was concerned, the business
of annexation was concluded. To the people it was evident that
a petition from an obscure town like Dracut would have but little
little influence with King George II to change any decree which
had been made. In 1803, a petition was prepared and signed by
Peter Coburn and 113 others showing that ' ' since the incorpora
tion (of the town) a large proportion of the land has been loped
off by the brittish government" the town had been deprived of
its rights by such "loping" and they prayed that a portion of
the town of Chelmsford might be annexed. The new town
would include all of the territory lying at that time west of a
line drawn from the mouth of Beaver brook, passing near Oliver

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE LINE 103
J. Coburn 's house, to the State line. Also all that part of
Chelmsford lying within a line drawn from Middlesex village to
the City Farm and east to Concord River.
At that time what is now the thickly settled part of Lowell
was farm land. A small mill on Hale's brook being probably
the only manufacturing establishment included in the limits
mentioned. Thus a more satisfactory shaped town would exist
but would be subject to being divided by the river.
In 1825 commissioners were appointed by both states to make
a re-survey for the purpose of ascertaining the exact location
of the old line surveyed in 1741. The surveyors for Massa
chusetts were Caleb Butler and Benjamin F. Varnum. In the
report of the Massachusetts commissioners, reference is made to
the Boundary Pine station as being "two miles and three
hundred and thirteen rods due north of a point in Pawtucket
Falls called the great pot hole place." In 1827, the General
Court authorized Benjamin F. Varnum of Dracut to erect stone
posts at the angles on the east part of the line from the sea to
the Boundary Pine which was then standing, also at the intersec
tion of the line with any highways. Copy of commission author
izing erection of monuments :
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Resolved, That the Honorable Benjamin F. Varnum of
Dracut in the County of Middlesex be, and hereby is, authorised
and directed, to cause good Stone Monuments, not less than one
foot' in diameter, nor less than four feet high from the surface of
the ground, to be set up and placed at each angle of the line
between this Commonwealth and the State of New Hampshire,
from the Atlantic Ocean to Mitchells boundary pine (so called)
between the towns of Dracut and Pelham ; and also on said line
between the several towns in this Commonwealth from said
Mitchells boundary pine to the line of the State of Vermont,
so as to preserve the said line, as the same has been run and
ascertained by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose,
which monuments he, shall cause to be permanently set in the
ground, and to be lettered with the letters Ms on the Massachusetts
side thereof — ; and that he lay his account for his expenses and
services in the premises before the General Court for allowance.

104 HIBTORY OF DRACUT
In Senate March 10th 1827
Read and passed. Sent down for concurrence.
John Mills President.
House of Representatives March 10th 1827
Read and passed in concurrence William C Jarvis Spkr.
March 10 1827
Approved Levi Lincoln

A true copy of the original resolve

Att Edward D. Bangs
Secy of Commonwealth.

Caleb Butler was a great grandson of John Butler the first
settler in Pelham, N. H. His wife was Clarissa, daughter of
Parker Varnum. His associate was Benjamin F. Varnum the
youngest child of General Joseph Bradley Varnum. His wife
was Caroline Bradley. The commissioners failed to reach an
agreement. New Hampshire asserted that Hazzen was in error
in allowing ten degrees for the variation of the needle, thus de
priving that state of a gore of land commencing at the Boundary
Pine and reaching to the Connecticut river. But Hazzen states
in his diary that he was so instructed by the Governor and
Council of New Hampshire. Nothing further was done until
1885, when the Legislators of both states again appointed com
missioners "for the purpose of ascertaining and establishing
the true jurisdictional boundary line between the two states."
The survey was completed about 1890 from the sea to the Boun
dary Pine station. At this point (the three mile line due north
of Pawtucket pond), a polished granite monument has been
erected and the rough stone placed there by B. F. Varnum re
moved. It is about four feet in height. On the east side there
may be seen the figure of a pine tree cut in the stone and occupy
ing about one half of the height of the monument which bears
the following inscription:

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE LINE 105
1741
Mitchells
Boundary Pine
Latitude 42°^1'— 50, 26"
Longitude 71°— 19'— 22, 02"
On the west side is to be seen:
The Royal Decree
Establishing
the Northern
Boundary of
Massachusetts was dated
Aug 5 1740
George MitcheU
Located the
Eastern Section
of the line and
Richard Hazen
the Western Section
Mar. & April 1741
On the south side : D
Mass 1890
Henry Carter
George Whitney
Edw. B. Savage
Commissioners
Nelson Spofford
Surveyor 1825-7
Samuel Dana
David Cummings
Ivers Jewett
Commissioners
Butler & Varnum
Surveyors.

106 HISTORY OF DRACUT
On the north side : P.
N. H.
1890
John J. BeU
Nath1 H. Clark
C. H. Roberts
Commissioners E. T. Quimby
Surveyor. 1825
Samuel BeU
Henry B. Chase
Samuel Dinsmore
Commissioners
Elijhalet Hunt
Surveyor.
From this monument to the sea, neat monuments were
erected at the angles of the line and at road crossings and the
rough stone posts removed.
The following year (1891), a survey was made of the
western part of the line to the southwest corner of New Hamp
shire. The commissioners agreed to recommend to the Legisla
tures of their respective states the passing of an act accepting
this line, which was the line run by Hazzen so far as could be
ascertained, and establishing it as the future line of jurisdiction
between the states. This action was taken and thus the
controversy was brought to an end.
A portion of the report of the commissioners presented in
1899, at the close of the work, will convey the feeling of satisfac
tion which existed not only among the commissioners, but also
among the people of the two states :
' ' In reporting the final termination of a long contention be
tween the two states lasting over two hundred years, it is gratify
ing to record the fact that the settlement of the disputed lirie
is mutually satisfactory and has ended with the most harmonious

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE LINE 107
feeling on both sides, in strong contrast to the bitter feelings
which were engendered between the two Provinces at the be
ginning of the controversy. ' '
Edward B. Savage
George W. Cate
Frank W. Hodgdon
Commissioners for Massachusetts. ' '
This establishment of the Province line has been recorded
for the purpose of showing why the former territory of Dracut
was divided and why the Boundary Pine monument was located
in its present position. It appears to be an appropriate chapter
to place on record in the history of Dracut.

CHAPTER VI
EARLY WARS
IN 1754 commenced the war between France and England
for the supremacy of North America. Canada was then in
the possession of France, and that country, aided by the
Canadian Indians, sought to invade the English Colonies on the
south. On the continent of Europe both nations were engaged
in war, with allies on either side. Peace was finally concluded in
1763, leaving the English in possession of Canada. In fighting
the Indians, while military discipline was of great value, to be
successful, a soldier must adopt the methods of the enemy to
some extent. In King Philip's war the colonists learned the
lesson of Indian fighting which, in the later wars against the
French, was of great value to them, as the Indians were allies
of the French. The Indians would never engage in battle if they
could avoid doing so. Their manner of fighting was by the sud
den surprise, the treacherous ambush and the destruction of
property. If the first rush was successful, a massacre followed ;
if unsuccessful, they seldom rallied to a second attack. The
colonists at first were not accustomed to such methods, but soon
learned that to be successful they must adopt the Indian manner
of warfare. Braddock endeavored to overcome them by the rules
of war which had been successful while opposed to enemies, who
also had military discipline, and his troops were helpless and de
feated. Washington, as his aide, knew how to oppose them and
covered the retreat from the fatal field known in history as
Braddock 's Defeat.
When Samuel Varnum and Edward Colburn came from
Ipswich, they were ignorant of the urgent need of protection
against the roving bands of Indians, but after one or two attacks,
they learned that garrison houses, stockades and soldiers were
indispensable. These garrisons were recognized by the authori
ties as valuable for defence, and whenever assistance was re
quired, on account of a threatened invasion by the savages, the
garrisons would be strengthened by men and provisions.

EARLY WARS 109
The first Dracut settler to hold a military office was Edward
Colburn, who, with Samuel Varnum, settled in this vicinity in
1669. He held the office of corporal. In the war known as the
French and Indian War, Dracut men participated, although
there was not a sufficient number to form a company, but one
was formed from several adjacent towns. It consisted originally
of sixty members, but only forty-seven were mustered in by the
enrolling officer. Nineteen were enlisted men, twenty-two were
hired, and six were impressed. The list included men from
Dunstable, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Dracut, Billerica, Bedford,
Westford, Wilmington, Groton and Townsend in this state, and
"Derryfield," "Souhegan West" Hollis, Peterboro and London
derry in New Hampshire. One from Mutilone, which town is
not identified. This list is in existence but Dracut and Chelmsford names
only will be mentioned. The Ust bears the following title :
"A list of Captain Jonathan Butterfields Mens Names ages
Places Born Place of Rezedents Occupation Dated at Fort
Edwards July ye 26 A. D. 1756.
Capt. Jonathan Butterfield 43 Chelmsford Dunstable Hus
bandman.
Levtt Stephen Adams 42 Chelmsford Dunstable. Husbandman.
Sergant Robert Butterfield 40 Chelmsford Westford Hus
bandman.
Corpril Benjamin Butterfield 20 Chelmsford Chelmsford Hus
bandman Inlisted.
Corpril John Warren 23 Chelmsford Chelmsford Husbandman
hired.
Drumer Charles Barrons 26 Chelmsford Chelmsford Cooper
hired.
Nathaniel Butterfield 45 Chelmsford Chelmsford Husbandman
hired.
William Bowers 19 Chelmsford Chelmsford Labour Inlisted.
Zebulun Buttman 19 Beverly Chelmsford Cordwainer Inlisted.
Edward Colburn 30 Dracout Pelham Husbandman hired.
Ezekiel Cheevers 21 Salem Dracut Labour ImPrest.
Simeon Cory 27 Chelmsford Chelmsford Husbandman hired.
James Dutton 27 Chelmsford Chelmsford Husbandman hired.

110 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Ambroes Emery 18 Dracut Dracut Husbandman hired.
Stephen Farnum 55 Andover Dracut Husbandman Inlisted.
Nathaniel Langley 18 Chelmsford Chelmsford Laboure Inlisted.
Isaac Proctor 18 Chelmsford Chelmsford Laboure Inlisted.
The name of the town following age of soldier gives his birth
place and the second is his place of residence. Of this number
Edward Colburn, the great grandfather of the writer, was a
great grandson of Edward Colburn, who came from Ipswich.
Ezekiel Cheever was a member of the Cheever family, who for
many generations lived on the road from Dracut Center to
Methuen, represented in later years by two sisters, the last of
whom, Hannah Cheever, died at the Cheever or Stickney farm
in 1895. Ambrose Emery was born in 1738, in Dracut, and was
the son of James and Ruth. He married July 17, 1762,
Katharine Foster of Pelham, N. H. Stephen Farnum was born
in Dracut, January 19, 1734, son of Stephen and Hannah and
died at Lake George, September 1, 1756. The Farnum family left
town probably near the close of the Revolution. Zebulun But-
man enlisted from Chelmsford, but became a resident of Dracut.
His children were born during the years between 1769 and 1777.
He appears to have resided near Loon Hill on the KeUey farm.
In 1770, he sold 100 acres to James KeUey, and in 1777, 60 acres
to Asa Barker, which was afterwards owned by WilUam Malone,
who gave the name to the hill. We have reason to suppose that
Capt. Butterfield 's company was engaged in the expedition
against Crown Point in 1758. Among some old papers in the
possession of the writer, is the foUowing receipt :
"Camp at Lake George ye 19 of October 1756 Then Re
ceived of Edward Colburne Teen Shillings In Full of all Acounts
nots Bills Dues Debts Demands whatsoever from the Beginning
of the world to this Present Day as Wittness my Hand
Saml Ayer."
Another proof of the presence of the company at Crown
Point is found in an old letter which, for more than 160 years,
has been preserved. It is brief, but, no doubt, brought comfort to
the soldier in the distant camp. It is written by Hannah

EARLY WARS 111
(Butterfield) Coburn to her husband, Edward. It was written
before envelopes were known and with the address was written
on a single sheet of paper. It is addressed:
"To
Mr. Edward
Coburn in the
Army against
Crown Point under
Capt. Jonathan Butler. (Butterfield)
Pelham July the 30 1756
Loving Husband these are to Let you know that I am well
and our Children are well But Benjamin has had the fever ager
but he is Better and all our Relations are weU Blessed be God
for it. Hoping that these will find you well I have Received two
Letters from you and I Should be Glad to hear from you and to
know How you fair I Should be Glad you would take the first
opportunity to Send me a Letter ware you are and wot you are
a Doing and wether there is any Hops of your Coming Home
So No more at Present but I Remain your Loving and affec
tionate Wife until Deth.
Hannah Coburn."
The Benjamin to whom reference is made was then nine years
of age, being born in 1747 and died about 1835. He was a
soldier of the Revolution twenty years later. His granddaughter,
Harriet Newall Coburn, was the wife of the late Josiah Gates of
Lowell. When the British soldiers, with 1200 Provincial troops
under the command of General Braddock, with George Wash
ington as his aide marched through Pennsylvania in July, 1755,
to attack the French forces at Fort Du Quesne, there was a
Dracut soldier in the ranks, Ensign Thomas Hildreth.
We will include in the list of the soldiers of the Colonial war
the name of Primus Lew, a colored man. He entered the service
at Groton as musician, and served in the French and Indian War.
His home was then at Groton, but later in life he removed to
Dracut. He married November 5, 1743, a mulatto named
Marguret, and among his children was one Barzilla, a fifer in

112 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the Revolution. Barzilla 's grandson, Adrastus, will be remem
bered as a resident of Pawtucketville. In Massachusetts archives
are to be found Dracut men in Capt Aaron Willard 's company:
Edward Bird (servant to John Sherburn)
Daniel Clough John Cheever
Nehomiah Flint (minor) Joseph Parker (son to Timothy)
In the list of members of the company of English soldiers
who were engaged in the affair in Acadia in 1755, we find Simon
Wood of Dracut, born August 31, 1733, son of Benjamin and
Mary Wood. Also names of others who cannot be identified.
Daniel Clough Joseph TreadweU
Joseph Emery John Emery
Francis Knowlton Anthony Emery
Richard Barron
The names of Barron and Emery are found in the records
of Dracut in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars but have
disappeared, while the names of Clough and Wood have their
representatives in Dracut at the present time. Joseph Tread-
well came from Ipswich, and in 1752 purchased 100 acres of
land. This included the farm now owned by Hon. Arthur W.
Colburn. He evidently resided here but a short time. Two ex
peditions were sent out during the year 1755, and in both there
were soldiers from the New England towns. In 1690, Thomas
Richardson, who married Hannah daughter of Edward Colburn,
was a soldier in Capt. Samuel Gallup 's expedition against
Canada which was unsuccessful.
The Colonies acknowledged dependence on the English Gov
ernment and whenever called upon, were expected to take their
part in the war. The "taxation without representation" and
kindred acts of oppression had not yet raised in the Colonies the
spirit of rebellion. In these earlier wars they were being fitted
for the long struggle which within the next few years was to
commence, and the Revolutionary war was fought and won
largely by men who had learned their lesson in the camp and
on the battlefield during the Colonial wars.

DEACON JEREMIAH YAliMJM

<See Page 422)

EARLY WARS 113
The central expedition was despatched to capture Crown
Point and Ticonderoga, in which Capt. Butterfield 's company
served as already noted. The eastern expedition, in which were
the eight men whose names were recorded and who were in Col.
Winslow 's Expedition, was designed to destroy Acadia. This
was part of Nova Scotia at the eastern extremity of the Bay of
Fundy. "In the Acadian land on the shores of the Basin
of Minas Distant, secluded, still the little village
of Grand Pre' Lay in a fruitful vaUey."
[Longfellow's "Evangeline."]
Before the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620, the
French had settled on the Island of Cape Breton and Nova
Scotia. In 1713, Nova Scotia was ceded to Great Britian by the
treaty of Utrecht, and in 1730 the people became the acknow
ledged subjects of that country with the condition that they
should be permitted to retain their established form of religion
and be exempt from service in any war between England and
France, and they were known as "French Neutrals."
The English government considered them a source of danger
and took measures to deport them. This they accomplished with
a cruelty and inhumanity that has remained as a reproach to
Great Britian since that time.
"The French force in Nova Scotia being subdued, a diffi
cult question occurred, respecting the disposal of the inhabitants.
Fearing that they might join the French in Canada, whom they
had before furnished with intelligence, quarters and provisions,
it was determined to dispose them among the English Colonies.
Under this order nearly two thousand miserable occupants of
a sterile soil, and yet attached to it, and so loyal as to refuse to
take the oath of allegiance to the King of England, were driven
on board the British shipping, and disposed among the English
Colonies." (Goodrich's History.) Without previous notice of an
invasion the men were seized and confined in the church build
ings, while the soldiers plundered the houses. FamiUes were
separated and deported to different parts of the country as far
apart as possible. About one thousand were landed in Massa-

114 HISTORY OF DRACUT
chusetts, who were for a time dependent on charity. "I know
not if the annals of the human race keep the records of sorrows so
wantonly inflicted, so bitter and so perennial as fell upon the
French inhabitants of Acadia." (Bancroft's Hist, of U. S.)
The soldiers who enlisted in this expedition from the New
England towns were not responsible for this outrage. The
objects of such expeditions are kept secret and the blame must
be placed on those who are their authors.
' ' On the 5th of September, 1755, four hundred and eighteen
heads of families were summoned to meet in the Church of
Grand Pre'. The same order had been given throughout the
towns of Acadia. The anxious farmers had all obeyed. Colonel
Winslow commanding the Massachusetts troops repaired thither
with great array. 'It is a painful duty which brings me here'
he said ' I have orders to inform you that your lands, your houses
and your crops are confiscated to the profit of the Crown, you
can carry off your money and your linen on your deportation
from the province. ' The order was accompanied by no explana
tion nor did it admit of any. All the heads of families were at
once surrounded by soldiers. By tens and under safe escort they
were permitted to visit once more the fields which they had culti
vated, the houses in which they had seen their children grow up.
On the 10th, they embarked passing on their way to the ships be
tween two rows of women and children in tears. The young
people had shown a disposition to resist, demanding leave to de
part with their families. The soldiers crossed their bayonets.
The vessels set sail for the English Colonies dispersing over
the coast the poor creatures they had torn away from all that
was theirs ; many perished from want whilst seeking from town
to town their families removed after them from Acadia, the
charity of the American colonists relieved their first wants.
Some French Protestants who had settled in Philadelphia after
the revocation of the edict of Nantes, welcomed them as brothers,
notwithstanding the difference of their creed ; for they knew all
the heart rending evils of exile. " (Ouizot's History of France.)
A place has been reserved in this history for a record of the
exiles of Acadia as the men of Dracut bore a part in the de
portation although no blame can be attached to their actions,,
as the object of the expedition would be kept a secret. It is to

EARLY WARS 115
the credit of the town of Dracut that a helping hand was ex
tended to those whose lot it was to seek shelter and assistance
here. The Acadians in Dracut
Dispersed among the settlers on the coast of New England
and the Colonies, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean further
south, it was only by assistance rendered by the people of the
towns that these unfortunate refugees were prevented from
perishing by starvation. The Landerie family was assisted by
the town of Dracut, as entries in the town records show: "Oct
29 1756 Then the French Family being nine in Number Came to
Dracutt and abode at the House of Mr. John Taylor and Mr.
Ephraim Curties till the Tenth Day of October 1757 for Sub
sisting of them for that Space of time £14-1-5-3 and allowed by
the General Court."
There are four more entries relating to the same subject and
of a similar nature, giving account of expenses incurred and
dates on which services were rendered, the last one being August
15, 1761. They showed no disposition to depend on charity, but
rather were willing to support themselves, but lacking tools and
materials all necessary means of support must be furnished by
the town. The money expended by the town was refunded by
the General Court. November 27, 1761, the Treasurer of the
town, Major Samuel Varnum, was ordered to "pay Peter
Landara £1-4S what it cost them to the Doctor." February 14,
1758, an order was given to pay Ephraim Curtis for material
for the subsisting of the French "fammilies." Ephraim Curtis
lived at the old house on what was once the Joel Fox farm, now
owned by Moses Daigle. The town books record several orders
given the Treasurer for money for their support. A sample
of these orders is given.
For paying Isaac Fox for making a loom for the French
and other materials for the ' ' Support of the said French. ' '
To Nathaniel Fox for Provition for the French Family.
To Aaron Coburn for pork.
To Nathaniel Jones 8 shillings for 62 shad.
To Ephraim Hildreth for a foot wheel.

116 HISTORY OF DRACUT
To William Hildreth for "grane."
To Samuel Varnum for an ax and pair of cards.
To Ephraim Curtis for house room and hauling wood.
To Josiah Richardson for one cow.
In 1761, an article was inserted in the warrant at the annual
meeting : " To see if the town would give the French family the
cow that was purchased for their use. ' ' It was voted not to give
them the cow. An order was issued to pay Samuel Coburn for
' ' hous room and grane. ' ' He was a son of Dr. Samuel, who lived
on Varnum Avenue, and we infer that the "hous room" was in
that vicinity. John Taylor, who furnished lodgings for them,
lived at the Samuel Worcester place, now the home of D. Sted
man Fox. Samuel Coburn also furnished "meet and pastering
and wintering the French cow. ' '
In 1761, it was voted to give Lieut. John Varnum £2-13s-4d
for what he gave the French family, about the time they moved
to Dunstable. It would appear that by this removal the family
was separated, a part remaining in Dracut, for six years later
it was voted "to give the French family viz. Sarah, Marey and
Betty Landre those three of the French family that Belong to the
town of Dracutt twelve Dollars to transport them to Quebek the
money to be put in Peter Frys hands overseer of the Poor of
Salam not to be used until they actually go off and pay their
passage." At the time of their departure the funds in the
treasury must have been low as it is stated in the record that
for that reason the town borrowed £3-139-8d of Peter Fay with
which They were enabled to journey to ' ' Quebek. ' '
At the Curtis house where they resided for a time, certain
articles have been found by later occupants which were used
by these people. This briefly is the account of Dracut 's partici
pation in this event which has been the basis of the beautiful
poem written by the New England poet, entitled, 2 ' Evangeline, ' '
who "sat by some nameless grave and thought in its bosom
He was already at rest and she longed to slumber beside him."

CHAPTER VII
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
THE peace which followed the signing of the treaty between
England and France was of brief duration. England's
attitude towards the colonies was of such a nature that it caused
great dissatisfaction. The Governors of the colonies appointed
by the crown were little in sympathy with the American people,
and often disposed to be arrogant and oppressive. The war
was commenced to maintain the rights of the people of America
and not with any expectation of withdrawal from the Mother
Country. Those men who fell at Lexington and Bunker Hill
never suspected that those conflicts would lead to the estabUsh-
ment of a republic. But as the war was waged from year to year,
it became evident that there could be no peace unless the
colonies received their freedom. The causes of the war are well
known and need not be repeated here, but the part which Dracut
took was creditable to the town. A study of statistics will re
veal the fact that no town or city in the thirteen colonies sent
to the war a greater number of men to the proportion of its in
habitants than Dracut. The total number of soldiers from this
town, so far as known, was 439 ; the number of inhabitants in
cluding women and children was about 1100.
Many of these had served in the Colonial Wars and the
pecuUar nature of Indian fighting had made them self-reliant,
courageous and resourceful. But the need of military organi
zation and military training was realized, and Dracut men were
taught the rules and regulations which relate to military life.
They were proficient in marksmanship for their safety de
pended on their skill in the use of the musket to protect their
families from the assaults of the Indians, and their flocks from
depredation by wild animals ; but, in addition, military discipline
was needed.
Mr. F. W. Coburn in his "Battle of April 19, 1775," re
ferring to this need of organization says: "If he (Lieut. Col.
Smith) entertained any idea of surrendering, though I have no

118 HISTORY OF DRACUT
evidence that he did, he must have realized the hopelessness of
that, for no one seemed to be commanding the multitude before
him, beside him, and behind him. They constituted a large circle
of individuals, but made no attempt to stay his march or guide it
in any way. They just followed along, seemingly intent only on
hunting down the King's soldiers. Had some master mind been
in charge of the patriot army, Smith's entire force could easily
have been taken prisoners. But this was the first day of the war
and was only a contest between soldiers and citizens. ' ' Had this
occurred later, when Washington had assumed command, the
result of the battle would have been more disastrous to the
British. During the period immediately preceding the Revolution,
train bands were organized, which added greatly to the effi
ciency of the American soldiers, but as the exercises were to a
great extent marching and countermarching with sham battles
on the training field, the men had much to learn when real fight
ing commenced. The train bands were known in England a
century before the Revolution, having been introduced by
James I. "John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown
A train band captain eke was he
Of famous London town."
The commencement of the war brought into service the
successors of the train bands, viz., the militia and minute men.
The definition of the term "militia" is given in the Am. Enc.
Dictionary as ' ' The civilian military force of the nation consist
ing of citizens trained to arms, and subject to be called forth to
enable the executive to execute the laws of the Union, suppress
insurrection and repel invasion. They are not a standing army,
in the sense of being continually under arms, but are subject to
the call of the President in the event of war. The organization is
generally spoken of as The National Guard. ' '
The Minute Men were more independent bodies of soldiers,
they were expected to be ready at a minute 's notice, which gave
them their name, and as signals were agreed upon by the dis
charge of muskets at night, the hanging of lanterns in belfries

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 119
"One if by land and two if by sea"
and the swift riding of horsemen to alarm the members, the
name, Minute Men, was rightly applied to them. The responses
were immediate, farm work was abandoned and saw and grist
mills left in charge of those who were not able to endure the hard
ships of war. Haste was urgent, the liberties of the people were
in danger and the Minute Man must do his duty :
' ' They left the ploughshare in the mold
The flocks and herds without a fold
The sickle in the unshorn grain
The corn half garnered on the plain. ' '
The battles which were fought during the first years of the
Revolution were those in which only Minute Men and militia
were engaged, and until its close the Federal Government ex
ercised but little power.
' ' Valley Forge was the pivotal, bloodless battle of the Revo
lution, and it marked the disappearance of the state militia
levy and the birth of the American army." (Gen. Philip Reade
U.S.A.) "These Minute Men were trained often, the towne paying
the expense, when the company after its field exercises would
sometimes repair to the meeting house to hear a patriotic sermon,
or partake of an entertainment at the Town House where zealous
'Sons of Liberty' would exhort them to prepare to fight bravely
for God and their country. ' '
"Lord Percy said at table he never saw anything equal to
the intrepedity of the Minute Men. They were of all classes and
it was held as a marked distinction to be chosen as an officer
in a company. ' '
"The fife, the drum and the trumpet were the only instru
ments then used in the Continental army. The tunes usually
played were 'Yankee Doodle' and 'The Road to Boston.' The
tune of 'Chester' by William Billings was sometimes heard in
camp and before the close of the war several new marches were
introduced. Military bands were not formed in this country

120 HISTORY OF DRACUT
until about the commencement of the last century. They were
in some instances taught by the Hessions who settled here after
the war was over."
At the period when restrictions of commerce, the stamp act,
the tax on tea and other oppressive acts were being put forth by
the English Government, it is with pleasure that we find a few
members of Parliament who recognized the injustice of these
acts and were outspoken in their condemnation. In a speech by
Walpole he said: "I will leave the taxation of America to some
of my successors who have more courage than I have." And
Mr. Pitt also said : " I will never burn my fingers with an Ameri
can stamp act." The result of aU this agitation, the hardships
of the seven years' war resulted in the birth of a nation which
eventually was to take its place among the foremost nations of
the world. Although the war was not formally commenced until
after the battle at Lexington on April 19, 1775, there were indi
cations of trouble which warranted a preparation for the event.
As early as 1770, the citizens of Boston, irritated beyond
endurance by the conduct of the British troops, met a company
of soldiers in the streets of Boston and, while opposing their
advance, received a discharge from the muskets which killed
several of the citizens. This is known as the Boston Massacre.
In this affray Dracut had no part, but the news was received
by the townspeople and the spirit of liberty was aroused. A
warrant was issued by the town for the purpose of calUng a
town meeting on the 12th day of January, 1775: "Then and
there to see if the inhabitants will vote to come into any method
for raising any support for the poor of the Town of Charlestown
and Boston now under oppressed circumstances, in struggling
for the liberties of their country. ' '
The records of the disposition of the articles in a warrant are
often lacking, but we learn from a record made at a later date
that assistance was rendered. "Charlestown Feb. 15 1775
Received from the town of Dracut by the hand of Parker Var
num forty five and a half bushels of rye and indian meal, also
twenty eight pounds, eighteen shillings old tenor in cash for the
relief of the poor sufferers by the cruel Boston Port Bill, for
which we shall account to the town of Boston. ' ' This last named
town was not incorporated as a city until after the Revolution.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 121
At this same meeting Peter Coburn, Sr., was chosen to represent
the town at a meeting of the Provincial Congress to be held Feb
ruary 1, 1775, at Cambridge. The people realized the need of a
co-operation of the Colonies, and to accompUsh this, a committee
of the leading men who were known to be earnest in the cause of
liberty were appointed. This committee was called the Com
mittee of Correspondence and Safety. The men from Dracut
chosen to serve on this committee were: Thomas Hovey, Amos
Bradley, Isaac Fox, WiUiam Hildreth and Dr. Joseph Hunt.
As early as 1770, two volunteer companies were raised in Dracut.
One of these was composed of 70 men, who elected Joseph B.
Varnum for captain.
In December, 1774, the Provincial Congress decided to enlist
12000 men to act as Minute Men. The train band was re
organized with Stephen Russell, captain; Ephraim Coburn,
Ueutenant; and Abraham Coburn, ensign. Joseph Bradley
Varnum, before mentioned, a young man of 23 years of age, was
made military instructor. He was well-fitted for the duties hav
ing made a careful study of the tactics which were in use at the
time. His commission as captain was dated May 31, 1776.
In those days no house was completely equipped which did
not include a musket or "Queens arm," as it was called, with
powder, bullets and flints. So when the bells were rung for an
alarm or a signal gun fired by a farmer, each man seized his own
musket and ran to meet his comrades at the rallying place which
had been appointed. Deposited in the Dracut museum is an old
assessment and rate book in which is an entry relating to this
time. It is entitled, "County and Baggonate rate East part
1774." The book is a curiosity as the cover is made of a piece
of oak board about the thickness of cigar box board and covered
with brown paper. The number to be assessed is 120 and in
addition to the County rates the assessments are to pay for the
' ' purchase of a number of Baggonates for the towns use. ' ' This
is signed by Ephraim Coburn, Peter Coburn, and Ephraim
Curtis, the selectmen and assessors. They were not at first pro
vided with baggonates, or bayonets, as now called, and at Lex
ington and Bunker Hill they were not needed, but later the
bayonet charge by the Provincials was so fierce and determined
that the trained soldiers of England were forced to retire be
fore them.

122 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The courage of the American soldiers was underestimated,
and it was said by the British officers that "any two regiments
ought to be decimated if they do not beat in the field the whole
force of the Massachusetts Province; for though they are
numerous they are but a mob without order or discipline and
very awkward at handling arms. ' '
The Provincial Congress was not clothed with any authority.
Although the Colonies sent representatives, they could only
consult in relation to ways and means and to recommend
measures. These measures would be received by the towns, but
it was optional with them whether they accepted or rejected
them. In March, 1775, the town voted : ' ' That we comply with
the resolves of the Provincial Congress so far as is in our power. ' '
Also "to have Baggonates for a Company of minit men." "To
draw out one quarter part of the soldiers as Minute men, as
recommended by the Provincial Congress." Voted "To give
the Minute Men one shilling for exercising one half day each
week for ten weeks to come after they are equipped unless the
last act of Parliament — Boston Port Bill — shall be repealed."
"Voted That if any of the Minute Men refuse to go when called
for that they shall not receive their wages for service."
Thus the town was gradually preparing for the storm which
burst upon them and which the wiser ones could foresee. The
next step was the enlistment of men and the formation of
companies. Officers were elected and the men instructed in
the military exercises of the time.
Arrangements were made amongst the members of these
companies by which the discharge of a musket in the night
would summon each man at once to the training field. One of
these fields was located near Hovey Square, westerly of the
Henry Richardson house, and is now crossed by Henry street.
In 1799, the town built a powder house near the spot and in
recent years it was used by Mr. Richardson for a well house.
When, on April 18, 1775, the King's troops marched out of
Boston on their expedition to destroy the stores of ammunition
at Concord and Lexington, their plans had been so secretly
matured that the surrounding towns were taken by surprise.
The ride of Paul Revere to notify the townspeople has been
recorded in history and verse.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 123
' ' It was twelve by the village clock
When he crossed the bridge into Medford town
It was one by the village clock
When he rode into Lexington
It was two by the village clock
When he came to the bridge in Concord town. ' '
So perfect was the organization and so well understood the
system of signals that not only the towns nearby, but those more
remote were hurrying forward their Minute Men by daylight.
Many of them were too late to participate in the first conflict,
but assisted in the demoralization which took place during the
retreat of the English soldiers to Boston. "Whenever it-comes
to blows, he that can run the fastest will think himself the best
off." This was said by one of the British officers before the
battle, referring to the Provincials, and the words were literally
true on this memorable 19th of April when applied to the British
soldiery. In an address delivered by Dr. M. G. Parker at Dracut
Center, he said : ' ' The British in their report of this battle com
plained of the Americans to the King calling them murderers be
cause they took aim in battle; they did take aim and they hit
the mark, not only at Lexington and Concord, but when they
aimed at old England as well. ' ' Until a later period there was no
army organization, and no authorized call for the Minute Men.
Each company was independent and each man depended on his
captain for orders. At the battle on April 19th, Major Buttrick
assumed command, not by appointment but by virtue of his rank
being higher than that of the other officers. After the affray at
Lexington, the British hurried to Concord. They were met by
Colonel Barrett, who, as ranking officer ordered Major John
Buttrick to advance at the head of the militia and Minute Men.
As the British retreated through Lexington, they encountered
more of the minute men, but the Dracut companies under Cap
tains Peter Coburn arid Stephen Russell, were too late to en
gage in the fight and continued their march to Cambridge.

124

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Frank W. Coburn in his "Battle of April 19, 1775,"
records that: "In Dracut, twenty five miles from Boston, the
alarm was given soon after two-oclock by the firing of a gun by
Captain Trull across the Merrimack river in Tewksbury, a signal
previously agreed upon, which aroused Captain Joseph Bradley
Varnum. Two companies marched immediately, one under
Captain Peter Coburn and the other under Captain Stephen
Russell." In volume XIII, "Lexington Alarms," we find the "Muster
Roll of the Company of MiUtia under command of Captain
Stephen Russell of Dracut in Col. Greenes Regt, that marched
on ye 19th of April A. D. 1775 against ye manisterial troops. ' '

Stephen Russell Capt.
Ephm Coburn 1st Lt.
Abra. Coburn 2d Lt.
Matthew Parker Sgt.
Benja. French Sgt.
Timo. Barker Sgt
Reuben Sawyer
David Jones
Samuel Brown
Moses Goodhue
John Austin
Jos. Hebbard
Thos. Lindsay
Jona. Crosby jr.
Obadiah Richardson
Zacha. Goodhue Jr.
Wm Hildreth
Robert Nicklas
Caleb Austin
Ezra Coburn
Saml. Piper
Ephraim Wright
Eliphalet Fox
Caleb Sawyer
David Austin
Wm Farnum
Hincher Parker

John Harvey
James Mansur
Wm Lyndsey
Wm Coburn
Francis Sawyer
Joshua Pilsbery
James Harvey
Wm Taylor
David Trull
Thomas Taylor
David Jones Jr.
Ephraim Hall
Ephraim Parker
Ezekiel Cheever
Timothy Frye
John Wood
Stephen Wood
John Gilchrest
Job Coburn
Wm Clough
Nehh Flint
Hugh Jones
Jesse Adams
George Burns
Kindall Parker
James Davis
Mitchell Calley

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

125

James Sprague
Moses Davis
Green Parker
David Blood
Joseph B. Varnum
Abijah Wood
Jacob Coburn
Thomas Varnum
James Reed
Jona Coburn
Jona Taylor
Wm Wood
Jonas Richardson
Barth0 Massey
David Fox
Uriah Coburn
David Adams

John Bowers
John Taylor
Wm Harvey
John Hancock
Dan1 Clough
Sol0 Jones
Moses Barker
David Clement
David Lyndsay
Tim° Davis
John Barron
John Thissell
John Roper
Thomas Wright
Tim0 Brown jr
Simon Fox

"Mdx S.S Dec 18, 1775 The above & within named Capt
Stephen Russell appeared & made solemn oath that this roll by
him subscribed is just and true according to the best of his un
derstanding & that the carefuUest examination had been made
by him in his power relating thereto.
Sworn before me Jn° Varnum, Just. Peace."
The total number of names on the roll in 87 and the time
of service two to seven days.
RoU of Capt. Peter Coburn 's Company of Minute Men who
marched to Lexington:

Capt Peter Coburn
Lieut Josiah Foster
" Ebenezer Varnum
Sgt. Miles Flint
" Isaac Bradley
" Parker Varnum
Drummer Wm Webster

Privates
Josiah Hildreth
Samuel Barron
John Bowers Jr
Edward Wyman
Wm Hildrick
Leonard Coburn

126 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Hezekiah Coburn Jona. Hamblet
Bradley Varnum John Varnum
Peter Hazleton Benja. Barron
Jonathan Parkhurst Jonas Varnum
Isaac Merrill John Bradley
Jonathan Hills Jonas Whiting
Samuel Coburn Josiah Fox
Henchman Richardson Abijah Fox
Zebulon Jones Solomon Wood
Micah Hildreth Jona. Richardson
James Varnum Abijah Hill
James Hunt Benja. Crosby
Phineas Coburn Jona. Jones
Total number on the roll 39
These names appear as spelled on the original rolls, so
causing some peculiar spelling, thus William Hildreth 's name
is spelled Hildrick, which was a not unusual way of pronoun
cing the name in later years.
Dracut Men at Bunker Hill
After the affray at Lexington and Concord, the men en
gaged in it, being enlisted for no particular term of service, re
turned to their homes. But they were well aware that the
British commander at Boston would soon take measures to queU
the incipient rebellion, and they at once prepared to resist. In
a list of Revolutionary soldiers kept in a private journal and
discovered many years after the war in a secret compartment of
a desk, there are names of men who served in the war. This was
probably kept by Ephraim Coburn whose name appears as First
Lieutenant in Captain Russell's company and now in possession
of his lineal descendant, Clarence G. Coburn. The whole list
is given, although some names have been recorded in the two
preceding lists.
' ' The Lists of the men that have been in the American Servis
Since the Battle at Lexington" "Those that were Engaged at
Cambridge Eight Months"

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

127

Jonas Whiting
Samuel Whiting
John Fox
Moses Clement
Nehemiah Jacquest
Capt Peter Coburn
Lieut Josiah Foster
Lieut Ebenezer Varnum
Ser. Micah Hildreth
Ser. Phineas Coburn
Josiah Fox
Moses Barker
Elijah Hildreth
David Clough
Major Joseph Varnum Hird

Ser. James Varnum
Ser. William Harvey
Corp1 John Hancock
Corp1 John Taylor
Corp1 Jesse Fox
Corp1 John Barron
Jonas Varnum
Josua Varnum
Seth Ditson
Jonathan Jones
Benjamin Barron
Jonathan Richardson
Amos Sawyer
Abijah Hills
£18-0-0 Solomon Jones
Abijah Fox

The company encamped at Cambridge was the one that par
ticipated in the battle at Bunker Hill. The complete roll of the
company is on file and is entitled, "Minute Roll of Capt. Peter
Coburns Co. in Col. Bridges Regiment at Battle of Bunker Hill
June 17 1775 and in the siege of the British Army in Boston in
the Autumn of 1775." The additional names besides those at
Cambridge were as follows :

Moses Richardson
John Varnum (Methuen)
Henry Barron
John Bradley
Nathaniel Kittredge
Samuel Jenness
Solomon Wood
Timothy Patch
Gardner Gould
William Varnum
Timothy Davis
Daniel Clough (Methuen)
William Parker

William Emerson
David Lindsay
Tobias Briggs
John Thissell
Peter Coburn Jr.
Thomas Right
John Roper
Thomas Gardner
Zebdiel Fitch
Joseph Tuttel
Elijah Tuttel
Benjamin Crosby
John Hoit

Jonathan Hamblett
Total number of members in Company 58.

128 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Peter Coburn, Jr., was the youngest member of the Company,
being only ten years old. His presence was due to the fact that
after his father's company had marched, he ran away from home
and joined them while on the road to Cambridge. The names of
the Dracut men who lost their Uves at Bunker Hill are Joseph
Hibbard, a member of Captain John Davis's Methuen Company;
John Thissell and Benjamin Crosby of Captain Peter Coburn 's
Company. Bronze tablets have been erected at Charlestown on which
are placed the names of those who feU at Bunker HiU. Joseph
Hibbard is erroneously credited to Captain Sawyer's Company
as he, as above stated, was a member of Captain Davis's. John
Thessill's name appears on the tablet as a member of Captain
Coburn 's, but through some oversight the name of Benjamin
Crosby is omitted from them. John Thessill, as the name is
spelled, was the son of Richard and Mary Thissell and uncle of
Nathan, Daniel and Joshua Thissell and was born June 20, 1755.
Benjamin Crosby was the son of Jonathan and Rebecca (Co-
burn) Crosby, born August 12, 1754, and was a brother of the
great-grandfather of the late Frank L. Crosby. Joseph Hibbard
was the son of Joseph, who, in 1787, owned real estate in Dra
cut. We are not dependent on the muster rolls for information
for there was another class of documents to which reference may
be made, called the Coat Rolls.
In the records of the Journal of the Provincial Congress the
following appears: "Resolved that thirteen thousand coats be
provided, as soon as may be, and one thereof given to each non
commissioned officer and soldier in the Massachusetts forces,
agreeably to the resolve of Congress on the 23d day of April
last. ' ' A schedule was prepared and orders sent to the different
towns to furnish them. They were allowed four shiUings each
for making and five shillings and four pence for cloth, seven-
eighths of a yard wide, and as far as possible the soldiers from
each town were provided with the coats made in that town.
This was good policy, as the townspeople would have an addi
tional incentive to perform their work well. The family of the
member of a company who had lost his life could demand the
coat to which they were as much entitled as they were to his
pay. The orders for the return of these coats and pay are re
corded.

(See Pnge 432)

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 129
"Methuen Feb 2, 1776. To the Committee of Supplies this
may certify that Joseph Hibbard the son of Joseph of Dracutt
enlisted into my Company in Col. James Fryes Regiment and
served from the 19th of April till the Battle of Bunker Hill,
and was then wounded of which wound he died, and was en
titled to a Coat which he has not recd John Davis Capt."
"Dracutt Nov 14 1775 We the subscribers do certify that
Mr. Richard Thissell is the sole right and proprietor of his son
John Thissells wages that was killed at Bunker Hill fight in
June last signed by two selectmen of Dracut."
Captain Coburn 's company was engaged in the battle, oc
cupying a prominent position and it is remarkable that only
these three lost their lives. The clothes worn by Capt. Coburn
were pierced by buUets in many places, but he escaped injury.
After several repulses and with great loss, the British at length
reached the hastily prepared breastworks and an officer called
out, as the Americans retreated, "Now, my boys, we have you."
As he made this statement, a stone thrown by Capt. Coburn
knocked him senseless. A letter written by Capt. Peter Coburn
soon after the battle has been preserved and its contents will
be read with interest : "Camp Cambridge
June 17, 1775
The regiments were ordered from Cambridge to Charles
town and they arrived there about eleven o'clock at night, and
then and there began a breastwork, and pursued until about sun
rise the next morning. About sunrise the troops fired on us from
the ships as they lay in the ferry way, and kiUed one Pollard
that lived in Billerica, and they continued their fire at times,
aU the forenoon, and we finished our breastwork about twelve
o'clock, at about which time they began to land nigh our breast
work and landed about 400 men, and in about two hours began
to fire at us at our own breastwork, and continued to fire very
brisk near about two hours. At length they stormed our breast
work and we were obliged to flee, and they pursued us as far
as Bunker Hill, but we killed or wounded fourteen or fifteen
hundred, and the loss sustained by us was few, about one hun-

130 HISTORY OF DRACUT
dred and fifty killed, wounded and missing and on the 17th day
of June I arrived at Cambridge about sunset, alive but much
fatigued and tired. Blessed be God therefor. ' '
When reading in this letter that "they pursued us as far
as Bunker Hill, ' ' we must bear in mind that while the Americans
were ordered to erect breastworks on Bunker Hill, they, by mis
take, erected them on Breeds Hill. We are told that the British
landed from the boats and marched up the hill in military order.
thinking it an easy matter to capture the redoubt. This was the
first real battle which was fought, as the others could only be
called massacres, and while in reality a defeat, it is considered
by the American people of as much importance as a victory, as
it showed the courage of the Provincial troops and that the
militia could successfully meet the trained soldiers of England.
Bunker Hill monument proclaims to the world that we glory in
the results of the memorable day.
On the 10th of May, a second session of the Continental
Congress was held at Philadelphia. In Masachusetts, General
Ward was in command, while other states had their own officers,
a state of affairs not conducive to decisive results. It was dur
ing this session, but later than June 17th, that the command
was given to George Washington. He arrived at Cambridge on
the second of July and his first object was to relieve Boston of
the presence of the British soldiers. On account of the need of
siege guns and ammunition, the occupation of Bunker Hill for
this purpose was a failure and the Commander-in-chief decided
to occupy Dorchester Heights, from which Boston could more
easily be stormed. Ordering siege guns from Fort Ticonderoga
which were drawn on sledges, he took possession of the Heights
and menaced Boston. The British General realizing his danger,
evacuated the town and the American soldiers occupied the place.
The name of one Dracut soldier who participated in this move
ment is William Abbott, born Sept. 8, 1757, son of Daniel and
Lucy (Parker) Abbott. He married Patty daughter of Jacob
and Lydia (HaU) Coburn.
Early in the year 1776, the citizens of Dracut took measures
to perform their part in continuing the conflict, and to know
what military stores were available and what must be procured.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 131
At a town meeting held January 12th, a committee of Correspond
ence, Inspection and Safety was chosen, consisting of Samuel
Coburn, Dr. James Abbott, Reuben Sawyer, John Bowers,
WiUiam Hildreth, Parker Varnum, EUseus Barron, Stephen Rus
sell and Joseph B. Varnum. By the appointment of this com
mittee the different parts of the town were represented. Samuel
Coburn and Parker Varnum reported for the west part of the
town, Dr. James Abbott for Collinsville, Stephen Russell and
William Hildreth for the Center and Navy Yard viUage and
Eliseus Barron and J. B. Varnum for East Dracut. The com
mittee reported a scarcity of bayonets and flints, and advised the
purchase of lead for bullets, which were made in the home.
Hugh Jones, Amos Bradley and Ebenezer Coburn were chosen
as purchasing agents. The battle of White Plains was fought
October 28, 1776 ; this was on the east side of the Hudson river,
near Tarrytown. The result was not decisive and as the Ameri
cans withdrew from the field, the retreat was covered by Col.
Brooks' regiment, in which was Capt. Zach. Wright's company.
The company was composed of men from Chelmsford, Dunstable,
Westford and Dracut. The record at the State House is as
follows : "Camp at White Plains
Oct. 31, 1776
Return of Capt. Zach. Wrights Company in Col. Brooks
Reigement. The names of the Dracut men are
Jonas Varnum Sergt Caleb Astens t
Robert foard " Saul Coburn §
John Hancock Corpl. Jonathan Jones
Jonathem Parkhurst William Hildreth
Henry Coburn M. Broadstreet Coburn t
Samuel Barron Daniel Coburn
Moses Davis § Peter Parker §
Amos Sawyer t Simon Flint **
Leonard Coburn § Solomon Abot §
Sick Broadstreet Coburn Caleb Asten
t wounded § Sent with the wounded ** killed.
Lost in battle 2 guns 2 Bayonets, 2 Swoards, 10 Napsacks
14 Blankets, 7 coats 4 Jacoats 13 Britches 27 Pairs Stockings 7
Shoes 16 Shirts. Zacheus Wright Captain."

132 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The Dracut Convention
The Committees of Correspondence and Safety from eleven
New Hampshire and Massachusetts towns met at the house of
Major Joseph Varnum Nov 5 1776, "To consider the alarming
situation of PubUc Affairs, exorbitant prices etc." After some
deliberation it was resolved to call a convention of committees
and agents of towns to meet on the 26th of the same month, and
to notify other towns to send representatives, if they chose to
do so. The Convention met at the appointed time and 50 dele
gates were present from about 26 towns in New Hampshire and
Massachusetts. The Dracut delegates were Major William Hil
dreth, Samuel Colburn, Ephraim Colburn, Abraham Colburn
and Parker Varnum. It was voted that "in the opinion of this
convention the unhappy difficulties arising on account of the
exorbitant prices that are demanded and taken for many of
the necessaries of life, is a matter worthy of our consideration,
and that it be a subject of inquiry at this time. Upon a fair
inquiry it has been made to appear to the convention that such
is the advantage taken by the merchant, farmer, trader and
others of those who are obliged to purchase the necessaries of
life from them, that unless some speedy and effectual remedy
take place, it is the opinion of this convention that those un
righteous practices will prove the inevitable ruin of the states,
there resolved that This Convention will petition the Legislative
authorities of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, them
requesting that they would be pleased to take the premises under
consideration, and so to regulate the purchases and sales of the
necessaries of life as to obviate the evils we imagine wiU other
wise ensue. ' ' A petition was prepared in substance as follows :
The petition "Humbly showeth that notwithstanding sundry
resolves and recommendation of the Hon. Continental Congress
by which we apprehend they intended that no unreasonable
advantage should be taken in the purchase or sale of foreign com-
modites, the product of our farms or our own manufactures and
did agree and expressly determine that such as are venders of
goods and merchandise should sell at the same rate they had been
accustomed to do for 12 months then last past, many persons in
the states aforesaid altogether disregarding the said proceedings

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 133
of Congress and the weal of the United States, from mercenary
or worse views have augmented the price of by far the greater
part of the necessaries of life to an enormous degree; many
articles of which are more than double the usual prices they
were respectively sold for before the commencement of the pres
ent war. That some persons have been so lost to all virtue and
the love of their country as to engross the most necessary and
saleable articles, purchasing them at retail price and immediately
advancing upon that retail price at least cent per cent, thereby
endeavoring to depreciate the value of our paper currency; that
the soldiers and others not concerned in this unrighteous com
merce, are groaning under their burdens. Wherefore your pe
titioners humbly pray this Hon. Court to take the premises under
consideration, and to enact such laws and make such provisions
and regulations as in their operation may speedily and effectually
remedy the evils of which we so justly complain.
Signed in behalf of the Convention
[N. H. Hist. Col.] John Bodwell Chairman"
"The important position held by New England was clearly
perceived by the British general who made strenuous efforts to
prevent this section from assisting the middle and southern
states. To accomplish this he endeavored to gain possession of
the line of the Hudson River. It was to prevent this that Wash
ington fought the dreary campaign which succeeded the retreat
from New York." [Address of Senator Lodge.]
To accomplish this isolation of New England, an expedition
was sent from Canada under command of Gen. Burgoyne, who,
with 7000 troops, a train of artiUery and a large number of
Indian allies, first invested the fort at Ticonderoga. The Ameri
can garrison, consisting of 3000 men, abandoned the fort and
joined Gen. Schuyler, and the combined forces marched to Sara
toga and Stillwater. In the meantime Burgoyne proceeded to
Skenesboro and from there to Fort Edward. From this place
he sent an expedition to Bennington, Vt., under Col. Baum, to
destroy the stores, but on August 16, 1777, he met with such a
repulse from the American Army, under General Stark, that the
British were greatly depressed. We are not sure that Dracut

134 HISTORY OF DRACUT
men were at Bennington, but the great-grandfather of the writer
of these records, whose farm was largely in Dracut was present
and took part in the battle. He was in Capt. Jesse Wilson's
company, Gen. Stark's brigade, from July 21, 1777, to the time
of his discharge for disability. His discharge paper has been
preserved : "Bennington Sep. 12 1777
Edward Colburn is hereby discharged from the service he
being found unfit for duty" This is signed by the commanding
officers orders by John Casey A. D. C.
Whether wounded or overcome by heat and exhaustion Uke
many others, we do not know. It is difficult on account of the
absence of records to follow the movements of the Dracut men,
but enough has been gathered from private records to prove con
clusively that they participated in the battles which took place
about Skenesboro, Saratoga, and Ticonderoga. One such proof
is found in a letter written by Capt. Stephen RusseU.
"Stillwater Sept 28, 1777
Loving Wife & dutiful Children, after offering my love
to you, I cheerfully embrace this opportunity to communicate with
you, though at a great distance & to let you know that through
the goodness of God I am well & hope these Unes will find you
the same. I am somewhat wearied with marching for we have
had tedious marches. I have been to Skenesboro & was ordered
right back again. * * * I had 40 men sent out of my company to
Ticonderoga which have not returned yet & I dont know as they
will. Jones has been sick with camp disease but is better & is
here. We arrived here at Stillwater the 25th instant with 8
days & one nights march without stopping but one night in a
place. We hear that Ticonderoga has fallen into our hands.*
We have had a battle here & by the best account we lost 200 men
& 1000 of the enemy [were] killed & taken. Francis Sawyer of
Dracutt was killed and also Wm Hildreth. Our Dracut men are
all well that belong to the Continental service. They are all here
?This was incorrect. The rumor was the result of a raid by the Americans
which met with only partial success.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 135
but Taylor who is at New Castle. Tories are plenty but our
Indians make sad work with them. They take more or less every
day. We are within \y_ miles of the enemies camp & we expect
hourly to be caUed to action. We are daily taking on both sides.
Great consternation prevails. Our men flock in here Uke bees
that cover the face of the Earth. We have a strong army here
& our men are in good spirits, and I hope with a blessing that
we shaU overcome the whole in a short time. We have plenty
of bread and meat. What men I have with me are mostly well.
Our Indians take the enemy and Tories dayly & those that wont
take quarter they kill and scalp. Time only must determine
the event. New England has called down heavy judgements
on us at this day & in the days of calamity & distress we are to
consider from whose hand it comes. God looks down with dis
pleasure on our sins, but it is the sincere prayer of your friend
and well wisher, that we may all of us mend our ways & Uve
more to the honor and glory of our Creator than ever yet we
have done & I desire that it may please an infinite being to re
turn me again to you and that we may be a blessing to each
other. Time wont permit to multiply words, so I must conclude
by committing you & myself & the children & all my near and
dear relations into the arms and care of a merciful being who is
able to keep and support us in any state, place or condition he
sees fit to put us in. So I conclude and subscribe myself your
affectionate companion & loving husband until death.
Stephen Russell Capt.
StiUwater Sept 28 1777
Give my compliments to aU inquiring friends and neigh
bors & to Mr. Tyler & teU him his brother is with me. Sargt
Barker & James Reed are well & desire to be remembered to
their friends. S. Russell Capt."
A list of Capt. Russell's company is found in the Mass Revo
lutionary Rolls:
"A Pay RoU of Capt. Stephen Russells Company in Col.
Saml. BuUards Regt of the State of the Mass. Bay Melitia,
ADom. 1777."

136

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Capt Stephen RusseU
1st Lieut Isaac Warren
2d Lieut Christopher Page
Sergt Moses Barker
' ' Jeratheel Coburn
" Benj. Sprake
" Peter Hunt.
Corp. Francis Davidson
" Zebediah Jones
" Zebediah Rogers
" Benja Lane
Drummer Benja. Gould
Fifer Abraham Stickney
John Adams
Chas. Annis
Wm Beard
Jesse Bradley
Reuben Baulding
Sam'l. Cummings
Jeptha Coburn
Benja Coburn
Silas Coburn
Josiah Crosby
Abiel Cross
Nathan Cory
Daniel Clement
Jonathan Coburn
Joseph Chambers
WilUam CauldweU
Joseph Dowse
Timothy Davis
Josiah Estabrook
Daniel Emerson
Simeon Foster
Thomas Goodwin
John Gordon
Jesse Gould
Enoch Howard
John Hayward
Nehemiah Hunt

James Haseltine
Josiah Heald
Ebenezer Johnson
Nathaniel Ingalls
Enoch Jewett
Nathaniel Jones
Daniel Kittredge
Asa Kittredge
Timothy KeUey
Phinehas Kidder
David Lane
Seth Leviston
Saul Marshall
Jesse Marshall
Joshua Marshall
Isaac Marshall
Cambridge Mooar
William Melendy
Joseph Osgood
Stephen Pearce
Silas Parker
Saml. Parkhurst
Simeon Parker
William Parham
Wm Richardson
James Reed
Peter Reed
John Reed
Porter Ray
David Richardson
John Robb
Jonas Spaulding
Joseph Spaulding
Jonathan Shed
William Taylor
Nathan Tyler
James Terbox
Saml. Trull
Hezekiah Thorndik
Samson Walker

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 137
Abijah Wood David Walker
Isaac Wright Saml. Whiting.
Oliver Wright
The total number of the company was 85. They drew pay
from August 14th to November 30th, besides an allowance for
twelve days to return home, 240 miles, marching 20 miles each
day. The captain was paid £12 per month, the Ueutenants £8.2s,
sergeants £2. 8s, corporals, drummers and fifers £2. 4s and pri
vates £2. per month as authorized by acts of the Continental
Congress. The company rendezvoused August 15th at Chelms
ford, and marched to Bennington, Vt., arriving there on the 17th,
the day after the battle. From Bennington they went to Pawlet,
Vt., and were attached to the regiment of Col. Samuel Bullard,
marching to Stillwater, N. Y., where they took part in the events
culminating in the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, which
occurred Oct. 17th. Soon after this the company was ordered
down the river to Esopus, then to Tarrytown and White Plains,
where they were discharged Nov. 30th. Another company, under
Capt. Joseph B. Varnum, was mustered September 20, 1777,
marched from Dracut, October 1st, and remained in service tiU
November 7th. ,
In Mass. Revolutionary Rolls we find "A muster Role of
Capt Joseph Bradley Varnum 's Company of Volenteers from
Dracut in Colo. Jonathan Reed's Regt in ye state of Massa
chusetts Bay who Marched and Reinforced ye Northern Army
according to a Resolve of ye General Court of said State Passed
ye 22d September 1777. For ye States pay by rates of ye Con
tinental pay."
Capt Joseph B Varnum Privates
Lieut Ephraim Coburn Lieut David Jones
Sergt Abijah Fox Sergt. Samuel Baron
" Jonas Varnum William Abbott
" Jonathan Jones Simeon Coburn
' ' Timothy Barker Leonard Coburn
Corpl. John Handcock Samuel Coburn
" David Trull David Coburn
Fifer Barzeala Lue Saul Coburn
Clerk Joshua Pilsbury Reuben Coburn

138 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Jonathan Crosby Jonathan Parkhurst
Moses Davis Samuel Piper
David Fox Ebenezer Sawyer
Zechariah Goodhue David Sawyer
Josiah Hildreth Jonathan Taylor
Peter Heseltine Thomas Taylor
Daniel Jaquest Bradley Varnum
David McLaughUn Solomon Wood
John Mears John Wood
Isaac Parker (Signed) Joseph B. Varnum Capt.
Jared Sparks, the historian and lecturer, relates that before
the battle of Trenton, Lord Cornwallis hastened to overtake
Washington. To accomplish this it was necessary to cross a
wooden bridge which spanned Stony Brook on the old kings road
between the Navy Yard and Philadelphia. While the bridge was
being destroyed by the Americans they suffered from the fire of
the British troops as they advanced, and some of the men were
obliged to work in the icy water. As the brook was swollen by
a freshet, the British were compelled to find a ford at a distance
from the bridge, it gave the American troops a decided advan
tage. The men detailed to destroy the bridge were a part of
Captain Varnum 's company whom Washington ordered him to
take for this purpose. Touching his hat, Captain Varnum said,
"Are there men enough?" Gen. Washington said, "Enough
to be cut to pieces." Knowing the duty to be a dangerous one,
he returned to his men and pinched his cheeks for fear that they
would see that he was pale. Washington's commands were
obeyed and the bridge was destroyed.
At Bennington, the troops under Col. Baum, who had been
detached by Burgoyne, had been defeated, which placed him in a
perilous situation. An attempt by the British to retreat brought
about an engagement at Saratoga which was undecisive, but a
second battle was fought which was so disastrous to Burgoyne
that he attempted to retreat to Fort Edward. In the meantime
this fort had been besieged and fallen into the hands of the
Americans which so discouraged him that he surrendered his

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 139
army to General Gates, who had succeeded General Schuyler.
Burgoyne was a very pompous man and his pomposity excited
the ridicule of the American soldiers. After this defeat a coup
let was composed.
"Burgoyne unconscious of impending fates
Could cut his way through woods but not through Gates."
During this year recruiting was difficult, and the towns were
notified to send a certain number of men. It was customary for
several men to unite in hiring one man, and these men, and not
the town, paid the bounty. The length of time for which each
should pay was furnished them. This statement is verified by
the following copy of an old paper which is in possession of the
writer relating to a transaction of this nature in Pelham, N. H.
The journal of Lieut. Ephraim Coburn from which extracts will
be made contains entries which this paper explains. It is brief
and not dated, but is easily understood. We cannot explain why
a part of them were ordered to furnish the amount for one
month and others for two. It may be possible that some had
already been caUed upon for Uke service and so were excused
from paying as much as the others.
' ' Edward Coburn 2 months
Asa Carlton 2 months
Abial Barker 2 months
Nathaniel Currier 1 month
Timothy Clark Jr 2 months
WilUam Webster 1 month
Deacon James Wilson 1 month
Daniel Wilson 1 month
You and each of you are Required forthwith to Joyne ac
cording to your Proportions to git one good man to serve in the
Continental army for the Term of one year.
Asa Richardson Capt."
The journal of Lieut. Ephraim Coburn, to which reference
has been made, contains the names of many of those who pro
vided substitutes, having already served themselves or being in
service. It also shows the prices paid for substitutes.

140

HISTORY OF DRACUT

' Those that went to Ticonderoga under
Capt.

10 dollars
Each

10 Dollars
Each

John Ford
( John Hamblet
I Simeon Williams
j Henry Coburn
I Ephraim Coburn
Hired John Taylor
I Thomas Goodhue
i Samuel Piper
Hired Samuel Piper
Deacon Amos Bradley Paid 20 Dolars
10 Dolars ( Ephraim Parker
Each I Jesse Adams
Hired Moses Barker
(¦ Samuel Coburn £8-0-0
j Lawful money
i David Blood £4.00
i Lawful money
Hired William Smiley
f Capt. Stephen Russell 20 Doll.
J Deacon Thos. Hovey 10 Dolars
I Ephraim Coburn 10 Dolars
Hired Jonas Whiting
£4-0-0 (¦ Benjamin French
Lawful J Matthew Parker
money each I Bradley Varnum
Hired Benjamin Barron
Thomas Varnum
Joshua Jones
Jonathan Jones
Uriah Coburn
Hired Joshua Jones

Lieut. Micah Hildreth
Capt. Ezekiel Hale
10 Dollars Doct. James Abbot
Each ] Hugh Jones
Zechariah Goodhue
Hired Abijah Wood
10 Dolars

10 Dolars
20 Dolars
20 Dolars
10 Dolars
10 Dolars

10 Dolars
Each

( Jonathan Varnum
I Solomon Osgood
I Asa Coburn
Hired Asa Coburn
(Jabesh Coburn
Ezekiel Richardson
Isaac Clement
Hired Isaac Clement
Moses Goodhue 5 Dolars
Timothy Frye 10 Dolars
Robert Coburn £4-10-0 Lawful
Willard Coburn 10 Dolars
Hired Elijah Hildreth
iCapt. Josiah Richardson 8 Dols.
David Richardson 10 Dolars
Capt. Stephen Russell 7 Dolars
Hired Brintwood Brown
£4-0-0 (¦ Lieut. Aaron Coburn
Lawful J Lieut. Abraham Coburn
money I Jonathan Parkhurst
each Hired Solomon Wood

One third of a
man hired by
Capt Russells
Company

Capt Varnums
Company
Hired Two
thirds

[name not given]

40 Dolars Green Parker
Hired Seth Ditson

The Second Voyage of Ticonderoga men for 5 months under

Captain Fitch. Samuel Coburn 20 Dolars
Ephraim Coburn 10 Dolars
Lieut Aaron Coburn
Job Coburn
Jonathan Varnum

£44— 0—0
£22—10—0 15_ 0—0
2— 0—0
18— 0—0'

[Names of men hired not given]

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 141
"The names of Those that Went into the Continental Army
the year 1777 with Capt. James Varnum and others for 3 years.
Isaac Clement Josiah Wood
OUver HaU *Hinksman Richardson
Jesse Coburn Asa Coburn
Seth Ditson Joshua Jones
Daniel Abbott Jr. John Dodge
Samuel Perkins Joshua Atwood
Thomas ThisseU Benjamin Barron
Moses Richardson Joseph BusseU
WiUiam Hildreth Jr. Jonathan Hamblett
John Taylor Jr. Elijah Hildreth."
Also in private journal kept by John Varnum "31 Mar.
1777. Town meeting to raise men for the army for 3 years.
Voted to add to their bounty 100 dols. A committee was chosen
and authorized to give security to each man that enUsted for
3 years 30£ lawful money over and above what ye bounty of the
state is. A number enlisted. 8 may Wm Hildrith, Hincsman
Richardson, Joshua [Josiah] Wood and Josiah [Joseph] BoseU
went to Concord and passed muster. Richardson returned home,
Hildreth and Wood went to Cambridge, Asa Coburn set out
for Cambridge the same day."
Also in Lieut. Ephraim Coburn 's journal : "Those that went
under Capt. Reuben Butterfield to the Jersey 3 months.
Samuel Cummings Doctor James Abbott
 Toothacre Samuel Mears
Josiah Crosby Josiah Wood
Hinksman Richardson William Abbott
Samuel Brown"
These men were not letter writers and some could not
write their names so that Uttle can be learned from private
correspondence, but there can be no doubt that the Dracut
men took an active part in the stirring scenes and the battles
. 'Reported died July 6, 1778, his term of service from May 16, 1777 to
July 6, 1778.

142 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and marches of the campaigns that preceded the surrender at
Saratoga. These men served at different times and in different
places and aU journeys must be taken on foot. As the postal
service was in its infancy, tidings of the absent ones would be
received only at long intervals.
After the victory at Saratoga which encouraged the patriots,
there were several engagements during the year in which the
Americans were unsuccessful, and at the close of the year they
went into camp at Valley Forge. The account of the sufferings
of the soldiers is familiar to us. The cold was intense, their
shelter was in huts, many of them constructed of boughs, while
clothing, blankets and food were difficult to procure. In all these
trying experiences Dracut men bore a part.
Lossing, the historian, has left on record a fitting tribute
to their patriotism : " If there is a spot on the face of our broad
land where Patriotism should delight to pile up its highest and
most venerated monument, it should be in the bosom of that
little vale on the banks of the Schuylkill. There in the midst
of frost and snows, disease and destitution, Liberty erected her
altar, and in all the world's history we have no record of purer
devotion, holier sincerity, or more pious self-sacrifice than were
there exhibited in the Camp of Washington. The courage that
nerves the arm on the battle field and dazzles with its brilUant
but evanescent flashes, pales before the steadier and more in
tense flame of patient endurance."
Washington in a letter to Congress dated at Valley Forge,
December 22, 1777, says : ' ' Had a body of the enemy crossed the
Schuylkill this morning, as I had every reason to expect, the
divisions which I ordered to be in readiness to march and meet
them could not have moved." Two of the divisions were those
of Generals Varnum and Huntington. General Varnum upon
receiving the order wrote to General Washington: "According
to the saying of Solomon, hunger will break through a stone
wall. It is, therefore, a very pleasing circumstance to the divi
sion under my command that there is a probabiUty of march
ing. The men must be suppUed or they cannot be commanded.
The complaints are too urgent to be unnoticed. It is with pain
that I mention this distress as I know it will make your excel
lency unhappy."

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 143
The citizens of Dracut sympathized with the suffering sol
diers and sent a load of clothing to them, as we learn by an
entry in the town records. "To the Treasurer of Dracut, Pay
to Jonathan Jones £44-16s-8d for his going with a load of
clothing to VaUey Forge." This was a long journey for a team
which was very likely an ox team, but it must have brought
cheer and comfort to the men in camp. General Varnum was
a brother of Capt. Joseph Bradley Varnum, who, in later years,
held in the miUtia the rank of General. At a meeting of the
voters of the town, held February 2, 1778, it was "voted to
send each soldier who enlisted in the service for three years,
or during the war, one pair of shoes, one pair of stockings and
two shirts." Also "voted to raise 600 dollars to purchase them
and transport to the said soldiers in the army." Thus assuming
expense that at a later time would be borne by the government.
The British were in occupation of Newport, R. I., about
three years from December, 1776, to the end of the year 1779
resisting all attempts of the Americans to dislodge them. Dracut
men took part in a campaign during these years. Lieut. Ephraim
Coburn 's journal is further quoted. "May ye 8 1777
Those that went under Capt Minot of Chelmsphord to
Rhode Island 3 months
Moses Clement Saul Coburn
Daniel Jacques Jepthey Coburn."
In 1778 another expedition was planned under the com
mand of General Sullivan. A company from Dracut served in
this expedition under Capt. J. B. Varnum in Col. McClintock's
regiment, General LoveU's Brigade during July and August,
1778. The roU was as follows :
Capt Joseph B. Varnum Sergeant G Flagg Lane
First Lieut. Temple Kindal Corporal Asa Spaulding
Second " Abraham Stickney Jno. Haywood
Sergeants John Robins Oliver Bowers
" Reuben Lewis Oliver Farmer.
" David Austin

144

HISTORY OF DRACUT
Privates

John Betty Clerk of Company
Eben Hunt
Amos Bradley
Jesse Butterfield
Jeptha Coburn
Saul Coburn
Ephraim Crosby
Benjamin Danforth
WilUam Danforth
James Davis
Josiah Fletcher
Levi Fletcher
Edward Farmer
John Gordon
Jesse Haywood
Jonathan Hunt
James Harvey
Paul Hill
James Louis
Samuel Cory
John Perham

WiUiam Parker
Chester Parker
John Shed
Jonathan Woodward
Timothy Bancroft
OUver Coburn
Nathaniel IngaUs
Thompson Baron [or Bacon]
Jno. Boman
Jesse Auger [or Anger]
Simeon Parker
John Webber
Ebenezer Leman
Jonathan Foster
David MerriU
William Spaulding
Jno. Dunn
Andrew Hall
John Johnson
Thomas Goodwin
Abraham Jaquith.

Some of the names on this roll were not those of Dracut
men, while several can be identified as belonging to this town.
Col. Louis Ansart, whose biographical sketch appears in an
other chapter, served for a time as an aide-de-camp to General
Sullivan, and his service in this campaign comprised the only
military duties in which, to any extent, he performed. A bri
gade was detached from the main army and despatched to Gen.
SulUvan's assistance. This was under command of General
James Varnum, a native of Dracut and brother of Capt. J. B.
Varnum as before stated. On February 16, 1778, five men being
needed to complete a guard at Boston, Jabish Coburn, Nehemiah
Flint, Amos Bradley, Jr., Ephraim Wright and Benjamin
Bowers were drafted. Nehemiah Flint hired William Abbott,
paying him $30, to take his place.

(See Page 19 7)

THE 111,11 YELLOW MEETIXC HOUSE

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 145
At a meeting of the town, May 22, 1778, it was voted £1535-
10s to pay the nine months', six months', and six weeks' men that
went into the service. Also to give the men that went to the
defence of Boston, in February, 1778, £6 for three months, also
to pay the men that went on guard in April for three months
£8 and to the men now on guard at Cambridge £14. In ex
planation of the action of the voters as recorded, Mr. A. C.
Varnum has left a record which informs us that "these men
were caUed out by the General Court for the defence of Boston,
Cambridge and Watertown, where large miUtary stores were
on account of the troops that had been stationed there, having
at the request of Washington joined in the expedition to cap
ture Gen. Burgoyne at Saratoga. ' '
In Town and County Continental rolls these additional
names are found :

Benjamin Bowers age 18

Jona. Osgood

age 17

Jeptha Coburn " 19

Chester Parker

" 25

Daniel Clement " 18

Dudley Davis

" 16

General Philip Reade, in "The Hildreth Family," writes:
"Mass. Revolutionary Rolls show that Israel Hildreth served as
a private from Oct 19 to Nov 23 1779 at Claverack N. Y. in
Capt. John Porters company of the 2d Mass Bay militia Col.
Samuel Denney. The company marched 200 miles to reach
Claverack. Israel Hildreth advanced £341 to the town to help
equip the soldiers. He cruised with Wingate or Thomas Newman
until about the summer of 1779."
Under date of March 3, 1780, an order was given to the
selectmen by the treasurer "Pay to Capt. Stephen Russell £824
to pay to the men that listed to go to Claverack," also same
date "Pay to Captain Russell £249 that he found to be paid to
the men that went to Boston, and one man going to Rhode
Island." In state archives, "Dracut July 17 1780 Received of the
Committee of Dracut for hiring men a note of hand of 60 bushels
of Indian Corn for our doing a 3 months turn in the army for
said Town

146 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Ebenezir Sawyer Jonas Prescott Barrett
Geo. KeUey Jonathan Barker
Reuben Sawyer Christopher Williams
Dudley Davis Jonathan Parker Jr.
Jacob Atwood Joshua Thissell
John Curtis John Hancock
Asa Hall Wm Clough
There are recorded in the State Archives a "List of Six
months Continental men 1780
Daniel Clemens [Clement] Thaddeus Coburn
John Mercey | Massey] Moses Davis
Oliver Jones Samuel Abbott
Joshua Bradley Reuben Richardson
Reuben Coburn Samuel Elliott
Wm Gould Timothy KeUey
David Harvey Ephraim Lindsay."
Also from State archives: "We the subscribers do hereby
acknowledge that we have each one of us respectively received
of the Committee of Dracut to procure men for the war, in said
town 100 bushels of Indian Corn for our doing a 6 mos. turn
for said town to the Continental Army."
This was signed by all the men who signed the above ac
knowledgement except Timothy KeUey and Ephraim Lindsay.
It is interesting to know the amount paid for service in the army.
"Dracut March ye 22d 1781. We the subscribers Received
of the town of Dracut Three Hundred Dollars in Specie, in
money and in notes from the Town Treasurer in full for doing
Three years Service in the army.
Reuben Colburn Samuel Abbot
William Abbott Thomas Whittaker
Joel Bowers John Massey
OUver Mears Amos Worster [Morse]
Tony Clark [colored] Premus Johnson [colored]
Samuel Coburn Seth Dudson [Didson]."

