<^ 1 J . ,1 ,\ t€53 I SS3 SCALE— A- * •• "^^^^c A" _NOyE5' S U R.V Ey-l6S9. "the MIuE" " N E w C R A N t"-S U K V E i' 17 i | TovyN l.tMlY;3 18a3 __'_' V,/AD(NG PLACES X TK*. HoLiol.vjiaPrmHng Co Rdpton. THE Early Records of Lancaster MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725 EDITED BY HENRY S. NOURSE, A. M~. The Comisioners apoynted by the genrall Gsurt to order and sctle the afaires of Lancaster being asembled at John Prescots' house September ye eight 1657 . . . doe Judge meet to order and Cooclud as foUoweth . ... Alsoe that the Select men tak spesiall care for the preseruing and safe keeping the townes Records. And If they se it need full, that they procure the same to be writen out fairly into a new booke, to be keept for the good of posterity. — Lancaster Records. LANCASTER: ^884. CLINTON: PRINTED EY W. J, COULTER, COURANT OFFICE. i334. Maps drawn by Harold Parker. Cfi,^ XS NOTE BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. At the adjourned March meeting of the town of Lancaster, 1S83, il was voted '-to appropriate five hundred dollars for publishing some of our earliest town records under the direction of the Library Committee ; to be prepared by Henry S. Nourse.'' The committee thus authorized to oversee the publication now pre sented to the town, must not omit to testify here to their conviction of the eminent ability and fidelity with which their associate has completer his task, and of the greatn^-ss of the debt under which the town has - een brought to him by this, as well as by other labors in the same field. They have found that their duty, as aside from his, has devolved upon tiiem little more than a careful reading of his manuscript; while the toil, the care, and the zeal which tlie matter in hand demanded, and that have been spent upon It, have been expended by him : - "And all for love, and nothing for reward." It may uot be useless for them to remind the town of some of the reasons that gave rise to the resolution under which they were appoints-' ¦ Among these were the risk of destruction by fire; the wasting matei . : of the originals; the desirableness of supplying imperfections, as far 1.; possible, from other sources ; clearing up obscurities by intelligent annota tion; and such a multiplication of copies as it may re.isonably be hoped and expected wiU be called for. They have understood, however, that the work was to be undertaken primarily, not in the interest of the historiographer, but for the use of tht; town; for its more famUiar acquaintance with, and its surer preservation of, its own annals. It is from this consideration that the. editos has, adde-d- some notes which he woiild otlienvise have withheld. Nevertheless they are well a ware' tiiat these " Early Records" are not confined for edification to their own townsmen ; and that any intelligent person of New England birth may not only behold, as with " ancestral eyes," therein " the doing.s " that are described, but, more or less, the causes also which, from without or within, gave the current of events this or that direction ; and see, as in a mirror, the operitiou of the forces that in this country " developed local self governmeut, and furnish the basis of our political history." It gives the committee pleasure, as well for the name as the conven ience of so doing, to consign the printing of this book to a local press. Lancaster, March, 1884. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. George M. Bartol. William H. McNeil. Charles T. Fletcher. Nathaniel Thayer. AxN.i H. Whitney. Herbert Parker. Henry S. Nourse. INTRODUCTION. "PROM the year 1726 the records of Lancaster become ¦•¦ continuous, are complete, and in good condition. All before that date is fragmentary. The earliest existing vol ume opens with A. D. 1653, in which year the Nashaway Plantation was formally given the classic name it now bears. The earlier pages of that book, however, are a copy, made about 1657, of the first records. Of "the old book," often referred to therein, no leaf remains, and many pages of the transcript have disappeared, while others are badly worn and almost illegible. During the first seventy- five years of the town's life, the inhabitants nearly all held proprietary rights in the common lands;, and we find the clerks recording indiscriminately, often upon the same pages, action of the freemen as electors, of the proprietors dividing their landed estate, and of the people directing local improvement and church administration. After the settlement of Rev. John Prentice in 1708, special church records begin, and a register of births, marriages and deaths dates from about 1718, in which a few earlier dates have been casually inserted. This register is exceedingly imperfect. The earliest recorded meeting of the proprie tors, as distinct • from the town-meeting proper, was Feb. 4, 1716, statute provision having been made for such meet ings March 25, 1713. The doings of regular town-meet ings continued, however, to be recorded v\dth proprietary action until 1726, when a new book was opened for the former. The proprietors used the old volume until 1810, about which time the proprietors' clerk made a careless copy of the whole, by which we know that the records INTRODUCTION. were then in the same imperfect condition as at present. The conimon land was all divided before 1836, and their last recorded meeting was held April 6, 1846. The Book of Lands, dated probably from the days of the commission in 1657. The original volume has been long missing, but a transcript of it was made in 1763, by Caleb Wilder, then proprietors' clerk. This is the only town book that contains records made between the massa cre of 1676 and 1716. Three large volumes continue the registry of lands therein begun. The Book of Roads dates from 1729, and the Book of Estrays was begun in 1755- Not only are the earliest notes of the town's action, as set down by the clerks, always curt, and many of them not to be found, but during a long and eventful period of our colonial history, all town records entirelj- fail us. A woful gap of forty-six years yawns between the last entry of Ralph Houghton and the first of Joseph Wilder ; from the sixth of February, 167 1, to the fourth of February, 1717. How or by whom the records of the town-meetings were kept during this period we have no direct information, and the time and manner of their loss is unknown. Of the years since 1708 we glean a few meagre facts from Rev. John Prentice's records of baptisms and church member ship ; but for the nine jJ'ears previous to 1653, and the forty-six succeeding 1670, we must seek the town's annals in documents scattered here and there through the Massa chusetts Archives and the records of the Middlesex County Courts. With such of these documents as have, by dili gent search, been discovered, throv^ing light upon the history of Lancaster, our imperfect records are herein sup plemented. Many of these have never been before in print, and others are now for the first time copied verbatim. To preserve so far as is possible the savor of the olden time, the spelling, punctuation and capitalization of all original manuscripts have been faithfully retained. To those who INTRODUCTION. will charge — and justly — that the editor has magnified his office by multiplying comments of his own, he would state that, in what he has intruded, he is honestly striving only to bring into light something heretofore obscured, or to adduce evidence respecting matters in doubt, or to com bat those false impressions about men, localities, and events which his experience has found unwarrantably rampant among us. Even though considered — as by too many it will be — merely a list of the Nashaway pioneers, and a schedule of their landed possessions, this transcript of our forefathers' records is of especial value ; but it has a deeper import. It is Lancaster's modest contribution to the story of the growth of human freedom. The planters of Massachu setts brought with them dogmas of spiritual tyranny, and old world political formulas, which proved too inelastic when framed into social and civic institutions, for the gov ernment of a restless community facing the deprivation, toil, and dangers of the colonist. Struggles with savage men a.nd savage nature compelled self dependence, and soil and climate favored liberty of thought and conscience. As novel external conditions modified daily life and indi vidual character, political life progressed, and ever towards freedom. The process of this progression — so painful and slow that the actors were perhaps unconscious of advance — is nowhere more plainly depicted, and nowhere offers more of interest to the student of history, than in the records of our older towns. In the "orderly agitations" of the New England town-meeting was cradled the germ of our na tion's constitutional life. ANNALS OP the NASHAWAY PLANTATION 1 643- 1 653. VTASHAWAY, or Nashawog, in the Indian tongue, -'¦ ' means the flace between, or land in the angle made by two rivers, and is descriptive of the locality. The pion eers soon attached the name exclusively to the south branch of the river, the other branch being known as the North River, and the main stream being called the Pene- cook. The Symonds and King Trucking House. Like many another American town, Lancaster finds its' origin in an Indian trading post. ¦ Although no contem porary mention appears of this, the first mercantile enter prise on Lancaster soil, it must have been founded before the autumn of 1643. Whether it preceded, or was subse quent to, the purchase of eighty square miles of land from Sholan, cannot be told. • Both Symonds and King so soon disappear from the scene that they have been commonly treated in our history as mere real estate dealers, who sold their bargain at the first advantageous offer. Is there not in the scanty facts which follow, heretofore ignored, some thing that suggests rather trouble, sickness and disappoint ment, than the harvesting of profit? Henry Symonds, the senior partner and capitalist of the IO ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Nashaway trading house, planted on the southeast slope of George hill, was an energetic citizen of Boston, and a free man. His name heads the list of the associates who in 1643 contracted to convert the useless marshes of the cove into a valuable tidal mill power. Before any of his well laid plans bore fruit, Symonds died. This was in Septem ber, 1643. His widow, Susannah, in 1644 married Isaac Walker, which perhaps explains the presence of Walker's name among the Nashaway proprietors for a few years thereafter. The junior partner, Thomas King, oudived Symonds little more than a year, dying December 3, 1644. He was a young man, probably under thirtj' years of age, with a wife Mary and two young' children, Mary and Thomas, and lived in Watertown. His inventory, found in the Suffolk Registry, sums but 158'- 3^- including a dwelling-house, barn, and four acres of land in Watertown, and 74'- 7-'- of debts due him. He was therefore a poor man at his decease, and nothing in the brief list of his assets gives evidence of commercial gain at Nashaway, save the item among the debts due, "i8^- of the Indyans." Rever end Timothy Harrington asserts that King sold all his interest here to the company. John Cowdall was soon after in possession of the trucking house lot, which he sold to John Prescott, October 5, 1647. King's widow, if we may trust the record, on March 9, t6^^, naarried James Cuder, whose name the same year appeared among the Nashaway proprietors. 1643. Others of the same town [Watertown] began also a plantation at Nashaway some fifteen miles N. W. from Sudbury. . , . Qohn Winthrop's History of I-Iew England, II, 152.] 7* of 1=' month 1643/4. ¦ • . At this Court Cutshamequin and Squaw Sachem, Mascononoco, Nashacowam and Wassamagoin two sachems near the great hill to the west called Warehasset, came into tne court and ac cording to their former tender to the Governour desired to be received under our protection and government upon the same terms that Pumhara and Sacononoc were : So we causing them to understand the articles, and all the ten Commandments of God. and they freely assenting to alii MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. II they were solemnly received and then presented the court 26 fathom more of warapom, and the Court gave each of them a coat of two yards of cloth, and their dinner, and to them and their men every of them a cup of sack at their departure. So they took leave and went awiiy very joyful. Qohn Winthrop's Hi-story of New England, 11, 1S9.] 1644 Wassamequin, Nashoonon, Kutchamaquin, Massaconomel and Squaw Sachem did voluntarily submit themselves to us : as appears by their covenant subscribed with their own hands [Daniel Gookin's History of the Christian Indians.] Nashacowam and Nashoonon are aliases of the Nashaway sachem usually called Sholan or Showanon. Wasaraeginwas sachem at Quaboag [Brookfield]. Warehasset is John Winthrop's orthography of Wachusett, which in the Indian tongue was Wad- chu-sett, "the great hill." May 1644. Many of Watertown and other towns joined in the planta tion at Nashaway, and having called a young man, an university scholar, one Mr Norcross to be their Minister, seven of them who were no members of any churches were desirous to gather into a church estate : but the magistrates and elders advised them first to go and build them habitations &c (for there was yet no house there) and then to take some that were members of other churches, with the consent of such churches, as for merly had been done and so proceed orderly. But the persons interested in the plantation being most of them poor men, and some of them corrupt in judgm.ent, and others profane, it went on ve)"y slowly, so that in two years they had not three houses built there and he whom they had called to be their minister left them for their delays. rjoJan Winthrop's History of New England, 11, 161.] 29"' May 1644. The petition of Mi". N3tharNorer-&3-ae,i.RobT!i-Cliildfi., Stephen Day, John Fisher &c. for a plantation at Nashawake, is granted : pvided that there shall not be more land allotted to the towne or pticular men (notw''"'standing their purchase of land of the Indians) then the Genrall Con shall alowe . [Massachusetts Records.] Robert Child's prominence in the company was perhaps Nashaway's first misfortune. He was of Watertown, com ing thither from Northfleet, Kent County, England. He had received the degree of A. M., in 1635, at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and the degree of M. D. at Padua. Gifted with gi-eat mental force, he held ideas of man and nature in advance of the age, and was ambitious to become a leader among the people. We shall probably 12 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, not be far wrong in ascribing the inspiration of this west ward movement from Watertown, not alone to the prover bial Saxon greed of land, but pardy to Doctor Child's sanguine expectation of mineral wealth to be discovered in the western hills, and the acceptance of his liberal theories by congenial spirits. It is noteworthy that of the chief men in the enterprise more than half, namely : Pres-" cott. Day, Garret, Hill and Jenkes, were workers in iron. Little aid or sympathy could be hoped for by the company from magistrates or ecclesiastics, while it remained under the influence of one who was esteemed by thera a factious schismatic. A few months later Doctor Child's petition for the enlargement of political and religious privilege, just and moderate as it now seems, so roused the ire of the Massachusetts theocracy that he was compelled to seek safety from his intolerant persecutors by flight across the seas. Nathaniel Norcross received the degree of A. B. at Catherine Hall College, Cambridge, 1636-7. He very soon abandoned the company of v/hich he was only the available clerical figurehead. The cause assigned for his defection by John Winthrop, quoted on the preceding page, differs radically from that set down by Reverend Timothy Harrington one hundred years later. The former may record the excuse of the deserter ; the latter, the tradition of a belief that had justified itself to the deserted. Mr. Norcross neither here, nor afterwards in England appar ently, gave sign that he had in him the stuff of which aposdes or martyrs are made, and even vexatious delays were not an unalloyed misfortune that put Joseph Rowland- son in his place. 1645. The humble petito of the Company Intended to plat at Nasha way 12 June 1645. To the right Worp" Tho. Dudley Esq' Gou'nour aud the rest of the Magistrates and deputyes now Assembled in the Generall Court at Boston. Yo' petitioners, whose names are Vnderwritten Humbly Sheweth vnto yo' MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 13 Worp" y' wheras wee haue formerly received favour from this Court in haueing Liberty granted vs to plant att a place called Nashaway some 16 myles beyond Sudbery. Wee the sayd petitioners doe find itt an vtter Impossibilitye to proceede forwards to plante at the place aboue sayd e.x- cept wee haue a conuenient way made for the transportation of our Cattell and goods ouer Sudbery River and Marsh. Now although Sudbery men haue begun to sett vpp a Bridge ouer the Riuer yett the worke is now decist- ed. And the bridge left altogether vnusefull, and the marsh now way mended, soe that wee caunot passe to the plantation abouesd without exposing our persons to perill and our cattell and goods to losse and spoyle : as yo"' petitioners are able to make prooffe of by sad experience of what wee suf fered there w^ithin these few dayes. Yo' petitioners haue beene & are much damnifyed by the badnesse of the way at this place : for many of vs haue beene dependant on this worke aboue these two yeares past, much tyme and meanes haue beene spent in discouering the plantation and prouiding for our setlinge there. And now the Lord by his prouidence hath gone on thus farre with the worke that diuers of us have covenanted to sitt downe together And to Improue ourselues there this summer that wee may liue there the wynter next Insueing if God permitt. But vnlesse some speedy course bee taken yt wee haue a way made for the transplant ing ourselues, cattell and goods we may perish there for want of Reliefe, not being able to prouide for our subsistance there this wynter. Vnlesse wee expose ourselues and goods to the perill and spoyle as abouesayd. Yo' petitioners doe therefore humbly Beseech yo' Worships that as you haue beene pleased to Countenance our beginnings, soe you would please to order that a conueniant way bee made at the place aforsd for trans- portinge our persones cattell & goods, that the worke of God there begun may further proceede and wee haue Incouragement to carry on the worke else our tyme, meanes and labour hitherto expended will be lost. But if yo' worp' please to fiarther our proceedings herein yo' petitioners shall euer pray &c. Nathaniel Norcrosse John Prescot Stephen Daye Harman Garrett Thomas Scidmore John Hill Isaack Waker John Cowdall Joseph Jenkes The above petition is in Massachusetts Archives cxxi, 5. The names were signed by the same hand that wrote the rest ofthe document, probably that ofthe minister, Nathan- 14 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, iel Norcross. Endorsed upon it is this action of General Court : The magistral' think fitt that 20"' should be allowed to the towne of Sudburye towarde the finishing of their bridge & wave at the ende of it to be payd them when they shall haue made the way passable for loaden horse — , & desire the concurrence of the deputyes herein. Jo. Winthrop D: Go: The house of Deptyes doe concurr with o' honnored magist" herein so it be doune w'''Hn a twelue monthe. Edward Rawson The mention of " sad experience " in the petition, is ex plained by the following "special providence" narrated by Winthrop in his "History of New England," 11, 306 : Prescott another favourer of the petitioners lost a horse & his lading in Sudbury River, and a week after his wife and children being upon another horse were hardly saved from drowning. That the dangers and difficulties of this crossing were not overrated by these pioneers, is proven not only by the above stated facts, but because one hundred years later the bridge and causeway — " half a mile long " — were com plained of as dangerous, and in floods impassable. Trav ellers vvere obliged to make long detours to avoid it, and in 1759 ^"'^ 1761, lotteries were granted for its improve ment, the proceeds of which, amounting to 1227', were expended upon it. It is not surprising that the twenty pounds allowed in 1645 proved an insufficient inducement to the Sudbury men for the completion of the bridge. The deputy governor and magistrates had no sympathy to ex pend upon the troubles of a company wherein Robert Child, or any of his favorers, had an interest. Therefore they permitted the Sudbury marsh to remain a lion in the path to the Nashaway Plantation, and this was one cause of the delays which not only, as John Winthrop records in the passage quoted, drove the first minister from the enter prise, but also disheartened every member of the copart- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725- 15 nership, save their stalwart leader, John Prescott, whom neither Sudbury marsh nor deputy governor could daunt. The 3* of 8"' month 45. To the honored Gou'no' w*!" the Rest of the Magistrates and Deputes now Asembled at Boston . the Humble petition of the undertakers for the plantation of Nashawaye : Whereas wee perceive there is some of the men excepted Agaynst y' weere presented to this honoured Court in our petition yesterday : we humbly desire to present these men whose names are underwritten for the worke mentioned in that petition, in they' Roomes that are Excepted Against, humbly Intreating this honored Court that you will please to depute all or p' of these men for the worke there mentioned : and the whole company shall ever pray. John Hill Isaac Waker Samuel Bitfield Sernt John Davis James Cutler Mathew Barnes John Chandler Thomas Skidmore The petition of the day before, above referred to, has not been found. As John Prescott's and Stephen Day's names are omitted in this list, they were probably " excepted agaynst." This petition is from Massachusetts Archives, cxii, 16, and is endorsed thus : The magistrates are willing that Jo : Hill, Serient Jo : Davis Jo : Chand ler Isaake Walker, Sam'' Bitfield, and Mathew Barnes or any 3 of them shall haue power to sett out Lotts to all the Planters belonging to tbe sd Plantation — Prouided they sett not their houses too far asunder & the greater Lotts to be proportionable to mens estate & charges, and that no man shall haue his Lott confirmed to him before he hath taken the Oath of Fidelity before some magistrate — and desire the consent of the Depu ties herein. Jo : Withrop D : Go : Consented to by ye deputies Edw. Rawson. Capt. Pellam, Left Willard & Segnt. Wheeler are appointed Commis sioners for this Courte to lay out ye planters of Nashaway siich propor tions of land as they shall judge fitting for their present occasions & not prejudiciall to them y' hereafter may desire to sitt downe there. Ye Dep- utys desire ye magist' consent hereto. Edward R,vwson '" Samll Bitfield " is crossed out — also the paragraph added by the deputies appoint ing three commissioners — also this clause, which had been inserted at first after the word provided : " They shall not lay out aboue s\x acres to any first Lott" I r"^ Nov. 1647. Whereas ye Corte hath form'ly granted a plantation at Nashaway vnto Jno. Chanl', Isa.- Walk', Jno. Davies, Jno Hill, & Math : 1 6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Barnes & yt Jno. Hill is dead, Jno. Chanl'. Isaac Walk' & Jno. Davies have signified unto ye Corte yt since y" said graunt they have acted nothing as und'tak" y nor lajd out any lands, & furth', have made request to ye Corte to take in ye said graunt, manifesting their utt' unwill ingness to be engaged y'in, ye Co'te doth not thinke fit to destroy ye said plantation, but rath' to incurage it. onely in regard y" psons now upon it are so few & urimeete for such a worke care to be taken to pcure oth'% & in ye meane time to remaine in ye Co'ts pow' ta dispose of y" planting & ord'ing of it. [ Massachusetts Records.] ii'''> Nov. 1647. Towne Marks agreed by ye General Co'te for horses &c . . . . ordered to be set upon one of ye nere q'rs. X Nashaway [Massachusetts Records.] 1648. Showanon the great sachym of Nashaway doth embrace the Gos pel & pray unto God, I have been foure times there this Summer, and there be more people by far then be amongst us, and sundry of them do gladly hear the word of God, but it is neer 40 mUes off and I can but sel dom goe to them: whereat they are troubled and desire I should come oftener, and stay longer when 1 come. [John Eliot's letter in Edward Winslow's "The Glorious Progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England."] 1648. This year a new way was found out to Connecticut by Nashua which avoided much of the hill way. [John Winthrop's History of New England, II, 323.] 1649. I h2iA, and still have a great desire to go to a great fishing place Namaske upon Merimak; and because the Indian way lyeth beyond the great River which we cannot passe with our horses, nor can we well go to it on this side the river unless we go by Nashaway which is about and bad way unbeaten, the Indians not using that way : I therefore hired a hardy man of Nashaway to beat out a way and to mark trees so that he may Pilot me thither in the spring, and he hired Indians with him and did it, and in the way passed through a great people called Sowahagen Indians, some of which had heard me at Pautucket and at Nashaway There is another aged Sachem at Quabogud three score miles Westw.ird, and he doth greatly desire that I would come thither and teach them and live there, and I made a journey thither this summer, and I went by Nash away ; but it so fell out that there were some stirres betwixt the Nazagan- sit and Monahegan Indians, some murder committed &c, which made our church doubtful at first of my going, which when the Nashaway Sachem heard, he commanded twenty armed men (after their manner) to be ready, and himself with these twenty men ; besides sundry of our neer Indians MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 17 went along with me to guard me, but I took some English along with me also. So that hereby their good affection is manifested to me and to the work I have in hand. [John Eliot's letter in "A further Discovery of the present state of the Indians."] Namaske is now Amoskeag — The " hardy man of Nashaway" it is quite certain was John Prescott, who also was the discoverer of the new way to the Connecticut pre viously noted. Quabogud, i. c. Quaboag, now Brookfield. June 19 1650. Whereas John Prescot & others, the inhabitants of Nashaway pfered a petition to this Courte desireinge power to recouer all common charges of all such as had land there, not residinge w* them, for answer whereunto this Court, understandinge that the place before mentioned is not fit to make a plantation, (so a ministry to be erected & mayntayned there,) which if the petitioners, before the end of the next ses sion of this Court, shall not sufficiently make the sajd place appeare to be capable to answer the ends above mentioned doth order that the pties inhabitinge there shalbe called there hence, & suffred to live without the meanes no longer p. curia. [Massachusetts Records.] 1650 . . . That whereas at my first preaching at Nashaway sundry did imbrace the word, and called upon God, and Pau waning was wholly silenced among them all : yet now partly being forty miles of, and principally by the slow progresse of this work, Sathan hath so emboldened the Pauwau- ees that this winter (as I learn to my grief) there hath been Pauwauing again with some of them. [John Eliot in "A further Discovery of the present state of the Indians."] 165 1. Declaration of Elizabeth the wife of John Hall of Nashaway ac^ainst. George Whaley of Cambridge. \MS. torn\ Sheweth vnto this hon ored Court that about foure moneths since George [Whaley] Steuen Day & Samuell Rayner of Cambridge were at Nashaway and \_MS. tarn] the house of John Prescott there fell out a discourse betweene John Prescott & Steuen Day in w*'' discourse John Prescott did speake against John & his wife Steuen Day did vindicate the cause of Goodwife Hall in her ab sence against John Prescott till at length George Whaley bade Steuen Day that he should not goe about to justify the woman for Whaley ^MS. torn'] that when S' Phillips came from Nashaway he came into the buttery at the Collece in Cambridge where the said George Whaley demanded of Sr. Phillips how all their friends at Nashaway did, to W^"" S' Phillips answered they were all well. Mr Whaley further demanded how he liked the place, he answered uery well. It is a desirable place as any was in the country as he conceaved. Mr Whaley further asked how he liked the people, he answered he liked them uery well only there were some that held this opinion, that all things were common & said he came one morninge to iS ANNALS OF LANCASTER, goodwife halls house & as soon as he was come goodwife hall demanded of him whether all things were not common now as in the apostles tyme, & before that Sr. Phillips could give answer she did further say that this is my judgment, that all things are common, mens wiues alsoe, at w'^'" speech Steuen Day was much troubled and grieued & had not one word more to say, & in the morning after, the said Day & Reynor [went] to goodwife halls house & being sad at the report he there expressed his greife in these words. I feare there is an [word illegible] amongst you, I wish he may be found out, to w^"" goodwyfe h.ill answered if any of them gave any thinge against me if they will tell mee of it I will give them satis faction, Steuen Day said he was glad to heareit for out of thy owne mouthe they will judge thee, for thus Mr Whaley [says] that Sr. Phillips hath re ported of thee as is before expressed goodwife hall denyed that euer she spake any such thinge, nor did she hold any such opinion, herevpon Steuen Day demanded of Samuel Rayner whether Mr Whaley did not speake as he had then related, to w'^ Samuel Rayner answered yt was soe &. he would take his oath of it. This relation of Steuen Day in goodwife halls house & Samuell Rayners [relation] of it was in goodwife halls house Richard Smith present. Goodwife hall much greived at it that such a scandall should be raysed against her, knowinge herself free & cleare, desired to speake with Mr Whaley & on the next day after, in the morn inge did take Richard Smith and Lawrence Waters with her vi"^ sd Smith & Waters cominge to Mr Whaley desiringe to speake w* him he bade them take heed how they did speake anything for the v/oman, yet prom ised to speake w* her after breakfast at w^*' tyme Steuen Day, Richard Smith & Lawrence Waters & goodwife hall came to Mr Whaley; goodwife hali demanded of Mr Whaley what he had against her. Whaley answered that S' Phillips in the buttery at the College had spoken as before ex pressed, only he did then leaue out _ mens wiues. this testified Richard Smith Lawrence Waters & Steuen Day To Steuen Day & Samuel Reyner of Cambridge. You are hereby re quired to appeare at the next Court held ,at Cambridge the 7"' day of y eight moneth next to wittnes for the wife of John Hall of Nashaway in a case in difference betweene her & George Whaley of Cambridge — & here of you are not to fayle at your prill. dated the 12* day of the 7n> mo 1651. By the Court Hugh Griffyn C. The testimony of Goodman Prescot & his wife After that Mr Phillips came from Goodwife Halls hee told mee and my wife that goodwife Hall did aske him what he thought by y- judgment of those that hold that all things are coition. Mr Phillips asked her how shee [meant] all things comon whether as it was in y<^ Apostles tjme, her ans wer was all things without any exception, and Mr Phillips said it was a MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 19 damnable opinion; yea indeed. (shee said) I have knowne sad effects come of it, and in further discourse hee said shee said shee kept one in her house which was of that opinion. John Prescott Attested uppon oath by John Prescot in Court The mark X of Th . Danforth Record' Mary Prescot The Testimony of Richard Smith & Lawrence Waters concerning the speeches of George Whaley against hall. Cominge to Mr Whaley in the next morninge after the relation of Steuen day at goodwife halls the said Smith & Waters desired to speake with Mr Whaley, he bade them take heed how they did speake any thing for the woman, yet promised to speake with her after breakefast at w<='> time, Steuen day beinge allsoe present goodwife hall demanded of Mr Whaley what he had against her, to w* Mr Whaley made this answer that S' Phillips in the buttery at the College in Cambridge cominge into the buttery answered to him as foUoweth . Mr Whaley demanded first how did all freinds at Nashaway. 8'. Phillips answered they are well. Whaley further demanded how he liked the place, he answered very well, it was a desirable place as any was in the country, as he conceived . Mr Whaley further demanded how he liked the people, he answered he liked them well only there was some that held this opinion that all thinges were com mon, Mr Whaley demanded who they were, he answered John Hall's wife. The Testimony of Samuel Raner is that he heard Lieft. George Whaley say y' S' Phillips told him y' Goodwife Hall asked whether all things were coinon. Attested uppon oath in Court. Tho Danforth Rec. The Testimony of Stephen Day is that he heard Lieft George Whaley say y' he received by report of S' Phillips that Goodwife Hall had pro posed a question of this import whether all things w' common. Attested The foregoing documents in the case of Elizabeth, wife of John Hall, vs. Lieut. George Whaley, for slander, are in the Court files of Middlesex County. Lawrence Waters had sold his first house-lot of about seventeen acres, and the house upon it, to John Hall. Elizabeth Hall was living there, while her husband at this time was in England. ' He soon sent for her to come to him, and the estate was sold to Richard Smith. The suit against Whaley never came to judgment. 20 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 5* 8"" mo 1652. Hermon Garret vs John Hall for takeing away part of their night pasture fence which fencing cost u^,, 13',, 4*. The Court refuseth to take cognizance of this case bee. the Damage cannot be made appeare to be aboue forty shillings and do graunt the Defft costs one pound eight shillings. [Middlesex Court Records.] A bill of Charges given in to the Court by the Auturny of Jno Hall of Nashaway defendant in the case of Harmon Garret & John Shawe. Aturney & Witnesses John Tinker 2 days from Boston 4" Richard Smith & Lawrence Waters from Nashaway foure dayes i.£. o apeece at 2' 6* p daye i 4 Goodman Lenton 4 dales from Nashaway at 2' 6* per day o,,io' Totall is £1 14' The Court allow for Costs 2' pr diem which is one pound 8' & 2 another witness 2» to be taken off, in all one pound 2" [Middlesex Court Files.] The above document affords the only evidence we have of John Shaw's connection with the Nashaway Company. Therein also is the earliest mention of ihe night pasture. This common field, often referred to in the records, is the subject of a strange error. Under the mistaken idea that it had some connection with a transient proprietor, Philip Knight — who built his house next to Prescott's on the southeast slope of George Hill — it has been called "the Knight pasture," and this in spite of the fact that it is never spelled with a ^ in any original record. All that area of land bounded by the rivers on the east and south, and northerly by the present highway from the Sprague bridge to the site of the Penecook wading place near the corner southeast of Charles L. Wilder's house — except Lawrence Waters' seventeen acres at the west end — was, in the in fancy of the settlement, set apart and fenced as a common pasture, wherein the kine, horses, goats, sheep and swine of the settlers could be assembled and cared for at night. When several years later an appropriate allotment of land was sought for the Reverend Joseph Rowlandson, it was MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1625. 21 finally laid out to him " in the night pasture, within that fence that was formerly sett itp by the copartners.'" A night pasture was the public institution preceding nearly all others, in the planting of a New England town. That of Boston was established in 1634 by the following order : " Item : That there shalbe a little house built, and a suffi ciently payled yard to lodge the Cattell in of nights att PuUen poynt necke." We find the name in Boston records even as late as 1699, attaching to a field at Rumney Marsh. The "night pasture". of Roxbury has frequent mention in the land records, while Concord, Groton, and other towns of early origin, afford in their annals abundant proof that the custom was universally observed, of driving the common herd afield daily during the season of forage, under the care of children and keepers. Strict rules were formally adopted by the towns for the guidance of proprietors and herdsmen. In Watertown the enclosure was called the "cow pen " or "wolf pen," and this latter name is suggest ive of a reason other than convenience, for the ancient usage. In 1634, Nathaniel Ward, in "New England's Prospect," says " a few posts and rayles keepes out the Wolves & keepes in the cattie." Wolves were to the pioneer of New England the most troublesome of all wild beasts, being too cunning to be trapped, too cowardly to come within reach of the gun, and fearfully destructive in their midnight forays upon the unhoused stock. It was soon found out, it would seem, that to the wolfish sagacity a fence was an impenetrable mystery. 1652. Reverend Timothy Harrington, in "A Century Sermon," states that the petition of the nine families oi the Nashaway settlement for township rights was dated May 18, 1653. We now know that it was the year previous, and although that petition can be nowhere discovered, the action of the General Court upon it in 1652 is duly recorded, with subsequent amendments. ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The Courtes answer to a petition psented from the inhabitants of Nash away, a-Io 52 concerning the settleing of the plant, in seuerall pticulers. I First, it is detirmined that the orderinge & disposinge of the planta tion of Nashaway is wholey in this Courts power, as appeares by an order of the Generall Court in ario 1647. ¦2^y Consideringe that there is already at Nashaway about 9 familyes, & that seueral, both freemen & others intend to goe & settle there, some whereof are named in theire petition, this Coiirt doth hereby giue & graunt them lil)ertyes of a townshipp, &, at the request of the inhabitants, doe order it to be called Prescott. 3!? That theire lymitts shalbe set out accordinge to a deede of the Indian sagamore, vizt Nashaway Riuer, at the passing ouer to be center, & fine miles north, fine miles south, fine miles east & three miles west: & y' this Court appoynt some commissiono's to se these lynes extended & theire bounds lymitted. 4'y That Edward Brecke, Nathaniel Hadlocke W" Carley, Thomas Sawyer, John Prescott & Ralph Houghton, or any fower of them whereof the majo' part to be freemen, to be for psent the prudentiall men of the sd towne, both to se all aUottments lajd out to the planters in due ppor- tion to theire estates & also to order the prudentiall affayres vntill it shall appeare to this Court that the place be so farre settled with able men as the Court may thinke it capable of glueing them full libtie of a townshipp accordinge to law. 5'y. That all such psons who haue possessed & contynued inhabitants at Nashaway shall haue theire lotts formerly lajd out confirmed to them, pvided they take the oath of fidelity. 6'y. That Sudbury should make cartwayes within theire bounds to pass to & from sd plantatio". 7'y. That the sd inhabitants be rated for publicke charge within the county of Midlesex & to that end the towne may choose a constable. S'y. That they take care that a godly ministery may be mayntayned amongst. them, & y' no euill psons, enemies to this Corhonwealth in judg ment or practise, be admitted as inhabitants amongst them, & none to haue lotts confirmed but such as take the oath of fidelity. g'y. It is hereby declared, that although the first vndertakers & copart ners in the plantation of Nashaway are wholey evacuated of theire clayme in lotts there, by order of this Court, yet that such psons of them who haue expended either charge or labour for the benefitt of the place, & haue helped on the worke there from time to time, either in contributinge to y' ministery, or in the purchase from the Indians or in any other pub licke worke that such psons are to be considered by the towne, either in MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 23 pportion of land or some other way of satisfaction, as may be just & meete, pvided such psons doe make such theire expences clearly appeare in six moneths. Here the action of the Court naturally closed, and the usual sequence of the concurrence of magistrates and ex ecutive would be expected. But no ! Some one, whether magistrate or one higher in authority is beyond our finding, seems to have bethought himself that not even a Governor of the Colony had been so much honored as to have a town named for him, and objected to thus dignifying the busy blacksmith of Nashaway, who was not only no freeman, but had once seemed to sympathize with Dr. Child's criti cisms of the colonial system of taxation without representa tion. Amendment was carried ks follows, ignoring the inhabitants' request : This Court, takeing the condition of Nashaway into further considera tion doe order, that it shalbe called henceforth West Towne, & doe further confirme there graunt of 8 miles square which was formerly graunted them, which will encourage many to plant there. This meaningless substitute for a name was doubtiess not kindly received by those who had expected one eupho nious, significant, and of their own choosing. Another petition met the next general court, of which we know only the answer, dated May 18, 1653. In answer to another petition from the inhabitants of Nashaway for settling of theire graunt, this Court doth order the plantation at Nasha way to center, as in the Court order of May 52 (which is the foregoing ¦ order,) and to be layd out in pportion to eyght miles sqare, & that the seueral pticulers being in number nyne, bs confirmed to them, s-ave in the close of the 1^ article about the name of the towne, that the name of it be henceforth called Lancaster, & in the sixth article that Sudbury & Lancaster lay out high wayes according to y^ Court order, for the Countryes vse & them repayre as need shalbe, & that instead of six moneths ex pressed in the close of the 9* article, such psons to haue twelue moneths from the end of this session for such demaundes : and that the intrest of Harmon Garrett & such others as were first vndertakers or haue ben at great charges there, shalbe made good to him, them or his or theire heirs 24 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, in all theire allottments as to other theire inhabitants in pportion to charges expended by him and such others aforesd, pvided they make improue- ments of such allottments, by buildinge & plantinge, within three yeares after they are or shalbe layd out to them, otherwise theire intrests hereby pvided for to be voyd, & all such lands so hereby reserued to be at the towns dispose. 1653. At a county court held at Cambridge the 5. 2 mo 1653. This Court doth order that the Inhabitants of Nashaway Plantation at or before the 20'*" of this p'nt month do send downe one able man to be sworne be fore some ma.gistrate, for the constable of there plantacon. [Middlesex Court Records.] EARLY RECORDS OF LANCASTER, MASSACHUSETTS. 'pHE so called act of incorporation of Lancaster, dated -*¦ May i8, 1653, as copied by Master John Tinker, forms the first page of the town's records. The leaf is badly torn, and many words have crumbled away. It has slight verbal differences from the original in the records of the general court, and from an official copy by Secretary Ed ward Rawson, in Massachusetts Archives, cxii, 54-55. COPPIE OF THE. COURT'S GRANT. At a Gen'" Court of Election held at Boston the 18"" of May 1653. I. In answer to the Peticon of the Inhabitants of Nashav/ay the Court finds according to a former order of the Gen'" Court in Anno 1647 no 6: 95 : That the ordering and disposeing of the Plantation at Nashaway is wholly in the Courts power 2. Considering that there is allredy at Nashaway about nine ffamilies and that severall both freemen and others intend to goe and setle there some whereof are named in this Petition the Court doth Grant them the libertie of a Towneshipp and orders that hensforth it shall be called Lan caster 3. That the Bounds thereof shall be sett out according to a deede of the Indian Sagamore, viz. Nashaway Riuer at the passing ouer to be the Center, fine miles North fine miles south fiue miles east and three miles west by such Comissioners as the Courte shall appoint to see theis Lines extended and their bounds limitted 4. That Edward Breck, Nathaniell Hadlocke, William Kerley, Thomas Sayer, John Prescot and Ralph Houghton, or any foure of them, whereof the maior Parte to be freemen to be for present the prudentiall men ofthe said Towne both to see all allottments to be laid out to the Planters in 26 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, due proportion to theire estates and allso to order other Prudentiall afaires vntill it shall Appeare to this Court that the Place be so farr seated with able men as the Court may Judg meet, to give them full liberties of a Townshipp according to Lawe. 5. That all such Persons whoe haue possessed and Continued Inhabi. tants of Na.shaway shall haue their Lotts formerly Laid out confirmed to them provided they take the oath of fidellitie 6. That Sudbery and Lancaster Lay out highwaies betwixt Towne and Towne according to order of Court for the Countries vse and then repaire them as neede shalbe 7. The Court Orders That Lancaster shall be rated w'^in the County of Midlesex and the Towne hath Liberty to choose a Constable. 8. That the Inhabitants of Lancaster doe take care that a godly min- ester may be maintained amongst them and that no evill persons Enemies to the Lawes of this Coiiionwealth in Judgment or Practize be Admitted as Inhabitants amongst them and none to haue Lotts Confirmed but such as take the oathe of fidellitie 9. That allthough the first Undertakers and partners in the Plantacon of Nashaway are wholy Evacuated of theire Claimes in Lotts there by order of this Courte yet that such persons of them whoe haue Expended either Charge or Labor for the Benefitt ofthe place and haue helpped on the Pub like workes there from time to time either in Contributing to the minestrie or in the Purchase from the Indians or any other Publike worke, that such persons are to be Considered by the Towne either in proportion of Land or some other way of satisfaction as may be Just and meete. Provided such Persons do make such theire expences Cleerly Appeare within Twelue rnonethes after the end of this Sessions for such demandes and that the Interest of Harmon Garrett and such others as were first vndertakers or haue bin at Great Charges there shalbe made good to him them his or theire heires in all Allottments as to other the Inhabitants in proportion to the Charges expended by him and such others aforesaid. Provided they make Improuem' of such AUotmt* by building and Planting w'^'in three yeares after they are or shalbe Laid out to them, otherwise theire Interest hereby Provided for to bee voyde. And all such Lands soe hereby Reserved to be thencforth at the Townes Dispose : In further Answer to this Peticon the Court Judgeth it meete to Confirm the aboue mentioned Nine perticulers to the Inhabitants of Lancaster, and order that the bounds thereof be Laid out in proportion to eight miles square. Following this, by the same hand, were nineteen num bered pages, of which only the last twelve are now extant. It will be noticed that in dates the name of the month is MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 27 sometimes found. After Governor John Winthrop's time this new method began to be observed by some, but usually the heathen names of months and days were carefully avoided, and the ordinals used, March being the first month. OF THE CovEN^ ; Church Land ; meeting HOUSE, LOTTS lo'': &c : 1653 18: 8 m". The bond to binde all coiners. Memorandum, That wee whose Names are subscribed, vppon the Receiueing and accept- anc of our severall Lands, and Allottments w"' all Appurtinances thereof, from those men who are Chosen by the Generall Court to Lay out and dispose of the Lands within the Towne of Lanchaster heertofore Called by the name of Nashaway doe hereby Covenant & binde ourselues our heires Execut" & Assignes to the observing and keepeing of these orders and Agreements hereafter mentioned and Ex pressed. Church Lands, ffirst ffor the maintainanc of the minestree of Gods holy word wee doe A Howe Covenant and Agree that there be laid out Stated and established, and we doe hereby estate and establish as Church Land with all the priuilledges and Appurtinances therevnto belonging for ever, thirty acors of vppland and fortie acors of Entervale Land and twelue acors of meddowe with free Libertie of Commons for Pasture and fire wood. The said Lands to be improved by the Plantation or otherwise in such order as shalbe best Advised and Concluded by the Plantation without Rent paying for the same, vntill the Labours of the Planters or tbose that doe improue the same, be ffully sattisfied. .And wee doe agree that the Plantation or Sellect men shall determine the time, how Longe every man shall hold and Improue the said Lands for the profit thereof. And then to be Rented according to the yeariy vallue thereof and paid in to such persons as the Plantation or Sellectmen shall Appoynt to and for the vse of and towards the maintainanc of the minester Pastor or Teacher for the time being, or whomesocver may bee stated to preach the word of God among vs : or it may be in the Choyce of the minester to Improue the said Lands himselfe. Meetinghouse. And ffurther wee doe Covenant and Agree to build a Convenient meeting house for the Publique Assembling of the Church and People of God, to worshipp God according to his holy ordinances in the most eaquall and Convenient place that may be Advized and Concluded by the Plantation. Ministers house. And to Build a house for the .Minester vppon the said Church Land. 28 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, house lotts to pay lo^ p ann to the minester. And ffurther we doe Engage and Covenant every one for himselfe his heires Exec utors & Assignes to pay to and for the vse of the minestree aboue said the surae of ten shillings a yeare as for and in Consideracon of o' home Lotts yearly for ever, our home Lotts to stand Engaged for the payment thereof, and what all this shall fall short of a Competent main- tinance we Covenant to make vpp by an equall Rate vppon o' Goods, and other improved Lands (not home lots) in such way and order as the Country rate is Raised. And in case of vacansy of a minester the main tainanc Ariseing from the Church Land and home Lotts abouementioned, shalbe paid to such as shalbe Appoynted. for the use of a scoole to be as a stock : or as stock towards the maintainanc of the minester, as the Plan tation or Sellect men shall think meetest. To build Inhabit b'e in a year or loose all and pay 5: ^ And for the better Promoteing and seting forward of the Plantation wee Covenant and Agree, That such person or persons of vs who haue not inhabited this Plantation heretofore and are yett to come to build Improue and Inhabitt That we will (by the will of God) come vpp to build to Plant land and Inhabit at or before one whole yeare be passed next after o' acceptance of o' Allottments, or elc to Loose all. our Charges about it, and our Lotts to Return to the Plantation, and to pay fiue pounds for the vse of the Plantation. What Inhabitants not to be Aditiited. And for the Better preserveing of the puritie of Religion and ourselues from infection of Error we Cove nant not to distribute Allottments and to Receiue into the Plantation as Inhabitants any excominicat or otherwise prophane and scandalus (known so to bee) nor any notoriously erring against the Docktrin and Discipline of the Churches and' the state and Governm' of this Cofnonweale. to end all difrenc by Arbitracon. And for the better preserveing of peace and love, and yet to keepe the Rules of Justice and Equitie amonge ourselues, we Covenant not to goe to Lawe one with an other in Actions of Debt or Damages one towards an other either in name or state but to end all such Controversies among ourselues by arbitration or otherwise except in cases Cappitall or Criminall that sinn may not goe vnpunished or that the mater be aboue our abillities to Judge of, and that it bee with the Consent of the Plantation or Sellect men thereof. To pay los p Lott. And for the Laying out measureing and bound ing of our Allottments of this first Diuision .^nd for and towards the Satis fieing of our Engagem'-" to the Generall Court, to make payment for purchase of the Indians we Covenant to pay ten shillings every one of vs for our severall Allottm'% to the Sellect men or whome they may Appoynt to Receive it. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 29 Equall Lotts first Diuition, in 2"'^ Diuitions acord to Estates : And. whereas Lotts are Now Laid out for the most part Equally to Rich and poore. Partly to keepe the Towne from Scatering to farr. and partly out of Charitie and Respect to men of meaner estate, yet that Equallitie ' (which is the Rule of God) may be observed, we Covenant and Agree, That in a second Devision and so through all other Devitions of Land the mater shall be drawne as neere to equallitie according to mens estates as wee are able to doe. That he which hath now more then his estate Deserv- eth in home Lotts and entervale Lotts shall haue so much Less : and he that hath now Less then his estate Deserveth shall haue so much more. And that wee may the better keepe due proportion we Covenant and agree thus to account of mens estates (viz) ten pounds a head for every person and all other goods by due vallue, and to proportion to every ten pounds three acors of Land two of vpland and one of Enter\'ale and we giue a years Libertie to Euery man to bringe in his estate. Gifts free. Yet Nevertheless it is to be vnderstood That we doe not heereby preiudice or Barr the Plantation from Accomodateing any man by Gifft of Land (which proply are not AUottm*^ :) but wee doe reserve that in the free Power of the Plantation as occation may hereafter be offered : And in Case The Planters estate be Lowe that he can claime Nothing in other diuitions yet it is to be vnderstood that he shall enioy all the Land of the first Devision. in it^ Detdtion. And further we Covenant That if any Planters do desire to haue his proportion in the second devition it shalbe Granted. Rules for Proporcon of Meddows. And ffurther wee Covenant to lay out Meddow Lands according to the preasent estates of the Planters, with respect to be had to Remoteness or Neereness, of that which is remote to giue the more and of that wch is neere to giue the Less. And Concerning the 30 acors of vppland and 40 acors of Entervale aboue Granted as Church Land It is agreed and concluded to Lye bounded by John Prescotts Ditch vppon the South and the North Riuer over an ends \anenst] Lawrenc Waters vppon the North and so Rangeing allong westward. And for the Preventing of Inconveniences and the more peaceable Isu- ing of the business about building of a meeting house it is Considered and Concluded as the most equall place that the meeting house be builded as neere to the Church Land and to the Neck of Land as It can bee with out any notable inconveniencie. And it is allso agreed That in all partes and Quarters of the Towne where Sundry Lotts do Lie together they shalbe ffenced by a Common ffenc according to proportion of acors by every planter. And yett not to barr any man from perticuler and priuat Inclosure at his pleasure. 30 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, This is a true Coppie of the Lawes and orders ffirst Enacted and made by those Appoynted and Impowered by the Genrall Court as it is found in the old book. Those Names y'^ haue subscribed to these orders: Edward BrEK ) I subscribe to this for my selfe and for my sonn Robert saue that it is > agreed that we are not bound to come vpp to inhabit wthin a years time in Rob ' BrEK : ) our owne persons: This is a true Coppie; Jn" Prescott. ^ William Kerly I „. , ., , , , ^ _ _ > These subscribed together the first Thomas Sayer ' Ralph H.^ughton Jn" Whitcomb Seni' : ) JN° Whitcomb Juni': I Subscribed 20: day: 9 m- ,652 Richard Linton. I Jn" Johnson. ^Subscribed: 4*: 9 m": 1654 Jeremiah Rogers ] Jn" Moore: Subscribed: 11* : first in": 1653 W1LLIA.M Lewes : ? JN° Lewes. S Subscribed : 13"' : l m" : 1653 Th°: James: mark 21"^: 3 m" : 1653 Edjiund Parker. 1 Beniamine Twitchell J- Subscribed : i"': 8 m": 1652 Anthony Newton. j Steephen Day > Subscribed: ij"!; i m": 1653 James Aderton J both of y'". Henry Kerly: ") Richard- S.mith. I William Kerly Jun'. 1> Subscribed 15: i m": 1653 Jn". Smith. L.A.WRE.\c Waters Jn" White: Subscribed: i* May 1653 Jn" ffarrer : Subscribed : 24 : Septemb' 1653 Jacob ffarrer : Same date John Haughton Sa.muel Deane Ja.mes Draper. ) Steephen Gates: Sen': S Subscribed : Aprill 3 : 1654 James Whitlng or Witton : Subscri : Ap'" 7* : 1654 tn" Moore and ) Edward Kibbie l^i-^m": 1654 Subscribed This name has always been erroneously printed " Rigbe." Kibbie was of Roxbury, a sawyer by trade, and did not long remain here. Lydia Kibbie, perhaps his daughter! became wife of George Bennett of Lancaster. ^Sub'': same 24: 7 m": 1653 MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 31 Jn" Man,sfield ; 13: 2 m'': 1654 Jn" Towers: 1 Richard Dwelly > Subscribed 18: 2 m°: 1654 Henry Ward. j Jn" Peirce.'" ?„,.,,,. William Billing P"^^'^"'^^'^ 4'" = 7 m°: 1654. Richard Sutton: ap'" 1653 Thom.\s Joslin. ) Subscribed the 12'*': 9 mo : 1654. and there is granted ,. _ y . to them both 50 acres of vpland & Swamp together for theire home Nathaniell Joslin > lotts and alUo forty acors of Entervale. John Rugg: Subscribed, 12*: 12 m": 1654 > Subscribed 12*^: 12 m": 1654: and it is agreed by Joseph Rowlandson : > the Town that he shall haue ao accors of vpland & 40 acors of J Entervale in the Night Pasiute: Jn" RiGGBY: Subscribed 12"': 12"' m": 1654 and he Is to haue 20 acors of vpland & ten acors of Entervale Jn* Roper: Subscribed 22: I'l'm": 1656 All these before mentioned are subscribed & theire. names Entered ac cording to theire Severall Dates in the old Book & Coppied per Jn" Tinker Cleri Jn" Tinker Subscribed y* first of ffebb': 1657 Mordica Maclode his X mark set i march ^||f yonas ffairbanks : Subscribed the 7*: 2 m° : i«|f Jonas ffairbanks Roger Sumner subscribed the: 11* of Aprill: 1659 Roger Sumner Gamaliell Bemand Subscribed: the si"": of may 1659 Gamaliell tt Bemand his marke Thomas Wydder : Subscribed the i* of July 1659 Thomas Wyellder Daniell Gaines Subscribed the tenth day of march f||-| Daniell Gaiens 1653. The. arrival of Prescott's millstone in Lancaster must have been an event of matchless interest to every man, woman and child in the settlement. Until that began its tireless turning, the grain for their every loaf of bread had to be carried to Watertown mill, or ground laboriously in a hand quern, or parched and brayed in a mortar Indian fashion, or hulled and softened with lye and crushed, as is the practice to this day in some regions of North America. The Nashaway planters might well wish to honor their beneficent neighbor by naming the township for him. To 32 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, his capacity and business energy they owed nearly all they had thus far attained, and no sooner had township organi zation been secured, than we see John Prescott turning his attention to this new enterprise, which found shape November 20th, in the following agreement : Know all men by these presents that I John Prescott blackesmith, hath Covenanted and bargained with Jno. ffounell of Charlestowne for the building of a Corne mill, within the said Towne of Lanchaster. This witnesseth that wee the Inhabitants of Lanchaster for his encouragement in so good a worke for the behoofe of our Towne, vpon condition that the said intended worke by him or his assignes be finished, do freely and fully giue grant, enfeoffe, & confirme vnto the said John Prescott, thirty acres of intervale Land lying on the north riuer, lying north west of Henry Kerly and ten acres of Land adjoyneing to the mill : and forty acres of Land on the South east of the mill brooke, lying between the mill brooke and Nashaway Riuer in such place as the said John Prescott shall choose with all the priuiledges and appurtenances thereto apperteyneing. To haue and to hold the said land and eurie parcell thereof to the said John Prescott his heyeres and assignes for euer, to his and their only propper vse and behoofe. Also wee do couenant & promise to lend the said John Prescott fiue pound, in current money one yeare for the buying of Irons for the mill. And also wee do couenant and grant to and with the said John Prescott his heyres and assignes that the said mill, with all the aboue named Land thereto apperteyneing shall be freed from all coinon charges for seauen 3'eares next ensueing. after the first finishing and setting the said mill to worke. In witnes whereof wee haue herevnto put our hands this 20"' day of the 9"^° In the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty and three. Subscribed names WilLm Kerly Sen" Lawrence Waters, Thomas James, Jno Prescott, Edmund Parker, Jno Lewis, Jno White, Richard Linton, James Atherton, Ralph Houghton, Richard Smith, Jacob ffarrer. Will"- Kerly Jun". Memorandurn, that Jno Prescott finished' his mill, & began to grind corne the 23"' day of the 3"'°, 1654. At a meeting of the Coiuissioners for the genrall Court, the 9"' of Sep tember 1657 at Jno. Prescott's house, the Towne consented that the iiiiunityes of Jno. Prescott prouided for in the covenant should continue and remayne to him the said Jno Prescott his heyres and assignes vntill ^am:^ ^fi^^r joi^yu /fl£>-art t^S^y-t. f^f LCK n. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 33 the 23 of May in the yeare of our Lord sixteen hundred sixty & two, 1662. Simon Willard Edw. Johnson Thomas Danforth The above contract is not found in any records of the town, but was duly recorded in the Middlesex County Registry. FIRST GRANT OF LOTTS: 1653: 30'*" :9m'': Mem'nd'", That we Edward Brek Jno Prescott Wil liam Kerly Ralph Haughton and Thomas Sayer, being Chosen by the Gene'" Court, To lay out Allottments and to order the prudentiall affaires of this Plantation at Nashaway now Named Lancaster do Lay out and Appoynt Lands and severall Lotts with all the priuilledges and Appurti nances thereof vnto these severall persons whose Names and Allottments are hereafter mentioned and discribed To haue and to hold to them their heires Executors and Assignes for ever The Lotts of this Plantation are Laid out partly on the west side of the Riuers of Nashaway and the North Riuer, and partly on a parcell of Land Called the Neck Lying betweene the North Riuer and that which hath bin Named and Hereby is named Penecuck Riuer which Taketh his name and begineth at the meeting of Nashaway and the North Riuers Penacook is said to be an Algonquin word, meaning "a crooked place," from penaqui, "crooked," and auke, "place," and the New Hampshire name is supposed to be thus derived. Here the word in early days was spelled Penecook or Penicook, and may have had a diff'er- erent origin. Again, pen, plural penak, means "ground nut " or " wild potato," a favorite food of the aborigines ; while used as a prefix penak denoted " a fall in the land." Hence, other meanings are suggested as possible. The name was soon dropped. The Lotts on the west side of Nashaway and the North Riuers are formed duble, a highway Riming through as a street, on ¦ either side whereof Lotts are Laid to butt vppon the said highway : Lotts of Jno Prescot The ffirst Lott as the Scenter from which other Lotts may take theire boundings and discriptions North and South, is the Lott of John Prescot who is one of the first Inhabitants, he hath his Lott on the west side of Nashaway and the North Riuers Containing 20 Acors in place where some- 3 34 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, times one Mr Symons and Thomas King built a trukeing house. Butting Easterly vppon the highway and westerly towards the Coiiions, His Enter vale Lott containeth oU accors, Butteth vppon the North and Nashaway Riuers Easterly and tendeth Westerly as it is now ffenced and one part Lying Northerly of the Highway and another part Southerly from the Lott of Thomas Sayer : OF Jno Johnson The Lott of Jno. Johnson Contayning 20 Acors is the second Lott Northerly from John Prescots Butted and bounded as the former. Henry Kerley The Lott of Henry Kerley Containing 20 acors is the s"' Lott from John Prescotts Butted and bounded as the fformer. W^ Kerly Sen" The Lott of William Kerly Containing 20 acors is the 6"" Lott ffrom Jno. Prescot, ditto Kerly The Lott of William Kerly which he purchased of Rich ard Smith is the 7"' Lott, both buting & bounding as the former. Jno Smith The Lott of John Smith is 8"^ Lott Containing 20 acors butted & bounded as the other W" Kerly Jun" : The Lott of William Kerly Junior Containing 20 acors is the 9"" Lott buting & bounding as the former Jno. Prescot That Lott of John Prescott Containing 20 acors which Lyeth on the east side of the High way over against his former Lott Described butteth vppon the high way westerly and the Cofhons Easterly Jno. Moore The Lott of Jno Moore, Containing 20 acors is the first Lott from the Lott of Jno Prescot, on the North butted & bounded as the other Thomas Sayer The Lott of Thomas Sayer is the first Lott Containing 20 acors on the South side of this Lott of Jn" Prescot butting & bounding as the former. his Etitervale. The Entervale Lott of Thomas Sayer Containing 20 acors Lyeth betweene two pcells of Jno Prescots Entervale Lott butting vppon Nashaway Riuer MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 35 Entervale Lotts on the west side of the North Riuer : The fir.st Lott begineth at a litle brooke which Cometh from the west & Runeth into the North Riuer: William Kerly Sen" The 2* Lott is the Lott of William Kerly Senior Containing 20 acors butteth Esteriy vppon the west side of the North Riuer. his purchas. The Lot of William Kerly which he purchased of Rich ard Smith is the 3'' Lott Joyriing to his owne pp [proper] Containing 20 acors Lyeth on the south side is Butted & bounded as the former. Wm. Kerly Jun" The Lott of William Kerly Jun' Containing 20 acors is the 4"' Lott butted and bounded as the fformer Jno Moore The Lott of Jno Moore Containing 20 acors is the 5"! Lott Butted & bounded as the other The Lott of Henry Kerly Containing 20 acors is the Last Lott Lying to a brook w^i" is on the south side and Runeth into the North Riuer : Neck side. The Lotts vppon the Neck Lyeth betweene the North Riuer and Penecuck Riuer a highway Riming between them : f Lotts of Edward Brek The Lott of Edward Brek is the first Lott Containing 20 acors which Lyeth butting vppon the highway vppon the west and Penecuck Riuer vppon the east and Ruiieth to the Riuer (which somtimes was Intended for Mr Bowman) [Probably Francis of Watertown.] His Entervale Lott Lyeth on the East side of Penecuck Riuer Containing 20 acors bee it more or Less, it Runs East and west and boundeth westerly vppon Pene cuck and vppon the South is bounded by a new ditch : & ffrom this Lott Northerly & Southerly are other Lotts Numbered & bounded and is the first Lott. Ri: Lenton The Lott of Richard Lenton, Containing 20 accors is the 2* Lott and Lyeth on the North side of the Lott of Edward Brek butteth on the High way westerly & Penecuck Riuer on the East, Ralph Haughton vppon an exchange made, is planted vppon the East end thereof Ra: Haughton The pp [proper] Lott of Ralph Houghton is Next vnto Richard Lenton Containing 20 acors butted and Bounded as the other being the 3* Lott Northerly. 5 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, his purchas. The Lott of Ralph Haughton w^i- he purchased of John Prescot Adioyning to his owne pp on the North side Containing 20 acors is the 4"^ Lott. His Entervale Lotts Lye on the other side Penecuck East ward Containing 70 acors being the 3" and 4'^ Lotts from the Lott of Edward Brek Northerly Rob'kt Breck The Lott of Robert Breck Containing 20 acors Lyeth on the west side of the Neck begineth at the south side Neere to the house of Richard Lenton, vppon a Line Ruiie 9 of i '"" 1654 from the highway to the Riuer 95 rods in Length butting on the highway on the East & the North Riuer on the west and tendeth Northerly. His Entervale Lott Containing 20 acors Lyeth next to the Entervale Lott of his father Edward Brek and is the second Lott from his Northerly butted and bounded as is his fathers. James Atherton The Lott of James Atherton Lyeth next vnto the Lotts of Ralph Haughton on the North and is the fiffth Lott Containing 20 acors butted & bounded as the other. The Entervale Lott of James Atherton Con taining 20 acors is the f^ Lott Northerly from the Lott of Ralph Haugh ton butting & bounding as the former Jno White The Lott of John White Containing 20 acors is next to the Lott of James Aderton on the North and is the sixt Lott butting & bounding as the other. His Entervale Lott containing 20 acors is next to the Enter vale Lott of James Atherton on the North & is the sixth Lott. William Lewes The Lott of William Lewes Containing 20 acors is the seauenth Lott & is next to the Lott of John White on the North butting & bounding as the other. His Entervale Lott allso Lyeth next to John Whites & is the 7'^ Lott norward Containing 20 acors butting & bounding as the otlier. Jn" Lewes The Lott of John Lewes Containing 20 acors is the eight Lott & Lyeth next to the Lott of his father WiUiam Lewes on the North, butring & bounding as the other. His entervale Lott is the eight Containing 2a acors is butted & bounded as the other. Tho. James The Lott of Thomas James Containing 20 acors is the Ninth Lott & Lyeth next to the Lott of John Lewes on the North butting & bounding as the other. His Entervale Lott is the Ninth lott. Northerly of John Lewes butted & bounded as the other. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 37 The Lott of Edmund Parker Containing 20 acors is the tenth Lott and Lyeth Next to the Lott of Thomas James on the North butted & bounded as the other. His Entervale Lott Containing 20 acors is the tenth Lott Lying on the North side of the Lott of Thomas James butted & bounded as the other. The Lott of Richard Smith Containing 20 acors Lyeth alone and is a tryangle. bounded by a fenc on one side towards the entervale and on an other bounded by the North Riuer and by a parcell of Comon on the 3'' side through which a highway is to pass : Thus far the records, copied from the old book, are in the quaintly neat hand-writing of Master John Tinker, who at his coming hither was at once largely entrusted with the management of public affairs. COPPIE OF PETITION FOR TOWNSHIP: & ANSWER: To the hono^ Go"no' the Dept Go"no' and the Rest of this hono*'* Court both magistrates & deputies. The humble petition of the Inhabitants of Lancaster humbly sheweth that whereas it pleased this honoured Court to giue power to six men formerly to dispose of Lands, and to giue out Lotts vnto such men as did desire to sitt downe att Lancaster, they hauing Hitherto acted accord ingly, and wee being now about twentie familyes, and one of the six men being dead, and an other liuing remote from vs, and sum others of them being desirous to Leaue of that power giuen tp them by the Court; Con- ceiuing it to be agreeable to Law and profitable to the towne, in the further Carieing on and ordring of the planting and prudenciall affaires of the towne, and alsoe in the further disposing and raising maintainance for the mjnestrie amongst vs, wee with the Comisioners who haue sett their hands Hervnto with ourselues, doe humbly intreat this Honoured Court that the power which was formerly granted to those six men, may be granted to the towne, and inhabitanc in genrall that therein they may act togather as in other townes, and as wee Conceiue vnder fauor the Law doth allow. And alsoe that this Court would be plesed to apoynt sum man or men who in wisdome you think meet, to Lay out our towne bounds according to this Courts grant, which if it shall pleas this Honoured Court to grant vnto vs, we shall remaine further obliged and as wee ar in dutie bound Continue to pray for you. William Kerley Sen Edmund Parker William Leweis Thomas James William Kerly Jun John Whitcombe 2 Richard Smith Lawrenc Waters Henry Kerley Richard Linton John Leweis 38 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The desir of your peticioners is that they desired the full power and priuilledges of the plantacion and for the present they desire and shall be well satisfied if the Court doe irrant seauen men out of tenn hervnder writen to order the prudenciall afaires for this year ensuing And that afterwards it shalbe Lawfull for the plantacion to make their Elecions, and to order their prudenciall busineses in full state of a plantacion according to Law. Edward Brecke John Whetcomb John Prescott John White Wilham Keriey William Leweis Ralph Houghton Richard Smith Thomas Sawyer Edward Kibie Of theis ar freemen Edward Breck William Leweis William Kerley John Whetcombe Thomas Sawyer Answer to the petition : The Comitie thinke meet that the inhabitance of Lancaster haue those Liberties of a towne shipp that the Lawes alow, vntill the genrall Court take further order theirin. And that Leiftenant goodenough and Thomas dainforth Lay out the bounds of the said towne according to the Courts grant at the townes Charg and mak returne theirof vnto the next Court of Election.The deputies aproue of the returne of this Comitie And desire our Honoured magestrats Consent Hervnto. lo"": May, 1654. Willia.m Torie Clarke. The Comitie: Humphrey Atherton Thomas Clarke Consented to by the magistrats Eleazer Lusher Joseph Hill The above, from town records, differs in slight particulars fi-om the original in Massachusetts Records. November i, 1654. Whereas Shawanon, Saggamore of Nashaway, is lately dead, and another is now suddainly to be chosen in his roome, they being a great people, that haue submitted to this jurisdiccon, theire eyes being vppon two or three of the blood, one whereof is very deboist & a drunken fellow, and no freind of y« English, another is very hopfull to learne the things of Christ, this court doth therefore order, that Mr In crease Nowell and Mr John Elliott shall and heereby are desired to repaire to the Indians, and labor by theire best counsell and perswasion to pvayle MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 39 w* them for the choosing of such a one as may be most fitt to be theire sagamore, which would be a good service to y' countrje. [Massachusetts Records.] Their counsel prevailed, and Matthew, nephew of Sho lan, was chosen ; but "deboist" Sam bided his time. The tribal government was an elective monarchy, sons of a deceased sachem being ineligible if nephews and brothers were available. MENS ESTATS TO DRAW MEDDOW & 2" DEUISION 1654. These seurall Estats of the planters who by Couenant and ac cording fo the rules theirof haue engaged that theirby it may be knowne what shall be ther pporcion of Land which by Couenant eurie planter may make Claime vnto in a second third or other deuisions of Land and alsoe of medow within this towne of Lancaster. lb 8 d John Prescott 366 = 15 r 00 William Keriey Sen. 270 r 00 r 00 Edward Brecke 202 n 1 1 r 00 Ralph Houghton 264 r 04 : 00 Edmund Parker 098 r 00 - 00 Thomas Jam.es 036 :: 00 = 00 John Johnson 030 = 00 r 00 John Smith - 058 r 19 = 00 James Atherton - 069 r 05 r 00 Thomas Sawyer . 1 10 = 00 r 00 Robert Breck 010 = 00 r 00 William Kerley Jun. 186 = 00 r 00 John Rugg 083 r 10 r 00 John More 1 10 r 00 r 00 William Leweis 285 = 09 r 00 John ffarer Richard Smith John Leweis Thomas JosUin Steeuen Gats Sen. John Whetcomb Jo : Whetcomb Jr. Nathaniell JosUin Lawrenc Waters Jacob ffarer John Whit Henry Kerley Richard Linton PhiUip Knight John Roper The Estats of seurall entred sine the 9 day 1655 Roger Sumner his Estat giuen in is Jonas ffairbanke his Estat is Jacob farer aded when his wif came lb 107: 313: 018:210: 314:241 : 029 : 155: 277: -107: 380:078:090 : 100: 100: B A 00 = 00 13 = 10 10 z 00 oor 00 00 = 00 00 = 05 00 z 00 00 = 00 00= 00 10 = 00 06 = 02 04 = 00 00 = 00 00 = 00 00 = 00 232: 172: 168: 00 = 00 00 = 00 07 = 00 DEUISION OF MEDOWES ALLREDIE DEUIDED. Medowes allowed to eurie hundred pound estat is fower accors to which proporcion it foUoweth 40 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 24 accors IO accors & | ptes 8 accors & ^g pte 10 accors & ^ & ^\ 4 accors I J accor I accor & I pte 2 accors & | ptes 2 accors & -| ptes 4 accors & f ptes o 2 accors & i Numbr of lots. John Prescott hath of medowes in all 27 William Kerley sen hath 1 1 Edward Brecke 9 Ralph Houghton 2 Edmund Parker 17 Thomas James 26 John John.son 24 John Smith 25 James Atherton 5 Thomas Sawyer Robert Brecke not sufred to haue a lot. 14 William Kerley Ju. 18 John More 4 accors & | ptes IS John Rug 3 accors & ^ pte 7 WiUiam Leweis 1 1 accors & | ptes 16 Richard Smith should be 12 . ^ • ^\ is but 9-| (12^ accors & jij 3 John Leweis of ptes 28 Thomas Josllin 8 accors & f ptes 13 Steeuen Gates sen. 21 John Whetcomb sen. 22 John Whetcomb Ju. 10 Nathaniell JosUin 4 LawTenc Waters 29 Jacob ffarer 20 John Whit 23 Henry Kerley 12 Richard Linton 19 John Tinker for 100 good" Knight I John Roper 6 Master Rowlandson 8 John Tinker hath 6 ace. | was good- man Rowlandsons & and 2 to draw Roger Sumner Jonas fairbanke hath 6 accors, is to draw I ptes, which makes Jacob ffarer by his estat & by his wife Jacob ffarer for John farers estat 12 accors i & 50 pte 9 accors i & i pte I accor &ipte 6 accors & 1- pte 11 accors & ^^ pte 4 accors & ^\ ptes 15 accors and \ pte 3 accors & 1 pte 3 accors &i-J5ptes 4 accors 4 accors 6 accors 8 accors for his owne estat 9 accors ipte' 6 accors & 1- ptes 6 accors & 1 ptes 4 accors & \ pte SUM GRANTS OF LAND AND ORDERS BY THE FIRST SIX ' MEN APOYNTED. The 9"- of the first mon. 1654 It is ordred and agreed by the select men ofthe plantacion the Land which Lyeth betweene the lott of Edward MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 41 Brecke and that of Richard Smith shall Ly in Comon for the plantacion Itt is ordred by the greater voat of the selectmen that noe second deuisions of Land shall be Laid out to any planter vvithin the Compass of two mUes of the house of Richard Linton It is ordred and granted by the greater voat of the select men that a Certain pte of Entervaile Land which Lyeth betweene the lottes of Robert Brecke and Ralph Houghton shall be and remaine vnto the said Robert and Ralph, their heirs and asignes for euer and that vpon resonable and good Considracion Upon resonable and good Considracion it is ordred and granted by the greater voat of the select men that Thomas Sawyer shall haue- fiue accors of Land Lying on the south sid of the dich of John Prescott and on the north sid of the High way buting vpon the Entervaile East and the Comons on the west to him his heirs and asignes for euer to plant a hous vpon — vpon Condicion that he returne to the towne fiue accors of his home lott in Lew theirof at the east end of his lott. At a towne meeting it was voted and agreed by the plantacion upon a legaU warning asembled that the acts of the selectmen who were Chosen by the Court to dispose of lotts and to act the prudenciall afairs of this plan tacion contained in this book by them or the greater voat of them acted, shaU hencforth be accounted Legall and is herby established and con firmed Att a towne meeting asembled vpon Legall warning it is agreed by the towne that their should not be taken into the towne aboue the number of thirtie fiue familyes and the subscribed names ar to be vnderstood that hencforth they ar to be accounted townsmen Edward Brecke . John Johnson Master Joseph Rowlandson Johi) iMore John Prescott William Kerley sen. Ralph Houghton Thomas Sawyer John Whetcomb Sen John Whetcomb Ju' Richard Linton WiUiam Leweis John Leweis Thomas James Edmund Parker James ..-Atherton Henry Kerley Richard Smith William Kerley Jun John Smith Lawrence Waters John White John farer Jacob ffarer John Rugg ORDERS ABOUT THE FIRST DEUISION OF MEDOW. 25 : 4 : mon 1655 The towne meet about a first deuision of medow and ordred and agreed as foUoweth. ' Itt is this day ordred that a deuision of medow shall bee Laid out, with aU Convenient Speed, of fower accors to a hundred pound estate : As it is entered into the towne booke, to be deuided by Lott, And it is agreed to begin at the south medow, and soe to the medow by Gibsons hill, and ^2 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, to quasaponikin medow, and all medowes knowne on the neck, and soe com to the vpmostt medow on Nashaway riuer, and the Still riuer, and soe follow them downwards to the plum trees. And soe Rounil to the ponds, and wataqu.idock and such medowes as are knowne, or shaU be found, vntill tenn accors to a hundred pound bee made vpp: And it is ordred and agreed, and men chose to surueie eurie mans Lott of m.edow : And to Judge theirof, that eurie man may haue, as neare to equalitie as may in truth and faithfuUnes be Judged of, by the men herafter mentioned. That is to say WiUiam Kerley Sen. Steeuen Gats, William Kerley Jur. and Ralph Houghton. After fower accors to a hundred pound was Laid out and pfected, with the allowances, the Layers out called the towne togather the lo*: of the s"' : mon 1655 who acted as foUoweth. It is this day ordred and agreed by a voat of the towne no man desenting,,that the act of Laying out meddowes. In the first deuision, of fower accors to a hundred pound state, as it is alredie Laid out, tht towne wUl maintain and defend, against all suits and encumbrances whateuer. And at the same time the same day. the towne drew Lotts. for a second deuision of medow of six accors to a hundred pound state. And the Layers out %vent afterward to Laying it out, but it would not hold out to giue to eurie one soe much. And theirfore the Layers out of medow called the towne togather agaiue. And the towne wholy disan-aled what was done in that Later deuision of medow, because it would not reach to giue to eurie man, but many would haue beene without. ^lasaponikin and Wataqiiadock are named here for the first time. The contraction Potiikin appears first in 1718. This is uniformly the spelling used by the earlier clerks, who were familiar with the Indian speech, and by the best authorities since. Ponakin is a modern innovation, having no claim to be perpetuated. A s-milar name, ^losopana- gon, was applied to a Groton meadow. Here the name attached to the broad area of intervale, the hill, and the brook, which retain it today. The published vocabularies of Indian words give no clue to its meaning, unless there is an echo of it in .^tascacanaquen , which a writer in the New Hampshire Historical Society's Collections tells us means " entirely full of water." The meaning, descriptive of the Bolton range of hills, hidden in the Indian word Wataquadock, has not been found, though long sought. Of local names about Lancas- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 43 ter none has experienced more varied spelling at the hands of clerks and historians. The later methods seem in no way improvements upon Ralph Houghton's first attempt to render into English syllables the word as he heard it from native lips, in 1653. In the town records we find Wata- quadoke 1656 and 1659, Wataquadocke 1658, Wadaqua- dock 1718, all nearly the same in sound with the first above. Joseph Willard, Esquire, in 1826, preferred Wataquodoc. Reverend Peter Whitney gave us in 1792, Wattoquottock! It was not until the Indian tongue was forgotten in Lancas ter, and the recorders were unusually illiterate, that such outre orthography as Waterquaduc and Wattoquoddoc crept m. A leaf is here missing from the records. No contempo rary notice is elsewhere found respecting this meeting of a board of arbitration, ten of whose " determinacions " are , lost to our history. The provision in the covenant for the ending of disputes by arbitration was presumably the authority for assembling the board. /ARBITRATORS AWARD OR DETERMINACIONS. ¦' ii'*" Complaint of Tho: Sawyer, ffor Thomas Sawyers Complaint about his want of fiue accors of Entervaile Land, wee say it was Laid out by those apoynted by the towne according to order. And if he or any other may mesure their Land soe Laid out And accept vpon that ground, then all may as well haue Libertie to doe the same A nd then noe end will be Herin and theirfore we cannott alter it. 12* Complaint about records for want of ye same, ffor the Com plaint of the want of recording Land in the towne booke, for help Herin, wee apoynt Ralph Houghton for that worke for the present vntill further order be taken. 13 Complaint for want of Latid Laid out. Wheras diuers Com plaints for the want of Land being Laid out according to their grant, wee Herby declare, that the towne is with car & what speed they may, to sat isfie all those Complaints, in their Lawfull demands herein." 14 Complaint of Jo: farer ffor John ffarers Complaint for want of his accomodacions Laid out to him Considring his pson being soe Long hear. And also his expenc being as it was. wee cannot butt grant him his .^ ANNALS OF LANCASTER, hous Lott and Entervaile, and in Case he sell it or sett it to one the towne shall aproue of then he shall haue other deuisions acording to estat pre sent eles[v.'here]. IS Coaplaint about prudencialls afaifs. ffor the prudenciall afairs of the towne wee Conclud this, first the towne are to Consider what their oc casions ar that shall be atended to their in. and writ it in their towne booke. And this being done then to Choose their select men to act their vpon according to the order of the Court. l6. Complaiiit of John Rigbie. for the Complaint of John Rigbie for th-e want of his Land Laid out, the answer is he shall haue his hous Lott when he shaU axcept of the place and tor his tenn accors of entervaile it is said to be Laid out, and for his medow that it shaU be Laid out when he shall present his estate. 17. Complaint of Jo: Johnson, ffor the Complaint of Johnson for the want of Land acording to his estat wee Conclud he shall haue Land for fowertie pound estate. 18. Complaint of Will Kerley. ffor William' Kerleys sen. Complaint which was about second deuision, wee refer him to the orders in the towne booke, with this proviso, that the deuisions therof shall bee by lott as in other deuisions. 19. for Edward Breckes Lott. ffor Edward Breckes Lott and his soons, wee determine that Edward Breck shall enjoy his Lott but for his son vnless he com and posess it vvithin fower monthes, after intelligenc to him or his father of this determinacion or com and agree with the towne soe as they sufer not theirby, otherwis it shall be forfited to the towne. 20. Allo^vaiic of medo to diuers psons. Concerning allowance of medow to diuers psons Complaining theirin, wee allow Lawrence Waters 4 fower accors, to Nathaniell JossUin two accors, to Thomas Sawyer one accor and halfe. To James Atherton one accor. To John White fiue accors, all to com in the same order They drew at the first. And this to bee Laid out in the most Convenient medow yett vndisposed. And all the rest that haue receiued medow to stand as they are, only master Rowlandson is to haue fower accors and half for allowance as others haue. 21. for the paying y^ Laiers out of medo. ffor the satisfacion of the psons that Laid out the medow, wee Conclude, They ai-e to bring in their dales Labolu- to the towne as others doe about other occasions. 22. Ministrs mantainanc. Our answer to the pposition or querie about the ministrs raantainance our Conclusion is the towne shaU presently begin and giue fiftie pounds by the yeare. And for the manor of the pay they ar to alow him their wheat at six penc p bushell vnder the price, it is at the bay, And soe for other graine by this pportion, And as god shall MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 45 bee pleased to enlarge their estat soe they shall enlarge theirin answrably. And this to be raised according to the order incerted in the towne Booke. 23. difrenc about orders in the town book. Wheras their was a diff- rence amongst them Concerning sum orders in the towne book in deuiding of Land, our detirminacons are herin as foUoweth, Impritmis that for the first deuision of Entervaile Land eurie man shall pay one penny by the accor yearly to eurie thirtie pounds to all rats for Church and towne and what shall be wanting theirin shall bee made vp pporcioning eurie mans estat vpon goods and other improued Lands, And our Conclusion is that in other deuisions all men shall com theirto according to their estats. 24. Ministry Latid. Wheras their was by an order of the towne fortie accors of entervaile Land giuen for the ministrie for ppetuity, buted and bounded though not Laid out. And wheras their was twenty accors of this giuen to Henrie Kerley without that due Consideracion as might haue beene, our determinacion is theirfore that the said Henrie Kerley shall re linquish this twentie accors vp for the end for which it was intended. And he shall haue Libertie to take vp twentie fiue accors of entervaile Land in Lew of that befor expresed in any place yett vndisposed. And for his ex- pence and charge herin, he shall improue the said Land soe Long as vntill he shall bee satisfied for his charge soe expended, according to the towne order in that cas pviding. , Si.mon Willard dated and Confirmed this 25* - Edward Johnson of Aprill 1656 1656 Witnes our hands Ed.mu.vd Rice CONCORD WAY IN LANCASTER. 27 : 3 : mon : 1656. Wee whose hands are herevnto put being Chose by Concord and Lanca.ster, to lay out the Cuntrie highway betwixt the said townes within the bounds of Lancaster, haue acted and Concluded that the Cuntrie highway shall goe as foloweth : the place from whence we took our begining is at the highway Runing betwixt the Lot of John Prescott and John Mores Lott, And soe Runing on the east side the ministers house, and ouer the north Riuer by Lawrence Waters house, and soe ouer Penicooke Riuer neare to the house of Edward Breke, and soe ouer the Entervaile and through Swane Swamp where the towne hath alreadie marked out a highway for themselues and soe along to a litle pine tree on the north side of Wataquadoke hill. And soe along the old path, or wher may be most Convenient within the bounds of Lancaster. George Whellek John Smadlev John Roper Ralph Houghton This, our earliest county road, started from the present highway somewhere near the cross roads in South Lancas ter, and ran northerly to the first church, which crowned 46 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, the highest ground in the middle cemetery, passing between that and the Rowlandson house to the shallows in the north branch of the Nashaway a few rods above Sprague bridge. Thence it followed very nearly the present line of road to the wading place about one hundred rods below the meet ing of the rivers, and proceeded due east over Wataqua dock, along the now nearly disused way, formerly known as the "Bay path," or "Sudbury road." Swan Swamp. Though not proof positive that swans frequented the waters of Lancaster in the olden time, this name is quite good evidence that they were seen here at least occasionally. Nathaniel Morton, in the "New Eng land Canaan," says : "And first of the Swanne, because shee is the biggest of all the fowles of that country. There are of them in Merrimack River and in other parts of the country, great store at the seasons of the yeare." If in the Merrimack, why not in the Nashaway, its chief tribu tary ? 1656. The following documents, from the Middlesex Court Records and Files, aflbrd brief glimpses of men and manners in Lancaster during the third year of its experi ence in managing its own affairs. To Mary Gates of Lancaster. By virtue heerof you are to apeere at the next Countie Court at Cam bridge, to answer the complaint of John Prescott & James Atherton, for your sinfull cariage in the assembly one the lord's daye — heerof you are not to faUle at your prill. Datted this 27"': of the 11*: mo 1656. Simon Willard. The deposition of John Prescott & James Atherton both of Lancaster. Vpon a lords day att after exercise in the afternoone goodwife gats being' called forth to giue satisfaccion for sum ofence done against Master Row landson, and she justifying herself, saying that she had fonnerly giuen him satisfacion, and in after Master Rowlandson replyed by sum arguments proving that she had not formerly giuen him satisfacion, her daughter Marie gats stood vp vncalled uerie boldly in the publique asembly contra dicting our minister, when he denyed that goodwife gats had giuen him satisfacion, the said marie gats said yes and shee would take her oath of it. This was taken vpon oath the 27"' of the li"> mo. 1656, before me. Simon Willard. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 47 Lancaster the 6"' of the 11"^ mon 1656. The deposition of Lidia Cibie Aged about 19 years. Vpon the Last Lord's daye goodwife gats being called forth in the publique Congrega- cion to acknowledge an ofence donagainst Master Rowlandson, I heard mary gats speake to Sergant Kerly that he would goe and speake, he said noe for it will giue ofence. Ofence — said shee, Lett those take ofence and be hanged all, If they will. Sara Waters Aged 20 years witneseth. That shee heard mary gats at the same time speaking to Sargant Kerly. She said Lett them take ofence and be hanged all. If they will. these weare both taken vpon oath the 27* of the ll"' mon 1656 before me. Simon Willard. I Mary gates doe acknoleg that whearas I have spoke sumthing not long sence at this place that was mater of joste offence and uery sinfull, I am hertely sory for it' and doe desire the Congregtion to pas it by, and I shall endever by the helpe of god not to alowe myself in any such practes. this was acknoledged in publick in our hearing. William Kerly Juner William Kerly Sener , Henry Kerly. April 7 1657. This Court grants an Attachment agst Mary Gates of Lanchaster, and to Jno. Prescott a biU of costs for himselfe & witnesses being 24^ to be pd by the said Gates and shee is to appeare at y= next Court to Answ' y« Compl' of the said Prescott & James A therton for her sinfull Cariage in the assembly on y" Lords day. To the honoured Governour, Deputy Governour with -the rest of the honoured magistrats assembled at the County Court holden at Charlestown the 16 of this instant lune 1657, In most humble wise sheweth and com- plaineth, and . . [a line worn off in fold] . . petitioner Mary Gats of Sudbury lat of Lancaster was summoned to appeare at the County Court held at Cambridge the seaventh of AprUI last past and did not, your peti tioner thought that full satisfaction had been giuen befor the honoured Maior WiUard for the offence, also acknoledgement and satisfaction was farther rendered by your petitioner to all or any persons at lancaster, whom it might concern, further your petitioner was informed that if shee did ap peare by an agent it might be exepted, hence what your petitioner did was out of ignorance and not of any contempt of athoryty or aversnes farther to acknoledge the euill of my rash spech and shall be at your mercy, sub mitting to your fauorable sensur, allways praying for you. Mary Gats. 23 ,, 4 ,, 1657. Mary the daughter of Steuen Gates of Lanchaster being complained of to this Court for bold and vnbeseeming speeches vsed 48 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, in the Publique A.ssembly on the Lords day and especiaUy agst Mr'Rovv- lason minister of (iods word there tbe evidence whereof appeareth by the testimony of Jno. Prescott. & James Atlierton, Lidea Kibbie & Sarah Waters «"='' are on file with >- records of this Court, the sd Mary Gates appearing in Court freely, acknowledged her great euill therein, the Court admonished her, & ordered that shee should pay the Witnesses their charges & costs of Court. Lancaster 24;!" 8" 56. This may certifie the Honoured Court that wee have choose Ralph Houghton Clarke of the Writs. Witnes our hands Tho-mas Rowland.son John Rugg John Prescott Thomas S.a.wyer 1656 28"' May. -'Lancaster alias Nashaway, BiUeriky, & Chelmsford" were presented to the grand jury for not sending record of " theire meeting for nomination of magistrats y year past," & the jury found a bill 7"' of 2" "'° 1657. 1657. Whereas wee whose names are vnderwritten (being the freemen of Lancaster) were summoned by warrant to send some one to answer a presentment for our neglecting to send in o' votes for Nomination of Mag istrates, we have intreated John Prescott at psent Constable, to return our Defence vnto the Honoured Court, whereby we intreate the Honoured Court to consider that the Reason why wee sent them not was onely because wee were not called vpon according' to order. William Kerly Tho.mas Rowlandson William (O) Lews Thomas (F) S.a.wyer 23: 4: 1657. Steeuen Gates late const, of Lanchaster, being openly convicted in Court of his Breach of the law in not sufrioning the freemen of that Towne to giue in their votes for nomination of magistrates, is fined according to law, ten pounds. [Middlesex Court Records.] 1657. In answer to the peticon of Steeuen Gates, humbly desiring y' no fine may be inflicted on him for his neglect in not warning the freemen to giue in their votes for magisr, he being at y' tjme sicke, & hauing pd tenn shillings for entering his peticon, the court gi-aunts his request. [ Massachusetts Records.] Vpon occasion & in answer to the peticon of Concord Lancaster &c, the Court doe graunt to the inhabitants of Concord & Lancaster, and such as they shall associate vnto them, according to the tenor of theire peticon, liberty to erect one or more iron workes w"'in the Ijmitts of theire oune towne bounds, or in any cofhon place neere therevnto.. [ Massachusetts Records.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 49 Works were soon in operation at Concord, and it seems certain that some attempt was made to establish in Lancas ter the manufacture of iron from ores dug out of the bogs or fished from the ponds. Iron for smiths' use then cost over twenty pounds sterling per ton. The first forge in America had been successfully at work in Raynham for four or five years, and John Prescott, perhaps, ever watchful as he was of public needs, and stimulated by the high price, planned a bloomery in connection with his saw-mill, which probably stood on the site now occupied by the Bigelow Carpet Com pany's dam. This at least is certain : slag and cinders, such as accumulate at a forge, vvere once to be seen strewn about the embankment of a long disused dam in that lo cality. But bog ore, though found in various places near, was nowhere in deposits rich enough to make iron manufacture profitable. COPPIE OF A PETTICION TO THE GENRALL COURT FOR A CO.MITIE. To the Honoured Coiurt our Honoured gouerner deputie gouerner with the rest of the magestrats the asistants and deputies The humble petticion of the inhabitance of the- Towne of Lancaster aoreed on by a genrall voate of the towne whose hands are vnderwriten Sheweth,- That wheras sundrie psones in this towne the Last year att the o-enraU Court by petidon, did obtaine the full Libertie of a plantacion to Choose selectmen and to order our prudenciaUs as other townes doe, sup- osing the towne to bee fiirnished for that purpose. But now vpon this short time of experienc this plantacion finding ourselues vnable to act and order our prudencialls by publique towne meetings, as a towne body by reson of many inconveniences and encumbrances which wee find that way, nor by seUectmen by reson of the scarcitie of freemen (being but 3 three in number) we want Libertie of Choic, And the Law requires (as your peticioners doe Conceiue) the greter voat of them that act to be freemen. The premises being Considred your peticioners doe humbly -Craue that the Honoured Court would be pleased to take our Condicion into their Considracion, and apoynt a comitie invested with power from the genrall Court to put vs into such a way of order as wee ar Capable of, or any other way which the Honoured Court may Judge safest, and best both for the present and future good, of vs and our towne and those that are to 20 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, suceed vs. And such a Comitie soe apoynted and soe impowred, may stand till they bee able to make returne to the genrall Court that the towne is sufisiantly able to order our prudenciall afaires according as the Law re quires, which if it shall please this Honoured Court to grant vnto vs, wee shall remaine further obliged. And as we ar in dutie bound Continue to pray for you. COURTS GRANT OF A COMITIE. Att a genraU Court held at Boston May 6"' 1657. In answer to the peticion of the Inhabitance of Lancaster This Court Judgeth it meet to grant their request. And doe theirfore order and apoynt Maior Simon Willard, Captalne Edward Johnson and Thomas dainforth Comisioners, impowering them to order the afaires of the said Lancaster, And to heare and determine their seurall diffrences and greeuances which obstruct the present and future good of the towne, standing in power till they bee able to make returne to the genrall Court that the towne is sufisiantly able to order its owne affaires according to Law. Vera Copia Thomas danforth ORDERS OF THE COMlTIE. The Comisioners apoynted by the genrall Court to order and setle the afaires of Lancaster, being asembled at John Prescots house September y' eight 1657 hauing heard the seurall informacions and Complaints of both pties, and reueued the records of the said towne, doe Judg meet to order and Conclud as foUoweth (i e) I. Selectmen. That master John Tinker WiUiam Kerley Sen John Prescott Ralph Houghton and Thomas Sawyer, shall bee and are herby impowered to order and manag the prudenciall afaires of the said towne, ffor this year next ensuing and vntill sum others be allowed and Confirmed by the Comisioners in their steed and place. 2 . Encuragt master Rowlandson. That the said Selecttmen take Care, for the due encuragment of master Rowlandson who now Laboureth amongst them in the ministrie of gods holy word. And alsoe that they take care for erecting a meeting house, pound, and stokes. And that they see to the Laying out of towne and Countrie high waies ard the towne bounds, and the making and executing of all such orders and by Lawes as may be for the Comon good of the plac (i e) respecting Corne feilds, medowes, Comon pasturag Land, fences, herdino- of Catell and re straint of damage by swine and for the recouring of thos fines and forfitures that are due to the towne from such psones as haue taken vp land and not fiiUfilled the Condicioris of theire respectiue grants wherby the Comon good of the Plantacion hath bee.ne and yett is much obstructed. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 51 3. Paymt. of towne debts. That they take Care for the payment of all towne debts and for that end they are herby impowred to make such Levies or rats from time to time, as they shall see needfuU for the dis charge of the Comon Charges of the towne. And in Case any of the inhabitance shall refuse or neglect to mak due payment both for quality and quantitie upon resonable demand, they may then Levie the same by distresse. And are impowered alsoe to take 2-' mor and aboue such fine or Rate as is due to bee paid for the satisfacion vnto your oficer that taketh the distress for his paines theirin. 4. manor of asesments. That in all their asesments, al! Lands apro- priated, (Land giuen for addittions excepted) shall bee valued in manor following (i e) home Lotts the vnbroken att 20" p accor and the broken vp at thirtie shillings by the accor the entervaile the broken at fowertie shUUngs the accor and the vnbroken at thirtie shillings the accor, and medow Land att thirtie shillings, and in all rates to the ministrie The home Lotts to pay tenn shillings p ann. according to the towne order. And this order to Continue for fiue yeares next ensuing, Alsoe that the selectmen tak spesiall Care for the preseruing and safe keeping the townes Records. And if they see it need full, that they pcure the same to bee writen our fairly into a new booke, to be keept for the good of posterity, the charge wherof to bee borne by the pprietors of the said Lands respectiuely. 5. none freed from Rats vjiless they relinquish vnder hand. That noe man be freed from the Rates of any Land granted him in pprietie eccept he mak a release and full resignation theirof vnder his hand. And doe alsoe relinquish and surender vp to the vse of the towne, his home Lott Intervaile and medow, all or none. 6. accomodacons for ^ or 6: be Left before 2 deuision. That their be accomodacions of Land reserued for the meet encuragment of fiue or six able men to com and inhabit in the said place (i e) as may bee helpfull to the encuragment of the worke of god their, and the Comon good of the place. And that no second deuision be Laid out vnto any man vntill those Lotts bee sett apte for that vse ; by the selectmen, that is to say home Lotts entervaile and medow. 7. master Rowlandsons deed of gift. The Comisioners doe Judg meet to Confirme the deed of gift made by the towne vnto master Rowlandson (i e) of a house and Land which was sett a part for the vse of the minis- trie beringjdate l* 6"^ mon 1657 vpon Condicion that master Rowlandson remoue not his habitacion from the said place for the space of three yeare next ensuing, vnlesse the said inhabitance shall consent theirto. And the Comisioners aproue theirof. 8. Jo. Prescots highway. That the highway Laid out through John Prescotts Land, be remoued vnto the place wher formerly it was Laid out. 52 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 9. Steeuen gats hath noe rigid to a Lott. That Steeuen gats hath noe right to those L.inds claimed by him from this said plantacion. lo. John Righe hath right to 10 acors of Intervale. That John Rigbie hath right to tenn accors of Entervaile to be Laid out to him by the select men. 1 1 . Thomas Sawyer, 5 acors entervaile. That Thomas Sawyer hath right to fiue accors of Entervaile to be Laid out to him by the select men. 12. Jo: Mor 3 accors medo. That John More shall haue three accors of medow Laid out to him by the selectmen to enioy the same to him and his heires for euer, on Condicion that he remaiiieth an Inhabitant in the said plac for three yeare next ensuing the Lords hand by death excepted. 13. Lands bought by Master Tinker. That those Lands bought by master John Tinker of goodman Knight bee Confirmed to him and his heires for euer. And that master Tinker be accomodated in deuisions of Land after two hundred pound estate. 14. goodman Waters acomodacions. That the selectmen Lay out vnto Lawrence Waters what he yett wanteth of his Just acomodacions in any place that is Comon, att the Choice of the said Waters. And that what Land the said Waters shall be without for more then six monthes after the date Herof he shall bee freed from the rates theirof pvided He shall neuer after make any claime theirto. finally g.gst inmates. That none be entertained into the towne as in mates, tenants, or otherwise to inhabit within the bounds of the said towne, without the Consent of the selectmen or the maior pte of them, first had and obtained, and entered in the record of the towne as their act,' vpon penalty of twenty shiUings p month both to the pson that shall soe offend by intruding himselfe. And alsoe to the pson that shaU ofend in receiuing or entertaining such pson into the towne. Priualedges &¦' voats. And that noe other pson or psones whatso- euer shalbe admited to the Inioyment of the priualedges of the place and towneshipp. Either in accomodaccions vots elections or disposalles of any of the Comon priualedges and interests theirof. saue only such as haue beene first orderly admited and accepted (as aforsaid) to the enioyment theirof. By vs C Simon Wiixard \ Edward Johnson (.Thomas danforth SEURALL ORDERS OF THE SELECTMEN. I* about recording Land. First of the 1 1'" : mon. 1657 : The Select men meet at John Tinkers house. They order that eurie inhabitant of the towne that hath Lands Laid out to them for tim past. They do bring a pfect List of quantitie qualitie plac and manor of Lying of their said MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. Lands with their seurall buts and bounds betweene this and July next to the Clarke of the Towne, who is apoynted by this order fairly to record the same, in a booke to be keept as the townes Records for after posterity. And to preuent any diffrence which may after arise through mistakes for- getfuUnes or otherwise, in that pticuler, and the Clarke is alowed fower pence for recording eurie vpland Lott, and fower pence for eurie entervaile Lott, .^..nd for eurie accor of medow one penny. And for the Coping out of what hee recordeth, to those that desire it he is to haue halfe soe much as for recording. The like to be done by those to whom Lands be granted afterwards in one month after their Lands are Laid out. 2. for want of Land according to grant . That because some haue Complained they haue not all the Land Laid out that is granted to them, and som of their Lands are short of what they were Laid out for. And for which they Constantly pay rats. It is ordred that If any the inhabitance shall Complaine and make it out vpon Just proofe they are short of their due, in poynt of Lands, it shall bee made good to them in such place as is vndisposed of pvided all such Complaints be made beefore the Last day of September next, vnto the selectmen. highwaies amply recorded. Eight of the 12"': mon 1657. The Selectmen meet at goodman Kerleys. They ordred that aU highwaies Laid out and allowed for the towne and Countrie vse, be amply recorded, for posteritie, and the way markes bee yearly repaired by stakes or other wise. highway in Tho: Sawyers entervaile. That the ground Left fiue Rods widnes through goodman Prescots Entervaile for a way be staked out two Rods and halfe wid for a highway and soe much as is Left to bee dealt out toward the satisfiing of Thomas Sawyer his fiue accors wanting of his due of twentie accors entervaile. And granted by the Comittie. gates in Comon feilds. Monday the 15*: 12: mon 1657 The Select men meet at the house of Ralph Houghton. They agree that it is neses- carie that their bee fiue gates made and mantained at fiue seuraU places in the entervailes on the east side of Nashaway Riuer, for the more Conven ient pasing along the highwaies, which lyeth through the Corne feilds, where the fences are made against the Comons, And Comon pasturage Lands. To. say, at the entrance of that Comon feUd against good man Whits : two gates att the places where that highway paseth through the two outside fences. Three gates at the outside of the fences att the three places where the high waies enter into those feilds on both sides Nasha way Riuer on the South side of the North Riuer, and doe order, That those that are the pprietors of those Lands aforsaid doe Joyntly agree. And they or either of them are to make a gate att each place aforesaid, verie sufisiant, and vsfuU hung and fitted by midsumer day next, And to -, ANNALS OF LANCASTER, mantaine the same from time to time. And the account of the charge theirof to be giuen into the towne, to bee paid and discharged by the towne. Veiw way marks eurie march. That in march next and soe eurie yeare in the said month sum one man bee deputed, who hath beene for meriy imployed in Laying out of y^ highwaies, with one mor Joyned with hin), to reveiw all highwaies apoynted or ordred for Comon vse, in and about the towne : And to see the way markes be sufisiant to be noted and knowne. Second deuision. The Selectmen thinke meet and doe order, that soe soone as all Entervaile Lands belonging to the first deuision be. Laid out, which is to bee done with all Convenient speed. That the towne doe Come all togather and draw Lotts for their second deuision of Entervaile which shall begine wher the first deuision ends and extend downe the riuer to the StiU Riuer and soe beyond towards the plum trees. And other places, wher entervaile is found vndisposed of as aforesaid, (not entrench ing vpon any former order) vntill the whole deuision be Compleated goodman whits gift of entervale. Monday y^ first of the first mon 1657 & 58 the whole towne meet, and the orders made by the selectmen, was read to them They agree to all the orders except that of the gift to good- m.an White, And it is theirfore Crossed becaus he apeared not fo speak in his owne Cause. This plain record has been twice printed heretofore so as to wear an air of mystery which does not belong to it : the word " apeared " being transcribed as " feared." John Rigbie. relese of half his Lott 6^ his gif t of medo. John Rigbie Laies downe half his hous Lott and entervaile. A nd reserueth tenn accors of each to him. And is aUowed. And their is granted him a Spong of medow south of and buting on, the plumtree brooke and west of the high way Containing more or lesse two accors, soe far as it Rangeth north and south. Spong or spung is a provincial term used in England to denote an irregular pro jecting portion of a field. Mordicai Mukload his grant. Mordicai Mukload is admited an Inhab itant and granted tenn accors of vpland for a house Lott and tenn accors of entervaile 27 first mon 1658. The selectmen mett at goodman Prescots and Chose Ralph Houghton and Jacob farer to renew the markes of and for the highwaies: according to the order made the 15 : 12 mon last past no: 7th : order. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. ce A TREATIE W^" MASTER ROWLANDSON ABOUT HIS SETLING. Monday 3*: of the 3'': mon 1658. On the Certaine inteUigence of master Rowlandsons intent of remouing from vs, the selectmen, treated with him to know what his minde was : And his answer was his apre- hentions were Clearer for his going, then for staying. They replied they feared his aprehentions were not well grounded, but desired to know his resolucion. He said his resolucions weare according to his aprehencions, for ott hee knew: Then the selectmen, Considering it wasa case of nesesitie for the towne, to look out for other suply, they told master Rowlandson that now they did Looke vpon themselues as destitut of a minister, and should be forced to endeuor after sum other, soe discharging him. debat with Master Rowlandson. ffriday the 14'h : of the 3"> : mon 1658. A mesenger Came from Belerica to fetch master Rowlandson away, vpon which the towne (hauing notice giuen them) Came togather, with intent to desire him to stay and setle amongst vs : And after some debate it v/as voated as foUowes, I. Voat for invitacon. Whether it weare the mind of the towne, to invite master Rowlandson to abide and setie amongst them, in the worke of the ministrie — The voat was affirmitiue by the hands of all held vpp. 2. Whether it was their mind to aUow him for his mantainance fiftie pounds a yeare, one halfe in wheat, sixpence in the bushell vnder the. Curant prises at Boston and Charlstov/ne and the rest in other good Cur rant pay in Uke pporcion, or otherwise fiftie and fiue pounds a yeare, tak ing his pay. 3.tt such rats, as the, prises of Corne are sett, eurie years. b,y. tha- - Court. The voat v/as afirmitiue by the hands of all held vpp : 3. gift of house and Land to master Rowlandson. Whether they were wUling that master Rowlandson should haue the dwelling house, which he Liued in as his owne pp right according to the deed made by the towne and Confirmed by the Comittie, with the poynt of Land estward and sum Land west and sum north of his house, for an orchard garden yards pas ture and the like. This v/as put to the voate, and granted by the maior pte (and opposed by none but old goodman Kerley only their was a neuter or two) with this p\-iso. that it hindred not the buring place the high waies. Convenient spac to passe to the Riuer, And the Land intended to Ly for the next minister, to bee reserued Convenient to Ihe entervaUe Lott now improued by Henry Kerley, all which was Left to the sellect men to Lay out according to their best discresion. master Rowlandsons acceptance. And vpon this master Rowlandson accepted of the townes invitacion, And gaue them thankes for their grant, And agreed to the mocion Concerning his maintinance, And pmised to ^6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, abide with vs in the best manor, the lord should enable hiin to improue his giftes in the work of the ministrie. grant of sum entervaile to John White. Tusday 22"' : of June the seUectmen meet at the meeting house all but goodman Kerley, and agreed That vpon serious Consideracion vpon the request of goodman White for the Land he hath plowed & fenced in the entervaile towards the still riuer (hauing entred damage for want of his right in after deuisions being demanded &c) it is granted he shall haue it as his pprietie in pte of his after deuisions according as it is now fenced being mesured to bee about seauen accors : A MOCION about a saw MILL MADE BY GOOD.MAN PrESCOTT. Munday y" 15 : of the 9"': mon : 165S att a training A mocion was made by goodman Prescott about seting vp a saw mill : That on Condi cion goodman Prescott would sett vp a saw miU, for the good of the towne he should haue according to his desire viz : one pcell of Land Lying neare to his water raUle Containing more or 4esse one hundred and twentie accors; bounded by the riuer and his owne Land, the end of a ledge of Rokes. and a stake, Joyning to his owne Land on the south west side of the mill pond : To bee to him and his posterity for euer in Consideracion abouesaid; And is to be more exactly rerorded when exactly knowne, alsoe that hee shall not be rated in any Rates for towne or Countrie for his sawes or saw mill, to be imposed by the towne, also for his said Land, he is not to pay any rats ;^till it Com to bee improued. And then to pay as improued Lands vse to doe And vpon this grant goodman Prescott did pmise and engag to sett vp a saw mill; in the towne bounds, with all Con venient speed. And that the inhabitants of the towne, should bee suply with boards ^nd other sawing on such termes as is vsually aforded att other saw milles in the cuntrie. On Monday 17"' : of tfeb : 1659 the Company granted him to fall pines on the Comons to suply his sawmiU. It was not unusual to transact town business on training days. Similar examples are found in the records of other towns. There were by law eight training days in the year, and every able-bodied male between the ages of sixteen and sixty was enjoined to be present for drill." These train ings were usually on Saturdays. The warning for a town meeting was a notice given by the constable In person to each voter, or from house to house. "Att a traininc" would MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. ey therefore be a very convenient season for a special town meeting. Before Prescott started his saw-mill, all houses of the town must have been rude structures of logs, hewn timber, stone and clay, for it wjfs an impossibility to bring from the lower towns over the existing roads, and on the rude cart of the period, any large amount of sawn lumber. As lime was made only of oyster shells until about A. D.. 1700, it was necessarily very costly. The first limestone discovered in the colony was at Newbury in 1697, and that in Bolton not much before 1736 probably, when Priest and Hough ton's "Lime Kyln" is mentioned in records. Roofs were often thatched, following the English custom. Thus, in the inventory of Steven Gates' estate, A. D. 1662, we find the item "thatching tools, 3' 6''." Chimneys were at first of logs well coated with clay, or of stone. The very old dwelHng torn down in South Lancaster about 181 2, behind the Moses Sawyer house, had stone chimneys, as did that of Manasseh Divoll on George Hill. When frame houses were built, the timbering was very heavy, commonly of oak, boarded and covered with "clove boards." One of the first roadways westward into the woods was known about 1700, as the "clabord path," and in the inventories of the period that essential instrument in the riving of staves, shingles, and clapboards, the f?'oe, is often mentioned. It would be natural at first for builders to rest content with a single story, for few pioneers could afford more ; but after 1658, with Prescott's saw-mill in successful operation, doubtless a few more pretentious structures arose. Daniel Hudson, a brickmaker and mason, was here resident in 1651. Nails, large and small, and all other articles of constructive hardware were made laboriously by hand upon the smith's anvil. Paint was unknown. The complete destruction of all the dwellings in 1676, and the entire absence of any hint as to the construction or plan of a single building in the records of the day, leave S8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, us to pure conjecture as to their appearance. All we know about the Rowlandson house is, that it had one flanker and another in process of building, and Hubbard mentions "aleanter." Neither is there anything definite on record respecting the church, the garrisons, or dwellings of the second generation in Lancaster. Sawyer's garrison had "gates," which implies a palisade. Gardner's garrison had an elevated 'watch box," "flanker," and a " parade," all which is meagre description. If, however, we examine the most ancient houses yet standing in various parts of the commonwealth, and the representations of older ones that have disappeared, we can form from their more uniform characteristics some reasonable opinion respecting the com mon style of early Lancaster architecture. In nine-tenths of the dwellings of that era in Massachusetts, as pictured to us in engravings, or the recollections of the aged, the roof will be found a modification of one of two forms. When the house was two storied in front, it was most com monly but one at the rear, the roof slope on that side ex tending down to within nine feet or less of the ground, sometimes with a change of pitch on a level with the front eaves. Another less common form was the gambrel roof used on both one and two storied houses. Plain two pitched roofs were quite rare except for small structures. Some times the upper story projected a foot or two over the lower. Porches or other irregular features were seldom seen. Generally one huge chimney ascended through the center of the house. When constructed with reference to defen sive purposes it was usual to line the walls with brick or flat stone, to make them bullet-proof. Doors were unpan- eled, with heavy wooden latch and a string hanging out side to lift it by. Windows were square holes in the walls protected by a board shutter, succeeded later by small leaden sash with littie diamond-shaped panes of greenish glass. There are those living who remember such sash; notably one in the Gates Tavern. The last log house in MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 59 Lancaster was probably that of Perley Hammond, the mulatto blacksmith, which stood near the west end of the Rigby, and on the Boylston road. about bridges . Monday the 3"': of the 11"': mon 1658. The selectmen mett at Thomas Sawyers and ordred ffor the Bridges ouer nashaway and the north riuer. It is agreed. That they that are on the neke of Land, doe make a cart bridge ouer the north riuer by goodman Waters, And they on the south end doe make a cart bridge ouer nashaway about ther wading place att their owne Charges. SUM ORDERS OF THE COMITIE P'CURED BY MASTER TINKER. PETICION TO THE COMITIE. To the worshippfull maior Simon WiUard Captaine Johnson and master Thomas danforth Comitie for the affaires of Lancaster. May it please you to vnderstand that since your session with vs, and Comision granted to such as you weare pleased to intrust in the pruSen- cialls &c : the Lord hath succeeded our endeuours to the setling (wee hope) of master Rowlandson amongst vs. And the towne in some scilenc at least, and we hope in a good preparatiue to after peace, yett is it hard to repell the boylings, and breaking forth of som pson? dificult to please and sum pettie differences, will arise amongst vs, pvide what wee can to the Contrarie ; wherfore bee pleased to Consider. . I querie. whether our power alreadie giuen bee not sufisiant, to add a smaU penaltie to the breach of our orders made for the good of the towne each neighbor &c eles it is a sword- toole and no edge. 2 querie. Iff wee may not receiue power from you to hear and deter mine of diffrences amongst vs vnder twentie shUlings damage otherwise the opressed in small things beares his burden because tis a greater burden to goe far for ease 3 querie. If our power reach not to giue, grant. Lotts deuisions, addi- ¦cions &c of Lands medowes &c: If for good to the whole and ptes &c which wee see great need theirof. 4 querie. Iff wee may Choose an artist amongst ourselues or other our neighbours to Lay our tovvnes bounds, And make our returne theirof to acceptance : because master Thomas danforth and the worshipfuU maior Willard canott be obtained, or either of them. Honoured gentellmen be pleased to resolue these Cases and vouchsafe vs an addicion to our power where defectiue in any of theis, as without which wee are, or seeme, of litle Curage, and by which through gods asistance wee may bee theirs and yours humbly to serue John Tinker. 6o ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Answers to the formencioned queries In answer to the within named queries, the Comitie doe make returne as ffoUoweth To your first. That it is in the power of the selectmen to impose any meet fine for the breach of any their prudenciall orders not exceeding twentie shillings for one offence. To your 2 Sept 58 wte were fully satisfied as foUoweth. Imp. That ten pounds were due to the Administrator from the estate vpon a cleare accompt. It That more than one yoake of oxen should not be mentioned in the Inventory forasmuch as the other yoake was giuen to the three Children of the Deceased in his life time though vnknowne to the Administrator when the said inventory was made. It, That out of what remained after these deductions the widdow of MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 63 the Deceased should receive her thirds, the eldest son (consideration had of what estate he had from the now Deceased in his life time) should re ceive from the Administrator sixteen pounds — twenty pounds to the two daughters wherein they receive equal shares. And that which remains is the Administrators portion. This was the result of our agitation, and accordingly I haue acted in the Distributions that haue beene, and am ready to fullfill what remains at anytime — who Desire to remaine The servant of my mother and Brethren in what I may. Joseph Rowlandson 1658. John Whettcombe for and in consideration of three swine killed and spoiled by his three sonnes, doth hereby promise to pay vnto Steven Gates the sume of forty fiue shUl. in wheate w'Mn a week after michael tyde next 1658 to be paid at his house in Sudbury the s* Steven allowinge for the carriage of the wheate tenn shill 6''. Dat apr 2, 1658 John Whetcom 28,, 10, '58 Jno. Whetcombe owned this bill in Court to be his act. Tho : Dane : Record'- To the honor"! County Court at Charlestown. The humble Petison of Jno. Whetcome humbly sheweth. That whereas yo' Petitioner hath set his hand to a note to pay fortie and fiue shillings to Stephen Gates of Sudbury. It was through my age and weakness that I did not consider of it that I had no right to pay anything to him, before he did duly make it apeare that I had damnified him, he did complaine before the deputie Gou' his worPP, that I or my Sonnes had kUled and spoyled three of his swine in the woods. And made as if we stole them & with many threats which did somewhat amaze yo' petitioner so that I could not declare my case which is such as I have now gotten to be drawne vpp fairly in wright- ing, by which it may appeare to this honor^ Court that I had not wronged Stephen Gates nor was indebted to him anything for w'^'' I should agree to pay him anything. Wherefore yo' petitioner being aged & weak and mean in estate hath wronged himselfe and family in loss of so much, be sides by this means of glueing satisfaction there is an imputation of theft cast vppon mee and the family of yo' petitioner (to y' great Greef being inoscent in that respect) and we are much defamed in our names and creditt, and therefore do humbly request this honor"" Court that our case may be considered, and my bill may be suspended vntiU the next County Court and that then the case may be fully heard on both sides and deter mined accordinge to euidenc and equtie and yo' petition' shalbe redy and willing freely to yeald vnto what is right and shall thankfully remain Yo' worPi"" humble servant John Whetcombe [Middlesex Court Records.] The court decided that the bill must be paid. 64 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, ORDERS OF THE SELLECTMEN monday the 7"' : 12"' : mon. 1658 the selectmen meet att goodman Pres cotts all except goodman Kerley. I . highway by goodman Kerley. They Consider againe about the high way along by goodman Kerley: And they Conclude it the best way and doe order that John more John Rugg and the rest apoynted to mend that highway, doe chuse the best Range betweene the range of the Lotts, from the Corner of goodman Smithes Lott to the Corner of John Ruges on a line, and the brooke And to cut vp the brush of it, to make good that highway and that the way extend on the Lott of John Tinker soe far as sume Corner or Elboe of the brook doe ly Comon to the way and he to bee meetly satisfied for it 2. The invitacion to maior Willard gent. They thinke meet and doe order that a leter of invitacion bee sent to maior Simon WUlard, to com to inhabit amongst vs, with such motiues Concerning accomodacions as hath beene formerly ppounded, and the hands of the select men afixed, And a copie of it reserued. 3. about sum Land taken from Tho Sawyer, at Nashaway bridg. They order that John More and Jacob ffarer take notic of what Land is taken out of Thomas Sawyers entervaile by the way to the bridge ouer Nashaway riuer : And make report to the sellectmen that he may bee sat isfied for it. And alsoe what is' they think meet for him to haue in Lew of it to be Confirmed. 5. yi Jon : more mak known b'e That John more mak knowne wher he desires his defects of entervaile. And to bee satisfied, what is meet If in such places as is not Laid out or sequestred. 6. about mster Rowlandsons Rate. That master Rowlandsons Rate bee made for the Last half yeare past to pay him twenty seauen pound tenn shiUings and for eurie foUowing half year soe much att. Rates as paid to the Cuntrie Rats: And that soe much be aded for the Last half year what was short taking in the ouer pluses of the former Rates to make vp towards it what that wUl reach. 7. Jacob ffarer his lott altred. That Jacob ffarer on his request, hath his hous Lott altred att one Corner, to say; the southwest Corner shall runne out twentie Rods and the south est so much in : And he is to Leaue a Rode spac for a foot way between his house lott and Thomas Sawyers: Munday 7'": i«: mon 1658(9?) The select men meet att Ralph Houghtons e.\cept goodman Kerly. Order about Ensigne noice. They order that when Ensigne Noyce Comes to Lay out the towne bounds goodman Prescott do goe with him to marke the bounds, And Jobe Whetcombe and young Jacob ffarer to MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 65 Carie the Chaine, And such other as Ensigne Noyce shall desire If need bee. And that a bargain bee made first betweene him and the selectmen, in behalf of the towne, for his art and paines. orders for Layers out of Lands and lotts. They doe Conceive it meet when any Lands ar granted to be Laid out to any inhabitant, the Layers out to bee directed by the selectmen where and how, to preuent after in conveniences. Noyes' original return, in Massachusetts Archives, cxii, page 115, is as follows : AprUl 7"^. 1659 In obedience to the order of the honoured generaU Court to the now inhabitants of lancaster layd out y'^ bounds of lancaster accordinge to the sayd grants, wee begane at the wading place of nassua riuer and rune a lline three mille vpon a west north west poynt one degree westerly, and from the end of y" three mill we rune two perpendic ular lines beinge fiue mUls in length each line, the one line runing north north est one degree northerly, the other line running south south west one degree southerly wee made right angls at the ends of the ten mille Une, runing two perpendicular lines, runninge both of them vpon an east south east poynt on degree esteriy, one of the sayd lines beinge the north line wee did rune it eight mill in length the other being the south Hne, wee did rune it six mill and a halfe in length and ther meeting w"" the ,mideU of the line, which is the Une of the plantation granted to the peti tion" of Sudbury whos plantation is called Whipsuffrage and so runinge their Ijne four miU wanting thre score perches to the end of their line at the nor west Angle of Whipsuffrage plantation and from the sayd angle of Whipsufrage runing six mille and three quarters ther meeting with y= fore sayd east end of the eight mile Une and soe period all the sajd lines and bounds of lancaster which sayd grants rune eighty square milles of land this by me Thomas Noyes The deputyes approue of this returne. our Hono"' Magist* consenting hereto. 14 October 1672. William Torrey Cleric The magist* consent hereto prouided a farme of a mile square 640 acres, be layd out w'l'in this bounds for the countrys vse in such place as is not already Appropriated to any — their brethren the deputyes hereto consent ing. And that Major Willard, Ralph Houghton & Jno Prescot see it donne. "consented to by y" deputyes Edw" Rawson Secretary j8 , 8 , 72 William Torrey Cleric It will be seen from above dates that the survey or dered in the grant of 1653 was not made until nearly six years thereafter, and when made, was not approved form- 5 66 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, ally until thirteen years more had elapsed. The final provision for a state farm may have been duly carried out, but there is no allusion to it whatever found in any town or colonial record. Joseph AVillard, Esquire, notes a tradition that the mile appropriated to the state was laid out in some tract of littie value in the south part of the town. Noyes' survey is explicit, and its lines can readily be traced in the boundaries of the towns that have been. shaped within its area, as the map at page eight shows. The result was not a rectangle ten miles by eight, as the lost deed of Sholan and the court's order specified ; because when Noyes had run the south line six and one-half miles he suddenly encountered the north line of the Whipsuffer- age plantation, afterwards Marlborough, a line seven miles in length laid out several years before. Neither was the original Lancaster a trapezoid, as Joseph Willard, Esquire, supposed, but an irregular pentagon. Its area by Noyes' record would have been exactly eighty and two-tenths square miles. But old surveys generally were liberal in measurement, and Lancaster's affords no exception to that rule. This is partly due to the "allowance" usual in such surveys, of about one rod in thirty for swag of chain and irregularity of ground. It is possible that the choice of "Jobe Whetcombe & young Jacob ffarer to Carie the Chaine," was based upon some known talent of theirs in that art. One thing is certain, the ten mile line of 1659, in modern maps stretched to over eleven miles, and the other lines followed a similar proportion. Noyes ran his ten mile line twenty-three and one-half degrees west of a true north, but this is not necessarily unaccordant with the terms of the order of the general court, the words north, south, east and west, being commonly used in a relative sense for northerly, etc. Possibly some fixed point was given in Sholan's transfer determining direction, and cer tainly Sholan's heirs were in the vicinity to watch that the intent of the deed was not transcended. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 67 The wadingplace of the Nashaway. Before the arrival of the Englishman with his axe, doubtiess all the streams of Lancaster bore seaward a much less variable volume of water, and that perhaps fifty per cent, -greater in amount than since the hills and swamps were shorn of forest cover- ering. Men living have conversed with those who claim to have seen alewives and trout in streams now, save in winter and spring months, known only as dry grav el beds. Hence wading places even for horsemen and cattle were infrequent in the rivers, and became important localities in our early annals. One of these appears to have been selected by Sholan and King as the centre of the township, and from it Noyes was obliged to begin his survey. The Nashaway is no respecter of any man's metes and bounds, and in process of time we find our care ful historian, Joseph Willard, searching for this lost wading place, and finally deciding that it must have been " near the present mill bridge." To accept this would be to charge Noyes and his chain bearers, first, with making his three mile line considerably too short, and, secondly, with fixing his south line full three-fourths of a mile near er the centre than his north line. Thomas Noyes was top experienced a survej'^or to do this. Measurement upon the map shows that the " meeting of the waters " is very near indeed the middle of a north and south line through the old township, and but little over three miles from the orig inal western boundary. Our mutilated town records seem to aflTord a clue leading in the same direction. In the tran script of the oldest records of the proprietors, Prescott's " Entervail Lott " is described as "on the west side of Nash away Riuer part whereof Lyes between . ... is named in the court Grant for the center of the town at the meet ing of the riuers " ; — the provoking blank indicating where some words were illegible to Caleb Wilder when copying the original book. Thus the evidence seemed likely to remain forever iniperfect ; but, fortunately, John Prescott, 68 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, alone of the early proprietors, was so careful a man of business that he had all his land grants and contracts duly recorded in the County Registry by Ralph Houghton, in 1669, and there the missing words are found to be "the wading place which," and the word "at" to be an error for "and." As the description of Prescott's interval proves it to be the same generally known today as the Thayer inter val, we must conclude that Noyes' starting point was a wading place that existed veiy near indeed to the site of the Atherton Bridge. & 2:6: 1659. Lanchester'is pressented for want of weights and meass- ures according to ye Standard & for want of A Sealler. Lanchester is pressented for daffect in a highway in their owne bounds toward ye Baye. Wittnes William Lewis [Middlesex Court Files.] To the constable of Lanchaster. '^'ou are required to Warne some of yo' Towne to appeare at y" next County Court to be held at Charl-Towne the 2i»' of this instant June, then and there to Answ' for f defect in the highway between yo' Towne & y"^ Bay & for witnes W"" Lewis & hereof you are to make a true returne vnder yo' hand, & not to faile. dat. June i, 1659 By ThOi\hs Danforth Re Also yo' miller for want of scales & weights according to law. [Middlesex Court Records.] 1659 June 21. Lanchaster is Injoyned to repayTe the Highwayes within their bounds leading towards Concord, & in such places as Concord with y™ shall Judge most convenient, to be done before the next County Court at Camb^ on penalty of ten pounds fine ; also they are to pvide thems. of weights & measures for town standards, before the next Court. [Middlesex Court Records.] Mr Danforth. Sir acording to yo' warant we haue made choyce of Goodm. Lewis to serue on the Grand Jury and Nathaniell Joslin for the pettie Jury and it is the request of the Towne that it may be spared from the servic of Pettie Jurors W^'' we intreat if it be in yo' pow' to do it yo- selfe, if in the Court then to ataine it for vs & we shall euer remaine yo' obliged / Lancaster i'"" 1659 John Tinkei: in the behalfe of the Towne of Lancaster, few weak & 34 miles of. [Middlesex Court Files.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. ^q ORDERS OF THE SELECT.MEN. a repeale of a former [order] about phibitiiig of inhabitanc. iMunday the 4"': s"" : mon. 1659. The Selectmen meet at John Tinkers house and doe order That notwithstanding, that former order that their should not bee taken into the towne aboue thirtie and fiue families (the right vnder standing of which is not soe clearly expresed) itt hath beene sine ordred by the towne and by the Comitie alsoe, that fiue or six families more then wear then in being should be admited for the good of the towne and church soe further it is Conceiued by the selectmen to be most for the good of the towne, that soe many inhabitance be admited as may bee meetly accommodated, pvided they are such as are acceptable, And their fore that former order is repealed and that admitance bee granted to soe many as shall stand with the discrescion of the selectmen. And are worthie of acceptance according to the Comities apoyntment. goodman Wilder ?electma?t. 26:4"": mon 1659. Master Tinker who Wias one of the .Selectmen apoynted by the Comitee, to order the afaires of this towne, he hauing remoued his dwelling to Pequid, the rest of the selectmen peticioned the Comitie that good man Willder might bee apoynted by them to act as a sellect man which was granted. ORDERS & DIRECTIONS GIUEN TO RALPH HOUGHTON ABOUT THE LAYING OUT THE 2 DEUISION OF MEDOW. Munday the 5: ffebruarie [1659] the towne met at the house of Maior Willard to Consider of a way to sett forward a 2 deuision of medow ; And forasmuch as their was by a former act of the towne way made for the efect the work of Laying out a second deuision of medow first by sur veying the medowes and men Choise to doe it theirfore the towne put it to voat whether that way should stand or noe which voate was as ffol- loweth. They that are minded to Carie an end the 2 deifision of medow acord ing to the true intent of the order formerly agreed on by the towne. And heare Read before the towne, for the manor of it, only a new tim sett for the accomplishment of it, in Regard the tim that was sett is past, only the towne hath their Libertie to chuse new men and to agree with them vpon as easie termes as they can. They that are thus minded Let them manifest it by holding up their hands, the hands held vpp were 14. They that are otherwise minded Lett them manifest the Contrary by holding vp their hands, the hands held vpp were 16: which being done this following voat was Confirmed by the towne. If the towne bee minded that a man shaU be made Choice of, and agreed with, forthwith to goe on with Laying out the 2 deuision of medow, acording to such orders and directions the towne shall agree of to bee his Rule theirin, and that 4 acres of medow to 109'!" estate be Laid out and to begin in such a place and soe to proceed from yo ANNALS OF LANCASTER, medow to medow acording to such instrutcions as the towne shall giue in writing this was Confirmed by a voat none descenting: A mocion was made by sum that If there was any medow Left comon at after the 2 deuision was finished, that then such as did draw but liUe medow by deuision might haue sum helpe and in answer whervnto this following voat past in the towne. They that are in a minde that when a 2 deuision of medow is Laid out of 4 acres to loo'I' state, If any be left such as are in want and haue but a litle medow by Lott acording to order of the towne shall haue sum suply out of the Remainder of the medow that is such as haue home Lotts and beare a compitant charge in the towne this ordred by a voat of the towne to bee entred into the towne booke as an act of the towne. to george Benit. Nextly a litle medow at Chesquonopog pond was granted to georg Benit for his full proporcion to a 2 deuision of medow which was due to his grandfather Richard Linton medo granted to such as haue it in their 2 deuision of vpland. Nextly it was granted that such as haue medow in their 2 deuision of vpland haue their Libertie to take it for pte of their 2 deuision of medow and to take soe much Lesse where their Lot falls. Surveiors order. Nextly it is ordred that the Layer out of this 2 deui sion shall and is herby impowred to Carie an end the worke of this 2 deuision and to Call forth men eurie day soe many as he thinks hee Can dispatch their Lotts and they are to atend the worke and not depart vn lesse the Layer out giue way theire vnto. And the Layer out of medowes is to haue a care acording to his best discresion that eurie mans Lott may be made equall in qualitie, as neare as he can acording to his discres ion and If any man neglect to atend the worke when he is Called by the Layer out, hee shall forfite double to an ordinarie dales wage that soe the surveier may hire one in his Roome, that soe the worke may not be neg lected, Ralph Houghton chos Surveior. And Ralph Houghton is Chosen to Carie an end the worke and he is to haue 3'1 an acre paid within a month after the worke is done in marchantable wheat or Indian Corne and this worke to bee finished by the 24 of June : grant to the maior to exchang medo. Nextly Libertie was granted to the maior to haue 10 acres of medow or soe much as hee may giue to Simon Cats and Thomas in way of exchange for their medow at the Still Riuer and plum trees. And hee is to allow acre for acre at the brooke medow in that medow next to the pond to bee deuided in this 2'' deuision. diiections wher to begin and how to pceed. Itt is ordred that the 2 deuision of medow shall begin at the northermost medow at the plumtrees and soe to Lay out all the plumtree medowes. And soe to go to the great pond medow at the northermost end of it in sura small peices betweene MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. the brooke medow and the pond medow. And when the pond medow is Laid out, then to begin at the northermost slipe of medow at the bar hill And soe to Lay out all the nearest medowes at the bare hill and 2 small peices that lyes south from goodman Whits second deuision. And then to follow the brooke eastward vntill all the bai-e hill medowes be Laid out. And then to begin at the furthermost medow at the north end of Long hUl, And soe follow the medow westward vntill it com to the meadow neare to bar hiU where John Whetcombe mowed. And then to begin at the north end of goodman Whellers medow and Lay out what is medow fit to mow towards master Josllins house and the medow by the bay path on the west sid the Long HiU and soe to a medow east sid the Long HiU. And soe to the medow that shuts vp to the bay path from Wata quadoke to begin at that end next to the bay path and to Lay out soe much of it as is fit for medow acording to the discresion of the Layer out And soe to follow that medow to goodman Sumners medow and the med- ows their that are Laid out. And then to goe to the medow that which is Comon by John Mors house. And then to follow the brooke what is Com on below where Malbrow path Croseth the brooke. And then to begin at the south end of goodman Ropers medow and to Lay out such as is fitt for medow their and then to two Litle medowes neare to Malbrow path And then to begin at the east end of the medow vnder the side of the pin swampe, And then to sum medowes to the southward of that neare to the 2 deuision of vpland of goodman Gats vntill 4 acres to loo'* state bee made vp. And If any other medowes shall be discoured they are to be Laid out in the Ranges wher they fall acording to the discresion of the Layer out. Which being finished and all the orders and instructions aforsaid agreed on, and the Lord being sought vnto for his blesing vpon his owne ordinance Lotts were taken as foUoweth without any disturbance or dis traction : William Kerley sen I John Whetcombe Ju 15 Ralph Houghton 2 Steeuen Gats Sen 16 Mstr Joseph Rowlandson 3 John More 17 WiUiam Leweis 4 John Houghton 18 Edward Breeke S John Smith 19 John Prescott 6 Jacob ffarer 20 John ffarer 7 John Roper 21 Edmund Parker 8 Gamaliell Beman 22 John Johnson 9 Mordicai Muke Load 23 Thomas James 10 Thomas Josllin 24 Phillip Knight II Nathaniell JosUin 25 Jonas ffairbanke 12 John Whetcombe Sen 26 Thomas Sawyer '3 James Atherton 27 John Leweis 14 Richard Wheeler 28 72 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, William Keriey Ju 29 Henrie Keriy 35 Jerimiah Rogers 30 Thomas Willder 36 Lawrence Waters 31 John Rugge 37 Daniell Gains 32 Roger Sumner 38 John White 33 James Butler 39 John Rigbie 34 PRESCOTT'S SAW-MILL CONTRACT. Know all men by these presents that forasmuch as the Inhabitants of Lanchaster, or the most part of them being gathered together on a trayne- ino- day, the 15"' of the 9"' mo. 1658, a motion was made by Jno. Prescott blackesmith of the same towne, about the setting vp of a saw miU for the good of the Towne, and y' he the said Jno. Prescott, would by the help of God set vp the saw miU, and to supply the said Inhabitants with boords, and other sawne worke, as is afforded at other saw mUls in the countrey. In case the towne would giue, grant, & confirme vnto the said J no. Prescott, a certeine tract of Land, lying Eastward of his water miU, be it more or less, bounded by the riuer east the miU west the stake of the miU land aud the east end of a ledge of Iron Stone Rocks southards, and forty acres of his owne land north, the 'said land to be to him his heyres and assignes for euer, and all the said Land and eurie part thereof to be rate free vntill it be improued, or any p' of it, and that his saws, & saw mUI should be free from any rates by the Towne, therefore know y« that. the ptyes abouesaid cUd mutually apree and consent each with other con cerning the aforementioned propositions as foUoweth. The towne on their part did giue, grant, & confirme. vnto the said John Prescott, his heyres and assignes for euer, all the aforementioned tract of land butted & bounded as aforesaid, to be to him his heyres and as.signes for euer, with all the priuiledges and appurtenances thereon, and therevnto belonging to be to his and their owne propper vse and behoofe as aforesaid, and the said land and eurie part of it to be free from all rates vntiU it or any pt. of it be improued, and also his saw, sawes, and saw mill to be free from aU town rates, or ministers rates, prouided the aforementioned worke be finished & completed as abouesaid for the good of the towne, in some convenient time after this present contract covenant and agreem'. And the said John Prescott did and doth by these psents bynd himself his heyres and assignes to set vp a saw mill as aforesaid within the bounds of the aforesaid Towne, and to supply the Towne with boords, aud other sawn worke as aforesaid, and truly and faithfully to performe, fuUfiU, & accomplish, all the afore mentioned pmisses for the good of the Towne as aforesaid Therefore the Selectmen cnnceiuing this saw mill to be of great vse to to the Towne, and the aftergood of the place, Haue and do hereby act to rattifie and confirme all the the aforemencconed acts, covenants, gifts. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 73 grants, & iiiiunityes. in respect of rates, and what euer is aforemen tioned, on their owne pt, and in behalfe of the Towne, and to the true performance thereof both partyes haue and do bynd themselues by sub scribing their hands, this 25"' day of february one thousand six hundred and fifty nine John Prescott The work aboue mencconed was finished according to this couenant as witnesseth. Ralph Houghton Signed & Deliv"' In presence of Thomas Wilder Tho.mas Sawyer Ralph Houghton. The above covenant has disappeared from the Town Records, and is transcribed from the Middlesex Registry, III, 400. 1659. To the Hono'^ed Generall Court assembled at Boston. The humble petition of John Prescot of Lancaster' humblye Sheweth, That whereas y' petitioner about nine or ten yeares since, was desired by the late hon'red Governour, Mr Winthrop, w* other Magistrates, as also by Mr Wilson of Boston, Mr Shephard of Cambridge with many others, did lay & marke out a way at y' north side of the great pond & soe by Lancas ter, which then was taken by Mr. Hopkins & many others to bee of great use ; This I did meerly upon the request of these hono'ed Gentlemen to my great detrim', by being upon it part of two Summers not only myselfe but hiring others alsoe to helpe mee, wherby my family suffered much : I doe not question but many of y= Court remember the same, as also that this hath not laine dead all this while, but I haue formerly mentioned it, but yet naue no recompence for the same ; the charge whereof came at 2» p day to about 10'!' it is therefore the desire of y petitioner y' you would bee pleased to graunt him a farme in some place undisposed of, which will engage him to you, and encourage him and others in publicqe occasions, & y' petitioner shall pray &c. The Comittee consideringe the grounds of this pet. do Judge meet that the Court be pleased to grant him 100 acc'^ of land, to be layd out adjoyneing to the lands that are layd out by ord' of this Court to that Plantation Thomas Danforth Anthony Stoddard Roger Clap The deputies approue of the returne of the Committee in answer to this Pet. desiringe the consent of or honor'' magist» hereto. Willia.m Torrev Cleric. Consented to by y' magists. Edw Rawson Secret. [Massachusetts Archives, CX.KI, 31.] 74 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 1660. In obedience to the grant of the honoured generall Court held at boston the 18"' of October 1659, layed out to John Prescott of Lancas ter neare adjoyning to the west line of Lancaster bounds his farm contayn- in: l8»: for his Labor theirin. The power of the townsmen from the towne, is to order all the pruden ciall afairs of the towne only they are not to dispose of Lands And they ar to further a 2 deuision of medow to bee Laid out. Theis seuraU acts of the towne in this page, And sum on the other side 78 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, that beare the same date with this, was agreed on by the towne, the day before ; the towne being then LegaUy asembled, to Consider on this day aboue writt-n, AN ACT OF CONFIRM ACION FROM THE COMITIE Theirfore it is ernestly desired that the Honoured Comitie would be pleased to put forth their power, to Ratifie and Confirme this act of Con- fimiacion of the towne. And alsoe to giue Libertie to the towne to Chuse townsmen within themselues, soe Long as your selues se a louing Concur ance theirin, among ourselues, And in soe doing your worships will ingage vs yours in all Christian seruice. dated at Lancaster 6 march 1664-65 gentlemen and louing freinds Wee haue alltho through straits of tim but breifly pvsed \J>erused] and considered what you haue aboue presented. And doe with much thank fuUnes to the Lord accknowiedge his fauor to your selues. And not only to you but to all that delight in the ppitie \prosperity] of gods people and children, in your louing Complyance togather, that this mercie may bee continued to you is our ernest desire. And shaU be our praiers to god. And wherin wee may in our Capasitie Contribut their to wee doe acount it our dutie to the Lord and you. And for that end doe fuly Concure and Consent to your pposalls for the Ratifying of what is. And for Libertie among yourselues, obseruing the directions and Lawes of the genrall Court for the election of your selectmen for the future dated ; 8 : I : |-f SiMOc-i Willard Thomas danforth Edward Johnson aceptatice to goodmaii Hudson. Saturday 26 : 9 : m : 1664. The towne' meet at the meeting house to Consider about seting forward a second deui sion of medow, A nd good man Hudson being newly Com vp to inhabit desired acceptance to the priueledges of a townsman, And his mocion was granted and acceptance giuen by the towne. grant to Ralph Houghton. Libertie was granted to Ralph Houghton to Lay downe an acre of medow at the great pond medow and take it vpp in that medow by John mors house by a voat of the towne. grant to goodman Rogers. The towne gaue Libertie to goodman Rog ers to take in a litle Corner of the Stated Comon, Leaning out soe much of his second deuision vpon the pine hUl neare totju'^saponikin brooke and to be mesured by the surveiers soe that the Coinons may not sufer damage. Libertie to i/iordicai. The towne gaue Libertie to mordicai mukeloade to bring in 50"' estate to enter into the towne booke to draw Land and med ow by in a second deuision A nd to haue ComOn Right suitable. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. yn grant to James Butler. The towne gaue Libertie to James Butler to haue a Rode of vpland in breadth, to set a fence ou at the side of the seauen acre's of Intervaile which he bought of goodman Josllin. way eras the neke. The towne fully impowered John Prescott John Roper and Ralph Houghton to veiw the high way Crosse the neke to quas aponikin, And to Lay it out If they se cause. grant to goodman Prescott. The towne gaue Libertie to goodman Pres cott to take up a slipe of medow ground Runing through the most part of a great pine plaine that Lyeth sutherly of his Corne mille, which he is to haue in Leiw of two acres of medow, formerly granted him in a corner of the great pond medow which was granted vpon the account of John Cow dall and he is to take two acres Lesse their. grant to Master day. 2 ffeb : 1664, at a genrall towne meeting It was vpon the Receit of a leter from master Steeuen day of Cambridge granted that the said master day should haue a hundred acres of vpland twentie acres of it for a house Lotte and to pay 10' a yeare as other men doth and fowertie acres of it in Leiw of an Intervaile Lott and to pay as other men doth for an intervaile Lott, And fowertie acres in Lew of a 2 deuision and to pay as other men doth for Land in the 2 deuision And this Land to be Laid out neare to Washacombe near to the outside of the bounds and he is to haue noe other acomodacions in the towne but only that hundred acres as a farme. 2 deuision of medow confirmed. It was ordred by a voate of the towne that the second deuision of medow acording as it is alreadie Laid out is herby Ratified and Confirmed ; 2 : 12 : m : 66. grant to goodman Sawyer. It was granted that goodman Sawyer should haue six acres of Land Laid out to him Joyning to Washacombe litle pond for and in Consideracion of three acres of Intervaile that he wanted in mesure vp nashaway Riuer. 2 : 12 : m : 66. 1667. To the Honoured Countie Court majestrats and grand Jnrie. The humble petition of Sargant WiUder for and in behalfe of the Inhab itants of Lancaster hiibly sheweth. That forasmuch as tbe towne Lyeth vnder a presentment for want of a stoke of powder and other Amunition acording to Law, And also the Honoured generall Court hauing made epesiall pvision and giuen strict charge to the chieft oficer of eurie Com panie to be pvided acording to Law, it must be confesed to our greife that wee are defectiue, tho means hath been vsed by the townesmen and coui-se taken for the pviding of a town stoke yett notwithstanding by Reson of the scarcite of powder and the Low Condicion of seuerall of the inhabitants part is wanting, but by the helpe of god wee will indeuor a Restoracion thereof and alsoe of such defects as may be found in the Companie for want of armes and amunicion acording to Law • Therefore your humbfe peticioner So ANNALS OF LANCASTER, humbly craueth that the honoured Court would be pleased to consider our Low Condicion and not ad a burden to the weake by imposing a fine, but be pleased to e.xercise p.icience toward us in granting a litle time vntiU the fruits of this year be mad, and in the meane time wee will be endeuoring to furni-ih ourselues in the best manor the Lord shall enable vs. And without ceasing pray for the p'itie and saftie of the Honourable Court and Cuntrie. by mee Thomas Wyei.der Lancaster this 30"' of i m [667. [Middlesex Court Files,] TOWiXE GRANTS 3: 12 : MO : 1667 Jo. Roper his grant for highway. It was granted that goodman Roper should haue. twelue acres in the Comons where it is not st^ed Com on, or otherwise granted or Laid out to any other man which he is to haue in Leiw of damage done in his home Lott by Regulating a highwaywhich damage was Judged by a Comitie that was apoynted by the towne to veiwe it, to be fower acres in that place. And theirfore it was Judged three acres for one being he was to haue it Remote, And the highway was to Ly as it is now staked out in his Lot to the Comons. Groten way altred. The towne was willing If groten Consent with vs that the Cuntrie way as it is Laid out about the swampe at the maiors In tervaile be Laid downe. And the Cuntrie way to Run through the maiors IntervaUe where the towne high way Runs to the plumtrees this is Con sented to by the towne and Confirmed by a voate. Jo: Houghton's grant. It was ordered by a voate of the towne that John Houghton should haue Libertie to fall Timber in the Comons for his trade vse. And If he take the barke of it. And sett his marke vpon it. Then it is not Lawfull for any to take or make vse of any such Timber. goodman Whellers grant. Good man vvheller desired the towne to giue him a litle peice of Land Lying by the side of Nashaway Riuer a litle aboue Johns Jumpe which was granted by the towne 2 : 12 : m : 1668 1668, 27 May. On the motion of Major Symon WUlard, on the be halfe of the towne of Lancaster, that the leter Lc be the allowed brand marke for the sajd towne of Lancaster, the Court orders the same so tobe. [Massachusetts Records.] SEUERALL TOWNE ACTS MADE 2: FEB: 1669 AS FOL LOWETH : t order inioyning psons to atend ye publique meting. And at the same meeting it is ordered by the towne that eurie setled inhabitant atend the publique meeting of the towne eurie yeare the first munday in februarie by 10 : of the cloke then and theire at the meeting house or other place of t' MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 81 publique meeting to atend the publique ocasions of the towne vpon pen- ultie of Loosing their voate in such transactions of the towne, that may be acted by the towne in their absence and alsoe pay 2 shillings to the vse of the towne to be leuied by the Cunstable in Case it be not paid without, vnlesse sum thing more then ordinarie doe apeare to preuent theire being theire. And such as haue any thing to suiest to the towns Consideracion, whether it concerne the towne in generall or any pticuler persons case or Condicion, such persons to bring it in to the Clarke or selectmen of the towne to take a Record of them that soe theire may be order atended for the more speedie Isuing of busines by the towne, And that the towne Chuse moderators to that end, to Consider what is nesesarie to be done nd to se that order be atended, And that nothing be acted after sun sett, this was voated and Confered by the towne. The latter portions of this act are interesting as foreshad owing the formalities that govern the calling and manage ment of our modern town-meeting ; while the first provision, read in the light of recent experience, seems fully worthy of being rehabilitated. ORDERS ABOUT MAKING AND MAINTAINING HIGHWAIES 7 : &8 : 12 : mon : 1669. It was ordered that the making and Repairing of highwaies the Charge and Cost theirof shall be Raised from the Rate able estate of the towne, namly Catell and Land and other estate as it is to the Cuntrie Rate, And medow as it is to the ministers Rate this was .Confirmed by a voate It is alsoe agreed by a voat that the Last yeares worke to the high waies shall be Regulated by this Rule aboue writen. And that all highwaies for towne and Cuntrie or any perticuler pson that is alreadie Laid out or to be Laid out shall be made and maintained vpon a publique charge, acording to the order aboue expresed this was Con firmed by a voate. order about the 2 bridges. And it is alsoe agreed and ordered by the towne that the two bridges alreadie buUt namly nashaway bridge and that by goodman Waterses are to be maintained and vpheld by the publique towns Charge, acording as the towne order prouides for in making and maintaining other highwaies. And the time to begin is this 2 of februa rie, 1669 about the maintaining and vpholding the bridges, (only) If the towne thinke it may be for the saftie of the north bridge that the Cages be put downe, that then they shaU be sett downe vpon the nekes Charge the first convenient optunitie, this was alsoe Confirmed by a voate. burning woods &' veiiving fenc to be paid by ye towne. It was ordered that the burning of the woods and veiwing of fences, the Charge theirof be paid by the towne in the same way as the Charge of the highwaies is dcfraid this was alsoe Confirmed by a voate. ANNALS OF LANCASTER, grant to goodma>t Le^tueis of ?nedoiu. In Reference to goodman Leweis Complaint about his second deuision of medow, the towne being willing to helpe him with sum alowance. And after seuerall waies ppounded to that end & yet the end Could not with saftie and Conveniencie be atained, seuerall of the Inhabitance ofered to Contribut freely out of their owne proprieties. And to take soe much Lesse in theire deuision where it faUs in the medow that is Comon. namly thc maior giues an acre adioyning to his owne at the brooke medow And three quarters of an acre at the froge hole. Goodman Prescott halfe an acre CoperaU More halfe an acre John Hough ton halfe an acre George Benit halfe an acre goodman Sumner halfe an acre goodman Rogers a quarter of an acre goodman Beman a quarter of an acre Ralph Houghton halfe an acre vpon Condicion the maiors three quarters at frog hole be giuen to John Leweis, And by the Consent of the towne this is to be mesured out of the comon medow as sone as their may be a convenient optunitie : this was confirmed by a voat of the towne. SEUERALL OTHER ACT[S] OF THE TOWNE IN THE YEARE 1670 : 7 : & 8 : 12 : MO. Jo. Houghtons grant. It was granted John Houghton to Lay downe twentie acres of second deuision Land for a high way on the south side of deans brooke, And to take it vp againe in a plaine neare his medow this alsoe was Confirmed by a voate of the towne. Deans Brook seems to have derived its name from that Samuel Dean who signed the town covenant in 1653, but has no after connection with Lancaster history. The brook retained the name for a hundred years, but before 1760 became known as "Gutteridge," or Goodridge Brook, from a family that lived on the hill half a dozen rods north of the railroad bridge over the highway between Clinton and Lancaster. Order about Land Lying in comon to Seuerall towards Washacombe. The towne ordered that goodman farer goodman Wheeler goodman fair- bankes goodman Rugge Thomas Willder and Henerie Keriey haue theire Libertie to Lay downe their Land ppounded for, lying by georges hill, pro uided they all agree, otherwise they are inioyned by this order to lay out their Lotts by the Last of March or otherwise to pay all such damag-.s as any pticuler man in the Companie shall sustaine. And they haue theire Libertie to Like theire Land ia sum other place or places, this was Con firmed by a voate. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 83 Order about Com. ?nedow. The towne ordered that the towns men as a comitie should modle out a way for the deuiding of the Comon medow. And in Convenient time to present theire thoughts to the towne and to be inquisitiue of psons to find out what medow their may be Comon within the towne. And If any know of any comon medow, they are to make Re port to the towns men. this was Confirmed by a voate. alowance to abra. Joslin for a highway. Munday 30: 11 : mon 1670. The towns men meet at maior WUlards house and ordered to alow Abram Josllin for a highway taken out of his land at long hill. Lying by his house to the medowes at Long hill, and alsoe the Cuntrie way. And he is to haue two acres for one and Ralph Houghton is to Lay it out as speedily as may be. george adams grant. Munday 6: 12: mon: 1670. In Reference to george Adames proposision to the towne about sum Right to a lott of twentie acres which was formerly laid out by master day After serious Consideracion and debate about it, the towne thought he might haue sura Right theirvnto. And haue granted him sixtie acres of vpland in Consid eracion theirof And he to pay for land improued and Catell and other Ratable estate, to all publique Charges, And he is to haue Comon priuil- edge, for feeding Catell only ; togather with timber and fire wood for theire owne vse in the place, but noe other Right to any other Lands either in Comon or to draw by deuision, the said george togather with his sonn John, both of them ingageing for them selues their heires and asignes neuer to disturbe or trouble the towne or any man in the towne about any former Rights titles, or Charges expended in or about the plantacion or any Lands theirin Contained the said Land to be Laid out where it is Comon Land southward of washacombe great feild neare to the Line of the plantacion. And he to be subject to towne orders. George Adames his ^ marke John Adames his 2 marke The twenty acres claimed was on George Hill, being the lot next and south of the trucking-house site, and assigned as a home lot to Jonas Fairbanks. This closes the entries in the town book by Ralph Houghton, although in the Book of Lands his signature is attached to records until the year of the massacre, 1675 ; and again upon the resetUement in 1680 and 168.1 his pen was resumed in behalf of the town, as appears by a peti tion to the General Court. The next year another was chosen clerk. Ralph Houghton's term of service, includ- 84 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, ing the four years while the town was deserted of its people, was twenty-six years, 1656-1682. He was a o-ood penman and an able man of affairs. If any of his townsmen wanted a will written, or to deed land to another, or to send a petition to Court, Ralph Houghton's pen was certain to be summoned for the work. He was among the first to attach his name to the covenant, and, though a young man, took at once a prominent place in the councils of the , plantation. Hc seems to have had entire charge of the business of thc proprietary for over thirty years, surveying and recording each man's share in the several divisions. He lived upon the east side of the neck, not far probably from Nicholas Frost's residence, but upon which side of the highway the records do not tell us. Cj'prian Steevens succeeded Ralph Houghton as clerk, the following return of his election being from the files of the Middlesex County Court. To the Hono"i County Court. These are to giue you Notice that Cyprian Steeuens is by y* Inhabitance of Lancaster chosen to be Clarke of y*^ writs for lanes'' June 14* 1682. 20 .. 4 .. 82 as Attests Gamaliel Be.^man AUowed in Curiam F. B. R. Constable of Lanes*'. Of Steevens' town records none are extant. He was, hov.-ever, probably clerk but three or four years. He served in the capacity of Constable for several years, and returns and letters of his are not rare in the County and State archives. His penmanship and rhetoric were florid rather than elegant, and his official signature was some times a marvel of elaboration. Cyprian Steevens was the youngest son of Col. Thos. Steevens of Devonshire, Eng land, and came from London in 1660. January 22, 1672, being then about twenty-two years old, he married in Lan caster, Mary, the daughter of Major Simon Willard. Their children were Mary, born Nov. 22, 1672; Dorothy,—; Simon, born in Boston, 1677 or 8; Elizabeth, born about 1681 ; and Joseph, — . As in 1693 his wife is named Ruth, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 85 he must have contracted a second marriage. The time and place of his death are not matters of record, but his name appears as witness in Lancaster as late as 1713. His career, as deduced from the court files, gives evidence of more energy than discretion. At one time we find the Natick Indians complaining that he had far exceeded his constabulary authority in levying upon goods of theirs, and he was compelled by General Daniel Gookin to refund. Within a year thereafter he is convicted of selling powder and shot and three gallons " of strong liquors which they brought in wooden Bottels of about one galon a peece," to a party of Indians hunting " up in the woods near Watchu- set." Some years later he is again in trouble, having permitted the escape of a ruffian, Robert Crosly, who had assaulted Steevens' neighbor, Philip Goss, then living just across the river on the Rowlandson estate. He was even accused of being in collusion with Crosly, but the worst that was proven against him, was a too great unwillingness to face a brace of loaded pistols and a sword in the hands of a desperate privateersman. This fault he condoned speedily by pursuing the rascal to Dorchester, and bring ing him to justice. Upon his marriage with Mary Willard, her father, the Major, partly in exchange for lands which Steevens owned at Dunstable and partly in way of dowry, deeded to his son-in-law all y« Houseings, Barns Stables, orchards Lands, EntervaUes, Meadows lyeing and being in Lancaster according to their severall Butts & bounds as foUoweth, viz: the House Lott formerly called Major Willards whome Lott, bounded by y^ North Riuer South & f Night Pasture east and y= Country highway North, & West by the highway that Leads to y* North Riuer Thus the original lot of Lawrence Waters .upon which the first dwelling house in Lancaster was probably built, came into the possession of its sixth owner in 1673. The house that could be a home to Major Willard's large family 86 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, must of necessity have been commodious, but it was more over a garrisoned house, and in 1676 sheltered for six weeks eight families and a guard of soldiers. It was probably of stone or brick, for when abandoned, it was partially demolished by gunpowder, which would hardly have been used if fire alone could have effected destruction. Within a few rods of Cyprian Steevens' home and garrison was the bridge, and in sight, across the river, Httle more than a rifle shot off, stood the church and the Rowlandson garrison in 1675. All town records failing until 1716, the miscellaneous documents which follow, culled frorn many sources, are transcribed to make these annals continuous. 1669, 2, 6. The grand jury presents "Lankester * * for want of suffi- . cient bridge ou' Still Riuer in y= way to groaten in Major Willards land Witties Henry Carley Will"" longly.'' [Middlesex Court Files.] 1670. Whereas Abraham Joslyn dyed not longe since at sea of from y' Coast of Virginia in y^ Ship y« Good Fame of New York, but before his decease made a will the w='' hath beene approu* by y* oath of Two per sons who are witnesses therevnto, wherein he disposeth of his estate in Nashawaye & elsewhere in his Maj"'* Colony of the Massachusetts, vnto his wife & chUdren. These presents may certifye all whom it doth con cerne that y= said will hauing beene proued as aforesaid remaines vpon Record with y^ rest of y" wills and Testaments of such as doe happen to dye w^in this the Province of his Royall Highness New York 17 April 1670. [Middlesex Court Files.] To the Honi Coicnty Court of Middlesex now assembled at Cambridge ihis ^ of Z mo 1670. The petition of Jeremy Rodgers of Lancaster Humbly Sheweth, That yo' petition' being for seueraU years together one that did officiate (vnder the Comand of the Hono"' Major Willard) as an Sergant In the mUlitary Company at Lancaster and that with good accept- anc & approbation of the said maj' and Company yet at last by the Com pany I was dismissed of the said office for reasons best knowne to them selues not for any neglect or misdemeanor In my place that I know off. or y' euer I was chardged with, yet sine then the sucseding oflicers haue called mee to bear armes as a coinon souldier in the said company w^*" as I haue ben informed Is contrary to the custome and law of armes and for aught MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 87 I haue heard or can learne not the practice of the country to beare armes as a coihon souldier whervpon I did not appeare, and when theire officer came to straine vpon my goods, wee came to an agreement to referre the matter to the Hon' Maj' gen'" [Leveret^ Maj' Willard, Maj' Lu.sher, Capt. Mason and Capt. ffoster, who all but Capt. Mason mett at the Maj' Genr"" house In may Last, who Heard what was said on both sids (though more might be said but I am desirous rather to forbeare than to offend or greiue any). But those Hon^" ffrends and Gentle" vpon what they then heard did judge and advise that the fines should bee forborne and not taken, and also that there being noe law here extant to free such a one fi-om training did advise that I should address myself to this Hon"" Court whom they doubted not but would grant mee a free dismission, o' Hon"' maj' WiUard then willing and Consenting thereto. My humble petition vnto yo' worships is that you would bee pleased to take it into yo' Consid eration and grant mee this favor to be freed from training in that Company at Lancaster where I haue been an officer, for your petitioner shall not withstanding bee Ingaged to serue the Country and your worships accord ing to my power and abillity In what I can, and eiier pray for yo' peace and prosperity long to continue .... To the Honoured Countie Court at Charlestowne. This may Certifie the honoured Countie Court that I henerie kerley of Lancaster (though vnworthie) yet hauing the Comand of this militarie Companie laid vpon mee. And accidentaly vnderstanding that Jeremiah Rogers Senior hath Recourse to the honoured Court to procure a fredome from militarie traininge, though he did not aquaint me nor the Companie therewith, the truth is If the honoured Court should see cause to fre him before his making his peace with the Companie, it will tend much to the destrucion of peace and order in the Companie and force me togather with the Rest that are in ofise, in the Companie to lay downe our places, their hath beene soe much provocacion on his part not only to vs, but a'soe to the Companie in generall in the managing of this his controuersie so vn- warantably taken vp, the truth of the whole mater being by the Companies order drawne vp to informe a Comitie desired to arbitrate the case, a true Copie wherof the honoured Court is desired to peruse and therein you will haue a full declaracion of the case : And herin I shall not trouble the hon oured Court any further but Rest your humble servant. Lancaster this 20 : 4 mon : 1670. To the worshippfull our honoured major generall Leveret, maior WiUard and maior Lusher, togather with our two worthie and highly esteemed frends Captaine Mason of Watertown, And Captaine flFoster of Dorchester who are a Comitee humbly desired by Sargant Keriey on behalfe of him selfe and the military Companie here at Lancaster and our neighbor Jeremiah Rogers, to here and determine a difrence depending betweene the said Jer- 88 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, emiah Rogers and the Companie ; our Ernest Request is that your worships would be pleased to pardon our boldnes as also to pitie what you see of weaknes in this our present declaration wherin we desire truly and fully to discouer the truth of the case as alsoe the condition of this small Com panie for seueraU years, since Sergant William Kerly who now liues at Marlbrow, did leaue vs. Honoured gentlemen, be pleased to take notice that sine the said Sargant WUliam Kerly did Remoue his dwelling from among vs this Companie hath made choise of seurall to ofisseat in the place and ofice of Sargant, though litle apearance that was pmising for the manigeing of that soe great a betrust, it is not our desire or endeuor to slight one or any pson or talant but freely and truly to informe yourselues with the Stat of things, the truth of what we here asert is weU known to our honoured Major Willard who hath not bene wanting to put forth him self to helpe the Companie in poynt of exercise, but the want of psons fitly qualified to take the Charge of the Cohipanie was much bewailed bv general sober minded and weU atested psons ; sum years agoe within the time aforementioned, our neighbor Rogers was made choise of and did ofiseat for sum Considerable time, and in the time of Sargant Willders being Comander in Cheife, though seuerall in the Companie were vnsatisfied with the said Sargant Rogers and the grounds they aledged was that it was not a legall choise in Regard it was not atended acording to Law but that we that bore arms and were in the feild then, did voat and sum that had Right to voat had no notice of the Choise : and also did not apprehend him fitly qualified for the place, and this coming to the ears of the aforsaid Sargant Willder did fully manifest himself vnwiUing to ofiseat any longer without a new choise and sum of the Companie do afirme that Sargant Rogers did alsoe discouer himselfe to be of the same mind but most ofthe companie doe afirme that he did not manifest any thing to the contrary. And therevpon the Companie went to choise of two Sargants, and Sargant Willder was againe Chosen to be Cheife oficer & John More for a Sar^nt to asist him. And why our neighbor Rogers should vpp a conceit that he was turned of, and alsoe a preiudice agst the Companie and not to atend to ofiseat in the place of a Sargant, nor to come in the place of a privat soul dier we know of no militarie custom for the same, wee desire not to put him to trouble nor charg, but desire that quiet and order may be preserued m the Companie and the said goodman Rogers being present with the Companie this i6 day of Mar beinge a training day, vpon sum discourse about sending downe it was moued that sum thing might be proposed in Reference to the ending the diference at home, it was desired that our neighbor Rogers would mension his greiuances to the Companie that so It might be they might be taken of. that so there might be a comfortabl Composure of the diference, and he desired y' y^ Companie on their part would first declare & it was manifested by the Companie that they had nothmg against him but only his absenting from publique trainings, but he Refused to aquaint the Companie with what was an obstruction in his MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 89 way, but would declare it when he cam before yourselues, and it was Re plyed that his motion would not be Regular to declare th.it against vs or of vs that he would not declare to vs : And so leauing the case with your selues, acording as you may se cause to judge and thc Companie h.-iue made chois of Sarjant Kerly and Sarjant divole on the Companies behalfe to atend your meeting and to manage this case and further shall not trouble your worships but pray for the good guidance of y" in this case. [Middlesex Court Files.] The documents in the case of Lancaster versus William Lincoln, found in Middlesex Court files, disclose the meth od used to get rid of undesirable immigrants. 1671. ffor William Linkcorne. Be it knowne to you that the townsmen take ofense at you in Regard "¦ you haue not atended the towns order though you were made aquaint therwith, before your coming into the towne, therefore you may expect the order to be put into execution which wUl not bee to your profit, for the penaltie of your intruding yourselfe into the towne is twentie shillings p month, which will be a burden it may be too heavie for you though pro cured by yourselfe. ffor William Lincorne. fforasmuch as you haue aproued yourselfe an intruder into this towne of Lancaster without consent, contrarie to order. Therefore in his maiesties name you are Required to withdraw yourselfe and family, and to depart the towne forthwith, in Regard the towns men, vterly disclames you an inhabitant. And herein faUe not at your prUl — dated this 25 of AprUl 1671. By order of the townsmen Ralph Houghton This was Read to William Lincorne at his house and a true copie de liuered to him in the name of the townsmen, the 28 : 2 mon : 1671. By vs Ralph Houghton Jonathan Whetcomb Ralph Houghton & Jonathan Whittcom weare sworn the 29"" 2 mo 1671 before me Simon Willard, asistani To the Constable of Lancaster or his deputie. You are in his maiesties name Required to atach the goods, and for want thereof the bodie of WiUiam Lincorne, And take bond of him to the value of twentie pounds for his apearance at the next Countie Court holden at Cambridge the 4* day of Aprill next after the date hereof, then and there to answer the complaint of the townsmen of Lancaster or any one of them as an Aturney for the Rest in behalfe of the towne for his forcing of himselfe into the towne as an Inhabitant Contrarie to an order QO ANNALS OF LANCASTER, of the towne, the penaltie of which is twentie shillings a monthe to any such as soe doe, the payment wherof Is by him denyed tho legally demand ed, and herin faile not but make a Returne vnder your hand, dated the 23 of march 1671. By the Court Ralph Houghton R. This Atachment vvas serued and bond taken this 24 of March 1671 Uy nie. Gamaliell Beman Constable of Lancaster. The deposision of Ralph Houghton aged about 47 yeares, Witnesseth that the Last Spring of the yeare, I met vvith WiUiam Lincorne in our towne and he being a stranger I inquired of him what his ocasion was their and he told me he was about to hire a farm of master KimbaU in the towne, and I told him of our towne orders which did impose a penaltie of twentie shiUings p month to any that should com to inhabit without the consent of the townsmen, And advised him to goe to the townsmen & haue their aprobation before he made any contract with master Kimball, and he told me that he had bene with three of the townsmen who were ' met vpon sum other ocasion and they had apoynted him a day when he might come and haue a full meeting, and be heard, but he did not atend that meeting: And further this Deponent saith not. 1672, 7 May. Whereas the honoured Majo' Willard, Mr Thomas Dan forth w"' the late Capt Johnson, haue, by order of this Court, binn a comittee to order the prudentiall affaires of Lancaster for many yeares, Lancaster hauing binn setled for seuerall yeares, & as the sajd comittee informes, many yeares since binn trusted by them & able to mannage their owne affaires ; the sajd towne of Lancaster now humbly desiring the Courts favour, that the Comittee, for their great pajnes & service for so long a season, may be thankfully acknowledged & dismist firom future trouble in such respect, & themselues betrusted, as other townes are, to mannage their owne affaires, the Court judgeth it meet to grant their request heerin. [ Massachusetts Records.] To the honourable the Gov the Deputy Gov magts &» Deputyes assembled in the genrall Court. The Petition of Jno Prescott of Lanchaster In most humble wise shew eth. Whereas y= Petitio' hath purchased an Indian right to a small parcell of Land, occasioned & circumstanced for quantity & quality according to the deed of sale herevnto annexed and a pt thereof not being legally setled vpon me vnlesse I may obteyne the favo' of this Court for the Con firmation thereof. These are humbly to request the Courts favo' for that end, the Lord haueing dealt graciously with mee in glueing mee many children I account it my duty to endeauo' their prouission & setling and do hope that this may be of some vse in y' kind, I know not any claime MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. pi made to the said land by any towne, or any legall right y' any other per sons haue therein, and therefore are free for me to occupy & subdue as any other, may I obtevne the Courts approbation. I shall not vse farther motiues, my condition in other respecks & w' my trouble & expenses haue been according to my poor ability in my place being not altogether vn- known to some- of y= Court. That y"^ Lords p'sence may be with & his blessing accompany all yo' psons, counsells, & endeauo'* for his honor & y'^ weale of his poor people is y= pray' of Yo' suppliant. John Prescott Sen' 17:3: 1672 read and referred to y= Comittee, In Refference to this Petition the Comittee being well Informed that the Pet' is an ancient Planter & hath bin a vsefull helpfull & publique spirited man doinge many good offices ffor the Country Relatinge to the Road to Conecticott, marking trees, directinge of Passengers &c and that the Land Petitioned for beinge but about 107 Acres & Lyinge not very Convenient for any other Plantation, and only accomodable for the Pet' we Judge it reasonable to confirme the Indian Grant to him & his heyres if y honor* Court see meete. The Deputyes approue of the returne of Edward Tyng the Comittee in answer to this pet : o' Hon- George Corwin 0"^ magis'= consenting hereto. Hu.mphrey Davie W" Torrey Cleric 29 May: 72. Consented to by y' magists Edw Rawson Secret. Attention was called to the above petition by the Honor able Samuel A. Green. Both petition and deed are among the Shattuck Manuscripts in the possession of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society. The grantor was James Wiser, alias Quanapaug, that brave Christian cap tain of the Nashaways, whose timely warning of the impending danger might have prevented the massacre of February, 1676, had the colonial authorities paid proper regard to it. The land joined Prescott's farm at Washacum previously granted. The railroad buildings and "tracks at Sterling Junction occupy a portion of it. In the Middlesex Court Files are several papers relating to Elizabeth Parker's illegitimate child, and Edmund Parker's neglect of Sabbath day ordinances. The more important of them are here transcribed, not only to record Q3 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, town action, but because they afford a picture of what was probably the most abjectly wretched home in Lancaster. For Decon Parkes ^ the selectmen of Roxbury. You are herby to take notice that the selectmen of the Towne of Lan caster haue made .Application vnto the Court of this County held yesterday being the i8th of June where they manifested themselues onwilling to Receue into their towne a Bastard Child born of the body of EUzabeth Parker in your towne & now sent with the mother to liue in the towne of Lancaster with Edmund Parker who is a very poor man & vnable to main- teyne his owne family much less the said Bastard Child & its mother, the Court haue heard their Complaint & ordered that the selectmen of Rox bury do take care to prouide for the mainteynance of the said Bastard ChUd according to Law. This at y' Request I thought meet to certifie you, Mr Danforth being not psent to giue you a Copy of ye' Courts order. June 19"': 1672. Yr louing friend Daniel Gookin C. To tlie Constable of lanchester or his deputy. You are in his majesties name [several words illegible] the child of Elizabeth Parker with the mother vnto Roxbury where it was born vnles the grandfather Edmund Parker wiU vndertake to secure the town of Lan chester to the sattisfacion of the selectmen whereof you are not to faile this 29 of 4 mo 1672, this is a trew coppy. St.mon Willard assistatU. The following is neither signed nor dated ; it is in Ralph Houghton's handwriting. Worshipful and honoured gentlemen. Wee have Receiued a letter bearing date the 30 : 5m: 72, wherby wee vnderstand your worships wanted information in Regard you had the report only of one partie in Reference to the bastard child borne at Roxberie, for had your worships bene well informed and well considered the trouble it hath caused in our pore towne, wee supose the curant of your advise would haue Run an other way, for besides the infamie of hauing a bastard, legaly fathered vpon another towne as apears by the order of the honoured Countie Court at boston prouision being made theire for the keeping of it, and the townsmen wUUng and for ward to take care of and for it, that If the said maintainance ordred vvere to scanty they would vse means to make it vp by the towne, and yet not withstanding all this, that the Reputed father which is soe able to haue kept his owne, should violently and forcibly If not fraudelently thrust it vpon vs, it being soe that he did know that the townsmen had warned Edmund Parker, him that tooke the child to the contrarie before they had MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 93 made any Contract about it, wee conceiue had the like bene done to your towne, your worships would haue bene of an other mind and haue looked at yourselues caled to stand vp in your towns defence against such a wrong and the sence your worships had of the pore infants sufering would haue moued you to haue advised the Right owner to haue kept his owne and not to haue exposed it to an other jureney and the hazard thereof, and had your worships knowne the pore man's incapacitie for such a thing in Respect of his habitation is soe mean that when it Raines their is noe drie plac in it and many times forced to goe to other houses for shelter and for lodging, but one pore bud for himselfe his son and daughter all to lodg in or sleep by the fire, soe that before she went from him to liue in service it was said they all lay togather, which ocasioned her to ly at neigh bouring hou.ses and soe her time was lost & she became a burden to her father and other neighbours, wher she haunted, and tlien she went to service ; and also the mans ill disposision in Refranc to the ordering of his family, which was but one son who is about 20 years of age, and all the means the towns men from time to time can vse would not be avaU able to cause him to get his said son a litle learning nor to atend to the publique ordinances on the Lords day, soe as that it is said and credibly Reported that he hath not bene at meeting a whole year and when delt with. fuU of froward and peevish and provoking language, and that is the best that can be expected by the townsmen's endeuors with him, therefore the townsmen humbly craue the asistance and helpe of the next honoured Countie Court herin and alsoe to judge whether this man be fit to take more young ons in to his family, and alsoe in Referenc to the Charg that must of nessesitie be forthwith expen'ded in buUding and for lodging and other nesesaries fit for a woman that giues sucke and such a child that soe their liues are healthey, may not be exposed to danger and the towne to quiet, we supose your worships wUl judge the burden too heavie for this pore towne. and not countinance the Reputed father in such an vniust im- posision, but to lay the charg vpon him who is soe able to beare it, and says it shall be here tho it cost him ,;^loo, or otherwise that the Countie may Contribut herin or that the honoured Countie Court would be pleased to free our towne of guUt in case either the mother or child sufer or pish. And soe crauing pardon for our boldnes herin we Rest yours in subiection to law and order. 1672 Oct I. The Court hauing considered the Complaynt of Lanchas ter selectmen referring to the Bastard Child of Silvanus negro, late serv' to Deacon W" Parks of Roxbery, and entertained by Edmund Parker of their Towne Contrary to their order & norice giuen them, notwithstanding the vnsutable prouision y* he hath for the entertainm' thereof as they in forme, Do order that during the abode of y-^ said child in y' place, the selectmen shall take care that it be prouided for in all respects as humanity and religion requires, and that the said Parker shall giue them bond with 94 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, sufficient suretyes to the vallue of loo^ for to saue the Towne harmless & to pay all disbursments for the prouission of the said child, or otherwise the sd Parker shall return it to Ro.^bury, there to be prouided for accord ing to the order of boston Court. Lancaster this 13'!' 11"°: 1672 A bill of charges drawne vp by the townsmen in Reference to the bas tard child of Elizabeth Parker. I The Cunstable and Ralph Houghton themselues and horses attending Charlestown Court where the child was fath ered vpon Roxburie 0:11:0 2 Goodman Prescott going to Nonacoyecos for a warant to convey the child to Roxbury o : 1:0 3 Going downe to Roxburie to carry the child and its mother, 2 men and 3 horses o: 16: 0 4 the Cunstable and goodman Prescott attending Cambridge Court by their order in Reference to making prouision for her child o: 16: 0 5 to Jonathan Whetcombe for a horse to nonacoiacus o : 1:0 tot ^2-s» 1673 I*' of 2 mo. — Lankester Wee doe present daniell James for living from vnder famely govern ment. Witnes John More & John Prescot Sen' [Grand Jury presentments— Middlesex Court Files.] To the Cunstable of Lanchaster. In his majties name you are required 'to warne Ed"" : Parker & his sonne Abram to apeare at y= Court to be held at Charlstowne the 16* of this instant December to ans' for neglect of Gods Publ worship on y' Lds Dayes &; for witnesses Jno Prescot Sen' & Hen' Kerly, Also Jon Addams to answer for lying & false dealing & for witness Jonathan Prescott & John DiueU & hereof you are to make a true returne vnd' yo' hand and not to faile dat4:io:73 Tho Danforth R Edmund Parker and his son and the witneses to his case wer warned to apeare at the Court acording to this warant. Jon Adams -was absent and could not haue warning but the others were warned as aforsaid. 8 : '0 : 73 By me Jonathan Prescott Cunstable. To the Honoured Countie Court at Charlstowne. The humble Request of the townsmen of Lancaster in Reference to Edmund Parkers presentment sheweth that the witneses namly John Pres cott sen who is aged and infirme and not able to atend the court being MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 95 winter season, the grand jurie man did informe the said Parker that If he (lid not Reforme his not coming to meeting he must present him, but he did not Reforme neither hath bene at meeting, neuer since the last Court, he semeth to plead his pouertie and want of cloathes but in answer to that he hath land and catle sum what considerable and himselfe and his son able bodied for labor, and no after charge only his daughter and her bastard which he violently tooke in, contrarie to the towns order and much endeu ors against the same which the honoured court is well aquainted with : in Reference to his son it is the greife of many in the towne, and the towns men, that he hath had noe beter educacion : the towns men haue laboured with the said Parker to get his son some learning and to send him forth to publique catechising but all in vaine, but haue had many froward peevish expresions from him, soe that he hath wearied them out. They liue mis erable vncomfortable liues both for food and cloath, and lodging, it is Reported that all the sleepe they haue is siting by the fire vpon a bloke, and aU through his owne firoward imprudent cariage. theirfore it is the humble Request of the townsmen that the honoured Court would be pleased to asist the townsmen in this bussiness either by sentance or coun sell or what way soe euer may be most conducing to the poore mans wel- fiair and his sons. And in soe doing the honoured Court wiU ingage the townsmen as in dutie bound euer to pray. By order of the townsmen Lancaster 13: 10 mon: 1673. Ralph Houghton Clarke Lancaster the 4* 2 mon : 1674 To the Honoured Countie Court siting at Cambridge the 7'-* of Aprill 1674. The townsmen of Lancaster, In faithfuUness to our neighbour Parkers soule and body both, doe count it their dutie to giue sum informacion to this honoured Court, it being soe that their indeuors at home hath bene fruitlese. And they wearied out with pevish, froward provoaking expres sions, when they haue laboured to psuade him to put himselfe and family into a more comfortable way of liuing, for it is hard for the honoured Coiirt to conceiue how vncomfortably the pore man liues both in Respect of food cloathing and lodging tho he hath land and catle considerable and. a strong yong man to his son and noe other charge but what he hath need- lesly and indiscreetly brought vpon himselfe in taking in his daughter and her bastard chUd forcibly against the towns order soe that through his owne indiscretion he hath brought a great burden vpon himselfe. If not vpon the towne, the towns men from time to time hath laboured with him in Reference to his son to gett him sum learning and to bring him vp to sum honest imployment acording as the law prouids or to sufer them to doe it, but nothing would prevaile with him. but as it is signified to the honoured Court by a presentment it is certainly knowne among vs that his son hath not beene at meeting at the worshipe of god this seuerall yeares c,6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, only sum few sabothes about a yeare senc. And he himselfe hath not beene in the meeting house for sum considerable space of time which is to our greife, nor about the house in the time of publiciue worshipe saue sum few sabothes a late And what his Reson is wee know not. And his not coming into the house makes the case doubtfuU to the witnesses as to take a posetiue oath that he doth not com. And herin your worships haue a true Relation of the case in Reference to our neighbour Parker. Crauing Pardon for our boldnes herin we shall not trouble the honoured Court any further at present. Subscribed by order of the townsmen Ralph Houghton 1674 April 7''' Edmund Parker of Lanchaster appearing before the Court & being convicted of neglect of Gods worship in Publ on the Lords dayes both himselfe & family was admonished. And the Court do comend it to the care of the selectmen of y' place dUligent to inspect his family and observe their manners for the fiiture, and in case that they find not an amendment in those charges whereof he hath been now convicted they are then hereby ordered and impowered to dispose of his sonne to service where he may be better taught & governed, and in case that threw stub- bornnes of father or sonne, they be obstructed herein, that then they in forme y" Court or some of the magts thereof who will take order therein as the law directs. 1674, Oct 6. The Comittee nominated Aprill 73 for laying out y* high way between Groton & Lanchaster are againe desired and impowered by this Court to attend y« same and Capt James Parker is to appoynt time & place for their meeting. [Middlesex Court Records.] This committee had tak^n action the year before, and the following report of their doings is found in "The . Early Records of Groton," by the Honorable Samuel A. Green. Wedensday 4 of June 1673 fforasmuch as the countrey hye ^vay as it was formerly layd out by Lankaster and groaten vpon seuerall yeares triall, proued to be very insufficient and very difucult to be made passable in regard it '/'as for the most part lyeing in the Intervailes wheirin their are seuerall soft places and litle brookes vpon which bridges and other mater for making the same passable is apt to be raised and torne vp by floods and vpon experiance of the same Lancaster made aplication to groaten for Remouing of the said way to Run more vpon the vpland which was Read- ' ily atended and John Prescott seni= and Roger Sumner for Lancaster and sergent Parker and corperall Knop for groaten wer chuse committe by both to townes to lay out the said hye way as aforsaid which was atended the MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 97 day aforsaid as foUoweth (viz) first within the bounds of groaten they toke their begining at their meeting house to the mUle of Jonas Prescott by Matthias ffarnworths his house six Rods wide turning of out of the common mill way near twenty Rod aboue the mille and then it Runs 4 Rode wid through the land of the aforsaid Jonas Prescott acording as it is described by trees marked by the men aforesaid and from the said Jonas Prescotts land to penicooke Riuer in Lancaster through swan swamp 6 Rod wide as it is already marked out by the coiTiitte aforsaid and from the way aforsaid butting upon Penicook near to the night pasture wading place, they tak the way as it is left in width through the Intervayle and ouer nash away bridge and soe to the meeting house and as it is to be vnderstood that the way within lancaster bounds Runes neare the mideway betweene the brook medow and plumtrees medowes ouer a hill called Mahaneknits hill and soe along on the vpland to the pond path as it Runes near to the Still Riuer medow and Josiah Whits medow vntill it come to the Swan Swamp path as aforsaid and to the confirmation hereof the comitte afore said haue here vnto put their hands the day and year aboue said John Prescott Roger Sumner Ja-mes Parker James Knop 1674. General Daniel Gookin says of the Nashaway Indians "These have been a great people in former times but of late years have been consumed by the Maquas wars and other ways ; and are not above fifteen or sixteen famUies." LANCASTER IN PHILIP'S WAR. 1675. ffrom Nashowah AUies [alias] Lankester i6">: Aug=' 1675. Honoured Sir last nightt aboutt seauen A Clocke we martched Into Nasho wah wheare we are Att Presentt butt shall as soone as the Constable Hajth prest vs a dozen Horsses ; Proseed for groatton & so to Chenceford ; ac cording to the ord'^ Majo' Willard gaue me yesterday Att Ouoahbauge; our Majo' hauejng A Seartayne InteUigence of a Considerable Party of Indians y' haue gathered toogather a littell aboue Chensford which I hope wee shalbe vp with this Night or to Morrough at furthest & if it pleese God I come vp w* them god assisting me I wjU Cloosely in- gadge wjth them, & god Spearing my life I shall as oppertunity gives leave Acquaintt yo' honor off my Actjons ; I Have w"" me butt 60: Men at Present ; . SAiMUELL Mosley The above is extracted from a letter of the noted Captain of dragoons to Governor Leverett, in Massachusetts ar chives Lxvii, 239. -^ix days later, Sunday, August 22d, the Indians having warily avoided an encounter with the dragoons, and got in their rear, made a raid upon Lancas ter. Gen. Daniel Gookin states that this bloody foray was headed by a one-eyed chief of the Nipmucks, named John Monoco, "who lived near Lancaster before the war began," and that he had twenty of Philip's men with him. Mrs. Rowlandson writes : Those seven that were killed at Lancaster upon a sabbath day, and the one who was afterwards kUled upon a week day, were slain and mangled in a most barbarous manner by one eyed John and Mariboroughs praying Indians, as the Indians told me. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. m The charge against the Christian Indians was maliciou.sly untrue, as proven upon their trial. The scene of the murders was at the north end of the settlement, the house of the MacLouds being in the neighborhood of the North Village cemetery. The names of the slain were : George Bennet, Mordecai MacLoud, William Flagg, Mrs. Lydia MacLoud, Jacob Farrar, Jun., Hannah MacLoud, aged four Joseph Wheeler, years, An infant MacLoud. Flagg was a soldier detailed for duty here, from Water- town. Wheeler was not a Lancaster man, but probably of Concord. ffor the Honoured Countie Court siting at Cambridge. I was desired by a poore widow whose husband was slaine by the Indi ans here and hath 5 small children left with her ; by a law of the countrie shee should haue brought in an Inuentorie of her husbands estate, but such are the deficulties of the time, and alsoe the trouble of her litle chil dren that shee could not posibly with any saftie com downe ; her name is Lidia Benet, A^/tad alsoe a Scotsman Mordicai Mukload who alsoe was slaine and his wife and chUdren, and his house and goods all burned : he hath a brother suruiuing, both of them had a desire to haue com downe with their Inuentories but both of them haue Catle in the woods, but know not whether the Indians haue killed them or not, and therefore they humbly desire the honoured Court not to looke vpon them as contemners of authoritie but giue them liberty vntiU another Court and in soe doing, the honoured wUl ingage the widow and fatherless children as in dutie they are bound to pray for the honoured Court. Lans 2:8": 1675 Subscribed by Ralph Houghton Clarke of the writs [Middlesex Court Files.] The bold incursion of one-eyed John was but the prelude to the fearful tragedy of February lOth. Of the plan for the destruction of Lancaster in all its details, even to the very day assigned for its accomplishment, the colonial authorities were fully advised ; yet so far as any records show, with a neglect that seems criminally strange, they did almost nothing to ward oif or meet the blow. Of the joo ANNALS OF LANCASTER, aboriginal possessors of Nashaway none, unless Sholan, better deserve.s to be honored among us than that Indian scout, whose courage, skill and fidelity should have saved the town from the nia.ssacre of 1676, — James Quanapaug, alias James Wiser, alias Quenepenett, or Quannapohit. This Christian Indian was so well known for his bravery, capacit\- and friendship for the English, that Philip had marked him for martyrdom, and given orders accordingly to some of his lieutenants. The governor of the Colony about the same date, commissioned him and a fellow Chris tian named Job Kattenanit, from Natick, for the dangerous venture of visiting the Indian camps to bring back informa tion of the numbers and plans of Philip's forces. These two men, the historian William Hubbard tells us, "through the woods, in the depths of winter, when the ways were impassable for any other sort of people," sought the Nipnet outposts, and "ordered their business so prudently as that they were admitted into those Indian habitations as friends and had free liberty of discourse with them." They were closely watched, however, threatened, and but for a powerful friend would have been slain. In Quanapaug's own words :¦ — Next morning I went to One-eyed John's wigmam. He said he vvas glad to see me : — I had been his friend many years & had helped him kill Mohaugs :-- and said nobody should meddle with me. I told him vfhat was said of me. He said if any body hurt me they should die .... I lay in the sagamores wigwam ; and he charged his gun, and threatened any m.an that should offer rae hurt And this Indian told me they would fall upon Lancaster, Groton, Marlborough, Sudbury and Medfield, and that the first thing they would do should be to cut down Lancaster bridge so to hinder their flight and assistance coming to them, and they in tended to fall upon them in about twenty days time from Wednesday next [James Quanapaug's Information.] Quanapaug finding that he must soon meet Philip, and ha\"ing effected the main purpose of his errand, evaded his suspicious foes by a cunning stratagem, and on the 24th, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. jqi nth mo., 1675, brought to his employers, the Governor and Council, full knowledge of the hostile forces and their fell intent. The emergency demanded speedy energy ; it met inaction. Rumors of coming woe meantime stirred the air in the Nashaway valley. The chief mihtary offi cer, the minister, and other leading citizens went to the Bay to awaken the Council from their lethargy and beg for help. It was too late. February 9th, 1675-6, about ten o'clock at night. Job Kattenanit, the second spy, com pletely exhausted, dragged himself to Major Gookin's door in Cambridge. He had deserted wife and children, and alone travelled upon snow shoes through the pathless wilderness from New Braintree, a terribly fatiguing march of eighty miles, to save his English friends. James Quan apaug had foretold that on the morrow the blow would be struck at Lancaster. Let Daniel Gookin tell Job's story, and the fulfillment of the prophecy. He brought tidings that before he came from the enemy at Meuemesse, a party of the Indians, about four hundred, were marched forth to attack and burn Lancaster, and on the morrow, which was February lof they would attempt it. This time exactly suited with James his information before hinted, which was not then credited as it should have been ; and consequently no so good means used to prevent it or at least to have lain in ambushments for the enemy. As soon as Major Gookin understood this tidings by Job, he rose out of his bed, and, advising with . Mr Dan forth one of the CouncU that lived near him, they despatched away post in the night to Marlborough Concord and Lancaster, ordering forces to surround Lancaster with aU speed. The posts were at Marlborough by break of day and Captain Wadsworth with about forty soldiers marched away as speedily as he could possibly to Lancaster (which was ten mUes distant). But before he got there the enemy had set fire on the bridge: But Capt Wadsworth got over and beat off the enemy, recovering a gar rison house, that stood near another bridge, belonging to Cyprian Stevens, and so through God's favor prevented the enemy from cutting off the gar rison,^ God strangely preserving that handful with Capt Wadsworth, for tne enemy were numerous, about four hundred, and lay inambushment for him on the common road, but his guides conducted him in a private way and so they got safe to Cyprian Stevens, his garrison as above men tioned. But the enemy had taken and burnt another garrison house very near theother only a bridge and a little ground parting them. This house J02 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, burnt was the minister's house Mr Rolandson wherein were slain and taken captive about forty persons, the minister's wife and children amongst them. [Daniel Gookin's History of the Praying Indians.] The narrative of Mrs. Rowlandson, a sufferer in the tragedy, is a source of much of our knowledge of the horrors of that day. For two hundred years her little book has kept hold upon popular favor, and twenty or more editions testify the public appreciation of its simple elo quence. It need not be quoted here. Other briefer contemporary records of the massacre are : I. William Hubbard's, in "A Narrative of the Indian Wars in New England," 1677. About the lo"' of February after, some hundreds of the Indians, whether Nipnets or Nashaway men is uncertain, belonging to him they call Sagamore Sam, and possibly some of the stoutest of the Narrhagan- sets that had escaped the winter brunt, fell upon Lancaster, a small viUage, of about fifty or sixty families, and did much mischief, burning most of the houses that were not garrisoned : And which is most sad and awful to consider, the house of Mr Rowlandson, minister of the said Lancaster, which vvas garrisoned with a competent number of the' inhabitants ; yet the fortifications of the house being on the back side closed up with fire wood, the Indians got so near as to fire a leanter, which burning the house immediately to the ground, all the persons therein were put to the hard . choice, either to perish by the flames, with the house, or to yield them selves into the hands of those cruel savages, which last (considering that a living dog is better than a dead lion) they chose, and so were forty-two persons surprised by the Indians, above twenty of the women and children they carried away captive, a rueful spectacle to"behold ; the rest being men, they killed in the place, or reserved for further misery: And many that were not slain in fighting, were killed in attempting to escape. The minister himself vvas occasionally absent, to seek help from the Governor and Coun cil to defend the place, who returning, was entertained with the tragical news of his wife and children surprised, and being carried away by the enemy, and his house turned into ashes, yet it pleased God so to uphold his heart, comforting himself in his God, as David at Ziklag, that he would always say, he beUeved he would see his wife and children again, which did in like manner soon come to pass within five or six months af ter ; all, save the youngest, which being wounded at the first, died soon , after among the Indians. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 103 And such was the goodness of God to those poor captive women and children, that they found so much favor in the sight of their enemies, that they offered no wrong to any of their persons, save what they could not help, being in many wants themselves. Neither did they offer any uncivil carriage to any of the females, nor ever attempted the chastity of any of them, either being restrained of God, as was Abimeleck of old, or by some other accidental cause which withheld them from doing any wrong in that kind. Upon the report of this disaster, Capt. Wadsworth, then at Marlborough, with about forty resolute men, adventuring the rescuing of the town that was Temaining: And having recovered a bridge, they got over safe, though the planks were pulled off by the enemy, and being led up in a way not discovered by them, they forced the Indians for the present to quit the place, after they had burnt and destroyed the better half of it. Yet afterwards it not being judged tenable, it was abandoned to the pleas ure of the insulting foe. 2. A letter written February lOth, 1675-6, by Thomas Hinkley, then in Boston, to his wife ; printed in the appen dix, page 436, to Nathaniel Morton's "New England's Memorial," edition of 1826. Dear Heart : Since my last inclosed which I broke up to signify to thee, not to expect my coming home this week. Job the other Indian spy, sent out as I have before said, is last night returned to Capt. Gookins & informs, that the Narragansets are got to the Quabaug Indians four hundred of them & three hundred of the others as I mentioned heretofore & informs that six of Eames his children, the owner of the house burnt at Sudbury of which before, ^re with the Indians, and the Indians intend marching this day three hundred of them to faU upon Lancaster alias Nashaway. Post was sent by Capt. Gookin and Mr Danforth last night, midnight for eighty troopers & forty foot thereabout & at Mariborough to hasten to Lancaster for their relief, but whether they came time enough is not yet known. A post came thence today to inform, a great many Indians were at Lancaster bridge : and the smoke of some houses fired there appeared to him as he came. The good Lord fit us for his pleasure. 3. A True Account of the most Considerable Occur ences that have happened in the Warre between the English and the Indians in New England. London 1676. jQ, ANNALS OF LANCASTER, the Enemy visited us, and assaulted Lancaster, a small Town, in which the Inhabitants, having retired into some fortified Houses and deserted the Rest, the Indians burnt those, and assaulted the Garrisoned Houses, but were not able to carry any of them but one. wherein were 42 Persons 12 men, the Rest Women and chUdren of whom they slew several, and carried the Rest Prisoners : The Hou.se was the Ministers, one Mr Rowlandson, whose Wife and Children they carried Captive (which are since returned to us) on the 11* of May two of our Captives were returned by Ransom from the Indians who had been taken at the Destruction of the Town of Lancaster : the one of them the Sister of the Wife of Mr Rowlandson Minister of the Place : and another Woman taken out of the same House About the time of that Thanks giving the Son and Daughter of that worthy Minister of Jesus Christ, Mr Rowlandson, who had been Captives since the Burning of Lancaster were retumed by Ransom. She wandered with an Indian Woman from the Rest of the Indian Company (by whom she had been detained) three Days in the Woods, having Nothing to eat all that time but green Hurtle- berries : with which she was sustained till she and the Woman arrived at our English Town of Providence, and so got Home. 4. News from New England being a True and last Ac count of the present Bloody Wars, &c. London 1676. in a Town called Nashaway which they set Fire to, and burnt to the Ground, taking no less than 55 Persons into their Merciless Cap tivity of these 55 Captives, the Minister of the Towns Relations made no less than 17 of them : viz, Mrs Rowlandson the Minister? Wife, and three of his Children, her Sister [Elizabeth Kerley] and seaven Chil dren, and her Sister Drew [Hannah Divotl] and four ChUdren. . . . Another pamphlet published in London late in the same year, entitied "A new and further Narrative of the State of New England," copies its facts from the preceding. A List of the Casualties Feby 10 i67|. Compiled from all KNOWN sources of INFORMATION. Killed in Rowlandson Garrison. Ensign John Divoll. Josiah DivoU, son of John, aged 7. Daniel Gains. Abraham Joslin, aged 26. John MacLoud. Thomas Rowlandson, nephew of the minister, aged 19. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 105 John Kettle, aged 36. John Kettle, Jr. Joseph Kettle, son of John, aged 10. Mrs Elizabeth Kerley, '.vife of Lieut. Henry. WiUiam Kerley, son of Lieut Henry, aged 17. Joseph Kerley, do., aged 7. Mrs Priscilla Roper, wife of Ephraim. PrisciUa, chUd of Ephraim, aged 3. Carried Captive from Roivlandson Garrison. Mrs Mary Rowlandson, wife of the minister, ransomed. Mary Rowlandson, daughter of the minister, aged 10, ransomed. Sarah Rowlandson, do., aged 6, wounded & died Feb 18. Joseph Rowlandson, son of the minister, aged 13, ransomed. Mrs Hannah Divoll, wife of Ensign John, ransomed. John Divoll, son of Ensign John, aged 12, died captive? WiUiam Divoll, do., aged 4, ransomed. Hannah Divoll, daughter of do, aged 9, died captive? Mrs Ann Joslin, wife of Abraham, kiUed in captivity. Beatrice Joslin, daughter of Abraham, do. Joseph JosUn, brother of Abraham, aged 16. Henry Kerley, son of Lieut Henry, aged 18. Hannah Keriey, daughter of do., aged 13. Mary Keriey, do., - aged 10. Martha Kerley, do., aged 4. A child Kerley, name & age unknown. Mrs Elizabeth Kettle, wife of John, ransomed. Sarah Kettle, daughter of John, aged 14 escaped. Jonathan Kettle, son of John, aged 5. A child Kettle, daughter do. 20 Ephraim Roper alone escaped during the assault. i 3S Mrs. Rowlandson writes : " Of thirty-seven persons who were in this one house, none escaped either present death or a bitter captivity save only one." Most authorities are unit ed, however, in stating the number of the garrison as 42. Seven persons are therefore unaccounted fc^r in above list. Killed outside of Rowlandson Garrison, being all of South Lancaster. John Ball. Mrs EUzabeth BaU, wife of John. An infant child of [ohn BaU. [o6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Jonas Fairbank. Joshua Fairbank, son of Jonas, aged 15. Ephraim Sawyer, aged 26. Henry Farrar. Richard Wheeler. A man mentioned by Mrs Rowlandson, but not named. Captive. Two of John BaU's family names unknown. II The whole number of casualties being 55, nine remain not ascertained. A soldier from Watertown aged 20, named George Harrington, was killed near Prescott's Mills a few days after the massacre, and John Roper was killed the day the town was finally abandoned by all its inhabi tants, March 26, 1676. A special session of the General Court was called by Governor Leverett, Feb. 21, and among the orders passed were these : It is ordered, on request of Capt. Scyll, that the comittee for the warr doe forthw* send twenty pounds of tobacco & three gallons of rume for the supply of the company that now resides at Lancaster. [Massachusetts Records.] 25* February Mr Roulison not being disposed to accept of the motion of y» Court to goe out w"' the forces as preacher, it is ordered, that Mr Samuel Nowell be intreated to goe vpon that service [Massachusetts Records.] So great was the terror inspired throughout the Bay towns by the quick succeeding Indian raids of this period, that it was seriously proposed to Abandon and fence out Lancaster, Groton and other outiying towns by a stockade eight feet high and twelve miles in length, from Watertown to Wamesit. \_Mass. Archives, lxviii, 174. J Three pounds per head bounty was voted by General Com t for the killing or capturing of "sculking Indians," and the following is found, crossed, in Massachusetts Archives, lxix, 43 : MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 107 August 12 1676. The Councili doth hereby declare that if any person or persons Volunteers of this Colony shall bring in y' body of PhiUp sachem dead or alive they shall haue for y' reward 50,^ & for Sam Sachem of Lanchaster ' 20;^ & for Jno [Monoco] of Lanchaster 10^ To the Hono'-'l Governor. The Information of Hugh Clarke Sheweth. That hee being the last weeke vpon the Scout w"' Capt. Gibbs, through the woods about Lan caster, Concord, Sudbury &c, they found seuerall houses deserted, hauing corn in them & Cattle about them belonging to the late Inhabitants thereof who for feare left theire habitations, wee brought in about thirty fifive head of Cattle into Concord which wee founde, & left about 60 bushells of corn in one house : So that the Enemy haue a very great advantage, in recruit ing themselues thereby w'*' provisions : and the English wilbee exceedingly straitned without some expedient bee founde out for prevention thereof: by drawing in the corn & cattle from the out flfarmes or otherwise as yo' Hono' shall thinke meete ffeby 23 167s, 6 In another hand, in the margin opposite the statement about " 60 bushells of corn," is written, " in Kettis farme" — "it is so in several others." Ordered by the CouncUl that the Secretary give forth warrants to the Constables of Concord & Sudbury requiring them forthw* to impresse 8 carts in each Town for the bringing down of the goods of such persons of Lancaster as being bereaved by the late hand of god are disenabled from continuing there w<:'' carts shall be delivered, to Ralph Houghton & Dea con Sumner of Lancaster to be imployed as above 24 feb 1675. past p CounciU E. R. S. [Massachusetts Archives, LXVIII, 142.] To tlie Hofierd Gournor and Counsell The humble petition of the poor destressed people of Lancaster, ' humbley sheweth, that sence die enemy mad such sad & dismall hauocke amongst our deare ffreinds & Bretheren, & we that are left who haue our Liues for a prey sadly sencable of Gods Judgm'^ upon us, this with the destresse we are now in dus embolden us to present our humble Requests to yo' Honors, hoping our Condisions may be considered by you & our Requests find exeptance with you, our stat is very deplorable, in our Inca- pasity to subsist, as to Remoue away we can not, the enemy has so Incom- pased us, otherwise for want of help our catle being the most of them caried away by the barberou.ss heathen, & to stay disinabled for want of food, the Towns people are Genrally gon who felt the Judgm' but light. Io8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, & had theyr catle left them with theyr estats, but we many of us heare in this prison, haue not bread to last us on mongth & our other provision spent & gon, for the genrallyty, our Town is drawn into two Carlsons wherin are by the Good favours of yo' Hon'» eighteen soulders, which we gladly majntayn soe long as any thing lasts, & if yo' Honors should call them of, we are .«eartaynlya bayt for the enemy if God do not wonderfully prevent, therefore we hop as God has mad you fathers ouer us so you will haue a fathers pitty to us & extend your care ouer us who are yo' poor destressed subjects. We are sorowful to Leaue the place, but hoplesse to keep it unlesse mayntayned by the Cuntrey, it troubles our sperits to giue any Incuridgm' to the enemy, or leaue any thing for them to promot their wicked designe, yet better saue our Liues then lose Life & Estat both, we are in danger emenent, the enemy leying Aboue us, nay on both sids of us, as dus playingly Apeare. our womens cris dus dayly Increase beand expresion which dus not only fill our ears but our hearts fuU of Greefe, which makes us humbly Request yo' Hon'» to send a Gard of men & that if you please so comand we may haue Carts About fourteen wiU Remoue the whool eight of which has been presed long at Sudburry but nevr came for want of a small gard of men, the whooll that is, all that are in the on Garison, Kept in Major Willards house, which is all from yo' Hon'> most humble servants & suplyants. Jacob ffarrar Lancast' March ii'.'' i6^| John Houghton Sen' John Moore John Whittcomb Job Whittcomb Jonathan Whittcomb John Houghton Jun' Cyprian Steevens The other on Garison are in the Uke destresse & soe humbley desire yo' like pitty & ffatherly car, haueing widows & many ffatherlesse chilldren. the Numb' of Carts to Carey away this garison is twenty Carts. Yo' Hon" Humble pettisioners. John Prescott Sen' Tho. Sawyer Sen' Tho. Sawyer Jun' Jonathan Prescott Tho Willder John Willder Sarah Wheeler wid Widow ffarbanks John Rigby Nathaniell Wilder John Roofer Widow Roofer [M.assachusetts Archives, LXVIII, 156.] The whole is in the handwriting of Cyprian Steevens. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 109 A short naratiue of what I haue atended vnto by the councili of late since I went to releiue Groatten the 21:1: ||. I went to Concord. & devided the troope committed vnto me fi-om Esex & Northfoike, into three pt" one to garde the carts, presed from Sudbury, one pt. for the carts presed fi-om Concord, both to Lancaster, & one pt for the carts that went from Chariestowne & Wattertowne, that went volintiers or wear hiered, when I had sent them to ther seueraU placeses I came downe, beinge the 22 : I : 756 : & went to Concord the 25 : i ; l| when I came ther, I inquiered how it was with Lancaster, the answer was they weare in distrese, I psently sent 40 horse theiyr to fetch away corne, & I went that night to Chellms- foord to se how it was with them,, they Complayned, Billerikye Bridge stood in great need of being fortified. I ordered that to be don, allso they told me, that the Indians made two great rafts of boords & rayles, that they had gott that laye at the other syd of the Riuers. I ordered, 20 souUdiers to go ouer & take them, & tourne them downe the Riuer or pre serue them, as they se cause, the 27 of this Instant I went from CheUms- foofd to Concord agayne, when I came ther, the troopers that I sent to Lancaster last, had broght awaye all the people ther but had left about 50 bushells of wheat & Indian corne. Yesterdaye I sent 40 horses or mor to fetch it awaye, & came downe from Concord, this daye I expectt they ¦wiU be at Concord. Some of the troope I relesed when this last worke was don, the other I left order to scout ahead vntUl they heer frome me agayne. I thought it not meet to relese more, when we stand in need of men. my desier is to know what I shall do herin. Concord & Chellmsfoord looke euery daye to be fiered, & wold haue more men but know not how to keepe them nor paye them. Your humbl servant 29 : 1 : 76. Simon Willard The above letter has been printed in the "Willard Memoir," but in modem spelling. The original is in Massachusetts Archives, LXVlll, 186. 1676, April 25. Major Willard dyes at Charleston, buryed 27'.'' [Diary of Samuel Sewall, 1, 12.] 1676. RANSOMING THE CAPTIVES. Mr Rowlandson minister of Lancaster (a pious and good man) having his wife, children & several friends in Captivity among the enemy .... himself and several other ministers in his behalf had some time since pe titioned the Council to use what means they could for the redemption of his wife &c. Which the Council consented to and in pursuance thereof ordered Major Gookin to endeavour to procure at Deer Island one or two Indians that for a reward might adventure to go with a message to the enemy to offer for the redemption of our captives, particularly Mrs Row landson. But although the Major went to the Island and did his utmost J JO ANNALS OF LANCASTER, endeavours to procure an Indian to adventure upon this service at that time yet could not prevaO with any ; so the matter lay dormant a good space of time. But on the 23" of March some friends advised Mr Row landson to make another petition to revive the former motion ; which he did that day. The Council declared themselves ready to promote it and send a message if any could be procured. Major Gookin who stirred up Mr Rowlandson hereunto was informed that one of the Indians lately brought down fi-om Concord named Tom Dublet alias Nepponet had some inclination to run that adventure ; of which the Major informing the CouncU they ordered Capt Hinchman to treat and agree with him which he accordingly did and brought him up from Deer Island some few days after; and he was sent to Major Gookins at Cambridge, where he was according to the order of the CouncU, fitted and furnished for this enterprise ; and had a letter from the CouncU to the enemy concerning the redemption of the Captives, and upon Monday AprU 3* he was sent away from Cambridge upon his journey, and he did effect it with care and prudence and returned again upon the 12* of April with this answer in writing from the enemy. [Daniel Gookin's History of the Praying Indians.] Letter sent by Tom Dublett. For the Indian Sagamores & people that are in warre against us. Intelligence is come to us that you have some English, especiaUy women and children in Captivity among you. We have therefore sent the messenger offering to redeem them either for pay ment in goods or wampum or by exchange of prisoners. We desire your answer by this our messenger what price you demand for every man woman and child, or if you will exchange for Indians. If you have any among you that can write your answer to this our message, we desire it in writing; and to that end have sent, paper pen and incke by the messenger. If you lett our messenger have free accesse to you. freedome of a safe returne, we are willing to doe the like by any messenger of yours, provided he come unarmed, and carry a white flag upon a staffe, visible to be seene, which we take as a flag of truce, and is used by civilized nations in time of warre, when any messengers are sent in a way of treaty, which we have done by oar messenger. In testimony whereof I have set my hand & seal. John Leverett Gov Boston 31 March 1676. Passed by the Council Edward Rawson Stcy [Massachusetts Records.] Answer brought back April 12. We now giue answer by this one man, but if you like my answer send one more man besides this one Tom Nep- anet, and send with all true heart and with aU your mind by two men, because you know and we knovv your heart great sorrowful with crying for your lost many many hundred men and all your house and all your land, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. m and woman, child and cattle, as all your thing that you have lost and on your backside stand. Sam Sachejn KuTQUEN and Peter Jethro Ouanohit Sagamore Scribe Mr Rowlandson, your wife and all your chUd is well but one dye, your sister is well and her 3 chUd. John Kettel your wife and all your child is all well, and all them prisoners taken at Nashua is all well. Mr Rolandson se your louing Sister his hand C Hanah And old Kettel wif his hand -j" Brother Rowlandson, pray send thre pounds of Tobacco for me if you can, my louing husband pray send thre pound of tobacco for-me. This writing by your enemies Samuel Uskattuhgun atid Gunrashit. two Indian Sagamores This letter is printed in S. G. Drakes' " Biography and History of the Indians of North America." The original has not been discovered. Mr. Rowlandson had meantime interested Mr. John Hoar of Concord in his behalf, a man who had won to himself the entire confidence of the. Indians, by deserving it. His friendly and brave interposition perhaps availed mpre towards the recovery of the captives than all the colony's power or the governor's diplomacy. Tom Dublett, alias Nepanet or Nepenomp, was again sent, and with him Peter Tatatiquinea, alias Conway, with a letter from the Council of which no copy is found. They brought back 27, 2"° 1676, a second reply from the chiefs, written by James Printer, an Indian who had passed sixteen years apprenticeship in Samuel Green's printing office in Cam bridge. The original is in the Massachusetts Archives, Hutchinson Papers, 11, 282. ffor the Governor and the Council at Boston. The Indians, Tom Nepennomp and Peter Tatatiqunea hath brought us letter from you about the EngUsh Captives, especially for Mrs Rolanson ; the answer is I am sorrow that I haue don much wrong to you and yet I say the falte is lay upon you, for when we began quarel at first with PUmouth men I did not think that you should haue so much truble as now is : therefore I am wiUing to hear your desire about the Captives. Therefore we desire you to sent Mr Rolanson and goodman 112 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Kettel: (for their wives) and these Indians Tom and Peter to redeem their wives, they shall come and goe very safely : Whereupon we ask Mrs Rolanson, hovv niuch your husband willing to giue for you she o-aue an answer 20 pound in goodes but John Kittels wife could not till, and the rest captives may be spoken of hereafter. In Massachusetts Archives, X.X.X, 201, is the Council's response. To the Indian Sachems about Wachusets. We receiued your letter by Tom and Peter, which doth not answer ours to you: neither is subscribed by the sachems nor hath it any date, which we knovv your scribe James Printer doth well understand should be. wee haue sent the s'' Tom & Peter againe to you expecting you will speedily by them giue us a plaine & direct answer^ to our last letter, and if you haue anything more to propound to us wee desire to haue it fi-om you under your hands, by these our messengers, and you shall haue a speedy answer. Dated the 28*, April, 1676. Mr. Hoar accompanied these messengers, bearing twenty pounds in money and goods raised by several Boston gen tiemen for the ransom of Mrs. Rowlandson. May 2d, his purpose happily effected, Mr. Hoar with the two Nashobah messengers brought the redeemed captive from Wachusett to Lancaster, and the day following arrived in Boston. Monday, May 7, Tom Dublett was again on the path to Wachusett, accompanying Mr. Seth Perry, a messenger with written instructions for his own guidance and the fol lowing letter to the sachems : These for the saggamores about Watchusets, Phillip, John, Sam, Washa- ken. Old Queen Sr' Pomhom. Wee received your letter by John Hoare, who went vp to yow vi<^ the messengers, Tom & Peeter, being sent to yow from M' Roulandson. Our e.xpectations was, that yow would lett vs know vpon what condition yow would release to vs all the English captiues among yow. Our minde is not to make bargaine w* yow for one & one, but for altogether. Vnto this, which was our cheife buisnes, yow send vs no answer, which wee doe not take kindly, for this way spends much time. In your letter to vs yow say yow desire not to be hindred by our men in your planting, pmising not to doe damage to our tounes. This is a great matter, and therefore cannot be ended by letters, without speaking one w"> another ; we haue tlierefore sent to yow once more, to lett yow know our minds w* all speed. If yow MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. II3 will send vs home all the English prisoners, it will be a great testimony of a true heart in yow to peace, vvhich yow s.ay yow are willing to haue ; and then, if any of your sachems and Councellors will come to vs at Boston, or els to Concord or Sudbury, to meet with such cheife men as wee shall send, wee will speak w"* yow about your desires, and with tnie heart deale w"' yow. This way is the best way ; therefore send speedily to vs, whither yow wiU accept it or no. If yow vnderstand not our full minde, Seth Perry, whom we now send w"' this letter, will declare it more plainely. And wee doe hereby grant & promise, that all such as yow shall imploy in a treaty w"" vs shall be safe & free to come & goe, on condition that our messen gers also shallbe safe w"" yow May the 5"", 1676. By the Court Edward Rawson, Secret [Massachusetts Records.] A verbal message seems to have been returned appoint ing a meeting, and Jonathan Prescott was sent the following Thiirsday,, with a letter of elaborate instructions for his own conduct, and the following : To the Indian sachems. Yow know we.e sent our messengers according to your desire, and wee very true heart, but yow no giue vs answer in writ ing, by our messengers, as yow promise ; wee now send these our men, Peeter Gardiner & Jonathan Prescott, to know your minde, whether yow wUling lett vs haue our weomen & chUdren yow haue captives ; and if yow haue any proposall to make to vs, wee willing to heare yow ; and if yow come yourselues, wee send some of our sachems to treat yow at Concord, or some other place where best, and yow haue safe conduct ; for wee very true heart, and yow tell your people so. By the Court Edw : Rawson Secret. [Massachusetts Records.] The story of this meeting, and of colonial ingratitude to a faithful and brave copper-colored Christian, was told eight years later in a petition found in Massachusetts Archives, xxx, 279. Aprill the second 1684. "Wheras wee Peeter Gardner, Daniel Chamney, & Jonathan Prescot were Imployed By the Hono'ed Council sometime in May or June 1777 [6] to goe vp among the enimy Indians that then quartered in the woods About Watchuset in order to procure the deliuery of Inglish captiues, Wee doe Certify that Thomas Dublet alius Nepanet was our interpreter & helper in that Affayre, And that hee had beene a jorney before that time to treat w* the enimy & had procured them to 8 11^ ANNALS OF LANCASTER, meet vs aboue twenty miles from ther quarters, for the sachems met vs betwene Concord & Groaten ; and at that time old Goodman Morse of Watertoii vvas deliuered to vs & brought home & haueing By order paid fower pounds for his redemption w<^'' Thomas Nepanet had bargained for in his fornier jorney. And we further say y' the said Tom Nepanet carried it faithfully in that matter & Deserues satisfaction for his TrauUle & Ad- uenture in y' dificult time & v/e vnderstand hee hath receiued no satis faction for that seruice hitherto, therefore wee humble conceue the Hono'ed Council! should consider him and order him to receue thirty or forty shiUings for that Hazardoes seruice : And In testimony of the Truth of this certificate wee whose names are aboue exp'ssed haue here vnto sett o' hands the day & yeare aboue written. To bee p'sented to the Honble Gouernor & CounciU of the Massachusetts Colony ; by the pson concerned. Jonathan Prescott [Endorsed] Daniel Chamne At a CouncU held at Boston the 8"' May 1684 In Answer to the petition of Tho. Dublett Indian & in sattisfaction for his paynes & trauile about y« procurm' of Goodman Morses freedom from ye Indians : tis ordered that y Tresurer giue him two Coates. past E. R. S. Mr. Hoar, three pounds ten shillings of the Money ordered you from Mr John Hubbert Must be remitted into the hands of Jonathan Prescot to compleat Payment for Goodwife Divell to y' Indians. Boston 13 Ap. 1676. Joseph Dudley by order of the Councili [Massachusetts Archives, c, 189.] In a letter from Rev. Thomas Cobbet of Ipswich to Mather, called "New England's DeHverances," being No. 76 of the Mather Manuscripts in the Prince Library, is some information respecting the Lancaster captives not elsewhere to be found. ...... May the 12'h Goodwife Diuens [Divoll] and Goodwife Kede vpon ransom paid, came in to Concord, and vpon like ransom presently after John Moss of Groton and Lieftenant Carters [Kerley's] daughter were set at Uberty, and nine more without ransom .... Mr Rowlinsons daughter was brought to Seaconke by a captiue squa, that got away from the Indians, and got home after Mr Rowlinsons son and his sister Diuens [DivolVs] daughter, vpon theyr ransoms paid, were brought to Major Waldrens. And about July 11"' Goodwife Ketles elder daughter, about 17 y old, got away from the Indians to Mariborough ' bringing her little sister vpon her back almost starued MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 115 In Massachusetts Archives, lxx, 125, a petition and ac companying papers add to our knowledge of this subject. To the honored General Court noiv sitting at boston October y' 15M, 1684. the humbl petision of Onesiphoras page of Salsbury humbly Sheweth. That whearas about the Latter end of the Late warr with the Indians several captives wear brought in at Maj' Waldrons & Mr Peter Coffens, among w'='' wear the Sons of .Mr Rolenson & of the widow Divel : which 2 Captives your petisioner was sent to redeem, by the widow Wells of Salsbury who was sister to Mr Rolenson : & when yo' petison' came there the Ransom of Mr Rolenson's son was pay* by the Gentlemen of the place, so yo' peti- oner had only to do with the other (to witt) the widow divels son : for whose Ransom yo' petioner gaue his bill of four pounds to Mr Coffen, & afterwards Mr Rolenson moued the' Counsell about it who wear pleased to vndertake the paying of the sd four pound Boston 2i»' May 1677. On the motion &Tnformation of Mr Rowlison that Goodwife divall's son hath binn redeemed from his Captivity for which fower pounds was promissed by Left. Peter Coffyn &by his Agent demanded of the sayd Goodwife Divall ; who hauing lost hir husband & three of her children : being very low & vnable to make payment. It is ordered that if the sayd fower pounds be not already ordered to be discharged It is now ordered that Left Peter Coffyn placing the sayd sume on the countreys Account and. It shall be allowed him. That this is a true Copie, Attests Edw" Rawson Secrety By summer time the Sachems were pretty thoroughly humbled, as is shown by the following letters coming from Shoshanim, alias Sam, the chieftain of Nashaway, who had " insulted over the English, and said if the Eng lish would first begge Peace of him, he would let them have Peace, but that he would never ask it of them." These letters are printed in Samuel G. Drake's " Biography and history of the Indians of North America." It is not known where the originals are. To all Englishmen and Indians, all of you hear Mr Waban Mr Eliott. July 6 1676. Mr John Leverett, my Lord, Mr Waban, and all the cheif men our Brethren Praying to God : We beseech you all to help us : my wife she is but one, but there be more Prisoners, which we pray you keep weU : Mattamuck his wife we entreat you for her, and not onely that man, but it is the Request of two Sachems, Sam Sachem of Weshakum, and the Pakashoag Sachem. And that further you wUI consider about the making jl6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Peace : We haue spoken to the people of Nashobah (viz Tom Dubler and Peter) that wc would agree vvith you and make covenant of Peace with you. We haue been destroyed by your souldiers, but still we Remember it now to sit still : do you consider it again : we do earnestly entreat you, that it may be so by Jesus Christ. O let it be so : Amen Amen. Mattamuck his Mark |\| Sam Sachem his Mark X Simon Pottoquam Scribe Uppanippaquum his C Pakashokag his Mark ^ My Lord Mr Leveret at Boston, Mr Waban, Mr Eliott, Mr Gookin, and Council, hear yea. I went to Connecticot about the Captives, that I might bring them into your hands, and when we were almost there the English had destroyed those Indians. When I lieard it I returned back again : then when I came home, we were also destroyed : After we vvere destroyed then Philip and Quanipun went away into their own Countrey againe : and I knew they were much afraid, because of our offer to joyn witb the English, and therefore they went back into their own Countrey, and I know they will make no warre : therefore because when some English men came to us Philip and Quanipun sent to kill them : but I said if any kill them, IU kiU them. Sam Sache.m Written by Si.mon Boshokum Scribe The Council replied — That treacherous persons who began the war and those that have been barberously bloody, must not expect to haue their lives spared, but others that have been drawn into the war, and acted only as souldiers submitting to be without arms & to live quietly Sc. peaceably for the future shall haue their lives spared. Finally, perhaps under some false promise, or hope that the pardon offered might be extended to them, or be ing worn out with privations, the sachems came in at Cocheco in September and gave themselves up. A letter of Thomas Cobbet to Increase Mather, in Massachusetts Archives, Hutchinson Papers, ii, 288-9, ^^^ *'^^^ mention of Monoco at that time. ...... Ye blasphemous speeches of one eyed John vttered at Gro ton to Capt Parker in y' heareing of Diuerse : Boasting how many places he had Burned, & saying he would burne Concord, Watertown, Charles towne &c Adding: And Me will doe, what me will : the-se were spread before y" Lord, & pleaded that he would plead that cause of his soueraignty MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. I17 Against that wretch : w'^^ he did in September 76, who when take;i at y' Eastward & standing bound ready to bee put aboard y" vessel prouided to send him & others to Boston, he suddainly fell a singing in his humbling posture : & being asked by one of y" souldiers who was there lo guard y"', why he sung : replied : me must sing or dye : y' souldier replying y' if he were so Afraid,, why did he come lo y' English, he answered, y' no man brought him thither but Englishmans god Alone brought him to that end : and was afterward executed at Boston 1676 Sept 26, Tuesday Sagamore Sam & Daniel Goble is drawn in a cart upon bed cloaths to execution One eyed John, Maliompe Sagamore of Quapaug, General at Lancaster & Jelhro (the Father) walk to the gallows. [Diary of Samuel Sewall, I, 2a.] The stem, even-handed justice of the judges is attested by this record. Daniel Goble, thus executed with the murderers of the women and children of Lancaster, was a soldier, the ringleader in an atrocious murder of Indian women and children, during the popular excitement suc ceeding the Indian massacres. The sad story touched Lancaster, in the person of one of its most promising young men, and must not be passed over here. "Wee the Grand Jury for om- Soueraigue Lord the King doe Present & Indict Nathaniell Wilder of Concord [Lancaster] in the County of Mid lesex in New England for that be not hauing the fearevcrf. God, befeMre his . eyes & being Instigat.'id by the Divil vv'i- other. ii&Accomplises al or on. the 7* of August last, at or neere to Hurtlebury hill, in the woods in the precincts of Concord or neere therevnto did murder & kill three Indian weomen & three Indian Children contrary to the peace of our Soueraigne Lord the King his Crowne & dignitye the law of God & of this Jurisdic tion. The Jurors fBnds this beiU and leue hime to ffurther triall. Richard Calicott fforeman in the name off the rest off the Jurey. [Endorsed] They finde a speciall vierdict. If being present & seing the feet done & concenting, it be murder then we find him gilty according to Inditement, if not not gilty. To the keeper of the prison in Boston. You are hereby in his majty« name, required to take into yo' safe cus tody the persons of Daniel Goble, Stephen Goble, Nathaniel Wilder & Daniel Hoare & them safely keepe, in order to their Uyall for killing of seueraU Indians weomen & chUdren w<='> they owned, and see that they be Il8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, forth coming at the next court of Assist-ants, or whenever the authoritys shall giue further order, dated in Boston the ii"' day of August 1676. By order of the CounciU Edw" Rawson Secrety [Massachusetts Archives, xxx, 209, 211, 221.] The four soldiers were convicted and •sentenced to death. 11"' Oct 1676. Upon the humble peticon of Daniel Hoare & Nathan iell Wilder, presented to this Court, acknouledging the justice of this Court, & begging pardon for their liues, the Court haue granted their petition, and accordingly doe remitt the sentence of death passed against them, and order, that they pay prison chardges and tenn pounds apeece money, halfe towards the charge of witnesses, to be payd to the Tresurer of the country, and the other halfe to Andrew Pittime, & Swagon, y= Indians prosecuting against them : on payment whereof they are dischardged. [Massachusetts Records.] 1676 Sept 6. In answer to the petition of Ralph Houghton of Lancas ter it is ordered that the peticonerbe payd for his disbursements mentioned in his petition by the executors of" the late Tresurer - ... his oune rate amounting to six pounds to the country being discompted. [ Massachusetts Records.] 1676 Oct. 12. This Court being informed by certifncat vnder the hand of Capt. Daniell Hincksman, that when he was out in the service of the country at Lancaster, they had occasion to make vse of an oxe for a sup ply of the forces vnder his cofiiand, which sajd oxe was vallued. by indiff erent persons, at fiue pounds in country pay, on a motion made in behalfe of the ouno' of the oxe John Houghton, it is ordered, that the Tresurer of the Country make payment to the sajd Houghton for the sajd oxe accordingly. [Massachusetts Records.] 1676 Oct 12. In answer to the petition of Lawrence Waters of Lan caster humbly desiring the favour of this court to order the payment of his accounts mentioned in his peticon of seven pounds fiueteen shillings & fower penc, or thereabouts, due him from the country, his rate of forty tvvo shiUings being deducted, the ballance may be pajd him, being aged & bUnd, &c, it is ordered that the Tresurer make payment to the peticoner the surhe aboue mentioned, prouided that if it is belonging to the old Tresurer and not charged in his account, that he passe it to the new Tresurer. [Massachusetts Records.] 1677 Oct. 22. The Court on vejw of widdow Wheelers bill, of Lancas- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. ik ter of disbursements, signed by the coiriittee for y= Country, doe order & grant her payment from the Tresurer of si.xe pounds nine shillings & eight pence. [Massachusetts Records.] 1678. November 23. Dyed Mr Joseph Rowlandson the worthy & faithful Pastor of Weathersfield about y'= 47 year of his age. He dyed Suddenly & his death was much Lamented & there was great cause, espec. at this time w" God is calling home his Embassaders apace besides others to pour of his Displeasure vpon y* Country. [Bradstreet's Journal.] Reverend Joseph Rowlandson had been called to Weth- ersfield, Connecticut, as colleague tothe Reverend Gershom Bulkeley, in April, 1677. November 24, 1678, is usually given as the date of his death. Among the Shattuck Manuscripts of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society is the report of a Committee dated Cambridge, 28 : if 1676, appointed to propose means for the security of the frontier towns. It was therein rec ommended : That such townes as Lankester, groaten & mariborough that are forced to remoue ; and haue not some aduantage of settlement (peculiar) in y' bay, be ordered to settle at y" frontire townes that remain for their strengthening ; and y' people of y' said townes to which they are appointed are to see to their accomodations, in y' s* townes. Few df the Lancaster refugees but had relatives or friends in the lower towns, and in their banishment they became widely scattered. Most of them, however, longed to return to their dearly bought lands on the Nashaway, and those who had found temporary resting places in Sudbury and Concord may have visited the ashes of their homes from time to time. So soon as their savage enemies had been subjugated, they moved to the resettlement, and as at first, sturdy John Prescott led the van. 1679. To the honored County Co'^i sitting at Cambridge October 7. 1679 Ye humble petition of those whose names are here vnderwritten y" Inhabitants of Lancaster before o' remouall from thence by reason of f late warres, in o' owne & others behalfe, y^ pprietors of y= said place as J20 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, foUoweth. Whereas there was an order made the Last hono'ed generall Co't y' places deserted should not be againe Inhabited, till the people first make application vnto the Gouno' & Council, or to the County Co't w"'in whose Jurisdiction they be, for a coihittee to order matters concerning y= place, as in the said Law is expressed, wee yo' petitioners w"" diuers oth ers purposing (if y" Lord please) to returne to Lancaster from whence wee haue beene scattered, doe humbly request this Co't that they will be pleased to nominate & appoint an able &. discreet Coihittee for that end, who may w"' all conuenient speed attend the said Buisnes that soe wee may pceed to settle the place w"! comfort & encouragement & yo' petitioners shall pray for the Lords gracious psence w* you in aU yo' Administracons [Added in another hand.] John Prescot Senior And the persones which we vnder[vvrit] John More doe nomenat if this honered Court se caus Thomas Sawyer Sener to aproue of them is Decon Ward of John Rugg Marelborogh, leutenant haines of Sutbery John' Prescott Juner and comit Woodes of Concord. Jonath Prescott Thomas Wilder Thomas Sayer Juner [Endorsement.] Josiah Whiet 7:8: 79. In answ' to y* motion of y' within named subscribers, the Court do nomenate Capt. Prentice, Deacon Stone, & Corporall W" Bond to be a Coihittee to settle y" rebuilding of LanchaSter as the order of Court provides. Capt Prentice to appoynt y' time & place of meeting & all persons concerned accordingly to attend. [Middlesex Court Files.] The action of this Committee seems not to have been made matter of record. Lancaster had inhabitants and recorded births, in both 1679 and 1680. 1 68 1. To the Honoured generall Court now siting at Boston our Hon oured Gouernor, deputie gouernor Assistants and deputies. The petition of the poore Inhabitants of Lancaster humbly Sheweth. That whereas your poore petitioners by the late Indian warr were much Ruined, our houses and other buildings and fences burned, and most of our substance wasted and som of our ChUdren slaine and som caried into Captiuity by the enimy and som neuer Returned, and we with the Rest forced to fly for our liues and to leaue our places of liuing to seeke shelter in other townes where we could, And haue gone through many straits and dificulties vpon that acount, soe that few townes in the cuntrie haue suf- ered the like, And now through the good hand of god' about 17 or 18 famUies haue againe Returned with a desire to build the plantation againe and through many dificulties, by Reson of our pouertie, are about building MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 121 and fencing that soe they may provid bread for their families, and not be troublesom and burdensom to other townes which of nesesitie must haue bene If we had Continued where we were, and this yeare the honoured tresurer sent his warant for a Cuntrie Rate, And tho it be but a litle, yet to our greife we must say we are not able to pay it. Theirefore your poore petitioners humbly Craue this Honoured Court to Remit this Rate and grant an exemption from Cuntrie Rats for the future for som years, soe many as this Honoured Court may Judge meet. And in soe doing you will oblige your poore petitioners as in dutie we are bound for euer to pray for a blessing vpon all the Concerns of this Honoured Court. This petition by a generall voice and voate of all the inhabitants was desired to be drawne subscribed and presented By me. . Ralph Houghton The magists Judge meet to grant y" petitioners exemption from Coun try Rates for this yeare & the next, their bretheren the deputyes hereto consenting. Edward Rawson Secretary 17"' ffeb' 1681. Consented to by the deputies William Torrey Cleric [Massachusetts Archives, CXll, 330.] 1681 Dec 20, The Deposition of Tho: Wilder aged 37 years sworn, sayth that being with Jno Prescott Senf About six houers before he died he y' sd Jno : Prescott gaue to his eldest sonn Jno : Prescott his house lott with all belonging to y* same & y= two mills, corn mill & saw mill with y^ land belonging therto & three scor Acors of land nere South medow & fourty Acors of land nere Wonchesix & a pece of entervile called Johns Jump & Bridge medow on both sids y' Brook. Cyprian Steevens Testi- fieth to all y" truth Above writen. Sworn in Court. J. R. c [Middlesex Court Files.] Upon y» 7"" of April 1683 Lancaster. A Jury of Inquest was Caled to giue in their virdict concerning y« vn- timely death of John Whitcomb, we whose names are vnderwriten doe by what we vnderstand by y= brother of y= deceased by name Jonathan Whit- pomb and one more by name George huse vyho was standing on y«^ shore and saw how y' said John Whitcomb felle into y« water, do here vnani mously giue in our virdict thus, that y" sd John Whitcomb and Jonathan Whitcomb being bringing some hay ouer y" riuer vpon two canooes in- deavoring to pull them ouer by a rope which was fastned to a bough at y= riuer side, but y" cannooes sinking y" said John Whitcomb falling into y' 122 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, riuer was by a prouidence of god drownded in pennecuk riuer y^ 7th of this instant Aprill. JOH.N More Sen' Thomas Sawyer Senr John Rugg Thomas Sawyer Jun' Josiah White Danill Hudson Joseph Waters John Beaman James Snow James Houghton John Houghton Jun' John Moor Sen fforeman & the rest of the subscribers the Jury of Inquest vpon the vntimely deiith of John Whetcomb late of Lancaster appeared before me Pet : Bulkeley Assist, & made oath that the premises contain a true Acco of the cause of the death of sd Whetcomb according to their judgm t & conscience June 18 1683 Pet Bulkeley Assist [Middlesex Court Files.] Lancastr May y« 28 1684. The Towne being mett together vpon adjornment of y* publique meeting. The towne made choyse of Josiah White and gave him order to gather in all y' Ratts Due from al y' live out of towne to y' meeting house & ministry in this last years Ratts, this was Confirmed by a voat of y' towne money ss. d — 00-03-03 & — 00-01 - 04 & — 00-00- 10 & Henry Kemball to y" meetinge house Thomas Swift to y' meetinge house Stephen Waters to y" meetinge house Edmond parker to y* meetinge house — 00-01 Archelos Corser to y' meetinge house — 00 - 00 Daniell gains to y' meetinge house — 00-00 Simon & Thomas gatts 00 - 03 Adm' Major Willard 00 - 05 Mr Robinson 00-01 for William Lewese 00 - 03 John Lewes 00-00 Christopher Lewes 00-00 for Mordeca Mukload 00-00 for John Divole 00 - 01 Thomas hares 00-00 Jeremiah Rogers 00-02 Jonas fairbank 00 - 02 ¦ George Adams 00-00 for ben allin — — 00 - 00 • Lauranc Waters 00 - 02 By order of y= Towne. lbs ss d I - 06 - 04 in pay o- II -00 o - 06 - 08. minister ¦03&-04&-08& - 03 & -02&¦01 & -03&•08&¦06 & 08 & •00 & oS & II & 02 & •oS& 05 & ¦07& 04. 0-1 1- 0 08 0- 8- 4 04 0- 8 0 00 04 04 1-06-04 0-16- 0 0-05-01 0-16-0 0-04-00 0-05-04 0-5-6 0-08-04 o - Io- o-03 - o -05 - 1-06- 2 -01 - 0-08- 0-05 1-031-17 0-05 0-03 I - o ¦ 00 O-IO- 0 • 04 0-19-10 • 04 -00¦ 08 0- 4- 6 ¦ 10 1-17- 0 John houghton MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 123 To the Honoii' Generall Court assembled iu Boston the io'{' Septemb'; 1684. Josiah White, in behalfe of the Town of Lancaster, now vpon a re- setlement, humbly Prayeth this Hono'^'" Courts order (if it may seeme good,) for the confirmation and strengthening of the vote passed by the Town as aboue written. That all those who are Proprietors of Lands lying within sd Town although not dwellers there, may be a.ssessed in propor tion to y^ value of their Estates as the Inhabitants are, towards the erect ing of a meeting house, maintenance of a minister & other publique charges, the rate for this yeare being made as aboue : And that you please to order the levying of the same. The magists haue voted that In answer to the Request of the present Inhabitants resident at Lancaster, this court doth order that all psons or their heirs e.xecutors or administrators that are propriters of lands there being grants of that towne, shall pay their proportion to a town Rate, for erecting a meeting house, & mainteynance of A minster in y' towne according as other, the inhabitants y' are p'sent ther do pay for the same sort of lands. The magists haue past this their Brethren the deputyes hereto consent ing 15 September 1684. Edward Rawson Secretary Consented hereto by y^ Deputies, prouided that all persons & estates, be assessed by a due proportion to said Rates • L Hammond p order. [Massachusetts Archives, CXll, 366.] We must rely upon so late an authority as Reverend Timothy Harrington for the information that, "after the resettlement, divers gentlemen for the space of seven years supplied the pulpit." He names in a note "Mr. Carter, Mr. Wooddroffe, and Mr. Oakes." The last was perhaps Edward Oakes who was graduated at Harvard college in 1679. William Woodrop was a non-conformist deprived of his benefice in England, A. D. 1662. Samuel Carter, graduate at Harvard, 1660, v/as the son of Reverend Thomas Carter of Woburn, and a teacher there. He mar ried Eunice Brooks in 1672. In 1688 Henry Kerley deeds his lands on George Hill to him, but he may have been resident bere at an earlier day. In 1692 he was settied in Groton, and died there in 1693, aged fifty-three, leaving four sons and three daughters, whose numerous descend ants figure prominently in the town's history. 124 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 16S4. Henry Kerly, heretofore leifteiint at Lancaster, now remooved, & marrjed at Marlborow, is appointed ensigne to the trajne band therein y^ roome of his brother, deceased there. [Massachusetts Records.] 1688. Josiah Whetcomb is allowed 20 shillings to be paid by the County for kUling one grovvne vvolfe in y"' Towne of Lancaster. Nathaniel Wilder is allowed forty shillings to be paid by the County for killing two grovvne wolves in the Towne of Lancaster. John Womsquam Indian is allowed ten shillings to be paid by the County for kUling one growne wolfe in the Towne of Lancaster. [Middlesex Records. Court of Sessions.] A law of 1653 established a bounty of 30 shillings for each wolf killed by a white man, 20 shillings if killed by an Indian ; the county treasury refunding 10 shillings of this amount to the town in either case. For one hundred years this law was little modified except by an increase in bounty, though after 1718 the Indian hunter was placed on an equality with the Englishman. For whelps and cubs the premium was commonly half that paid for full grown beasts. The head of the animal whether wolf, wild cat, catamount, or bear, had to be brought to the local consta ble, who cut off the ears and buried them to guard against fraud. LANCASTER DURING KING WILLIAM'S WAR. 1689-1697. The deep scars left by Philip's war had not disappeared before the outiying towns of New England were again menaced with the horrors of savage warfare. Among the New York colonial Manuscripts is a letter from Capt. Francis Nicholson, of which the following is an extract: Boston August the 31" 1688. Soe next day I went through Groton and Lancaster where the people were very much afraid (being out towns) butt I told them as I did other places that they should nott be soe much cast down, for that they had the happinesse of being subjects of a victorious King who could protect them from all their enemies. . . . Lancast" y« 3'' of July : 1689. Whereas we y" Inhabitants of sd Lancaster being under som fears of being surprissed by y" Indians we being by foremer experience sencsible of theire mallice and crueltie : and being at present destitute of any officers in power to order y^ mUlitary afairs of y' towne they doe mutually Nominate Mr Thomas Wilder for a Leauten' and sergeant John Moore to be ensigne and doe hereby adress our selues to our hon'ed CouncUl for allowance and confirmation of y* same. By order of y= Towne John Houghton Cler The above nomination of officers are allowed in their Respective offices by the Representatives July: 5 : 1689 Attest Ebenezer Prout Clerk Consented to by the Governor and Councili. P'' Addi.ngton Secy [Massachusetts Archives, evil, I7i.'l 1689 3'3 July. An Order was de.spatcht to Cap""" Tho Prentes rallying his Troop this day at Cambridge to send out tvvo partys of twenty each out of his Troop well appointed w"' armes and Aifiunition, one party for 126 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Dunstable and y« other for Lancaster for the Reliefe and succor of those places, to scout about the heads of those Towns and other places adjacent to discover and observe the Enemys motion, and to take surprise or de stroy them as they may have opportunity. [Massachusetts Archives, Lxx.xi.] Lancaster May 6 1689. The Inhabitance of sd Lancaster meeting together according to ad vice from y= hon'ed CounciU giuen at Boston May 2'^ 1689 doe accordingly chuse & impowre Mr Ralph Houghton to serue with y'' Councili on f Townes behalfe as occasion shall Require, which vvas confirmed by a voate of y* Towne : as attests John houghton Towne Cler 2'".' The Townes desire and expectation is that our hon'd Gou' and Assistants that were ellected by the fre men of this coUoney, in May 1 686 or so many of them as by y' said hon'd gou' and Company shall be Judged meete to gether with the Deputies that shall be sent downe from y= seueraU Respectiue Townes shall Reassunae and exercise y gouern- ment as a gen'U Court according to our Charter for the yeare Insuing or untill that orders from his highnes y' Prince of Orange appeare for the setlement of ou' affaires, which was declared by a voate of the Towne : as attests John houghton Town Cler [Massachusetts Archives, CVII, 15.] Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1690. A church is gathered & Mr John Whiting ordained Minister at Lan caster. Mr Sam Whiting gives him his Charge, Mr Estabrooks gives the Right hand of Fellowship : Mr Brinsmead and others there. [Diary of Samuel Sewall, 1. 337.] John Whiting was the second son of Reverend Samuel Whiting, minister of Billerica for fifty-five years. He was, when ordained here, twenty-six years of age, having been graduated at Harvard college in 1685. His wife was Alice Cook of Cambridge. Timothy Whiting, the head of the family that came to, Lancaster from Billerica nearly a century later, was the direct descendant of Oliver, tlie brother of Reverend John Wliiting. According to Rever end Timothy Harrington, " In Feb., 1688, Mr. John Wliit ing was invited to preach on probation." Joseph Willard, Esq., from some original source not now accessible, quotes the additional information that at the same date the town voted to build a parsonage to be paid for : MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 127 one eighth in money; the rest, one half in work, and one half in corn, viz. Indian, one third, and English tvvo thirds, at country price, or other merchantable pay At a town meeting Jan. 3, 1690 agreed to make conveyance to Mr Whiting of the house and land formeriy granted by the town. And the town the same time went out of the house, and gave Mr John Whiting possession thereof in behalfe of the whole above written, formerly granted by the town. [History of Lancaster, 63.] April 7, 1692, Jonathan Prescott of Concord conveyed a piece of intervale land " on y*^ west side of North River near to y'' bridge in y County Road " ( Atherton's) to the town, acknowledging this consideration : Promoting the ministrie of the Gospel in y^ Town of Lancaster, De siring & Endevoring the settlement of Mr John Whiting Pastor There by Enlarging His accofhodations There in s'' Lancaster, & ^£ pd by John More Sen' Thomas Wilder &^John Houghton in y« name of Inhabitants of Lancaster. [Middlesex Registiy.] 1690. Lancaster was represented among the sufferers in Sir William Phips' mismanaged and disastrous expe dition against Canada. Endorsed on a list of Phips' cap tains, in Massachusetts Archives, xxxvi, 134, is " Lt. Willard of Lanchaster" [Benjamin] , and the names of five soldiers are known from a petition of their heirs, in 1738, for land grants, viz : Joseph Atherton, John Pope, Jonathan Fairbank, Samuel Wheeler, Timothy Wheelock. 1690. To the Hon''^ Lift Goifnr &-» Counsell of Massachu*ts Province New England, Grace Mercy Sr' peace be multiplied to y worthy Gentbn'^ of y Assembley. The humble Petition of Cyprian Steevens humbly sheweth that being Constable in year 1690I1 that yeare sevrall psons moued some to Canady & to other parts & no estate to be found, my Humble Request is that yo' Hon' will Consider vor Petiti.n' that he may not pay out of his own Estate, for that vi"^ was other men's dues. Yor Petitin' also Relating to his office that yeare has been a great suffrer, haueing tvvo Ratts lo colect namely tweenty Ratts w"*" was Graine, & two & a halfe money, the scarcity of y' on & not haueing the other, y* Loss in a great meashur became y' Con- 128 ANNULS OF LANCASTER, stab!', novv yo' petition' humbley Craues yo' Hon" favour that you will please to Graunt him a clearence from Mr Tayler Treasur' so shall he be oblidged to pray for yor Hon's peace & prsprty Yo' supleant serv' Cyprian Steevens Lancaster June 4th, 1695. A List of y' names of those p'sons that moued from y" Town of Lan caster of w'*" sum are Dead, in y° yeare 1690. Also y° Loss of 16 vvolues by a mistake of Major Phillipses Clarke Emp' Joseph Walters, 18 " Cyprian Steevens 7 - 3 Cyprian Steevens 17 " Will';' Huttson 4- 3 I IS " Sam° Wheeler 4- i Benjamin WiUard 4-4 Joseph Walters 6-6 Nath" Harwood 3-10 Sami Sumner S - 4 Arthur Tooker 4 - A true Acount as Atests i „ 19 ,, 7 Cyprian Steevens Constable for Lancaster We whose names are vnder written do Atest to y' mouall or death of y* p'sons Aboue written & wer in sd Constables Rates in y* yeare 1690 John Moore Sen' \ c i , j- t ¦' I Selectmen for y. Town Josiah Whitt Sen' > John Moore Jun' ) "f Lancaster June 8^ 1695 Read in the house of Representatives. [Endorsed.] June 8th : 1695. The Selectmen of the town of Lancaster haueing sent under their hands to excuse the Constable, severall being dead & Remooved that the Rate was laid on Voted — that it is due from the Towne and that the Selectmen Assess the said Town for said Summ W^ Bond Speaker [Massachusetts Archives, ci, 33.] 1691. Simon Davis & Ensign Humphrey Barrett of Concord, John Hovvton & Nath" Wilder of Lancaster & Boaz Brown & Thomas Williams of Stow, are by this Court appointed a Coiriittee to lay out a convenien- high way from Concord according to Law, for theire direction in the mai ler, and to make theire report to y" next Inferior Court for y' County of Midd". [Middlesex Court Records.] George Nube being caUed into Court to Answer for horrid wickedness and profaneness laid to his charge he appearing & ye witnesses sworn y' case was committed to y' Grand Jury. George Nube of Lancaster being Indicted by Grand Jury for high MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 129 handed contempt of God's Word, Reproaches of y* ministers & calling them liars Drunkards and Whoremasters, and for a practice of high handed Debauching as by his own confession & profane neglect of Gods Publick worship on y' Lords daies, & Appearing before y* Court to make answer thereto dos stand Legally Convicted thereof : Is sentenced to be severely whipt on his naked body twenty stripes & to give bond in 20^ for his good abearance & appearance y° next Court to be held for their Majties in Cambridge & to stand committed till this sentence be performed & to pay costs. The documents in the case of Lancaster vs. George Newby are quite voluminous, including two piously, peni tent petitions of the culprit, praying to escape the whipping post. Much of the evidence is unfit for print. The accu sation of the town fathers was as follows : The Declaration of Jno Moore Sen', Against George Newby Humbly Sheweth to this Honer* Court, this sd Newby since he came to ou' Town, he has endeav"! to Pervert all thats Good and has been a Leader to all maner of evUl, Paying nothing to church nor state. Greatly wronging most men that Deale with him, but that w* I most would signifie to yo' Hon" is sd Newbys most profainly spaking & silting of that most worthy Peice of worke the Asembly of divines, even the Catechism, sliting the holy Bible & the Embasingers of Jesus Christ, saying that they were Drunkerds, Lyers, & whoremners, with many other Gross Villineys wbich Inlarges my heart to Pettition yo' Hon'» as you are our flfathers & soe wayt- ing on you for support, that such a felow may be Removed from us. Un der which Protection & Blessing our Little Israel here in Lancaster may be Ingaged to pray for yo' Hon'^ peace & pr'perity from your Humble servt. [Middlesex Court Files.] 1692. The following letter from Maj. Thomas Hinch man, at the time in command of all forces in this part of the Province, gives a clear view of the unhappy condition of Lancaster and her sister towns ; daily expecting inva sion by savage enemies and almost powerless for defence against them, yet forbidden by a special act of legislature from removing. The document is in Massachusetts Arch ives, xxxvii, 340 : May it pleas your Honors. Yo' advice of the H* Instant of y* probable Advancing of y' Enemy west'"' I haue Received & Render humble thanks for the same. Yo' con- I30 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, cernednes for y' security of these parts Intimated wUl quicken vs to speci.ill vigilancy & also Incorages mee earnestly to pray y' sould" to f numb' of at least 60 may, (if yo' Hono" see meete) be speedily sent vp, for without such a supply of men I cannot conceive hovv wee can be de fended in caseof an Attack byy" enemy: our men must work this sufiieror starve in winter, & y' hard labour in y" day renders ym verry vnfit to watch every 3 or 4 nights as many must do if they go to Garrison, & if they stay at y' house they must expose to be made a sacrifice : I Hope y' Hon'* Councili wUl consider y' whereas y' are but 10 small towns in my Regiment 6 of y™ are frontiers "& as for Sherbon I can procure no men fro y', my ord" will not be obey*, becaus y' is no militia setled, Among y"', & no settlement or directions how I may procure sould"* fro y' seuerall Towns, & also prov. [provisions.] I hope y* Councili will also remember y' seuerall sould™ in this Regmt are sent Eastw*. O' people groan vnder y' Burden they ly vnder for want of sould" fro y' Bay parts, & y". I Intreat o' case may be Considered as yo' wisdom shall direct & Compassion to vs shall Incline you. All y' Inhabitants of dunstable excepting 2 famUys desire to draw off, viz Jno SoUendine & Thos Lufi whose Garrisons are nere to each other, these seem wiling to themselves with 10 or 12 sould''. I desier an ord' to Capt. Parker for suhi shott who hath a Quantity of y" Countrys stock in his hand. I am advised y' Lancaster hunters haue lately seen a copany of Indians near Wachusett y° number of y' is reported to be about 300. yy report themselves to be Albanians, Senecas Maquas w* y' western or Connecticut Indians. This vnusual Confluence of so many Indians makes many to suspect & fear a design agst vs. I doubt not but y'.Councill wUl satisfy themselves about it. The sould'* y' I Desier will be needed in Chelmsford, Groton & Lancaster. Thus H* Gentlemen I haue been bold to craue at yo' hands w"'out y* least Intention to dictate to my superiors but humbly to submit all to yo' pleasure, & craue pdon of my simplicity & plainnes. I am not capable at present of a personall waiting vpo you, otherwise I could more pticularly spread before you 0' nakedness & y" extream danger of destruction y' wee are in if not better defended then at present wee are. I am y' Hon's Humble Servtt Chelmsford, 12 AprU, 1692. Tho Hinchman Of the murder of the Joslin family by Indians, July 18, 1692, no contemporary mention is discovered. The victims were : Killed. Mrs. Hannah Whitcomb, widow of Jonathan. Mrs. Sarah Joslin, wife of Peter. Three young chUdren of Peter Joslin. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 131 Captive. Elizabeth Howe, sister of Mrs. Joslin. Peter, son of Peter Joslin, aged 6 years ; killed shortly after. April 17, 1701, a resolve was passed in General Court allowing three pounds eighteen shillings to Mr. Thomas Howe, " he haveing Paid so much for the Redemption of Elizabeth Howe who was Captive to the Indians." She returned from Canada in 1696, being then about twenty years of age, and married Thomas Keyes Dec. 23, 1698. 1694. To his Excelency y Gow Sr Will,„ Phipps Knt &c the Hon'''' Coun cili fir» Representatives cotiveaned at Boston : ffeb : \\i>': 1693 4. The Humble Petition of Jno Houghton in behalfe of the Inhabitants of y' Towne of Lancast': Humbly Sheweth, That wheras y" sd Inhabi tants of Lancaster haue both formerly and of late been expossed to very great troubles & charges by Reason of y" Long continued war with y' In dians : seuerall persons being killed by them & others haueing Lost great part of theire estate by them : & also by being so long Nessessitated to hue in Garison where neither men nor women can doe but very Utle towards y' supply of theire familyes ; theire being so mutch time spent in watching warding & many allarrums that haue been amongst us & that which is more y' dayly feares we were expossed to in y° Dangers which atended us in our labours, being for so long a time constrained to get our bread with y* perill of our liues : wherby many are brought to e.xtreame poverty, not knowing how to get either food or cloathing for themselues or famillys: also y° great charge expended in building Repairing & maintain ing so many Garissons : eight of which being allowed by order : y' charge of sd Garissons being very considerable : also in y' midest of theese troubles we haue beene at great charges in y' setlement of our towne : it being wholly Destroyed y" last warr : & and yet we are in great feares notwith standing y* present peace we being so few in number & so unable to defend ourselues. . You' Peti'* Humble Request to yo' Hon'^ is that you would consider the prmisses & Relieue sd Inhabitants by Granting them som considerable allowance for y" charges expended in y° building & Repaireing sd Garis sons, acording as you' Hon" in wisdom and Justice shaU see meet & heerby your Pet' together with y" Rest of Jhe Inhabitants of sd Lancaster shall be the beter Incouraged to conflict with y' many Diffucaltyes we are Inci dent to & farther oblidged as in Duty bound euer to pray : &c : Jno Houghton in behalfe March 3*, 1693I4 of the Inhabitants of Lancast' 132 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, • In answer to the aboue Petition & for the incouragment of the Inhab itants of Lancast', referring to their great charge in fortifiing themselues in this Troublesome time the house of representatiues do vote that the said Town be allowed thein Twenty pounds 'out of y' next assesn.ent & sent up to his e.x''y y Gouer' & CounciU for theire Concurrance & Consent. Nath : Byfield Speaker. OctV 20"' 1694. Vot* a Concurrance by the Council. Is'^ Addington Secret. [Massachusetts Archives, C, 466.] 1695. On a certain Sabbath of this year, the date of which is not on record, Abraham Wheeler, when on his way from the garrison to his own house, was mortally wounded by an Indian lying in wait for him. It has been stated that Wheeler lived upon Wataquadock. This loca tion of his home is proved an error by these items in the inventory of his estate, presented in Middlesex Court, Nov. 6, 1695, by his widow Tabitha : To House Lott 12 acres & houseing upon it. To three acres of Intervale swamp at y Riuer byy house. [Middlesex Probate Files.] 1697. 12* May. HafTah Dustan came to see us. . . . She saith her Master, whom she kUld, did formerly live with Mr Roulandson at Lan caster. [Diary of Samuel Sewall, i, 453.] Sabbath Sept' 12. We hear of the slaughter made at Lancaster yes terday. Sept' 13. At Roxbury Mr Danforth tells me that Mr. Whiting, the Minister, was dead and buried : Indians shot and scalped him about noon. [Diary of Samuel Sewall, I, 459.] May, 1697. In the latter end of this month a woman the wife of Lief tenant Willder distrode her self in a fit of mellanchoUy. She was in her Life time esteemed a truly pious woman By them y' knew her. Sept. 1697. On the Saturday following the Indians did a great deall of mischief at Lancaster, they beset the towne about noon. Burned 10 houses, killed andi captivated about 20 persons of which the chief was the Reverend John Whiting pastor of y" church of Christ there. [John Marshall's Diary in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society.] On September 11 a party of the enemy came upon the town of Lan caster then prepared for mischief by a wonderful security, and they did no little mischief unto it. Near twenty were killed and among the rest Mr John Whiting the pastor of the church there. Five were carried MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 133 captives, tvvo or three houses were burnt and several old people in them. Capt. Brown with fifty men pursued them till the night stopped the pur suit, but it .-.eeiiis a strange dog or tvvo unknown to the company did by their barking alarum the enemy to rise in the night, and strip and scalp an English captive woman and fly so far into the woods that after two days bootless labour our men returned. [Cotton Mather's Magualia, II, 639.] In Massachusetts Archives, 11, 257, is a letter from Gov ernor William Stoughton to the Governor and Council of Connecticut, from which this is an extract : Boston Sept. 14, 1697. Upon ye 11^ instant a party of Indians to y* number of about Forty as was judged, about twelve o clock the same day, Surprized and kild about 26 persons at Lancaster, of which the minister of the Town was one, burnt two Garrison houses and two Barnes, the Garrisons being left open and y" Inhabitants surprized in their Fields : there is a party of men out in pursuit of y° Enemy A List of Casualties Septe.mber ii, 1697. Killed. Reverend John Whiting, aged 33. Daniel Hudson. Mrs. Joanna Hudson, wife of Daniel. Two children of Nathaniel Hudson, grandchildren of Daniel. John Scale, Skait or Skeath. Mrs. Scale, wife of John Mrs. Hannah Rugg, widow of John, and daughter of John Prescott. Joseph Rugg, son of Hannah, aged 29. Mrs. Rugg, wife of Joseph. Three children of Joseph. Jonathan Fairbank, aged 31. < Grace Fairbank, daughter of Jonathan. fonas Fairbank, son of Jonathan. Ephraim Roper. Mrs. Hannah Roper, second wife of Ephraim. Elizabeth Roper, daughter of Ephraim, aged 14. 19 Captives. Joanna, daughter of Daniel Hudson, aged 37. Killed (?) in captivity. Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Hudson, aged 39. do. Mrs. Mary Fairbank, wife of Jonathan, returned January, 1699. Mrs. Wheeler, Tabitha, widow of Abraham (?). TO. ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Mary Glasier, returned January, 1699. Ephraim Roper, son of Ephraim, aged about 12, returned. John Scales' son. Hannah Rugg. daughter of Joseph. 8 Rev. Timothy Harrington in his Century Sermon in cludes among the captured "a son of Joseph Rugg," which is probably an error of gender, as Hannah Rugg is the name of a Lancaster prisoner, 1699. Harrington also names Joanna and Elizabeth Hudson as killed. If killed, their relatives did not know the fact nearly three months later, as will be shown below. Reverend John Whiting's residence was on the lawn of the Col. Fay estate, a few feet south of the well which is still in use. The house stood until early in the present century, a path bordered with huge button-wood trees lead ing from the front door to the highway south. The inven tory of his estate sums £221 9% a large amount in those days ; and the articles of household furniture indicate a degree of luxury in living quite unusual in Lancaster. Mistress Alice Whiting doubtless was much envied the possession of "a pair of Blew Curtains & Vallens," valued at i£ 10% — "a silver cup & three silver spoons 2£ 10'," — and "4 blew cloth chaires & 2 plaine great chaires." The "Books" were estimated worth 7£ i/^.". Twin children, "Alice & Fanie," nearly three years old, died May 19, 1697 ; and Eunice, aged i year, survived the father but tw^o months. In 1701 the widow married Reverend Tim othy Stevens. Daniel Hudson, a brickmaker and bricklayer from Watertown, was admitted an inhabitant in 1664. When he made his will two years before his death, he was in pos session of two house lots of twenty acres each, namely: the John Moore lot and Gibson's Hill, which last he pur chased in 1670 of Major Simon Willard. In short, he owned the upland from the Rowlandson Garrison site to Mrs. Ware's corner. The exact position of his house is MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 135 not discovered. He had at least five sons and five daugh ters, and those surviving signed an agreement December 2d, 1697, from which are transcribed these provisions : For our sisters' wearing clothes We mutualy agree to leave them undi vided at present .... hoping that one of them namely : either Johanah or Ellizabeth may be yet alive : also in case that either of our said sisters shall by God's goodnes be againe Reduced from Captivity, that then we do farther oblige ourselves as aforesaid to allow & pay unto either of them that so Returne her portion doubly. John Skeath, "a cordwainer from Boston," married Sarah the daughter of Lawrence Waters. As he, in connection with his brother-in-law, Stephen Waters, owned lands in Lancaster, it seems not improbable that the victim recorded as John Scate, may have been bis son John, born in 1659. Mrs. Hannah Rugg had been widowed less than a year, and Joseph perhaps lived with his mother upon the John Rugg home lot which bordered the south side of the road that climbs George Hill, forty rods north of the school- house. The captive girl, Hannah, had not returned fifteen years later. Jonathan Fairbanks was a son of that Jonas who was slain in the massacre of 1676, and dwelt somewhere near the southerly end of the George Hill range. From his inventory he seems to have been a blacksmith. Two chil dren, the oldest and youngest, escaped capture. The two slain were under eight years of age. If the evidence of a gravestone in the old burial ground may be accepted, the boy Jonas lived four days after the Indian raid. Ephraim Roper was the same who escaped from the Rowlandson garrison in the massacre of 1676, and was son of John Roper, killed that year. He was about fifty- three years of age, and had served as a soldier under Cap tain Turner in Philip's war. Hannah was his second wife, and widow of Stephen Goble, hanged for murder in 1676. His house was garrisoned, situated on the George Hill road a littie west of the school-house, and probably on the north J .,5 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, ¦^o side of the way. An item in the bill of the administrator, Nathaniel Wilder, against Ephraim Roper's estate, vvas for the fee " pd to Jonathan Prescott for curing one of y" Daughters of y'= said Dec'' of a wound Received by y' Indians 7*", 97," but whether this was Ruth, aged 16, or Bathsheba, the younger, is not intimated. Cascoe Bay, y" 17 January 1698I9 The names of the Captiues ReC^ aboard the Province Gaily from the Indians. Mary ffarbankes of Lancaster Mary Glasser of Lancaster The names of the Captiues yett in the Indians hands. Ephraim Ropper of Lancaster Gon to Allbanie. Hannah Rugg of Lancaster Gon to Allbanie [Massachusetts Archives, LXX, 398.] To the Honite The Lt. Gov Council and house of representatives in Gen^^ Court assembled this i^'i- of June 1701. The Petition of Capt" Thomas Brown humbly Shew" That yo' Pet; in the Month of Sept. 1697 when the Indians alarmed the Towne of Lancas ter, was coihanded by Maj; Tyng with a Company of Solders to pursue them, and in that pursuit and Expedition lost a very good horse of about Tenn pounds value and never yet had any satisfaction for the same. Yo' Petf hopes yo' hon"* wUl consider the premises, and recompence yo' pet; by allowing him the value of his loss, purely sustain'' in the Countreys service, or w' oth' compensation yo' hon'» shall see meet ; [Massachusetts Archives, L.K.X, 527.] 1697. To the Rt. Hon'able the Lieut Govr the Honed Councili b' Repre sentatives Convened in Gen'all Assembly at Boston October 13 1697 The Humble Petition of John Houghton in behalfe of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Lancaster Humbly Sheweth That fforasmuch as the Righteous God hath permited the heathen Indian Enemyes to kill and de stroy many of our people in a cruell & barbarous maner both formerly and lately to the great terror & amazement of those that survive & to our great Loss & Dafiiage & especially in having our minister taken away by such a awfuU stroke, we greatly feare we shall not prevaile with any to com & setle with us in the work of the ministrey because of the present troubles & also we being left few in number & brought very low by the long con tinued troubles, all which is Ready to cause us to dispaire of any Longer Continuance in said Towne e.\cept we may have som encouragement & Relieffe. Which moveth yo' petition' Humbly to Request your hon's to MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 137 consider our distressed condition & that our part of the tax last granted may be Remitted there being so many of the persons on whome it was levied & their estates destroyed & that we may be freed from paying taxes WhUest we Remaine under such troubles, '& that if we may be p'mited through Gods goodnes to continue there for the future we pray that we may have your hon's advise & help in the procuring & setlement of a min ister, without which we cannot at present of ourselves do it, & that we may be supported with souldiers, for we are no long' able of ourselves to beare up under such a Wasting, & desolating War, aU which being by your Hon" considered, it is hoped you will se meet to grant our Request as above which will greatly encourage said Inhabitants & yo' petition' as in duty bound shall pray &''" John Houghton. [Endorsed.] In y' House of Representatiues, Oct: 19: 1697 Rec'L Read y* 26'," Oct, 97. In y° house of Representatiues Voted. That for encouraging & enabUng y* said Towne to get a Minister: y« there be' Twenty pounds payd out of y° publick Treasury of this prouince to ye minister y' shall be procured to liue there for y" first year. Sent up for Concurrance Penn Townsend Speaker In CouncU. 26* Oct. 1697, Voted a concurrance ISA Addington Secy [Massachusetts Archives, XI, 125.] 1699, Dec 12. Josiah Whitcomb on behalfe of Lancaster Informed the Court that they are provided w'* sufficient pound & stocks and weights and measures for which they stand pr'sented for y" want of; the Court accepting of his Information they are dismist he paying fees of Court. [Middlesex Court Records.] In a note to "A Century Sermon," Reverend Timothy Harrington gives the names of three ministers who were temporarily in Lancaster between 1697 and 1701. They were : John Robinson, afterwards minister in Duxbury, 1 702-1 739, graduated at Harvard, 1695 ; Samuel Whitman graduated at Harvard, 1696, and a Mr. Jones. Harring ton says : "Mr. Jones Avas invited to settle, but difficulties arising, his Ordination was prevented, and he removed." Joseph Willard, Esq., suggests that this may have been John Jones, graduated at Harvard, 1690. If so, he was never ordained elsewhere. Harrington adds: "In May 1701, Mr. Andrew Gardner was invited to preach, and in September following was invited to settle in the Ministry." J 38 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The following gives evidence that Mr. Gardner was at once placed in possession of his predecessor's house and lands : March 21'.' 1701, Alice Whiting, "widow & Relict to the Reverend Mr John Whiting late minister qf the Gospell at y' Town of Lancaster," in consideration of sixty pounds in money paid, sold to — Thomas Sawyer Juner and John Houghton Sen' and to aU and every the rest of the Inhabitants of said Lancaster .... my Dwelling house at said Lancaster with ten acres of upland adjoining to it lying on the west side of the River neer to s'' Thomas Sawyers house and bounded northerly and southerly by two highwayes and westerly it comes to be nar row neer to a point and easterly it is bounded by a little common upland that lyeth betwixt it and som medow of Thomas Sawyer Sen' .... also about six acres of Interval Land more or less which said Inhabitants formerly purchased of Lieut. Jonathan Prescott : and is bounded by said Sawyers medov/ west, Sam" Prescotts Land north, the highway south, and at the eastward end it comes near to a point. All which house and land were formerly given by said Inhabitants of Lancaster to y° late reverend Mr John Whiting some time Pastor of y" Church of Christ there. [Middlesex Registry.] THE ADDITIONAL GRANT. 1702, Nov. 6. A Petition of the Town of Lancaster, Praying Liberty to purchase of George Tahanto, Indian Sagamore, a Certain Tract of Land lying adjoining to the West end of sd Township betwixt that, and Wachusets Hills was sent up from the Representatives with the orders of that House in answer to the Same, That a committee be appointed by this Court to go upon and take a view of the Land petitioned for and to make their report to the next session of this Court. The Petitioners to defray the Charge of the said Committee. Which Petition and Order being read at the Board the said Order was Concurred with : and Collo. Tyng Major Thos Browne and Capt James Minott, with such others as the Representatives shall think fit to Name were appointed by this Board to be a Committee for the affair afTo"resaid. [Massachusetts Records.] The land thus petitioned for, had been bought and bond ed more than a year before. The original petition has not been found. A copy of the Bond made by John Houghton is among the papers of Joseph Willard, Esq. Know all men by these presents, that I, George Tahanto, Indian Sag amore, for and in consideration of what money, namely, twelve pounds, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 139 was formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, sometime sagamore of Nashuah, for the purchase of said township, and also forty six shillings formeriy paid .by Insigne John Moore and John Houghton of said Nashuah to James Wiser, aUas Quenepenett, now deceased, but especially for and in consideration of eighteen pounds paid part, and the rest secured lo be paid, by John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract of land on the west side of the westward line of Nashuah township, adjoining to said line, and butrs southerly for the most part on Nashuah river, bearing westerly towards Wachusett Hills, and runs northerly as far- as Nashuah township, and which lands and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said Insigne John Moore, John Houghton, and Nathaniel Wilder their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever. And I the said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to procure an order fi'om the honored General Court, for their aUowance and confirmation of the sale of said lands as aforesaid, and also that I wUl show and mark out the bounds of said land in convenient time, not exceeding four months, and also to make such deeds and conveyances, as may be necessary for the confirmation of the premises, and that also I the said George Tahanto do by these presents fiiUy ratify and confirm, all & every, the said township of Nashuah alias Lancaster to the inhabitants and proprietors thereof according as it was formerly granted to them or their ancestors by my uncle Sholan, and laid out to them by Ensign Thomas Noyes, and confirmed by the Hon. Gen eral Court. For the performance of all the abovesaid, i, the said George Tahanto, have set my hand and seal, this twenty sixth day of June, in the 13U' year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, William the .Third over England, &c. King, Anno Domini, 1701. George Tahanto his 0 mark Mary Aunsocaumg her ) mark Signed and sealed in presence of Johnwonsquon his ) mark John Aquitticus his I mark Peter Puckataugh his P mark Jonathan Wilder John Guild. No action seems to have been taken by this committee, or by the general court until 171 1, and the bounds of the grant were finally settled in 1721, under which dates fur ther records will be found. LANCASTER DURING QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. 1701-1713. 1703. To his Excellcy : Joseph Dudley Esqr : Capt: General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and Vice Admiral of the same. The Hono>>ie: her Majties: Council of the sd Province, and To the Honcfil' Hpuse of Representa tives convened in General Assembly for the sd Province. The Humble Petition of several of the ffreeholders Proprietors & In habitants of Lancaster within the sd Province, whose names are hereunto subscribed, Sheweth — That in or about the year 1653, The Inhabitants of the sd Town did agree amongst themselves to pay to and for the Use of the Minister of the sd Town the sum of Ten shiUings a year in consider ation of their home Lotts, and if that should fall short of a maintenance, then to make up the same by an equal Rate upon their Goods and other Improved Lands in such way and order as the Country rate was raised. Which way and method was equal so long as the Inhabitants of the sd Town continued upon their home Lotts. But now so it is may it please yo' ExceU"=y : and Honors : That several of the sd Inhabitants are re moved from their home Lotts (which are left destitute & unimproved, & thereby disenabled to pay any rate att aU) to their second Division of Lotts which pay no Rates, and the charge of the Maintenance of the sd Minister wholly falls upon yo' Petitioners to their great wrong & damage, and if not timely remedied by yo' Excell'=J' : & hon" : will be a standing & intolerable inconvenience & matter of Division in theyr Town, for that they are not able to bear the Charge thereof. And for as much as the sd Town had never any settlement made by Law, but such an agreement as above sd which is neither binding nor equal and whereas sd Town cannot agree among themselves how to raise their ministers sallary, yo' Petition ers Therefore humbly pray That yo' Excell"=y : & Honors will be pleased to take the Premises into yo' serious Consideration ; and settle the mainte nance of the minister of the sd Town in such methods & ways as to yo' Excell>=y : and Honors, shall in yo' great wisdom seem to be most equal MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 141 just & Right & which may be binding upon them & their posterity for ever, and yo' Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &''•' Benjaihn Bellows Nathaniel Sawyer John Johns'on Joseph Whelock Joseph Glazear John Glazier Simon Steevens George Giazier Nathaniel Wilder Tho.mas Rosse Peter Joslin Samuel Prescott Josiah White Ephraim Wilder Samuell Bennett Nathaniel Hudson William DrvoLi. Samuel Carter Jonathan Whitco.mb Daniel Ruge Cyprian Steevens [Endorsed.] In the House of Representatives, June 2* 1703. Re solved, That inasmuch, as the Inhabitants of the Town of Lancaster within mentioned were driven out by the Enemy, and the Place wholly Deserted : Their former Agreement for the maintenance of their Minister is now null and void, and they ought to Proceed to Levy their ministers Rate upon their Inhabitants in equall Proportion as the Law Directs. Sent up for concurrence. James Converse Speaker. die predict, In Council Read and past a concurrance ISA Addington Secty. In the House of Representatives, Sept; 7. 1703. Upon the Reading and Considering of the Petition on the other side, ordered. That the ministers salary iu the Town of Lancaster be Levyed, and CoUected of the severall Inhabitants by the same Rules, and in the same Proportions with the Province Tax ; for this present yeare. Sent up for concurrence. James Converse Speaker. [Massachusetts Archives, XI, 183-4.J The foregoing petition marks the beginning of an im portant change in the growth of the town. In days of peace the movement of increase had been steadily west ward, and even the bloody lesson of the massacre of 1676 had not availed to disturb the centre of population materi ally ; though a few families collected along the sunny side of the Wataquadock range, and on the hills east of Still River. But each succeeding Indian raid emphasized more strongly the fact, that, in a military point of view, George Hill was a very unsafe position. A retrograde movement along the eastern highways took place, and, clustering 142 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, about central garrisons, fast growing families shaped the little villages that in a generation or two were to be excised from the original grant as the towoships of Harvard, Bol ton and Berlin. 1703. To his Excllency Joseph Dudley Esq. Capt. Generall &-= Governour In Chiefe Sr'c 'ra; the Hon'able Council £r» Representatives of her Majsties Province of Massachusetts Bay In New England Convened in Generall Assembley the thirteenth Day of August 1707. The Petetion of Joseph Wilder of Lancaster Humbly Sheweth, That yo' Petetioner In y' yeare 1703 being ordered by Capt Benjamin Willard to Provide twenty paire of good Snow Shoose for y" use of his souldiers which Accordingly was nineteen paire of them provided, four of which Coll Jonathan Tyng sent for & had them for y' expedition to Wenepissi- ockett : the others were Delivered by said Capt WUlards order to his men & used by them In Scouting about y* frontiers. Your Petetioner Disburst Considerable of his owne money towards the procuring of these, to y per sons that made them, & is threatened to be sued for y* Remainder, & In case he should, must unavoidably pay it, which wUI be apparent wrong. Your Petetioner expected that Coll Tyng would have Taken care they should Long eare now haue been paid for, but hitherto never Received one peney. If Coll Tyng ever Received any pay for y* foure paire first delivered yet nothing hath been allowed to them that made them, but what your Petetioner disburst as abovesaid, which is greatly to theire wrong & Damage ^ if not in a short time Remedied Will proove a Greiv- ance. Your Petetion' therefore Humbly Prayes that your Excellency & Hon" would consider y« Premisses & order that your Petetion' may be paid out of the Publique Tresury v;hat is Justly Due for said Snow Shoose which at foure shillings a paire as was then alowed amounts to y' sum of foure pound fifteene shillings that so y* persons concerned may be paid without further Trouble or delay. And your Petetioner as In Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c "" : Joseph Wilder. In the House of Representatives Nov: 4: 1707. Read & Comitted. 25 Read & Resolved That the sum of fFour Pounds and fifteen shillings be allowed & Paid out of the publick Treasury to Joseph Wilder the Petitioner in full for the snow shoes above mentioned. Sent up for concurrence. John Burrell Speaker Nov; 26. 1707. In Council Read & Concurr* Isa Addington Secry. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 143 Lancaster 7* Dec"" 1703. To Sargent Joseph Wilder. You are here by ordered by vertu of an -order to me from his exc"^' to teake care of y° solders now under ray com and in Lancaster and upon eny amurjences that eny towne be detrod by y* enemy you murst command all under my command in groton and per sew after them according to your best understanding and keepe our solders in good order til further order from me or other of your Seupeirior ofesers. Your friend. Ben'-* Willard Capt. and further you are here by ordered to prouide forthwith twenty pair of snow shoes, fail not. Your friend Beni* Willard Capt. [Endorsed.] Roxbury. 24. Nov; 1707. The above order was present^ to mee this day, and I do allow it to be in persuance of ray orders to Captain WiUard at the time. J. Dudley. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXI,-378.1 Pursuant to coifiand from his ExceUency bearing date April 15* 1704 for the Settleing of Garrisons in yf Towne of Lancaster & ordering men to y* Same, Wee the subscribers do hereby Direct & Coiiiand you y; In habitants of s^: Lancaster to Repaire to you; Severall Garrisons according to appointment as foUoweth & Attend you' Duties therein. Dat. 20* April 1704. on y* east side of y* River ^ John Moore & Jonathan Moore Allowed a Garrison y' said John Moore Coihander — ^ Jonathan Moore WUI'" Sawyer Joseph Sawyer Josiah Wheeler John Hinds James Keyes p'sons 2 I III 2 I- Josiah Whetcomb sen' allowed a Garrison hiraselfe Coiiiander 2 Josiah Whetcomb Ju' David Whetcomb Hezekiah Whetcomb Jacob Houghton Henry Houghton John WUder Ju' Bare Hill John Priest Sen' — John Priest Ju; — John Warner — Caleb Sawyer — James Atherton Sf — James Atherton Ju; — 2 I 32 I I-IO Simon WiUard & Benjamin Bellows allowed a Garrison said Simon WUlard CoiSand; Benjamin Bellows John Willard Joshua Atherton Henry WiUard James Houghton Joseph Hutchins Joseph Waters Hezekiah Willard James Smith -12 144 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Capt Thomas Wilder & John Houghton sen', allowed a Gar rison Cap; Wilder Coiiiand' — 3 John Houghton S' 2 John Wilder j' _ 2 Jonas Houghton 2 Robert Houghton 2 John Rugg I Thos : Wilder i Beatrix Pope Widow John Houghton j' i Joseph Houghton l- Gamaliell Beaman John Beaman senf James Snow S' James Snow Ju' Jeremiah Willson James Buttler on y' West Side Penicook River Called y" Neck Serg! Josiah White a Garrison p'sons Himselfe Comander 3 Joseph Wheelock i John Gla-iier i George Glazier i Joseph Glazier i- 7 Ensigne Peter JosUin a Garison himselfe Coiiiander Will™ Divoll John Beaman Ju' John Johnson Cyprian Steevens Simon Steevens Sam" Bennitt Jonathan Whetcomb George Hervey on y" west side Nashuvvay River M'. Andrew Gardner & Thomas Sawyer Ju; a Garison Thomas Sawyer Coiiiander — 3 Mf Gardner Jabez Fairbank Nath'. Sawyer John Harriss Daniell Rugg Sam" Prescott at y" Corne MiU John Prescott Seny John Prescott JU; John Keyes Ebenezer Prescott Leu? Nath'l Wilder a Garison himselfe Coiiiander Sam" Carter Ephraim Wilder Thomas Ross John Carter I II I- 4 Jonathan Tyng. Tho : Browne. John Lane. Jerahmel Bowers. [Copy of a document in possession of Dr. John S. H. Fogg of South Boston.] The locations of these garrisons can be fi.xed approxi mately only, by the known residences of the householders belonging to them. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 145 I. Those in John Moore's garrison lived on the Marl borough road in the southeast part of Bolton, near the district now called Fryville. The graves of the brothers John and Jonathan Moore are in the burial ground on the old road to Hudson. 