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 147
On the 8th of March, 1782, another caU was made, and on
March 26th the Town voted "to desire Capt. Stephen RusseU and
Capt Joseph B. Varnum to call out their companies together
to raise the men for the army, both to meet in one place." And
aU who belonged to the Alarm list and training bands were
"requested to meet at Dea. Thomas Hoveys house to see what
could be done about filUng the quota."
Men from Dracut were at Yorktown and witnessed the
surrender of Lord CornwaUis, which terminated the war. With
peace in the land, the government, which until war was declared
was a monarchy, was now a repubUc, a government by the
people which in future years was desined to take its place
among the great nations of the world, and show to other nations
governed by hereditary aristocracy that the right way of gov
ernment was by the people whose representatives made the laws.
The close of the war gave the people an opportunity to
attend to internal improvement, and Dracut men who had
served in the army now returned and devoted their energies
to peaceful occupations. The sword and musket were exchanged
for the plow and scythe, and the surviving veterans were per
mitted to spend their days in peace. In the preparation of a
history it is difficult to find a detailed account of incidents in
the Uves of those men who were the actors in this great war of
the Revolution. Writing was to them in most eases a laborious
task, and they did not realize the importance of records which
to them were of Uttle account, but to the historian they are in
valuable. One such record is the diary of Micah Hildreth which
has been preserved nearly 150 years. The title written in a bold
hand is :
MICAH HILDRETH of
Dracutt
His Book
The first entry is ' ' Ticonderoga August 28 1776 Then Reed
of Capt Ford one Pound Six Shillings and three Pence For our
Milage and BilUting From Chelmsford to Numberfore" .This
refers to Charleston, N. H., which was chartered as No. Four.
The next entry shows the route taken by the company which
marched to Ticonderoga :

148

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Then Marched for Cannada.
to Chelmsford
to Westford
to Groton
to Pepperal
to Townsin
to Ashby
to Ashbinham
to New Ypswich
to Rindge
to Jaffrey
to New molbury
to Swansey
to Keen
to Surry
to Westmoreland

"Dracut July 23 1776
to Walpole
to Charlestown N. H
to Springfield
to Wethirsfield
to Cavendish
to Saltish
to Ludlow
to Sasbury
to CTarodin
to Rutland
to Caselton
to Skeensbourough
to mount independent
to Ticonderoga October ye 5 1776

Then Received of Capt Ford Nine Pound Lawful money
wages which was Due to me at Ticonderoga."
The route taken for their return is also given.

"From Ticonderoga Novem.
to Fort George
to Fort Edward
to Fort Miller
to Saratogie
to Still Water
to Half Moon
to New City
to Albany Flats
to Albany
then a Crost the
River to Green Bush
to Scoduck
to New Lebanon
to Green Groves
Caled Philips town
to Pits Field
to Patridge Field
to Washington

26 1776
to Williams Burg
to Hatfield
then a Crost the
River to Hadley
to Amherst
to Shutes Barry
to New Salam
to Peters Sham
to Templeton
to Westminster
to Fitch Burg
to Luning Burg
to Sharley
to Groten
to Westford
to Chelmsford
to Dracutt."

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 149
These routes may be foUowed by locating the towns on a map
although many of the towns have been given different names.
The diary continues: "August ye 12 then Left Isaac
Clement sick with the small pox at Caselton. August ye 17
then Corpl. Spaulding was Carried to Lake George Sick with
the Small Pox. August — then Asa Coburn was carried to
Fort George Sick with the Small Pox. August 25 then Elijah
Hildreth was Carried to Fort George sick with the small Pox.
August 28 Then John Mears was Carried down the Lake to
Fort George sick with the small pox. August ye 28 Then
Zachariah Fletcher was Carried to Fort George sick with the
small pox."
These items are sufficient to show the ravages of this disease
among the Dracut Soldiers. "November ye 12 1776 Then I
Went a Hunting and Sergt. Parker and Sergt Chambers and
we kild Buck Weight Pr Quarter 30 lb. Dec 5 1776 Then
Lieut Chaney and I Bought a Horse Prise Ten Pound Lawfull
Money. First night my Horse Cost for keeping £0-ls-0d."
Then follow items from which we infer that he travelled
about alone: "Ticond Novem 26 1776 Then I Sot out for Home
at half after 2 at Night and Got to the Head of Lake George
half after 4 then We Went on Bord and sot sail for Fort George
and got there 27 about the sun an hour high at Night then I
Bought 1 Qut of Cyder. 28 Day I Came to fort Edward and
then to fort miles and stayed 1 Night and Got Soper and
Breekfurst. 29 then to Saratoga and From there to StiU Water
and Eat Super and Breekfurst N. 30 I came to Half Moon and
staid there that Night and Eat Super and Breckfust. then to
Albaney and Drinked 2 Boles of todey and Eat Bisket & Chees.
Super and Login and Breckfurs ls-6d."
The dates which follow in the diary relate to earlier trans
actions. "Ticonderoga Oct ye 28 1776 on Sunday. Then we Was
a Larmed and Every man to his arms and marched to his a
Larm Post for the Enemy appeared in Sight upon the Lake
and a Number of Boates Began to Land a Bought 3 miles of
and then 1 Boat Boar down towards us and Come within 3

150 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Quarters of a mile of our Batries and We Fired 2 Cannon from
ye Sandy Redout and 3 Cannon from ye Jarze [Jersey] Redout
at the Boat and we understand that the Last Shot struck the
Boat and kild 3 men. Then the Enemy Retreted Back to
Putnams Point and some to Crown Point. Then the 3 Day of
November the Enemy Sot Sail and Left Putnam Point and
Crown Point. Nov 16 1776 at evening. Morril and Littlehal
Camp got a Fier and They Blod up those magazin which kept
a very hot Fier for once in Quarter of an hour one horn wood
Go of and then another."
This has reference to the horns of cattle in which they car
ried their powder.
"August ye 19 I went on Fatague with one 100 men.
August ye 23 then I went on Fatague with Capt. Miles.*
August ye 24 then I went upon a Cort martial whare of Colo.
Arvine was Presedent Capt. Ford and Capt Peat and Capt
Eaten and Capt Liman and Lieut Baldin Lt Dench Lt Bond
members of sd Court. Ticond. Aug 30 then went upon a Cort
martial. August 31. then went upon a Cort martial with those
Gentlemen a Bove mentioned to try such Persons as shall be
brought Before Them. Sept 8 at Eving orders Came that Every
officer and soldier keep Fast in thare tents and not go out till
the Son Rise Next morning the Genl. expecting Some Enemy
in Camps who was Dressed in Disguise to Vew our Lines But
Found none Sept 26 We Hear News From New York that the
kings Troops Sallied out to Force our Lines and there was Slain
2000 and 6 or 7 Hundred Taken Prisiners. Oct ye 3 Then I
Went on Fatague with 100 men. Oct ye 19 Then I Went on
Guard With Capt Myers and Ensign White & Sixty men.
Wee Expected the Enemy the Next morning which was Sunday
and our men Begun a Brisk Fier on Saturday about the Sun
Half an Hour high at Night and Fired a Good many Rounds
from Each Batery and with small arms from the Brest work
to Clear out our Peases For the Next morning to Ingage. Sept
ye 22 Lt. Whitcom Brought a Regular Ensign and a Corpril
*The work or duties of soldiers distinct from the use of arms. [Encyclo.
Diet.}

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 151
From the Regulars Which he and Two men more Took Down
towards Shambelee and Brought up to Ticonderoga to Genl.
Gates. Ticonderoga Oct 3 23 1776 Then I Went on Piquet Guard
with Colo. Lenord and 200 men. Oct 24 Then I went on Fatague
with Colo. Whelock and Majr Stady and Major Rogers. Oct ye
26 1776 Then I Went on Main Guard with Capt. John Polhemus
and sixty men and Had sixteen Prisiners under guard Confined.
Ticonderoga Oct ye 10 1776 Then our Fleet and Genl. Boigoin
Fleet met upon the Lake. ' '
Reference is made in the next entry to his going on guard
"which is Caled the Jarze [Jersey] Redout." The diary ends
abruptly but it reveals much of the soldier's experience. A
few of the entries have been omitted, but they were repetitions
and nothing of interest. In 1903, the Molly Varnum Chapter,
Daughters of the Revolution, presented to the town Library a
handsome book prepared by Ross Turner, a celebrated Boston
artist, in which the names of the Revolutionary Soldiers are
inscribed. In an address given by Dr. Moses G. Parker, he states
that in this Ust are found 33 Coburns, 15 Varnums, 14 Rich
ardsons, 13 Parkers, 11 Jones', 9 Foxes, 7 each of Abbott, Davis,
Hall and Sawyer, 6 each of Barker, Bradley, Hildreth, Lindsay
and Wood, 5 each of Barron, Bowers, Clement, Clough, Crosby,
Harris, KeUey and Taylor, 4 each of Flint, Foster, Goodhue,
Marshall, Mears and Wright. From these 439 Dracut men 112
marched to Lexington and Concord, 23 were at Bunker Hill,
63 at Saratoga, 7 at White Plains, 69 at Rhode Island, and 74
in New York State ; 61 are recorded as being in the Continental
army and 23 in the Northern army without the place of service
being given. Many were attached to companies and regiments,
but the location of these companies and regiments are not given.
In this is found:
One Colonel: Twelve Lieutenants:
Col. Louis Ansart Abraham Coburn
Four Captains: Ephraim Coburn
Peter Coburn Simon Coburn
J. B. Varnum Miles Flint
James Varnum William Harvey
Stephen Russell Josiah Foster

152 HISTORY OF DRACUT
David Jones Samuel Mansur
Temple Kendall Mathew Parker
Abram Stickney Jonathan Robbins
Ebenezer Varnum Thirteen Corporals:
Micah Hildreth John Barron
Christopher Page. OUver Bowers
Thirteen Sergeants : Daniel Clough, Jr.
David Austin Francis Davidson
Moses Barker Oliver Farmer
Timothy Barker John Hancock
Samuel Barron Zebediah Jones
Jerathmeel Coburn Ephraim Lindsay
Abijah Fox KendaU Parker
Peter Hunt Asa Spaulding
Jonathan Jones John Taylor
Gerehom Flag Lane David Trull
David Lindsay Elijah Tuttle
Dr. Parker adds: "It is a record she may well be proud
of, it places her among the first if not the first, on the Ust of
towns, for patriots in the American Revolution, giving 36 per
cent, of her entire population which was then only 1,173 to
the defence of our country. ' '
The revised Roll of Honor gives a total number of 439
names of Dracut men who served in the War for Independence.
Of Corporal John Hancock it is interesting to note an entry
on the Town records: "April 1772 John Hancock a Native of
Great Britain came to the Town of Dracut and resided at the
house of Mr. John Gilchrist." His marriage to EUzabeth
Nichols is recorded in the town books, also the birth of two
children. He served in several of the companies from 1775 to
1778 and his death occurred in 1796. An order is on record
given to the town Treasurer for the payment of a biU as fol
lows: "Feb 10 1779 Please pay to Elijah Hildreth Fourteen
pounds for his doing a Turn upon the Guard at Cambridge
the summer past." The order is directed to Major Joseph
Varnum, treasurer or his successor in office. Gen. PhiUp Reade
has explained the meaning of this order. "The phrase 'to do
a Turn' was of frequent occurrence in those days. Thus if a

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 153
constable failed or refused to take the quaUfying oath as such,
the voters would at town meeting choose or detail another man
' To do a Turn the present year in his stead. ' ' '
The commissary department was conducted by the state.
There was no Federal government, and to provide food for
the soldiers there was no higher authority than the General
Court. September 25, 1780, a resolve was passed requiring the
towns to furnish beef. This was an article of food of which
the men were most in need and at a town meeting held October
9th of the same year, the sum of 40,000 Continental dollars
was appropriated for this purpose. In the following December,
62,000 pounds of the old emission of Continental money was
raised "for the purpose of procuring said town's proportion of
beef required by the General Court." A committee consisting
of Parker Varnum, Joseph B. Varnum and Peter Hazelton was
appointed as purchasing agents. Some estimation of the value
of the money at that time can be made by comparing these
three sums mentioned. The first and second relate to the old
emission of Continental money, while the third, which was to
be hard money, was probably of as much real value as the
others. The depreciation of the currency led to much suffering
and disaster. In 1778, the town authorized the treasurer to
seU the paper money if he could get one dollar for ten.
The following payments on record will give an idea of
the value of this money. "Paid to EUsha Baron £660 pounds
for one ox, to Capt. Peter Coburn £1400 for two oxen, to Jonas
Varnum £1000 for one horse and £84 for a blank book. ' '
In 1780 more men were needed for service in the army
and a committee consisting of nine men, viz: Capt. Stephen
RusseU, Capt. J. B. Varnum, Lieut. Ephraim Coburn, Lieut.
Miles FUnt, Lieut. Davis, WilUam Hildreth, Reuben Sawyer,
Deacon Thomas Hovey and Benjamin French, was appointed
"To procure and agree with men for three years or during the
war at the cost and charges of the town. ' '
At this stage of the war it was exceedingly difficult to per
suade men to enlist. Assistance was rendered by France and
for this reason it was generally considered that our independ
ence was assured and we need not make any effort ourselves.
This spirit, with the depreciation and scarcity of money, also

154 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the lack of interest which was manifested in the earlier years
of the war, was the principal cause of the difficulty to increase
the forces sufficiently to engage in offensive action instead of
remaining, as they were compelled to do, in simply defending
themselves. All historians agree that money was difficult to
obtain and the currency in danger of further depreciation, and
while some were willing to accept notes from the treasurer in
payment for services, others preferred to be paid in promises
of cattle or corn. These were called cattle notes and corn notes.
In 1784 two men, Joel Bowers and Amos Morse, requested
the town to pay them $300 in money with interest from the
time of their entering the service, instead of cattle as specified
in the notes they had received. But as the town preferred to
pay them in cattle, they requested the town to purchase the
eattle of them for fifteen dollars each; but this the town de
clined to do, and they were obliged to receive the cattle accord
ing to the original agreement. At a later date a small amount
was paid in money instead of corn.
There were various reasons why this long war should cease.
The British government was obliged to depend for suppUes
upon their own country, and weeks and sometimes months were
consumed in transporting men and arms to America. Other
wars at that time in progress demanded men which England
must provide. The Americans engaged in a war to secure their
independence, the enemy consisted of mercenaries who, coming
from Hesse and so were called Hessians, had no incentive to
win the war, and a large number of the people of England
sympathized with the Colonies in their efforts to gain their lib
erty. All these with the success attending the American army
led to the conclusion of peace and the acknowledgment of the
independence of the Colonies. To show the feeling which ex
isted in Parliament, an extract from the speech of one of the
members is of interest: "We have now been thirteen years
engaged in this deplorable dispute in which we have lost two
whole armies. I say thirteen years for I recollect that in 1763
it was proposed to send over two regiments to General Gage,
and it may be remembered that my opinion was that they be
sent, but that the use of them should be left to the discretion
of the General, so that he might send them back if he did not

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 155
need them. The opinion of my colleagues was that at all events
they should continue in America. Numbers carried it and the
regiments were sent. From that time I predicted the fatal
events which actually followed from the fatal measure. In 1775
the affairs of Lexington and Bunker Hill became the signals
of carnage. It is now seven years that the unhappy subjects of
a divided and convulsed empire have not ceased to cut one
another's throats. What have we accomplished? What have
we got by all this % Nothing. What do I say, a great deal worse
than nothing. More than 80,000 men have been sent over to
America, not one returned, and this at a cost of one miUion
pounds sterling, foolishly wasted in executing ill-digested plans,
without connection or object. We scarcely possess a hope that
our national debt will stop short of inevitable bankruptcy."
After referring to the millions spent he says, "This year
(1780) was marked by the loss of the only national ally which
you had, by the loss of Tobago and lately by that of a brave
army, a brave general, who, like us at Saratoga, was sacrificed
to the want of abiUties, the wild, unconcerted schemes of
administration. ' '
Roll of Honor
Dracut 's Sons in the American Revolution.
Number of names, 437. Population in 1776, 1173.
Daniel Abbott, Jr. Lewis Ansart, Col. of Artil-
Jacob Abbott lery
James Abbott, Surgeon's Jacob Atwood
Mate. Joshua Atwood
Samuel Abbott Caleb Austin
Solomon Abbott David Austin, Sergt.
Uriah Abbott John Austin
WiUiam Abbott Peter Austin
David Adams Thompson Bacon or Baron
Jesse Adams Richard Baker
John Adams Reuben Baldwin
William Anderson, Fifer Benjamin Ball
Jesse Anger Timothy Bancroft
Charles Annis Asa Barker
Jonathan Barker

156

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Moses Barker, Sergt.
Moses Barker, Jr.
Thomas Barker
Timothy Barker, Sergt.
Jonas Prescott Barrett
Benjamin Barron
Eliseus Barron
Henry Barron
John Barron, Corp.
Jotham Barron
Samuel Barron, Sergt.
William Beard
John Betteys
David Blood
John Boman
Zebulon Bootman
Joseph Bossell or Buzzell
Benjamin Bowers
Joel Bowers
John Bowers
John Bowers, Jr.
Oliver Bowers, Corp.
Amos Bradley
Amos Bradley, Jr.
Isaac Bradley
Jesse Bradley
John Bradley
Joshua Bradley
Josiah Bradley
Tobias Briggs
Alexander Brown
Brintwood Brown
Samuel Brown
Timothy Brown, Jr.
William Brown
George Burns
Jesse Butterfield
William CaldweU
Mitchell Calley

Joseph Carkin
Nathaniel Chace
Silas Chamberlain
Joseph Chambers
Ezekiel Cheever
Tony Clark
Daniel Clement
David Clement
Isaac Clement
Moses Clement
Moses Clement, Jr.
William Cloyd
Benjamin Clough
Daniel Clough
Daniel Clough, Jr.
David Clough
William Clough
Abraham Coburn, Lieut.
Asa Coburn
Benjamin Coburn
Broadstreet Coburn
Daniel Coburn
David Coburn
Ephraim Coburn, Lieut.
Ezra Coburn
Henry Coburn
Hezekiah Coburn
Jabish Coburn
Jacob Coburn
Jeptha Coburn
Jerathmeel Coburn, Sergt.
Jesse Coburn
Job Coburn
Jonathan Coburn
Joseph Coburn
Leonard Coburn
Oliver Coburn
Peter Coburn, Capt.
Peter Coburn, Jr., Drummer
Phineas Coburn

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

157

Reuben Coburn
Samuel Coburn
Silas Coburn
Simeon Coburn
Saul Coburn
Simon Coburn, Lieut.
Smith Coburn
Thaddeus Coburn
Thomas Coburn
Thomas Coburn, Jr.
Uriah Coburn
WilUam Coburn
Mitchell CorUss
Nathan Cory
Samuel Cory
Benjamin Crosby
Ephraim Crosby
Jonathan Crosby
Jonathan Crosby, Jr.
Josiah Crosby
Abiel Cross
Samuel Cummings
Samuel Currier
Ephraim Curtis
John Curtis
Benjamin Danforth
WilUam Danforth
Francis Davidson, Corp.
Dudley Davis
James Davis
MitcheU Davis
Moses Davis
Moses Davis, Jr.
Samuel Davis
Timothy Davis
Benjamin Didson
Seth Didson
John Dodge

Joseph Dowse
John Dunn
Jonathan Dunn
David Durant
Samuel Elliott
WiUiam EUiott
WiUiam EUiott, Jr.
Daniel Emerson
WilUam Emerson
Josiah Esterbrook
Edward Farmer
Oliver Farmer, Corp.
Joshua Farnham
WiUiam Farnham
Aaron Fermer
Zabdiel Fitch
Josiah Fletcher
Levi Fletcher
Zechariah Fletcher
Miles FUnt, Lieut.
Nehemiah FUnt
Samuel FUnt
Simion FUnt
Robert Foard
Jonathan Foster
Josiah Foster, Lieut.
Simeon Foster
Timothy Foster
Abijah Fox, Sergt.
David Fox
EUphalet Fox
Isaac Fox
Jesse Fox
Joel Fox
John Fox
Josiah Fox
Simon Fox

158

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Benjamin French
James French
John Friend
Reuben Fry
Timothy Fry
James Gardner
Thomas Gardener
Samuel Gardner
John Gilchrest
John Goodhue
Moses Goodhue
Zachariah Goodhue
Zachariah Goodhue, Jr.
Thomas Goodwin
John Gordon
Benjamin Gould, Drummer
Gardiner Gould
Jesse Gould
William Gould
Benjamin Griffin
Andrew Hall
Asa Hall
Ephraim HaU
Ephraim Hall, Jr.
Moses Hall
OUver Hall, Fifer
Timothy Hall
Jonathan Hamblett, Drum
mer
John Hancock, Corp.
David Harvey
James Harvey
John Harvey
Joseph Harvey
William Harvey, Lieut.
David Harway
Enoch Haywood
Jesse Haywood

John Haywood
Josiah Heald
Joseph Hebbard
Joseph Hebbard, Jr.
James Heseltine
Peter Heseltine
Elijah Hildreth
Israel Hildreth
Josiah Hildreth
Micah Hildreth, Lieut.
William Hildreth
William Hildreth, Jr.
Abijah Hill
Paul Hill
Solomon Hill
Jonathan Hills
John Holt
Enoch Howard
Lazarus Hubbard
Ebenezer Hunt
James Hunt
Jonathan Hunt
Joseph Hunt
Nehemiah Hunt
Peter Hunt, Sergt.
Nathaniel Ingalls
Daniel Jaquist
Nehemiah Jaquist
Abraham Jaquith
Samuel Jenness
Enoch Jewett
Ebenezer Johnson
John Johnson
Primus Johnson
David Jones, Lieut.
David Jones, Jr.
Hugh Jones

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

159

Jonathan Jones, Sergt.
Joshua Jones
Nathaniel Jones
OUver Jones
Samuel Jones
Solomon Jones
Zebediah Jones, Corp.
Zebulon Jones
Thomas Kele
George KeUey
John KeUey
Timothy KeUey
William KeUey
Phineas Kidder
Temple Kindal, Lieut.
Asa Kittredge
Daniel Kittredge
Nathaniel Kittredge
James Lafferty
Benjamin Lane
David Lane
Gershom Flag Lane
Ebenezer Leman
Seth Leviston
Barzillai Lew, Fifer
James Lewis
Reuben Lewis
David Lindsay, Sergt.
Ephraim Lindsey, Corp.
Isaac Lindsey
Thomas Lindsey
Thomas Lindsey, Jr.
WiUiam Lindsey
Abraham Littlehale
George Low
James Mansur
Samuel Mansur, Sergt.

John Marser
Isaac MarshaU
Jesse MarshaU
Joshua MarshaU
Samuel Marshall
Bartholomew Massey
John Massey
OUver McCann
David McLaughlin
John Mears
Oliver Mears
Samuel Mears
Samuel Mears, Jr.
WilUam Melendy
David Merrill
Isaac Merrill
Cambridge More
Amos Morse
Robert Nicklas
John Osgood
Jonathan Osgood
Joseph Osgood
Christopher Page, Lieut.
Chester Parker
Ephraim Parker
Green Parker
Hincher Parker
Isaac Parker
Jonathan Parker, Jr.
Kendall Parker, Corp.
Matthew Parker, Sergt.
Peter Parker
Silas Parker
Simeon Parker
Simon Parker
WilUam Parker

160

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Jonathan Parkhurst
Samuel Parkhurst
Timothy Patch
William Patten
John Perham
WilUam Perham
Samuel Perkins
Stephen Pierce
Joshua Pillsbury
Daniel Piper
Samuel Piper
Porter Rea
James Reed
John Reed
Peter Reed
David Richardson
Ephraim Richardson
Ephraim Richardson, Jr.
Henchman Richardson
Jonas Richardson
Jonathan Richardson
Josiah Richardson
Josiah Richardson, Jr.
Moses Richardson
Obadiah Richardson
Reuben Richardson
Stephen Richardson
Thomas Richardson
WilUam Richardson
John Robb
John Robbins
Jonathan Robbins, Sergt.
Zebediah Rogers
John Roper
Joseph RosweU
Silas Royal
Stephen Russell, Capt.

Amos Sawyer
Benjamin Sawyer
Caleb Sawyer
David Sawyer
Ebenezer Sawyer
Francis Sawyer
Reuben Sawyer
John Shed
Jonathan Shed
WilUam Smiley
Asa Spaulding, Corp.
Jonas Spaulding
Joseph Spaulding
William Spaulding
James Sprague
Benjamin Sprake
Barnabus Stevens
Asa Stickney
Abraham Stickney, Lieut.
James Tarbox
John Taylor, Corp.
John Taylor, Jr.
Jonathan Taylor
Thomas Taylor
WiUiam Taylor
William Tenney
John Thissell
Joshua Thissell
Thomas Thistle
Hezekiath Thorndike
 Toothacre
David TruU, Corp.
Samuel Trull
EUjah Tuttle, Corp.
Joseph Tuttle
Nathan Tyler
Benjamin Varnum
Bradley Varnum

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

161

Daniel Varnum
Ebenezer Varnum, Lieut.
James Varnum, Capt.
John Varnum
Jonas Varnum
Joseph Bradley Varnum,
Capt.
Joshua Varnum
Parker Varnum
Samuel Varnum
Samuel Varnum, Jr.
Thomas Varnum
WilUam Varnum
David Walker
Sampson Walker
Isaac Warren
John Webber
WiUiam Webster, Drummer

Thomas Whitaker
Jonas Whiting
Samuel Whiting
Benjamin Williams
Christopher WiUiams
Abijah Wood
John Wood
Josiah Wood
Peter Wood
Solomon Wood
Stephen Wood
William Wood
Jonathan Woodward
Ephraim Wright
Isaac Wright
Oliver Wright
Thomas Wright
Edward Wyman

CHAPTER VIII
SHAYS' REBELLION
AT the close of the Revolutionary War a heavy debt ex
isted which it was difficult to apportion among the colo
nies. This apportionment must be equitable or certain ones
would consider themselves aggrieved and bring accusations of
partiality. No reliance could be placed on the value of paper
money as State and Federal credit was of Uttle value. To
Massachusetts and Virginia larger portions of the debt were
assigned than to any of the other colonies, and whether right
or wrong in the apportionment, the citizens of Massachusetts
felt that their share was excessive. Some recommended repu
diation, others rebelled and were subdued only by the exercise
of force. In the year 1786, about 2,000 men, under the leader
ship of Daniel Shays, misguided but terribly in earnest, sought
to obstruct the execution of the laws by interfering with the
sessions of the courts. At North Hampton they took possession
of the Court House. The Governor promptly called out volun
teer troops and his call met with a ready response. Capt. Joseph
B. Varnum, "leaving the Senate Chamber of the General Court
where he represented Middlesex County marched with his com
pany to aid General Lincoln in quelling the insurrection of
Shays and others, in the western part of the state. While this
was a short and bloodless campaign, it was a severe one on
account of its being in the winter." [The Varnums of Dracut.]
In this critical period Dracut again showed her loyalty to
the Commonwealth and three bodies of soldiers marched from
the town to the scene of conflict. "Lieut. Israel Hildreth fur
nished clothing provisions and cash when Generals Shepherd and
Lincoln needed such for the soldiers of Dracut that marched
toward Worcester for the suppression of domestic rebellion.
He advanced money to Capt. Moses NoweU to repay him 'for
clothing, cash and provisions the latter had let the soldiers have
on Nov 12 1787 that went into the service of the government

SHAY'S REBELLION 163
last winter.' " [Reed's "Hildreth Family."] March 24, 1787,
there was an article in the town warrant "To see if the town
will make a grant of twelve shiUings to each non commissioned
officer and soldier who exhibited a specimen of their readiness
to obey the calls of their country in lending their aid in the sup
pression of the lawless hand of tyranny by their laudable ex
ample in voluntarily turning out and enduring the fatigues of a
winter campaign with the Honorable General Lincoln in the in
clement season of the winter past." No report is given of the
action taken in respect to this article. Details relating to the
part taken by Dracut in this campaign are difficult to obtain,
but there are enough to attest the loyalty of Dracut men and
their readiness to assist in the suppression of lawlessness and
violence. There appears on the town books the record of an oath of
allegiance to the Commonwealth signed by 22 of the leading
men of Dracut. The same patriotic spirit animated these men
as when, twelve years before, they stood on Bunker Hill and
they now showed their loyalty to their principles.
"Dracut Middlesex Co. Mass April 2 1787. We, the sub
scribers, do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify and
declare that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is and of right
ought to be a free, sovereign and independent state; and I do
swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the said Com
monwealth and that I will defend the same against traitorous
conspiracies and aU hostile attempts whatsoever, and that I do
renounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection and obedience to
the King, Queen or government of Great Britain (as the case
may be) and every other foreign power whatsoever ; and that no
foreign Prince, Prelate, State or potentate hath, or ought to
have, any jurisdiction, superiority, prominence, authority, dis
pensing or other power, which is or may be vested by their con
stituents in the Congress of the United States. And I do
further testify and declare that no man or body of men, hath or
can have any right to absolve or discharge me from the obUgation
of this oath, declaration or affirmation, and that I do make this
acknowledgement, declaration, denial, renunciation and abjura
tion heartyly and truly according to the common meaning and

164

HISTORY OF DRACUT

acceptation of the foregoing words without any equivocation,
mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever. So help me God."
Joseph B. Varnum Peter Parker
William Hildreth Stephen RusseU
Thomas Hovey Josiah Hildreth
Israel Hildreth Benjamin Stevens
Parker Varnum Thomas Coburn
James Varnum James Harvey
Bradley Varnum Richard Hall
Joseph Varnum Samuel Barron.
Jonas Varnum
Some of these renewed their oaths of allegiance in 1788 and
1790 with additional names of David Blood, Micah Hildreth, and
John Gilchrest. Such a declaration made by the most prominent
men of the town, many of them having been in the service during
the War of the Revolution, conveys to us, their descendants, a
knowledge of the high spirit of patriotism which animated them
in times of peace as when in the conflict of war. A list of the
soldiers from Dracut and vicinity who served in Shays' Rebel
lion is appended. Mass. Archives, Vol. 192, Page 165.
Capt. Joseph Bradley Varnum 's Company,
Col. Woods' Regiment.

J B Varnum
Timothy Jones
Peter Haseltine
David Reed
Phillip Butterfield
Oliver Coburn
David Harvey
Nathaniel Fletcher
Moses Coburn
Jona. Willson
Oliver Mears
Nathl. Cummings

Captain
Lieutenant n
Sergeant

Corporal

Fifer

Jeremiah Abbot
Benja. Abbot
Benaijah Burns
Reuben Butterfield
David Bacon
Moses Cheever
John Coburn
William Cauldwell
Moses Dunsmore
Leonard Fletcher
William French
Samll. Fletcher

Private

SHAY'S REBELLION

165

Saml. Griffin
Eliphelet Ginnins
Daniel Gould
Joseph Harvey
Phines Hall
Ferenton Hawk
Jebez HoUis
Hutchenson Ingols
Moses Jones
Timothy Jones Jr.
Amos Kenney
Henry Kneeland
Timothy Jaquith
Richard Mears
Zebadiah Mears

Private Augustus Lund
Leonard Parkhurst
Abraham Parker
Henry FarweU
Heman Richardson
Jonas Robinson
Amos R. Sawyer
Abner Stearns
Edward Stearns
Ebr. Varnum
Abiel Wood
Daniel Whitney
James Whitney
Eliakim Wood
Richard Winship

Private

Mass. Archives, Vol. 192, Page 164.
Capt. James Varnum 's Company, Col. Henry Woods' Regiment.

James Varnum
 Proctor
Abel Adams
Ephm. Jones
Benja. Butterfield
Oliver Peham
Jeremiah Werren
Jesse Stevens
Asa Coburn
John Massey
Silas Parker
John Taylor
Saml. Abbot
Nehemiah Abbot
Danl. C Abbot
Oliver Adams
Benja. Adams
John Butterfield
Joseph Bradley
Josiah Barker
Oliver Corah

Captain
Lieutenant 1 1
Sergeant

Corporal

Private

John McClening
Saml. Cummins
Thomas Chambelain
Nathl. Chamberlain
Dudley Davis
Joseph Emerson
Benja. French
John Farmer
Ezekiel Frye
Reuben Gould
Timo Howard
James P. Hovey
Oliver Jones
Stephen Kemp
William Mears
Abel Marshel
Robert Mears
Leonard Parker
James Parkis
Amos Prescot
Tilly Parker

Private

166

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Reuben Richards
Saml. Richardson
Saml. Stevens
Aaron Spaulding
Levy Spaulding
Henry Spaulding

Private Jacob Spaulding
Zebulon Spalding
Isaac Taylor
Stephen Wilson
Dennis Lain
WiUard Marshel

Private

Mass. Archives, Vol. 191, Page 224.
Lieut. Benjamin French's Company.
Benjamin French Lieutenant Isaac Bradley
Ensign
Sergeant

John Parker
Joshua ThisseU
Moses Hale
Phinehas Whiting

Private

Daniel Varnum
Saul Coburn
Henry A. Hovey "
Parker Varnum Private
William Hildreth Jun
The total number of soldiers was 119. Of these, 25 names
appear on the RoU of Honor as serving in the War of the Revo
lution and 43 are known to have been residents of Dracut. The
name of Brig. Gen. Simon Coburn of Dracut is found in list of
Officers in 2d Brigade. Ezra Foster, who came to Dracut in
1836, served in this war.

The War op 1812
The second war with Great Britain was not popular in New
England. To some extent the people of these states considered
it unnecessary, while from the nature of the cause of the war
they were the ones to suffer most by the destruction of business
owing to a great extent to blockades. There was not the hearty
response from the town which was shown in previous and later
wars, but it was represented.
In the war rolls of the Adjutant General's office the places
of residence are not specified, so the names of Dracut men can
not be given.
June 22, 1812, the following action by the town is recorded,
"Voted up to those soldiers that have volunteered themselves or
have been detached to march in Defense of their country if
called for, the sum of twelve dollars per month including what
sum of money the Government gives them per month for so long
a time as they shall be in actual service. ' '

SHAY'S REBELLION 167
Apr 4 1814, "Voted to find Powder and Balls sufficient for
every soldier within the said town liable to do miUtary duty,
and have the same deposited in the Town stock to be deUvered
by the select men."
August 31, 1814, it was voted "to make up to the soldiers
last detached the sum of sixteen doUars a month with what is
allowed by government." Also "to raise $224 for paying the
soldiers who had purchased powder and camp kettles." The
next year the same conditions were allowed those who went to
Fort Warren. These items of record show conclusively that
Dracut men served in this war.

CHAPTER IX
WAR OF THE REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS
THE war which commenced in April, 1861, was not unex
pected by the citizens of Dracut. The war clouds were
threatening many months before the storm which for four years
raged in the South. Until the elections which were held in
1860 the control of the affairs of government for many years
had been in the possession of the Southern states, aided by
Northern sympathizers, and slavery which became more odious
each year was a powerful factor in the change along political
Unes. It was evident that the doctrine of States rights estab
lished by Thomas Jefferson, and which had been prominent in
political matters, would be replaced by that of Alexander Ham
ilton, who advocated Federal control. The party in control of
the government in 1861 was opposed to slavery and the Southern
states became alarmed and withdrew from the Union. There
could be but one result, war between the North and South,
and in the Spring of 1861 the war commenced which was to
continue four years.
The citizens of Dracut, many of whom were descendants
of those men who had fought to establish our independence,
prepared to take their part in the conflict and on May 6, 1861,
assembled in town meeting, ' ' To see what action if any the town
will take in relation to the alarming state of affairs which seri
ously imperils the perpetuity and liberty of our beloved coun
try." Eighty-six years had passed since the Dracut military
companies had responded to the call to fight for liberty and
freedom from oppression. The militia law, which called upon
every able bodied man to equip and perform military duty for
a stated time every year, had been abolished. A list was pre
pared of the names of those men who were of proper age and
whose physical condition would enable them to serve, but no
companies were formed or taught the duties of a soldier as
had been done in former years. At the meeting already men
tioned, the town voted "to pay each man who has gone or who

WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS 169
may go $10 per month from time of enlistment to time of dis
charge if mustered into actual service." There was no lack of
patriotism in the people of Dracut, the able bodied enUsted,
money and suppUes were furnished, but the lessons governing
the art of war must be learned as new conditions presented
themselves. Already one Dracut man, Edmund Coburn, had been
severely wounded on that memorable march through Baltimore
on the 19th of April, 1861, and the sum of $30 had been granted
him. He was a member of the same company with Ladd and
Whitney who fell by the hands of a mob that day. The Mass.
Register for 1862 records that "he was a farmer's son marching
in the rear rank. He was hit on the head with bricks and a
minie ball passed though his body. He felt no pain at first, but
the wound bled. He struggled to keep up with his company by
hopping along; but finding it impossible to do this, he fell out
of the ranks, and someway succeeded in getting through the
crowd into a store. He felt the baU which had passed through
his body, breaking some of the bones, going down his leg into
his boot. When he took off his boot the ball dropped out and
he picked it up, expressing a desire to keep it. Some one asked
to take it for a moment and it was never returned."
The vote passed on May 6th was rescinded and a vote passed
to equip a company in Dracut. This was also rescinded, as it
was found that the Dracut men were enlisting in companies
raised principally in Lowell, and as some preferred to perform
duties in the navy, while others desired service on land, a com
pany formed for any particular service would not receive a suit
able number of men and this vote which was accompanied by
an appropriation of $2,000 was also rescinded.
As the war progressed a bounty of $125 in gold was paid
each man to fill the quota assigned to each town. Although for
obvious reasons no companies were formed as at the time of
the Revolution, the citizens were loyal and contributed freely
of their substance and rendered aid to the families of those
who had enlisted. The women were active in raising money by
means of fairs and sent boxes to the soldiers containing comforts
not to be obtained otherwise.
A comparison between the conditions which existed at the
time of the Revolution and those of the Civil War is instructive.

170

HISTORY OF DRACUT

During the first named war there was no means of transporta
tion, the men marched to the scene of conflict as is shown by
referring to Micah Hildreth 's diary found on another page.
Food and clothing were conveyed by ox and horse teams for
their support. Couriers were the bearers of messages from
headquarters to the regiments in remote places, the muzzle
loading musket with its flint lock required a powder horn, bul
let pouch and extra flints to be carried, the faciUties for the
relief of the sick and wounded were crude and the transmission
of letters was unreliable. At the commencement of the Civil
War the steam roads conveyed the soldiers quickly to their
destination with ammunition and other suppUes, the telegraph
was in operation, the more modern rifle with cartridge was in
use, skiUful surgeons and nurses employed and hospitals pro
vided while the work of the post office was reduced to a system.
List op Soldiers prom Dracut

Atis E. Ansart
Benjamin F. Ansart
Edward Bahan
Kirk H. Bancroft
Frank M. Bassett
Gershom C. Bassett
Martin L. Bassett
George Bean
James Birmingham
John Blake
Edward Bliss
Orford R. Blood
Ira Bowers
James Boyd
George Boyle
William Braniger
Owen Brannan
Roscavius Brown
William Buck
Edward Burns

Horace A. Burroughs
Charles W. Butler
Freeman H. Butler
Brooks Butterfield
George B. Butterfield
Edward Butters
Horace Butters
Thomas Callon
John Carney
Harvey B. Chase
Appleton F. Cheever
Oliver Cheever
Thomas Church
Henry Clair
Wardwell Clough
Timothy Clark
Addison G. Coburn
Albert N. Coburn
Charles Coburn
Edmund Coburn

WIR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS 171

Edward Coburn
Frank Coburn
George A. Coburn
George H. Coburn
Howard Coburn
James M. Coburn
Orin G. Coburn
Oscar Coburn
Russell Cochran
John H. Colburn
William Cochran
Charles C. Colton
John J. Colton
Michael CosteUo
John Cogan
Garrett Conlon
James Cox
Charles Crandall
Dennis Crehan
John Crehan
Ira M. Cross
George Cumber
Albert 0. Davidson
John M. Davis
Jonathan Davis
Martin Davis
Oliver Davis
Osgood Davis
Thomas Davis
Gardner M. Dean
Gordon M. Dean
WilUam DiUingham
Daniel Donohoe
Patrick Donoghue
William H. Dorr
Dennis Doyle
John Duncan
Timothy Dunn

Henry M. Everest
John Q. A. Ferguson
John P. Fitzgerald
Nathaniel P. Ford
Peter W. Ford
Darius F. Fuller
Charles Gilmore
Byron H. Griswold
Charles Green
David H Goodhue
William B. Goss
Isaac B. Gould
Herbert M. Hall
Joseph Hallowell
Albert Hamblett
Arthur Hamblett
Benjamin S. Hamblett
Henry M. Hand
Calvin Harris
Samuel N. Harris
John Hirwin
John M. Hodge
John H. Housler
Edwin Hovey
James K. Howard
Asa Howe
Augustus M. Jones
James Jones
John D. Jones
Prescott L. Jones
Michael KeUey
George M. Kimball
E. F. Kittredge
James Lee
Charles Lovering
Michael Loughlin
Francis M. Lunt

172

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Martin Lynch
Thomas Lyons
James C. Marshall
Luther M. Marshall
Simeon M. MarshaU
J. P. Maxfield
James McAneny
Patrick McCarty
William McCutcheon
John McDunean
John McNabb
Alonzo J. Melvin
Shapleigh Morgan
Benjamin C. Morrison
Charles Nelson
Franklin G. Norris
Coffran Nutting
Alexander Park
Eugene D. Park
Orrin K. Park
Alpheus Parker
Moses G. Parker
Nathan Parker
Peter Pendergast
Edward Phipps
John Pierce
Dumlar Ravonpillar
John Reall
Albert Richardson
Amos T. Richardson
Charles D. Richardson
Charles H. Richardson
Ephraim 0. D. Richardson
George F. Richardson
George Richardson
Henry E. Richardson
Lorenzo Richardson
Luther L. Richardson

Monroe Richardson
Silas Richardson
Patrick Riley
WiUiam Rippman
James Schofield
John Shaughnessey
James 0. Sherman
Charles Short
William E. Short
Charles E. Smith
George Smith
Newton P. Smith
Thomas Smith
William H. Smith
Daniel Smithson
William H. Snow
John Stackpole
Peter K. Staples
Charles H. Stickney
Abel Stone
Joseph A. Stuart
George W. Swain
George Short
Andrew W. ThisseU
Charles A. Thissell
Joseph Thissell
WilUam F. Todd
PhiUp Ulrick
Atkinson C. Varnum
John Varnum
Joseph B. Varnum
Charles P. Vincent
John Webb
James Welch
Enos H. Wheeler
John White
Thomas White

WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS 173
James M. Whitney WiUiam T. Wilson
Alexander Wilson Francis E. Wolstenholme
Lafayette Wilson Harry A. Wood
Indian Wars
The inhabitants of North America, at the time of its dis
covery were called Indians, as the general opinion of that time
was that the eastern coast of India had been reached. As the
early settlers occupied the land, the Indians retreated toward
the West and, naturally aggressive, opposed the march of civi
lization. At the close of the Civil War, steps were taken by the
Government to keep them in subjection, by sending troops from
the regular army.
Two men, graduates of West Point, served in this war.
PhiUp Reade, born in Dracut, October 13, 1844, was a descendant
of the Reades, Hildreths and Coburns, who served in the war
of the Revolution. He received the appointment of Lieutenant
when leaving the Military Academy and was active in the cam
paigns against the savages. His proficiency in other Unes led
the government to appoint him to the duty of estabUshing tele
graph lines across the continent, and later, for several years, he
was superintendent of rifle practice. He served in the war with
Spain in 1898, being assigned to duty in the Philippines. Pro
moted to the ranks of Captain and Major, his last office in
active service was that of Colonel, and he was retired with the
rank of Brigadier General.
Charles A. Varnum was born in Dracut and received his
instruction in the public and private schools of the town. He
was appointed to the MiUtary School at West Point and gradu
ated at the time of the campaigns against the Indians. He was
active in the service, being wounded in one of the battles, and
after several years of service was retired with the rank of Major.
The Spanish War
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed from Palos, Spain,
on a voyage of discovery. For several years he had endeavored
to persuade the governments of the Old World to assist him to
discover a new Hemisphere, but they regarded his belief as
visionary. IsabeUa, then Queen of Spain, rendered the assist
ance needful and by this discovery claimed jurisdiction over the

174 HISTORY OF DRACUT
country. Gradually these possessions were relinquished until
only Cuba and adjoining islands remained. These were governed
in such an oppressive manner that the United States was com
pelled to interfere and Spain relinquished her claim to the
islands. Three young men from Dracut were in the service.
Arthur E. Garland, enlisted May 6, 1898, in Co. C, Sixth Regi
ment, and went to Cuba, but his term of service was Umited on
account of sickness and he was sent home. Eden C. Walker also
enlisted and served in the ambulance department. George H.
Connell was also in the service and was in the infantry. One
other Dracut man took part in this war, although not enlisting
from Dracut. This was Joseph G. Eaton, who held the rank of
Admiral and commanded the "Resolute," which was engaged in
carrying supplies. His body is buried in the Oakland Cemetery.
The women of Dracut have always been patriotic and help
ful in time of war. During the war of the Revolution, the women
managed the farms, molded buUets and spun and wove the
clothing for the soldiers. In the same spirit the women of the
country assisted in the Civil War preparing needful articles for
the men at the front and serving as nurses in the hospitals.
When war with Spain was declared, the Mass. Volunteer Aid
Association was organized in Lowell and the women of Dracut
formed an auxiliary association. It was thought advisable to
assist by furnishing money and fairs were held for this purpose.
The report of the Secretary furnishes information relating to
the first public meeting. "The evening of July 21, 1898, the
Center Church common was a blaze of light, our national colors
were flung to the breeze, and the Star Spangled Banner was
sung to a large concourse of people. Friends from the city helped
to make the programme of the evening a patriotic entertainment
and so successful were we that the sum of $160 was sent to
the Association. ' '
Dracut men have held high rank in military service, and
while reference has been made to some of these, a Ust will prove
interesting. James M., the oldest son of Samuel Varnum, was commis
sioned a Brigadier-General of the Continental Army, under date
of February 21, 1777. On May 10, 1779, he received the com
mission of Major-General of the State of Rhode Island.

WAR OF REBELLION, INDIAN AND SPANISH WARS 175
Joseph B., a brother of James M., a Captain in the Revolu
tion, received the appointment of Colonel of the 7th Regt. Mass.
MiUtia, April 4, 1787. He was promoted November 22, 1802,
to the rank of Brigadier-General, and June 12, 1805, received
the commission of Major-General.
James Varnum, son of John Varnum, served in the Revo
lution, holding the rank of Captain, dated April 19, 1776, and
after the Revolution was Colonel in the State Militia.
Lewis Ansart was Inspector General of foundries for the
casting of cannon during the Revolution and held the office of
Colonel. John Varnum, son of Colonel Prescott Varnum, enUsted in
1861, and served through the war, and at its close he retired
with the rank of Major. He was afterward appointed Major-
General and Adjutant- General of the State of Florida.
In Col. James Varnum 's return of the 3d Regt., 2d Brigade,
Mass. Militia, the names of Josiah and William Hildreth appear
in the list of Captains of companies, and Capt. William after
ward became a General in the Mass. Militia.
Captain Stephen Russell and Capt. Peter Coburn com
manded companies in the Revolution.
PhiUp Reade entered West Point when a young man and
remained in the army until he was retired with the rank of
Brigadier-General. Frederick, son of Bradley Varnum, was Lieutenant in the
Navy, serving in 1833 on board the Ship Columbus, and was
appointed Commander, March 8, 1841. He was stationed six
years in the Mediterranean.
Joseph Sladen served in the Civil War and at its close
continued in the service and received the commission of Briga
dier-General. Charles A., son of Adjutant-General John Varnum, after
service in the regular army and taking part in the campaigns
against the Indians, was retired with the rank of Major.
The state law requiring every able bodied man to serve a
certain number of days in the year in the training field was
repealed about 1850 and enlistment in the ranks is now volun
tary, but the companies so formed are subject to the miUtary
laws of the state.

CHAPTER X
WAR WITH GERMANY AND HER ALLIES
THE years which followed the year 1913 have wrought
stupendous changes, poUtically, in the countries of Europe
and confirmed the truth of the saying that "History repeats
itself." From 1871 to the year just mentioned, no wars of any
magnitude were waged in Europe. The Boer War in which
England was engaged was conducted in Africa, and although
the nations of Europe were jealous of each other and held their
armies and navies in readiness for action if needed, the country
was at peace. From the time of the close of the Civil War in
1865, in America, no war has existed on the American conti
nent (as the Spanish War of 1898 was fought in Cuba and the
Philippines) , until the present time.
The advancement of civilization, the enUghtenment of the
mind, the barbarity of war, the perfection to which death-dealing
instruments of war had reached, and the long period of com
parative peace had led the nations to hope that the horrors and
devastation of war had ceased. Commissioners had met together
to discuss disarmament and terms by which this desirable end
might be accomplished.
The desire for universal dominion entertained by the Em
peror of Germany had been possessed by others in former years
who, having the authority to rule a small territory, desired a
more extended sway. Before the Christian era, Alexander the
Great aspired to the conquest of the world, but his success led
to his downfall and death while in the prime of life. In later
times the same spirit was manifested by Napoleon Bonaparte,
who, entering military life as a Lieutenant of Artillery, became
Emperor of France and endeavored to conquer the world.
The laws of nature and humanity seem to forbid such a
concentration of power in the hands of one man, and Bonaparte
ended his life on the Island of St Helena, in exile. The Empire
of Prussia was nearly surrounded by petty principaUties, each
governed by princes or dukes, until Emperor William and Bis-

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WAR WITH GERMANY AND HER ALLIES

177

mark created the German Empire and included all under one
government. In 1914, Germany declared war against France, having as
allies, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria. The aUies of France were
England, Russia and Belgium and before it closed on November
11, 1918, a large part of the countries of the world were in a
state of war. The United States remained neutral until 1917,
when repeated insults by Germany and the success of the Central
Powers, as Germany and her allies were caUed, obliged the
United States to declare war, April 6, 1917, and the arrival in
Europe of the American soldiers was the cause of the defeat of
the Central Powers and the overthrow of the GermaU Empire.
Names op Soldiers prom Dracut Who Served in This War

John F. Briscoe
Antonio Bernier
Ernest Boivineval
George E. Benoit
Isadore Boucher
Louis Bernier
Israel Boulet
Adelard H. Bourgeois
Robert C. Blakely
Lawrence Brennan
Paul L. Burden
Frank S. Burden
Charles E. Bixby
Arthur H. Cashin
Ralph H. Coburn
Rodney C. Coburn
Everett 0. Coburn
Napoleon Cardinal
Z. Prince Coburn
Robert Campbell
Leroy Caverly
Daniel J. CoUins
Thomas Collins

Chester J. Canney
James F. Costello
Forrest H. Calhoun
Charles F. Clevette
William H. Cullinan, Jr.
Wesley Crosby
John Ciesla
George Decelle
Augustus L. Dutton
Arthur DeceUe
Leander P. Davidson
Cecil P. Dodge
EUe Dufour
Joseph E. Dufour
Alfred Dufour
Anthony Drouin
Lynwood D. Foster
Carminio Fascoine
Ernest Firth
Archie Fox
Lester H. Fox

178

HISTORY OF DRACUT

George Garner
Armand J. Guenard
Saul Joseph Gordon
Henry J. Grenier
Edward Girard
Edmund H. Gunther
John T. Gorman
John Gendreau
William Gendreau
Roderique Gendreau
Arthur C. Gunther
Raymond Gendreau
David A. Hanlon
Everett Hayward
Harvey R. Hayward
Herman L. Hodge
Royal K. Hayes
Roland Hill
Harold Hill
John Harrison
Harold F. Harrison
Samuel Newell Harris
Charles Harwood
Thomas Higgins
John J. Higgins
Frank Hobbs
Clifford R. Harvey
Paul Lockhart Hutchinson
Stewart Frank Hunt
Harold D. Hutchinson
Galen H. Harvey
Edward Irving Johnson
Charles E. Jones
James P. Kiernan
Florian J. King
Roy H. Linseott
Jacob Lachut

Joseph N. Laflamme
Walter E. Leslie
Joseph A. Lessard
Alexander Lessard
Arthur Levesque
Romeo Methot
Hugh Fred Maguire
Henry J. Murphy
Harry McLellan
Howard V. McCoy
Harold McAnney
Joseph Francis McNamara
Arthur C. Mitchell
Ernest Mooney
George Mozley
Charles Nelson
Herbert 0. Nichols
John Ouimmette
George O'Malley
Theodore Perry
Hector Pilotte
Wilson H. Pollard
William Perreault
Waldo N. Pierce
Benoit Poirrer
Albert L. Pelton
Elzear Perry
Alfred Perreault
William Robertson
John J. Roughan
Thomas B. Roughan
Caleb F. Rogers
Jesse Richardson
Roscoe Richardson

WAR WITH GERMANY AND HER ALLIES

179

Asa Richardson
Delmer E. Richardson
Arthur Gilbert Richardson
Leo Roth
David Scott
William W. Scott
Benno W. Shafter
Lionel Stewart
Manuel P. Sauris
Alexander M. Shanks
Michael F. Sullivan
Leo Sherlock
Edgar Sykes
Hollis C. Simpson
Daniel SuUivan
Raymond R. Stevens
Edwin Shore
FrankUn W. Thomas
George Touissaint
Charles Therrien, . Jr.

Herbert Taylor
WilUam H. Taff
Edward H. Taff
Joseph C. Taff
Alfred J. Tremblay
Harry W. Thomas

Richard E. Udell
Percy R. Wilson
Edward Walsh
Frank R. Walters
Alexander Wilson
George Leo Wayne
Arthur L. Witherall
Benjamin WitheraU
Raymond A. Willett
Edgar A. Yates
Richard Young
John Zarnowski

These men served in the different organizations which com
posed the American army. They were found in the infantry,
artiUery, and batteries, and were in the navy, the quartermas
ter's department and the aviation corps. Their duties, while
primarily those of fighting men, included clerical work, remov
ing the wounded in ambulances, placing in position telephone
wires, police duty and serving as cooks and bakers. They were
in the hardest battles and manifested the same spirit which
animated our ancestors whenever called upon to defend our
rights and Uberties.
Among the many organizations, in which were Dracut men,
mention may be made of the 319th Regt. Field Artillery, which
was engaged in the section caUed the Argonne Meuse Forest.
This battle was one in which the enemy was defeated and its
influence was felt in the confidence which it gave to the allied
forces and the depression which followed the defeat of the Cen-

180 HISTORY OF DRACUT
tral Powers. At St. Mihiel the regiment was at the front and by
skiUful placing in position of the cannon rendered valuable
assistance and contributed to the success of the engagement. The
official history of the 82d divison refers in terms of praise to
this 319th Regiment of Artillery. Dracut men were also mem
bers of Battery F, 102d Field Artillery, which composed a part
of the 26th Division U. S. A. In a book entitled "Our Miracle
Battery," written by George Mozley, a Dracut man and mem
ber of Battery F, incidents are recorded relating to the engage
ments at Chemin Des Dames, Seichprey-Xivray, St. Mihiel,
Meuse-Argonne, Chateau Thierry, and other places. Mr. Mozley
has given permission to the copying of extracts from this in
teresting book which will in a measure convey to the readers
how the battles of the present day are fought.
' ' The next day, February 5th, as we rode along in the train
we noticed old trenches, barbed wire, etc., and just about dark
we arrived at Pommiers, where we unloaded. It was then very
dark and we moved over the roads until we arrived at some
old barracks, formerly German property, about seven miles
from the front Une. After taking care of our horses, we retired
for a few hours' sleep with the exception of those who were
given guard duty. The next morning we could hear the guns
booming in the distance. We put branches, etc., on our guns, to
camouflage them. We were ordered to keep out of sight for a
number of planes were flying around and some of them might
be Germans. "On February 8th, while we were at the same place, we
noticed some American Infantry-men coming up the road. They
were Co. M of the 104th Infantry. As a large number of them
were formerly of the 6th Regt. of Massachusetts, we found many
acquaintances. On that afternoon we went to a nearby ruined
village, where to test our gas masks, we put them on and went
into a cave where there was gas.
"Early the next morning, February 9th, we left for the
front. About noon we noticed some planes at which the French
anti-aircraft guns were firing, so we knew that they were German
planes. Suddenly we heard a shrill noise and then an explosion.
What was it? We moved along quickly and then one of our

WAR WITH GERMANY AND HER ALLIES 181
officers said that the noise we heard was a shell, no doubt di
rected at us by the German aviator.
"On Monday, February 11, 1918, the whole Battery fired
its first shot at the enemy in the World War. We now had an
opportunity of seeing what the enemy seemed to take pleasure
in doing — destroying, for we noticed orchards everywhere where
the trees had been sawed a few feet from the ground and toppled
over. The churches, gravestones, etc., had been smashd to dust.
* * * Enemy planes came flying around the Echelon as well
as the position to get information. Guards were stationed at
both places to notify in such cases and also to notify in case of
gas. When the enemy was over at night, it was a wonderful
sight to see the searchlights, of the French, cross each other in
the sky, endeavoring to locate the plane, that shots might be
directed at it. On certain nights a large number of planes would
go over and we were told that this was one of the routes the
enemy took to bomb Paris."
Of Seichprey we learn that "all night the sheUing con
tinued and at 3.30, on the morning of the 20th, the enemy came
over the top to get Seichprey. Gas was everywhere. The guns
boomed on both sides and the Battery fired for ten solid hours.
All the high explosives had to be used. Each piece fired 950
rounds, when the orders came to pile up all shrapnel, there being
50 left per gun. At '409' the guns had to be pushed out so as
to cover the proper places. Consequently there was no protection.
All the wires were cut and the Special Detail men were trying
to repair them. The last report over the wires was 'Germans
enter Seichprey — still coming.' * * * When communication
was finally established all batteries of the regiment received
orders to fire at one particular spot. We later heard that the
reason for it was that two mobile batteries had been drawn up
and were doing a great deal of damage. They were annihilated
by our regimental fire."

CHAPTER XI
CHURCH HISTORY
UNDER the Colonial law the inhabitants of every newly
settled town were obliged to maintain a minister and have
regular religious services as soon as their circumstances would
permit. It was one of the conditions of the incorporation of
Dracut ' ' That the inhabitants of said land assist in the mainte
nance of the ministry at the town of Chelmsford as at present
they do until they are provided with a minister as the law
directs. ' '
"A church officer of whatever degree was an officer only of
his own church. According to the primitive doctrine and prac
tice of New England, no man was a clergyman in any sense
either before his election by a particular church or after his
relinquishment of the special trust so conferred. And even while
in office he was a layman to all the world except his own con
gregation and was not competent to exercise any clerical func
tions elsewhere. In the earliest times, ministers were ordained,
not by other ministers, but by officers of the church which elected
him or, when it had no officers, then by some of its private
members. No marriage by ministers was legal, but a civil con
tract was made before a magistrate."
The First Congregational Church
Among the earliest records of the town we find an attempt
to provide a house of worship. Under date of March 6, 1711,
is recorded, "At a general town meeting unanimously agreed
by a generall vote for building of a meeting house. Also by a
general town meeting voted and made choice of the West end
of Flag meadow hill to be the yard to set the meeting house
on." For some reason unrecorded the action was not completed,
for we find the following on record :
"Dracut December ye 8th day in the year 1714. At a gen
eral Town meeting of the Inhabitants that was warned by the

CHURCH HISTORY 183
selectmen of the town for to meet and to see in what manner
to build a meeting house for our town and to begene it this
year. And it was granted by the aforesaid town meeting that
the meeting house should be 30 feet longe and 25 feet wide.
Also it was granted six pounds of money to be paid towards
the building of said house. 30 pounds in the next year in July
insueing, 30 pounds in the month of July 1716. Also it is granted
for four cattle and a man a day five shillings and so according,
and two shillings one man a day for getting timber, also it is
granted Thomas Coburn, Ezra Colburn, Joseph Colburn, Thomas
Varnum, John Varnum should be trustees for the above said
town to hire and agree with men for to build said meeting house
above named & give a true account to the town of their ex
penses to get the work done as cheap as they can. This is a true
account done at a general Town meeting. Joseph Colburn
Samuel Colburn Selectmen. ' '
The next year it was voted to build the house larger, two
feet more in length, three feet in width and a shed twenty feet
in length. April 11, 1715: "Voted to purchase 1 Barrel of cider and
such a quantity of rum as the trustees may see fit to be used
while building the meeting house." As we read of the small
amount of money which was appropriated we conclude that
much of the labor would be contributed by the men who would
be benefitted by a building in the vicinity. There was an abun
dance of lumber of Uttle value, it was near John Varnum 's saw
mill at the Pawtucket falls, and but little money would be
needed aside from that used to pay expert workmen to oversee
the work. The next year it was again voted to set the building
near Flag Meadow Hill and the boundaries of the lot defined.
The location was on the south side of Varnum avenue and ad
joining on the east the homestead of the late Dea. Abel Coburn.
This piece of land has been known as the meeting house lot.
An account of early customs relates: "An important and
interesting adjunct of the meeting house, in some parts of the
country was the Sabba' Day House. Comfort being carefully

184 HISTORY OF DRACUT
shut out of the meeting house was only then rudely provided
for in such subordinate structures. The Sabba ' Day House was
a family affair, generaUy comprising but a single apartment,
perhaps fifteen feet square with windows and a fireplace. It
was very plainly and sparsely furnished. Chairs for the old
people and benches for the children stood around the walls and
a table in the center might hold the Bible and a few religious
books and pamphlets, while at one side shelves contained dishes
for cooking and eating. Sometimes the Sabba' Day House was
mounted above a shed in which the horse could be sheltered.
A group of such cabins standing about the meeting house added
not a little to the picturesqueness of the spot and their use con
duced greatly to the convenience and comfort of Sabbath wor
ship especially in winter."
Many families owned foot stoves which may be seen in
museums. These were smaU perforated tin boxes enclosed in a
square frame and carried in the hand like a dinner box, which
would be fiUed with hardwood coals either at the Sabba' Day
House or at a neighbor 's fireplace. Besides furnishing coals, the
Sabba' Day House provided a place where the cold dinners were
eaten and where the housewives could exchange ideas relating
to housekeeping and the men discuss farm topics and the politi
cal situation. The oldest women in the family were entitled to
the use of the footstove while the children would rap their feet
together to promote circulation. If there was only one footstove
in the family the dog would be brought in and the younger
members would receive some degree of warmth by holding their
feet on him. At the annual town meeting one of the offices to
be filled was that of dog thumper whose duty it was to keep
the dogs from fighting during the services. The introduction
of stoves for the purpose of warming the meeting house was
strongly opposed but when once admitted the Sabba' Day
Houses disappeared. The pews were square with seats on the
four sides. A door was attached to each one and the seats,
boards without cushions, were fastened to the side with hinges
and raised when the people were standing. Only the aged or
feeble were allowed to remain seated during the long prayer
and at its close the children would replace the board seats,
which had been raised, making as much noise as possible, much

CHURCH HISTORY 185
to the dismay of the elders. A flight of steps led to the pulpit.
In front of the pulpit and facing the congregation could be
seen the deacon's seat, while in the large galleries were seated
the singers, the indigent and colored people and famiUes who
could not be seated in the audience room. Above the pulpit
was the sounding board, bell shaped, and designed to deflect
the sound of the minister's voice down to the congregation.
Such, in brief, is the description of the meeting houses of a
century ago and there was little variation from the barn-like
appearance outwardly. When a minister was considered a proper
man for the place he would be settled for life and pastorates
extending over a period of sixty years were not unusual. Church
attendance was obUgatory and non-attendants were brought
into court and fined.
The foUowing is the record of the grand jury in 1730 re
lating to this matter:
"Middl ss At His Majestys Court of General Sessions of
the Peace holden at Charlestown for and within the County of
Middlx on the Second Tuesday of December being the eighth
day of said month Anno Dom: Seventeen hundred and thirty
In the fourth years of His Majestys Reign By His Majestys
justices of said court, James Richardson of Dracut Husband
man as Principal in Five pounds and John Colburn of Dracut
Husbandman Surety in the like Sum of Five pounds became
indebted to the King to be levyed on their several Goods or
Chatties Conditioned that he the said James Richardson &
James Richardson Jun. his son Shall appear at the next court
of General Sessions of the Peace for Middlx to answer to the
Presentment of the Grand Jurors for not attending Publick
Worship of God."
In 1711 a Mr. Hail or Hale conducted services for a time
and received the sum of "43 shillings 4 pence." The same year
a caU was extended to Mr. Amos Cheever to become the pastor at
an annual salary of fifty pounds with a promise of increased pay
if the town was able to give it. He was to have eighty pounds
allowed him for the purpose of erecting a dwelling house. The
original letter in which this offer was made is in existence. A

186 HISTORY OF DRACUT
similar offer was presented to Mr. Wigglesworth, who also de-
cUned to accept it. It is noticeable that no title was prefixed
to these names.
October 15, 1718, the town "mad choise of Mr. Mackgger to
settle in Dracut to prech the Gospel and to do the whole work of
a settled minister; and likewise voted to give to Mr. MacGregor
65 pounds for his salary for the first four years. ' '
Rev. James MacGregor, with several families of his parish
in the north of Ireland, had arrived in America that year. While
endeavoring to find a suitable place in which to settle, Rev. Mr.
MacGregor came to Dracut and received the caU to become their
pastor. But his duties to his own people forbade his acceptance
although he consented to perform the duties as pastor for a time
and taught the town school in the winter of 1718-19. The fol
lowing May he removed, with his associates, to Londonderry,
N. H., where they became the first settlers of the town. In 1720,
a call was extended to Rev. Thomas Parker, at that time only 19
years of age, but who so strongly impressed the people with his
ability and fitness to perform the duties of the office that his
youth was not considered as unfitting him to become the pastor.
His reply was as follows : "Chelmsford, Jan. 30, 1720.
To the inhabitants of the town of Dracut :
I received your vote the 3d of this instant January by the
hands of Capt. Varnum and Lieut. Hildreth, wherein I under
stand you have unanimously made choice of me to be your set
tled minister. I have perused and considered your offer also
understanding your earnest desire that I should settle amongst
you. I can find no fault with what you have been pleased to offer
and I do therefore accept the same provided you do pay me
quarterly. As you have been unanimous in your choice so I
hope you will always endeavor to live in peace and unanimity,
that there be found a spirit of peace in each of you. I also beg
your prayers to Almighty God for me, that I may prove a
faithful minister of Christ and instrumental in saving many
souls, that you may sit quietly and contentedly under my min
istry, that I may have a comfortable prospect of your being
benefitted thereby, and that you and I may so believe and manage

CHURCH HISTORY 187
ourselves that we may meet with comfort in this life and with
peace at death ; and that we may lift up our heads with joy at
the last day shall be the continual fervent prayer of me, one of
the un worthiest of God's ministers. Thomas Parker.
"The action of the town is as folk>ws:
At a general town meeting made choice of Rev. Thomas
Parker as their minister and voted to give him a call to settle at
eighty pounds yearly for his salary. Voted that Captain Var
num, Quartermaster Coburn and Ephraim Hildreth carry the
vote to Mr. Parker and that Quartermaster Coburn be paid six
pounds to provide for ye ordination."
His letter of acceptance shows the spirit in which he entered
upon the work and which enabled him to render such satisfactory
service that he remained with the Church until his death, which
occurred March 18, 1765, his term of service being forty-four
years. Before his burial the town voted "To buy Madame
Parker a morning suite also to buy six Rings for the Baires for
sd Desest." At the time of his death there was a small burial
place between Varnum avenue and the river which is still in
existence and here he was laid to rest by those whom he had
served so many years. His grave was marked and after a cen
tury had elapsed his remains were removed to the Woodbine
cemetery on Old Meadow road.
As the town increased in population and more families set
tled in the central and eastern portions the location of the meet
ing house became unsatisfactory, and in 1745 a town meeting was
called for the purpose of selecting another site. There existed
a great diversity of opinion as each section desired the location
of the building in their vicinity. They finally decided "to build
a meeting house for ye public worship of God, 45 feet in length
and 35 feet in breadth and 23 feet between the plates and sills
and that said meeting house shall be set on ye northwesterly
side of ye Great road, on the easterly side of Mr. Nathan Simonds
land near said road and near the easterly line of said Simonds
land. ' ' Nathan Simonds was at that time the owner of one half
of the 500 acres of the Indian Reservation, therefore the location
must have been not far from Riverside street, then called the

188 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Great road. The site was unsatisfactory and on December 16th
of the same year it was voted "to build the meeting house 44
by 36 & 24 feet in the clear on the high land between Col. Var
nums house and the Old Meadow Path." This was Joseph
Varnum who lived at the garrison house near the navy yard
village and the location chosen seems to have been further north
than the one chosen the preceding May.
Neither site was satisfactory to all parties and no further
action was taken until February 10, 1747-8, when the town again
voted to build a meeting house and "to sett it at the Southwest
corner of John Bowers his homestead by a Great majority in
writing. ' ' The Bowers homestead was at the northeast corner of
Hovey square, opposite the Hovey house. This action caused
the town to be divided into factions and a controversy com
menced which was so bitter that the inhabitants of the west part
of the town appealed to the General Court by a petition in which
they rehearsed the past actions of the town in building the first
house, settling a minister, etc., and set forth the recent votes of
the town in regard to the different sites selected. The situation
wiU be better understood if the petition is recorded. Omitting
the legal formalities the substance of the petition is :
"27 May 1745 the town did vote and agree upon a place for
Rebuilding the said meeting house about a mile to the northward
from the 1st meeting house. That notwithstanding said votes
the Inhabits have called another meeting and on the 10th of
Feb. last did by a majority of votes grant that a meeting house
should be built at the Southwest corner of the John Bowers home
stead at least a mile eastward from ye place agreed upon ye
27 of May as aforesaid and further granted two hundred pounds
of the last Emission [papermoney] to be laid out in building
the same which last mentioned place is upward of two miles
eastward from the first meeting house" and further prayed that
a committee be appointed "to view and appoint the most reason
able place for a meeting house. ' ' The petitioners state that they
believe by the action of the town that two meeting houses are to
be built at the towns charge without separating the inhabitants
and if so they request that they may be divided into two towns
or parishes.

CHURCH HISTORY

189

The petitioners
John Varnum
John Littlehale
Abraham Varnum
Edward Coburn
Josiah Coburn
Thomas Varnum
Samuel Winn
Caleb Parker
Ephraim Colburn
Edward Coburn Jr.

were John Littlehale Jr.
Robert Lindsay
James Richardson
John WilUams
Joseph Colburn
Ezra Littlehale
Ezekiel Richardson Jr.
Aaron Coburn
Abraham Coburn
Daniel Coburn

These signers can be identified as residents of the west
part of the town. In answer to the petition the General Court
ordered April 7, 1748, "that Col. Richards and Mr. Brewer with
such as shall be joined by the Hon. Board be a Committee to
view the Situation & Circumstances of the Town of Dracut at
the charge of the petitioners & report what they judge proper
for this Court to do in this Petition and all proceedings respect
ing building a meeting house are stayed in the meantime." A
counter petition was presented April 15, 1748 by those citizens
who favored the placing of the building on the Bowers' lot. It
was signed by:

Jacob Coburn
Samuel Varnum
Levi Hildreth
Simeon Colburn
Kendall Parker
David Parker
WiUiam Hill
Stephen Russell
Jonathan Crosby
Robert Wright
Josiah Richardson Jr.
David Fox
James Emery
Jonathan Emery
John Crage
Francis Nickles

John Varnum Jr.
Edward Taylor
Stephen Kimball
Thomas Hildreth
Stephen RusseU Jr.
Stephen Farmer
Alexander Lindsay
Jacob Colburn Jr.
Joseph Chamberlain
Joseph Chamberlain Jr.
Darius Harris
Ephraim Curtis Jr.
Ephraim Richardson
Stephen Wood
Daniel Fox

190 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The Legislative Committee decided that the proper place
for the location was "on the height of land in the highway be
tween the barn of Col. Varnum and the orchard of said Varnum
northwesterly of said barn. This decision would locate the build
ing on the west side of Beaver brook as proposed three years
previous to this time. This report was adopted by the Council as
the Senate was then called, but the House did not concur and
thus the matter was left as before. The town clerk's record of
August 22, 1748, states the action of the town ' ' Voted to accept
the meeting house that was voted to be set up at the Southwest
corner of John Bowers homestead lot to stand and be finished
at the Highway Southward of Capt John Colburns house where
the frame is already raised." September 6, 1748, "Voted to
take part or all of the old meeting house to finish the new. ' ' Not
withstanding this vote, the old house was offered for sale at
auction in 1758 and purchased by Daniel Abbott, "he being the
Highest Bider in sd Vandue." The exact site of the new house
was unknown for many years, but following the transfer of the
Capt. John Colburn homestead we can locate it very nearly.
March 1, 1750 Capt. John Colburn conveyed his "homestead
farm containing 60 acres lying on both sides of the road by the
meeting house" to his son, Ensign Joshua Colburn. November
4, 1757, Joshua deeded the dwelling house, barn and eight acres
of land to Nathaniel Mitchell, a tanner and currier, whose vats
were on Tanhouse brook. The tract is described as bounded ' ' at
the Southwest corner at a great stone in the end of a wall by the
Northward side of the Townway, by the westerly side of the
gate by the road about three rods North Easterly from the
North East corner of the meeting house in said town."
The writer remembers this gate or, what is more probable,
one of the later built gates which stood at the end of the lane
which led from Pleasant street northward to the Swain house
and which occupied the land on which the cottages on the west
side of Upland street near the line of the Clark farm, are built.
The southwest corner of this property on the street is the same
as the southeast corner of the George M. Clark homestead. An
old deed of this last named property, dated 1765, from Daniel
Abbot to Rev. Nathan Davis gives the same distance from this
bound to the "North East corner of the meeting house" as

CHURCH HISTORY 191
mentioned in the Mitchel deed, that is, about three rods. Meas
urements from this bound locate the front of the building at the
Une of the Justus Richardson land opposite the Clark house
which stands at the corner of Clark and Pleasant streets. The
north side was in the highway which is four rods wide at this
place. The west end of the building must have been about
thirteen rods eastward from the east line of Sladen street at its
junction with Pleasant street. By placing the building in the
highway the town avoided the expense of buying land and this
recalls a statement found in an old diary written in 1679 and
confirms the fact that the buildings were sometimes placed in
the highway. Two traveUers, visiting in the vicinity of New York City,
write that they came "to the first village called Breuklen, which
has a small and ugly little church in the middle of the road."
On the south or front side there was a door midway between
the ends of the building, also one at the east and west ends. When
partly finished it was used as a house of worship and for town
meetings, but the galleries were unfinished until 1754 as in that
year it was ' ' Voted to Let out the finishing of the Gallery in the
Meeting Hous to those that would appear to Do it cheapest and
workman Like." At a town meeting in 1755 there was an
article in the warrant ' ' To see if the town will dignifie the seats
in the meeting house." It was voted to seat the meeting house
in said town and a committee consisting of Samuel Varnum,
Josiah Richardson, Robert Hildreth, Timothy Coburn and Sam
uel Coburn was appointed. Another vote declared ' ' that the first
in Dignity shall be the fore seat below and the second seat below
in sd meeting house shall be the second seat in dignity and the
fore seat in the front gallery shall be the third seat in Dignity in
sd house and the fore seat in the side gallery shall be the fourth
seat in Dignity and the third seat below shall be the fifth seat
in Dignity and the second in the front gallery shall be the sixth
seat in Dignity and the fourth seat below shall be the seventh
seat in Dignity in sd meeting hous and also the second seat in
the side gallery shall be the eighth seat in Dignity in sd hous. ' '
After dignifying the house the gallery seats were sold at
' ' Vandue ' ' or auction on condition ' ' that those that Purchas Rite
or Rites in sd pews shall not have liberty to sell or Dispose of

192 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the same without a Usance from sd town and they that Purchas
the same shall be obliged to set in them either themselves or by
ther wyves or children or som friend but not to send a servant
to set there or a childe under thirteen years of age or any other
to Degrade sd seet or seets or to make uneasiness to their seet
mats that Purchas a part or a Right in the same seet and Pews. ' '
They also voted ' ' to purchas a cover for the Cushing for the Desk
for the meeting house in sd Dracut, ' ' and by separate vote they
decided to " by a valvit one and to be of the same Choler as the
one on the old desk. ' ' To keep it free from dust they voted ' ' to
by som worshlather sheep skinn to cover sd cushing under sd
sheep skinn. ' ' The pew owners were aUowed to build their own
pews but restrictions were placed on them in relation to size,
height, etc.
In 1768 they voted "not to appoint any seat in the meeting
house for the negroes to sit in." Apparently it was not consid
ered necessary to specify any particular seats for them as it is
not reasonable to suppose that they were to be excluded. A few
specimens of the minor matters acted upon by the town, where
now the church or society would take action are quoted from the
records. "1786 To see if the town will choose one or more
persons to assist Capt. Russell in pitching the tune. Also to
see if the town will vote that singing shall be performed a part
or all of the time without reading the psalm. Voted that Capt.
Stephen Russell be assisted by Joseph B. Varnum, Moses Nowel
and Joshua Bradley in setting the psalm. Also that singing be
performed in the afternoon without reading the psalm."
The singing at the church service was at first unaccom
panied by any instrument, so a pitch pipe, usuaUy made of wood
was used to give the pitch, and later when vioUns and bass viols
were introduced opposition was made to their use because they
were used at dances. These instruments with bassoons were
used until melodeons and, later, church organs superseded them.
"Voted to appoint Capt. William Hildreth, Capt. Josiah Hil
dreth, Lieut. Israel Hildreth, Lieut. Abraham Coburn and Lieut
Micah Hildreth to be a committee to see that the Meeting House
Doors be kept Shut on the day of the Ordination till the Council
and Delegates and the Church are Ready to Enter the Meeting
house and then open them." In 1786, "Voted that the minister

HON. ARTHUR W. C'OLIU'RN

DEACON JOSHUA COLBURN
<See Pages 3 76-377)

DEACON SELDEN COLBUKN"

CHURCH HISTORY 193
shall preach in the easterly part of the town a proportion of
Sabbaths equal to the proportion of money they pay. (Except
those persons who are against their money going that way. ) ' '
This was rather ambiguous but doubtless the meaning was under
stood by the voters.
After the decease of Rev. Thomas Parker, in 1765, a call
was extended to Rev. Nathan Davis, which he accepted and he
was ordained the same year. He served as pastor sixteen years
when he resigned and severed his connection with the church.
During his term of service one Dr. Joseph Hunt, of Concord,
removed the body of Sarah Sawyer, wife of Oliver Sawyer, from
the public burial ground, and a warrant was placed in the
hands of Constable Bradley Varnum for his arrest. The details
of this transaction are lacking, but the removal must have been
iUegal and measures were taken for his arrest. Dr. Hunt after
ward appUed for admission to the church at Concord, and a
letter of recommendation was granted by Mr. Davis. For
this he was severely criticised by the town people and in his
letter of resignation, while not admitting the justness of this and
other criticisms, he expresses the opinion that his usefulness as
a pastor was ended in this town. He was afterward principal
of the North Grammar School in Boston. In a newspaper
published in Boston dated April 18, 1782, the following adver
tisement appears:
"TO BE SOLD
A House and Land in Dracut near the Meeting
Inquire of Nathan Davies in Boston."
This property was the farm later owned by George M. Clark,
whose house was located on the opposite side of the street from
the site of the church building. There were no newspapers pub
lished nearer than Boston in which he could advertise while the
statement "near the Meeting" might exert an influence on the
prospective buyer. Dracut was fast increasing in population
and the reserved land in the eastern section was becoming settled.
By the loss of the northern part through the change in the Prov
ince line, as already noted, the shape of the town was materially
changed, and was then about seven miles in length with a width

194 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of about three miles. Previous to this time the meeting house
was centrally located, but now the families in the eastern section
desired better accommodation by having the site of the church
building nearer the east. Protests were entered by the inhabi
tants of the other sections who presented their claims for a new
house in their part of the town. It was probably on account of
this disagreement that a proposition was made to divide the town
in 1790 as already recorded, and unite the present western half
with Chelmsford.
In 1 783, at a time when this controversy was in existence, an
entry was made in the town records which is difficult to explain,
but studying it in the light of the difficulty experienced in the
settlement of the location of the meeting house it seems probable
that there was a connection between the two transactions. A
petition had been presented to the town, but not placed on record,
and this had been referred back to the petitioners to see how
many would sign it who were in favor of annexing the east part
of Methuen. It was voted "that those persons who signed the
petition with the Homestead farms shall be voted off in order to
see if they could join with the westerly part of Methuen in order
to make a town." None of these changes were made and for
more than a century Dracut retained the shape in which it was
left in 1741.
In 1743 the demand for a new church building was urgent,
but as no agreement could be reached in regard to the selection
of the site, the town petitioned the General Court for permission
to divide the parish, the annual appropriation to be divided be
tween the parishes and the minister to preach at both churches.
Lieut. Israel Hildreth, who at that time represented the district,
was severely censured by some of the Dracut citizens for his
failure to get the bill passed but at a town meeting held later
the voters upheld him. The town finally decided to place the
new church building in the geographical center of the town.
This was unsatisfactory as the most families resided in the
western part, but a survey was made and the center was found
to be in the low land where, later, Mr. A. P. Bryant had his
wheelwright shop on Pleasant street. As this place was not
considered suitable for a church building, it was decided to
place it on the higher ground where it now stands. But this

CHURCH HISTORY 195
action was not allowed to be taken without a protest being signed
by about forty inhabitants of the west part of the town and New
Boston village. The signers gave reasons for their protest as
follows :
"We the subscribers, inhabitants of said town hereby enter
our protest against the proceedings of said town in voting to
build a meeting house on this 31st day of December 1793 near
the house of Kendal Parker Jr. 1st Because we denie that being
the proper center of said town. 2d Because the situation and the
land is by no means suitable and does not accommodate the people
so well as where the meeting house now stands. 3d Because it is
making a needless and unreasonable cost to the town, when the
present house with but little expense might be made to accommo
date the people and save the widows and orphans from a burden
some tax when they cannot have a voice in the business. For
these and many other reasons we solemnly and firmly enter our
protest against all the votes that any way relate towards the
building a meeting house at the above described place & hereby
show that we do not consider ourselves held to pay any cost that
may arise thereby. Lewis Ansart Jacob Coburn
Thomas Varnum Jonathan Varnum
Israel Hildreth Nathaniel Coburn
Josiah Fox Daniel Blood
Moses B. Coburn Joseph Webster
Samuel Coburn Thadeus Coburn
Parker Varnum Saul Coburn
James Varnum Peter Coburn Jr.
Ephraim Coburn Samuel Cummings
Joseph Dean Peter Coburn
Abraham Blood Jonathan Morgan
Coburn Blood Simeon Williams
Timothy Coburn Solomon Abbott Jr.
Zachariah Goodhue Ezra Coburn
Willard Coburn Jabesh Coburn
Solomon Osgood Jr. WiUard Coburn Jr.
Jonathan Varnum Jr. Moses Clement

196 HISTORY OF DRACUT
John Hamblett Solomon Osgood
Jeptha Coburn Jonathan Coburn Jr.
Jonas Varnum Hezekiah Coburn
Life Wilson Aaron Coburn."
Mr. A. C. Varnum in his "History of Pawtucket Church,"
records these statements : ' ' But at length the town voted to build
the house on the ' Central line ' and put up the frame and boarded
it; and there being two parties about evenly divided, some time
the town would vote to finish one house, and sometimes the other
and of course very little progress was made." About the same
time some of the people bought a plot of land of Jonathan Taylor,
about a mile westerly of the "Central line" and put up the frame
of a meeting house upon it and boarded it.
The Jonathan Taylor land was on the north side of Hovey
Square where the Blanchard hospital now stands. The deed
which conveyed the land for a meeting house at the Center was
dated January 14, 1794. The grantor was Obadiah Richardson,
who conveyed one acre for the sum of 15 pounds to Parker
Varnum, Joseph B. Varnum, Timothy Barker Jr., Richard Hall,
Amos Bradley, Thomas Hovey, Moses Nowell, William Hildreth
Jr. and Bradley Varnum, the committee appointed to purchase a
lot on which to build a house and provide a common. It is de
scribed in the deed as "near Kindal Parker Jr's house on the
north side of a townway leading from said Parkers to Prescott
Varnums. The southeast corner was "six feet westwardly of a
well called Miss Masseys well a few rods north of her house by
or in the townway." Thence the line ran westwardly by a wall
to the bars at the northwest corner of Kendal Parker's garden,
then running northerly by the wall and townway leading to
Nathaniel Jones' "so many rods as to compleat one acre, allow
ing the northerly end of said acre to be nine rods and one half,
viz to run from the wall at the said town way eastwardly the
said nine and a half rods to stake and stones thence southerly
to the first bounds. ' '
In October of the same year Richardson sold the town an
additional strip of ten square rods on the east of the acre. The
well mentioned was used in recent years and known as Widow
Masseys well. She was the widow of Bartholomew Massey and

CHURCH HISTORY 197
her homestead was that now owned by Henry N. Peabody. The
families were more numerous and the citizens more prosperous at
this time than when the second building was erected and this
one was more speedily finished. In the meantime the sentiment
in favor of building on the Taylor site at Hovey Square was so
strong that by private subscription the frame of a church build
ing was erected, as before stated, and, later, the town was re
quested to reimburse these men, but their request was refused.
It was evident that the shape of the town rendered it difficult for
the families of the west part of the town to attend church and
the town decided to establish two parishes, one with the new
building for a center and one at Pawtucket bridge as the center
of the west parish. The building at the center was finally com
pleted. It had enclosed stairways at both the east and west ends
which led up to the galleries, with the front door facing the
south. There was neither steeple or belfry and the whole struc
ture had a barnlike appearance, which was characteristic of
meeting houses at that time. The galleries were on three sides
and so wide that there was only a square opening over the room
below. The occupants of the rear seats of the gallery were
obliged to stand to enable them to see the minister. Besides the
townspeople who attended this church several of the families
from East Chelmsford, as Lowell was then called, crossed the
river at Bradley's ferry and were members of the congregation.
About 1812 the so-called Unitarian controversy among the
Congregational churches commenced and continued for many
years. It was mostly confined to Massachusetts. It has been
stated that eighty-one churches in the state, with church prop
erty estimated at $600,000, by a decision of the Courts, changed
denominational ownership and joined the Unitarians. About
1830 the trouble commenced in the First Church of Dracut and
reached a climax in 1833. At this time an amendment to the
constitution of the State permitted church property, which until
this time had been owned by the town, to be held by the societies.
No parish records of this time are in existence, but apparently
the members of the church were outvoted and felt compelled to
withdraw from the parish.
At a meeting of the church held October 23, 1833 it was voted
"to choose a committee to procure a Gospel minister for the

198 HISTORY OF DRACUT
church and such others as may meet with them when they are
deprived of such an one in the Meeting House, as they shaU
consider it their duty to hear." February 6, 1834, Voted "to
Hold the meetings for public Worship at Mr. Hanchetts HaU."
This was in a building at Hovey Square, now the Blanchard hos
pital. February 18, 1834, the following resolutions were
adopted. "Resolved, that in the opinion of the church aU our
hope of enjoying the ministrations of the pure gospel in connec
tion with the first Parish were entirely cut off by the proceedings
of the Parish at their meeting on the 6th inst, and that we are
therefore obliged to leave the meeting house and make some new
provision for the support of public worship that the faith of
the gospel may continue with us. ' ' Mr. A. C. Varnum writes in
relation to this subject: "In 1812 the 'Unitarian Controversy'
as it was called, broke out among the Congregational churches
and continued for many years. It did not extend beyond New
England and was almost entirely confined to Massachusetts.
Eighty-one churches with the church property in Massachusetts,
during this controversy, by a decision of our courts, changed
denominational ownership and went to those calling themselves
Unitarians. The estimated value of this property was over
$600,000. Among these churches was the old 'Mayflower' of
Plymouth and every Congregational Church in Boston except
ing the Old South. The Centre church in Dracut also added
one to the number. The church organization, however, inde
pendently of the parish or society, retained its records and
retired to Hanchett Hall nearby, where worship was continued
until the 'Hillside Meeting House' near the Navy Yard was
built, which was dedicated February 25, 1835, and where this
church has worshipped until the present time. It still claims
to be the First Church of Dracut and is caUed the First Evan
gelical Congregational Church."
It was further resolved to invite the Presbyterian church,
at Pawtucket bridge, to unite with them and form a new society,
but if they declined, that a new one be formed by themselves.
As the Presbyterian church declined to accept the invitation,
a new Parish was formed and the church retained the original
name and organization. In 1834 a company was formed, for the
purpose of building a new meeting house, which was incorporated

CHURCH HISTORY 199
under the name of ' ' The Proprietors of the Evangelical Congre
gational Meeting House." One hundred and twenty shares of
stock were issued at twenty five dollars per share, to pay for the
erection of the new building, at what is commonly known as the
Hillside on Pleasant street below Hovey Square. At that time
this was about in the center of the parish as there were no
churches in CentralviUe. The trustees were authorized in case
this amount was insufficient to issue additional shares to make
up the deficiency. It was built in more modern style than the
preceding ones and was, when finished, formaUy dedicated. At
a church meeting held February 26, 1835, it was voted "That
we accept of the privilege offered by the Proprietors of the
Evangelical Congregational Meeting House and therefore in
future will hold our worship and ordinances in said house agree
able to a vote of said Proprietors. ' '
The pews were sold at prices ranging from $36 to $92.
There was no income from investments in the stock, but occa
sional assessments and as the stockholders, in some cases, moved
out of town these shares were gradually purchased by remaining
members for a low price who had been greatly interested in the
stockholders and the welfare of the Society. Thus the owner
ship was retained by these members and the rights of the church
organization assured.
In 1869 the church received a legacy from the estate of
Dea. Samuel Worcester which enabled the members of this
organization to purchase from the stockholders enough shares
to give the church a controUing interest and thus secure perma
nent occupancy.
The foUowing is the fourth article in the constitution of the
stockholders: "The house to be built shall be forever set apart
for the preaching of the doctrines of the evangelical or orthordox
faith and to the use of the present Evangelical Congregational
Society in Dracut and the First Church in Dracut or the First
and Presbyterian Churches if united as the case may be." It
was necessary to form a society to manage the financial affairs of
the church and a petition was presented to EUsha Glidden, a
justice of the peace, to call a meeting. The warrant issued by
him is dated February 26, 1834.

200 HISTORY OF DRACUT
At this meeting a clerk, treasurer, collector and board of
assessors were chosen, thus forming a legal body subject to the
laws of the Commonwealth, by which the transactions of the
society are governed. The annual meeting is held on the second
Tuesday of March and the amount of money to defray the ex
penses for the year appropriated, officers are elected and new
members admitted which can be done only under this warrant
which calls the meeting which, however, may be legally ad
journed to a fixed date. All business to be transacted which has
a legal status, must be called by the assessors or clerk and the
warrant posted seven days at least before the time of holding the
meeting. Real estate may be owned by the society by virtue of
its existence as a corporate body, while the church, having no
legal existence, can hold it by right only under a special law
passed in recent years. The society is responsible for the pay
ment of the bills and has no part in the affairs of the church
except the right to engage or dismiss the minister, which can
be done only with the concurrence of the church, while the
church as a body is not concerned in the financial affairs of the
society. Briefly stated, the stockholders own the building, sub
ject to the rights of the original owners of the land, the pews are
owned by individuals, the society conducts the legal and financial
affairs and the church attends to the spiritual duties. Aside
from the supplies for the communion and insurance on the build
ing and taxes on land bequeathed to the Church the church has
no regular expenses, all bills being paid by the society. Few
changes were made in the building for several years after its
erection in 1834.
After 1860 alterations began to be made for the purpose of
convenience of those who attend. The vestry was enlarged by
occupying the space under the whole building, the pew doors
were removed and arms substituted, a new, modern pulpit re
placed the old high one, the location of the stairway leading to
the vestry was changed, gas lights were installed and, in 1906,
the town water introduced. In 1866 the gallery was enlarged in
width to provide room for a new pipe organ which was pur
chased and which replaced the melodeon, the musical instrument
of former years. In 1902 extensive alterations were made. An
addition was built on the west side to which the organ was

CHURCH HISTORY 201
removed, seats provided for the singers and the pulpit removed
and placed near and in front of the singers' seats. The old
pews were removed and new ones purchased and so located that
they faced the west side instead of the south, as formerly. A
new floor was laid and a steel ceiling replaced the old one which
was of plaster and papered, the alterations were made at an
expense of $2000.
On August 25, 1913, the First Church celebrated its 200th
anniversary in a quiet manner. This was in place of the Sunday
morning service and the historical address was delivered by
Silas R. Coburn, who reviewed the history of the church from the
time of its organization. Remarks by Rev. John Welch of Illi
nois, a former resident of the village, who was visiting in the
vicinity, completed the exercises. In the absence of early records
the exact date of organization could not be ascertained, but
there was evidence that two centuries were completed since the
church was formed. At the time of the building of the house at
the Center, Rev. Solomon Aiken was pastor and his private
church record is the earliest that we have, as earlier proceedings
were entered briefly on the town books as regular business of the
town. In the earlier years of the existence of the church the min
isters were installed or given a settlement, but in more recent
years the sentiment has not been in favor of this arrangement,
but preferred to engage them for a specified term. A list of
settled pastors is given :
Thomas Parker 1720 to 1764
Nathan Davis 1765 to 1780
Solomon Aiken 1788 to 1813
William Gould 1815 to 1817
Joseph Merrill 1820 to 1833
Epaphras Goodman 1836 to 1838
George W. Adams 1844 to 1846
Lyman S. Watts 1866 to 1867
Ernest L. Baker 1894 to 1897
May 26, 1920, a neat bronze tablet, placed in the auditorium,
was dedicated in honor of the twenty-two young men who served
in the war of 1917-18. Their names are placed on the tablet.

202 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Unveiling op the Tablet
When the call came for soldiers to serve in the late World
War, the response from the Hillside Church was hearty. In
honor of the twenty-two young men who enlisted, the church
people purchased and unveiled a neat bronze tablet. It repre
sents, at the top, the emblems of our country, viz., the eagle and
American flags. At the unveiling ceremonies the young men
were present in uniform and the address was given by Hon.
Arthur W. Colburn. George H. Stevens was chairman. Wil
liam Ryder, who had served as a soldier in the EngUsh army
in India, at the proper moment unveiled the tablet.
The inscription is as follows: —
1917 HONOR ROLL 1919
First Congregational Church of Dracut
A tribute to our patriots who served in the World War.
Forest H. Calhoun George Mozley
Arthur H. Cashin Herbert 0. Nichols
Harold A. Giffin Albert L. Pelton
Ralph S. Giffin Wilson H. Pollard
Arthur E. Gunther Caleb F. Rogers
Edmund H. Gunther George J. Sanborn
Herman L. Hodge Benno W. Shafter
Thomas D. Kearns Raymond R. Stevens
William J. Kearns Franklin W. Thomas
Harvey F. Kierstead Frank R. Walters
James A. Walton
Died in the sevice of our Country
George Garner
"These gallant men of our armed forces have fought for
the ideals which they know to be the ideals of their country."
— Woodrow Wilson, 1918

church history 203
Pawtucket Church
When the protest of the people of West Dracut was un
heeded, opposing the location of the new building at the center,
the opponents of the arrangement withdrew and became, on
June 27, 1797, a body which was incorporated under the name of
The West Congregational Society in Dracut. On January 6th of
the preceding year, James Varnum had given a deed of one half
of an acre of land to Parker Varnum, Jonathan Varnum, and
Peter Coburn, Jr., members of the committee appointed by the
proprietors of the society above named, the price paid being the
nominal sum of fifty cents. The new bridge had been built and
the Mammoth road opened to travel which caused the locality to
be well chosen, as there was a prospect of settlement by families
at this place, while it was convenient for the people of East
Chelmsford, now Lowell, to attend church. "Besides these prac
tical and positive conveniences, there might have been a bit of
romance considered, for this was the 'Ancient and Capitol Seat
of the Pawtucket tribe of Indians and the spot where John Eliot
first preached the gospel to them in 1647 and for many years
afterward, as they gathered to obtain their supply of fish at the
falls.' " (Hist. Paw. Church.)
The majority of those who had signed the protest of 1793
against the location of the meeting house at the center, became
members of the new church. The unfinished building on the
Taylor lot at Hovey square was demolished and removed to fur
nish material for the new building. It was built in the old style,
as all meeting houses in that time were similar in the mode of
architecture, and in 1820 a belfry was added and a bell purchased.
In 1859 this bell was removed and a larger one was installed in
its place. Although the members of the Society were responsible
for the payment of the bills they were not exempt from taxation
as the expenses for the church were paid by the town in common
with other biUs. The extra burden was too heavy for the new
Society, and, in 1819, it joined the Presbyterian order. By this
change their numbers were increased by the attendance of sev
eral families who lived across the river in East Chelmsford and
who assisted in the Church financially as well as making it a
strong church spiritually. The doctrinal belief of the two sects

204 HISTORY OF DRACUT
is the same, but the difference consists in the government of the
church, the Congregational being independent, while the
Presbyterian is a member of a body called the Presbytery. In
1837 this church returned to the original form of belief which it
has since retained.
When, in 1819, the church became a member of the Presby
terian body, the Legislature by an act passed February 1, 1820,
granted permission to a number of families of East Chelmsford,
now Lowell, to be connected, for parochial purposes only, with
the Pawtucket Society. Thus the Society received an additional
membership and their taxes for the support of the church would
be collected for the benefit of this Society. The families who
were thus permitted to join were :
Phineas Whiting Ephraim Osgood
Nathaniel Wright Simeon Parker
John Ford Lewis Butterfield
Silas Hoar Zebulun Parker
Artemas Holden Jeduthan Parker
James Bowers Osgood Worcester
Jonathan Bowers Joel Dix
Samuel F. Wood Varnum Spalding
Nathan Tyler Robert Spalding
Josiah Fletcher Micajah Bowers
Joseph C. Hall Bradley Varnum
Otis Tyler John Goulding
Nathan Tyler Jr. Samuel Hunt
Nathan Hunting Moses Chever Jr.
Nathan P. Ames Amos Proctor.
Joseph Dane
Although the churches were under the control of the town,
there seems to have been some of the citizens of the town who
did not approve of the Presbyterian form of worship, and who
were unwilling to be taxed to support a church not strictly hold
ing the Congregational belief. In support of this statement
there is in existence a petition for exemption from taxation
which is as follows:
"Major B. F. Varnum Sir There is as we think a petition
presenting or presented to the General Court for Leave to tax

CHURCH HISTORY 205
the Pews in the Presbyterian Meeting House in Dracut we the
undersigned wish you to attend and request an order of notice
that we may be present and show cause why the prayers of the
petitions may not be granted.
Dracutt May 28 1825
Phineas Coburn Reuben Coburn
Joshua Marshall Josiah Fox Jr.
William Webster Wm. F. Osgood"
Solomon Osgood
There is no further record to show the result of the presen
tation of this petition.
In 1844 extensive alterations were made in the interior, the
square box pews were removed and more modern ones replaced
them. The smaU, old-fashioned windows were enlarged and the
pulpit rebuilt. A new parsonage was built in 1867, and later,
about 1888, the old building was taken down and a new one
biurt at a cost of about $20,000. In 1874 when the City of Lowell
annexed this part of Dracut, the church ceased to be a Dracut
church and its later history belongs to Lowell.
The Centre Orthodox Congregational Church
After occupying the old church building at the Center for
several years, the Unitarians withdrew and the building became
vacant. The families in this neighborhood and those residing at
East Dracut decided to establish a new church and society. To
accomplish this, thirty-six members of the First Church with
drew and organized a church under the above name. A council
was called and the date of the organization is July 14, 1847.
The following names of those who withdrew are :
Dea. Joshua Colburn Phineas Richardson
Dea. Dana Richardson Augustus Hovey
Joseph Hovey Sr. Charles A. Thissell
Samuel G. Hallowell Mrs. Lydia Varnum
David Richardson " Lydia Hildreth
Adna Colburn " Fanny R. Fox
Joshua Colburn Jr. " Abigail Eastman
George Hovey " Myra Stevens
Obadiah R. Varnum " Hannah I. Peabody

206 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Mrs. EUzabeth Cheever Mrs. Hannah Colburn
" Clarissa S. Hovey " Sarah Parker
" Rebecca Hovey " Clarissa Colburn
" Nancy W. Hovey " Mary Hovey
" Prudence Richardson " Elizabeth D. Wood
" Emily S. Richardson Miss Prudence V. Fox
" Fanny V. Richardson " Mary A. Fox
' ' Almira R. Coburn ' ' Nancy Stevens
" Lydia Colburn " Mary Fox
In the years which have elapsed since the organization of the
new church there have been but three settled ministers. Their
names are: Rev. George W. Adams 1847 —
" George Pierce 1863—1867
" F. J. KeUey 1898—1904
Soon after the organization extensive changes were made in
the building. The outside enclosed stairways were removed,
also the old pulpit which was replaced by a more modern one.
The gallery seats were removed, but the floors were retained and
with a new floor in the center a new audience room was pro
vided in the second story with the pulpit at the east end and
raised seats for singers with new pipe organ at the west end.
The whole of the basement was used as a vestry, having settees
in the center with the old box pews against the walls which re
mained until about 1860. The door at the west end was for the
public entrance and two flights of stairs led up to the audience
room, while the south door was used as a vestry door. Large,
modern windows replaced the small, old ones. The outside of
the building retained its bare, barnlike appearance and with its
coat of yellow paint it was for many years a well-known land
mark and known as ' ' The Old Yellow Meeting House, ' ' by which
name it was known for many years even after being painted
white. In 1869, a cupola was placed on the building and in 1884
an eight hundred pound bell was purchased. In 1897 the build
ing was reconstructed and additions made to meet modern re
quirements, at a cost of about $15,000. Besides the audience

CHURCH HISTORY 207
room which is located in the old building, there were added a
chapel, ladies' parlor, kitchen and dining room. New furnaces
were purchased and gas and water introduced. The grounds
were enclosed which before had been common. Through the
liberality of one of the members of the church a large pipe organ
was installed. The dedication of the new building was held on
July 8, 1897. On this occasion a beautiful baptismal font of
Italian marble was presented to the church by one of the citi
zens of CentralviUe. The parish, incorporated under the laws
of the Commonwealth, is called The First Parish in Dracut.
Baptist Churches
In 1774 an act was passed by the General Court exempting
Quakers and Baptists from taxation for the support of other
denominations. They were simply required to file a certificate
from the proper officers of their own denomination to the effect
that they were members thereof and paid taxes accordingly. The
town appears to have accepted this act in 1781. It was voted
"to omit taxing to pay the ministers all who were assessed to
Mr. Chapmans tax, and those proposed Baptists and all others
who bring certificates from Rev. Mr. Chapman." March 7,
1785, the town voted to "excuse from ministers taxes all those
persons who declare themselves Baptists." They had no house
in which to worship and at a town meeting held April 7, 1817,
requested permission to occupy the First Parish house a part of
the time. For some reason not recorded the town refused per
mission. It is possible that they met in some private house or in
some of the halls connected with the taverns as the Society was
in existence a year later.
On May 17 of the next year, an article was inserted in the
town warrant stating more definitely the time which they de
sired for occupancy. This was six Sabbaths from date to the
first of the next March. This was also dismissed and no further
applications were recorded.
Denominational lines were more strictly drawn than at
present, which may account for the refusal of the request.
There is reason to infer that they located at East Dracut and two
halls at least were in existence in which they could meet. The

208 HISTORY OF DRACUT
two entries on the town books and a subscription paper which
has been preserved furnish all the records of the three years or
more of the Society's existence. This is the copy of the paper.
"We, the members of the Baptist Society in Dracutt, severally
agree to pay the sums set against our respective names for the
support of the Gospel in the said Society for the year of our
Lord 1820. ' ' The names of the subscribers are those of families
residing in the east part of the town although a few men of
means in other localities assisted them financiaUy. As they had
no source of income except voluntary offerings the existence of
the Society was brief.
East Dracut Methodist Church.
After an interval in which there were no services held at
East Dracut, the increasing population demanded a house of
worship. The management of the affairs of the Churches had
passed from the control of the town, and incorporated societies
having the control were now independent.
By a deed dated October 10, 1849, a parcel of land was
purchased by The First Methodist Society of Dracut of Hepsibah,
wife of Oliver Richardson, and her sisters, Hannah and EUza
beth Bailey. The price paid was twenty-five doUars. The
people were ready to assist in the establishing and maintaining
church services, and funds were subscribed and labor given so
that a neat building was erected and was opened for worship
May 16, 1850. The first legal meeting was called by Colburn
Blood in his capacity as Justice of the Peace and the first mem
bers enrolled in the Parish were :
Moses Bailey Asahel Clough
Perez Hill, elected clerk John W. FUnt
Uriel Warner Russel Richardson
Thaddeus Richardson Benjamin Stevens
Thomas Lewis
The members agreed to associate themselves together for
the purpose of supporting and maintaining religious worship
and to form themselves into a religious society to be called the

DEACON ASA CLEMENT

(See Page 379)

CHURCH HISTORY 209
First Methodist Society of Dracut. A constitution was adopted,
giving the name and object of the Society in the first two articles.
The designation of the officers, the time of meeting, the qualifi
cation of members, their rights and privileges, are all denned.
For several years the church was well supported, but later
those most interested in the work passed away, farms changed
owners and families settled in the vicinity who had no interest
in the church. Some families, realizing the need of religious
instruction for their children, have organized and supported,
for a time, a Sunday School and at different times church
services have been held but, continuous services have been
difficult to maintain. The Collinsville Union Mission.
This Mission was formed November 15, 1897, and was
established for the benefit of the families of the village, which
had increased in size and population by the extensive changes
made by Mr. Michael Collins. Land was purchased and a neat
building erected. During the first years it was under the super
vision of the Lowell churches and, while nominally Methodist,
all sects are made welcome. There has been no resident pastor,
but ministers from neighboring churches and Lowell have been
interested to keep the pulpit supplied. It is now self-supporting
and has no connection with other religious bodies. The prospects
at the present time are favorable for the growth and extension
of this church. St. Mary's Catholic Church.
The need of a Catholic church at CollinsviUe was also
greatly felt by the members of those families who were believers
in the Catholic faith. For the benefit of such who desired to
worship in this manner a neat building was erected by Mr.
Michael Collins at his own expense, which while smaU, was
large enough to accommodate the worshippers. It was in
charge, for a few years, of the church located on Sixth street in
Lowell and priests from that church officiated at the services,
but later the building was enlarged, a residence for the priest
erected and a resident-pastor was installed.

CHAPTER XII
MILLS AND INDUSTRIES
THE early settlers of Dracut found an abundant water
power in the Merrimack river and its tributary streams in
the town. The first kind of a mill to be built would be a gristmill
for converting their grain into meal, malt and flour. Later, as
they found time and means to build better houses in place of the
buildings constructed of logs, saw mills were required and sur
plus lumber not needed for their own use was rafted down the
river and sold. The first gristmill in the new town was probably
the one which was built by John Varnum at the foot of Paw
tucket falls near where the Textile school now stands. Here
was an abundance of power and as a dam which would reach
across the river would be expensive and unnecessary the water
was conveyed to the wheel by the agency of a wing dam. This
dam was built with the end extending a short distance into the
river, and a few rods above the end which rested on the shore
which formed a triangular space in which water enough would
coUect to furnish power to operate a saw or gristmill. This was
built early in the time of the settlement of the town, as mention
is made of a dam at this place in a record of the laying out of
a road in 1710. A map of Dracut, dated 1791, locates a saw mill
a short distance above Pawtucket bridge, but by whom owned
or operated is unknown.
In 1822, Thomas Hurd, who owned a woolen mill on the Con
cord river purchased land of Parker and Jonas Varnum and
Daniel Coburn extending from Pawtucket bridge to the foot of
the falls with mill privileges. The deed conveys the "right to
use so much of the water of the river at the mill site owned by
me in common with the said Hurd as shall, with what the said
Hurd now owns be sufficient at all seasons of the year to carry
the wheels and machinery of a factory of the size and dimension
of the brick factory on Concord river. ' ' Hurd erected a mill on
his purchase about 1825, but soon afterward his mill on Concord
river was burned and the mill at the foot of Pawtucket falls was
removed and rebuilt on the site of the one which had been burned.

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 211
A part of the mill foundations remain easterly of the Textile
school and at low water a part of the sill of the gateway may
be seen. The abundant water power at the Navy Yard village
was early utilized, but at what date is unknown.
The land on the west side of Beaver brook was owned by the
Varnums. On February 23, 1739, James Varnum sold to Ephraim
Hildreth one half of the stream and westerly side of the
brook at falls "by mill called Hildreth and Goodhues mill, and
all privileges that were reserved by said Varnum for use, benefit,
and privilege of mill." Ephraim Hildreth, as before stated,
purchased 1,300 acres of land on the east side of the brook which
included the land now occupied by the Navy Yard village. This
was in 1709, and the next year he sold to Ebenezer Goodhue, 16
acres adjoining the brook and extending from the falls in the
brook to Merrimack river. Sometime between date of Hildreth 's
purchase and 1739 it is evident, from the wording of the
deed from Varnum to Hildreth, that Hildreth and Goodhue had
built a mill on the east side of the brook. The falls at that time
were sufficient to allow two dams to be in existence at the same
time and the lower one a few rods below Pleasant street remained
until recent years. The mill to which reference is made was the
one below the present bridge according to a deed now on record.
December 16, 1756, Ephraim, William and Elijah Hildreth sold
to James Martin "1-6 of the west half of mill dam adjoining to
corn and saw miUs owned by E. Hildreth and Z. Goodhue and
others, being the lowermost mill dam on said brook, 1-3 of the
land on which the dam stands 1-6 of west half of stream, also
flowage and liberty to cut a sluice way, also 1-3 of the water
of westerly part of the stream." This would locate Martin's
purchase at the foot of the sand hill on which afterward the
carpet mill and other buildings stood, but which at date of
writing have nearly disappeared.
Josiah Richardson became a part owner of the mill on the
east side, as in 1759 Martin purchased of him one-eighth part of
the mill on the east side of the brook, but in 1762 sold it to
Ezekiel Hale of Newbury, but retained the west half until 1769,
when he sold all his rights in the mill property on the brook, also
a dwelling house and blacksmith shop, also "easterly half of
stream opposite with 1-3 part of new saw mill lately built, 1-3

212 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of mill yard and 1-3 part of corn miU now standing on the east
erly side of said brook. ' '
Hale had possession of this property about twenty years and
established a mill for fuUing and dressing cloth which was
woven by the inhabitants of the town in their own homes. His
house stood on the north side of Pleasant street and was re
moved to allow the electric road to be built. It is now a few rods
north of its former location; it has a frontage on Lakeview
avenue and is numbered 1092. He died August 28, 1789, and is
buried in the Hildreth cemetery. Capt. Hale was prominent in
the town and was a member, at the period of the Revolution, of
the Committee of Correspondence and Safety. The mills and
mill property to which reference will now be made is evidently
the present location of the mills. Exact information is difficult
to procure on account of absence of records, but the careful
study of this transaction will show that so far the references
relate to the lower dam, while the record of the miUs will show
the location of the Hale property near the present site of the
mills. He sold his property to his son, Moses, a few months
before his death. It consisted of " % of the corn mill on the west
side of the brook" with the proviso that when there was a
scarcity of water the fulling miU should be in operation 24
hours in a week. Also his dwelling house and barn on the east
side of the brook, and all his rights in ' ' the old corn mill that I
was in partnership with, with Zechariah Goodhue. ' '
From this transfer it seems that there were two corn mills
and we locate one at the old dam below the present bridge and
one at the dam above the bridge. Moses sold the property to his
brother, Ezekiel, Jr., who, in turn, sold it to Joshua Bradley,
November 1, 1792. It included the corn mill and fulling miU
on the west side of the brook, also the dwelling house on the east
side, "with 11-24 of the saw mill near the dwelling house with
privilege of setting up a corn mill on the east with one half of
the irons etc belonging." As no mention is made in the deed
of the old corn mill, it had evidently disappeared. The deed also
conveyed 21 acres on the south side of Pleasant street reserving
to the owners of a saw mill at the lower dam a right-of-way
through the land. No record of the time of the building of the
lower dam can be found, but it was in use fifty years after the

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 213
transactions were recorded. It was located, as already stated,
at the foot of the falls opposite the sand hill on which the coUec-
tion of buildings known as "New England" was situated. All
traces of the dam are gone, but an old sluice way has remained
on the west side which shows where it stood. It was removed
to give an opportunity for the better escape of the water from
the wheels of the present mill. The following year, Bradley
purchased 21-48 of the upper saw mill of Zechariah Goodhue
with land "where the grist mill stood lately owned by Capt.
Hale, deceased, and myself. ' ' The mills became known as Brad
ley 's mills. In 1799, Ezekiel Hale, Jr., sold his remaining rights
in the property to Isaac Bradley including "the scythe mill,
workshop and dam." This was evidently the lower dam. The
property passed through several ownerships and in 1814 was
purchased by Jabez, Woodward, Artemas and Sewall Stanley of.
Bristol. The last two named purchased the rights of the others
and erected a mill building on the property. They commenced
the manufacture of cotton goods, but soon changed the ma
chinery and later produced woolen goods.
About 1828, they became financially embarrassed and the
property was seized by creditors who gave a five years' lease to
Charles Stott, Joseph Garnett, Robert Whittaker and a Mr.
Fitten, and they continued the manufacture of woolens. At
the expiration of the lease, the business was sold to John and
Thomas Nesmith, who commenced the manufacture of flannels,
but soon removed their business to Lowell. In 1838, the property
was sold to Darius Young, but in 1839 it was purchased by the
Chelmsford Co. It consisted of land with flannel factory and
gristmiU and the price paid was $12,000.
From this time until 1853, no records are found but exten
sive changes must have been made, for in the last named year the
Elliott Mills Co. purchased the property for $75,000. The deeds
were signed by Harlan Pillsbury, Jonathan Tyler, James Water-
house, Joseph F. Trott and Isaac Farrington. This company re
tained possession one year and sold to Thomas Barrows of Ded-
ham and William Hilton of Boston. John Nesmith of Lowell
became a partner and a company was formed under the name of
the Merrimack Woolen Co. In 1858, this company was reor
ganized with a capital of $72,000 and the name changed to

214 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Merrimack Woolen Mills. In 1860, the property was owned by
Thomas Nesmith, Thomas Barrows and Walter Hastings. The
manufacture of the cloth was in charge of Joseph and Alfred
Chase, who received a percentage of the manufactured goods
which were sold by a commission house. The buildings were
old and not fitted for the increasing business and a more modern
building was required to produce better results. As it was
difficult to suspend the manufacturing on account of the large
orders received, the Pearson Mills at Collinsville were purchased,
the cotton machinery removed and woolen machinery substituted.
In 1863, the Chases withdrew and Mr. Barrows' son, Edward,
became agent. In 1862, a brick mill was erected on the site of
the former wooden one, and equipped with new and modern
machinery, and arrangements were made for more extensive
business. The mill had been in operation but a short time when,
in October, 1864, a fire broke out and totally destroyed the build
ings, and a two-story house which stood on the opposite side of
the highway. Large orders had been received and the cloth was in de
mand, so the company arranged to operate the mill at Collins
ville which they had recently purchased. The operatives were
transferred to the new mill, the machinery was run night and
day and the work of clearing away the ruins of the mill com
menced without delay. As soon as possible a new four-story
brick mill was erected with a two-story addition in the rear, to
which recently another story has been added, new machinery
was purchased and business resumed.
Early in 1864, the company had been incorporated as the
Merrimack Mills of Dracut, capitalized at $500,000. For several
years the new up-to-date equipment of the mills with the favor
able condition of the times were productive of great success. But
in 1873, as the result of dissensions among the stockholders, the
plant was closed. In 1874, the property consisting of both mills
was sold at auction to L. J. Stiastny of New York for $130,000.
Several years of inaction followed. Property in the village de
creased in value. Families living in tenement houses obtained
employment in other places and removed from town. Others
who had purchased homes sold at a sacrifice or found employ
ment in the Lowell mills and remained.

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 215
In 1876, the mills at the Navy Yard village were taken on
a lease by Solomon Bachman who, on June 19, 1880, purchased
them for $120,000. In 1896, a company was incorporated as the
Merrimack Woolen Mills Co. with a capital of $250,000, Mr.
Bachman and his family retaining a majority of the stock. In
December, 1901, it became necessary, in settlement of the estate
of Mr. Bachman, whose death occurred in 1898, to sell the prop
erty at auction. In February, 1902, the mills were again put in
operation with new ownership as the Merrimack Woolen Co.
with August Fels, treasurer and manager.
Later in the year the property again changed ownership and
while retaining its former name the greater part of the stock
was purchased by Mr. E. G. Morrison and Mr. Arthur G. Meyer.
At the present writing (1919) about 400 operatives are employed
and the finished product consists of overcoating, cassimeres and
cloaking, a line of goods for which the mill is especially equipped
and for the production of which the managers provide the
latest machinery. Under the present management important
changes have been made. New buildings have been added, a tall
chimney has been erected, in place of the metal smoke stack,
which proved insufficient for the work and new wire fences take
the place of the old, unsightly wooden ones.
Reference has been made to a dam on Beaver brook, south
of Pleasant Street, where a saw mill had been in operation on
the east side of the brook, in 1792. Before 1824, Merritt Wilder
had acquired mill privileges on the west side of the brook and
erected a mill building. No records exist to show the nature of
the goods which he manufactured, but in certain deeds he is
called a clothier. In 1827, he purchased land on the east side of
the brook of Benjamin Bradley with the right to erect a mill.
This right he sold in the same year to Theodore Hamblett. The
deed conveys the right "to erect a mill or other building at the
easterly end of the dam extending from said Wilders mill or
works on the westerly side of said brook to the easterly side
thereof, with right to use water for mills when not wanted by
Wilder for his mills. ' ' Wilder mortgaged his property to Joseph
Butterfield Varnum, who came into possession of it in 1828. Be
sides the mills there were, on the west side of the brook, about 3%
acres of land reaching from Pleasant street to the dam, also the

216 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Bradley land on the east side which had been leased to
Hamblett. In 1840, Varnum sold the property on the west side of the
brook to Perez 0. and John H. Richmond who manufactured
paper until about 1855. Later the mill building was purchased
by the Woolen Mill Co. and used as a storehouse, but was burned
about 1870. On the east side of the brook, Hamblett erected a
saw mill and established a wheelwright business, besides build
ing some houses on what is now Brookside street. He operated
the mill several years, but the owners of the woolen mill, needing
more room in the stream for the discharge of water from the mill
wheels, purchased the property, removed the dam, filled the
race ways, and no traces of mills or dam remain.
In 1825, J. B. Varnum erected a building for mill purposes
on his land near the Wilder property, but a few rods away from
the brook on the side of the hill, and opened a road from his
residence to the mill at the bridge. He moved a house from
Lowell and when the mill business was discontinued and the
building arranged for tenements the group of houses was called
New England. The building was two stories high on the back
with a basement on the roadway. Hand looms were installed and
carpets woven, pieces of which are in existence. By whom the
business was conducted is uncertain. A few receipts and bills
furnish all the information which we have been able to gather.
One is for rent of machinery and buildings to Thomas Baker
in 1847. In 1849, Baker purchased of J. B. Varnum five Brussels
carpet looms with bobbins, one set of card plates with appur
tenances and eleven sets of cards which Varnum had bought in
1847 of James Sener. The names of these two men are all that
can be found in connection with the mill. Sener was probably
unsuccessful and the machinery was purchased by Varnum in
payment of rent due him. Later the business of manufacturing
was discontinued, the buildings used for tenement houses, and
now have nearly all been demolished.
Goodhue's Mills and Paper Mill.
About one half mile above the dam of the Merrimack Woolen
Co. is a water power at present unused. At what time it was first

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 217
utilized is uncertain. May 18, 1767, Jonathan Varnum gave to
Moses Goodhue a deed of the land on both sides of the brook
extending on the north side from Lakeview avenue to the Old
Meadow road. In 1807, Varnum sold three acres more to Good
hue on the south of the brook "adjoining said Goodhues land
and mill pond." In 1793, Goodhue had purchased a narrow
strip of land north of the brook extending from meadow bridge
up the brook to "a dam that the said Goodhue had built." As
there are no traces of a mill here or records of one to be found,
the dam was probably built to hold the water in storage. Good
hue built a dam where one is now located and operated a grist
mill and fulling mill which he had erected at the north end of the
dam. In 1817, he sold the property to his sons, Moses and Aaron,
who continued the business which their father had established.
Besides grinding the grain for the farmers, they carded the
wool they had shorn from the sheep, and fulled and dressed the
cloth which had been woven by the farmers ' wives and daughters.
Moses, Sr., lived near and westerly of the mill and the cellar of
his house could be seen until recently. In 1831, the Goodhue
brothers sold to Samuel G. Griffin and Darius Young thus ter
minating the Goodhue ownership of sixty-four years. The miUs
on the property were discontinued, a more substantial dam built
and a paper mill erected.
The property was owned by several different parties on
account of financial difficulties, but was purchased in 1839 by
Perez 0. and John H. Richmond, who removed from the miU at
the lower dam at the Navy Yard village to this mill up the brook
which furnished better opportunities for expansion. They con
ducted the business until the death of Perez, when March 5, 1856,
the property was sold to A. J. Richmond and Leonard and
Joseph Church. It was again sold in 1860 to Geo. Ripley, who,
in 1870, sold to the Lowell Wadding and Paper Co. The com
pany was succeeded by F. M. Spalding, later by George Lee,
and in 1877 by John J. Donovan and Martin L. Bassett.
About 1883, Percy Parker became owner of the real estate
and the business was conducted by Bassett under the firm name
of M. L. Bassett & Co. For a time the business was prosperous,
and to meet the demand for their product the owners doubled the

218 HISTORY OF DRACUT
capacity of the mill by installing new machinery, increasing
power by purchasing engines, etc. Unfortunately on February
27, 1900, a great freshet occurred which washed away the flume
and undermined much of the mill, but not discouraged, the
owners rebuilt and again commenced the manufacture of paper.
But the delay had been fatal to their interests for their trade
had been absorbed by other mills and in consequence the busi
ness was suspended and the machinery sold. With the exception
of a short time, when the buildings were occupied by a render
ing company, the mills were vacant. The buildings were al
lowed to decay and on the night of July 4, 1911, they werte
burned. Since that time no further use has been made of the
mill privilege. Mills at Collinsville.
Sometime previous to 1753, Joseph Hamblett of Pelham,
N. H., came into possession of a farm and water power at the
place now called Collinsville. This property was on the east
side of the brook and in the year above mentioned he purchased
of John Colburn land on the west side with rights on the stream
"opposite Hambletts mills and dam." These were a gristmill
and saw mill which he operated until March 13, 1773, when he
sold the property on both sides of the brook to his son John.
February 23, 1789, the latter exchanged properties with Isaac
Parker, deeding to Parker 18 acres of land, a house and barn,
a gristmill and seven-eighths of a saw mill on the east side of
the brook. From Parker and Hamblett the properties passed in turn
to Life, David, Cyrus and Charles Wilson and was known as
Wilson 's Mills. In 1842, the land west of the brook passed from
the mortgagees of Charles Wilson to Josiah and George Ames
and Josiah Ames, Jr. Josiah, Sr., with his brother, Daniel, had
purchased, in 1814, from David Wilson the land and mill prop
erty east of the brook. April 26, 1843, the Ames', who had con
ducted a wheelwright business, in connection with that formerly
established, sold the mill property to John H. Pearson of Boston,
but retained the farm and farm buildings and continued to
conduct the wheelwright business.

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 219
About 1870, Josiah Ames, Jr., sold the farm to David McCoy
of Pelham, who opened a slaughter house and established a
retail business. Pearson increased the water power by adding to
the height of the dam, paying to Nathaniel Varnum, Marcus L.
Coburn, and others, certain sums for the right of flowage. Cot
ton machinery was installed and Peter Lawson of Lowell was
employed to superintend the business. Large quantities of cot
ton goods were made, including duck, fancy table cloths, etc. In
1844, a thread mill was established. An article in the Boston
Globe is quoted:
"Mrs. Martha Little Davidson spooled the first spool of
cotton thread ever wound in America in the first thread mill ever
erected on this side of the Atlantic. The first mill was erected by
a Scotch capitalist from Boston. It was a crude affair run by
water power and calculated for little else than the process of
spooling, the thread being imported in hanks almost a finished
product from the mills in Scotland. While this industrial ad
venture was backed by Boston capital, it was John and Peter
Lawson, two brothers, Scotch emigrants, who were the moving
power of the enterprise and under whose management it was
conducted. It was for work in this mill and to teach the trade to
a force of employees that Martha Little, then a maiden of 26
years, and her sister, EUzabeth, personally known to the Messrs.
Lawson, were sent for to Paisley, Scotland, then the world's
greatest center for thread manufacture. A three months' sail
from Liverpool brought them to Dracut. Mrs. Davidson was
the first to operate a spindle in the new factory, and in the month
of June, 1844, through her hands the infant thread industry
produced its first spool."
An acquaintance of Martha Little, Mrs. Hannah Stott whose
home was in Billerica, once told the writer that she, when a young
girl, visited these mills and saw the process of winding the spools.
March 7, 1863, the Pearson heirs of Boston sold to the Merrimack
Woolen Mills Co. all this property, receiving for it the sum of
$19,500. This was sold as before stated to L. J. Stiastny of
New York. The machinery remained idle for several years,
when March 31, 1880, it was purchased by Michael Collins. Ex
tensive changes were at once made. A large brick mill was built

220 HISTORY OF DRACUT
in 1886, on the south side of the highway, and a flume constructed
to carry the water underneath the roadway to the wheels. Tene
ment houses were also built on the land and new streets laid out.
Machinery for the production of fine goods was installed. Stores
were opened and the Government established a post office. At
this mill, Mr. Collins employed about 260 operatives who pro
duced annually 230,000 yards of cloth, principally beavers and
cloakings. April 21, 1899, Mr. Collins sold the property to
the American Woolen Co., which operated a number of mills in
other places. The original wooden mill, three stories in height,
was destroyed by fire and later replaced by a brick building used
by the Company for the manufacture of shoddy. The plant is
known as The Beaver Brook Mills of the American Woolen Co.
Saw and Gristmills and Other Industries
Double brook is the stream that drains Long pond. It
crosses Lakeview avenue above the Collinsville mission build
ing and, turning east, enters Beaver brook below the village.
Near the old road leading from the viUage to Tyngsboro on the
north side of the road near the Varnum buildings there is a f aU
sufficient to furnish power. On this fall the Varnums erected a
gristmill which they operated until about 1860, when the busi
ness of grinding grain was discontinued. James Griffin of Pel
ham, N. H., leased the power and placed a grater and press in
the building and made cider for several years, until he removed
to Pelham. The building is still standing but since Mr. Griffin
vacated it, no use has been made of it except as a storehouse
for the farm.
In 1763, there is a reference in the town records to ' ' Double
Brook saw mill ' ' and it is shown on an old map of 1791. No traces
of a dam or raceway can be found and it is possible that the miU
may have been located where the Varnum gristmill later stood.
The volume of water in our brooks, which two centuries ago
furnished in many localities sufficient power for the operation of
mills, is now much diminished, if indeed the brooks are not quite
dry. The ruins of old dams and existence of raceways give indi
cations of former industries.
On Clay Pit brook, about a mile above Varnum avenue, a
saw mUl was owned and operated by Timothy Coburn. Traces

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 221
of the dam and sluice way remain while a thick growth of wood
indicates its discontinuance many years ago. As early as 1698,
an old deed mentions a dam on Flag Meadow brook, and from
later deeds, it can be located about 40 rods above Varnum
avenue and directly east of the Lowell General Hospital.
Whether built to furnish power or to flood the meadows for the
benefit of the grass does not appear. March 29, 1726, Ephraim
Hildreth and Josiah Colburn, who owned the Winthrop farm on
the Merrimack river, formerly the Symonds grant, sold to Joseph
Varnum "a parcel of land and a place to erect a dam and set
up a miU at the lower end of the meadow called Winthrops
meadow on the brook that runs out of the meadow and a con
venient cart road to the mouth of the brook called Winthrops
brook by the west end of said Colburns house with liberty to
raft in the mouth of the brook for a term of 30 years." Who
operated the miU after the expiration of the 30 years' lease, is
unknown. The Colburns owned the land on both sides of the
brook until after 1800, when it passed into possession of Samuel
Richardson and his sons, Samuel, Jr., David and Dana, after
which it was called Richardson's brook.
The remains of the dam and sluice way with timbers and
planking are to be seen a few rods below the Methuen road and
west of the site of the Dana Richardson house. The remains of
another dam may be seen on the same brook, a few rods above
Kenwood schoolhouse, but as there are no indications of a build
ing or raceway it was probably a storage dam, to retain the
water in a basin from which supplies could be drawn to furnish
power for the mill below.
In 1818, in a mortgage deed given by James Mansur to Ben
jamin F. Varnum, mention is made of a mill privilege and grist
mill. This stood on West brook, east of the East Dracut Meeting
house and on the south side of the road leading to Methuen.
Mansur operated this mill, but later the farm was purchased by
James Richardson and the mill building was removed and used
for a shed.
As early as 1761, a saw mill stood on Bartlett's brook,
which is the outlet of Peters' pond. It flows to the eastward
over the Methuen line, where it is joined by West brook, before
mentioned, and enters the Merrimack river. One Bartlett had

222 HISTORY OF DRACUT
a mill on the brook in Methuen, from which the brook received
its name. The saw miU, above mentioned, was above the road
leading to North pond and Salem, N. H. In 1761, Josiah Gage
and James Wilson purchased 72 acres of land of Thomas Parker
and erected a mill. This was owned by several shareholders. In
1768, Gage and Wilson sold the land and one-fourth part of the
mill to William D. Elliott who appears to have purchased the
remaining shares and he, in 1782, sold land, dwelling house
and saw mill to Mitchell Davis, who later sold to Richard HaU.
The latter improved the property by building a storage dam
above the mill and erecting a gristmill. A map of the town,
dated 1798, locates this mill. HaU sold the property in 1805 to
Thaddeus Richardson, who retained it twenty-five years and
then transferred it to his son, Thaddeus, Jr. The latter sold
it, June 13, 1846, to Oliver Richardson "7 acres of land with
saw and grist mills." Under later owners the gristmill ceased
to be operated and no signs of its existence now remain. The
saw mill in still later years was discontinued and the building
removed. In the pit the tub wheel with bevel gearing remain.
Tanneries
Tan House brook runs under Pleasant street, at the foot
of the hill, west of the First Congregational church building.
A few rods north of the street a tannery and leather dressing
industry was established at an early date. On September 9,
1755, Ephraim Hildreth conveyed to Nathaniel Mitchell one acre
of land lying on both sides of the brook, and mention is made
of Mitchell's tan vats as located on the land. He operated the
tannery until 1766, when he removed to Bradford, seUing the
property to Benjamin French, including the farm, later known
as the Swain place. French retained the property until 1797,
when he sold the land on the brook to James Whiting "with
a tan house and other buildings." Whiting appears to have
conducted the business until about 1805, when through financial
difficulties it passed into possession of Isaac Bradley. Dr. Amos
Bradley owned it from 1807 until his death, and in 1822 it
was sold to Enos Blake, a tanner, and William Carlton, a cord
wainer, as a shoemaker was called in those days. They retained
the property until 1835, when they sold to Reuben Richardson.

MILLS AND INDUSTRIES 223
He sold in 1838 to Levi Richardson who had purchased in 1831
a piece of land adjoining on the east and had erected a brick
house which is still standing. He conducted the business until
1842, when he sold the real estate to Reuben Coburn who was
a farmer and who later lived on the place. The deed makes no
mention of the tannery, which probably was discontinued. Some
of the vats were between the house and the brook, and have
been found recently when the ground was plowed.
Northeast of the buildings formerly owned by Henry
Wheeler, a butcher, and on this same brook is a dam. It is
mentioned in a deed as early as 1793, as "an old dam." It
may have been built to store the water as wanted for the tan
nery below, as no signs of a building or wasteway exist. The
little brook between the house of the late Charles Coburn and
the Dr. Hildreth place was the location of another tannery
operated by Henry A. Hovey. A deed of the land from his
father, Thomas Hovey, mentions the "Bash Vats." The word
bash meaning to beat. Many years after the business had been
abandoned and the vats covered over, they were discovered
during excavations which were being made, and in them were
found sides of leather of a superior quality caused by their
long immersion in the tanning liquor.
Smaller Industrles
One of the most noticeable changes since the earlier days
of the town is the elimination of the smaller industries and
the growth of companies to perform its work. The spinning
wheel, flax wheel and hand loom, then to be found in nearly
every house, are now seen only in a few museums. Where
every village had its blacksmith shop, few remain, and the
smith no longer shoes oxen or makes knives and farming tools.
Butter and cheese are now made in factories. The cider mill,
with the horse furnishing the power as he travelled in a circle
while the boy sat scraping the pomace from the wooden nuts,
has been replaced by the power mill with its increased capacity
of production. The mill, with the upright saw, located at a
convenient fall of water has been superceded by the portable
mill with its circular saw and transported to the forest where
the trees are felled.

224 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Before 1814, Benjamin Hovey had a hat factory. His shop
was on Pleasant street, nearly opposite Clark street, but in
1814, he sold the buildings to the Stanleys, who had bought
the mills on Beaver brook. The shop was removed to the foot
of the hill on Sladen street, where it now stands, being used as
a tenement house. The Ezekiel Hale house, before mentioned
as formerly standing on Pleasant street, where the car track
now crosses the street, was once occupied, about 1818, by Thomas
D. Doak and in which chairs were made.
About 1828, the mill property at the Navy Yard village
was leased to Charles Stott and others. Herrick Allen sub
leased a room in the basement, where he manufactured brushes,
but sometime after 1835, he moved to New Hampshire. Theodore
Hamblet had a wheelwright shop on Brookside street, near his
saw mill, and Josiah Ames, Sr., conducted the same business
at Collinsville. In "New England" a house near the carpet
mill was occupied by William Varnum, a son of Bradley Var
num, who manufactured rings and other jewelry. At Hovey
Square, jewelry was manufactured by a man named Guillaume
Louis Rose Fortune Berson. He occupied the Nancy Hovey
house, a part of which is now standing. It was nearly opposite
the Hildreth house, later owned by Henry Richardson. As the
births of his children are recorded as occurring between 1802
and 1805, also his marriage, such record fixes the time of his
residence in the town. Daniel Abbott manufactured bed posts,
turning them on a lathe in a shop near his house. On Marsh
hill, wood turning was done by Russell Fox at his home. At
the larger farms cider mills were in operation and the owners
ground the apples for their neighbors. Nearly all of these in
dustries have been superceded by large plants, conducted more
economically.

THE OLD NAVY YARD SCHOOLHOUSE

(See Page 227)

DRACUT CENTRE SCHOOLHOUSE

<See Page 229)

CHAPTER XIII.
SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS.
OUR forefathers realized the value of education, and as
early as 1647 a law was enacted requiring every town
ship in which were fifty householders to provide a schoolhouse
and employ a teacher, and all towns having 1,000 freeholders
should provide a grammar school. It is uncertain how early
schools were estabUshed in the town, but we have unofficial
records which show that the Rev. James McGregor taught a
school in town in the winter of 1718-19. The earUest town
record relating to the subject is that on October 1, 1736, an
agreement was signed as follows:
"We, the subscribers in the town afore sd agree with Mr.
Phineas Stevens of Andover to keep a Reading and Wrighting
scool In Dracutt three months Beginning on or about the 20th
of this Instant October for which he Is to Receive twelve Pounds
In BiUs of Creddit as witness our hands
Phineas Stevens \ ~ ,
_. _. J Selectmen
Edward Colburn I .
John Varnum ( ^ ' .,,
T .„ \ Dracutt
John Bowers /
In 1738, it was voted "to hire a school for reading and
writing to be held two fifths of the time at the west end, two
fifths at the east, and one fifth at the north end." May 18,
1750, it was voted "to keep the school at one place in Dracut
this present year." As there were no buildings especially for
school use it was voted to keep the school at Ephraim Hildreth 's
house. March 5, 1787, it was voted to lay out the school money
in "eight different squadrons," another name for school dis
tricts of which the first mention occurs in 1780. There were the
Sawyer squadron, the Nor 'East squadron, the Hill squadron
and others. In 1790, it was voted to divide the town into six
districts which later were increased to thirteen.
In 1755, the town voted "that if the inhabitants of the
southwest part of the town will vote to build a school house on

226 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the land of Dea. Edward Coburn on the north side of the road
betwixt Deacon Edward Coburn his house and Samuel Coburn 's
house, that they shall have the school kept there according to
their proportion of the taxes." As in the next year the town
voted to accept the schoolhouse, it is evident that one was built.
In 1821, Ephraim Coburn conveyed to the First School District
"a tract of land" where the schoolhouse has formerly stood.
The condition was that "the district should build a schoolhouse
on said land." This building is now occupied by the Coburn
Mission. As it was erected by the district and not by the town, the
action is not recorded on the town books and the omission has
led to the error that the building was the original one instead of
the second. Pawtucketville was District No. 2 and had two
school buildings, both of which are now standing. There were
no settlements about here requiring a schoolhouse, as until the
bridge was built it was open country, but later as the families
increased a new building was demanded and a district formed.
The first building was moved from Lowell and at first located
near the river, but about 1825 was again moved to its present
position on the west side of the Mammoth road, near the ceme
tery. The lot secured for the building was a large one, includ
ing the land where the later one stood. This building was moved
a few rods away and was converted into a cottage, and a new and
more modern one was erected on the site. This section was
annexed to Lowell in 1874, and the building has been used as a
library, reading room and club room. The Collinsville district
was in existence before the Pawtucketville section required a
schoolhouse, and was formerly district No. 2, but now is No. 3.
There have been three school buildings, all of which are now
standing. The first one is located in Varnum 's survey of 1831
as "three rods from Daniel P. Coburn 's and 38 rods to Hugh
Jones ' " It is still standing in the same location and forms a part
of the barn now at the residence of Mrs. George B. Brown.
The old windows which were at the west end of the building
still remain and can be seen from Mammoth road. On the west
side of the Mammoth road and nearly opposite this building
there is a tenement house which was for many years the second
schoolhouse which was two stories in height to accommodate

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS 227
the increased population of the village. When the present
school building was erected, this building was removed a few
rods and sold. The present building was originally a four-room
house, but later on addition was made, increasing its capacity.
The Navy Yard was District No. 4, formerly No. 3 West.
This district has had five school buildings. In 1828, the district
purchased a lot of land on Pleasant street, near Riverside street,
of J. B. Varnum. In the deed reference is made to the location
as "where the old school house stood." The building erected
on this lot after its purchase, is now used as a dwelling house,
but retains its original shape with the exception of the removal
of the belfry. About 1865, a new two-story building was erected
on a lot a Uttle to the east of the old one. This was afterward
burned. After the annexation of a part of the town to Lowell
in 1874, a new schoolhouse was built north of the village on
Parker Avenue, resembling in general shape the one at Collins-
viUe. In 1906, owing to the increase in the number of pupils,
a two-room building was erected on Sladen street, near Pleasant
street, and is caUed the Goodhue school.
District No. 5, formerly No. 3 East, has had four school-
houses. The first was nearly opposite the First Congregational
church building on Tan House hill. June 4, 1798, Jonathan
Taylor conveyed to WilUam Hildreth land and buildings, now
the Blanchard Hospital, "reserving Uberty for the school house
to stand on the land it now stands on as long as the said school
house shall last." The second building stood on land now a
part of the Hildreth Cemetery nearly opposite Sutherland
street. The third building stood on the east side of Hildreth
street and was built about 1 831 ; it was called the old red school-
house. The fourth was built after 1870 and stood on the west
side of Hildreth street near Pleasant street and west of the com
mon but the annexation of a large part of the district to Lowell
made it of no value for school purposes and it was sold and is
now a dwelling house. The district which included Christian
hiU was formerly No. 6 and the first schoolhouse stood on the
west side of Tenth street, about 75 rods north of the Fay build
ings on land of Ephraim Wood. When it was no longer needed
for school purposes, Stephen Wood, a brother of Ephraim,
moved it to Marsh hill and occupied it with his family. The

228 HISTORY OF DRACUT
second building, after some controversy, was erected on Tenth
street about 1834. It was built of brick and was sold in 1847
to Joseph R. Tibbetts, who taught a private school, but is now
used as a dwelUng house. The district then purchased the build
ing on Myrtle street, formerly owned by the proprietors of the
Central Village Academy. In 1851, this section was annexed to
Lowell. New Boston district was the new No. 6 and has had three
schoolhouses. The first stood on the triangle at the junction of
the Old Meadow road and Hildreth street, south of the Crosby
buildings. A description of this building will apply to others
of the same period as the same general plan was followed: It
was square with a four-sided pitch roof, the roofs forming a
point in the center. It had an enclosed porch which contained
hooks for clothing and hats. The teacher's desk, raised a step
from the floor, was opposite the door, and in the center of the
room was the floor where the classes stood at recitations, while
on each side of the room were desks and seats for the scholars.
The center floor was level, but at the outer wall it was raised
forming an incUned plane. The tops of the desks were of oak
plank, two inches thick, and the seat for each desk was attached
to the desk in the rear. A board extending the whole length of
the building on each side against the wall formed seats for the
older pupils. The building was sold about 1870 and removed
to LoweU. The second house was located across the road, a few rods
northwest of the first one, but it was destroyed by fire about
1875. The third house was like the second, built in more modern
style and located on Hildreth street, on land belonging to the
Foster farm. After a few years of occupation as a schoolhouse,
the number of pupils diminished until the town decided to close
the school and transport the children to the school in the Navy
Yard district, and the building was sold and removed to Colburn
avenue, where it is used as a residence. The district at the
Center was No. 7, but in 1790, it was designated as No. 4. This
is the first building in the district of which there is any record
and in the last year named it was voted to set the schoolhouse
"between Isaac Fox's Cyder mill and the road to Winthrops
meadows" which was the present Methuen road. Isaac Fox

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS 229
Uved on the farm known as the Archibald Varnum farm and
later owned by George D. Coburn. As this building became un
suitable for the increasing population of this vicinity, a new one
was built on the common at the intersection of Broadway, ArUng-
ton and WiUard streets. As the erection and care of the build
ing was under the supervision of the district, no records are to
be found on the town books, and it is only from other sources
that information in regard to dates of building can be found
and in most cases these dates cannot be determined with accu
racy, but it is known that this building stood on this common as
early as 1831. This building becoming antiquated, a new one
containing two rooms was built nearer the center of the district,
and after a few years' use was remodeled and the lower rooms
used for the town office, and the Ubrary and museum were located
in the upper rooms.
The extension of the electric road to the Center again in
creased the number of famiUes and the new building was not
suitable for school purposes, so it was abandoned and a new one
built on modern lines near the end of the car line. Marsh hill
was District No. 8. There was no building for many years
which was used for a schoolhouse, but the children were taught
in the farmers' houses. In 1753, the school master was David
Fox, Sr., whose son David, Jr., was a revolutionary soldier.
His farm was the one now owned by Mrs. Eben T. Fox and the
school children met at his house for instruction. Three quarters
of a century later the school was kept in the farm house on the
same farm then owned by his grandson, Samuel Fox. The first
schoolhouse in this district was built in the old style already
described, and was standing in 1831. At that time it had been
newly built. The building with woodshed covered the lot, thus
leaving no place for a playground or yard. About 1855, the
floor was lowered to a level position and the desks rebuilt. In
1880, a new one was built, so placed that there was a school yard
in which the children could exercise. In a few years the town
discontinued the school and transported the pupils to the Center.
It is now used as a residence.
In those earUer years the boys were taught to bow to the
teacher when entering the schoolroom and the girls to "drop a

230 HISTORY OF DRACUT
courtesy," while out-of-doors they must bow respectfully to
any one who passed by the school.
The Kenwood District was No. 9. The first schoolhouse
stood a few rods east of the cross road leading north to the
Methuen road. It was on the north side of the road and until
recently the doorstep marked the spot. The land upon which
it was built was donated by Samuel Varnum 4, son of Joseph 3,
who purchased the Prime lot which was the sixteenth lot on the
river. The second building was located nearer the present one,
but soon became too small for the rapidly increasing population
and a new one, built in 1900, which was enlarged in 1911, and a
bell weighing 350 lbs., placed upon it. No. 10 was called the
Jones' district and was situated between the Center and the
Methuen line. The first building, so far as is known, stood on
Broadway, further east than the present one. It was built in
the same style as the earlier ones were but, unlike the others,
there were heavy oak timbers on each side of the aisle with mor
tices into which the desks were set and over which the scholars
must step to reach their seats. The chimney projected down
ward into the room about two feet and was supported in its place
by hangers fastened to the overhead beams. After 1860, the
building was repaired and to some extent its interior features
were changed, but when the school was discontinued it was very
dilapidated. It was sold and used for several years as a dweU-
ing house but was later destroyed by fire.
After transporting the pupils to the Center for a time, a
new building was erected at the corner of Broadway and the
cross road leading to Burns' hill. District No. 11 was the
Black north or East Dracut district. There have been three
schoolhouses in this district. The first one becoming, after
several years, unfit for use, a second one was built on the same
lot of land, and when a new one was built the old one was used
as a club house. The third one was recently built on a more
modern plan with large playground, it stands on the opposite
side of the road from tlie lot where the first ones stood.
The district numbers have been changed at various times.
In 1830, the numbers were, No. 1, the west part of the town;
No. 2, Collinsville; No. 3 West, the Navy Yard village; No. 3

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS 231
East, Hovey square ; No. 4, the Center village ; No. 5, Kenwood ;
No. 6, East Dracut ; No. 7, New Boston ; No. 8, Marsh hill ; No.
9, Broadway; No. 10, Christian hill. In 1851, when annexed
to LoweU, the last named was number 6.
The building of Pawtucket Bridge caused a new district
to be formed, which until annexation was No. 2, and the numbers
of some of the others were changed. In the last annexation the
West Dracut, Pawtucketville and Hovey Square districts ceased
to exist, but the numbers of the other districts remained
unchanged. During the first century of the existence of the town the
length of the school term each year did not exceed three months.
The winter months were the ones when the boys could best be
spared from the work on the farm and these were considered
sufficient to give the pupils an education. In each room there
was a large fireplace which, while furnishing abundant heat,
was able to warm the room but little as the most of the heat
escaped up the chimney, but by collecting about the fireplace
they could be kept comfortable. There was an abundance of
wood and it was the duty of the older boys to keep the fireplace
well fiUed. Later, when stoves were introduced, the room was
more evenly heated. No janitors were employed but the boys
attended to the kindling of the fire and shovelling the snow,
while the girls swept the floor.
It was customary for the teacher to report in writing to the
Superintending School Committee a list of the names and ages
of the scholars, a Ust of the studies, number of weeks in a term
and compensation received. A few of these reports have been
preserved and from them information has been gathered relating
to early school days. None earlier than 1817 are to be found
and while from old people we learn that before this time only
reading, spelUng, writing and arithmetic were taught, these
reports inform us that grammar and geography classes were
formed and, in one school, a history class existed. Other studies
are given as "testament," "alphabet," words of one syllable
and words of two syllables. The number of pupils in the town
would average about forty to each district.
In 1830, there were ninety-nine who were taught by one
teacher at the Navy Yard village. The highest salary paid was

232 HISTORY OF DRACUT
$5 per week, including board and was paid to a graduate of
Dartmouth College. Other male teachers received $3.50 per
week including board, which was reckoned at $1.50 per week.
Female teachers received, besides their board, $1 per week and,
in one district, the sum of 92 cents per week was paid. A teacher
sometimes "boarded around," living a specified number of days
with each family. In some instances when the school money was
expended, the teacher would remain a few weeks to teach pupils
who desired further instruction, receiving their compensation
from the parents of those attending. Private schools would also
be opened in the spring and autumn months which were benefi
cial to the young people and which were well attended. In 1860
Josiah S. PhiUips taught a private school for several terms in
the vestry of the Old YeUow Meeting house and had good
success. The schools have been conducted under both the town and
district system. Under the last named system a Superintending
Committee composed of three was appointed who had a general
oversight of the schools. They examined the teachers and
accepted or rejected them as the case might be, they selected the
text-books which were owned by the pupils and recommended
certain Unes of studies. In addition to the general committee,
the district would select a man who was called the Prudential
Committee. He employed the teacher, subject to the approval
of the general committee, purchased suppUes and kept order
when unruly scholars refused to obey the teacher. They also
attended to the expenditure of the money allotted to each district
by the town. The schools at the present time are conducted on
the same general principles but differ in detail.
Dracut, with three other towns in the vicinity, employs a
Superintendent while this town appoints a general committee
of nine at its annual meeting. This committee assigns certain
duties to each of the members, certain ones purchasing supplies,
others attending to transporting of pupils, others having charge
of repairs, the Superintendent overseeing and advising when
necessary. This system was adopted in 1881. Truant officers
are also appointed who attend to absentees. The town employs
Supervisors of Music and the Manual Arts are also taught.
Until recent years no pianos were provided or music as a study

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS 233
taught. Scholars sang songs led by the teacher or one of the
older scholars. Exhibitions are now given in which the scholars
display specimens of drawing, leather and burnt-wood work,
etc., which they have prepared.
For several years preceding and foUowing 1850, the school
committee prepared reports which the town clerk entered in the
town records, but which are now embodied in the annual printed
report of the town. In 1829, the amount appropriated for
the support of schools was $600; in 1858, $1,500, and in 1919,
$31,800. Dracut has seven school buildings, valued as follows
Center, $14,000 ; CoUinsviUe, $14,000 ; Parker Avenue, $10,000
Kenwood, $10,000; Goodhue, $8,000; East Dracut, $4,000
Broadway, $2,000.
In 1911, penny savings banks were introduced in each
school as an encouragement to the cultivation of habits of
thrift and the money deposited in the Savings Banks. By this
system, pupils may deposit in small sums which are entered in
a deposit book to their credit.
It is in order to mention another private school which,
although the building was located in Pelham, the pupils were
principaUy from Dracut. The length of the school term, while
extending over a period of six months, was an improvement over
the earUer three-month period but still unsatisfactory. A
private school was opened having a Spring and FaU term. In
1853, Capt. Gilbert Coburn of Pelham, N. H., whose farm was
partly in Dracut, built a schoolhouse on his land, employed a
teacher and gave notice that for a smaU weekly fee scholars
would be received. The parents of the children Uving in the
vicinity reaUzed the advantages of this arrangement and the
house was soon fiUed. While the Marsh hill and New Boston
districts furnished the greater part of the scholars, some came
from other districts, securing boarding places on the neighbor
ing farms. The extra instruction thus received was of great
benefit in later years to these pupils.
Central Village Academy
In 1833, a number of the citizens of the CentralviUe district
which, in 1851, became annexed to LoweU, perceiving the need

234 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of better educational faciUties for the children, formed a com
pany which was incorporated March 1st, of that year, under the
name of "The Proprietors of the Central ViUage Academy."
The president was Joseph Bradley. Benjamin F. Varnum was
treasurer and Jefferson Bancroft, secretary. June 6, 1833, they
purchased of EUsha FuUer, Josiah B. French, Joshua Bennett
and Joseph Bradley four lots of land comprising 18,400 square
feet, "bounded westerly on Chestnut and easterly on Elm
streets" — these are now Myrtle and Beech streets — on condi
tion that a building for school purposes be erected in one year
from the date of deed, and a school maintained for at least five
years. The price paid for the land was $1,200.
The school was opened in 1836 with Isaac WithereU, A. M.,
as principal and numbered ninety-one pupils. The building
was commonly known as the Dracut Academy and is described
as follows: "It was a plain two-story wooden building with
square belfry on the end of a pitch roof; it stood end to the
street and well back from it: there were two deeply recessed
entrances in the end with a window over each door; an orna
mental casement in the gable completes the picture. It looked
as much Uke a country church as a school house. A good sized
beU with a brisk, cheerful voice called the school morning and
afternoon. Robert L. Read 'pulled the beU' but many willing
hands were ready to help, even the girls thought it rare fun to
cling on and be puUed up as the beU swung over. ' ' Succeeding
Mr. Witherell as principals, were Benjamin F. Butler, Rev. Mr.
Cutler, Rev. Cyrus Mann, William G. Russell, Rev. John C.
Ingalls, Henry F. Durant and Charles MorriU.
The school seems not to have met with the success that was
expected and the number of pupils diminished. Gen. B. F.
Butler in his book says: "In the autumn of 1839 a vacancy
occurred in a smaU academy in the town of Dracut across the
Merrimack river, and the trustees asked me to take charge of
the school. For my services I was to receive the tuition paid
by the pupils and that depended upon the number of scholars.
It was a queer school. There were twenty-one scholars about
sixteen of whom were boys. The large portion of them were
pupils who had found cause to leave the schools in Lowell, gen
erally not because of their virtues. They ignored all discipline

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS 235
and had routed the former preceptor. I, by habit of mind, was
a disciplinarian so that it happened at the end of three weeks
I had lost eleven scholars out of my twenty-one, but no one of
them had gone away without a thrashing, the remembrance of
which would last him a Ufetime."
The school passed under Free WiU Baptist control and an
effort was made to conduct it along more practical Unes. From
an advertisement in a LoweU newspaper of June, 1842, we
quote : ' ' Th« location of this school is surpassed by few if any
in New England. There is connected with it a large and con
venient boarding house, a workshop, a small track (sic) of land
and a cap shop for the ladies, so that individuals, both male
and female, may in part at least, defray their expenses if they
choose." In 1843 the building was purchased by the district
(then caUed No. 6) and the district school established therein.
After the annexation of CentralviUe to LoweU, in 1851, the city
had a grammar school in the building until it was superceded
by a more commodious brick structure. The old academy build
ing was then removed to Bridge street where it was occupied
by the Woods, Sherwood Co. from 1866 to 1910. It is now
owned by Miss Martina Gage.
A list of the names of the pupils who attended the academy
in 1836 has been found in a circular which has been preserved
and in which many names are found of residents of the city
at a later period in its history. Directors
Joseph Bradley, President
Hon. Benjamin F. Varnum
Jonathan Morse, Treasurer
Joshua Bennett
Humphrey Webster
Secretary
Jefferson Bancroft
Trustees
Kirk Boot, Esq. Joshua Swan, Esq.
Rev. Theodore Edson Rev. Amos Blanchard
Elisha Bartlett, M. D. Joseph B. Varnum, Esq.