2. Those composing the Whitcomb garrison lived also in Bolton, toward the northeast corner. Families descend ed from them resided there until recently. 3. The Priest garrison was at the easterly side of Bare Hill in Harvard. 4. The Josiah White garrison was upon the east side of the Neck, where Edward Houghton now lives. 5. Those belonging to Peter Joslin's garrison lived along the highway from the Sprague Bridge to the North Village. "Hervef^ is an error for Hewes. 6. Those forming the Simon Willard garrison dwelt along the road through Still River village. 7. Capt. Thomas Wilder's garrison was on the Old Common north of the highway, and, according to Joseph Willard, Esquire, about twenty rods in rear of the house known as the Dr. David Steuart Robertson place. 8. The six men whose names are headed by that of Gamaliell Beman, had homes upon the east slope of Wata quadock Hill. In the descriptions of their lands frequent mention is made of "the cold spring" and "the hill where. Simon Pipo had a planting field." 9. Reverend Andrew Gardner hved by the well a few rods westerly from the house of the late Colonel .Francis B. Fay ; Samuel Prescott, across the road south ; Thomas Sawyer, where his venerable descendant, Mrs. Sally Case, resides ; Nathaniel Sawyer and Jabez Fairbank, half a mile westerly in the Deer's Horns neighborhood. 10. The Prescott garrison site is in Clinton, southeast of and very near the crossing of High and Water streets. j^6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, II. Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder's home was upon the slope of George Hill, ne.xt his father's home lot. His brother Ephraim lived near, and his brother-in-law, Sam uel Carter, on the farm now owned by Frank D. Taylor. Thomas Ross lived half a mile north on the first lot of John Smith. July 30 1704, Sab. morning or Monday morning Indians invaded Lan caster Killed 2 or 3 persons burnt y' Meeting house and some other houses. Qoumal of Reverend John Pike.] This assault was made Monday, July 31st, very early in the morning. The casualties were : Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder, mortally wounded near his own garrison ; he died the same day. Abraham How, Benjamin Hutchins and John Spalding, killed. The last was one of Captain Tyng's soldiers ; How and Hutchins were Marlborough men. On Monday morning past, the enemy French and Indians, fell upon Lancaster, about four hundred of them, assaulted six garrisons at once, where the people defended themselves very well, until assistance came in from all parts, by the governors order, so that in the evening there were three hundred men in the town. And the enemy was beaten off with loss, but are yet hovering on the head of those towns, to make some further impression, if not prevented. [Boston News Letter, October 30, 1704.] The account given by Samuel Penhallowin his " History of the Indian Wars," is most relied upon for the details of this affair. Reverend Timothy Harrington impugns the accuracy of his statements respecting " the mischiefs done in this town by the enemy," but he borrows most of his own relation from that history, which is as follows : The French in Canada were now forming another design on North Hampton, of which we had seasonable advice : . . . . Their whole body was seven hundred, with tvvo Friars, under the command of Monsieur Boocore who in their march began to mutiny about the plunder they had in view, and e.xpected to be master of, forgetting the proverb about divid ing the skin before the bear was killed. Their dissention at last vvas so MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 14-7 great, that upwards of two hundred returned in discontent. However the rest came on, and sent scouts before to observe the posture of the English, who reported that they vvere as thick as the trees in the woods. Upon which their spirits failed, and more of their number deserted. They then called a council of war, who resolved to desist from the enterprise. Yet some staid, and afterwards fell on Lancaster and Groton, where they did some .spoil, but not what they expected for that these towns were season ably strengthened. Capt. Tyng and Capt. How entertained a warm dis pute with them for some time, but being much inferior in number, were forced to retreat with some loss : yet those that were slain of the enemy, were more than those of ours. One of them was an officer of some dis tinction which so exasperated their spirits that in revenge, they fired the Meeting House, killed several cattle and burnt many outhouses It was not then known how many of the enemy were slain it being cus tomary among them to carry off their dead ; however it was afterwards affirmed, that they lost sixteen besides several that were wounded. . . . [Penhallow's Indian Wars.] To his Excellencie Joseph Dudley Esq''. Capt. Generall and Governour In Chief in atid over Her Mjties province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England &'c. and to the Honourable Her Majties Council and Representatives in Great and Generall Court assembled. cf>r %th 1704. The Petition of Thomas How of Marlburrah in the Behalf of himself & Company. Humbly Sheweth, That Whereas, at the time that Lankes ter was assaulted by the french and Indian enemies, your petitioner and company (to it) about thirty, did emediately Issue out, and were a means vnder God, to preserue many persons liues & estates, in sd Towne ; with the loss of two men of said company, and defended sd Towne from the Insults of so cruel and barbarous an enemy. And after w* There was found on the Spot where seueral barns were burnt, the bones of Sun dry of the enemy y' were slain by your petitioners & company, besides many more supposed to be wounded, w='' the enemy drew off, and altho your petitioner & company recouered no scalps, yet being very deer and plain (to it) of the enemies being slain as afore'-i, your petitioners ; do Therefore pray that your Excellencies. & Honours would please to con sider the premises, and Grant them such Compensation as in your Wise- dom shaU seem mete &c. And yo' Petition' shall as in Duty, pray &"» Thomas How for himself & Comp" In the House of Representatives Nov! 8: 1704 Read. Resolved That the sum of Ten Pounds be aUowed, and Paid out of the publick Treasury to Capt" Thom. How, to be equelly Distributed amongst the Petitioners, as a Token that this Court Takes notice of, & well accepts, their good service, abovementioned. Sent up for concurrence. James Converse Speaker j.g ANNALS OF LANCASTER, In Council. Nov. lo. 1704. Read and pass'' a concurrance. ISA Addington Secry. [Massachusetts Archives, x.KX, 49S.] To his E.rcellency Joseph Dudley Esq : TVot/; 18 : 1704. The Humble Petition of Capt. William Tyng Sheweth, That just be fore the mischief was done at Lancaster, yo' Petitioner was in Boston, and by his Excellency was ordered down forthwith to his Post, to go by Dun stable and thence to Lancaster, which yo' Petitioner accordingly did and rode thither upon his ovvn Horse, which he turned into a pasture there, and the next morning the Horse was by the Indians taken out of the sd pasture & driven into the woods, when they killed and ate the sd Horse. And Farther yo' petitioner Sheweth That one John Spalding who was a soldier under his command was kiUed in that action and his Gun taken by the Indians, and he being a very good soldier (tho a youth,) & the Gun being his ffathers who is very poor, yo' Petitioner therefore humbly prays this great and General assembly to take the premisses into Consideration and that he may have such satisfaction & recompence made him for the loss of his Horse, and the ffather of the young man for the loss of his Gun as to this great & General Assembly shall seem meet, and yo' Peti tioner shall pray &c W" Tyng. [Endorsed.] In the House of Representatives. ' Nov. 18: 1704. In Answer to the Petition on the other side Resolved, That the sum pf Four Pounds be allowed and Paid out of the publick Treasury to Capt. WiUiam Tyng the Petitioner — And the sum of Twenty ShilUngs to John Spalding father of John Spalding dec''' mentioned in the Petition. Sent up for concurrance .... James Converse Speaker [Massachusetts Archives, Lxxi, 105-6.] Oct. 25. 1704. Mr Andrew Gardner minister of Lancaster, coming down from y" watchbox in y' night w* a darkish coloured gown was mis taken for an Indian & solemnly slain by a sorry souldier belonging to y" Garrison nomine Presket. Qournal of Reverend John Pike.] I novv return to the westward, where, on the 25"' of October the ene my did some mischief. Lancaster was alarmed, ahd the alarm was the means of the undmely death of the Rev. Mr Gardiner their worthy pastor. Several of the inhabitants who belonged to the garrison, were wearied by hard travelling the day before, in pursuit of the enemy. This caused this good man out of pity and compassion to watch that night himself: accordingly he went into the box which lay over the flanker, where he staid till late in the night; but being cold (as was supposed) he was com ing down to warm himself, when one between sleeping and waking, or surprised through excess of fear fired upon him as he was coming out of MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 149 the watch house where no man could rationally expect the coming of an enemy. Mr Gardner, although he was shot through the back came to the door and bid them open it for he was wounded. No sooner did he enter, but he fainted away: As he came to himself, he asked who it was that shot him, and when they told him, he prayed God to forgive him, and for gave him himself, believing that he did it not on purpose ; and with a composed frame of spirit, desired them that bewailed him not to weep, but pray for him and his flock. He comforted his sorrowful spouse, and expired within an hour. [Samuel Penhallow's History of the Indian Wars.] On Wednesday night an Englishman was killed in the Woods at Gro ton by the Indians, which were afterwards descryed in the night by the Light of their Fires by a Person TravaUing from Groton to Lancaster, and judged they might be about Thirty in number : pursuit was made after them but none could be found. [Boston News Letter, October 30, 1704.] From the diary of John Marshall, of Braintree, in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, we learn further that the man "killed and scalped by the Indians, belonged to the town of Groton, his name was davis : a vegy usefuU ma^x^f^pd much Lamented." This was proba- bly^ami^'*1&avis/ who married Mary Waters in Lancas ter, A. D. 1656, and lived here for a time. On Thursday night the Reverend Mr Gardner Minister of Lancaster was unfortunately shot by the Sentinel on the Watch, supposing him to be an Indian climbing over the WaUs of the Fortification: of which wound he died in an hours space or little more. [Boston News Letter, October 30, 1704.] Boston. In our Numb. 28, As we then received it, we gave you the Account of the Death of the Reverend Mr Gardtier, Minister of Lancas ter: and having since had a perfect and exact Account of the same, from Eye and Ear Witnesses : we thought it e.xpedient to insert it here, to pre vent various reports thereof: And is as foUows — That a man being Killed the day before between Groton and Lancaster, and the Indians having been seen the night before nigh the Town, Mr. Gardner, (three of the men belonging to his Garrison being gone out of Town, and two of the remaining three being tyred with Watching and Travelling in the Woods after the Indians that day,) being a very careful as weU as couragious man, concluded to Watch that night himself; and accordingly went out into the little Watch-house that was over one of the Flankers, and there stayed till no ANNALS OF LANCASTER, late in the night ; whence and when he was coming down, (as it was thought,) to warm him. The man that shot him, who was not long be fore sleeping by the fire, came out, and whether between sleeping and waking, or surprized with an excess of fear, fired upon him as he was coming down out of the Watch-house, through a little Trap-door into the Fianker, where no man having the exercise of his Reason could su.ipect the coming of an Enemy, or suspect him to be so, when in a clear Moon light night he was nigh him. Mr Gardner (though his wound was in his breast, being shot through the Vitals) came to the door, bid them open it, for he was wounded ; after he came in, he fainted away, but coming to himself again, asked who it was that shot him, and when they told him, he prayed God to forgive him, and forgave him himself, for he believed he did not do it on purpose ; and with a composed Christian frame of spirit desired them that were bitterly lamenting over him, not to weep but to pray for him, and comforted his sorrowful wife, telling her he was going to Glory, advising her to follow him ; and in about an hour Dyed, leaving his sorrowful friends to lament the loss of so worthy and desirable a Person. [Boston News Letter, November 20, 1704.] The coroner's inquest entirely exonerated Samuel Pres cott. The verdict of the jury is probably somewhere extant, but has escaped search. Joseph Willard, Esquire, basing his statements iiipon that document, tells us that Prescott was the sentinel on duty, pacing his beat on the parade, when, dimly seeing a supposed enemy coming out of the upper flanker, he challenged him twice. No re sponse being given, his suspicions were confirmed and he fired. His neighbors declared him guiltless even of care less haste ; but they could not lift from his life the self-im posed burden of bitter regret. His home was but a few rods away, and he could not step from his door, or look out from his windows, but his eyes encountered the scene of that pitiful tragedy. He soon removed to Concord, selling his pleasant home to Reverend John Prentice. Mr. Gard ner was the son of Captain Andrew and Sarah (Mason) Gardner of Brookline, and a graduate of Harvard college in 1696. He was in his thirtieth year, when his promising life was cut short. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 151 To his Excellency, Joseph Dudley Esqr Captain Generall df Comander In Chiefe in Sr' over his Majt^ Province of y Massachusetts Bay In Nnu England S^c: his Majt^ Hon'ablc Councili &= Representatives Con vened In Generall Assembly at Boston October 25 1704. The Petition of y° Inhabitants of y' Towne of Lancaster in y° Province, Humbly Sheweth That whereas yo' Petitioners the destressed Inhabitants of said Lancaster being under y' AwfuU Rebukes of Gods hand Iny" man ifest Token of his Displeasure against us. In p'mitting those Barbarous Heathen to be such a Scourge to us whereby in y° Sufner past we have Sustained such Losses by them that therby we are greatly Impoverished and destressed & som of us almost Ruined as to our estates having little or nothing left for our present Sustenance and much less able to Contribute to Publique Charges, the Towne having lost severall hundreds of pounds estat by y" Indians in theire last attack together with y" loss of our meet ing house being burnt by them, & more particularly that late awfuU stroak of Gods Hand y' Last weeke in y' Loss of our Reverend Minister who was every way Worthy & desirable, whose Loss is Ready to sink our spir its, also we haveing been at great charge formerly in settleing y" ministry & haveing one minister slaine by y' Indians & now another Taken away by a more awfull stroake we are still left destitute & have all againe to procure which will be great charge & we feare with much dificulty aU which Layes us under an Inability of performing what is Required of us, Reffering to our Publique Charges. The p'misses being considered by your Excellency & Hon'' with^(nany other Reasons that might be alleadged we Humbly Crave that f late Tax set and proportioned upon said Towne being y« sum of eighty six pounds may be Remitted or such an abatement thereof made & Granted to sd Town as yo' Excellency & Hon" Shall in Wisdom see to be Reasonable & Just & such Protection and encourage ment afforded for y» future as may be necessary, & yo' Petitioners better enabled to beare up under y« many Difficultyes we are dayly exercised with & flurther obliged as in Duty bound ever to pray : &c : In behalfe of y* Inhabitants of Lancaster Novb! r 2"» 1704. 1°"^^ Houghton Jonas Houghton [Endorsed^ In the House of Representatives Dec : 28 : 1704- Resolved, That the sum of Forty Pounds be allowed and Paid out of the publick Treasury to the Town of Lancaster towards Building a Meet ing House as soon as they shall have Erected a frame for the same and Paid the Taxes already laid upon them. , _ „, , James Converse Speaker. In CouncU. 28. Dec'. 1704- Read and Concurred. Isa Addington Secry. [Massachusetts Archives, cxill, 363.! 152 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq'' Captain Generall Sf Comander in Chieffe Sr'c : In atid over her Majts Province of ye Massachusetts Bay, in New England her Majts Hon' able Councili?^ Representatives of sd Province Convened In Getierall Assembley at Boston : October : 2^i'', 1704. ¦Wheras Wee the Subscribers having Lately Preffered a Petition to your Excellency And Hon'* In behalfe of y' Inhabitants of Lancaster, In short Representing The present destressed Condition of said Towne & on that account Humbly Praying for y" Remi-ssion of y' late Tax of eighty six pounds sett upon sd Towne or for an abatement of y' same, & being since Informed by Capt Thomas How of Marleborough that you desire a more particular Accompt of y^ late Losses sustained by severall persons in said Towne this last Sufner by Damage don by y= Indians we have accordingly sent you an accompt thereof as foUoweth." July y 31"' 1704 y« Indians besett the Towne in severall places & par ticularly Lieut Nath"^ Wilders Garrison where early in y« morning one of y' Indians shott him In the thigh of which wound he dyed y' same day, & y" Indians kUled of his cattell six o.xenfive cowes 3 calves sixteen sheep twelve swine & burnt his Barne & about 12 load of good English hay. Of Ephraim Wilders one ox 2 calves 3 cowes one horse 15 sheep 2 swine one good dwelling house with 2 fires. Jonathan Wilder two oxen one horse. John Carter 3 oxen one cow one horse 3 swine. Sam" Carter 3 oxen one cow one horse 2 calves 2 swine one good Dwelling house with 2 fires. Thomas Ross one cow 2 calves one swine one dwelling house with one fire. John Houghton Jun 3 swine one large dwelling house* with 3 fires, belonging to him & Phillip Goss & about sixteen pounds of Personall estate belonging to sd Houghton burnt in sd house. •This house was probably near or upon the~site of the Rowlandson garrison, John Houghton having married Mary, widow of the elder Philip Goss, who bought the Rowlandson estate in 1687. George Hewes two oxen 2 cows. Sznfi Bennitt 3 oxen 2 cows. Jonathan Whitcombe 2 sheep. Simon Steevens one Horss. Jonas Houghton one Ox. • Jabez ffairbank one new barne with about 8 loads of good English hay. Thomas Sawyer Jun one heilfef . John Preist Jun one heiffer. All which creatures were then kiUed by y= Indians & Housing burnt by them & many more creatures wounded & Severall Horses that cannot yet MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 153 be found, though some of the men that have been out have found where som horsses have been killed and Rosted, also those cattell are yet pre served are in great hazard to be lost for want of Hay, especially many of those on y' yeast side of y« River, for most of y' Inhabitants on y' side have had but little or no help or protection in there Garisons but have been necessitated to watch & ward a third part bf their time at least, besides Ranging the woods after when Rumours & AUarms have hapened so that neere halfe our time is spent in actuaU service & when we are about our own work we cannot keep to it, .but lose a great part of what we Labour for being forced to get our bread with y= pril of our Lives which hang in Doubt continually & but little peace day or night & many of us have formerly been greatly Impoverished by y= Indians, & see no probabiUty but if they can againe it will be so for the future, & having lost our meeting house being now burnt by them this suiher which is a GeneraU loss, & also y= los of our late minister so that we are on all ac counts as new beginers, & under such discouraging circumstances that our spiritts are Ready to sink & almost dispaire of subsisting another yeare except we may be under beter circumstances, but still under God Relying on your favourable protection & Relieffe hoping for y" Remission of y^ said Tax prayed for in the afforsaid Petition, which if it be granted will not Respond a sixth part of y'' loss & damage we have lately sustained. So leaving y^ Premisses to your favourable consideration wee Remaine. Your Excellencys & Hon" most Humble Servants to Coiiiand. Thomas Wilder November 15 1704. John Houghton Jr Jonas Houghton. [Massachusetts Archives, CXIII, 365.] To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq' Govertiour, the Honorable Council and ye Representatives siting in Boston June ye 27 1705 The humble petition of Mary Gardner of Lancaster humbly Sheweth That whareas thare was yesterday an acount laid before y^ Court signed by y' worshipful! Colonell Tailer of money dew to me from y« country for entertaineing of souldiers & damage done by their horses who at coming up to Lancaster when y* attaque was made upon it by y" enemy, who in a hurry put theare horses in to a field of ry whareby an acre was imediately destroyed, for which damage & entertainment of souldiers this honerable hous saw cause to alow rae but fifteene shillings when besides that, they drank a barell of boyled Cyder & a barell of strong bear. Besides Mr Gardner his going out Chaplin with y» army in that expedition after y enemy for all which we have Received nothing. Your humble petitioner being a desolate widdow prayeth y' Jusrice may be done her & that she may have Dew recomepence for those things which y' country is more able to bare them then herself who hath alwayes bin & is ready to undergoe IS4 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, any trouble laid upon her for y° service of y" country. Your Granting my petition herein will Greatly obliege your Humble pet'ioner. Mary Gardner. In Council ; June. 29. 1705. Read & sent down [Endorsed.] In the House of Representatives June 29: 1705. Resolved That the sum of Three Pounds, 4 shUlings & six pence ; be AUowed & paid out of the publick Treasury to Mary Gardner the Petitioner as a fuU Considera tion for. the Petition on the qther side : Sent up for concurrence. Thomas Oakes Speaker June, 29. 1705. In Council. Read & concurred. ISA Addington Secy. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXI, 157-8.] 1704I5. An Acompt of funeral Charges &c of John Brabrook a soul- der under y= comand of Capt. Will"' Tyng, who Deceased March 31"' 17045. I d Imprimis To Dressing his lame leg &c — ,, 12' o To Nursing & Charges when sick — ,, 6 ,, To funeral Charg. viz graue clothes & Drink — ., 18 „ To y' Coflfen & Grave — ,. 10 ,, ~^ 6 Ephraim Wilder Joseph Wilder [Massachusetts Archives, LXXI, 128.] An acompt of fiineral Charges : &c : of John Carter a souldier under y» Coihand of Capt. WUU Tyng who deceased March y« 26 1704I5 : Imprimis, To two Jurneys to Concord for y= Doctor — 027:0 To one Jurney to Boston for things for said Carter in his sickness — o z 1 1 = o To nursing one week — o = 10 r o To 4 Gallonds Wine at — 0=15=9 }4 a barrill Syder — 0=4 = 0 To Sugger, fruit & Spice — 0=5=6 To 6 paier of Gloues — 0=9 = 0 To y° Coffen and Graue — 0=8 = 0 ^3 = io» = 3'' [Massachusetts Archives, LX-xi, 129.J Nathaniel Sawyer. Ephraim Wilder. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 15$ 1705 Oct. 15. Three men are carried away from Lancaster from Mr Sawyers Sawmill. Oct. 16. Hear the bad news from Lancaster. [Diary of Samuel Sewall, il.] Mention is found of Thomas Sawyer's mill upon Dean's, now called Goodridge Brook, as early as 1699. It was upon the site of the present dam near the Deer's Horns school-house. The three captives were Thomas Sawyer, Jr., his son Elias, a youth of sixteen, and John Bigelow, a carpenter of Marlborough. Samuel Sewall's, being a contemporary record, is no doubt correct, though Reverend Peter Whitney in the History of Worcester County places the scene of the capture at Sawyer's garrison house. A younger brother of Elias, about fourteen years old, escaped through a window, it is said, when the others were cap tured. From Whitney's history we derive the romantic story of the elder Sawyer's rescue after he had already been tied to the stake for torture. A friar successfully ex cited the superstitious fears of the savages by brandishing a key, and threatening with it to unlock the door of Pur gatory and thrust them into its eternal fires, if they did not release their prisoner to him. He was probably incited thereto by the French Governor, who wished to avail him self of Sawyer's promised skill in the construction of a mill upon the Chambly. The mill built, — the first in all Canada, — Thomas Sawyer and Bigelow came home. Elias was detained a year longer, to run the mill and in struct others in the art of sawing. The grave of Thomas Sawyer is in the old burying ground. He died " Septem ber 5'." 1736, in ye 89"* Year of his Age." 1705. To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq: Capt. General atid Gov- ertior in Chief, To the Honot'-' the Council and House of Representa tives now in General Court assembled in and for her Majties. Province of the Massachusetts Bay iti New Etigld, Novetnber the 29^* 1705. The humble Petition of several of the Inhabitants of the Town of Lancaster whose names are hereunto subscribed. Sheweth. That yo' 1^6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Petitioners dwell on the West side of the River ffronting towards the Enemy and have suffered very much and are diminished in thi-ir number several heads of ffamilies having been cutt off within these few years and when the Enemy were there about 17 or 18 months ago they burnt down the Meeting house which always stood on the West side the River. Now so it is (may it please this great & General Assembly) that those of the Inhabitants who dwell on this side the River (.several of whom are removed for fear of the enemy even to the bounds of Marleburrough) use all their Endeavour to have the Meeting house built on this side whereas the Meet ing house Ground & the Ministerial Land & Meadow are both on the other side, and moreover should the Meeting house be built on this side, the Enemy might come when the Inhabitants were att Meeting and destroy the whole Western part and secure the Bridge so that nobody should be able to resist them or Relieve their ffriends. But the Meeting house bein" built on the West and Exposed side (as it used to be) the Inhabitants on that side are a Guard to the others on this side as well as to themselves, notwithstanding these reasons (which yo' Petitioners humbly hope will have their due Consideration in this Hono'''" House) they of this side having never had a man kill'' in the service, are grown so numerous, that they out vote yo' Petitioners, and carry it against them att their Town Meetings. Yo' Petitioners therefore humbly pray That yo' Excellency and Hono'» would please to take the premises into yo' serious consideration, and to Grant an order or vote of this Hono"'' House for the final ending of this Controversy and the Rebuilding of the Meeting house in its usual place. And yo? Petitioners shall ever pray &c Samuel Bennett Peter Joslin John Prescott Sen' Simon Stevens John Beman jun' Cyprian Stevens Bezaliel Saywiar William Divoll John Prescot jun' Ephraim Wilder John Johnson John Keyes Jonathan Wilder Benj'^ Bellows Nathaniel Sawyer Thomas Ross Joseph Glazeir Josiah White Jr Jonathan Whitcomb John Harris Philip Goss George Hues Nov ult. 1705. In CouncU Read & ordered That Jonathan Tyng, James Converse, Thomas Browne and James Minott Esqr'. be a Coiriittee to hear the AUegations of both parts of the Town referring to the situa tion of their Meeting House, Jonathan Tyng Esq', to appoint the time & place for the Committee' meeting. And to Report their doeings to this Court at their next Session. Isa. Addington Secy. In y» house of Representatives voted a concurrence. Thomas Oakes Speaker [Massachusetts Archives, xi, 200.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. i^>j Besides information of general interest given in the mat ter and by the signatures of this Petition, the clause which asserts in eftect that not one man had been killed by the enemy on the east side of the river, is important, as help ing to prove incorrect the statements of our historians that Richard Wheeler had a garrison at Wataquadock, and that he with Jonas and Joshua Fairbank were killed there in the massacre of 1676 ; and that Abraham Wheeler was slain there in 1695. 1706. To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq' Captaiti Getierall fir" Gov ernour In Cheefe : &'c : Her Majesties Hon'^able Councili Sr' Repre sentatives of the Massachusetts Bay In New Englatid, Convetied in Generall Assetnbly at Boston: May ye 29'''': Atmoque Dom: 1706. Wheras it appeares that som of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Lan caster have made AppUcation to your Excellency & Hon'^ concerning the place of Setting the Meeting house In said Towne & that a comittie hath been appointed to Consider thereof but not knowing how far they have proceeded therein nor what complaints have been made wee have thought It our duty to acquaint this Great & General Assembley with a breviate of the Townes Proceedings, Refiferring to said meeting house & first at a Towne meeting appointed by y* selectmen of said Towne in order therto the 16 of October 1704 the Towne then voted to buUd a meeting house and agreed on y' demencions thereof unanimously, but when it came to be voted where it should sfand about 4 or 5 persons Declared their dissent against it, but the Rest of the persons present at said meeting (or y^ most of them by far) to y' number of neere 30 agreed to set sd house on y" East side of y= River on or neer to a plaine knowne by y= name of brid- cake plaine in the most convenient place, but those which were dissattis- fied objected that y« meeting was not LegaU because only warned by the selectmen & not by warrant by the hand of y' constable, to Remove said objection the selectmen consented to warne another meeting to consider what was farther necessary to be don, Refferring to y» building of a meet ing house & accordingly gave out warrants to y^ Constables, to warne the Inhabitants to meet on Munday the 14 of .May 1705, which was accord ingly don & the Inhabitants of said Towne being com together after severall other things agreed upon, they came to discourse about y" place of seting the meeting house & having som debate theire were some that declared theire Dissent against any vote passing Referring to a meeting house. Resolving as they said that nothing should be don about it (with out a comittie( except it be set on the place it last stood, but notwith standing the Towne- thought they were in theire way to try it by vote (as 1^8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, had formerly been used about our fornier meeting house & consonant with the first agreement of y' plantation about a meeting house) & accordingly voted by papers to set it on the East side of the River as neer to it as conveniently can be which was don by a majo' vote neer Double to those that then appeared against it. afterwards at a Towne meeting October y 8'.'' 1705 : upon due warning given to consider about building the meeting house & how to Raise a Rate for it & first as to y" house notwithstanding a former vote about y= demencions thereof the Towne now agreed by a vote to build it Larger, also at another meeting November y"^ I9"> 1705, it was againe voted as to y' place of setting sd house & by a major vote agreed to set it on y« east side of y River on y* place concluded on by the former votes. In all which transactions the Towne have Indeavoured to accomodate y' whole as neer as may be & apprehend they have taken Right methods in Improving theire Liberties & foUowed the directions in the Law for the ordering & managing theire own prudentialls by a major vote, & this matter Refferring to a meeting house we think to be very essentiall & of great moment & a thing wherein every one ought to be privilidged with what convenience raay be & which is the very thing cared and provided for in y* first covenant & agreement of y* Plantation about a meeting house, that it might be sett in the most equall & convenient place that may be advized by them, which is all we still desire & accord ingly have endeavoured to follow y stepes of our predessessors without being sencible of breaking any Law or wronging any persons among us. so humbly Craving your favourable construction of all our proceedings herein, & praying your Excellency & honors would Indeavour that peace with truth & equitie may be promoted amongst us we Remaine your most Humble Servants according to our Capacitie. Thomas Wilder "] John Wilder Iselectttien John Houghton [ Josiah Whetcomb j The said John Houghton subscribes to all above written except, what was don at said meeting Novemb' the 19"' 1705, at which meeting he vvas absent [Massachusetts Archives, xi, 209.] John Houghton, as town clerk, appends a certified copy of "the townes first agree ment about a meeting house." To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Captain Generall and Governour In Cheife Sr'c. Her Majesties Hon'ablt Councili atid Representatives con vened In Generall Asseittbley at Bostoti May ye 29-''' 1706. Wheras som of y" Inhabitants of the Towne of Lancaster have mani fested theire Disattisfaction with the Proceedings of said Towne Refferring to the Building of a Meeting house & have addressed themselves to y' MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 159 GeneraU Court & have obtained a Comittie to Consider of y" premisses which Comittie (som of them) have had y" Reasons of y'= Townes Pro ceedings therein in som measure laid before them which we hope & believe are suffisient to evince the equitie of y* same but what Influence they have had we know not, therefore we have thought it Necessary to acquaint this Great & Generall Assembley with som of many that might be alleadged, & first as to y= place of setting said house the Towne have considered the Circumstances of the case & have condisended (for y' convenience of y" Minister & those on y° west side of y' River) to set it neere a mile to y' westward of y' Center of y" Township & Inhabi tants, there being neere two thirds of them that live on the east side of the River & neere two thirds of all publique charges are borne by them & neere tvvo parts of y' Lands ly on y' East side & almost all the medowes so that that side not onely is, but forever is like tobe the bigest by far, neither will the setting of a meeting House where the Towne have voted it disoblidge those on y" west side for neere halfe of them will be almost, if not altogether as nere to y° place now voted as they were to y" old place & the other but little farther from it, & there is above twenty famillies on y" east side that yet wUl be neere as far agen from y meeting house as the farthest of those on y' west side, of such as are made further off by setting it on y' East side the River, & wheras som suppose it will be too far from y* minister we know not as yet how far that will be for the Towne have agreed to give him a hundred pound to settle himselfe & if it be his pleasure to live where he now doth (which is scarcely a mile) the Towne is not in fault about it, & as for setting a house on y' west side the River, the Towne can not comply with it havitig lost two already burtit by the enemy on that side, & therefore think it not prudence to build thereon againe, it being apprehended to be a very dangerous place Sc if there be any that is more safe & also more convenient for y' whole Towne then we apprehend it both our prudence & Duty to build it there, & whereas the most of them that seeme to be most avers to the Towns proceedings have declared it is because they are contrary to y" first agreement of y' Towne about a meeting house or else they could Redily comply, so on the con trary we apprehend what y" Towne have don herein is wholly consonant with said agreement as may be made appeare, the essence whereof is only this : viz to set it in the most equall and convenient place that may be advized & concluded by the Plantation, & if we must be compelled to set up a meeting house on y° place it last stood, then the neerest of all y* famillies on y' east side of y* River wUl be as farr if not farther from said House than the farthest of those that live on y' West side, except the MUI & we think they ar not farther from y' new place then they are from y' old, so that considering all our circumstances we apprehend we have don nothing to wrong any person but Indeavoured to accoihodate the whole as neer a^may be, so hoping that this GeneraU Court wiU not Infringe us of the Liberties & Privilidges Granted us by the Generall Courts Grants & l6o ANNALS OF LANCASTER, the Laws of this Province, for us to manage our owne affaires which being acted according as we conceive according to said Grants & Laws wee hope will be very much for y" future peace & welfare of our tovvne, which wee hope & believe this Generall Court will alwayes be Ready to promote & hereby encourage us under those many Difucalties, we are Continually laboring under & be farther oblidged as in duty bound ever to pray &c : & Remaine your Excellencies & Honors most Humble Servants. In behalfe of y' major part of y° Inhabitants of Lancaster John Houghton Thomas Wilder Joseph Wheelock J- Comittee Josiah Whetcomb John Wilder [Massachusetts Archives, XI, 208.] The first clause printed in italics above, as the yet unful filled prophecy of one esteemed very wise in his generation, is commended to the attention of the Lancastrian towns east of the Nashaway, for their encouragement. The sec ond passage italicised proves that the first church was burned by the savages, and probably during the abandon ment of the settlement, 1676-9, being rebuilt upon the same spot about 1684. This has been noted in correction of popular belief and previous printed statement, by Rev erend Abijah P. Marvin, in his history of Lancaster. Wharas by the prouidence of God by sicknes I could not atend the commit at Boston yet I thout good to let thos that are concarned under stand my mind about that mater refaring to the seting of the meting houes of lankestr, that the most conuenient place for the inhabitance wUl be on the est sid of the riuer ner to or wher I under stand the town hath voted it. Dat March 3 1706 Tho: Browne. Concord June. 5. 1706. This may certifie whom it may concern, that whereas the subscriber was chosen one of a committee to make report where Lancaster meeting hous might most conveniently stand for the benefit of the inhabitants his opinion was that it should be on the est side of the town. James Minott [Massachusetts Archives, XI, 210.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. i6i Lancaster June y* 4 1706. The Inhabitants of y* east side of y* River in said Towne met together to choose a Comitie to send to y' great and GeneraU Assembly now sitting : said Court having notified them to appeare that so a hearing of y' matter Refferring to y" place of setting up a meeting house in said Lancaster might be had said Inhabitants thought it necessary (the better to acquaint said Court) to measure & see the difference of y° Length of y° way from the houses in that part of y" Towne called y" neck to y" place where two of y' Comittie made theire Report the meeting house should stand & to y" place where y' Towne have voted it to stand & where y° other two of y° Comittie apprehend it most convenient, & find that neer one halfe of them are considerably neerer to y* Latter & the Rest of them but little farther from it than they are from y' place Reported to y° Court, & the farthest of thera not fully two miles from y' place the Towne have voted it, except y* mUl, & the Inhabitants on the East side of y" River must notwithstanding above 20 famillies of them go farther than any of y west side & many must go twice, & some neere three times as far though the meeting house should be set where it is voted, so that we do not take the house firom them on y' west side as they would Intimate, nor have we don anything but what was apprehended to be designed when y' last meeting house was buUt: for although then severall voted to set it on y' east side, yet the major vote carried it on y" west side y' River so aU was quiet with this expectation and generaU discourse, that the next we buUt should be set on y* east side without obstruction, therefor think it strange to meet with so much trouble about it from some of those on y' west side of y' River. Thomas Wilder [Massachusetts Archives, XI, 210.] John Houghton John Wilder Joseph Wheelock Josiah Whetcomb Comittie Province of Massachusetts Bay. To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq May, 29. 1706. The Humble Petition of several of the Inhabitants of the Town of Lancaster whose naraes are hereunto subscribed in behalf of themselves and the Rest of the Inhabitants on the West side of the said Town. Sheweth, That yo' Petitioners presented a Humble Petition to this Great and General Assembly at their sessions in November last referring to the situation of their meeting house praying that it might be settied where it formeriy stood (vizt : on the west, and most exposed side,) as is most con venient both for minister and people, as was fully set forth in sd Petition, to which yo' Petition' refer, the Consideration whereof yo' Excellency and Hono" referred to a Committee of four Gent» two whereof vizt : Col. Tj-ng l62 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, and Major Converse (who knew the Circumstances of the matter) were clearly for having it built on the West side, but the other two vizt: Major Browne & Capt. Minott who vvere strangers, refused to Concur with them so that nothing vvas then done. Yo' Petitioners therefore humbly pray this Great & General Assembly would please to putt a final End to this affair vvhich has been very troublesome & expensive to yo' Petitioners and to Determine & appoint the place where theyr meeting house shall stand. And yo' Petitioners (as in duty bound) shall ever pray, &c".' Cyprian Stevens John Prescot Peter Joslin Josiah White ¦Verte Eph"': Wilder, [Etidorsed.] May, ult. 1706. In Council. Read, & Resolved That both parts of the Town of Lancaster be heard before the whole Court on Friday the 7"' of June next by their Committees, referring to the situation of their meet ing House, and that they be notifyed to attend accordingly. Sent down for concurrance. Isa. Addington Secry. In the House of Representatives June i : 1706. Read and Resolved a concurrence. Thom.4s Oakes Speaker 12, June, 1706. In Council. Upon a full hearing of both parts of the Town of Lancaster by their Committees, Resolved That the Meeting House be Erected and set up at or near the place where the old Meeting House stood, and has been twice before buUt. Sent down for concurrance. Isa. Addington Secy. In the Hou.se of Representatives June 26: 1706. Read & not agreed, & Cofnitted. June 28: Upon a full Hearing, of both parts of}'' Tovvne of Lancaster by their Comittees, & y* pleas made, by and in y' behalf of y° sd West side, vizt, y' upon the setting sd house in y* old place they were obliged to pay for their house Lotts extraordinary to y' support of sd House & .Min istry : And y' East side pleading the Rationality of }¦* Rebuilding of y* Meeting house on y" East side; In regard of y" danger where it stood formerly, & the dissasters that hath befallen them there : & y' it is con trary to y* vote of about two thii'ds of y* Inhabitants, that met at a Legall Towne Meeting warned & held for the determining y' affair in their Towne ; & seeing most of the first planters children being remoued to y east side Resolved, that y° meeting house be erected & sett at y' place, where y* Towne last appoynted, it should be sett upon y" East side of y" Riuer & y' y' obligation lajd upon y° sd House Lotts extraordinary shal be for euer hereafter null & voyd : & y' said Land be rated to the ministry & sd House MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 163 according as y" Townes other Lands Improved ; by y' Income, as y" Law provides for Towne Rates. July 5 sent up for concurrence Thomas Oakes Spkr July, 13'!' 1706. In Council ; Read and not concurred. Isa Addington Secy. [Massachusetts .Archives, XI, 207.] To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Captaiti Generall and Govertiour in Chiefe Sr'c : The Petition of John Houghton of y* Towne of Lancaster Humbly Sheweth. That Whereas som of y" Inhabitants of said Lancaster on y' West side of y' River have applyed themselves to the Generall Assembly Manifesting theire Dissattisfaction with y" Townes Proceedings Refferring to y* place of setting theire meeting house & his ExceUency & Councili having sent to said Towne to stop theire "proceeding theirin till the said Generall Court shall give theire Direction concerning it. In obedience whereunto said Towne have Desisted & have don nothing to it since the Spring so that y' fiame is much damnified by y weather, & y* People under great disadvantage for want thereof, having for above this two yeares been necessitated to meet (on the Sabath) at the Ministers House which wiU not containe halfe y* Inhabitants but many of them must stand abroad in aU weathers which is very greivious, nor can they heare the minister with that benifitt that otherwise they might, & if they may not forthwith go on to finish said House they must still be under the same uncomfortable cir cumstances this winter also : as for y* distance 'of y inhabitants on y* west side the River from y place where the frame now standeth the farthest of them is but about two miles, & there is above 20 famillies on the east side that the neerest of them will still be at least three mUes from it & som 4 or 5, & were it not to accomodate those on the west side as neere as may be, said meeting house should have been sett neere a mile more eastward to com to y* center of y' Towneship & Inhabitants, your Petitioner therefore Humbly prayes that your Excellency & Hon'." would take y' Premisses into your Consideration & Grant that the former Restriction may be taken off & all obsticles Removed, Refferring thereto, which tis hoped will be much for y" peace & encouragement of said Inhabitants Sc farther oblidge yo' Petitioner as in duty bound ever to pray &c : John Houghton. Nov: 1 : 1706, Read In the House of Representatives. Ordered that the Prayer of sd Petition be Granted. Sent up for concurrence. Thomas Oakes Sp. Nov. 2, 1706. In CouncU Read & Concurred. Isa. Addington Secy: I consent to the within order. J. Dudley. 164 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, An interesting picture for those who have eyes to see, is framed in this simple letter of the old town's clerk — a pleasant picture, wherein the shadow of a severe asceticism is perfused with the glow of heroic faith — a picture of the Sabbath in Lancaster one hundred and seventy-five years ago — fifty and more of our sturdy progenitors at stated hour, some on horseback with wife or daughter on pillion behind them, most afoot, with guns on shoulder, wending their way at the head of their families from widely scat tered homes towards a common centre — from Prescott's Mills and Bare Hill, from the Neck and Bridecake Plain, from Quasaponikin, Wataquadock and far-away Kequas- sagansit, little procession's of God-fearing people clad in leather and homespun, coming through storm or sunshine, in winter's snow or spring mire, and gathering about the parsonage at the road crossing in South Lancaster ; filhng its rooms to overflowing, and huddling about its open doors to catch in listening ears and carry away in retentive mem ories the fervid exhortations of young master John Prentice, the new minister. The frame, "damnified" by two years' storms, was now quickly covered in, and peace reigned in the church. Very few facts can be gleaned from contemporary records about the edifice, except that Robert Houghton was prob ably chief architect and builder ; the town voting him twelve acres of land " for vvork don by him at the meeting house," and twenty-five acres "for making the pulpit." His brother John seems to have been a peace maker in the controversy, and is credited with the gift of the site for the building, while Thomas Wilder gave land opposite for the burial ground, now known as the Old Common Cemetery. Reverend Timothy Harrington tells us that Mr. John Prentice began preaching here in May, 1705, was offered a settlement February, 1707, and was ordained on the 29th of March, 1708. Joseph WiUard,. Esq., in his history of Lancaster gives some information respecting Mr. Prentice's MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 165 family which, he is careful to state, was derived from the investigations of another. His informant was largely in error, if we may believe the results of more modern re search. Reverend John Prentice was born in Newton about 1682, being the son of Thomas, Jr., and Sarah (Stanton) Prentice. His father died in 1684. His grand father was the captain of cavalry famous in Philip's war, who was alive at the time of his grandson's settlement in Lancaster, but died at the age of ninety, July 6, 1710, "in consequence of a fall from his horse while returning from public worship." John Prentice, according to the Rox bury church records, was married to Mrs. Mary Gardner, Dec. 4, 1705. His faithful ministry in Lancaster ended with his life, Jan. 6th, 1748. 1707 Lancaster August y" 19 1707. May it Please your excels About four of the Clock afternoon. Wee are sorry that we have Such News to acquaint you with, in y' in our Persuit & Engagement with y* enemy we lost 2 men of mariborough besides Wilder which was taken which is KiUed ; one of Lancaster and one of mariborough is vv;ounded : we overtook them about 8 or 9 mile wide of Lancaster this day about 9 a clock this day where we fought them about 2 hours the enemy haveing a great advantage of us when we come up with them ; there being about thirty of them as we suppose, at Length we wholly routed them and took all their packs and provision & have Slain Severall of them without any doubt, but we; had not Time to find them, we have sent about thirty men to waylay them or head them if they can, being in great hast we subscribe Your excelly' Most Humble Serv'% Praying your further directs Tho : HowE Josiah Coverse [Massachusetts Archives LI, 174.] On Monday last the l6th currant. Thirteen Indians on the Frontiers surprised two men at their labour in the Meadows at Marlborough about four mUes distant from the body of the Town, took them both alive ; and as they parted out of the Town took a woman also in their marching off, whom they killed. How, one of the Prisoners broke away in a scuffle, and brought home the Indians Gun and Hatchet, and acquainted the Garrison and Inhabitants, who speedily followed them, and were joyned by 20 from Lancaster, being in all 40 odd, came up with the Enemy who were also in creased to 36 and on Tuesday at ten of the Clock found them, and in two j,66 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, hours exchanged ten shot a man in which skirmish we lost two men and had two slightly wounded, and no doubt we killed several of the Enemy, whose Tracts of being draggd away we saw, but recovered but one of them, tho tis probably conjectured, that we killed lo or 12 at least; we took 24 of their Packs, and drove them off their ground, and are yet pur sued by tvvo Parties of the Forces from Lancaster and Groton ; at our Forces overtaking and attacking the Enemy they barbarously murdered the Captive. [Boston News Letter, 25 August, 1707.] Parties of hostile Indians had been continually hovering about the settlement, and on the i6th of July, 1707, had killed Jonathan White, a son of Josiah, and brother of Cap tain John White. The captive mentioned above as " bar barously murdered," was also a Lancaster man recently removed to Marlborough, by name Jonathan Wilder, whose father. Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder, had been slain in 1704. He was twenty years of age. The other victims were : Richard Singleterry and John Farrar killed, Eph raim Wilder and Samuel Stevens wounded severely. Ensign John Farrar was of Lancaster birth, being son of Jacob Farrar, Jr., who was killed in the massacre of Aug. ,22, 1675. Ephraim Wilder was brother to the captive, and it is probable that the detailed account of the affair given by Reverend Timothy Harrington in the Century Sermon, was derived from him. He lived until 1769, dying Dec. 13th of that year, aged 94. The place where the skirmish was fought is in the northwest corner of Sterling, and to this day is called the Indian Fight. 1708. To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Captain Generall and Gov ernour In Chief e b'e: . . . . Boston: June ye loii: 1708 : The Petition of Samuell Brigham of y Town of Marieborough In be halfe of Severall Persons Inhabitants of Marieborough & Lancaster: Humbly Sheweth, That Whereas somtime in y' Month of August Last past; In an Engagement with y' Indian Enemy, In y" woods beyond Lan caster, besides other Damages not here mentioned ; Ephraim Wilder ot said Lancaster was then wounded being shot through the thigh which wound was Considerable Damage to him in Loss of time being ten weeks beside y* paine of said wound & cost of cure, which was foure pounds ten MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 167 shillings, as may appeare by the Docters Bill for sd cure, also there vvas one Gun lost being caried away by y" enemy which Gun belonged to John ffarer of Marieborough who was then slaine, & his widow & children Left in a Low condition, }¦' Gun was worth at y* Least fourty shillings which yo' Petitioner prays may be alowed to said Widow ; there vvere two Horses killed and two wounded, one that vvas killed belonged to Jonathan Brig- ham being worth eight pounds & the other valued worth foure pounds belonged to Samuell Ward one of y' Horses wounded was Joseph Newtons his charge of cure & Damage was at least twelve shillings, the other Horse wounded belonged to Oliver How whose charge for cure & Damage was twenty shillings, ther was also somthing Considerable expended as was Necessary for y' Decent BuriaU of three Persons Slain in said Engagement. Your Petition' therefore Humbly Prays that your Excellency & Hon" would take the Premisses into your serious Consideration & Grant such Reasonable alowances to y" Parties concerned as above mentioned : as In your Wisdom shall seem Just & Equitable & your Petitioner as In Duty Bound Shall ever pray &c. Saw*'^- Brigham. House of Representatives, June 16. 1708. Read & Resolved: That there be allowed & Paid out of the Publick Treasury, as follows, vizt: To Ephraim Wilder for the cure of his wound the sum of three Pounds and for the losse of his Time, charges &c five Pounds. To the widow of John Farrer for a Gun lost Thirty shillings. To Jonathan Brigham for a Horse killed four Pounds. To Sam" Ward for a Horse killed Two Pounds. Sent up for concurrence, 16 June 1708 Thomas Oliver Speaker In CouncU Read & concurr^ Isa. Addington Secret Concord June 8 1708. These may Certify whom it may concern there is due to me for Medi cine dressing & curing of a wound in y' thygh of Ephraim Wilder of Lancaster which he Received by a shott firom y* Enemy in a late engage ment some time in August last under y' conduct of Let Brigham of Mlbrow, y" sum of four pounds tenn shiUings as atests JoNA. .Prescott Chir. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXI, 4S4 e*- seq.] In Massachusetts A.rchives, lxxi, 421-3, is a petition from Samuel Stevens dated Nov. 10, 1707, asking aid, " his hands being both shott by y"= enemy & lost many joynts which has Greatly disinabP him as to his caling, being a Joyner." Twenty pounds was voted him and a pension, at pleasure of the government, of forty shillings per annum. [58 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 1709. To his E.rcelleni,y Joseph Dudley Esq' Capt General and Govern' iti Chief in and over her Majesties Provitice af the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and to the Most Hotiorable Gen' of her Majesties Council, with the Hono'l'ie Gent of the house of Representatives. Humble Pettion of us Whose Names are Under Written humbley Sheweth, we Inhabiting on y' West part of y' Town of Lancaster being y* extreame front, & haveing Subsisted Capt WiU'" Tyngs men, are kept out of our Money to our Great damage, sume of us haueing Rec'i nothing since Apr" 28"' 1708. Which to last April maks a full yeare besids old arers of no smal sum. Sume of us being poor & Under Ingagmts w'*" cannot be answered for Want hereof Wi" exposses to y" penalty of y' law, we haue now to Adress ourselves but to yo' Hon's as y' fathers of our Israel, hoping you will Vouhsafe to help us, that our Money, so well de served, Being alowed but 3= y" week a man, may be more easchy com at & not to pass through y* hands of perticuler men, w*''' has greatly hurt us sum years past, if your Hon" se cause to Graunt yo' Pettin" what we pray for, wUl lay us Under obligations to pray for yo' Hon" peace & Pr»perity. Yo' most humble Servts Oct 28 1709. Jabez ff.a.irbanks Joseph Hutchins John Glazear John Prescot Cyprian Stevens Simon Stevens Josiah White Nathanill Sawyer [Endorsed^ In the House of Representatives. Nov'. 10: 1709. Read and ordered, That the Treasurer, be Directed, to make no Paymts either to Col Tyng, or his son Maj Tyng, for any Demands they haue to make, upon the Treasury, for any sura or sums due to them, untill they Produce Discharges, under the hands of the Petitioners, for the sums due to them, for their Billetting Souldiers (by their order,) unto this present year 1709. And That the sd Col. & his son, do notify the severall Inhabitants of Lancaster, Grotton Dunstable &c. That haue by their order Billetted, Souldiers to meet with them some time in this present month of November, at some certain place in the respective Towns, that they make up their amounts & Take Discharges from the Severall Inhabitants, for their Billetting Soul diers for the time afores*. Sent up for concurrence. John Clark Speaker Ib a d 9.. i6 IO 2 „ 12 4 I „ •9 8 2 ,, 8 9 6„ 19 6 I ,. I? 8 2 „ 8 o MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. jgn due to Jabez ffairbanks for Billeting of men under the command of Capt William Tyng in the years l7o7 & 1708 — due to John Prescott — due to Joseph Hutchins — due to Nathanael Sawyer — due to Cyprian Steevens — due to Simon Steevens — due to Josiah Whit — Lanchaster twenty first of November 1709 Then received of Captain William Ting for subsisting men under his command in full from the beginning of y' world to the twenty eighth of Aprill one thousand seven hundred and nine by us the subscribers Nathaniel Sawyer Cyprian Steuens Simon Steuens Josiah White Jabez Fairbank John Prescott hU ^ Joseph -f- Hucthins . mark [Massachusetts Archives, Lxxi, 565-8.] The first page of the Church Records, begun by Rever end John Prentice after his settlement, contains a copy of the Covenant. There are no minutes of church meetings before 1728, all earlier records being those of baptisms and admissions to the church. LANCASTER CHURCH COVENANT. Renewed March 29 1708 before the Ordination of the Revd John Prentice. We whose Names are hereunto subscribed being Inhabitants [of the] Town of Lancaster in New-England, Knowing that we [are] prone to offend & Provoke the most high God, both in heart [word and deed] through the Prevalence of Sin that dwelleth within us, & [through] Temptations from without us, for which we have great [reason to] be Un- feignedly humbled before him from Day to Day do [in the] name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Dependance upon the Assistance of his holy Spirit, Solemnly enter into Covenant with God, & one with another ac cording to God, as foUoweth. Imprimis That having Chosen & taken the Lord Jehovah to [be our] God, we wiU fear hira, cleave to him in Love, & serve [him in] truth with all our hearts giving up ourselves unto him [as his] People. In all things to be at his Direction & Sovereigne [disposal], that we may have & hold lyo ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Communion with him as [members] of Christs Mystical Body, according to his Revealed will [unto our] Lives End. 2. We also bind ourselves, to bring up our ChUdren & Servants [in the] Knowledge & fear of God. by holy Instructions according to our abilities, & in Special by the Use of orthodox Catechisms [that] true Religion may be maintained in our families while we [live] yea and among such as shall Live when we are dead & Gone. 3. And we further promise, To Keep close to y" truth of Christ, endeavouring with lively Affection towards it in our hearts, to defend it against all opposers y'of, as God shall call us at any time thereunto, [which] that we may do. We Resolve to use the holy scriptures [as our] platforme, whereby we may discern the mind of Christ [and not the] New found Inventions of men. 4. We also Ingage our selves to have a Careful Inspection ofour own hearts, viz, so as to Endeavour by the Virtue of the [death] of Christ, the mortification of all our sinful Passions, [worldly] frames & Disorderly affections, whereby we may be withdrawn [from] the Living God. 5. We raoreover Oblidge our selves (in the faithfijl Improvement [of our] ability and opportunity) to worship God according to all the particu lar institutions of Christ for his Church under Gospel Administrations [with] Reverent attention unto y* word of God, to pray unto him [with] Praises, and to hold Communion each with other, in the [use of] the seals of the Covenant, namely. Baptism & y Supper of [the Lord.] 6. We Likewise promise. That we wUl peaceably submitt [unto the] Discipline appointed by Christ in his Church for offenders, obeying (ac cording to y" will of God) them that have the Rule over us in the [Lord.] 7. We also bind our selves to walk in Love one towards another en deavouring our mutual Edification, Visiting, Exhorting, Comforting, [as occasion] serveth, and warning any Brother or Sister which offendeth [not] divulging private oflFences Irregularly, but heedfully following the Precepts laid down for Church dealing Matth. 18, 15, 16, 17. [While for]giving all that do manifest unto the Judgment of Charity [that they] truly Repent of their miscarriages. Now the God of peace that brought again fi-om the Dead Our Lord [the] great shepherd of the sheep through the Blood of the Everlasting [Covenant,] Make us perfect in every good Work to do his WUI, working that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus X to whom [be] glory for ever & ever. Amen. Words printed in brackets are in place of those worn from edge of leaf. The writing is that of Mr. Prentice, and at the end he signed his own name, and wrote below it the names of seven of his church, perhaps at that time the only male members. They were : Thomas Wilder, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 1171 John Houghton, Josiah Whetcomb, John Wilder, Jeremiah Willson, John Rugg, Jonathan Moor. Twenty-five other names have been signed on the same, and four on the opposite page, from time to time, as they became members of the church ; for example. Major Samuel Willard's, who joined Nov. 18, 1733, and that of Joseph Wilder, Jr., who was admitted April 14, 1734. A majority seem not to have signed this copy of the covenant. 17 10. Middlesex ss. To her Majesties Hon'able Justices of said Coutity of Middlesex convetied iti Quarter Sessions at Charlsiowtie, March ye \-x,th 1710/11. The Humble Request of The Inhabitants of y' Towne of Lancaster as ffoUoweth. That forasmuch as said Inhabitants have for several yeares past Sustained Great Damage by Reason of Many Cattell & Horses be longing to other Townes being brought to feed (in y Suiher Season) on our Coinons, although y* owners of said cattell have no Right therin & Some of our Inhabitants that live neer the outskirts of y' Towne have from time to time for several yeares past Received such cattell under their care & Inspection, whereby we are hot only Damnified In our feeding land, but also most of our out medows are quite Ruined & so eat up that we can get but very Little Hay, but shall unavoidably leen our cattell. For Prevention of the Like Damage for y* future y' Inhabitants of said Lancaster at theire Towne Meeting May y" 22* 1710, Voted & ordered & y" Selectmen of said Towne have Acordingly agreed & concluded that from & after y* first Day of AprU next beinge y" yeare of our Lord 171 1 if any Person or Persons inhabitants of said Lancaster shall Presume to take in any such cattell as above said whose owners have no Right nor Privil ege in said Coinons, & shall Keep such Cattell to Run at Large to y" Dam age of y' Towne as abovesaid, every such Inhabitant so doing shall be Lyable to pay as a fine (to y' use of the Towne) five shUlings pr head for every such beast so taken & Kept by them to feed on said Coinons as abovesaid, which in behalfe of y" Inhabitants of said Lancaster is hereby presented to your Hon" Humbly praying your alowance & approbation of y same that so it may be binding to aU y" Inhabitants of said lancaster in all Respects as the Law Dirrects in such Cases, that may be approved off by your Hon" & Remaine Your Hon" most Humble Servants. Thomas Wilder \ John Houghton I selectmen Joseph Wilder [ Jacob Houghton ) [Middlesex Court Files.] 172 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Charlestown, Mar 13 1710/11. The Court having Inspected the by Laws of the sd Town of Lancaster as on file allow of tiie same for this year. [Middlesex Court Records.] 1710-11. Middlesex ss. To her Majesties Hon'able Justices of said County of Middlesex Cotivetied in Quarter Sessions at Charlstowne. March y" 13"' 1710 11. Pursuant to a suihons Wherein y' Selectmen of V' Towne of Lancaster or some of them are Required to appeare at said Sessions to Answer to a Presentment of said Towne for want of a School master. These are Humbly to acquaint your Hon'" that before the pre sentment wee had appointed a Towne Meeting in order to y' procuring of a Schoolmaster & accordingly have agreed with Mr. John Houghton Sen'. for the yeare ensuing who is now actually Ingaged for & in said work, & hath formerly been Imployed by the Towne in said service & Instructed some in Writing but under our present Dangerous Circumstances it is very Hazardous sending our children to schoole Living so scattering, yet we are wiUing to do herein what Possibly is to be done, not onely to ans wer y' Law but for our own benifitt & therefore Humbly pray there may be no farther Proceedings upon said Presentment. Dated Lan" March y" 9"! 1710/11. pr yr Hon" most Humble Servants Thomas Wilder Ephrai.m Wilder Joseph Wilder Jacob Houghton Selectmen [Middlesex Court Files.] Charlestown Mar. 13 1710/11. The Selectmen of Lancaster appearing in Court to answ' their present ment of their Town for want of a schoolmaster and representing to y* Court their circumstances and their care for Instruction of youth, the Court accepts the same and allow thereof tUl further order of this Court as on file. [Middlese.x Court Records.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 173 1711 A List of the Frontier Garrisons Reviewed by Order OF His Excellency the Governour in November 1711. No. Garrisons Families Inhabitants Souldiers Souls I Heze Willard 3 4 I 8 -y Mrs Houghton 4 s I 2S 3 Capt Wilder 7 II I 47 4 Mr Houghton 2 4 I 13 5 Mr White 6 8 2 38 6 Lieut Joslin 3 3 2 18 7 Mr Bowers 3 7 t 9 8 Mr Bennet 3 7 0 34 ¦9 Mr Stevens 4 4 2 19 10 Mr Prentice 2 2 3 9 II Ensg Wilder 4 4 2 18 12 Mr Sawyer S 7 I 23 13 Mr Prescot 3 4 2 15 14 Mr Beaman 3 4 0 14 IS Mr Snow 3 4 0 18 16 Henry Houghton 3 2 0 IS 17 Mr Preist 6 7 0 2S 18 Caleb Sawyer 2 3 I II 19 Wm Sawyer 3 3 0 12 20 Mr Whitcomb 4 4 0 17 /21 Mr More I I 0 8 22 John More 2 2 0 7 23 Mr Houghton I I 1 3 24 Mr WUson I 3 0 - II 25 Jo Whitcombe 2 2 0 7 26 Mr Wheeler 3 4 0 19 27 Mr Fairbank 2 S 0 IS 27 83 III 21 458 [Massachusetts Archives, LXXI. 876.] 171 1. At a town meeting held February 5, some action was taken favoring the acquisition by the town of the land bonded by Tahanto in 1701, and ninety-eight of the in habitants signed the following contract : Know all men, that we the subscribers being desirous to purchase a tract of Land which lieth on the West side of Lancaster, which lands 1^4 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, have formerly been petitioned for to the General Court, and which the Inhabitants of Lancaster are still in pursuance of and their petition is still with the General Court for granting the same, and considerable money having been paid to George Tahanto and other Indians, towards the pur chasing of said lands though not yet consumated. We, the subscribers, do hereby bind ourselves and our heirs to pay each one his equal share of the purchase of said land, and aU charges that have or shall be expended about the same, and to run equal hazard of obtaining said land, provided that if said land be obtained, we shall each one have an equal share and the said money to be paid before the 5"' of March next, and shall subscribe hereto on or before the 15th of the present month or else lay no claim to said land. Feb. 15, 17 14, a committee was chosen to apportion this land, forty acres of the best ground being allotted to each share. Lancaster November 21 and 22, 1711. Whereas we the subscribers namely Jonathan prescott John Farnworth and Sam" Jones are a Comity Appointed to vew a tract of Land petitioned for by y Inhabitants of Lancaster and to make Report theireof to the Genarall Court or Assembly for theire farther Consideration, and we have Accordingly been upon y" spott the Days above Dated and proseded their upon as foloweth. Imp' we began at y' northwest corner of the proper Bounds of Lancas ter plantation and from thence Run a Line upon a north west pointer neer theirabouts along by y' southwest sides of Masapauge & unkachewal- unck ponds extending said line three miles & from thenc we made an angle Runing neer upon a south west poynt Crosing a River caled y North River & so Ranging along over Hills Caled manosok Hils sd line being about six mUs in length tUl it meets with y* middle branch of Lancaster River at or neer a litel Hill on which y' Indians had marked a tree for a corner of said Land. Being neer five mils wide at the Southerd end bounded partly by the River & partly by Capt. Davenports farm to the South west corner of Lancaster old bounds the land Included within these lines is Rocky and mountinous and very poorly acomodated with medow. Jonathan Prescott. Samll. Jones John ffarnworth In the House of Representatives Mar: 20: 171 1. Ordered that the Tract of Land as above Described be added & Con firmed to the Town of Lancaster, as part of that Township. Sent up for concurrence. John Burrill Speaker In Council, 21, March, 1711. Read. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. jy^ In the House of Representatives Oct: 25 : 1712. Ordered that the Vote of this House above written be Revived & sent up for Concurrence. John Burrill Speaker [Endorsed^1713. June 5, 1713. In CouncU Read and Ordered That the Tract of Land as within described be added and confirmed to the Town of Lancaster as part of that Town ship, not prejudicing any former Grants. Sent down for concurrance. Isa. Addington Secy. In the House of Representatives June 8 1713 Read & Concured. John Burrill Speaker [Massachusetts Archives, cxilI, 633.! 1715. To the Hoti'able His Majties Justices of the Coimty af Middlesex Convened itt Quarter Sessiotis at Charlestowti December, y 13M 1715. These are to acquaint your Hon" that for as ranch as we understand that the Towne of Lancaster is under Presentment for want of a Grammar Schooll & some of ye Selectmen of said Towne are Required to appeare in order to Answer thereto we have accordingly appointed Capt. Joslin & Mr Hooker Osgood to Inform your Hon" that we having no Grand Jury man had no knowledge of ye Presentment till we were summoned to ans wer, yet nevertheless the Towne for these severall months have Indeav- ored to Procure a schoole master that may benefit y* Towne & answer'y^ Law, & have agred with a young Gentleman Viz : Mr Perpoint of Rox bury who had now Probably been actually in said service but his Indispos ition of Body hinders ; we would crave leave further to acquaint your Hon" that we are humbly of oppinion that we are scarcely Liable to Presentment for we have but very Lately had y* number of families y' Law Requires, & a considerable number of them are either single Persons widows or poor families noways able to Contribute to y" Charge nor yet subsist without Reliefe, therefore Humbly pray that no fine may be Imposed upon us, nor be as yet enjoined to be constantiy provided with a Grarher Schoolemaster but that a writing schoole may answer tUl our number be Increased. In behalfe of the Selectmen of Lancaster. John Houghton Dated Lan! Decerab! y« 12 17 1 5 Town Clerk 17,5. Charlestown Dec 13 1715 Capt. Joslin & Mr. Hooker Osgood of y' Selectmen of Lancaster appearing to answer their prsentment for want of a grammar school. In forming the court they have agreed w"" young Mr Pierpont who had been with y"' actually but is faUen under indisposition of Body by reason of sickness & expect hira speedily, the court accept the sd answer and are dismist paying fee. „ „ •^ -' " [Middlesex Court Records.] 1^6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The law of 1647 enjoins that "where any towne shall increase to y'^ number of 100 families or house houldl' they shall set up a gramer schoole, y" mr thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be fited for y" university." This law was in force, and the above action of the court fixes approximately the population of Lancaster at this date. 1715. Notandum, August, 4* 1715, Att a Church meeting att y' house of John Prentice, Captain Peter Joslin & Joseph Wilder were chosen to y° Deacons office in the Church of Christ in Lancaster & accepted of said office. [Lancaster Church Records.] Where not otherwise stated, the following pages in the town's records are by the hand of Joseph Wilder, Sen., proprietor's clerk. 1716. Monday Feburary the 4* 1716/17. att a Meeting of the Pro- pratee of Lancaster it being there Stated Meeting, and first made Choyce of Jabaz ffairbank as Moderater for Said Meeting Then severall Propozi- tions was Read before the Town brou into y° Selectmen I Towit the proposition of Nahum Ward Desiers that the Hiway that Leyeth by his Hous may be altered on y South Side the brook & Lye a little Higher & it will be upon as good Land & as Neer to pass to where it now Lyes on Divols Land 2. Josah White Desiers the Town would Grant Liberty that two gates may be sett up on the hiway through his entervail according to a former order in y' Town 3. John Houghton Sen' Desieres the Town would Let him have the entervale aboue the Red Spring which was formerly granted to Danil Gaines to make up his entervale Lott the said Houghton haveing Pur chased said Gaines Second devition entervale Lott & Cannot find where it was Laied out : or if he Cannot have sade entervale Then that the Town would Grant him some other land in Lew there off 4. Then Jonathan Houghton desiers the town to Grant him Liberty to Cutt 3 or 4 hunrlered pine trees & draw the Turpentine, s'^ pines desiered ar ajoyning to Som Land of his fathers on y' west side the hiway that Leeds to ThomaS Wilders. The collection of turpentine and manufacture of tar in the New England pine forests had become an important MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 177 industry, and these products an article of export to Great Britain. So early as 1703 legislation was demanded to prevent the destruction of trees by those engaged in the public forests collecting turpentine. 5. Ebenezer Wilder desiers the Town would Grant him fifty three acres of Land, or there abouts partly leyed out by him soposed to be but a part of what was purchesed by him of John Addams ; or Els that the Town would appoint som meet person to stale and make bounds with him as Neer as raay be according to what is Written the bounds being sora of them Lost. 6 Jonathan Moor desiered the Town would Grant him a hiway through y* Land of Will"" & Joseph Sawyer formerly Granted & Laied out to bare hill Medows. 7 the propozition of John Goss desiers the hiway that goes from the Scar bridge to the mill may go up by the River & so com in to the path after it com up the Hill 8 a Clame was Made by Severall Persons Represented by frances fullom to wit as foUoweth. We the subscribers whose Names are under Written £ s d Daniel How upon the Right of Capt Henry Carley — 100 - C- o John Barns upon the Right of Capt Henry Carley — 050 -0-0 James Keyes upon the Right of Roper — 050 -0-0 John Shermon upon the Right of John Moor — Benjamin Bayley upon the Right of John Houghton — David Church on y" Right of Capt Carley — David Church upon the Right of Edward Breck — John Booker upon y" Right of Robert Houghton — Simon Gates upon the Right of Steeven Gates — Isaac Hunt upon y' Right of Samuell Bennit — Sara" Wright upon y Right of Cypran Steevens — Fra FuUam upon y' Right of George Adams — Do Hereby Demand all & every of our Respective Rights & Divisions of in & unto all Rights & Devitions of Lands Made or to be Made in that tract of Land Last Granted hy the Great & Generall Court of the Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England the 27 of May 1713 to be added & Confermed to y" Town of Lancaster as part of that Townsheep in which Tract of Land we have & Clame our Just Rights of property in proportion as being Invested with the oRiganal Rights in said Town of Lancaster John Shermon Sam'-"' Wright Danil How Fra Fullam John Barns David Church James Keyes Benj Baily Simon Gates 020 - -0- - 0 050 - -0- -0 050 - - 0 - - 0 314- - 0 - - 0 030 - - 0 - -0 040 - - 0 - - 0 178 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, In the second place they Granted the Proposition of Nahum Ward re- fering to y'^ Hiway. Thirdly they Granted Josiah White Leberty to set up Gats in the Hiway foure years forthly they Granted the proposition of John Houghton Refering to Ganes Entervail that it lie aboue the Read Spring provided it be not found to be all Ready Laid out els where In y° 5 place In answer to the Proposition of Jonathan Moor they Made Choyce of Left John Ploughton Ensigne James Wilder & Josiah Wheeler to be a Commity to vew y' way proposed for by Jonathan Moor from his Hous to barehill Medow, & pertequlerly through y" Land of Willi'" & Joseph Sawyers Land to See if there be need there of: & if needed to Lay out y' same & make a Report to the Town. Sixtly They Voted that Ebenezer Wilder have sixty-three acres of Land in full of what was purchased by him of John Adams where he hes now Layed it out by Jonas Houghton Juner : with alowance for a hieway through a part of it Seaventhly they voted that they will Lay out y° Stated Comon on y' west side the River & appointed Jonas Houghton Ju. to be the servaier & that Eph Wilder & Joseph Wilder assist him therein & make a Return to the ajornment of this Meeting Eaightly they voted that y' first Monday of March next be the Meeting for Choosing of Town offisers. Ninthly they voted that John Houghton Ephriam Wilder James WUder & Joseph Wilder should Treet with the Noninhabitance Refering to there Right In y' Tenth place. There was a motion made in sd Meeting that y' Stated Common & other Commons should be divided : but was left to Consederation There was allso then a Return made to the Town by a Commity who sent to vew y' Land of Edmund & Ebenezer Harris & to se hovv there bounds was betwene them & the Stated Common & Reported thus that they had made bounds, from Ebenezer bemans Corner to y* Corner of John Benit Layed out to y Right of Mucklode takeing in y' swamp to the Harrises as it is now marked John Benits Corner being a little pine & so Runs to a popler takeing in a Smal Corner of Land to Ebenezer Harris & from thence it Runes to a Red Oke at y' hiway on y' v.'est side of the hiway & so to a Red Oke. one the east side y' way & so runs to a white oke & so to another white oke & so to Ebenezer Bemans Corner. Note allso that y" line from Jonn Benits Corner Runs straight to the ould Corner of Ebenezer Harris Land being a pine. Said Report was Excepted by the Town and y' Meeting was ajorned by the Moderater to y" fifth day of March next foUowing. MASSACPIUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 179 March y 5 1716/17. The propriaters of the Town of Lancaster Meet at the Meeting hous upon ajournment from y" forth of February & first took into there Consederation the Motion & Clam Made by Seaverall persons Represented by Cpt frances FuUum upon y 4 of february last past of and in a tract of Land purchased by the Inhabitance of Lancaster of Goorge Dahannata & other Indins & since aded & confermed to y= Town of Lancaster by the Great & General Court, agitated the Same & Con cluded that they towit the proprieters of the Town of Lancaster haue no Right nor Enterest in sd Land purchased of y Indiens by any former Rights of the Town of Lancaster & allso further Conclude & agree that they will haue nothing to do with y" said Land in point of devition upon y' OReginair Rights of said Town. But Conclude that it be to y" Inhaby- tance of said Town of Lancaster who purchased y" same, set off as a pro- priaty y= first tusday of March 1715-16 as their proper Right & propriety to order Divide Improve & despose of the same according to there enter est therein by purchas as y^ Law in that case hes made provition. Secondly They Made Choyce of Mr John Houghton & Jabaz Fairbank to give an answer to y Non Resodance Refering to there Clame. thirdly they Chose Jonas Houghton Ju to be a Servairer to Lay out Land in 3^* old Town Bounds forthly The Town Made Choyce of John Houghton Nathanil Sawyer Jonas Houghton & Joseph Wilder to be a Committy to Mesuer & find out y Lotts formerly Layed out in Quasaponacin & make Report to y Town as soone as may be fifthly that y= Stated Cornmon Extend half a Mile wide till y" first or loer line com to y River 6 They Granted a half devision of Land in the undevided Land in Lancaster to be divided by the sarae Rule as formerly & that they begin to Lay out the first of May next & not before 7 They Granted Eaighty acres of Land to John Houghton Sr for Serveing as Clerk & Makeing of Rates, Lying aboue y" Red Spring if found out of y" Stated Common 8 They Town Granted six acres of Land to John Wilder & foure to James WUder for alowance for a hiewaie through y= Land of John Wilder fi-om y Corner of his Land till it Comes to y Land of Joseph Wilder & from y Land of Joseph Wilder to y« hif\way that Comes from Marlburrow Lastiy they ajorned the Meeting to y 8 of april being the Second Mon day of sd month. 1717. April y« 8 1717 on ajornment fi-om y* 5 of March the Town Meet at y Meeting House and first John Goss Proposed to have y*, Hiway moved that Goeth to y Mill the Town made Choyce of John Wilder Sr & Robard Houghton to be a Commity to vew y same & make Report to y Town 2 Samuell, Warner put in a proposision to y" Town Requesting them I So ANNALS OF LANCASTER, to Grant a Hiway to Pin hiU medow : the Town thereupon made Choyce of Jonas Houghton Sr David Whetcomb & Jacob Houghton to be a commity to vew y' same & make report to y'^ Town at there next Meeting. 3 They proseeded to y" Reading of sora Lands to wit y' Land of Edward Phelps Simon Steevens & Joseph Sawyer & Joseph Hutchins: James Atherton Ju objected against sd Hutchinses Land, Laying som Clame there to 4 The Comitty, to wit Ephriam Wilder Jonas Houghton & Joseph Wilder Present" a plat of y^ Stated Common to y* Town which they were ordered to Measuer Lyeing on y= west side y* River: the town after som descors Gave order that y" same Coiiiitty Measuer y" Stated.Common on y^ Neck side y* River & then ajorned y^ Meeting to that day fourtnite being y^ 22 of sd Month at 8 of y Clock in y Morning. April y 22th 1717 The Town Meet on Ajornment from y« 8 of sd Month I Upon y Report of a Committy sent to Vew y' Way to Pres cotts Mill towit upon y° proposition of John Goss & y Town Voted that said Hiway be moved & lie by y* River — Provided said way be kept four Rods Wide from y° Scar bridge till it com to y" Hill from y top of y" River bank : and after it amount said Hill to Lye where it shall be most Conven- iant to y" Town till it Com to sd MUI sd Goss to Cleer said Rode when that Coramitty shall stake it out. The scar bridge and the road crossing it were disused more than one hundred years ago. The highway came down the hill not far from the scar known as Emerson's " Bank, and over a bridge a few rods down the river from the present northern end of High street in Clinton. 2. y Town voted that y* Hiway to Whashacom be four Rods- Wide 3. The Town Gave leve that Samuel Rugg Have his Land Recorded that was Granted to His Father as it was Layed out by Capt Wilder 4. Y' Town Voted that no Land be laid out from Pin hill Medow to barehill Roode with out an alowance in it for a hiway^ of foure Rods wide where it is likely to be wanted 5. They Voted that y" fifth devision be not entered upon tUl y' first of September next 6. they voted that y* Town Books should be searched to see what persons have Layed out there full Right & who bave not & no person to lay out .any more Land tiU he have under the hands of such as shaU be Chosen : what his orejonall Right is & how much he hath Laied out & how much he hath to laye out & then made Choyce of John Houghton S' & James Wilder to search said Town Books & Give forth a Counts : to be payed by such as improue them MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 181 7 They exsepted y' Return of y' Commity who was sent to Lay out y= Stated Common 8 They Voted that all those Persons who have Layed out Land in y" Stated Common should hould y' same as it is Layud out. 9 They voted that the Stated Common be divided according to the Interest 10 They voted that no person Cut any timber on y" Stated Common otherwise then under y" like penalty as by Law provided for Cuting on other mens Land till it be Layed out. 1717. " Charlestown AprU 30 1717. Lancaster Selectmen are allowed to enter theire Caution agst one Rob ert Hues being an Inhabitant of their Town having by their Lawfull OflScer warned him to Depart theire Town as per theire Caution allowed on file. [Middlesex Court Records.] To the Hoti^ble Justices . . . . March ye it,"'- JJ 16^1. May it Please your Hon'^, that whereas the selectmen of the Towne of Lancaster Did in December last past by an order to Josiah White Con stable, Warne Robbert Hues to depart out of y' Bounds or Limits of said Lancaster & accordingly said Constable ,on y" 4"" of said December did warne said Robbert Hues forthwith to Leave said Towne & also made Returne of his so doing to y° selectmen & they also Did notifie your Hon" Desiring that an entry thereof might be made : that so the Towne might not be Lyable to be at y' Charge for his maintenance in case he should come to want Reliefe, but understanding said notification was not ac cepted, because not signed by the constable, wee have herewith presented to your Hon" y° sd selectmens order to said Constable with his Return upon it signed by him. Humbly Requesting it may be Received & Entered & said Towne of Lancaster secured from being Chargeable with y" main tenance of said Hues, we apprehending that our former notification vvas agreeable with y" Law. John Houghton \ James Wilder > Selecttnen Joseph Wilder ) Dated Lancaster March 8 iTiSjiT. 1717 August and allso we present y" town of Lancaster for neglecting to repair y' great bridge in sd town neer y= meeting house . . [Middlesex Court Files.] Tusday august y 29"' 1717. In a meeting of y Propriaters of Lan caster warned by a Warrant from Justice Thomas How Esq' first Made Choyce of John Houghton Sr for a Moderater & then Suspended the forth devision till the next february meeting : l82 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Lancaster February the 3 1717 /i& att the Stated Meeting for propriatie. Made Choyce of Capt Peter JosUn for a Moderator for Said Meeting: & then Receved in Sum Propozitions towit first the propozition of the Rev erend Mr John Prentice Requesting the propritie to appoint som meet persons to State the bounds betwixt the land his Hous novv Stands upon & the Land CaUed the MinesteeriaU Land Reverend John Prentice, June i, 1708, had purchased of Samuel Prescott, the unfortunate man who by accident killed the Reverend Andrew Gardner, " all his houseing. Lands and meadows." The deed includes " one upland house Lott by estimation Twenty acres more or less lying on the West side of the River on the North side of the Lott of Thomas Sawyer, bounded south by said Sawyer's Lott: North & West by the highway." This was the "Rye Field," so called, of the first John Prescott, and somewhere near the easternmost end of it stood Samuel Prescott's house. In 1841 or 1842 a large and undoubt edly ancient house, known as the Dr. Atherton mansion, was here torn down by Deacon Charles Humphrey, and the present house erected upon its site. That old house, which Dr. Israel Atherton possessed through his marriage with the widow of Dr. Stanton Prentice, may have been, in whole or in part, the house of Reverend John Prentice above alluded to. The ministerial land included the grounds to the north recently purchased by Eugene V. R. Thayer. 2 the Harrises Requested the Town would throw up the Hiway through there Land from the other Hiway to butlers feeld 3 Danil Preest Requested the Town would Give him one acre of Land by his Barn. 4 Samuell Carter Requested the Town would Grant a CoiTiitty to vew the Hiway through plumtrees & Stake it out 5 Caleb Sawyer & Jabaz ffairbank Requested that the Town would grant them libertie to set a fence upon the towns Land to fence in there Medow which lyeth upon the north branch of bare hill brook 6 John Prescott Requests the town would Grant a hiway from his Land att the Slabbin to his medow Called prescots Medow And I in answer to the propozition of y'^ Revered Mr Prentice the MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 183 Pop'tors made Choyce of John Wilder Sr Jonas Hotighton Sr & James Wilder to be a Committe to vew & Stake said bounds. 2 in answer to the propozition of Edmund & Ebenezer Harris the Town voted to give said Harrises the Hiway proposed for provided the said Harrises Cleer the owld bering feeld & Keep it well subdued five years 3 they Granted the propozition of danil Preest : 4 the town in answer to the propozition of Samuell Carter then made Choyce of John Houghton Esq John WUder Sr & Jabaz ffairbank to be a Committy to stake the hieway through plumtrees entervail as neer where it was first Layed out as they can, by the best Enformation they can Gitt 5 the town Granted the propozition of Caleb Sawyer & Jabaz fairbank & Gave thera liberty to set there fence upon the towns Land for the fence- ing there Medows. 6 The town Granted a hieway in answer to the propozition of John Prescott frora his Land to the loor end of the medow Called preescots meedow neer where the path now goes to witt the parth called the dugway 7 Vpon the Report of a Committy sent to vew the Land in ponacin & Reporting that they can find but fifteen acres of Entervaill Left for Jabaz fairbank the town voted that y« said Jabaz fairbanks should haue thirty acres of Land to make up said entervail where he shall find it in Land not yet Layed out 8 they voted that the forth devision be sospended till the ajornment of this meeting and then the Moderator ajorned the Meeting to the 17 day of february Currant. Monday February the 17: 1717/18 the town meet att the meeting house and ajorned the meeting to the Last wensday of March next coming at 8 " of the Clook in the Morning & also defered the forth devision tiU then : & also warned a town meeting to be on the i monday of sd mrch for the Choyce of town offisers The following records are in the hand of John Hough ton, Esq., town clerk. Monday y 10"' of March 1717/18 The Inhabitants of Lancaster Met at the Meeting house in order to Consider about Building y Neck Bridge by Night pasture : & first chose John Houghton Sen! Moderator for sd Meeting & then Discoursed about y Demenssions of sd Bridge : & con cluded "it should have 5 Trussells, & to be a foot Higher than before, to make good buttments : & to be 13 foot wide between y posts which are to be of sound oak & so y<= Caps and braces : and to brace into y Bosts above y caps & Down into ye= Mudsells which are to be 40 foot Long & to cover sd Bridge with good Plank or Logs, as they which Build it shall count 184 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, best, & voted to give 35 pounds to them that should build it, according to sd Demensions one halfe when it shall be Raised, & the other halfe when it is finished : and then Chose three Men : viz : John Houghton Sen' Josiah White & James Wilder : to Lett out sd Bridg & it to be finished at or before the first Day of August Next: the Town to help to Rais it & nextly chose SamueU Bennitt Senf to be of y Cofhittie in stead of John Wilder Sen'. 1718. Wednsday y" 26 of March 1718 the Town met at y"' Meeting house upon ajournment of theire Late ffebruary Meeting: Capt Joslin being Moderator : & first some Lands of John Houghtons & Jabez ffair banks were Read ; and also some Lands Laid out by Benjamin Bellows to y Right of Stephen Gates : but Simon Gates Made some objetions against that Laid out by Bellows being 100 acres mostly beyond cannoo brook all being third Divission : Next the allowance for y highway through Quassaponikin Intervall was Read & voted (as foUoweth) that they should have two acres for one aUowed thera and so proportionable (to such of thera as have had no allowance already) & Liberty to Lay it out either in y Stated Comon or other undivided Land as they please & then some other Land was Read : viz : seventy one acres for y Carters ; one acre & quarter for elias Sawyer ; 5 acres & halfe for James Scow ; and nine acre & halfe to James Ather ton : & seventy four acres to Nath Hapgood ; all third Divission. & then gave the Coraraittie appointed about y" Highway at y' Plumtrees ; power to Lay or State y* said Highway where it may be Most Convenient for all Concerned. & nextly appointed James WUder Josiah White & John Houghton Jur a Comraittie to Lay out y' Highway frora ponikin Intervall to Whites Pond & to raens Land in that part of y" Towne : & the way from ponikin Brook Down to Cumbery Intervals & medows ; & then added John Houghton Sen' to James Wilder & Jonas Houghton Sen' ; to state y" line betwixt Mr Prentices Land & y' ministrey Land ; & then adjourned sd ffebruary Meeting untill y" second Wednesday in May next at 10 of y* Clock in y forenoon then further to Consider of, & give oppertunity for Reading of more Lands in order to Record ; & for what is necessary & proper to be done. Also upon sd Wednesday y* 26 of sd march 1718: y* Proprie tors in y Stated Common in y" old Township of Lancaster Met at y' Meeting house : upon Due warning given in order to Chuse a Clerk for said Propriety : & to Consider & agree of a Method for y" Dividing of sd Common: as set forth in said warning & other affairs therein Mentioned: & after some Discourse Proceeded to y° choice of a Moderator John Houghton Sen': & then accordingly Chose Joseph Wilder Clerk of sd Proprietors in said Propriety : & because there was SeveraU Proprietors Missing the sd meeting was Adjourned tUl y" second Wednesday in May Next; which would be y* 14 day of said Month & to meet at 12 of y' Clock. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 185 Wednesday the 14 of May 1718 the Town met at y" Meetinghouse according to adjornment of theire Town Meeting of y 26 of March Last & also upon y" account of warning given for Choice of a Representative, & first Chose John Houghton Sen' Moderator for sd meeting, & nextly Chose John Houghton Ju' Representative to serve for the yeare ensuing: & nextly voted to have Mr SamueU Stow for a Schoolmaster for y' yeare ensuing, begining the first Day of May Currant & to allow him 40 pound for y' yeare : or proportionable for what time he shall Serve : & to Raise the same by the Next Invoice, & then voted that y' 35 pound Granted or allowed for building y* Neck bridge be Raised by y last Invoice : & then granted a Town Rate of 7 .. 12 .. o for Defraying of Towne charges. Viz : 5 pounds for y' Representative John Houghton Ju' & twenty five shillings for edmund Harress for sweeping the meetinghouse, & 12 shillings to Mr Osgood for going after a scholraaster & for payment of the Assessors & then Granted a highway Rate of 20 pounds. Wednesday y' 20"' of August 1718: The Inhabitants of Lancaster met at y' Meetinghouse upon Due warning Given, In order to give in an Invoice of PoUs & estates for y" Province Tax & other The Assesments arising in sd Town for y' yeare ensuing : & Accordingly then The Select men took Account of what they could obtain : & afterwards a writing sent by Mr Prentice to be Comunicated to y' Towne was Read in which after his Desiring the Towne to Consider his Present Circumstances & what Need he was in of some help by the Towne he Requested that some Addition Might be Made to his Sallerey ; & after Considerable Discourse about it : it was thought it might be better to appoint a Meeting purposly for to Consider of it : & in y' Meantime to Request a Contribution for his present Reliefe : & accordingly appointed or Desired John Houghton Sen' to acquaint y' Congregation of it the next Sabaoth Day: to' Desire such as were willing to do it that Day fourtnight ; & then appointed that Day Month to be a Meeting for the Consideration of sd Sallery «& accordingly then y Towne met at y' meetinghouse (being Legall warned thereto) & first Chose John Houghton Sen' MoDerator for sd meeting : & after some Discourse Relating to y' pmisses the Towne seemed Inclined to make some Addition to sd. Sallery Sc some e.xpressed theire thoughts what suiu to Add thereto, & after some Tryall by vote, & not effecting y" matter, it was voted whether the Town would add fifteen pounds & so make y' sd Sallery 85 pounds a yeare which was voted in y" affirmitive upon y* Con sideration that Bills of Creditt were of so Low a value : & to Continue to be paid Anually till such time as the Creditt of them was better: or some other Method of trafl^que betwixt man & man found out that might be more Reasonable in equity to Remidy that Inconvenience : as the Town may Consider & Conclud thereof. l86 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Then follow records in thc hand of Joseph Wilder, pro prietors' clerk. May the 14 1718 the proprietors being meet att the meetinghous in Lancaster Capt frances fullam Requested sd proprietors that they would appoint a Comittie to accompanie him to se his Clame of 200 acres of Land at Whashacom hill which he purchased of John addames & was Confermed to George & frances addams by the GeneraU Court the town in answer to sd Request voted that fohn Houghton Sr Capt peter Joslin Capt Eph Wilder Ensigne James Wilder & Joseph Wilder be a Coiiiittie to treet with sd Capt fullam in the towns behalf & to see the Land Clamed & to do what they apprehend to be Resonable & just be tween him & us the sd propriators of Lancaster : & then ajorned the meeting to the next morning to eaight of the Cloock In 1672" John Addam" was granted loo acres of land by the General Court, de scribed as " lying at Weshecum nere the south side of that pond." The town had also given George & John Adams in exchange for a twenty acre lot on George Hill claimed by them. 60 acres near "Washacombe great field." May the 15 the proprietors of Lancaster being meet Conclude & agree that those persons who have Layed out there third devision in the Stated Common or any part there of have Ubertie to Lay out there Stated Com mon in undevided Land & to Lay 3 acres for one they aquiting the Stated Common of the fifth devision it being a devision granted upon the Stated Coiiion 2 they agree to Chuse a Coiiiittie to make an Equallity as to quantitie & quaUitie to every proprietor according to his Right, who shall make his Choyce in the Stated Common where he will laye it 3 that the Rule for the Standard be Justice Houghtons lott Compared in its own QuaUitie to geather 4 they Conclude that every four pound of town Right draw one acre according to that Standard 5 they Conclude that all persons who have a desier to Lay out there fifth devision in undevided land haue a libertie so to do & to Layout three acres for one & to find it them selves & to Lay it out by the Comon Ser- vaiers as former de visions 6 they Conclude that if any two or more persons shaU applie them selves to the Coihittie for Servaiers for one pece of Land then it shall be desided by a lott whd shall injoy it & the other to make a new Choyce 7 they Concluded to Chuse three men for a CoiTiitty and then made Choyce of John Houghton S' Capt Peter Joslin & Hooker Osgood to be the Committy 8 they Concluded to Leve six acres of Land for a tr.-iining feeld by the Hiway below Thomas Sawyers door to be Layed out by the Committy for that vse MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 187 9 they Concluded to Give Joseph Wilder 3 acres of Land in the Stated Common att y" Walnut Swamp to Ly to gether with the Rest of his devis ion on sd Common which they give him leve to Lay there. He giveiug the Propriaty thre acres in the Lew there of by the Hiway neer Justice Houghtons barn to Ly Cofiion for a training feeld. IO they Conclud that Mr John Prentice haue ten acres in the Stated Common Layed out to him where he shall chuse the same before any other person begin II the Conclud that the Committy begin to Lay out the stated Com mon the next Monday : Lastly that the forth devision be defered till the first of Ocktober next and then to begin all the perticulers aboue sd ware voted destinctly & caried in the affermitive. John Houghton, Senior, was Town Clerk in 1718-19, but the following record is in the hand-writing of his son, Jonathan. Monday y' 2'! of march, 1718/ 19. the Inhabitants of Lancaster meet at y" meeting House, according to apointraent in order to Choose Town officers &c : & first chose I Capt Ephraira Wilder raoderater for said meeting, & then next a warrant was Read for Choice of a Grandjuror, & accordingly y" Town was warned p Sami Willard Constable to Choose one, 2 & then y* Town proceded to y° Choice, & Chose John White the per son to serve on y' Grandjury for y" year ensuing. 3 the Town proceded to y* Choice of Selectmen, & Chose John Houghton Sr. Capt Peter Joslin Josiah White Jonas Houghton Jun', & Joseph WUder Selectmen for y" year ensuing 4 the Town Choose John Houghton Sen. Town Clerk, & then voted to choose assessors 5 voted & chose John Keys Joseph Wilder & Jacob Houghton Asses sors for y* year ensuing, 6 the Town voted & chose Daniel Rugg Jonathan Houghton & Heze kiah Whetcomb Constables for y* year ensuing, & then y' Laws enjoined to be Read were Read in said meeting In 1712 it was enacted that " the lavvs against drunkenness prophaneness and other immoralities .... be solemnly read by the town clerk in each town at their anniver sary town meeting in March." 7 The Town voted & chose Servaires of Highways, namely George Glazier Jonathan More Jonathan Sawyer & Oliver Wilder. 