236

HISTORY OF DRACUT

William Austin, Esq.
Luther Lawrence, Esq.
Dr. Jesse Fox

John Clark, Esq.
Oliver M. Whipple, Esq.
Hon. Nathan Wright

Teachers
Isaac Wetherell, A. M., Principal
Mrs. Isaac Wetherell, Assistant
Miss Sarah A. Copland, Teacher of Music

Pupils — Male
Joseph Bradley, Haverhill
William H. Bradley, Dracutt
Augustus Bradley, Dracutt
William Brown, Lowell
George W. Coburn, Dracutt
Joseph B. V. Coburn, Dracutt
James M. Coburn, Dracutt
David Dana, Jr., Lowell
Ebenezer Hanchett, Jr.,
Lowell
Fisher A. Hildreth, Dracutt
James F. Huntington, Lowell
Joseph G. Kittridge, Lowell
Moses L. Knowles, Lowell
Daniel Mansfield,
South Reading
George W. More, Dracutt
Alanson 0. Ordway, Lowell
William W. Reed, Dracutt
Enoch M. Reed, Dracutt

Department Charles F. Reed, Lowell
Edward F. Sherman, Dracutt
William P. Spaulding, Lowell
Francis B. Stanwood, Lowell
Ephraim Stevens,
Manchester, N. H.
Natt Stickney, Dracutt
Joseph E. Sweetser, Lowell
Joseph W. Tapley, Lowell
Joshua Thissell, Jr., Dracutt
Frederick W. Tuxbury,
Pelham, N. H.
Joseph B. Varnum, Dracutt
John Waugh, Lowell
Timothy Webber, Lowell
Abel A. Wheeler, Lowell
James W. White, Lowell
Edward Wilson, Dracutt
William H. Wood, Lowell
Total number— 35

Female Department

Emma C. Bamford, Lowell
Margaret M. Bartlett,
Plymouth
Jane E. Bartlett, Plymouth
Elizabeth Bell, Chester, N. H.
Louisa W. Bradley, Dracutt
Mary J. Bradley, Dracutt
Harriett Bradley, Dracutt

Susan Burnham,
Pelham, N. H.
Margaret W. W. Borland,
Dracutt
Joan C. Caryll, Lowell
Mary A. Coburn, Dracutt
Lauretta Coburn, Dracutt
Elizabeth Dana, Lowell

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS

237

Olivin P. Eastman, Lowell
Mary A. Farnsworth,
Harvard
Mary A. French, Lowell
Ciwil M. Fry, Lowell
Belinda P. Hadley,
Chelmsford
Maria J. R. Hastings, Lowell
Susan Hildreth, Dracutt
Harriett Hildreth, Dracutt
Lueinda Hill, Dracutt
Mary J. Hill, Hopkinton
Harriett Kimball, Lowell
Joanna Kittredge, Dracutt
Hannah Kittredge, Dracutt
Lucy P. Lawrence, Lowell
Sophia J. Lyon,
Pelham, N. H.
Martha P. Merriam,
Chelmsford
Louisa J. Murdock, LoweU
Cornelia M. Murdock, Lowell
Ann M. Parker, Lowell
Jane M. Parker, Lowell

Sarah A. G. Paul, Lowell
Marietta Reed, Lowell
Sophia Richardson, Dracutt
Artemisia Richardson,
Tewksbury
Lucian Rollins, Lowell
Margaret B. RolUns, LoweU
Nancy W. Rollins, Lowell
Sarah Shedd, Lowell
Alsey Stevens, Dracutt
Mary J. Tapley, Lowell
Sarah A. Tapley, Lowell
Caroline B. Varnum, Dracutt
Mary B. Varnum, Dracutt
Susan H. Varnum, Dracutt
Mary A. Webster, Dracutt
Elizabeth White, Lowell
Irene C. Wight, Dracutt
Jerusia B. Wight, Dracutt
Charity B. Winslow, LoweU
Eliza A. Wood, Lowell
Mary M. Worthen, Dracutt
Susanna Wyman, Lowell
Sarah A. Wyman, Lowell
Total number — 56

Singing Schools
Until recent years, music has not been taught in the public
schools, but instead of this method of instruction singing schools
have been conducted in different parts of the town by private
enterprise. About 1825, Josiah Griffin of Methuen taught a
school at Dracut Center. A few years later, in Districts No. 7
and No. 9, these schools were conducted by the brothers Phineas
and Edward Richardson. About 1860, Mr. Pinkham of Lowell
taught a school at Dracut Center. At the vestry of the First
Congregational Church of Dracutt the brothers Coffran and
Vespasian Nutting taught, followed by Prof A. D. Greeley of
Pelham, N. H., who also taught at the Center. In 1870, Shapley
Morgan taught several terms and the last terms were in charge

238 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of Charles P. Hutchinson. The long evenings of the winter
seasons were favorable to the young people of the town who
met for instruction in singing. Lyceums
To those who were unable to sing and who may be found
in each generation, the lyceum provided an opportunity for
instruction in debate which was of value to the citizens when
attending town meetings or serving in the Legislature. In 1829,
a society was formed under the name of the "Dracut Mutual
Debating Society" of which the secretary's record is preserved.
The earliest date is Dec. 1, 1829, and the list of members com
prises the most prominent and influential men in the town.
They were farmers, physicans, manufacturers, lawyers and
ministers, and the records show that these debates were inter
esting and instructive. The first question was presented by
John A. Doak: "Is reading novels beneficial to society?" This,
after discussion, was decided in the negative. Another question
was "Has wine or women been the cause of the greatest evil
to society?" By a vote of 16 to 1 it was decided that wine
was the greater evil. The record terminates abruptly in the
spring of 1830 with a vote to meet in April for the transaction
of special business.
A lyceum was organized at the Center about 1855. It is
said to have been very successful, but no records have been
found. This was not strictly a debating society, but included
recitations and a paper was presented at each meeting prepared
under the direction of an editor and to which the members
contributed articles of poetry and prose. About this time a
lyceum was organized and meetings held in Goodhue's Hall,
which was in a building now at the corner of Lakeview Avenue
and Pleasant Streets. It was conducted along the same line as
the one at the Center. Libraries
The town library was not established until a recent date.
It was among the last of the towns in the state to provide in
this manner for the benefit of the public. This was not on ac-

SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND LYCEUMS 239
count of an absence of desire for intellectual study or recrea
tion, but rather on account of the shape of the town which
is long and narrow and composed of four villages, which pre
vents the gathering of the public buildings at any place which
accommodates the town. There was a small library owned by
each district which was placed in some farmhouse near the
schoolhouse and to which the scholars had access and the
privilege of reading the books. These were specially adapted
for instruction to the school children and no provision was
made for the adult portion of the community.
About 1900 a library was purchased by private subscrip
tion and placed in the residence of Roswell S. Fox, and the
use of the books was for the benefit of all who wished to read
them. The existence of this library was of short duration as
that same year the town appropriated $200 for the purpose
of establishing a town library. The schoolhouse at the Center
had become vacant, the school being removed to a larger build
ing, and the lower story had been arranged for town offices.
The upper room was provided with shelves and cases, and
books purchased. The Massachusetts Free Library Committee
furnished 120 volumes and a large number of books were pre
sented by individuals.
Library stations have been established at Collinsville, the
Navy Yard village, Kenwood and East Dracut, where card
catalogues are placed and the books conveyed w-hich permits
the distribution of the books in all parts of the town. A small
room, formerly a cloak room, is used for a meeting place for
the trustees and a reference room. On its shelves are placed
encyclopedias, genealogical records, vital records of the towns
in this state and books of reference and general information
which may be consulted at the library, but are not for general
distribution. A former recitation room, being vacant, has been
arranged with cabinets in which are placed articles which are
usually found in museums. In addition to articles of curiosity,
a collection of old household utensils, farming tools, military
equipment, stuffed birds and animals and geological specimens
has been made.
The control of the library is in the hands of a board of
trustees numbering six members who represent the different

240 HISTORY OF DRACUT
parts of the town. The officers elected each year are a chair
man and secretary who must be a member of the board. The
trustees employ a librarian and assistant who cannot legally
be members of the board. The call for gifts of books met with
a hearty response, also gifts of curiosities for the museum.
The town has, for several years, appropriated $1,000 for its
support, which enables the trustees to purchase the latest books.
The trustees have been instrumental in completing work which
would be beneficial to the town. They secured the printing of
the vital records of the town previous to 1850, which may be
found in the state libraries of every state in the United States,
also in every town and college library in Massachusetts. A fund
known as the Eddy fund, to which the state makes an annual
appropriation of money, enables the towns to publish these
records with the expenditure of a small sum of money.

GEORGE W. COBURN

<See Page 378)

CHAPTER XIV.
ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES
THE first settlers north of the river needed few highways.
In this vicinity they lived near the north side of the river,
consequently one or possibly two roads leading to the place of
crossing were all that were needed. As the number of their
cattle increased it created a demand for hay for winter use,
and as English hay had not been introduced their dependence
was upon the meadows for their supply. The low land about
the first settlement was not sufficient to produce hay enough,
but on Double Brook, Beaver Brook and Long Pond there were
swamps which, when cleared of bushes, furnished a sufficient
quantity. Cart roads were made leading to these meadows which
later were laid out and became the present highways.
Previous to the time when Webb disposed of his holdings,
he requested the selectmen of Chelmsford to lay out a road
from his house to Chelmsford common. The answer to his peti
tion is recorded :
"Mr. John Web Desiring A high Way from his farme over
meremack River Towards Chelmsford the Selectmen Consider
ing thereof have appointed William fletcher and James parker
to Laye Out the Same, And the aforesd William and James
make thare Returns to the selectmen that they have Deter
mined The aforesd way to Begin at meremack River where
Mr. John Web made his Ware [weir] And so to be of a Seficant
Bredth for Carting And to Run throw to the Comon Witness
In the Name of the selectmen the 29th:7:1668. Sam '11 Adams
Recorder. ' '
This appears to have been satisfactory to the famiUes
of the Coburns and Varnums for several years but in 1710
the owner of the land on the south side of the river attempted
to close the road. The settlers in Dracut desiring only their
rights petitioned the General Court as follows: "To the Hon-
ord Court of ye Generil sessions of the peace Holden by her

242 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Majestyes Justices in & for ye County of Mddlx June ye 13
1710 at Concord. The petition of severil of the Inhabitants of
the Plantations called Draucutt scituat upon the Northerly side
of Mirrimack river Humbly sheweth. That where as your peti
tioners as also our predecessors of ye fore cited place have
for now fourty yeares peacebly enjoyed the free use of away
to travil & go to Chelmsford over merimack river at ye landing
place against ye now dwelling house of Joseph Coleburn the
wch way went from sd landing place cross ye farme wch did
formerly belong to major Hinchman, the wch way as we ap
prehend is in the same place where it was layd out by order
of the selectmen of Chelmsford and is more convenient upon
severil accounts then any other place fer landing our boat both
from winds and Ice in the season of ye year as also that place
is more convenient to defend the Boat from ye Enemies if
assaulted there being no other house fortyfied at ye river but sd
Colburns there being nine or ten houses near thereto all which
desire the way may be there being the principle part of sd
plantation. But there is now one Jonathan Howard a cuccussor
upon the sd farm of major Hinchman doth stop us in our pass
ing in sd way by fencing us from going there when we did
apprehend was our right to go. And therefore we your poor
petitioners Humbly beg and desire of this Honored Court to
consider our Condition and order something to be done to effect.
Daniell Coburn
Joseph Coburn
in the name of the rest"
The answer to the petition was favorable as a brief report
of the court will show: "July ye 30 1710 The Court Consider
ing the danger of laying sd way any where else Especially in
time of War Order that the sd way be Continued and used as
it is now Till this Court Shall See Cause to alter the same and
sd Dracut men to pay costs."
The Howard farm mentioned in the petition afterward
came into possession of Dr. J. C. Ayer. An old path still leads
under the railroad bridge to the river and a ferry existed later
at this place. The second record to be found is in the files of
the Middlesex County Court of General Sessions and is endorsed,

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 243
"A Copy of the Highways in Dracut." And again in a later
handwriting, "Coppy of Laying out Roads in the Town of
Dracutt." The copy was made by Ephraim Hildreth, who became
town clerk in 1713, and appears to embody the records of two
of his predecessors, Daniel Colburn, clerk in 1710, and John
Varnum, clerk in 1711-12. The record gives the historian very
little information as the locations of points given are forgotten
and some of these projected roads may never have had an ex
istence, but as a literary curiosity, showing the spelling, lack
of punctuation marks and the abscence of the rules governing
the use of capital letters which were not made until a century
and a quarter later, it is given in full.
"The Committey that was chose Began at the Eastly and
[easterly end] at the hill coled flage mado hill then they begon
To lay out ways and so went over the brook and by marymack
Reuer untel they Came all a Long By marcked Trees — then
Returned Back a gain to a Dam Coled John Varnums Dam By
marymack Reuer — then Begon a gain over this Dam or very
near it and so went along to the East side of a hill that is
near Petockit mado over a lettel plain and so between two hills
to Beuer Brook fals — then a lettel father and then By the Log
fence untell wie came to Sardint [Sergeant] Hildreths house —
then wee Returned a gain to the top of the hill Near the Brook
that runs into the field — then we went towards Mr. wentrops
farm and so laid the way the Lots men untell we came to a
Brook near meremack all along by and with marcked trees—
and allso we Began the Way at Dunstable line a Bout a pine
tree By the path so run thru the Varnums land over Carletts
[Scarlets] Brook and through the Colburns here and by two
Round ponds and a Ion Down the hill to John Colburns hous
as is marcked and Bounded and so Runs two Rod and a half
wide By the Houses Deches and By a dech Coled Sethell Dech
tel thay came to a Brook in Joseph Colburns Land that Runs
into Sechels meado and Cros a lot of his land till it corns to
Run between Daniel Colburn and Samawell Colburn and so
to Run on tiU it Corns to Varnums fence a long by Joseph
Varnums orchard and along thru the varnums land By

244 HISTORY OF DRACUT
flag a mado hillside on his south side — to Disstinglesh the
hige way that coms from merymack Reuer by the Lotmens at
a destance By Ephraim Hildreth hous by the East side of the
hill by petocket mado through the varnums thrugh the Col
burns Land Near there houses through huts to Dunstable Une —
allso a way Laid out for Ephraim Hildreth through Mr. belsher
or how so euer it is to his twelve acars of meado — and allso a
way Laid out to the meado which goes by the Name of the Grat
or furder meados by the Colburns and Varnums meado we be
gon this Way at the Contry Rode By the ministrers thirty
acars Lot and so runs on the olde way to wegwom Bredg to
Beauer Broock Brege and there Runs on the west side of meado
once coaled allcokes and so Runs on to the olde way a gainst
the plain that Is beyond Doble Berege and Keeps on the olde
way over the meado Brock and to the New meado — we laid
out the old way that hath Ben improved all by marcked trees
Dracuett in the year 1711 over the Brock Caled Clay pet Brock
which Comes out of the Sprouce Swampt on the East side of
it there we begon and laid out a way frum the hige way that
Runs By the Dech and a long Near the Brock alettel space
off unteU it Come a gain the old f ordway and so Runs on a lettel
hill and By the End of the Long Pond mado — and allso a
nother way weay laid out for the propehietrs. On the same
place that is from the Country Rode a long the old way to
Barmado [Bear meadow] then to sprouce Swampt mado and
Consearing the Spang that is Eaza Colburn Junior that Runs
out of the New mados a way laid out fer footmen and horsmen
to Goo ouer and fer Carts on the Norwesterly End at a Narro
place Daniel Colburn town Clark— the Country Rode from the
meting house as to the Gompos Lots ear marckt — a corb way
Beginning at Joseph Colburns hous a long by the Reuer to
Thomas Varnums land to the Bank of the Dech So Roning
northerly Crosing Brocke so roning Northeast of the North
side of the orchard One Rod and a half wide from thence in a
open Rode to Doble Brock mado as trees ear marcked — also a
Rode from the hieway that Runes to Dunstable By John Col
burns hous a long by the Dech on the North side of it to the
Wastward corner of it as it is Bounded — the way that Begings
at John varnums Dam that is by the Reuer and so Rones down

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 245
to Beuear Brock By petockit foles Is a corbway and Not a open
Rode — also a Rode that Begins a hieway at Beuer foles Runing
Norwest to the old mado way a Bout two Rod and a half wide.
Allso a Rode Beginning at the Rode that goes to the Colburns
Newmeados so Runing northward near the Varnums and Col
burns old mado Crossing a Brock Between two letel hills as tis
marcked By trees so Running By marcked trees to the farm
that was Richard Collecockts on Goldings Brook that Runing
Eastwardly thru the farm that was Negros [Negus'] — allso the
Rode that gose to the old mados which Is the Colburns and
varnums Is to go to euery lot allso there is full liberty and
preulig to sled hay ouer the olde meados In winter time from
Golding meados Collecots Retten with Derection with two of the
Committy that Layd out the Rods and ways that ear here named
Dracut april the third in the year 1711 John Varnum town CI
Witness
Danil Colburn
Joseph Varnum
Etast
Ephraim Hildreth Town Clerk."
As many of these locations are unknown except to a few
who have made a study of them, a reference to them will assist
the reader in placing them; possibly there will be the same
information in other chapters. Flag Meadow HiU is the weU-
known site of the Lowell General Hospital and the meadow
lies on the northeast side. John Varnum 's dam was at the
narrow place in the river at the foot of the rapids, near the
textile school. The road from the dam to Beaver brook falls
must have been Riverside street. But a road appears to have
been laid out nearer the river towards the mouth of Beaver
brook. In the report of a committee on fishing rights on the
river, made in 1817, they quote from a town record, now miss
ing, that "a road was laid out by the town commtfty from
Flag Meadow Hill to the mouth of Beaver Brook." Also from
the present town records that the town "made an agreement
with Joseph Varnum and Joseph Varnum Jr. to discontinue

246 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the said road from the lower hole so called to the mouth of
Beaver Brook. ' '
Sergeant Ephraim Hildreth is supposed to have lived near
the residence of his great grandson, Dr. Israel Hildreth, near
the Hildreth cemetery, and the road from his house to the falls
would be Hildreth and Pleasant Streets. "Then we returned
to the top of the hill" that is to Hovey Square, and the "way
to Mr. Winthrops' would be by way of Pleasant and Arlington
streets, as at present. The road from Dunstable line across Scar
let's brook and through the Colburn property would appear to
be what is now Varnum avenue, the brook in Joseph Colburn 's
land being Clay Pit brook. Pawtucket meadow was near the
junction of Beaver brook with the river. The way for Mr.
Hildreth to get to his meadow was very likely the present right-
of-way leading from Greenmont avenue to the rifle range. The
way from the minister's lot to the Great meadows was appar
ently what was called the Old Meadow road leading over the
bridge, which crosses the brook above the site of the paper mill
and which was then called Wigwam bridge.
Alcock 's meadows were on the brook north of Lakeview
avenue where the pumping station is located. "Doble Bridge"
is not identified, but was possibly across Beaver brook, near
Double brook. The way to Double brook meadow and Long
Pond meadow was Totman road and Nashua road. "Gompos
lots" laid on the west side of Beaver brook in Pelham, but the
road to them is difficult to identify, although a portion of it
would appear to be Mammoth road at Double Brook meadow.
The road from Beaver falls, northwest to the Old Meadow road,
must have been Hampson street. "Corb" is an obsolete form
of curb and a corbway was a road probably over a swampy
place, or the edge of a bank protected at the sides by a curb
ing of stone or logs to prevent teams from leaving the road.
Bear Meadow lies northerly of Varnum avenue and is now
crossed by the present line between Lowell and Tyngsboro and
is southwest of Huckleberry hill. "Consearing the spang" is
difficult to explain although a spang was a point of meadow
projecting into the upland. Golding's brook is an outlet of
Corbett's pond in Windham and enters Beaver brook about a
quarter of a mile northeast of Pelham Center. The ' ' farme that

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 247
was Richard CoUecockte's" laid in the angle at the junction of
the two brooks just mentioned.
The duties of the committee which had been appointed to
select locations for the roads ceased with the year 1710, as at
this time another committee which had divided the territory
into lots were authorized to lay out highways, a duty for which
they were qualified on account of their knowledge of the loca
tion of the lots. In 1721 the committee laid out a road to Haver-
hiU, this last named town adjoining Dracut on the east. The
general direction is easy to determine, and a part of the road
is in existence after a lapse of nearly two centuries. They re
port as follows : "march the 25 1721
a highway Laid out in Dracut in middlesex in new england
in the reserved Land at a place called Prims Lott and Highin-
sons Land two or three Rod wide as it is here platted out
with heaps of stones and trees biassed with 2 blasses next the
highway beginning westerly at Winthrops farm with heaps of
rocks running easterly over Rocky Land then turning partly
northeasterly with trees marked down a hill of a plain then
running partly easterly on the north side of the little pond
hole so continuing easterly to the mine pit hill on the north
side of another pond hole also on the north side of the mine pit
hill on the north side of another pond with a little crooke also
on the north side of the mine pit then running northeasterly
on the south side of a spruce bog in Higginsons Land then
turning partly easterly to the east line of Dracutt Town this
is a country Road from Dracutt to Haverhill Laid out and
plotted and recorded by a Committy for said worke
Ezekiel Cheever
Joseph Varnum
James Fales"
In 1711, as before mentioned, the committee had laid out
a road to Winthrop Farm and partly across it to the brook
near the former residence of Dana Richardson, below Kenwood
schoolhouse. It is probable that the new road connected with

248 HISTORY OF DRACUT
this one, constituting the present travelled highway as far east
as the cross road on which the Varnum burying ground is lo
cated. From this cross road to the George W. Coburn place,
the road is of more recent date of location. The road to Haver
hill, above mentioned, turned to the north between the Varnum
houses and continued about 40 rods nearly to the brook in the
hollow, then turned in an easterly and northeasterly direction
to the north side of the Mine Pit hill. The present road to the
nickel mine starts from the present highway about a quarter
of a mile east of the cross road on which the Varnum cemetery
is located and reaches the old road before coming to the mine
pit. It continues onward over the top of a ridge which forms
one of the glacial eskers which have already been described,
then running northeasterly it reaches a cross road which runs
parallel with the last mentioned, terminating at the farm for
merly owned by Otis Whittier. At the present time it is sel
dom travelled, but it is within the recollection of people now
living when it formed a means of communication between Dracut
and Haverhill, now Methuen.
With the record there exists a very primitive drawing con
sisting of two rows of dots to represent the road with two small
circles to give the location of the pond holes and which also
shows the location of the mine pit. December 22, 1795, the
town voted to "throw up the town way that leads from a black
oak tree standin about 40 rods northerly of Col. Joseph Bradley
Varnum 's house and from thence eastwardly toward Benjamin
Varnums house as far as to a white oak tree at a pair of bars
sixty nine rods west of sd Benjamin Varnums house and accept
in the room thereof a way laid out by Colonel Joseph B. Var
nums house and through his land to Benjamin Varnums land
to the road and bound above mentioned." All traces of this
road which was discontinued are obliterated, but at the place
between the Varnum Cemetery and the brook where the black
oak tree stood, there is now a pair of bars while the end of the
road where the white oak stood is near the farm formerly owned
by the late George W. Coburn. A measurement of sixty-nine
rods west of the Coburn house above mentioned terminates at
a pair of bars where is now a farm road which was probably
the end of the discontinued highway.

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 249
Another road is described as follows:
"March 25 1721 * * * beginning near the Colburns old
meado Brook northerly of the spruce swamp which belongs to
them so running northerly by trees marked then running more
easterly to miry brook called Tonys brook then running south
easterly to Smiths meado which is Caleb Modys meado bounded
with trees marked and heaps of rocks on rocks northeasterly
crossing Island tree pond brooke near the south side of Gould-
ings farm where the upland almost meets then running north
easterly on the southern end and eastward side of Spruce swamp
to the Lotts upon Goldings brooke as far as the ledge of rocks
and to the several lotts upon the Distracted meadows also a
highway running northerly out of the above said highway to
Joseph Varnums meadow upon Collicutts farm laid out plotted
and recorded by us Commity for said worke. Ezekiel Cheever
Joseph Varnum
James Fales."
In addition to the record there is an old plan at the top of
which Beaver and Gouldings brooks are shown with seven lines
to indicate small brooks and "slows," as they are called, run
ning north into the larger brooks. The first is the New and Old
Meadow brook, which is the Capt. Gilbert Coburn saw mill brook
which crosses the County road north of the state line. The sec
ond is Tony's brook which enters Beaver brook a little west
of the County road below the stone bridge. The third is Island
tree pond brook. This is now called Gage's brook, but formerly
Island Pond brook, and in this plan and other places the word
tree is found for which no explanation can be given. At the
place where the highway crosses this brook, "the place where
the upland meets, ' ' exactly describes this crossing at the present
time and it is noticeable that the old highways followed the
high land thus avoiding swamps and meadows.
Fourth, "the Brooke running westerly out of the Distracted
meadows into Goldings brooke." These meadows are north of
Gage Hill, lying in Pelham and Windham, and the brook runs
into Simpson's pond, then caUed Ledge of Rocks pond. The
spruce swamp first mentioned is north of Coburn 's New Meadow

250 HISTORY OF DRACUT
brook and the Old Meadows and is crossed by the County road
about half a mile north of the State line. The second spruce
swamp lies north of Gage Hill road. This describes the road
as beginning at the former Lyon farm on Sawmill or New
Meadow brook and forms the present County road to Pelham
Center until it reaches the Oscar Carlton farm, when it turns
sharply to the north and again to the east and continues on
through the Atwood district to Gage Hill. It appears to have
been an extension and relocation of a road laid out in 1711 to
the Caldicot and Negus grants. The road leading from this
highway to "Joseph Varnums meadow" exists only as a right
of way above the Atwood farms which is used by farmers to
reach the Goulding Brook meadows.
The ledge on the road above the first mentioned spruce
swamp is referred to in Morrison's "History of Windham." A
family by the name of McAdams recently arrived from Scot
land, while on their way to Londonderry, arrived at this ledge
on Saturday night. In accordance with their principles to do
no labor or travelling on the Sabbath, they rested here over
the day and held religious services in the shelter of the ledge.
This must have occurred about 1740 and their route was prob
ably by this same road over Gage hill to the settlements near
Corbett's Pond. March 25, 1721, a highway was laid out for
the owners of the Gumpus lots to enable them to reach their
meadows and to give access to the meadows north of Gage Hill
from the west of Dracut. It ran easterly from the Gumpus lots
nearly to Beaver brook, then the record shows that it turned
northerly upon a pine plain to a convenient place to make a
bridge over Beaver brook and then ran "on the north side of
Collicuts and Golding farm to the meadow on Goldings brook."
This describes the present road from Gumpus district to Pelham
Center and northward towards Windham.
In recording the laying out of the road to Cedar pond, the
whole record will be given: "March 25, 1721, A highway laid
out esterly of Belshers Farm then running easterly to Seader
pond Meadowes on ye north side of ye two Hundred acres
Layed out for account of ye river Lootes, so running easterly
on ye south sid of Antonnes Land and Joseph Varnums Land
below rigge hill turning through Inggoles Land then turning

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 251
north easterle to Seader Pond Meadows" This was what is
known as the Proprietors road. It is discontinued but used as
a right of way to reach land not lying on any highway. It is
south of and running parallel with Marsh Hill road and is
north of the Dracut reservoir. A part of this road forms the
road from Marsh Hill to east Dracut. "also anouther road
Layed out westerly of cheevers and curtises Land so running
north easterly by William Colbons house Loot to Seader Pond
Meadows road."
The road leading past Curtis' land and William Coburn 's
house lot appears to have been what is now a part of Broad
way, but as it was relocated in 1736 it cannot be definitely
located. But as the Curtis' house was later owned by James
Fox, now the residence of Moses A. Daigle, and the William
Coburn house lot was in the vicinity of the J. W. Thissell,
now George R. Fox farm, the road must have been near the
present one.
March 25, 1721, "A road laid out in the reserved lands
lying at the north side of Colburns New Meadows running
easterly then northerly upon the upland on the west side of
Ingalls meadow to the lots that lye northward of the Colburns
new meadows and so running across the southward of the lots
to Cedar Pond road." Colburn 's New Meadows were north of
Marsh Hill and were south of the lots, so that this must have
been the present road north of the State line and running
parallel with Marsh Hill road. It evidently did not reach the
last named road on Burns ' Hill as at present, but connected with
the old Cedar Pond road, near the farm formerly owned by
Franklin C. Wilson. An old road runs through the woods from
the Reuben Richardson farm to this point which was discon
tinued to be succeeded by the present one to Burns' Hill.
Rigge Hill was probably an esker in this vicinity. The
way running north from Fox avenue to connect with the Cedar
Pond road was not the present road which now passes the
Dracut reservoir but a road parallel with the present one and
lying on the west of the Worcester, now D. S. Fox farm. As
already recorded, Belcher owned the tract west of the farm
just mentioned. In 1736, he sold a parcel of this land to Hugh
Jones of Wilmington. It was bounded on the east by a line

252 HISTORY OF DRACUT
220 rods in length lying on a road. This would extend from
Fox avenue near the house of Albert N. Fox to a point near
the house of Eugene C. Fox where it must have connected with
the Cedar Pond road. No trace of this road exists.
In 1756 the town voted "to accept of the town way on
the east side of the land of John Taylor his homestead," which
was later the Worcester or D. S. Fox farm, for the high way
that was laid out on the west side of Taylors land, provided,
"that the said Taylor will give a sufficient security to the
widow Rebekah Hildreth and her heirs to pass and repass to
her meadow. ' ' Thus the road laid out in 1736 was discontinued
and the present one located which was the highway to Lowell
until the present County road was laid out. In 1788 this old
road was laid out to reach the new Marsh Hill road nearly
opposite the David Fox, now Clinton W. Fox house.
Totman Road
The old house known as the Blood or Durkee house between
Varnum avenue and the river stands on an old highway which,
leading to Webbs Ferry, afterward owned by Edward Coburn,
must be considered the second oldest road in the town. In 1668,
the date of Webb 's petition recorded in this chapter, the country
lying north of this section was a wilderness, but soon the grants
about the northern part of the present territory of the town
were settled and Pelham and Londonderry were incorporated.
All communication with the towns on the south side of the river
was by way of this ferry and Totman road was the most direct
way by which these settlers could reach Boston. Little is known
of the settlement of families on this road and the land border
ing on the highway does not appear to have been cultivated
in earlier years to any extent except in the vicinity of Varnum
avenue until it reaches the Nashua road. It was called Zeel
road, as the home of Barzillai Lew was located there. It thus
became the great highway for the towns north of Dracut and
continued so until the laying out of the Mammoth Road.
The Indians who lived at Pawtucket Falls doubtless fol
lowed this course to Long Pond and the settlers later found it
convenient to use this same Indian trail which was in time the
highway or, as Richard Hazen in his diary calls it, the ' ' path. ' '

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 253
The Jonas Varnum house, now owned by Mr. Cameron, was
built when the old road leading from the present Nashua road
to the Mammoth road was the travelled road, as the front of
the house indicates, but the locating of the Mammoth road left
it on an unused road. Over this old road and through Totman
road the soldiers hurried to the rendevous at the Lexington
alarm, at the Durkee house, then belonging to Abraham Blood,
and the level fields about the old house was the training ground.
The Osgood house near Charles H. Cutter's, and owned by him
and the Capt. Peter Coburn house, still standing north of Col-
linsviUe, were on old roads which later became parts of the
Mammoth road. The occupants of the Osgood house would
reach Clark's ferry by way of the old Meadow road, while Capt.
Coburn would travel over Totman road to Webbs', afterward
Coburn 's ferry. The Solomon Abbott house north of Joseph
Varnum 's, formerly Nat. Varnum 's, would stand on the Iridian
trail leading to Long Pond.
The Old Meadow Road
The first settlers were able to obtain only a limited quantity
of hay in the vicinity of the river. They depended entirely on
meadow hay, as the raising of hay on the uplands was unknown
for several years. They located meadows and swamps north
on New Boston village on Beaver brook, and proceeded to pre
pare a cartpath for the transportation of the hay to their barns.
This was the first road to be used as a highway in the town
and commenced on Varnum avenue running north and turning
to the east crossing what is now Mammoth road, near the end
of the electric car line, it reaches Hampson street and again
turning north it crossed Beaver brook, near Meadow bridge.
This was the fordway and the road continued practically as
at present to the meadows above mentioned. As swampy or
boggy land was difficult to cross, long detours were made, which
accounts for the present crooked road.
Ferry Lane
From the first establishment of a ferry near Central bridge
a way of access across the river from the Center would be re
quired. This way existed at a very early date and was known

254 HISTORY OF DRACUT
as Ferry Lane. It led from the Center through what is now
known as Aiken avenue to the Hildreth Cemetery where it
connected with the road from Hovey Square and thence through
Hildreth street to near the house formerly owned by Warner
Coburn. From this point it ran southwesterly to the river and
probably on the river bank to the ferry. That portion of the
way between West Sixth street and Lakeview Avenue is still
in existence and forms a passageway between the two streets.
It lies at the south end of what is called Bunker Hill. The
water main from the pumping station which crosses the bed of
the river is laid through this lane. There was no public way
from the Navy Yard village to connect with this lane until
after a century or more had alapsed, although private ways
might have existed. As late as 1851, when a part of Central
viUe was annexed to Lowell and monuments were erected on
the line that part of Hildreth street was called Ferry Lane.
What is now Aiken avenue from the stone house easterly to the
Center was laid out and accepted by the town in 1794.
The present Hildreth street was laid out in 1735 "from
the end of Left. Colburn 's stone wall by Left [Josiah] Rich
ardson's house to Hunts ferry whence we turned down the river
to a Stake and stones just below the lowest landing place com
monly used. Thence turning back up the River in said Rich
ardsons land to the side of Wilcassons Brook." An agreement
was made with Lieut. John Colburn by which he would claim
no damages from the laying out of the road. Until very recent
years there was an open brook from Hildreth street near Coburn
street to Merrimack river, its outlet being above Central bridge
a short distance. Reference is made to this brook in the chapter
on "Early Grants."
It soon became necessary to lay out another highway to
accommodate the settlers in the eastern part of the town. "Jan.
6, 1748. A way laid out from the town way that leads from Rob
ert Hildreths Ferry to Ephraim Halls house. Beginning by
the said town way 2 rods north from Robert Hildreths North
west corner of his homestead eastward through Stephen Woods
land to John Barrons land near the house he purchased of
Joseph Chamberlain, then eastwardly to the east corner of
Ephraim Richardsons house, then eastward to the town way

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 255
by Ephraim HaUs house to the way that is cleared up nearby. ' '
This is the present Tenth street and old Methuen road over
the hill. The Ephraim Richardson house was later the residence
of Jonathan Fox, now owned by his son, John C. Fox. Ephraim
Hall lived on the western part of what was later the farm
owned by the late George KeUey. In 1835, when the cities of
Lowell and Lawrence were becoming thickly settled, better
accommodations for communication between them were de
manded. To accomplish this Methuen street was opened from
Seventh street, and, skirting the base of the higher part of the
hill, it crossed Tenth street and formed the present highway to
Lawrence. Coburn street was accepted as a public street this
same year. In 1773, the town voted to lay out a road which is
now the road through New Boston over Marsh Hill from Col
linsville to East Dracut. As it is interesting to know who the
owners of the land were at that time, a copy of the record is
given :
"From Joseph Hambletts mill eastwardly up the hill
towards Hambletts dwelling house then northerly through Jacob
Colburns land to John Hambletts land and Joseph Hambletts, up
the hiU to Jonathan Colburns corner, through Timothy Colburns
land and Jonathan Colburns land to his dwelling house, then
easterly through the path now trod till it comes easterly to
Jonathan Crosby Jrs house, then running on the southerly side
of Jonathan Crosbys dwelling house through Crosbys land up the
hill so easterly in the path now trod through Crosby and Caleb
Barkers land till it comes out to the town way between said Caleb
Barkers land and Robert Wrights house, then turning southerly
up said way and thus out of said way into Mr. Jacob Barkers
land on the northerly side of said Barkers orchard, then through
Barkers running southeastwardly, then more eastwardly till it
comes down to the meadow then across the meadow in the line
between said Jacob and Caleb Barkers to Jacob Barkers land,
then through Jacob Barkers land to David Fox's land then
through Fox's land on the southerly side of Fox's orchard to land
of Ephraim Coburn and others then through said land to John
Bowers land, still easterly then running through Ephraim Curtis
land so on to Miles Flint land and between Flint's house and barn

256 HISTORY OF DRACUT
still running eastwardly through FUnt's land and Hugh Jones
land to Stephen RusseUs land to a Great Rock on the north side
of said road, still running easterly on the southward side of said
RusseUs House Fraim till it comes to George Burns land then up
the hill through said Burns land eastward till we come to
Thomas Taylors land. Then through Thomas Taylors land,
Timothy Fryes and Benjamin Frenchs land to land of heirs of
Joseph Chamberlain, through said heirs land to the path north
easterly in the said path to John Gilchreas and to the town way
to Samuel Mansurs."
The present road over Primrose Hill, reaching the meadow
road near the Edmund Coburn house, is as at first located. It
is probable that it crossed the present road and continued east to
the house formerly owned by John W. Peabody as this was the
Jonathan Coburn place. The late SeweU Crosby informed the
writer that a house once stood on this road, now a field, and he
assisted in filling the cellar. Frequently when plowing this field
stones were turned out which were worn by wagon wheels.
Consequently the road now running by Rockwood D. Coburn 's
house must have been laid out more recently and the old road
across the field discontinued. The old Crosby house was torn
down about 1860 and stood near the present one. It was built
in the old one-story style and stood there until the present one
was erected. Robert Wright's house stood near the corner where
this road reaches Colburn avenue. David Fox's farm was later
the Darius L. Fox farm, Miles Flint's house was on or near the
Peabody farm and Stephen Russell's land was later the Hall
farm, now owned by Bert A. Cluff. The John Gilchrist house
was east of Burns' Hill and on the westerly side of the cross
road leading to Pelham.
On account of the war of the Revolution, work on the road
was suspended and it appears to have been finished in sections.
In 1808, that section from the Fox Farm on Marsh HiU to
Colburn avenue was completed. In 1737 a road was laid out
from "Abraham Varnums to Nottingham line." This is the
present Nashua road from Justus Richardson's to Hudson, then
called Nottingham West. Many of the older houses were erected
before these highways were constructed. The Jonas Varnum

HENRY VARNUM

(See Page 4^2 )

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 257
house near Double brook, later the Cameron farm and the Capt.
Peter Coburn house both now on the Mammoth road were old
houses many years before the present highway existed. An old
highway leads from the Cameron farm to the Nashua road by
which Webb's or Coburn 's Ferry at Pawtucket falls could be
reached, while a road near the old Osgood house led to Clark's or
Varnum 's Ferry. Until recently ceUars could be seen near Long
Pond far from any highway, but there are indications that a path
led to the Robert Mills or Joseph Varnum houses and this could
be used by the occupants of the Capt. Peter Coburn house.
"Clough City," in the northeastern part of the town, is on a
short road leading from the highway to North Pond. From the
end of this road, a path, said to have once been a town road,
leads to the east side of Island Pond past the May place, on
which one May lived about 1830, and so northeasterly to Gage
Hill, a distance of over a mile.
The New County Road.
This was laid out about 1828 and led from the New
Hampshire towns to Central Bridge which had recently been
built. Some sections of this road had been for many years a part
of the old stage road and, connected by new sections, formed the
new County road which is an extension of Bridge street. The
section from above the swamp, north of the Pelham line, souther
ly to Greenmont avenue, was new. From this point to Pleasant
street an old road had existed which is mentioned in a deed
covering the site of the Dracut Centre Church building and dates
back at least to 1786. From Pleasant street to the point where
Hildreth and Bridge streets meet the street is new, while from
this point to central bridge it was the old Bradley Ferry road.
In 1847, Willard street from "Dry Bridge hill" on Bridge
street to Broadway, leading through the town farm was laid out
and that part of Broadway from Willard street to Moses Daigle's
house was also opened probably about this time. The town farm
buildings were, previous to 1847, in a field at the end of Poor
Farm Lane, now ArUngton avenue, and access to Bradley's
Ferry was, until this time, by way of a farm road to the northerly
end of Tenth street. In 1827 the road from the Navy Yard to
Bradley's Ferry, now Lakeview avenue, was only a footpath, and

258 HISTORY OF DRACUT
as late as 1837 Sladen street was only a cart path through the
woods. In 1841 a petition was presented for the opening of a
road from the Navy Yard village to Central Bridge.
Several routes were projected and opposed, and finally
Sladen street from Pleasant street to Center street (Now
Lakeview avenue) was laid out. The first proposition was to
open a street from Simeon Flint's store to Center street. This
would extend from Brookside street near the bridge at the mill
and reach to Aiken avenue. The town accepted the street and
awarded damages but as it would accommodate only a small num
ber, it was decided to change the location. Two years later, a
second one was surveyed, accepted and damages awarded. This
was where the present street now passes the car barns and it was
to be extended north to reach the road to Ames Mills, now
Lakeview avenue, above the Navy Yard. This was also unsatis
factory and the location again changed to the present one, now
Sladen street and Lakeview avenue.
At a town meeting held December 22, 1746, the town voted
to choose a committee to present a petition to the General Court,
requesting them to confirm "all the ways or roads to the town
that was laid out by any Committee in said town and not laid
out by the selectmen of the town. ' ' At the same meeting a pro
test was entered by Joseph, Abraham, Samuel, Joseph, Jr.,
Thomas and John Varnum. The reasons for the protest were in
substance : First, no particular roads or time of location were
specified. Second, it is not consistent with the honor and dignity
of the General Court to interfere in such trifling matters. Third,
it is an injustice to the General Court to act upon things blind
fold, uncertain and unintelligible. Fourth, the manner of calling
the meeting was erroneous. It was called to meet on the 22d of
December, at 9 o 'clock. It does not state whether the forenoon or
evening is intended and consequently voters might be prevented
from attending. The protest was evidently heeded as no further
action by the town is on record.
In 1747, the town voted "to accept of a highway four rods
wide all along by Merrimack river from the upper end of
Pawtucket upper falls to the lower part of Pawtucket lower
falls at a place called the lower hole to a stone wall and from
thence 2 rods wide to the town way that leads from Col. Joseph

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 259
Varnums house to the meeting house. ' ' The same persons who
had signed the first protest appeared and intimating that the
action of the town was for promoting the welfare of the few at
the expense of many entered a protest giving as reasons: First,
the road, if laid out, did not lead to any particular place, and the
land was not town property. Second, it was impracticable to make
the way passable. Third, it was not a convenience or necessity,
but is prejudicial to the private interests of particular persons.
Fourth, it would be of great cost and damage to the town.
Fifth, it had not been requested by any inhabitants of the town
or presentation of a petition. As there are no traces of a road by
the river below the Textile School and by the falls we must infer
that the town heeded the protest and abandoned the project.
A difference in the manner of locating highways in the
early days and the present system is noticeable. Swamps and
hills were avoided and longer distances considered preferable as
the knowledge of road building was meagre. Yet in some cases
the road would be carried over almost impassable hills to
accommodate someone desiring a residence on elevated land and
teams for many years would travel over these hills until new ones
with less grade were constructed. The County in the early part
of the last century, estabUshed the principal highways, but re
pairs were made by the town. Under the present system
the State and County appropriate money to assist the towns in
building new roads or repairing those already in use. The build
ing of Pawtucket bridge in 1792 and Central bridge in 1825
caused a marked change in the location of the highways. Until
this time all roads led to the ferries, but new crossings of the
river by means of these bridges, demanded new highways.
In 1792, the Mammoth road as a continuous highway did
not exist, but portions of it called paths were used by the
earlier settlers. The construction of a direct route to the new
bridge included many of those old paths which were connected by
new ones, which together formed the wide highway from the
towns north of Dracut and so leading to Boston, which was the
market town for the farmers. The travel over Totman road to
the ferry was diverted to the new road and the path near Long
Pond was discontinued.

260 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Ferries
The river was a natural barrier which, for many years,
hindered the settlement of the land on the north side of the river.
But as farms were laid out and occupied, ferries came into
existence. For a period of 114 years the only way to cross the
river was on the ice in the winter season or by ferry boats, when
the river was open.
It is difficult to ascertain the exact date when the first ferry
was established, but occasionally they are mentioned in old deeds.
At the opening of this chapter reference is made to a road laid
out by the Selectmen of Chelmsford for the accommodation of
John Webb. It reached the south side of the river in Middlesex
village opposite Webb's house. Naturally when the settlers on
the north of the river had become so numerous as to need an
established ferry, it would be located at this spot where the
Durkee, or Old Ferry Road, as it was called, reached the river.
This was on the land belonging to Edward Colburn, the first per
manent settler who had purchased this part of the Webb land,
and would be used principally by the families of Colburn and
Varnum. Later, but at a date not ascertained, Capt. Jonas Clark
of Chelmsford had a ferry lower down the river, at a point near
the head of the old Middlesex Canal, and just west of the rail
road station at Middlesex village. On the Dracut side the land
ing must have been near the foot of Bedford street. Capt. Clark
owned what is now called the Middlesex tavern. In 1759, he
gave a deed of his farm to his son Timothy, one of the bounds
being "at the Ferry way called Clark's Ferry now in possession
of said Jonas and Timothy." It was a chain ferry and wheeled
vehicles and cattle could be carried across. As the boat was too
heavj- to be propelled by oars, a heavy chain was fastened to the
bank on each side of the river and passed over a wheel at the side
of the boat. Grasping the chain and pulling it caused the boat to
move slowly across. When the ferry was discontinued the chain
was never removed and now lies in the bed of the river.
The earliest mention of a ferry at the location of Central
bridge is found in a deed of conveyance of 100 acres from John
Colburn to Robert Hildreth, dated January 3, 1735. The land
laid wholly on the east side of Bridge street from the river

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 261
to Tenth street and one of the bounds was "a black oak at the
Ferry. ' ' In November of the same year a highway was laid out
from ' ' Lieut. Richardsons house to Mr. Hunts ferry. ' ' This was
Jeremiah Hunt of BiUerica who had the privilege of operating a
ferry across the Concord river and another across the Merrimack.
The highway was practically what is now the lower end of
Hildreth and Bridge streets and has been previously described.
The ferry was known for several years as Hildreth 's ferry, but
passed to the possession of John White who sold, in 1758, to
Solomon Abbott of Andover the land and buildings with all rights
to the ferry. In 1759, Abbott sold! a part of the land and one-half
of the ferry to Daniel Colby, and in 1761, he sold the remaining
half with 57 acres of land, with buildings, to Amos Bradley of
HaverhiU, mentioning the property as purchased of Capt. John
White. Seven years later Bradley purchased from Colby his half
of the ferry with 30 acres of land and dwelling house, near the
river. Bradley's purchase was long known as the Bradley farm,
extending eastward from Bridge street to Beacon street and
from the river to Tenth street. In 1827, Joseph Bradley, son
of Amos, sold the ferry rights to the Central Bridge Corporation
for $1,050. Nehemiah Bradley, a brother of Joseph, was ferry
man, and travellers coming from the Chelmsford side would
attract his attention by calUng or blowing a horn.
On the Chelmsford side the landing was a little below
Central bridge, where the factories of the Massachusetts
Corporation now stand. The highway to Pawtucket bridge being
the present Salem street and the Boston road is now Central
street. The Dracut landing is still in existence and is located
on First street, adjoining Varnum park, and until after 1874, a
legal right-of-way existed on which stands the block at the corner
of Bridge and First streets. Until that time the buildings were
situated at a greater distance from the present sidewalk, and
when the block was erected it was necessary to acquire these ferry
rights. When the bridge was built, the ferry boat was sold to the
town of Tyngsboro, where it was used for a conveyance across the
river until the building of the Tyngsboro bridge, in 1872. It
was then moored to the shore, but during a flood, the pressure of
the water caused the chain to break and it floated down the river
until reaching the falls, it broke in pieces on the rocks.

262 HISTORY OF DRACUT
References in records of deeds are made to ferries of which
no traces can be found and which probably refer to the trans
portation of individuals across the river, but not for vehicles.
In the chapter on Reserved Lands, reference is made to Joseph
Richardson, who purchased land on the river and who owned a
ferry. This is supposed to have been located a short distance
west of Amesbury street, Elsmere, but no further records of its
location or existence can be found. In 1787 and again in 1791,
there was a conveyance of property which was located near the
corner of the Methuen road and Richardson's lane adjoining the
farm of the late Nathan Thissell, on the west. The land con
veyed is described as "on the road from Bradley's ferry to
Richardson 's ferry thus showing that a ferry existed on the river.
At Varnum 's landing, now Belle Grove, a ferry was
established by the Varnums at a date unknown. This was
arranged for the carrying of carriages across the river and the
road from the Varnum houses on Methuen road, leading to the
ferry, is still in use. This was the place selected by Joseph B.
Varnum as the site of a new bridge, providing his petition for the
location of a turnpike had been favorably received to which
reference will be made in this chapter. The cellar of the ferry
house is still near Varnum 's brook on the east side and a few rods
from the river. General Simon Coburn, the grandfather of the
late George B. Coburn, occupied the house and was the ferry
man. No traces of the landing remain, but a right-of-way exists
on the south side of the river on the Hood farm and the roadway
on the north leading to the ferry may be seen crossed by the car
tracks of the electric road. Bridges.
For nearly a century and a half the only way of crossing the
Merrimack river was by ferries. Bridges of logs, and fordways
across Beaver brook, gave means of communication between the
different parts of the town and allowed the farmers to reach their
outlying meadows. But as the population of the town increased,
better accommodations for crossing the river were demanded.
February 1, 1792, a charter was granted to the Middlesex
Merrimack River Bridge Corporation. The stock consisted of
eighty shares and the first meeting was held at the house of Joel

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 263
Spalding. At this meeting, Colonel Loammi Baldwin was elected
President, Parker Varnum, Clerk, and Colonel James Varnum,
Treasurer. At that time the bridges in country towns were
constructed of wood. November 5th, of the same year, the bridge
was opened for travel and a toll-keeper appointed. The
Mammoth road, which had been surveyed and some parts opened
for travel, was now constructed and gave access from New
Hampshire towns by a more direct way to Boston, the nearest
market town. The names of the original Proprietors are :
Parker Varnum Solomon Aiken
James Varnum Samuel Cotton
Thomas Russell William Hildreth Jr.
Bradley Varnum Jeptha Spalding
Jonathan Varnum Josiah Fletcher Jr.
Benjamin French Peter Coburn, Jr.
Jonathan Simpson Nathan Tyler
Louis de Marisquelle Eliakim Wood
Joseph B. Varnum Daniel Coburn
Loammi Baldwin Moses B. Coburn
William Blanchard Asa Richardson
Joel Spalding Oliver Whiting Jr.
John Ford Thomas Beals
Jonathan P. Pollard Ebenezer Hall
Early in the year 1792, work was commenced on the new
bridge, and November 5th of the same year, was the date appoint
ed for the formal opening to the public. Colonel Loammi Baldwin
was chosen as purchasing agent and instructed to purchase one
ton of iron and two barrels of New England rum. The rum was
exhausted before the iron was, as in two months later he was
ordered to procure one barrel of rum and at the same time to
purchase half barrel of W. I. Rum for the proprietors. No
record can be found of the celebration exercises at the formal
opening of the bridge, but at a meeting of the proprietors it was
voted that every one who crossed the bridge that day should be
treated to flip of toddy. The banks in Boston assisted by loans
in the payment of bills. Major Hildreth was empowered to
borrow from the banks the sum of $400, also to purchase one
barrel of W. I. Rum and one quarter of a hundred of sugar. This

264 HISTORY OF DRACUT
was probably to be used at a supper or banquet given in honor of
the completion of the bridge, as an order was given to Col.
Varnum to provide supper for sixty persons at the expense of
the proprietors. The supports of the bridge were of wood, and as they de
cayed the bridge became unsafe for travel, and in 1803 it was
voted to erect stone piers and" abutments, the treasurer to procure
rum and sugar for the workmen. The removal of the supports
revealed the roadway also in a state of decay and in 1804 the
whole structure was rebuilt. In 1807, Major Parker Varnum
succeeded Col. Baldwin as president, James Varnum was elected
treasurer and Asahel Stearns, clerk. The success which attended
the building of Pawtucket bridge, the convenience of crossing the
river in this manner compared with the uncertainty and delay of
ferries and the increased value of land which followed the
erection of the bridge, led to the formation of plans for another
one to be built at some point lower on the river. A petition was
presented to the Legislature by Joseph B. Varnum and others
for permission to build a bridge across the river at the Varnum
farm, where a ferry was operated known as Varnum s ferry, to
which reference has been made, at what is now Belle Grove. A
bridge had been built at what is now Lawrence and was owned by
the Andover and Medford Turnpike Corporation. The proprie
tors of Pawtucket bridge realized that the existence of another
bridge would be the cause of the reduction of their income by
tolls and appointed a committee consisting of Parker Varnum,
John Ford and Asahel Stearns to confer with a committee from
the Andover and Medford Company to oppose the petition. This
petition also included the right to construct a turnpike from New
Hampshire line to Woburn. The petition was granted but the
bridge never constructed.
In 1808, the right to collect the tolls was sold for one year
for $900 to Ebenezer Griffin, payment to be made weekly to the
treasurer of the company. Five years later, in 1813, the incor
poration of a new town was proposed. This was to include all
that portion of Dracut west of a line drawn from the mouth of
Beaver brook to the state line and all that part of Chelmsford
which is now Lowell. In 1807, the bridge company had voted
' ' to give free passage to all persons to any public meeting at the

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 265
West meeting house in Dracut," and this action was continued
from year to year. Apparently to encourage the project of a
new town, the company now voted ' ' to collect no tolls on Sundays
or whenever public meetings were held at the meeting house,"
provided the new town was incorporated. But the opposition
was too great and the project failed.
In 1823, Edward St. Loe Livermore, who lived where St.
John's Hospital now stands, petitioned the Legislature for the
right to erect a bridge at Hunt 's falls. This was opposed by the
Pawtucket Bridge Company and the petition refused. The main
tenance of the bridge was very expensive, as the wooden supports
decayed rapidly. In 1817, the part over the main channel was
rebuilt, and in 1848, the whole structure was renewed, and in
1849, the original name was abolished and the name Pawtucket
bridge was substituted. In 1860, the bridge was declared a pub
lic highway and purchased of the company for $12,000. Of this
sum, Dracut paid $2,000, Lowell $4,000 and the County $6,000.
With the erection of the factories there arose a demand for a
bridge at Bradley 's ferry ; and on February 24, 1825, a company
was incorporated consisting of Joseph Bradley, Benjamin F.
Varnum, Ezekiel Cheever, Abijah Fox, Ezekiel Fox, Peter
Hazelton and others. These were all Dracut residents. All
rights in the Bradley ferry were purchased by them and work on
the bridge commenced. The river at this point is wide and
deep, even at low water. Instead of building coffer dams and
laying the foundation on bed rock, cribs were constructed, filled
with stone and gravel, and sunk, and upon these the piers were
built. The cost of the bridge, was $21,000 and to furnish an in
come to pay expenses and to give the company a revenue, tolls
were collected from those who crossed afoot, from those who
crossed with wheeled vehicles and from drivers of cattle.
According to the Dracut records, the citizens of the town con
sidered the amount charged for tolls excessive and brought suit
against the Central Bridge Company. The directors of the com
pany had purchased the Bradley farm and to encourage people
to buy house lots, agreed to allow all persons living on the land,
or going to the land on business for the owner, to cross the bridge
without paying toll. This was probably one cause of the suit
being brought. This was settled out of court, as on March 4, 1833,

266 HISTORY OF DRACUT ¦
it was voted, "That our representative suspend all further
operations in General Court against the property of Central
Bridge Company provided said proprietors will give them satis
factory assurance that said corporation will reduce these tolls to
the town of Dracut as proposed by the agent of said Corporation,
to wit : to one half of what said corporation now takes, in case of
there being half cents these to go to the Corporation." March
26, 1833, the proprietors voted to comply with the demands of
Dracut on account of great expense in keeping roads in repair
leading to and from the bridge on condition that Dracut should
stop the case against the corporation. Two days later the Legis
lature authorized the Central Bridge Corporation to reduce the
tolls to correspond with those established at Pawtucket Bridge.
April 1, 1833, the town voted to withdraw the suit, but the
arrangements were for several years unsatisfactory, for in 1842
an article was inserted in the warrant, "To see what measures
the town will take to reduce tolls on Central Bridge and to see if
town will vote to petition the Legislature to send a committee in
vested with power to find amount of money the corporation has
taken in tolls and by compounding themselves. ' '
Dissatisfaction continued to exist between the Bridge Corpo
ration and the Town of Dracut, for some years later a committee
was appointed to prevent the City of Lowell from obtaining the
rights of Dracut in Central bridge and this committee was
authorized to demand their books and call for persons and papers
or petition the Legislature to appoint a committee to call upon
the corporation for persons or papers for the purpose of ascertain
ing the amount now due said corporation for said bridge. The
difficulty was finally settled and the rights of Dracut protected.
In 1 843, the collection of tolls for pedestrians was abolished.
The land in the vicinity of the bridge was owned by the Bridge
Corporation and to encourage its sale no toll was collected from
those who resided on this land. The charge for crossing became
burdensome and to avoid the payment of it the farmers would
leave their teams on tbe Dracut side and walk across, causing
a diminution of the receipts in the treasury. The toll house
stood on what is now Varnum Park, near the old ferry landing,
and a gate which was thrown across the street enabled the ferry
man to detain the passengers until the toll was paid. When

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 267
built the bridge had no covering, but in 1849 sides and roof were
added. During the later years of its existence teams were not
allowed to cross it at a speed greater than a horse would walk.
In 1855, the city of Lowell declared the bridge to be a public
highway and awarded the corporation one dollar in payment for
it. The company refused to accept the award and a suit was
instituted against the city and the case was before the court seven
years before a settlement could be effected. It resulted in a
verdict for the plaintiff and the sum of $33,958.51 was awarded,
the amount of Dracut 's share being $7,865.
The annexation of CentralviUe to Lowell in 1852 and of
Pawtucketville in 1874 relieved Dracut of further expense in
the maintenance of these two bridges. As a bridge over which
there is travel between towns and cities requires to be kept in
repair and is used largely by surrounding towns, a part of the
expense of repairs is borne by the County but in earlier years
the towns were taxed directly for their proportional part. The
bridge over the Concord at Billerica was on the main thorough
fare to Boston and before the introduction of steam roads was
the principal place of crossing for the towns in this vicinity. It
was built in 1699 and the taxpayers of the part of Chelmsford,
now Dracut, contributed to the payment of the cost of building.
The expense of maintaining a wooden bridge at this place was
heavy, and while borne principally by Billerica the town re
ceived assistance from Groton, Westford, Chelmsford, Dunstable
and Dracut. The people of Dracut objected to giving further
assistance, and in 1737, the town was declared exempt from
contributing more money. A record on the town books shows
that on May 22, 1738, it was voted to pay John Varnum the
sum of £6 "for his servis and Expenses In Gitting the Town
free from Charg of Billirica Bridg. ' '
There are three bridges across Beaver brook which have
existed since about the time of the incorporation of the town.
The falls at the Navy Yard and Collinsville to some extent de
cided the location, as saw and gristmills were erected at these
places. Meadow bridge, above the paper mill, accommodated
the farmers who wanted to reach their meadows and, though
used as a fordway, a bridge was needed. No records are found
of the building of the bridge at the Navy Yard village known

268 HISTORY OF DRACUT
as Stanley's bridge, but in 1855 the present stone bridge replaced
the former one of wood, the town appropriating $1,000 for this
purpose. At the annual meeting of the town held in February of this
present year (1920), the sum of $5,000 was appropriated for
the purpose of widening the bridge. The bridge, when built in
1855, was of sufficient width to accommodate the traffic, but as
the mill was later enlarged and buildings erected for family use,
there came a demand for the bridge to be widened to correspond
with the width of the highway. Two years later the bridge at
Collinsville was rebuilt also of stone. The funds for the pur
pose were received from the United States treasury. At this
time all towns received from the Government a share of what
was known as "surplus revenue." Meadow bridge was until
1909 a wooden structure, but in that year the town rebuilt it
with cement at an expense of $500.
The only public iron bridge is at Parker avenue below the
site of the paper mill, and was erected by Percy Parker, but is
kept in repair at the expense of the town. The construction of
the electric railroad between Lowell and Lawrence was the
occasion of building new bridges across Richardson and Varnum
brooks. In 1802, a petition was presented to the County Com
missioners for a bridge, across the Merrimack at Deer Jump,
but the town opposed it and the project was abandoned. Tyngs
boro bridge now crosses the river between Lowell and Nashua,
but no bridge between Lowell and Lawrence exists.
The Turnpike Between Boston and Canada
Reference has been made to a project to build a bridge which
should cross the Merrimack near Varnum 's Ferry. At this
period there was no means of transportation on land known or
contemplated which should supersede the ox teams and conse
quently the minds of the people were directed to the improve
ment of existing highways or the creation of new ones. All
roads led to Boston and the produce from the farms of this state
and New Hampshire was sent to that market ; and very naturally
the most direct routes were sought. The bridge at Lawrence
and the one at Pawtucket falls were the only ones in existence
and as neither one followed a direct course to Canada which

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 269
would be of benefit to the farmers and small manufacturing
villages which had come into existence, a new route was surveyed
which would start from Medford reaching Dracut by way of
Varnum 's falls. The proposed route may be found, approxi
mately, by drawing a line from Medford and, as stated in the
petition, passing through that part of Dracut known as Burns'
Hill, continuing through Pelham, N. H., a short distance east
of the Centre and crossing Goulding 's brook it would follow the
Merrimack River northerly towards its termination. A third
of a century must elapse before steam roads were introduced
and consequently the tolls received on the turnpike roads and
the bridges were a factor in inducing their multiplication. The
citizens of the towns lying on the route in this state were to a
great extent heartily in favor of the enterprise and it was also
favorably received in New Hampshire. A copy of the petition
is here presented: Commonwealth op Massachusetts
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives
assembled humbly show your petitioners.
That the increasing population of this state, New Hampshire,
Vermont and the British Province of Lower Canada renders it
highly important that a road should be opened on the most direct
and practicable route from Boston, the capital of this state,
to the river St. Lawrence, passing by the east end of Missique
bay: it would render the communication betwixt Boston and
Canada easy, and reciprocally advantageous: it would facilitate
the transportation of produce from the interior to Boston, and
very much increase the mutual interest of town and country.
A direct line from Medford meeting house to Concord, New
Hampshire, is found by actual survey, to cross Merrimack river
between Deerjump Falls' and Varnums Falls about a quarter
of a mile from each ; upon a critical examination of the ground
from Boston to New Hampshire line on and near the said route
it is conceived the most practicable place to build a Bridge across
Merrimack river is at Varnum Falls. That place is situated to
favor laying the road on the best grounds of travel on or near
the said route both in this state and New Hampshire. Your
petitioners therefore request your Honors to pass an act of in-

270 HISTORY OF DRACUT
corporation, and granting to such of us, and others, as may asso
ciate for that purpose, liberty to make a Turnpike Road from
the country road a little east of the house of William Nicholls,
late of Woburn, on the most direct and practicable ground,
through the north part of Woburn, through Wilmington, Tewks-
bury and a small corner of Andover, to Varnums Falls in Merri
mack river and from thence through Dracut to New Hampshire
line, at land formerly owned by John Gilcreast or by George
Burns deceased on the principles prescribed by the general
act for regulating turnpike incorporations within this common
wealth, & to build a bridge across Merrimack river at Var
nums Falls in the direction and for the accommodation of
travellers on such Turnpike Road, as may be granted as afore
said, under such regulations, and with the privilege of demand
ing and receiving such toll as may by your honors be judged just
and equitable. J. B. Varnum and others
Moses Whiting and others
Jacob Coggin and others"
In the Senate June 8th 1807. Ordered that the petitioners
advertise their petition in the Independent Chronicle and Salem
Register three weeks successively. Hon. Jonathan Maynard,
Jonas Kendall, Walter McFarland, John Spurt, and Samuel
Flagg a committee at petitioners ' expense to look over the ground
and make return at next session of the present general court.
This committee instructed to meet Tuesday 7 July 1807 at house
of Abijah Thompson, innholder, Woburn.
It is safe to conclude that this committee met as ordered
and proceeded to the examination of the route and the feasibility
of granting the petition, for it is recorded that ' ' The Committee
of both houses to whom was referred the petition &c Report that
the petitioners have leave to bring in a bill for the purpose
prayed for ' '
But with all the advantages which would be derived from
the establishment of the road, the business was not to proceed
without opposition. The stockholders of the Pawtucket Bridge
Company foresaw a diminution in their receipts for tolls, as a
great part of travel would be diverted to the more direct route

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 271
and the farmers at the west part of the town would find the
eastern part reaping advantages upon which they had built
their hopes when the Mammoth road became the accepted high
way. To oppose the granting of the petition a counter petition
was presented. In this petition, a copy of which is inserted, it
will be seen that the parties presenting it were too shrewd to
intimate the real reason for opposing it, but place emphasis on
the fact of the obstructions which would interfere with the
rafting of logs and heavy timber. These were reasonable objec
tions as, while the Pawtucket falls were avoided by a canal from
the Merrimack to the Concord rivers, which is still in existence
to convey water, there still remained the rapids of Hunt's and
Varnum 's falls which were below the canal.
Copy op Petition
"To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Memorial and Remonstrance of the subscribers humbly
sheweth. That your remonstrants contrary to their expectation, have
been informed that a Committee of your honorable body have
determined to report in favor of granting the prayer of the
petitioners for a Bridge to cross Merrimac river at or near
Varnums Falls between the town of Dracut and Andover. And
as we are well acquainted with the said River and are much
engaged in the rafting business we feel deeply interested in
the free and unobstructed passage through.
We therefore beg leave to state to your honors, that the
current of the said River for a considerable distance above the
place proposed for the said bridge is very rapid so that it would
be extremely difficult managing a heavy raft of wood or timber,
so as to pass a bridge in that place without very great hazard
and danger. And from the alteration of the current occasioned
by the rise and fall of the said River it becomes necessary to
vary the course of the rafting; so that if a bridge were to be
erected with the abutments and piers so arranged as to make the
passage most safe and convenient in high water, that would
greatly obstruct the rafting in low water. While on the other
hand if a Bridge were to be so constructed as to be the least im-

272 HISTORY OF DRACUT
pediment in low water that construction would be equally in
jurious to the business in high water. In addition to which we
beg leave to observe that Hunt's falls, which is a long and dan
gerous rapid is but a small distance above the place of the pro
posed Bridge, and that in passing that rapid in high water, our
rafts are often so much shattered and injured as to become un
manageable; and as there is in high water no opportunity to
stop and repair until we have passed Varnums fall we often
experience great difficulty and danger in passing said falls in
their present situation. And from a perfect knowledge of this
business in which we are employed almost the whole of the
rafting season, we can state with confidence that it is impossible
so to construct a bridge in this place as not to greatly obstruct,
if not entirely ruin, the rafting business on the said River
which is at present difficult and hazardous as well as expensive.
And from the difficulty we experience from the obstructions
already erected on the said River we are of opinion that the
building another at this place would be ruining the business of
rafting wood and heavy lumber.
On the whole we beg leave to observe that we cannot think
that the building of a bridge on this place would be so great a
benefit to one class of citizens as to compensate for the injury
it would occasion to another ; nor can we believe that the public
interest requires that the rafting business should be sacrificed to
the small public accommodation which would arise to a few
from granting the prayer of the said petition."
The influence of the opposition was sufficient to delay action
by the Legislature for three years, but in 1810, the petition was
granted and the safety of the pedestrians and vehicles was se
cured by adopting measures which provided for sufficient width,
strength of material, guard rails. The navigation of the river
was also considered and due allowance made for the passage of
boats and rafts. But after all the work of surveying, petitioning
and presentation of facts for and against the enterprise, the
great turnpike never was constructed. Perhaps the reasons why
it failed will never be known, but among them may be found
the condition of the country at that time. These were the years
which preceded the second war with England and there was great

DARIUS LINCOLN VOX

<See Page 388)

ROADS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES 273
uncertainty regarding the future which discouraged the invest
ment of capital. Another reason might be that when first pre
sented the farmers, through whose land the route lay, might at
first be so strongly in its favor that they would be willing to
release a right-of-way without compensation, but later they
would lose enthusiasm and value their land too high for the com
pany to purchase. If this project had been carried to com
pletion the arrangements of the highways would have been of a
nature that aU routes would have been to Pawtucket and
Varnum 's bridge, as the new one would probably be called.
Central bridge would not have been built for a highway but in
later years, when East Chelmsford became Lowell and the erec
tion of factories demanded more room, homes for the operatives,
a bridge would have been built by the corporations but probably
nearer the present Aiken bridge site. From a list of the most
active of those who favored the movement a few names of
Dracut citizens are shown: Joseph B. Varnum, Simon Coburn,
Samuel Bailey, James B. Hildreth, Caleb Blanchard, Benjamin
Stevens, Jacob Coburn, David Jones, David Jones, Jr., Ben
jamin Coburn, Samuel Richardson, Jacob B. Varnum, Daniel
Varnum, Peter Harris, Thaddeus Richardson. These men were
residents of the part of the town through which this road would
have been constructed, while quite naturally, the remonstrants
were located in the west part of the town.

CHAPTER XV
CEMETERIES, PHYSICIANS AND TRAGEDIES
THE burial places of the early settlers of Dracut are un
known. It was the custom to bury the bodies in some re
tired spot on the farm and the graves were seldom marked.
Sometimes a flat stone from the field, with initials and date of
death rudely cut on it, would be placed at the head of the grave,
but when broken and the grave levelled by the elements the place
would be forgotten.
"Each in his narrow cell forever laid
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
{Gray's Elegy)
The oldest burial ground in the Dracut of early days, but
now in Lowell, is between Varnum avenue and the Boulevard
about fifty rods east from the Durkee road and east of the
Colburn garrison house, and although the first to be located
which continues in existence, no very old headstones are to be
seen. In 1765, Rev. Thomas Parker was buried here, but in re
cent years his body was removed to the Woodbine cemetery.
Headstones mark the graves of Colburns of at least the third
generation, as the graves of the earlier ones are unknown. There
are also headstones marking the graves of those whose names are
not connected with Dracut history, and several unmarked graves.
It is unprotected by a fence, although a lot belonging to some
family is protected by posts and chains. A cart path from Var
num avenue leads to it. On the west there are unmarked graves
in which are buried the colored people who lived in this neigh
borhood. The Woodbine cemetery is near Varnum avenue on the Old
Meadow road. It is the burial place of the families who were
the residents of that part of the town before annexation, and is
well cared for and has shade trees and bank wall. It was a part
of the Col. Ansart farm and at his death he was buried here. In
1880, the remains of Rev. Thomas Parker were removed to this
cemetery, as already stated, and an account of his ministry is to

CEMETERIES, PHYSICIANS AND TRAGEDIES 275
be found in the chapter relating to the churches of Dracut. The
grave is marked by a slab of dark colored stone of the same kind
as those used in place of the earlier field stone and which was fol
lowed by granite and marble of the present day. On this head
stone are chiseled the features of a man, also a part of a gown
and bands, showing that his calUng was that of a minister. Un
derneath this is an elaborate epitaph :
Momento mori
Under this stone is Interred ye Remains of ye
Revd. Thomas Parker
A gentleman of shining mental Powers Adorned with
Prudence, Benevolence & Curtesie of maners.
A warm & Pathetic Preacher of ye Gospel A
Most watchful and tender Pastor of ye Church
In Dracut for ye space of 44 years.
AccompUshed with learning Human & Divine
& endowed and adorned by ye social virtues
& affections, who departed this life March 18th, 1765
in the 65th year of his age.
A cemetery is known to have existed near the first meeting
house which, as stated in another chapter stood on Varnum ave
nue nearly opposite the eastern end of the hill on which the
Lowell General Hospital now stands. The early settlers followed
the custom of their English ancestors and buried their dead in
the church yard, the graves being located near the building and
on each side of the path. No traces of this cemetery remain and
the records, if ever kept, are destroyed, but these facts are known
from the statements of those who have seen the graves. An old
cemetery was located on the eastern side of the Mammoth road
north of Justus Richardson's. Headstones could be seen in recent
years, but the site is now occupied by an orchard.
The PawtucketviUe cemetery on Mammoth road is of more
recent date, the oldest headstone being that of Asa Coburn, who
died February 8, 1800. There are two family tombs, that of
Capt. Phineas Whiting, built in 1815; the other of David and
Capt. William Blood, built in 1819. Here is buried Capt. John
Ford who was present at the battle of Bunker Hill and who died

276 HISTORY OF DRACUT
in 1822. There are other Revolutionary soldiers buried here, but
as a burial place it is discontinued as the lots are all occupied.
The Oakland cemetery is the burial place of the people of
Collinsville. It is situated about a mile from the village and
away from the Mammoth road a short distance. It is well cared
for as it is in the keeping of an incorporated company composed
of the residents of the village and others interested. The Var
nums and Clements, who were among the earliest settlers of this
part of the town, are buried here ; also Peter Coburn, who com
manded a company of Dracut men at Bunker Hill on the memor
able 17th of June, 1775. Several of the members of this same
company also find this their last resting place. This is the burial
place of Admiral Eaton and his wife, both descendants of the
Varnums. On a knoll adjoining and a little to the north of the
cemetery is the burial place of the older residents of the village.
There are no headstones, and while the names of those buried are
unknown, they were probably the earlier settlers of this vicinity.
One headstone, which is a common flat stone, remains with the
letters roughly cut in
IA
RC 4
1775
Whatever was originally on the stone has been obliterated by
storm and frost. A few years ago the writer found a headstone
marked N C, but it has disappeared. These are the initials of the
name Nathaniel Clement who lived here and so may have marked
his grave. As his son, Daniel, served in the Revolution, it is pos
sible that this ground was in existence and the stone might mark
his father's resting place. If so, it is reasonable to suppose that
the other graves were those of the early Coburns and Varnums.
There are thirty-six of these graves neatly arranged in rows and
level with the top of the ground. They are easy to distinguish,
as each is covered with cobble stones which protected them from
the wolves. The Hildreth cemetery, by reason of annexation, is now
within the Umits of the City of Lowell. The title of ownership
remains in possession of Dracut, but Uke other real estate, when
annexation occurs, the city obtains no fee in the soil but acquires
certain rights not before enjoyed. The cemetery was presented

CEMETERIES, PHYSICIANS AND TRAGEDIES 277
to the town by Major Ephraim Hildreth, who became a resident
of the town in 1709 and whose headstone is the oldest in the
cemetery, his death occurring in 1740. In 1752, his sons con
firmed the verbal gift of their father by a deed as follows :
"Dracut, November 17, 1752.
We, the subscribers, being willing to confirm our Honored
fathers Promis Varbally made Relating to the Buring place Now
in Use in Dracutt, to which Track of land there hath, as yet,
Been no titel, we therefore conferm the same by the following
Record. Said Track of land being Bounded as followeth.
Bounded Esterly by the Highway Leading to Robart Hildreth
Ferrey, the north and east corner is a stak and stones by said
Road : Thens Runing Westerly Eight Rods and a half to a Stak
and stone, Thens Runing Southerly Nine Rods to a stake and
stones by the said Highway: the above mentioned sd Track of
Land is and is to remain a buring Place For the Town of Dracutt,
and in Testimony of the above Record being and Remaining a
good and fairm Titel to the Town of Dracutt of the abovesaid
Track of Land, we have hereunto set our hands the Day above
mentioned. Ephraim Hildreth
William Hlldreth
Elijah Hlldreth"
The thoughtfulness of these men has given to the town pos
session of a tract of land which, but for this writing, might have
been to the town the cause of much litigation. The first settlers
of the Hildreth family were buried on the top of the knoll where
their headstones may be seen, but later an additional lot on the
west side has been enclosed and reserved for the use of the family.
This cemetery is the burial place of many of the men who fought
in the Revolution, among them Capt. Stephen Russell, who died
in 1800, but the exact location of the grave is unknown. It is
thought to have been westerly of the Samuel Fox lot. The head
stone of Lieut. Abraham Coburn, who died in 1797, may still be
seen near the street, also that of Capt. Ezekiel Hale, near the
center of the cemetery, which has been enlarged in recent years
by an addition on the south which includes the site of the second
schoolhouse in District No. 5.

278 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The burial ground at the Navy Yard village, called the Ham-
blet or Garrison House cemetery, was at first the family burying
place of the Varnums who lived at the Garrison house. A very
quaint headstone and the most ancient in the lot is that of Mrs.
Ruth, wife of Colonel Joseph Varnum, who died November 28,
1728. Her husband was a son of Samuel Varnum, who came
from Ipswich and purchased land in Dracut in 1664. He is prob
ably buried here, but his grave is not marked. His death occurred
in 1749. The earlier families of Goodhues, Bowers, and Coburns
are buried here. Deacon Theodore Hamblet enlarged the enclos
ure when he was the owner of the Varnum farm, and it is in the
care of the town. Cemetery Commissioners are appointed every
year at the annual meeting to keep the burial places of the town
in proper condition and money is appropriated for the purpose.
A part of this ground is mentioned in the will of Joseph Butter
field Varnum who died in 1858. It does not include the burial
place of the earlier residents, but is instead an addition to pro
vide a place for future burials. The following is found in the
county records: "I give and bequeath to the town of Dracut a
certain piece or parcel of land north of the old burying place near
Theodore Hambletts to be by them always kept in order and suit
ably fenced and to be used only as a burying ground, bounded
as follows, beginning at the North West corner at the old Bury
ing Ground and running seven rods to a stake and stones thence
at or nearly at right angles five and a half rods on land of J. B.
Varnum to a stake and stones, and thence again at a right angle
or nearly a right angle five and one half rods to the point of be
ginning. ' '
At a town meeting following Mr. Varnum 's death in 1858,
it was voted, ' ' to accept of the donation made to the town by the
late Joseph B. Varnum of a piece of land for burying the dead
and comply with the conditions of the will."
The Varnum cemetery is on a part of the land known as
Primes Purchase, it being the sixteenth lot laid out on the river
below Hunt's falls in the Reserved lands. It lies on the cross
road which connects the upper and lower roads leading from
Dracut to Methuen and is near the Varnum homestead. It
was set apart by Samuel Varnum, a grandson of the Samuel
who came from Ipswich, for the use of the Varnum and

CEMETERIES, PHYSICIANS AND TRAGEDIES 279
neighboring famiUes. Many of the Parkers, Coburns and
Richardsons of earlier years are buried here. The most con
spicuous headstone is one erected to the memory of Gen.
Varnum a son of the Samuel, who first settled in this vicinity.
The inscription in full is :
"Erected in memory of Hon. Joseph Bradley Varnum
whose life was a series of public acts rendering the most impor
tant services to his county in offices of honor and trust sustained
in the Town, State and Nation. At the age of 18 he was chosen
captain and held that position during the Revolutionary War
and until he was elected Colonel in 1787. In 1802 he was chosen
Brigadier General and in 1805 Major General which office he held
until his death. From 1780 to 1795, he was a member of the
House of Representatives and Senate of Mass. and a member of
the Convention that framed the Constitution in 1780 and of that
which revised it in 1820 ; and from 1795 to 1817 a member of the
House of Representatives and Senate of the United States during
which time he was Speaker of the House 4 years and President
of the Senate 1 year. He died in full hope of immortality Sept.
11, 1821 at the age of 70 years."
The headstone erected to the memory of his wife, Mrs. Molly
Butler Varnum, has an inscription relating to her many virtues :
' ' Erected to the memory of Mrs. Molly Varnum widow of the
Hon. Joseph B. Varnum who died April 17, 1833 aet 82 years
10 mos and 2 days. ' She riseth also while it is yet night and giv-
eth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens.' 'Her
children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he
praiseth her. ' ' Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her
paths are peace. ' ' Strength and honor are her clothing and she
shall rejoice in time to come'."
The cemetery at East Dracut is under the supervision of the
town. It is composed of two divisions, one on each side of the
highway. That part which is situated on the main road contains
many old headstones from which we conclude that a burial place
was set apart soon after the settlement of that part of the town.
The enclosure became too small to accommodate the famiUes in
that vicinity and another lot was added and devoted to burials.
This is an elevated spot, sloping to the south.

280 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The cemetery at New Boston village is on the farm which,
during the Revolution, was owned by Jonathan Coburn and late
ly by John W. Peabody. For many years it was not enclosed and
was used by the people of the village for a burial place. No deed
was given by Mr. Coburn and when, in 1836, the farm came into
possession of David Reed, he claimed the cemetery as a part of
the farm. The people of vicinity formed an association and pur
chased the land, the conditions being the payment of five dollars
and the erection of a stone wall. There are several Revolution
ary soldiers buried here, including the brothers Saul and
Thaddeus Coburn, John Bowers and Elijah Coburn.
Physicians.
Dracut was the home of a goodly number of men who have
chosen the profession of medicine. The earUer ones were satis
fied to spend their Uves and perform their duties within the limits
of the town, but those of later years have found a larger field of
labor in the cities which have come into existence. The Ufe of a
country doctor was one of hardship and the duties exacting. The
homes of his patients were in all parts of the town and his services
were often in demand in neighboring towns, and it was his duty
to visit them whatever the condition of the weather, at any time
by night or day, with roads often blocked with snow or deep with
mud. The faithful family doctor was loved and respected by the
older members of the family and held in awe by the younger. His
patient horse was as well known as his master, who became a fa-
miUar figure as he rode through the town with his saddle bags
filled with medicines and instruments, for he must be acquainted
with the science of surgery and dentistry as well as with medi
cine. There were no specialists in those days and the doctor must
be prepared to relieve pain, and administer medicine for all dis
eases. As already stated, he travelled about on horseback, as
wheeled vehicles were almost unknown until after the Revolution,
for proof of this we learn that when Col. Ansart lived in Dracut,
he owned a chaise which caused everybody to stare in wonder
when he rode out. It must have been an agreeable change for
the doctor when he was able to discard the saddle and employ the

CEMETERIES, PHYSICIANS AND TRAGEDIES 281
chaise, which was a two-wheeled vehicle hung on leather thor
ough-braces and capable of carrying two or more people.
The first physician in point of time was Dr. Samuel Coburn,
whose father was Ezra, a younger son of Edward, the first settler
in town. He was born in Dracut, September 18, 1684. His
home was on the north side of what is now Varnum avenue, a
short distance above the building formerly used for the district
school. Of the events of his Ufe there is no record, but a notice
of his death is found in the Genealogy of the Colburn-Coburn
families : "We hear from Dunstable that yesterday was fortnight
after the death of Deacon Perham a very old Man. One Mr.
Coburn of Dracut, a man about 60 years of age, who had been
Bearer to the Deacon and assisted in carrying the Corps returned
with the rest of the Company and to aU appearance as hearty,
hale, fresh and strong as any of them was Struck with Death in
an Instant, He dropt to the Earth like a Log and expired in less
than five minutes." (Boston News-Letter, January 6, 1757.)
It is difficult, in the absence of records to state positively who
succeeded him. The supposition is that it was Dr. James
Abbott, as his marriage to Lydia, daughter of Joseph Coburn of
the fourth generation, occurred in 1758 and they settled in
Dracut where occurred the births of twelve children. He lived
on a farm at Collinsville and the farmhouse stood on the Mam
moth road, opposite the tenements of the American Woolen Co.
It was later the home of the Hamblet family and was removed a
few years ago. Dr. Abbott's name appears on the Roll of Honor
as Surgeon 's Mate. There is no record of the date of his death,
but his successor was Dr. Amos Bradley, who, in 1785, com
menced his duties as physician. When a boy, he lived on his
father's farm, but later chose this profession. In "The physi
cians of Lowell and Vicinity," by D. N. Patterson, M. D., refer
ence is made to him: "He made his daily tour of professional
visits through the town and surrounding country on horseback.
When in the saddle he wore a pair of felt leggings to prevent his
trousers from being soiled by the mud or dust of the road. In
their accustomed place he carried the ever memorable saddle
bags, which when opened at the bedside of the sick, revealed a
medley of well filled phials of medicine, various instruments and
other paraphernalia of his profession." The circuit over which

282 HISTORY OF DRACUT
for so many years he travelled in the discharge of his profession
al duties has been described and is here quoted. "After leaving
his house, which was at Hovey square, immediately north of the
Blanchard Hospital, he made his calls in the immediate vicinity
and crossing the river at Bradley's ferry into that part of
Chelmsford now Lowell he continued his journey through Middle
sex, North Chelmsford and Tyngsboro where he would recross
the river by Tyng's ferry, thence he would proceed through the
north western part of Dracut to Pelham, N. H., returning to his
home by the turnpike road through that section of Dracut known
as 'Black North.' He was highly respected and had a large
circle of friends." His death occurred May 6, 1817, at the age
of 58. At the death of Dr. Amos, his duties were assumed by his
son, Dr. Peleg Bradley, who for many years had practiced with
his father and was in company with him four years before Dr.
Amos' death. Dr. Peleg lived to see the birth of Lowell and its
remarkable growth as his death occurred in 1848, at the age of
56. His professional visits included the towns already men
tioned, to which were added Methuen, Andover, Billerica and
Tewksbury, but as the population increased he removed to Lowell,
where he spent his later years and much of his country practice
was assumed by other physicians. His medicines were purchased
in Boston, but he manufactured his own pills and plasters. His
fees were small compared with those of the present day, viz.,
office calls with advice and medicine, twenty-five cents; visits,
fifty cents. He was a skillful physician, ready to adopt new
methods and to forsake the beaten path if by so doing he could
advance the science of medicine. His son, William Henry, was
born in Dracut, February 11, 1824, and succeeded his father as
a practicing physician. His practice was principally in Lowell
and surrounding towns, but he removed to the West after serving
as surgeon in the Civil War and died at St. Louis, Mo.
Israel Hildreth was born in 1791, one year before the birth
of Peleg Bradley and their professional life covered nearly the
same period. Choosing for his life work the profession of medi
cine, he studied with Dr. Thomas of Tyngsboro and Dr. Wyman
of Chelmsford, afterward attending a course of lectures in
Boston. The duties of a country doctor were shared with Dr.

CEMETERIES, PHYSICIANS AND TRAGEDIES 283
Bradley as the increase of population, about the year 1825,
caused by the erection of cotton mills, demanded the services of
two physicians. In common with the other doctors of tbe time
he was ready with the knife and saw for amputation or the for
ceps to remove an aching tooth. He had a broad mind, ever
ready to accept new methods and his cheerful disposition made
him welcome in the sick room. Before his death the occupation
of country doctor had ceased to exist. Dr. Bradley had removed
to Lowell and Dr. Hildreth spent the remaining years of his life
on his farm in Dracut. He was the last of the Dracut doctors
and the jogging horse and thoroughbrace chaise remain only as a
memory. Tragedies.
In common with other towns, scenes of violence have per
formed their part in the history of Dracut. As its southern line
was the Merrimack river, Beaver Brook flowing through its entire
length and bordering on several ponds the opportunities for
deaths caused by drowning were many. Deaths caused by stroke
of lightning, falling from buildings when in process of erection
and other causes all contributed to furnish scenes of tragedy.
There are those to whom the cares of life were a burden and who
chose to appoint a time when it should cease. Only a few cases
are on record where a life has been taken by the hand of another.
In 1858, a blacksmith, Joshua Heath by name, lived in the north
east part of the town, near the Pelham line. His wife was dead
and with a son and daughter, he lived remote from neighbors,
deriving a small income from the exercise of his trade in which
he excelled, especially in the manufacture of knives. The chil
dren were deficient in intelligence, the daughter being almost
idiotic and the son weak in intellect. Unable to reason correctly
although possessing that peculiar quality of craftiness so com
mon in the mentally deficient, they considered their father to be
a burden and planned to take his Ufe. Their first attempt was
to administer to him a dose of tea prepared from apple peru, a
poisonous plant, which was not sufficient to cause his death, al
though it stupefied him. While in this condition they loaded a
musket with scraps of iron and discharged it with fatal effects,
then digging a shallow grave in the blacksmith shop they buried
him. Parties who came to have work performed found the shop

284 HISTORY OF DRACUT
locked and could get no information from the son and daughter,
but from facts gathered by questioning the girl they found the
body partiaUy covered with dirt. The authorities were notified
and the son arrested, the trial resulting in a sentence to state
prison for Ufe where as time passed on he became the oldest
prisoner in the institution. The daughter was taken to the town
farm, but her physical condition was such that she lived but a
short time.
Gordon, in his ' ' Early Grants, ' ' says : ' ' The husband of one
of the Colburn girls, Richardson by name, was kiUed by a blow
of his opponents fist in a brawl ; and I find no indictment based
on this lamentable scuffle. ' ' In the vital records, a young son of
Benjamin and Clarissa Bradley, named WilUam, was killed by
being kicked by a horse ; this occurred in 1823, the family Uved
at the Navy Yard village near the miU. In 1789, Aaron, son of
Eleazer and Bridget Coburn, aged 21 years, was ' ' suddenly killed
by the fall of a tree." In 1744, Henry Colburn was kiUed "by
a fall of a f raime at a Raising. ' ' In 1825, George Washington,
son of Jonathan and Mercy Richardson was kiUed by falling
from a building. Obadiah, son of Asa and Elizabeth Parker,
was killed by being struck by lightning when engaged in mowing
for a farmer in Tewksbury.
In 1867, Dea. Reuben Coburn was killed by faUing from an
apple tree. He lived in the brick house at the foot of Tanhouse
hill. About 1870, two men lost their Uves while digging a well
at the Navy Yard village. Mr. Pierce, who lived in Maine, was
a well digger by profession and assisted by Austin, son of James
and Harriet Frye, had excavated about twenty feet when a large
mass of sand fell and buried them. In 1836, Myron aged 11
years, son of Marcus L. and Elizabeth Coburn, was killed by
being thrown from an ox cart, the heavy wheels passing over his
body. John, son of Anthony Negro, was drowned in April, 1739.
An event occurred which brought sadness to Dracut homes
in 1799. On April 16th, of that year, three little girls lost their
lives by drowning. They were Sibbel, daughter of Abijah and
Esther Wood, aged 12 years, and Lydia and Orpah, daughters
of Joshua and Lydia Thissell. Their ages were 11 and 8 years.
Their home was on Dracut heights, now Christian hiU, and while
at play, probably near the river, the sad accident occurred.

CHAPTER XVI
MINES, QUARRIES AND FISHERIES
AT what time or by whom the mine in East Dracut was dis
covered we have no certain knowledge. One account states
that some Welsh or Cornish miners prospecting along the
course of the river found the outcropping of minerals at this
place. Another attributes the discovery to surveyors who found
their magnetic needle to be deflected by the presence of iron, a
not uncommon occurrence. The earliest mention on record is
in 1710, when the Reserved Lands began to be surveyed and roads
were laid out. References at that time to the "mine pit" and
"mine pit hill" are to be found in old records. It is possible
that when opened it was with the expectation of finding gold or
silver, but as it contained only iron no further attempts were
made to develop it until 1726, when the owner of the land, Joseph
Varnum, entered into partnership with Joseph East of Boston,
who lived on the farm in East Dracut, known as the Herbert
Coburn farm, on the Pelham road, leading to Lawrence. At the
above named date the metal nickel was unknown, but iron and
other minerals were supposed to be abundant.
A contract was made dated September 9, 1726, and in it Mr.
Varnum gives conditionally to Mr. East ' ' one half part of all the
mines and minerals that shaU be found by the said Joseph East
and Joseph Varnum their heirs etc as equal portions upon the
same, when refined, upon a certain tract of land in Dracut in the
easterly part of the town bounded by Merrimack River on the
south, by Ephraim Hildreth and Josiah Colburn on the west by
Ephraim Curtis and Cheever land on the north and by Joseph
Varnum and Mr. Higginson on the east." The contract gives
permission to use any fallen timber under fifteen inches in
diameter for the use of the works, leave to erect a stamping and
refining mill on the brook near the mine pit, and liberty to flood
the land between September 1st and April 30th. Mr. East was
to receive no salary, but to have one half of the net proceeds of

286 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the products when smelted and refined. He was to have full
control of all the work and to pay one-half of the expenses. Mr.
Varnum was to furnish one able-bodied man. The business was
conducted by Varnum and East and each had entire control of
their share, providing it did not interfere with the contract. By
a deed of sale dated October 13, 1727, Joseph East conveyed to
North Ingham, a mathematical instrument maker of Boston, for
the sum of £150, 3/16 of the whole Lot, being an eighth and a
half of all the mines and minerals on the land described. By the
close of 1730, East had sold all his rights in the mine to North
Ingham, Job Lewis, Samuel Eames and George Cradock, and
thereafter seems to have had no further connection with the
business, although he purchased a farm in Dracut, eastward of
Cedar pond, and became a resident of the town.
Varnum also disposed of the major portion of his rights to
Adam Winthrop, who purchased one sixth for £220, and to
Ezekiel Cheever and Job Lewis. The greater part of those own
ing shares in the mine were residents of Boston. The terms of
sale in each deed were alike, viz., the right to dig "oar" and make
improvements, but not to undermine any building unless pay
ment was made, this amount to be determined by disinterested
parties, to pay their share for digging and draining shafts and
carrying on improvements, and if the mines yielded gold or silver
they were to pay their proportionate part of the one fifth part
which belonged to the king. They could cut any pine tree which
was less than fifteen inches in diameter and use any fallen trees.
They had leave to set up a stamping mill and to flow the meadows
as before mentioned. The brook was the eastern branch of Win
throp 's, later called Richardson's brook, and runs on the north
west of Mine Pit Hill. The length of time in which the mine was
worked is not known, but it is supposed to have been found un
profitable and abandoned. Later the land came into possession
of Joseph Bradley Varnum, grandson of Joseph, the original
owner, and the mine is said to have been worked in the time of
the Revolution for the manufacture of cannon balls.
An old account book in the Varnum family contains items of
sums paid for labor at the mine in 1777. A shaft was sunk to a
depth of forty-three feet, which with the cellar like holes in the
ledge and heaps of stones which had been thrown out by blast-

MINES, QUARRIES AND FISHERIES 287
ing, were aU that remained until these later years of those early
mining operations. When the shaft was again cleared from
water and debris, some relics of the ancient workings were dis
covered, some drills and decaying plank, the latter indicating
the erection of buildings at an early date.
In 1876, a company was incorporated which leased the land
and commenced the work of mining as nickel was found to
exist with iron ore. They bonded the adjoining land, erected
buildings, installed a stamping machine and steam machinery
for furnishing power. They drained the shaft and sunk it to
a depth of sixty-one feet. In a paper read before the Old
Residents' Association in 1879 it is stated that, "It is expected
that in one year from this time the establishment wiU be able to
supply daily 400 pounds of commercial nickel, ten tons of sul
phuric acid and eight tons of pure iron, each of which has a
marketable demand and value as that of any product of the best
farm in the country. * * * If therefore the Dracut nickel
mine shall yield as it is expected by the owners to do, it will
certainly be a prominent feature in the future of Lowell."
In 1881, the property came into possession of the Dracut Nickel
Co., organized under Maine laws with a capital of $500,000. The
president was Wm. E. Whitehead; the treasurer, Abel T.
Atherton ; and the secretary, Jerome B. Melvin. But the enter
prise was not a success. Great difficulty was experienced in
securing experts who understood the reduction of ores. For this
and other reasons the mine was again abandoned. Test pits had
been sunk of the adjoining land of Joseph Gilman and Luther
and Bradley Coburn where there were outcroppings of ore and
if the mining had been successful these ledges would also have
been opened. The buildings were standing in 1889, but the
elements were gradually causing them to decay, while, at present
writing, all that remains consists of heaps of rocks, deep gullies
and gloomy pits.
A communication in the Morning Times, dated May 2, 1896,
adds to the interest which is attached to this ancient work:
' ' The only authority that I am able to command says that nickel
was discovered in 1751. There is no doubt that it is present in
large quantity in this mine. Nearly every geologist in the State
has visited the mine and most of them concur in the opinion that

288 HISTORY OF DRACUT
it could be worked with profit. The ledge is of trap rock. En
closed in the trap is an ore called pyrrhotite, often caUed
magnetic ore and iron pyrites. Its symbol is F E 11 S 12. This
is the richest ore for nickel and often contains from three to five
per cent, of that metal. The presence of iron in this trap is very
noticeable and many rusty fragments are scattered about. We
brought home some specimens and among them are found not
only feldspar but also Umestone in the trap. It was an inter
esting place to visit for several reasons, scientific, historic and
so forth. Its scientific interest will always remain and perhaps
the commercial history of the mine is not yet ended. ' '
Granite Quarries
Ledges of granite or gneiss are found in the PawtucketviUe
section of the town. Ward's ledge, near the terminice of the
Pawtucketville car line, extends from Mammoth Road easterly
nearly to East Meadow Road, or Pond Street as it is now called.
Farther north and lying between Mammoth Road and the
Donohoe Road is an extensive ledge or series of ledges. On what
was called the Old Gumpus Road from West Meadow Road to
Mammoth Road, near the latter is another ledge. AU of these
ledges show signs of extensive quarrying in past years, but are
now abandoned. These were the sources from which were
drawn the material for the foundation of the factory buildings
of Lowell, and for other purposes before the use of cement for
concrete was known. Across the New Hampshire Une, but for
merly included within the limits of Dracut, are the Carlton
quarry and several at Gage Hill, the latter still used to some
exent. Fishing Rights
As wild animals were abundant the Indians procured their
meat by hunting. And as the rivers were stocked with fish
they were able to provide a supply of food with little labor.
Sturgeon, salmon, shad and alewives were abundant, the latter
to such an extent that, being considered of an inferior quality,
was used by the farmers for fertiUzer. When apprentices were

^dif

i

(See Page 355)

EDWARD COLUURN'.S GARRISON HOUSE

MINES, QUARRIES AND FISHERIES 289
"bound out," as it was called, to a trade, an article was inserted
in the contract providing that they should not be obUged to eat
salmon excepting when agreed upon at the time of apprentice
ship. In 1653, the General Court set apart for the Indians a tract
of 500 acres at Pawtucket falls for their use as fishing grounds,
and this was later caUed the Indian Reservation. When later
the Indians sold their lands to Jonathan Tyng and Thomas
Hinchman they reserved the right to visit the falls and fish at
any time. Within comparatively recent years a few famiUes
of Indians visited the falls each year and are said to have camped
on Long Island, called then Musquash Island, near the bend
of the river, but now losing its identity by reason of the filling in
of the channel between the Island and Lakeview avenue. The
northerly end of Aiken Street bridge rests on what was Long
Island. Tyng and Hinchman sold shares in their purchase to
many others, including the fishing rights. At one time there
were forty-two different parties who owned these rights. As
early as 1801 a petition had been presented to the General Court
for permission to erect a dam across the river. The people of
Dracut considered it an invasion of their rights and, at a town
meeting, voted to present a petition remonstrating against the
granting of the first-named petition. As this petition will convey
some idea of the value of these rights at that time, a brief
record is here inserted. Voted, "That the erection of a dam
across the Merrimack River at Pawtucket falls wiU, in the
opinion of the town, totally destroy the fish in the said river
and deprive the people of the important privilege which they
for a long time have enjoyed without molestation, of taking near
their doors the most delicate food and much of the real neces
saries of life." But petitions of remonstrance were only of
service temporarily, the valuable fishing rights were soon to
become valueless and with the construction of the dams at
LoweU and Lawrence and the admission of poisonous dyes and
contents of the sewers to the river, the fisheries were ruined.
As early as 1740 the General Court passed an act forbidding
the building of any dam across a stream unless suitable provision
was made for the free passage of fish to the water above the
dam. Although many plans have been devised to comply with

290 HISTORY OF DRACUT
this law and fish-ways constructed, such plans have met with
little success at the present time. As it would be difficult to
define fishery rights without dissension on the part of the owners,
it became necessary to arrange for the settlement of disputed
questions. The owners of these rights prepared a contract,
which has, with its original signatures, peculiar speUing and
abundance of capital letters, been preserved and laid away for
many years, to be reproduced in this history :
"Know all men by these presents That We Edward Coburn,
John Coburn, Joseph Varnum, Timothy Coburn, Robert Coburn,
Aaron Coburn, Daniel Coburn, Ezekiel Richardson, Abraham
Blood, Christopher Williams, John Varnum, the Heirs of
Abraham Varnum, Moses Richardson, Joseph Hamblet, the Heirs
of Jabish Coburn all of Dracut, Timothy Clark, John Butterfield
and Zachary Richardson of Chelmsford and James Littlehale of
Dunstable all in ye County of Middx Being Propriators In a
Great Sean Fishery in Said Dracut at ye mouth of Beaver
Brook at ye place called ye Bunt Fishery In merrimack River.
And We Being owners & Proprietors in a Great Sean made and
provided for said Fishery With Roaps and accoutrements to sd
sean & a fishing Boat provided by us for ye use of sd Fishery
there, We Every and Each of us owning one Twentyeth part of
sd Sean, Roaps and accoutrements to sd Sean Belonging and the
one Twentyeth part of said Boat each of us all excep the above
said Joseph Varnum & he ye said Joseph Varnum ones one tenth
of sd Sean, Roaps & Boat. And for ye Future Peace, Quiet &
Good order of sd Propriators & to prevent Disputes, Contro
versies and Confusion ariseing amongst sd Propriators & in sd
Company & Sosiaty We & Each and Every of us & Each & Every
of our Heirs Will and Shall at all times Forever Hereafter
Submit our Selve to a Majer Vote of the Majer part of ye said
propriators at any meeting of them met for that Business at all
times and in all things any Way Relating to manageing & carry
ing on the Said Fishery and settleing the account thereon and
that we will at all times & in all things Relating thereto submit
to each vote and if any or either of us at any time Hereafter
Refuse or neglect to comply to any and every such vote that of
sd propriators so neglecting or Refusing to comply to such

MINES, QUARRIES AND FISHERIES 291
matters and things as shall be Injoyned him or them to Do &
perform by ye majer part of sd propriators at any such meeting
he or they so Refusing or Neglecting to Do & perform as shaU
be Injoyned by ye majer part of sd propriators he so neglecting
shall be De Glared No partner In sd Sean & Fishery & be liable
to a suite from sd company & propriators for non performunce.
In Wittness Whereof We Have hereunto Set our Hands this
Sixth Day of may A. D. 1761" 1781 May 14 "The proprietors
of the great sean, Part of them, met to tie on and mend the great
net, That is, self, Capt. Peter Coburn, Jonathan Varnum,
Eleazer Coburn, Jonas Varnum, Jabish Coburn, Tim: Williams
& Timo. Coburn."
At a town meeting, held March 14, 1714, it was voted :
"That Caleb Varnum, John Varnum, Edward Coburn and
John Coburn Jr. should have the fishing place in Merrimack
River two pool (pole) into ye River upon Dracut Side in the
bounds of said town for the season of fishing salmon, shad,
alewives &c for the year 1714. And likewise the Town of Dracut
does engage not to molest them on any account whatever. Like
wise these men that have hired this fishing place doth and hath
engaged to pay to the Town of Dracut 16 pounds on the 20th
day of June next for the use of said town and with the receipt
they are to have the salmon pots that are already made and
they shall pay for the nails that hold the posts. ' '
At a town meeting, held March 3, 1715, a protest was entered
after a majority vote was passed to give a lease of the rights. i
"We the subscribers do hereby protest and declare ourselves
against all the articles and business done at this town meeting
relating to the letting the fishing place &c within 3 rods of the
shore for the reasons following. First it is not the sd towns
property. The lands on the shore are appropriated to particular
persons and three rods from the shore are in some places in the
channel and in some places across the channel. Second. The
vote passed tends to debar and hinder particular persons from

292 HISTORY OF DRACUT
rights in catching fish in ye channel which is and always ought
to be free to all persons.
Abraham Varnum Thomas Varnum
Joseph Varnum John Littlehale Jr.
John Littlehale Samuel Varnum
Joseph Varnum Jr. John Varnum."
There is no record of any notice being taken of this protest,
and as, later, the town continued to issue leases, it is probable
that the petitioners were "given leave to withdraw." The
quantity of fish which was taken may be estimated by the
following items: An ordinary catch by a single hand of the
seine would be about 1500 shad and 3000 alewives. Thirty
bushels of eels have been caught in a single evening from one
hole at the Great Bunt. The price of shad was ten cents each,
while lamprey eels could be purchased for two cents each. The
cheaper quality of fish was often carted away for fertiUzer.
A clause in the will of John Varnum, dated 1783, relates
to the value placed upon the fishing rights. To his son, Jonas, he
gives, ' ' also 1/3 part of all my Rights in the Lands at the mouth
of Beaver Brook called the Great Bunt sean Proprietors Lands
with 1/3 Right of a small house standing thereon, called the
Proprietors Fish House, with 1/3 part of my right in the Great
Sean, Called the Great Bunt sean, also 1/3 part of all my right
of the privilege of the Fishery at Petucket Falls, and 1/3 part of
all my wharfings, staging and privilege of building same or
setting of Salmon pots as any other fishing at said Falls."
About 1817, the question arose as to what was the town's
interest in the fisheries. When the land owners commenced
to sell land to the Locks and Canals Co. the way was opened for
litigation and a prospective destruction of these valuable rights.
A committee consisting of J. B. Varnum, Isaac Coburn ano]
Daniel Varnum was appointed to examine titles and ascertain
what rights, if any, the town had in the premises. After careful
study they reported that it was their opinion that the fishing
rights on the north or Dracut side of the river belonged to the
town, but by their neglect to make improvements and by the
action of the land owners the town might have lost its claim.

MINES, QUARRIES AND FISHERIES 293
A few years later these rights, on account of the erection of the
mills, became valueless.
As late as 1820, Jonas Varnum sold to the Locks and Canals
Co. his fishing rights between Cat Brook and Pawtucket Falls.
He, with eight others, owned these rights in common and he sold
one-eighth of his undivided part for $400. The control of fishing
rights in the various brooks was vested in the town and votes
were passed at the annual meetings in regulation of these rights.
March 1, 1779, it as "Voted that there shall be no alewives
taken in Beaver Brook, or ye Brook called Dubble Brook or in
Dennison 's Brook only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
& on these days not to take any in sd Beaver Brook within
30 feet of the sluiceway at Capt. Hales' mill; and no fish to
be taken on Dubble Brook from the mouth to the road that leads
from Dr. Abbotts to Capt. Coburns, and that there shall be
none taken in sd Dennisons Brook between the townway easterly
of ye old mill called Wilsons mill & the upper side of said miU. ' '
In 1780, it was voted that "no person shall catch alewives by
net or otherwise from the mouth of Beaver Brook to the State
line, or on Double Brook to Long Pond on Tuesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays and Sundays. ' '
These entries show the value placed upon the fish and the
care with which they were protected from extermination. There
was no intimation of the coming days when the river water would
be polluted with poisonous dyes and waste from the cities which
would cause the fish to be driven from the streams and the
valuable fishing rights destroyed.

CHAPTER XVII
ELECTRIC SERVICE, DRACUT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
THE establishment of factories in Lowell and Dracut was
the cause of extensive changes in the town. Until the early
part of the last century, the town was composed of farming
people, but the change mentioned caused villages to be formed.
For more than a half a century no change of any importance
occurred until the introduction of street cars, which furnished
quick and easy transportation and resulted in the transformation
of farms into small building lots and the erection of houses. The
lumbering stage coach was discarded and railroads furnished
superior means of transportation for passengers and freight.
This town has never been on the direct line of the road and the
only public conveyance was the mail carrier's wagon which
passed through the town three times each week.
In 1863, a charter of incorporation was granted to the Lowell
Horse Railroad Company and on March 1, 1864, the first car
was started. The citizens of Dracut, realizing the advantage
of a car line, applied for a charter which was granted July 2,
1886, under the name of the Lowell and Dracut Horse Railroad
Company. Work was commenced at once and rails laid from
the Navy Yard village to Lowell and on some of the streets in
the city on which the Lowell company was not located. The
officers were John Ames, President; Walter M. Sawyer, Treas
urer; and Percy Parker, Clerk. These were succeeded in 1887
by August Fels, President; John F. Murphy, Superintendent;
Percy Parker, Treasurer; and in 1888, P. F. Sullivan was
Superintendent and Clerk. The first line extended to Parker
avenue. River street was named Lakeview avenue at a later
date, a new street was opened from Bachman street to Hamblet
avenue, a large stable was built at the Navy Yard and cars and
horses purchased.
The charter permitting the company to operate cars in the
streets of Lowell created a competition which proved detrimental
to the success of the enterprise and it was considered expedient

ELECTRIC SERVICE, DRACUT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM 295
to enter into alliance with the older company. The two com
panies in 1891 united and formed a new company called the
Lowell and Suburban Company with Hon. E. M. T»cke, Presi
dent, while Mr. Parker and Mr. Sullivan retained their offices
as Treasurer and Clerk.
The introduction of electricity as a motive power wrought
great changes. Poles and wires were placed in position, heavier
rails laid and the work of equipping the cars with suitable
apparatus was done at the car shops at the Navy Yard Village.
Until 1891, power was furnished by the Lowell Electric Light
Company, but in that year the car company established an equip
ment of its own and the use of the former company 's power was
discontinued. The termination of the line on Bridge street,
while the cars were propelled by horse power, was Nineteenth
street, but the new company extended it to Dracut Centre about
1893. In 1894, the road was in operation between Lowell and
Lawrence which passed through Dracut, near Merrimack river.
Lakeview Park on Tyng's Pond, now Lake Mascuppic, was
opened in 1889 and the Lakeview avenue line constructed to that
point which soon became a continuous line to Nashua. The Hovey
Square line was constructed in 1910. In 1901 a road from
Pelham Center was opened by the Massachusetts and New Eng
land Company. This was a New Hampshire Company and the
line connects with the Lowell lines at Old Meadow Road on
Moody street. The advantages to the town are obvious. Its
prosperity is seen in the transportation of farms into thriving
villages with their increase in taxable property and larger popu
lation. The factories are no longer dependent on residents of
the neighborhood for operatives, the facilities for education are
increased by the transportation of the pupils on the cars, the
easy means of access to the city enables the housekeeper to reach
the city stores, and the places of amusement are more easy to
visit. Electricity, at first used only for propelling the cars, has
also been used for the lighting of the public streets and for
public and private buildings. This method of lighting was in
troduced in 1907, power being furnished by the Lowell Electric
Light Company. In this connection the telephone service may
be noticed. The Lowell Telephone Company extends its wires to

296 HISTORY OF DRACUT
all parts of the town, and while at first used only by the manu
facturing companies it has become indispensable to the farmers
and housekeepers. Dracut Water Supply System
The first settlers realized the need of pure water and in
selecting a building site, they located if possible near a spring.
This accounts in a measure for the existence of old cellars far
from highways and often to be found in the forests. When the
town laid out the highways these sites were abandoned and new
buildings erected on the new roads. Wells were dug, situated
at first several rods from the buildings for fear of contamination
by waste from barns and cesspools. Many of these old wells
still exist, although the cellars may show only a slight de
pression in the surface of the ground.
The method of obtaining the water was by means of a long
pole with hook to which the pail was attached and by which the
pail was raised to the top of the well. This was followed by the
well sweeps, which consisted of upright posts placed in the
ground and forked at the top. In this fork a pole was hung,
swinging freely on a pin, to one end of which was attached a
heavy stone or other weight, while to the other a pole was
fastened which in turn held the bucket. When the bucket was
lowered and filled, the labor of raising it was greatly diminished
by the action of the weight as a counterpoise. Some farm
houses were situated near a hill on which would be located a
spring and by means of pipes, water would be conveyed to the
buildings by gravitation. In later years, the hydraulic ram and
windmill were employed to furnish the power which forced the
water through the pipes. The next improvement was the use of
logs through which holes were bored lengthwise and joined to
gether, resting on a stone at the bottom of the well, the prin
ciple upon which they acted was the same as that used at present,
viz., the producing of a vacuum in the pipe into which the water
is forced by the pressure of the air which amounts to fifteen
pounds on each square inch of surface.
The existence of wells in cities and thickly settled villages
became a menace to the health of the people and finally led to
the introduction of the present water system. About 1840, Hon.

ELECTRIC SERVICE, DRACUT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM 297
Benjamin F. Varnum, who had settled on Dracut heights, now
CentralviUe hill, with Joseph Bradley and John K. Simpson,
received articles of incorporation as the Dracut and Lowell
Acqueduct Company. A tract of land was purchased for a site
for a reservoir, but before the plans were perfected Mr. Varnum
died and the project was abandoned. At the Navy Yard village
the late John Ames installed a water system which supplied some
of the families of the neighborhood besides the tenants of his
houses. A well near Tan House brook was equipped with a
pump and windmill which was soon changed to electric power
and a reservoir placed on the high land near Upland street.
In 1905, the residents of Dracut Center and the Navy Yard
viUage received permission to form a corporate body called the
Dracut Water Supply System. Land was purchased between
Walbrook and New Boston village, wells were driven and a
pumping station built. The water is forced through a pipe to
the top of Marsh Hill to a reservoir and distributed through
smaller pipes to the houses. The supply at first was 200,000
gaUons every twenty-four hours, but additional wells have been
driven and the supply increased. The height of the reservoir
gives an abundant pressure and the quality is unsurpassed. The
district at the present time includes only the two villages men
tioned and the town as a whole has no part in the conduct of
affairs. Money is appropriated at the annual town meeting for
the assistance of the department on account of the benefit which
is rendered by the use of the hydrants by which much taxable
property is saved. Power is furnished by a gasoline engine and
a gas engine has been installed to be used if necessary.
Mention may be made here of the volunteer fire companies
which have been organized since the water pipes were laid. A
fire house, in each of the two villages which is supplied with
water, has been provided where at first hose carriages drawn
by horses were placed. The horses were furnished from nearby
stables and the men summoned by messengers. Gasoline motor
cars now furnish the motive power, telephones and signal boxes
are used to call the members and a large electric whistle, lately
instaUed at each village, calls the inhabitants to their assistance
and notifies the school children when on stormy days there are
no sessions of school.

"M

CHAPTER XVIII
SURVEY OF ROADS
By Hon. B. F. Varnum
INUTES of the Survey of the Town of Dracut, taken by
Benjamin F. Varnum in A. D. 1831, under the Super
intendence of David Blood, Esq., William F. Osgood & B. F.
Varnum a committee of said town for that purpose by order of
the Legislature of the Commonwealth and also of the roads,
rivers and ponds." This is the title of an article in a sur
veyor's book found at the Gen. J. B. Varnum house on the
Lawrence road. In the book the angles at the bends of the river
and roads are given but omitted in this history, distances only
shown. Notes in explanation will be added. "Survey of the
Town commencing at the South East corner at Merrimac River
and running by said River. ' '

From Methuen Line to opposite Concord River
" Pawtucket Bridge Road
" Marbles Brook
" Brook
" Opp. Middlesex M. House
" " Canal
" Col. Bloods Road
" Opp. Stony Brook
" Brook
Dracut contains 15673 Acres.

Long Pond

150

Peters

86

Tyngs

12

Beever River

30

Other streams

10%

Roads

287i/2

1332 Rods
664107 46
263 14
136
210245

15673 5753^
150971/4

57534

SURVEY OF ROADS

299

Road from Methuen line to Tyngsboro Une.
To Moses Bixbys
Theodore Parkers
George Coburns
Widow Daniel Varnums
B. F. Varnums
Benjamin Coburns
Samuel Richardson lane
MiU Brook
David Richardsons
Moses Cheevers
George Kelleys
Joshua Varnums
Ezekiel Cheevers
Col. Varnum 's Old House
Road East of School House
School House
Road west of School House
Samuel Fletchers
Lane to Poor House
Poor House
B. F. Varnums Tavern House
Samuel F. Woods
Opp. Meeting House
Perley Parkers
Intersection of County Road
Samuel Parkers
Heman Flints
Simon Harris
Intersection of the Road
Charles Foxs
Dea. Stickneys & J. P. Hoveys
Intersection of Road
Ebenezer Hanchetts
Road west of Common
Tan House Brook
Enoch Fryes

46 Rods

12 '

138 '

176 '

' Henry Varnum

14 '

' J. B. Varnums

125 '

37 '

10 '
34 '
24 '
198 '
111 '
84 '
' Stickney farm.
86 '
6 '
' Broadway
7 '
4 '
' Arlington St.
54 '
14 '
' Arlington Ave.
75 '
20 '
' Library
-4% '
9 '
3 '
5 '
' Bridge St.
2 '
' Mr. UdeUs
13 '
9 '
6 '
51 '
' Stephen Russell
46 '
3 '
' Hildreth St.
4 '
' Blanchard
Hospital
10 '
49 '
31 '
' Pollard house
300

HISTORY OF DRACUT

?o Wid Coburns Lane

10 Rods

Now occupied

by row of

houses on left
of Upland St.
" James Hazeltons
2
i i
Geo. Clark
" Enoch Fryes New House
6
i l
'.'¦
" The Doak House
11
i i
" SeweU Stanleys
5
C i
James H.
Wilsons '
" Life Hamblets & E. F. Goodhues 4
it
Ames &
Peabody
" E. F. Goodhue
12
i t
/Now\ Dr. Heald's
j on Lakeview
y Avenue
" Benjamin Bradleys
4
( i
Sherlock house
" Lane to S. Burts & Stotts
8
t »
Brookside St.
" East end of Stanleys Bridge
2%
i i
" Acrost the rver
7
i i
' ' The factory
3
i i
" Gurneys Store
7
tl
" Ebenezer Reeds
3
i i
" Samuel Harveys Lane
11
i I
School St.
" The Barnes House
2
i i
" " School House
14
t i
" Road by Peter Bowers
23
t i
Hampson St.
" Joseph B. Varnums
16
i i
" Joseph Goulds
13
i t
" Theodore Hambletts
22
i i
Garrison House
" The other house
33
it
" Charles Bodwells
71
i i
Opp. Gatehouse
" Sam Marshs
14
i i
" Jonathan Goulds
46
( I
" Cyrus Varnums
14
i i
" John Pages
11 Rods
" Joseph Varnums
9
it
" Cat Brook
14
i t
" Col. Varnums Old house
29
it
" Old Toll house & New Toll house 3
i i
SURVEY OF ROADS

301

To County Road

5 Rods Mammoth Rd

" Col. James Varnums

17 "

" Stone Dam

32 "

" Marbles Brook

76 "

' ' Props. L & C : on Mer. River

9 "

" Widow T. Coburns
31 "
" Bradley Varnums
45 "
" Road
3 "
Meadow Road
' ' Widow Ansarts
5 "
" WiUard Coburns
26 "
" Jeremiah Varnums
22 "
" Ephraim Coburns
60 "
' ' School House
42 "
" Moses B. Coburns
14 "
" Nathaniel B. Coburns
30 "
Garrison House
" Road
6i/2 "
Totman
" Davfd Bloods
18 "
" Old House
1 '
To Col. Bloods road
18 Re
ds
' ' Asa Underwoods
3i/2
" Road
6
" PhiUp Pierces
3oy2
" Timothy Coburns
34
" New Bridge Road
72
" Widow Ditsons
190
" Asa Carkins
55
" Tyngsboro line
3034'
Pawtucket Bridge Road.
To Road
8 Ro
ds Riverside St.
" Meeting House
16 '
" Osgood Danes
69 "
" Sylvester Pierces
15 "
" John Cheevers
18 "
" Old Meadow Road
82 "
" Road to Parker Varnums
211 "
" Henry C. Osgoods
33 "
" Opposite Solomon Osgood's
16 "
302

HISTORY OF DRACUT

To Road to J. B. Varnums

Road to Wm Websters
Jonathan Varnums
Solomon Abbotts
Road to Jonas Varnums
Double Brook
n it
Peter Hambletts
Road to Ames
Daniel P. Coburns
Jonas Varnums
Peter Coburns
Reuben Coburns
Asa Clements
John P. Cutters
New Hampshire line

4 Rods Break Neck

HiU Road

26 '

' Nashua Road

11 '

Justus

Richardsons

52 '

79 '

24 '
16 '
99 '
*
63 '
Lakeview Ave
11 '
Frank Foss
19 '
83 "
74 "
112 "
32 '
Hill farm
35 "
Christian Hill Road Commencing at County Road Tenth &
Bridge Street.
To Nehemiah Jones
79 Rods
" Joshua Thissells
14 '
" Nathan Thissells
7 '
" Joshua W. Wights
20 '
" John Parkers
9 '
" Amos Woods
20 "
" School House
76 '
" Ephraim Woods
16 '
" Richardsons lane
58 '
" Nathan Thissells
14 '
" Daniel KeUeys
40 '
" Reuben Richardsons
42 '
' Jona. Fox's
" The Other Road
73 '
' Lawrence Road
Jona. Varnums To Tyngsboro Line
Commencing near said Varnums. Justus Richardson's
To Road to Jonas Varnum Jr. 125 Rods
" Marshalls Lane 245y2"
SURVEY OF ROADS 303
To Jesse MarshaUs 5y2 Rods
" Ralph Fox's 70%"
" Wm Websters Lane 74 "
' ' near I. Perhams & Tyngsboro Line 92 ' '
" Tyngsboro Line 26 "
By Jonas Varnum Junior — Commencing at the other road near
Samuel Hambletts.
To Samuel Hambletts 24 Rods
" Jonas Varnum Junior 61 "
" County Road 17i/2 " Mammoth Rd
nearDouble Brook
Road by Jonas Varnums Commencing at the road by SeweU
MarshaUs. Mills Corner.
To Double Brook 86 Rods
" Jonas Varnums 17 " Joseph P.
Varnums
" Jabish Coburns 41 " Enoch Mills
" County Road 40y2 " Mammoth Road
Road from near Samuel Hambletts (Totman Road) to Nathaniel
B. Coburns. Garrison House.
To Wid. Lews 481 Rods
" Zimri Lews 59 "
" Road near Nath1 B. Coburns 79 " Varnum Ave.
Road by Capt. Bloods' beginning at the North end Varnum Ave.
To other branch 6 rods
" Robert Parks 16
" Capt. Bloods 24
" Col. Bloods 44
" the River 5
" Old house 10

304

HISTORY OF DRACUT

Road from Thomas & Samuel Varnums (Varnum Ave.) by
Peter Bowers to near J. B. Varnums. (Meadow Road, Pond
Street and Hampson Street).
From House to gate
To other Road
Osgood Road
County Road
Osgood Road
Peter and Thomas Bowers

12 Rods

18

tt

109

i i

205

ii

Mammoth Rd

255

1 1

30
i i
J. B. Varnums Jno Barnes House 17
Other Road
331/2" Riverside St.
From Moses Freemans to Solomon Osgoods. Breakneck Hill Road
To Moses Freemans 14 Rods
" Francis HartweUs 7 "
" County Road 284 " Mammoth Rd
From the County Road near H. C. Osgoods
to the Old Meadow Road 351% Rods
From Daniel P. Coburns to the Old Meadow Road
lo School House
3 Rods Geo. Browns
barn
" Hugh Jones
38
tt
" Charles Wilsons
25
i l
" Beever River
12
it
" Mills
3
I i
Collinsville
" Zachariah Coburn Road
10
i i
' ' Josiah and Daniel Ames
4
i i
" widow Gideon Coburns
1601/
t t
;
Agents house
" Phineas Coburns
49
ii
O. J. Coburn
" The Old Meadow Road
85
ii
H. Jesse
Coburns
From near John Goodhues to the Ames road near M. L. Coburns
Edmund Coburn New Boston
To Sand Hill Road
" Road to Goodhues mills
" " near Wiseman Wallaces
" Wiseman WaUaces
" The Ames Road
147 Rods
17 " Paper miUs
76 " Phineas St.
4 " Otis P. Coburns
309 " New Boston
(Sec Page SO'il

SURVEY OF ROADS

305

From the Road near E. F. Goodhue's to the road near Bump
Hill, Sladen & Hildreth St.
To Goodhue Road 23 Rods Dinley St.
" Simeon Flints 10 "
" John Goodhues 25 " Arthur Hamblett
" The Old Pelham Road 191 " Colburn Ave.
Bump HiU to Sand Hill
To Road at Sand HiU 151 Rods Sladen St. to Lakeview Av.

From the road near Sand HiU to the
Old Meadow Road
To road to mills
S 64° E 10 to house
S 35 E 4 " miU
To the Old Meadow Road
Wiseman WaUaces to Moses Freemans
To Daniel Goodhues
" the brook
' ' Old Meadow bridge
" Osgood Road

Lakeview Ave. to Phineas St.
47 Rods Paper mills

38 " Phineas St.
47 Rods
25 "
41 "
72 " Breakneck Hill
Road

From Ames MiUs through New Boston & Over Mars[h] HUl to
the Road near WiUiam Richardsons.
To house belonging to Reuben Coburn 207 Rods

" Old Meadow Road

116i/2 '

" M. L. Coburns

8 '

" Zachariah Coburns

72 '

' R. D. Coburns

' ' Road west of the School House

17 '

" School House

7 '

" the Road east of the School House
4 '
' Hildreth St.
" Old Meadow Road
13 '
" Jonathan Crosbys
7 '
' Crosby farm
" Old Road to Pelham
179 '
' Colburn Ave.
" the New County Road
162 '
' Bridge St.
" Samuel Fox's
85 '
' Mrs. Eben T.
Fox
306

HISTORY OF DRACUT

To Other Road

6 Rods

" Roger Coburns House

20 "

" Russell Fox's

82 '

1 Dana R. Fox

" Nathaniel Peabodys

62 " Bryant Farm

" Phineas Halls

70 " Bert Cluff's

' ' Pelham Road

47 '

1 Bums Hill

' ' Road to B. Stevens

14 '

i

" The Road

188 '

i

' ' David Jones

45 '

" The Other Road

83 '

1 Broadway

Methuen line to Col. P. Varnums

Broadway

To Thomas Lenfests

76 Rods

" Peter Trulls

34 '

" George Kelly 2

14 '

" Oliver Whittiers
46% '
" Jonathan Parkers
52 "
" The School House
122 '
" B. F. Varnums Harvey House
6 "
" Cross Road
71 '
" Joseph Harveys
42 '
" Jona. Parker 2
32 '
' ' New Road
13 '
" Pelham Road
64 '
" Phineas Trulls
9 '
' George R. Fox
" John Trulls
11 '
Bernice Parker
" Dea. Perleys
226 '
" Capt Fox's
138 '
Harold Fox
" JoelFoxs S. 78. E. 13
40 '
" Jas. Fox 2
5 '
Daigle farm
" Other Road
8 '
' ' Col Varnums
123 '
Geo. D. Coburn
" Sam Richardson 2
1 '
Phineas Richardson
" The other Road
8 '
Arlington St.
Road from Jonathan Parker Jun To B. F. Varnums and from
the Widow Parkers to the back road.
To The Widow Daniel Parkers 126 Rods
" The Road 8 "
SURVEY OF ROADS

307

To James M. Barrons
" Nathan Parkers
" The Brook
" The Other Road

25 Rods
47 "
178 "
50%" Lawrence Rd
From Pelham Line to the road near Asa Richardsons & near
Noah Stevens.
To Asa Richardson 56 Rods
" The Road 49 "
" Road 92 "
From the Gilcrease place to Pelham Une
To Pelham line 199 Rods Franklin C. Wilsons to north

From the road near Moses Baileys to the road near Thomas Len
fests. E. Dracut meeting house to Broadway.
To Samuel Harris 51 Rods
 2331/2" Broadway
From the New Boston School House to the Old Pelham Road.
To Widow Cheevers 43 Rods Elliot Morgan
" Joseph Durens 94 " J. W. Peabody
" Mich Coburns 70 " W. R. Kendall
" Old Pelham Road 75% " near Bump Hill
From Near David Jones' to Methuen Line.
To Noah Stevens 125 Rods Corliss Smith
Road near Asa Richardsons 101
Gilcrease Road 106

Stevens House
Benjamin Stevens
Herrick Road
Abigail Mansurs
James Richardsons
Joseph Kittredge
Moses Baileys
The Harris Road
Robert Ellenwoods

54 232425 62
733344 31

Franklin C.
Wilson
Edward F.
Stevens

near Cemetery
Almon Richardsons

308

HISTORY OF DRACUT

To Road

4 Rods

" Mansur Brook

22 "

" James Richardson Jr.

53 "

" Mansur Brook

27 "

" Widow Daniel Mansurs

31 "

" Methuen Line

20 "

From Pelham Line by A. & D.

Davis to Methuen ]

To Richard Thissells

12 Rods

" & Deborah Davis

52 "

" Samuel 

86 "

' ' Henry Austins

13 "

" Wm Austin Jun

140 "

" The Asa Harris Place

32 "

' ' Tim Barkers House

81 "

" Other Road

12 "

" William Harveys

47 "

' ' Methuen Line

32 "

From the road near Robert Ellenwoods Almon Richardsons
To Pelham Line.
To the School House 137 Rods
" " Road 16
" Thaddeus Richardsons 41
" the Brook 67
" Amos Morses 3 170
" Joseph Gardners 101
" Robert Youngs 125
" PeUiam Line 99

From Joseph Gardners to Pelham Line.
To Wm Cloughs 90 Rods
" Stephen Richardsons Lane 10
" Moses Cloughs 67
" Thomas Lewis 12
" Wm Clough 3d 25
 81

Richardson Lane to Stephen Richardsons 37 Rods

SURVEY OF ROADS 309
The survey of the roads, if completed, is not in the record
although it appears to have been the intention of the surveyors
to include other roads, as the following entries state :
From James Harris to Joel Fox Jrs. This would be a part
of Pleasant Street from Greenmont Avenue including Arlington
Street and Broadway as far as Moses Daigles.
Old Pelham Road from near Ephraim Richardsons to Pel-
Line. From near Bradley Jones to near Samuel Worcesters- and
from near said Worcesters to Samuel Foxs. This was the old
road from Pelham over Marsh HiU to LoweU, commencing at
the Prescott Jones farm, running through Chapman St., Fox
Avenue and old Marsh HiU road near the reservoir to Mrs. Eben
T. Fox's. Road laid out by the Selectmen in 1834 from near MerriU
Richardsons to the County Road near the Central Bridge. This
is the part of Hildreth Street from near Coburn Street to Bridge
Street. Road laid out by the County Commissioners in 1835. From
near Levi Wilsons to Nathan Thissells. This is now Methuen
St., the old road running over the hill by way of Tenth Street
was formerly the highway to Methuen but this new one avoided
the hiU and was a shorter route.
Road located by the County Commissioners in 1835. From
Tyngsboro line to Simeon MarshaUs and from said line to
near Tray Rock to the aforesaid road. This is the highway to
Nashua at the north end of Tyngs Pond now Lake Mascuppic.
Survey of Long Pond beg. State line South side. This sur
vey with angles is recorded.
Little Double Brook
To Road 12 Rods Mammoth Road
 29% " To Beaver
Brook
Survey of Double Brook.
To Little D(ouble) B(rook) 16 Rods
" the Road 38%" Mammoth Rd
" Little D(ouble) B(rook) 16 "

310 HISTORY OF DRACUT
This survey includes only so much of the brook as lies be
tween the two points where it divides and where they unite.
Survey of Beaver River Beg. at Merrimac River.

To Tan House Brook

123 Rods

" Stanleys Bridge

41 " Navy Yard

" Goodhues Mills

208 " Paper Mill

" the Old Meadow Bridge

74 "

" Double Brook

504 "
" Ames Bridge
161 " CoUinsviUe
" Gumpas Brook
477 "
" State Line
83%"
The discontinuance of Bradleys Ferry and the building of
Central bridge was the cause of some changes in the location
of the highways. Travel was diverted from Pawtucket bridge
and new routes were in demand. The change made in the loca
tion of Methuen street, as already noticed, was for the purpose
of following more level land and lessening the distance as it was
evident that with the cities of Lawrence and Lowell coming into
existence travel between these points would be greatly increased.
Sladen Street was a cart path through the woods which were
private property, Broadway from Arlington to Bridge streets
and Bridge street from near Tenth to Pelham line were just
opened for travel. Lakeview Avenue from opposite the mills
of the Lawrence Mfg. Co. to Hamblet Avenue and Dinley Street
was opened later to construct the electric road to Nashua.
There was great objection to building a road across the meadows.
The most striking example of this is the road from Pelham to
Bradley's ferry, which runs eastwardly to Burns Hill on the
north side of Coburn 's New Meadows and returning runs west
wardly on the south side of the meadows over Marsh Hill, mak
ing a long detour which a road across the meadows would have
avoided. In some cases the owners' names have been given in
stead of the tenants as in the case of the road over Marsh Hill
where the name of Roger Coburn appears. This was an old
house owned by him and occupied by tenants, his home being
away a mile in distance and over the Pelham line. The original
owners of the town farm buildings must have located on the
SURVEY OF ROADS 311
farm a long distance from the highway which would account for
their not being placed directly on Broadway, the new road,
Broadway, giving them later direct access to central bridge.
By the opening of the County road, now Bridge Street, travel
was diverted from Marsh Hill over the old road and from Hil
dreth Street and Colburn Avenue which was the highway over
which stages ran from Boston to towns in New Hampshire.

CHAPTER XIX.
MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS
Taverns.
BEFORE the introduction of the steam railroad, about 1835,
the only pubhc conveyance was the stage coach, while all
merchandise was carried on wagons drawn by oxen. A semi-
public conveyance was the mail carrier who on certain days de
livered the mail to the post offices in country towns. The ma
jority of travellers furnished their own carriages, but by what
ever means they traveUed, taverns were necessary for their
accommodation. At these houses the coach horses were changed
and shelter and refreshment provided for passengers and ani
mals. The use of strong drink was considered indispensable
and no tavern was fully equipped which did not provide a weU-
stocked bar. A haU was furnished for dances and singing
schools to which the village residents resorted for recreation.
There were no cities between Boston and Concord, N. H.,
and the stage route led through the towns where taverns were
located at convenient distances. The Durkee house near Varnum
Avenue and in the vicinity of the ferry was the oldest tavern
in the town. This is possible on account of its location where
the first settlement was made and near the first public crossing
of the river. In 1754 it was owned by Abraham Coburn, who
sold it to Abraham Blood. The estate was owned by this family
for 100 years and was purchased in 1855 by W. H. H. Durkee.
The Hovey Tavern is a well-known house standing at Hovey
Square. Thomas Hovey came to Dracut before the Revolution
and purchased a small piece of land on which stood the frame
of a house. This house he finished building and four genera
tions of Hoveys have lived here and until the present year
(1919) has been in the possession of the descendants of Thomas.
The shape is somewhat changed, as originally it had a long roof
on the back like many houses which were built at that time.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 313
This was removed, with an ell which was attached to the south
end of the building in which the "old folks" lived. The old
square chimney is retained with the large corner posts projecting
into the rooms, the paneUing, the crooked front stairs, the
kitchen in the rear with the long fireplace and brick oven, the
overhead floor beams and other features which were in accord
ance with the style of building in those early days. The room
at the right of the front door was the bar room and as the train
ing grounds was near it must have been a favorite place for the
citizens to meet and discuss the situation when news came of the
oppressive acts of the British ministry. This was on the direct
highway, now Hildreth Street, for stages going to the northern
towns after crossing the river at Bradleys ferry, and as the
building was near the road lady passengers were served with
hot tea passed from the windows, without alighting from the
coach. This house is probably the one to which reference is
made by John Varnum in his journal: "29 May 1777. In the
forenoon attended on training & c. No Rhum, flip nor Cyder
to be had at ye Tavern, the first training of that kind ever heard
of in Dracutt."
At the Center near where the hose house now stands was a
large building, painted yellow, but in recent years destroyed by
fire. This was a tavern at one time kept by Caleb Blanchard
and in 1831 it was caUed B. F. Varnums tavern house and later
it was conducted for the same purpose by Enoch F. Goodhue.
In 1860, Oliver Morse sold groceries in the ell.
Parker's tavern was on the Methuen road, now Broadway,
and is known as the Worthy Parker farm, now owned by Mr.
Long. In recent years changes have been made in the interior
but the dance hall remains unchanged. This was a famous place
in the early days of Lowell for merry parties to enjoy a sleigh
ride and dance with supper furnished. The bar room furniture
remained many years after it ceased to be a tavern.
Bradleys tavern still stands on First Street, nearly opposite
the ferry landing. Joseph Bradley was a prominent man in the
early part of the last century and owned the ferry near Central
bridge. Its usefulness as a tavern ceased long ago and it is
now a tenement house. If a teamster furnished his own hay
and grain no charge was made for stable room. The price for

314 HISTORY OF DRACUT
a night's lodging was eight cents for a single bed, six cents for
a double bed, while a hot dinner was provided for twelve and
a half cents.
Town Pounds.
The pound was a very important feature in the town and
there were laws governing the action of pound keepers and field
drivers. In recent years the use of the pound has been discon
tinued, and wherever the field driver places the cattle, the same
is a legal pound while the cattle are in his possession. In 1712,
"John Varnums fort" was the pound, this was the Varnum
garrison house on Riverside Street. In 1716 the town voted to
build two pounds, one to be located near James Richardsons
which would locate it on Varnum Avenue west of the Durkee
road and the other near Ephraim Hildreths which would be in
the vicinity of Hovey Square.
In 1713, Edward Coburn 's garrison house was declared a
legal pound, meaning probably the stockade which enclosed the
buildings. In 1738, Nathaniel Clement built a pound and as
his home was near the state line on the Mammoth road, it was
probably near there. In 1790 there is a record of a payment of
five pounds to William Hildreth and two others for their services
in building a pound near the house of Ephraim Hildreth. In
1783, the town voted to build a pound to be located between Dea.
Thomas Hoveys and Capt. Stephen RusseUs. It was to be built
of stone, to be thirty feet square and six feet high with a gate
made of oak lumber, and to be of suitable thickness of waU with
capstone. The work was probably delayed as payment was not
made until two years later, when the town treasurer paid Jona
than Taylor, William Hildreth and Parker Varnum for building
it. It was kept in its original condition many years after its
discontinuance for its purpose as a pound, but is now in a ruin
ous condition, but may be seen on Pleasant Street east of Hovey
Square. In early days hogs were permitted to run at large according
to a vote taken at the annual town meetings and the duties of
field driver and pound keeper were of more importance than at
the present time. Hog reeves were appointed at the annual
town meetings.

miscellaneous subjects 315
Work House.
In 1782, the town voted ' ' to build a house 14 ft square for
the purpose of Imploying Idle Indigent persons within the town
as the law directs," and Ebenezer Coburn, Parker Varnum, and
Thomas Hovey were appointed a committee to build "in the
cheapest manner possible and in the most convenient place."
The building was erected and Capt. Stephen Russell, Dea. Amos
Bradley, Parker Varnum, Thomas Hovey and Isaac Bradley
were appointed wardens of the work house; and Capt. Ezekiel
Hale was chosen to serve as master. The following year there
was recorded the payment of certain sums of money for labor,
lumber, etc., for the building. There is no record of its location
as anything to show when it was discontinued. In 1831, the
town purchased of Samuel F. Wood and his sister, Hannah,
wife of Jonathan Crosby, the farm formerly owned by their
father, William Wood, who had received this farm by will from
his father, Benjamin, the original settler on this tract. It in
cluded about fifty acres and the amount paid was $1265. The
only way of access to the buildings from the public highway
was by a lane leading south from Arlington street now called
Arlington avenue.
Previous to this time the indigent people had been boarded
in private families. Upon the town books there are recorded
entries of Selectmen's orders to the town treasurer similar to
the following, dated 1766: "Pay to Stephen Russell for keeping
Paul Wood 30 weeks and finding cloathing £2-13-0."
One of the first superintendents of the town farm was
Chandler Chase, who removed to Pelham, N. H. Among the
later superintendents are Henry Varnum, Gayton M. Hall,
Stephen W. Wright, Harvey Barnes and others.
A stone building for the confinement of insane or refractory
inmates or the temporary detention of arrested criminals was
erected near the farm house. It was about 22 by 14 feet square
and was provided with suitable locks on the doors and heavy
bars on the windows to prevent the escape of the inmates. The
interior was divided into three compartments, one occupying
nearly one-half of the building and used for a lodging place
for tramps and a sleeping place in warm weather for the male

316 HISTORY OF DRACUT
inmates. One small room with window was for the detention
of those who for any reason should be kept in strict confinement,
while a third room was a dark ceU in which would be placed the
refractory. During the Civil War there was a large number of inmates
and it became necessary to make additions to the farm house.
The number varied from year to year and was a source of in
come or expense, according to the ability of the one who managed
the farm. As that part of the town became more thickly settled
the land west of the farm lane became valuable for building lots
and was sold.
In 1881 the proposition was made to seU the farm and pur
chase one in East Dracut which would be of equal value as a
town farm with less investment in land value. This was defeat
ed and in 1911 the farm was sold as there were but a few inmates
and these are cared for by the town in other ways. The ledge
on Willard street was sold to the City of Lowell, the ownership
of the farm by the town ceased and the barn later was removed
across the street. The Water Cure.
In 1847, a medical institution was established on Sixth
street, in CentralviUe, in a building formerly used by the Dracut
academy as a boarding house for the pupils. A good description
of it is found in the advertising columns of a newspaper printed
in Lowell in that year: "Lowell Water Cure Establishment,
Dracutt, Mass. A new Hydropathic Institution situated on the
banks of the Merrimack about fifteen minutes walk from the
city of LoweU, is now open for the reception of invaUds. The
establishment combines the advantages of proximity to a large
city and a rural residence. ' ' The proprietor, Dr. Robert Darrah,
states that he has ' ' spared no pains or expense in making it one
of the most comfortable, convenient and desirable locations for
Hydropathic treatment now offered to the public. The home is
elegantly furnished and sufficiently commodious to accommodate
from 30 to 40 patients, with a good supply of pure water and a
Bathing apparatus not inferior to that of any other establish
ment of the kind." Terms for board and treatment were from
six to ten dollars per week and Dr. H. Foster was the physician

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 317
in charge. The institution was in existence for a few years, but
on account of financial difficulties the property was sold in 1852
by the creditors and two years later was purchased by Fisher A.
HUdreth and William P. Webster as a residence.
Purity of Elections.
The precautions taken to prevent a fraudulent election is
shown by an order issued to the town when Joseph Bradley
Varnum was elected to represent the district in Congress. This
order was directed to 100 citizens of Dracut, including four
negroes, and they were ordered to meet at the house of James
Varnum on the 27th day of July, 1796, ' ' to give their deposition
touching the election of J. B. Varnum." It probably included
every voter in the town. Memorials had been presented to Con
gress from his district impeaching his election. It was alleged
that as one of the selectmen of Dracut at the time of his election
he had aUowed certain votes to be received and counted which
were iUegal, if not fraudulent. The memorials were referred
to the committee on elections. Their report was a vindication
of Mr. Varnum and expressed their opinion that the charges
against him were wholly unfounded. Districts.
A record of action taken at town meeting held March 6,
1780, was as foUows: "The town should be divided "into 3 dis
tricts by the name of ye upper, the middle and the lower district.
The upper extends as far East as the Gret Road that leads from
Bradleys Ferry northward to Edward Coburns." This included
aU that part of the town west of a Une drawn from Central
Bridge, through Bridge and Hildreth streets, and foUow in the
highway leading to Pelham Center as far as the state line. "The
middle extends from sd Road Easterly to a Town way Easterly
of George Burns Dwelling house from thence running Southerly
to Maj. Saml. Varnums, including sd Burns and sd Varnums."
This would include Marsh Hill, Dracut Center and CentralviUe
heights as far east as Bell Grove, formerly Varnums Landing.
"The Easterly or lower Districts to extend from ye last men-

318 HISTORY OF DRACUT
tioned way to ye Easterly line of sd Town." These districts
were in charge of constables, one officer in each district. It is
not known for what purpose the town was so divided or when
the system was discontinued. They were not identical with the
school districts but were probably created for town purposes.
Royal Masts.
The English Government reserved all straight white pine
trees from 15 to 36 inches in diameter to furnish masts for the
Royal navy, marking them with a broad arrow. In 1766, Gov.
Wentworth of New Hampshire was appointed "Surveyor Gen
eral of aU his Majesty's woods in North America" for the pur
pose of putting into execution the acts of Parliament relating
to such reservation. Every owner of land before he commenced
cutting was obliged to employ a deputy surveyor to mark the
trees upon his land reserved for the use of the king. For neglect
the timber cut was forfeited and in this way whole mill yards
of lumber got out by the settlers were often forfeited. Samuel
Blodgett of Goffstown, N. H., was, in 1772, appointed deputy
surveyor for 31 towns in New Hampshire and his jurisdiction
extended to the towns of Haverhill, Andover, Dracut, Chelms
ford and Ipswich in the Massachusetts colony. It was such acts
as these which to a great extent exasperated the colonists and
prepared them for resistance which finally led to the indepen
dence of the colonies and to the birth of a new nation.
Barter and Old Deeds.
In the early settlement of the town there was but a small
amount of money in circulation and much of the business was
done by barter and exchange of products of the farm. As no
market existed nearer Dracut than Boston, fresh meat could not
be obtained in hot weather, and fish, fresh and salt, smoked ham,
salt pork, eggs and wild game furnished a substitute. In the
winter season fresh meat could be frozen and decay prevented.
Another arrangement which was made was that when a calf was
killed it was parcelled out among the neighbors who in turn
repaid the debt by returning the same amount when they butch
ered. On April 22, 1741, Joseph East, who in company with
Joseph Varnum operated the nickel mine, gave a mortgage of

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 319
his farm which consisted of 100 acres. By the terms of the con
tract he was permitted to pay with the following articles : hemp,
flax, cordage, bar iron, cast iron, linens, copper, leather, flaxseed,
beeswax, bayberry wax, sail cloth, nails, tallow, lumber including
shingles, staves, hoops, white pine boards, white oak plank, white
oak boards, ship timber, barrel beef, barrel fish, oil, whalebone
and cordwood. A large part of these articles could be furnished
from the farm or received in payment of debts due him and so
contribute to the discharge of the obligation.
In deeds of conveyance there was inserted much that at the
present time seems superfluous. In a deed given by Walker and
Hunt of the land east of Beaver Brook as far as the divisional
line, near Hildreth Street, after giving the boundary lines these
terms are used, ' ' together with all and singular ye Timber, Trees,
woods and underwoods, standing and growing thereon, swamps,
grounds, medows, springs, waters, water courses, ways, ease
ments, profits, priveleges, rights, liberties, benefits, advantages,
commodities, hereditaments, emoluments and appurtenances."
Local Names. — Brooks.
Beaver brook is the largest stream within the limits of the
town. It is the outlet of Beaver pond in Derry, N. H., ard
enters the town north of Collinsville, and reaches the Merrimack
river between Pawtucket falls and Aiken Street bridge. It fur
nishes power for the factories at Collinsville and the Navy Yard
village and formerly for the paper mill where the dam still re
mains. The brooks in their order as they flow into Merrimack
river commencing at East Dracut are: Bartlett's, formerly
Walker's brook; this rises in the meadows of East Dracut and is
joined near the Methuen line with the brook which is the outlet
of Peter's pond. Varnum 's brook rises in the meadows in the
southeast part of the town and enters the river near Bell Grove,
formerly Varnum 's Landing. Richardson's brook is formed by
the junction of two brooks, Potash and Trout brooks, which rise
south of Marsh and Burns hills. This brook flows into the
river at Kenwood village and was called by the Indians, Pophess-
gosquockegg, it has also been called Coburn 's and Winthrop 's
brook. Wilkinson's brook rises in the meadows near the town
farm and its outlet was a few rods above Central Bridge, but

320 HISTORY OF DRACUT
recently it has been turned into a sewer at BiUings street and
continues its course to the river underground. It has also been
called Belcher's and Richardson's brook.
Another brook rose between Pleasant Street and Aiken
Avenue, crossing Hildreth street north of the HUdreth cemetery.
Hovey 's tannery was located on this brook, which now enters a
sewer at Hildreth street. Beaver Brook, already described is
next in order. Cat Brook was a smaU brook crossing Riverside
street in the hollow east of Pawtucket bridge, but now enters a
sewer. Flaggy Meadow, or Marble's brook, rises near Ledge
hill and enters the river near the entrance to the boulevard.
Clay Pit brook rises farther west and running under Varnum
Avenue near Totman Road, takes a course nearly paraUel with
the river, which it enters near Marble's brook. AngeUca brook,
west of the Navy Yard viUage, runs under Riverside street near
the sand hill below the cemetery and enters Beaver brook. Tan
House or Tan Vat brook drains the meadows near the Rifle
Range and enters Beaver brook below the Navy Yard. Good
hue's brook rises in the meadows southwest of New Boston and
enters Beaver brook above Meadow bridge. Double brook is
the outlet of Long Pond and formerly furnished power for Var
num 's gristmill above CoUinsville. It runs under Mammoth
road below CoUinsville and enters Beaver brook. It formerly
had a branch called Alewive brook. The Coburn New Meadow
brook, called the Gilbert Coburn Saw miU brook, rises in the
north side of Marsh Hill and crossing the state Une reaches the
brook in Pelham.
The principal brooks in that part of Pelham which was, pre
vious to 1740, a part of Dracut, are Goulding 's brook, north of
Gage Hill, entering Beaver brook above the middle stone bridge ;
Gage's brook, which is the outlet of Island Pond and which runs
into Goulding 's brook; Tony's brook, crossing the County road
south of the lower stone bridge, and Gumpus brook, which is the
outlet of Gumpus Pond. West brook is near East Dracut Meet
ing House. Ponds.
The only pond lying wholly in Dracut is Peters' pond with
an area of 86 acres and lying in the east part of the town.