8 The Town Chose James Wilder Town treasurer. 9 the Town Chose Josiah White & Samuel Warner Tything men 10 The Town Chose Bezaleell Sawyer & Thomas Carter fence vewers l88 ¦ ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 1 1 the Town Chose Hooker Osgood Jur. John Plinds Junr Daniel Houghton & John Goss Hawyards. 12 the Town Chose Thomas Carter Sealler of Leather. 13 the Town Chose Jonas Houghton Jun' Gager^and then y" meeting was adjorned to y° second Wednesday in may next at thre of y° Clock in y° after none. Next follow records by Joseph Wilder, clerk of pro prietors. Monday February y° 2 171S/19. The Town or Propriators thereof mett at the Meeting Hous being Warned there to by a Warrant from Jus tice Houghton Esq' for the Continuance of February Meeting for the Reeding of Lands the Granting of Hivvaies and the Conferming the same it being the first Monday of Feabruary being the Anual Meeting for the ends before Mensoned and first made Choyce of Joseph Wilder for a Moderator of said Meeting : and then Red som Lands in order to be Recoarded 3 They voted that all afairs or things that Consern Propriatie that any person or persons shall desier to haue transacted att the anule Febary Meeting or any ajornment there of shall be sesonablyly brought in to the Propriators Clerk who shall post the same in a Notification in Som Pub lick place fourt;een dayes att leest before said meeting or any ajornment there of 4 They voted to Chuse a Committy to vew such Hiwayes as v/as then proposed for & to stake out such as should be thought NeedfuU & to make Report to the propriaty of there doings therein att y" ajornment of this Meeting: towit a Hiway proposed for by Joseph Wilder att y* Walnot Swamp by Ebenezer Wilder & Thomas Carter att Jonson Medow by Jeremiah WUson att Broad Medow hUl, by David Whitcomb & others from Wadaquadock Brook to the Bay Rood & from John Whetcombs to Jonas Houghtons and that they also vew and state y" bounds betwixt the Land which Joseph Wilder Bought of George Glazier and y" Swan Swamp Roode S They made Choyce of Nathanil Sawyer Ensign John White & Ebenezer Wilder to be a Coffiitty for y° ends aforesaid : and also to stake out the hiway from the Roily HUl to Justice Houghtons feeld. There was then Left to Consideration a proposition of Elias Sawyer Refering to som Entervail now in his posesion vvhich was purchased of Capt Keriy there being no Recoard to be found of it he Requests that it may be Reconed as it is bounded in said deed of Kerlies and also the proposion of Jonas Houghton for a Recompence for mesoring of the Stated Com mons & those asisted him and then the meeting was ajorned to y° second Wednsday of May next at Eaight of y' Clock. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 189 1719. The copye of y' notification Lancaster April y* 29 1719 To the Proprietors of Lancaster Conformable to your Stated Rule for y' Gov erning of your Meetings these are to inform you that besides what was left for your Consideration to y* ajornment of your Last Meeting to the thirteenth of May next at 8 of y° Clock Caleb Sawyer proposes for a hiway through the Land of Danil Hutson & John Preest to his Medow : it is also desiered by severall that the owners of y" Walnot Swamp lott be indented with that the Hiway which Lyeth by the north entervail may cross the sd Lott into y° nevv hieway marked out by the Committy which Croseth the River neer sd Lott Joseph Wilder Clerk May the 13 1719 The Propriaters being mett upon ajornment from the second of Feb. & first voted that the Land which Lyeth free in the Swan Swamp & is not yet Layed out be Stated & Staked out for a Hiway as neer the Extent of the Bredth Proscribed in the Town Book for y' Same as raay be 2 Voted to Chuse three raen as a Committy to Stake it out and then made Choyce of John Houghton Esq' Capt Ephriam Wilder & Mr Joseph Wheelock to be a Committy to Stake it out 3 They took in to Consideration the proposall of Jonas Houghton and voted to give him five shilling per day for mesoring the y' Stated Common & those who asisted him three shiUings per day: the whole amounting to fourtie four shillings & voted to pay them in Land att four shillings per acre 4 They Receved the Report of the Committy appointed to vew sora hiewaies proposed for & to state the bounds between the Land of Joseph Wilder & the Swan Swamp Rode and first exsepted there Return of a Hiway from Mordacoy to Wakapaket brook & Confermed it for a hiway as it is marked out exsepting in the Land of James Wilder «& he to haue libertie if it be for his advantage to raoue it more northward : the Report of the Committy was as ffoUoweth Tusday AprU the 25 We began at the Swan swamp and Ran a straight line from the end of Glazers Dich to a white oke Stump below Benjamin Bellows Hous which we accounted to be the Corner and Staked out the Same. And then Proseeded to vew the Hiway through the Stated Common to Wakapakit Brook, and we Judge it most Conveniant that it Run from the EntervaiU up by the lott of Joseph Wilder through the land of WiUiam DivoU Edward Hartwill Ebenezer & Edmund Harrises till it Coras to the Corner of Joseph Wilders Land that he purchased of Jabaz fairbank & then Runing Round sd Corner of Joseph Wilder through the Land of John Warner & then Croses a Corner of Joseph Wilders Land to the Land of James Wilder & through that to the Land of Josiah Wheeler & through to the Land of Josiah Wheeler to the side of Gateses Land & so through a pece of Common Land to Bellowses Corner being ipo ANNALS OF LANCASTER, his West Corner & from thence Ran down belwixt the Land of Justice Houghtons Land & the Land of John Harris Crossing a littie Corner of sd Houghtons Land to Wacapacit Brook : John White Ebenezer Wilder a true Copy of sd Report Entered by me. Joseph Wilder Clerk Lastly they voted that the Coramitty afores* determine how much every man is damnified by said Hiway Runing through there Land & what Rec ompence tiiey shall haue per acre for what is taken from them and such persons to have liberty to Lay it out such alowance in undevided Land so soon as it is Known as Land in other devision are Layed out and then the Meeting was desolved : the Return of a hiway Lancaster may the 15 1719 we John Wilder Jonas Houghton & Jacob Houghton being Chosen and appointed a Commity to Lay out the waies from the Randevou tree to the medows down that brook as also up the Brook to John Sawyers and from thence to y" medows at the north east Corner of the Town as it is now staked out wee haue accordingly done the same and for what Land we haue taken of sd Sawyers hora place we haue alowed him two acres of Land on the west side the Brook below y* hous provided he leve Room for a Convenient hiway between [sd land] and the hill one west side. Jonas Houghton Jacob Houghton this Return was exsepted and Confermed The Rtndezvmis tree was in Harvard. A COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION. To the Proprieters of Lancaster these may informe you that the things to be Considered att your next meeting upon the first of February next are the Propozition of j6hua Atherton and Joseph Hutchins for a hiway to brook medow and the medows ajasant thereto also the said Atherton Requests that y' Second devision entervaUl and Conveniancy belonging to the estate of his father and also the second devision Land of William Lewes now in his posession may be put upon Record there being non as yet to be found of them the propozition also of Elias Sawyer for the Uke for that y' Conveniancy which his father purchesed of Capt Kerley may be Recorded according to the tenure of said deed January the 15 1719/20 Joseph Wilder Clerk Lancaster February the ist 1719/20 att a meeting, of the proprieters first made Choyce of Jabaz ffairbank for a Moderator and then in the first place Granted a hiway to brook medow & the medows ajasant in answer to the propozition of Joshua Atherton & Joseph Hutchins towit to pinhill and to a medow of aaron Willard and a medow called poUopod and down MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 191 the west side of brook nicdow till it com to the Land of John Willard and then made Choyce of Capt Wilder Josiah White and Joseph Wilder to be a Committy to Lay it out thre Rods in wedth and make Report to the propriete 2 They Granted the Propozition of Joshua Atherton Refering to His Entervaill and the Land that was WiUiam Leweses 3 They Receved and Exsepted the Return of a Hiway att y" barehill Medows of a Committy to witt John Wilder Jonas Houghton & Jacob Houghton which was as foUoweth Lancaster May the 15"' 1719 we John Wilder Jonas Houghton & Jacob Houghton being chosen a Com mitty to Lay out y' waies from y' Randevo tree to the Medows down that Brook as also up the Brook to John Sawyers and from thence to y' med ows att y North East Corner of the Town as it is now staked out and marked. Wee have accordingly don y* same : and for what Land we haue taken from John Sawyer att his Hous place for y" benifit of sd Hiway we haue alowed to hira tvvo acres of Land on the west side y' Brook below his house provided he Leve Room for a Conveniant Hiway between said Land and the Hill on the west side of the same. Jonas Houghton Jacob Houghton this Return was Exsepted and Confermed by a vote, and then y' meet ing was ajorned to y° second Monday of March next : Joseph Wilder Clerk A COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION. To the Proprieters of Lancaster these are to notifie you of what may be laied before you att the ajornment of of your February Meeting upon the second Monday of March next att eaight of the Cloock, towitt the Propozition of Hooker Osgood for a Hiway betwixt the Lott of Justice Houghton which was Hutchsons and his own and so in to y° wods and for alowance for what he has wrought in said way and also for a small slip of Land by the minesleeriall medow upon Certain Conditions as may be then offered : also the Propozition of Josiah White for a Record of the Hous Lott which he now lives upon and also Severall other peces of Land layed out to his Grandfather John White which there can be no Record found of: and that he may haue libertie to make a new Record of a pece of Land att the bare Hill according to a platt Lately taken of it: the old Record being so dark that it is not so Intellegable as he desiers Ebenezer Wilder also for the tenpound Due to him from the Town that He will take it in Land if the Proprietie se meet : also the propozition of Josiah Wheeler that a Hiway through y" Land of Sumner and Townsend might haue the marks Renewed Townsend also desiers that the hiway may be remoued in his Land for his better Conveniancy ; also that the hiway betwixt the Justices feeld and the Rooty hill might be marked out and layed so as might be most Conveniant Lastiy the propozityon of Jonas Houghton ip2 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, that he might haue a littie strip of Rockey Common Land lying upon Vans hill for what is due to him for nine daies work att a Bridge over y' north River : Lancaster February the 27 1719/20 Joseph Wilder Clerk " Vans'' i. e., Vaughans Hill, is in the north part of Bolton. 1720. A Mem.orial of William Tailer Esq. in Behalf of the Commit tee appointed to lay out two Towns to the Westward of Groton, Shewing that the Committee in Surveying the Land appointed for the Town of Lancaster of a Grant of Land made by the General Assembly to the said Town, The Committee appointed to survey it stating the Course left itto be run by the said Town, and the said Town running the same upon a Point of the Compass different to what the said Committee had deter mined and that the said return is confirmed by the General Court ; That thereby a Grant of Land mad to the Town of Woburn, & another to the Town of Dorchester are pushed into the Plan designed for one of these ' new Towns. Which will prove prejudicial to the whole Province as well as to the said intended new Towns if not remedied. Boston July 21 1720. Signed By order of the Committtee W? Tailer. In the House of Representatives July 22 1720. This House having Information that Jonathan Prescot Samuel Jones & John Farnsworth a Committee formerly improved by this court, to view a Tract of Land pe titioned for by the Town of Lancaster & make Return, & who did report the Bounds for a Tract of Land but only assigned the Points of the Com pass, whereby to mark them out w'='' the said Town of Lancaster have since done but have not duly followed the Directions of said Committees Report : Ordered that Cpt. Peter Rice, Cpt. Jonas Prescot, & Mr William Ward be a Committee, to run & mark out the Lines & Bounds, of that Late Grant to Lancaster, Pursuant to the directions in the Report of the said Committee, and make Report of their Doings to this Court the next Ses sions. The siarveyors and Chainmen which they shall improve to be under oath. The charge of the Committee & Survey to be born as shall be di rected by this court. In Council read & concurred. Consented to. Samll Shute . [Massachusetts Records.] Whereas we the Subscribers being a Coinittee ordered by the Hon'''' Court at their Session, began July 13 1720 to run the line and mark the bounds of the late Grant to Lankaster : — Pursuant to the directions in the report made by a Coinittie formerly sent forth by this Court to vew the afores'' track of land 1720 Sep' 13. Pursuant to which order we proceeded as viz: Imp! we began at a heap of stones, shewn us to be the N. West Corner by MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 193 Lankaster old bounds, thence runing a line three miles giving the allow ance of aboute one rod in thirty, for Swagg of chaine & uneven ground, upon a N West point according to a true meridian, at the end of which Une we where two hundred & thirty rods from the Kachewalunck Pond, spoken of in afores'' Coiriittees report as passing along by. 2'"y At the end of the three miles we made an angle runing a line (six miles & a hundred rods w"" the allowance as afores'^) S. West crosing the North river & over some of the monosek hills untill we met w"" the middle branche of Nashaway river : thence raaking the land five miles, two hundred and eighty rods wide, and where without the tree spoken of in the report (so marked by the Indians for a S. West corner) aboute three hundred rods. Thus finding a disagreement between the lines and points given and things mentioned as bounds in y" report of y' afores"* Coinittee for in runing the two lines raentioned we came not near y* pond & other bounds, but leaving out the quantity of a Thousand five hundred & twenty- three acres, and likewise taken in at the S. West corner two thousand acres w"*" Lankaster men claim not. Likewise considering where that re port speaks of but two lines. He that runs by the bounds must of necessity make four or five lines all w^*! things makes thes bounds & y" points with their length of lines irapossible to reconcUe. And being directed in our ord' to have regard to y' lines & bounds mentioned in y* afores'* Coiriittees report : We therefore make our report as above men tioned leaving it to this Hon'''' Court to determine as they in their wis dome see cause. Remaining in Submission. Peter Rice ? ^-^^^^^^ William Ward S [Massachusetts Archives, CXIII, 649-50.J t A Petition of the Inhabitants of Lancaster and Proprietors of Lands purchased of George Tahanto an Indian Saggamore &c : She-wing, that whereas the General Court did in the year 1713 make a Grant and Confir mation of the said Lands to them as it was set forth and described in the Report of a Committee sent by the Court to View and Lay out the Same, That in the year 1720 A vote was pass* for altering the Bounds of the said Land. In which Vote it is asserted That the people of Lancaster did not fairly and Truely, represent their Bounds and the Lines of their old Township, They are ready to prove by the affidavits of Two of the said Committee (which consisted of but three persons) That their Lines were truely and faithfuUy run, and therefore pfaying that this Court would Con firm to thera The Graut of the sd Land as made in the year 1713. 1721. In the House of Representatives Jan 15"' 1721. Whereas this Great and General Court did at a Session held at Boston the 29* of May 1713 pursuant to a Report of Cpt Jonathan Prescott 13 194 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Messrs Samuel Jones & John Farnsworth a committee appointed by their order, that a certain Tract of Land should be added and Confirmed To the Town of Lancaster, as part of that Township, not prejudicing any former Grants. The aforesaid Tract of Land beginning at the Northwest Corner of the proper bounds of Lancaster plantation (Then so Call*) and from thence to run a Line upon a Northwest point or near thereabouts, along the southwest side of mashapoag & Uncachewalunk pond extend ing said Line three mUes and from thence a Line running near upori a Southwest point crossing a River called the North River and so ranging along over Hills Called Monosuck Hills Said Line being about six mUes in Length tUl it meets with the middle Branch of Lancaster River at or near a Little Hill where is a Tree mark'' by the Indians for a corner of the sd Land being near Five miles wide at the southward and bounded partly by the River and partly by Cpt. Davenports Farm to the southwest Corner of Lancaster old Bound, and whereas two of that Committee have been lately upon the aforesaid Tract of Land & viewed the same and do declare upon oath that they are no ways apprehensive that they were deceived, or Imposed upon by Lancaster raen or raisled in that matter and they marked a Tree upon the Westerly side of sd pond upon the Brink thereof as a mark to the sd Lands, and that it was their True intention that the Land at that end should be three miles in Weadth whether it should fall short or come beyond said mark It no ways appearing that that Report was Grounded on Misrepresentation of the Inhabitants or proprietors of Lan caster but on the contrary, that they fairly shewed the committee, The Bounds and Lines of their old Township ; Resolved That that Tract of Land which was confirmed to the Town of Lancaster by this Court anno 17 13 and described in the return signed by the aforesaid Jonath" Prescott, Samuel Jones & John Farnsworth be and Remain to the Proprietors of Lancaster and their assigns for ever by Virtue of the aforesaid Grant any former act or Resolves of the Court to the Contrary notwithstanding. In Council Read, & Concurr* Consented to Sam'-' Shute [Massachusetts Records.] 1721 June 21. In the House of Representatives: Whereas by the Resolve of the Court relating to some Lands formerly belonging to the Town of Lancaster but since taken into the New Township at Turkey HiUs lying on the West side of Groton and now ordered to belong to the Proprietors of Lancaster, many persons that drew their Lots in the nevv Town and paid their money therefor will be Great Sufferers for that they wiU faU within the tract of Land, now settied upon Lancaster unless this Court make some Reparation. Ordered That the former Committee that laid out the new Town be Impowered to lay out an Equivalent to those persons whose lot fell within that tract of Land now settled in the Proprietors of Lancaster and Report MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 195 their doings to this Court at their next Session. In Council read and concurred Consented to Sam"-'- Shute [Massachusetts Records.] March The 14"' 1720 The Propriety being Meet first voted that Elias Sawyer haue lebertie to Lay out and Enter to the Estate of WiUiam Ker ly S' The Conveniance belonging Said Kerlys estate in the place where he novv Clames it or elswhere not infrenging upon former Records : this was voted and Caried in the affermitive 2 it was put to vote whether Josiah White haue Lebertie to make a Record of his Land at the Barehill according to a plat then presented taken by Jonas Houghton Sirvaier and was Caried in y" affermitive 3 it was put to vote whether Josiah White haue Lebertie to Record his Hous Lott and Intervall Lott according to y' Grant of them and also the Second Devision of Intervaill and upland where it is now Claraed ac cording to the Severall Devision [s] to the Estate of John White his Grand father not enfrenging upon former Records and it was Caried in the affermitive 4 They made Choyce of Jabaz Fairbank Nathanil Sawyer and Samuell Carter to be a Committy to vew a hiway proposed for by Hooker Osgood and a hiway up to wacapacit hill and a hiway to Wonksacoxet Hill and if they find thera nesesary for the benifit of the Town to raark thera out and Make Report to The Propriety and also to mark out a Hiway to Whasha com all Redy ; Granted of four Rods wide and make a Returne here of that it may be put upon Record 5 They Granted Jonas Houghton S' Six or Seaven acres of Land upon the top of the Southerraost Vans HiU for to Sattisfie him for nine dayes work don at the bulding of a Bridge over the North River Neer Mr Osgoods 6 They voted that, Left John Houghton En' James Wilder and Josiah Wheelor to be a Committy to markout a Rode or Hiway from Marlburow Rode to four mile brook and also to raoue the Hiway by Towsends if it be Conveniant and also from Justice Houghtons to Wadaquadock ; and then ajorned the meeting to y" 18 of may next May y" 18"' 1720 The Proprieters being Meet att the Meeting Hous I Herd an aCount from a Committy sent out to vew sora Hiwaies pe- tisoned for on the west side of the River and voted to give said Commity Power to mark out said waies and give the accounpt of them to the Propri- etrs Clark that they may be Recorded and that they also take an account of what, and how much said waies Takes of from perteculer mens Land and what they shall be alowed there for per acer in undevided Land to be Layed out to them as other Lands in the Town The Committy being Jab az Fairbank Nathanil Sawyer & Samuell Carter ; Reserveing a Saveing for agreved Persons to applye them Selves to the Propriety for Remidy Said 196 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, waies aboue mensoned to be for the most part three Rods wide and wider where the Committy shall se it needfuU which was voted and Caried in the eferraitive : 2 They voted to send a Committy to vew the Hiway propounded for by Cp' Joslin at the Walnut Swamp and then made Choyce of Jabaz fair- bank Nathanil Sawyer and Samuell Carter to be the Committy; & also to Stake out or marke the way Called the Street along by the North Inter- vails 3 They voted that the slip of Land left by the Committy between the Land of Samuell Carter & Oliver Wilder frora the h^d of the Lots to the hiway that goes to Wacapacit should ly for a hiway Samuell Carter and DanU Rugg then appeered before the Propriety and Consented and a Greed that the aboue said way Should Run down between their House Lots to the way Called the Street Takeing on Rod out of each mans Land the way to be two Rods wide & the Propriety accepted it accordingly. Joseph Wilder Clerk This Record fixes the age of the road that goes up the hill a littie to the north of the George Hill School-house. Samuel Carter owned the lands on the north side of this highway, his father Samuel, a minister from Woburn, having purchased two lots of Capt. Henry Kerley in 1688. He lived on the site of, or perhaps in, the very old house torn down two or three years ago, known as the Captain Ephraim Carter house. Daniel Rugg lived on the south side of the road, owning the original home lot of 20 acres assigned to his father, John Rugg, in 1654. A COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION JANUARY THE 20™ 1720/21 To the Propreters of Lancaster In observance of your order and Costora : These may Inforra you that the Propozition of Capt Joslin for the Remoueval of a hiway in Quasaponacan : David Whetcomb & John Prescott for Lebertie to Ser-vay fourty acres of Land Lying in two peces neer the bed of Rigby Brook as neer as may be where it was formerly Layed and that a new Reccord may be made thereof the old marks being most of them Lost and the Record being so dark that the bounds cannot be found thereby also of Josiah Willard and Joseph Atherton that y" Hiway to Groton may be marked out and a Rode from that to the bed of Joseph Athertons Lott; and Josiah Wheelor for a Hiway to Hog Swamp; and John Benit for Leberty to Set a fence upon the east side of the River in Quasaponacan in the Plivvay upon the River Bank ; and Josiah White that MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 197 Ebenezer Wilder may be payed the Debt which he Clamcth of the Town in Land ; Is what is ofered to your Consideration upon your next anual meeting on February the sixth nex Coming Joseph Wilder Clerk I at a meeting February the sixth 1720 '21 first made Choyce of Jabaz ffairbanks Moderator of Said Meeting 2 They Granted the Request of Capt Peter Joslin Refering to a hiway in Quasaponacan in the Remoueal of it from the medow side to where it might be raoor Conveniant 3 they so far granted the Propozition of David Whetcomb and John Prescott that if there bounds Cannot be found they may Lay out said fourty acres as neer where it was before as may be & make a new Record of it ; it being Read before the proprete as other Lands 4 Vpon the propozition of Josiah Wilder and Joseph atherton They made Choyce of Capt Ephriam Wilder Josiah White and Joseph Wilder to marke out said waies as far as to y* Town line 5 The Propozition of Josiah Wheelor was Read but he not appeaering it was defered 6 The Propozition of John Benit was voted & pased in the negative 7 upon the Propozition of Josiah White to pay Ebenezer Wilder in Land : Jabaz fairbank entered his desent ; and then y' Question was put whether the Propriety will grant Ebenezer Wilder Seventy thre acres & a half of Land for Said Debt which he Clameth as due to his father for work don for the Town in fineshing a Minesters Hous : being fourteen pounds fourteen shiUings & threepence : and it was Caried in y" Efermitive. 2 it was put whether he shaU haue it Layed in two or in three peces ; and the vote Caried in the Affermitive for two peces 8 they Receved a Report of a Committy to wit of Left John Hough.- ton and Josiah Wheelor viz : Here a blank was left for the record, which was never set down. Lastly they ajorned the Meeting to the first Munday in March next Coming and fi-om thence to y Eight of Said Month and from that to the 24 of May in 1721 A Copy of what was further brought in to said meet ing upon the ajornment To the Proprietors of Lancaster These to Give Notice that James Keyes and Jeremiah Holman proposs for a Convenant Hiway to where they Live James WUder for the Exchange of a small slip of Land for som moor Conveniant for a hiway Thomas Wilder for the Remouall of the hiway that is betwixt his hous and the hous of Thomas Tookers sum what neerer the River. Henry Willard for a Hiway to the Plumtrees may the 4 1721. Joseph Wilder Clark of the Propriety 198 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The following record is in the hand of Jonathan Hough ton, son of the Town Clerk : Wednesday y" 22d of March 1720/21, the Town meet at )?' meeting House according to due warning given in order to choose Select men, a Town Clerk, & to chose Assessors if y° Town see cause, it appering that some persons voted in y' former meeting that were not duly Quallified to vote, & also to consider & act what may be necesary to be done about Swine going at Large. I the Town voted & Chose John Houghton Sr moderator. 2 the Town voted to Chose five Selectmen, & accordingly Chose John Houghton Sr Jabez fairbank Josiah White Capt Ephraim Wilder & Ensign James Wilder Selectmen for y' year ensuing. 3 the Town Chose John Houghton Sr Town Clerk 4 the Town voted to Choose Assessors, & accordingly Chose James WUder John White & John Houghton Jun Assessors for y year ensuing. May the 24* 1721 upon ajornment from the 8 of March Last past I In answer to the Propozition of James Wilder The Propriety Grant him Leberty to Record a small sUp of Land which he hath already Layed out and Red before The Propritey which Lyeth in y* Swan Swamp upon the Consideration that he Lay down the like Quantity to Enlarge the Hiway that Runes through the hed of his Intervall Lott neer y* River as be most accomadable for the Hiway this was put to vote and Caried in the Eflfermitive 2 Vpon the Revivall of Josiah Wheelors propozition they Granted a Comraitty to vew and Lay out a Hiway to Hog Swarap if they think fit and Convenian and mak Report to the Propriety at sum other meeting the Persons chosen were Cpt Ephriam Wilder John WUder and Josiah White 3 They also voted that y' same Committy should vew the Hiway pro posed for by James Keyes and others and make Report of that like\rise 1722. The Return of one of said Hiwaies Lancaster June y' first & 26 1722. Where as we the subscribers namely John WUder Josiah White and Ephriam Wilder are a Committy to vew and Lay out a hiway from Jonath Moors to Hogswamp medowes we haue bin upon the spot the dayes aboue dated and proseeded as foUoweth we began at said hog swamp medow and marked trees on the west side of said way to sd raoorses; we Ran through the Land of Josiah Wheelor fourty Rods through the Land of Jonathan Moors three hundred and fourty Rods and through the Land of Jabaz fairbanks one hundred Rods and in the Land of John moors two Rods the other part of said Hiway Lyeth in Common Land the Committy John Wilder Josiah White Ephriam Wilder said ways was Exsept to be three Rods wide Exsept where it Cross y medow of Jabez fairbank and there to be one Rod and half MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. igg A COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION FOR THE MEETING 1721/22 These May Serue to notifie the Proprietors of Lancaster that Capt Samuel Willard propounds for a hiway to pass in to the Contery Rode to Boston : Henry Willard propounds for a hiway in the plumtrees so CaUed Josiah White for a Hiway to y° new SawmUl upon the North River Gam aliel Beman for a hiway straight to where he now Lives Last by Justice Houghton Recjuested that he may haue som alowance made hira for the second devision of Entervail of DanU Gains if he cannot haue it where it was Granted him by the Town aboue the Red Spring up the North River ; is what is to be layed before you at your meeting February the 5 1721 /22. January the 19* 1721/22 Joseph Wilder Clerk February the 5"' 1721/22 att a meeting of the Proprietors att y° meet ing Hous first Made Choyce of James Wilder Moderator for Said Meeting 2 In answer to the Propozition of Capt Samuell WiUard The Propriety made Choyce of a Committy to vew said way and se where it maybe most accomodable to Serve the publick and make Report to the proprietey in order to haue it alowed and then made Choyce of Hooker Osgood Eben ezer WUder & Jonathan Houghton to be the Committy. 3 In answer to the propozition of Henry WiUard they voted that Capt Wilder Josiah White and Joseph WUder be a Committy to vew sd way and make Report to the propriety 4 they voted to chuse a Committy to vew the Hiway propounded for by Josiah White and make Report to the propriety & then Made Choyce of Jabaz Fairbank Capt Peter Joslin & Capt Ephriam Wilder to be the Committy : 5 Jeremiah Wilson personally appeered before the Propriety and de clared that he freely delivered up to the Town or propriety a Small Slip of Land Round y' west Corner of a dich Called Broad Medow Dich between that and thfe fut of broad medow HiU so much as may be accomodable for a hiway in that place 6 Refering to the Request of John Houghton Esq ; they made Choyce of James WUder Jonas Houghton Ju & Ebenezer Wilder to mesuer the Entervaill Lot of Danill Gaines down Penecuck River to see if it be not alredy Layed out neer that towit his Second Devision of Intervaill and make Report to the Propriety, & Then they ajorned the Meeting to the 5 day of march next Coming to three of the Clock in the after noone : Joseph Wilder Clerk March y fifth the propriety meet and adjorned to the twenteth of Said March. Martji y" twenteth 1722 The propriety being meet first Granted to Capt SamueU Willard a Hiway that Run through a part of Broad Medow for and in Consederation of a pece of Land Given up to y* Town by Jeremiah WUson to be a hiway in Lew there of Round y' Cor ner of v" sd Broad Medow betwixt that and the hiU 200 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 2 They Exsepted the Returnes df Severall Hiwaies of the Committys appointed to vew and Lay them out to wit of the Contery Rode to Groton brought in by Cpt WUder Josiah White and Joseph Wilder as foUoweth February y" 9 1721/22 Then prossed on sd Service first began at y" north Une of Lancaster Township and marked a small white oke tree, and from thence to a white oke neer y' Corner of Seth Walkers Land from thence to a stump by the side of sd Walkers fence from thence to y° Corner of Walkers northermost Lott from thence to y" Corner of Samuell Rogerses Land & so along upon y" hed of that Lott to y" Corner of y" Land of Henry Willard to a Chesnut tree from thence to a Red oke neer y" brow of y* hUl and so to a Walnut in the Riseing of y Hill and from thence to a black oke at y* bottom of Said Hill from thence to a Rock a gainst Henry WUlards barn and so bareing y' breth of five Rods to y Eastward of aU y' afore sd marks and so bareing the same wedth though betwixt y* Walls of Josiah WUlard as marked out and so along upon y* beds of the Lots of Hezakiah an Joseph Willard baring y* bredth of five Rods to y" est from there fences as they now stand till itt Corns to y" Corner of Joseph Willards Lott from thence made an angle Runing to a small White oke bush standing in Joseph Willards hedge from thence to a white oke tree from that to a heep of Stons upon Hezakiah WUlards Land makeing an angle Runing a Cross the Lott of Jonathan Willard from a heep of Stons to a small black oke from thence to y" Corner of Cpt Willards waU sd way Lying five Rods wide to the East ward or Sow est of all y' aforesd marks & so through betwix y* wall of Capt Samuel WUlard and John Willard bareing y* same wedth to y° South East Comer of Capt Willard waU & then with a straight line to a small white' oke marked at a Rock where y* former Com mitty Left marking the way Lying to the Sow east of sd line and also marked a Rode from sd Rode down the north side of Jonathan WUlard lott to y* hed of y° lott of Joseph atherton of three Rods Wide sd Return was Exsepted by a vote Exsepting at Capting Willards at his Request it was alowed to godown ner his hous he promasing to Leve the hiway there Wider by Consederable then five Rods Joseph Wilder Clerk The road here described is now wholly in the town of Harvard. 2 of a hiway to y* raUl up y* North River which was as foUoweth. Lancaster February the 14 1721/2 Whereas We naraely Peter Joslin Jabaz fairbank Sc Ephriam Wilder are appointed a Committy to Lay out a hiway to David Whetcombs Land upon the North River : We haue bin upon y* Spot and haue Layed out a hiway from the Hiway that Goeth to Benits farm a Cross to Whetcombs Land and haue marked the trees upon y* north side of said way y* way Lying through Larances Land takeing MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1735. 201 from him one acre of Land sd way for y° most part being tvvo Rods Wide but where it Joyns to Whetcoms Land it is five Rods Wide. Joseph Wilder Clerk The terminus of this road was at the site lately occupied by the American Shoeshank Company's factory. Here the Whitcomb family had a mill for many j'ears. 3 a hiway petistioned for by Capt Willard a Report there of was made by Hooker Osgood Ebenezer Wilder and Jonathan Houghton who in formed the propriety that they judged the sd way Should goo by David Whetcombs & so in to the bay Rode & that it should leve Groaton Rode at y° South side of Joseph Hutchinses lott and to Run along by y" sd Hutchinses lott till it Came over y' brook at Round medow Joseph Hutch ins allso appeered and offered y* Propriety to Give so much Land as would be nesesary for y' Hiway in that place according to y* Report of y° Com mitty; but at y* Re [quest] of Thomas Houghton the way was Granted by his door & was to Lye South of his hous so far as that y' north side of y' way should be thre Rods from his door and said way was Exsepted and Confermed to be three Rods Wide exsept where it pases through y« Land of Jacob & Henry Houghton and there to be but two Rods Said Committy Reports that they began to marke at y' Land of Thomas Houghton and ran through it by his hous sixty seven Rods & a half and through Ephriam Houghtons Land sixty four Rods & through Edward Houghtons Land 100 Rods and through James athertons Land fourty six Rods and through Jacob Houghtons Land fourty five Rods and throu the Land of Jacob Houghton & Benjamin Athertons Land ninty eight Rods and then it Ran upon Common Land tUl it Croses the Rode that pases to barehill February y° 25 we began at barehill Rode and went through y' Land of Jacob Houghton Seventy Rods and through y" Land of Henry Houghton by his hous eighty two Rods and then we Ran in Com mon tiU we Come to the Land of Hezakiah Whitcombes in his Land we Ran on hundred and twelve Rods through the Land of David Whitcombs twenty Eight Rods and then we ran in Common Land and in Land of David Whitcomb & y" Hairs of John Whitcomb Decessed in which there was alowance made for a hiway in y" Laying out of said Land : and then we Ran through a sraall Corner of y" Land of Nathanil HapGood in to y Bay Rode, then we began at the Bay Rode neer Joseph Sawyers and marked a hiway a Cross to y° afore sd Rode and it Coms in to y' aboue said Rode abought eighteen Rods from David Whitcombs barn and y' said David whetcomb is satisfied for y' Damage it doth to him if he may haue the old Rode which was formerly Layd out behind his feeld all which was Confermed by a vote, sd Report was Signed Hooker Osgood Eben ezer Wilder Jonathan Houghton Entered upon Record by Joseph Wilder Clk 202 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, note that y" Hiway through David Whetcombs Land is to be but two Rods wide— tiien the meetin vvas ajorned to y° third Wednsday in May next The next record was written by Jonathan Houghton, son of the Town Clerk. March y' 5'.' 1721/2, the freeholders & other Inhabitants of Lancaster Duly QuaUified, meet together it being their anuall meeting for Choice of Town officers &c : I. The Town Chose Capt Ephraim Wilder moderator for said meet ing. 2. The Town Chose William Sawyer Grand Juror for y" year ensuing, then y" Selectmen gaue y* Town an account of what they had done as to Reconing with Mr Prentice, & then examined who were voters in choice of Town officers. ' 3. The Town Chose five Selectmen naraely John Houghton Sr Capt Ephraim Wilder Jabez ffairbank Josiah White & James Wilder. 4. The Town Chose John Houghton Town Clerk for y° year ensuing 5. The Town Chose thre Constabels namely John Johnson Bezeleel Sawyer & John Willard. 6. The Town Chose Henry Willard & Joseph Stone Tything raen. 7. The Town Chose Samuel Rogers Sr Joseph A therton William Divol Nathaniel Wilder & James Snow Servairs of Highways. 8. The Town Chose James Wilder Town Treasurer. 9. The Town Chose James Atherton & Amos Sawyer fence vewers. 10. The Town Chose John Prescott Benjamin Wilson Daniel Hough ton and Ebenezer Harries Hawyerds II. The Town Chose Thomas Carter SeaUer of Leather. The following memorandum from an old account book of the first Judge Joseph Wilder, lately presented to the public library by Benjamin F. Wyman, gives the name of the Grammar School teacher in Lancaster 1721-22, and the money value at which his services for the year were estimated. Delivered and payed to Mr Edward Broughton March y 14 1721/22 for Keeping Scool six pounds fiue shUlings. Moore in August y' sum of fiue shillings by Ebenezer Wilder const, o.. 5..0 on a note answered by Josiah Willard 3. .18. .6 on a note to Mr dickenson o.. 2. .6 on a note to Bezaleel Sawyer 0.5.8 MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 203 on a note to Elias Sawyer 0.8.0 Upon two Recepts to Jonas Houghton Constable 3.0.6 Reconed with Mr Edward Broughton October y' 25"' 1722 Remains Dew to y' said Mr Broughton 7—6—10 for his years Scooling. Or 21 pounds 12 shillings for the year's salary. May the sixteenth 1722 the propriety being meet in answer to the Pro- positon of Samuel Warner it was voted that a Committy be Chosen to vew the hiway propounded for and if they shall think it needful! To Lay out a Hiway betwix the Land of Jonas Houghton and Jonathan Sawyer as they shall think meet and make Report to y" next meeting in order ta its being exsepted 2 they voted that the same Committy vew what Damage is don to aboue said Land of Jonas Houghton that was hutsons by a hiway Laid to Barehill medows and how much of y' ajasant Land out to be alowed for a Recompence the Committy Chosen was Jabaz Fairbank Capt SamueU Willard & Jacob Houghton 3 they then Granted Elias Sawyer- five acres of Land upon a brook Called Kerlys Brook for to make up the Conveniancy of Henry Kerly & William 4 The Return of a Committy apointed to mesure the Lot of Danil Gains we y" Subscribers mesured the Lott of DanU Gains or that which was soposed to be it and find betwixt sum mark trees and Snows Enter vaill Lott and betwixt the Little piece and sum Entervaill Land of Eben ezer Wilder and find it to be about sixteen acres. James Wilder \ Ebenezer Wilder \ Comitiitty Jonas Houghton Ju ) An account of a hiway Laid out from y" Town line beyond Wacapacit and went through the Land of Hooker Osgood on hundred and fifty Rods and through the Land of Justice Houghton fifty Rods and then through Hooker Osgoods land ninty four Rods and then through the Land of Sam uel! Carter one hundred Rods. Jabaz fairbank Nathanil Saivyer Samuell Carter Cotnmitty this Return was E.xsepted and said Hiway Confermed : and an aquevelant Granted to the Persons aboue named to wit to Hooker Osgood two acres for one to Justice Houghton deto to Samuell Carter an acre and halt in lew of one. This is the road from Leominster line to Wickapeket Brook at the Phelps Mill. February y" 2* 1721 Laid out another hiway we began at the end ofa hiway that Goeth up between the Lots of Nathanil Wilder and Oliver Wilder and Ran through Nathanil Wilders Land fifty four Rods and through the Land of Oliver Wilder eighty eigiit Rods and tiirough Jona than Wilders Land twenty six Rods and through Nathanil Hapgoods Land 204 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Sixteen Rods and through Danill Ruggs Land fourty Rods and through Samuell Carters Land fourty Rods and then through another piece of Oli ver Wilders Land on hundred & twenty three Rods to the Town line to a little Run of water neer Wakapacet Brook neer the old Cartway aboue John Kindals Said way Laid out three Rods wide by Jabaz fairbank Sa.muell Carter and Nathanil Sawyer, a Committy: the aboue said way was exsepted and Confermed by the propriety for a hiway as it is marked out. This describes the westerly extension of the first road over George Hill. Oliver Wilder, afterward colonel, lived upon the north side of the highway on or near the site of the house now standing just above the George Hill school- house. His brother Nathaniel lived on the southerly side of the highway. The hiway to Whashacomb was accordingly marked out by said Com mity and Ran throu the Land of Jonathan Moor sixty three Rod and through the Land of Thomas Sawyer ten scoor and seventeen Rods to y" town line. Jabez fairbank Nathanil Sawyer ,Saw¥s» Samuel Carter Committy February y' 4 1722/3 at a meeting of the proprietors first made Choyce of Capt WUder .Moderator and then Discharged Edmund and Ebenezer Harris Judgeing that they had fulfiUed the obligation they ware under in Cleering and keepin the bering feeld well Subdued 2 a Committy made a Report to wit Jabaz Fairbank Sc Cpt SamueU Willard and Reported that the hiway Petistioned for by Samuell Warner &c be granted and that it ly along by the Side of the Land that was Hut- sons tvvo Rods Wide which Report was Confermed and said way Granted by a vote 3 Capt Wilder &c brought in a Report Conserning Sum hiwaies from hog swamp which waies was Exsepted and Granted to be three Rods in wedth Exsept where it Croses the medow by Jabaz Fairbanks In and there to be but one Rod and a half also of a hiway Jeremiah Holmans and Whitneys, which is to Run along through the Land of Josiah Wheelor seventy nine Rods through the Land of James Wilder Sixty two Rods throuh the Land of John Wilder on hundred and twelve Rods through James Butlers Land tvvo Rods through the Land of Joseph Sawyer on hundred and fifty four Rods Said way to be three Rods wide Said way was alowed and Confermed by a vote to Lye as it is marked out by Said Committy Save at y' brook by Whitneys there to pass the brook where it is marked and then to Run down the brook neer the said brook tiU it Coms neer the Hous of Said Holman to where the way was formerly Layed out MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 205 3 The propriety raade alowances to the Severall persons aboue said for what damage they had Recevd by said way as foUoweth to Jabaz Fair banks at y' Law or proportion of two acres and a half in the Lew of one, to John Wilder two acres for one, to James Wilder one acre and half for one, to Joseph Sawyer acres for acre, then the meeting was ajorned to y" 18 of sd February. A COPY OF NOTIFICATION FEBRUARY Y^ 4 1722/3 These may notifie the propriety of Lancaster that Jonath moor Re quests that the Contery Rode or Hiway from .Marlburough may Run by his door in to Hog swampt Rode. 2 Hezakiah Whetcomb for a hiway to the bay Rode from the hiway propounded for by Capt Willard Sev erall persons for alowance for damage for hiwaies Jos Wilds and Richard Wilds that the Last halfe of y° 4 devision may be Granted Febrewary the 18"^ 1722/3 the Propriety being Meet first they Granted the propozition of Jonathan Moor to wit that y" Contery Rode to Marl- burrough be Remoued from the north side of his orchard and to pass through betwixt his hous and his new Barn to y" hiway that goeth to hog swamp and to be five Rods wide. 2 they voted upon the proposition of Hezakiah Whetcomb that y" Committy appointed to vew the hiway proposed by Capt WiUard to wit Mr Osgood Ebenezer Wilder and Jonathan Houghton vew }•" same and make Report to y" propriety when they Report Conserning the other Hiway 3 they Granted to James WUder three acres in Lew of on for what was taken of off his Land by a hiway to wacapacet : to Joseph Wilder & Edmund harris four acres in Lew of one and so proporsonablely 4 they voted that Mr Osgood &c mark out the hiway ask[ed] for by Capt Willard and take an account of what it takes from every man that it Runs through his Land and make Report to y' next meeting 5 upon the proposition of Richard Wilds they voted that it be defered till y' next meeting and then the meeting was ajorned to that day month A COPY OF THE NOTIFIECATION TO Y^ PROPRIETIE OF LANCASTER these may serue to notifie you that Josiah Wheelock desiers that the hiway [through] his Land to pine hUl may be Remoued further north and that it may be but two Rods wide WiUiam Sawyer Desiers alowance for a hiway that goeth through his Land Jonas Houghton that James Keyes may be appointed to Lay out Land in y° old Township it is also desiered that all persons who haue bin damnified by hiwaies going through there Land would bering in there accounts in order to there being alowed 2o6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, therefor Thomas Wilder desiers that a hiway may be Laid to Shuesbery and from that to his Entervaill Joseph Wilder Clerk Lancaster March y" 4"' 1722/3 : March y= 18"' 1723 at a meeting of y* proprietors and in the first place they voted that Edward hartwill haue a peece of Land that lyeth betwene his Land and walnnut Swampt Lot with the addition of one acre and half to Lay out as other undevided Land alowed him for alowance for a hiway that goeth through his Land to Wacapacet 2 they exsepted a former Report made by Capt Houghton &c Refering to y' Remoueal of a hiway propounded for by Hezakiah Townsend by his hous. 3 they voted that James WUder Josiah White and Ebenezer Wilder Lay out a hiway to pine hill where shall be most Conveniant 4. they made Choyce of James Keyes to Lay out Land in that which was Called the old Township 5 in answer to y Request of Thomas Wilder they raade Choyce of Left Houghton John Prest & Bazaliel Sawyer to vew the same and Report there on to y* Propriety and also mark it out if they think fit and most Conveniant 6 they Granted the Last half of y* 4 devision to begin to Lay out the first of may next which will be in 1723 7 the propriety Granted that Oliver Wilder haue the alovvance of 3 acres for one for so much as is taken from him by a hiway to Wacapacet &; 2 for one Ruges pece one acre and half for y" Rest and so for all others Aprill y" 29"^ 1723 the Proprietors of Lancaster being meet by vertue of a Warrant Given out by John Houghton Esquier for the Calling there of And first made Choyce of John Houghton Esquier for a Moderator and then voted that all Land Laid out Since Joseph Wilder was Chosen A pro prietors Clerk and Recorded by the Town Clerk be Signed by the propri etors Clerk Secondly it was put to vote whethor they will Now proseed to the Choyce of a proprietors Clerk and it pased in y* Negative 3 They voted that Noperson Layout any part of y" Last half of his forth Devision before he hath made out his Right there to the Sattisfaction of those that shall be Chosen a Comm.ity to Seve in to that affair to see whether he hath ajust Right there and hath also procured a Sirtificate under there hands to Sigri it to Such as are appointed to Lay out Lands in sd propriety 4 They voted to Choos three men for the Service aforesaid 5 They made Choyce of John Houghton Esq' Joseph Wilder and Jonathan Houghton to be the Committy for the Said Service MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 207 6 They voted that none of y" Land in the Last half of y' forth Devi sion be Laid out till after y' third Wednsday of may next, Jonas Houghton ju then Made a motion in s'' meeting Requesting that the propriety would Rectifie the Land formerly Laid out to Mr [nattie gotie] Sum part of it being Laid in to sum Land Laid out to Jeremiah Rogers and that sumthing may be don upon it at y" ajornment of y" meet ing and then the meeting was ajorned to y" third wednsday of may being the 15 of may next at nine of y° Clock but before y" ajornment there was these alowances made as foUoweth for a Recompence for damage don them by hiwaies Runing through there Land Thomas Houghton three acres for one Ephriam Houghton deto Kdward Houghton deto James Atherton deto Jacob Houghton ju four acres for one Benjamin Atherton deto Jacob Houghton deto Henry Houghton deto Hezakiah Whetcomb three acres for one David Whetcomb Deto it was also then voted that William Divoll should haue the Slip of Land Lying a Gainst his Land at y° Wall- nut Swamp in Lew of the hiway which Crosses his Land there with y' alowance of half an acre for damage May wednsday y' 15 of s"i month the propriety being meet ajorned the meeting to y* 3 wednsd in august and defered the devision till then Wednsday the 21 of August the propriety meet and opened the meet ing and ajorned the same to y' 3 wednsday in October and jdefered the Last half of y' 4 devision till then and from thence it vras ajorned to 3 wednsday in November and that the Last half of the forth Devision was Continued till y' first of february following The following financial statement of the selectmen for 1723 is from Judge Joseph Wilder's memorandum book. Thomas Carter Town Treasurer for y* year 1723. minester's Rates Town Rates 34-12-7 Edward Hartwill Constable of y' Town £4°- 9-0 23-13-3 Benjamin Bailey Constable 27 - 1 1 - 9 Samuell Warner Where of he is ordered to pay to Jabez fairbank for Serving as Representative in 1723 to y* Selectmen for makeing Rates in 1722 to Mr Edward Broughton for Keeping Scool to y" Selectmen for Glace to Edmund Harris for Sweeping y" meeting hous 28- 19- II 34- 6- 10 103- 15- 9 20- - 12- -0 2- - 0 • -0 rio ,0 I20 2 - 5 I -15 10- -2 9' -0 10- -0 12- -4 s 3- -0 was 15- -0 30/ -0- -0 14- -6 101- 10- •6 208 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, to y" Selectmen for making Rates in 1723 towit to Joseph Wilder 1-4-6 Josiah White John White Samuell Carter Ebenezer Wilder to Nathan Hawood for two wind frames for y" meeting hous to Edward Hartwill for to make up what his province List was Les than his warrant to the Committy for y" bridge to John Prescot for plank -^2- S -3 Lancaster february 18"' 1723/4 then Rekoned with Deacon Joseph Wilder Mr Samuell Carter: Mr Josiah White & Mr Ebenezer Wilder; Selectmen for the Town of Lancaster : & the Subscriber hath Received the wholl of his Sallery tUI July ist 1723. John Prentice Sd Receipt entered as above being a true Copy May the 12''' 1724. p John Houghton Town Clerk Lancaster March 2 1723/4 The Inhabitants of sd Lancaster met at y' Meeting House in sd Towne according to appointment & notice Given to be the Publick Anniversary Meeting for Choyce of Town oflicers &c: I & first Chose Jonathan Moore Moderator for s* Meeting : & then the Selectmen Gave Sorae account of what they had Done as to making of Rates : & particularly Had Reconed with Mr Prentice who is Cleered till y" first of July 1723 as by his Receipt as above entered 2 & next voted that the Late Select raen do Give in a feire account of theire Proceedings in the Towns affaires the Last yeare unto y Next Selectmen that raay be Chosen to Succeed as Selectmen in sd Town 3 next voted to Choose 5 Selectmen & accordingly Chose Joseph Wil der; Josiah White; Jonathan Houghton; ebenezer Wilder & Samuell Carter Selectmen to serve for the year ensuing The above record, left incomplete, is in the hand of John Houghton, as also is the next. 1724. Munday y" 1 1"' of May 1724 The free Holders &c : of y' Town of lancaster met at y" Meetinghouse in sd Town In order to Choose a Representative according to Due warning Given, & after the Reading of the Precept & y= Laws Relating to sd affaire, votes were called for Sc Given in & then John Houghton Sen' vvas Chosen Representative for sd Town of Lancaster : to serve at y" Generall Court according as specified in sd Precept. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 209 August 1724. The Selectmen of Lancaster are allowed to enter their caution against Robert Darby, Moses Chandler & his wife with three child ren, Barnard Twoells, Sarah Hubbard and Mary West being Inhabitants, they having been warned to depart the said Town as pr their caution on file. [Middlesex Court Records.] A COPY OF Y*^ NOTIFICATION FOR Y"^ MEETING FEBRUARY YE 3d 1723/4 the warning being Taken away there Remains only a breef account of the things propounded for to wit Thomas Wilder propounded for a hiway from the Road by his hous to y= Hous that was Robert Houghtons ju decesed John Warner for a hiway from Caleb Sawyers to his Hous Jon athan Whitney and Jonathan Crouch for a hiway from where they Live to y Hous of Danil Preest Decesed John Darbey for Sora alowance for a hiway Taken Through y Land he purcHassed of John Willard. Josiah Willard also mosoned that Sum alowance be made him and Joseph Ather ton for damage by a hiway into y* plumtrees Lancaster February the 3"* 1723/4 the propriety meet and first made Choyce of John Houghton Esq' Moderator for Said meeting and then Granted a Committy for to vew two hiwayes propounded for, to wit one by John Warner and the other by Jonathan Whitney &c. and to mark out the same if they think them needful! and to Report to y* propriety the place of there Lying and also y Quantity of Land they Take from any Land they may Run through and Likewise y" Quallity thereof 2 They made Choyce of Jacob Houghton Caleb Sawyer & Jonas Houghton to be y* Committy 3 they voted that y' Same Committy vew what Damage John Darbey Sustaned by a hiway that is Laid through y'= Land he purchassed of John WUlard & what he ought to be alowed therefor and klso what Josiah WUlard and Joseph Atherton ought to be alowed for the hiway Crossin their Entervaill in to y' plumtrees 4 they made Choyce of Jaraes Wilder Jonathan Houghton & Eben ezer Wilder to be a Coramitty to vew the hiway propounded for by Thoraas Wilder and to marke out y« same & to Report to the propriety there Doings there in : and then the meeting was ajorned to y" third wednsday of may next to eight of y' Clock Lancaster May y' 20 1724 upon y" ajornment from February the 3'* and first Receved a return of a Committy which was as foUoweth : We the Subscribers being appointed a Committey to mark out a hiway to where Robert Houghton Jr did formerly live we began to mark out the way at the turn of the old way beyend Thomas WUders hous and marked along tUl we Came to Sum Land of Thomas Tookers where we Took a slip of the 14 2IO ANNALS OF LANCA.STER, said Land into y" hiway and from thence we marked the hiway through Common Land till we Came to Land of Robert Houghton Decesed: and we are of opineon that there is a Little Corner of Land on the same side of the hiway south of the piece taken from said Tooker may be a Recom pence to him for the dam.ige dun him by y= hiway James Wilder Ebenezer Wilder Jonathan Houghton this Return was Exsepted and the hiway Confermed and a small slip of Land Lying on the West Side of said way by the said Tookers Land Granted to said Tooker for alowance 2 They made Choyce of Benjamin Bellows Jonas Houghton and Thomas Tooker to be a Committy to vew the Hiway formerly propound[ed] for by Benjamin Houghton to See where it may be with most Conven iancy and make Report to the propriety at there next meeting 3 they made Choyce of Joseph Wheelock William Divoll and John Benit to be a Committy to vew the hiway propounded for by Edward Hartwill to se where it may be most Conveniant and make Report to the propriety at there next meeting 4 they Receved a Report of a Committy sent out on the propozition of John Warner John Darbey and Jonathan Whitney which was as fol- loweth viz May the Eighteenth 1724 we the Subscribers marked Severall Waies viz one Hiway Begining at the Hiway neer to Caleb Sawyers barn and Ran as the markes directs to a white oak a Corner of John Warners Land : and do alow it to Run Twenty Rods along side of John Warners Land : but Samuell Warner appeered in said Meeting and raade an offer that if the Town would Lay out the said Hiway along by his Hous and Gabriell Preists Hous through there Land that they to wit Gabriell Preist and Samuell Warner would Give the Land free and would be at half the Charge of Makeing and Keeping in Repare the way through there Land the Committey also Give there voice that it might be as servesable to the publick another Hiway is marked out begining neer to the westerly end of Caleb Sawyers Feeld at the Hiway and Runeth as the raark trees direct upon to barehill and along bjs Land that was Laid out to [Josiah] White and it Runs along by the Southerly end of the Land that [leaf torti] Danil Priest by the northerly side of a Corner Mark at the westerly end of a piece of Land of NathanU HapGood and then it Runs by said Land the whol Lenth of it then it Runs eigty four Rods through Land of Samuell War ners to Jonathan Whitneys and Jonathan Crouches Land and ten Rods by said Crouches Land and we think said Warner ought to be alowed three acres in Lew of one or according to that proportion We also mesored the Hiway in John Darbes Land and find it to Run in his Land on hundred and fifty Rods and we think he ought to be alowed thre acres for one Jacob Houghton Jonas Houghton Comtnittey this return was e-xsepted the hiwayes alowed and y" alowances Granted by the propriety MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 211 5 they Granted a Committey to wit Joseph Sawyer James Keyes & Hezakiah [Townjsend to vew the Hiwaies propounded for by Samuell Rugg Sfi^cf torn] Lastly they Granted y" Request of Jonas Houghton in Remoual of a Hiway which Goeth to barehill Medows where it Runeth through the Land that was Danil Hutsons that it might Run along upon the South Edge of it by the Land of Joseph Fairbank At a meeting of the [proprietors] February the i»' 1724/5 first made Choyce of John Houghton Esquier for a Moderator then Receved sum Reports of Coraraittyes formerly Chosen Refering to Sum Hivvaies they are as foUoweth January y'' 29"' 1724/5 Wee the Subscribers being Choosen a Committey by the propriety of Lancaster to vew a hiway petis tioned for by Benjamin Houghton upon the Day aboue said we went and vewed the Same and have marked it out viz through the Land of Ebenezer Wilder thirty Rods then through the Land of Jabaz Fairbank twenty nine Rods then a Long in the Land of Jabaz Fairbank & Thomas Sawyer to Run along half upon Each thirty four Rods and then wholly in the Land of Said Sawyer Twenty Eight Rods and then in said Fairbanks Land twelve Rods. Benjamin Bellows Thomas Tooker Jonas Houghton Committy This Report was exsepted and the hiway Confermed accord ingly by the propriety by a vote in said meeting January y 18"' 1724/5 Marked out a hiway for the Conveniance of Samuell Rugg to Com to the Contery Road and it began at a white oak about ten Rods from the norwest angle of his Land which was Laid out for his Father on the northerly side and Runs northerly a Cross the Land of Jonathan Moors Seventy one Rods then it Run a Cross sum of the Land of John Moor twenty six Rods and Coms in to the bay Road at the edge of the plain neer a little Brook where the way has bin diged East erly from the pond brook Called west pond brook James Keyes Joseph Sawyer Committy this hiway was Confermed by a vote, and then the meet ing was ajorned to the first Monday in March next March y' i the propriety being meet ajorned y= meeting to y= 3 monday in May nex to ten of y" Clock It has been usual to state that Josiah Flagg, whose excel lent penmanship adorns the town books for thirty-four years, between 1800 and 1836, was without a rival in the length of his service as clerk for Lancaster. But the signature of John Houghton, later known as Justice Houghton, who succeeded Cyprian Steevens as clerk of the writs, is found attached to records of lands, petitions to the court, and 212 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, other public documents, as town clerk, for nearly every year from 1685 to 1724, a period of fort}- years. Less than half a dozen town-meeting records in his distinct chirography have been preserved to our day, and in only three of these are elections of a clerk noted. In 1719, 1721 and 1722 not only was John Houghton, Esquire, chosen clerk, but moderator, selectman or assessor as well. He is the first named as schoolmaster in any records of the town. Joseph Willard, Esquire, states that he represented the town for fourteen years in the legislature, but omits the years 1690 and 1692 when John Houghton was undoubt edly one of the two deputies sent, and includes the year 17 18 when Lancaster elected not John Houghton, Sen., but Lieutenant John, his son. We find the title Justice given him as early as 1718, though the date of his com mission is put down in the civil list 1729. Perhaps Justice Houghton might have been appointed the first judge of the Worcester County Court of Common Pleas in 1731, instead of his younger neighbor, Joseph Wilder, but for his growing blindness. Although then eighty years of age, his mental and physical vigor were little impaired. John Houghton was the son of John and Beatrix, who in 1653 set up their roof tree somewhere near Dean's, now Goodridge Brook. Not far away on the south side of the Narrow Lane, lived Jacob Farrar whose only daughter, Mary, must have been John's nearest playmate. February 22, 1672, when John was about twenty-one, and Mary twenty-three years of age, she became his wife. Their home, at least after the massacre of 1676, was on the Old Common as it is now called, though then and long after known as Bride Cake Plain. Their house stood on the south side of the highway opposite the grounds of the State Industrial School. After fifty-two years of married life, the wife died April 7, 1724, and January 27, 1725, John Houghton, at the age of seventy-five, married Hannah Wilder, aged seventj'-two. The Boston Evening MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 213 Post for Monday, February 14, 1737, thus briefly records his death : Lancaster, February 8'.'' 1736-7. On the 3'! Instant died here (after a few Day's Indisposition) John Houghton, Esq : in the 87'.'' Year of his Age. He was a sensible, religious, peaceable and useful Man. He was serviceable (in several Capacities) for many Years among us. A constant and devout attender on all the Ordi nances and Worship of God in his House. Tho' his Eyes were dim some Years before his Death, yet his Bodily Strength and Intellectual Powers remained with him to an uncommon Degree. He hath left behind hira a sorrowful Widow in the 84"'. Year of her Age, under bodily Blindness, and who hith been confined to her Bed for more than three Years past: Also a numerous Offspring. There are now living of his Children 7, of his Grandchildren 54, and of his Great Grand Children 73, in all 134. Joseph Wilder, son of the second Thomas Wilder, born in 1683, was proprietors' clerk for forty years, from 1716 to 1757, and perhaps during some years previous, the rec ords of which are missing. He also became town clerk in 1737, continuing in that ofiice seven j'ears. These offices he held by common consent, in spite of the fact that his penmanship is execrable, and almost illegible in the late years of his life, when he wrote with a palsied hand. He was deacon in the Lancaster church for forty- two years, and representative to general court in 1720, 1725 and 1726. Upon the organization of Worcester County in 1731, he was appointed judge and held the office of chief justice at his death. He was, however, very illiterate, excelling all his clerical predecessors and rivalling the most untaught of his successors, in the per versity of his spelling. Had his decisions as a judge been as versatile and independent of precedent, as was his orthography, trials before him would have had all the exciting uncertainty of the modern horse race. In punct uation he displayed greater consistency, ignoring it alto gether, nor deigning like the eccentric pamphleteer of the next generation, to add to his work any postscript supply of points for eclectic distribution. He also bears, justly 214 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, or unjustly, the ill name of having by his narrow minded opposition, prevented the locating in Lancaster of the county offices, this then being the foremost town in the new county. He is charged with having in his blind con servatism, presaged woes unnumbered to the rural paradise about him, should it become habituated to the society of lawyers and litigants. There must have been great native force in him, as well as discretion and tact. Rev. Timothy Harrington in a sermon preserved in manuscript, headed Post Funera Hon. Viri J. Wilder armigeri, portrays his character in these flattering colors : God furnished him with a penetrating Judgment, strong Reason, and a tenacious Memory, and all, so far as we can judge, were consecrated to y Honour of y^ most high. God was pleased to advance him to numer ous seats of trust and Im [portance] in y* Town County and Province, which he filled with Integrity and Honour. In his domestic character, a kind and faithful Husband a tender and Instructive and Exemplary Parent, a pleasant chearfiil and Christian, a friend to Truth and Virtue, A lover of God, man and his country, and a Benefactor to y= poor and y Distressed. This, This is he whom God hath taken from us. He died .March 29, 1757, aged 74. His wife, who out lived him, was Lucy, sister of Reverend Andrew Gard ner. One son, Colonel Caleb, followed him as clerk of the proprietors, and another, Colonel Joseph, succeeded him in the offices of town clerk, deacon and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. LOVEWELL'S WAR 1 722 -1 726. MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE, JOURNALS AND MUSTER ROLLS. In the Muster Roll of Sergeant Thomas Buckminster of Framingham, are the names of four Lancaster men, engaged during July and August, 1722, in some service not specified : Henry Houghton, i week, 6 days. John Beeman, 4 weeks, 5 days. John WUder, 4 weeks, 5 days. Richard Wild. [Massachusetts Archives, XCI, 32.] In the Muster Roll of Sergeant Samuel Wright, serving from October 25th to November 25th, 1822, is found the name of Simon Stevens of Lancaster. [Massachusetts Archives, XCI, 71.] 1723. Boston Nov 20 1723. Sir. I rec"! your Lett' this morning of the i8"> Instant & haue enquired at the Secry' Office concerning the orders to Coll. Tyng & find by a great Neglect they were misplaced & never sent forward. Now you acquainting rae that you can enlist very good Men to corapleat the Num ber for yo! Command, These are to direct you forthwith to do it Sc return me their Names ; I doubt not but you wUl keep them to their Duty & take all Occasions if possible to perform some Signal Service. Yors To Lt. Jabez Fairbank. W" Dummer [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 138.] Lancaster December y' 2"' 1723 May it plese your Hon"' I have in observance of your Hon'^ order In- listed fifteen able bodyed men fit for service & haue sent the List of them herewith to your Hon' with y« List of those tnat ware in y service before 2i6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, and haue put theni on duity : we haue made no decovery of y'= Inemy as yet : the barer is one that is in the service & is Capable if your Hon' Seas Case to demand; to give a full account of our management your Humble [Superscribed] Servant Jabez Fairbank To y" Hon'" William Dufner Esq Left Governer & for His Majesties service, by Mr Edward Hartwell. A List of the Names of y" Soldiers first enlisted in Lancaster Groaten & Dunstable. Edward Hartwill James Shattuck Aaroti Willard Samuell Scripter Benjattiin Osgood John Stephens Benjatnin Houghtoti jun WUliam Larrance John Bentiit Jabaz Davice Samuell Sawyer Thomas Chamberlin Jonathan Shipley Ephriam Chandler Joseph Blood Benjamin Nicholds John Barrit The names of those Last in Listed Joseph Blatichard Isaac Woods Ephriam Wheeler Jacob Lakin David Osgood Thomas Lund Joseph Wheelock Isaac Far well Ezra Sawyer Ebenezer Cumins Benjamin Harris John Usher Phineas Parker Jonathan Combs David Satell Lancaster December the 2'* 1723 Jabez Fairbanks [Massachusetts Archives, LX.\II, 144, 145.] Lancaster names are printed in italics. Lancaster, April 28 1724 May it please your Honour. Sr. I have attended your order referring to the Placing of the men at each Town, and have also Sent your Honour the JournaUs of all the long Scouts. The Scouts going from three Particular Towns, I am not able to give your Honour so particular an account of Every Days march as Possibly your Honour may expect. I endeavour to Improve the men Constantly to the most advantage according to the Best of my Judgment. If your Honour Please, I would novv and then Send out A Scout at Con siderable Distance from the Towns, and I think it would be very agreable to the minds of the People so to do. I stand ready to attend your Hon ours Orders & am your Honours Most Obedient Servant. Jabez Fairbank. [Massachusetts Archives, xx.xvm. A, 65.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 217 Groton May 28, 1724. May it please your Honour. I have Posted the men Committed to my care at the Towns of Lan caster Groton Dunstable & Turkey Hill according to your Honours Orders ; and Improve them in the best manner I can for the protection of the People & Discovery of the Enemy and I think to General Satisfaction. I have ordered one man to Mr. Prescotts Garrison During his attendance on the Court. I beg Leave further to acquaint your Honour that y'^ peo ple in these Towns apprehend themselves in Great Danger, and cannot (in my humble opinion) be in any measure safe with so small a number of men. I am your Honours Humble & most obedient Servt. Jabez Fairbank [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 176.] Lancaster, July i".' 1724. May it please your Honour. I recieved your Letter the Last night in the evening, and not before tho I suppose I might have had it sooner had the bearer pleased. Your Honour is pleased in your Letter to give me my choice of A Lieutenants Post in Groton or Turkey HiUs or A Serjeants at Lancaster. I am sensi ble that Serjeants Pay in Town would be as Profitable as to keep con stantiy abroad, but yet upon Some Considerations I choose to Abide in the Post I am, and to go to Groton. I return my thanks to your Honour for the choice you have given me. I would Inform your Honour that on Monday Last I sent A Scout to Rutland who Returned yesterday and ga\e me au Account that In the way they discovered the tracks of four or five Indians bearing towards Wochoosett whom they Judged had been gone 2 or 3 days. Yesterday Part of Groton men & Part of this Town went out for the week to range above the Towns to see what Discovery they could make, and I am myself this Day going out with what men I can Raise to see what I can discover. I desire the favour of your Honour, That the souldiers now under my Command in Lancaster and Groton might have the Liberty of abiding with me or of being Dismist. If it be your Hon ours Pleasure to let Edward Hartwell who hath been a Serjeant under me Abide stiU in that Post in this town I should take it as a favour. I stand ready to attend your Honours Orders & Commands and am Sf Your Humble Servant Jabez Fairbank [Massachusetts Archives, LII, 9J Groton July 20'? 1724. May it please your Hotiour I have attended your orders in posting the men at the Towns of Groton Lancaster & Turkey hill — precisely except at Turkey Hill there is but eleven men Capt. Stevens having not as yet sent so many as ordered 2i8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, & I have Taken my post at Groton where I Improve the souldiers in the best manner I can agreeable to your orders, & I have ordered them to Lodge in Some of y" most Exposed Garrisons as often as may be, but I find it impossible to Improve So Small a number of men So as to answer y' Necessities of the people here ; whose circumstances are so verry Diffi cult & Distressing that I am not able fuUy to Represent to your Honour; the poor people are many of them obliged to keep their own Garrisons and part of them Imployed as Guards while others are at their Labour whose whole Time would be full Little enough to be expended in Getting Bread for their families. My own Garrison at Lancaster is very much exposed & with Humble Submission I think Requires Protection as much as any in that Town, therefore I Humbly pray your Honour would be pleased to give rae Leave to post a Souldier there Dureing my absence in the Service of the province. I beg your Honours Pardon for giving you this Trouble, and ask Leave to Subscribe raySelfe Your most Obedient Humble Serv! Jabez Fairbanks. [Massachusetts Archives, HI, i6.J Lieutenant Jabez Fairbank was a grandson of John Prescott. His father, Jonas, and two brothers, Joshua and Jonathan, were slain in the early Indian wars. The stone over his grave in the old burying ground records that he died in 1758, aged about 84 years ; the recorded date of his birth however is "8"; ii""- 1670." The following jour nals are not in the handwriting of Fairbank, nor are they all by one hand. A sergeant or clerk made up the report of each scout for the Lieutenant to sign, and hence the diversity in expression and spelling. The names of local ities mentioned are of interest. Journals of the scouts by Lancaster soldiers only are here transcribed. Those from Dunstable and Groton were similar and equally numerous. Lancaster Decefnber the 6"> 1723. A Journal of y« Scoutes sent out By Liue' Jabez farbank first to quaso- ponican and to assoatetick hill and round the turkey Hills and another Scout up Wecapickit and to Wickapimsee and to Beehill and to the parke another scout sente to washacom pond and to Stillwater and to Rutland and then to Lancaster again January the 6"> 172^^ &c MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 219 Another Scout sente up Nashawa riuer to y role stone Hill and to the Wachusets HiUs and to rutland and to Shrubury and on the carts [skirts] of Wossester.another Scoute sente throu the woods to rutland and frora thence to Brookfield and then return'' another Scoute sente throu the woods to groton and from thence to the Turkey Hills &c. February 3'? 172^^. another Scoute sent to wanomihouck ponds &c called 30 miles from Lancaster and frora thence to wachusets hills and from thence to Ocsechoxit hills & washacom ponds and then hom another Scoute sent to Watatick hill called 20 miles from Lancaster and came hom By the Dimon hills another Scoute sente to the Turkey hill to mashapoge pond to cateconi- moug pond to unchecowalounk pond and came hom By Lancaster north riuer. another Scoute sent to rocke hills and to quiticous hills and to the red stone and came hora By George HiU. March I 1724 another Scoute sente to the Turkey hills and so to rang the woods upon there front and to muUipurs riuer and to Squanicock riuer and to the Head of Sowhegon riuer and cross the woods to Lancaster. another sent to menousnuck hills and up the stremes that run Into Nashawway riuer and then returned. another Scoute to mashapouge hill and penequid entervails and to monipnet Brook and to the fall Brook and to Harris enterval and then hom. April I 1724. another Scoute Sent to gard the men at work at Turkey hiUs and to Scout abought them. another Scoute Sente up to Wachusets Brook and to rang the woods upon the frount of Lancaster and to gard the people at there plow working in the woods. Yours to sarve Jabez farbank [Massachusetts Archives, xxxvill. A, 49-50.] Lancaster February 5'? 1723/4 A Journal of a Scout of ten men sent out by Liuet Jabez fairbanks i, to Turkey HiUs & from thence, to y= Dimon HiUs and to the Head of MuUipurs riuer and to the Head of Squanicook river and from thence to the Head of Sowhegon riuer, to the Watatick HUl and then steared to wards the grand wanadnock Hill, and from thence to Wanominock ponds and frora thence to Wachusets Hills and to 0.xsechoxets Hills and mostly to such places as the Indains are moste Likely to Hount In there coming to our Towns. 2 20 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Sarvice don by we the Subscribers to witt. Ser Edward Hartwell Ezra Sawyer John Ben.\'it Isaac farnworth Ephraim Wheeler Isaac Lacain Joseph Wheelock Moses Willard Dauid Osgood John Eames Yours to command [Massachusetts Archives, xx.will, 53.] Jabez Fairbanke Lancaster, April 28, 1724 Jurnals of the Scouts Sent out By Lift ffarbank to Wachusets and from thence to Rutiand and then return'^ to Lancaster again to gard the fields. may 2. and another Scoute Sente to the Oxsechoxits hUl and to garde the people abought there feilds. may 6 another Scoute Sente to Turkey Hills and from thence to mas hapoge Hills and so down Lancaster north River and In to Lancaster to gard the feilds at Lancaster. may 10 another Scoute Sente up Nashaway River to Wachusets Ponds and then returned to Lancaster to garde y= feUds. another Scoute Sente to rutland and hom By wachusets hill. may 14 another Scoute sent on the west of Lancaster Town to rang the front on the Back side of the feilds. may the 28!!' another scoute of five men sente up Nashaway north River tow on one side and tow on the other side and so up said river abought ten miles to a hUl called Rolestone hill and from thence to Lancaster again to gard men at there work in their feilds June the first day, a Scoute wente to Wachusets ponds and from thence to Crow hill and from thence to Back sid of the Rocke hill and from thence to Rocke Hill meadow and to Chesnut hill to wickepocket. June the 4'^ another Scoute sente to Turky hUls and from thence to Bennits meadow and to Whites pond and to Lancaster to gard the feilds. Yours to Command. Jabez Farbank [Massachusetts Archives, xxxvni, A, 64.! MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 221 MUSTER ROLL OF THE COMPANY OF JABEZ FAIRBANKS, CAPTAIN, JUNE l8, 1724. Lancaster. I s d 31 weeks service 31 00 wages 31 do do 20 13 4 days Jabez Fairbanks Lt. Edward Hartwell Serjt. Aron WUlard Centie 8 James Bough ton " 22 Jno. Bennitt " 14 Aron Willard " 16 Eph7 Wheeler " 26 Isaac Farnworth " 7 Samuel Sawyer " 31 Ezra Sawyer " 28 Joseph Wheelock " 28 David Osgood " 28 Benj' Hosgood " 31 Benj* Houghton " 31 Benj': Harris " 28 Groton. Phinias Parker Serj! 7 Jon*. Shipley Sent! 9 Jo; Blood 31 Ja! Shaduch . 31 Samuel Screpter 31 W" Lawrance 31 Josiah Bauden 21 Jacob Ames 28 Isaac Woods 28 Jason Williams 28 Nath' Lawrance 28 Jona Shepley serj! 21 Jon» Blanchard Serj! Dunstable Jona Butterfield Sent'= Chensford Noah Johnson Jno Barrett Thos Chamberlin Jabez Davis Benj" Nichols Eben Virgin Joseph Chamberlin Jno Wright Houbourne Chelnsford Groton Haverhill Redding Chelnsford do Dracut 28 28 2828 28 28 28 2820 7 4 2 10 II 7 I 7 8 8 6 10 8 6 3 18 6 15 10 14 8 6 14 8 6 14 18 6 15 10 15 10 14 S 8 4 13 4 4 II 5 15 10 15 10 15 10 15 10 10 18 6 14 8 6 14 8 6 14 8 6 14 8 6 14 II 6 19 4 10 14 2 10 14 2 10 14 2 10 14 2 10 14 2 10 14 2 10 14 2 10 10 8 6 3 14 3 222 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Benja Chamberlin Chelnsford 3 6 I i8 6 Jon" Hildreth " 3 S I 17 I Jno WUliams Dracut 21 4 10 15 8 Mich' GUlson Groton 6 S 3 7 I Ephr"" Chaundler A niver i6 3 8 4 3 W". Cummings Dunstable II 6 5 18 6 519 17 2 For Bellitting The above men 979 Weeks & 2 Days at 5 p Week 244. i6. 6 Jabez fairbank fMassachusetts Archives, XCI, 124.! Lancaster March y" 18, 1724/5. May it please your Hotiour. According to your Honours leave, & orders, the Inhabittants of this Town which entred their names have hitherto Scouted in their turns, till now Colon! Tyng has sent for all y' Scout & standing Soldiers to appear next Wednesday with 50 Dayes provision at Dunstable, the most of our Inhabitants utterly refuse to go; though men listed in y scout; & several of thera have listed under Cap'" White. 1 humbly beg your Hon' wiU send me y' coihands : who am y' Hon? most Humble & most obedient Serv! to Coiiiand. Edward Hartwell [Massachusetts Archives, Lxxri, 221.] Lancaster, March, i8f' 1724/5 May it please your Honour. S'. We the subscribers having lately been Informed, that by an order from your Honour, Coll Tyng hath ordered, Capt Josiah Willard of Tur key Hill, to be at Dunstable with all the men under his command, in Groton, Lancaster, & Turkey Hill; with fifty Days provision ready to march frora thence, the next Wednesday, must crave leave to Inform your Honour, that the men that are sent for from among us, are the most of them Inhabitants, Imployed in Scouting, those that are Inhabitants are frequently changed by Leave from your Honour, so that some that are Imployed are heads of familys. We would Intreat your Honour to Con sider our Circumstances, and that the time when we raay expect the enemy upon us, is at hand, and that we shall be greatiy weakened, and exposed, if our men are now removed, besides the Great Damage which familys will sustain hereby. Moreover. A Considerable Number of our men, are but Just retumed home, that have been out against the Enemy, with Capt Lovel, and we have reason to suppose that a Considerable Number of them will go voluntarily again vvith Mr White who we understand is designed to go out again in a short time. We woiUd also add, that as we understand the point Coll Tyng designs to march on, we cannot Imagine that we shall be much guarded by him. We would therefore humbly Sc earnestiy Intreat your Honour that all among us under pay might abide with us and not be .MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 223 Removed. We would crave leave Just to Intimate to your Honour referr ing to Turkey Hill, that if all the men that are sent for; must go, the famUys there vvill be in a manner wholly destitute of men. We return your Honour thanks for your Readiness to gratify our desires, and hope you will still do so. Who are. Your Honours most humble and most obedient Servants. John Houghton Peter Joslen For the Honourable Ephraim Wilder WUliam Duraraer Esq' Lieut. Governour in Boston. These. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 220.] March, 1724 Lt. Gov. Dutnttier to Colottel Eleazer Tytig. Sir, 1 here enclose Letters I have rec'! from Lancaster, Wch I have fully consider^, and think it proper to limit yon to sixty men for you^ march at most, and that you leave the Rest to be a Security to y" Towns especially Turkey Hills which is very much exposed, & let Lancaster & Groton Ukewise have their Proportion of raen left ; I think it proper like wise to restrain the Tirae of your being out to forty Days which you must not exceed unless upon a good Prospect of meeting w"" the Enemy, and therefore take but 40 Days Provision ; w'='' may be lengthen'' out If Occa sion require. If you find it necessary, you may assure those that are Inhabitants & are ready & forward for this Service, That tiiey shall be continued in Pay after the March is perform* and that the others shall be dismiss''. You must be sure to support your authority by a proper & reso lute Management in this affair. I suspect Lt. Hartwell has been concern"' in raising this Discontent, among the People. You must therefore make strict Enquiry Whether it be so or not & let me know, & I shall deal with Him accordingly. You may take a skilful Pilot with you who will be enti- tuled to y" Established Pay & if the Docter mentioned is willing to serve & trust to y* generosity of Gen' Court for what He may bee aUowed above Souldiers pay, It will be very well for you to take Him & therefore you sh encourage his Going. You have inclosed the Commiss you desir'' [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII. 222.] May it please your Honour. According to your orders I have been at Lancaster and accordingly made enquiry into the Conduct of Lieut Hart\vell and cannot find that he has been in the least measure to blame, but on the contrary did all that lay in his Power to promote & further the Designe your Honour Coiiianded us to go upon. Wee marched yesterday & Campt the last night at y" Mouth of Neesonkeeg brook. I am. Your Honours 'Most obcd' Humble Serv'. Eleazar Tyng Natacook, Ap : i . 9 in y« morning. P S Inclosed I send those papers according to your Honours ord' [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 223.] ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Lancaster August y 23 1725. May it plese your Honer : Your Hon'" Haveing Given me the Subscriber the Inspection of the Soldiers at sd Lancaster under Command of Capt Josiah Willard and I haveing bult at Turkey Hils and my Enterest lying there, I ara desined to Reraoue theither y" nex weak if I may but obtain your Hon'* Leave there for hopeing that I shall there be in as Good a Capasaty to serve both my King and Contery, I Humbly Request your Hon' would Signifie your pleasuer herein by y^ barer : Your Hon"" most Hum.ble Servent by y'' hand of Ensigne Oliver Wilder. Ed'vvard Hartwell [Massachusetts Archives Lll, 249.] Edward Hartwell removed from Lancaster and was for many years Lunenburg's most prominent citizen, serving as representative for the town after he was eighty years old. In 1750 he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Reverend Peter Whitney closes a sketch of his career thus : " and finally he died in the ninety sev enth year of his age, as full of piety as of days." Lancaster May 9? 1725. May it please yotir Honour. Being returned home I thought myself oblidged to Inform your Honour that on the 5'!' of April last, I went frora Lancaster to Dunstable and the 8"' Day of April from thence up Marrimack with 30 men, two of which came back in A short time, oiie of them being taken sick, and y= other having scalt himself very badly. I raarcht up Marrimack about 130 mile, and there discovered some signs of Indians, some old, which we Judged were raade sometime this winter and one new track on the Bank of the River, wch we Judged had gone but a few days before I sent out scouts but could discover nothing further. We then turned oflf to y* Westward towards Coos, marched 10 miles the 24"' of April Att evening one of our men viz Sam" Mossraan of Sudbury being about Encaraping, took hold of his Gun that stood among some Bushes drew it towards him with the muzzle towards him some twigg caught hold of the 'cock, the Gun went off, and shott him throgh, he died Imediately. We went across to Con- necticutt River came down that to Northfield and from thence across the woods to Lancaster, -A-e gott in yesterday. I have endeavoured faithfully to attend your Honours orders already recieved, and if your Honour has any further service for me I desire your Honour would let me know it. I have not as yet compleated my Journal, but hope to finish it in a short MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 225. time that it may be Laid before your Honour. I am your Honours most obedient humble Servant On his Majesties Service John White For the Honourable WUliam Dummer Esq. Leivt Governour &c. In Boston. These [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 230.J Sir, I have the Account of y' March & Return by your Letter of the g"" Instant & Approve of your Proceedings, tho I am heartily grieved for the Death of the poor Man, & wonder that so many unhappy Accidents of this Kind have not been sufficient to warn our People of the Effects of such Indiscretion. The Season -being now advanced for the Appearance of the Enemy, and it being more likely to meet with them now than before, I desire you would go out with the Same Number of Men & upon the same Establishm' which will be allow"* you ; I should be glad you could immediately proceed, & raake up a Muster Roll for your two Marches upon your Return. For m'='' Tirae will otherwise be lost at this cri tical Juncture . However if you raust first come to Town let there be no Delay ; If any of your men are backward to go out again you raust enlist others to make up your number. I shall not prescribe any Rout to you, you being best able to judge where the Enemy may be mett with : Carry out as much Pro vision as you can. That so you maynt be obliged to return very soon : Be very sUent & watchful on your March & Ambushments. I heartily wish you Success, and am your Serv! Boston II May 1725. W" Dummer Capt White Capt Welds [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 233.] Dunstable July the 10: 1725. May it Please yotir Hon'': Old Christian Being this morning Being Taken with a violent Bleed ing Caused our Companyes to stop and within a few hours he died & the other mohaucks are not willing to Leave him before he is Buried & our desine is to march ouer Merimack River and There to Take a True List of our mens Naraes, & shall march as Quick as Possible. Who Remain StiU your Honours at Coiiiand John White Seth Wyman [Massachusetts Archives, LII, 222.] 1725. June 10. Answering a— "Memorial of Capt John White, Shewing that he has lately raised a Company of Voluntiers, who have made Two Marches against the Indian Enemy, That the Memorialist, in raising the said Company of Voluntiers has been at greater expence than what his Wages have amounted to, he having no more Allowances or Pay than a Private Man of the said Voluntiers is entitied to, praying that as -IS ,226 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, what he did in raising the said Voluntiers was. with a View and Design to serve the Interest of the Province, that he may have such Recompence and Satisfaction for his said Service as to the Wisdom and Bounty of this Court shall seem meet ;" — twelve pounds were allowed by the General Court. [Massachusetts Records. — Journal of General Court.] Instructions to Captaitis Willard, White atid Blatichard. S'. Having Commissionated you to Command a Company of Volun tiers against the Indian Enemy, you are hereby Directed to Exercise and maintain good Discipline and Government among your Officers and Sol diers and to Suppress and punish all Disorders, Vice, and Immorality and to Keep up the Worship of God in your said Company. You must march to Pigwacket, unless you shall upon mature Consideration Judge any other tour more eflfectual for the service, withall Convenient Dispatch Joining such Companys of Voluntiers in the County of Middlesex as shall be ready to proceed with you and from thence march to such places where by your Intelligence may Judge it probable to meet with the Indian Enemy. If you Judge it.necessary to keep the whole Body together in order to attack any Tribe or Settlement of Indians I shall approve of your so doing, oth- wise that Two Companys or halfe your Body proceed Eastw"! & the other halfe to proceed from Pigwacket to Strike over to Amrescoggin & Kenne- beck River, endeavouring to get higher up the said Rivers then the places of the Indians Settlements one party of which to Come down Amres coggin River to Fort George & the other down Kennebeck River to Rich mond, and if your provision should fall short so as that the whole cannot be sufficiently furnish'' for the march to Amrescoggin & Kennebeck Rivers, some of your Feeblest men must Come into Berwick, The remaining part of the Body to go off to the North Westward in Quest of the Indian En emy said to be there taking with them the Mohawks for their Guides. Let your Marches be with all the Secrecy & Silence as well as Dispatch, you are Capable of. You must Kill, Take & Destroy to the utmost of your power all the Enemy Indians you can meet with in your March, Sc Search for their Corn, destroying all you can find. And give Intelligence from time to time of every thing of Importance that may happen. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 230.] This seems to be a rough draft of a circular letter, there being in the original fre quent interlineations, alterations, and erasures. Orders to Capt White Sr' Wyman Aug 7 1725. Received an acct. from CoU. Wentworth of your returne to Cocheco. I am very sorry for the Sickness & the difficultys of a wet Season that has attended your march, & make no dout but you have done the uttmost prac ticable under these pressures & misfortunes, but since It has Pleased MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 227 God it should bee so & that we have lately concluded a cessation of armes w"' the Penobscott Indians in order to bringing about a general peace, I would have [you] repair home & disband your Companyes & make out Muster Rolls forthwith. [Massachusetts Archives, LII, 234.] To the Honile Williatn Dutntner Esqr. Lieut. Governour atid Comatider in Chief the hon!>!e the councili and Representatives for the Province , of the Massachusetts Bay iti New Etiglatid in Getieral Court Assem bled at Boston the 2-t,d. day of December Anno Dom 1727. The Petition of Eunice White Relict widow of Capt. John White late of Lancaster deced. Humbly Sheweth. That Whereas your Pet'' sd hus band in his life time in the years 1724 & 1725 as well as at other times performed sundry marches ag! the Indian Enemy and did other services for the good of his Country Sc was active and vigorous in the Defence thereof against those barbarous Salvages, not only hazarding his life but Expending good part of his substance therein, as is well known to many. Some few Instances whereof your Pet! would humbly ripresent to this Hon*'* Court. Yo! Pet"? sd. husband altho he had divers times had the honour to bear command yet voluntarily Enlisted himself under the late Capt. Lovewell, and choose rather to go as an Under Officer at. that time because he would do what in him lay to Encourage others to Enlist and marched with him at the time when they killed the Ten Indians, in which march they were out near Forty days. Then he performed a march to a place called Cohosse on Connecticut River thinking to meet with the Ene my there and came in at Fort Dummer, being out thirty four days, tho they missed of their desired Success ; Then in about Eight days time he had a Company raised and went to Pigwacket to bury Capt. Lovewell which he performed in a very difficult season of the year. Then' he went to Con necticut at his own cost and charge to get a Company of Mohege Indians in order to go down to St Francois to take an Indian fort there, but failing of his aim, he returned home and then enlisted a Company of Voluntiers and marched 'designing for a Fort beyond Pigwacket, but was taken sick before he got there, returned home and dyed leaving your Pet! his bereaved widow with seven Children the Eldest about Fifteen years old and Four of them very young, & one she then went with who is now living; In all which Services your Petit? said husband cheerfully underwent many hard ships and difficulties for the good of his country, and was at considerable Cost and Charge, by Supplying those that Enlisted under him with neces saries which could not be readily obtained elsewhere, purely to make dispatch. Now Forasmuch as the Sickness of which your Pet? husband dyed was in aU probability Occasioned by raeans of y* difficulties he underwent in 228 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, the Publick Service, & that he never in his life time had an Opportunity of asking your Hon'.' Favour for his past Services but was taken away in the Strength and vigour of his life, without receiving anything from the Pub lick more than 2' 6'' p day for the three marches he performed as afores"! and in regard your Pet! is left a disconsolate widow with several Fatherless Children to bring up who stand in daily need of relief and Support, your Pet! finding it very difficult to provide for them. She therefore most hum bly Implores your Hon? pity and Compassion to herself & Children, and that as you have been pleased in like cases to reward those that have served the Province, and the Representatives of those that have lost their lives in the Publick Service. So that she may Experience of the Bounty & Goodness of this Hono*"!" Court to her in her difficult Circumstances, and that you will be pleased to Grant her Two hundred and Fifty acres of the unappropriated Lands of the Province that she raay dispose of the sarae for the Education and bringing up her afores"! Children or that your Hon? would otherwise relieve her as in your Great Goodness & Compas sion you shall see meet. And as in duty bound your Petit! shaU ever pray &c. Eunice White In the House of Representatives December 28'!' 1727. Read and in answer to this Petition, Resolved That the sum of One Hundred pounds be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury to the petitioner the wid dow Eunice White in Consideration of the good Services done this province by her late husband Capt. John White, and great expences for which hp has had no Consideration, as particularly set forth in the petition and the better to enable the petitioner to support her Family and bring up her ChUdren. Sent up for Concurrence Wm Dudley Sp' In councU Dec. 28. 1727. Read & Concur"! J. Willard Sary Consented to \S^. Dum.mer. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXll. 325, et. seq.] Captain John White was grandson of the pioneer bear ing the same name. He was bom September 29, 1684, son of Josiah and Mary White. An elder brother became prominent in Lancaster as Deacon Josiah White, and his brother Jonathan was slain by the Indians in 1707. Cap tain White was a blacksmith by trade, and well to do for his times; his inventory dated January 1725-6 summing 1220 pounds. In 1728 Reverend John Prentice records baptizing "the widdow Whites children": Eunice, John, Eette, Dorothy, Thomas, Lois, Mary, Nathanael. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 229 DEC* OF PERSONS W'"* Y*^ 10 INDIANS WERE KILLED. Jno White Sam Tarbol Jer. Hunt Eben. Wright Jos. Read Satn Moor Phin. Foster Fra: Dogett S HUton Jno. PoUard Ben Walker Jos. Wright Jno. Varnum Robt Ford Ben Parker Sam Shattock Jacob Ames Jno Stephens Jos: Wheelock Sam Sawyer Ezra Sawyer At kiUing of thera Jona: Houghton James Houghton Heiity Willard Jacob Gates Joseph Whitcotnb Samll Learned Robt Phelps Moses Graves Moses Hazzen John Levingston Jerem Pearley Wm Hutchins Jacob Corey Oliver Pollard Samll: TruU Ben" Parker [bis] Wm: Spalden SamU Fletcher Jno. Duncom Jethro Atnes John Sawyer 10 Indians. Lovell & Moses Chatidler Joseph Wilson Jona Parks Joshua Webster SamU: Johnson Steph Murrill Jacob Pearly John Hazzen Eb: Brown Jon" Ferren Samll. Stickney Joshua Hutchins Benony Boynton Eph Farnsworth Ruben Farnsworth Thos. Farmer Rich. HaU Neh. Robinson Jona. Parks [bis] Caleb Dolton 62 White. [Massachusetts Archives LXXIL 368.] The names of Lancaster men are printed in italics. The petitioners for the grant of Nichewaug, now Peters ham, in 1733, asked it in consideration of "the Hardship & Difficult marches they vnderwent as volunters vnder the Comand of the Late Cap«« Lovell & Cap«« White after the Inden enemy and Into their Countrey." Most of the above names appear in the list of Proprietors of that Grant. The chief inducement to volunteer in a service so arduous, was the enactment of 1722, offering "volunteers without pay or subsistence, for the scalp of any male Indian of the age of twelve years or upwards the sum of 100 pounds." Wom en and children, scalped or unscalped, were paid for at half price. In an appendix to an 'Address delivered in Bolton at the Centennial Celebration, July 4, 1876, by Reverend Richard 230 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, S. Edes, is printed part ofa diary "found among the papers of the first clerks of the town." The copyist adds, " How old the book is, no one can tell." It is a journal of the scout of Captains Lovell and White "when the lo Indians were killed," February, 1724; probably written by one of the Lancaster soldiers there present. The minutes of the first eight days have been torn off. 9. We traveled 14 miles and camped at the norwest corner of winipi- socket pond. 10. We traveled 16 miles, and camped at the north side of Cusumpe pond. • 1 1 . We traveled 6 miles N by E frora Cusumpe and there camped — and sent out scouts, and some of our scouts thought they discovered smoke. 12. We sent out scouts, and they discovered nothing. 13. We lay still and sent out scouts, and to strengthen us to go farther we sent home 29 men. 14. We traveled 10 mUes toward Pigwackett, and then came upon a branch of the Saco river, and sent out scouts. 15. We lay still and sent out scouts and discovered nothing. i6. We traveled 6 miles and came upon an Indian wigwam — the Indi ans being gone we left 16 men with our packs and the rest pursued them till dark and stayed there all night. 17. We foUowed their track till eight o'clock next day and then we came back to fetch our packs, traveled the remaining part of that day and the night ensuing six miles. 18. We traveled 20 miles and camped at the great pond upon Savvco river. 19. We traveled 22 miles and camped at a great pond. 20. We traveled 5 mUes and came to a wigwam where the Indians had been lately gone from, and then we pursued their track about 2 miles further and discovered their smoke and then tarried till about two o'clock at night and then came upon them and killed 10 Indians which was all there was. 21. We traveled 6 miles. 22. We lay still and kept scouts upon our back tracks to see if there' would any pursue. 23. We traveled 30 mUes and Camped at Cocheco. Another journal of this march has been printed in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vii, 62, differing very slightly from the above, q. v. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 231 A tru jurnall of tiiy travells began the 5« of April, 1725 We trauel"' to Groten 12 inilds and thear stayed by reson of foul wether 6 day we trauel"' to dunstabel 1 2 milds and thear Lay that night 7 day we Lay stil by reson of fouU wether 8 day we mustared and went ouer the riuer to the hous of John Taylors about 3 milds 9 day we marcht up the riuer about 8 milds and then campt one of our men being taken uerey sik for he kold trauel no ferther, his name was Thomas Simson, Our Doctor Joseph Whetcomb that night set his fut into a Ketel of biling broth that he cold trauel no ferther 10 day was foul wether and we sent 2 men in to dunstabel with the sik and Lam men and [they] returned that night to us again II day we traueled about 13 milds and then campt about 3 mild aboue amoskeeg falls. 12 day we traueled 11 milds and then campt at the mouth of penekoock riuer 13 day we traueled 7 milds and then campt at the iarish fort in pene- kook Enteruals that day it rayend uery hard all day. 14 day we trauel"' 10 milds and then Crost meremack riuer aboue the mouth of Contookock riuer and then Campt. 15 day we trauel'' 8 milds north west from Contockock to a litel stream that runs into meremack Riuer about 3 milds westard from meremack and then campt and sent out skouts 16 day we traueld 12 railds and Cam to a pond which was uery Long and we turned to the east sid of it and then campt, and then sent out skouts that day we lay about 3 milds westard of the mouth of Winepi- seocket 17 day it raynd uere hard the fore part of the day and a litel before night it cleard up & we sent skouts but found northen 18 day we traueled 14 milds and that day we Crost 2 great strearaes that runs in to meremack, one of them comes out of a great pond which sum indens says it is 3 days jurney round it the Land is uerey full of great hUs and mountains and uerey rockey abundance of sprus and hemlock and fiir and sum beeh and maple and we campt 19 day we traueld 11 milds and then campt at the Louar End of pemi- chewashet Lour Enteruals and sent out skouts. 20 day we lay stil by reson of foull wether and towards nit it Cleard up and we sent out skouts and found whear Cornol Tyng crost meremack 21 day we traueld 12 milds up pemichewashet Riuer and found old sines of indens and we sent out skouts that night and found one new track and we lay that night by the riuer and mad new camps. The Land that lys by this riuer is uere rich and good the upland uere fuU of hUs and moun tains, uery bad traueling 232 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 22 day we traueld 2 milds and then sent out skouts ouer the riuer and up a stream that runs into the riuer but found northen 23 day we traueld up the riuer about 14 milds and that day we Crost 3 streames that runs into the riuer this riuer coms sheafly from the north west & then we campt 24 day we traueld 10 milds westward and that day we found old signs of indens whear they had bin this spring and in the winter, and sent out skouts but cold find now indens This day Samll Moosman actidently kUd himself with his own gun 25 day it rained uery hard and we lay stil that day til amost night it cleard up and we sent out skouts but found northen 26 day we traueld 18 milds and came upon Conetecut riuer and one of our men was taken uere sik that night we campt by the riuer 27 day we traueld down the riuer and found a bark cannow which was of great saruis to our sik man & to us ; that day we traueld about 18 milds and then campt. 28 day we traueld 19 milds and then campt This Riuer runs cheafly upon a south westerly pint this day we crost seural litel streams that runs into Conetecut riuer. 29 day we traueld 20 milds and then campt. 30 day we traueld 17 mUds and crost one litel riuer below the great falls and then campt May the first we traueld 24 milds and came to the fort above north field and thare lay all night 2 day we traueld 10 milds and came to northfield and there stayed that night 3 day we lay still it Lookt uery lykly ferr foul wether and we lay thare that night 4 day we set out for Lancaster a cros the woods and traueld about 12 raUds and then campt 5 day we traueld r5 milds and then campt 6 day we traueld 14 milds and comm to Lancaster about 4 a clock this day it raind uery hard all clay. [Endorsed] Capt Whites Journal May 1725 [Massachusetts Archives x.xxvill. A, 97-98.] Journal of tny March with a cotnpatiy of Voluntiers against the Indiati Eetietiiy in July 1725. July 6 niuster'd at my house at Lancaster 7 march'd to Groton 8 march'd to Dunstable 9 Remain'd at Dunstable preparing for our march the next day 10. Tarried at Dunstable till noon waiting for Capt. Wyman his Com- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 233 pany not being quite Ready. Christian vvas taken vvith a violent Bleeding and Died about one Clock, we then went over the River the Canada .Mo hawk not being wiUing to Go, we left him behind. II. We Went up the River about Two miles, & waited for Capt. Wyman. 12. We Travel'd about 7 miles & then Encamp'd. 13. we march about 3J0 mUes, Capt Wyman overtook us. We sent out scouts. We kill'd a Bear & sev' Rattle Snakes. 14. March'd about 4 raUes, & some of our men thinking they heard Guns up Piscataquag River, we sent out 40 men up the River and 20 more Eastvv'' who Returned not that night. 15. our Scouts came in but made no Discovery, we KUI'd tvvo Bairs & divers Rattle Snakes, which pester'd us very much in our march 16. One of Capt. Wj-raans Men being very sick, we travel'd but about 4 miles, but kept Scouts out Continually. 17. Excessive Rain occasion'd our laying still, but sent out Scouts who KiUed a Black Moose. 18. We March'd about 7 miles, our Indian being taken very lame we lay still a while but his lameness continuing we sent hira home, we encamp'd at Suncook 19. We March'd to Pennecook about eleven miles. 20. Lay still by Reason of a Bad Storm of Rain. Several of our men taken ill. 21. Four of Capt Wymans raen were sent home with two sick men. We travel'd about 5 miles. 22. Several more of our men were taken very ill with a Bloody Flux, which we Suppose was occasion'd by Excessive Rains, & Immoderate Heats. It rain'd this day very hard that obliged us to lay still, Keeping our Scouts out. 23. men being very Sick & Weak we Travel'd 8 miles & Encamp'd 24. Our men Continuing very 111 we march'd but 7 miles. 25. It being good Travelling we march'd about 9 miles notwithstand ing the weak Condition of the Company. Our Well men being obliged to carry the Sick mens packs. 26 Lay StUl by Reason of a Storm of Rain, our men continuing sick. 27. the Storm continuing, & our men growing worse we lay still all day. 28. We Travel'd about Eleven miles & Encamp'd 29 we March'd about Ten miles & come upon Cocheco path 30. We March'd to the Town of Cocheco 19 miles 31 Came to Oyster River Aug: I Travel'd from thence to Exeter 2. March'd from Exeter to Kingstown 3. We March'd to Bradford. 234 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 4. Raind hard, we got to Billerica 5. I arrived at Lancaster and Dismiss'd my Company Boston Aug ir 1725 [Massachusetts Archives xxxviii, A, 107.] LETTERS OF CAPTAIN SAMUEL WILLARD TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILLIAM DUMMER. 1725. Honoured Sir, after my duty presented to you these are to in forme you that on Monday the nineteenth of this current July in the after noon I marched from Rutland with fifty two able Bodyed men towards Watchusett with days Provision one of the men before we camped that night by an accident sprained his ankle who was oblidged to Return into Rutland and Capt. Wright was so Ingenious as spare one of his men for him I have left four more good raen with Capt. Wright and have four of his men in their stead the first night we Camped on the south side of Ware River, and the next day lay still by Reason of foul weather sent out scouts and tracked Indians the next day we marched over the River where we camped west from Watchusett I desighn to march about twenty mile farther towards menagnick and ther to Scout about 3 or 4 days and then march to pemichawassett We are aU in good health write in the woods about six or seven mile of Watchusett and sent in by Rutland scout this twenty second day of July anno Domini 1725. Writt in hast. I Remain y? to Command Saji'-.'- Willard [Massachusetts Archives, LIII. 383.] July 25 1725 Honoured Sr. these are to Informe you that this day being wide of Wattchusett and Menadnick upon our march towards Pemi- shewassett with fourty seven able bodyed men, four of our men being sick and not able to travel who I have sent into Lancaster with Joshua Parker a well man to take care of them I doe not think to be into any town this five and thirty days unless we get some Indians Yesterday 1 being upon the scout heard a Gun which I supposed to be an Indian gun have sent out scouts there several ways this day there is fourty seven men besides the five who are come in Yrs to sarve Sam":^ Willard S! I desire that there may be preparation for canoes att Northfield If your honour designs any march to St. Francis this summer Capt. Blanch ard desiring the same we not thinking of it when in Boston Yrs to serve Sam"-."- Willard [Massachusetts Archives, LII, 230.J MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 235 Lancaster August 16 1725 For y 'Honnerable William Dutntner Esq May it Plese your Honner Persuant to your Honners Instructions to me I marched from Rutland North or thereabouts tille we came to Wanad- nack and from thence North East for peraissiwassett untill Sabbath day y" 8 of August Intending to have mete Capt Blancher there But By Rea son of much foule weather and Extreme Bad Woods to travele in we Being preswead"' Capt Blancher was come from pemisiwassett thought it more searvisable to come Down at a Distance from y* river vvhich we Did about 35 miles and then came to y" River and raete with Capt. Blancher at y* mouth of Contocook and so came Down y* River and arived weU at Lancaster Thursday August y' 12 vvith most of our mean Some Being so weary with their march we Left thera at Groton : if your Honner Have any farther Instructions I shall be Ready to sarve : Your Honners very Humble Sarvent Samuel Willard I should Have sent to Informe your Honner Before But Capt Blanchard told me he shold send that we Both Came In together. [Massachusetts Archives. LXXII. 257.] May it please your Honour Yesterday I arriv'' at Dunstable with a Company of very good, likely, effective men ; I had been here sooner but my march was retarded by the sickness of my Lieut! who remains so bad that he cannot go with me ; to supply whose place, I would if your Honour see Cause desire a blank Coihission might be sent rae to be bestowed upon one whom the Company is desirous to choose among themselves. I have advised w"' Col Tyng with regard to my March & taking the young Mo hawk with [me] who is, I find willing eno upon the encouragement pro posed to go. I would beg leave to represent to your Honour that the march vvill be long and hard, if He Pilots up where I design to go, & would desire that Capt Blanchard Sc his men may be ordered to go with me, so that if any of our men grow faint and weak, we may have still eno to prosecute our design, and may send such in either eastward or westward as we shall judge best, & those that go for\vard raay be supported with their Provision. I humbly conceive this to be of great importance to the Province to serve which I design to us ray utmost endeavour in this March, & in this Representation, which I have adventured to trouble you with I remaine Your Honours most obedient Humble Serv' Dunstable Sept 7 1725 Samuel Willard ] Massachusetts Archives, HI. 267.] May it Please your Hon' Yesterday my men marched they being sixty eight in Number and that the young mohauck assures us that he can Lead us to the Indians Head Quarters and Goes CherfuUy a Long with us. & Capt Blanchard is 236 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Imediately marching after me and we desire when come to Cusumpe pond or penesiwassett to send forty of our weakest hands back with a small matter of Provision in to the westerd oreasterdand to proC with the Rest to the place where the mohauck tels us of if by Good Providence we have our healths Who Remain y! Hon? Dunstable Sep'' the 9"' Most obedient Servant 1725 Sam"-."- Willard [Massachusetts Archives, HI. 270.] SeptV 19. 1725. Honoured Sir after ray Duty to you These Lines are to inform you that I ara well, Sc all my men excepting Three one of which badly wound ed himself with his Hatchett, which is Richard Burtt Sc Two others being iU not able to pform the Service, by name Sergt, Abial Chapin & Benj. Atherton, & I Thought it proper to send home Twelve men more under the Coihand of Lei' Combs, & I with Capt Blanchard do send one Party down Mirimack, & the other Party between Marimack & Conecticut into Turkey Hill, & if it is your Honours Pleasure to Keep them Scouting where you think it best they are at your service. And Capt Blanchard, & I, have taken all their Provisions, for to lengthen our Journey excepting enough to carry them home. We are now Near the Crotch of the River. No more at Present but I Remain Your Humble Servt. Sam"?- Willard [Massachusetts Archives, LII. 286.] Saco October 14 1725 May it please your Honner pursuant to your Honners Instructions Capt Blanchard and I marched up Marrimack about one Hundard and fiefty milles from Dunstable till we Came to Head of it we saw some signes of a wigwarm where we supose some Indians had Been about six weeks since and from Marrimack in about 3 rallies we came upon Saco River and Came Down sd River to Saco falls on wensday October 13 and in y" evening come to winter harber to Capt Jordens and tooke some stores of him for our subsistence, for we had not any Provision Laeft, for in the morning we Before we came to Saco falls we fineshed all our provisions so that we had not any Laeft and we are now coming Home as fast as we can we shall give your Honner more particurler acount in our JornnaU wh'^'' is all in hast from your Honners Humble Sarvent For the Honble W" Dummer Esq' Sam"-."- Willard [Massachusetts .'\rchives, Lli. 302.] Captain Samuel was grandson of Major Simon Willard. His father, Henry, who lived on the Still River farm, left him a considerable estate which he largely increased. Besides other lands he bought the "night pasture," the Ed- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 237 ward Breck lot, and the homestead of his grandfather. He is reputed to have built and lived in the large house on the Breck lot, near the railroad crossing just north of the Lancaster station, wherein three generations of his descend ants succeeded him. He commanded the Fourth Massa chusetts regiment in the Louisburg expedition of 1745, his son Abijah being captain, and his son Levi ensign in the first company of the regiment. The slate over his grave in the old burying ground, records that the " Honourable Coll Samuel Willard Esq" died November 20, 1752, at the age of sixty-two. A Jour nail of my March. , Thursday July 15 muster'' at Lancaster Friday July 16 I marched from Lancaster to Rutland Satturday 17 it was foul weather in ye forenoon Sabbath i8 I fixed the men out with the stores Monday 19 We marched toward Ware River and then Camped and sent out scouts & tracked some Indains & Haerd tvvo Guns tuesday 20 we lay still By Reason of foule weather Wensday 21 we marched over Ware River & Camped for we saw it Like to. Rain. thursday 22. we lay stille by Reason if Rained hard all day. Friday 23 we marched about six milles & it Being very hot we camped about y' middle of y" afternoon by reason of several of our weeke men could not travele there packs Being so havy I sent out three scouts & ordered them [to] travell five or six milles which they Did three severale ways Satturday 24 we marched about seven mUes northerly & sent out our scouts which haerd a gun but Discouered nothing eice Sabbath day 25 four of our men not Being able to travele I sent them home who are by name Thomas Burt Robert Gray Jacob Moor & Jere miah Belcher I also sent Joshua Parker Home with thera we raarched Northeast about three milles Munday 26 Lay stille by Reason of rain we sent out scouts who scouted about 3 mille Round but Discouered nothing. Tuesday 27 we could not travele By Reason of Rain But we sent out severale scouts & Discouered nothing Wensday 28 Mr WiUiam Brintnall Being sick & Daniel How Lame I sent them Home we marched about 13 miles north and be Wast Round some pounds and Caniped at y" South end of Nockeeg pound and sent out scouts 3 milles each way & Discouered nothing 238 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Thursday 29 we marched North and be wast about nine milles and corsed severale Branches of Millers Riuer and Camped and sent out scouts which found where y' Indians had Lived Last year and made a Conoe at y° north End of a Long pond. Friday 30. we marched North in y" fornoon & Came to a pound which Run into Contocook Riuer in y" afternoon we marched north wast in all about 12 milles & Camped at Peewunsenn pound and sent out scouts 4 milles and they found 2 wigwarms made last year they also found a pad dle & some squash shells in one of them which we suppose they caried from Rutland Satturday 31 we marched 12 milles and I with 14 men Campt on y' top of Wannadnuck Mountains & Discouered 26 pounds saw Pigwackett Lying one point from sd mountain & Cusagee mountain and Winnepe- seockey Laying north east from sd Wannadnuck the same Day we found several old signes which y" Indains had made the Last yaer & where yy campt when they killed y" peaple at Rutland as we Imagine. Sabbath August y° l"' we marched from y' wast side of Wenadnuck & corsed three stremes that Run into Contocook and then Campt and sent out Scouts and found two wigwarms made in June or July as we suppose and found sixteen of those spitts which they Rost there meat with aU in sd wigwarms & one of our scouts went so far that thay could not Return y' same night Monday 2 we marched about seven milles & crosed a Grate Branche of Contocook River & sent out our Scouts up and Down the River each Scout traveled about 8 milles. Tuesday 3 we marched N E about sixteen milles and campt and sent out scouts who found many old signes of Indians Wensday 4 we lay stille By Reason of foule weather, we sent out our Scouts and they haerd a Gun Thursday 5 we marched about 16 milles northerly and crosed tvvo stremes that Run into Merimack & sent out our Scouts and Discouered nothing Friday 6. we marched about 18 mUles in the morning we found a mog- erson tracke, and spent some time scouting after sd Tracke we campt near a Littie pound. Satturday 7 we traveled about 20 mUles N E and crosed two' Stremes that Run into .Merimack Sabbath 8 we Returned Homeward By Reason ofour Indians Having no Provision and several of our English But Little we come to a Streme that Run into merimack we traveled about 24 milles South and By East. Monday 9 we traveled about East tille we came to Merimack Being about 10 milles and mette vvith Capt. Blanchard coming from Pemisevvas- sett and in afternoon came to y' Lower End of Pennicook, which is about sixteen milles Ov: campt MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 239 Tusday 10 we Traveled 24 rallies Down the [Merrimac] to Cohassett falls. Wensday 11 We came 14 miUes & carae to Dunstable. Thursday 12 Came 24 milles and came to Lancaster Sam"-"- Willard [Massachusetts Archives, xxxvill. A 109-10.] A Journal of ye March of Capt. Satnuel Willard accottipanied with Capt. Jos: Blatichard: Iti Pursuit of ye Indiati Rebells. Mustard at Lancaster friday Sep', ye ^d: Sep' 4 Saturday Leiut. Warner marched w'." all sd Willards Com pany to Groton, except those of Lancaster. Sabbath, 5'!' Lay still by Reason of Rain. Mund: 6: Capt Willard & those of Lancaster Rid & overtook Lt: Warner & y" rest at Dunstable. Tuesday Wednesday & thursday. Lay still by reason of hard rains. Friday 10. We marched over y* River about 7 mile & campt. Saturday 11'.'' We marched up y-" River to Parkers Brook & campt. Sabbath 12"" We lay still by reason of Rain. Munday 13"' We raarched up y" River to Neticoock & campt. Tuesday 14"^ We marched up sd River to Cohassett falls & sent out scouts, & campt. Wednesday 15. We marched to Ammoskeeg, sent out scouts and campt. Thursday 16. We sent a scout consisting of 40 men over y River ¦w'^ marched on y" west side. Capt. Blancher went to Hannichoockset falls & campt, & Capt Willard went to Suncook about 3 miles fiirther Sc campt. Friday 17 we marched to Pennicoock Lower falls. & Capt WUlard & Comp? went over on y' West side of y' River, & marched to Pennicook upper falls, & campt. This day Capt Blancher saw some shoe tracks, & having gone up to Penicook old fort found where they campt. & supposed them to be scouts sent out from New Hampshire Governm! & sd Capt. Campt a mile above y° fort. Saturday 18. we raarched about 3 mile above Contocock River & there Capt. Blancher came over to y' West side of y* River, sent out scouts and campt. Sabbath 19. Y" Captains agreed to send back a parcel of Men & took their Provisions viz' out of Capt Blanchers Compl' 28 Men, out of Capt Willards Comp.' 15 men ; in all 43 men under y' coinand of Leiut. Comes ; tvvo of Capt. Willards men being sick, viz Abel Chapin had a spav" & Benj? Atherton the Bloody Flux, & Rich'' Burck cut his leg with a hatchit w* Disenabled him for y" service, being also one of Capt. Willards men, and aU included in y' said number of 43 men ; 240 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Monday 20 We marched to y' crotch of y" River w"'' is about 70 mUes from Dunstable and crossed y" West Branch, sent out scouts, & campt. Tuesday 21. We marched toward Pimiwachet, alias Pimissiwassett about II miles, and sent out Scouts, & campt. Wed. 22 We marched about 9 mUe & sent out scouts & campt; this day Barn"' Davis cut his foot with a stone. Thursday 23. We sent out scouts to y° River & up by y" side 4 miles, and y' army by reason of Rain lay stiU. Friday 24. Capt WUlard sent back 11 of his men & of Capt Blanch ers 8. which made 19., Some of W^''. were sick, viz of Capt.. WUlards men Jona. Adams, Ebenez' Policy of a flux, & Syraon Atherton y* feaver& ague, & said Davis w"'' cut himself. The Capt*. ordered them to take one Conoe from y" Crotch of y* River where we had left y' rest, & ord'"' y rest shou"' be left for fear of any more sickness, after this marched about 6 mile & carae to y' River, & sent out scouts, & campt. Saturday 25 we marched about 6 mile & came to y' cart3dng place, where y' Indians carry their Conoes frora Peraichiwasset to Sowhaig River & found that y° Indians had lately been there & Carried their conoes: Capt Willard took half a scout of his men & half of Capt. Blanchers being in all 24 & followed y' Indians & a little before we come to Cusumpy Pond we found where they brook one Conoe & coming to y" Pond cou* follow them noe further; & in y' mean time Leiut. Warner with 24 men out of both Companies scouted up y" River, & returned about y" middle of y* afternoon, & y"" army being all met marched about 2 mile up y" River & campt. Sept 25 Saturday We also examined Jos : y' Mohak (taking Nessa Gavvney for an Interpreter) which was the best way to goe to y" Fort he told of: and he said we must goe up to y" head of merimack because there was noe goeing over y" hills neer Cusumpy Ponds. Sabb? 26 We marched about 12 mile up y° River & sent out scouts & campt. Mund. 27 We marched about 12 raile & crossed a stream which ran from y" Hills where Capt Lovel kUled y' first Indian last winter & sent out Scouts & campt. Tuesday 28 We marched about 12 raile up y° River & in about 3 mile found a large Wigwam where y" Indians had lately been, as we judged about 20 in number, and our Indians said there was Squ.iws as well as San- nups, we tracked some of them as wc Suppose through Ossippy, and some up y' River, towards Night we crossed a stream of some considerable big ness & sent out scouts & campt. Wednes. 29 We marched up y" River, about 14 mile, & come this day to y' foot of a great mountain on y" West side of y" River, where y" stream was small, we tracked Indians all this day which we suppose ware gone directly to Canada, the mountains being steep & rocky we could not MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 241 •track them further. This morning we see where they had been about at week before (we supposed), built a Conoe, & judged them to be them which we tracked from Pimichiwasset to Cusumpy Pond, & then campt. Thurs"'. 30 In y" raorningsent a scout of 20 raen about 4 or 5 mile up y" River who raade noe further discovery, after that we left y* River & steared East about 3 mile up a very steep mountain, & campt by reason of Rain ; having this morning examined Jos : (y° Mohauck) and he said he did not know them woods, and did not think that the hed of meri mack had been so fur up, & cou"' tell nothing without he found Savvco River. Friday octo! I : We raarched up y" same hill about 6 mUe, and being on y" top of y* hiU cou Discover no where nigh us anything but steep mountains, & raarched down y' hUl about five mile, & we generally judged said 5 mUe to be 2 raile on a perpendicular, then carapt by a small brook w"^*" ran out of y" mountain. Saturday 2 We lay still by reason of rain, but sent out some scouts who discovered Meremack ran from y"= So E' round said mountain. Sabbath 3 We marched S. E. up said River about 6 mUe & came to y* head of it, & then steared N. E. about three mile over a steep hiU & then came to y" head of Savvco River, and then marched down said River about 1 1 miles East & we judged that River all y' way had fall 5 foot in 30 & mountains on each side thereof. Sent Scouts down y River & campt. Mund : 4 This Morning Examin"' sd. Mohack, & said he cou'' tell nothing till he came lower down y River. We marched down said River abour 5 mUe & sent out Scouts, & campt by reason of rain. Tuesday 5 This morning we came on some Entervails & plain land, & found where Indians have been in y" Spring, having found y" hoops whereupon they Dried their Bear Skins, & we judged might be about 8 or 10 in number, this Day we judged we marched about 24 raUe & sent out Scouts, & camped. Wednes"! 6. we marched down y' River about 20 mUe to y" place where Capt. Lovel first came upon Sawco River 2 days before his fight at y' mouth of a stream which he foUowed from Pigwacket hUl, Sent out Scouts, & Campt. We discovered a River y' come from y" N. W. into Sawco River. Thursd. 7 : We Ex"! said Jo. y" Mohauck. whether that was not y' stream, whereupon the fort was, who said he cou"' not tell whether it was that, or one lower. Capt! Willard & Blancher, took said Jo. with 30 of y' ablest men & scouted up said N. W. branch about 10 mile, & found it to be a StUl stream fit for canoes with plenty of Entervals & old planting land of y' Indians, & cou"" not learn anytiiing epcouraging from said Jo. & at night returned to y* army. Perceiving Provisions to be short, thought it advisable to stear homewards. 16 242 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Friday 8 of Octob' we marched about 6 mile down y" River, & Having Campt by reason of Rain, sent scouts clown y" River. Saturday 9. we marched down y" River to Pigwacket old fort about 16 iiiiles, & Capt. Willard sent Leiut. Warner out with Leut. Wilder & 40 men from both Companies Into y' Neck of y' River & Ordered them to meet y" Army where Capt. Lovil was killed, after meeting we marched to y" lower end of Savvco pond, & sent out scouts, & Campt by y" Rivers side, in all about 24 miles. Sabb^ 10. We marched about 26 mile & sent out scouts & campt, & discovered Ossippy River about a mile below us. Mun. II, We waded this morning sd River marched about 20 mile down y" River, & sent out Scouts & campt. Tuesday 12 We waded this morning over another River & marched down Savvco River about 28 mile & came to Salmon falls, sent out Scouts & campt below y° falls. Wednes: 13 We marched about 13 mUes & came into Sawco falls, having no subsistance, we marched down to Winter harbour 7 mUes & took some provisions from Capt. Jordan & lodged there. Thursd: 14. It rained in y' forenoon & in y' afternoon marched to Cape Porpus & there lodged, being about 7 mUes Frid: 15 We came to Wels about 9 raUes & lodged there, and there parted w"' Capt. Blancher, who went by Kingstown & Nuffield. Saturd 16. We came to Kittiry about 18 mUe & lodged there. Sabb : 17 We traviU"' to Hampton falls & lodged there about 20 mile. Mund. 18 Came to Andavor being about 23 mile Tuesday 19. Capt. Vv^'HIard Rid & got home that night, and y rest of the men got home, some Wednesday, some thursday & some Friday being about 40 mile. So that from Lancaster In Capt. Willards March accordin to his best Judgment & agreed with by y* Compl being in aU 503 mile. p Benja. Goodridge Clerk. [Massachusetts Archives, xxxvm, A, 119-21.] LANCASTER MEN IN JOSEPH BLANCHARDS MUSTER ROLL AUGUST TO OCTOBER 1725. Oliver Wilder Lieut John Wheelock Samuel Sawyer Sergt Joseph Wilson Joseph Whitcomb John Divoll Stephen Houghton WUliam Stevens Ezra Sawyer Jonathan Bayley Thomas Littel John Henry Sawyer Jona Osgood [Massachusetts Archives, XCI, 173-7.] MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 243 LANCASTER MEN IN TPIE MUSTER ROLL OF CAPTAIN SAMUEL WILLARD AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 1725. Sam Willard Capt Eleazar Warner Lt of Groton Eleazar Robins 2'' Lt do. Henry Willard Ens : Benj". Goodridge Clerk Ephraim Wheeler Moses Chandler Joshua Phelps Barnabas Tuel Benj"; Atherton Simon Atherton Eben'. PoUey Richard Wiles [Massachusetts Archives, XCT, 175.] MUSTER ROLL OF CAPTAIN JOSIAH WILLARD'S COMPANY JUNE 3 TO NOVEMBER 10, 1725.- Josiah Willard Captain Edward Hartwell Lieut Jonathan Shepley Ens. Aaron Willard Sergt. PhiUp Goodridge Sergt. John Dean Sergt. John Holden Corp Isaac Farnsworth Corp Betijamin Corey Centinel James Jewall Samuel Davis John Shepard son to Danl Shepard Richard Rice Saml Farnsworth son to Saml Farns worth Benja Harris Satnuel Stow Uriah Holt Thomas Ross Daniel Power Johti Goodridge Joseph Page Jona Willard Won Ind. servt to Joseph Mainer Benja Rugg Jonas Fairbanks John Hayiuood Daniel Albert David Osgood Jona Pierson Edw. Pratt Jeremiah Belcher Saml Hardy Ro' Gray Thomas Bruce Jer. D. Belcher Joseph Woods Rob' Gray [bis] Hezekiah Fletcher Cyprian Stevens Jona Lilley Jona Temple Jona Richardson Walter Malone Joseph Betinet Benja Mantling William Qurriti serv' John Shepley Isaac Parker Jona Hubbard Joseph Lakin Phineas Parker Eben' Blood Jona Borden John Lakin Isaac Woods 244 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Richard Wiles Richard Gore Richard Wiles [bis] Josiah Witherby Andrew Watkins Henry Houghtoti John Wilder John Wilder Jutir son of Thomas Wilder Sitnon Atherton son of James Ath erton Thomas Fairbanks son of Jabez Fair banks Nath' Nutting Phineas Burt Stephen Boynton Eben' Jafts Jno, Grout Daniel Collins Robt Mears Josiah Corey Jona Fisk Lawrence Lacey John Nutting Daniel Kelsey Timothy Barron Names supposed to be of Lancaster are printed in italics. Residences are not given in the roll. Captain Josiah was brother of Captain Samuel Willard. He removed to Turkey Hills and became colonel in the French and Indian war. Me Hsl-'of^pe PrirUir.g Ca 2'/ Trifr-int Sc ^.-'J ^i THE BOOK OF LANDS. A LL reports extant of the meetings of the proprietary ^ before A. D. 1725,. have been given in full on previous pages. The first allotments, special grants, and successive divisions of commons, were registered in the Book of Lands. These valuable records are continuous from April, 1656, — when Ralph Houghton was instructed by the Arbitrators to begin them, — to the. laying out of the last of the common land in 1835. The title to all the real estate of Lancaster, Clinton, Bolton, Berlin, and much of that in Harvard, Boylston and Sterling, is founded upon these records. The original proprietors of the Nashaway plantation, with the single exception of John Prescott, had before the organization of 1653, abandoned, sold, or by inaction lost their rights in the company. Of the fifty- five who signed the covenant before 1660, fifteen failed to fulfill its requirements, and their corporate rights thereby lapsed, while four names were added, making- forty-four members of the Proprietary. This number was soon re duced to forty by purchases. Among these forty men and their successors Lancaster's original territory, less a few special grants, was distributed. The first allotments each comprised twenty acres of upland styled the " house lot," and twenty acres of intervale. The special grants were by way of inducement to persons desired as inhabitants, as rewards for particular services, as a " conveniency," or as allowance for highways, barren land, &c. The divisions of common lands were made from dme to time, to the num ber of seven, each proprietor's share of the acreage dis- 2^6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, tributed being proportionate to his original estate. Due regard was always paid to differences in value arising from situadon and quality of soil, a well known field being fixed upon as a guide for estimation in the last respect. Very generally the danger of prej'udice in the distribution v/as eliminated by giving the final determination to lot. After the selection of the site whereon to plant the hearth stone, the pioneers naturally sought the lands that could most easily be made to yield food for man and cattle. Daniel Neal, writing about A. D. 1700, of "The Present State of New England," tells us " The first Planters found the Grass in the Vallies above an ell in Height ; and consequently pretty rank for want of cutting, but their cattle eat it and thrive very well with it." The broad and fertile intervales of the Nashaway doubtless formed a chief inducement to the settlement here at so early a date. The rank growth of natural grasses upon these comparatively treeless tracts furnished abundant fodder for the winter supply to the cat tle, a matter of the greatest importance in those days, when starvation often threatened the planter's stock if the deep snows belated the spring-time. The land, of the earlier divisions consisted, for this reason, of intervale and meadow only, this latter designation being used in its older meaning, grass land. The swamps and wooded uplands obtained value as population increased. Transfers of land find no place in these records save as casually mentioned in descriptions, and — notwithstanding the law of October 19, 1652, defining the only legal convey ance of real property to be by written deed and registry — until several years after the settlement of I.^ancaster, we find very few instances where the alienation of land was made matter of record. John Cowdall's sale of the Symonds & King trucking house site to John Prescott, in 1647, is found in the Suffolk Registry, but neither Lawrence Waters' transfer to John Hall, Hall's to Richard Smith, Smith's to John Tinker, Philip Knight's to Tinker, nor Tinker's to MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 247 Major Simon Willard and Thomas Wilder, can be found anywhere recorded. Very generally the pioneers made their wills, and from these, and the settlement of estates, we obtain many facts useful in ascertaining the outlines of home lots. The two maps inserted herewith are the out come of a diligent study of the Book of Lands, the Mid dlesex Probate Files, and the Registry of Deeds. In them will be found the results of an honest endeavor to correctly locate the homes of the earliest proprietors. While the editor makes no pretence that the property lines are laid down with the accuracy of a survey, he is not conscious of having evolved one of them from any self-satisfying sapi ence of his own respecting the fitness of things, nor of ha-ving placed one merely to suit dubious tradition. Facts of record have fixed every starting point, and these will be as clearly set forth as economy of space will admit, in the proper places. It should be borne in mind that the early surveyors made very generous allowance for swag of chain, inequality of ground, et ccetera, and that the conventional term "more or less," in old deeds rarely meant less. Swampy, rocky or undesirable "sHps" and "angles" of land were sometimes left between two lots in a range as common, or were given to abutters without measurement. ¦ As for example : the half home lot of Daniel Gains (who came after the first allotments had been made), "a peice of Land that was left by the Lott of John Rugg and Goodman Kerly ;" and the swamp between the lands of Thomas Joslin and his son Nathaniel, "the one half thereof belonging to Nathaniel Joshn by the town's Gift, and the other to his father." The plan of the present publication includes only the location of "first allotments." The original Book of Lands cannot be found, and the following extracts from the transcript made by Caleb Wilder about 1763, prove that he neither copied closely nor improved upon Ralph Houghton's orthography. He knew of no mark of punctu ation but the colon. 24S ANNALS OF LANCASTER, THE ESTATES OF THE FIRST INHABITANCE OF LAN CASTER as thay are Entered in the old Book of Enterics by vvhich the Lands in Lancaster are all diuided E.xept the first Lotts of upland and first Lotts of Enteruail which was twenty acres Each Lott and the Rest of the Lands both upland [and] Enteruail was Diuided acording to thair Estates to witt four acres of meadow in Each deuision to a 100 pounds of Estate and acordingly for a Grater or Lesser Estate as entered below and ten acres in the second deuision of enteruail to euery 100 pounds of Estate and acordingly for a Grater or Less Estate and one pound of Estate draws one acre in euery deuision of upland Exept the first and fifth deuision and it is now the Seuenth deuision. I s d / i d John Prescutt 366 15 0 Thomas Sawyer IIO 0 0 William Carley Sen 270 00 0 Edward Brick 202 II 0 Ralph Houghton 264 04 0 William Carley Juner 186 00 0 Edmond Parker 98 00 0 John Moors IIO 00 0 Thomas James 36 00 0 William Lewis 285 09 0 John Johnson 30 00 0 John farrah 107 00 0 John Smith 58 19 0 Roger Sumner 232 00 0 James Atherton 69 5 0 Jonas fairbanks 172 00 0 Robert Brick 10 0 0 Jacob farrah 275 17 0 John Rugg 83 10 0 Richard Smith 313 13 10 John Lewis 18 10 0 Thomas Joslin 210 00 0 Henery Carley 78 4 0 Thomas Wilder 340 00 0 Richard Linton 90 0 0 Stephen Gates 314 00 0 John Whitcomb Jun 29 0 0 John Whitcomb 241 00 0 Mordicai Mackload 50 0 0 Larrance Waters 277 00 0 John Rigbe 50 0 0 John Houghton 250 00 0 James Butler 59 0 0 Jeremiah Rogers 310 00 0 Daniel Gains 50 0 0 Gamaliel Beraan 210 00 0 John White 380 06 2 John Tinker 200 00 0 Phillip Knight 100 00 0 Joseph Rowlandson 200 00 0 John Roper 100 00 0 Nathaniel Joslin 155 00 0 Richard Wheeler 300 00 0 THE NAMES OF THOSE THAT HAD 30 ACRE LOTTS GRANTED THEM BY THE TOWN AFTER THE SET- TELMENT OF THE TOWN. John Bush Samuel Bennitt James Frost John Priest Caleb Sawyer Jeremiah Willson MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 249 WUliam Hutson Josiah Wheeler John Hinds John Warner Jonathan Moore John Willard John Moors The reason of these special grants is not found in records. With a single exception they ^\ere laid out in the limits of Harvard and Bolton. THE LANDS OF EDWARD BRICKE IN THE FIRST DEUISION. House Lott. His house Lott upon which he builded his house Lyeth on the east Side the neke in that Range ef Lotts it being the first Lott thare as it is Recorded in his Grant and it buts Eastardly upon penecooke Riuer and westward it buts upon a highway that goes to quasaponikin en- teruaU and Southardly it is bounded by Sum Land tiiat was Left for a hiway and Sence is Laid out for a Cuntrie highway by Concord men and it is bounded northardly by the Lott of Richard Linton now in the possion of Ralph Houghton and it. is Laid out for twenty acres be it more or Less. enteruail Lott. more he hath this enteruail Lott Lying on the east side penicooke Riuer Lying at the north east end of Swans Swamp buting easterdly upon the meadow Lott of John Moore and partiy upon the upland and westward it buts upon penecooke Riuer and it is bounded Southardly by a highway that goes through the Swans Swamp to the Commons and northardly it is bounded by the Lott of his son Robert Bricke and it Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less. Edward Breck came from Ashton, England. He was in Dorchester, 1636, was made freeman, 1639, and in 1645 received a land grant on Smelt Brook conditioned upon his erection of a mill there. He became prominent in Dor chester, being a selectman for several years both before and after his brief residence in Lancaster, which was per haps shortened by the death of his wife in 1653. He died in 1662. His house here was upon the east end of his lot, which extended along the north side of the existing street, twenty rods in width, from the wading place in the main , river to the corner now occupied by Dr. J. L. S. Thomp son. This land and house came by purchase into posses sion of John Glazier, who came here from Woburn soon after the settiement, and died October, 1688. It remained in the ownership of the Glazier family until 1727, when 250 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, George Glazier sold it to Captain Samuel Willard, who is credited with having built the old mansion on this lot, now standing near the railroad crossing. THE LANDS OF ROBERT BRICK. house Lott. his house Lott Lyeth on the west side thc neck and on the East side the nort Riuer buting easterly upon a highway that Goes betvven the two Ranges of Lotts and it buts westerly upon the north Riuer and Southardly it is bounded by Sura. Land of Richard Linton whearon he hath builded his house and northardly it is bounded by the house Lott of John Whitcomb Sener and It Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less. Enteruail Lott. more he hath an enteruaU Lott Lying on the east side of penicook Riuer butting easterly upon the meadow Lott of John Moore and westerly upon Penecook Riuer and It is bounded Southarly by the Lott of his father Edward Brick and northarly it is bounded by the Lott of Ralph Houghton to Gether with a small quantity of Land the Grant whare- of is to be seen in the old town Book Lying betwen his proper Lott and the Lott of Ralph Houghton aU Lying to him for his fuU due acordin" to his first Grant in the enteruail be it more or Less. Recorded by me Ralph Houghton Clerk y 2^ of January 1666 Robert Breck, the son of Edward, married Sarah Hawk ins in 1653, settied in Boston, and became a merchant — never occupying his lot in Lancaster, which was opposite the public buildings. THE LANDS OF RALPH HOUGHTON. his pp, lott. The pp house Lott of Ralph Houghton is the third Lott in that Rang of upland Lotts Lying on the neck on the west side of peni cook Riuer being bounded south by Richard Lintons Lott an north by the Lott where he bought of John Prescutt buting easterly upon Penicook Riuer and west upon that Rang of Lotts that Lyeth on the west side ofthe neck whare Goodman Whitcomb Liueth a Lott he Bought of John Prescutt. his house Lott which he bought of John Prescutt being the fourth Lott in the same Rang of Lotts bounded south by his own pp Lott and north by the Lott of James Atherton buting Easterly upon Penicook Riuer and west upon another Rang of Lotts that Lyes on the west side of the neck acording to the Record of Grants in the old town Book which Lotts being Eight Score Rods in Length and twenty Rods wide : but now upon Exchange he stands possesied of the East end MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 251 of Richard Lintons Lott which is the second Lott in that Rang of Lotts and Lyes on the north side of Edward Bricks Lott which is the first Lott upon which he hath planted his house : in Lew whereof Richard Linton hath his twenty acres at the west end of his own and the tvvo Lotts of Ralph Houghton as appears by a deed of Exchange betvvext them Both the Lotts of the said Ralph Houghton being and Lying for twenty acres be thay more or Less thay being two home Lotts. his Enteruail Giuen him by tlie town. His enteruaUe Lott which was Giuen him by the town lying on the East side of penicook Riuer being the third Lott in that Rang of Lotts wherein Edward Bricks Lott is the first Lying bounded by the Lott ot Robert Brick (so caUed in the old town Book) on the south side and north by the Lott of Ralph Houghton which he bought of John Prescutt buting east on the StUl Riuer and west upon Penicook Riuer and Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or less. his enteruaU he bought of Johti Prescutt. and his enteruail which he bought of John Prescutt Lyes bounded south by his own pp Lptt which was Giuen hira by the town and bounded north by Jaraes Athertons Lott buting Easterly upon the Still Riuer and west upon Penecook Riuer which is by Estemation and also by his deed of sale from John Prescutt fifty acres: Ralph Houghton was one of the four who first signed the Lancaster covenant, in 1652, coming here, it is said, from Watertown. He was then about twenty-nine years of age. Being the best penman of the pioneers, he was made clerk of records, and held that position until the massacre. He was admitted a freeman in 1668, and elected deputy in 1673 and 1689. The date of his death is not found, but must have been after 1692, as in that year he, with wife Jane, transferred the northern half of his house lot to his son Joseph. His children were Ralph ; James ; Mary, 11, 4,1653 ; John, 28, 2, 1655 ; Joseph, 1,5, 1657 ; Experience, 1,8, 1659; Sarah, 17, 12, 1661 ; Abigail, 15,5, 1664; Han nah, October 16, 1667. All but Ralph and James were born in Lancaster. John and Hannah died October, 1679, in Charlestown. Joseph Houghton sold his half of the homestead to John Glazier, and he sold it to Simon Stevens. 252 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, THE LANDS OF RICHARD LINTON 7iis house Lott. The house Lott of Richard Linton Containing more or Less twenty acres is scittuate Lying and being on the neck of Land: and by exchan,^ and barter betvven him and Ralph Houghton, is Layed out betvven themselues at the west end of the Lott or Lotts of the said Ralph Houghton being the bredth of his two Lotts and is bounded East by the said Lotts South by the Lott of Edward ¦ Brick north by James Atharton his Lott and west by the Lott of John Whitcomb Sener. Also more or Less Six acres on which his Dwelling house now Standeth Giuen him by the town and arbitrators Consent bounded south and west by the Ground of Lawarance Waters north by Robert Bricks Lott so named In the town Book and the highway easterly scittuate Lying and being near to his house Lott aforesaid being part upland and part swamp neere to the form of a triangle. ettteruail Lott The enteruaile Lott of Richard Linton containing acres more or Less Lyeth at the South end of quosapanakin in the man er and form of a triangle bounded by the north Riuer towards the north' , the enteruail of John Whitcomb towards the North and Southward by his own meadow Ground In September, 1645, Richard Linton deeded his house and lot in Watertown to Robert Sanderson. About that date, or perhaps earlier, he and his son-in-law, Lawrence Waters, began life with their families upon the Nashaway, having been induced by the first proprietors to undertake the task of preparing the way for further settlement. He died March 30, 1665, and by his will it would seem that his wife Elizabeth outlived him. His house stood upon the west side of the present street, somewhere between the residences of Miss Levantia Bradley and Henry M. Lath am, but he owned the land along the opposite side of the way lor- sixty rods, including the ground upon which the public buildings stand. His daughter, Anne Waters, re ceived ten acres of this in. trust for his grandson, Joseph Waters. The other lands he left to another grandson, George Bennett, who being slain in the massacre August 22, 1675, Samuel Bennet, his son, succeeded to possession. THE LANDS OF JAMES ATHERTON. House Lott His upland Lott for a house Lott Lyeth on the east side the neck buting easterdly on penicook Riuer and westerly it buts upon MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 253 another Rang of Lotts that Lyeth on tiie west side the neck and it is bounded Southerly by the Lott of Ralph Houghton and northardly by the Lott of John White Lying for twenty acres be it more or Less. Enteruail Lott More he hath an enteruaile Lott Lying on the east side of penicook Riuer buting easterdly upon sum part of the Hosokie meadow and westardly upon penicook Riuer and Southardly it is bounded by the Lott of Ralph Houghton and at the west end of it by the high way that Runs sloping threw the Lott that goes to the meadows and northardly it is bounded by the Lott of John White and it Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less. James Atherton came here from Dorchester with wife Hannah. He is thought to have been a brother of Major General Humphrey Atherton. In Lancaster children were born to him as follows : James, 1654 ; Joshua, 1656 ; Han nah, 1657 ; Mary, 1660 ; Elizabeth, 1666 ; Deborah, 1669 ; Joseph, 1672. In 1697, being then of Milton, he conveyed his land in Lancaster to his eldest son James, Jr. In 1703 the eastern part of the home lot is found in possession of Joseph Wheelock, he having purchased it from Isaac Tem ple of Marlborough. The western portion had been bought by William DivoU. James and James, Jr., were then resident near Bare Hill, and Joshua near Still River in Harvard. James, the father, died at Sherborn in 1707, aged 84 years. The highway from the brick store east to the neck road probably lies on the south side of the Ather ton lot. JOHN WHITE'S LANDS. No record of John White's first allotment is found in the Book of Lands, though this is probably an omission of the copyist. We know,, however, that the house lot joined Atherton's, and that his house stood upon the east end of it. Direct descendants have resided upon the land until modem days, and perhaps the first settler's home was on or quite near the site of Edward Houghton's residence. Goodman White, however, owned the land across the high way, bounding upon the river. He came here from Salem, where he was admitted an inhabitant in 1639, and had an 254 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, estate in what is now Wenham, upon which hi.s eldest son, Thomas, remained. He brought with him to Lancaster his wife Joanna, a son Josiah, Elizabeth, who married Henry Kerley November 2, 1654, Mary, wife of the Rev erend Joseph Rowlandson, and Hannah, who married John Divoll in 1663. He had also married daughters Joanna and Sarah. His wife died in 1654. Hannah, the young est daughter, we learn from his will, was "a nurse to him in his old age," and the Lancaster estate was bequeathed to her and her brother Josiah. John White died in the spring of 1673, his will being signed March 10, and offered for probate May 28th of that year. His son Josiah died November 11, 17 14. The famous Indian fighter. Captain John White, was son of Josiah. THE LANDS OF WILLIAM LEWIS house Lott. his upland Lott for a house Lott Lying in that Rang of Lotts on the west side penicook Riuer on the neck and it is bounded southwardly by the Lott of John White and northardly it is bounded by the Lott of John Leweis his son and Easterdly it buts upon the said peni cook Riuer and westardly it buts upon an other Range of Lotts that was Laid on the west side the neck a high way Running Cross the Lott near the east end of it to quasaponikin hill and it Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less his enteruail Lott. More he hath his enteruail Lott Lying on the east side penecook Riuer and it Lyeth bounded southardly by the Lott of John White northardly by the Lott of John Leweis and it buts easterdly upon part of the hasokie meadow and westardly it buts upon penicook Riuer a high way Runing through it to the meadows and other Lands below it which is allowed for in meashuring the Lott Laid out for twenty acres be it more or Less. William Lewis was of Roxbury, where he was made freeman in 1642. His children were John, born in Eng land, 1635; Christopher^ 1636; Lydia, born in Roxbury, 1639; Josiah, 1641; Isaac, 1644; Mary, 1646; and Han nah, 1649. He deeded to his son Christopher the eastern half of his home lot, April 19, 1662. He died 1671, loth MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 255 month, 3d day, leaving by will his house and land to his wife Anne and son Isaac. Mary became the wife of Josiah White. Lydia married Mordecai MacLoud. THE LANDS OF JOHN LEWEIS House LmII. his upland Lott for a house Lott Lyeth in that Rang of Lotts on the east side the neck buting Easterdly upon penicook Riuer and westardly it buts upon a Rang of Lotts that Lyeth on the west side the neck and it is bounded southardly by the Lott of William Leweis his father and northardly it is bounded by the Lott of Thoraas James a high way of 5 Rods Runing Crosse it near the east end of it to quasaponikin hUl and It Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less. Interuail Lott. more he hath his enteruail Lott Lying on the east side of penicook Riuer bounding Southardly by the Lott of William Leweis his father and northardly it is bounded by the Lott of Thomas Jaraes and it buts easterdly upon sum part of the hosokie meadow taking in sum swarappy land their for his Conueniencie in the 2 deuision and also for allowance for the highway that Runs Sloping through his Lott. and westardly it buts upon penecook Riuer and it is Laid out to hira for twenty acres be it more or Less. John Lewis, son of William, had by wife Hannah chil dren born in Lancaster, as follows : Barrachia, 1663 ; Re- beccah, 1665 ; Patience, 1668; John, 1671 ; William, 1673. At the massacre he removed to Dorchester, where were born Hannah, 1678 ; Thankful, 1680 ; and Judith. He built a house in Dorchester in 1679, and was living there in 1687, whence it may be inferred that he did not return to Lancas ter. Josiah White obtained the Lewis lands. THE LANDS OF THOMAS JAMES his Hotise Lott. the house Lott of Thoraas Jaraes Containing twenty acors is the ninth Lott Lying on the neck of Land on the west side of peni cook Riuer buting east upon the Riuer and west upon another Rang of Lotts that Lyeth on the west side of the neck bounding south by the Lott of John Leweis and north by the Lott of Edmon parker being eight Score Rods in Length and twenty Rods wide and Lyes for twenty acres be it more or Less a high way of fiue Rods wide Runing ouer Crosse it to quosaponikin hUl near about the raidel of the Lott. his enteruail His enteruail is also the ninth Lott Lying on the east side of penicook Riuer being Eight Score Rods in Length and twenty 256 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Rods wide and Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less buting east upon a highway that goes to the plumtrees and to the meadows and enteniails and buting west on penicook Riuer bounded South by the Lott of John Leweis and north by the Loft of Edmund Parker. Thomas James had a wife Elizabeth, and a son John born in Charlestown, 18.. 11.. 1632. He left his property in Lancaster to his cousins, the Lewises, and Christopher Lewis sold the east end of the house lot, between the river and the highway, to Josiah White, in 1705. Thomas James died March 15, 1660. EDMUND PARKER'S LANDS. The copyist of the Book of Lands has omitted Edmund Parker's estate from the records. His house lot was be tween that of Thomas James and John Farrar's, and ofthe same extent as theirs. Edmund Parker came here from Ro.xbury with wife Elizabeth [Howe], and children Eliza beth, born 1649, and Abraham, born 1652. There were born to him here Mary and Esther, 1654, and Deborah, 1655. The wife died June 9, 1657. Ralph Houghton has left us a very unflattering account of the family, which can be found in previous pages. They disappear from Lan caster at the massacre, returning to Roxbury. In Parker's will, dated Roxbury, April 13, 1692, he mentions all the children above named, and makes his "trusty & well be loved Friends John Moore and Thomas Wilder Liuet, both of Nashaway whole and sole executors." He probably diied early in 1694, as his inventory is dated May 28th of that year. By the will Josiah White" was to have the east ern part of the home lot at appraisal. The executors were to sell the rest. THE LANDS OF JACOB FARRAH THAT HE BOUGHT OF JOHN FARRAH .-^ his house Lott. and he hath also a house Lott which he had from his brother John farrah Giuen by him and Confirmed and Rattified by the town which Lott Lyeth on the Neck on the west side of penicook Riuer buting MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 257 east upon the said Riuer and west upon anotiier Rang of Lotts that Lyes on the west side of the neck bounded South by the Lott of Edmon parker and north by the Lott of Roger .Sumner at the west end and by the Com mon at the east end and by sid Land of Jeremiah Rogers which Lott being Eight Scoore Rods Long and twenty Rods wide and Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less The Farrar brothers were from Lancashire. John, after a brief stay here, went to Woburn, where he was admitted an inhabitant in 1656, and there died "very old," in 1690. John Houghton and wife Mary [Farrar] transferred the above house lot to George Glazier in March, 1706. THE LANDS OF ROGER SUMNER. his house Lott. The house Lott of Roger Sumner Lyeth on the neck bounded South by the Lott of Jacob farrer north by a high way betwen it and the house Lott of Gamaliel Beman eastward by the high way that -Goes to quosaponikin hUl and west by [a] parcel of upland Giuen to his father in Law Thomas Joslin the said house Lott being laid out for twenty- acres be it more or Less- his enteruail Lott his enteruail Lott Lyeth at quosaponikin contains more or Less twenty acres Southardly bounded by the Lott of Nathaniel Joslin northardly by Gamaliel Beman westerdly by the North Riuer easterly on the high way Runing betwen it and the meadow. Deacon Roger Sumner, the son of William, born in England, came here from Dorchester, where he had been made freeman in 1657. He was a member of the church, and August 26, 1660, was dismissed in order that he might assist in organizing a church at Lancaster. His wife was Mary, daughter of Thomas Joslin. Their children were Abigail, 1657 ; Samuel, 1659 ; Waitstill, 1661 ; Mary, 1665 ; Jaazoniah, 1668; Rebecca, 167 1 ; William, 1673; Ebenezer, 1678. Deacon Sumner left Lancaster at the time of the massacre, returning to Dorchester. He died in Milton, May 26, 1698, aged sixty-six years. The house lot above described extended along the south side of the highway that leads west from Lane's Crossing. The land rights of Roger Sumner were purchased of his sons Wil liam and Samuel by the brothers Edmund and Ebenezer 17 258 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Harris, who came to Lancaster from Sudbury about 1708. THE LANDS OF JEREMIAH ROGERS House Lott. his house Lott Lying on the neck ori the east Side thare of near to a Brook that we pass ouer to go to quasaponikin hill their being ten acors or thare abouts Lying Ijounded South.irdly by the Lott of Jacob farrah and north.irdly by sum Common Land which since was Laid out to him for Second deuision and westerdly it is bounded by the highway that goes to quosaponikin hill and easterdly it is bounded by a Swamp that Lyeth betvven the Stated Common and it and he hath ten acres more or their abouts Lying at the South end of a peice of Land called Pine hill bounded northardly by the said pine hill and Southardly it is bounded partly by the house Lott of Jacob farrar and partiy by sum enteruail Land of his ovvn and easterdly it buts partly upon Penecook Riuer and partly upon his own enteruail Land and westerdly it buts upon the stated Com mon called timber plain both the aforsaid percells of Land is Laid out unto the said Jeremiah Rogers for 20 acres be it more or Less. enteruail. His Lott of enteruail as it was Granted by the town and Laid out in two pieces one peice whereof Lyeth near to a peice of Land called pine hill bounded northward by sum part of his ovvn house Lott that Lyeth betwen it and the said pine hiU and southardly it is bounded by sum enteruail Land of Jacob farrars that Lyeth at the end of his home Lott and easterdly it buts upon penicook Riuer ouer against an Inden ware Called Jameses ware and westerdly it buts upon sum part of his own house Lott there being .six acors or there abouts and another part thareof Lying in the outermust side of the Sound Land at quosaponikin enteruail and Lyeth bounded Southerly by the Lott of Gamaliel Beman and north ardly by a high pine hill and it buts westardly upon the North Riuer and Easterly upon a high way that Leads into the enteruail swamp that is Laid out for second deuision this benig fourteen acres or thare abouts both which parcels of enteruail are Laid out to the said Jeremiah Rogers for twenty acres be it more or Less. Jeremiah Rogers was from Dorchester. At the massa cre he returned thither, and there died September 26, 1676, leaving a widow, Abiah, who, with two daughters, Abigail and Bathsheba, died of small-pox in March, 1678. His children were Margaret, 1653 ; Ichabod, 1659 ; Hittabel, 1662 ; Jehosaphat, 1663 ; Abiah, 1664 ; Bathsheba, 1667: Israel, 167 1 ; Susanna, 1673 ; also Jeremiah, Abigail and Sarah, the dates of whose births are not found. The Rogers house lot is cut in twain by the old turnpike. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 2-9 and included the upper brick yard of Samuel R. Damon, the Anthony Lane homestead, and the lands of Emory W White. May 12, 17 10, Jeremiah Rogers of Salem, wheel wright, and Jehosaphat Rogers of Topsfield, tailor, sold their father's lands to Edward Phelps, weaver, from An- dover. Rogers had sold, in 1663, one hundred acres of his outiying land to Henry Kimball, a blacksmith of Boston. THE LANDS OF GAMALIEL BEMAN House Lott His house Lott being near unto Quosaponikin Brook bounded by Sura Common Land that sence was Laid out to himself for second deuision on the north side of it and South it is bounded by a high way that Lyeth betwen the Lott of Roger Sumner and it buts easterdly upon a high way that Goes to quosaponikin hill the southeast corner of it and at the northeast Corner it buts upon Sum Land Laid out to nathaniel Joslin and Roger Sumner for second deuision and it buts west ardly upon Sum Comon Land Laid out to himself for second deuision Lying for twenty acors be it more or Less. his enteruail Lott. His enteruaile Lott Lyeth at quosaponikin Inter uail buting west upon the North Riuer and east upon sum swampy brushey Ground that Lyeth between sum meadow of Stephen Gates and this Lott a hignway Runing at the eand of it bounded Southardly by the Lot of Roger Sumner and north by the Lott of Jereraiah Rogers and Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less. Gamaliel Beaman came from England in the Elizabeth and Ann, A. D. 1635, and settled in Dorchester. In 1659, being then thirty-six years old, he came to Lancaster, bringing a large family. At the time of the massacre he returned to Dorchester and there died March 23, 1678. An indication of their poverty at this 'date is the fact that the tax-rates of Gamaliel, Sen., Gamaliel Jr., John and Thomas Beaman are set down in the Dorchester Records as "Desperate Debts." The Beamans were among the first to return to Lancaster upo'n its re-settlement. John and Gam aliel set up new houses on their father's lands at Wataqua dock. John, Jr., lived upon the old homestead on the neck. The children of Gamaliel, Sen., and Sarah (Clark) Bea man were John, 1649; Joseph, 1651; Gamaliel, 1653; 26o ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Thomas, 1654 ; Marj', 1656 ; Sarah, 1658 — all born before the farnily came from Dorchester ; and Noah, 1661 ; Thank ful. 1663; Mehitabel, 1667, born in Lancaster. John Beaman's headstone in the old burial ground records that he died 1740, aged ninety years. His son Gamaliel, born in 1684, was the first settier in Woonksechocksett, now Sterling. Thankful married Nathaniel Wilson who, in 1694, sold to William Sheafe Gamaliel Beaman's " house and lot in Lancaster." THE LANDS OF LAWRENCE WATERS his house Lott. The house Lott of Lawrence Waters part whareof Lies in that feUd he hath enclosed by his house their being six acors and half and nine acors of enteruaU in that feild butting south upon the high way that Lyes between the Carting place in the north Riuer and it bounds north upon the Lott or orchard of Richard Linton and upon the Lott of Robert Brick and bounded east by a highway that Goes to quasaponikin meadows and west and south west by the North Riuer upon which he hath planted his house garden and orchard both which persels of upland and EnteruaU being parte of his house Lott and enteruail Lott more he hath a part of his upland Lott Lying on the east side of the Swans Swamp being about thirteen acres and half or thare abouts : bounded South by a brook and north by a hiU at the side of the pine plain and west by the Swans Swamp and buting east upon a Littel Corner of a plaine : his enteruail Lott More he hath eleuen acres of enteruaile Lying on the east side of Penicook Riuer butting east upon the high way that Goes to the Plumtrees and west upon the Riuer it Lyes bounded South by sum common enteraaU Reserued for a lott and north by sum enteruail that was sum time Laid out for a Lott to Goodman Wilder : all which parcels of upland and enteruail Lying for his upland Lott and enteruaU Lott and Lying for fourtie acres be thay more or Less. Lawrence Waters, a carpenter of Watertown, was one of three sent up, in 1645, by the grantees of the Nashaway Plantation, to make suitable preparation for their own com ing. By his wife Ann Linton he had six children born in Watertown: Lawrence, Feb. 14, 1635; Sarah, Dec. 7, 1636; Mary, Jan. 27, 1638; Rebecca, February, 1640; Daniel, Feb. 6, 1642 ; Stephen, Jan. 24, 1643 ; and the following born in Lancaster : Adam, 1645 ( ?) ; Joseph, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 261 April 29, 1647 ; Jacob and Rachel, March i, 1649; Sam uel, Feb. 14, 1651 ; Joanna, March 26, 1653 ; Ephraim, Jan. 27, 1655. The proprietors assigned him a lot upon which he built a house, probably the second building erected by white men in Lancaster, (the trucking house on George Hill being the first). This house was situated in the grounds now owned by Caleb^Symmes, Esq. Waters, before 1650, had sold his home to John Hall, and it became the property successively of Richard Smith, John Tinker, Major Simon Willard, Cyprian Stevens, and Simon Stev ens. Waters removed but a few rods, building on the lot above described, the chief portion of which is now the homestead of S. J. S. Vose, Esq. He became a freeman in 1663.. After the massacre of 1676, we find him with his wife, and Samuel with his wife and two children, seeking shelter in Charlestown, where Stephen became responsible to the authorities for them. Lawrence Waters was then blind. He died December 9th, 1687, in Charlestown, aged about eighty-five years, outiiving his wife seven years. Joseph Waters came back in 1679, and occupied part of his father's and grandfather's lands. In the distribution of the estate of Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder, in 1709, there was given to Oliver, the youngest son, " upland and Inter val where Lawrence Waters formerly Dwelt about fifteen acres," and the inventory shows that it had been bought of John Skeath, the husband of Waters' oldest daughter, Sarah. In 1714, Simon Stevens, whose wife was Mary, daughter of Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder, sold to Hooker Osgood " Lawrence Waters' lot on the Neck bounded southerly and easterly by y" Highway, west and south west by the River." Adam Waters, perhaps the first born of English parents in Lancaster, in 1663 bought John Smith's lot upon George Hill. He died 1670, at Charlestown. THE LANDS OF MASTER JOHN TINKER Upland Lott bought of Richard Stnith. His house Lott which he bought of Richard Smith is a Lott that Lyeth by it Self and Lyes bounded 262 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, South by the North Riuer and buts east upon a peice of EnteruaU Called the night pauster and west upon the high way that Goes from the Bridge by goodman Wateists to quasaponikin meadows and it is bounded north by the Countie highway that goes allong from Goodman Waterses to Peni cook Riuer it being first a home Lott Giuen by those that first had to do with the place to Goodman Waters and he built a house upon it and sold it to Goodman hall whose wife sold it to Richard Smith the said Goodman hall being in England and sending for his wife which Lott Lay for twenty acres but upon e.xact mesur acording to Libertie Granted by a town order Recorded in the old town book it was found to be but Seuenteen acres vvhich is made up with and by a peice of Land Lying on the east side of the North Riuer bounded east by a hill of upland and west by the North Riuer butting south upon the Lott of Thomas Joslin and north also upon sum enteruail of thomas Joslin his enteruail Lott he bought of Richard Sttiith. and the enteruail Lott he bought of Richard Smith lyeth on the east side of penicook Riuer at the meeting of the Riuers butting west upon the Riuer and east upon the upland on the east side of the still Riuer and bounded south by John Ruggs Lott and north by John Rigbes Lott, which Lott was Laid out to Richard Smith for twenty acres his o^un house Lott at Gibson hill. His ovvn upland Lott Giuen him by the town is known by the name of Gibson hill which is twenty acors of upland be it more or Less bounded by a streat or highway west that goes betwhxt two Ranges of Lotts and butting east upon the Commons bound ed south by the house Lott of John Moors and north by the meadow that is Master Rowlandsons. his etiter^tail. His enteruail Lott ten acors of it Lying on the west side of the North Riuer butting east upon the Riuer and west upon Sum Com mon upland that Lyes by or near to the house of William Kerley Jun bounded southardly by the Lott [of] goodman Prescutt that was Giuen him for bulding a Corn mill and north by the Lott of John Johnson: and ten acors of which Lies on the West Side of the StUl Riuer buting east upon the Riuer and west upon the Lotts of John Leweis and thomas James bounded South by a high way that Goes to the meadows and to the ponds and north by a Swamp or Swampy Ground in which thare Lies a peice of meadow of James Athertons and in which Lott of enteruail there Lies a Spung of meadow Lotted out to Goodman Smith and James Atherton. John Tinker was of Windsor, Connecticut, in 1643, whence he came to Boston, where we find him living in a hired house, 165 1. In 1652 he appeared before the Mid dlesex Court as attorney for the defendant, in the case of " Hermon Garret & John Shawe vs. John Hall, for taking MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 26-? away part of theire night pasture fence," and won for his clients. In 1654, Tinker was made freeman, and the next year joined the petitioners for "Groaten a new plantacon . . formerly knowne by the name of Petapawag," and in the grant was appointed one of the selectmen. For a year or two theretifter he seems to be wavering in his choice of residence between Lancaster and Groton, until perhaps the town's gift of Gibson Hill decided him. He was at this time and afterwards an Indian trader, buying beaver, otter and other furs, then abundant in the region about, from the native hunters. What manner of exchange he paid for them other than peage or wampum and "trucking cloth," we may imagine, for the Court records show that in 1655 he was fined ten shillings " for selling now & then a gill of strong waters to y' Indians," contrary to the law of 1654, which imposed a fine of twenty shillings for each pint so sold by persons not specially licensed. The original duly witnessed notes of hand exist which show that prominent men of the Nashaway tribe became so deeply indebted to him as to mortgage the prospective gains of two hunting sea sons for payment. In 1658 he was licensed as trader " of Nashaway & Groaten for y" year," paying eight pounds for the privilege. The " Mr." prefixed to his name assures us that he was either a graduate of some university, or had occupied high social rank in England. Only he and Rev erend Joseph Rowlandson, in Lancaster, were dignified with this title before the coming of Major Simon Willard. Master Tinker was probably yet a young man when in September, 1657, the commissioners appointed to order the affairs of Lancaster placed his name first in the list of five men chosen to manage the prudentials of the town. His wife Alice was then twenty-seven years old, and of his two children, Mary and John, the oldest was four years of age. The town had given him twenty acres in a central and de sirable position, known as Gibson's Hill. He purchased of Richard Smith the original house and lot of Lawrence 264 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Waters, and of Pliilip Knight the house and lot next to Prescott's home on the slope of George Hill. Two sons were born to him, Amos and Samuel, and he was prosper ous, and honored of his neighbors ; but through failure of health, or because the field proved too limited for his abundant ability and ambition, the town was soon to lose his valuable services. In the Court files of Middlesex is this undated letter, probably of the winter 1658 : To the hotio'd County Court at Charlstowne. Right Wor'll be pleased to understand that the Lord hath v.isited me of late with 3 fitts of sikness one after another uppon my jornies to and fro, sine which I have bin very tender & have not atained my perfect helth to travell this sharpe winter season, wherefore intreat though I am one of the Grand iury that I may be excused for this preasent and I shalbe redy at the pleasure of this hon"' Court to doe the best service I can for y= County and shall thankfully abide with my duty presented • YoV devoted humble servant Jno. Tinker Before the year 1659 he had removed to Pequid, now New London, and was there winning respect and distinc tion. The next year he was deputy to the general court, and became assistant. The court licensed him to distill and retail liquors, and gave him complete monopoly of the trade in the township. Being on the road to wealth and fame, he died in October, 1662. The public esteem for hirn is shown by the fact that the expenses of his illness and funeral were paid from the State treasury. Major Simon Willard obtained possession of his Lancaster prop erty, above described. THE LANDS OF JOHN WHITCO.MB SENER home Lott. his house Lott Giuen and Granted by the town Lyeth on the west side [of the] neck being twenty acors bounded [south] by the Lott of Robert Brick and north by the Lott of his son John Whitcomb buting east upon the Lotts that Ly upon the east side the neck and but ting west upon his enteruail a high way Runing Cross it to quasaponikin enteruail. Enteruail Lott. Aand his enteruail Lott part of it Lying on the east side the North Riuer thare being by Estimation about fifteen acors and MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 265 a half bouuded west by the North Riuer and east by his upland Lott but- ing_ South upon the Lott of Robert Brick that was Granted him by the town and butting north upon the enteruail Lott of his son John Whitcomb : nine acors of enteruail at quasaponikin betvven his son John Whitcomb and him either of them hauing an Equall pportion that is either four acors and half but it vvas not diuided between them when it vvas Laid out the whole being bounded southardly by a high way that Goes between the meadow Lott of Ralph Houghton and it and it is bounded north by a Lott of Stephen Gates and westardly by the North Riuer and south west by a Lott of Richard Linton this four acres and half makes up the other fifteen and half his full Lott of twenty acors acording to the town Grant but acording to Liberty Granted by a town order the fifteen acres and half exactly meashuered it was found to be but fourteen acres and half and so it is an acre wanting which is Laid out together with his second deuision of enteruail. John "Whetcomb" — as the name is always spelled in our earliest records — was of Dorchester in the year 1635, but removed to Scituate in 1644, and to Lancaster in 1652. He died September 24, 1662, leaving a wife Frances, who survived until 1671. His children were John, Jonathan, Job, Josiah, Robert, Catherine, Abigail and Mary, all born before the coming of the family to Lancaster. John Whit comb died intestate, and the widow and children mutually agreed upon a division of the property, which was approved by the Court. By the inventory it is shown that the chief products of the farm in 1662 were corn, tobacco and flax. The present post-office and bank building are probably upon the Whitcomb lands. Both the father's and son's house lots extended across the street eastward, meeting the other range of lots upon the neck. THE LANDS OF JOHN WHITCOMB JUNER his house Lott his house Lott being twenty acors Lying on the west side the neck Lying Bounded South by his father his Lott and north by the Lott of Stephen Gates butting west upon his own enteruaU Lott and east upon the end of the Lotts of the Inhabitance that Liue on the east side the neck It being by Estimation twenty acres be it more or Less enteruail Lott His enteruail Lott lying on the east side the north Riuer part of it their being about fifteen acors and a half bounded south by his fathers enteruaU and north by the Lott of Stephen Gates butting 266 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, easterly upon his ovvn upland Lott and westerly upon the north Riuer and four acors and half Lying at quasaponikin enteru;iil Lying in Common vvith 4 acres and half of his fathers In the division of the estate of John Whitcomb, senior, his home lot was assigned to John and Jonathan jointly, and the house lot vvhich had been John's was allotted to the youngest sons, Job and Josiah. Job did not return at the re-settlement of the tovvn, but followed the Reverend Joseph Rowlandson to Wethersfield. Robert settled in Scituate. John and Jonathan, April 7, 1683, were conveying hay across the Penecook upon two canoes, when by the boats sinking the fornier was drowned. He left a widow Mary and two daughters, Ruth and Sarah. Ruth married Wil liam Divoll. Jonathan Whitcomb died in 1690, and his widow, Hannah, was killed by the Indians two years later. Their children were Hannah, 1668 ; Jonathan, 1669 ; Han nah, 2d, 1671 ; Abigail, 1674; Elizabeth; Mary; Kather ine ; Ruth ; John, 1684. Jonathan inherited the home estate, and in 1696, vvith his cousins William Divoll and Sarah Whitcomb, entered into a mutual agreement whereby the whole Whitcomb estate was divided by east and west lines, upon both sides of the highway, into three equal divisions, each about twenty-two rods in width. Josiah Whitcomb married Rebecca Waters and set up his home in the southeast part of what is now Bolton. His children were Josiah, 1665 ; David, 166S ; Rebecca, 1671 ; Johanna, 1673; Mary; Damaris; Abigail; Hezekiah, 16S1 ; Debo rah, 1683. He died April 12, 1718. The original lot of John Whitcomb, junior, assigned in the agreement mentioned above to Job and Josiah, was by them sold to John Moore, senior. He dying in i7o3, Ben jamin Bellows, his administrator, sold it to Josiah White, who, July, 1708, transferred it to John Bowers, describing it as "bounded Northerly by Peter Joslin, southerly by William Divoll, west by the River, easterly by another range of Lotts, a highway crossing said Land near the MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 267 Dwelling house, also all other housing, fencing, fortifica tions, orchard garden &c."" A very old headstone in the first burial ground is inscribed "John Bowars," and upon its footstone is "D : 1718." John was the grandson of Benan- uel Bowers, born 16S6, and married Elizabeth Stevens of Lancaster, November 17, 1707. H^is children were Eliza beth, John, Mary and Nathaniel. The inventory of his estate amounts to 436 pounds 11 shillings, and from one item in it we derive the estimated value in 17 18 of a chat tel somewhat rare in Lancaster : "one bought servant I9£". THE LANDS OF STEPHEN GATES. his house Lott. The house Lott of Stephen Gates : is on the neck Ly ing north to the house Lott of John Whitcomb Juner bounded by the saaid Lott of John Whitcomb south by the house Lott of Nathaniel Joslin north by a Rang of Lotts Easterly which, Lyeth on the west side of Peni cook Riuer and westward by a peice of enteruail of his ovvn nigh adioyning to the North Riuer the said house Lott being Laid out for twenty acors more or Less ; enteruail Lott . His enteruail Lott Containing more or Less twenty acors partly Lyeth in one peice at quasaponikin thirteen acors more or Less bounded southardly [by a piece] of enteruail of John Whitcombs northardly [by the lot] of Mordica .Maclode west by the-North River [and east] by sum meadow of Edward Brick and [seven acres] more or Less lyeth betwen his house loott and the North Riuer bounded in Like maner by Nathaniel Joslins Lott north and John Whitcombs south his house Lott [east and] said Riuer west. . . . He hath hi.s Second deuision of upland Lying to the of hog swamp meadow a considerable part ofa pond Lying vvithin the sd I>and & bounded onaU the sides of it by Common undiuided Land aRock called the Sleep ing Rock is on the outside of it near the norwest corner the place whare it Lyes by the Indians was called Kequassagansit and is Laid out to the estate of the sd Stephen Gates for three hundred & fourteen acres. . . . Stephen Gates came to Hingham from England in the Diligent, A. D. 1638, with wife Ann and two children. From Hingham he removed to Cambridge, and thence to Lancaster in 1654. He was made freeman and chosen constable in 1656. He had sons Stephen, Simon and Thomas, and daughters Elizabeth and Mary. The Gates blood seems to have been of decidedly tropical nature. 268 ANNALS OF LANCASTER; The daugliter Mary very boldly contradicted the minister in the public assembly. Stephen Gates quarreled with his neighbors, the Whitcombs, was deprived of his constable's staff, and moved away from Lancaster after less than three years' residence. lie died at Cambridge, 1662, and his sons attempted, without success, to break his will, alleging that their father "was not of disposing mind." By this will Stephen, the eldest son, received the house and lot in Lan caster. Direct descendants in the male line continued to hold land here, ending with Captain Thomas Gates, who led the Lancaster troop to Cambridge at the Lexington alarm. In 1718 Peter Joslin was in possession of the Gates homestead. Mary Gates married John Maynard of Sudbury. THE LANDS OF THOMAS JOSLIN ^ House Lott 20 acors. The house Lott of Thomas Joslin is Scituate Lying and being upon the neck of Land on the east side of the North Riuer bounded by the North Riuer west and Runing easterly in Length untill it come within twenty Rods of the Length of the Lott of Stephen Gates and is bounded by Commons or ways east the Lott of his son Nathaniel Joslin South and the Lands in common [towards] quassaponi kin meadows on the north by estamation more or les fourty acres Giuen him by Consent of the town A Swamp Lying betvven or west [of the lots] of him and his son Nathaniel Joslin the one half thareof to him and [the other half to] his said son by Consent of the town. his etiteruail Lott The enteruaU Lott of Thomas Joslin one part thare of Lyeth on the wes't side of the North Riuer bounded by the said Riuer easterly [and running] northward untill the Riuer and the upland do cut off that percell of enteruail [bounded] south by the enteruail ofhis son [and] west by the Commons Containing more or Less thirteen acres but scince being more exactly meashured [by those] appointed is found to be but ten acres and twenty Rods : more he hath seuen acors Lying on the North Riuer in one Slip along by the Riuer bounded at the head up the Riuer north [by the] meeting of the Riuer and upland east by the upland south by the Land [of Nathaniel Joslin.] The Joslin family came from London in the Increase, A. D. 1635, landing in Hingham. Thomas was then forty- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 269 three years old, and his wife Rebecca the same age. They brought with them Nathaniel, aged eight years ; Rebecca, eighteen ; Dorothy, eleven ; Elizabeth, six ; and Mary, one year. Another son, Abraham, a sailor, came to Lancaster some years later than the father, who was here in 1654. Mary became the wife of Roger Sumner, and Rebecca married Nichols. Thomas Joslin died Jan. 3, 1660, and his widow married William Kerley, senior, 16. .3. .1664, being his third wife. The lands above described e.xtended from the river eastward along the south side of the North Village street. THE LANDS OF NATHANIEL JOSEIN his house Lott The house Lott of Nathaniel Joslin is Scituate Lying and being upon the neck of Land on the East Side of the North Riuer being bounded upon said Riuer west and so Runing east in Length untill it Reach within twenty Rods of the Length of the Lott of Stephen Gates and is bounded east by the Commons : South by the Lott of .Stephen Gates and north by the Lott of his father Thomas Joslin by Estemation more or Less [fourty] acors his Swamp Also a certain Swamp Runing betwixt the Lands of him and his father is the one half thareof belonging to Nathaniel Joslin by the towns Gift and the other to his father his enteruail The enteruail Lott of Nathaniel Joslin [one part] there of Lyeth on the west side of [the North] Riuer bounded by the said Riuer easterly [by the Commons] west the enteruail of his father thoraas Joslin north & of John Smiths South by Estamation Thirteen acors more or Less: Nathaniel Joslin was born in England about 1627, com ing to Hingham with his father in the Ina-ease from Lon don in 1635. He married Sarah, daughter of Thomas King of Marlborough, and had sons Nathaniel, born 1658, and Peter, born 1665; and daughters Sarah, 1660; Dorothy, 1662 ; Elizabeth, 1667 ; Rebecca, 1672 ; and Martha. He was made freeman in 1673. After the massacre he re mained in Marlborough, and there died April 8, 1694. His son Peter received the Lancaster home lots, and seems to have added the Gates house lot to his inheritance. 270 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, THE LANDS OF MORDICAI MUKLOAD His home Lott being tenn acors as it was Laid out be it more or lesse, Lyeth in a pine plain near to quasaponikin gate, butting westward vpon the path that goes to quasaponikin interuaile and easterly vpon a littie foot path that goes to the medowes at quasaponikin, bounded northward by the skirts of the hill adioyning to the medow. Leauing a Convenient highway acording to the order of the tovvne fiue Rode wide on that side his Lott, And it is bounded sutherly by the Comons near vnto a swampe sum pte of it Laid out for a half home Lott 'be it more or lesse tenn acors. His interuaile Lott being tenn acors be it more or Lesse Lyeth at quas aponikin, buting westward vpon the North Riuer and easterly vpon sum ground Lett for a highway, betweene the medowes and the interuailes, bounded sutherly by the Lott of Steeven gats and northerly by the Lott of Nathaniell Josllin. His medow Lott in the first deuision being two acors or their abouts be it more or Less, Lyeth at Wataquadocke, at the plac wher trauilers pas ouer to malbrow, A cuntrie highway of six Rode wide Lying Cross it, bounded sutherly by the broke and northerly by the vpland, buting west ward vpon sum medow Laid out to Jerimiah Rogers, And easterly it is cut of by the vpland coming to the brooke. vvhich medow was first giuen him by the tovvne, being he had noe estat on the towne booke to draw medow by in deuision. Recorded this 6: 10: mon: 1664 By me Ralph Houghton. This record is a transcript of the original in Ralph Houghton's hand, which is found bound in with the earliest town records. Mordecai MacLoud signed his mark to the covenant March, 1658. He brought a brother John with him, who vvas killed in the Rowlandson garrison Feb. 10, 1676. Mordecai MacLoud married Lydia, daughter of William Lewis, 31. .11. .1670, and had two children: Han nah, born 16. .9. .1671, and another. The whole family were slaughtered by the Indians Aug.' 22, 1675. Their home was at the North Village, near the cemetery. THE LANDS OF MAJOR SIMON WILLARD the Rights of John Tinker which is 2oo» and Richard Smith z.r 313''* 13^ lO'' This is a discription of the Second deuision Lands of Mr John Tinker & Richard Smith which by purchas Major Simon Willard Came to be possessor of both before aney second deuision Lands were Laid out there fore ti'iay ware both Laid out together to him as foUoweth upon the acount of thair estates : MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 271 196 acers 2 deuision first he hath a peice of upland Laid out to him Sumtimes Called by the name of StUl Riuer farm bounded Southwest by the enteruail & South or Southeast by sum second deuision Land of Ralph Houghton & easterly it buts partly upon sum meadow of Goodman Wilder and the most part upon Common upland and westerly it buts upon the highway to the plumtrees enteruaU and northerly it is bounded by sum second deuision Land Laid nut to WiUiam Lewis and part by sum other Land Laid out to the estate aforementioned and this peice of Land is Laid out for one hundred ninty six acres be it more or Less highways to Groten to pond meadows & brook meadow allowed for in meashur : \oo acres 2 deuision Moe thare is another peice of upland Laid out to the estate aforesaid known by the name of winter plain which buts northerly upon Common Land Sum part pine Land & partly oak Land & Southerly it buts upo Sum other Land Laid out upon the same acount and easterly it is bounded by hills of Rockey Land which is Common and westerly it is bounded by Common pine Land sum part of it and sum part oake Land Lying betwen the s'^ Land& plumtree meadows and is Laid out for one hundred acres be it more or Less : — 32 acres 2 deuision More there is another peice Laid out on the same acount at the South end of the sd winter plain and is bounded northerly by the sd winter plain for the most part and westerly it is bounded [by] sum Land of William Lewis and easterly it buts upon Coraraon Land Sc southerly it is bounded by that called the Still Riuer farm and is Laid out for 32 acres be it more or Less a highway to Groten allowed for in meashur : 80 acres 2 deuision More thare is another peice of upland Laid out upon the Same acount Lying between the aforementioned Lands and Ma- hamachekamaks hill bounded easterly by Land Laid out to (he estate of Edward Brick and westerly by sum hilly stoney Land and it buts norther ly and Southerly upon Common Land and is Laid out for eighty acres be it more or Less : a highway Runing throw it at the South end of it allowed for in meashure :— ^acres 2 deuisioti More thare is fower acres of upland Laid out near to the Brook meadow in Common with sum Land Laid out to John Bush which was Giuen him by the town : — 100 acres 2 deuisioti More there is another peice of upland Laid out upon the side of Bare hill upon the acount of the aforementioned estate Laid out by order of Goodman Hutson who purchased it of Majer Will ard tho the bounds of it are not yet known it Lyeth for one hundred acres al! the aforementioned percells of upland are in full the perprotion of up land due to the two estates afore named Major Simon Willard, son of Richard of Horsemonden, Kent, England, born 1605, came to New England in 1634 with wife Mary Sharpe and daughter Mary, and settled in 272 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Concord. Flaving been appointed. May, 1657, one of three commissioners to order the affairs of Lancaster, he was persuaded by oflers of land grants to take up his residence here, which he did in 1658. He acquired most of John Tinker's rights, and at first resided upon the Waters lot, probably a few rods south of the house of Caleb..Symmes, Esq. About 1672 he removed to his Nonacoicus farm, a five hundred acre grant, now included in the town of Ayer. Cyprian Stevens, who married his daughter Mary, 22. .11.. 1 67 1, occupied the homestead thenceforward. The Major's sons, Simon and Henry, lived upon the Still River farm. He had before coming to Lancaster attained the highest military grade then recognized, that of Sergeant-Major, and was annually elected Assistant from 1654 to his death, which took place suddenly at Charlestown, April 24, 1676. He had for his second wife Eliza Dunster, who lived but a short time, when he married her sister Mary. Seventeen children were born to him — Josiah; Elizabeth; Mary; Dorothy; Samuel, 1640 ; Sarah, 1642; Abovehope, 1646; Simon, 1649; Mary 2d, 1653; Henry, 1655; John, 1656; Daniel, 1658 ; Joseph, 1661 ; Benjamin, 1665 ; Hannah, 1666 ; Jonathan, 1669 ; and a second Elizabeth. In 1727 Simon Stevens, son of Cyprian, sold the Major Willard homestead, together vvith the night pasture, to Captain Samuel, son of Henry, the fourth son of Major Simon Willard. Until the Revolution it remained in the posses sion of his childreii. THE LANDS OF JOHN PRESCOTT A gratit of persons in the Infancy of thc Plantacion wee whose Names are subscribed doe Agree that John Prescott Shall haue these perticuler pcells w'='' are Allotted to him, 50 Acors of Entervale more or less allso a litie Corner of Entervale, lying beyound the mUl Lott from 2 oakes w'='' stands by the Riuer and a pine tree marked vppon the Skirts of the vpp land, and a Swamp w""" hee hath taken in Lew of twelve acors of wett meddow; and 12 acors of wett meddow, 6 of them Lying towards the Lower end of the Still Riuer on this side the great meddow, and the other MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 273 6 Lying high vppon the Still Riuer, 4 acors of it on thc further side and 2 acors on this side. Edward Brek William Kerly Nathaniel Hadlock John- Johnson Ja.mes .Atherton Samuel Reaner I Steephen Day coming vpp to Nashaway & hearing of some disturbance betweene Goodman Prescot & Lawrenc Waters do acknowledg that I laid out in the year 1650: vnto Goodiii Prescot 4 acors of wet meddow on the south side & 2 acors on this side on the still riuer where the bridg is, w"^*" 2 acors on this side Lawrenc Waters hath mowed, and at the end of 4 acors of meddow of goodin Prescots Mr Dayes meddows lies in reversion towards that which belongs to him. In witness wherof I haue set to my hand This is a true Coppie Steephen Day The house lott of John Prescott vpon which his house stands, being the first lott in that Range of Lotts according to the Record of Grants, in the old Towne book, lying bounded, south by the coinon, and north by a lott of Steven Dayes, vpon which PhUip Knight built a house butting Easterly vpon the highway, that runes between the two ranges of lotts, and west vpon the Coiiion, being t^venty acres be it more or less, being eight score rod long and twenty rod wide. And also a lott lying on the East side of the highway, a little brooke runeing cross the west end of it, which lott is knowne by the name of Ry feild, lying bounded south by a lott of Thomas Sawyers and north by a highway, that runes betwixt the lott of Jno. Moore and it, and it butts easterly vpon the Cofaon that lyeth betwixt his intervale and it, and westerly vpon the high way that lyes betwixt the Ranges of lotts, and lyes as a streete being twenty acres, be' it more or less, being fourescore rod long, and forty rod wide. And his intervale lott lying in a peece of intervale on the west side Nashaway riuer, part whereof lyes between the wading place which is named in the Court grant for the center of the Tovvne, and the meeting of the riuers lying bounded easterly by the riuer, and west by a hUl of vpland within fence, which the Tovvne gave to him, and his heyres for ever, for his privilege in fencing in his lott, and bounded south by the highway that runes betwixt the lott of Thomas Sawyer and it and north by the burying place hill, and north riuer, and another part of it lying at the vpper end of that peece of intervale, bounded south and east by Nashaway riuer and north by Thomas Sawyers lott, and west by a hill of vpland both of which parcells being by estimation fifty acres be it more or less, which appears to be his due, by the Records of grants in the old Towne booke, but vpon l8 274 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, exact measure according to liberty granted by a Tovvne order, recorded in the old Towne booke, there wanted six acres, which is made vp in and vvith a peece of intervale which lyes on the south side of Nashaway riuer over against a peece of intervale of Thomas Sawyers and John Ruges meadow, lying bounded southerly by some vpland granted to him for the building of a sawmill and north by the riuer and east by some intervale that falls vvithin tbe sawmill lands, and west the vpland meets the riuer, and cuts it off at the riuer all w"='' parcells of intervale make vp fifty acres be they more or less. And his meadow lying some part at the Birch meadow there being six acres, bounded east by the still riuer, and south by an intervale swamp, and west by some intervale and a peice of meadow of Thomas James, and north by a peice of meadow that was layd out to Thoraas Rowlandson, and six acres at the StUl riuer bridge as it is called, bridge meadow, four acres of which lyes on the east side of the stiU riuer, butting south on the highway that goes to the raeadowes, and so to the Ponds, and butting north vpon a peice of meadow of James Atherton, and two acres lying on the west side of the still riuer, bounded east by the still riuer and west by some bushy land, laid out to Mr John Tinker, butting south by the high way that goes to the ponds, and north by a little brooke that runes into the still riuer, all lying for twelve acres be it more or less. And a swamp Lying on the north side of John Gibsons Hill, betwixt the Hill and the north intervales which he hath taken and accepted for twelue airres of meadows lying bounded easterly by a lott of meadow of Mr Joseph Rowlandsons and southerly by the skirts of Gibsons HiU, and westerly by the Coirion, and highway, that runes between the house of William Kerley Jun' and it, and north & north west by a peice of inter vale laid out to Mr John Tinker and north east by the intervale belong ing to the mUl, w'^'' Swamp lyes for twelue acres of meadow be it more or less. tiplatidto his Corne Mill. And his vpland belonging to his mill ten acres of which takes its beginning at a littie round hill, fourty rod aboue the mill and so runes on both sides the brooke to the riuer, bounded south by some land giuen him for the building a saw mill, and northerly by a peice of pine Land that is cofnon, butting east by the riuer, and west by the littie round hill by the mill where his stake stands, and forty acres part whereof lying on the south side of that ten acres, and lying in a corner, and compassed about south and east by the riuer, and bounded west by a pine plain giuen hira for the buUding of a saw mill, and a peice of inter vale compassed about by a ledge of Iron Stone Rockes on the north and north west sides and bounded south by Nashaway riuer. all which parcells of Land ly for fifty acres be they more or less W^"" was giuen him for en couragement to build a corne mUl as appeared by a covenant copied out & truly recorded 3'' lo"'". 1659 by me Ralph Houghton. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 27? The descriptions of Prescott's lands as above given are transcribed from volume iii ofthe Middlesex Registry, being much more complete than the later copies in the Book of Lands. The records of Prescott's special grants from the General Court, and his sale of a twenty acre house lot upon the Neck to Ralph Houghton, have been set down in previous pages. The titie to the homestead where he lived until his removal to the vicinity of his mills, was de rived from Symonds & King through John Cowdall, a Boston trader, by deed duly recorded in the Suffolk Reg istry, a copy also being recorded in volume in ofthe Middlesex Registry. A Coppie of a deed from John Cowdall Bee it Knowne by these presents that I John Cowdall of Boston, for good & valluable consideration, by mee in hand receiued, haue giuen, granted, bargained & sold and by these presents do giue grant, bargain, & sell vnto John Prescott late of Watertown my house at Nashaway, and twenty acres of land therevnto belonging and adjoyneing, bounded with John Prescotts owne lott on the east, Steeven Day on the North, and George Adams south, as also twelue acres of wett meadow belonging to it, and fifty acres of Intervale bounded with Penycooke riuer west, and still riuer east, vpon which parcell of land Richard Linton, and Lawrance Waters haue planted corne, together with all appurtenances, conueniences and priueledges. coiiiunes, pastures, mindalls &c belonging & apperteyne ing to the said lands to haue and to hold the said house & Lands with all other the appurtenances & priuelidges to him and his heyres for euer, witnes my hand & seale this s* of the 8""". 1647. John Cowdall C1J jji-r,iT'»i. fS Walter Aspinwall Sealed and deliV" Inthe presence of | ri^hard Baily Recorded 5.. 8.. 1647 Walter Aspinwall Recorder James Wisers deed of Washacum lands . Know all men by these p'sents that I James Wiser of Washakim in the countie of midlesex, Indian, in New England, for good consideratione and mouinge therevnto, but especially for & in consideratione of fouer pounds teen shillings allredy rec'* by me haue giuen grantted bargined sold aUnated & confirmed & do by these psents giue grant bargine sell alinate & confirme vnto John Prescott of Lancaster some nintie accers of vnim- proued land be it more or lesse lyinge vpon a plaine & twentie accers be 276 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, it more or le.'