MILTON FOX

(See Page 387)

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 321
Long Pond Ues in Dracut, Tyngsboro and Pelham. A part of
the east side and the whole of the south end lie in Dracut. A
small part of the northeast corner of Tyngs pond Ues in Dracut,
the larger part being in Tyngsboro. Hills.
Poplar HiU is a hiU 300 feet above the level of the sea. It
is in the northeast corner of the town. It has a peculiar forma
tion in common with many other hills, being a double hiU or
one which has two summits. This formation seems to be in
obedience to some law which has not yet been discovered. In
the hoUow between the crests is the point where Pelham, N. H.,
Dracut and Methuen join. It was formerly known as Ayers
HiU. Burns Hill and Marsh Hill are each 200 feet high and
Ue on the state line north of Dracut center. Loon, or more cor
rectly Mallones Hill, lies east of Dracut Center, while Town
Farm and Christian Hills, each aproximately 200 feet high, are
well known hills between the Center and Merrimack River.
Christian Hill received its name from the fact that one of
the former owners of some of the property was so profane and
irreUgious that he was called Christian John. The present name
of the hill is CentralviUe Heights. Bump HiU is a small hill on
Hildreth Street, south of New Boston village, while Winter Hill
Ues between this village and Marsh Hill. Tan House Hill lies
between Hovey Square and Tan House brook. Huckleberry HiU
or Whortleberry Hill is a double hill lying between CoUinsville
and Park or Mud Pond. Druid, formerly Bridget's Hill, lies
north of Varnum Avenue. Ledge Hill is on the Mammoth Road
and has been the quarry from which a great part of the stone for
the foundation of the mills has been taken. Breakneck Hill lies
between the Mammoth and Old Meadow roads and was formerly
in such a condition as to be dangerous for travellers, and for
this reason it received its name.
Cow Bridge Hill is crossed by Bridge Street, near the city
line. In these days few cow bridges are in existence, but occa
sionally one may be seen in the country. When the County
road, now Bridge street, was laid out, it divided a pasture into
two parts. For convenience in allowing the cows to have access

322 HISTORY OF DRACUT
to both parts of the land, a bridge was constructed in the hollow
near Billings Street and thus the hill received its name.
Flag Meadow hill is a drumUn in Pawtucketville, north of
Varnum avenue, on which the Lowell General Hospital now is
located. Powder House hill was the high land south of Pleasant
street and west of Hildreth street, and is now crossed by Orleans
street. This was the training ground for the Dracut companies
of Militia and a small building recently demolished was used for
the storage of powder. Downshot hill is in the vicinity of
Ledge hill on the Mammoth Road: Stephen Hall hiU is between
Marsh and Burns Hill. Other Localities.
Totman Road in Pawtucketville was formerly called Zeal
Road. Zeal was a contraction of Barzillai. In the time of the
Revolution, a son of Primus Lew, viz., Barzillai, a colored man,
lived on this road. His name is among those who served in the war
and he was a musician, playing a fife. Blackbird swamp lies north
of Hovey Square. Bear Meadow is southwest of Huckleberry hiU
and reference is made to it in early deeds. Bushy Meadow lies
between Bear Meadow and the road leading to Nashua.
Deer Jump is in the Merrimack River, between Dracut and
Tewksbury. The tradition is that Satan ran across the river
by jumping from one rock to another, leaving the print of deer's
hoof on each rock which may be seen providing one possesses a
strong imagination. New England is a collection of houses on the
east side of the hill, which lies in the angle formed by Riverside
and Pleasant Streets, and near Beaver Brook. The Carpet miU
and original Paper mill were located at this spot and when dis
continued for manufacturing purposes, the Carpet mill build
ings were changed into tenement houses, which at present writ
ing are nearly all removed.
Collinsville was formerly Ames' mills, and later was known
as Lawson 's and Pearson's mills. After it became the property
of the Merrimack Woolen Co., it received the name of Frogtown.
New Boston is a collection of farm houses north of the Navy
Yard, while Black North is in the Northeast and Kenwood in
the southeast sections of the town. Bakers Island was in or
near Beaver Brook and near the outlet of Tan House brook.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 323
The Navy Yard village is on Beaver Brook, about half a
mile from the Merrimac river. Various reasons have been given
for its receiving its name, but the writer received the true reason
from the daughter of the man who gave it the name. She was
then ninety-five years old. Reference to the chapter relating to
fishing rights will show that early in the last century the pond
above Aiken Street bridge and below Pawtucket falls was a noted
fishing ground, and the owners or lessees of those rights, after
fishing, would ascend Beaver brook and moor their boats near
the dam which was below the present one above Pleasant street.
Near this dam stood a sawmill with its piles of sawed lumber
and ship's knees which the farmers had brought and left on the
bank ready, at high water, to be rafted to the ship yards at
Newburyport. One day two men, Esquire Life Hamblet and
Capt. John Burt, were at the mill and, noticing the boats and
ship timber, one said to the other, "This looks like a Navy
Yard." "Yes," replied the other, "and we wiU call it the
Navy Yard."
Ships knees were formerly used to give strength to a ship,
as they allowed the decks to be bolted to the sides. An oak tree
would be selected and cut, leaving about three feet of the trunk
standing. A root would be selected and cut about three feet
from the trunk. This would, when properly trimmed, form a
knee which, in the absence of framework, held the sides and
decks together. These knees, with other timber suitable for
ship building, would be prepared by the farmers and brought
to the Navy Yard village and left on the bank of the brook
below the dam, where they would be made into rafts, and
when the river was of a sufficient depth to allow their passage,
they would be floated down the river to Newburyport, their
pilots being strong, sturdy men, carrying long oars called sweeps
with which they guided the rafts to the shipyards. The men
then returned to Dracut and as there was no means of convey
ance they walked, carrying the sweeps on their shoulders.
Unclassified Miscellaneous.
The town abounds with evidences of the great glacial move
ment which occurred many centuries ago. We are ignorant of

324 HISTORY OF DRACUT
the physical condition of the country during the centuries which
followed the ice age until the time of the Indian occupancy, and
of those years we have no written record. A century and a half
ago Dracut was a farming town. The falls on Beaver Brook
were beginning to be utilized. The Merrimack River was simply
a medium of communication with Newburyport, by which lumber
might be conveyed on rafts to the shipyards. The Pawtucket
falls were of no benefit to the community, excepting as a fishing
place which served to provide an unUmited amount of food for
the early settlers. The products of the farm were of little value
except what was consumed at home, as the cost of transportation
to the Boston markets was almost prohibitive. But a radical
change was in the near future. East Chelmsford was to become
Lowell, its meadows were to be obliterated and immense brick
buildings for manufacturing purposes were to take their place.
New bridges across the river caused houses to be erected for the
mill operatives and what a century ago was a farming district
on the Dracut side of the river now supports a population suffi
cient for a large city.
Seven lines of electric cars now enter the territory which
was once Dracut. Rural delivery, the parcel post, the telephone
and the daily paper are conveniences of which the earUer genera
tions were ignorant. The introduction of a water system, gas
to iUuminate the buildings and an excellent school system gives
to the villages the benefit of city privileges.
The town officers are elected and all town business trans
acted at the annual and other meetings, where each individual
has a right to be heard and government by the people is seen in
its simplest form. In educational matters the town has endeav
ored to secure the best system, the most convenient and commo
dious houses and the most efficient teachers. Remembering the
motto, "Education is the keystone of our liberty," liberal appro
priations are made for schools and the supervision placed in the
care of competent parties.
In the early years of the town's existence the duties of the
town officers were comparatively easy. The selectmen were also
assessors and overseers of the poor. The collector received from
the farmer the amount assessed for taxes on one bill. At the
present time many of those same farms are divided into house

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 325
lots, each one requiring a separate assessment and bill. The
estabUshment of electric roads has added greatly to the duties
of town officers in the relocation of highways and the laying out
of new ones. The town report was printed on a single sheet of
paper. It now requires a book of many pages. For the repair
of roads, the town was divided into districts, each under the
supervision of a road surveyor. The increasing use of the auto
mobile has created a need of better road construction. Now
many of our town, as well as the state highways, are macadam
ized, rounded, smoothed and oiled, thereby giving the durability
required for the new vehicle. The farmers are introducing
machinery with which to perform the work once accomplished
by hard manual labor. Choice breeds of cattle now replace the
comparatively worthless ones of earUer days. Farms which
could formerly keep but a few cattle are managed with such
system that large herds are now sustained on the same number
of acres. As the horse superseded the slowly moving ox team,
so the auto truck is fast taking the place of the horse in convey
ing to the market the products of the farm.
The town officers in earlier times took prompt measures to
prevent undesirable people from becoming a charge upon the
town. If a family moved into town, the constable would be
ordered to warn them to leave within fifteen days, and the warn
ing was recorded on the town books. This action was taken,
not to oblige them to move, but to secure the town from loss in
case they should demand assistance. Each member of the fam
ily was mentioned by name and sometimes several families would
be warned at one time. In 1801, the citizens entered a protest
against the building of a dam at Pawtucket falls. Their fishing
rights were valuable and they predicted the destruction of those
rights if the dam was built. Their fears proved true, as the
rights were destroyed.
The town, in 1837, had the benefit of what was known as
the Surplus Revenue from the state. By complying with certain
conditions, the towns would receive this money which must be
loaned and the interest only used. It was voted that it should
be loaned to Dracut men only, and in sums of not less than one
hundred or more than three hundred dollars to each individual.
As the interest accumulated, it was applied to the building of

326 HISTORY OF DRACUT
school houses and bridges. For nearly two centuries the sale
and use of strong drink was considered necessary, as no building
could be raised, no marriage ceremonies performed, or funeral
services conducted without the providing of liquors for the occa
sion. One of our townsmen informed the writer that at one
time when the minister was making a pastoral caU, as he rode
into the yard his father hurried him out of the back door and
ordered him to run across the fields to the store, near the present
location of the town office, to get a jug of rum, as the laws of
hospitality required the production of a glass of stimulant for
the reverend guest. No grocery store was complete without its
barrel of New England Rum, no tavern was fully equipped un
less there was a bar with its variety of liquor to suit all tastes.
About 1813, the great Washingtonian movement was com
menced which in the present day is continued in the various
temperance movements. In 1847, an article was inserted in the
warrant, "to see if the town will prohibit the sale of ardent
spirits." No record was made of the disposition of the article.
Under date of April 5, 1847, it was voted, That the town ' ' build
a building for 'lobies' and other purposes." This would seem
to refer to the stone building near the town farm house on the
northerly side of Willard Street, used for many years as a
lockup for persons arrested. Probably about this time the town
office was built on the opposite side of the road. The two build
ings were about the same size and built of the same material.
Before this time the town books were kept at the residences
of the officers and the town has been fortunate that its records
have escaped destruction by fire. Ten years later, in one end of
the town office, a small room was set off in which the records
were kept until the school house at the Center was transformed
into an office and a modern fireproof vault was installed.
Controversies frequently arose between the Proprietors of
the Locks and Canals and the town of Dracut. Individuals
would often sell land in ignorance of the rights of the town
which would cause trouble. At one time the Locks and Canals
Company purchased land above the dam of the Varnum heirs,
who gave them a warranty deed. The town claimed prior
rights in a landing place and appointed a committee to investi
gate. This committee examined witnesses, searched records and

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 327
reported in favor of the town, viz., that the town had not relin
quished its rights to the bank of the river. This was proven by
a wiU of John Varnum bequeathing his estate to his sons, bound
ed south on the landing place, not on the river. They were vigi
lant in guarding their rights.
The people of early days are often considered as being sober
and sedate, which, when occasion required, they were also ready
for a picnic or dance, and the number of haUs and taverns for
merly in town bear witness to a spirit of sociability. An entry
in a private journal kept by John Varnum, under date of Janu
ary 15, 1778, records that, "About 2 of ye Clock the company
viz. Hezekiah Coburn and wife, Parker Varnum and wife, Roger
Ray and Hannah Brown, Henry Coburn and Samuel Richardson,
Samuel Coburn and Rhoda, Jonas Varnum and Polly Parker,
John Parkhurst, Isaac Parker, Abijah HiU and Bradstreet
Coburn set off in three double slays to go to Billerica, went as
far as Capt. Miners. Took a drink of Flip and toddy and re
turned through the town. Got back here about Sun setting.
The Company set off for Joseph Varnums to sup there with fife
and fiddle and returned home about 2 P. M. "
Another entry shows the wages paid a hired man: "13
April. Settled a bargain with Wm Young for 6 months labor
beginning this day for which I am to give him a wool home made
coat, waistcoat and breeches, two shirts, 2 pare of Trowsers, 2
pare of stockings, a pare of shoes, a hat & $10 for which sd Wm
promised to labor for me for 6 mos. from this day."
References are made to Old tenor, New tenor, lawful money
&c which indicate different values in the medium of exchange.
In the absence of a standard of value it was difficult to ascertain
the worth of paper money, as the denomination specified could
not be relied upon with any accuracy. One writer says, ' ' These
names and their true significance are not understood by many
at the present day. The value of this paper money was variable
and uncertain and from 1741 to 1765 there appears to have been
Uttle if any metaUic money used as a medium of exchange in
New Hampshire. In Massachusetts, the biUs of credit were
issued in 1690 which were redeemed yearly until 1704 when the
pubUc necessities were so urgent as to induce the General Court
to defer the payment of taxes for two years and afterwards for

328 HISTORY OF DRACUT
thirteen years. The British parliament at length interposed
and limited the postponement of taxes till 1741. In this time
new emissions of paper money were sent forth expressed as Old
Tenor, Middle Tenor, New Tenor first, New Tenor second. As
the value of an ounce of silver advanced the value of this paper
currency depreciated. In 1702 an ounce of silver brought 6s
10%d. The value steadily increased until 1740 it was worth
60 shillings while the paper money became comparatively of
little value."
An entry on the town books record the price of one ox as
£600 while £1400 was paid for a pair of oxen. In a private
journal of John Varnum 's, under date of 1781, he records
"Bought James' military coat & Paid him $800 for the same.
March 22. Aaron Small brought us % bushel of beans, asked
$67 for them. Apr 4 Selectmen here, finished the great Rate
for the hire of Soldiers. Our part came to about 100 Hard
Dollars which, at 75 to one comes to 7500 Continental Dollars.
May 2 Parker paid to me $536 which he received from Dea.
Hovey for a barrel of Rhum. " During the Civil War, in the
year 1862, gold was at two per cent premium and advanced in
1864 to $2.50 for a paper dollar. No metal currency was in
circulation. Storekeepers paid a premium for copper cents and
payments for articles of value less than five cents were made by
using postage stamps.
Considering the meagre education of the men who lived in
town during the first century of its existence, it is surprising
that the records were so well kept. A few misspelled words
a profuseness in the use of capital letters, the entry of the pro
ceedings of town meeting, followed by the entry of marks on a
cow's ear or dates of birth or marriage were of minor conse
quence compared with the value of the record.
The citizens of the town were always ready, in time of need,
with a helping hand. If through sickness or other misfortune
the farmer was unable to plant his fields, to cut and cure his
hay or to gather in his harvest, his neighbors would appoint a
day when all could meet and the work would be finished. Such
gatherings were called "having a wob."

miscellaneous subjects 329
The Fauna of Dracut
It was not difficult to clear the town of the few Indians
who remained after the tribe had removed. They could be per
suaded to leave by giving them blankets, kettles and trinkets.
It was not so with the wild animals. Freedom from their depre
dation was achieved only by extinction, and this was rendered
difficult on account of the dense forests which covered most of
the country. All domestic animals must be securely penned or
coralled, especiaUy at night. It was no unusual occurrence for
the settler to be awakened in the night by the beUowing of the
cattle or the squealing of the pigs as they were carried away
by a bear or wolf. The principal protection was afforded by
the trusty bear dog and the flintlock gun. Wild cats made night
hideous by their yells and the presence of the lynx made travel
by night unsafe. Beavers lived by the brooks and their skill in
constructing dams caused the meadows to be overflowed, thus
preventing the growth of alders and thereby furnishing grass
for the cattle ; but all these wild animals have disappeared as
the forests have been removed.
The mink and muskrat are still found near the streams, the
woodchuck and skunk in the fields and among the growing
crops, and the rabbits and squirrels are in the thickets. Deer
are occasionally seen. Many species of wild birds may be seen.
For game birds there are the native ruffed grouse, or "par
tridge," and the recently introduced pheasant. Woodcock and
snipe are sometimes seen, but the quail is nearly extinct in this
vicinity. The climate is unfavorable for large or poisonous
snakes. In the ledges an occasional black snake or adder may
be found, while the striped and green snakes live in the fields
and gardens where they destroy bugs and insects.
The Flora of Dracut
The oak and pine are the principal trees, the white oak
being especially valuable on account of its strength and dur
ability, while the inferior kinds are the black, yellow and red
species. The white pine is superior to other kinds as it is easily
wrought into lumber and many household articles. The red

330 HISTORY OF DRACUT
or Norway pine is rarely seen and will soon become extinct.
Maple and white birch are abundant. The maple is of the red
or swamp species, the rock maple will not thrive here. Swamp
lands if neglected are soon covered with alders and willows
whose principal value lies in their conversion into charcoal for
gunpowder and other uses. The hickory, chestnut and butter
nut are common. The graceful elm and conical horse chestnut
form a refreshing shade.
Many of our wild flowers are the enemy of the farmer. The
mullen, once called the velvet plant, and considered a curiosity,
springs up on new land. The milk weed with its white silky
pod is a source of trouble to the farmer. The daisy, or white-
weed, and wild carrot, or Queen Anne's lace, take possession
of the fields and destroy the value of the hay. The poison
sumach, or dogwood as it is called, and with its relative the
poison ivy, are to be found, but not in great abundance.
The soil of New England is favorable for fruits and the
choicest varieties of apples are produced in the town.
Geological Features
Within the limits of the town are two principal formations
of rock, granite, or gneiss, and mica schist. The former is found
in Pawtucketville and some of the northern parts of the town.
Some of these ledges have been quarried in former times, but
are not worked at present. The mica schist underlies a large
portion of the town and appears in ledges on the surface. In
some places these masses have been uptilted by the movements
of the earth in former ages. A ledge of this rock may be found
south of Pleasant Street and crossed by Aiken and Kearsarge
Avenues. Bridge Street crosses the Cowbridge hill a few rods
south of the Lowell line where the rock is seen in the uptilted
position as it was thrown out of the original horizontal forma
tion and is weathered to a very dark brown.
One of the best specimens of mica schist is to be seen on
Willard Street, called the Town Farm ledge, and now owned by
the City of Lowell. Through the ledge runs a beautiful dyke
of erruptive rock of a pinkish color composed of quartz and
feldspar. A rock of similar nature to the schist called mica

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 331
slate, forms the bed of the river at Pawtucket falls and else
where. The continued action of the water has worn away the
softer parts of the rock, leaving the harder portions exposed
and uptilted at an angle from the horizontal. Pot holes are
abundant in these rocks varying in size from two inches to a
foot in diameter. We learn by such formations that in remote
ages the bulk of the earth was greater than at present and as
the mass gradually cooled, shrinkage occurred and the crust
was fractured. Violent movements took place in the interior
of the earth, causing the upheaval of these rock formations
from their original beds. Colored People.
Several slaves were owned in Dracut in the early days,
but none are recorded in the U. S. Census of 1790, although
the number of free colored people is given as 39. From records
now existing we learn that they were considered as servants
rather than slaves, were kindly treated, cared for in old age
and given a decent burial. They were loyal to those who owned
them and patriotic when their country was in need of defendants.
One of the earliest colored families in town was that of
Anthony Negro, also called Tony. He came to Dracut from
Concord, Mass., with Sary, his wife, and several children, be
tween 1712 and 1716. The Concord records give his name as
Antoner. The committee appointed to allot the Reserved land,
evidently considered him worthy to share with the white citizens,
and seA'sral lots of land were set off to him in various portions of
the town. The eleventh lot on the river was granted to him,
which he exchanged in 1719 with Ezekiel Cheever for 30 pounds
and 50 acres of land near the Haverhill path, which is supposed
to be the road north of the Dracut reservoir, now discontinued,
and which led through East Dracut, which at that time joined
HaverhiU, now Methuen. South of this road on land formerly
owned by Franklin C. Wilson, and southwest of the present
buildings, there is an old cellar with a well near it. Its present
appearance indicates its age, as the elements have nearly oblit
erated it and like many other ceUars, it is away from any high
way and was probably reached only by a path through the woods.

332 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Reasoning from the fact of its age and that a large part of
Anthony's land was in this vicinity, it was probably his home.
Several deeds on record show the disposal of tracts of land al
lotted to him around Cedar pond, on Marsh Hill and over the
line in what is now Pelham. Tony brook in Pelham received its
name from him. After his death, which occurred June 10, 1741,
his will was probated naming Josiah Richardson as executor. The
children mentioned in the will are Joseph, Robert, Peggy, Han
nah, Sarah, David, Jonathan and Peter. Dracut records give
the birth of Jonathan, August 8, 1721, Margaret, August 27,
1716, Robert, April 15, 1718. No further trace of the children
can be found, and if there are any of his descendants in this
vicinity they must have assumed a different name, as the only
surname known by which they were called was "Negro." Dis
trict No. 11 in the northeast part of the town is called "Black
North," and from the fact of his owning so much land in this
section it was so called on this account, as proof exists that this
was the reason why it was given this name.
The Lew family were in Dracut about 1745, coming from
Groton. The records of that town have the foUowing entry
dated December 28, 1742: "Priamus (Capt Boydens negro serv
ant) to Margt. Molatto formerly servant to Saml Scripture, both
of Groton." Priamus served in the French and Indian war of
1745 as a musician. His son, Barzillai, born in Groton Novem
ber 5, 1743, died in Dracut January 18, 1822. He married Dor
cas Brister. He was early in the Revolution, enlisting in Capt.
John Fords Company in Col. Bridges Regiment, and was present
at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. He was employed
as a fifer. Barzillai and Dorcas had several children, among
them Zimri, who married Mahala Freeman, and their son, Adras-
tus, who married Elizabeth Freeman, is remembered as a resi
dent of Dracut, and who inherited from his ancestors skill as a
musician and whose children now living in Lowell also possess
this gift. The home of Barzillai has been mentioned as located
on Totman road where he owned a farm. An entry in a journal
written a century and a quarter ago gives this information:
"4 March 1779 One Stephen Hartwell here to advise relating to a
Neagro named Jeffery Hartwell, Spent considerable time with
him at his request relating to said Neagro 's freedom. He

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 333
would have given me a fee. I refused to take one (in a Neagro
Cause) " Jeffery died July 22 1816. The vital records of the
town give the death of Jesse Hartwell as occurring July 20,
1816, aged, 75 years. The similarity of the names and the dates
of deaths of these two men lead to the conclusion that they were
identical. Jess married Maria — and they were the parents of Violet,
called Vilot, and Frances, who will be remembered by the
older residents of the Navy Yard village, and who possessed to
a great degree cheerful dispositions and marked intelligence.
Maria, their mother, was employed for many years by Joseph
Butterfield Varnum, who at her marriage, presented her with
some land at the corner of Breakneck Hill Road and Meadow
Road on which they built a house and where the two daughters
mentioned made their home.
In 1779 the town records state that "John Varnum no
tified the town that he had received a laborer, a negro, who
calls himself Jeffrey Freeman about twenty eight years old
from Joseph HartweU in Bedford sd Jefferey appears to be an
able bodied laboring man and says he expects to earn his living
at husbandry work" This may have been the Jeffery Hartwell
before mentioned as the colored people assumed the name of the
people with whom they lived, having no family names of their
own. The town records of Bedford contain an article relating
to Jefferey HartweU. It is dated July 6, 1756: "Know all men
by these presents that I, Joseph Fitch of Bedford in the County
of Middlesex, in the province of Massachusetts Bay, in New
England, gentleman for and in consideration of the sum of £24
lawful money of New England, done, in hand paid at and be
fore the sealing and delivering of these presents, by Joseph
Hartwell of Bedford, above said yeoman, the receipt I do hereby
acknowledge, have bargained and sold and by these presents do
bargain and sell unto the said Joseph Hartwell a negro boy
about 5 years old, called Jeffru, now living at the said Joseph
Hartwells, to have and to hold the said negro boy by these pres
ents bargained and sold unto the said Joseph Hartwell, his
executors, administrators and assigns forever, and I the said
Joseph Fitch for myself etc do warrant the above said Nego boy

334 HISTORY OF DRACUT
unto the said Joseph Hartwell, his heirs etc against me the
said Joseph Fitch my heirs etc, all and every other person and
persons whatsoever, shall and will warrant and defend by these
presents of which negro boy I, the said Joseph Fitch have put
the said Joseph Hartwell in full possession by delivering said
negro at the sealing hereof unto the said Joseph Hartwell"
The marriage of Moses Freeman of Newton and Dinah
Lew of Dracut is recorded as occurring October 7, 1808, also
the birth of nine children. Dinah was a slave and at the time
of her death, which occurred about 1870, she was blind and
cared for by her children. Their home was on Meadow road,
south of the bridge where the cellar may be seen.
The Dracut vital records give the names of their children
as follows :
Rufus Lew born May 11 1810 in Cambridge

Derinder

June 3 1812

Moses

Aug 23 1814

Peter Lew

May 2 1816

Thomas

March 18 1818

Osmore Lew '

Jan 18 1820

Lucy

Mar 23 1822

Barzillai

Feb 29 1824

Edgar '

Jan 1 1826

In the absence of name of birthplace it is probable that all
of these except Rufus, were born in Dracut. Rufus married
April 24, 1849, Elizabeth Williams of Charlestown. In his
later years he became nearly helpless on account of rheuma
tism, but he was very intelligent and had an active mind which
caused him to be respected in the community. The other chil
dren, except Lucy, who cared for the mother in her old age,
found homes in other towns.
Silas Royal, or according to the pronounciation of those days,
Ryal, was a servant in the household of General J. B. Varnum,
and it is stated that he was purchased in Boston when an in
fant and brought to Dracut. In January, 1776, he enlisted in
Capt. John Reed's Company, Col. James Varnum 's Regiment,
and after serving for a time he entered the Navy as a pri-
vateersman. His name is on the Roll of Honor of Dracut Sol-

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 335
diers, where he is recorded as serving on the Privateer "Frank
lin." In 1778 he was kidnapped by speculators and taken to
Boston, where they intended to send him South to be sold.
When his absence was known, the Varnum family hurried to
his assistance and proved to the authorities that he was a free
man. He was a man who possessed dignity of manner and was
respected and trusted by the family with whom he lived. "He
was exceedingly punctilious as to respect he felt due him as
Gen. Varnum 's servant. If any of the young men failed to
take off their hats to him when they met him on the road, he
would cry out, 'Boys, where 's your manners?' and failing rec
ognition, would send his cane after them in double quick time. ' '
"Ryal as he was called was the body servant of Gen.
Varnum and accompanied him in his military expeditions. He
was early manumitted and served as a privateersman, at one
time of the Revolutionary War on board the brig 'Franklin,'
Joseph Robinson, commander, at Salem, and drew £30 as his
share of prize money. He was held in respect by everybody,
as he was a dignified old darkey with autocratic ways. That
he was an honored servant is shown by the fact that, though
old and diseased, he was tenderly cared for and had a room in
the family mansion. He died several years after Gen. Varnum on
May 3 1826 and, at his own request, was buried beside an In
dian in one corner of the Varnum burial ground at the Varnum
homestead. ' '
In an old diary preserved in the Varnum family an ac
count of the kidnapping of Royal is found :
"Jan 19 1778 — This morning while at breakfast heard
that Joshua Wyman had sold Ryal Varnum, that ye News was
brought from Westford by Jos. Varnum Jr. & that said Ryal
was carried off in a covered waggon. Handcuffed — on hearing
of which I immediately caUed for my horse, Galloped to Jos.
Varnums to Know ye Certainty. He confirmed it, Sent him
to Capt. Jo's to come Immediately and Joyne in ye pursuit to
Relieve sd Royal. He came Immediately. Sent Jonas with my
horse. Gave Jonas $20 to bare his expenses, with orders to
pursue with all possible speed, overtake, Bring back and not
suffer such arbitrary voyalance to Escape with Impunity. They

336 HISTORY OF DRACUT
pursued, came to Woburn, found the News confirmed. That
it was the Infamous Joner White, the Scurrilous Tinker of
Haverhill, that Bought him (at ye same time knowing sd Ryal
was a free man) sd White had Imprisoned him, Woburn peo
ple had Uberated him. Sd White laid a false charge against
him. Said he was an Inlisted soldier in ye Continental service :
that he had received $20 Continental money & had Deserted,
that he had stole from Sundry persons & was a thief & that if
ye prison Could not hold him ye Guard should & profanely
swore that he had bought him & would have him some way on
that Complaint. Altho he knew it to be false he put him under
guard. There is ye Infamous White that hath worked himself
by some means as some way to be a quartermaster for ye Army
at or near Boston, a fine post to get money when Truth Nor
Honor is not regarded.
Jan 20. Capt Joseph & Jonas Varnum went to Boston,
Complained to General Heath against said White, had sd Ryal
Liberated, and a promise from the Genl. that he would take
Notice of said White. They gave sd White Just Character to
ye General, he promissed he would take Notice of it. They
went to White, Informed him what they had done. He was
extreamly angry. Curst & swore very profanely. They delt
with him very sharply for his Conduct to Ryal. He said he
did not know that Ryal was free. They told him that he Did
not know that his Crime aledged against Ryal, for which he
was put under gaol was true, but that he knew ye contrary.
He said that all such Neagro ws ought to be slaves. They told
him that Ryal was as Good a man & of as much Honor as he, at
which he was extremely angry & profain. Laid his hand on
his Hanger by his side. They told him they had seen Hangers
& men before they had seen him or his, that they were Ready
to answer him any way he pleased, that they on sd Ryal Be
half, should Bring an action of Damage for false Imprison
ment, that such men stealers should not go unpunished. They
came to Wymans same Day. Gave him ye like Trimming."
By this it appears that the seizure and imprisonment was
in pursuance of a conspiracy to ship him south and sell him as
a slave.

\AH\TM GARRISON HOUSE

(Ser. P.i-e

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 337
"I, John White solemnly declare that I purchased a Negro
named Royal of one Joshua Wyman of Woburn in the County
of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts Bay, sometime the last
of spring or beginning of summer 1778, for which I paid nine
fifty six pounds lawful money, sd Wyman declaring to me on
his word of honor that if I would sell the sd Royal to some
other Southern Officer, so that he might never again return to
New England, he would give me some consideration therefor
(as he said on account of his infamous character as a thief &c)
and that the said Wyman still retains the money from me that
I gave him for said Negro, alledging that he is my slave for
life and that it is my fault that I do not make him so. This I
solemnly protest to be the truth.
John White
Newburyport Sept 28 1779."
There is in evidence this further paper, showing that pro
ceedings were commenced against said Wyman, being instruc
tions to Ryal from his counsel Gen. James Mitchell Varnum of
Rhode Island, the brother of Capt. Joseph Bradley Varnum,
bearing the title, viz. :
"Instructions to Silas Royal in his action vs. Joshua Wy
man to be brought before the Octo term of the Superior Court
in the County of Bristol Oct. 1779.
1. Take Deposition to prove the Bill of Sale to White.
2. Take Deposition to prove that Wyman has confessed.
that he made such a Bill of Sale, that he was sorry for what he
had done &c.
3. Make Depst to prove your confinement in irons &c.
That Wyman was knowing to it, and that White intended
carrying you to South Carolina as a slave.
4 Find out if possible who were witnesses to Bill of Sale
& take their Deposition.
5 Take Deposition to prove if Wyman intermedalled in
the affare of your Release and endeavored to have those prose
cuted who Released you. Let the witnesses ascertain as near
as they can thee date of the Bill of Sale.
6 Get a copy of ye whole case at ye Superior court when
your Freedom was declared. J. M. Varnum

338 HISTORY OF DRACUT
P. S. Desire ye Justices of peace to.be particular in their
captions viz. A plea of Trespas whereof Silas Royal is Pt &
Joshua Wyman Deft, defending before ye Superior Court at
Taunton in Oct 1779.
N. B. Follow your Instructions Exactly without minding
other peoples nonsense.
J. M. Varnum"
The animus of this abduction of said Ryal appears from
a transcript of Middlesex county court of common pleas records,
second Tuesday of Sept A. D. 1777 in an appealed case,
"Joshua Wyman vs. Silas Royal." "The parties now appear
and the Case after a full hearing was committed to a jury &
were according to Law to try the same, who returned their
verdict therein on Oath, that is to say they find the said Wy
man promised in manner & form set forth in the writ & assess
Damage at One Hundred Pounds. It is therefore Considered
by the Court that the said Silas Royal recover against the said
Joshua Wyman One Hundred Pounds Lawful money."
His faithfulness in service was appreciated by Gen. Varnum
and provision made for his care in his will. "My will is that
Silas Royal, a black man, who has been for a long time sup
ported by me, free from expense to himself or the Town, be
comfortably supported through life, and honorably buried
after death, at the expence of my Estate, provided, the small
property which he has been indulged in the possession of shall
not be transferred to any person but my residuary legatees."
Another colored soldier was Smith Coburn, "Servant of
Mr. Robert Coburn," who married Peg Connor, "Servant of
Mrs. Deborah Coburn." His marriage occured July 10, 1776.
His name is on the Roll of Honor, as he was present at the
seige of Boston. They lived on the Fowler road, a few rods
from the highway leading to Nashua, where the cellar may be
seen. Timothy Coburn, Sr., purchased in Boston two colored
children and as he journeyed on horseback, he brought them
in his saddle bags. The little boy lost his life by falling from
the bag, but the little girl arrived safely and continued through
life a member of the family. She was very faithful and de
voted to the interests of the family. As she had no surname,

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 339
she was known as Dinah Tim. As she cared for the Uttle ones
of the family and was faithful in her duties, when old and
infirm she received the care and attention that she had earned
and to which she was entitled. She was supposed to be about
100 years old as that period nearly elapsed between the time
when she was purchased and her death.
In the History and Genealogy of the Colburn — Coburn
families we find the following notice: "Naturally her reason
ing powers were limited. When quite old and unable to work,
the daughters of the family were one day preparing to weave
some checked cloth for aprons. Dinah requested them to weave
some for her. Upon inquiry as to the use she could make of
it, she said she wanted it to use when she picked beans. 'But
where,' they said, 'wiU you pick beans?' 'In Heaven,' she
answered. At another time she was seen sticking pine needles
in the ground, giving as a reason that they would grow and be
pine trees. Upon Mr. Coburn 's telling her that they would
not grow she said, 'Have faith sonny, have faith'."
In the list of colored men who served in the Revolution and
delivered firelocks, may be found the names of Smith Coburn
and Sampson Coburn, who were colored men. On the Roll of
Honor the names of Chester Parker and Tony Clark appear,
members of this same race.
The reason for calUng the northeast portion of the town
Black North has, until lately, been obscure. We now learn that
a colored man, named Black North, resided there and lies buried
in the vicinity. As already stated, the negroes had no names
except what people chose to give them, as for example, Anthony
Negro, Smith Coburn, Dinah Tim and Cambridge Moor. The
name does not appear in the vital records of the town but there
are people Uving who recall, when children, hearing those who
knew him relating facts about his Ufe. It is probable that he
had a family, as we learn that if the children were not inclined
to obey him he would catch them by the hair and lift them from
the floor and holding them at arms' length, he would say, "Now
wiU you mind me?"
A colored man, called Cambridge, Uved on Marsh HiU.
His house stood at the corner of the old Proprietors road and
the present highway near the reservoir. The well is still in

340 HISTORY OF DRACUT
existence but all traces of the house have disappeared. In one
place in the records he is called Cambridge Blackman, in the
same manner as Anthony is called Anthony Negro. The colored
people were called "blackamoors" from the Moors of Spain,
and this leads to the supposition that this may have been the
one whose name appears on the Roll of Honor as Cambridge
More. He served in a Bedford Company as one selected to
meet a call for men by act of December 2, 1780. The record
on the Bedford town books is, "Capt John Moore, chairman,
provided a negro called Cambridge Moore (servant of the
above) and agreed to give him as bounty 20 head of cattle, 3
years old, in case he continued in the service three years."
Major Ephraim Hildreth had a negro boy named Cuffe
and directed at his death that Cuffe should be sold with other
property to pay debts and funeral charges. In the inventory
he was valued at 100 lbs. In the inventory of Col. Joseph
Varnum 's estate there was entered, "A Negro man servant
name Cuff, 320 pounds, A Negro servant named Pegg 230
pounds." Cuff is said to have been a very bright darkey and
unusually shrewd. One day his master, the Colonel, got into
a discussion about some matter with a neighbor, while Cuff
stood by listening with interest. Cuff gave some peculiar sort
of a grunt after the neighbor had made some assertion, at which
the man became very indignant. "Do you think I am lying?"
he asked. "No, Massa, I dossent say as I does but you talk
mighty like I does when I isnt speaking de troof. "
The neighborhood of the Varnum garrison house was
called Cuff's parish. Rev. Thomas Parker owned or employed
a colored man named Caesar. A spring of water near Varnum
avenue supposed to have been discovered by him is called Cae
sar's Spring. Col. Ansant employed two colored servants, one
named Scip. In the vital records there is a record of a mar
riage between Scippio Coburn and Silvia Hill [negroes] dated
December 13, 1792.
These are the names of only a few of the colored people
who lived in the town as many of them are forgotten, but the
records of those who are known are creditable to the race. The
graves of some of these people are in the old cemetery, between

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 341
Varnum avenue and the river on the west side of the path oppo
site the burial place of the white people.
Remarkable Atmospheric Phenomenon
New Enland has experienced extreme cold weather in the
past centuries, which at times has caused a failure of the growing
crops and consequent hardship to the inhabitants. In common
with other towns, Dracut has been visited by its periods of ex
treme heat and extreme cold. In an old account book in Dracut
museum there is a record of such a cold season. "May 4 A
Cold Storm beegins About Noon with Rain and turns to Snow
before Night Snows all night and ye Next Day. While noon
the Snow was about Five inches Deep then turns to rain a Little
while Then Snow mixt Snow and Rain while Night Next Day
May 5" Fair Weather No. East Wind Snow Lies all Day till
night in Some Places Next Day May 7 in the morning Very Cold
and a Great frost. This in the year 1761". The same winter
records heavy frosts in May, June and September of the same
year. Poverty Year, 1816
The remarkably cold year of this date has given to history
the name of "Poverty Year." Corn was planted as usual, but
could only be used by cutting the stalks early and feeding to the
cattle. There were frosts every month and snow every month,
except July and August. In September the corn froze to the
center of the cob and apples froze on the trees. The following
winter must have been one of great hardship and suffering for
the families as there were no facilities for transportation as at
present. The Dark Day of 1790
The nineteenth day of May, 1790, will be long remembered
as ' ' The Dark Day. ' ' A record was made by Professor Wil
liams of Cambridge University. "This extraordinary darkness
came on between the hours of 10 and 11 A. M. and continued
until the middle of the next night. It was so great that people
were unable to read common print, determine the time of day by

342 HISTORY OF DRACUT
clocks or watches, dine, or manage their domestic concern with
out light of candles. The prospect was extremely dull and
gloomy. Candles were lighted in the houses the birds disap
peared and became silent; the fowls retired to roost; the cocks
crowed as at daybreak; objects could not be distinguished ex
cept at a very little distance ;and everything bore the appear
ance and gloom of night. The color of objects was worthy of
remark. The complexion of the clouds was compounded of a
faint red, yellow and brown; objects which commonly appear
green, were of the deepest green, verging to blue, and those
which appear white, were highly tinged with yellow. Almost
every object appeared to be tinged with yellow, rather than with
any other color. Objects appeared to cast a shade in every di
rection and there were several coruscations in the atmosphere,
not unlike the aurora bourealis, but no uncommon appearances
of the electric fire. The darkness extended all over the New
England States. To the westward it extended to the farthest
part of Connecticut and Albany ; to the southward all along the
sea coast; and to the northward as far as our settlement ex
tended. ' '
This occurred in the days of our great grand parents and
the oral traditions related by fathers to sons of the occurrences
of the day do not differ substantially from Prof. Williams'
record. They add that the cows came from the pasture think
ing that it was milking time. Various reasons have been sug
gested as solutions of the mystery. One statement has been made
that it was caused by burning forests, but this is hardly possible
as none of the records of the time allude to any odor of smoke or
to the existence of forest fires of a magnitude sufficient to cause
such widespread darkness.
The Yellow Day
September 6, 1881, will be long remembered for the condi
tion of the atmosphere which caused everything to assume a yel
low color. Trees, grass, cattle, buildings and individuals were
apparently yellow. This peculiar condition existed throughout
New England. It was necessary to use artificial light through
the day, bats and owls came out, frogs croaked and crickets

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 343
chirped. At the noon hour the darkness, which had commenced
in the morning, increased in density and to those who were in
clined to be superstitious the condition was frightful. Gas
lights burning in stores and offices shone as white and clear as
electric lights. At half past three the wind changed towards
the west and the sky, after passing through various shades of
yeUow, assumed the appearance of a cloudy day. At the time of
the dark day of 1790 the conditions of the upper atmosphere
were not understood, but in 1881 scientific men had studied
these problems. A writer in a Boston paper says: "There is
now existing in the upper atmosphere a very light fog of so
slight a density, in fact, that the sun's rays are hardly able to
penetrate or rather to filter through it. Sulphuric matter exist
ing in considerable quantity is found in the composition of this
mist and we see at once an explanation of the peculiar saffron
tinge which pervaded the atmosphere." A preponderance of
certain elements which compose the white light would easily
produce this condition, but it would not be likely to occur more
than once in a life time.
The Presentation of Col. Ansart 's Portrait
The Historical Committee meeting of the Molly Varnum
Chapter, D. A. R., was held at the town library building Feb
ruary 20, 1906. After transacting some routine business and
presentation of historical essays by members of the committee,
Mrs. C. D. Palmer, after referring to Col. Ansart 's services in
the Revolution as recorded in another chapter, presented to the
library a framed portrait of Col. Ansart. This was accepted on
behalf of the board of trustees and the town of Dracut by Silas
R. Coburn, who at that time was Secretary of the Board of
Trustees. After the presentation there was an adjournment to
the vestry, where refreshments were served followed by toasts
and addresses bearing upon the history of the town.
Presentation of a Register of the Soldiers and Sailors
of the Revolution.
The Molly Varnum Chapter, D. A. R. has taken a deep in
terest in historical matters relating to the town of Dracut and

344 HISTORY OF DRACUT
expressed a wish to present a memorial containing the names
of the soldiers of the Revolution who went from Dracut. In ful
filment of this desire the members of the Chapter and the towns
people met at the library and the memorial was presented to the
town. It is a register of the 439 men, printed in Old English
letters, beautifully illuminated. The work of preparing the
names was executed by Ross Turner of Boston, a celebrated
artist. Each page has a border of vines, flowers or fruit, and it
is embellished with shields, flags, etc., on its pages. The binding
is of beautiful green embossed leather, and it is kept in the
library in a glass ease, also presented by the chapter. Mr.
Turner, the artist, was present and explained the work was pre
pared by him and his assistants.
The presentation on behalf of the Chapter was made by Mrs.
M. H. Thompson, Chairman of the Dracut Library Memorial
Committee, and was accepted by Calvin Richardson, who repre
sented the trustees of the library. At the close of the presenta
tion exercises, Mrs. C. D. Palmer and Mrs. Thomas Nesmith,
members of the Chapter, presented a deed of a strip of land lying
on the west of the town lot which gives access to a new street
which had just been opened. A collation was served in the
Chapel of the Centre Meeting House, after which addresses were
made by the officers and members of the Chapter and papers
read by ladies resident in the town. The exercises were in
charge of Mrs. M. H. Thompson, who was toastmistress of the
occasion. She called attention to the fact that all of the ad
dresses were to be by women.
The first toast was, "Dracut — Historic Dracut. May her
boundaries never grow less; may her sons and daughters still
love and protect her, her adopted children bring her long life,
riches and honor, so that generations to come may point to her
with pride." Mrs. Arthur Hamblett responded, referring to the
hearty response to the call to serve in the Revolution and other
wars. The second toast was, "Our Chapter, God bless Her."
Response by Mrs. Thomas Nesmith, one of the ex-regents, who
gave as one of the reasons why the Chapter was interested in
Dracut, that Molly Varnum, for whom the Chapter was named,
was in her lifetime a resident of the town. She also gave praise

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 345
to Ross Turner for his work in designing and ornamenting the
memorial. The next toast was, "Massachusetts and the Daughters of
the American Revolution. May they all live long and prosper, ' '
and the response was by Mrs. Charles H. Masury of Danvers,
State Regent of the D. A. R. Her remarks were in praise of
Massachusetts and she asked, "How can there be anything
grander or greater than our old State?"
' ' The Dracut Soldiers of the Revolution. ' ' Response by Mrs.
C. D. Palmer, who, in response to the rest of the toast, which
was "May we emulate his faith in God, his sturdy sense of
duty, and his sturdy independence," said, "Material for a
score of historical romances is to be found in Revolutionary
Dracut," and referred to the large number of men who re
sponded to the call for its defence.
"The women of Dracut, those who know them best love
them best." Response by Mrs. Calvin Richardson, who spoke
of the hardships endured by the women in the days when the
men were fighting for our Uberties.
The next toast was, ' ' Stones of Dracut. ' ' Response by Mrs.
Charles Griffin, who called attention to the earlier days of John
Eliot and Wannalancet.
"France in the Revolution." The response was appro
priately given by Mrs. Charles M. Williams, a direct descendant
of one of the soldiers who came from France with Lafayette.
She referred to the support given to the American people by
the people of France and placed the names of Lafayette and
Rochambeau as worthy of a place beside the name of Wash
ington. "The Dracut Library. May its friends, its books and its
money multiply exceedingly." Response by Miss Rose E. Pea
body, who gave a historical account of its foundation and
growth and gave credit to the Molly Varnum Chapter for the
valuable assistance rendered in many ways in the past.
Remarks were made by Mrs. G. C. Brock on the future of
the D. A. R., followed by remarks on "The Cultivation of
True Patriotism," by Mrs. Donald McLean of New York.
Among other interesting things, Mrs McLean referred to Dra
cut 's remarkable record in the Revolution.

346 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The exercises closed with the singing of "The Star Span
gled Banner" by Mrs. WilUams.
Dracut Men as Gold Hunters
Until the year 1848, the present State of California was
inhabited by Indians, Mexicans and Spaniards. Its resources,
mineral and agricultural, were unknown and unsuspected. A
small number of Americans were to be found there, among
them a Swede, named John A. Sutter, who built a saw mill
near the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. To superin
tend its construction, he employed James Marshall, who, while
digging a channel for the flow of the water, discovered shining
particles which proved to be gold. "The village of San Fran
cisco went wild over the discovery. Many sold aU their posses
sions and hastened to the gold fields. All other business came
to a standstill. The judge abandoned the bench, and the
physician his patients, the town council was broken up for
want of a quorum, farms were left tenantless and waving fields
of grain were allowed to run to waste." (Bancroft's History.)
The gold fever spread rapidly through the country, every state
had its representatives in the gold regions wielding the pickax
or shovel, or rocking the cradle which separated the rich metal
from the gravel. The country was settled only as far west as
the Mississippi river, and from that point to the Pacific coast
there were deserts, rivers and ranges of mountains which must
be crossed while savage Indians, rattlesnakes and wild beasts
must be met and overcome.
The journey could be made in three different ways, over
land, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, or around Cape Horn,
which is the most southern point of South America, or across
the Continent. The Dracut men journeyed by whichever route
presented to their minds the greatest advantages. The journey
by way of the Cape must be made in a sailing vessel which,
owing to the calms and contrary winds, must be long and tedious.
The route by the Isthmus would not require the long jour
ney to the Cape and the return north on the west side of the
continent, but the difficulties of the crossing of the Isthmus
were many. Mules must be purchased and guides hired. Pro-

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 347
vision must be made for crossing rivers and lakes, poisonous
reptiles and insects abounded, while the marshy country, with
its poisonous air, produced malarial fevers. No dependence
could be placed on the arrival of vessels at the termination of
the overland journey, and perhaps weeks would elapse before
a ship arrived to convey them north to the California coast.
Those who preferred the overland route across the conti
nent also had their share of danger and hardships. Large
parties were organized for mutual protection and economy.
Leaving some central point, they proceeded by rail to New
York state, then by the Erie Canal and steam roads to the
Mississippi river. Mules and horses were purchased and
broken for the saddle and for wagons, which could be used in
crossing the prairies, but as they proceeded, reaching the moun
tains, the journey must be made afoot, using the mules as pack
animals. Parties leaving Boston in the month of April would
reach their destination in November. The route chosen would
be the one which would be followed having the fewest natural
obstructions without regard to distance. The wagons would
be used as long as possible, at times crossing mountains where,
in descending the slopes, it became necessary to attach ropes
to the axle and passing them around a tree the speed of descent
could be governed.
As a journey of this description was one in which the ma
jority of the travellers had not any experience, they did not
realize what was needed for such an undertaking. Conse
quently, on leaving civilization they were encumbered with
many articles which, while needed, became a burden and the
route would be strewn with cooking stoves, mining tools, trunks,
water filters for filtering the alkali water in the deserts through
which they must pass, and household furniture. The skeletons
of horses and mules marked the route, also the graves of those
whose strength failed them and who were buried far from
home and friends. Some would become appalled at the dan
gers and difficulties of a two thousand mile journey through the
wilderness and return to the states. The overland route, start
ing near Kansas City at Fort Leavenworth on the Missouri
River, crossed the Blue River, continuing through Nebraska,
Wyoming, Salt Lake City, Utah, across Bear River to Winne-

348 HISTORY OF DRACUT
mueca on the Humboldt River, then through Nevada across the
south end of Goose Lake and down Pitt River to Sacramento.
No record has been kept of the Dracut men who were in
these expeditions, but that the town was represented we gather
from the following names: Ephraim Peabody from East Dra
cut who was killed in a mine; George Eastman, Benjamin
Parker, Coffran Nutting, Nathaniel Stickney Jr, Justus Rich
ardson, Ephraim Peabody from Navy Yard Village, Ezra
Foster, George Kelly, Austin W. Pinney.
The gold fields of Australia also attracted Dracut men,
and in 1853 six members of the Coburn family, viz., Horace,
Edmund, Gates, Arad, Newton and Jackson, the last named
was killed by the Australian savages, journeyed by sailing ves
sels to that country in search of gold. Gates married while
living there and died September 18, 1868, leaving a family.
Horace never married, but died there while Jackson was mas
sacred as already mentioned. The others returned to this
country. Instances of Longevity in Dracut Families
Until the first quarter of the last century had passed into
history, large families were the rule and there was not the in
centive to leave the town for other localities, which existed
later as manufacturing places increased and railroads came into
existence. Thus some of the families in Dracut have been en
abled to reach old age by engaging in farm work thus living
near to nature and not indulging in those habits of mind and
body which so often tend to premature old age.
Prominent among these may be mentioned the sons and
daughters of Obadiah Richardson and his wife Hannah Hil
dreth, whose early home previous to her marriage was in "Me-
theuing." These were Obadiah, Jr., born 1776; Sarah, born
1782, married Isaac Coburn; Hannah, born 1785, married Eph
raim Richardson; Clarissa, born 1787, married Amos Boynton;
Lydia, born 1789, married Col. Prescott Varnum; Merrill, born
1791, married Mucy Wood; Sophia, born 1793, married Wil
liam Foster; Elizabeth, born 1797, married Asa Parker; Char
lotte born 1799, married Dea. Reuben Coburn. All of the above
named arrived at an advanced age, Charlotte and Merrill pass-

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 349
ing away at about 75 years of age; Sarah and Lydia at about
94. and the others all reaching the age of 80. They all Uved in
Dracut or the immediate vicinity and, excepting Charlotte, at
their death left numerous descendants.
The sketch of the Hamblet family records the marriage of
John Hamblet and Elizabeth Perham. Their family consisted
of sons, viz. : John, who resided in Maine and who died aged
about 90; Thaddeus, bom 1772, died in 1845, aged 73; Peter,
born 1775, died at 71 years of age; Life, born 1780, died in
1874, aged 94 ; and Theodore, born 1792, at his death was about
80 years of age. These men, born of good old New England
stock, leading active lives and temperate in their habits, were
enabled to live beyond the years usuaUy allotted to man.
The Hovey family may be included in those who are espe
ciaUy mentioned under the heading of this article. Their his
tory may be found in the genealogical sketches and need not be
repeated. Reference has been made to the sons of James P.
and Rebecca Hovey. William lived in Lowell and was 90 years
old at the time of his death. Horatio Nelson lived at East
Cambridge and reached the age of 92. Joshua, who was a
partner of his brother William, also lived to the age of 92.
Cyrus was a silversmith in Lowell and died when 77 years of
age. George inherited the Hovey homestead at Hovey square,
where he died at the age of 94. These brothers were born in
Dracut and their lives were spent within the limits of the town
as originally laid out, but, by annexation Joshua, William and
Cyrus in their later years lived in Lowell. The Hovey house
built by their grandfather, Thomas, is still standing and in the
days of stage coaches was on the highway over which stages
travelled from Boston to Concord, N. H. It was known as
Hovey 's tavern and flip and hot tea was provided for the trav
ellers, the coaches being driven near the windows where the
beverage was passed to the occupants of the vehicle, thus ren
dering it unnecessary for them to alight. The first U. S. Mail
to Dracut was delivered at this house.
The town has produced two individuals who are now
(1922) still living and who have attained the rare honor of
being centenarians. Clarissa Polly, second child of Ezra and
Sarah (Holland) Foster, was born at Bolton, Canada, Janu-

350 HISTORY OF DRACUT
ary 8, 1820. She left Canada when 17 years of age to come to
the States to work. Her father's family at this time resided
in Lowell and she continued for four years to work in the
Lowell mills, working 14 hours each day. The family then re
moved to the Varnum Garrison house on Riverside St., then the
highway to Pawtucket Bridge. The Nesmith brothers ha<d
established a small flannel mill at the Navy Yard Village, and
she found employment here as a weaver. About 1838 her
father purchased a farm at New Boston village, where he spent
the remainder of his life, cared for in his old age by his daugh
ter, Clarissa, and her husband, Horace Smith, a carpenter by
trade whom she married in 1853. She is a member of a long-
lived family. Her grandfather, Foster, was a soldier in the
Revolution, and died in his 95th year. Her father and mother
reached the age of 88. Her sister, Mrs. Banfill, was 95. An
other sister, Mrs. Flynn, and her brother, Ezra, were over 80
at their death.
Adeline Parker, daughter of Butterfield, and Mary (Tem-
pleton) Coburn, was born February 23, 1819, in Dracut. She
was an operative in the mills of the town and in Lowell, and
her home was here until her marriage with John Denning of
St. Louis, Mo. She was one of nine children, all excepting two,
being aged at the time of their death. Her mother, who died in
1869, was 87 years old. Her home was at St. Louis, where she
has resided since her marriage. She died June 18, 1920, aged
101 years. Fast Days and Thanksgivings
The early settlers of the Colony were deeply impressed
with the thought of dependence on the Maker of the Universe
and their pubUc acts were performed with this fact always
governing them. They came here to escape religious oppres
sion, not political tyranny, for they were loyal subjects to the
King of England for a century and a half after their arrival
in 1620. Their object was to establish a church where each one
could worship according to the promptings of their conscience.
It is not the duty of the writer to record the success or failure
of the object which led them to cross the ocean and commence
life anew in a strange country, which until this time was a

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 351
wilderness. Their first buildings were for protection and shel
ter, their mills for the conversion of grain into meal and flour,
and then their next duty was to build a house of worship and
to provide plenty of rum and molasses to cheer the workmen
while erecting it. The religious spirit was shown in town
affairs, as no one would be allowed to vote unless he was a
church member. Whenever danger threatened or provisions be
came scanty, fast days would be appointed and they were
strictly kept and the day was devoted to fasting and prayer
for deliverance from threatened dangers. In later years only
one day in the year was kept as a day of fasting and prayer,
and this appointed to be held in April where prayers were
offered for a bountiful harvest. In this State the custom was
discontinued as the day was given to feasting and sports, and
Patriots' Day was adopted in its place.
When reUeved from danger or there was an abundant har
vest, days of thanksgiving were appointed, which later also
occurred once in the year, a day in November being set apart
for feasting, merry making and joy. One writer records that,
"First Thanksgivings were for harvests, safe arrival of ships
with provisions, etc., and it is on record that one prudent town
postponed celebration for a week in order to get molasses to
sweeten pumpkin pies." As the people of New England be
came settlers in the west and south, they carried with them
their feelings of thanksgiving and now a national holiday is
proclaimed yearly, and in many of the churches services are
held and the spirit of thanksgiving as well as the form is duly
recognized. ,
Early Buildings
Buildings to shelter the family and protect them from the
wild beasts and Indians were the first to be provided by the
settlers. Rude in appearance and destitute of architectural
beauty, they would be warm and as the occupants were not
accustomed to the conveniences and luxuries of modern civiliza
tion, they were satisfactory and the children received instruc
tions in thrift and good citizenship, even if the buUdings were
primitive. As the first settlement was above the falls, so it is
reasonable to expect the first buildings would be located in that

352 HISTORY OF DRACUT
vicinity. The Durkee house, near Coburn 's ferry, and the
Garrison house opposite Totman road, are considered the old
est, while the Capt. Peter Coburn house north of Collinsville,
would be erected soon after settlement. No house belonging to
the Varnums remains standing. The garrison house on River
side Street, owned by Joseph Varnum, remained until recent
years, but is now removed. The art of photography was not
known and our knowledge of the shape of the earliest build-
ins can be gathered only from old prints, many of them the
result of the artist's imagination.
We need not assume that the first buildings were log
houses, although the speculators who were here temporarily be
fore the Coburns and Varnums may have built them. Chelms
ford, just across the river, had been in existence fifty years and
the many water privileges must have provided power for saw
mills, while the axe wielded by a strong arm hewed into shape
the oak timbers which composed the framework. The old
houses, to which reference is made, retain the low studded
rooms, the large beam across the ceiling and the corner posts in
the rooms. These buildings are exceptional, as to a great extent
the houses of those days were only one story in height with a
square room on each side of the front door with a smaller room
in the rear of the chimney which occupied the center of the
house. A low attic, devoid of partitions, furnished sleeping
rooms for the larger children while their elders occupied beds
set up in the square rooms under which were the trundle beds
which were drawn out at night and occupied by the little ones.
In these houses large families were raised and not unfre
quently an older son would bring home a wife, and grand chil
dren would find room to grow and thrive. In such cases an
other room might be provided, but in any case the house would
be well filled. This is not a fanciful picture for houses of this
kind have existed within the memory of the writer, who was
acquainted with the occupants in their later Ufe. It is unfor
tunate that no records have been kept relating to the time of
the building of these houses. Allusions to them in the town
records do not state whether they refer to an earlier building or
one at present in existence. To form an opinion of the age of a
building, its general features must be studied. If they corre-

JIIHX WALLACE THISSELL

(See Page 425)

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 353
spond to those above described they belong to the period of the
first settlement. This type of house could be found a few years
ago reaching from New Boston Village to the Navy Yard by
way of Meadow Bridge, but they have all disappeared.
The Osgood house now standing on the Mammoth road near
ledge hill and owned by Charles H. Cutter is a type of these
houses. While evidently of the period mentioned, the builder
arranged for more room in the lower story, as back rooms were
provided. The overhead beams, the large posts in the rooms,
the huge chimney with capacious fireplaces are to be found
which indicate a building of an early date. At the top of the
crooked stairway may be seen two low attic rooms, each having
a fireplace, which is rarely to be found in an attic room.
This style of houses while existing until the time of the
Revolution, is now nearly extinct. It was followed by a more
convenient type which represented the improved financial con
dition of the owners. The east side of Beaver brook was be
coming settled. We now change to a larger house having two
stories with four square rooms on the ground floor but by
reason of a long sloping roof on the back only the two front
chambers could be square. The examples of this type may be
found in the Capt. Stephen RusseU house, east of Hovey square,
and the Curtis house on Broadway, now owned by Moses L.
Daigle, and the old Richardson house on Hildreth St., near
Coburn St.
Other houses are still standing which were at first built on
this plan, but the long roof later removed, viz., the Hovey and
Abbott houses at Hovey square. The Henry Richardson house
at Hovey Square and the Rockwood D. Coburn house at New
Boston, the latter built near the close of the Revolution, were
of this type. The Richardson house just mentioned, was built
by Gen. William Hildreth and is now a large three story house,
but a visit to the attic reveals the marks on the chimney of the
roof of the house showing the pitch of the roof and its original
height. A later owner, desiring a larger house, added rooms
on the north side and changed the roof to a flat one, supported
by trusses. The long roof type was foUowed by one which represents
the time of the commencement of the last century. The two

354 HISTORY OF DRACUT
roofs corresponded in shape, the beam in the ceiling and the
low studded rooms had disappeared, but the large chimney, the
crooked front stairs and the posts in the rooms, the result of
using large timbers for framing, were retained. But by the
introduction of stoves and the discontinuance of fire places in
later years, the large central chimneys were no longer required
and a chimney with one flue was substituted. The frames of
the houses had been so well braced and the timbers so firmly
joined by oak pins in mortice and tenon that when the house
was raised the frame could be rolled about without changing
its shape. This elaborate framing was discarded and the bal
loon frame of the present day substituted.
The meeting houses have been described in a former chap
ter and have undergone a similar change. The first one which
stood on Varnum Avenue was doubtless of one story only and
of primitive construction. The second one which was at the
Navy Yard Village, must have had two stories, as when "digni
fied," reference is made to the gallery. The third one which,
in 1794, was erected at Dracut Center and a little later, the one
at Pawtucket bridge, were of the prevailing style with enclosed
stairway, outside of the main building, with the pulpit near
the center of the length of the building and the main aisle
crossing the width of the room. Later changes placed the pul
pit at the end of the room and the center aisle running length
wise of the building, but at present individual styles have
taken the place of regular types of architecture.
The changes in the school buildings have been even
greater. One common room with fireplace and seats without
any support for the back or feet have gradually improved until
rooms are provided for different grades, steam heat and run
ning water with low easy chairs, play grounds and modern sani
tary conveniences furnished which promote health and comfort.
The farm barns were also all of one type. These have
nearly all disappeared and as they will soon be things of the
past a description of them will be given. The construction dif
fered only in the number of floors, the smaller one having only
one, the larger having two floors into which wagons could be
driven, each being near the ends of the barn. The barn floor doors
and all smaller ones except one on the opposite side opened

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 355
into the barnyard. The cows and oxen were ranged across the
end of the barn facing the main floor, whose length was the
width of the building. On the opposite side of the floor were
stalls for the horses, pens for the young cattle and sheep, with
small doors opening into the yard, and the deep bays for hay
and the scaffolds. If the barn was not large enough to require
two main floors, small doors on a level with the scaffolds gave
an opportunity to pitch hay and sheaves of grain from wagons
standing outside. Barn cellars were not provided until the
present style of building was introduced.
The First Garrison House
The date of the erection of this building is not known, but
it was in existence in 1664, five years before the first settlers,
Varnum and Coburn, came from Ipswich. This building is now
standing on a street which connects Varnum Avenue with the
Boulevard and is owned by the City of Lowell, and permission
has been granted the Lowell Historical Society to occupy it.
This building is on a part of the Military grant of 1664, and
four years later was sold to Edward Colburn, who, at his death,
left it to his son Joseph. It was sold to the Blood family, who
in turn sold it to Major W. H. H. Durkee and is known as the
Durkee house.
Colburn erected houses in the vicinity for his sons which,
in the Indian raid of 1675, were burned, but evidently he and
his sons were stationed in this garrison house which was en
closed in a stout pallisade or stockade and were enabled to pre
vent its destruction. In this building Daniel Gookin, the In
dian agent, held a court once a year until the settlement of
the town. Minor cases were settled by the Indians, but Gookin 's
court corresponded to our Superior Court. It was originally
a four-room house, with fire places having hearth stones ten
feet in length. The shape of the original building is shown
in the picture of the house. It was later enlarged to its present
width by lengthening the rafters on the back of the house and
making the roofs of unequal length, the front roof remaining
unchanged. This roof was afterward lengthened, giving it its
present shape. An examination of the attic room shows these
alterations.

356 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Edward Colburn 's ferry was a continuation of this high
way to Chelmsford and this building was the toll house. The
stone posts which supported the gate still exist although only
one is standing. During the years preceding the Revolution
the broad fields adjoining were the parade ground for Capt.
Peter Coburn 's company and in the building, which was also
a tavern, was the barroom which was considered indispensable
on election days, the voters meeting here, where games and fes
tivities would be continued for several days.
The Toll House at Central Bridge
"Where Varnum Park now is, stood at the end of the dis
mal covered bridge of the period, the toll house, which is hardly
historical, but was the place of more than common interest and
of distinct individuality. Many people will remember it, and
also the sprightly lady who sometimes presided over the till —
clean, crisp and of unbounded hospitality. There were hood
lums then as well as now ; but no hoodlum who measured
swords with her ever left the field without a scratch. On a
Saturday afternoon, the great field day of country people,
every inch of space belonging to the toll house was occupied by
vehicles, with horses sleepily enjoying an unwonted holiday or
luxuriously toying with their nose bags while the owners were
over to Lowell trading. I can see them now, as they come trail
ing one by one wearily across the bridge, bearing their sheaves
with them. The toll house was to the people of Dracut what a
modern (men's) club house is today — a choice bit of gossip
flying through the air was sure to find lodgement and circula
tion. The Boston Daily was passed from hand to hand, and
contents noted, and lost, strayed or stolen conveniently posted.
But when the bridge became free in 1850 (sie), the toll house
was no longer needed and its star went out." (Mary E. Wight
in Lowell book).
The last toll keeper was a man whose name was Spaulding
and who through an accident had lost one of his lower limbs.
What a contrast between those times when the toll man could
leisurely collect his money, unfasten and swing back the gate
which reached across the street, and have time for an inter
change of views on the political situation after which the team

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 357
entering the bridge, he returned leisurely to the office before
his services would again be required, a contrast when we con
sider the almost uninterrupted stream of vehicles, street cars
and pedestrians which now daily pass over this bridge.
Town Records
The absence of records for the first ten years of the ex
istence of the town forbids the recording of the transactions
and vital records of that time. It is fortunate that the books
have been preserved through the years in which they were kept
in dwelling houses and liable at any time to be destroyed by
fire. The peculiar spelling of names and lack of system in re
cording events are of minor importance and due allowance
must be made for the phonetic speUing as the clerks, while
men of sound sense and ability, had received very little educa
tion. To reproduce all their errors would occupy too much
space in this work, although it would be of interest to record them.
A large blank book in which records of town meetings,
vital statistics, private marks on cattle, etc., were all recorded
together, was considered sufficient, while names of those who
were born or died were often entered with no information re
lating to their parent's names or in any way connecting them
with any particular family. One instance to illustrate will be
given which is only one of many of a similar nature. While
preparing a genealogy of the Colburn-Coburn families, the
writer had occasion to record the date of death of Lydia, wife
of Elijah Coburn, and the town records were consulted. There
were several bearing this name, only three having the name of
the husband given. The others were: Lydia d Jan 24 1813
Lydia d June 26 1821. Mrs. Lydia d. Feb. 21 1842. Lydia.
Old age Dec 30 1846. Fortunately at that time some of the
grand children were living and the one who gave the informa
tion that he was the baby at the time of her death, was born in
1821 and thus the date was secured Such entries are the de
spair of the genealogist. The clerk understood who they were
and seems to have taken it for granted that future generations
would be able to identify them.
The occupation given in some cases was peculiar, one being
"hunting and loafing." While one name given a child was con-

358 HISTORY OF DRACUT
sidered sufficient, the opposite extreme is often seen, thus,
Caleb Methusaleh Bishop Baxter Polk Page, who had a brother
equally well provided, who was named John Howard Wilber-
force Clarkson Fox Penn Page.
That the clerks spelled names as they were pronounced we
learn from a few examples. Austin, Astin and Astens. Clem
ent, Clament, Clammons, Clements, Clemment, demons. Co-
burn, Colbon, Colburn, Coben, Coban. Bathshebu became Ba-
shaba, Bathshebe, Bershaba, Barshaba and Barsha. Gilchrest
was changed to Gilcreas, Gilcrest, Gilgreast, and Guilgreast.
While many births are unrecorded as there was no law
until 1850, which required such record, some appear whose
births occurred in other towns. Eight children of Benning and
Elizabeth Moulton are recorded, but none of them born in Dra
cut. The death of Samuel Armor, "alias" Pompy, a Spanish
Indian, is recorded as occurring on May 7, 1744, and it is pos
sible that this is the Indian who is buried in the corner of the
Varnum cemetery and near whom Silas Royal, who was owned
by Gen. J. B. Varnum, was at his own request buried. The
name of this colored man was pronounced in those days Rial,
and when recorded was spelled "Silas riol, " which was an
enigma until it was remembered that the herb penny royal was
called penny riol. Other names were changed, Atkinson be
came Adkinson, Ditson was changed to Didson, and was so
spelled. In the record of marriages the residence was in several
cases given, ' ' Resident som Whather, ' ' or they were called ' ' f or-
igner" or "Trancien person." Books with printed forms are
now provided for these records giving name of child, date of
birth, names of parents, etc., also records for marriages and
deaths are for use of town clerks. The present law requires
that old records shall be placed in fire proof vaults all shelves
and inside doors must be metal and the records are not to be
removed from the building. A Commissioner of Records is
appointed to see that the letter is obeyed.
The opportunities for omission of record are rare, as a
license for marriage and permit for burial must be issued and
physicians and nurses must report births. A sum of money
was bequeathed to the New England Historic Genealogical So-

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 359
ciety by Robert Henry Eddy, and November 6, 1901, the society
voted "That the sum of $20000 from the bequest of the late
Robert Henry Eddy be set aside as a special fund to be called
the Eddy Town Record Fund for the sole purpose of publish
ing the Vital Records of the towns of Massachusetts and that
the Council be authorized and instructed to make such arrange
ments as may be necessary for such publication. And the
treasurer is hereby instructed to honor such drafts as shall be
authorized by the Council for this purpose." To aid in this
good work the state has made an annual appropriation for the
pubUcation of the records. All early records are included, but
none later than 1850 as all since that date are to be found at
the registry at Cambridge. The act passed by the Legislature
is as follows : Chapter 470.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the Year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Two.
AN ACT To provide for the Preservation of Town Records of
Births, Marriages and Deaths Previous to the Year
Eighteen Hundred and Fifty.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the sames
as follows: Section 1. Whenever the record of the births, marriages
and deaths, previous to the year eighten hundred and fifty, of
any town in this Commonwealth, shall be printed and verified
in the manner required by the commissioner of public records
and the board of free public library commissioners, acting
jointly, and the work shall appear to them to have been pre
pared with accuracy, the secretary of the Commonwealth shall
purchase five hundred copies of such record at a price not ex
ceeding one cent per page: provided, that the written copy of
the town records shall become the property of the Common
wealth, and shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of
the Commonwealth; and provided, further, that not more than
fiften thousand dollars shall be expended by authority of this
act in any one year.
Section 2. The volumes purchased as aforesaid shall be
distributed by the secretary as follows : — One copy to the office

360 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of the secretary of the Commonwealth; one copy to the com
missioner of public records; one copy to the free public library
of each town and city of the Commonwealth; one copy to each
state and territorial library in the United States; one copy to
the library of Congress; one copy to each incorporated his
torical society in the Commonwealth; one copy to the library of
each college in the Commonwealth; one copy to each registry
of deeds, and one copy to the court of registration. The re
mainder shall be placed in the state library for purposes of
exchange. Approved June 11, 1902.
Notices were sent to the towns and cities of the fund de
scribed and they were given an opportunity to apply for the
benefit of the same. It was the intention of the Society to make
the publication of the records free of expense to the town, but
later it was thought best for the towns to bear the expense of
the manuscript copy. The trustees of the Public Library con
sidered it proper to make inquiries in relation to expense, etc.,
and bring the matter before the town. An appropriation was
made by the town and the work completed. The instructions
relating to it were, no ink or paper to be used except such as
was approved and furnished by the state, no private records of
any description to be used, town and Church Records and
cemetery headstones only to be copied. The writer of the manu
script while preparing it in his own hand writing, must follow
the exact copy as found. If the clerks of the earlier days inter
lined words, or wrote and then drew a pen through them, or
gave the word a wrong spelling or improper use of capital let
ters, or made an ornamental letter these must all be reproduced.
If he caused a blot to be made or touched the page with an inky
finger or absentmindedly made any marks, all such must ap
pear in the manuscript which is deposited in the state archives
while the printed copy corrects these errors. When ready, a
verifier was sent from Boston and the work examined. It was
then printed, bound and distributed without further cost to the
town. Historical societies in some cases have furnished the funds
in connection with the state with the provision that the print
ing, binding and general make up must all correspond with

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 361
the other copies making their appearance uniform. The towns
and cities that have prepared the records now number 145, and
a copy of each may be found in the reference room at the town
library building. Transportation and Vehicles
When the first settlers in the region now known as New
England, explored the country, reports of such explorations do
not include any reference to the use of horses and none were
imported on the ships which followed the Mayflower. The In
dians had no highways, a few beaten paths were sufficient for
their use as all journeys by land were made on foot and for
their use on the rivers and ponds they were skilful in fashion
ing Ught, strong canoes of birch bark which covered a wooden
frame. For them time was of no value and consequently speed
was not a factor to be considered, so that long journeys, when
necessary, held no element of care or dread for them. With no
fixed habitation they were at home wherever a camping ground
was found near a fishing place and where a hostile tribe could
not surprise them. These early settlers needed no means of
transportation as there were no settlements nearer than those
of the Dutch in New York and the French in Canada. When
Roger WiUiams was banished from the colony he walked
through the woods to Rhode Island, sleeping at night in the
forest without covering except what was afforded by the trees
and rocks.
When the towns between this part of the Merrimack river
and the sea were incorporated and horses introduced the means
of communication were improved, but somewhat restricted. As
horses could not be provided for every member of the family,
a device called a piUion was attached to the saddle, which en
abled the man and wife to be carried by one horse, and prob
ably a small child could be held by the mother. To reach a
seat on the piUion, a horse block was provided, from the top of
this block it was easy to reach the seat. These blocks, when
their use was discontinued, disappeared, but occasionally one
may be found. Such a one may be seen at the present time, it
being a solid rock forming a part of a ledge having on the side

362 HISTORY OF DRACUT
a step, cut with a chisel midway between the top and the ground.
This is near the site of the Edward Coburn house, which stood
on the stage road from Boston to Concord just over the state
line in Pelham. The farm was later the Capt. Gilbert Coburn
farm. As the need for transportation of farm produce, lumber,
etc., increased wheel vehicles came into general use, taking the
place of saddle bags, which, as the name implies, were bags
attached to the saddle, in which small articles could be con
veyed and, as may be seen in the article relating to colored
people, little children were sometimes carried. The first wagons
were heavy lumbering affairs, destitute of springs and with
wheels revolving on a wooden axletree. The first improvement
was the use of the thorough brace, used only on two-wheeled
vehicles. Two frames consisting of a stout piece of wood bolted
to the shafts and connected by a cross piece in each formed
the frame of a cradle, the end of the frame on the shaft forming
an acute angle with the shaft. From the cross piece of the
frame in front to the one at the back stout leather straps ex
tended on which the body of the vehicle rested, the seat being
directly over the axletree. Thus the body was slung as in a
hammock, and to some extent the rider protected from the rough
ness of the road. These which had no top were road sulkys,
called gigs, and used largely by physicians in their daily jour
neys, while those which had covers were the chaises of our an
cestors and were retained in use by doctors until the days of
automobiles. Occasionally a four-wheeled wagon could be seen with the
body resting on thoroughbraces which were attached to a low
frame instead of swinging in the air as was the case of the
chaise. When wagon bodies were placed on steel springs, these
springs could be adapted to the wagon body but not to the
chaise, and so the thoroughbrace survived. Although many im
provements have been made and different styles of carriages
produced, the principle of the steel spring still exists, not being
superceded by anything better. The present century marks the
decline of horse-drawn vehicles, those drawn by oxen have dis
appeared, and the automobiles and aeroplanes are fast sup
planting the methods of locomotion of our ancestors.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 363
The Jay Treaty
The citizens of Dracut had taken an active part in the
establishment of a republic as has been shown in previous chap
ters and, as was their right, they claimed and exercised this
right by watching the acts of those in authority and were not
afraid to remonstrate whenever anything was done which they
considered prejudicial to the interests of good government. In
1793, the French Republic declared war against England and
endeavored to persuade the United States to become an ally.
As steps were taken by France to compel this new republic to
engage in this war, the sympathy of France was forfeited and
this government remained neutral. The course taken by Eng
land at this time was such as to involve us in a war on our own
account. Besides violating treaties, her greatest offence was
the impressment of seamen on American ships and obliging
them to serve in the English navy, claiming that they were sub
jects of Great Britain. Wishing to avoid further war, Wash
ington sent John Jay as Envoy Extraordinary to England, to
conclude a treaty by which a settlement of the difficulties might
be made. This treaty was ratified by the Senate, but while sat
isfactory terms were made on some of the points in dispute,
the article relating to the impressment of sailors remained un
changed. It was very unsatisfactory to Washington, but real
izing that it was impossible at the time to conclude a treaty on
better terms he, after much hesitation, signed it.
In common with other towns throughout the country, Dra
cut held an indignation meeting, at which 160 of the citizens
voted unanimously to protest against the treaty and a remon
strance was duly signed, setting forth their reasons for such
action in forcible but respectful language. The concluding
paragraph is: "We are unanimously of the opinion, 160 voters
being present in the said meeting, that the said treaty ought
never to become a law of the United States." Time has proved
the wisdom of Washington's action, although at the time he
was severely censured by those who preferred war. The towns
people did not carry their right to remonstrate to excess, but
doubtless in common with others realized later the wisdom of the
ratification of the treaty.

CHAPTER XX
BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY
THE limits of a town history forbid an extended account
of the families, but a brief sketch of those who were
prominent in the early history of the town wiU be given. Of
these a few descendants remain who bear the name of their
ancestors, while in many cases the original name is extinct,
but there are representatives of nearly all of the early famiUes,
although through marriage the names are changed. In the
earlier centuries of the Christian era, surnames were unknown.
Individuals were known by their occupation, their local sur
roundings, their personal appearance, and by their titles. Thus
James the cooper became James Cooper, George by the lake
was George Lake, Adam the short was Adam Short, and Edward
the clerk was Edward Clark, as the name was then pronounced.
In Arthur's "Dictionary of Names" we find that: "It is
impossible to decide at what precise period names became
stationary or began to descend hereditary. According to
Camden, surnames began to be taken up in France about the
time of the Conquest (1066), or a very little before, under King
Edward the Confessor." Among the Scandinavians, and par
ticularly in the Swedish country, the son received the father's
name, with "son" for a final syllable, as, John's son which
became Johnson. Other pecularities will be noticed in the
sketches of the families. Abbott
The name is derived from the Syriac word abba, meaning
father, and an abbot was the superior or head of a monastery.
The first of this name to emigrate was George Abbott, who came
to this country from Yorkshire about 1640, settling in Andover,
where his descendants are prominent in business circles. The
line of Solomon, who was the first in Dracut, is George1,
Benjamin2, David3, Solomon4. He came from Andover in 1758,
and purchased from John White 110 acres of land with build-

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 365
ings, and a ferry and fishing rights formerly belonging to
Robert Hildreth. The farm extended from the river to Tenth
Street and from what is now Bridge Street to Beacon Street.
He sold, in 1761, 57 acres with the ferry to Amos Bradley
of Haverhill. His wife's name was Hannah Colby. One of his
sons, David5, owned a farm on the river, including a group of
islands below Hunt's Falls, called Abbotts Islands, but sold his
property in 1804 and removed from town. Solomon, Jr.6,
purchased a farm on the Mammoth Road, extending to Beaver
Brook. Another son, Daniel Colby6, was a carpenter and
purchased a farm on what is now Hildreth Street, which was
formerly the stage road from Boston to Concord, N. H. It was
purchased of the heirs of John Bowers and is north of Hovey
Square. This was the well-known Abbot farm, and the original
house consisted of only two rooms, to which Mr. Abbott made
additions, the roof in the rear being longer than the one in
front, leaving but one story on the back, but later it was changed
to its present appearance. Land was purchased adjoining, also
outlying pastures and woodland, and at his death his son,
Daniel6 , came into possession of valuable property. Daniel C.6
held the office of town treasurer for twenty-one years and was
Representative to the General Court. His son, Daniel6, born
in 1804, was a farmer and held minor offices in the town.
Others of the name were in town at an early date. One Daniel
Abbott lived on a farm at the Navy Yard village which had
formerly been owned by the minister, Rev. Nathan Davis, but
sold the property in 1765. Dr. James Abbott Uved at Collins-
viUe, opposite the tenements of the American Woolen Co. on
the Mammoth Road. Five men of the name served in the
Revolutionary army, from Dracut. Ansart.
Marie Louis Amand Ansart de Marisquelle was a native of
France, born in 1742. As a citizen of France his name was
as given above, but voluntarily relinquishing a title and citizen
ship of that country he became simply Louis Ansart. His
father was a marquis and the son was given an education at a
military school. He gave his attention to the study of en-

366 HISTORY OF DRACUT
gineering instead of the duties of the field and camp. His
special work was the casting of cannon, and in this department
he was proficient. Soon after the American Colonies declared
their independence, he, with many others, came to this country.
Recognizing the need of the American Army for efficient
artillery, he at once saw his opportunity, and offering his
services to the State of Massachusetts, they were accepted. The
offer of his services has been preserved and are interesting and
explanatory. "Prosposal of Monsieur De Marisquelle
Marie Louis Amand Ansant De Marisquelle an old Captain
of Infantry having been brought up in the forges of France (his
father and the Marquis of Montalembert, his relative, having
furnished for many years all the Iron cannon in the service of
the French King) proposes to the Honorable Council and House
of Representatives to establish furnaces in the State of Massa
chusetts Bay upon account of government for the purpose of
furnishing the state with all such Iron cannon as they may
need. He has some particular methods of softening the Iron
by a mixture of ores and minerals and also of casting the cannon
solid and boring the same by which means they are rendered less
massy and yet stronger than others cast with a cylinder which
always occasioned many little holes or cavities in the pieces and
which frequently occasioned the bursting. His father having
observed how prejudicial those cavities were to the service of
artillery, he in the year 1750 cast many solid cannon and find
them superior to those cast with a cylinder, and at present no
other but solid cannon are cast in the forges of France.
His father is the inventor of the machine which is used for
boring said cannon and with it a 24 pounder can be bored,
polished and the spruce cut off in twenty-four hours. If the state
will furnish the lands, buildings, machines and every necessary
material for the apparatus he will construct the furnaces and
superintend and erect the buildings and every thing relating
to the said foundry, which being ready and the mills prepared
for boring, he will then furnish one cannon ready for service
every twenty-four hours out of the common iron ore within this

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 367
state, it being understood that he should have cast a few be
forehand to give them time to cool. The calibre or bore of the
cannon will depend on the largeness of the furnaces. He will
prove his cannon before commissioners appointed by the state.
He will disclose at any time aU his knowledge in the premises
to any such persons as the state may order and to no others.
And if he does not fulfil the whole promised on his part in
these proposals (unavoidable casualities excepted) he agrees
not only to forfeit all claims to anything by virtue of these
presents but also to forfeit the sum of 1000 pounds to satisfy
the damages the state may sustain through his failure in ful-
fiilling his proposals as aforesaid. He expects from the state
to receive $300 in hand to compensate the expenses he has
been at removing from Europe to this state .and also $1000
yearly from and after the date hereof to the end of the present
war between Great Britain and the United States of America
and after that time the sum of $666 & 2/3 dollars yearly during
his life he doing and performing his part in all respects as
aforesaid. He also expects the honor of a Colonels Commission
to give him rank but without any command or pay in virtue
of said commission. Dated Dec. 6, 1776."
These terms were accepted by the authorities of the State and
he was appointed Inspector-General of foundries and Colonel of
Artillery in the American army. His headquarters were at
Boston, where he became acquainted with his future wife, Miss
Elizabeth Wimble, daughter of William Wimble. Their mar
riage took place in 1778, but her death occurred soon after, and
in 1781 he married her sister, Catherine, a miss of fifteen years
of age, who became the mother of ten children. Although he
had anticipated no active service, he applied for an opportunity
to experience some active duty, and when the Rhode Island
campaign was opened in 1778, he was sent by the Board of
war to Gen. Sullivan with a letter in which he was recom
mended as one capable and efficient. He is described by the
Board as one "Glowing with Ardor to signalize himself in the
intended Expedition who comes to offer himself with Cheerful
ness to any service for which you may think him qualified."
And they further stated, "that from long personal knowledge

368 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and acquaintance we have had with him we can recommend him
as a brave and worthy man and flatter ourselves he wiU so
acquit himself as to deserve that Approbation from his General
for which he is so eagerly panting." He served as an aid to
Gen. Sullivan and was later sent to assist D'Estaing, who had
command of the French fleet. In 1784, he selected Dracut as
his home and removed here residing on what is now Varnum
Avenue, near the Old Meadow Road. In 1793 he became a
citizen of the United States as this country was later caUed.
The people of France had followed the example of America
and overthrown monarchy and established a repubUc, but the
change had caused many of the wealthy citizens to become
impovirished. On account of this the property owned by
Colonel Ansart was of little value to him and as his pension was
barely sufficient to support his large family, he was able to
leave only a small amount for their support at his death which
took place May 22, 1804, at the age of 62 years.
His love of display led him to purchase the first chaise ever
seen in Dracut, and as he made his first entry into town after
purchasing it, the neighbors ran to the windows to see the
curiosity. He, while doubtless secretly pleased, cursed them for
fools. The food to which the townspeople were accustomed
was not acceptable to him, and he procured a French cook from
Boston to supervise the cooking. When Lafayette visited this
country in 1825, he came to Dracut to see Col. Ansart, a fellow
countryman and fellow soldier of the Revolution.
He is buried in the Woodbine Cemetery near Varnum Ave
nue, and on his tombstone it is recorded that "He arrived in
this country in 1776 and by the Authorities of Massachusetts
was immediately appointed a Colonel of Artillery and Inspector
General of the Foundries in which capacity he served until
the close of the war of the Revolution." His portrait has been
placed in the Dracut Public Library.
His genealogical line is:
1. Michael Ansart.
2. Robert Ansart, who married Antoinette Perrin.
3. Jacques Francois Ansart, born June 24, 1684; died July
6, 1756 ; married Feb. 29, 1713, Petronille Gery de MarisqueUe.

CYRUS RICHARDSON, D D.

<See Page 417)

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 369
4. Robert Xavier Ansart, born Nov. 14, 1713; died Feb. 10,
1790, married Catherine Guillelmine, who was born Sept 18,
1713. 5. Marie Louis Amand Ansart de Marisquelle, born 1742;
died May 22, 1804, married Elizabeth Wimble, and at her death
he married her sister, Catherine, who was born in 1763, and
died Jan 27, 1849. From a record in possession of the Lowell
Historical Society, said to be in the handwriting of Dr. Amos
Bradley, the names of Robert, born Sept. 23, 1782, and Lewis
born Oct. 5, 1783 are found. The Dracut "Vital Records"
record the names of those born in Dracut.
Julia, born June 19, 1785; died Oct. 12, 1869; married
December 30, 1806, Bradley Varnum.
Elizabeth Wimble, born June 22, 1787; M. Nov. 15, 1804,
Jonathan Hildreth.
Sophia, born July 23, 1784; married 1st, Peter Haseltine Jr.
2d, Dr. Nathan B. Spalding.
Hariot, born March 12, 1791 ; died Jan. 2, 1814 ; married,
May 7, 1809, Samuel Wood.
Felix, born Jan 26, 1793.
Catherine, born Nov. 29, 1794 ; died Aug. 27, 1829 ; married,
March 12, 1826 ; William Leighton.
Athis, born Dec. 21, 1796 ; Married Joanna  .
Abel, born Oct. 2, 1798; married Martha Brown.
Bowers
The name is derived from bower a dwelling or shady recess.
The first of the name in this country was George, who, in 1636,
Uved at Scituate and in 1656 was at Cambridge. Jerathmeel2
came to Chelmsford now Lowell, and located near Pawtucket
Falls, where he is recorded as having a "still for strong water."
Johnathan3, born 1674; John*, born 1707, married Anna
Crosby. John5, born 1737, married Rachel Varnum. His farm
was on the east side of Hildreth Street, reaching from Pleasant
Street to Tan House Brook, including the Abbott farm and
other land near Hovey Square. John6, born Dec. 23, 1757;
married in 1777 Abiah Goodhue, and lived at New Boston Vil
lage on the farm lately owned by Wm. Kendall. John* and

370 HISTORY OF DRACUT
his father John5, were minute men and marched to Lexington
on the memorable 19th of April, 1775. The death of John6
occurred while returning to his home at night after working
for a neighbor. His path crossed a shallow brook west of the
cemetery, over which a plank was laid, and his body was found
lying in the water. It is thought that he was attacked with
giddiness and, being unable to rise from the water, was drowned.
Peter7 and Thomas7 lived on Hampson Street, opposite Kinsella
Street, and their brother, James7 lived at the corner of Lake-
view Avenue and New Boston road, the farm now owned by
H. Jesse Coburn. Five of this name are on the Roll of Honor
of Revolutionary soldiers. Coburn and Colburn
The earliest mention of the name is found during the reign
of Henry VIII, who became King of England in the year 1509.
At that time the name was spelled Colbarne, becoming later
Colburne, Colburn and Coburn. The home of this family was
in Staffordshire, and Feb. 6, 1553, Edward Colbarne, gentle
man, was elected a member of Parliament. Henry VIII died in
1547 and as his son, Edward VI, reigned only six years, Edward
Colbarne must have been a member of Parliament during the
reign of King Edward's sister, Mary, known in history as
"Bloody Mary," who married Philip of Spain, son of the Em
peror Charles V. Edward had a brother, Sir George Colburne.
The will of Edward Colbarne, gentleman, of the city of
Litchfield, was proved July 13, 1568 in the probate court of
Canterbury. He bequeaths to wife Katherine and her daughter, lands I
bought in Colwyche (now Colwich). To William Colbarne son
of Roger Colbarne 5 works as well as the wood, bricks and tiles
he sold when managing the works and woods in Hoppas Haye.
His executors were his brother Francis Colbarne and Richard
Allen, servant. It is interesting to know that at that early day
the names of Coburn and Dracut had a connection which a
century later (1669) was renewed when a possible descendant,
Edward Colburn became the first settler of the town of Dracut

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 371
in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. In 1553 when Edward was
a member of Parliament from Stafford, Sir Philip Draycot was
member from Litchfield while later Edward represented Litch
field and Stafford was represented by Sir Philip Draycot. The
similarity of the names of the earlier Colburns to those of the
settlers of Dracut render it very probable that this family was
the immediate ancestors of the Dracut family of a century later.
It is difficult to ascertain from what this name is derived.
In the "Genealogy of the Colburn-Coburn Families" it is stated
that "Names of Cockburn, Colborne, Colburn and Coburn are
to be found in the histories of Great Britain and Ireland, but
however spelt, it is generally agreed by those who have made
a study of the name that the English and Scotch pronuncia-
tin is Coburn. In England at the present day we have proof
of this in the name of the locality in London, High Holburn,
which is pronounced Hoburn * * * * There is good reason
to believe that the name is not a Saxon but Scandinavian name,
and that the family came to England with the Danes, that
they were sea kings and that the name means either black
bear or king 's bear. It is possible that it may be a Scotch name,
meaning Coldstream, a burn being a small brook or, EngUsh,
relating to an occupation viz. a coal burner."
In William Arthur's "Etymological Dictionary of Family
Names," the word Colburn is given as a Cornish-British word,
meaning the dry well or the well on the neck of the hiU.
In the list of passengers who sailed from Liverpool in 1635
on the Ship Defence in command of Capt. Bostock, the name of
Edward Colburn appears. His home was in Wilts County,
England, and when, at the age of seventeen, he arrived in
Boston, he went to Ipswich and was employed by Nathaniel
Saltonstall, who owned a large estate in that town, and who
later committed the management of the farm to him. The plan
of the town of Ipswich does not include any farm belonging to
Edward, although he owned some outlying land. He married
Hannah, whose surname is not given in the records, but refer
ences in private letters lead to the conclusion that her name
was Rolfe. His neighbor, Samuel Varnum, had purchased in
1668, a tract of land in what was known as "The Wilderness

372 HISTORY OF DRACUT
north of the Merrimac," which later became Dracut. Large
tracts of land in this vicinity were for sale and probably in
fluenced by his neighbor Varnum at Ipswich he purchased a
tract as already described in a former chapter. As the Indians
were troublesome, he occupied a garrison house near the river,
and with his wife and children, who were born at Ipswich, he
removed here in 1669. His children were Edward, John,
Robert, Thomas, Daniel, Hannah, Ezra, Joseph, and Lydia.
The greater part of the Coburns and Colburns in the United
States descend from the six younger brothers, Edward2 being
killed in King Philip's war in 1675, as already recorded.
The descendants of Edward and Hannah had been promi
nent in public affairs in town and state. In the lists of those
who served in the different wars which have occurred since the
settlement of the town, the name of this family appears defend
ing the rights and liberties of the country. On the Roll of
Honor the names of 33 Coburns appear as serving in the War
of the Revolution.
The descendants of Edward1 are recorded in "The Genealogy
of the Colburn-Coburn Families," pubUshed in 1913. His sons
were Edward Jr. born 1642, who, in 1675, was killed by the
Indians. This was during King Philip's war, which was in
tended to be a war of extermination of the white settlers. A
small company of soldiers who had been sent to Brookfield to
assist in the suppression of an Indian uprising, while marching
to a place designated by the Indians for the conclusion of a
treaty, were attacked by about 200 Indians and Edward Jr.
with others were killed.
John, the second son, born 1644, married Hannah Reed.
In the division of land made by his father while living, John re
ceived a lot on the river, and as many of his descendants lived
in Dracut he probably settled here. Robert, bom about 1666,
married Mary Bishop of Chelmsford. Although he received his
share in the Webb purchase, he sold, in 1700, the year before his
death, his share to his brother Daniel. His home was in Bev
erly, where his children were born. The descendants of Robert
are found in nearly all of the states, few, if any, ever living in
Dracut. There have been men of great ability among them
one of whom deserves particular mention. This was Foster

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 373
D. Coburn, who was in the eighth generation. He served in the
Civil War in an Illinois regiment and at its close he went to
Kansas City, Kansas, where he engaged in farming, which be
came his life work. Recognizing the need of better methods of
farming and the opportunities for advancement in the service
he made a study of the business of farming and wrote exten
sively on the subject, some of his subjects being "Alfalfa,"
"Swine in America," "The Helpful Hen," "Cow Culture,"
¦ ' Corn and Sorghums, ' ' and many others. He became State
Secretary of Agrculture, a position which he has held several
times. He has had no ambition for holding political office, re
fusing the nomination for Governor of the State, declining the
appointment which was offered him of U. S. Senator and of a
position in the Cabinet as National Secretary of Agrculture.
"Hampton Magazine" says: "In the Agricultural Colleges of
Australia, where his books are used in the courses of instruction,
in all the great farm institutes of the Middle West, among
authorities everywhere, Coburn of Kansas is the biggest and
safest authority of the century."
In the line of Robert in the seventh generation we find Zerah
Colburn, Vermont's famous mathematical prodigy, whose birth
occurred in Cabot, Sept. 1, 1804. At the age of six years he was
described as being "surprisingly gifted as an arithmetical cal
culator." Having been widely exhibited in Vermont, his pre
cocity attracted attention elsewhere and he was taken on an
extended tour. Boston people found he could answer problems
sooner, much sooner, than they could be done on paper. On
short notice and without pencil or paper he found the number
of seconds in 2,000 years. Observers said he computed the
number of seconds in 11 years in less than four seconds. Square
and cube roots he extracted with unexplainable ease. Skeptics
failed to dumfound him and wherever he went he found that
his reputation had preceded him.
Carrying letters of introduction, the boy went to England,
Scotland and Ireland. Learned profesors received him with
acclaim. When asked to square 888,888, he gave the correct
result in 12 figures and then multiplied the product by 49.
Colburn appears to have had a strangle hold on factoring. He
could give all the factors of many large numbers. Prominent

374 HISTORY OF DRACUT
mathematicians, baffled by his consistency in replying to rapid
fire questions in arithmetic, gave him a certain number of 10
figures. Mentally and with little loss of time he found the
only two factors which it had. It was said to him that his
marvelous powers combined rapidity, remarkable accuracy and
unfailing menory. Unconsciously, sometimes, while doing his
most difficult tasks, he would go into bodily contortions, a cir
cumstance to which his observers attached great importance.
That he should have turned his genius to financial account
was not uncharacteristic of human nature. Money and fame
came to him at his beckoning and he lived to accomplish a good
many things that were worth while, but students of this wonder
ful calculator love best to read of his earlier years before his
public demonstrations were made for gain. In one way or
another and at divers times in an eventful career he received
the foundation for a broad education at the Westminster school
in England, the Royal college in Paris and at the University of
Vermont. He became a minister and preached in Vermont
towns for nine years. Death overtook him in 1839 while he
was a professor of languages at Norwich, Conn.
The third son of Edward was Thomas, who was married twice
and to whom thirteen children were born. He received a por
tion of the Evered purchase and the Satchell land which was
deeded to him by his father. His home was probably in Dracut.
Daniel2, the fourth son of Edward1, married Sarah Blood,
a granddaughter of Major Simon Willard, who was a noted
Indian fighter in King Philip's war in 1647. Major Willard
was one of the Commissioners, who, in 1652, was appointed to
locate the northern boundary of the Colony of Massachusetts
Bay, where his initials of "S. W. " are to be found on the
famous Endicott Rock at the Weirs. Daniel's wife's home was
at Concord in this state, and after ten years' residence in Dra
cut, he purchased land in the first named town where, after
1697, his three youngest children were born. His nine children,
with the exception of the youngest, settled in Dracut. Ezra2,
the fifth son, married Hannah Varnum, of Ipswich, and, in com
mon with his brothers, receiving a portion of the Evered and
Satchell land from his father, he lived in Dracut, where many
of the descendants of his six children settled. Joseph2, the

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 375
youngest son of Edward, received from his father his share in
the lands already mentioned and in addition he received by
will the garrison house now known as the Durkee House. He
was the one selected to care for his father in his declining years.
Although his home was in Dracut, there are only a small num
ber of his descendants in town. There is but one representative
in town of John2, viz Hon. Arthur W Colburn who is in the
ninth generation. None of the descendants of Robert2 settled
in Dracut. Of the nine children of Daniel2, only two sons had
families. Of the descendants of later years, Elizabeth, Augus
tus, Erastus, Charles F. and Phineas are dead; the brothers
Gilbert Sylvester, George D. and Silas R. the latter the com
piler of this history, also Lyman, of East Dracut, and the
brothers Otis P. and Oliver J., at present residing in town.
These comprise all those who claim descent from Daniel2 and
lived in Dracut. Among the descendants of Thomas2, special
mention should be made of Rev. Isaac D. Colburn, in the sev
enth generation, who became interested in foreign missionary
work, and in 1863, with his wife, sailed for Burmah, called at
that time Farther India. Of his seven children six were born
at different stations in India, viz. Maulmain, Amherst, Tavoy
and Rangoon, the youngest being born after his return to Amer
ica which, on account of ill health, occurred in 1880. In this
line were the brothers George B.7 and Frank7 well known in
Lowell, natives of Dracut and sons of George W.6, who was
an able and prominent citizen of Dracut. In this line was
Charles B.6 who estabUshed the paints and oil business in Lowell,
also Joseph B. V.6, a resident of Varnum Avenue.
The descendants of Ezra2 include several famiUes who lived
in Dracut. Of those who were prominent, one line at least can
be located on their farms. Samuel3 lived near his grandfather's
garrison house on Varnum Avenue, Jonathan4 lived at New
Boston Village on the farm lately owned by John W. Peabody.
His sons, Saul5, Jonathan5 and Micah5, occupied farms in the
same village. The names of Saul5 and Thaddeus5 are on the
Roll of Honor, the former on his 18th birthday being engaged in
battle. They were very young when enlisting, as Thaddeus was
three years younger than Saul. Both returned and settled in
New Boston ViUage where their descendants lived. Saul6 Jr.

376 HISTORY OF DRACUT
was in the war of 1812 and held the office of the Matross. He
served in a Billerica Company under Capt. Isaac Barrows in the
artillery. His office requiring him to assist the gunners in
loading, firing and sponging the cannon and to march with the
store wagon as guard and assistant. The descendants of Ezra2
in Dracut are Horatio Jesse, and Elmer W., who are great
grandsons of Saul5. Rockwood D. and Henry G., great grand
sons of Thaddeus5, and Lovell W. grandson of Micah5. Capt.
Peter Coburn was of this line, but for many years has had no
descendants of the name in Dracut. None of the male line
have lived in Dracut in the later years who could claim Joseph2
as their ancestor.
One of the descendants of Joseph, the youngest son of Ed
ward1, is Abner in the sixth generation who was the son of
Eleazer, he was born in Tyngsboro, but, with his parents, re
moved to Canaan, Maine, now included in the town of Skow-
hegan. Soon after reaching his twenty-first year, he was en
gaged in school teaching and surveying. In 1830, he engaged
in lumbering with his father and brother, Philander, and this
became the life work of these sons. They purchased thousands
of acres of western woodlands, and by judicious management
became millionaires. As a public man his services in places of
trust were conducted in a highly honorable manner. In 1862, he
was nominated for Governor of Maine and elected, receiving
4000 votes more than were cast for his opponents. "He was
one of the loyal War Governors who held up the hands of
Lincoln in those troublous times. He was Governor in fact
as well as in name, and there was no power behind the throne.
The business of the state was conducted on strict business prin
ciples with the same integrity which characterized the man in
all the relations of life." ["Hist, of Coburn Family."]
At his death his public bequests exceeded one million dollars.
Deacon Joshua Colburn was born in Dracut, being in the
seventh generation from Edward1. He succeeded his father
Dea. Joshua, Sr. as an officer in the church. After his marriage
with Hannah Tenney, he resided in New Hampshire, but a
brother who had settled on the home farm prefering other
business, he removed to Dracut, where his death occurred in
1886. He was a man whose influence, whether exerted in home

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 377
life or in public, was always for good. His public duties were
those connected with the church and the affairs of the district
school which were performed with good judgment. During
his life, he made additions to the number of acres which com
prised the original farm which at his death he left to his
son, Selden.
Deacon Selden Colburn, his son, was born in Dracut, Dec.
28, 1849. He married, in 1875, Jane, daughter of John and
Jane Murkland. He was educated in the Dracut schools, and
as his inclinations were for farming he entered upon the farm
duties which occupied his time and attention until his death
which occurred Feb. 15, 1914. Long experience and love of his
chosen vocation enabled him to conduct the business of the farm
in a successful manner. While not seeking public office, he was
chairman of the school board, an office for which he was espe
cially qualified owing to his executive abiUty, which he possessed
in a marked degree. He was devoted to the work of the church
holding the office once filled by his progenitors. In 1909 he
married for his second wife Lavina McCutcheon, daughter of
William and Margaret.
Arthur W. Colburn, his son, was born Dec. 1, 1877, and at
tended the public schools of Dracut. He inherited a love for the
science of agriculture and entered the New Hampshire Agri
cultural College, graduating in 1897, receiving the title of
Bachelor of Science. He is an active member of the Center Con
gregational Church in which he has been deeply interested and
the duties of the offices connected with the church he has per
formed in an acceptable manner. He is a member of Central
viUe Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. and of Dracut Grange, at one time holding
the office of Master of the Grange. In town affairs he has been a
member of the school committee, and of the board of selectmen
and assessors. In 1909, he was appointed collector of taxes, and
this office he still holds. As Representative to the General
Court, he was a member of the House in 1915 and 1916, and
the three years following he was a member of the Senate. In
the many offices he has held, he has shown good executive ability
combined with rare judgement and a thorough acquaintance
with the duties which he has been caUed upon to perform.

378 HISTORY OF DRACUT
George W. Coburn was the youngest son of Gen. Simon and
Molly Varnum Coburn. He received his education in the
CentralviUe and Bradford Academies. He possessed good ex
ecutive ability, which was recognized by the town, and he per
formed the duties which were required of him as a town officer
in a manner acceptable to the citizens of Dracut. He was
chosen to represent the town at the General Court in 1853 and
1854, and was active in introducing measures of great benefit
to the Commonwealth. Upon the organization of the U. S.
Internal Revenue system in 1862, he was appointed assistant
assessor and later Deputy collector, offices which he filled for
16 years. He was general referee and advisor in cases of dis
pute, and was always ready with words of sympathy and advice
to anyone who was in trouble. He was an earnest advocate of
temperance and used his influence in the cause. In his later
years he engaged in real estate and insurance business, which
was his occupation at the time of his death.
Clement
The name is derived from the Latin word Clemens, meaning
mild, meek, gentle. The family descends from Albert Clements,
Marshal of France in 1183. The Dracut family is descended
from Robert, who came from England early in the year 1642.
He landed at Salisbury and proceeded to Haverhill with his
family, consisting of wife and children. He was the first De
puty of the town to the General Court and until 1654 was
associate judge and County Commissioner. Of the succeeding
generations but little is known except a genealogical record.
Robert2, born in 1624, married Elizabeth Faun or Fane. Rob
ert3 married Elizabeth Palmer. Nathaniel4 married Eleanor
Coburn, daughter of Daniel2. He was the first of the name to
reside in Dracut. He came into possession of one or more of
the long narrow lots above CoUinsville between Beaver Brook
and Long Pond, which was a part of the Grant of 1693. This
included the present Clement farm and the Hill farm which
adjoins it on the north. His house stood on the southerly slope
of the hill on which the buildings now stand, and reference is
made to it in the chapter relating to the establishment of the

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 379
province line. He divided his farm giving the northern half
to his son, David, and the southern half to Daniel. He was
probably buried on the knoU north of the present Oakland cem
etery, described in the chapter relating to cemeteries.
Daniel5 married Eunice Hunt, the name on the town records
being spelled Unis. David5 married Molly  , two of their
sons, Isaac and David Jr. serving in the Revolution. Moses6,
son of Daniel5, born Sept. 24, 1758, married, in 1781, Mrs.
Rachel Perham, of Dunstable. When sixteen years of age he
was at the Battle of Bunker HiU and his musket is in existence
with the letters M. C. cut in the stock. Asa7, son of Moses, was
born Sept. 28, 1784. He was a captain in the militia and mar
ried June 6, 1812, Elizabeth Wilson of Pelham, N. H. He
married for second wife Mrs. Delia Marland of Windham, N.
H. Asa8 was born May 8, 1813, and married Nov. 30, 1837,
Hannah J. Peabody, of Methuen. Inheriting the Clement farm,
he pursued the occupation of farmer. He became interested in
horticulture, and by careful study of this branch of farming,
he became very successful in fruit raising and the growing of
trees, and grape vines. He was one of the original members
of the Middlesex North Agricultural Society, serving as presi
dent from Sept. 25, 1867 to Sept. 20, 1869, and for eight years
was a delegate to the State Board of Agriculture. He was
interested in the Farmers' Institute, before which he read es
says on farming which he had prepared. He was an active
member of the Pawtucket Church, serving as deacon and Sun
day school superintendent. As a member of the Board of Se
lectmen and the school committee, he rendered valuable serv
ice to the town. In 1869 he represented the district in the
General Court. Five of the name served in the Revolution.
The children of Asa8 were Arthur M. now living in Dracut,
Dr. George, Mrs. Warren C Hamblett and Mrs. Joseph M.
Wilson. Cheever
The name is derived from the French Chever, which means
to master or overcome. The first of the name in the country
was Ezekiel, who was a famous master in the Boston Latin school

380 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and the name Ezekiel was frequent in the later generations.
The Cheevers were in Dracut before the time of the division and
allotment of the Reserved Lands of 1720.
Nathaniel received the third lot in the range north of the
Coburn New Meadows lying between Beaver Brook and Island
Pond ; also the fifteenth lot on the river. He died Sept. 4, 1762.
His brother Ezekiel married Hannah Phillips, of Marblehead,
in 1738. Their son, Ezekiel, married Mrs. Martha Hall in 1764
and he served in the Revolutionary War. Their son, Ezekiel,
born in 1776, married in 1804 Elizabeth Gayge of Pelham, N.
H., and they were the parents of the elderly ladies, Hannah
and Eliza, whose death occurred in recent years.
John, a brother of the last named Ezekiel married in 1798
Isbell Maloone, as spelled in the town records, a daughter of
William and Sarah Malone the cellar of whose house may be
seen on the top of Loon, more properly, Malone 's hiU. Seven
children were born, two of whom, Oliver and Elbridge Gerry,
will be remembered by the older residents of the town.
The first Cheever house was built in what is now a pasture
north of the farm buildings formerly owned by C. H. Stickney.
In accordance with an early custom it was located near a spring
of water, from which they could obtain their supply until wells
could be dug. It was thought to have peculiar medicinal prop
erties and still furnish water of a superior quality. At the
time of location of this house the highways had not been laid
out and the ways leading to the ferries were by paths but upon
the allotment of Reserved Land and the town ways being ac
cepted this house with others in similar situations was aban
doned and a new house built on the public road. Thus it is
understood what is meant by the location of ceUars in the
woods and pastures with no apparent means of reaching a high
way. The present Cheever house on the Stickney farm was built
about the time of the Revolution. The farm is supposed to
include the north end of some of the river lots granted to the
Cheevers in 1721, and absence of early deeds leads to this con
clusion. During the Revolution a deserter from the British
army found employment on this farm and one day while en
gaged in threshing, a file of soldiers who were hunting for de-

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 381
serters were seen on the road which now leads to Lawrence.
Knowing his danger a messenger hurried to notify him of their
approach, upon which he ran out of the barn across the fields
and hid in the woods where he remained two weeks, until the
danger was past, being supplied with food by sympathetic
friends. Crosby
The word Crosby is composed of two words Cross and By,
meaning the town of the cross. Simeon Crosby was born in
1608, and sailed in 1635 for America in the ship Susan and
Ellen, settling in Cambridge, where he died in 1639. One of his
descendants, named Jonathan1, lived at Billerica but later re
moved to Dracut, and married, Mar. 21, 1743, Rebecca, daughter
of Dea. Edward Coburn3. The children of Jonathan1 and
Rebecca were:
Jonathan, born Aug. 5, 1744, married Mrs. Hannah Goodhue,
daughter of Zachariah and Sarah Goodhue.
Josiah, born Jan. 11, 1748, died young.
Bette, born Mar. 12, 1752.
Benjamin, born Aug. 12, 1754. Killed at battle of Bunker
Hill. Josiah, born June 29, 1758, married Mrs. Thankful Hildreth.
The term "Mrs." is not a proof that she had' ever been married
as this was applied to single women also.
Jonathan, Sr., Jonathan, Jr., Benjamin, and Josiah are on
the Roll of Honor.
A son of Jonathan and Rebecca, also named Jonathan2, mar
ried, in 1772, Hannah, daughter of Zachariah and Sarah (Rich
ardson) Goodhue, and is on record on the town books as Jona
than, Jr. The father and son both served in the Revolution.
Jonathan2 died Oct. 20, 1813, and his son Jonathan born July
10, 1777, married Oct. 18, 1810, Hannah daughter of William
Wood, who owned the farm which his son conveyed to the town
for a town farm. It was probably Jonathan2 who built the
house in New Boston village, which, about 1860, was removed
and the present one built.
Jonathan2 and Hannah (Goodhue) were married Nov. 26,
1772. Their children were:

382 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Hannah, born Sept. 20, 1773, married David Abbott.
Jonathan, born July 10, 1777 married Hannah Wood.
John, born March 3, 1781 married Meribah Rowell.
Rhoda, born May 18, 1783.
Phineas, born Apr. 24, 1788.
Jonathan3 and Hannah Wood were married Oct. 18, 1810.
Their children were :
Jonathan Cotton, born Aug. 5, 1811, married Lydia Cheever.
Hannah, born March 10, 1813, married Micah Colburn, Jr.
Maria, born June 20, 1815, never married.
Sewall Wood, bom Nov. 10, 1817.
Martha, born Jan. 4, 1821, married Thomas Dana Coburn.
Benjamin, married Arvila Keyes.
The highway now passing Rockwood Coburn 's house formerly
ran several rods further to the east in what is now a field, and
on this highway there was a house which was probably the
home of Jonathan1 ; as it became the home of Jonathan2 and
was an old house in the time of Jonathan3. Jonathan2 in his
later years, 1800, gave a deed of it to his son Jonathan3 mak
ing provision for himself during his lifetime. The farm,
formerly known as the town farm, was owned by Hannah
Wood and her brother, Samuel P. The farm was divided into
the eastern and western halves. The line of division was from
the center of the back of the house across the center of the
kitchen, the center of the front entry and the center of the
front door.
At his marriage, Jonathan3 lived on this farm, the eastern
half of which he sold in 1831 to the town of Dracut, and
the same year, Samuel sold the western half. Jonathan3 then
removed to New Boston, and occupied an old house which
stood near the site of the present Crosby house owned by his
brother John, who married Meribah Rowell. It was also the
home of an unmarried sister, Rhoda. The house was old and
was torn down before 1860, and the site is now occupied by the
present house. The ceUar of the house in the field was in exis
tence until recent years and when the field was cultivated the
plow would turn out stones bearing the marks of contact with
wagon wheels. By the laying out of the road passing the house
built by Thaddeus Coburn, now Rockwood D. Coburn 's, the

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 383
road passing the house occupied by Jonathan1 was discontinued,
this old road very likely ran to Jonathan Coburn house, later
owned by John W. Peabody.
Frye
This family came to Dracut early, but at what date is not
known. The vital records of the town give the marriage in
1758 of Timothy Fry and Hannah Calton of Andover. There
was a large family of children, among them Jedediah, Timothy
and Reuben. Jedediah2, also spelt Jedidia, owned the farm
north of Pleasant Street where Upland and Swain Streets are
now located, which was later the Swain farm. Timothy, Jr.2,
was a soldier in the Revolution and he lived at the old house
now standing on Pleasant Street, opposite Swain Street, later
known as the Pollard house. He died November 6, 1811.
Reuben, a brother, was also in the Revolution.
Enoch3 married, September 20, 1806, Polly Ellsworth of
Gilmanton, N. H. He was a son of Timothy2. He died Feb
ruary 11, 1834, and is buried in the Hildreth Cemetery, where
his father, Timothy2, is laid. His son was Ellsworth4 who was
a stone mason, and, in 1831, lived in a cottage on Pleasant Street,
adjoining the Post Office on the east. Timothy4, George4 and
WUliam4 went West and settled there. James4 was the only
son of Enoch to remain in Dracut. He was born November 26,
1818, and married Harriet Lane. He purchased a house on
Brookside Street, near the site of the Hamblett saw mill, and
died at the age of 80. He was a brick layer by trade.
Fox
The name, Fox, is found in Ireland as early as A. D., 1033.
Previous to this time and before it was anglicised the name was
Shanach. It is one of the rare instances in which the surname
is the name of an animal. Before the seventeenth century the
"Book of Martyrs" was written by one Fox and this book
and the Bible were the only books to which Bunyan had access
when he wrote "The Pilgrim's Progress." During the same
century, the name, in England, was spelled Fawkes, as it is
recorded in history that in 1604 an attempt was made to

384 HISTORY OF DRACUT
destroy the House of ParUament with the king by storing in
the cellar barrels of gun powder to be exploded when Parliament
was in session. The plot was discovered and Guy Fawkes, as
leader, and others were arrested. For many years the day
was celebrated annually in England, and even since that time
the fifth of November has been known as Gunpowder Day.
There were processions, illuminations and other features and a
song was sung in which were the lines,
"Happy the man, happy the day
That caught Guy Fawkes in the middle of his play."
"Nov. 5 was celebrated in some of the Northern Colonies
by fireworks, by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes or by carrying
about the village two hideous pumpkin faces supposed to
represent the Pope & the Devil and then consigning them to a
bonfire. ' '
The English ancestor of the family was Thomas1, who, in
1640, married Rebecca — and died in 1658. His son, EUjhalet2,
born in England, married, in 1665, Mary Wheeler, who died in
1678 and three years later he married Mary Hunt, daughter of
John Stone and widow of Isaac Hunt. Nathaniel3 was born in
Concord, February 18, 1683, and his death is recorded in the
Dracut records as occurring December 20, 1765, "in 82d year,"
presumably in Dracut, but Cutter, in his "Middlesex FamiUes,"
states that he died at Concord where his gravestone can be
found. He removed to Dracut, July 31, 1714.
When the Reserved Land was divided in 1721, he was
assigned the eleventh lot on the river, east of Belcher's line.
As these lots cannot be identified by their exact boundary lines,
allowing an average width for the first ten lots would place
this lot between McManmon's greenhouses and Varnum 's
Landing, now Bell Grove. There is no record showing that he
ever lived on this lot, but as each one had lots assigned them
according to value, it was often the case that more than one
lot was given them, so a second lot was laid out to Nathaniel
Fox and Onesiphorous Marsh. This was the first lot in the
range of lots on Marsh Hill, bounded on the north by the
Coburn New Meadows. Marsh sold his share to Fox. The lot

FRED A. FOX

<Sho Page 388)

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 385
is now owned and occupied by Frank P.8 and Clinton W.9 at
the north end, and Eugene C.8 at the south end of the original
farm. Nathaniel3 lived on another range of lots known as the 200
acres and lying east of Dracut Center. His first wife was
Hannah Merriam, to whom he was married January 11, 1710.
They had six children, three of whom were born in Dracut.
For a second wife, he married, October 18, 1760, Elizabeth
Brown. Isaac4, son of Nathaniel was born in Concord, Febru
ary 17, 1712. He was twice married. His first wife, whom he
married in 1738, was Abigail Prescott. He married the second
wife, Hannah L. Blanchard, in 1755. His daughter, Hannah,
born in 1746, married, in 1768, Ebenezer Varnum, whose farm
was formerly owned by Isaac*, and afterward by Prescott
Varnum, later by Archibald 0. Varnum, and in more recent
years by George D. Coburn.
David4, son of Nathaniel, born in Dracut, March 19, 1717,
married Mary Colburn, great-granddaughter of Edward1. The
line is Edward1, Thomas2, Josiah3, Mary4 They had nine
children. David received from his father, Nathaniel, the farm
on Marsh Hill, which has since remained in the Fox family.
He is on record as dying ' ' in the army at Senecteda, ' ' Sept. 24,
1758. His son, David5, succeeded him on the farm. He was born
July 8, 1751, and married Sarah, daughter of Capt. Stephen
Russell. He, with his brother, Josiah, served in the Revolution
ary Army and died in 1832. His son, RusseU6, married Hepsi-
beth Peabody, and purchased the Amasa Peabody farm on
Marsh Hill which he left to his son, Dana R7. who was succeeded
by his son, Daniel D.8, and he, in turn, by his son, Everett B.9,
the present owner.
Samuel6, son of David, was born September 7, 1786, and
was twice married. His first wife was Abi Wilson, and his
second was Dorcas, daughter of Eliphalet6 Fox who was a
brother of David5. He came into possession of his father's
farm which he later exchanged with his nephew, Darius L.7,
son of Russell, and received from him the Levi Jones farm,
which was originally the southerly end of the lot assigned to
Nathaniel in the division of 1721. This was later owned by

386 HISTORY OF DRACUT
his son, Samuel Adams7 Fox, and now by his son, Eugene C.8
Darius L.7, at his death, left the farm to his son, Eben T.8, at
whose death it became the property of his widow, Martha (HiU)
Fox, and her son, Clinton W.9
Eliphalet5, son of David, Sr.4, was born February 27, 1749 ;
married, November 13, 1770, Elizabeth, daughter of Capt.
Stephen Russell, a sister of the wife of David, Jr.; they had
twelve or thirteen children. They lived at the Russell house
on Pleasant Street, east of Hovey Square, which is now standing.
The oldest son, Eliphalet, Jr.6, married Rhoda, daughter of
Jonathan and Bette (Hildreth) Taylor, and they were the
parents of eight children, one of whom, Margaret7, lived on
Sladen Street and died in 1907, aged 93. One of her sisters,
Harriet, married Life Webster, who lived at the westerly end of
Dracut, which was annexed to Lowell.
Peter6, son of Eliphalet5, had a son Jonathan6, who lived on
the Methuen Road, also several daughters, one of whom married
Nathan Thissell, Sr. Jonathan4, son of Nathaniel was born
April 28, 1719, and, in 1746, married Mary Barron. He died
October 17, 1753, and his widow married William Colburn, Jr.
He received from his father a farm of seventy-five acres to
which he added by purchase. After 1800, it was owned by
Reuben Jones until his death in 1808, when it ceased to be
cultivated and is nearly covered by a growth of trees. The
cellar is now in an open piece of ground about three-fourths of
a mile south of the George Eastman farm, lately owned by
George R. Fox and northeast of Loon Hill Road. Daniel4, son
of Nathaniel, was born February 8, 1722, and died September
20, 1769. His first wife was Mary Jones ; his second, Mrs. Mary
Durin, and his third, Mrs. Ruth Jaquith. He inherited the
homestead and succeeded his father as deacon of the church.
In the public library of the town there is an old book, a
combination of diary and account book, which contained a
record of the children of Daniel4. "Jesse, born 1747-8, Feb 8.
Abijah, born July 24, 1750. Jacob and Rachel, twins, born
Oct. 1, 1752. Lydia, born March 30, 1755. Joel, born May 6,
1757, children of Daniel and Mary (Jones) . Molle, born Oct. 14,
1761, daughter of Daniel and Mary Durin. Elijah, born
Dec. 28, 1766, son of Daniel and Ruth (Jaquith)."

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 387
Elijah5 married Mrs. Sarah Butler, and lived at Pelham,
N. H. Abijah5 and Joel6 settled in Dracut, the first named
on the homestead and the second, Joel5, settled on the Curtis
farm, which adjoins the home farm arid which was owned by
his son Joel6, and grandson, James7, who with his sister, Lydia,
remained there during their lives. Abijah6 married Mercy
Harris. He was a deacon in the church and served in the
Revolutionary army. He had five children, the youngest, Capt.
Nathaniel6, who will be remembered by the older residents of the
town, inherited the farm.
The old house stood on the side of the road, as was the
custom in those days, door yards being considered superfluous.
This house was demolished and Nathaniel built a new one,
placing it away from the road on the present site. This was
afterwards burned and the present one erected. He married
Fanny Richardson, daughter of Samuel, Jr., and there were
eleven children, none of whom are now living. Milton7 suc
ceeded his father on the farm, which he enlarged by purchasing
adjoining land. At his death, the farm passed to his son,
Fred A.8, and now is owned by his son Harold M.4 Nine of
this name were in the Revolution.
Capt. Nathaniel Fox, the sixth in descent from the English
ancestor Thomas, came into possession of the farm which was
owned by his ancestors. He was a practical farmer, ready to
adopt new methods and to keep pace with modern improve
ments. He was not anxious to hold public office, although when
his services were required in any duties, he accepted the trust
and by his sound sense and good judgment performed these
duties in a satisfactory manner. Possessing good executive
ability, he was placed in command of a company of militia
thus receiving the title of captain. Honored and respected
by all, he passed from earth full of years and regretted by his
townspeople. Milton Fox was the son of Capt. Nathaniel and Fanny
Fox, and became the owner of the home farm. Inheriting his
father's good judgment, he continued improvements which had
caused the farm to be a model farm and by purchase enlarged
the farm to which he gave his time and study. He was es
pecially successful in the raising of cattle and the production

388 HISTORY OF DRACUT
of milk for the market. His broad acres provided large quan
tities of hay, which found a ready market in the neighboring
city. He also raised many acres of cabbages which he sent to
the Boston market. In common with his father, he did not
seek public office, but was deeply interested in the affairs of
the town endeavoring by his influence and example to promote
its best interests.
Fred A. Fox was born March 25, 1846, and died May 22,
1907. He married, January 12, 1882, Mary Lizzie, daughter
of Edward and Phebe (Hayes) Richardson. He became the
owner of the large farm owned by his father, Milton, at his
death, thus being the sixth in descent from the original owner,
Nathaniel. He was a student at Gilmanton, N. H. Academy
and the Colby Academy at New London, N. H. Completing his
studies, he returned to Dracut to become the manager of his
father's farm, thus gaining experience which enabled him,
when owner, to become a successful farmer. He had no incli
nation to hold office in town or state, although interested in
the welfare of the town. His children and grandchildren form
the seventh and eighth generations to occupy the ancestral acres.
Darius L. Fox was a descendant in the seventh generation
of Edward Colburn and Nathaniel Fox. Exchanging farms
with his uncle, Samuel, he lived on the farm which has been
owned and occupied by the descendants of Nathaniel ever since
the laying out of the reserved land. The good spirit of his
Revolutionary ancestors, David Fox, Jr., and Capt. Stephen
Russell was shown in his quiet, unobstrusive life. He attended
faithfully to whatever public duties he was called upon to per
form. He will be remembered as a good citizen and a generous,
accommodating neighbor ready to help in all good work.
Goodhue
The name in the earlier days was spelled Goodhew and
Goodhugh, and within the memory of the present generation
was pronounced Goody. William1, when twenty-four years of
age came from England and settled at Ipswich. He had two
sons, Joseph2 and William, Jr.2. Ebenezer3, son of Joseph,
was born 1685 and died 1747. He was the first of the name to
live in Dracut. At the division of the reserved land in 1721

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 389
he was assigned the first lot on the Merrimack River, east of
Belcher's line. It was a tract of forty-six acres and was that
land lying east of Beacon Street, reaching to the river. He
held the offices of selectman, in 1712, and town treasurer, in
1714. He was an owner of other tracts of land as his name
appears affixed to deeds shows. His son, Zachariah*, born 1725,
was in the Revolution, also his grandson, Zachariah5. The
Goodhue home was at the Navy Yard viUage, where Zachariah,
Jr., had an interest in the saw and grist miU which stood at the
east end of the dam, where a one-story brick building is now
located. May 1, 1793, he conveyed to Joshua Bradley 24/48
of saw mill and the same proportion of land "on which the
saw mill stands where the grist mill formerly stood lately
owned by Capt Hale deceased and myself." Aside from this
ownership, the Goodhue family were farmers.
The later families of this name, in this viUage, were des
cendants of Zachariah5. They purchased outlying land and
kept a large stock of cattle and horses. Enoch F. was an en
terprising man and at different periods was farmer, butcher
and tavern keeper, holding a lease for a short time of the B. F.
Varnum tavern at the Center, where the fire department build
ing now stands. His sons, Carlos A. and CorneUus, succeeded
him on the farm and later Henry, the oldest son of Enoch F.,
had his home there. Henry, in his younger days, was engaged in
whale fishing, voyaging to the Pacific Ocean.
Besides those already mentioned two more of the name of
Goodhue served in the Revolution. The family which settled
in the neighborhood of the paper mill was descended from
one of the sons of William1, viz., William, Jr. The first of
this line living in Dracut was Moses wbo was in the fourth
generation ; born, 1752 ; died, 1824. His sons, Aaron and
Daniel, succeeded him in the ownership of the miU property
as described in the chapter relating to the paper mill.
Ralph Goodhue, formerly living in the Kenwood district,
was a descendant of Joseph2 another son of the immigrant. He
was in the eighth generation, a son of Wadleigh7, but none of his
ancestral line resided in Dracut. He married, September 5,
1869, Juline Frances Miner. His daughter, Amy H., was the
first librarian in the town library.

390 history of dracut
Hall
Richard Hall, in 1676, was a freeman living in Bradford,
and the line commences with him. His son, Richard2, was born
February 6, 1676, and married Mehitable Barker, his son,
Ephraim3, was born February 10, 1717, and married Eunice  .
Ephraim3 was the first of the name to settle in Dracut, and his
farm, located on the road to Methuen, became the westerly part
of the late George KeUey 's farm. His son, Ephraim*, was born
September 3, 1741, and married Lydia, daughter of Stephen
Russell. The date of intentions of marriage is March 9, 1765.
He purchased property on Marsh Hill in the range of land in
reserved lands, bordering on Colburn 's new meadows, which
remained in the family four generations.
His son, Phineas6 was born January 1, 1768, and married
Patty, daughter of Ezekiel and Martha Cheever. He inherited
his father's farm, which he transferred by deed to his son,
Ira6, who was born September 30, 1804, and married April 26,
1831, Polly, daughter of Joel and Hannah Fox. Ira was active
in the affairs of the town. He was interested in its development
and as a town officer he performed the duties with good judg
ment and for its best interest. A descendant of the Revo
lutionary soldiers, Ephraim Hall and Capt. Stephen Russell,
he inherited the privileges of that class of men who fought to
establish our independence, and in his life he practiced those
principles while performing his duties as a citizen and town
officer. Four of his children arrived at maturity, viz., Ira Volney,
who resided at Acton; Leroy C, a merchant; Gayton M., for
many years town clerk of Dracut, and Oscar A., superintendent
of the Gage Ice Co. of Lowell. The family was represented in
the Revolution by Ephraim, Sr.*, and his three sons, Ephraim,
Jr., Asa and Moses. Three more of this name are on the Roll
of Honor as serving in the war.
Hamblett
William Hamblett was born in England and married
Sarah Hubbard, a widow. The date of his arrival in this

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 391
country is not known, but in 1642 he was at Watertown, where
he was one of the proprietors. He removed to Billerica in 1656
and to Woburn in 1679. His son, Jacob2, was born at Cam
bridge about 1645, and married Hannah Parker. His son,
Joseph3, born at Woburn in 1681, married Hannah Cullen.
Their son, Joseph4, born at Woburn in 1708, married Susan
Durrant and removed to Pelham, N. H. He was one of the
first to settle on the territory afterward called Pelham. He
was the first of the name to reside in Dracut, where in 1745,
his son, John5, was born, who, in 1772, married Elizabeth
Perham of Dunstable. Joseph* owned land on both sides of
Beaver Brook at Collinsville and operated a saw and gristmill,
which, in 1773, he sold to his son, John5, who conducted it until
1789, when he exchanged properties with Isaac Parker, taking
in exchange the farm formerly owned by Dr. James Abbott.
The farmhouse, built in the style of the time, was two-story
with the large chimney in the center and painted red. It
stood on the Mammoth Road nearly opposite where the tene
ments of the American Woolen Company now stand. The
house, in recent years, was demolished, but its site can be
found at the present time. There was a family of seven
children. John6, Jr., Uved in Maine. Life6, born, 1780; died, 1874;
married, 1808, Rachel, daughter of John Bowers. He pur
chased the Stanley house at the Navy Yard and was a farmer
by occupation. He, as justice of the peace, transacted legal
business and served as selectman and held other important offi
ces in the town. His son, Charles7, was a mason by trade, but
later he became a farmer and purchased the Bradley property
on Hildreth Street, adjoining the Blanchard Hospital grounds.
His sons, Albert8 and Arthur8, who were also masons reside in
Dracut. George7, the younger son of Life6, was a blacksmith
and lived at the Navy Yard, where he, at one time, operated
the sawmill which stood on the brook below the bridge at the
mill and between Brookside Street and "New England."
He had one son, George Eugene8, now deceased.
Theodore6, son of John, was a wheelwright, and built and
operated the sawmill just mentioned. His sons, Theodore H.7,
was a millwright, Daniel V.7 was a carpenter and Warren C.T

;«t2 HISTORY OF DRACUT
was a manufacturer. He had other sons and daughters who
never married. Theodore6 purchased the Garrison House farm
on Riverside Street, but, retiring from active Ufe, he removed
to the Parker Varnum House on Varnum Avenue, which he
had bought. Peter6, son of John, born in 1775, married Polly
Goodhue, and inherited the homestead at Collinsville. His
children removed from Dracut. The family was represented
in the Revolution by Jonathan, who was a drummer boy at
Bunker Hill. Hildreth
The Hildreths came from England before 1643, as at that
date Richard1 Hildreth was admitted as a freeman of the colony
of Massachusetts Bay. The name has been spelled in different
ways as many of our names in New England have been changed
to confor.ni to present usage. A very common way of pro
nouncing it was "Hildrick."
Richard1 settled at Woburn, then called Charlestown
Village, where he was living at the date above mentioned.
Ten years later, in company with twenty-eight others, "he
petitioned Hon. John Endicott and other honorable magistrates
at Boston for certain grants of land for Chelmford on the
river Merrimack at a necke of land, next to Concord river near
to Pawtucket, it being a very comfortable place to accommodate
a company of God 's people upon : that may with God 's blessing
and assistance live comfortably upon and do good in that place
for church and commonwealth." [ Reade 's "Hildreth Family."]
His son, James2, had a son, Ephraim3, who was the first of
the name in Dracut. In 1709, Ephraim3 purchased of the heirs
of John Alcock 1300 acres. The land on the north side of the
river was not at first occupied by the Chelmsford settlers, as the
river seemed to them to be a barrier to prevent settlement.
In Chelmsford, there were garrison houses and reasonable
protection from the Indians. In the "Wildernesse" they
would be exposed to incursions from the savages and the settlers
were reluctant to overcome these difficulties. The success
of the Coburn and Varnums, who came from Ipswich, was of
value to others, as it showed that it was possible to Uve on the
north side of the river.

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 393
The Indian War of 1675 was ended and the low price of
land influenced the Hildreths to become settlers on the north
side of the river also. The territory from the mouth of Beaver
brook to Tyng's Island was controlled by the Coburns and
Varnums; but the Russell grant on the east side of the brook
was unoccupied. It had been divided in 1687, and the western
half sold to John Alcock. This became the property of his two
daughters, one the wife of Benjamin Walker of Boston and the
other the wife of Ephraim Hunt of Weymouth. Portions of this
property are in the possession of Ephraim 's descendants.
North of the 1300 acres mentioned, is the Billerica grant of 500
acres which he purchased.
Before settling in Dracut, he was a member of Capt. Tyng's
Company of Snow Shoe Scouts who were in active service
against the Indians. He acquired a large property, as after
giving to his three oldest sons their proportional part of the
estate before his death, there remained enough for the four
younger sons. Gen. Reade in his "Hildreth Family" says:
"The Major directed that his land in Tyngsboro on the Merri
mack and his negro boy 'Cuffe' inventoried at £100 and enough
lands and credits be sold to pay his debts and funeral charges.
The inventory included 200 acres of land north side of the
county road; 100 acres of land on Merrimack River; 50 acres
of land bought of Gov. Belcher; 150 acres of land known as
Winthrops Farm ; interest in a corn mill on Beaver brook ; sun
dry buildings and saw mill in Tyngs Town; land and meadows
west of Gouldings brook," besides a large stock of farm ani
mals. His fourth son, Thomas, was in the French and Indian War
in 1755, and died at Fort Cumberland, Md., Dec. 4, 1755. The
circumstances of his death are related in Gen. Reade 's "Gene
alogy of the Hildreth Family." "After the close of the third
French or King George's War, 1748, the French established a
line of posts near to the Alleghany mountains, which was the
cause of George Washington's first, and pacific visit in 1753
to the French. During the following year, Major George Wash
ington marched his command to the locality where Pittsburg
now stands. The French troops near Fort Duquesne were at
first surprised and defeated; but later defeated Washington

394 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and forced him to capitulate and retire from the disputed
ground then claimed by France. When General Edward Brad
dock was commissioned as commander-in-chief of all the English
forces in North America in September, 1754, he had associated
with him, as next in command, Governor Shirley and Sir Wil
liam Pepperell of Massachusetts. In the spring of 1755, Gen
eral Braddock appointed Washington to be one of his aides,
but declined his advice as well as that of Benj. Franklin re
garding the best method of utilizing the services of the raw
American militia. The rendezous for the combined forces, the
King's regulars and the colonial troops, was at Fort Cumber
land on Wills Creek banks of the Potomac river, Alleghany
Country, Maryland. In June, 1755, General Braddock marched
against Fort Duquesne in command of 1000 regulars, 30 sailors
and 1200 Provincial troops, besides a train of artillery. Gates,
Gage, Morgan and Mercer, names that were to be famous in
another war, were there, and there, too, was Ensign Thomas
Hildreth, son of Major Ephraim Hildreth of Dracut. The de
feat and death of Braddock by the French and Indians is a
matter of history. The demoralized British soldiers who es
caped the slaughter by Contrecouer and DeBeajeu's command
and their wily allies, July 9, 1755 fled back to Fort Cumberland
in a wild panic.
The Provincial troops protected their retreat and retired in
a more leisurely manner, fighting from behind trees, just as
Dumas and DiLigueris did.
Nearly all of the officers of General Braddock 's regular
staff were killed or wounded. Ensign Thomas Hildreth was one
of those who reached Fort Cumberland alive; but there, under
the gloomy pines of the dense forest, he died, and received a
soldier's grave in the tract known to the Indians as the Shades
of Death."
Ephraim3 was one of the selectmen of the town, also town
clerk, and held the office of Major in the miUtia. It was his
intention to provide a burial place for the town but as he did
not arrange for one during his lifetime, his sons, in 1752, gave
a deed of the land for the Hildreth cemetery in fulfilment of
the wishes of their father. He had ten children, three of whom
were active in town affairs. Ephraim4, Jr., held the offices of

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 395
selectman, town clerk and treasurer. Josiah* succeeded his
brother in the office of town clerk, then, in 1769, another brother,
William4, served in the same capacity. In turn was followed
by WiUiam6, Jr., and later by Lieut Israel.5 William4 held the
rank of Major in the militia.
The Hildreths were active at the time of the Revolution and
names of six are found on the Roll of Honor as serving in the
war. William5, Jr., besides holding several town offices was
.General of the Mass. Militia and in 1809 was elected to the office
of High Sheriff of Middlesex County. He built the house at
Hovey Square, now known as the Blanchard hospital. Micah5,
son of William4, was town treasurer from 1792 to 1795. Elizah4,
son of Ephraim, held office in the town. Lieut. Israel5, son of
Elijah, held the office of selectman and town clerk, also other
offices, and in 1793, he represented the town at the General
Court. He served in the Revolution as a privateer's man.
Israel6, Jr., became a physician and lived at the homestead
near the cemetery. Further notice of Dr. Hildreth, as relates
to his medical experience, will be found in the section on the
physicians of Dracut. He was a staff officer by reason of his
office as surgeon in the Fifth Regiment of Infantry Middlesex
Militia Mass. Volunteers, Col. Jefferson Bancroft commander.
As an orator, his services were in demand at Independence Day
celebrations. As a man possessing sound sense and good judg
ment, he was chosen to protect the interests of the town in
cases where their rights were threatened.
The following incident is related of his good nature : He
owned a field which reached to Beaver Brook, and a townsman,
plowing in a neighboring field, drove his oxen across the doc
tors field to give them water at the brook. The manager of the
farm remonstrated and reported the facts. Soon after this the
doctor, meeting the neighbor charged him with trespass which
the neighbor admitted. The doctor then said: "If the field is
full of cabbages you are welcome to drive your oxen through
to the brook as often as you want to do so."
Fisher Ames7 served the town as clerk and treasurer and was
a Representative to the General Court. He owned the Hil
dreth homestead and was a successful farmer. Fisher Ames7
was the only son who arrived at maturity ; his sisters were Row-

396 HISTORY OF DRACUT
ena, who married Henry Reade a merchant of Lowell; Sarah
Jones, who married Gen. Benj. F. Butler; Susan, who married
William P. Webster, a lawyer; Harriet, who married Franklin
P. Hurd, Dolly Maria, who married Col. J. M. G. Parker, and
Laura Wright, who married George H. Pearson who was agent
at Pearson's Mills in Dracut.
Mrs. Rowena Reade in an interview relating to the Hildreth
family furnished the following information:
Her grandfather, Squire Israel Hildreth, it was that built
the Hildreth mansion then the only house, save that of Ryer
Coburn, in that part of Dracut. There were other houses at the
west end of the town, that of Col. Ansart, and at the east end
of the town where Gen. Varnum still lived in the respect which
his high service for his state and country universally invited.
Squire Hildreth was a tall man, with black hair which he
wore with a queue, dark eyes and a commanding manner. He
had been a privateer in his younger days, and had visited
Spain and other foreign lands, so that his knowledge gave him
distinction among his neighbors. One day the gunner of the
privateer was firing a gun, when he twitched his head as if in
fear, whereupon Capt. Newman shouted: "You do that again
and I'll pitch you overboard." Israel Hildreth stepped for
ward, and, saluting said: "Captain, let me try; and if I fail
you can pitch me into the sea." So Israel fired the gun
with his eye steadily gazing along toward the breach, and was
promoted to be chief gunner of the craft. But he nevertheless
was a man of tender sympathies, and never could relate the
tale of sinking a ship without breaking into tears.
He wore, on state occasions, knee breeches with silver buckles,
presented by his old captain. He was a farmer; but directed
the work done by the men and women whom he employed.
His son, Dr. Israel Hildreth, and his family lived with the squire
and shared with him his simple living. In the fall the cellar
was filled to overflowing with potatoes, cabbages, turnips, beets,
carrots and barrels of cider, and the woodsheds were filled with
logs for the great fireplaces.
These fireplaces were very spacious, that in the kitchen being
the largest of all, with its capacious chimney, its crane and its

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 397
flanking brick ovens. Fowls were roasted in tin "kitchins"
before the fire, or else were hung by strings from pegs in the
mantle; and all the pots were hung from the crane over the
coals. When the ovens were to be used, they were filled with fuel
which was lighted and allowed to burn about two hours. The
coals and ashes were then swept out, and the loaves of bread,
or pies, or beans inserted, the doors were closed and the baking
allowed to proceed uninterrupted until the alloted time had ex
pired. Then what appetizing odors permeated the house as
the oven doors were opened! "There never was such cooking;
nor can there ever be any more," said Mrs. Reade.
The household duties were simple. There was the making of
soap and candles, of cheese and butter and preserves, of pickles
and corned beef, hams and sausages. And there was the weav
ing of cloth; for aU the men wore home-spun, and the women,
too, save that those who could afford it wore cloaks of scarlet
cloth secured in England. The wool was cut from the sheep in
the pasture and was carded, spun into warp and yarn, and
woven into cloth on the loom in the back room. All this was
done by experts in the several branches, assisted by the members
of the family.
In addition to the farm, Squire Hildreth had possession of
the "Sawpit" on the banks of the river where the Aiken street
bridge now rests upon its northern pier; and the "hole" was
the scene of busy seine fishing in the season. It used to be
quite a diversion for the children to watch the fishermen haul
in the shad and the salmon; although they were somewhat
alarmed at the rough play and frolic of the raftsmen who
gathered there to reconstruct the rafts which had been broken
for passage through Pawtucket rapids.
There were no mills on the other side of the river, only a
few farm houses, with fields and orchards; the future Lowell
had not even attained to the viUage stage; for the only viUage
was at Middlesex, where the canal and the glass works were. It
was at Middlesex that the muster was held, a great day for
old and young; for the young went to see how the old were
trained in arms for the defense of their homes and country;
and the muster always ended in a sham fight, a startling and

398 HISTORY OF DRACUT
awesome presentment of actual warfare. There were such
times in those days, what with the boiled chicken and ' ' fixin 's, ' '
and gingerbread in great cakes. And then there were the ped
dlers with their trays of sweets, their peppermints and molasses
candies. There were the training days, too, when the men of each
town answered the call to arms for a day; and after drill in
the field the men of Dracut would gather at Blanchard 's tavern
and drink their "flip," a mixture of beer, rum, sugar and water,
stirred to foamy encouragement with a red hot poker, a sociable
drink, but somewhat heady. There used to be wrestling bouts
in the tavern, together with other athletic feats of strength and
prowess ; but rarely any fighting ; for these farmers were peace
ful folk and were only belligerent when their rights were
assailed. Town meeting was another time of relief from work in the
fields; but in the homes it begat extra endeavor to supply the
demand of hospitable courtesy; for every house that could
afford to be so was open and every table was free, and most
bounteous was the entertainment provided.
The Hildreths were by nature and training miUtary men.
In common with other young men of their time, they were
required by law to become members of the miUtia and to de
note a certain time each year to military exercises. A study of
the lives of Richard and his descendants reveal conditions
which present the names of Hildreth in connection with a
large number of men holding commissions ranging from ser
geant to general. The names of those bearing the commissions
are as follows: Richard, Sergeant; Elphraim Sr, Ensign; Eph
raim, Jr., Major ; William Jr., General ; Thomas, Ensign ; Josiah,
Captain; Micah, Lieutenant; William, Sr., Major; Israel,
Lieutenant; James, Lieutenant; Jonathan, Major; Samuel, Cap
tain. Among the grandchildren of Dr. Israel Hildreth, but
not bearing the family name, there were one brigadier general,
one adjutant general, one colonel, one captain and one lieu
tenant in the regular army.

biography and genealogy 399
Hovey
Daniel Hovey was born in England in 1618 and came to
America, settling at Ipswich, when he died in 1695. He married
Abigail Andrews. Daniel2, Jr., was born in 1642 and married
first Rebecca  ; at her death, he married Esther Treadwell.
Thomas3, born 1673, died 1748 ; married Martha  . Thomas*
born 1707 married Sarah Rust. Thomas5 born at Ipswich
in 1736 married Mary  . He was the first of the line to
remove from Ipswich, as he came first to Andover and from
there to Dracut. His son, James Platz6, was a soldier who as
sisted in the suppression of Shays RebelUon in 1787. Thomas5
was a school master and, selecting Dracut as his home, he pur
chased, in 1759, of Joseph Colburn 275 square rods of land
at Hovey Square, on which had been erected the frame of a
house. This he finished and it passed by inheritance to James6,
his son, then to his son, George7, and at his death it was owned
by George8 Jr. of Chicago. It was two story on the front, but,
as was the style of the time, the long roof permitted but one
story at the back, this roof later being changed to admit of two
stories at the rear. The interior has undergone but little altera
tion, while the ell on the south end has been removed. This
building was a tavern in the early days and was on the highway
over which the stage coaches passed on their trips between
Boston and Concord, N. H. Deacon Thomas5 was active in town
affairs and performed the duties to which he was called in an
acceptable manner. He purchased in 1764 five acres of land of
Jonathan Jones, thus enlarging his homestead lot on the east
as far as Capt. Stephen Russell's farm line. Two years later he
purchased of Elijah Hildreth 33 acres, which is described as
lying "north of Blackbird Swamp and lying west on the
townway from John Bowers' house to the house of
Joseph Goodhue." This would be the lot of land lying be
tween the rifle range and Hildreth Street. He died August
4, 1812, and is buried in the Hildreth cemetery. His son,
James Platz6, sometimes spelled Platts, was born July 21, 1767,
and died November 30, 1831. He married his cousin, Rebecca
Hovey, of Boxford. He had six sons, viz., WiUiam and Joshua,
who were shoe makers, Horatio Nelson, a merchant, James P.