^se beinge a corne feilld lyinge vpon a hill weastward of this plaine bounded b}- a pond a littlU remote easterly frome the plaine: Washa kim fort beinge aboutt fiefteene rods frome the neerest pt of this plaine & the hill whear on the Indian fielld is, weasterly of this plaine, only Ada- gunapeke & his Aunt & his sister reserue one accer a yere, the hill beinge called by.the name of moantuhcake, this land joynes to the farme that the Country gaue John Prescott which allso is bounded by a hiU to the south runinge downe to his meadow belonginge to his farme & the coUntryes land ellsewhear aboutt it, the sayde bargined Pmisses withall and singular ther puiledges & apertananses to be to the sayde John Prescott & his heyers for euer to haue & to hold for his or their pposes & Uesies without any lawfull lett molestaiione or disturbance from by or vnder me or any my heyers executors or asignes or any other pson or psons what soeuer fermely bindinge my sellfe my heyers executors & asignes heervnto, & we whose naraes arre vnder written, Pummannommon & Pompoweagon do afirme and testifie that the aforesayde James Wiser hath full power & right to alinate thes lands & in wittnesse heerto I y« aforesayde James Wiser do putt to my hand and sealle. The 3 acC" of brok vpland expressed heerin that is reserued lyes at the northerly end of the feilld. datted this 22'* of the first mo. 1669/70 the marke ^ James Wiser Read signed & sealled Sc deliuered in the presence of y' marke of (M) Mary Willard Simon Willard Jr. the marke of C pummannommon the marke of C ; pompoweagon [From Shattuck Manuscripts in possession of the Nevv England Historic Genea logical Society.] See p.ige 91 of this volume. John ¦ Prescott died in December, 1681, possessed of about 700 acres of land, having moreover given lands and a mill at Nonaicoicus to his son Jonas. Three hundred acres of this estate lay about the Washacum Ponds, includ ing the Sterling camp-grounds ; he owned nearly all the lands upon which the manufactories and most densely peo pled streets of Clinton are located, and one hundred acres in South Lancaster, stretching from the summit of George Hill to the meeting of the rivers. But the sworn inventory of his estate amounted to only 330 pounds 8 shillings. Af- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 277 ter the completion of his corn mill, he took up his residence near it, and the site of his garrison house has been hereto fore rioted as near the southeast corner of High and Water streets, in Clinton. The location of his earlier home is important, because from it as a starting point, all the home lots west of the rivers were laid out. Luckily we are left neither to conjecture nor tradition regarding its position. The site of the Symonds and King trucking house, bought of Cowdall, was sold to Nathaniel Wilder for twenty pounds by Jonathan Prescott, in 1697, and is thus de scribed : Twenty acres .... being in the south end of y'= Town where John Prescott Sen' and John Prescott Jun' some time Lived, being the first Lott in number in that Range of Lotts butting westerly vpon the stated tom- mon near Georges Hill, and easterly vpon a highway y' goeth between the tvvo Ranges of Lotts and southerly it is bounded partly by y' Lott of Jonas ffairbanke and part by a halfe Lott of Daniel Gaines now in y" pos session of said Jonathan Prescott, A nd northerly it is bounded by the Lott of y' said Nathaniel WUder. In the settiement of Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder's estate his son Ephraim received " all the house Lott that formerly belonged to the Prescotts," except one acre, which was set apart for the widow. The direct descendants of Captain Ephraim Wilder have resided upon the property until within the memory of some now living. William Toombs bought it, and the estate is by our older residents often called the Toombs place. This land has lately come into possession of H. A. Marshall. Reference to the record of Daniel Gains' grant will show that he had " ten acors lying on the top of George Hill . . . and northardly it is bounded by the house lott of John Prescott, and it buts easterly upon the Lott of Jonas Fair banks." The description of Jonas Fairbank's home lot reads : " it buteth west upon a hill called George Hill and it is bounded north by the Lott of John Prescott." Fairbank's lot, now included in the farm of Jonas Goss, ANNALS OF LANCASTER, extended forty rods along the highway, and from east to west was eighty rods long ; that of Prescott, his father-in- law, being half as wide and twice as long, extending to or beyond the crest of the hill. The Rye-field, with Roper's " Brooke runeing cross the west end of it" as of old, is mostly included in the lands of G. F. Chandler, John A. Rice, W. H. Graham, and Rufus Eager, the road to George Hill forming its northern bound ary. May I, 1698, Jonathan Prescott, in a deed of gift to his son Samuel, transferred " my house Lott known by the name of the Rye fileld conteyning one Dwelling house and barne." June i, 1708, Samuel Prescott, having removed to Concord, sold to Reverend John Prentice all his " houseing, lands, and meadows," including the Rye- field fully described and stated to be "the lott where y" said Samuel Prescott formerly Lived," — also the intervale "bounded easterly by Nashua River for the most part and Northerly by the burying place and North East it butts on the meeting of the Rivers". This intervale now belongs to the Thayer estate, and the existing -ditch that separates it from the old burying ground and other uplands was first dug by John Prescott, and is mentioned as early as 1659. -^ fsw acres of Prescott's intervale were located a little higher up the south branch of the Nashaway, near the place long familiarly known as the Old Rock, but formerly, probably, called John's Jump, as that suggestive name is frequentiy found in old land records attached to ' some place in that immediate vicinity. John Prescott, the founder of Lancaster, was the young est son of Ralph and Ellen of Shevington, Lancashire, England, born about 1604, and married to Mary Platts, Jan. 21, 1629. He is supposed to have been a Cromwellian soldier, and to have left England to avoid religious perse cution. He first sailed to Barbadoes in 1638, and thence to Boston in 1640. Soon thereafter he became the holder of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Watertown, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 279 and in 1643 we find him prominent among the associates of the Nashaway Company. His invincible energy, manual skill, and fertility of resource pushed the enterprise to final success, in spite of dangers and discouragements which soon drove all his copartners from the undertaking. Such as the town became, it was his building. For nearly forty years he was its very heart and soul, and after the massa cre he came back to die at his post, enjoining in his will, that the worn out mortal part of him should be committed "to the comon burying place here in Lancaster." Over his grave stands a rude fragment of slate rock, and few are the eyes that can readily read the characters rudely cut upon it: "John Prescott Debased." The footstone with the date has crumbled away. John Prescott's children were eight in number : i. Mary, baptized at Sowerby, England (Halifax Parish), Feb. 24, 1630; married Thomas Sawyer in 1648. 2. Martha, bap tized at Halifax Parish, March 11, 1632; married John Rugg in 1655. 3. John, baptized at Halifax Parish, April I, 1635 > married Sarah Hayward, 1668 ; he lived with his father and succeeded him atthe mills. 4. Sarah, baptized at Halifax Parish in 1637 ; married Richard Wheeler in 1658. 5. Hannah, probably born in Barbadoes in 1639; she became the second wife of John Rugg, May 4, 1660, her Sister Martha, with her twin babes, having died in 1656. 6. Lydia, born in Watertown, August 15, 1641 ; married Jonas Fairbank, May 28, 1658. 7. Jonathan, born probably in Lancaster about 1646 ; he removed to Concord after the massacre and became a man of note there, dying Dec. 5, 1721. 8. Jonas, born June, 1648, in Lancaster; married Mary Loker of Sudbury, 1672, and was a promi nent citizen of Groton. John Prescott's grandchildren numbered fifty. THE LANDS OF PHILIP KNIGHT his house Lott his house Lott being twenty acres Lying on the west side of Nashway Riuer and the south end of the town being the second 28o ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Lott from Goodman Presents in that Range of Lotts buting east upon a Streat or highway that Runs betwen two Ranges of Lotts in that end of the town bounded south by the Lott of Goodman Prescutt and north by a Lott of John Johnsons buting west upon the stated Conuiion upon which Lott Goodman Knight sum time erected a house and Liued thare being i6o Rods in Length and twenty Rods wide Lying for twenty acors be it more or Less — his enteruail Lott His enteruail Lott Lying on the east Side of Peni cook Riuer In a common feild in the uper end of that enteruail buting west upon penicook Riuer and east upon the Still Riuer bounded south by a Lott of John Rigbees aad north by sura Land of John Ruggs which was Laid out to him to- make up his enteruail Lott this Lott was Laid out to Goodman Knight for twenty acors Philip Knight did not sign the covenant. He was prob ably that Philip who was admitted an inhabitant at Charles town in 1637, and had wife Margery, and children Jonathan, Philip, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Mary. He died in 1668, the inventory of his estate being found in the Essex Regis try. Knight sold all his rights here, and there is no evi dence found to show that when the family name was brought to Lancaster again, after an absence of one hundred years, it was borne by a direct descendant of Philip Knight. The Knight lot was first sold to John Tinker, and purchased of him by Thomas Wilder, who probably established his resi dence there at his first coming, in 1659. ^"^ remained in the hands of his direct descendants until the present century. THE LANDS OF JOHN JOHNSON. The first land grants to John Johnson, by an omission of the copyist, have no page in the Book of Lands. This proprietor signed the covenant in 1654, was alloted the twenty acres next north from the Knight lot, and built and lived there. May 20, 1667, John Johnson and wife Mary, of Cambridge, deeded to John Roper, carpenter, "all my Home Lott whereon I sometime lived bounded south by a house lott of Thomas Wilder and northerly by a highway that runes up- into the woods, and it butts East MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 2S1 upon a high way or street that lyes between two ranfres of lotts and west upon a stated comon, with fruit trees, build ings, fences &c". In 1670, John Roper deeded to Arche- laus Courser, a "potter'' from Boston, who had married his daughter Rachel, sixteen acres of the John Johnson lot, and after the death of Archelaus, his son, John Courser, sold it to Nathaniel Wilder. In 1729 the second NaUianiel Wilder transferred to his brother Oliver, "Land on which I formerly dwelt, & is the Lott that was granted to John Johnson and part of the Lott that was Phillip Knights and afterwards Thomas Wilders." Johnson came to Lancaster from Watertown. His wife was Mary, daughter of Thomas King of Marlborough. His house lott, twenty rods in width, bordered the southern side of the highway over George Hill by the school-house. THE LANDS OF JOHN ROPER his house Lott his house Lott is the fourth Lott from John Presents in that Rang of Lotts that Lyeth west of the Street or highway that Lyeth betwen two Ranges of Lotts in the south end of the town buting east upon that highway and vvest upon the stated Common bounded south by the countie high way that Goeth in to the woods, and so whare need shall Require and bounded north on the Lott of John Rugg upon which Lott Goodman Johnson the taylor whaaumtime Liued. at Sudbury bult a honse- and Liued thare for sum space of time which Lott was sumtirae in the-- possesion [of] Master day of Cambridge it being a hundred and Sixty Rods Long and t'.venty Rods wide and Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less. his enteruail Lott His enteruail Lyeth in the north enteruaU about the middel of it buting east upon the North Riuer and west upon the upland bounded South by the Lott of John Johnson and north by the Lott of John Moore which Lott is Laid out and Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less. "Goodman Johnson the taylor," was Solomon of Sudbuiy and Marlborough. He exchanged, in 1652, "forty acres of land lying at Nashaway plantation with one Dwelling house uppon it," for a grant of three hundred acres of Stephen Day's. Day was one of the first proprietors, and an ener- 282 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, getic promoter of the interests of the plantation ; but his energy so often outran his discretion that he was constantly in debt. He signed the covenant, but never came to Lan caster to live. His land rights either went to satisfy credi tors, or as in this case, lapsed by non-improvement. The town assigned the Solomon Johnson lot to Roper. John Roper was of Norfolk County, England, coming to Amer ica when twenty-six years old, in 1639, '^'^ith wife Alice and two children, Alice and Elizabeth. He for some time lived in Dedham where were born to him Rachel, 1639; Han nah, 1642 ; Ephraim, 1644 ; and Benjamin, 1647. He was a carpenter by trade, and a man respected of his neigh bors and of good standing in the church, for he was" chosen one of the selectmen in 1664. He was killed by the Indi ans in 1676. Roper's Brook perpetuates his name. In a deed from John Moore to Daniel Hudson, A. D. 1682, the right is reserved " for the occupiers of John Roper's house for ever free liberty to fetch water from the Brook." The George Hill school-house novv stands on the southeast cor ner of the Roper lot. Ephraim Roper succeeded his father in possession of it, and had a garrison house here, which was destroyed and its inmates slaughtered or carried cap tive in 1697. Nathaniel Wilder, who was administrator of Ephraim Roper's estate, is found in possession of the lot later, and in 1722 the second Nathaniel sold it to Oliver, whose descendants occupied it until the death of Joel Wil der, 2d. James Keyes bought a portion of Roper's town right and had lands laid out near the Marlborough line in 1723. THE LAND OF JOHN RUGG House Lott His house Lott Lyeth in the South End of the town in A Rang of Lotis on the West Side of a Street or highway that Runs betvven two Ranges of Lotts being the fifth Lott in that Range bounded Southerly by the Lott of John Roper and Northerly by the Lott of Daniel Gains and It buts Easterly upon the said Street or highway afore"' and Westerly it buts upon the stated Common and Lyeth for twenty acres be it more or Less. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 283 Etiteruail Lott More he hath his Enteruail Lott in the first deuision Lying on the East side of Nashaway Riuer butting westerly upon tbe Riuer and Easterly upon the upland and It is bounded Southerly by the Lott of Jacob farrah Sener and Northerly it is bounded by a Lott which was sum time the Lott of Richard Smith novv in the possession of Majer WUlard and was Laid out for twenty acres John Rugg had for his first wife Martha Prescott, who died, with her twin babes, in 1656. His second wife was Hannah Prescott, by whom he had children: John, 1662; Mercy, 1664; Thomas, 1666; Joseph, 1668; Hannah, 1670; Rebecca, 1673; Daniel, 1678 ; Jonathan, 1681. He was made freeman in 1669. John Rugg's will was proved in February, 1697, and his widow was slain by the Indians the same year, together with her son Joseph, with his wife and three children. The Rugg house lot had been as signed to Henry Kerley in the first allotment, but he refused it,' and built on church lands not far from the Rowlandson garrison. THE LAND OF DANIEL GAINS his house Lott his house Lott part of [it] Lyeth in a peice of Land that was Left by the Lott of John Rugg and Goodman Kerley where now the Said Daniel hath built an house there being ten acors or thare abouts be it more or less bounded Southardly by John Ruggs Lott and northardly by the Lott of old Goodman Kerley and it buts easterly by the Street or hyway that Runs betwen two Ranges of Lotts and it buts westerly by the stated Common and more he hath ten acors Lying on the top of George HUl be it more or Less bounded Southardly upon the Common and north ardly it is bounded by the house Lott of John Prescutt and it buts easterly upon the Lott of Jonas fairbanks and westerly it buts upon the Stated Common both the said peaces of upland Lyeth for his full house Lott of twenty acors be thay more or Less — his enteruail Lott His enteruaU Lott Lyeth on the east side of peni cook Riuer and is bounded southardly by the Lott of Jonas fairbanks and northardly it is bounded by sum Enteruail of Lawrence Waters and it buts Easterly upon the enteruail Swamp and west it buts upon the said peni cook Riuer A high way runing Cros the Lott to the meadows and to the plumtrees and^Lyeth for his full Lott of twenty acors be it more or Less. Daniel Gaines was a late comer, appearing here in 1660. There is no evidence that he had wife or children, but a 284 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, brother, " Samuel Gaynes," was appointed administrator of his estate. He was slain in the massacre of the Rowland- son garrison. John Prescott bought the ten acres on the top of George Hill. THE LANDS OF WILLIAM KERLEY SENER , house Lotts, his owti 20 acors the house Lott of William Kerley Sener is the Sixth Lott from John Prescutts house Lott northward contains niore or Less twenty acors — his purchased house Lott 20 acors of Richard Sttiith The house Lott of Richard Sraith first Granted to the said Richard and afterivards pur chased of hira by the said William Kerley and now in his possession is the Seuenth Lott from John Prescutts aboue said Containing more or Less twenty acors : These two house Lotts Containing as aforesaid more or Less : fourty acors ioyning the one to the other are Scittuat Lying and being in that Rang of Lotts on the west side of the North Riuer bounded by the Street highway or Common Eastward the woods or Commons westward the house Lott of John Smith northward and the house Lott of Henery Kerley Southward in bredth and Length acording to the order of the town'in the Book of Records for that Range enteruail lotts his own 20 acors and Richard Smiths 20 acors The enteruail Lott of William Kerley Contains twenty acors more or Less is scituate Lying and being in the north enteruail west of the North Riuer also twenty acors more or Less Granted to Richard Smith and purchesed by the said William Kerley next adioyning to the said twenty acors South ward this fourty acors of enteruail of and belonging to the said William Kerley is bounded by the North Riuer eastward the Commons or common Land westward the enteruail Lott of John Smith north and the enteruail Lott of WiUiam Kerley Juner Southward — William Kerley, "husbandman," from Ashmore, Eng land, came over in "the good Shipp the Confidence of London," April, 1638. We find the family in Hingham first, but of Sudbury in 1641. In 1647 he became freeman. His first wife, Ann, died in Lancaster, 1658. The next year he married Bridget Rowlandson, mother of the minis ter. She dying, 1662, he took for his third wife Rebecca, widow of Thomas Joslin, A. D. 1664. He died July 14, 1670. It would seem that he had been a soldier, for in the inventory of his personal effects were " Iron cloathes " and MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 285 a"cutlash." William Kerley was appointed one ofthe first prudential managers of the town, and seems to have been a very strong willed if not influential member of the board. The Kerle} lots are now the homesteads of F. D. Taylor and H. B. Scratton. A deed dated April 30, 1688, from Henry Kerley, then of Marlborough, to Samuel Car ter of Woburn, "clerk," transfers "the 6"' house lott & three quarters of the 7'" house lott," in all thirty-five acres. Richard Smith's deed of his dwelling-house and twenty acre house lot to William Kerley, senior, is dated June 4, 1658. Smith was of Sudbury, son of John. His first wife, Mary, and her infant, died 27. .3".. 1654, and August 10 of the same year he married the widow Joanna Quarlls, by whom he had in Lancaster, John, 1655, and Francis, 1657. He appears in 1656 among the proprietors of Groton, but perhaps did not become resident there, although he disap pears from Lancaster. LANDS OF MR SAMUEL CARTER 40 acors of Land Gratited to Mr Satnuel Carter Mr Samuel Carter hath fourty acres of Land Laid out to him which was a proper Gift of the town Lying at the east end of sum Second deuision Land of John farrahs now in the possession of Mr. Thomas Swift buting west upon s^ Swifts Land and easterly upon Swampie Low Land and Southardly it is bounded upon Second deuision Land of William Kerley Sener and northardly by Common plain Land. Thomas Swift seems to have been a transient resident, perhaps, from Milton. He was a non-resident proprietor in 1684, and disappears from the records thereafter. Samuel Carter, a teacher and clergyman, was the son of the Rev erend Thomas Carter of Woburn, born 1640, graduated from Harvard College in 1660, died as minister of Groton, 1693. He sometimes preached in Lancaster, between 1681 and 1688. By wife Eunice Brooks he had four sons and four daughters : Mary, 1673 ; Samuel, 1678 ; John, 1681 ; Thomas, 1682; Nathaniel, 1685; Eunice, 1687; Abigail, 2S6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 1690. None of these births are found in Lancaster Rec ords. The widow Eunice married John Kendall of Wo burn, who, with his brother Samuel, were the progenitors of numerous descendants bearing the name Kendall in Lancaster, Leominster and Sterling. John Kendall re ceived a forty acre grant from the town, January 26, 1714, "on the easterly side of Wecapeket Brook." John, Samuel and Thomas Carter occupied the paternal estate purchased of William Kerley's heirs," and there the two last named had large families, which so multiplied the number bearing the family name that it was soon rivalled only by the Wil lards and Wilders in the Lancaster census. THE LANDS OF JOHN SMITH house Lott The upland Lott of John Smith being the Eighth Lott In that Range of Lotts that Lyes on the west Side of the North Riuer and on the west side of the Street or hyway that Lyes betwen the Ranges of Lotts on the South end of the town being by estamation twenty acors being eight score Rods in Length and twenty Rods wide buting East upon the highway or Street that Runs betwen the Ranges of Lotts and west upon the Commons bounded south by the Lott of William Kerley Sener which he bought of Richard Smith and north by the Lott of WiUiam Kerley Juner lying for twenty acors be it more or Less. enteruail Lott His enteruail Lott being twenty acors Lying on the west side of the North Riuer bounded east by the Riuer and west by the Common upland and South by the Lott of William Kerley Sener which he bought of Richard Smith and north by a Littel Run of water or Brook Ranging acording as the Brook Runs it being his due and his Lott Giuen and Granted hira by the town John Smith was father to Richard before named, and to Ann, the wife of John Moore. He came from Sudbury with wife Mary, who died 27. .10" 1659. In 1660 he gave the intervale lot above described to John and Ann Moore,. and March 18, 1663, he deeded to Adam Waters "all my dwelling house in aforsaid Lanchaster wherein I lately lived," with the house lot described above. Adam Waters died A. D. 1670, and his brothers, Stephen Waters and John Skeath, sold the Smith lot to Thomas Ross, a weaver MASSACHUSETTS. 1643 -1725. 2S7 from Woburn. On the 5"' of 2'' month, 1669, John Smith transfers all his then estate to John Moore, with this condi tion : "Now in m}' old age I being old and infirme, & not able to improve land, nor to maintayne myself by my labours nor to pay publique charges for my land, therefore in consideration of my foresaid son John Moore & his wife are to keepe mee duringe my naturall life." .... He died July 16, 1669. His will mentions children — John, Rich ard, Ann and Alice. LANDS OF WILLIAM KERLEY JUNER house Lott his house Lott which is acording to his Grant in the old town book the ninth Lott fi-om John Prescutts Lying and being on the west side of the highway that Goes to the north enteniail and to Wallnutt Swamp and it buts Easterly upon that highway and westerly upon the Stated Coraraon and it is bounded Southardly by the Lott of John Smith and north by sum second deuision Land of William Kerley Sener and It Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less — etiteruail Lott More he hath his enteruail Lott Lying and being in the north enteruail and according to his Grant apears to be the fourth Lott thare and it buts easterly upon the North Riuer and westerly upon Com mon [land] and is bounded Southerly by the Lott of John More and northardly it is bounded by the Land [of] William Kerley Sener and it Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less William Kerley, junior, came from Sudbury, signing the Nashaway covenant in 1653. He was made a freeman in 1666, having removed to Marlborough, where he became ensign. He died January 4, 1684. No children are named in his will, although by first wife, Jane, he had three daugh ters : Mary, 1667 ; Sarah, 1668; and Hannah, 1670. A second wife, Anna, daughter of Thomas King, survived him. He sold his Lancaster lands to Abraham Joslin, Jr., who perished with his wife and child in the massacre of 1676. In 1693-4, Henry Kerley and the Joslin heirs trans ferred the "House lot of W'" Kerley" to Thomas Harris, a butcher from Boston, who had married the widow Rebecca Crocker, or " Croakham ," Abraham Joslin's sister. Thomas iS8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Harris in 1682 had bought the lands of John Ball, who was killed in the massacre. Ball's lands are not described in the Book of Lands, although he was one of the first inhab itants. Harris died 169S. Abraham Joslin also sold fifty acres to Nathaniel Robinson, with a proprietor's right. Nathaniel Hapgood possessed lands at Bare Hill and else where, laid out to the right of William Kerley, junior. THE LANDS OF JOHN MORE his house Lott The house Lott of John More Lyeth on the west side ' of the North Riuer and on the east side of the highway or Street that Runs betwen the two Ranges of Lotts that are Laid out in the South end of the town being called the first Lott from the Lott of John Prescutts in the Records of Grants in the old town book and it Lyes bounded South by a highway that Runs betwen the Lott of John prescutt CaUed the Ry field and it and bounded north by Gipson hUl and buting east upon the Common and west upon the Street or highway Runing betwen the two Ranges of Lotts his Lott being four score Rods in Length and fourty Rods wide Lying for twenty acors be it more or Less — his ettteruail Lott His enteruail Lott Lying in the north enteruail being Called the fifth Lott In the Records of Grants in the old town Book and it Lyes bounded north by the Lott of WiUiam Kerley Juner and south by the Lott of John Roper buting east upon the North Riuer and vvest upon the upland being twenty Rods wide and Eight Score Rods in Length it Lying for twenty acors be it more or Less. By a deed dated March 25, 1682, "John Moore of Sud bury sometime of Lancaster " transferred to Daniel Hud son "All his House lot in the sd Lancaster upon wh. he the said John More built a House & for some time Lived, Ly ing betweene Gibsons Hill, & John Prescot his Rye field, & is bounded southerly by a Highway " reserving "%, acre in some place neer the highway, as also Liberty for the occupiers of John Ropers house for ever free liberty to fetch water from the Brook that runs on the Lot near the west end." Daniel Hudson being slain by the Indians, September 11, 1697, his son Nathaniel possessed the Moore lot, but removing to Billerica, sold it to John Buss of Con cord, a tailor, for 400 pounds, June i, 1709. March 2$, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 280 1719, John and Hazadiah Moore transfer to John Buss the reserved one-fourth acre above named, describing it as "on the north side of a Highway w" lies between it and a Lott now belonging to the Reverend Mr John Prentice Something in a square form, in south east corner of sd lott, bounded south by sd Highway, east by land that was called stated Common, North & west by part of sd lott." Samuel Locke became the next owner, purchasing of the second John Buss in 1742. Two John Moores signed the Lancaster covenant — one in 1653, the other a year later. But one, however, shared in the first allotments, if we may trust the Book of Lands. John Moore of Sudbury, in his will proved in 1674, leaves to his son John of Lancaster, "five shillings and no more, for I have given him his portion formerly." This John married in Sudbury, November 16, 1654, Ann, daughter of John Smith. Their children born in Lancaster were Mary, 1655 ; EHzabeth, 1657; I^dia, 1660; John, 1662; Joseph, 1664 ; Ann, 1666 ; Jonathan, 1669 ; and Maria. The same date, iciPI 1670-1, marks the birth of Maria and the death of the mother, Ann. John Moore became Ensign, and died in 1702, leaving a widow Mary. He re moved from his first home and built upon Wataquadock about 1665, for in that year, in an exchange of lands with Ralph Houghton, he mentions " my nevv dwelling house at Wataquadoke." John Moore, junior, was delegate to Gen eral Court from Lancaster, in 16S9. His sons John and Jonathan lived to ripe old age upon the paternal acres, south of Wataquadock. THE LANDS OF THOMAS SAWYER house Lott his house Lott Lyeth on the east side of the Street or highway that Runs betwen the tvvo Ranges of Lotts on the south end of the town bounded'west by the Street or highway and east by the Common that Lies betwen the enteruail and it bounded south by the Lott of Jacob farrah and north by the Lott of John Prescutt caUed the Rie field this lott being Eightie Rods in Length and fourty Rods wide and Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less 19 290 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, his enteruail Lott His enterual Lott Lyes in a peace of enteruail that Lies on the vvest side of Nashaway Riuer bounded northward by the highway that Goes to Wataquadok and south by sum part of the enteruail Lott of John prescutts and east and south east by the Riuer and vvest it buts vvith an angle upon the Common or pine hill acording to the Rec ords of Gr.^nts in the old town book it vvas first Laid out for twenty acors but upon trial by exact meashur it was found to v/.-int five acors which the town Granted to be made up twenty and it was Confirmed by the Com mittee and is made up with and by a peice of enteruail that Lies up Nash away Riuer Thomas Sawyer was a blacksmith, of Rowley, 1643. He came to Lancaster in 1647, and married Mary Prescott, by whom he had children : Thomas, 1649 ; Ephraim, 1651 ; Marj', 1653; Joshua, 1655; James, 1657; Caleb, 1659; John, 1661 ; Elizabeth, 1663 ; Nathaniel, 1670. Over his grave in the old yard the headstone records that he died Sept. 12, 1706, aged about ninety years. Thomas, junior', who seems to have inherited a share of his grandfather John Prescott's energy and capacity, established the second saw-mill in Lancaster before 1700, upon Deans, novv Good ridge, Brook, atthe dam near the Deer's Horns school-house. Upon the Sawyer house lot now stand the church and sev eral dwellings of the Seventh Day Adventist Society. The venerable Mrs. Sally (Sawyer) Case, a direct descendant of Thomas Sawyer, lives very near the original house site. An ancient dwelling, with stone chimneys, was torn away, just in the rear of the present house, when it vvas built in 1812. June 18, 1701, Sawyer transferred half of this house lot to his youngest son, Nathaniel, it being described as the " south side of the Lott bounded north by rest of lott & south by a narrow Lane or way lying betwixt it and the lot of Jacob ffarer & it butts east & west on highways." June 14, 1706, he transfers the above described intervale to Nathaniel, stating its southern bound to be upon "some intervale land in the possession of Thomas Sawyer, Jun. & known by y"^^ name of Johns Jump about 15 acres." At the same date he gives eight acres of the northern half of MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 291 his house lot to his oldest son, Thomas, "he liaving sold 2 acres before " to him. This last is the farm lately owned by L. G. Cilley. THE LANDS OF JACOB FARRAH house Lott The house Lott of Jacob farrah upon which his house stands Lying South from the North Riuer and west from Nashaway Riuer in a Rang of Lotts on the east side of the Srreet or highway that Lyes betvven two Ranges of Lotts buting west upon that Street or highway and east upon the Common that Lies towards Johns Jump a place so caUed bounding north by the Lott of thomas Sawyer and South by the Commons where thare was a Lott sura time Laid out to John Rigbe a Littel Brook Runing cros the west end of it near to the end, and a highway of a Rod wide Lying betwen the Lott of Thomas Sawyer and it which Lott being fower score Rods in Length and fourty Rods wide ondly upon his Request for a Conuenient place to build a house the Square of his Lott was altered and the South west corner Runs out twenty Rods further and the South east corner so much in which Lott Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less. his etiteruail Lott The enteruail Lott of Jacob farrah Lyeth on the east side of Nashaway Riuer by which Riuer it is wholley Bounded on the west side and on the east side at the east end it is hounded by sum mead ow called the frog holes and so downward by the pine plain buting South by a Swamp called pins Swamp and north by John [Ruggs] Lott one highway Going threw it two ways the bay [road] and another highway Goes down the enteruail to the meadows both of thera being two Rods and half wide either of them so much of which Lott is his own Lott of enteruaU Granted hira by the town and was laid out to him for twenty acors The "highway of a rod wide" above stated as the north bound of Farrar's land is the east and west street, known as the Narrow Lane, on which the Seventh Day Adventist meeting-house stands. Near an unfailing spring beside Roper's Brook there was visible, many years ago, a de pression marking a half filled cellar ; and various relics of a residence were there frequently ploughed up, but no one could remember even a tradition of a house standing there, or of its ownership. Possibly this may have been the loca tion of the Farrar home, though the extension of the south west corner would rather indicate a site on the high ground >c>2 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, opposite of Jonas Goss^barn. The Farrar entervale was just east of the Atherton bridge. Jacob Farrar came to Lancaster with an older brother John, in 1653, from Woburn. John returned thither, trans ferring his land allotments to Jacob, who prepared a home for his family left behind him in Lancashire, England. His wife Ann with four children — Jacob, John, Henry and Mary — joined him in 1658, bringing 168 pounds 7 shil lings additional estate. Two of the sons, Jacob and Henry, were slain by the Indians in 1675 and 1676, the former leaving a wife Mary (Hayward.) and four sons — Jacob, George, John and Henry. John, another son, died Nov. 3, 1669, leaving two children, Mary and John, and wife Mary (Hillard). In his inventory is the item, "Timber prepared for a house." After the massacre, Jacob Farrar, with his wife and daughter Mary, who had married John Houghton, junior, in 1672, fled to his relatives in Woburn, where he died Aug. 14, 1677. The name Farrar very sel dom appears thereafter in Lancaster. The widow Ann married John Sears of Woburn in 1680. In the old bur ial ground is a venerable headstone inscribed, "Anna Sers," which, perhaps, marks her grave. John Houghton purchased all the Farrar lands, A. D. 1700. THE LANDS OF RICHARD WHEELER house Lott first he hath his house Lott whereon he built near unto danes Brook bounded southerly by the Lott of John Houghton and partly by the Common and northardly by the Stated Common and easterly and westerly it buts upon the Stated Common Lying for twenty acors be it more or less together with sum sraall additions one adioyning to it and another Lying near Johns Jump — Enteruail Lott More he hath twenty acors of enteruail laid being his entei-uail Lott in the first deuision Lying on the east side of Nashaway Riuer lying in two peices bounded westw-ardly by the Riuer and easterly by the upland and buts Southerly upon sum enteruail of thoraas Sawyer and northardly upon the upland and Riuer meeting — Wheeler's home lot must have been parth' included in the estate of the late Sally Flagg. One portion of his in- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 293 tervale is mentioned more than once in early records as Ahratn's Hole. Old residents sometimes used this name, applying it to a deep place in the river, near the Scar now called Emerson's Bank. It seems to be, however, a chance survival of the disused provincial English term holl, mean ing a small area of ground sunken below its surroundings. Abram's Hole is a depressed and hill-girt meadow seen across the river east from the north extremity of High street, in Clinton. Richard Wheeler came here from Med field. He married John Prescott's daughter Sarah, Aug. 2, 1658, and had children born in Lancaster : Jacob, 1663 ; Zebediah, 1664; Sarah, 1666; Elizabeth, 1669; Samuel, 1671. He was made a freeman in 1669, and was killed by the Indians in 1676. His widow married Joseph Rice of Marlborough. Samuel went as a soldier in the Canada expedition, and died 1691. David and Hezekiah Whit comb came into possession of Wheeler's rights. THE LANDS OF JOHN HOUGHTON his house Lott his house Lott where upon he hath built and planted Lyeth on the north side of Deans Brook bounded Southerly by the said Brook and northerly by tiie Lott of Richard Wheeler and easterly it buts upon the miU path and westerly it buts upon sura Land of his own that is part of his second deuision and it Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less. his etiteruail Lott His enteruail Lott [is] on the east side of Penicook Riuer and is bounded westerly and norwest by the said Riuer and it is bounded easterly by the enteruaU Swamp a highway of two Rods and half Runs through it to Go to the meadows and to Groten and that part of it that Lyeth on the east side the path buts southerly by sum Land of James butier and northerly it buts upon a high way that Goes into Goodman Wateres Littel Round Meadow that Way Lying betwen it and sum Land of John More now in the possession of Jeremiah Rogers and the other part of it that Lyeth on the west side the path is bounded southerly by sum enteruail Land of Goodman Wateres Runing with a Corner up into the bent of the Riuer and it buts northardly with an angle upon Goodman White his feild so called both percels of enteruaU Lyeth for his Lott and for twenty acors be it more or Less. John Houghton came from England in the Abigail, 1635, 2Q, ANNALS OF LANCASTER, being then a mere boy. A rude slate stone in the old yard records his death April 29, 1684. His wife's name was Beatrix. Although he signed the covenant in 1653; it is doubtful if he came here to reside for several years, as the records of his cliildren's births are not found as of Lancas ter until that of Beatrix, in 1665. In his will he mentions his "seven children." They were John, born about 1650; Robert, 1658 ; Jonas ; Mary ; Beatrix, 1665 ; Benjamin, 1668 ; Sarah, 1672. During the desertion of the town the family sought refuge in Charlestown. At the re-settlement the sons established new homes east of the river, upon Bridecake Plain, now known as the Old Common. The intrusion of so fanciful a baptismal name as Beatrix among the otherwise rigidly scriptural designations of the family, denotes, perhaps, an imaginative tendency in some mem ber of it, and this found freer scope in the naming of real estate acquired. Thus we find in John Houghton's various parcels of land, " Rosemary meadow," " Horse swamp," " Houghton's park," " Cranberry meadow," " The meadow of the three fountains," "Job's corner conveniency," and " Tobacco pipe meadow." The daughter Beatrix married John Pope, Sept. 20, 1683. The oldest son, John, became the most prominent citizen of Lancaster in his day, for many years serving in various town offices, and as repre sentative, and justice. THE LANDS OF JONAS FAIRBANKE his house Lott The house Lott of Jonas fairbanke Lyeth on the west Side the Street or highway that Lyeth betwen two Ranges of Lotts in the South end of the town buting east upon that highway or Street and it buteth vvest upon a hill CaUed George hill and it is bounded South by the Common and north by the Lott of John Prescutt this Lott being eighty Rods In Length and fourty Rods wide Lyeth for twenty acors be it more or Less — his enteruail Lott His enteruaU Lott Lyeth on the east side of Peni cook Riuer below the Common feild bounded south by the Lott of -Jacob farrah which came to him by the acount of his brother John farrah and north it is bounded by a Lott which is since Granted to Daniel Gains it MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 295 buts East upon a peice of Swampie brushie' enteruail the highway Crosing that end of it and it buts west upon Penicook Riuer which Lott is Laid out to him for twenty acors be it more or Less — Jonas Fairbank came from the same English township as the Prescotts, being the son of Jonathan Fairbank, who settled in Dedham. His marriage to Lydia, daughter of John Prescott, 28.. 3™. 1658, is the first recorded in Lan caster. He had seven children : Mary, 1659 ' Joshua, 1661 ; Grace, 1663; Jonathan, 1666; Hazadiah, 1668; Jabez, 1670; Jonas, 1673. He, with his son Joshua, were killed by the Indians, Feb. 10, 1676, and his widow mar ried Elias Barron of Watertown, afterwards of Groton and Lancaster. Fairbank's home was upon the farm now owned by Jonas Goss. By later allotments he acquired lands southward, including much of the farm now belong ing to George A. Parker. Certain items in his inventory indicate that he was a carpenter by trade. His house lot had originally belonged to George Adams, whose right fell to the town through his inaction and absence. Of Fair- bank's sons, Jonathan was killed by the Indians in 1697 ; Jonas removed to Watertown ; Jabez retained the paternal estate, attained prominence in town affairs, and as a lieu tenant, gained some reputation in the Indian war. In the year 1700 he had lands laid out to him, "on both sides of danes Brook aboue Thomas Sawyers Sawmill." This site became the home of the Fairbanks, and so remained for a hundred years or more. George W. Howard now owns their homestead. THE LANDS OF JOHN RIGBE house Lott The house Lott of John Rigbe Lyeth on the East Side the highway or Street that Lyeth between two Ranges of Lotts in the South end of the town buting west upon that high way and east upon the high way that Goes to the South meadow bounded soutH" by the Common which • he hath now taken ten acors of it for part of his Second deuision and bounded north by the house Lott of Jacob farrah where he now dwelleth, this Lott is Laid out for ten acors and is Eighty Rods Long and twenty Rods wide and Lyeth for half a home Lott be it more or Less — 296 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, His etiteruail Lott His enteruail Lott Lyeth on the east side penicook Riuer a Littel below whare the North Riuer and Nashaway Riuer meeteth buting west upon the Riuer and east partly upon the upland and part upon the StUl Riuer the Still Riuer Runing down through part of it bounded South by the Lott of Richard Sraith now in the possession of Maior Simon Willard and bounded north by the Lott of Phillip Knight novv in the pos session of thomas WUder this Lott being Laid out to him for ten acors be it more or Less — The marriage of John Rigby and Elizabeth , in Lancaster, August 30, 1662, is duly recorded. Rigby was probably of Dorchester, son of John. He survived the massacre of 1676, but thenceforward disappears from Lan caster records. The family name clings to an old highway between Clinton and the Deer's Horns district, and a littie brook long bore the same name, for reasons not discovered. In 1715, James Wilder sold to Jabez Fairbank lands once Rigby's. His first house lot is perhaps mostly included in the estate of the late Stedman Nourse. Near Roper's Brook thereon is a hollow marking an old cellar, close to which, fifty years ago, were the decaying trunks of tvvo huge apple trees — perhaps relics of the Rigby home. THE CHURCH LANDS RECORDED the enteruail for as much as in the* begining of this plantation of Lancaster the men apoynted by the General Court to Sett forward and to order and dispose of the affairs of this plantation and amongst the Rest of thair fundimentaU orders which are upon Record in the old town book and also to be found in the Book of orders thare is an act Stating of thirty acres of upland and fourty acres of enteruaU but upon seueral Con siderations the town not well waying that former act haue nesesitated disposing of the Greatest part of the enteruail Land so as that thare is none left for the use aforesaid but a little peice by master Rowlandsons house about four acres which Lyeth bounded northardly by the Brook and part by master Rowlandsons fence and Southerly by the pine hill that is Laid out for Church Land and easterly it buts upon a lull of upland of master Rowlandsons and westerly it buts upon the meadow at Gipson hill :— the upland the thirty acres of upland is Laid out Southerly from the enteruaU and is bounded northerly by the said enteruail and by sum Land of master Rowlandson and Southerly by the Stated Common one Corner MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 297 mark being a pine tree by the enteruail hill Gate and another iu a Little Swamp and easterly it is bounded by Goodman Prescutts and Goodman Sawyers fence and westerly it is bounded by the Stated Common and is laid out for thirty acors be it more or Less by Jacob farrah and Ralph Houghton : — the tneadow The meadow Laid out by the four men apoynted and Im powered to Lay out the first deuision of meadows on the east side of the hemp Swamp and Lyeth bounded easterly by sum pine Land of Ralph Houghton and westerly by sum brushie enteruail Land of Edward Brick and thomas Joslin and Ralph Houghton which is there for Conueniancie and it buts northerly upon a swamp of the said Ralph Houghtons and southerly upon a pine hUl. Recorded this 15: March 1669/70: by me Ralph Houghton THE LANDS OF THOMAS WILDER his house Lott his house Lott p'"^ wherof is situate Lying and being within a Certain tract of Land State / jy the town for a Common it being allowed by the town at the same time the Common was Stated Lying near to the Walnutt Swamp and Red Spring upon the Riuer a Littel below both buting east upon the North Riuer and west upon the Common and also bounded South and north by the Common there being Seuenteen acors Laid out to him : and three acors Lying bounded east by his enteruail at the Walnutt Swarap whare he hath fenced and brok up Land and west by the Stated Common buting north upon the North Riuer and Runs with a Sharpe angle coming to nothing at the south end and Runing into the Line of his enteruaU both of which percels of Land are Laid out to him for twenty acors be thay more or Less — his etiteruail Lott His enteruail Lott Lying at the Walnutt Swamp the Gratest part of it bounded easterly by the North Riuer and westerly by his three acors of upland and partly by the Stated Common butting northardly upon the North Riuer and Southardly upon his Seuenteen acors of upland part of his house Lott a highway Crosing the enteruail from the neck to the Commons at the usual place where the herd useth to pass ouer the North Riuer the highway being fiue Rods wide there being sixteen acors and fourty Rods the Rest by which it is made up twenty acors Lyeth below upon the Riuer begining where his Seuenteen acors of upland ends and so foloweth the Riuer to an elbo or bend in the Riuer and a Great pine tree on the Common on the upland a Litle before Goodman Joslins enter uaU coms in bounded easterly by the Riuer and west by the Stated Com mon buting north upon his Seuenteen acors of upland and Southarly upon that bent in the Riuer and Great pine tree both of which percels of enteruaU is Laid out to the said Goodman Wilder for twenty acors be they more or Less. 298 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Thomas Wilder, or, as he signed himself, "Wyellder," never resided upon the above house lot, but bought of John Tinker a house and land half a mile south, next to John Prescott's Cowdall purchase, then known as the Knight lot. This remained the home of the Wilders for more than one hundred and fifty years. Wilder was about forty years of age when he came here from Charlestown, in 1659. He had been admitted to the church there in 1640, and was made freeman in 1641. Upon his arrival in Lancaster he was at once installed in the position of selectman, vacated by John Tinker's removal. He died October 23, 1667. The inventory of his estate sums 405 pounds 18 shillings. There are named in his will, his wife Ann, and children Mary, Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, and Ebenezer. None of these were born in Lancaster. Thomas and John, at the re-settlement of the town established their homes on Bridecake Plain, now known as the Old Common, living on the north side of the highway. Nathaniel retained the old homestead, and was there an inn-keeper for nearly twenty-five years. During the war of the Revolution, twenty-two soldiers bearing the family name Wilder served for Lancaster, then including Sterling. In the year 1798 there were seventeen landholders in town named Wilder, exceeding the number of Willards, the next most frequent patronymic, by four. Thomas Wilder's daughter Mary married Daniel Allen, a cooper in Charlestown, and upon a ^ift of forty acres of land from her father, they came to Lancaster, bringing children born in Charlestown and Watertown, but after some years' residence here, returned to Watertown. Their son Ebenezer returned to Lancas ter, and his son Ebenezer was a man of note here in revo lutionary times. The Allen homestead is in the borders of Clinton, and now occupied by E. A. Currier. Benjamin Allen, who had children born in Lancaster before the mas sacre, was probably a brother of Daniel. In 1716, Thomas Tucker had lands under Thomas Wilder's rights, near Clamshell Pond. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 299 THE LANDS OF MASTER JOSEPH ROWLANDSON his etiteruail Lott atid Latid iti Lew of a house Lott He hath twenty Six acres of enteruail and also Thirteen acres of upland the enteruail Giuen him in Lew of an enteruail Lott and the upland in Lew of a house Lott by the town and it Lyeth togather all in one peice as it was Laid out by Jacob farrah and Ralph Houghton in the nignt pasture within that fence that was formerly sett up by the Copartners bounded northardly by the sd night pasture fence part of the fence being standing when the Land was Laid out, Southardly by the North Riuer easterly by penicook Riuer and westerly by the Lott of Richard Smith then in Possession of Master John Tinker aud northeast by the town highway in the night pasture the whole Lyeth for thirty nine acors be it more or Less. Recorded this : 15 : i:nion:i669 Byrne Ralph Houghton Sufficient has been said of the origin of the name " night pasture," in former pages. This land is now divided among many owners, and cut in twain by a highway. The larger portion is in the farm of Charles L. Wilder. In 1687, Joseph Rowlandson, the son of the minister, sold it to Philip Goss, merchant, of Boston, who died in 1698. John, the son of Philip Goss, sold it to Simon Stevens, and he. May 5, 1727, transferred it to Captain Samuel Willard, together with the Major Simon Willard home stead adjoining it on the west. The minister's residence was never upon this land, but for his convenience was located quite near the meeting-house, which stood on the highest ground in the middle cemetery. The Rowlandson property in that place is not described in the Book of Lands, but its bounds have been discovered elsewhere. Joseph Rowlandson, junior, probably came back to Lancaster and rebuilt, for January 20, 1687, calling himself of Lancaster, he deeds to Philip Goss : — his Dwelling house in Lancaster and orchard and all y Land about the house as it lyeth bounded Easterly by a street or highway and westerly partiy by a brook and partly by sorae rainisteriaU meadowish Land and it, and butts southerly upon a little HiU by the Meeting House, & northerly upon some Coinon Land according as it is already fenced . . And also other peice of Land known by y" name of burying place ffield, bounded North- eriy by the North Riuer, and southerly by Jonathan Prescotts Land, and 300 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, it buts Westerly upon the said street or highway and Easterly it buts upon the Land of Jonathan Prescott taking in both upland and Intervale a high way lying through it to the burying place, and also a peice of Intervale known by the name of Kerley Intervale .... and also a house Lott of Twenty acres .... upon which George Newby liues [near Walnut Swamp] .... and his meadow Lott in the first Division lying neer Gibsons HiU .... Nov. 22, 1710, Philip and Judith Goss of Brookfield deeded the homestead to Hooker Osgood, a saddler, from Andover : being the place where Mr Joseph Rowlandson formerly liued one part thereof lying on the east side of the highway on which peice the Barn standeth. It is by estimation about ten acres of upland and Intervale . . . . bounded west by the highway northerly by the North Riuer and comes to a point neer the meeting of the Riuers, and bounded southerly partiy by y' burying place and partly by some Land now in possession of Mr John Prentice .... Reseruing liberty of conuienient passage for the Inhabitants of Lancaster to the burying place, also one Barn & fencing standing on y* Land, also about six acres more or less lying on y" west side of sd highway on which land y" DweUing house formerly stood [it was burned by Itidians, 1704] together with all orcharding & fencing on sd land, and is bounded easterly by the highway towards the Bridge and westerly by a Brook and partly by ministers medow and butts southardly on a peice of ministry Land and northerly it comes neer to the Riuer by the Bridge .... Thomas Rowlandson, the father of the minister, must have come from Ipswich to Lancaster very soon after his son's settiement, with wife Bridget, but his name does not 'appear among the grants of lands. He died here, Nov. 17, 1657, and his widow married William Kerley, senior, 3i..3?i 1659. A curious item in the inventory of his estate, which summed 113? 9'. 9:!, .is : "Old shop tools Damnified by salt water, being Left at Charlstown by the Sea Shores, a Long season, accounted at 3*." Joseph Rowlandson, born in England, was sole graduate at Harvard College in 1652, began to preach at Lancaster, 1654, and was ordained in 1660. tie married Mary, daugh ter of John White, and had children : Mary, 15. .11. .1657, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 301 died 20.. 1 1.. 1660 ; Joseph, 7.. i. .1661 ; Mary, 12. .6. .1665 ; Sarah, 15 Sept., 1669. He went to Wethersfield, April,. 1677, as colleague of Reverend Gershom Bulkeley, and died suddenly, Nov. 3, 1678. The son Joseph died in Wethersfield, in 17 13. THE LANDS OF JAMES BUTLER his house Lott and enteruail first he hath a tract of Land being for the most part pine Land Laid out to him to the southward of the Cold Spring which is Laid out to him for 134 acors be it more or less so much being his due acording to order and Grant of the town to him 20 acres whereof is for a house Lott and 40 acres in Lew of an enteruail Lott, 60 acors lor his second deuision of upland and 14 acors in Lew of his second deuision of enteruail and it Lyeth all together and it buts easterly upon a Rokey bushey hill of Common upland and westerly it buts upon a pine plain the South west corner marke standing near to a brook taking in the Brook and southerly it is bounded by hillie pine Land for the most part and northardly it is bounded by pine Land and sum Rocky Called Ratel Snake hill the northeast Corner is near to sum Land of Edmon Parker James Butler, in 1664, received from Rebecca Joslin, widow of Thomas, certain land east of Still River. The above lands, recorded 1666, are upon the east slope of Wataquadock, and there his son James lived after the mas sacre, the elder James Butler dying March 19, 1681, and his widow, Mary, marrying John Hinds. THE LANDS OF JOHN HINDS John hinds hath his thirtie acre lott Granted by the town Lying one the east side of the Nashaway Riuer in seueral places one peice Lying to the Southeast of Ratlesnake hill .... More he hath a peice Laid out at the head of the Littie Brook that Runs threw James Butiers.Land near his house place John Hinds, and Mary, widow of James Butier, were married Feb. 9, 1681-2. Hinds came from Woburn. By a former wife he had a son James, and perhaps others. By Mary, in Lancaster, he had John, 1683 ; Jacob, Hope- still, Enoch, Hannah, Deborah, and Experience. He re moved to Brookfield, but his son John remained on the homestead, southeast of Wataquadock. 302 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, THE LANDS OF JOHN WARNER AND JOHN PRIEST their 2: y): acre Lotts Part whereof is Laid out acording to town Grant on the eastward side of Bare hill easterly it is bounded by sum Common undiuided upland baring towards Goodman Moors meadow and westerly by the assent of bare hill for the most part and south and north by Common undeuided upland and Lyeth for 24 acres be it more or Less : more thay haue another peice Laid out for 36 acres be it more or Less on which thay haue built bounded northerly by sum Land of Nathaniel Wallis [Wales] and on all other sides by common undiuided upland and is Laid out to them for their two thirty acre Lotts John Warner was from Woburn, where, by wife Sarah, he had children: John, 1684; Sarah, 1686. A headstone in the Old Common Cemetery records the death of Re- bekah Warner, daughter of John and Sarah, March 30, 1718, aged 20. Samuel and Ebenezer Warner, taken into the church 1713-16, were sons of John. John Priest was also from Woburn, where were born his children: Elizabeth, 1679; John, 1681 ; Daniel, 1686. The homes of Warner and Priest were upon the eastern slope of Bare Hill in Harvard, where John Priest com manded a garrison in 1704. THE LANDS OF WILLIAM HUDSON 30 acres Granted by the town 6 acres for killing wolues William Hud son hath his thirty acre Lott Granted by the Town Laid out on the north side a Range of Lotts in the south end of the town next to the Stated Common t'vventy acres be it more or Less bounded southerly by a Lott whear George Newbey Liues and northerly by the Stated Common and it buts easterly upon a highway that Leades to the Lotts in the north enter uaU and to Walnutt Swamp and westerly upon the Stated Common And also Sixteen acres be it more or Less ten acres whearof is part of his thirty acre Lott and six acres due to him by a town agreament for kUling of wolues the whol sixteen acres Laid out in a plain that Lyeth west or South west from Walnutt Swamp [Recorded 1687.] William, son of Daniel Hudson, was born June 12, 1664, in Lancaster. In 1690 he was prosecuted for bastardy, made a brilliant but unavailing written defence, and fled, so far as the records show, never to return. His neighbor, MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. oq^ George Newby, about the same date was convicted of being a libertine, probably a thief, and certainly — what was per haps esteemed more unpardonable in those days — a slan derer of the minister, and a despiser of the catechism. He, too, disappears. They lived on George Hill, perhaps not far from the Divoll place. Newby lived upon land be longing to Joseph Rowlandson. LANDS OF JOHN BUSH 30 acre Gratit Twenty acres of upland formeriy Granted John Bush by the town is Laid out near Makamachekamucks hill .... John Bush hath more ten acres of Land Giuen him by the town Laid out in three seueral places 5 acres whareof Lyeth on the east side the plumtree mead ows on both sides a littie brook Called Bemans Brook .... one acre whearof is allowed for a highway through his Land to Joshua Athertons House two acres more or Less Lying on both sides a Littie Brook CaUed Kerieys Brook .... fower acres more or Less Lying on the north west side of Bare hill .... |_Recorded 1684 and 1694.] Besides the town grant, Bush had lands given him by Major Willard, which his son John sold to Samuel Willard and Benjamin Bellows, with the above grant, in 1710. John Bush, senior, died Sept. i, 1688, leaving a widow, Hannah (who married Rutter) and two children, John and Sarah. THE LANDS OF JAMES FROST 30 acres his first Lott A discription of a 30 acre Lott formerly Laid out to Nathaniel Wales by uertue of a town Grant but now in the posses sion of James frost as appears by a Later Grant of the town to him the sd frost and also with the Consent of Nath" Hutson who had formerly had a Grant of sd Lott by the town but sence Resigned it up to the town again Laid out to sd frost the most part of it on the east side of bare hUl bound ed easterly by the Land of John Warner & Southerly by Common Rockey Land and northerly by Common undiuided Land on the sd bare hill and westerly by coraraon Land baring towards the meadow path and is Laid out for 25 acres : and another peice of Swampy meadowish Land .... Laid out for thirty acres be thay more or Less togather with 30 pounds Right and estate on the town Book : — [Recorded 1694.] 304 ANNALS OF LANCASTER,- Nathaniel Wales was of Milton. James Frost was, per haps, of Billerica. As neither of these grantees appear again in land records, they probably abandoned their claims. THE LANDS OF JOSIAH WHEELER The Lands of Josiah Wheeler Granted him by the town being his 30 acre Lott and other deuision : there is Laid out to the sd Josiah Wheeler twenty three acres of his first Lott Lying whear he first built not far from the hog swamp his house Standing near the middle of sd Land .... and buts on Marlbrough path the east Line part of it Runs ouer a Rockey hUl and takes in a Long pine Swarap at that side and a little aboue the house the Line turns with a short Crook and so Runs up to Marlbrough path this peice 23 acres more he hath seuen acres Laid out upon the brook that Runs from hog Swamp meadows to Spectacle meadow near whare sd Brook Coras out of the hog Swarap raeadows and Lyeth raostly on the north side of the Brook .... both peices is Laid out for his first thirty acres Granted him by the Town Read the 5"" : of february 1699/ 10 in order to be Recorded : — In the church records, 1710, "Josiah Wheeler and his wife from Concord church," were admitted members of the Lancaster church. Nahum Ward purchased ten pounds town right of Josiah Wheeler, on Wataquadock, about 1718. THE LANDS OF JEREMIAH WILLSON 30 acre Lott Gratited by the town Jereraiah Willson hath his 30 acre Lott Granted by the town Laid out in three places on the east side Nash away Riuer one peice Lying near the Cold Spring by the Countrey Road bounded north by the Countrey high way and South by the Common Land and west by Sura Land of Gamaliel Beman adioyning to it and east by Sum Common Land Left for a Cart way to James Butlers Land whare his house stood and the said peice of Land is Laid out for six acres and half be it more or Less : — More he hath a peice Laid out on the hiU aboue that bounded east by sum Land of Roger Sumner and west by Common Land and South by Common Rockey Land and north by Sum Common Land that Lyeth betwixt it and the Countrie highway and Lyeth for fourteen acres be it more or Less .... More he hath a a peice of Land Laid out on the top of Wataquadoke hill on the north side the Countrie highway to Marlbrough buting South on the sd way and north on sum Land of Nathaniel Joslin Joyning to his southwest Corner marke and east and west it is bounded by plain Common Land and is Laid out MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. oqe; for nine acres and half be it more or Less : and was Laid out by John Houghton all the sd three peices of Land are Laid out for his full due for his thirty acre Lott be it more or Less : — [Recorded 1690.] Jeremiah Wilson was -the son of Benjamin of Charles town. The stone over his grave in the Old Common burial ground tells us that he died March 22, 1743, aged 77 years. He vvas an active church member at the coming of Rever end John Prentice, and had sons Benjamin and Nathaniel. THE LANDS OF JOHN MOORE A discription of Sum Land Laid out for John Moore being part of the Lott Granted for him by the town and Land belonging to it he hath one peice Laid out near the Cartway that Lyeth Round Wataquatock hill in an ash swamp 3 acres be it more or Less : one peice of Land Laid out to John Moore part of his 30 acre Lott in a plain .... six acres be it more or Less : and also he hath about three quarters of an acre Laid adioyning to thair former Land by their house at the place whare a yong orchard is planted More Laid out for sd John Moore about 50 acres of Land being part of the Lott and Lands in deuisions be longing that was Granted for him by the town and Lyeth on the east side of the way to Marlbrough part of it was formerly Laid out by Insine John Moore and Lyeth in one Intire peice and bounded westerly partly by sd Road and partiy by a Spruce Swamp [Recorded 1708-9 and 1714-15.] THE 30 ACRE LOTT GRANTED TO JOSEPH MOORE A discription of the thirty acre Lott Granted for Joseph Moore and since his Death sd Lott is acounted to his brother Jonathan Moore & is Laid out to him as foUoweth . . . . : part of said Lott is Laid out near to hog Swamp .... laid out for two acres be it more or less : — more he hath another peice Laid near to it being a long slip of meadowish Ground .... two acres be it raore or less : — more he hath a peice of upland laid out towards the Great hill by hog swamp meadow adjoyning to his former Land twelue acres be it more or Less : — more he hath a Long Slip Lying betwen that and his house in the edge of a swamp bounded west by his former Land .... fiue acres be it more or Less : ten acres formerly marked out by Insine John Moore .... nine acres of the said ten is Laid out to the said Jonathan Moore to make up his first 30 acors and one acre on the acount of the 30 pound Right Granted with sd Lott : [Recorded 1708-9.J 20 3o6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, John, Joseph and Jonathan Moore were sons of Ensign John and Ann (Smith) Moore. In the oldest Bolton burial place, east of Wataquadock, the headstones above the graves of John and Jonathan state that the former died in 1740, aged 79 years, and the latter in 1741, aged 74 years. They had a garrison east of Wataquadock in 1704. THE LANDS OF CALEB SAWYER A discription of Sum Land Laid out for Caleb Sawyer January 14: 1716/17 He hath fifty six acres and a half of Land Laid out in one intire peice on the easterly side of Bare hill whear the sd Caleb Sawyer now Liueth and is bounded southerly for a Considerable partof that Line upon a highway and hath a highway of fiue Rods wide Lying through sd Land allowed for in meashur sd way being near go Rods in Length in sd La,nd twenty six acres and half is part of his 30 acre Lott in the first deuision Granted hira by the town and was Laid out to him for- raerly by Ralph Houghton and is now encompased and Included within the Lines aboue priscribed the whole Laid out for fifty six acres and half more or Less : the other part of his first deuision of his 30 acre Lott Lyeth on the easterly side of Bare hill towards the northerly end it being a peice of meadow Ground called the horse meadow Caleb Sawyer was the fifth son of Thomas Sawyer, and grandson of John Prescott, born 1659. SA.MUEL BENNETS LAND Samuel Bentiits 30 acre Lott Gratited him by the towti now Sheafs A discription of the thirty acre Lott Granted to Samuel Bennit and since Exchanged by him for the thirty acre Lott formerly Granted by the town to John Willard the said Lott Granted to Samuel Bennit being now in the possession of William Sheaf of Charlstown Laid out one the west side of bare hill a Littie distant from Joshua Athertons meadow and is bound ed on all sides by common undiuided Land It being Eighty Rods Long and Sixty Rods wide : the discription whearof was Read before the town the fifth day of february : 1693/4 in order to be recorded .... Samuel Bennett was the son of George, who was the grandson of Richard Linton. George Bennett was slain in ?tIonoco's raid, Aug. 22, 1675, ^^^ left widow Lydia and children — John, born 1659; Mary, 1661 ; Samuel, 1665; George, 1669 ; Lydia, 1674. Samuel owned Linton's lands MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 307 in the centre of Lancaster. Samuel Bennett's saw-mill, "up the north river," is mentioned as early as 1717. He died 1742, aged seventy-seven years. Bennett sold his John Willard lot to Joseph Waters, and it was by him transferred to Isaac Hunt. JOHN WILLARDS LAND Johti Willards Lott 30 acres all Laid out hear This day being the first of february 1691/2 the town Confirmed the Sarae to Benjmin WUlard John Willards Lott now in the possession of Benimin WiUard is Laid out in seueral peices one part whareof Lyeth betwen the Lands of Henery WiUard and Zebadiah Wheelers Land bounded westerly by Henery Will ards Land & easterly by Henery Willards & Zebadiah Wheelers Land and southerly by sum of his own Land Lying partiy in a triangle : and he hath another peice on the south side of Zebadiah Wheelers Land and westerly it buts upon Henery WiUards Land & easterly it buts upon or near the Great pond meadow .... more he hath ten acres Lying near the Brook meadow .... which makes up his compliment of thirty acres Granted him by the town : Recorded this first february : 1691 /2 p John Houghton Recorder If this land grant were proof of residence, Lancaster could perhaps claim one victim, at least, to the hideous persecutions for witchcraft. What relationship this John Willard bore to Benjamin and Henry, whose lands bor dered upon this grant, has not been discovered. But the date of the record and the transfer to Benjamin, favor the opin ion that this was the John Willard who had lived at Groton and suffered death at Salem after his attempted escape and capture at Lancaster. Robert Calef, in " More Wonders of the Invisible World," tells us : John Willard had been imployed to fetch in several that were accused ; but taking dissatisfaction from his being sent to fetch up some that he had better thoughts of. he declined the Service, and presently after he himself was accused of the same Crime and that with such veheraency, that they sent after him to apprehend him : he had made his Escape as far as Nash- awag, about 40 Miles from Saletn: yet tis said those Accusers did then presentiy tell the exact time, saying now Willard is taken. 3oS ANNALS OF LANCASTER, He was tried for witchcraft, convicted upon the absurd statements of his accusers, and hung Aug. 19, 1692. A full account of his trial is given in "Groton in the Witch craft Times," by the Honorable Samuel A. Green. THE LAND OF CAPT BORDMAN Laid out for Capt Bordman one hundred Acres of Land being Granted by the town to his Grandfather Stephen Day near Waschacomb one peice of sixty acres thareof Lyeth upon a hill called waschacomb hill upon the north side thareof .... the other fourty acres Lyeth under a Great hUl aboue a meadow called prescutts meadow .... Laid out february the 4"-: 1718 William Boardman, the grandson of Steven Day, and administrator of his estate, received the above grant as some recognition by the town of the services of one, who, more than any other of the first proprietors, save John Prescott, aided in establishing the settlement and forward ing its interests. Steven Day of Cambridge, England, reached America in 1638, being, though a locksmith by trade, brought over as a printer by the Reverend Jesse Glover. Glover died during the passage, but Day, early in 1639, set up for the widow the first printing press in America north of Mexico, and during that year printed "the Free- mans Oath" and an almanac, and the next year, " the Book of Psalms." In 1641 the General Court took notice of his enterprise, as follows : Stephen Day, being the first that set upon printing, is granted 300 acres where it may bee convenient w"'out preiudice to any town — [Massachusetts Records.] But Day is soon found in financial difficulties. In 1643 tlie court released him from jail upon his giving "100* bond for his appearance when he is called for," and in 1644 he is again under duress, sending from prison a petition for relief, complaining of the harsh dealing of creditors. In 1647 he had been deposed from the management of the Cambridge press, his son Mattiiew, first steward of Har- MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. o^g vard College, receiving his place. Mattiiew died in 1649, and Day became a journeyman printer at the press hc had set up, under Samuel Green, where he remained until his death, in 1667. He never lived in Lancaster, though often here. He owned two house lots, that next Prescott's Cow dall purchase on the north, which he sold to Phi lip Knight, and the lot afterwards assigned to John Roper, which Day obtained of Solomon Johnson, exchanging for it his three hundred acre grant, above mentioned. His land rio-]its here were all vacated finally by his inability to improve them. In Massachusetts Archives, xxx, 134-5, 'S the following petition of Steven Day, giving his own estimate of his labors in behalf of Lancaster in its infancy : To the Hotiour ed Generall Court now sittitig at Boston : The humble Petition of Steven Day: In raost humble wise sheweth; That whereas yo' Petition' was one of the first vndertakers for the Planta tion now called Lancaster, & for the furtherance of the Planting thereof at great expences of time & estate with both English & Indians, for the gaining of a placid entertainment with the one, & helping on the other, as is well known to the Inhabitants of that place, as allso in part to my neighbors who were eye witnesses of my continued burthen, either by being absent from my ffamil)', which was then more considerable than (through Cods Providence to me) now it is : or by entertaining both English & Indians at my own house from day to day for some yeares to gether: yet so it hath hapned, that although many others haue increased their estates & comforts, by acquiring to themselues great Accoiuodations (by reason ot divine Pro-vidence obstructing my personall residence there) I haue faUed of such personall Accoiuodarions in that place: And after all my Labo'& expence of time, strength & estate, although through Gods blessing on my endeavo" I haue a Town & a Church of God there setled, to behold as the birth of my Labo'T which I esteem a greater Reward from God, then ray own particular advancement: yet cannot rejoyce in any Lands therein acquired to me or mine. Now so it is, that the Sagamore of that Plantation [Matthew] (his ingenuity somewhat exceeding others of the barbarous Natives,) remembring my former kindnesses, hath by Deed of Gift giuen & granted vnto me & my heires for ever, all his Right in a certain Tract of Planting Land, by him there for a long time pos sessed : My humble request therefore is for this favoT That a Cofnittee of meet 3IO ANNALS OF LANCASTER, persons appointed by this honoured Court may be impowered to bound out the said Land vnto me, according to the intent of the Law determin ing the Indians Right : with such an addition of Meadow as may happen to fall within the Planting Lands: And that the same may be Legally setled on me & mine by the Authority of this honoured Court. And yo' Petion' shall ever pray &c. Endorsements I The Committee haueing pused this Peticon: do Judge meet that 2 or 3 meet persons be impowered to veiw & bound to y« Peticioner, what shall appeare to be granted him by the Indians according to y" true intent of y" law setiing the Indians right, and y' some small accoinodacion of meadow be added thereto not exceeding 40 acC" — Thomas Danforth 21 -3-1667 Edward Collins Henry Bartholomew 2. The deputyes doe not approue of the returne of the coinittee in answer to this petition, but doe J'udge meete to graunt the pet' libertie to procure of the sd Indians by sale or otherwise to the quantitie of one hundred & fifty Acors of vpland, & this Court doth also graunt to the pet' twenty Acors of meaddow where he can find it free from former graunts & all w"' refference to the Consent of o' Honored Magists. hereto, 24 - 3 - 1667 — Consented to by y* magist" William Torrey Cleric Stephen Day died before the close of the year 1667. The papers from the case of "Administrator of Steven Days Estate, vs John Roper," found in Middlesex Court Files, give some facts in our local history not set down in town records : To the Marshall General or his Deputy or to the Cotistable of Laticaster or his Deputy — You are hereby required in his Majesties name to attach the goods or in want thereof the person of John Roper Sen' of Lancaster and take bond of him to the value of two hundred and fifty pounds with sufficient surety or suretyes for his appearance att the next County Court holden att Cambridge upon the first day of October next. There and then to answer the complaint of WUliam Bordman of Cambridge in an action of the case for denying of the said Bordman full and true possession of house and Lands that is att present in the possession of said Roper in the town of Lancaster which sometime was in the hands of Solomon Johnson Sen' now of Mariborough and after that in the hand of Mr Stephen Day of Cambridge which house and lands with the appurtenances and priveledges MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 3J1 thereto belonging doth by due and true right belong unto the said Williara Bordman with all due Damages about the same and hereof you are to make a true return under yo' hand and not to fayle. Dated this 26 of July 1667 By the Court. Samuel Green [Endorsed/] I have attached the possessions of John Ropper and taken security, by the consent of the PlaintiflT, his own Bond. Edward Mitchell Marshall Verdict. In the case depending betweene WiUiam Bordman & John Roper we find for the defendent. Costs of Court. Accompanying above is a copy of the town's grant of 1653, and this certificate : This may certify any man vnto whom these p'sents may com. that about 9 years ago Mr Day of Cambridge laying claim to a lot somtime in the possession of Goodman Johnson of Marlborough, the Town was willing he should possess prouided he would subscribe to the orders of the Town which he readily consented to, and subscribed his hand to our Town book, wherin was this Act of the Town vpon Record. That euery one bound themselues to build, plant land and inhabit within one whole year after this acceptance of their lots or els to loose all their charges and Lots and pay 5"' to the Town, and herevnto Mr Day subscribed his hand the ijth [St month 1653. But he neuer came to inhabit, nor do anything about building or breaking Land vnto this day nor bear any publick charg, but about 6 or 7 years ago goodman Roper who somtime liued at Charles town, desired to com to liue among vs, and had a liking to that Lot being Mr Day had forfeited it by his not keeping covenant w"" y^ Town. Yet ^notwithstanding the Town had so much respect to Mr. Day that they allowed him that goodman Roper should pay to Mr Day what buildings, fencing &c might be worth which both Mr Day and goodman Roper con sented vnto. They raade choise of vs whose hands are subscribed to jvdg betwixt them what it raay be worth that is to say the building and fencing as aforsaid, and it was judged that goodman Roper should pay 15' to Mr Day. Lancaster this 9 : 8 month : 1662. Witnesses John Prescott Ralph Houghton Sworne in Court 1:8*: 1667 by y' ptys subscribed as attests Thomas Danforth Re ^ The lott in question vvas that upon the east end of which the George Hill school- house now stands. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS IN LANCASTER FAMILIES, 1645-1700. A YELLOW and torn leaf from original records, in the hand-writing of Ralph Houghton, was, in 1826, dis covered by Josiah Flagg, town clerk, among the papers of Captain Hezekiah Gates, and has been carefully preserved. It contains the dates and names of fifty births in Lancaster previous to 1666.' The returns of the two earliest clerks of the writs, Ralph Houghton and Cyprian Stevens, seem, however, to have been regularly made to the Middlesex Court, and as found in the Middlesex Registry, have been printed in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, xvi, 352-9, ancj xvii, 70. Ten years had elapsed, however, from the founding of the first homes on the Nash away, before Ralph Houghton was made clerk of the writs and began his returns ; and for dates previous to 1656 he must have relied upon family memorials and individual recollections. Errors and omissions for that period there fore doubtless exist. ' If records were kept between 16S6 and 1700, no trace of them has been found. The first book of such records in the town archives contains a dis orderly mass of material, its dates covering the eighteenth century. Of its three hundred and sixty pages one-third are devoted to "marriage intentions." The death roll is especially scant, having but three dates earlier than 1718. The birth records are at first by families, and in some cases MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 313 may be complete from 1700. The book bears evidence of having been begun by John Houghton, but probably not before 1718, if so soon, the earlier births being gathered from family records. The following chronologically ar ranged lists embrace those of the Middlese.x Registry, and such otlier births, marriages and deaths in Lancaster fami lies to A. D. 1700, as have been ascertained from various sources. When copied from an original record the orthog raphy of the recorder has been retained. BIRTHS. The first birth noted by Ralph Houghton is that of Joseph Waters in 1647. It is quite possible that earlier, births than this were unrecorded, for in previous pages it has been shown that the Prescott and Waters families were here in 1645 and 1646, and to each a son was added during those years, the place and exact date of whose birth have not been discovered. In a deposition Nov. 6, 1683, Jona than Prescott is called "about thirty-eight," and in another of i670,"tv/enty-three years old." The list of the Waters fam ily, on a preceding page, shows so remarkable a regularity of periodic increase as almost to prove that a child was born here in 1645, or brought into the wilderness at an ex ceeding tender age. Perhaps Adam Waters was the first white child born in Lancaster, and Jonathan Prescott the second. Parents. Lawrence and Ann {Lintoti) . [not recorded] . Johu and M^iy (Platts). [^noi re corded] . Lawrence and Ann. John and Mary, [tiot recorded]. Lawrence and Ann. Thomas and Marie (Prescott). Thomas and Marie. A.D. Month. Day. Name. 1645? — — Adam Waters. 1646? — — Jonathan Prescott. 1647 - 2 29 Joseph Waters. 1648 — — Jonas Prescott. 1649 I I J Jacob Waters. / \ Rachell Waters. $ 1649 5 2 Thomas Sawyer. 1650 II 16 Ephraim Sawyer. 314 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, a.d. Month. Day. 165 1 3 26 1 65 1 II 14 1652 II 4 1653 I 36 1653 4 n 1653 7 7 1654 3 23 1654 3 13 1654 8 28 1655 1 13 1655 2 28 1655 9 4 1655 II 6 1655 II 17 165s II 20 1655 II 27 1656 3 13 1656 II I 1657 I 22 1657 S I 1657 5 IS 1657 6 26 1657 9 27 1657 II — 1657 II 10 1657 II IS 1657 II 26 1658 4 21 I65S II 11 1658 II 22 1659 2 20 1659 4 20 1659 S 31 1659 8 I 1659 II 9 1660 2 6 1660 5 IS 1660 II 4 1660 II 6 1660 II 17 I66I I 7 1661 2 3 i66i 2 6 Name. r.)aniel Hudson. Samuell Waters. JMarie Sawyer. Johanna Waters. Marie Houghton. Marie Hudson. Smith. James Atherton. SMarsa Parker. Ester Parker. Joshua Sawyer. John Houghton. Marie More. Debora Parker. Twins Rugg. John Smith. Ephram Waters. Joshua Atherton. Sarah Hudson. Jaraes Sawyer. Joseph Houghton. Josllin. Frances Smith. Elizabeth Moore. Henrie Kerley. Hanna Atherton. Marie Rowlandson. Marie Davis. Natharjell Josllin. Elizabeth Hudson. \\'illiam Kerley. Caleb Sawyer. Marie Fairbanke. John Bennit. Experience Houghton. Icabod Rogers. Lidia More. Sara JosUin. Joseph WiUard. Johanna Hudson. Marie Atherton. Joseph Rowlandson. Noah Beman. Josua Fairbanke. Parents. Daniel and Joanna. Lawrence and Ann. Thomas and Marie. Lawrence and Ann. Ralph and Jane. Daniel and Joanna. Richard and Marie. James and Hanna. Edmund and Eli-tabeth (Howe). Thomas and Marie. Ralph and Jane. John andi Ann {Sttiith). Edmund and Elizabeth. John and Martha (Presdott). Richard and Johanna (Quarlls). Lawrence and Ann. James and Hanna. Daniel and Johanna. Thomas and Marie. Ralph and Jane. Nathaniell and Sara (King) . Richard and Johanna. John and Ann. Henrie and Elizabeth (White). James and Hanna. Joseph and Marie (White). Samuell and Marie (Waters). NathanieU and Sara. Daniel and Johanna. Henrie and Elizabeth. Thoraas and Marie. Jonas and Lidia (Prescott). George and Lidia (Kibbie) . Ralph and Jane. Jerimiah and Bia. John and Ann. Nathaniell and Sara. Simon and Marie (Dunster). Daniel and Johanna. Jaraes and Hanna. Joseph and Marie. Gamaliell and Sara (Clark). Jonas and Lidia. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 31S a. D. Month. Day. Name. Parents. 1661 2 6 John Sawyer. Thomas and Marie. 1661 . 6 19 Mary Bennitt. George and Lidia. 1661 10 20 WaitestiU Sumner. Roger and Mary (Joslin). 1661 12 17 Sarah Houghton. Ralph and Jane. 1662 I 4 Dorathy Josllin. Nathaniel and Sarah. 1662 I 10 John Hudson. Daniel and Joanna. 1662 2 7 John More. John and Ann. 1662 4 4 John Rugg. John and Hannah (Prescott). 1662 8 I Hittabel Rogers. Jeremiah and Abiah. 1662 IO 8 RacheU Courser. Arklous and Rachell (Roper). 1663 2 18 ThankefuU Beaman. Gamaliell and Sarah. 1663 S 2 John Rigby. John and Elizabeth. 1663 S 8 Hannah Kerley. Henry and Elizabeth. 1663 S 26 Joseph Josllin. Abram and Beatrix. 1663 s 31 Barrachia Lewis. John and Hannah. 1663 8 4 Jphosephat Rogers. Jeremiah and Bia. 1663 9 IS Grace Fairbanke. Jonas and Lydia. 1663 9 25 Jacob Wheeler. Richard and Sarah (Prescott) . 1663 II S Elizabeth Sawyer. Thoraas and Mary. 1664 2 17 SamueU AUin. DanieU and Marie (Wilder). i664 4 12 WiUiam Hudson. Daniel and Joanna. 1664 s II Mercy Rugg. John and Hannah. 1664 s IS AbigaU Houghton. Ralph and Jane. 1664 6 3 Simon Courser. Archelaus and Rachel. a564 7 28 John Divoll. John and Hannah (White). 1664 8 20 Joseph Moore. John and Ann. 1664 II 2 Zebediah Wheeler. Richard and Sarah. 1665 ? ? Benjamin WUlard. Simon and Mary. 1665 5 17 Steeven Gates. Steeven and Sarah (Woodward) 1665 July 22 SamueU Benit. George and Lidia. 1665 6 S Mary Sumner. Roger and Mary. 1665 6 8 Rebecca Lewis. John and Hannah. 1665 6 12 Mary Rowlandson. Joseph and Mary. ,166s 9 12 Josiah Whetcomb. Josiah and Rebecca (Waters). 1665 10 3 Beatrix Houghton. John and Beatrix. 1665 12 22 Peter Joslin, Nathaniel and Sarah. 1666 S 6 Abiah Rogers. Jeremiah and Abiah. 1666 s 13 Bethia Lewis. John and Hannah. 1666 5 17 Ann Moore. John and Ann. 1666 Deborah Sawyer. Thomas and Mary. 1666 7 15 Thomas Rugg. John and Hannah. 1666 8 6 Hannah Willard. Simon and Mary. 1666 8 6 EUzabeth Atherton. , James and Hannah. 1666 8 7 Jonathan Fairbank Jonas and Lidia. 3i6 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, a, D. Month. Day. Name. Parents. 1666 8 14 Mary Kerley. Henry and Elizabeth. 1666 10 14 Marie Joslin. Abram and Beatrik. 1666 II 7 Elnathan Allen. Daniel and Mary. 1666 II 7 Josiah Whetcomb. Josiah and Rebecca. 1666 12 I Sarah Wheeler. Richard and Sarah. 1667 Jany 6 Bathsheba Rogers. Jeremiah and Abiah. 1667 April 28 John Wedge. Thomas and Deborah. 1667 May 26 Mehittable Beaman. Gamaliel and Sarah. 1667 June 7 Elizabeth Joslin. Nathaniel and Sarah. 1667 June 12 Hannah Divoll. John and Hannah. 1667 Aug. 3 Simon Courser. Archelaus and Rachel. 1667 Sept. 7 Abigail Hudson. Daniel and Joanna. 1667 Oct. 16 Hannah Houghton. Ralph and Jane. 1668 Jan. I Anne Hudson. Daniel and Joanna. 1668 Jan. 21 Patience Lewis. John and Hannnh. 1668 Feb. 20 David Whitcomb. Josiah and Rebecca. 1668 Feb. 28 Hazadiah Fairbank. Jonas and Lidia. 1668 March 26 George Bennett. George and Lidia. 1668 April II Jaazoniah Sumner. Roger and Mary. 1668 May 12 Mary Wedge. Thoraas and Deborah. 1 668 May 25 Benjamin Houghton. John and Beatrix. l668 June 18 Mary Farrar. John and Mary (Hillard). 1668 Sept. 17 Hannah Whetcomb. Jonathan and Hannah. 1668 Dec. IS Joseph Rugg. John and Hannah. 1669 Feb. 2 Mary Prescott. John and Sarah (Hayward). 1669 Feb. 20 Thomas Allen. Daniel and Mary. 1669 Feb. 26 Jonathan Whitcomb. Jonathan and Hannah. 1669 .March 28 Joseph Kerley. Henry and Elizabeth. 1669 March 29 Jacob Farrar. Jacob and Hannah (Hayward). 1669 May 19 Jonathan Moore. John and Ann. 1669 May 24 Elizabeth Wheeler. Richard and Sarah. 1669 June I Deborah Atherton. James and Hannah. 1669 Sept. IS Sarah Rowlandson. Joseph and Mary. 1669 Sept. 27 Josiah Divoll. John and Hannah. 1669 Nov. 28 John Farrah. John and Mary. 1669 Dec. 14 Jonathan Willard Simon and Mary. 1670 I 30 Joshua Wedge- Thomas and Deborah. 1670 3 II Mary Courser. Archelaus and Rachel. 1670 s 17 Lincorne. WiUiam and Elizabeth. 1670 6 16 George Farrah. Jacob and Hannah. 1670 9 24 Jonathan Kettie. John and Elizabeth (Ward). 1670 9 24 Nathaniel Sawyer. Thomas and Mary. 1670 II 2 Hannah Rugg. John and Hannah. 1670 11 8 Jabez Fairbank. Jonas and Lidia. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 317 A. D. Month. Day. Name. Parents. 167I I 10 Maria Moore. John and Ann. 167I 2 29 Samuel Wheeler. Richard and Sarah. 167I 3 2 Twins Prescott. Jonathan and Dorothy. 167 1 3 IS Nathaniel Hudson. Daniel and Joanna. 167I 4 20 John Lewis. John and Hannah. 167I 6 29 Hannah Whetcomb. Jonathan and Hannah. 167 1 7 10 , Benjamin Allen. } ' Hannah Allen. \ Benjamin and Hannah. 167I 8 9 Rebecca Sumner. Roger and Mary 167 1 9 12 Rebecca Whetcomb. Josiah and Rebecca. 167I 9 16 Hannah McLoud. Mordecai and Lidia (Lewis). 167I 9 26 Israel Rogers. Jeremiah and Abiah. 167I 10 27 Mary Whetcomb. Job and Mary. 167I II 30 Mary Sawyer. Thoraas Jr. and Sarah. 1672 I 5 WUliam Bennett. George and Lidia, ^672 2 8 WUliam Divoll John and Hannah. 1672 2 10 Jonathan Prescott. Jonathan and Dorothy. 1672 2 i8 Joseph Atherton. Jaraes and Hannah. 1672 3 14 ^Rebecca Joslin. Nathaniel and Sarah. 1672 4 10 Martha Kerley. Henry and Elizabeth. 1672 4 27 Ruth Whitcomb. John and Mary. 1672 S 30 Sarah Houghton. John and Beatrix. 1672 6 6 John Farrar. Jacob and Hannah. 1672 6 26 William Lincorne. William and Elizabeth. 1672 9 22 Mary Steevens. Cyprian and Mary (Willard.) 1672 9 24 John Prescott. John and Sarah. 1672 II 26 Priscilla Roper. Ephriam and PriscUla. 1672 12 13 John Houghton. John Jr. and Mary (Farrar) . 1673 I 12 AbigaU Allen. Benjamin and Mary. 1673 I 23 Samuel Waters Samuel and Mary (Hudsoti). 1673 3 6 Jonas Fairbank. Jonas and Lidia. 1673 3 16 Rebecca Rugg. John and Hannah 1673 5 II John WUder. John and Hannah. 1673 6 10 Martha Sawyer. Thomas and Mary. 1673 II 2 Susanna Rogers. , Jeremiah and Abiah. 1673 II 2 Williara Lewis. John and Hannah. 1673 II 26 WiUiam Sumner. Roger and Mary. 1673 12 26 Elizabeth Lincorne. William and Elizabeth. 1674 I 8 Johanna Whitcomb. Josiah and Rebecca. 1674 2 17 Jacob Houghton. John Jr. and Mary. 1674 3 5 Abigail Whitcomb. Jonathan and Hannah. 1674 3 9 Beatrix Joslin. Abraham Jr. and Ann. 1674 6 7 Lidia Bennett. George and Lidia. 1674 ? ? Sarah Whitcomb. John and Mary. 3i8 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Born iti Laticaster Families duritig Exile after the Massacre. Parents. Nathaniel and Mary (Sawyer). John and Hannah, in Charles town. Cyprian and Mary, in Boston. Nathaniel and Mary, in Sud bury. John and Hannah, in Concord. John Jr. and Sarah, in Concord. Ephraim and Hannah (Goble), in Concord. John and Hannah. Nathaniel and Mary, in Sudbury. John and Hannah, in Concord. Nathaniel and Mary, in Sudbury. Thoraas and Mary (Houghton). Ephraimand Hannah, in Concord Cyprian and MaJy. John and Hannah, in Charles town. Cyprian and Mary. A. D. Month. Day. Name. 1675 — — Nathaniel Wilder. 1676 1 2 Thomas Wilder. 1677 August : 13 Simon Stevens. 1677 AprU 16 Ephraim Wilder. 1678 9 IS David Rugg. 1678 9 27 Elizabeth Prescott. 1679 2 5 Priscilla Roper. 1679 Oct. 31 Hannah Wilder. 1679 2 12 Mary Wilder. 1680 10 12 Jonathan Rugg. 1680 Feb. 14 Elizabeth Wilder. 1680 — — Jaraes Wilder. 1681 I 7 Ruth Roper. 168 1 — — Elizabeth Steevens 1681 — — James Wilder. 1682/3 — Joseph Steevens. Births in Laticaster after the Re-settlement. A. D. Month. Day. Name. Parents. 1679 August II Elizabeth Waters. Joseph and EUzabeth. 1680 Oct. 21 Sarah White. Josiah and Mary (Lewis). 1 68 1 Sept. 16 Hezekiah Whitcomb . Josiah and Rebecca. 1681 Jan. 2S Sarah Beman. John and Priscilla. 1682 AprU 2 Joseph Waters. Joseph and Elizabeth. 1682 April 20 Jonathan Wilder. Nathaniel and Mary. 1682 July 2 Jonas Houghton. Jonas and Mary (Burbeen). 1682 July 6 Ebenezer Prescott'. John and Sarah. 1682 Sept. IS Josiah White. . Josiah and Mary. 1683 Jan. 17 Martha Waters. Joseph and Elizabeth. 1683 Jan. 19 John Hinds. John and Mary (Butler^ . 1683 Jan. 24 John Houghton. Jonas and Mary. 1683 March 3 Abigail Wheeler. Abraham and Tabitha. 1683 June 23 Ebenezer Wilder. John and Hannah. 1683 July S Joseph WUder. Thoraas and Mary. 1683 Nov. 2 Hannah Houghton. Robert and Esther. 1683 Dec. 26 Deborah Whitcomb. Josiah and Rebecca. 1684 Feb. 27 Jaraes Atherton. James and Abigail (Waters) MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 319 D;ly. 29 A. D. Month. 1684 Feb. 1684 May 1684 May 1684 Sept. 1684 Nov. 1685 Jan. 1685 Feb. 1685 AprU 1685 Sept. 1686 July 1686 Dec. 1786 — — 1687 March 30 12 2922 22 20 20 3 24 8 Name. Gamaliel Beman. Anna Houghton. John Whitcomb. John White. I Isaac Wheeler. { I Experience Wheeler < Sarah Wilder. Jonathan Houghton. Jonathan Wilder. Beatrix Houghton. John Wheeler. Peter Joslin. Dorothy WUder. Edward Sawyer. Parents. John and PriscUla. John and Mary. Jonathan and Hannah. Josiah and Mary. Isaac and Experience. Thomas and Mary. John and Mary. Nathaniel and Mary. Robert and Esther. Isaac and Experience. Peter and Sarah. Nathaniel and Mary. John and Mary (Ball). ¦ After this date the records of Lancaster births, in Mid dlesex Registry, abruptly cease. The following have been gathered from various sources supposed trustworthy : 27 31 A. D. Month. Day. 1686 — — 1687 — — 1688 March 13 1688 — — 1688 — — 1689 March 27 1689 AprU 18 1689 — — 1690 Jan. 1690 May 1690 — — 1691 — — 1691 — — 1692 — — 1693 March 26 1693 June 20 1693 — — 1693 — — 1694 March 28 1694 _ — 1695 May II 1695 _ — 1700 June 6 Name. Hezekiah WiUard. Elizabeth WUder. AbigaU Whitcomb. Nathaniel Wilder. Joseph Willard. Thankful White. AbigaU Houghton. Anna Wilder. Elizabeth Phelps. Samuel WiUard. Anna Wilder. Mary Wilder. Mary Goss. James WiUard. Hooker Osgood. Amos Sawyer. John Goss. Josiah Willard. Hannah Whitcomb. Oliver Wilder. Mary Wheelock. Jonathan Willard, Josiah Wilder. Parents. Henry and Mary. Thomas and Mary. Josiah and Rebecca. Nathaniel and Mary. Henry and Mary. Josiah and Mary. Robert and Esther. Thomas and Mary. Edward and Ruth. Henry and Dorcas. John and Hannah. Thomas and Mary. Philip and Mary. Henry and Dorcas. Hooker and Dorothy. Nathaniel and Mary. . Philip and Mary. Henry and Dorcas. Josiah and Mary. Nathaniel and Mary. Joseph and Elizabeth. Henry and Dorcas. John and Sarah. 320 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, MARRIAGES. Under date May 26, 1658, the following order is found in Massachusetts Records : Itt is ordered that Mf John Tincker shaU & is heerby impowred to marry George Bennett & Lyddia Kibby & who are pubUshed according to lawe. Before this authority was conferred upon Master Tinker, Lancaster couples wishing to be j'oined in wedlock were compelled to seek a magistrate elsewhere. In 1660, Major Simon Willard became a permanent resident in Lancaster, and by virtue of his office as Assistant, solemnized mar- Names. Thomas Sawyer and Mary Prescott. John Rugg and Martha Prescott. Richard Sraith and widow Joanna QuarUs, in Boston Henry Kerley and EUzabeth White, in Sudbury. John Moore and Ann Sraith, in Sudbury. Joseph Rowlandson and Mary White. Nathaniel Joslin and Sarah King of Marlborough. Roger Sumner and Mary Joslin. Samuel Davis and Mary Waters. John Maynard and Mary Gates, in Sudbury. Jonas Fairbanke and Lidia Prescott, in Lancaster. George Bennett and Lidia Kibby. Richard Wheeler and Sarah Prescott. WUliam Kerley Sen. and Brichett Rowlandson. John Rugg and Hannah Prescott. Archelaus Courser and Rachel Roper. [Not in Laticaster Records.] John Rigby and Elizabeth . John Deuall [Divoll] and Hannah White. WUliam Keriey Sen. and Rebeccah Joslin, widow. Josiah Whetcombe and Rebeccah Waters. John Farrar and Mary . Jonathan Whetcorabe and Hannah . Thomas Wilder and Mary Houghton. Jacob Farrah Jr. and Hannah Hayward. nages. A. D. Month. Day 1648 1654 1654 6 2 1654 November 2 1654 November 16 1656 1656 1656 1656 1658 April 5 1658 3 28 1658 4 13 1658 6 2 1659 3 31 1660 May 4 i66i ? ? 1662 August 30 1663 10 23 1664 3 16 1664 II 4 1667 June 30 1667 November 25 1668 June 2S 1668 November II MASSACHUSETTS, 1643- 1725. 321 A. D. Month. Day. 1668 November 11 1669 May 19 1669 June 22 1669 September 14 1670 6 3 1670 8 II 1670 II 13 I67I I 16 167 1 9 16 1671 II 22 I67I II 22 1672 I 21 1672 5 17 1672 9 14 1672 9 21 1672 9 29 1672 10 II 1673 II 24 1674 February 1676/7 2 18 1677 November 20 1678 February 16781679 S 168 1 February 1681/2 February 1683 September 16831684 June 16881690 March 1693 October 169s1698 January 1698 July 1698 November 1698 October 1699 August 1700 January 1700 May 1700 December 29 31 I 21 20 3130 2 31 17 Names. John Prescott, Jr., and Sarah . Job Whitcombe and Mary . Reuben Luxford and Margaret . Henry Maze and Ales . Jonathan Prescott and Dorothy . Thomas Sawyer, Jr., and Sarah . Mordecai Mackload and Lidea Lewis. John Whitcomb and Mary . Benjamin Bosworth and widow Beatrice Joslin. Cyprian Steevens and Mary Willard. John Houghton, Jr., and Mary Farrar. Samuel Waters and Mary Hudson. John WUder and Hannah . Jonas Prescott and Mary Loker. Thomas Sawyer, Jr., and Hannah . Abram Joscelyn and Ann . Jeremiah Rogers, Jr., and Dorcas . Nathaniel Wilder and Mary Sawyer. Daniel Hudson, Jr., and Mary Maynard of Sudbury. Henry Kerley and Elizabeth How at Charlestown. Ephraim Roper and widow Hannah Goble of Concord. James Sawyer and Mary Marble. Joshua Sawyer and Sarah Potter, in Woburn. George Hewes and widow Lydia Bennett, at Concord Jonas Houghton and Mary Berbeane of Woburn. John Hinds and widow Mary Butier. John Pope and Beatrix Houghton. Nathaniel Wilson and Thankful Beaman. James Atherton and Abigail Hudson. Jonathan Fairbank and Mary Hayward. Philip Goss and Mary Prescott, in Concord. Joseph Houghton and Jane Vose of Milton. William Divoll and Ruth Whitcomb. John Moore and Hazadiah Fairbank, in Concord. Henry WiUard and Abigail Temple, in Concord. John Houghton, Jr., and widow Mary Goss, in Con cord. John Willard and Mary Hayward, in Concord. PhUip Goss and Judith Hayward, in Concord. Henry Houghton and Abigail Barron, in Watertown. David Whitcomb and Mary Fairbank. George Glazier and Sarah Barrett, in Chelmsford. 322 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, DEATHS. A. D. Month. 1643 September 1644 December 1649 I 1653 — 1654 2 1660 Day. 3 31 1654 3 18 1654 3 27 1654 ' October — 1655 II 18 1655 II 24 1657 S 16 1657 9 6 1657 9 17 1658 I 12 1659 4 17 1659 10 27 1660 I 13 1660 II 3 1660 II 20 1662 4 14 1662 4 IS 1662 ' 7 24 1662 September — 1662 October — 1662 November 2 1662 November 7 1663 10 20 1663 December 23 1663 12 21 1665 I 30 1665 6 10 1665 7 20 Henry Symonds, one of first proprietors, in Boston. Thomas King, the purchaser of Nashaway, in Watertown. Rachel Waters, daughter of Lawrence and Ann, aged one month. Nathaniel Hadlocke, one of first prudential manag ers, in Watertown. Joanna Waters, daughter of Lawrence and Ann, aged one year. Joane White, wife of John White. Mary Smith, wife of Richard, with her infant. Sholan alias Showanon, Sagamore of the Nashawas. An infant of John and Martha Rugg, aged one day. Martha Rugg, wife of John, and another infant. A chUd of Nathaniel and Sarah Joslin, aged one day. Elizabeth Parker, wife of Edmund. Thomas Rowlandson, father of Reverend Joseph. Ann Kerley, wife of William, Senior. Ephraira Waters, son of Lawrence and Ann, aged three and one-half years. Mary Smith, wife of John. Thomas James. Thomas Joslin. Mary Rowlandson, daughter of Reverend Joseph, aged three years. Hittabel Rogers, daughter of Jeremiah and Bia, aged three years. Brichett Kerley, second wife of William, Senior. Henry Renie, servant of Roger Sumner. John Whitcomb, Senior. Stephen Gates, at Cambridge. [Inventory 29 jttio.] John Tinker, at New London, Connecticut. Edward Breck, in Dorchester. Hittabel Rogers, daughter Jeremiah and Abiah. Isaac Wright. Hope [.Abovehope] Willard, daughter of Major Simon, aged seventeen years. Jacob Wheeler, son of Richard and Sarah. Richard Linton. Elizabeth Atherton, daughter of James and Hannah. Rebeccah Lewis, daughter of John and Hannah. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 323 A. D. Month. 1665 9 Day. 12 1666 5 1667 June 8 1667 October 23 1668 January — 1668 November 3 1668 December 19 1668 — __ 1669 April 3 1669 June IS 1669 July 16 1670 July 14 1670 July 17 1670 September — 1670 9 4 1671 I IO 1671 3 2 1671 3 4 167 1 3 17 1671 10 3 1672 I 2 1672 I 14 1672 8 26 1673 AprU — 1673 8 2 1674 — — Josiah Whitcomb, son of Josiah and Rebecca, aged one day. Deborah Sawyer, daughter of Thomas and Mary, an infant. Nathaniel Joslin, son of Nathaniel and Sarah. Thomas Wilder, Senior. Stephen Day^ a first proprietor, at Cambridge, [Itiventory January 27.] John Farrar, son of Jacob, Senior. Hannah Whetcomb, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah. PhUip Knight, at Salem. Isabell Walker. Simon Courser, son of Archelaus and Rachel. John Smith. William Kerley, Senior. A child of William and Elizabeth Lincorne. Adam Waters,at Charlestown. [Inventory 23, 7w?o.] Mary Atherton, daughter of James and Hannah. Ann Moore, wife of John. A child of Jonathan and Dorothy Prescott. Jonathan Prescott, son of Jonathan and Dorothy. Frances Whitcomb, widow of John, Senior. William Lewis. Sarah Sawyer, wife of Thomas, Junior. William Bennett, son of George and Lydia. Benjamin Adaras, son of George. John White. [Will proved May 23^.] John Farrar, son of John and Mary. Dorothy Prescott, wife of Jonathan. The Massacre of August 22, 1675-. George Bennett. WiUiam Flagg. Jacob Farrar, Junior. Mordecai MacLoud. Lydia MacLoud, wife of Mordecai. Hannah MacLoud, aged about three years, daughter of Mordecai. An infant child of Mordecai and Hannah MacLoud. Joseph Wheeler. 324 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The Massacre of February lo, 1676. Jonas Fairbank. Joshua Fairbank, son of Jonas, aged fifteen years. Richard Wheeler. Ephraim .Sawyer, son of Thomas, aged twenty-five years. Henry Farrar, son of Jacob, Senior. John BaU. Elizabeth BaU, wife of John. An infant chUd of John and Elizabeth Ball. Ensign John Divoll. John Divoll, Jr., aged twelve, died in captivity. Josiah Divoll, son of John, aged seven years. Hannah Divoll, daughter of John, aged about nine years, died in captivity. Abraham Joslin, Jr., aged twenty-six years. Ann Joslin, wife of Abraham, killed in captivity. Beatrice, daughter of Abraham and Ann Joslin, aged two years, kiUed in captivity. Daniel Gains. Thomas Rowlandson, aged nineteen years, nephew of Reverend Joseph. Jphn Kettle, aged about thirty-seven.' Joseph Kettle(?) son of John, aged about ten years. John Kettle, son of John, aged about sixteen years. Elizabeth Kerley, wife of Captain Henry. Henry Kerley (?) son of Captain Henry, aged eighteen years. WUliam Kerley, son of Captain Henry, aged seventeen years. Joseph Kerley, son of Captain Henry, aged seven years. PriscUla Roper, wife of Ephraim. PrisciUa Roper, daughter of Ephraim, aged about three years. Sarah Rowlandson, daughter of Reverend Joseph, died of wound, February 18. John McLoud, brother of Mordecai. George Harrington, a soldier, killed February — ? John Roper, killed March 26. Died duritig Abandonmettt of Tcnmi. A. D. Month. Day. 1676 April 24 Major Simon Willard, at Chariestown, 1676 September 26 Jeremiah Rogers, at Dorchester. 1676 September 26 Sam, alias Uskattuhgun, sagamore of Nashaway, hanged at Boston. 1676 September 26 Monoco, alias one-eyed John, Nipnet Sachem at Lancaster, hanged at Boston. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 325 A. D. Month. Day. 1677 August 14 1677 November 4 1678 I 6 1678 I 10 1678 I 10 1678 I 23 1678 4 20 1678 7 20 1678 November 23 1679. — — 1679 — — 1679 October 8 1679 October 10 1680 February 6 168 1 March 19 168 1 December — 1682 February — 1683 April 7 1684 January 4 1684 April 29 1687 December 9 1688 September I 1688 October — 1691 February — 1691 March — Jacob Farrar, Senior, at Woburn. Mary Hudson, wife of Daniel, at Concord. Abigail Rogers, daughter of Jeremiah, at Dorchester. Bathsheba Rogers, daughter of Jeremiah, at Dor chester. Abiah Rogers, widow of Jeremiah, at Dorchester. Gamaliel Beaman, Senior, at Dorchester. Samuel Rugg, son of John and Hannah, at Concord. Benjamin Allen, at Charlestown. Reverend Joseph Rowlandson, at Wethersfield, Conn Nathaniel Wilder, child of Nathaniel and Mary, in Sudbury. Archelaus Courser, in Boston. Hannah Houghton, daughter of Ralph, at Charles town, aged twelve years. John Houghton, son of Ralph, at Charlestown, aged twenty years. Ann Waters, wife of Lawrence, at Charlestown. James Butler, at Billerica. After Re-settlement of Town. John Prescott, \the Fouttder of Lancaster,] aged about seventy-seven years. William Whittborn. [Itiventory February 23.] John Whitcomb, drowned. William Kerley, Jr., at Marlborough. John Houghton, Senior. Lawrence Waters, at Charlestown. John Bush. John Glazier, Senior. [Invetitory October 29.] Jonathan Whitcomb. [Itivetitory February 25.] Samuel Wheeler, a soldier, son of Richard. [In ventory April 7.] The Massacre of July 18, 1692. Sarah Joslin, wife of Peter. Peter Joslin, Jr., aged six years. [Killed in captivity.] Three children of Peter Joslin. Hannah Whitcomb, widow of Jonathan. 1693 October — Reverend Samuel Carter, in Groton. [Aditiinis- tratioti granted October 30.J 326 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, A. D. Month. 1693 — 1694 AprU 1694 March 1694 May 1695 November 1696 October 1697 January 1697 May D.ay. 19 Ralph Houghton. (?) Nathaniel Joslin, in Marlborough. Daniel Allen, in Watertown. Edmund Parker, at Roxbury. [Itivetitory May 28.] Abraham Wheeler, killed by Indians. [Itivetitory Noveitiber 6.] George Adams, in Cambridge. John Rugg. [Itivetitory January 19.] Alice and Fannie, twin children of Reverend John Whiting, aged two vears, ten months. The Massacre of Septettiber 11, 1697. Reverend John Whiting. Daniel Hudson. Joanna Hudson, wife of Daniel. Joanna Hud.son, daughter of Daniel, aged thirty-seven years. Elizabeth Hudson, daughter of Daniel, aged forty years. Two chUdren of Nathaniel and Rebecca Hudson. Ephraim Roper. Hannah Roper, wife of Ephraim. Elizabeth Roper, daughter of Ephraim, aged fourteen years. John Scate, or Skeath. The wife of John Scate. Joseph Rugg, aged about twenty-nine years. The wife of Joseph Rugg. Three children of Joseph Rugg. Plannah Prescott Rugg, widow of John. Jonathan Fairbank, aged thirty-one years. Grace Fairbank, daughter of Jonathan. Jonas Fairbank, son of Jonathan. 1697 November 1698 May 1698 May 1702 September 1703 — 1704 July 1704 — 1706 September 1707 — 1714 January 4 26 31 Eunice, daughter of Reverend John Whiting. Deacon Roger Suraner, at Milton. Philip Goss. [Admitiistration gratited May 26.] Ensign John. Moore. [Invetitory Septettiber 23.] John Moore, Senior. [Nuncupative will sworn to November 26. Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder, kUled by Indians, aged fifty-four years. John Priest, Senior. Thomas Sawyer, Senior. James Atherton, in SherbQrn, aged eighty-six years. Captain Henry Keriey, at Mariborough. [Will proved Jattuary 7.] APPENDIX ACKNOWLEDGMENT. To the several members of the Committee of Publication —especially to the Reverend George M. Bartol, chairman, — and to the Honorable Samuel A. Green, the thanks of the editor, due for valuable suggestions and assistance, are hereby cordially tendered. Various courtesies received from the accomplished custodians of the Massachusetts Archives, the Massachusetts State Library, the Boston Public Library, and the Libraries of the Boston Athenseum, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the New Eng land Historic Genealogical Society, are gratefully acknowl edged. THE FIRST INNKEEPERS OF LANCASTER. There is no evidence that any house here, previous to the destruction of the town in 1676, was devoted to the accommodation of travellers, or the sale of drink. When ever Reverend John Eliot, General Daniel Gookin, and other gentlemen of the Bay towns, vvere called hither by official duty or private business, they doubtless found all doors hospitably open to them. Humbler travellers were but few, and those chiefly visiting friends and relatives. The licensed fur traders kept a small variety of goods suit able for barter with the native hunters, including spirituous liquors, and at first naturally monopolized all trade in such articles. Thus the list of debtors in the inventory of Thomas King's estate, besides "the Indyans," includes 328 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, many of his English neighbors. By an act of 1681, but one innkeeper was permitted in each of the smaller towns, and license was granted by the county courts annually, on a certificate of approval from the town's selectmen, of which the following are examples, from Middlesex Court Files : Lancaster y« 31"' of March 1690 These may certifie y' hon''d Court : or any concerned that Nathanaell Wilder of Lancaster hath y approbation and consent of y Selectmen of sd. Lancaster for y Retaleing of strong Drinks and keeping Ordinary in y" s* Lancaster. by order of y^ Selectmen John Houghton Town Clerk To the Hon'oble his Majties Justices for ye County of Middle. May it please your Hon"'. That Whereas John White of y" Towne of Lancaster in said County of Middlesex yeoman is Desiring to obtain a Licence for Retailing Rum & other strong Drink in said Towne of Lan caster & accordingly applyed himselfe to y" Selectmen of said Town for their approbation, who are Willing it may be Granted him in case yo' Hon" se meet Dated Lan": July y« 4: 1717. John Houghton \ Nathaniel Sawyer \ Selectmen Peter Joslin ¦ ) To the Honrable his Majties Justices for ye County of Middlesex. May it please your Hon"" that at y Request of Jonathan Houghton of Lancaster in said County of Middlesex Yeoman applying himselfe to y= selectmen of said Towne for their approbation for his Receiving a licence for an Inholder in said Towne, we accordingly approve of y* same & De sire Licence raay be granted him Selecttnen \ Peter Joslin James Wilder \ Nathaniel Sawyer Joseph Wilder Dated July y" 5: 1717. To the Hon'able Justices for ye County of Middlesex. These may certifie that whereas Mr David Whetcolnb of Lancaster hath applyed himselfe to us the subscribers for our approbation for his selling strong Drink by Retale we accordingly Request that your Hon" would please to grant the same. Dated Lan": July 7: 17 17/ 18. John Houghton » Peter Joslin \ Selectmen Jonas Houghton ) MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 329 Nathaniel Wilder was the first licensed " for Retailing of wine, Beere, Ale, Cyder, Rum &c" in Lancaster. His home was a garrisoned house on the southeast slope of George Hill, in close proximity to the site of the .Symonds & King trucking house — a fact perhaps suggestive, as tending to show that the chief line of travel had not mate rially changed during forty years, and that the centre of population in Lancaster was yet west of the rivers. He remained the sole innholder until his death in 1704, and his widow Mary [Sawyer], granddaughter of John Pres cott, continued the business. July 10 1705 Widow Mary WUder Admitted to renew her License as Inholder for y^ Town of Lancaster here Recognized as y° Law demands Simon WUlard of Lancaster Licensed to be an Inholder in sd Town having entered into Recognizance persuant to Law. [Middlesex Court Records.] List of Licensed Innholders and Retailers of Liquors, 1685- 1730, DERIVED from the RECORDS OF THE MIDDLESEX COURT OF Sessions. 1685 to 1704. Nathaniel WUder. 1705. Widow Mary Wilder, Benjamin Bellows and Simon Willard. 1706-7. Widow Mary Wilder. 1708. ¦ John. Houghton, Jr.^ 1709-10. John Houghton, Sen. 171 1. John Houghton and Benjamin Bellows. 1712-13. John Houghton. 1714. John Houghton, and "John Fay Uving near Mariborough.' 1715. John Houghton. 1716. Hooker Osgood and John Houghton. 1717. John Ploughton, Hooker Osgood, and John White. 1718-19. Jonathan Houghton, David Whitcomb, and Samuel Willard. 1720. Samuel WUlard and David Whitcomb. 1721 to '24. Samuel Willard aud Thomas Carter. 1725. Thomas Carter. 1726. Samuel Willard, Thoraas Carter, and Oliver Wilder. 1727 to '29. Samuel Willard, Thomas Carter, John Wright, and Oliver Wilder. 1730. Capt. Samuel WiUard, Jonathan Houghton, Thoma,<: Car ter, John Wright, and Oliver Wilder. ANNALS OF LANCASTER, The location of these tavern-keepers can be determined approximately only. Benjamin Bellows, having married Dorcas, widow of Henry Willard, lived on the Willard estate at Still River. A locality upon the intervale near, yet retains the name "Bellows Hole." Justice John Houghton lived upon Bridecake Plain, opposite the State Industrial School grounds. His sons John and Jonathan resided in the same neighborhood. A letter from the pen of the veteran town clerk gives us a glimpse of Lancaster and its tavern in 17 15 : To Capt Saitiuel Phipps of Charlstowtie. Worthy Sr. After my Humble Service & Due Respects Presented to y" Hon'r'able Justices of y" County of Middlesex, together with yourselfe, these are to acquaint you that I am under such Indisposition of Body that I could not attend this Last Session of y* General Assembly, nor can I as yet Possibly (with comfort) come to pay my excise nor to Renew my Licence, but I have sent y' money for y* last years excise by Joseph Bra- brook the Bearer hereof, which I hope wUl be to acceptance & in case yo'' Hon''^ shall see cause that my Licence may be continued I hope you wiU abate neer one halfe of y" e.xcise for Doubtless I have paid very Deare considering what I have Drawne Corapared with other Townes. 1 had but one Hogshead of Rum y" last yeare & that wanted about 12 Gallons of being full when I bought it : & it wants severall Gallons of being out now besides about 10 or 12 Gallons Lent out, & were it not that I am con cerned with writing of Deeds & Bonds & other Publique Concerns of y Town affaires, which Occasion Persons often to corae to ray House, in order to signing & Issuing such things, I should not be willing to be con cerned with a Licence ; for what Drinks I sell I do it as cheap as at Boston & besides y« first cost I pay twenty shillings pr. Hogshead for carrying it up, besides the Hazard ; & as for Cyder there is none to be had, nor Uke to be this yeare at any price, fruit is so scarce, & for wine I never sold 5 Gallons in all y" yeares I have had a licence. So that my Draught being so Littie (there being no Road or throughfare for travilers through our towne) I hope your Hon""* will consider y^ Premisses & do therein as in your Wisdom & Justice it shall seera meet, which will oblidge Your Humble Servant Dat. Lan"; July y« 27',^ 1715. John Houghton [Mitldlesex Court Files.J MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 331 Hooker Osgood, a saddler from Andover, bought the Rowlandson lands west of the river, Nov. 22, 1710, of Phihp Goss, and in 17 14 purchased the lot whereon Law rence Waters had his home, now the homestead of S. J. S. Vose. Captain John White was the noted Indian-fighter, asso ciated with Captain Lovewell. He lived upon the east side of the neck. David WhitcomVs lands were in the southeastern part of Bolton. Captain Samuel Willard in 1627 purchased the lands bordering the highway from the Sprague bridge to the Penecook wading place, in all seventy-six acres, including the Major Simon Willard home lot, the Edward Breck lot, and the Night Pasture. The Willard mansion near the railroad crossing is supposed to have been built by him. Thomas Carter lived upon George Hill, his father, Samuel, having in 1688 purchased the Kerley lands, now in possession of F. D. Taylor and H. B. Stratton. Colonel Oliver Wilder bought of his brother Nathaniel, in 1722, the Roper lot, and probably lived near, if not in, the present house on the hill just above the George Hill school-house. The complaint in Justice Houghton's letter of the sraall local demand for strong drink must not be taken as a measure of the bibulous propensities of our ancestors. The frequent mention of beer and malt vessels in early in ventories, and of orchards in wills, indicate that the home manufacture and consumption of fermented beverages was considerable. It may be reasonable to conclude from the above letter, that in olden time as now, the' apple crop usually failed in the "odd years." The orchards of Lan caster were very early famous, and cider became a product of commercial importance. When in 1734 Captain Jonas Houghton, the Lancaster surveyor, was employed by the proprietors of Nichewaug to reconstruct the road from 332 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Lancaster along the north side of Wachusett, the contract test for acceptance of this highway was that it should be " so feasible .... as to carry comfortably, vvith four oxen, four barrels of cider at once." In an old memorandum book of Judge Joseph Wilder's is "an acompt of Cyder made in the y° 1728," for his neighbors : Barrels for the Reuerend Mr John Prentice 6[ ,, Capt. Samuel WUlard I2j^ ,, Benjamin Wilson 52 ,, Thomas Wilder 22j^ ,, Jos WUder 17 William Divol S John Divol 15 Jonas Houghton 6 Jos Wheelock 21 Joshua Houghton 63 Ebenz Wilder 471^ James Houghton 5 Chas Sawyer qiz Richard Wild 9 Jonathan Houghton 16 Ebenezer Prescot 31 Daniel Rugg 2o>^ James Wilder 30 WUliam Houghton 113 23 William Sawyer James Butler Wedow Rugg Phillip Larkin 2X James Butler 171^ Wedow Rugg 7 IV 616 THE REPRESENTATIVES OF LANCASTER. Under the colonial charter, towns might legally choose a non-resident to serve them as deputy, and Lancaster did this in 167 1 and 1672, electing Mr. Thomas Brattie, who at that date was one of the selectmen of Boston. Towns having not more than thirty freemen were privileged to be represented in general court or not, as they chose, and MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 333 as each was required to pay the charges of its own depu ties, the weaker settlements commonly sent no delegates, unless some local exigency made it necessary. In attempt ing to complete an accurate list of representatives, a curi ous difficulty is very early met with. In sixteen years, between 1689 and 1725, the name John Houghton appears recorded in the manuscript records of the general court as deputy from Lancaster. In tvvo only of these (1721 and 1724) is a distinguishing title, "Esq.," added. The credit of this' long service has heretofore been given, without ques tion, solely to Justice Houghton. There are for this period the minutes of only tvvo of the town's representative elec tions; those of May, 1718, and May, 1724. These, how ever, are enough to prove that Lieutenant John Houghton is entitled to receive some part of the honor attributed to his father, Justice John Houghton. The representative elected in 1719 was "John Houghton Jr," and it might with some reason be inferred that the delegate of same name in 1715, 1716, 1717 and 1719 was the same person, though diligent search has not been rewarded with any clue to aid decision. Instances of the elected refusing to accept the office were not rare during the first half of the eighteenth century, and it vvas quite usual for the town to advance twenty pounds to enable their deputy to meet the require ments of his official dignity, until his stipend from the Commonwealth should become due. The dates given are those of the election, vvhich was in the month of May until 1831, since when it has been in November. In the years not given the town was not represented. 1671 Thomas Brattle, of Boston. 1672 Thoraas Brattie, of Boston. 1673 Ralph Houghton. 1689 Ralph Houghton. [Courts of May 8 and 22.] John Moore, Jr. [Jutie 5 and Nov. 5.] John Moore, Sen. [December session.] 1690 John Moore, Sen. [February session.] John Houghton. [December session.] 1692 John Moore, Sen. John Houghton. 1693 John Houghton. 1697 John Houghton. 1705 John Houghton 334 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 1706 John Houghton. 1707 Thomas Sawyer. 170S John Houghton. 1710 Josiah Whitcomb. 171 1 John Houghton. 1712 John Houghton. 1 7 14 Jabez Fairbank. 1715 John Houghton. 1716 John Houghton. 1717 John Houghton. 1718 John Houghton, Jr. 1719 John Houghton (Jr.?) 1720 Joseph Wilder. 1721 John Houghton, Esquire. Jabez Fairbank. 1722 Jabez Fairbank. 1723 Jabez Fairbank. 1724 John Houghton, Esquire. 1725 Deacon Joseph Wilder. 1726 Deacon Joseph Wilder. 1727 Captain Samuel WiUard. 1728 Deacon Josiah White. 1729 Deacon Josiah White. 1730 Deacon Josiah White. 1731 Deacon Josiah White. [Elected and declined^ James Wilder. 1732 Jonathan Houghton. '733 James Keyes. 1734 Captain Ephraim Wilder. 1735 Captain Ephraim WUder. 1736 Captain Ephraim Wilder. 1737 Captain Ephraim Wilder. [Elected and declined.] Deacon Josiah White. [Elected and declined.] Jabez Fairbank. 1738 Jabez Fairbank. 1739 Ebenezer Wilder. 1740 Colonel Samuel Willard. 1741 Captain WiUiam Richardson. I7|2 Colonel Samuel Willard. 1743 Colonel Samuel Willard. 1745 Captain Ephraim Wilder. 1745 Captain Ephraim Wilder. [Elected and declitied.] Deacon Josiah White. [Elected and declined^ Captain WUliam Richardson. 1746 Joseph Wilder, Jr. 1747 Joseph Wilder, Jr. 1748 Joseph Wilder, Jr. [Elected and declined/] 1749 Colonel Samuel Willard. 1750 Captain William Richardson. 1751 Joseph Wilder, Jr. 1752 Joseph Wilder, Jr. 1753 Joseph Wilder, Jr. 1754 Captain William Richardson. 1755 David Wilder. 1756 Captain William Richardson. 1757 David Wilder. 1758 William Richardson, Esquire. 1759 Williara Richardson, Esquire. 1760 William Richardson, Esquire. 1761 William Richardson, Esquire. 1762 David WUder. 1763 David Wilder. 1764 David WUder. 1765 David Wilder. 1766 Asa Whitcomb. 1767 David Wilder. 1768 AsaWhitcorab. 1769 Asa Whitcomb. 1770 Asa Whitcomb. 1771 AsaWhitcorab. 1772 Asa Whitcomb. 1773 Asa Whitcomb. 1774 Captain Asa Whitcomb. 1775 Ebenezer Allen. Hezekiah Gates. 1776 William Dunsmoor. 1777 William Dunsmoor. 1778 William Dunsmoor. Samuel Thurston. 1779 Joseph Reed, Esquire. Under the present constitution; the representation being based upon one hun- JvlASSACHU SETTS. 1643-1725. 3:iS dred and fifty ratable polls, and three hun dred and seventy rat,ible poll.s giving a town tvvo representatives. 17S0 Captain William Putnam. 1781 WiUiam Dunsmoor. 1782 John Sprague. 17S3 John Sprague. 1784 John Sprague. 1785 John Sprague. 1786 Captain Ephraii-n Carter, Jr. 1787 Michael Newhall. 17SS Michael Newhall. 1789 Michael Newhall. 1790 Captain Ephraim Carter, Jr. 1791 Captain Ephraim Carter, Jr. 1792 Captain Ephraim Carter, Jr. '793 John Whiting, Jr., Esquire. 1794 "Hon. John Sprague, Esq." •795 John Sprague. 1796 John Sprague. 1797 John Sprague. 1798 John Sprague. '799 John Sprague. 1800 Samuel Ward. [John Sprague having declined.] 1801 Samuel Ward. 1802 WUliam Stedman. 1803 Jor.s.tbaE WUder. 1804 Jonathan, WUdfiT. 1805 Jonathan WUder. 1806 Jonathan Wilder, Esquire. Eli Stearns. [Elected unanitnously .] 1807 Eli Stearns. 1808 Eli Stearns. [Elected unatiitnously .] Jonas Lane, Esquire, do. 1809 Eli Stearns. do. Jonas Lane, Esquire. do. 1810 Eli Stearns. Colonel Jonas Lane. iSii Colonel Jonas Lane. Major Jacob Fisher. 1812 Colonel Jonas Lane. 1S12 .Major Jacob Fisher. 1813 Jacob Fisher, Esquire. Captain William Cleveland. 1814 Captain WUliam Cleveland. Captain John Thurston. [Elected unnnitiwusly.'\ 1815 Captain William Cleveland. [Elected unatiitnously.] Captain John Thurston. [Elected utianimously.] 1816 Captain John Thurston. Captain Edward Goodwin. 1817 Captain John Thurston. Captain Benjamin Wyman. 1818 Captain John Thurston. [Elected dtid declined.] Captain Benjamin Wyman. Major .Solomon Carter. 1819 Benjamin Wyman, Esquire. ,1821 Jacob Fisher, Esquire. 1823 Jacob Fisher, Esquire. 1826 Captain John Thurston. 1827 Joseph Willard, Esquire. Davis Whitman, Esquire. 182S Jo.^eph Willard, Esquire. (Elected unatiitnously.) 1829 Solon Whiting, lisquire. 1830 Solon Whiting, Esquire. C&nslEtutiG^n^i .^m.OTidnT^Rt- X ra-tifred-; changing beginning of political year from last Wednesday in May to first Wednes- daj' of Januar)', and the elections to No vember. 1831 Davis Whitman, Esquire. 1832 John G. Thurston. [Elected tinatiitnously.] Ferdinand Andrew.";. 1833 Doctor George Baker. Levi Lewis. 1834 Anthony Lane. [Elected attd declined.] Jaraes G. Carter. Deacon Joel Wilder. 1835 Jarnes G. Carter. 336 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, 1835 Deacon Joel Wilder. 1836 James C. Carter. [Elected unatiitnously.] Constitutional Amendment XII adopt ed. Representation based on three hun dred ratable polls. 1837 Silas Thurston, Jr. 1838 Silas Thurston, Jr. John G. Thurston. 1839 Silas Thurston, Jr. John Thurston. Constitutional Amendment XIII adopt ed. Representation based upon twelve hundred inhabitants. 1840 John Thurston. 1841 Jacob Fisher, Jr. 1842 John M. Washburn. 1843 John M. Washburn. 1844 Jacob Fisher. 1845 Joel WUder, 2d. 1846 Joel Wilder, 2d. 1847 Ezra Sawyer. 1848 Ezra Sawyer. 1850 Anthony Lane. 1S51 Anthony Lane. 1852 John G. Thurston. 1853 John G. Thurston. 1854 Francis F. Hussey. 1855 John G. Thurston. 1856 James Childs. Constitutional Amendment XXI adopt ed, 1857, Lancaster and Clinton forming 8th Worcester District. 1858 John M. Washburn. i860 Dr. J. L. S. Thompson. 1862 Dr. J. L. S. Thompson. The 8th Worcester District, 1865, formed of ^Lancaster, Bolton and Har vard. 1868 Jacob Fisher. i86g George A. Parker. 1870 George A. Parker. 1 87 1 George A. Parker. The 5th Worcester District, 1875, formed of Lancaster, Bolton, Harvard, Sterling, Berlin, Lunenburg and Clinton, with two representatives. 1878 Samuel R. Damon. 1882 Henry S. Nourse. DELEGATES. To the Provincial Congresses of 1774 and 1775 : — William Dunsmoor, Asa Whitcomb. To ihe Convention that fortned the State Constitution at Cambridge, September, 1779: — William Dunsmoor, Ephraim Wilder, William Putnam. To the Convention that ratified the Constitution of the United States : — John Sprague. To the Convention for the Revisioti oj' the State Cotistitution iti 1820: — Davis Whitman, Major Jacob Fisher. SENATORS. John Sprague, 1785 to 1786. James G. Carter, 1837 to 1839. Moses Smith, 1814 to i8i6. John G. Thurston, 1845. Francis B. Fay, 1868. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. ^^h EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS. Major Simon Willard, Assistant, 165410 1676. Captain Ephraim Wilder, elected 1735, but declined. Joseph Wilder, 1735 to 1752. William Stedman, 1803 and 1807. Abijah Willard was appointed Councillor by writ of Mandaraus, I77S- REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS. William Sted.man, 1803 to 1810. General John Whiting, as candidate of the Jeffersonian party, was Stednaan's oppo nent James G. Carter was an unsuccessful candidate in 1847. Prentiss Mellen, born in Lancaster, 1764, was U. S. Senator 1818 —1820. COUNTY OFFICERS. SHERIFFS. William Greenleaf, 1778 to 1788. John Sprague, 1788 to 1792. CLERK OF COUNTY COURTS. William Stedman, 1810 and 1812 to 1816. COUNTY TREASURER. Jonathan Houghton, 1731 to 1733. ASSISTANT JUSTICES WORCESTER COURT OF SESSIONS. John Whiting, March i, 1S08 to April 20, 1809. Timothy Whiting, November 14, 181 1. JUDGE OF PROBATE. Joseph Wilder, 1739 to 1757. JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Joseph Wilder, June 30, 1731 to March 29, 1757, Chief Justice. Colonel Samuel Willard, January 27, 1743, to November, 1752. Joseph Wilder, Jr., Jai.J^ry 21, 1762, to 1773. John Sprague, 1798 to 1800, Chief Justice. 22 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. John Ti.vker was given special authority to marry, May 26, 1658. M.ijoi! Simon Willard, by virtue of his office as Assistant, per formed the various duties of a Magistrate, 1654-1676. Joh.n' Houghton, called Justice before 1718, reappointed (?) 1729. Joseph Wilder, Senior, 1727 and 1731. Benja.min Willard, 1731. Dr. Josiah Wilder, 1788. Colonel Samuel Willard, 1732. Dr. Israel Atherton, 1789. Colonel James Wilder, 1737. Ti.mothy Whiting, Jr., 1789. Samuel Willard, Jr., 1743. Colonel Oliver Wilder. 1744. Colonel Joseph Wilder, Jr., 1747 WiLLiAJi Richardson, 1753. Colonel John Whitco.mb, 1754. Colonel Joseph Reed, ( ?) David Osgood, 1762. Colonel Abijah Will.a.rd Tho.m.\s Wilder, 1762. Joshua Willard, 1762.. Abel WilljVrd, 1769. Levi Willard, 1772. S.AjviuEL Wilder, 1772. P^ZRA Houghton, 1774. Dr. WiLLi.A_M Dunsmoor, - John Sprague, 1783. 1762. William Stedman, 1790. Samuel Ward, 1799. Josiah Flagg, 1803. Benjamin Wy.man, 1803. Joseph Wales, 1806. Merrick Rice, 1808. Moses Smith, Jr., 1809. Paul Willard, 181 i. Major- Jacob Fisher, 1812. Ebenezer Torrey, 1814. Edward Goodwin, 1816. John Stuart, 1821. Jonas Lane, 1822. Levi Lewis, 1823. — ? Joseph Willard, 1825. William Willard, 1S25. Solon Whiting. CORONERS. Ja.mes Wilder, 1731. Joseph Wilder, Jr., 1744. Oliver Wilder, 1738. .^ David Wilder, 1747. William Richardson. 1762. THE CLERKS OF LANCASTER. The first pages of Lancaster's oldest records are by the hand of Master John Tinker, who as scribe for the first prudential managers, copied some earlier records from "the old book"; but by whom that lost volume was kept is unknown. Ralph Houghton, clerk of the writs 1656 to 1682. Cyprian Steevens, clerk of the writs 16S2 to i686(?). MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 330 John Houghton, (son ot first John,) 1686 to 1725,— 40 years. Jonathan Houghton, 1726 to 1728 and 1730 to 1736. — Died in office. Joseph Osgood, 1729. Judge Joseph Wilder, Sr., 1737 to 1743. Joseph Wilder, Jr., 174410 1752. Abijah Willard, 1753 and 1754. Colonel Samuel Willard, 1755. William Richardson, October 8, 1755, "/« rootn of Satnuel Willard absent oti his majesties service.''^ Levi Willard, 1756 to 1760 and 1761 to 1769. Abel Willard, 1760, "in place of Levi Willard goitig o^it of town?'' Daniel Robbins. 1770, 1772, 1773, 1775 and 1776. Captain Samuel Ward, 1771, 1774 and 1782 to 1787. Colonel William Greenleaf, 1777, 1779, 1781. Nathaniel Beaman, September, 1777 to May 1778. Cyrus Fairbank, May, 1778. Dr. Josiah Leavitt, 1780 to May, 1781. Colonel Edmund Heard, 1788 to 1790. Joseph Wales, 1791 to 1794. William Stedman; 1795 lo 1800. Josiah Flagg, i8oi to 1835, except 1828, — ¦>>\yMrs. Major Jacob Fisher, 1828. Joseph W. Huntington, 1836 and 1837. John G. Thurston, 1838 to 1853. . Matthew F. Woods, 1853. Died in office. Francis F. Hussey, 1853 to 1855. William A. Kilbourn, 1874. Dr. j. L. S. Thompson, 1856 to present time, except 1874. PROPRIETARY CLERKS. Ralph Houghton and John Houghton, probably to 1716. Joseph Wilder, 1716 to 1757. Died in office. Caleb Wilder, 1757 to 1776. Died in office. Luke Wilder, 1777 to 1779. Died in office. Josiah Wilder, 1780 to 17S8. Died in office. Deacon Cyrus Fairbank, 1788 to 1800. Died in office. Benjamin Wyman, 1801 to 1826. Died iti office. Major Jacob Fisher, 1832. Died in office. SoLbN Whiting. 340 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, THE MINISTERS OF LANCASTER. FIRST CHURCH. Nathaniel Norcross, son of Jeremiah of Watertown; born in Eng land; graduate of Cambridge University, 1637; chosen minister ofthe Nashaway Plantation, 1644, but returned to England, 1646. Joseph Rowlandson, son of Thomas of Ipswich ; born in England, 1631 or 1632; graduate of Harvard College, 1652; began preaching in Lancaster, 1654; ordained, 1660. April, 1677 he was settied as coUeague of Reverend Gershom Bulkeley at Wethersfield, Ct., and there died, November 24, 1678. The first meeting-house, built probably in 1654, was near the parsonage, and crowned the highest part of the grounds now called the "middle cemetery." Samuel Carter, eldest son of Reverend Thomas Carter of Woburn ; born August 8, 1640; graduate of Harvard CoUege, 1660; bought land and resided on George HiU, 168S or earlier, and supplied the Lancaster pulpit temporarily between 1680 and 1688. He removed to Groton, and died there, 1693. Edward Oakes, son of Urian, graduate of Harvard College, 1679, preached temporarily in Lancaster ; afterwards in New London, Ct. John Denison, son of John of Ipswich, graduated at Harvard Col lege, 1684, occupied the Lancaster pulpit for a tirae. He was settled as coUeague with Rev. WiUiam Hubbard at Ipswich, and died 1689. William Wc^drop, a non-conforming clergyman driven from his church in England, 1662, preached in Lancaster, and Cotton Mather recorded him in the Magtialia as minister here. He returned to England July 12, 1687. The first meeting-house was " burned by the enemy," after the abandonment of the town in 1676. The second was built upon the same site about 1684. John Whiting, son of Reverend Samuel of BiUerica, born 1664; graduate of Harvard College, 1685 ; began preaching in Lancaster, Febru ary, 1088; was ordained December 3, 1690, and slain by Indians, Sep tember II, 1697. Mr. Jones was invited to settie in Lancaster, but sorae obstacle arose to prevent ordination. This was probably John, son of William Jones of New Haven, born October 4, 1667 ; graduate of Harvard College, 1690; drowned January 28, 1719, in Nevv Haven harbor. John Robinson, son of Samuel of Dorchester, graduate of Harvard CoUege, 1695, for a tirae filled the Lancaster pulpit. He was settied at Du.xbury, 1702, and died, 1745. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. o.j Sa.muel Whitman, graduate of Harvard CoUege, 1696, preached here a whUe ; was afterwards teacher and minister at Saletn, and died, 1751. Andrew Gardner, son of Captain .Andrew, born in Brookline, 1674; graduate of Plarvard College, 1696; began preaching in Lancaster May, 1701, and was soon to be ordained when accidentally killed by Samuel Prescott, October 26, 1704. July 31, 1704, the second meeting-house vvas burned in an assault by the French and Indians. The third vvas built on the Old Common, opposite the burial ground. 1706. John Prentice, son of Thomas, born at Newton, 1682; graduated at Harvard College, 1700; began preaching at Lancaster, 1705 ; was ordained March 29, 1708, and died January 6, 1748. In 1742-3 two meeting-houses were built; that of the first precinct on School- house HiU, nearly in front of the residence of Solon Wilder ; that of the second, or Woonksechocksett precinct, "near Ridge Hill." Cotton Brown, son of Reverend John of Haverhill, graduate of Harvard College, 1743, was invited to settle in Lancaster February 28, 1748, but becarae pastor of the Brookline church October 6, 1748, and died April 13, 175 1. Benjamin Stevens, son of Reverend Joseph of Charlestown, born 1720, graduate of Harvard College, 1740, preached here as a candidate. He settled at Kittery ; became S. T. D., 1785 ; died May 18, 1791. William Lawrence, graduate of Harvard CoUege, 1743, was also a candidate for the Lancaster pulpit. He died, 1780. Stephen Frost, graduate of Harvard College, 1739, was raaster of the Lancaster Graramar School, 1740-1744, and preached temporarily, but was never ordained ; died, 1749. Timothy Harrington, born in Waltham, February 10, 1716 ; graduate of Harvard CoUege, 1737; pastor in Swansey, N. H.; was installed at Lancaster November 6, 1748; died December 18, 1795. Alden Bradford, born in Duxbury, 1765, graduate of Harvard Col lege, 1786, temporarily supplied the pulpit in 1791 ; settied at Wiscasset, Me. LL. D., 1837; S. H. S. ; secretary of state, 1812-1824, etc,; died, 1843. Thaddeus Mason Harris, son of WUliam, born at Chariestown, July 7, 1768, resident of Chocksett during the Revolution, graduate of Harvard College, 1787, supplied the pulpit for some time, 1791-2. S. T. D.,- A. A. S., etc.; died, 1842. Daniel Clark Sanders, graduate of Harvard CoUege, 1788, preached as a candidate. S. T. D.. 1809; President of Buriington College; died, 1850. 3^2 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Joseph Davis, son of Simon of Concord; born, 1720; graduate of Harvard College, 1740: pastor in Holden, 1744-1774, preached tempor arily in Lancaster. He died March 4, 1799. Nathaniel ThayeRj son of Reverend Ebenezer, born in Hampton, N. H., July II, 1769, graduate of Harvard College, 1789, was ordained coUeague pastor in Lancaster, October 9, 1793; S. T. D., 1817; died June 23, 1840. The corner stone of Ihe brick church was laid July 9, 1816, and the building dedi cated Janu try i, 1817. Edmund Hamilton Sears, born in Sandisfield AprU 6, 1810, gradu ate of Union College, 1834, of Harvard Divinity School, 1837, pastor in Wayland, 1837-40; was instaUed at Lancaster, December 23, 1840, and resigned because of iU health, AprU, 1847; S. T. D., 1871, S. H. S. ; died at Weston, January 16, 1876. George Murillo Bartol, born in Freeport, Maine, September 18, 1820; graduate of Brown University, 1842, and of Harvard Divinity School, 1845 ; was ordained August 4, 1847. SECOND PRECINCT CHURCH. Sel off tvith Sierli7tg, 1781. The first service in the meeting-house at Chocksett was held November 28, 1742. There had been "neighborhood meetings" several years earlier. Reverend John Pren tice records a. baptism there, May, 1738, by Reverend Job Cushing of Shrewsbury, he having "changed with Mr. Brown." This was. probably Josiah Brown, graduate of Harvard College, 1736, a son-in-law of Mr. Prentice,^ as also vvas Mr. Cushing. John Mellen, born in Hopkinton, March 14, 1722, graduate of Har vard College, 1741, was pastor from December 19, 1744, to December 14, 1778. February 11, 1784, he was installed at Hanover, Mass., and died in Reading, July 4, 1807. Reuben Holco.mbe, graduate of Yale College, 1774. was ordained June 2, 1779, continued pastor in Sterling until 1815, and died, 1826. FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. Organized April 3, iSsS. • RuFUS S. Pope, born in Stoughton, April 2, 1809; studied theology with S}-lvanus Cobb, D. D., 1833; settled in MUford, Stei-ling and Hyan- nis, dying at the place last named, June 5, 1882; preached in Lancaster as occasion offered, 1S3S. James S. Palmer, born in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1815, preached si.\ months, beginning May. 1839; "ow of Mansfield, Penn. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643- 1725. 043 Lucius Robinson Paige, born in Hardwick, March 8, 1S02, supplied the piUpit during 1840, meetings being held in the Academy , -ind town haU. S. T. D., 1S61. Author ofa Commentary on the New Testa ment, etc., etc. John Harrlman, preached in Lancaster, 1841-3. Benjamin Whittemore, born in Lancaster, May 3, iSoi, son of Nathaniel; educated at Lancaster and Lawrence Academics; studied theology with Hosea Ballou. He was pastor here, 1843 to 1854; S. T. D., 1867; died AprU 26, iSSi, in Boston. A meeting-house was built in South Lancaster, and dedicated April 26, 1848. Services were discontinued, 1853, and the meeting-house was sold to the state for the Girls' Industrial School, 1838. FIRST EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. This society was organized February 22, 1839, at the house of Reverend Asa Pack ard. The meeting-house was dedicated December i, 1841 ; enlarged, 1S68. Charles Packard, son of Reverend Hezekiah ; born at Chelmsford, April 12, 1801 ; graduated at Bowdoin College, 1817; ordained at Lan caster, January i, 1840; resigned to accept pastorate of Second Congre gational church in Cambridgeport, 1854; died at Biddeford, Maine, February 17, 1864. Franklin Bradley Doe, born in Highgate, Vermont, December 5, 1827; graduate of Amherst CoUege, 1851, and of the Bangor Theological Seminary, 1854; ordained in Lancaster, October 19, 1854; resigned to accept.pa&torate. ia Appletan, Wisconsin, September 24,, 1S58. Superin tendent of the American Home Missionary Society for the Southwest. John Edwards Todd, graduate of Yale, 1855, was invited to become pastor over the church, May 3, 1859, but declined. Pastor of Church of the Redeemer, New Haven, and D. D. Sylvanus Cobb Kendall, graduate of Amherst College, 1849, ^^^ of Andover Theological Seminary, 1852 ; was invited to settle, December 13, 1859, but declined. A.MOS Edward Lawrence, born at Geneseo, N. Y., June 25, 1812; graduated at Yale College, 1840, and the New York Union Theological Seminary, 1843; installed at Lancaster, October 10, i860; resigned, March 6, 1864. George Roswell Leavitt, born in Lowell, June 7, 1838; graduated at Williams College, i860, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1863; ordained in Lancaster, March 29, 1865; resigned in 1870 to accept pastor ate of Stearns Chapel in Cambridgeport. 344 ANNALS OF LANCASTER, Abijah Perkins Marvln, born in Lyme, Ct., February i, 1813; grad uated at Trinity College in 1839, ^"^ Yale Theological Seminary, 1842; pastor at Wir.chendon, 1844-1866. In 1870 began preaching at Lan caster; installed May i, 1872; asked dismission September 12, 1875. Henry Clinton Fay, graduate of Amherst CoUege, 1854, tempora rily suppUed the pulpit, 1876. Marcus Ames was acting pastor one year, beginning April, 1877. William DeLoss Love, Jr., born in New Haven, Ct., November 29, 1851 ; graduated at Hamilton College, 1873, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1878; ordained at Lancaster, September 18, 1878; asked dis mission July, 1 88 1. Darius Augustine Newton, born October i, 1855, at Westborough; graduate of Amherst CoUege, 1879, and of Andover Theological Semin ary, 1882; ordained September 21, 1882. SECOND EVANGELICAL CHURCH. This Society was organized November 14, 1844, in the village of Lancaster called Clintonville, which was set off as the town of Clinton, March, 1850. Joseph Myron Rensselaer Eaton, born October 14, 1814, in Fitch- burg; graduated at Amherst CoUege, 1841, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1844; ordained January 9, 1845; dismissed April 11, 1847. W. H. Corning, ordained December 8, 1847; disraissed October 2, 1851 FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY. This church was organized in 1847, in that part of Lancaster which became Clin ton, A. D. 1830. Charles Manning Bowers, born in Boston, January lo, 1814; graduated at Brown University, 1838, and Newton Theological School, 1840. D. D., 1 87 1. Pastor of church from its organization. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Chapel was consecrated July 12, 1873. Father Richard J. Patterson, born in Ireland, 1836, graduated at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, 1863, and Grand Seminary, Montreal; ordained priest December 22, 1866. MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725. 34^ NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. This Society was formally organized January 29. 1876. Neighborhood meetings were held, however, as early as 1830, and, with several intervals of discontinuance, until the organization. From 1865 the Sundav meetings were in an ante-room of the town hall, and at certain seasons the pulpit was supplied by one of the three following clergymen : James Reed, pastor of the Boston Society; born in Boston, June 8, 1834; graduate of Harvard College, 1855. Abiel Silver, pastor of Boston Highlands society; born in Hopkin ton, Nevv Hampshire, April 3, 1795 ; accidentally drowned in Boston, March 27, i88i. Joseph Pettee, presiding minister of the Massachusetts Association ; born in Salisbury, Connecticut, March 14, 1809; graduate of Yale Col lege, 1833. Richard Ward was called as pastor in April, 1880, and installed December l, 1881 ; born in Sanbornton, — now Franklin, — New Hamp shire, May 8, 1819. The chapel was built in i88i, and dedicated December i of that year. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH. Organized 1864. Stephen Nelson Haskell, born in Oakhara, Mass., April 22, 1834; ordained Elder, August 1870. DORES Alonzo Robinson, born in Brighton, New Brunswick, Janu ary 5, 1848; ordained Elder, August 28, 1S76. The meeting-house was dedicated May 3, 1878. POSTMASTERS. The establishraent of the first post-office in Lancaster dates frora April I, 1795. The second was granted .March 3, 1853, and called South Lan caster, the post-office department objecting to New Boston, the old name of the villao-e. The following is an official list of the postmasters, wth their dates of appointment : — Joseph W.^les, AprU i, 1795. Timothy Whiting, July 25, 1803. Nathaniel Rand, March 14, 1825. Joseph W. Huntington, December 19, 1832. Nathaniel R.\nd, December 27, 1844. Humphrey Barrett, September 5, 1849. Nathaniel Rand, September 6, 1853. 346 ANNALS OF LANCASTER. < Christopher A. Rand, August 31, 1854. J Chrlstopfier a. Pollard, July 25, 1855. Danforth Lawrence, December 24, 1856. Humphrey Barrett, August i, 1861. SoLO.N Wilder, March 6, 18S4, SOUTH LANCASTER. Wilder S. Thurston, March 3, 1853. El'-.vard j. Cross.man, September 19, 1853. Stevens H. Turner, November 28, 1853. Andrew J. Bancroft, February 7, 1857. Carter Wilder, December 31, 1861. Aaro.n Wilder, September 22, 1863. D.4NIEL M. Howard, February 9, 1866. Thomas E. Burdett, April 14, 1873. Louis J. Burdett, January 18, 1875. William G. Wilder, December 8, 1875. Henry F. Hos-Mer, March 7, i88i. GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF LANCASTER. The United States Coast ahd Geodetic Survey station nearest to Lanca.iter is that upon Wachusett Mountain. By the Massachusetts Trigonometrical Survey, the spire of the Brick Church in Lancaster was deternii.ned to be eleven and sixteen hundredths miles distant from that station, and 2'. .00,91" south, and 12'. .49,71" east of it. From these data the United States Co.-ist Survey locates "Lsnca.'^ter Church" in 42".. 27'. .19,98" north latitude, and 71°. .40'. .24,27" longitude west of Greenwich. The elevation above the sea level of the floor of the porch to the Brick Church is three hundred and eight and one-half feet, as obtained by extension of the levels of the Worcester and ^Nashua RaUroad. INDEX A BRAM'S HOLL, or Hole, 293. •'^ Absentee proprietors, 17. 123. Accommodations to encourage settlers, 29, 51, 127. Act of Incorporation, 25. Adagunapeke, 273. Adams, Frances, i85. George, 83, 122, 177. 186, 273, 293, 323, 326. John, S3, 94, 177, 178, i86. Jonathan, 240. Additional Grant, 8, 138, 174, 177, 179, 192, 194. Admission of inhabitants restricted, 22, 28, 41, 32, 69. Albert, Daniel, 243. Allen, Benjamin, 122, 298, 317, 335. Daniel, 76, 298, 315, 316, 326. Ebenezer, 298, 334. Allotments of land, 22, 29, 33, 245. Allowances in land, 44, 83, 178, 179, 190, 205, 206, 245. Allowance, Surveyors'. 66, 193, 247. Almanac, first American, 308. Ames, Jacob, 221, 229. Jethro, 229. Reverend Marcus, 344. Ammunition, town's supply, 79. Amoskeag, Ammoskeeg, Namaske, [Afatt- cliester, N. //.] 16, 231, 239. Andov-er, Aniver, Andavor, 222, 242, 259, 300. 331- Andrews, Ferdinand, 335. Androscoggin river, Amrescoggin, 226. Appendix, 327. Apple orchards. 55, 83, 260, 305, 331. Aquiticus, John, 139. Arbitration, 28. Arbitrators' awards, 43. Area of original township, 66, see map, 8. Armor, 284. Asiatick hill, Assoatetick, 21S. Assessments, manner of, 51. Athenasum, Boston, 327. Atherton, Adertoti, Benjamin, 201, 207, 236, 239- 243- General Humphrey, 38, 252. Doctor Israel, 182, 338. James, 30, 32, 39, 40, 41, 44, 46, 48, 61, 71, 143, 248, 250, 251, 252, 253, 273, 274, 314, 313, 316, 317. 322, 323, 326. Atherton, James, Jr., 143, 180, 184, 202, 207, 253. 314. 318, 321. Joseph, 127, 196. 197, 200, 202, 209. Joshua, 143, 190, 253. 306, 314. Simon, 240, 243. Attack upon Lancaster, 1673, 9^. 1676, TOO. 1692, 130. 1697, 132. 1704, 146. Autographs of early settlers, facsimile, 24. Aunsocamug, Mary, 139. Ayer, 272. ¦pAKER, Doctor George, 335. ^ Ball, John, 105, 288, 324. Ballou, Hosea, 343. Bancroft, Andrew J., 346. Baprist church, 344. Barbadoes, 278, 279. Bare hill, 71, 76, 145, 177, 180, 182, 191, 195, 201, 203, 211, 253, 271, 288, 302, 303, 306. Barnes, John, 177. Matthew, 13. Barrett, Ensign Humphrey. 128. Humphrey, 345, 3'46. John, 216, 221. Sarah, 321. Barron, Barnes, Abigail, 321, Elias, 295. Timothy, 244. Bartholomew, Henry, 310. Bartol, Reverend George Murillo, 4, 327, 342. Bay Path or Road, 46, 71, 188, 201, 205, 211. Bayley, Bailey, Baily, Benjamin, 177, 207. Jonathan, 242. Bear, 233, 241. Beasts, Wild, 21, 124, 233, 263. Beer, 153, 329, 331. Belcher, Jeremiah, 237, 243. Jeremiah D., 243. Bellows, Benjamin, 141, 143, 156, 184, 189, 210. 211, 266, 303, 329, 330. Bellows Falls, 232. Bellows Holl or Hole, 330. Beman, Beaman, Bemand, Ebenezer, 178. Gamaliel, 31, 71, 84, 90, 248, 257, 258. 239, 304, 314, 325. 348 INDEX. Beman, Gamaliel, Jr., 14.^, '45. 259, John, 122, 144, 259, 319. John, Jr., 144, 136. 173, 213, 259. Nathaniel, 339. Thomas, 259. Bennett, Bsnnil, George, 60, 99, 252, 306, 314. 315. 316, 317, 320, 323. John, 178, 196, 197, 210, 216, 220, 221, 306, 314. Joseph, 243. Samuel, 141, 144, 152, 156, 173, 177, 184, 248, 252, 306, 307, 315, Beriin, 8, 142, 245,336, Berwick, 226. Bigelow, Btglow, Biglo, John, 155. Billerica, Billeriky, 48, 85, 109, 126, 234, 238, 304, 323, 340. Billeting soldiers, 168. Billings, William, 31. Bills of Credit, 185. Births in early Lancaster families, List of, 312, et seq. Bitfield, Samuel, 13. Blanchard, Blancher, Jonathan, 221. Captain Joseph, 216, 226, 234, 235, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242. Blood, Ebenezer, 243. Joseph, 216, 221. Bog ore, 49. Bolton, 42, 142, 143, 192, 229, 245, 266, 306, 336- Bond, Corporal William, 120. Boocore, Monsieur, 146. Book of Estrays, 6. of Lands, 6, 83, 245, 247, 275. of Psalms, 308. of Roads, 6. the old, 5, 31, 37, 248, 230, 273, 288, 333- Booker, John, 177. Books. 134. Borden, Bauden, Jonathan, 243. Josiah, 221. Bordmaii, Boardman, William, 308, 310, 3"- Boston, 10, 20, 21, 73, 84, 143, 134, 230, 281, 299, 322, 324, 323, 332, 333. Boston Athenaeum, 327. Boston Evening Post, quoted, 213. Boston News Letter, quoted, 146, 149, 163. Boston Public Library, 114, 327. Bosworth, Benjamin, 321. Boughton, Jam.is, 221. Bounds of Lancaster, original, map, 8, 25 63- Bounds of Additional Grant, map, 8, 174, 192 to 194. Bounty upon Scalps, 106, 229. Bounty upon wild be.ists, 124. Bowers, Reverend Charles M., 3.(4. Jerahmel, 144. John, 173, 267. Bowman, Mr. \Fnincis?'\, 33. Buyliton, map, 8, 59, 243. Boynton, Bonony, 229. Stephen, 244. Brabrook, John, 134. Brabrook, Joseph, 330. Bradford, 233. Reverend Alden, 341. Bradstreet's, Simon, Journal quoted, 119. Braintree, 149. Brand-marks of Lancaster, 16, 80. Brattle, Thomas, 332, ^'^¦^. Breck. Brek, Brick, Edward, 22. 23, 30, 33, 35. 39. 40. 41. 44. 4S. 61, 71, 177, 236, 248, 249, 250, 231, 232, 267, 271, 273. 297. 322, 331. Robert, 30, 36, 39, 40, 248, 249, 230, 231, 232, 260, 264, 265. Bridecake Plain, 157, 212, 294, 298, 330. Bridges, 39, 64, 81, 36, 96, 100, loi, 103, 177, 180, i8i, 183, 183. 192, 195,273,274, 300. Brigham, Jonathan, 167. Samuel, 166. Brinsmead, [Revetend William], 126. Brintnall, William, 237. Brookfield, 11, 17, 219, 300, 301. Brook, Bare Hill, 182. Beman's, 303. Canoe, 184. Dean's, Danes, 82, 153, 212, 290, 293. 295- Fall, 219. Four-mile, 195. Goodridge, 82, 135, 212, 290. Kerley's, 203, 303. • Mill, 32. Monipnet, 219. Neesonkeeg, 223. Parker's, 239. Plumtrees, 34. Quasaponikin, Ponikin, 78. 184, 239. Rigby, 196. Roper's, 6i, 273, 278. Wachusett, 219. WataquBdock, i33. West-pond, 211, Wickapeket, i89,"i90, 193, 196, 203, 204, 205, 206. 218, 220, 286. Wickapimsee, 218. Brooks, Eunice, 123, 283. Broughton, Edward, 202, 207, Brown, Broiv?ie, Boaz. 128. Reverend Cotton, 341. Ebenezer, 229. Josiah, 342. Captain TliDinas, 133, 136, 138, 144, 156, 160, 161. Bruce, Thomas, 243. Buckminster, Thomas, 213. Bulkeley, Reverend Gershom, 119.301,340. Peter, 122. Burbeen Berifeane, Mary, 318, 321. Burdett, Louis J., 346. Thomos E., 346. Burning woods, 81. Burt, Burck, Phineas, 244. Richard, 236, 239. Thomas, 237. Burying Ground, Bolton, 306. INDEX. 349 Burying Ground, Old Common, 164, 305, 341- the old, 55, 183, 204, 273, 278, 279, 299, 300. Bush, John, 248, 271. 303, 323. Buss, John, 2S8. 239. Butler'i James, 72, 77, 79, 144, 182, 204, 248, 293,301,304,325.332. Buttert4eld, Jonathan, 221. By-Laws of Lancaster, 171. CALEF, Robert, quoted, 307. Calicott, Richard, 117. Cambridge, 12, 17, iB, 19,73, loi, no, in, 126,267, 268, 280, 281, 308, 310, 311,322, 323, 326, 340. Canada expedition of Sir W^m. Phips, 127, 293. Canoe, Cannoo, Brook, 184. Cape Porpus, 242. CapUves, Lists of, 103, 131, 133, 136. Ransom of, 109, 131, 136. Captivity, Mrs. Rowlandson's Narrative of, 98, 102. Carts and cartvvays, 22, 59, 107, 108, 204, 261, 305. Carter, Ephraim, 196. Captain Ephraim, Jr., 335. James Gordon, 335, 336, 337. John, 144, 152, 154, 285, 286. Reverend Samuel, 24, 123, 196, 285, 286. 323, 340. Samuel, Jr., 141, 144, 152, 182, 183, 195, 196, 202, 203, 204, 208, 285, 286. Major Solomon, 335. Thomas, 1S7, 188, 207, 285, 329, 331- Carter's Mills, 67. Case, Mrs. Sally {Sawyer'), 145, 290. Casting lots, 42. 71, i36, 246. Catechism, Slighting the, 129, 303. Cateconimoug Pond, 219. Cattle running at large, 21, 171. Cerrtre of the tcnvn, 67; 273; Cellars, ancient, 291, 296. Cham.berlam, Benjamin, 222. Joseph, 221. Thomas. 216, 221. Chambly River, 155. Champney, Chamne, Daniel, 113. Chandler, Ephraim, 216, 222. George Frederick, 27S. John, 13, 16. Moses, 209, 229, 243. Chapin, Abiel, 236, 239. Charlestown, 32, log, 251, 256, 261, 272. 280, 294, 298, 300, 305, 306, 311, 321, 323, 324, 323, 341. Chelmsford, 48, 98, 109, 130, 221, 222, 321, 343- Chestnut Hill, 220. Chesquonopog Pond, 70. Child, Doctor Robert, 11, 14, 23. Childs, James, 336. Chimneys, ancient, 57, 290. Chocksett, Clioxet, see Woonksechocksett. Christian, a Mohawk, 223, 233. Church, David, 177. Church, Covenant of, 169. I^nds of, 27, 29. 45, 156, 182. 2S3, 296. Members of in 1708, 170. Records of, 6. 163. Churches of Ijincaster, list of, 340. el seg. Cider, 153. 154. 329, 331, 332. Cilley, L. G., 291. Clamshell Pond, 298. Clap, Roger. 73. Clapboards. 57. Clarke, Hugh, information of, 107. Thomas. 38. Clergymen of I..ancaster,Iist of, ^a,et seq. Clerks of the vvTits, 48; 53, 77, 84,212. 231, 312. proprietors', list of, 339. town, list of, 338. Cleveland, Captain William, 335. Clinton, 82, 145, iSo, 245,276,277,293.298, ^ 336- Clothes, iron, 284. Cobb, Sylvanus, D. D., 342, Cobbitt, Reverend Thomas, quoted, 114, 116. Cocheco, \Do-iier, N. H.^ 116, 226, 230, 233- Coffin, Coffyn, Lieutenant Peter, 115. CohasseU Falls, [^Goff's Falls, N.H.:\ 239. Cold Spring, 145, 301, 304. Collins, Daniel, 244. Edward, 310. Combs, Comes, Jonathan, 216, 236, 239. Committee to order town affairs, appoint ed, 50. Committee, the, withdraw, 78, of Publication, 3, 4, 327. Commons. 6, 20, 41, S3. 82, 83, 171, 17S, i3o, 181. Concord highway, 45. 128, 249. Concord, 21, 48. 49, loi, 107, 109, no. 114, 119, 127, 15^5, 272. 278. 270, 288,304,321. 325; 3"42. Conneelicul, iie->v- way to, 16, 73, <^v. Connecticut River, 227, 232, 236. Constables, 22, 24, 26, 48, 84, 124, 12S, iSi, 187, 202, 207. Contocook, Contockock, River, 231, 233, 238, 239. Contract. Prescott's com-lnill, 32. Prescott's saw-mill, 72. Controversies, settled by arbitration, 2.9. Con'v.ay, alias Peter Tatatiquinea, in. Converse, Captain James, 156, 162. Josiah, 165. Cook, Alice. 126. Coos, Cohosse, 22-1, 227. Corey, Benjamin, 2-53. Jacob, 229, Josiah, 244. Coming, Reverend William H., 344. Coroners, list of, 338. Coroner's inquest, 121, 150. Corwin, George, 91. Coulter, William J., 2. 35° INDEX. Councillors, 337. County officers. 337. Courser, Corser, Archelaus, Arculeas, i'2'Z, 2S1, 313, 316, 320, 333, 325. John, 281. Covenant of Church, 169. of first planters, 27. of proprietors of new grant, 173. Cow -pen, 21. Cowdall, Caudall, John, 10. 13, 75, 79, 240, 275, 277, 293, "309. Crocker, Croakham, Rebecca, 287. Crosly, Robert. 85. Grossman, Edward J., 346. Crouch, Jonathan, 209, 210. Crow Hill, 220. Cumbery intervales, 184. Cummings, Cumins, Ebenezer, 216. William, 222. Cushing, Reverend Job. 342. Cusumpe Pond, 230. 236, 240. 241. Cutler. James, 10. 15. Cutshamequin, Kutchamaquin, 10, II. T"^AHANNATA. Tahanto, 138, 173, 179, ^ 193. Damon, Samuel R., 259, 336. Danforth, Thomas, 33. 30, 52, 59, 60, 68, 73. 7S, 90, 94. 103. 310. Darbey, Darby, John, 209, 210. Robert, 209. Davenport's farm, 174, 194. Davie, Humphrey, 91. Davis, Davies, Davice, Barnard, 240. Jabez, 216, 221. Sergeant John, 15, 16. Reverend Joseph, 342. Samuel, 149, 314, 320. Samuel, Jr., 149. Samuel, 243. Simon, 342. Day, Marthew, 308, 309. Stephen, 11, 12, 13, 15. 17, 18, 19. 24, 3O1 79. 83, 273, 27s. 281, 308, 309. 310, 311, 323. Deacons, 107, 176, 213. Dean, John, 243. Samuel, 30. Dean's, Dane's, Brook, 82. 155, 212, 290, 293. 295- Deaths, list of, 322, et seq. Dedham, 283. Deed of John Cowdall to John Prescott, 246, 275. Philip Goss to Hooker Osgood, 300. John Johnson to John Roper, 23o. Henrv Kerley to Samuel Carter, 285'. John Moore to John Buss, 289. John Moore to Daniel Hudson, 2S3. Jonathan to Samuel Prescott, 278. Samuel Prescott to Rev. John Prentice, 182, 278. Deed of Joseph Rowlandson to Philip Goss, 299. Sholan to Nashaway Planters, 22, 25. George Tahanto to Lancaster 138. Alice Whiting to town of Lan caster, 138. Nathaniel to Oliver Wilder, 281. Major Simon Willard to Cyprian Steevens, 85. James Wiser to John Prescott, , 273. Deer's Horns, 145, 155, 290. Deer Island, 109, no. Delegates to General Court, etc., list of, 332, et seq. Denison, Reverend John, 340. Diamond. Dimon, Hills, 219. Diary of John Marshall, 132, 149. Samuel Sewall. 109, 117, 126, 132. IS5- Ditch, broad meadow, 199. Glaziers, 189. Prescott's, 29, 41, 278. Divisions of common land. 29. 39, 41. 54. ^S. 69, 76, 79, 179, 181, 183. 184, 186,206, 207, 24s, 248. Divoll, Divole, Divens, Divall, Divell, Drew, Hannah, 104, 114, 115, 315. 316. 317. 320. 324. John, 243. 315. 332. Ensign John, 89, 94, 104, 122, 254, 315. 316, 317. 320, 324. Manasseh. 57. William, 105. 141, 144, 156. 176, 189, 202. 207. 210, 253, 266, 317, 321, 332. Doe, Reverend Franklin B., 343. Doget, Francis. 229. Dolton. Caleb, 229. Doors and windows in early houses, 58. Dorchester church records quoted. 74. Dorchester, 83, 249, 253. 255. 257,258,259, 260, 265, 296, 322, 324, 325.340. Dracut, 221, 222. Drake. Samuel G., " Biography and His tory of Indians," quoted, in, 115. Draper, James, 30. Drew, Mrs., \Divoll^ 104. Dugway, 1S3. Dummer, William, Lieut. Gov., Letters of, 215, 223, 225, 226. Duncan. Dimcoin, John. 229. Dunsmoor, Doctor William. 334, 335,336, 338. Dunstable, 85. 168. 216. 217. 218. 221. 222, 224, 225, 231. 232, 235, 239. 240. Dunster, Eliza and Mar)-, 272, 314. Du.-itin, Dustan, Hannah, 132. Duxbury, 340, 341. Dwelley, Richard. 31. P ACER. Rufus, 278. •'-^ E.ames. John. 220. Eames. Thomas. 103. Eaton, Reverend J. M. R., 344. INDEX. 3SI Education, 95, 172, 175. Elevation of Lancaster above the sea, 346. Eliot, Reverend John, 16, 17, 38, 327. Emerson's Bank, 180, 293. Equality in first devision of land, 29. Estabrooks, Reverend Joseph. 126. Estates of first settlers, 39, 52, 248. Excommimicants refused as inhabitants, 23. Exeter, 233. Expedition to Canada, 1690, 127, 293. against Loisburg. 1745. 236. pACSIMILE signatures of early set- ¦'¦ tiers, 24. Fairbank, Fairbanks, Cyrus, 339. Lieutenant Jabez, 144, 145, 132. 168. 173, 176. 179, 182, 183, 184, 190, 195, 196, 197, 19S, 199, 200. 202. 203. 204, 207, 211, 215, 216, 217. 218. 219, 220, 221, 222, 244, 295, 296, 316, 334. Jonas, 24, 31, 39, 40, 71, 82, 83, 106, 122. 135, 137. 218, 248, 277. 279, 283, 294, 314, 315, 316, 320. 324. Jonas, Jr., 243' 295, 317. Jonathan, 127, 133, 135, 218, 295. 315. 321, 326. Joseph, 211. Joshua, 106, 157. 218, 295, 314, 324- Mary. 133. 136. Thomas, 244. Farm for country's use, 65. Farmer. Thomas. 229. Farnsworth, Ephraim, 229. Isaac, 220, 221, 243. John. 174. 192. 193. Reuben. 229. Samuel, 243. Farrar, Farer, Fatrah, Henry, 106, 292, 324. Jacob, 24, 31, 32. 39, 40. 41. 54. 61. 64, 71, 108. , 212. 248, 256. 258, 283. 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 295, 297,299,325. Jacob, Jr., 64, 99, 166, 292, 316, 317, 320, 323. John. 31, 39, 40, 41,43, 71, 248, 236, 257, 292, 294. John, Jr., 292, 316, 320, 323. Ensign John, 166. Farwell, Isaac, 216. Fay, Colonel Francis B., 145. 336. Reverend Henry C, 344. John, 329. Fence, the night pasture, 20, 299. Fencing allotments. 29. Ferren. Jonathan, 229. Fever and ague, 240. Fines and forfeitures, 28, 50. 51, 52, 60, 68. 70, 74, 81, 89, 118. First allotments of land, 29, 33, tnaps, 244. Fish-weir, watre, wear, 60, 258. Fisher, Major Jacob, 333, 336, 338. 339. Jacob, Jr., 336. Fisher. John, ii. Fisk. Jonathan, 244. F'i^gg. losiah, 211. 312, 338. 339. Sally. 292. William, 99, 323. Flag of truce, no. Flankers, 58. 148. 149. Flax. 265. Fletcher, Charles T.. 4. Hezekiah, 243. Samuel, 229. Fort, Dummer, 227, 232. George, 226. Iarish, 231. Penecook, 239. Washacum, 276. Fortifications, 102, 149. Ford, Robert, 229. Foster, Captain Hopesfill, 87. Phineas, 229. Founell, John, 32. Framingham, 215. Freeman's oath, the, 308. Freemen, 25, 38, 48, 249, 231, 254. 257, 261, 263, 267, 269, 284, 287. 298. French and Indian war, 140, et seq. Frog-holes, 82, 291. Frost, James, 248, 303, 304. Nicholas, 84. Stephen, 341. Fryville, 145. Fullam. Francis, 177, 179. 185. Funeral charges, 154. Fur traders, 9, 263. 327. r'AINES, Gains, Gay^w, Daniel. 24, 31, ^-"^ 72. 104, 122, 176, 177, 199, 203, 247, 248, 277. 283, 294, 324. Gaines, Samuel, 284. Gardner, Reverend Andrew, 137, 144, 145, 148, 130, 182, 214. 341. Mary, 24, 153. 165. Peter. 113. Garrett. Harmon. 12, 13, 20. 23. 26. Garrison, Fairbank's, 218. Gardner's, 58, 145, 148. Joslin's. 145. Moore's. 145. Prescott's, 145, 277. Priest's, 145, 302. Roper's. 135. Rowlandson's, 86, loi, 102. 104, 134, 152, 270, 283, 284. Sawyer's, 58, 108. Steevens", loi, loS. Whitcomb's. 145. Nathaiiiel Wilder's, 146. Thomas Wilder's. 145. Major Willard's, 108. Garrisons, building, etc., 131. lists of, 143, 173. Gates in highways, 53, 176. 177, 270. 297. Gates tavern, the. 58. Gates, Hezekiah. 312, 334. Jacob, 229. Mary, 46, 267, 268, 320. Simon, 122, 177, 184, 267. 352 INDEX. Gates, Steven, 30, 39, 40, 42, 47, 48, 52, 57, 63, 72, 177, 134, 248, 259, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 315, 323. Thomas, 122. 267, 268. Ge05r.iphic position of Lancaster, 346. Goorge Hill, 82, 135, 141, 145,186, 219,261, 264, 276, 277, 2S2, 294, 303, 329, 331, 340. Gibbs, Captain [Benjamin,] 107. Gibson's Hill, 41, 134. 262. 263, 274, 288, 296, 300. Gifts ol land, 29, 51, 247, 251, 252, 262, 268. 269. 270, 273, 285. Gillson, Michael, 222. Glazier, Glasser, George, 141,144. 187, i83, 196. 250, 257, 321. John. 141. 144. 168, 249, 251, 325. Joseph, 141. 144, 156. ftlary. 134, 136. Glover. Reverend Jesse, 308. Gloves, 154. Goble, Daniel, 117. Hannah, 321. Stephen, 117, 135. Goodenough, Goodnow, Lieutenant Ed mund, 33. Goodridge, Benjamin, 242. John, 243. Philip, 243. Goodridge, Gutteridge, Brook, 82, 155, 212, 290. Goodwin, Captain Edward, 335, 338. Gookin, General Daniel, n, 85. 92, 97, 98, loi, 103, 109. no, 327. Gore, Richard, 244. Goss, John, 177, 179, 180, 187. Jonas, 277, 292, 295. Philip. 85. 152, 299. 300, 319, 326, 331. Philip, Jr., 152, 156. 321. Graham. William H.. 278. Grain, prices of, set by court, 55. Grammar school, 175, 176. Grant, additional. 138. 174, 177, 179, 192. original, 22, 23, 25. 26. Grants, thirty-acre, 248. Grass of intervales, 246. Graves, Moses, 229. Gray. Robert. 237. 2.-f3. Green. Samuel, 309, 311. Honorable Samuel Abbott, 91, 96, 308. 327. Greenleaf, William, 337, 339. Groton, Groaten, Groten, 21, 42, 62, 80, 96, 100, 109. 114. 119. 123. 125. 130, 147, 149, 166, l58, 192, 196, 200, 201, 216, 217, 218. 219, 221, 222, 223. 231, 232. 235, 239, 243, 263, 271, 279, 285, 293, 295, 307, 308, 325. 340. Ground-nut, \_.4pios tuberosa] 33. Grout, John, 244. Guild. John, 139. Gunrashit, Sag.imore, ni. ¦jLJADLOCKE, Nathaniel, 22. 25. 27. ¦'¦ ••- 322. Haines, Lieutenant \_yosiafi\, 120. Hall, Elizabeth, 17. 18, 19. Hall, John, 17, 19. 20, 246. 261, 262. Richard, 229. Hampton Falls, 242, Hannichoockset, \_Nooksett,N. Iti\, 239. Hapgood, Nathaniel, 184, 201, 203. 210, 288. Hardy. Samuel, 243. Harriman, Reverend John. 343. Harrington, George, 106, 324. Reverend Timothy. lo. 12. 21. 123, 126, 134, 137, 146, 164, 166 ,214, 341. Harris, Harress, Benjamin, 216, 221, 243. Ebenezer, 178, 183, 189, 202, 204 238. Edmund, 178, 183, 185, 189, 204, 205, 207, 258. John, 144, 156, 190. Reverend Thaddeus Mason, 341, Thoiifias. 122, 287, 288. Hartwell, Edward, 189, 206. 207, 208, 210, 216, 217, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 243. Harwood. Hawood, Nathaniel, 128. 208. Harvard, 8, 62, 142, 145, 245, 253, 302. 336. Haskell. Elder Stephen N.. 345. Haverhill, 221, 341. Hayward, Haywood, Hannah, 316, 320. John, 243. Judith, 321. Mary, 292, 321. Sarah, 279, 316. Haywards, 188, 202. Hazzen, John, 229. Moses, 229. Heard, Colonel Edmund, 339. Henchman, Hinchman, Hincksman, Capt. Daniel, 118. Captain 'Thomas, no, 129. Herds and herdsmen, 21, 50. Hewes, Hues, Huse, George, 121, 144, 145, 152. 156. 321. Robert, 181. Highways, laid out, 45, 50, 51, 53. 60. 61. 62. 64, 77, 79, 80, 96. 176. 177. 178, 179. 180, 182, 183. 184, 188, 189, 190. 191, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 210. 211. making and maintaining, 68, 81. marking and recording, 53. 54. Hildreth, Jonathan, 222. Hill, John, 12, 13, 15, 16. Joseph, 38. Assoatetick, 218. Bare, 71, 145. 177, 180, 182. 191, 195, 201, 203, 211, 271, 288, 302, 303, 306. Bee, 218, Broad-meadow, 188, 199. Chestnut, 220. Diamond. Dimon, 219. Crow. 220. George, 82, 135, 141, 145. 146, 186, 219. 264, 276, 277, 282, 283, 294, 303. 329. 331. 34°- INDEX. 353 Hill, John Gibson's, 41, 134, 274, 288, 296, 300. Hurtleberry, 117. Long, 71, 83. Makanrachekamucks, Mahaiuktsjis, 97, 271, 303. Massapaug, ATashapougs, 219. Moantahcake, 276. Monadnock, Menocnuck, Menadnick, Menagnick, Wa/iadnock, Wannad nuck, Wenadnuck, 219. 234. 235, 238. Monoosuc, AfoHosnk, Afenousnuck, Afanosok, Afonosek, 174, 193, 194, 219. Piqwacket. 241. Pine, 180, 190, 205. 206, 258. Ponikin, | Quasopanagon.Qua- Quasaponikin, J saponacin, Quasa ponacan, Qitascacanaquen, Quassa ponikin, Quasoponican, 42, 61, 78, 79, 179, 184, 196, 197, 218, 254, 25s, 258, 259. Quiticus, Quiticous, 219. Rattlesnake, 301. Redstone, 219. Ridge, 341. Rocky, 219. 220. Rollstone. Rolestone, 219, 220. Roily, Rooty, 188. 191. School-house, 340. Turkey, 194, 217, 218, 219, 220, 222, 236. Vaughan's, Vahan's, Van's, 192, 195. Wachusett; Watchusett, Wachusets, Wochoosett, 10, II, 85, 112, 130, 138, 139, 217, 219, 220, 234. Washacum, Whashacom, Wascha comb, 186, 308. Wataquadock, Wataquadoke, Wata quodoc, Wataquadocke, Wattoquot tock, Wadaquadock, Waterquaduc, Wattoqucddcc, 42, 45, 60, 71, 132, t4I, 14s.. .188^ 195.^^ 270. 289,. 290, 3°i. 3°4- Watatickr^ig;,.^ ' Wickapeket, Wakapaket, Wacapacit, Wakapacet, Wacapacet, Wicke pocket, Wecapickit, 189, 190, 195, ig6, 203, 204, 205, 206, 218, 220. Woonksechocksett, Wonksacoxet, Ocsechoxit, Oxsechoxits, 195, 2ig, 220. Hillard, Mary, 292, 316. Hilton, S., 229. Hingham, 267, 268, 269, 284. Hinckley, Thomas, letter of, 103. Hinds, John, 143, 188, 249, 301, 318, 321. Hoar, Daniel, 117. John, III, 112, 114. Hog Swamp, 196, 198, 204, 205, 304, 305. Holcombe, Reverend Reuben, 342. Holden, John, 243, Holl, 293. Holman, Jeremiah, 197, 204. Holt, Uriah, 243. ¦ 23 Home lots of planters, 28, 33, 85, maps, 2-H. 2-lS- Hopkins, Mr. \Ediun>d?\,Tj,. Horses and cattle, brand mark of. 16,80. Hosmer, Menry F., 346. Houghton, Haughton, Howton, Benjamin, 294, 316. Benjamin, Jr., 216, 221. D.anicl, 188, 202. Edward, 145, 201, 207. Ephraim, :>or, 207. Ezra, 33S. Henry. 143, 173, 201, 207, 215, 243, 321. Jacob, 143, 171, 172, 180, 187, 190. 191. 201, 203, 207. 209, 2TO, 317. James, 122, 143. 229, 332. John, 30, 71. 76, 80, 82, 108. 118, '177, 248, 293. 315, 316. 317. 325. 339- John. Jr., Esquire, 2-}, 108, 122. 125, 126, 127, 12S, 131, 136, 139, 144, 151, 158, 160, i6i, 163, 164, 171, 172, 175, 176, 178, 179, 180, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, T98, 202, 203, 206, 209, 211, 212, 222, 237, 292. 294. 305. 307. 313. 317. 321, 32S. 329, 330, 331, 333, 334, 339. John, 3d, Lieutenant, 144, 152, 1S3. 173, 184, 185, 195. 197. 206, 212, 317, 321, 329, 334. Jonas, 144, 151, 152, 153, 178, 179, 180, 184, 189, 190, 191, 195, 198, 203, 205, 207, 209, 210, 211, 294, 318, 321, 328, 331. Jonas, Jr., 187, i83, 199, 203, 332. Jonathan. 176. 187, 19S, 199, 201, 205. 208, 209, 210, 229, 319. 328, 329. 3^2, 334,3,37. 339- - . Joseph,. I44,,.25.i., 3.I4,,33I. v, , Joshua, 332. Ralph, 6, 22, 24, 25, 31, 32, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 48, so, 54, 61,65,70,71.75,77.78,79,83,89, 92, 99, 107, 118, 121, 126, 245, 247, 248. 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 256, 265, 270, 271, 274, 275, 289. 297, 299, 321,312,313.314,315,316,325, 326, 333, 338, 339. Robert, 144, 164, 177, 179, 209, 210, 294, 318,319. Robert, J r., 209. Stephen, 242. Thomas, 201, 207. William, 332. Houses, early, 57. log, 57- Howard, George W., 295. Daniel M., 346. I Howe, How, Abraham, 146. 354 INDEX. Howe, How, Daniel, 177, 237. Elizabeth, 131, 321. Captain "Thomas, 1.47, 165, 181. Hubbard, Reverend William, History of quoted, 58, 100, 102. 340. Jonathan, 243. Sarah, 209. Hudson. 8, 145. Hudson, Hutson, Daniel, 57. 78, 122. 133, 134, i8g, 211, 271, 283, 283, 302, 314, 326. Daniel, Jr., 314, 321. 325. Elizabeth. 133, 135, 314, 326. Joanna, 133, 135. 314. 326. Nathaniel, 133. 141,288,303,317, 326, William, 128, 249, 302, 314. Humphrey, Deacon Charles, 182. Hunt, Isaac. 177, 307. Jeremiah, 229. Huntington, Joseph W., 339, 343. Hussey, Francis F., 336, 339. Hutchinson papers, quoted, in. Hutchins, Benjamin, 146. Joseph, 143, 168, 180, 190, 201. Joshua, 229. William, 229. INCORPORATION, Act of, 25. ¦*• Indian Fight, the, 165. Indian land purchased, 9, 22, 26, 138, 173. traders, 9, 263. -sagamores, 16. 38, gi. wear, 60, 258. Indians, attacks by, gS, 102, 130, 132, 146, 165. Albanian, 130. Christian or Praying, 98, gg, 100, no. 113. Connecticut, 130. Maquas, g7, 130. Mohawk. Mohege, 100. 225, 226, 227, 235, 240, 246. Narraganset, 103. Nashaway, 16, 17, 38, gi, 97, 102, 263. Natick, 85, 100, 102. Nipnet or Nipmuck, 98, 102. Quabaug, 103. Seneca, 130. Innkeepers, early, 327, et seq. Inquest, coroner's, 121, 150. Intervales, 29, 245, 246. Intruders fined, 52, 89. Invitation to Master Rowlandson, 55. M.ajor Willard, 64. Ipswich, 300. 340. Iron-stone ledge, 72, 274, Iron works, 48.49. Iron clothes, [artnor^ 284. TAMES, Daniel, 94. J Thomas, 30, 32. 36, 39, 40, 41. 71. 255, 256, 274, 322. James ware, 258. James Printer, ni, 112. James Wiser, alias Quanapaug. gi, 100, 139. 275- Jefts, Jafts, Ebenezer, 244. Jenkes, Joseph, 12, 13. Jelhro, Peter, in, 117. Jewell, Jewall, James, 243. Job Kattenanit, 100, 103. Jo'o's corner conveniency, 294. John, one eyed, alias Monoco, 98, 100, 107, 112, 117. John's Jump, 80, 121. 278, 290, 2gi. Johnson, Captain Edward, '^^, 45, 50, 52, 60, 78, 90. John, 30, 34, 39, 40, 41, 44, 60, 71, 77, 248, 273, 280, 281. John, 2d, 141, 144, 156, 202. Noah, 221. Samuel, 229. Solomon, 281, 282, 309, 310, 311. Jones, Reverend John, 137, 340. Samuel, 174, 192, 193. Jordan, Captain, 236, 242. joslin, Joslyn, Josllin, Joscelyn, Abraham, 83, 86, 269, 315, 316. Abraham, Jr., 104, 287, 288, 317, 321, 324. Nathaniel, 31, 39, 44, 71, 247, 248, 257, 259, 267, 268, 269, 270, 304, 314. 315. 317. 320, 322, 323, 326. Peter, 130, 141, 144, 145, 156, 162, 173. 175. 176, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, ig6, 197, 199, 200, 222, 266, 268, 269, 315, 319, 325, 328. Thomas, 31, 39, 61, 71, 247, 248, 257, 262, 26S, 269, 284. 322. Joumal, Bradstreet's, quoted, 119. Reverend John Pike's, quoted, 146, 148. Journals, military, of Lieutenant Jabez Fairbank. 216-221. of Captain John White, 230-233. of Captain Samuel Willard, 234- 240. Judges. C. C. P., Lancaster. 212, 213, 224, 337- Jurors, 68, 187. 202. Justices of the Peace, list of, 338. T^ATTENANIT, Job, 100, loi. -¦^ Kearsage, Cusagee, Mountain, 238. Kelsey, Daniel, 244. Kendall, Kindal, John, 204, 286. Samuel, 2S6. Reverend Sylvanus C, 543. Kennebeck River, 226. Kequassagansit, 164, 267. Kerley, Kerly, Carley, Elizabeth, 104, 105, 324- Henry, 24, 30, 34, 37, 39, 40, 41, 45, 47. 55. 72, 76. 77. 82, 87, g4, 105, 124, 177, 188, 196, 203, 248, 254, 283, 284, 285, 287, 314, 315, 316, 317. 320, 321, 324, 326. William, 22, 24, 25, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35. 37. 39. 40. 41. 42, 44. 47. 48, 50. 5S. 64. 71, 195, 203, 247, 248, 269, 273, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 300, 320, 322, 323, 331, INDEX. 355 Kerley, William, Jr., at. 30. 32, 34, 35. 37, 39. 40. 41. 4^. 47. 72. 88, 248, 274, 2S4, 2S5. 286, 287, 288, 325. Kettle, Kettel, Kctle, John, 105, 107. in, 316, 324. Mrs. Elizabeth, 105, in, 114. 316. Keyes. James, 143, 177, 197, 19S, 205, 206, 211, 282,33.).. John, 144, 150, 187. 'Thomas, 131. Kibbie, Kibby, Cit>ie, Edward, 30, 38. Lydia, 30, 47. 48, 314, 320. Kil'oourn, William A., 339. Killed by Indians, list ot persons, gg, 104, 130, 133. 146. 323. 324. 323. 326. Kimball, Henry, 90, 122,. 259. King, Thomas. 10, 34, 322, 327. Thomas of Marlborough, 269, 281, 287. King Philip's War, 98. King William's War, 125. Kingstown, 233. 242. Kittery, 242, 341. Knight, PhiUp, 20, 39, 52, 71, 246, 248, 264, 273, 279, 280, 281" 296, 309, 323. Knop, James, 97. Kutquen, in. T ACEY, Lawrence, 244. ¦'-' Lakin, Lacain, Larkin, Isaac, 220. Jacob, 216. John, 243. Joseph, 243. Philip, 332. Lancaster, act of incorporation of, 23, 25. geographical position of, 346. maps of, 8, 244, 245. military company of, 74, 86, 125, 268. records, condition of, 5, 312. Lands, book of, 6, 83, 245. church, 27, 29, 45, 156, 182, 283, 296. common, 6, 53, 82, 83, 171, 178, 180, 181. divisions of. 29, 39, 41, 54, 65. ^. 76. 77, 79. 176. 181, 183, 184, 186, 245, 248. first allotments of, 29, 33, 245, et seq. intervale, 29, 245. meadow, 29, 39, 41, 69, 70, 83. special grants of, 51, 54, 55, 56, 70, 74. 79. 80, 82, 83, 91, 245, 248, 272, 302, 310. standard of quality, 186, 246. waste, 247. Lane, narrow, 64, 212, 290, 291. Lane, Anthony, 259, 335, 336. John, 144. Colonel Jonas, 335, 338. Latham, Henry M., 252. Latitude and Longitude of Lancaster, 346. Lawrence, Larratice, Reverend Amos E., 343- Danforth, 346. William, 216, 221, 341. Laws, read in town-meeting, 187. Lavvs regarding land conveyance, 246. regarding wild beasts, 124. respecting trainings, 56. about selling strong drink to Indi ans, 263. about innkeepers, 328. about education, 176. Le,-irned, Samuel, 229. Leavitt, Reverend George R., 343. Doctor Josiah, 339. I,,ecture-day, 74. Leominster, 286. Lewis, Lenues, Leweis, Christopher, 122, 254. 256. John. 24. 30. 32, 36, 37. 39, 40, 41, 71. 82, 122, 248, 254, 255, 322. J-evi, 335, 338. William, 30, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 48, 61, 71, 74, 122, 190, 248, 254, 255, 270, 271, 323. Leverett, Governor John, letters of, 98, no. Levies and rates assessed, 28, 45, 51, 64, 79, 81, 122, 128, 140, 151, 162, 185, 207. Levingston, John. 229. ¦ Lexington Alarm, 268, Library Committee, 3, 4. Licensed traders, 263, 327. innkeepers, 327, et seq. Lilley, Jonathan, 243. Lime and Limestone, 57. Lincoln, Lincorne, William, 89, 316, 317, 323. Linton, Lenton, Richard, 20, 30, 32. 35, 37, 40, 41, 70, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 261, 265, 275, 306, 322. Littlejohn, 'Thomas, 242. Locke, Samuel, 289. Log house, last in Lancaster, 58. Loker, Mary, 279. 321. Long Hill, 71, 83. Lots, casting, 42, 71, 186, 246. Lotteries for Sudbury Bridge, 14. Louisburg. expedition against of 1745, 237. Love. Reverend William De Loss, Jr., 344. Lovewell, Lovell, Captain. 227, 229, 230, 240, 241, 242, 331. Lovewell's War, 215. Lunenburg, see Turkey Hills, 224, 336. Limn. Lund, Thomas, 130. 216. Lusher. Major [Eleazar], 38, 87. Luxford, Reuben, 321. MAC LOUD, A/aclode, Mukload, Muke Load, Afukeloade, Mucklode, John, 104, 270, 324. Mordecai, 31, 54, 71, 78, 99. 122. 178, 248, 255, 267, 270, 317, 321, 323. McNeil, William H.,4. Magistrates, nomination of, 48. Makamachekamuck's, Mahamachekam- aks, Alahanektiits hill, 97, 271, 303. Maliompe, Sagamore of Quabaug, 117. Malone, Walter, 243. Manning, Benjamin, 243. Mansfield, John, 31. Map of Lancaster, 1653-1883, 8. 3S6 INDEX. Map showing home lots on the Neck 1653. 24.1, '.i.\T. showing home lots vvest of rivers 1653, 244, 247. Maquas, 97. 130, 146, 155, 166, 179. Marble. Mary, 321. Mariborough, Afarlbrow, Afarlburrow, Marlburry, &c., 71, 74, 98, 100, loi, 103, 119, 120, 124, 146, 155, 165, 269, 270, 23i, 282, 285, 287. 293, 304, 305, 310, 3n, 325. 326. 329- P/larriages of Lancaster, early, 320, et seq. Marshall, John, diary of, quoted, 132, 149. Marvin, Reverend Abijah Perkins, 344. Mascononoco, Afassaconomet, 10, 11. Massachusetts Historical Society, 149, 327. State Library. 327. Massacre of 1675, 99, 270, 306, 323. 1676, 102, 284, 324. 1697. 132. 283, 325. Joslin Irvmily, 130, 325. Hill .ind ~ ¦ " ¦ Massapoag Hill and Pond, Masapauge^ A.lashapoag, .Afashapoge, 8, 174, 194, 219. Mason, Captain John, 87. Mather's, Reverend Cotton, Magnalia, quoted, 133, 340. Mattamuck. Sachem of Quabaug, 115, Matthew, Sagamore of Nashaway, 39, 309. Maynard, Afainet, John, 253. 320. Joseph. 243. Maze, Henry. 321. Meadows, 29, 39, 41. 44, 69, 70, 83, 246. Meadow, Bare Hill, 71, 177, 191, 203, 211. Birch, 274. Bridge, 121, 274. Broad, iSS, 199. Brook, 71, 97, 271, 307. Cranberry, 294. Cumbery, 184. Frog-holes, 82, 291. Great-pond, yi, 78, 307. Hog Swamp, 304, 305. Hosokie, hasokie, hassocky, 253, 254. 255. Plumtrees, 54, 62, 70, 80, 97, 182, 183, 184, 197, 209, 271, 303. Pollopod, 190, Prescott's, 182, 183. Quasaponikin, 42, 61, 197. Rocky Hill, 220. Rosema.-y, 254. Round, 201. 293. South, 295. Spectacle, 304-. Tiiree Fountains, 294. Tobacco-pipe, 294. Mears, Robert, 244. Medfield, xoo. Meeting-houses, 27, 29, 50, 123. 299, 3.^0, 341, 342, 3.(3, 344. 3.15. twice burnt by Indians, 1.(6, 147, 151, 153. 156. 159, 160, 162, 340, 341. rebuildi.-ig, 123, 156-165. Meeting of the rivers, 67, 273, 27S, 300. Mellen, Reverend John, 342. Honorable Prentiss, 337. Meminimisset, Alenemesse [New Brain tree], lOI. Merrimack River, i6, 224, 225, 236, 238, 240, 241. Mile, the. 8, map. Military Journals, 215, et seq. Mill, Samuel Bennett's. 307. Jonas Prescott's, 97, 297. John Prescott's com,3i, 106,121,144, 161, 177. John Prescott's saw, 56, 72, 121. Thomas Sawyer's, 155, 290, 295. Joseph Whitcomb's, 199, 200, 201. Miller's River, 238. Milton, 253, 257, 285, 304, 321, 326. Ministerial lands, 27, 45, 156, 182, 184. Minister's house, 27, 55, 163, 197. maintenance, 27, 28, 44, 55, 64, 122, 137, 140. Ministers of Lancaster, list of, 340. Minott. Captain James, 138, 156, 160, 162. Mohawk, Alohaug, Alohege, Mohauck, 100, 225, 226, 227, 235, 240, 241. Monadnock, Wanadnock, Menadnick, Wenadnuck, 219, 234, 235, 238. Monipnet Brook, 219. Monoco. Sagamore of Nipnets, 98, 100, 107, 112, 117, 306, 324. Monoosuc Hills, Atanosok, Monosuck, Aloirosek, Alenousnuck, 174, 193, 194, 219. Moore, Moor, More, Jacob, 237. John, .Sen., 24, 30, 94. 108, 120, 122, 127, 128, 129, 266, 326, 333. John, Jr., Ensign, 24, 30, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 52, 60, 64, 71, 76, 88, 125, 128, 134, 139, 173, 177, 248, 249, 250, 256, 262, 273, 281, 282, 286, 287, 288, 289, 293, 305, 306, 314- 315. 31S, 320, 323.326. 333- John, 3d, 143, 145, 211, 249, 289, 305, 306. 315. 321. Jonathan, 143, 145, 171, 177, 187, 198, 2o8^ 211, 249, 28g, 305, 306, 316. Joseph, 289, 305, 306, 315. Samuel, 229. Moose, black, 233. Mordacoy, 189. -Morton's "New England's Memorial," 103. "New English Canaan," 46. Mosley, Captain Samuel, letter of, 98. Mosman, Samuel, 224, 232. Moss, Morse, John, ransomed, 114, Mountain, Kearsage. Cusagee, 238. Monadnock, 2ig. 234, 235, 238. Wachusett, 10, n. 83. 112. 130, 138, 217. 219. 220, 234, 345. Watatic, 219. Mnlipus, Mulipiirs, River, 219. Murder of Indian women and children, 117. Mun ill, Stephen, 229. Muster Rolls, 215, 220, 221, 2-19, 242, 243. IVJ-ASHAWAY, Nashawog, Nashawake, Nassua, Nashuah, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 25, 86, 98, 103, 104, III, 139, 255, 263, 27s, INDEX. 357 281, 307, 340. Nashaway Indians, 16, 17, 38, 91, 97, 102, 263. proprietors. 10. 13, 15, 245, 279. River, 9, 22, 25, 64, 80, 139, 144, 193, 219, 220, 273, 274, 278, 279. 283, 290, 291, 292, 296, 304- Sagamores, n, 16, 39, 102, 107, in. 112, lis, 116. 117. 138. 139. 309- wading-place, 8, 25, 59, 67, 273. Nashacowam Nashoonon, Showanon, Sho lan, 10, II, 38, 139. Nashobah [Littleton], 112. Naticook, Neticoock, 239. Natick Indians, 85, 100, 102. Naukeag Pond. Nockeeg, 237. Neal's, Daniel, " Present State of N. E." quoted, 246. Neck, the, 29, 33, 79, 144, 145, 161, 180, 183, 185, map, 244, 249, 250, 252, 254, 255, 264, 265, 275. Neck Bridge, 183. • Neglect of public worship. 91, 94. 129. Nepanet, Nepponet, Nepenomp, alias Tom Dublet, 109, 111,113. Nesonkeeg Brook, 233. New Braintree, loi. New Boston, 345. Newbury, 57. New Ei4;land Historic Genealogical Soci ety, 91, ng, 276, 327. Historical and Genealogi cal Register, 230, 312. " New England Canaan," quoted, 46. " New England Prospect," quoted, 21. " New England's Memorial," quoted, 103. New Grant, 8, 138, 174, 177, 179, 192, 194. Newby, Nube, deorge, 128, 300, 302, 303. Newhall, Michael, 335. New Jerusalem Church, 345. Nevrton, 165. Newton, Anthony, 30. Reverend D. Augustine, 344. Joseph, 167. '¦ News from New England," quoted, 104. News Letter, Boston, quoted, 146, 149, 165. Nichewaug, [Petersham], 229, 331. Nichols, Nicholds, Benjamin, 216, 221. . 269. Nicholson, Captain Francis, 125. Night Pasture, 20, 85, 97, 1S3, 236, 262, 272, 299. 331- Nipnets or Nipmucks, 98, 102. Nonaicoiacus, Nonacoyecos, [Ayer] 94, 272, 276. Norcross, Reverend Nathaniel, 11, 12, 13, 340. Northfield, 224, 232. North Hampton, 146. Nourse, Henry Stedman, 1, 3, 4, 336. Stedman, 296. Nowell, Increase, 38. Reverend Samuel, 106. Noyes, Noyce, Ensign Thomas, Survey by. O^ 8, 64, 6s, 74, 139. Nutfield, 2.J2. Nutting, John, 244. Nathaniel, 24.(. |AKES, Reverend Edward, 123, 340. Oath of fidelity, 22, 26. Old Book, of records, 5, 31, 37 248 2m 273. 288, 338. ' " ¦ Old burying field, 55, 183, 2o.(, 273, 278. 279. Old Common, 145, 212, 294' 298, 341. Old Common burial ground, 164, 341. Old Queen, 112. Old Rock, 278. One-eyed John, alias Monoco, gS, 100, 107, 112, 117, 324. Orchards, 55, 85, 260, 305, 331. Orders of Selectmen, 40, 50, 52, 64, 69. Orthodox Congregational Church, 343. Osgood, Benjamin, 216, 221. David, 216, 220, 221, 243, 338. Hooker, 17s, 185, 186, 191,195, 199. 201, 203, 205, 261, 300, 319, 329. 331- Hooker, Jr., 188, 319. Jonathan, 243. Joseph, 339. Ossipee. Ossipy, 240. Oyster River, 233. Oyster shells, 57. PACKARD, Reverend Asa, 343. -*- Reverend Charles. 343. Reverend Hezekiah, 343. Page, Joseph, 243. Onesiphorus, petition of, 115. Paige, Reverend Lucius R., 343. Pakashoag, Sachem, Pakas/toiag, 11^, 116. Palmer, Reverend James S., 342. Park, the, 218, 294. Parker, Benjamin, 229. Edmund, 30. 32, 37, 39, 40, 41,71, 91, 122, 248, 255, 256, 257, 301, 314. 322, 326. Elizabeth,, bastard of, 91. George A., 295, 336. Harold, 2. Herbert, 4. Isaac, 243. Captain James, 96, 97, 116, 130. Joshua, 234, 237. Phineas, 216, 221, 243. Parks, Jonathan, 229. Deacon William, 93. Pasturage. Comrnon, 21, 50, 53, 83. 171. Pasture, the night, 20, 85, 97, 183, 236, 262, 272, 299. Patterson. Reverend Richard J., 344. Pautucket, [Lowell,] 16. Peage, or Wampum, 1 1, 263. Pearly, Jacob, 229. Jeremiah, 229. Peewunsenn Pond, 238. Pelham, Pellam, Captain William, 15. Pemigewasset River, Petnichewashet,Pemi- siwassetl, Pimiwachet, etc., 231, 234, 23s, 35S INDEX. 238, 240, 241. Penecook River, Penecuck, Penicooke, Pen icook, 8, 33, 45, 60, 144, 199, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 260, 262, 266, 275, 2S0, 283, 293, 294, 295, 299. Penecook wading-place, 20, 60, 97, 249, 331- Pennacook, [Concord, N. H.,] Penekoock, Pennecook, Pennicook, 33, 231, 233, 238, 239- Penequid intervales, 219. Penhallow's. Samuel, Indian Wars, quot ed, 146. Pequid, [New London^ 69, 264. Perry, Seth, 112. Petapawag, [G>oton'\ 263. Petersham, 229. Petitions of Nashaway Company, n, 12, 15, 21, 23. Petitions, of the town of Lancaster, 37, 49, 59. 79. 90. 94. 95. 107. "9. 120, 123, 125, 131. 136. 138, 140. 151. 152. 155. 157, 158, 161, 163, 171, 172, 17s, 193. Petitions of sundry persons, 47, 48, 63, 73, 86, 90, 115, 118, 127, 136, 142, 147, 148, 153, 166, 168, 225, 227, 309. Pettee, Reverend Joseph, 345. Phelps, Edward, 180, 259, 319. Joshua, 243. Robert, 229. Philip, 107, 112, 116. Philip's War, 98, et seq. Phillips, Seargeant, [John,] 17, 18, . 19, 128. Phips, Sir William, his Canada Expedi tion, 127. Pierce, John, 31. Pierpont, Petpont, Mr. [Ebenezer ot Jon athan'!] 175. Pierson, Jonathan, 243. Pigwacket, 226, 227, 230, 238, 241. Pike, John, his joumal quoted, 146, 148. Pine HiU, Pin, 180, 190, 205, 206. 258. Pine trees, 56, 176. Pisquataqua River, 233. Pittime, Andrew, 118. Planters of Lancaster, first, 30, 39. Platts, Mary, 278, 313. Plumtrees, 54, 62, 70. 80, 97. 182, 183, 184, 197, 209, 256, 260, 271, 283. 303. Pollard, Christopher A., 346. John, 229. Oliver, 229. PoUey, Ebenezer, 243. Pomhom, Pumham, 10, 112. Pompoweagon, 276. Ponilcin, [see Quasaponikin^ 184. Ponds.— Bare Hill, 8. Cateconimaug, 219. Chesquonopog, 70. Clamshell, 298. Cumbery, 184. Cusumpe, 230, 236, 240, 241, Great. [Bate Hitl,\ 73, 78. Massapoag, Masapauge, Alasha- poag, Mashapoge, 8, 174, 194, 219. Ponds. — Naukeag, Nockeeg, 237. Peewunsenn, 238. Saco, 242. Uncachewalunk, Uncheco^valo- unk, Unkactiewalunck, Kache walunck, 8, 174, 193, 219. Wachusett, 220. Wanominock. Wanomihouck, 219. Washacum, Washacom, Washa come, Washacombe, Whasha com, 8. 61. 74, 79, 82. 83, 91, 180, 186, 204, 218, 219, 276. West. 211. White's, 184, 220. Winnipiseogee, Winipisocket, Winneepseockey, Winepiseock- et, 130, 131, 13S. Pope, Beatrix, 144, 321. John. 127. 294, 321. Reverend Rufus S., 342. Population of Lancaster in 1715, 176. Postmasters, list of, 345. Potato, wild, [Apios tuberosaf] 33. Potter, Sarah, 321. Pound, 50, 137. Power, Daniel, 243. Vov/owvtmg, pauwauing, 17. Pratt, Edward, 243. Playing Indians, 98, 99, loo, no, 113. Precinct, second, church in, 342. Prentice, Prentes, Reverend John, 5, 24, 164, 169, 173, 176, 182, 184, 185, 187, 202, 208, 228, 278, 289, 300, 305, 332, 342. Doctor Stanton, 182. Captain Thoraas, 120, 125, 165. Prescott, Benjamin, 217. Ebenezer, 144, 318, 332. '' John, 10, 12, 13. 14. 15, 17. 18, 19, 22, 24. 25, 30, 32, 33, 34, 39, 40, 41, 46, 47. 48, 49, 50, 61, 65, 67, 71. 72, 73. 75. 76. 77. 79. 91. 94. 97, 108, 119, 120, 121, 246. 248, 250, 251, 264. 272. 273, 27s, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 283. 284, 287, 288, 289, 290, 293, 294, 29s, 297. 298, 306, 308, 311, 313, 325, ¦ 329- John, Jr., 24, 120, 121, 144, 156, 162, 168, 173, 277, 279, 317, 318, 321. John, 3d, 144, 156, 182, 196, 202, 208, 317. Jonas, 97, 192, 276, 279, 313, 321. Jonathan, 24, 94, 108, 113, 120, 127, 138, 174, 192, 193, 277, 278, 279. 299, 300, 313. 317. 321. 323. Doctor Jonathan, 136. 167. Samuel, 138, 141, 144, 145, 148, 150. 182, 278, 341. Prescott's Mills, 31. 56, 106, 274. Presentments by grand jury, 48, 68, 74, 86, 94, 117, 128, 137, 172, 175, 181. Prices of Commodities, 49, 55, 154. Priest, Gabriel, 210. Daniel, 182, 209, 210. John, 143, 145, 153, 173, 206, 248, INDEX. 359 302, 326. Priest, John. Jr., 143, 189, 302. Priest and Houghton's lime kiln, 57. Prince Library, 114. Printing press, first in N. E., 30S. Proprietors, Clerks of. 43, 77, 176. Covenant of, 27. Estates of, 39, 248. Homes of, maps, 244. Petitions of, 13, 15, 22, 37, 49. Records of, 5, 176, 245. Prudential managers, 22, 25. Public houses, 327, etseq. Puckataugh, Peter, 139. Pulpit, building of, 164. Pummannommon, 276. . Purchase of Nashaway, 9. of additional grant, 138, 179. Putnam, Captain William, 335, 336. QUABOAG, Quabogud, Qitaiacoke, Quo- ahbauge, Quapaug, [BrookJielcC], 11, 16,98, 103, 117. Quanapaug, Quannapohit, Quetiepenett, 91, 100, 139, 275. Quanohit, Sagamore, alias James Wiser, III. Quanipun, Sagamore, 116. Quarlls, Joanna, 285, 320. Quasaponikin, Ponikin, Quascacanaguen, Quosopanagoti, (Quasaponacin, Quassa ponikin, Quasaponacan, Quosaponikin, .. Quasoponican, 42, 61, 78, 79, 179, 184, 196, 197, 218, 249, 252, 254, 255, 257, 258, 259, 260, 265, 267, 270. Queen Anne's War, 140, et seq. Qurrin, William, 243. Quiticus Hills, 219. ¦pAND, Christopher A., J46. ¦•^ Nathaniel, 345, 346. Ransom of captives, 109, et seq. Rates, 28, 45, 51, 64, 79, 81, 122, 128, 140, 151, 162, 185, 207. RatUesnakes, 233. Rattlesnake Hill, 301. Rayner, Raner, Reynor, Samuel, 17, i3, 19, 273- Raynham, 49. Reading, 221, 342. . Records of Births, 5, 312, et seq. Church, 5. Deaths, 5, 322. Estrays, 6. Lands, 43, 51, 52, 245. Marriages, 5, 320, et seq. Proprietors, 5, 245. Roads, 6, S3, 60. Town-meetings, s. 41. 48, SS. 56, 69, 74, 78, 176 to 2X1. Red Spring, 176, 177, 179, 199. Redstone Hill, 219. Reed, Read, Reverend James, 343. Joseph, 229, 334, 338. Rendezvous tree, Randevou, igo, 191. Renie, Henry, 322. Representatives of Lancaster, list of, 332, et seq. Resettlement, petition for, 1679, iig. Revolution of 1688, the town's action in, 126. Rice, Edmund, 45. John A., 278. Joseph, 293. Alerrick, 338. Captain Peter, 192. Richard, 243. Richardson, Jonathan. 243. William, 334, 338, 33g. Rigby, John, 31. 44. 52. 54. 72. 108, 248, 262, 280, 291, 29s. 296, 315, 320. Rigby Brook 196. Rivers. — Androscoggin, Amrescoggin, 226. Connecticut, 227, 232. 236. Contocook, Contockock, 231, 235, 238. Kennebeck, 226. Lancaster, 174, 194. Merrimack, Merimak, Aleremack, Marritnack, 16, 46, 224, 225, 231, 236, 238, 240, 241. Miller's, 238. Mulpus, Multipur's, 219. Nashaway, Nashaway, 22, 25, 33, 61, 79, 144, 193, 219, 220, 273. 274. 278, 279, 283, 290, 291, 292, 296. 301. North, 9, 33, 34, 174, 193, 195, 199, 200, 219, 220, 250, 257, 2sg, 260, 262, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 273, 281, 284, 286, 287, 288, 291, 296, 297, 299, 300, 304. Ossipee, Ossippy, 240. Oyster, 233. Pemigewasset, Pemichewashet, Pitniwachet, Pemisiwassett, &c., 231, 234, 23s, 238, 240, 241. Penecook, Penecuck, Penicook, Pennicook, Penicooke, Penne cook, 9, 33. 45, 60, 144, 199. 231, 233. 238, 239, 249. 250, 251, 252, 253. 254. 25s. 256, 258, 260, 262, 266, 27s, 280, 283, 293, 294, 295, 299. Piscataquog,-233.Saco, Sawco, 230, 236, 241, 242. Sowhegan, Sowhaig, 219, 240. Squanicook, 219. StiU, 54, 61, 62, 70, 97, 141, 236, 251, 271, 272, 273, 274, 2S0, 296, 301. Stillwater, 218. Ware, 234, 237. Roads, earliest, 45, 60, 64, 77, 96. Robbins, Robin, Daniel, 339. Eleazar, 243. Robertson, Doctor David Steuart, 145. Robinson, Elder Dores Alonzo, 345. Reverend John, 137, 340. Nathaniel, 122, 288. Nehemiah, 229. Rogers, Rodgers, Jeremiah, 30, 72, 78, 86, 122, 207, 248, 257, 258, 259, 270, 360 INDEX. 293. 314. 3^5. 316, 317, 321, 322, 324. 325- Rogers, Samuel, 200, 202. Rollstone, Rolestone, Hill, 219, 220. Roofs, forms of early. 58. Roper, Ephraim. 105, 133, 135, 136, 2S2, 317. 318, 321, 324, 326. John, 31, 39, 40, 45, 60. 71. 77, 79. 80, 106, 108, 135, 177, 248, 280, 281, 282, 238, 291, 309, 310, 311, 32s. 331- Roper's Brook, 61, 273, 278, 282, 288, 296. Ross. Thomas, 141, 144, 146, 152, 156, 243, 286. Rowlandson. Rolenson, Rowli?ison, Rou lison, Bridget, 62, 284, 300, 320. Reverend Joseph, 20,24, 3'. 40,41,44,46,50,51,35.60,62, 64, 71, 102, 104, 106, 109,111,114, 115, 119, 132, 134, 248, 254, 262, 263, 274, 296, 299, 300, 301, 303, 314, 315. 316, 320, 322, 324, 325, 340. Joseph, Jr., 103, 115, 299, 300, 301, 314. Mrs. Mary, Narrative of, g8, 102. Thomas, Sen., 24. 48, 62, 274, 300. 322, 340. Thomas, 3d, 104. Rowley, 290. Roxbury, 21, 92, 165, 254. 256. 1 Rugg, Benjamin, 243. Daniel, 141, 144, 187, 196. 206, 283, 332- Hannah. 133, 136, 283, 315, 326. John. 24.31,39,40,41,48,64,72,82, 120, 122, 196, 247, 248. 262, 274, 279, 280, 281, 2S2, 283, 291, 314, 315. 316, 317, 320. 322, 325, 326. John, Jr., 144, 171, 283. 315. Joseph, 133, 283, 316, 326. Samuel, 180, 211, 325. Rum, io6, 329, 330. Rutland, 217, 218, 219, 220, 234, 235, 237, 238. Rutter (Jo.!inf),-y:,j. Rye-field, Prescott's, 60, 182, 273, 278, 288, 289. C.\BBi\TH ordinances, neglect of. 91, "^ 94, 96, 129. Sabbath scene in 1706, 164. Saco, Sawco, River, 230, 236, 241, 24-. Sacononoc, lo. Saint Francis, 227, 234. Sagamore, election of, 38. Salary of minister, 28, 55. 64, 185. of representative, 207, 333. of schoolmaster, 1S5, 202, 207. Salem, 253, 259, 323, 341. Salmon Falls, 242. Salisbury, 62, 115. Sara, alias Shoshanim, Sagamore, 39, 102, 107, III, 112, 115, 116, 117, 324. Sanders. Reverend Daniel C, 341. Sanderson. Robert, 252. Satell, David, 216, Sawyer, Sayer, Sauier, Amos, 202. Bezaliel, 156. 187. 202, 206. Caleb, 143, 173, 182, 183, 189,209, 210, 248, 290, 306, 314. Elias, 155. 184. 1S8, 190. 195, 203. Ephraim, 106, 290, 313. Ezra, 220, 221, 229. 242. Ezra. 2d, 336. Henry, 242. James, 321, John, 191. 229. 315, 319. Jonathan, 187, 203. Joseph, 143, 177, 178, 180, 201. 204, 211. Joshua, 321. Nathaniel, 141, 144, 145, 154. 156, 168. 179, 188, 195, ig6, 201, 204, 316, 328. Samuel, 216, 221, 229, 242. Thomas, 22, 25, 31, 34, 39, 40, 41, 43. 44. 48. 3°. 52. 61, 64, 71, 79, 108, 120, 122, 138, 144, 248, 273, 274, 279, 289, 290, 291, 292, 297, 306. 313. 314. 320, 323, 326. Thomas, Jr., io3, 120, 122, 138, 144. 145. 152. 15s. 173. 182, 186, 211, 290, 295, 313, 317, 321, 323, 334- William, 143, 173, 177, 178, 202, 205, 332. Scalps, bounty upon, 106, 229. Scar Bridge, 177, 180. Scate, Skait, Skeath, John, 133, 135, 261, 286, 326. Schools, 172, 175. School-house Hill, 341. Schoolmasters, 172, 175, 185, 202, 207, Scituate, 266. Scouts, Journals of, 215, et seq. Scripter, Samuel, 216, 221. Sears, Sers, Anna, 292. John, 292. Reverend Edmund Hamilton, 342. Selectmen, 50, 69. 74,77, 128, 158, 171, 172, 175. i3l, 187, igS, 202, 208, 328. Senators, list of, 336. Servant, bought, 267. Seventh Day Adventists Church, 290, 291, 345- ^ Sewall, Samuel, Diary of, 109, 117, 126, 132. 155- Shattuck Manuscripts, gi, 119, 276. Shattuck, James, 216, 221. Samuel, 229. Shaw, John, 20. Sheaf, William, 260, 306. Shepard, Daniel, 243. John, 243. Reverend Thoraas, 73. Shepley, John. 243. Jonathan, 216, 221, 243. Sherborn, 130, 253, 326. Sherifls, 337. Sherman, John, 177. INDEX. \6l Sholan, Showaiion, Shaumanw, IT, l6, 38, 66. 139. 322. Shoshamm, alias Sam, 39, 102, 107, in, 112, 115, 116, 117. Shrewsbury, Shrubury, 219, 342. S'nrewsbury Leg, map, 8. Signatures of early settlers, 24. Silvanus, negro, 93. Silver, Reverend Abiel, 345. Sill. Scyll, Captain Joseph. 106. Simon Boshakum. alias Pottoquam, 116. Simon Pipo's planting-field, 145. Simson, Thomas, 231. Singlet.xry. Singleterry, Richard, 166. Skeath, John, sec .Scale. Skidmore, Scidmore, Thoraas, 13, 15, Slav-e, 267. Sleeping Rock, 267. Smadlcy, John, 45. Smith, Moses, 336, 338. James. 143. John, 30, 34, 39, 40, 41, 71, 146, 248, 261, 269, 284, 285, 286, 287, 314, 323. Richard, 18, 19, 20, 24, 32, 37, 39, 40, 41, 60, 246, 248, 261, 262, 263, 283, 284. 285. 286. 296, 299, 314, 320, 322. Snow, James. 144, 173, 184, 202, 203. jfames, Jr., 144. Snowsnoes, loi, 142. Soldiers, lists of, 127, 215, 216, 220, 221, 229. SoUendine. John, 130. Sowhegan, Sowhaig, Indians, 16. River. 219. 240. Spalding. Spalden, John, 146, 148. Willia.Ti, 229. Spectacle meadow, 304. Spr.ague, Honorable John, 335, 336, 337. Spring, Cold, 145, 301, 304. Red, 176, 177, 179, 199, 297. Spung or Spong, 54, 262. Sqnanicook River, 219. Sq'-u-uvs and, sann'ips.,2.10. . Squaw Sachem, [Weelamoo,] II. Stated Comm.on, 178, 179, 180, rSi, 187, 281, 283, 287, 292, 297. Stearns, Eli, 335. Stedman, William, 335, 337. Steevens, Cyprian, 24, 84, 86, loi, loS, 121, 127, 128, 141. 144. ^56. 162, l63, 177, 211, 243, 261, 272, 312. 317, 318, 321, 338. Simon, 84, 141, 144, 152, 156, 168, 173, 180, 215. 251, 261, 272. 299, 318. Stephens, John. 216. 229. Sterling. 91, 166. 245, 260, 276, 286, 298, 336.342- , „ . . Stevens, Revtyend Benjamin, 341. Captain, [Phineas^ 217. Elizabeth, 267. Samuel, 166. Reverend Timothy, 134. William, 242. Stickney, Samuel, 229. Still River, 5.1, 61, 62, 70, 86, 97, 14J, c:^,b, 231. 253. 271, 272, 273, 27.1, 280, 296, ';or, 330- Stillwater River, 218. Stockade, Watertown to Wamesit, 106. Stocks, 50, 137. Stoddard, -Anthony, 73, Stone, Joseph, 202. Deacon, [Daniel^ 120. Stoughton. Govemor William, 133. Stow. 123. Stow, Samuel, 185, 245. Stratton, H. B.. 285, 331. Street, the so-called. 33, 61. 196. 273. 280, 23i, 282. 283, 284, 236, 288. 289. 29J. 294, 295- Strong drink, sale of, 85, 263, 327, ct seq. Stuart, John, 338. Sudbury, Sudbery, Sudburye, 13, 14. 22, 23. 26. 47, 63, 65, 100, 107, no, 120, 224, 2:;S, 268, 279, 28'i, 284, 285, 2.86, 2'87, 233, 289, 321. Sudbury River and Marsh, 13, 14. Sumner, Deacon Roger, 24, 31. 39, 40, 72, 74. 7S. 96. 97. 107. 248. 257, 259, 269, 304, 315, 315, 317, 320, 32Z, 326. Samuel, 128, 257. Suncook, 233, 239. Survey of additional grant, 174, 192. of original grant, 65, Surveyor for proprietors, 70, 178, 179. Sutton, Richard, 31. Swamp. Hemp, 297. Hog. 196. 198, 204, 205. 304, 305. Horse, 294. Swan, 45, 46, 60, 97, 188, 189, 198, 249. 260. Walnut, 61, 187, 188, 189, 196,206, 287, 297, 300, 302, Swagon, 118. Swans in Merrimack River, 46. Swift, Thomas, 122, 285. Symmes, Caleb T;,-26i, 272. Symonds,. Henjrv, 9j.34,,.32I„ . . Symonds and I'.ing trucking houie, 9, 34. 83, 246, 261, 275, 277, 319. ¦yAHANTO, Dahannata, George, 138, -*¦ 173. 179. 193- Taller. Colonel William, 128, 153, 192. Tar and Turpentine, 176. Tarbol, Sam-ael, 229. Tatatiquinea, Peter, in. Taylor, Frank D., 146, 285, 331. John, 231. Taxation without representation, 23. Taxes abated, 56, 120, 151. Teachers. 172, 175, 185, 202. 207. Temple, Abigail, 321. Isaac, 253. Jonathan, 243. Thatching tools, 57. Thayer, Eugene V. R., 182. Nathaniel. 4. Reverend Nathaniel, D. D., 342. Thompson, Doctor J. L. S., 249. 336. 339. ?62 INDEX. Thurston, Captain John, 335. John Gates, 335. 336, 339. John, Jr., 336. Samuel. 334. Silas, 336. Wilder. S., 346. Timber Plain, 258. Tinker, Tincker, John, 20, 24, 25, 31, 37, 4c, 50, 52, 59, 60, 64, 68, 246, 248, 261, 262, 263, 264, 272, 274, 2S0, 298, 299, 320. 322, 337. 333- Toba.,eo, io6, in, 265. Todd, Reverend John E., 343. Tom Dublet, alias Nepanet, no, in. 113. Toombs, William, 277. Torrey, Ebenezer, 33S. Towers, John, 31. Town Clerks, list of, 338, 339. Town brand marks, 16, 80. Town meetings, attendance at required, 80. records of, 5, 41, 55, 56, 69, 74, 78, 176 to 211. warning. 56. , 'Town officers elected. 77, 185. 187, 202 208, 2t2. ' Townsend, Hezekiah, 191, 195, 206, 211. Township, grant of, 21, 25. full liberty of a, 37, 49, 78, 90. Training field, 186, 187. Trainings, 56, 74, 87, 88. Trucking house of Symonds and King, 9, 34, 83, 246, 261. Trull, Samuel, 229. Tucker, Tooker, Arthur, 128. Thom>is, 197, 209, 2IO. 211. 298. Tueils, Tuel, Twoells, Barnard. 209, 243. Turner. Stevens H., 346. Captain William, 135. I'urpentine, itc. Turkey Hills, [Lunenburg,] 194. 217, 218, 219. 222, 223, 224, 236, 244. Twitchell, Tuchel, Benjamin, 30. Tyng, Edward. 91. Colonel Eleazar, 136, 138, 142, 162, 16S, 215, 222. 223, 231, 235. Jonathan, 156. Captain William, 146, 147, 148, 154, 168. ¦{ T.NITARIAN Church, 340, 341, 342. ^ Universalist church. 342. Uncachewalunk Pond. Unchecowalounk, Unkachewalunck, Kachewalunck, 8, 174, 193. 219. Uppanippaquum, n6. Usher, John, 216. Uskattuhgun, alias Sam, 111,324. 'V/'ALUE of estates of first settlers, 39. ^ lands, 189. Schoolmaster's services,203, 207. a bought servant, 267. sundries, 49, 51, n8, 134. 142, 154, 167, i68, 185, 1S9, 33°. \'arnum, John, 229. Veiwing highways, bounds and fences. 54, 81. Virgin, Ebenezer, 221. Volunteers, 107, 225, 226, 229. Vosc, Jane, 321. Samuel J. S., 261, 331. Voters, qualifications for, 52. ¦\X7-ABAN, 115. * Wachusett, Warehasset, Watchu sett, Wachusets, Wochoosett, 10, n, 85, 112, 130. 138, 217, 219, 220, 234, 332, 346. Wading places, 8, 20, 59, 60, 67, 97, 2.19, 273. 331- Wadsworth, Captain Samuel, loi, 103. Wales, Joseph, 338, 339, 345. Nathaniel, 303, 304, Walker, Benjamin, 229. Isaac, 10, 13, 15, 16. Isabel, 323. Seth, 200. Walnut Swamp, 61, 187, i83, 189, 196, 206, 207, 287, 297, 300, 302. Wamesit, [ Tewksbury, n»w Lowell^ 106. Wampom, or peage, n, no, 263. Wanomenock Pond, 219. War. Queen Anne's, 140. Lovewell's, 215. Philip's, 98. King William's. 125. Ward, Henry, 31. Nahum, 176, 177, 304. Nathaniel, his " New England's Prospect," 21. Reverend Richard, 345. Samuel, 167, 335, Captain Samuel, 338, 339. Deacon William, 120, 192. Ware, Mrs. Mary G., 134. Ware River, 234, 237. Warner, Lieutenant Eleazar, 239, 240, 2.|2, 243. John; 143, 189. 209, 210, 249, 302, 303- Samuel, 179. 187, 203. 204, 207, 210, 302. Warning out of town, 89, iSi, 209. Washacum, Washacombe, Whashacom, Weshecum, Washacom, Wes/iakum, Washakim, Waschacomb, 61, 74, 79, 82, 83, 91, 115, 180, i36. 195, 204, 218, 275, 276, 308. Washburn, John M., 336. Wassamagoin. Wassamequin, 10, n. Wataquadock, Wataquadocke, Wataqua tock, Wataquadoke, Wadaquadock, 42, 45. 60, 71, 132, 141, 145. 157, iSS. 195. 270, 289, 290, 301, 304, 305, 306. Watatick, 219. Watch house, 149. Waters, Adam, 260, 261, 286, 313, 323. Joseph. 122, 128. 143, 252, 260, 261, 307, 313, 318. Lawrence, 18, 19, 20, 24, 29, 30, 32, 37. 39. 40, 41. 52, 60, 72, 74, INDEX. 3<^3 76, 85, nS. 122, 135, 246, 24S, 252, 260, 261, 262, 273, 27t, 283, ^293,313,314,322,325,33"!. Waters, Samuel, 20J, 321. Stephen, 122, 135, 260, 261, 286. Watertown, 10, n, 21, 31, 35, 36, 106, log, 134. 251, 256, 260. 275, 27S, 279, 281, 295. 298. 321. 322, 326, 340. Watkins. Andrew. 244. Weights and Measures, 63, 74, 137. Wedge, Tliomas, 316. Wells, Wels, 242. Richard, 62, 115. Wenham, 254. Wentworth, Colonel [Jjohn], 226. West, Mary. 209. West Towne. 23. Wethersfield. 119, 266, 301, 325, 340. Whaley, Lieutenant George, 17, 18. 19. Wheeler, Abraham, 132, 133. 318. Ephraim. 216, 220, 221, 243. George, 45. Isaac. 319. Josepn, 99. 323. Josiah, 143. 173, 189, 191, 195, 196. 19S. 204. 304. . Richard, 71, 80, 82. 106. 157, 248, 279, 292, 293, 315, 316, 317, 322. Samuel, 127, 12S, 293, 325. Sergeant, 'I'homas, 15. Zebediah, 307, 315. Wheelock, John, 242. Joseph, 141, 144, 160, 161. i8g. 210, 216, 220, 221. 229, 319, 332. Josiah, 205, 249. limothy, 127. Whipping post, 129. Whip suUerage, pLintation, 65. Whitcomb, Wlictcontbe, Whetcom,Qci\o'Ci^\ Asa, 334, 33b. David, 143, 180, l83, 19C, 197. 200, 201, 202, 207, 266, 293, . 321, 323, 329, 331. Widow, Haiinau, 130, 266. Hezekiah, 143, 187, 201. 205, 207, 266, 293, 318. Job, 64, 108, 205. 266, 317,321. Colonel and General John, 338. John, Senior, 24, 30, 37, 39, 40, 41. 63, 71. 248, 250, 252, 264, 265, 266, 322, 323. John, Jr., 30, 39, 40, 41, 71, loS, 121, 188, 231, 248, 264, 265, 266, 267, 317, 321, 325. Jonathan, Sg, 94, io3. I2i, 141, 144, 152. 156, 265. 266, 316, 317. 319. 320, 325- Joseph, Doctor, 229, 231, 242. Josiah, 124, 137. 143. 158, 160. 161, 171, 173, 265, 266, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 334- Garrison, 145. White's Pond. 184, 220. White, Emory H.. 259. Eunice, 227. White, Captain John, i65, 176, 187, 188, 190. 198, 20S, 222, 225, 226, 227, 22S, 229, 230, 232, 254, 319'. 32s', 329, 331. John, Senior, 30, 32. 36. 39, 40, 41, 44. 54. 56, 6i. 72, 76, 191, 195, 243, 253. 254, 293, 300, 322. Jonathan. 166, 228. Josiah, 24, 97, 120, 122, 123, 141, 145, 156. 162, 166, i63. 177. 1S4, 'S7, 191. 195, 196. 197. iga, 199, 200, 202. 206, 2o3, 210, 223, 254, 255. 25S, 266, 31a, 319. Josiah, Jr., 228, 334. Whiting, Alice, {Cook), 24, 126, 134, 138. James, 30. Reverend John, 126, 132. 134. 138, 326, 340. General John, 335, 337. Timothy, 126. Timothy, Jr., 337. 33S. 345. Solon, 335, 339. WhUman, Davis, 335, 336. Reverend Samuel, 137, 341. Whitney, Anna H., 4. Jonathan, 204, 209, 210. Reverend Peter, history of, quoted, 43, 155, 224. Whittborn, Vv'illiam, 325.- Whittemore, Benjamin, S. T. D., 343. Wickapeket, Wakapaket, Wacapacit, Wa kapacet, Wacapacet, WeCapickit, iFici- epocket, Wecapeket, 189, 190, 195, 196, 203, 204, 205, 206, 218, 220, 2S6. Wickapimsee. 21S. V\'ild-cat, 124. Wilder, Wyetder, Willder, .Aaron, 346. Caleb, 6, 67, 214, 247, 339. Carter, 346. Charles Lewis, 20, 299. David, 334, 338. Ebenezer, 177, 178, i3S. 190, 191, '97. ^99, 200, 205, 206, 20S. 209, 210; 211. 29S. 332, 334. Captain Epnraim, 141. 144. 146, 152, 154, 156. 162, 166. 172, 178, lao, ia6. 137, 1S9, 191, 197. 19S, 199, 200, 202, 223, 277, 3itj, 334, ^ 330. 337- Colonel James, 178, 180, 183, 1O4. 186, 187, 189, 195, 197, 190, 199, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 2vJ9, 210, 296, 318. 328. 332. 33S. Deacon Joel, 335, 336. Joel, 2d, 282. joel, Jr.. 2d, 336. John, 108, 144. 158. 160. 161, 170, ^79. 183, 184. 190, 191, 204, 205, 215. 244, 298, 517, 318, 319. 321. John. Jr., 244. Jona'than. 139. 152, 156, 165, 166, 3'8, 319. Jonathan, Jr., 335. Judge Joseph, Senior, 6, 142, 154, 171, 172, 176, 178, 179, 180. 184. 186, 187. 18S, 190, 191, 197, 199, 200, 202, 205, 2ut'), 2oi>, 2I:.J. 213, 3^4 INDEX. ^,.,^ , 3^8, 3=R, 3;'J, .334. 337, 36^ 339- Wilder, Judge and Colonel Joseph, Jr.. 171,214,334,337,333,339. Doctor Josiah, 319, 33S, 339. Luke, 339. Lieutenant Nathanift', io3, 117, 12.;, 128, T36, 139, 141, 1.14., 146, 132, 156, 261, 277, 2S1, 282, 298, 31S, 319. 321. 325, 328, 329. Nallianiei, Jr.. 202, 203, 204, 2S1, 232,318, 319. Lieutenant and Colonel OUver, 187, 196, 203, 204, 206, 224, 2^2. 261, aSi, 319. 329, 331, 338. Samuel, 338. Solon, 341, 346. Thomas, 24, 31, 69. 72, 73, 75, 77, 79, 82, S3, lo8, 247, 243, 260, 271, 280, 281, 296, 297, 298. Thomas, Jr., 120, 121, 125, '127, i4-i. 145. 153. '58, 160, 161, 164, 170, 171, 172, 173, 197, 206, 209, =12, 256, Z98, 318, 319, 320, 332, 338. , William G., 346. Wilds, Wiles, Joseph, 205. Richard, 205, 215, 243, 244, 332. Willard, Aa^on, 190, 221. 243. Colonel Abijah, 237, 337, 338, 339. Abel, 338, 339. Benjamin, 127, 128, 1-42, 307, 33S. Henry, 197, 199, 200, 202, 229, 236, 243. 272, 307, 319, 321, 330. Hezekiah, 143, 173, 200, 319. John, ii^3, 191, 200, 202, 309, 249, 272, 306, 307. 321. Jonathan, 2co, 24.3. 272, 316. 319. Joseph, Esqui.re, 43, 66, 67, 126, 137. ^38. i-tS. ^S°, 164, 212, 335, 338- Josepn, 200, 272, 314, 319. Captain Josiah, 196, 200, 202, 209, 222, 2-I1 243, 244, 272, 319. Joshua, 33S. Levi, 237, 338, 339. Moies, 220. Paul, 338.^ Captain Samuel, 171, 187, 199, 200, 201, 205, 204, 205, 226, 234 to 240, 24,1, 142, 243. 244, 250, 272, 299, 303, 319, 329, 331, 332, 334. 337. 338, 339. Saiiiuel, Jr., 333, Major Simon, 15, 24, 33, 45, 46, 47. 5°. 52. 60, 64, 65, 75, 77. 78, 84,85,36,89,90,92,98, 108, log. 122, 134, 247. 261, 263, 264, 270, 27J. 27s, 2'i3, 296, 259, 303, 314, 315, 316, 320, 3-i2, 324, 329, 331, 337- Willard, Simon, Jr., I43, 145, 272, 276. V/il!iam, 338. Williams, Jason. 221. John, 222. Thomas. 128. Wilson, Benjamin, 202, 305, 332. Jereraia'n, 144, 171, 1-73, i38, 199, 249. 304. SOS- Reverend John, 73. Joseph, 229. 242. Nathaniel, 260, 305, 321. Windows in early houses, 58. Windsor, Ct., 262. Winnepiseogee, Winipisocket, Winnepe- seockey, Wincpiseocket, 130, 131, 138. Winslow, Edward, "Glorious Progress of the Gospel," 16. Winter Harbor, 230, 242. Winter Plain. 271. Winthrop, Governor John. "History of N. E. quoted," 10, 11. 12. 14. Wiser, James, alias Quanapaug, 91, 100, 139. 275. Witchcraft, 307, 308. Witherby, Josiah, 244. vVobum, Houboutne, 123, 192, 221, 249, 257, 285, 287, 292, 301, 302, 321. Wolf pen, 21. Wolves, 21, 124, 128, 302. Won, an Indian Soldier, 243. Wonchesix, 121. Wonsquon, Womsquam, John, 124, 139. Woodrop, Wooddroffe, Reverend William 123. 34°- Woods, Cornet. {Henry), 120. Isaac, 216, 221, 243. Joseph, 243. Matthew F.. 339. Woonksechocksett, Wonksacoxet, Owck- sett, Oxsechoxets, Ocsechoxit, 195, 219, 220, 260, 341, 342. Worcester, Wossester, 219. Writing School, 172, 175. Wright, Ebenezer, 229. Isaac, 322. John, 221, 3-29. Joseph. 229. Captain Samuel. 177, 213, 23.1. Wyman, Captain Benjamin, 335, 33S. 339. , Benjamin F., 202. Captain Seth. 225, 226, 232, 233. 3 9002 00492 3315 ' fci\ ¦¦iff.