400 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Jr., Cyrus, a silversmith, and George, a farmer, who came into
possession of the home farm. George7 was a deacon in the
Congregational church for many years and held important
town offices, being selectman and treasurer.
Jones
The name is of Welsh origin and is the same as John, which
means gracious. No one of the name is recorded as receiving
any portion of the reserved land and the time of their entry
into town was probably later than the division in 1721. Old
records state the following facts relating to this family in a list
of emigrants to America 1600 to 1750.
"2 May 1635 The underwritten names are to be transported
to the Barbadoes imbarqued in the Alexander, Capt. Burk and
Gilbert Grimis, Masters certificate from the minister where they
later dwelt the men took the oath of allegiance
Walter Jones age 20 years.
Morgan Jones age 31 years.
Hugh Jones age 22 years (born in 1613).
Edith Jones age 21 years.
Elizabeth Warren age 17 years."
Hugh2, married, first, Hannah Tompkins, who died May 10,
1672. He married, second, Mary Foster, who, among other
children had a son, Hugh3, baptized in 1690, who married
Hannah Wilson.
There were eight children, among them David4, born 1716;
Jonathan*, born 1719; Nathaniel*, born 1723; and Hugh4, born
in 1727. David* married Hannah Fox, David5, born 1741, mar
ried Mrs. Molly Bayte ; David6, born 1771, married Nabby (Abi
gail) Currier of Pelham, N. H. ; David7 married Mary Seavey.
They had two children Frank8, who was a dentist, and Lizzie8.
The other sons of David6 were Cyrus7, Darius7, and John
Lucas7. The last named lived at Pelham, N. H., where his son,
Martin L.8, now resides. Cyrus7 inherited the home farm which
is on a cross road which connects the two roads to Methuen lead
ing from Dracut Center. It was later owned by his son, Charles

JOSEPH MORRISON WILSON

<See Page 426)

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 401
E.8, who died in 1900, and the farm was afterward sold. Darius7
never married. Jonathan*, born 1719, married 1744 Hannah
Barron. Their son, Zebediah6, born 1753, married Mrs. Johan-
nah Goodhue, and had sons Nehemiah6, Thomas6, and Zebediah6.
Nehemiah6 married Mary, daughter of Jonas and Dolly Richard
son; their daughter, Rebecca7, married Warner Coburn and
lived on Hildreth Street. Zebediah6 married 1807, Prudence,
daughter of Jonathan and Mercy Richardson.
They had eleven children. Nathaniel*, born 1723, married, in
1748, Jane Fletcher. Their son Nathaniel5, born 1750, married
Jemima, daughter of Edward* and Hannah (Butterfield) Co-
burn of Pelham, N. H. Bradley6 married Sarah Harris. Their
son, Prescott7, lived at Dracut Center on the homestead formerly
his grandfather Nathaniel's farm. Solomon5, born 1753, son
of Nathaniel*, married Sally Danforth. Their daughter, Polly6,
married Simon Fox, son of Eliphalet Fox. Her sister Susan
nah6, married Simeon Flint, and their daughter Mariette7 mar
ried George Hamblett. Hugh*, born 1727, married 1751 Sarah
Fletcher. Among their children were Oliver5, Olive5, and
Hannah5 OUver5 born 1762, married Dorothy, daughter of
Daniel and Eunice (Hunt) Clement. Their daughter Dolly6,
born 1792, married Dr. Israel Hildreth. Lydia6, born 1796,
daughter of Oliver5 and Dorothy, married Pascal, son of Peter
Coburn, Jr. Hannah5 daughter of Hugh4 married Saul Coburn,
and her sister Olive5, married Thaddeus Coburn. Oliver6, son
of Oliver5, born in 1789 married Olive Coburn. The birth of
two sons are on the Dracut Records, Oliver Morgan7 born 1815
and Thaddeus C.7 born 1819. Bradley
The first mention of the name is found in the record of the
sailing of the ship from England which numbered among its
passengers one Daniel Bradley. The entry, including the early
spelling of the name, is as follows:
"8 April is 1635
Thies p'les [peoples] herevender mencioned are to be trans
ported to New England: inbarqued in the Elizabeth of London

402 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Wm. Stagg Mr. bound thither: they have taken the oath of Al-
legience and Supremacie p'r Cert: from the p'ish [parish] of
St Alphage Cripple gate the minister there."
Wm Holdred Tanner 25.
Roger Preston Tanner 21.
Daniell Broadley 20.
Isack Studman 30."
In 1662, Daniel married Mary, daughter of John and Jane
Williams, and settled in Bradford, where his two oldest children,
Daniel, Jr., and Joseph, were born. Later he removed to Haver
hill. He was killed by the Indians, or as the documents phrase
it, ' ' Slain by ye hand of ye heathen, ' ' August 13, 1689, near the
present Atkinson depot. They had nine children, the oldest,
Daniel, Jr., with his wife and two children, Mary and Hannah,
were killed by the Indians March 15, 1696/7.
Joseph Bradley2 was born February 7, 1664/5, and died
October 3, 1779. He married April 14, 1691, Hannah Heath.
They had ten children, only one of whom will be in this record.
April 19, 1697 he was sent with others to re-enforce the garrison,
at that time commanded by Thomas Duston, whose wife was
captured by the Indians, as related in local histories. He after
ward was commander of the same garrison which was attacked
by the Indians in 1703. He also led a scouting party, capturing
the packs of a party of French and Indians, the loss of which
resulted in their capture. His wife, Hannah, was taken captive
by the Indians in 1696 and her two children killed. The manner
of her release and return is not known.
In 1703, the garrison was attacked in the day time, when only
one soldier was on guard, who was killed. The others were
away as no attack was expected. Mrs. Bradley was boiling
soap and defended herself by throwing it on the Indians and
scalding them; but she was overpowered and taken to Canada.
In 1705, John Sheldon was empowered to go to Canada and
negotiate for the release of the captives. His attendants were
Joseph Bradley and a man from Deerfield. Their mission
was successful and Hannah returned to experience more at
tacks by the Indians. In 1706, there was a night attack on the
garrison when only the family and a hired man were the occu-

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 403
pants. As the first Indian crowded through the door, he was
shot by Mrs. Bradley and the others retreated without further
molestation. When captured the second time she had for fellow
prisoners, Mrs. Dustan and Mary Neff; but being obUged to
travel in advance of the others, she was not present when the
two women killed the Indians and returned. The following
document is on record:
"The Deposition of the widow Hannah Bradley of Haverhill
of full age, who testyfieth & saith that about forty years past,
the said Hannah together with the widow Mary Neff were taken
prisoners by the Indians & carried together into captivity &
above pennycook the Deponent was by the Indians forced to
travel further than the rest of the captives & the next night
but one there came to us one Squaw who said that Hannah Dus-
tin & the aforesaid Mary Neff assisted in the killing of the
Indians of her wigwam, except herself & a boy, herself escap
ing very narrowly, showing to myself and others seven wounds,
as she said with a Hatchet on her head ; and which wounds were
given her when the rest were killed. ' '
This was signed by Hannah Bradley by the making of her
mark. This is a brief account of the captivity of one of those
sturdy New England women whose descendants were prominent
in Dracut but within its Umits no one of the name is now living.
Their son, Joseph3, married Hannah Marsh and they were
the parents of Amos4 the first of the name in Dracut. Amos
came from Haverhill about 1761 and purchased the farm of
Solomon Abbott, with the ferry, at Central Bridge, reference
to which has already been made. His wife was Elizabeth Page,
a great-granddaughter of Thomas and Hannah Duston. This
was the Hannah Duston who was captured by the Indians and
escaped. They were the parents of eleven children. Deacon
Amos, as he was called sold his property on the river in 1809
to his son Joseph who operated it until he sold it in 1827 to the
Central Bridge Corporation. He died Oct. 14, 1813. The five
sons of Deacon Amos were Amos, Jr.5, who became a physician,
as already recorded. He married Lydia Jones, of Salem, N. H.,
and eleven children were born to them. His farm was on Hil
dreth Street adjoining on the north grounds of the Blanchard

404 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Hospital. At his death, May 6, 1817, his son, Dr. Peleg6, suc
ceeded to his estate and his father's practice. Joshua6 married
Mary Poor, they lived in Dracut and had eleven children.
Joseph5 married Lydia Worcester and they had seven children.
He owned the ferry at Central Bridge which he purchased of his
father and kept a tavern in a building which he built on First
Street and which still stands nearly opposite the ferry landing.
He is said to have been the first to operate a steamer on the river
making trips to Nashua.
Caleb5, called Parson Bradley became a clergyman and set
tled in Portland, Me. He was twice married and left six
children. "Many of the older people will remember the kindly old
'Parson Bradley' who died a generation ago, but who for
sixty years or more before was one of the best-known clergymen
in New England. Caleb Bradley was his name, and he was a
native of Dracut, Mass.
His style of preaching was florid and declamatory, his manner
ardent and somewhat eccentric, but this was the result of his
peculiar temperament, and did not rise from any lack of moral
sensibility, for with all his vivacity he was a most sincere
Christian and devoted minister.
A small volume might be filled with many quaint sayings and
kindly doings of the famous old preacher. It was the custom
for the minister when he closed the marriage ceremony to greet
the bride with a kiss. Being called upon one occasion to marry
two colored people, after performing the ceremony he said to
the groom. ' Salute your bride, sir. ' To which the negro replied,
•After wou, massa. ' The good parson declined the privilege,
and ever after abandoned the practice of kissing brides.
In 1857 Mr. Bradley attended commencement at Harvard
college, and being the oldest clergyman present, he was re
quested according to custom, to ask a blessing at the dinner of
the graduates, which he did in manner following : ' Almighty
God, for past favors, for present enjoyment, and for future
hopes, accept the best feelings of our hearts, through Jesus
Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen.' The brevity of this invo
cation was in striking contrast to many who had preceded him
in that duty, and was greatly appreciated by the guests.

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 405
The good minister had a bluff, hearty manner, and, as was
the almost universal custom among the clergy in the earlier days
of his pastorate, partook of an occasional glass of rum. While
calling one day on a parishioner of his, the good woman brought
forth a bottle of rum and pouring out some in a glass put a
spoonful of molasses in it.
'No sweetening,' said the minister, 'it needs no sweetening.'
"Why, Mr. Bradlej^,' she replied, 'it could not be too sweet
for you if it was all molasses.' 'Well, well, pour it in, then,'
responded the good pastor, alwaj-s susceptible to flattery.
In the pulpit he had many little mannerisms which, far from
detracting from the regard in which he was held, made him, if
possible, more popular among his parishioners and acquaint
ances. On the occasion of the dedication of a school in Sacca-
rappa, being called upon for the prayer, he responded, and
ended with these words: 'Oh God, make this school as good as
the Gorham school, and you know that that is not what it is
cracked up to be.'
During an especially dry summer Parson Bradley was occupy
ing one Sunday the pulpit of the Congregational church in
Scarboro, and being requested to pray for rain, in his charac
teristic style he invoked the divine blessing in this manner:
'0 God, send us rain, but you know that this ground needs
dressing far more than it does rain.' The soil in that vicinity
being rather poor suggested the coupling of this hint to its
owners with his supplication to the Lord.
In his day the parson was politically a strong Federalist,
and subsequently a Whig. During the administration of the
democratic president, James K. Polk, the good minister was
called upon to address a school in the town of Westbrook, and
in trying to impress the boys with the importance of study, he
called their attention to the fact that in this country any boy
had a chance of becoming president of the Unitel States, and
went on to say, 'Perhaps some of you may be a man as good
as Washington, some of you may be as good as Adams, some one
of you as worthy as Harrison, and the Lord knows that any of
you may be equal to a Polk. '
On another occasion he was attending the funeral of the wife
of one of the most prominent citizens in the town of Westbrook.

406 HISTORY OF DRACUT
In the course of his prayer he said, 'Oh Lord, be merciful to
the bereaved husband. Especially, Lord, we pray thee, to
prevent him from making such a fool of himself as most men do
who lose their wives. ' ' '
Nehemiah5 married Lydia French and they had five children.
He lived near Bradley's ferry and was the ferryman in the em
ploy of his brother Joseph, he also had a shoemaker's shop.
Another Bradley family resided in the town. This was Isaac
Bradley, who was born in Haverhill in 1749, and came to Dra
cut where he married in 1772, "Marget," daughter of Ephraim
Hildreth. In the same year he bought of Ezekiel Hale a dwell
ing house on the south side of Pleasant Street, near the mills,
then owned by Hale. The building stood at the crossing where the
electric road crosses Pleasant Street and is a few rods from its
former location, fronting now on Lakeview Avenue. In 1779,
he bought of Hale \y_ acres of land between his house and
Beaver Brook, with a scythe mill, water privileges, etc. This
property passed to his son, Benjamin Bradley, who lived in a
farm house between Lakeview Avenue and Brookside Street.
Six members of the Bradley families served in the Revolution.
Parker
Deacon Thomas Parker, the Progenitor of the Parkers of
Dracut, was born in 1605 and died in 1683. He came to
America from London, England, in 1635, as a passenger in
the ship Susan and Ellin, and the same year married Amy,
whose surname is not known. He resided at Lynn two years,
but, later, removed to Reading which, at that time, was being
settled. His grave is to be seen in one of the old cemeteries of
Wakefield, formerly a part of Reading. He was a deacon in the
church at Reading and assisted in its establishment. He, with
Deacon Thomas Kendall and Deacon William Cowdrey consti
tuted the board of founders of the church. His good judgment
and ability caused him to be elected to the office of commissioner
and his duty was to act as judge in the trial of cases which did
not properly belong to a higher court. There were eleven chil
dren and the Parkers of Dracut are descended from the third
son who was known as Sergeant John.

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY' 407
The descendants of Deacon Thomas have taken an active part
in the wars which occurred in the early days in the history of
this country. In the Colonial wars he was represented by five
sons, three grandsons, eight great-grandsons and twelve great-
great-grandsons. On April 19, 1775, at the battle of Lexington
and Concord, he was represented by six great-grandsons and
twenty-three great-great-grandsons. In the Revolutionary war
he had six great-grandsons and thirty-two great-great-grand
sons. Among these were men holding every rank from private
to general.
Sergeant John2 Parker was born in 1640 and died in 1698.
His home was in Reading, at a locality known as Cowdrey hill.
In 1667 he married Hannah the fourth daughter of Deacon
Thomas Kendall. By this marriage the name Kendall was
introduced into the family. The only son of Deacon Ken
dall dying when young, the daughters agreed that their
first born sons should be named Kendall, and thus in the early
records the name of Kendall Parker appears frequently. Ser
geant John served in King Philip's war in 1675 and 1676, and
during the last named year he was wounded. While a farmer
by occupation, his services were in demand as a surveyor.
Sergeant John had thirteen children, and the fourth son,
Johnathan3, married, in 1706, Anna Flint. He died in Reading
in 1746.
In their family of five children, the youngest was named
Kendall, who was born in Reading, April 23, 1723. He
married Mary Harris of Methuen, and with his brother Tim
othy4 settled on land on both sides of the Une between Methuen
and Dracut. Four children were born to this couple and after
the death of the mother he married PrisciUa Austin and there
were seven children by this marriage. It is from four of these
brothers, viz., Kendall, Jr.5, Peter5, Jonathan5 and Nathan6
that the' Parkers of Dracut are descended. The name of
KendaU5 is found on the Roll of Honor as a private in Capt.
Stephen Russell's company, which hurried to Lexington on
AprU 19, 1775. The next year he was a corporal in Capt.
Reed's company, in Col. Varnum 's regiment. It is an interest
ing fact that at Concord and Lexington, on that memorable
day, there were twenty-nine men who were related to each other,
mostly cousins, twenty-six of whom bore the name of Parker.

408 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Kendall5, Jr., was born April 4, 1752, and died April 6,
1807. In 1777, he married Mrs. Dolly (Jones) Richardson,
daughter of Nathaniel and Jane Jones, and widow of Jonas
Richardson. He was active in town affairs, holding the office
of surveyor, collector and constable. In 1787, the selectmen
ordered the treasurer to pay to them twelve shillings "to
Deliver to Mr. Kindall Parker Junr for Expenses for man and
Horses Carrying Provisions to the Army." His home was at
the corner of Bridge and Pleasant Streets, where Cyrus Udell
now lives. While living he disposed of his property to his
children after making provision for his widow.
One of his children, Samuel6, the youngest, lived at the
homestead at the Center. He was born April 10, 1794, and
died December 20, 1850. He married, April 19, 1821, Sarah
Harris of Methuen. His occupation was that of blacksmith
and his shop stood on the point of land formed by the inter
section of Pleasant Street and Aiken Avenue, near the hay
scales. There were ten children, among them Samuel7, Jr., who
died in 1865, and William F., never married. Benjamin7
married Rowena M., daughter of Jonathan6 Parker, and Levi
N.7, who married Sarah E. Noyes of Bow, N. H. A daughter,
Sarah, who never married, lived at Dracut Center, and died
at an advanced age.
Peter6 was born in 1754, and died in 1809. In 1785 he
married Bridget, daughter of Joshua and Hannah (Richardson)
Coburn, the fifth in descent from Edward1 Colburn, the first
of the name in Dracut. His life as a Dracut farmer was un
eventful, but his record as a soldier is honorable. Besides his
service in the Dracut companies, he was in Capt. Wright's
company in Col. Brooks' regiment at White Plains, and in
Lieut. Flint's company in Col. Poor's regiment. His name is in
"New York in the Revolution" and in the pay books of the
treasurer of the State of New York. The company to which he
belonged was in the battle at White Plains, in October, 1776,
and the regiment commanded by Col. Brooks covered the retreat
of the American troops. After the battle, he, with others, was
selected to accompany the wounded to their destination.
Theodore6 was the youngest of the eight children of Peter
and Bridget. He was born in 1799 and died in 1865. He

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 409
married, in 1830, Lydia, daughter of Eldad Carter, one of the
earliest settlers of Wilmington. She died in 1832, leaving a
son, Theodore E.7. He married Frances Brackett, and their
son, Theodore E.8, married Harriet Talbot. Theodore6 married
a second wife, in 1834, Hannah, daughter of Deacon Moses and
Mary (Derby) Greeley of Hudson, N. H. Their children were
Mary7 who married Leonard H. Morrison, Moses G.T, and
Adelaide, who died in infancy. He was an enterprising man
and established blacksmith shops in Dracut and Andover. In
heriting the homestead, he managed his farm and conducted
the business of blacksmithing at the same time. He was dili
gent, upright and honorable in his business relations, acquiring
a cempetency which relieved him from care in his declining
years. In those days the duties of a smith were more varied
than at the present day. He must know how to shoe horses
and oxen, iron sleighs, sleds and carts, fashion knives and
carpenters' tools, and do aU kinds of repairing in iron work.
He was also an expert in the art of brazing iron and, what was
far more difficult, he understood the silvering of iron, which
required skill of a high order. He was an active and earnest
member of the Baptist Church at Methuen, but he retained a
love for the Dracut Center Church, where his father worshipped
and always retained in his possession the old square pew untiL_
with others, it was removed to give place to improvements.
Jonathan5, son of Kendall*, was born February 18, 1764,
and died August 31, 1834. He married AUce Guttterson. Of
the ten children, only two will be mentioned in this history, viz.,
Worthy6 and Aiken6. In 1802, he purchased a farm of Josiah
Wood, situated on the Methuen Road, north of the road on
which his father's farm was situated. This farm he left to his
two sons above mentioned. His house was the Parker Tavern
and was famous for its hall in which were held dancing parties
which were patronized by the young people of Lowell. He
served in the Revolution in the companies of Capt. Russell and
Capt. Varnum. His son, Worthy6, born in 1803, married Mary
Nudd, and owned the tavern building and the eastern half of
the farm ; while Aiken6 owned the western half, where he made
his home.

410 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Nathan5, son of Kendall, Sr., was born in May, 1776, and
died September 2, 1852. He married, in 1801, Elsa Gilchrest.
In 1800, he purchased a part of the homestead farm of Isaac
Barker, situated on the crossroad leading from the Varnum
cemetery to the Methuen Road. Six children were born, only
one son reaching maturity. This was Nathan6, Jr., who was
born July 7, 1805, and died March 16, 1870. He married
Fannie, daughter of Nathaniel and Anna Jones. He owned the
home farm, and of his ten children, two only of the sons settled
in Dracut, viz., William Sumner7 and Bernice7. Another
family by the name of Parker resided in Dracut.
The progenitor of this line was Abraham, born about 1612,
and married, in 1644, Rose Whitlock. John2, born in 1647,
married, in 1678, Mary Danforth. John3, born about 1683,
married Deborah or Rebecca  . John*, born in 1711,
married Hannah  . Ephraim5, born in 1738, married,
in 1762, Sybil Warren. John6, born in 1763, married, in 1784,
Mercy Coburn, who was in the fifth generation from Edward1.
The line is Edward1, Joseph2, Aaron3, Aaron*, Mercy5 Perley7,
son of John, was born in 1796, and married, in 1825, Sarah
Grosvenor, widow of William Butler of Pelham, N. H. John
M. G.8 was born in 1826, and married, in 1852, Dolly Maria,
daughter of Israel Hildreth. Another son of John6 and Mercy
was Asa7, who was born in 1791, and married, in 1814, Elizabeth,
daughter of Obadiah and Hannah Richardson. Two only of
the fourteen children of Asa settled in Dracut, viz., John I.8
who married Eliza  , and Perley who married Mrs.
Harriet Cole. One son of Asa7, Obadiah8, was killed by light
ning while mowing in a meadow.
One of the younger sons was named Merrill Richardson
Parker, and his adventures seem like a romance. Born in Dracut
in 1837, at thirteen years of age, he went to New York, where he,
as a sailor, made several voyages to Liverpool on the merchant
vessels, named Dreadnaught and Sidon, and in the Charlotte of
Derby to Newcastle, Shields and the North Sea ; also to Bombay
and Hong Kong. Returning to England, he left the sea and
was employed in London by the Colt Fire Arms Co. At the
commencement of the Crimean War, he enlisted in the 90th
Light Infantry, and served in the English army, being at the

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 411
siege of Sebastopol in 1855, when eighteen years of age. He
was present and took an active part in the battle of Balaklava
and while stationed on a hill he saw the famous charge of the
Light Brigade which the poet laureate of England, Lord Tenny
son, so forcibly describes in the poem, ' ' The Charge of the Light
Brigade. ' ' "Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them,
VoUeyed and thundered,
Stormed at with shot and sheU.
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death
Into the mouth of hell,
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air,
Sabring the gunners there;
Charging an army while
All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery smoke
Right through the line they broke.
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke.
Shattered and sundered,
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred."
As this was a war in which America was not engaged, the
conclusion is that he had an adventurous spirit which led him into
perils and dangers from which he escaped unharmed, and after
his discharge from the army, which occurred October 1, 1856,
he returned to Hartford, Conn., where he again entered the
employ of the Colt Fire Arms Co.
The youngest son of Asa and Elizabeth was named Alfred
F. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the 1st Conn. Cavalry and
was present at the battle of Fredericksburg. The following
year the company served as provost guard at Baltimore. They

412 HISTORY OF DRACUT
were later ordered to the Shenandoah Valley and served under
Gen. Phil Sheridan. He was at the Battle of Cedar Creek
where the 6th Corp was in danger of being beaten by the Con
federates under Gen. Early, but being assisted by the 1st Conn.
Cavalry, the victory was won. He received his discharge from
the army in 1865.
The spirit which prompted Merrill Parker to engage in a
military capacity was inherited by his sons. His oldest son,
Merrill, Jr., served in the late war and was badly wounded
at the battle of the Marne, receiving injuries to arm and knee,
which confined him in the hospital 16 months, but re
covered and returned home. The second son, Roswell H., was
a member of the 9th Machine Gun Co., who, after qualifying
for the position of 2d lieutenant, was sent to France where he
also took part in the battle of the Marne and was promoted to
the office of 1st lieutenant. In this battle he received a gun
shot wound and the enemy stripped him and left him lying
in the rain. He was rescued by his men and recovered of his
wounds and returned to America.
The home of John6 and Mercy was on the southern slope
of Marsh Hill, the house standing near the house of Eugene C.
Fox, near the line of the RusseU Grant, called Belcher's Farm
Line and on the north side of the road. A slight depression
shows where the building stood. When about 1825 the country
road, now Bridge Street, was opened the present building
became the Parker Home, the last of the name to occupy it
being John I.8, son of Asa7 and Elizabeth. Perley7, son of
John6, lived at Dracut heights, now CentralviUe, where he
owned a farm and the same locality was the home of his son,
John M. G.8
The Parkers came into possession of the land by purchase
as their entry into Dracut was after the division of the reserved
land. In the Proprietors' Record an account is given of land
"adjoining Primes lot on Merrimack River, comprising 210
acres was laid out June 2, 1715, to Rev. John Higginson." In
the Essex County records the transfer of this tract on June
27, 1715, from John Higgison, Sr., to John, Jr., is recorded.
March 23, 1742. Timothy Parker, of Reading, purchased the
rights in the Higginson tract. The deed recites, "This land

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 413
is the same as deeded to John Higginson, Jr., by his father,
John Higginson, 27 June 1715," and quotes from an earlier
deed, and described as a " Certain Tract of upland and meadow
Scituate within the Township of Dracut it being that Tract
of Land which was granted unto me out of the Reserved Land
in Dracutt by the Town of Dracutt and with the Consent of
the major part of the Proprietors of the reserved lands my
part being the thirtieth part of the whole reserved lands where
of there is laid out to me one price of land containing two
hundred and ten acres joining upon Dracut East Line and
is in breadth one hundred and eighty poles from said Dracutt
Line westward to a black oak tree marked and thence three
hundred and twenty poles on a due north line and thence East
northerly to Dracutt line." Also "a certain piece of meadow,
15 acres of land laid out at the head of Dennisons brook. Also
317 acres east of Dracutt line laid out by the General Court."
Two years later, Timothy sold two-fifths of the tract to his
father, Jonathan. As this lot in Dracut joined another east
of the Methuen line, granted by the General Court, the sub
sequent transfers must have included both lots. Timothy's
brothers, John and Kendall, owned shares which were held in
common until November 18, 1745, when there was a division.
As only the descendants of Kendall, Sr., are in Dracut, the
shares of the others were in Methuen or else were purchased by
him. In 1789, Kendall sold the land on the north side of the road
to his son, Peter, and the tract on the south side to his son,
Jonathan. In the deed the amount given is "fourty acres" and
was "a part of the farm called Higgersons farm." This later
became the property of his youngest son, Theodore, who pur
chased, in 1826, the land on the south side of the road which
Jonathan had sold to Peter Harris. Theodore was the last of
the name to occupy the farm although a part of it was in
possession of his son, Dr. Moses G., at the time of his death.
Among the professional men whose birthplace was Dracut
and whose lives have been active and useful, Dr. Moses G.
Parker occupies a prominent place. His ancestry from Deacon
Thomas1 has already been recorded. A brief sketch of his
life was printed in the Lowell Courier from which we

414 HISTORY OF DRACUT
quote: "He attended the schools of Dracut, the Howe School
of Billerica and PhiUips Academy at Andover, graduating from
the Harvard Medical School in 1864. He immediately entered
the United States service as Assistant Surgeon in the Second
U. S. Colored Cavalry, and remained in the service until the
close of the war, having been in engagements in Virginia, at
Suffolk, Chickahominy, Jamestown, Wilson's Landing and
Bermuda Hundreds. He volunteered to go on board the gun
boat Commodore Perry during the bombardment of Fort Clifton
on the Appomattox River when she burst her 100 lb. Parrott
gun, and assisted the surgeon in caring for the wounded. After
this he was with his regiment before Petersburg, and on July
30, 1864, was so near the explosion of the mine that he saw and
heard the terrible upheaval that formed the crater. Later he
was assigned to hospital duty and was placed in charge of
the first division of the Point of Rocks Hospital,. Va., containing
1,000 beds.
At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge
and, in 1866, commenced the practice of medicine in Lowell,
Mass. He soon became prominent in his profession and was
elected a member of the staff of St. John's Hospital, a trustee
of the Lowell General Hospital, and was twice president of
the Middlesex North District Medical Society. He invented a
thermo cautery in 1876, and becoming interested in photog
raphy, he discovered the rotary motion in the fire of lightning
and was the first to show by photography that the electric cur
rent rotates. The discovery was recorded by the New York
Electric Club Review, and London Engineering in 1888. Being
interested in electrical science, he realized the value of the tele
phone and was one of the first to become financially interested
in the Lowell District Co., in 1879, becoming a director in this
and other companies and vice-president in the Boston and
Northern Telephone Company. In 1883, when these and other
companies consolidated to form the New England Telephone
and Telegraph Company, he became a director and member
of the executive committee, which office he retained until his
death. He travelled extensively in Europe and in this country,
having made an extended trip to the Northwest into Alaska

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 415
and south into Mexico. In 1892, he became interested in the
Sons of the American Revolution and was a member of its
board of managers. He was a charter member of the Old
Middlesex Chapter and for two terms held the office of president.
He was president of the State Society for two terms and in
1911-1912 was president general of the National Society, S. A. R.
He was a delegate to the National Arbitration and Peace Con
gress in New York, in 1907, and a United States delegate to
the seventeenth International Medical Congress held in London,
England, in 1913. His death occurred at his home in Lowell."
Richardson
The name is, UteraUy, Uke many others, Richard's son,
Richard meaning of a powerful, rich or generous disposition.
The progenitor of the Dracut family was Ezekiel, who came
from England at an early date and settled at Woburn. His
wife's name was Susanna and they were the parents of seven
children, among them were Josiah2 and James2, who were the
ones from whom the Dracut families descended. Thomas3, son
of James, married Hannah, daughter of Edward1 Colburn, and
settled near his father-in-law on Varnum Avenue. Josiah2 and
his son, Josiah3, lived at Chelmsford. Josiah* was the first of the
name to settle in Dracut, and at a general town meeting held
October 27, 1712, leave was granted him to be a settled inhabi
tant of Dracut on the lot, No. 10, which his father took up with
the consent of the general court. Josiah3 died October 17, 1711.
Vincent in his Memorial describes the lot as having "Merrimack
river on the south, the Solomon lot on the west, on the north and
east it had marked trees. It was one of the fifteen lots that lay
between Mr. Belcher's farm and Mr. Winthrop 's farm and
near Walker's brook and was the thirtieth part of the undivided
land in the township of Dracut." His occupancy of the lot is
uncertain, for later he purchased land of Jonathan Belcher, on
what is now Hildreth street in CentralviUe and where he re
sided until his death.
The limits of this history forbid a record of all the descend
ants of Josiah4 and his wife Lydia  . Those who settled in
Dracut will be mentioned. Of the twelve children, Ephraim5,
born November 12, 1722, married Elizalbeth Richardson.

416 HISTORY OF DRACUT
Ephraim6, born December 27, 1745, married Eleanor Richard
son and lived on the farm later owned by Jonathan Fox. His
son, Ephraim7, married Hannah Richardson. His son Ephraim
Oakley8, married his cousin, Sarah Varnum. Moses5, born May
14, 1724, married Elizabeth Coburn. His son, Obadiah6, married
Hannah Hildreth. Obadiah, Jr.7 married Rhoda Hazelton.
The daughters of Obadiah6 lived in Dracut and died at an
advanced age. Their names were Sarah, married Isaac Coburn,
lived at Navy Yard; Hannah, married Ephraim Richardson;
Clarissa, married Amos Boynton; Lydia, married Colonel Pres
cott Varnum ; Sophia, married William Foster, Jr. ; Elizabeth,
married Asa Parker; Charlotte, married Reuben Coburn. The
last named died at the age of 72, and the others at ages ranging
from 80 to 94.
Merrill7 married Mercy Wood. Their sons were John Mer
rill8, born September 30, 1821 ; Increase Sumner8, born March
3, 1824 ; Abel8, born August 20, 1827. David5 had a son, Reuben6,
who married Deborah Butterfield. They had sons, Reuben7, who
lived near the Hildreth Cemetery, and Levi7, who lived on the
Mammoth Road, above Collinsville. David5 had a son, Thaddeus6,
who married Polly Currier of Methuen. Their son, Thaddeus7,
married Betsy M. Bradford. David5 had a son, Samuel6, born
February 14, 1761, who married Prudence Wood. They were
the parents of three brothers who were prominent citizens of
Dracut. Samuel7, Jr., married Hannah Varnum. Of their ten
children, Phineas8, Edward8 and Calvin8 settled in Dracut.
Samuel, Jr.7, married in 1821, Hannah, daughter of Colonel
Prescott and Elizabeth Varnum. He inherited the farm owned
by his father, Samuel6, but after his marriage he removed to the
Ebenezer Varnum farm which he transferred to his son, Phineas,
and his later years were spent on a farm in the immediate
neighborhood on Broadway. His children were: Phineas, born
in 1821 ; Edward E., bom in 1823 ; Prescott V., born in 1825 ;
Samuel W., born in 1828; Andrew, born in 1830; George Au
gustus, born in 1835 ; Calvin, born in 1837 ; Cyrus, born in 1840.
Two children died in infancy.
At the present time only two are living, viz., Calvin, who
for many years was a farmer in Dracut, but recently removed
to the Pacific coast and Cyrus now living at Concord, Mass.

(See Page 199)

FIRST C'OXOREOATIONAL MEETIXO HOUSE

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 417
Professional Ufe attracted Cyrus rather than farming which
was the occupation of his brothers, and he entered Dartmouth
College, from which he graduated in 1864. Deciding to enter
the ministry, he became a student at the Andover Theological
Seminary, from which he graduated in 1869. His first pastorate
was at Plymouth, N. H., and after three years' service, he ac
cepted a caU to Keene, N. H., remaining there ten years. Re
ceiving a call to a church at Nashua, N. H., he accepted it and
was very successful as a pastor. The church at Nashua was one
of the largest in the city and in the twenty-six years of his
labors there, his ability as a preacher and his faithfulness in
pastoral work endeared him to his congregation and the people
of the city where he located and from which he removed in 1909.
He has held important offices. He was a trustee of Dartmouth
College for the term of fourteen years and from which he re
ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was also a trustee
of the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society for twenty
years. As a lecturer and orator, his services were in demand, and
as a speaker in this capacity he was successful.
David7, born April 16, 1803, married Fanny Varnum. Dana7,
born April 11, 1805, married Emily Swett. One son, Amos
Tappan8, Uved in Dracut. Josiah, Jr.5, had a son, Jonathan6,
who married Mercy Richardson. There were twelve children.
Among them Jonas7, born July 31, 1780, and lived at Hovey
Square. He married Joanna Jones and the three children,
Henry8, Julia8, who married Charles Hamblett and Justus8, aU
lived in town. .Asa W. M. Richardson was son of Asa, a de
scendant of Ezekiel1. The line is Ezekiel1, James2, Thomas3,
James4, James5, James6, Samuel7, Asa8, Asa Warren Mansur9.
He married Catharine Clary. He inherited his father's farm
on Burns' Hill, but his progenitors lived in Pelham. The line
of Oliver, who lived at East Dracut, is the same as the above
except that it is James6, James7, OUver8, Almon9, Melvin9, Otis9,
now Uving in Dracut.
Varnum
George1 Varnum 's home was at Ipswich, and his son, Sam
uel2, was the first to purchase land in Dracut with the intention
of becoming a permanent settler. In 1668, he purchased a large

418 HISTORY OF DRACUT
tract of land on Merrimack River, but as the Indians were un
friendly, as it was immediately preceding King Philips' War
he at first located on the Chelmsford side of the river when pro
tection was afforded by Hinchman 's garrison and by Tyng's
garrison in Tyngsboro. He cultivated land on the north side of
the river, crossing in a boat for that purpose.
In 1669, Edward1 Colburn, who had been Varnum's neigh
bor at Ipswich, purchased land adjoining Varnum's on which
was a garrison house, and it became the centre of a settlement of
which Varnum was a member. He had seven children, five of whom
were probably born at Ipswich, as only the two youngest appear
on the Chelmsford records. The two oldest children, George3
and Samuel3 were kiUed by the Indians while crossing the river
with their father, the Indians being in ambush on the Dracut
side of the river. There is no record of the death or burial place
of Samuel, Sr., but his death did not occur until after 1702, as
in that year his name is found affixed to a petition for authority
to lay out the town of Dracut. Thomas3, the oldest son, born in
1662, inherited the home farm. It is now in possession of
Thomas, of the eighth generation.
The second son, John3, born in 1669, was the first white
child born in the settlement and when he arrived at maturity
his home was in the vicinity of the falls where he owned a mill.
Of the eight children of John3 none of the male line have
been prominent in Dracut history, except Parker4 Varnum, who,
being familiar with legal business, was called Squire Varnum.
His home was at the corner of Varnum Avenue and Old Meadow
Road. He was interested in the erection of Pawtucket bridge
and was clerk of the corporation until 1805. Joseph3, born in
1672, located on the Indian reservation where a garrison house
was built and which remained standing until recent years. This
reservation included what is now the western part of the Navy
Yard village and reached from Beaver Brook to some point above
Pawtucket bridge and bordered on Long Pond. He purchased
the Prime lot which was the sixteenth lot on the river in the
Reserved Lands, in what is now the Kenwood district, which
he deeded to his son, Samuel4, who married Mary Prime. Their
son, Joseph Bradley5 Varnum, was very prominent in the affairs
of the town. Inheriting the farm, he became a successful farmer

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 419
and his grave is in the Varnum cemetery. He commanded a
company of Dracut men in the Revolution and remaining a mem
ber of the State miUtia, he afterward attained the rank of Major
General. He became a member of Congress, representing the
district when the 4th National Congress assembled at Philadel
phia, and upon the removal of the seat of government to Wash
ington, he was elected Speaker of the House. Previous to this
time he represented the town in the general court of the state.
The Varnums were influential in the early history of the
town. Recognizing the value of the water privileges at the falls,
they secured the land on Merrimack river and Beaver Brook,
on the former of which they were the owners of valuable fishing
rights. With the Colburns, the Varnums share the honor of
being the pioneers in the settlement of the town.
Joseph3 had sons, Joseph4 and John4. Joseph4 had a son,
Bradley5. Bradley, Jr.6, had a son, Charles7, whose sons, Joseph
B.s and Charles8, lived in Lowell, while the son of Charles8 is
Thomas9, now a resident of Chelmsford.
General James M. Varnum
James M.5 was the oldest son of Samuel4, who purchased the
Prime lot on Merrimack River, and whose wife was Mary Prime.
His brother, Joseph Bradley5, inherited the home farm, while
James received his share by being provided with a liberal edu
cation. From the schools of Dracut he entered Harvard College,
where he remained one year and removed to Rhode Island Col
lege, since known as Brown University. After graduation he
taught a classical school for a short time and then studied law in
the office of Hon. Oliver Arnold, the attorney-general of Rhode
Island. He married a daughter of Hon. Cromel Child, of East
Greenwich, Conn., and resided at that town where he afterward
entertained Generals Washington, Greene, Sullivan and others.
In 1774, he was elected colonel of the Kentish Guards, and
as colonel of a regiment of Rhode Island infantry, he marched
to Boston to take a part in the war for American independence.
He bore an honorable part in the war, being present at the battle
of White Plains. He was promoted to brigadier general in the
Continental Army and in November, 1877, was ordered by Gen
eral Washington to take command of Fort Mercer, Red Bank

420 HISTORY OF DRACUT
and Fort Mifflin. The next year he returned to Rhode Island and
took part in the defence of the state. His military career ended
the next year, 1779, when he resigned and was chosen a member
of the Continental Congress. He served in this body during the
years 1786 and 1787, when the Northwest Territory being opened,
he was appointed one of the judges of this territory.
In those early days public conveyancers were not introduced
in the unsettled regions and the long journey was made, with
only one companion, on horseback. He became very popular, as
his education and natural ability enabled him to enter upon
his duties and perform them to the satisfaction of the Govern
ment and to the people of the territory. But his health failed, he
was obliged to relinquish his duties and he passed from earth
in 1789 at the age of forty-one. This brief sketch is taken from
a paper prepared by the late George B. Coburn and read before
the Lowell Historical Society. '
Benjamin Franklin Varnum
Benjamin Franklin, the youngest son of General Joseph
B. and Molly (Butler) Varnum, was born April 11, 1795. From
the district school he attended the Westford Academy, where he
graduated and for a short time he taught school in the district
where he formerly was a pupil. When 18 years of age, he went
to Washington, where his father was a senator, and for a brief
period, he was clerk of a committee. The duties were of a
nature to be pleasing to him, as in his later life, he was successful
in similar pursuits. But home duties demanded his presence,
as his four older brothers, disliking a farmer's life, had gone out
into the world and held honorable offices in state and nation.
The life of a farmer was distasteful to him and his .inclination
was to follow his brothers into public life, but there was no one
left to attend to the farm and care for the parents in their de
clining years, and laying aside his own inclinations, he accepted
the trust. The citizens of the town, realizing his abiUty, chose him for
one of the selectmen, and in 1824 and 1825, he represented the
town in the Legislature as Representative and the district as
Senator in the six years that followed.

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 421
His duties as a farmer did not prevent his study of other
professions, as he acquired the knowledge of surveying and
when in 1826 the question of the boundary of the states, which
had never been definitely settled was resumed, as related in a
former chapter, he became a member of the commission from this
state to determine the location. The duties of this commission
did not produce definite results, but the work performed by him
was so satisfactory that it had a great influence upon the final
settlement many years after his death. He was employed by the
town to survey the streams, ponds and highways, an account
of which may be found in another chapter. This survey was of
great benefit to the town, as it preserves much that is valuable
in the history of the town.
The duties of the County Commissioners were at first per
formed by the Court of Sessions, but in 1828 this was abolished
and a Board of Highway Commissioners, afterward known as
County Commissioners, came into existence. He became a
member of this first board on which he served until 1831, when
he resigned to become high sheriff of Middlesex County, an office
which he held for two terms of five years each.
He served as clerk and executive officer of the Central
Bridge Corporation when incorporated, and he foresaw the
wonderful changes which were to take place in a few years.
His home was on the heights in CentralviUe overlooking the
river and he had planned an extensive water system, which was
abandoned at his death. In 1820, he married Caroline, daugh
ter of Joseph Bradley, whose father, Amos, purchased the ferry
in 1761, where Central bridge now stands. She was eminently
fitted to become the wife of one of the prominent men of the
County, and she will be remembered for her many virtues. His
ambition led him to desire higher offices which he intended to
endeavor to secure when his term of Sheriff had expired, but
all earthly honors ceased when on January 11, 1841, his Ufe
ended. Adjutant General John Varnum, son of Colonel Prescott
and Lydia (Richardson) Varnum, was born May 18, 1823. He
received his education in the district schools of Dracut and chose
for his life work the occupation of carpenter. At the termina
tion of his apprenticeship, he soon became a contractor, a busi-

422 HISTORY OF DRACUT
ness which he followed until the opening of the Civil War in
1861. He enlisted early in the war and was promoted to the
rank of captain of a company of colored infantry, and at the
close of the war, he became a resident of Florida. He repre
sented his district in the State Legislature and was chosen
adjutant-general of Florida.
Henry Varnum, the seventh in descent from George, who
lived in England, was the youngest son of Colonel Prescott
and Lydia (Richardson) Varnum. He was a worthy citizen
of the town, and while possessing sound judgment and good
reasoning faculties, he had a retiring disposition, one which
did not seek public office while well fitted for the duties. He
was a farmer by occupation. He held the office of superintend
ent of highways several years and his services met the approval
of the town. As superintendent of the town farm, he managed
the affairs economically and with good judgment.
Jeremiah Varnum was a descendant of Samuel, who, with
Edward Colburn, came from Ipswich and settled in the wilder
ness afterward called Dracut. He was a worthy citizen of the
town and while not holding office, endeavored in every way to
promote the interest of the town. By occupation he was a
farmer and his home was on Varnum Avenue near his birthplace.
As a young man he was familiar with this locality when there
were only a few farm houses where Lowell now is situated. He
was an earnest active Christian and his daily Ufe proclaimed the
fact that he was a faithful follower of the Master, whose teach
ings and example it was his desire to follow. He was for many
years a deacon in the Pawtucketville Church and he is buried in
the Woodbine Cemetery. Peabody
The name is an English name and found in the early
records of England, in 1520, spelled Paybody. The Peabody
genealogy states that: "The name itself was variously speUed
even in the same parish and on the same document. The oldest
and most prevalent form previous to the settlement of New
England was Paybody. Two common words these syllables are,
and perhaps they point back to a man or a succession of men

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 423
in the fourteenth century (when surnames were chrystalizing)
who paid the servants. Body meant person or individual, pay-
body would carry the same idea as paymaster or paying teUer."
The same authority given the spelling as Pabare, Paybodey,
Paybodye, Pebody, Pebboddy, Paibody, Pabody and Peabody.
Another writer records as follows :
"The original name was Boadie, and the founder of the
family, at the instigation of Boadicea, Queen of the Britons
(who was publicly whipped before her grown up daughters by
the order of the bloody Emperor Nero in the year 61), made
a raid upon the tyrant, and even ventured into his palace and
carried away the miniature picture of his wife Poppea, which
was retained in the family till about the eleventh century. By
this daring exploit and others, which much pleased the rulers
of that day 'Pea' which signified a large hill or mountain, big
man, mountain man, was added, and as then spelled was
'Peabodie.' "
Lieut. Francis Peabody was born in St. Albans Hertford
Co., England. When 21 years of age he, in the year 1635,
having received a certificate of good character from the minister
of his parish and been examined for emigration, sailed for
America in the ship Planter. He lived at Ipswich until 1639,
when he removed to Hampton, N. H., where he resided 18
years. He then removed to Topsfield, where he became a
member of the board of selectmen and served as town clerk.
At a town meeting held March 4, 1664 the town voted to "give
liberty to Lieut. Francis Peabody to set up a grist-mill and to
flow so much of the town's common as is needful for a mill so
long as the mill does stand and grind for the town." His
home was a few rods from the spot where his mill stood. He
was probably a brother of John1 who also came from England
at that time.
John1 was born in England, and came to this country about
1636, and lived at Duxbury. Francis2, born in England about
1612, married Mary  . William3, born at Hampton, N.
H., married first Mary Brown and second Hannah Hale. Eph
raim4, born in Boxford, married Hannah Redington. Nathaniel5,
born at Boxford in 1727, died August 17, 1778 ; married Hepsi-
bah Barker of Andover. He was a soldier in the Revolution.

424 HISTORY OF DRACUT
His widow came to Dracut, and with her son, Amasa6, pur
chased of Daniel Hardy the land on Marsh Hill, a part of
which was until recently owned by the descendants of
John1. Nathaniel6, born in Boxford in 1767, died in Dra
cut in 1844. He married Elizabeth Cole. Nathaniel7, born in
1792, married, in 1822, Mary Gilchrest, and died in 1857.
There were nine children in this family, all but two arriving
at maturity. Nathaniel8 married first Elizabeth Blackwell and second
her sister Nancy, widow of Jonathan Clough, and died January
25, 1917. John W.8, married Helen M. H. Colburn, and his
home was formerly at New Boston village, but at present writ
ing he lives at the Navy Yard Village. Moses7, married Hannah J.
Gregg of Windham, N. H., and at his death left three children.
The son, Henry F.8, lived at the homestead and died in 1914.
Ephraim7, married Sarah P. Davis of Acton, and died in 1858,
in California, leaving one son, Benjamin H.8, who died in
Lowell. The Peabody farm laid in the range of lots in the re
served lands, south of the Colburn New Meadows and north of
the Cedar Pond road.
In the division of the farm, the Widow Hepsibah had the
eastern half and her son, Amasa6, the western part, the last
named was purchased later by Russell Fox. Hepsibah, in 1813,
transferred her part to her son, Nathaniel6, who, in 1833,
divided the farm between his sons Nathaniel7 and Moses7.
Nathaniel7 conveyed his share in 1846 to his son Nathaniel8.
Henry F.8 inherited the eastern part at his father Moses'7 death,
as before mentioned. Thissell
The name is often spelled Thistle and the families of both
names claim relationship, as it was not unusual for one branch
of a family to continue the original spelling and the other
branch to change it. Richard Thissell and wife Abiah, came
from Beverly, and in 1750 purchased land on Christian Hill
of John and Olive Coburn, who owned a large tract on the
southern part of the eastern half of the Russell grant, this half
being known as Belchers. In a deed given 1768 from John

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 425
White to Solomon Abbott of 110 acres, it is described as border
ing on a townway that leads from the road to Bradley's Ferry
to Richard Thissell 's land, the road to Bradley's Ferry being
the present Bridge street.
The Thissell farm which can be located was in the vicinity
of the lower resevoir bounded on the west by Beacon street and
until recently remained in the possession of the descendants of
Richard.1 Joshua2 son of Richard and Mary (Mears) second
wife, had sons, Nathan3, Joshua3, and Daniel3, who settled on
this farm, but none of the name are left in the town.
There were three of the name in the Revolution one of these
being Joshua2 the father of the three last mentioned, who mar
ried Lydia Mears of Billerica. Nathan4, son of Nathan3, inher
ited the homestead on the road to Methuen, later Methuen
Street, and John Wallace4, son of Daniel3, married Mary A.
Fox, and lived on Broadway. His occupation was that of
farmer. John Wallace Thissell was the son of Daniel and Prudence
G. (Varnum) Thissell. He was born in Dracut September 4,
1826, and died in 1916. He resided in Dracut until a few years
before his death when he removed to Lowell. His occupation
was that of a farmer and his skiU in farming enabled him to
acquire a competence. He was interested in the affairs of the
town although he preferred to not hold office. He was a con
sistent member of the Church at Dracut Center and was active
in assisting and promoting every movement for the benefit of his
fellowmen. Kind hearted and broad minded he won the re
spect of all who knew him.
Webb
As the first white man to become a resident on the soil of
Dracut, but not, as we have reason to believe, as a permanent
settler, but as a speculator in the wild lands of the "Wilder
nesse," John Evered alias Webb is entitled to a place in these
biographical sketches. His early home was in Marlborough,
Wiltshire, England, and he was in Boston as early as February
9, 1634, when he was admitted to the church, being then called
a single man. He was made a freeman in 1636 and lived as

426 HISTORY OF DRACUT
a merchant in Boston for several years, owning the site of the
"Old Corner Book Store" on School Street. He removed to
Chelmsford after 1650, where he trafficked with the Indians, and
assisted in locating land grants. He was ensign and captain
of a Chelmsford military company and a member of the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, and served as a
Deputy from Chelmsford in the General Courts of 1664 and
1665. In 1659, with three of his military associates, he was
granted 1000 acres of land on the north side of the Merrimack
River, as described in the chapter on Early Grants.
Webb bought the shares of the others and located on his
property, which he called Drawcutt or Draycott-on-the-Merri-
mack. He later had a grant of 500 acres on the east of Beaver
brook, besides other grants in Dracut and by purchase ac
quired the Dummer grant in Tyngsboro. He was the owner
at one time of about 3000 acres, the greater part of which
was purchased by Edward Colburn and Samuel Varnum.
In 1668, the year in which Varnum purchased his land, Webb
was drowned in Boston harbor. Rev. Samuel Danforth of Rox
bury states as follows: "17th 8th month 1668 Mr. John Webb
alias Evered was drowned, catching a whale below the Castle.
In coiling ye line inadvisedly he did it about his body think
ing the whale had been dead, but suddenly She gave a Spring
and drew him out of the boat. He being in the midst of the
line but could not be recovered while he had any life."
At his death, his widow, Mary, sold to Edward Colburn all
the real estate that remained after her husband "s death which
included the Colburn New Meadows North of Marsh Hill.
Captain Webb was successful in gaining the good will of the
Indians and secured from them titles to his lands which later
was to be a part of the township of Dracut.
Wilson
Joseph Morrison Wilson's birthplace was at Boscawen,
N. H., but his residence, since he arrived at the age of three
years, has been in Dracut and the portion of Dracut now within
the Lowell limits. He has served two terms as Representative to
the General Court and served four years as councilman under the

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 427
old city charter. He has been active in every movement which
would lead to better conditions in Pawtucketville. He has
made a thorough study of the Indian History of the Merrimack
vaUey, and his contribution to the chapter on Indian History
in this work is of great value as it presents clearly the earUest
history of this race of people.
Wood
Solomon Wood, of Bradford, had lots in the reserved lands
laid out to him in 1710 to 1721. None of his children's births
are recorded on the town books and it is not known that he
ever became a resident of the town. The ancestor of the
greater part of the family of that name in Dracut was Benja
min1, who came from Bradford. He was born in 1687 and
died in 1755. He had several lots of land laid out to him, on one
of which he settled. He married first Elinor  , second
Mary  , third, in 1744, Ruth Merrill.
According to his will we learn the children's names, Joseph,
Benjamin, Stephen, Ebenezer, Simeon or Simon, Josiah, Abigail,
Elinor and William. To the last named he bequeathed the
homestead on Broadway, afterward purchased by the town for a
town farm. Stephen2, born in 1722, located on Christian Hill,
and married Jane Phillips. Their son, Solomon3 enlisted at
the age of 19 and was in Captain Peter Coburn 's company at
Bunker Hill. He married Eunice Hall, and his home was on the
old Methuen road between the present Fay place and Methuen
street. Their daughter, Eunice, married Guillaume Louis Rose
Fortune Berson.
Mons. Berson had an eventful life. Born at Port-au-Prince,
in the island of St. Domingo, June 21, 1780, he was sent to
college in Paris, but on account of the insurrection of negroes
in St. Domingo and the Revolution in France, he lost his prop
erty and was obliged to earn a living by manual labor. When
he was twenty years old, he enlisted in the French navy and
was taken prisoner by the English, who at that time were at
war with Napoleon Bonaparte, and carried to Guiana. There
he was exchanged and made armorer on the Berceau, which
was a corvette carrying twenty-four guns. The United States

42S HISTORY OF DRACUT
and France being antagonists at this time, his vessel was cap
tured by a British sloop of war and brought to Boston, at
which place he left the navy and having previous to enlistment
learned the trade of watchmaker and jeweller, he resumed this
occupation. At this time all work of this nature was, like shoemakjng,
performed by hand and he could locate in a small room and
manufacture his wares. Eunice Wood, with her sister, Persis,
were employed in Boston, and, becoming acquainted with the
young Frenchman, Eunice became his wife and they removed
to Dracut, locating in the Benjamin Hovey house at Hovey
Square. The birth of a son, Guillaume, born July, 28, 1805,
is recorded in Dracut. He later removed to Salem.
Mr. E. Henry Wood in "The Genealogy of the Wood
Family," says: "In 1815 he sold out in Salem and started with
his family for the West Indies on the schooner Elizabeth with
the purpose of improving his fortune. It proved an unfortu
nate undertaking. They arrived safely at Guadaloupe, but
sickness compelled them to return at a season when our sea
coast is liable to be visited by terrific storms of wind and rain.
The captain and mate died of yellow fever, leaving the second
mate and Mr. Berson to manage the schooner alone. It was then
their fate to encounter one of these storms, which lasted forty-
eight hours, during which many things were thrown overboard
to lighten the vessel, among which it appears was the chest
containing the family Bible with the family record. All hope
seems to have been lost. The father gathered his little family
about him and commended them to the safe keeping of the
Great Father who rules the storm and watches over his children.
But the end was not yet come. The critical moment passed;
the storm subsided and the vessel was able to reach the port of
Norfolk, Va."
Here his wife died thirteen days after their arrival. He
removed to Blountsville, West Tennessee, where he died Jan
uary 25, 1856. Many of his immediate descendants, sons and
grandsons became jewellers. Simeon2 served in the French
and Indian war, and was among the English soldiers who was
present at the dispersion of the Acadians, as described in the
chapter relating to wars. Josiah3, son of Stephen2, married

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 429
Mrs. Salia Wood, and their son Josiah4 married Martha 

and kept a store at Dracut Center. His son, Benjamin F.5,
married EUzabeth Durant and lived on a farm on Greenmont
Avenue. They were the parents of George H., and Millard F.
Wood of LoweU.
William, son of Benjamin1, inherited his father's farm and
married Abigail Fox. His son, Samuel F.3, and daughter,
Hannah, who was the wife of Jonathan Crosby2, sold the farm
to the Town of Dracut, and it became the town farm. Amos3,
son of Ebenezer2, married Mercy Whiting, and lived on Chris
tian Hill, near the upper reservoir. Micajah4, his son, was
born in 1793, and married Rachael Richardson. They also lived
on the same hill. The cellar of the house may be seen east of
Mount Pleasant Street. Samuel4, another son of Amos, born in
1786, married first Harriet daughter of Colonel Lewis Ansart
and second Patience Kendall. He kept a grocery store at Dracut
but later removed to Lowell, and engaged in teaming, conveying
the products of the mills to Boston and bringing back merchan
dise for the stores, as this was before the steam roads existed.
His son, Samuel N.5, was born in Dracut and was a dealer in
grain and flour in Lowell. Six of the name were in the Revolu
tion. Solomon3 and Eunice were the parents of twelve children.
Among them were Solomon4 and Stephen4. Solomon married,
in 1806, Ruth Welch. In his endeavors to earn a living for his
family, he removed from place to place, and finally went West
to start anew in a new country. But it was not home for them
and they removed to Dracut in 1820, settling in the part now
annexed to Lowell. Having lost his wife by death, he married
again; but as the second marriage was not of an agreeable na
ture, he made his home with his daughters, dying in 1868.
Stephen*, married Chloe Fox, and lived on Marsh Hill. He
died September 9, 1849, aged 61 years. Their children were
Stephen, born 1818; Ephraim, born 1819; Elizabeth R., born
1816; Solomon, bom 1823; Eliphalet F., born 1824; William.
Russell
Russell, or Rousel, is said to be from the French and
means red haired or complexioned. The English RusseUs are

430 HISTORY OF DRACUT
probably descended from John Russell, Duke of Bedford in
the reign of Henry VIII. (Dixons surnames). The family
line in America is:
1. John lived at Woburn; died 1676; married first, Eliza
beth  , who died in Woburn in 1644; married second,
Elizabeth Baker.
2. John, born 1661; died 1680; married Sarah Champney.
They had seven children.
3. John, married 1682 Elizabeth Palmer. They had eleven
children. 4. Stephen, born 1687 ; married Ruth Harris.
5. Stephen, born 1722, died June 3, 1800; married Abigail
Gage of Bradford, October 25, 1743.
Children: Lydia, married Ephraim Hall; Abigail, married
Simeon Coburn; Sarah, married David Fox, Jr., Elizabeth,
married Eliphalet Fox; Pate or Pattey died at age of five
years ; Stephen, died at age of two years.
Among the many parcels of land purchased by Stephen
RusseU, Jr., Blacksmith, the earliest, is dated February 14,
1755, and consisted of four acres near the land of Joseph Col
burn, Jr. 's homestead, which was later the Hovey house at
Hovey Square, and as no buildings are mentioned, it seems
evident that he built the old house now standing on Pleasant
Street, east of the square.
He was a large and fine looking man and must have made
a good appearance as captain of the Dracut company, which was
in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was one of the company of
Dracut men who conveyed timber to Newburyport by means of
rafts on the river. He had mechanical skill and a table made by
him is in the Dracut museum. He is reported to have made a
violin in one day and played on it at a dance in the evening.
His daughers were musical, each taking one of the four parts,
Abigail singing base. He was kind and gentle and a lover of
children, and when they "made their manners," as it was
called, he would say they were good children.
The record of his funeral services is taken from the Inde
pendent Chronicle printed in Boston under date of June 9,
1800:

biography and genealogy 431
Stephen Russell
"Departed this Life at Dracut, on the 3d inst after a
short but painful illness, Capt. Stephen RusseU in the 78th
year of his age. He was a kind and affectionate husband, a
tender parent, a benefactor to the needy, and a friend to man
kind. His ingenuity, honesty & industry in his various pur
suits in life, contributed much to his usefulness in society. The
citizens of the town, anticipating the part which duty might
require them to act in defense of their Country's Rights in the
late Revolutionary War, early made choice of him as their
military commander, which he cheerfully accepted, and for
many years discharged the duties of that office at home and in
the field of action, with reputation to himself, and honor to his
country. He was a true friend to order and good government;
but a steady persevering opposer to tyrranny and usurpation.
He delighted in Rational Liberty founded on Republican
Principles, Patriotism and Philanthropy were innate virtues of
his soul. He was a constant attendant on public worship, and
a strict adherer to the principles of morality. He lived highly
respected and died much lamented.
From a grateful sense of the early part which Capt. Russell
took in our Glorious Revolution, the important military serv
ices which he rendered, at a period all important to the Liberties
of his country; his uniform principles of Republicanism and
benevolence through life, his remains were interred on the 5th
inst with military honors. After a very pertinent and affecting
prayer by the Rev. Solomon Aiken the funeral procession mov
ing from the dwelling house of the deceased with solemnity, in
the following order ; Two companies of infantry, commanded by
Capts. Varnum & Hildreth with solemn music with arms re
versed, next the gentlemen present who had borne military
commissions since the commencement of the Revolutionary War ;
then the corpse, followed by his aged widow, children, grand
children, and other relatives, and a large body of respectable
citizens. When the troops reached the burial ground, they formed,
resting on their arms, until the corpse, relatives and others
passed, and the body was deposited ; the troops then discharged
three volleys over the grave.

432 HISTORY OF DRACUT
The officers in and out of command and the troops attended
the widow and relatives from the grave to the dwelling house
of the dec'd; the companies were then marched to their place
of parade and dismissed.
The military honors and other ceremonies were performed
with solemn and decent deportment; each countenance seemed
to express the heartfelt respect justly due to the deceased, and
all retired with a gloom demonstrative of the last and final
farewell of an affectionate friend."
He was instructor in military tactics of the Minute Men of
Dracutt, having gained his knowledge from watching the British
soldiery at their drills when he went to Boston — perhaps with
farm produce.
' ' When the Provincial Congress thought proper to continue
the Royal arrangement of the militia into regiments and com
panies as the best adapted rule of proceedure under existing
circumstances, and agreed that there should be enUsted 12,000
men to act as Minute Men on any particular emergency, the
volunteer companies of Dracutt, being attached to good order
and government, reassumed their standing as private soldiers,
and the whole company again organized and made choice of
Stephen Russell as Captain, Ephraim Coburn as 1st Leftenant,
Simon Coburn as 2nd Lt. and Abraham Coburn as Ensign. These
were all respectable gentlemen, considerably advanced in life,
but all of them almost totally uninformed in tactics and miUtary
discipline. In order to acquire a degree of necessary information
in military matters they employed Joseph Bradley Varnum as
an Instructor both to themselves and the men under their com
mand, in which capacity he continued to serve them until after
the Revolutionary War." Abel Coburn
Abel Coburn was a descendent in the sixth generation from
Edward1. He was born in Charlestown, Mass., August 24, 1816,
and died October 2, 1894. He married Julia Ansart Varnum,
and their home was on Varnum Avenue. His occupation was
that of stone mason, but in later life he was a farmer. In 1871,

BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY 433
he became a mail carrier and carried the U. S. mail between
Lowell and Windham, N. H., until 1877. He was a deacon in
Pawtucket church for thirteen years and was the chairman of
the Board of Selectmen in 1874. He was strictly honest in his
dealings with his fellowmen and was a worthy citizen of the
town. Blood
James Blood came to America in 1639 with his sons, Robert,
James, Richard and John. Richard was one of the earliest
settlers of Groton, and the ancestor of the Dracut family. The
first names recorded on the town books are the children of
Abraham and Martha:
David, born November 5, 1751.
Martha, born August 4, 1757, died February 3, 1848.
Coburn2, born September 15, 1759, married Jane Coburn,
March 4, 1788.
Sarah, born November 24, 1761.
Hannah, born December 28, 1763.
Coburn, Jr.3, born February 9, 1789, died April 24, 1860 ;
married August 8, 1816; Clarissa G. Coburn, born October 15_.
1790, died July 26, 1856 ; one child, Orford R.4, born in 1826,
married Ann M. Tabor, born in 1825.
Coburn2 held the office of captain in the days of compulsory
training, and his son, Coburn3, was a colonel in the miUtia.
David2 was in Capt. Stephen Russell's company in the Rev
olution.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.
THIS history is now completed and an earnest endeavor has
been made to include all subjects of interest to the readers
and to present every available fact relating to such subject.
To a great extent information based on tradition has been ex
cluded and every effort made to record statements after sub
jecting them to proof. The record is a record of the past; the
future of the town is yet to be enacted. That it will continue to
keep pace with the march of improvement, there can be no doubt.
Its resources are not yet fuUy developed, its broad acres can pro
vide homes for a multitude of people without congestion, the
enterprising spirit of its citizens will be manifested in the in
creased efficiency in agriculture, its manufactures and in educa
tion. The spirit of Uberty, which existed in the time of our an
cestors, not only in the time of the Revolution, but in the early
settlement of the colonies, when oppressed by the royal governors,
has been shown by their descendants whenever the clouds of war
have gathered or the problems of peace have presented themselves
to be solved.

VARNUM SUPPLEMENT
On account of some oversight which was most unfortunate,
the manuscript of the Vamum family was sent to the prin
ter incomplete. It is the more regrettable as this was the pioneer family,
its members active in the settlement of the town and the promo
tion of its welfare to the present time, and for its prominence in
civil, miUtary and political life. In an endeavor to do justice
to the family and to the town, and to make partial amends
for such incompleteness, these pages are added.
The names of George1 and Samuel2 have been recorded and
the line of Thomas3 will be given. It is as follows: Thomas4
Thomas5 Thomas6 Thomas7. The last named is a successful
farmer and, Uke his ancestors, lives on the ancestral acres.
Thomas5 had a son, Jeremiah6, whose portrait is shown and
sketch of Ufe may be found on page 422. His son, Atkinson C,
unlike his progenitors, who were farmers, chose a professional
Ufe, and after leaving Harvard College, he became a prac
ticing attorney in the City of LoweU. He was chosen to
represent the 25th District in the Legislature. During the
Civil War, he served as paymaster with the rank of Major.
He served on the board of selectmen, his home being then
located in Dracut, as Pawtucketville had not, at that time, been
annexed to Lowell. He was President of the Middlesex North
Agricultural Society and member of the State Board of
Agriculture. He enjoyed historical work, and much of Dracut 's
early history has been preserved which would have passed into
obUvion if it had not been placed upon record by him. John4
had a son, Parker, who transacted legal business and was known
as Squire Varnum. John4 had a son, Jonas5 who lived in
the Collinsville section. His son; Jonas6, inherited his father's
farm which he occupied during his lifetime. William P.6
lived near the outlet of Long Pond and with his brother,
Nathaniel6, were quarrymen and furnished foundations for the

Lowell factory buildings. His brother, Nathaniel, owned the
gristmill, as already recorded. WiUiam Parker, Jr.,7 inherited
the farm and miU which at present are owned by Joseph P.8
Joseph,8 son of Samuel2 purchased Samuel Primes lot on
Merrimack River, as recorded on page 89. Samuel4 succeeded
his father on the lot which at his death, passed to his son,
Joseph B.5, whose biographical sketch has been recorded on page
418. Benjamin Franklin6 was the youngest son of Joseph B.5
and a sketch of his Ufe is already on record. Joseph, Jr.4, had
sons, Ebenezer6 and Bradley.6 Ebenezer5 had a son, Prescott,6
who had a large family, only three of the sons Archibald O.7
John7 and Henry7 settling in Dracut. Archibald O.7 was a
successful farmer and he inherited his father's farm. Biogra
phical sketches of John and Henry have been recorded.
Prescott6 was prominent in Dracut affairs and held the office of
Colonel in the Militia.
Benjamin F.6 had sons, Henry Clay,7 George W.7 and
John M.7 The last named was a historian and the author of
"The Varnums of Dracutt," a work of great value not only as
a genealogy but as a history of the family. In common with
other families and as was the custom in New England at that
time, this family owned slaves. But the system of slavery was
mild and while they could be bought and sold and be disposed
of by leaving them to others by will, aU information leads to
the conclusion that they were treated in a humane manner, and
cared for when old age came on.
While these pages record only members of the family
who Uved in Dracut and in common with the other old families
have, for lack of space, only the record of such families, a study
of the Varnum family will reveal the information that the
descendants of these sturdy ancestors who have settled in other
localities have been prominent in whatever occupation they have
chosen. The military profession has been one in which they have
been prominent. And as physicians, clergymen, lawyers, and
men of business they have excelled.

YALE UNIVERSITY

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